3 Common Golden Retriever Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: Golden Retrievers are gentle souls who live to make you happy. With the right guidance, these loving dogs become the loyal, well-behaved companions they were born to be.

Where Do Golden Retrievers Come From?

Golden Retrievers were created in the Scottish Highlands during the mid-1800s. Sir Dudley Marjoribanks (later Lord Tweedmouth) wanted the perfect hunting dog for rugged terrain and water.

He crossed the now-extinct Yellow Retriever with the Tweed Water Spaniel. Later, he added Bloodhound and Irish Setter bloodlines. The result was an intelligent, gentle, and hardworking breed with that famous golden coat.

What were they bred to do?

Golden Retrievers had one main job:

• Retrieve shot waterfowl during hunts
• Work calmly beside their handler
• Gently carry game birds without damaging them
• Show patience and intelligence
• Cooperate willingly with their person

They were companions first, working partners second. Devotion was always part of their purpose.

Key breeding traits:

Goldens were bred to be eager to please. They have boundless energy and an intense need to carry objects in their mouths. Their dense double coat protects them from cold water and harsh weather.

Most importantly, they were selectively bred for biddability - meaning they naturally want to do what you ask. They have gentle mouths, cooperative spirits, and are emotionally in tune with their people.

Why Do Golden Retrievers Have These Behaviour Problems?

Your Golden Retriever isn't misbehaving to annoy you. These dogs were bred for centuries to work in close partnership with hunters, never leaving their handler's side.

That intense human bonding and desire to please is still hardwired into them today. They have an instinct to retrieve and engage with people constantly. Without proper outlets for these drives, their natural behaviours can become problems.

Understanding this helps you give your Golden what they need to thrive.

Problem 1: Excessive Jumping on People

What's happening: Your Golden jumps on everyone who enters your home, leaps at visitors, or can't greet people without their paws leaving the ground.

Why it happens: Golden Retrievers were bred to enthusiastically retrieve and bring things to face level. This translates to jumping up to reach people's faces. Hunters in heavy coats didn't mind muddy paws, so this behaviour was never bred out.

The fix: Stay completely silent when people arrive. If jumping occurs, turn your back without speaking. If it continues after two attempts, calmly move them to another room to calm down.

Wait until they're settled (not excited) before allowing interaction. Have them hold an item in their mouth during greetings - it's hard to jump whilst carrying something.

Have visitors ignore your dog for the first 5 minutes. No eye contact, touching, or talking. Only acknowledge them once they're sitting calmly.

Struggling with overexcited greetings? Getting the timing right is crucial. Join our free Skool community to get personalised feedback during weekly Q&As and see video demonstrations of proper greeting protocols.

Problem 2: Destructive Chewing

What's happening: Your Golden chews furniture, shoes, walls, or anything they can get their mouth on.

Why it happens: Their soft mouth genetics create an intense oral fixation. Goldens have a biological need to carry and mouth objects. In the field, they'd retrieve birds constantly. Your home provides no such outlet, especially during their extended puppyhood (up to 3 years).

The fix: Never leave your Golden alone with access to inappropriate items. Make sure they're calm before expecting settle time.

When you catch them chewing something forbidden, stay calm and silent. Guide them away using a short lead (keep one attached indoors). Immediately offer an appropriate alternative. If they refuse and return to the forbidden item, calmly place them in a separate room for 5 minutes.

Rotate 5-7 different textured chew items throughout the week. Practice "carry sessions" during walks where they hold an approved item for the entire walk.

Finding it hard to manage the chewing? Different Goldens respond to different chew toys. Our Skool community has a full guide on chew item rotation, plus you can ask other Golden owners what's worked for their dogs.

Problem 3: Separation Anxiety

What's happening: Your Golden becomes distressed when you leave. They might bark, destroy things, or show signs of panic when alone.

Why it happens: Golden Retrievers were bred to work in intimate partnership with hunters, never leaving their handler's side. Being alone contradicts everything in their DNA. They were bred to notice subtle handler cues, making them hyper-aware of your presence or absence.

The fix: Practice mini-departures throughout the day, starting with just 20 seconds. Return without greeting, eye contact, or touching for 5 full minutes until they're completely calm.

Don't make departures dramatic. Pick up keys and put on shoes randomly throughout the day to desensitise these cues.

Practice 20-30 mini-departures on weekends with very short absences - even just to your car and back.

When you return and they're excited, freeze completely. No movement, speaking, or acknowledgment until they settle. Then quietly invite interaction on your terms.

Separation anxiety not improving? This is one of the hardest behaviours to work through alone. Inside our Skool community, you'll get step-by-step progressions tailored to your situation and troubleshoot setbacks during live weekly webinars.

Is a Golden Retriever Right for a New Owner?

A Golden Retriever might be perfect for you if you're looking for:

A gentle, trainable family dog - Golden Retrievers are famous for their kind nature and eagerness to learn. They respond beautifully to positive training and genuinely want to make you happy.

A loyal companion for active families - These dogs thrive with families who love outdoor activities. They're excellent with children and form deep bonds with every family member.

A dog that loves having a job - If you enjoy teaching tricks, playing fetch, or doing activities with your dog, Goldens are ideal. They're happiest when they have structure and purpose.

An emotionally intuitive friend - Golden Retrievers are incredibly in tune with human emotions. They sense when you're sad and offer comfort naturally. This makes them wonderful therapy and service dogs.

A social dog that gets along with everyone - Goldens typically love other dogs and pets. They're friendly with strangers and visitors, making them great for social households.

If you're ready for daily exercise (1-2 hours), regular grooming, and can provide consistent structure, a Golden Retriever will reward you with unwavering devotion and joy.

Get the Full Support System for Your Golden Retriever

This guide gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a well-behaved Golden Retriever is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community - to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific Golden Retriever and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other Golden Retriever owners who understand exactly what you're going through
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your Golden Retriever.