Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Golden Labrador | Male | unneutered | 75 lbs
I just received this dog who is about 2 years old. He is a golden lab. He came from a family who left him in a crate a lot. He is very energetic. He never lays down unless in his crate and then he whines because he thinks he is being left in there. How can I help him to calm down in the house so he will not have to go into the crate?
1 Answer
Published on August 22nd, 2017
Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! First of all, Goku is a great name for a dog. This is a very common issue in these breeds mostly because they are highly energetic dogs that require a good amount of exercise. I had a similar issue when I adopted my dog as he is VERY energetic. The best solution for this issue is exercising him daily for a good amount of time. For example, you could consider taking him to the dog park daily. Alternatively, you could consider taking him for a run or even just playing fetch with him. Activity is likely going to help Goku be more quiet at home. Another important thing is positive reinforcement which basically means rewarding him with treats anytime you notice a desired behavior such as being nice and quiet at home. Persistence and consistency are key when it comes to behavior modification in dogs. Good luck!
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