The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. The breed is known to be very loyal and friendly. In fact, their fierce friendliness could hurt their chances of being a good guard dog. But can anything be done?
The intelligence of the breed also enables it to be a highly capable working dog. Many golden retrievers act as “drug sniffers” for airlines. They’re also natural athletes, and do well in dog sports such as agility and competitive obedience. You think with all these qualities combined would make the perfect guard dog. But there is a reason these dogs are called “retrievers.”
Due to their friendly and sensitive nature, this may not be the case. Yes, golden retrievers are also highly sensitive. The sensitivity also plays a part in the fact that golden retrievers do not like to be left alone. Therefore the dog may be too upset that you are gone to worry about watching the house. That’s why golden retrievers don’t do well in apartment settings. Especially if the owner is never home. If you need a guard dog for an apartment, rethink a retriever.
On Guard
Picture taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever
But that does not mean that golden retrievers cannot be trained to be a good guard dog. Remember that golden retrievers are highly intelligent and are as a result very quick when it comes to training. They also highly obedient and eager to please their loved ones. You can try training the dog yourself by looking up tips online or seeking professional help. You can ask your vet if they know anyone that could provide good training assistant. It will be important for the retriever to maintain its friendly demeanor with those that it is familiar with. The dog should learn to be wary of people that invade the home unannounced or that exhibit menacing behavior.
Golden retrievers are known to be great with children and you would also want your retriever to protect its “tiny human” as well. That’s why a golden retriever that is successfully trained as a guard dog would be the perfect dog. Friendly and loving to those it cherishes and protective against those that may be threatening. Remember to keep treats on hand while the training process is happening. Any dog usually responds well to positive reinforcement. But also correct the dog when mistakes are made. You want the dog to know exactly what to do. Also remember to give your dog a nice break from time to time. You don’t want to overwork your lovable companion.
Remember golden retrievers are usually sensitive. Tell me about your experiences with this subject in the comments below. Do you have a golden retriever? Does it make a good guard dog? Is it still friendly? How would you go about training the dog? How did the training with the dog go? Was it challenging? How long did the training take? Who knows? You may help someone else with your stories and advice.
