At our breeding program, we work hard from day one to ensure our puppies have a calm, confident relationship with food, toys, and people. We do not anticipate any resource guarding behavior from our puppies because we’ve laid a solid foundation early on—with plenty of food, no scarcity, and positive interactions around high-value items.
That said, it’s still important for every puppy owner to understand how to teach key impulse control cues and what to do if signs of resource guarding ever appear. Two of the most effective tools in your training toolbox are the cues “Wait” and “Leave It.” These commands help prevent unwanted behaviors before they start—and can be especially helpful in managing or preventing resource guarding.
Let’s explore what makes these cues so valuable, how to teach them, and how they set your Golden up for success.
🧠 Why “Wait” and “Leave It” Matter—Especially for Goldens
Golden Retrievers are known for their enthusiasm. They want to be involved in everything—food, toys, people, walks, and whatever’s on the kitchen counter.
That excitement, while charming, can become dangerous or frustrating if your dog doesn’t learn to pause or walk away when needed.
✅ Teaching “Wait”
This cue gives your Golden the ability to pause and check in with you before moving forward. It’s ideal for situations like:
- Doorways
- Food bowls
- Getting out of the car
- Going up or down stairs
✅ Teaching “Leave It”
This teaches your dog to ignore or drop something they shouldn’t have—or never touch it in the first place. It’s essential for:
- Preventing ingestion of dangerous items
- Avoiding counter-surfing or stealing
- Managing possessiveness over toys or food
Together, these cues help your Golden develop impulse control, stay safer, and build trust with the people around them.
🍽️ “Leave It” and Resource Guarding Prevention
Resource guarding happens when a dog feels the need to protect something valuable—often food, toys, or even people. While Goldens are typically friendly, their strong food drive can sometimes trigger guarding behaviors, especially if they fear losing a valued item.
Because our puppies are raised with plentiful resources and taught that humans are never a threat to their food or toys, the risk of guarding is low. However, real life brings unexpected moments, and teaching a solid “Leave It” cue prepares both dog and owner to handle them calmly.
A well-trained “Leave It” teaches your Golden:
- ✅ Letting go leads to a better reward
- ✅ You are not a threat to their belongings
- ✅ Cooperation is more rewarding than conflict
This type of training builds trust between you and your dog and reduces the likelihood of future guarding behaviors.
🐾 How to Teach “Leave It” (Step-by-Step)
Start in a quiet space with high-value treats. Have lower-value items (like kibble or toys) for practice.
🔹 Step 1: Teach the Ignore
- Hold a treat in your closed fist and offer it to your Golden.
- They’ll likely sniff, paw, or nudge—wait them out.
- The moment they back off or look away, mark it with “Yes!” and reward with a better treat from your other hand.
- Repeat several times. Once consistent, add the cue “Leave It” right before presenting your fist.
🔹 Step 2: Use Items on the Ground
- Place a treat on the floor, covering it with your hand.
- Say “Leave It.” If your dog goes for it, block them.
- When they ignore it, mark and reward with something better from your hand.
- Gradually increase difficulty by uncovering the treat and practicing in new locations.
🔹 Step 3: Teach the Drop (Advanced)
- Give your Golden a toy or chew.
- Present a high-value treat and say “Leave It.”
- When they drop the item, mark and reward.
- Occasionally give the item back to reinforce that giving things up doesn’t mean losing them forever.
💡 Pro Tip: Always reward with something more valuable than what your dog is leaving. This builds a strong, positive association with “Leave It.”
🚪 How to Teach “Wait” (Step-by-Step)
“Wait” teaches your Golden to pause before taking action. Unlike “Stay,” which means hold position, “Wait” means hold off until you give permission.
🔹 Step 1: Mealtime Wait
- Ask your Golden to sit.
- Hold their food bowl and say “Wait.”
- Begin to lower the bowl. If they move, lift it back up.
- Repeat until they remain still for 1–2 seconds.
- Say “Okay!” to release them, then set the bowl down.
🔹 Step 2: Door or Stairway Wait
- Walk with your dog to a closed door or staircase.
- Ask them to sit and say “Wait.”
- Slowly open the door.
- If they move forward, close it and try again.
- When they remain in place, release with “Okay!” and allow them through.
Practice this at gates, crates, car doors, and stairs—anywhere your Golden benefits from slowing down and checking in.
💡 Tips for Success
- 🔁 Keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes) and frequent.
- 🗣️ Be consistent with your cues and release word (“Okay!”).
- 🎉 Celebrate small wins. Every correct “Leave It” or calm “Wait” deserves praise or a treat.
- 🚫 Never use force or punishment—these cues work best with positive reinforcement.
- 🐶 Practice in real-life scenarios—during walks, feeding time, or when your dog has something they shouldn’t.
🐶 Final Thoughts
“Wait” and “Leave It” aren’t just obedience commands—they’re essential life skills that help your Golden Retriever navigate the world with confidence and self-control.
They also play a major role in preventing behavioral problems, especially resource guarding. By teaching your dog that pausing and releasing things leads to good outcomes, you’re creating a dog who’s not only better behaved but also emotionally secure.
Thanks to the strong, thoughtful early foundation we build in our puppies, your Golden is already ahead of the curve. Now it’s your turn to carry that training forward and continue shaping a confident, responsive, and joyful companion.