Gold Select™ Trained Golden Retrievers
Specialized Training for Golden Retriever Companion, Therapy, Facility/Office or Service Prep Dogs

Our Gold Select™ Training Program is far more than just puppy and young adult training for your Golden Retriever - it is an extension of The Imprint™ program we've been using for the puppy's past eight weeks.
By four months of age, your puppy's character has been permanently shaped. According to Clarence Pfaffenberger, who volunteered his training and knowledge to Guide Dogs for the Blind for 21 years, "No matter how good his inherited character traits, if they are not given a chance of expression during this period he will never be as good a dog as he could have been." (119)
By this measure, a fully trained Golden Retriever is only as good as their imprinting!
By four months of age, your puppy's character has been permanently shaped. According to Clarence Pfaffenberger, who volunteered his training and knowledge to Guide Dogs for the Blind for 21 years, "No matter how good his inherited character traits, if they are not given a chance of expression during this period he will never be as good a dog as he could have been." (119)
By this measure, a fully trained Golden Retriever is only as good as their imprinting!
Our Gold Select™ training is measured by the level of skills attained rather than the number of hours we've been working. Program finish-dates vary for each puppy, understanding we are training the puppy/dog in front of us. Each Golden learns at his/her own pace, and our goal is achieving those skill levels with that particular puppy or dog. At the present time, training options available for your Golden Retriever include attaining their AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® (Canine Good Citizen®), AKC Canine Good Citizen®, and AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen. At program completion, each Golden is tested by an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizenship Evaluator, and must pass the desired level of competency.
Our focus has always been on the relationship with our animals, cultivating the willingness to work their handler. We train and relate to the whole puppy or dog, knowing each part of their development is essential. We're looking to create a loving and working relationship, doing life together. We offer a limited number of Gold Select Training reservations each season. Puppies live with us, training in our home, in our training facility, in formal coursework at the Good Dog Center, Decorah, IA, and with public access, utilizing parks, businesses, downtown areas, and rural settings. Our sincerest thanks to the area businesses who allow us to train our Goldens for the unique and special roles they will play within the lives of their people. |