You should start with the obedience training of your new Golden Retriever right from the beginning. The earlier the dog gets used to the rules in your household, the easier your life will become. Sure, it is never to late to train a dog, especially one as eager to learn things as a Golden Retriever, but it does get more and more difficult, the older the dog gets - it's just the same with children, isn't it? Dogs are in many ways similar to little children - they need loads of attention, but they also need rules, or else they might eventually start feeling unsure and insecure.
Start with three easy words: NO, STOP, and COME.
Don't use long sentences which the dog won't understand anyway, if you want something from him.
If he's doing something wrong, like chewing the sofa cushions or pulling your trouser legs, use the command "NO!" in a sharp voice. If the dog takes no notice of you and continues being naughty, say "STOP"! You don't have to shout though - the dog can hear it in your voice when you are angry with him.
If he gets it right, reward him with lots of cuddles and the words "GOOD BOY" (or "GOOD GIRL" if it's a girl, of course). Your dog will be very happy if he sees that he could satisfy you, so he will try it again the next time. But don't reward him with titbits a hundred times a day - that would only upset his stomach and the dog would start getting disappointed, if he didn't get them all the time!
The dog knows how you feel. Don't laugh, if he's doing something wrong - of course it is cute if a puppy steals your shoes and runs away with them, but even if you find that sweet - don't show it to him. Take the shoe away from him, say "NO"! in a sharp voice. The next time he takes something, say "NO"! again. If he drops the shoe, reward him with the word "GOOD", and your voice should sound nice and soft then.
Use simple commands.
Always be consequent.
Avoid shouting at him.
Don't confuse him by using different commands or long sentences.
NO! STOP! COME!
The word "GOOD" is a reward, and not a command.
A puppy needs to empty its bowels about 4 times a day and needs a wee up to 15 times daily. So every hour, you should let the puppy out in the garden or go a quick round with it. If nothing happens, don't urge the puppy to do something. If it does do it, reward it with the word "GOOD" and stroke it. Every time it wees or poos on the carpet or floor, say "NO!" in a sharp voice and carry the puppy outside immediately to place it on the grass. DO NOT PUT ITS NOSE IN THE WASTE though. Clean the dirty spot with soapy water and use a disinfectant afterwards. You'll soon notice that your consumption of kitchen towels will dramatically increase...!
You might also need to get up in the night to let the puppy out. Don't wait for it to bark and tell you that it has to go outside though! And don't feed it too late for the last time. After 9pm the puppy should not eat anything anymore, and the last time you let it outside should be at about midnight.
You must always provide the puppy with water - it will usually drink in the night as well - and if you refuse it the liquid, it will get dehydrated very easily. That means, if you don't get up to see to the dog in the night, it will probably wee on the carpet. BUT DON'T DESPAIR. These first few months will go by very quickly, and your effords will eventually be rewarded with a properly housetrained dog.
The Golden Retriever is always eager to learn new things and therefore quite easy to train. You can teach him to fetch things, to climb racks and frames and even to open doors and switch on the lights. Your Retriever is so intelligent and willing, your possibilities with him are almost illimitable. Still, even here there are some rules to follow:
NEVER FORCE THE DOG TO ANYTHING.
STOP THE TRAINING ONCE IT BECOMES OBVIOUS THAT YOUR DOG IS NO LONGER HAVING FUN AND GETTING EXHAUSTED.
USE SIMPLE ONE-WORD-COMMANDS LIKE
"FETCH!", "UP!", "DOOR"! "STAY"!
ALWAYS REWARD THE DOG AFTERWARDS.
For his own security, you might teach your dog to SIT DOWN each time before you allow him to cross a road with you by saying "COME".