When puppies are teething they want to chew everything...and usually do! Here's a tip that really helps because it gives them something to chew, and also helps ease the pain. Note - you should always supervise the puppy while using this tip.
Take and old sock and fill it with ice cubes. Tie knots in the sock and put it in the freezer. When puppy starts chewing up the house, give him/her the frozen sock to chew instead.
I recommend preparing several socks and keeping them in the freezer.
Remember, don't leave puppy alone with the sock. They could chew off pieces of the sock and swallow it which would lead to more serious problems.
Most people put a leash on their puppy and then proceed to drag the puppy in the direction they wish to go. This is not the ideal way to get puppy to do what you want.
First you have to get the puppy used to having the collar and leash on, so while you are right there with puppy (and only while you are right there with puppy) put on the collar and leash and let puppy drag it around for a while.
After a bit, pick up the leash, get down to puppy level, and start calling the puppy to you. When puppy comes to you, PRAISE...good dog, good puppy. After puppy has come to you several times, then start walking and calling puppy to you...each time puppy comes, PRAISE.
Remember...puppy isn't used to this new-fangled contraption you've put around it's neck. Be patient.
Once puppy is walking on the leash without too much trouble, they usually decide they are going to take YOU for a walk. Now's the time to get this problem under control.
Hold the leash loosely and as soon as it gets tight (dog getting too far in front of you), use a voice command such as "steady" or "easy". If the dog doesn't slow down, use a corrective pull on the leash and reverse direction. As the dog is walking next to you (or slightly in front of you with a still loose leash) use the "steady" or "easy" verbal command. Always praise when dog is doing the right thing.
It's much easier to start this leash training with a small puppy as opposed to a 50 pound adult dog!
Remember...the key to all training is "be persistent and be consistent."
Goldens love to dig...it's just part of their nature. You can spend your life fighting the problem, or you can take a tip from Dr. Ian Dunbar* and give them their own digging hole!
Sound weird? Well, maybe, but it works.
Find a spot in your yard that you can designate as puppy's own digging hole. Bury one of his/her favorite toys in the hole and encourage puppy to dig it out. Anytime you find puppy digging where it shouldn't, take puppy to it's digging hole and say "dig."
If you don't have an appropriate spot in your yard for digging, try getting a "kiddie pool" and filling it with either soil or sand. Use this for puppy's digging hole.
As soon as your puppy is old enough I highly recommend enrolling in a puppy obedience class. The experience is wonderful for both owner and dog. It's really important to select the right class/trainer. When in doubt, try to check with your local Golden Retriever club for recommendations.
A well trained and socialized puppy will turn into a dog that everyone will love!
Dr. Ian Dunbar has some wonderful training books, pamphlets and videos available. His "Sirius Puppy Training Video" is a must have for all new puppy owners.