[Blondie]

Just wondering if anyone out there knows if golden's respond better to male - vs - female voices? And also wondering about tone or pitch of voice to use? I don't know if it matters or not, but just wondering. The cocker spaniel I had who has now gone to the bridge was very submissive and would piddle at any pitch or tone, it didn't matter. Just wondering if golden's have this problem also? I find I tend to get excited when I want to praise a puppy for doing good rather than to be more business-like with a flat affect. I don't have our new puppy yet, but just trying to get a head start on the right approach from the very beginning.
Thanks

 

[BeauShel]

I use a happy tone all the time. Even when I am mad, it seems to make them guilty when they have done wrong. LOL

 

[beccacc31]

My breeder just recommended a book for us to buy. You can order it from Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. It give you this fabulous chart about command words and proper tones to hang on your fridge. The purpose to hang it on the fridge is so your entire family has consitancy in the command and the tone. The entire book is very informative. I will send you the title tomorrow when I go back down stairs.

 

[Goldenmomma]

I have at least four Golden Retriever books and all of them say not to use an angry voice because they are sensitive. My husband doesn't agree, but Goldens are different in personalities than the bassets we used to have. I look at it as if talking to my grandkids; I want them to mind, but don't want them to be scared of me. Happy, calm voice works best for my Goldens.

 

[beccacc31]

My breeder just recommended a book for us to buy. You can order it from Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. It give you this fabulous chart about command words and proper tones to hang on your fridge. The purpose to hang it on the fridge is so your entire family has consitancy in the command and the tone. The entire book is very informative. I will send you the title tomorrow when I go back down stairs.

The name of the book is "Puppy Possibilities" by Kathleen A Goodman

 

[Karen2]

We both try to use happy high tones with her when she doing a good thing.
When she does something wrong is always a low tone "NO".
Karen

 

[Blondie]

Thanks for the replies

Thanks all and thanks beccacc31 for the book title. I'll definitely look into that. A family we carpool with has rescued four goldens, three of which came from the Yankee Rescue organization. Unfortunately they lost the most recent one to the bridge in February and are taking a break for now.
On the voice subject, I was concerned about submissive peeing if using a high voice, as my cocker in the past would always get too excited and I was excited and happy to see her and she'd always squat and pee. I just figured that forwarned is forarmed, so if goldens submissive pee, I want to be prepared.
Thanks

 

[tippykayak]

Low tones are good for serious business or to cut through distracted attention. You have to be careful, though, since they can be interpreted as anger, and you don't want your pup afraid of you.

High voices are good for praise and midrange/happy tones work well for positive praise and commands in most situations.

Lots and lots of cockers have bladder control issues, so I wouldn't stress out about your girl. If you do see some submissive peeing, just turn off your voice entirely for those situations and ignore her until she's calmer. Use calm, midrange tones for those situations if you do need to speak.

I like getting the guys worked up a bit when we're practicing obedience or agility skills, so I'll often use high, excited, happy tones for praise and excited, midrange, happy tones for commands.