The Golden Academy

13/05/2025

What could you build in just a few short weeks?

Do you believe your golden's behaviour could improve in such a short time frame?

Probably not, because this isn't your first rodeo.

You've tried training before, you're not in this position because you haven't tried.

You're in this position because two things were lacking for you:

1️⃣The right plan

2️⃣The right support

There's always going to be reasons you will tell yourself not to bother again.

What's the point?

❌Nothing works

❌My dog is different

❌I don't have time

❌I've tried everything

❌I can't afford help
...

The truth is, your brain is smart.

Your brain will consistently try to protect you from risk of failure.

From risk of emotional fallout.

From further disappointment.

But what if you don't fail?

What if you WIN?!

If you allow your nagging nora to overrule you, you can't ever know how sweet success can truly taste.

Anywhere Dogs are built, they're not born.

You need the right plan, and the right support to build yours.

But first you need to get up off that bench.

Will you stay stuck there?

Or are you ready to silence your nagging nora and grab the ladder of that rescue helicopter?

We're leaving the island and heading back to civilisation right now...

Doors will close SOON!

Are you on board? 🚁

www.goodasgolden.co.uk/academy

31/03/2025

It’s wonderful this overwhelming feeling now has its very own word!

Share a photo of your golden as a pup to share the gigil 👇🏻😍😍😍

The Oxford English Dictionary added 42 new words borrowed from other languages, including gigil, a Tagalog expression for witnessing something adorable.

30/03/2025

🌸Happy Mother’s Day from The Golden Academy!🌸

Today, we’re celebrating all the incredible mums out there—including the ones covered in golden fur!

Whether you’re raising a golden retriever puppy, hanging on for dear life with your Tasmanian Devil golden teenager, guiding a rescue through their second chance, or sharing your life with a senior golden, your love, patience, and commitment mean everything to them.

your relationship with your dog impacts everything else in your life. When training feels stressful, when your golden’s behavior causes frustration, that energy ripples through your home.

Your dog feels it.

Your family feels it.

But when you have a dog you can trust, a dog who listens, a dog who fits into your life with ease, everything changes. Less stress, more joy, and a home that feels lighter because everyone—dog included—is getting the best version of you.

The greatest gift you can give your golden? A deep, unshakable connection. Training isn’t just about obedience—it’s about trust, communication, and understanding your dog on a whole new level. When you invest in your dog’s learning, you’re giving them confidence, clarity, and the ability to thrive in our human world.

And you give yourself and your whole family the gift of peace and harmony.

So today, take a moment to appreciate the bond you’re building. Drop a ❤️ in the comments if your golden has made you a better dog mum!

And if you’re ready to take your training to the next level, The Golden Academy is here to help. Doors are open for a limited time to new members. Join us and turn your stubborn golden into your dream Anywhere Dog!

29/03/2025

The Stubborn Goldens Sorted Training Challenge might be over, but there’s still time to catch up on all of the training before it disappears at 11:59pm on April 1st ✨

Comment “SORTED” to catch up with the challenge recordings before they’re gone for good!

Here’s what some of the participants had to say about their challenge wins! 💪👇🏻

07/02/2025

Feb 3rd wasn’t only National Golden Retriever Day, it was also the 32nd anniversary of the Disney adventure comedy movie, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey!

The movie that is responsible for so many of us falling in love with Shadow, and a lifelong devotion to golden retrievers 💛

Did Homeward Bound influence your love for Goldens? 🤗

03/02/2025

Happy national golden retriever day 🐾🤗💛

Share a photo of your gorgeous goldies in the comments to celebrate this special day! 👇🏻

How fortunate we are to share this world with such beautiful golden souls.

As a golden retriever specialist, I am extremely fortunate to only work with our beautiful breed. 🥰🥰🥰

16/01/2025

Everyone talks about how Golden Retrievers are ‘perfect’—gentle, obedient, and calm. But what happens when your Golden is, well… Not?

Maybe they’re too excitable, bark at every squirrel, or pull like a freight train on walks.🚂

If you’ve ever thought, ‘Why doesn’t my Golden behave like the ones I see on TV or social media?’—you’re not alone. We see you. We’ve been there. 💛

Let’s start a conversation: What’s one behavior you wish you could change about your Golden? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear your story.

25/11/2024

We’re ready 🫖☕️ it’s go time!!

Today is day one of the Goofy To Golden Training Challenge 💪🦮

There’s still time to sign up if you missed it (🔗 in first comment!)

Will we be seeing you on or today? 💛

**this post is not sponsored by Yorkshire Tea… Sadly** 🤭

18/11/2024

Do you feel like the invisible person at the end of your Golden’s leash? 🐾

When you go for a walk, do you feel more like the fun police, constantly stopping your dog from doing everything they want to do?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many Golden guardians find themselves:

❌ Hoping their dog will “grow out of it” someday.

❌ Spending money on leads, collars, or gadgets that promise quick fixes but never deliver long term.

❌ Becoming overwhelmed and frustrated fighting for a moment of their golden's attention in a group training class.

❌ Thinking more socialisation with dogs will solve the problem—but it doesn’t.

❌ Exhausting their Golden with endless exercise, hoping it will improve their behavior.

❌ Relying heavily on expensive high value treats, only for it to all fall apart when the treats run out.

If any of this feels like your story, we’ve got you covered! 💛

The Goofy to Golden FREE 5-Day Challenge starts Monday, November 25th, and it’s designed to help you transform your walks and your relationship with your Golden Retriever.

✨ Comment ‘SORTED’ below, and we’ll send you the invite straight to your inbox!

Let’s bring the joy back into your life with your Golden. 🐶🙌

14/11/2024

Got a Goofy Golden and need training help NOW?!

Fear not my friends, we’re back with a strong arm to pull you to shore (and a packet of hankies for the tears and snotty noses🤧)

If your walks are leaving you asking yourself some hard questions about if you should have ever got your golden in the first place, this challenge is for you.

If you’ve found yourself overwhelmed and embarrassed by your golden’s behaviour, wanting the world to swallow you whole as they yank and bark their way through your walks, this challenge is for you.

If you just need to understand WHAT exactly you need to do to get your life back on track, we have your answers.

And we have bags of support for you to implement the plan 💛 because flying blind wrangling a golden goofball is no fun at all.

Come and join thousands of other golden guardians as we hold your hand through 5 days of free live training support. Our team of golden retriever specialists are on call throughout the whole week, with live training sessions and live Q&A sessions every day during the challenge.

It’s time to transform your Golden Goofball into the Anywhere Dog you dreamed of - no more Fenton moments! 🤪

You’ll find the link in the first comment to secure your free spot - We start on November 25th 💪

13/11/2024

13 years ago today the world was gifted with this moment of educational and comedy gold 🥇

Never forget 🙏

😂😂😂

Link in first comment (go on, spoil yourself, give it an anniversary watch 🤣)

12/11/2024

𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠?

If your walks leave you questioning your own sanity for ever being sucked into getting a dog in the first place, I have some unconventional tips to transform those miserable marches.

Pulling sucks, let's not mince our words!

It's blisteringly frustrating when you can't get your golden to listen at all outside.

First things first, invest in a longer leash so your golden can have some freedom to roam and explore without feeling restricted.

I know, I know, you think they'll just yank you around on a longer leash too!

But trust me, just try it.

Go somewhere with lots of scents to investigate and not so many distractions for now.

(ahem, other dogs!)

And when they do make eye contact with you, make sure to reward them for it with something they love - positive reinforcement goes a long way.

When they're looking in your direction, they physically cannot be pulling you at the same time.

Think of every biscuit you feed for a behaviour you like, like a penny in a savings jar, they soon mount up 💰

Remember, it's important to control the environment, not the dog. Set them up for success by managing your surroundings.

If your dog is struggling, try a less distracting environment and level up more gradually.

Don't expect perfect loose leash walking in the park on day one, let's be realistic 🙃 You didn't go to university before infants, juniors and high school! 🎓

And whatever you do, keep your hands soft and your breath steady. It's all about gentle guidance and positive interactions.

It takes two to pull...

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy the walk with your golden. It's a bonding experience for both of you, so take a moment to appreciate the time spent together.

So, take a deep breath, and remember that with a little patience and some positive reinforcement, you and your golden goofball can conquer the walk together.

If you're on our mailing list you'll be invited to our free online training challenges including our super popular loose leash walking sessions 🦮

And you can check out our blog for even more tips on loose leash walking, the link is in the first comment 👇