Train Golden Retriever to be Clean

This will be of a comfort to you: (almost) all Golden Retrievers learn to evacuate (get rid of their bowel movements) outside the house, some sooner than others. In the beginning, your puppy will constantly have that feeling. After every meal, every time he wakes up, when playing, with every greeting, with any minor agitation; he will continuously need to urinate, on average every 2 or 3 hours, when playing even more. Consequently, the first few nights it would be convenient to set your alarm in order to sit your dog in the designated place. He'll give you a sleepy look and then proceed to make his little puddle because he has no other choice. If he gets upset before that, obviously you won't go by the time you set the alarm. If he happens to spill some liquid along the way, it won't be his fault, but yours for taking too long. Therefore, it wouldn't be convenient to punish the puppy as he wouldn't understand why. Clean the area where it happened with water and vinegar or with an appropriate detergent; if you don't clean it well, the smell will stimulate him to pee there again. The most convenient thing would be that you spend the first few weeks observing and caring for him. As days go by you will get to know better when he's got "needs" and will immediately take him to his "spot". He still can't make it in time to that spot and might lose "something" along the way. Once in the spot, sit him down and wait for him to go. Don't distract him because the dog doesn't have to do investigations, all he has to do fulfill his duty. There are dogs that can be hours outside but don't have time to alleviate themselves, but as soon as they get home, they go on the carpet.

Tip: If you extend some old sheets of newspaper close to the door, your puppy will frequently accept that corner as an emergency place to do his "needs". Of course, this is only for the first nights, but during the day, you should take him outside. It is possible and always a great help to teach him a "relief" order. Every time the puppy needs to pee in his spot, or goes poop, repeat the agreed term (for example "Psssss!" – "Easy goes") with a cheerful tone of voice, and always the same. He will soon relate these words to his spot and to what he has to do there. Later on you will be able to give him the same order but for a different spot, for example if you're on vacations, visiting a friend or relative, or during a show.

Tip: The place where your puppy will do his needs is: 1) easy to get to; 2) doesn't offer any distractions; 3) is not in sight of curious neighbors; 4) has some dirt or grass.