Do You Want Your Dog To Be Well Behaved
Around People And Other Dogs?
AND Have Him Or Her Obey All Of Your House Rules…
Even When You’re Not Around?
If So, Then You’ve Come To The Right Place!
One of the really great things about Labrador Retrievers is that they are very quick to learn and this makes Lab puppy obedience training reasonably easy in comparison with other breeds of dogs.
Sturdy and compact, Labradors are loved and respected world-wide for contributions as war dogs, police dogs, and guides for the blind. Due to their exceptional patience, intelligence, and gentleness, Labradors are prized pets the world over. 
Lab puppies love routines. They feel reassured and safe when they know where everything is and when they’re on a predictable schedule. Routines reassure your Lab puppy that, regardless of the unfamiliarity of his new world, everything is predictable.
Routines reassure him that he knows what comes next, that his world is the same as it was yesterday, and that it will be the same tomorrow. Routines reassure him that YOU are dependable, that he can count on you to say and do the same things.
Training a Labrador puppy is a whole lot of fun. They are great little students and it’s also the time where you will begin to build the strong lifelong bond you will enjoy with your Lab. When given proper puppy socialization and training the Labrador Retriever is highly intelligent, gentle, affectionate, loyal, utterly dependable, good-natured, lively and eager to please. They are superb with children, good with other dogs and animals.
Labs become very attached to their human family. They love nothing more than spending time with their family - exploring, swimming, hiking or retrieving a ball. For this reason some Labs can experience separation anxiety and may become destructive if left alone and bored for long periods.
The Right Way To Train A Lab Puppy
For a Lab puppy obedience training is especially important. Although the Lab is the epitome of family dogs, he needs a fairly active household to satisfy his need for exercise and work. Daily walks, romps in a fenced yard, and games of fetch keep his mind and body in shape. Unless these needs are satisfied, the Lab may become a wanderer, a digger, or a chewer.
First off, the new Lab puppy should be leash trained and taught to sit on command to prevent his jumping on people in his desire to say hello. The pup can also be taught early to shake paws and to fetch; his soft mouth and innate desire to retrieve can provide hours of play. Later on, the pup can learn to put his nose to use and find things that have been hidden for him.
A fast-growing Lab pup reaches almost adult weight within six or seven months and can be a handful to train if left to his own devices ’til then. He is exuberant, a trait that can get him into trouble with other dogs and with the neighbors who do not appreciate his antics.
Therefore early training is essential - if you wait too long, his rambunctious character and strong body will be difficult to manage, especially for those who have not previously had the pleasure of owning such a dog.
To avoid training problems, take your Lab pup to puppy and basic obedience classes to teach manners. Discipline should be gentle - no screaming at the pup or smacking with a newspaper, as these reactions to misbehavior are counterproductive. Labs are generally eager to learn, so firm but gentle guidance and discipline pay off in a strong bond with family members.
When you bring your new lab pup home, make sure that you have devoted an entire day to helping him or her acclimate themselves to your home and family members.
Do not get a new pup and think you can show him around for a few minutes and then lock him up while you are gone for the day.
Remember, they have never seen your house before and will need some time to learn about their new home.
Lab pups are very energetic and will want to explore their new surroundings. Make sure you are there to ensure everything stays safe.
If you have other animals, introduce the puppy to them one at a time. It works best if you have someone to help you do this. Some suggest keeping the pup on a leash and your other dog on a separate leash to let them first meet – this way they will be able to sniff each other and you can pull them away from each other should their initial meeting not go so well.
Do not overwhelm your new Labrador Retriever puppy. Introduce them to new family members, space, animals, toys, etc., slowly - No need to rush this process!
While working on house training, do not leave your puppy unsupervised – this is often when accidents happen. If an accident does happen, do not yell at your dog or push their face into their mess, as was suggested in old obedience schools. If your dog has an accident, it is because YOU have left them unsupervised too long. Simply clean it up and continue to work on the training.
3 Basic Obedience Training Commands
Your lab puppy obedience training should begin at home in an area your pup has grown familiar with. You can work on simple commands in your home without distractions and then take them to an obedience course.
It may seem like you are back-tracking, but it really gives the pup a good base to work from if you’ve already started a few skills in the safety of your own home with no other dogs around. Here are three basic commands that are good to work on in your home:
1) Sit:If your dog is lying on the floor, hold a treat above his head and slowly move it backwards while saying “sit”. Your puppy’s eyes (and eventually, body) will follow that treat’s movement backwards and he will end up in a sitting position. When he is in the sitting position, say “good sit!” and give him the treat.
2) Lie Down: This command it taught the opposite way that “sit” is taught. When your dog is sitting or standing up, hold a treat in front of his nose and slowly lower it to the ground. Your puppy’s eyes and body will follow this treat and he will eventually lie down. Do not give him the treat until his entire body is laying on the floor. When he is in this position, day “good lay down!” and give him the treat.
3) Stand: While your puppy is sitting or lying down, hold a treat in front of his nose and slowly pull it out away from him. This will urge him to come forward and he will naturally end up standing. When he is in the desired position, say “good stand!” and give him the treat.
Some trainers feel that Labradors are slow to mature and may need longer training (and more patience from their handler!) than other breeds of dogs. Keep this in mind when working with your growing puppy.
Having a Lab puppy is a huge responsibility. It requires the energy to keep up with the pup, as well as the patience to work with him on understanding your expectations. The more time you spend working with him, the better he will work for you.
Enjoy your Labrador Retriever, and good luck!
Labradors are among the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States nowadays, mainly because their friendly temperament makes them an fantastic selection.
This Labrador would make Lassie proud
Danielle Londrigan met Will when he was a puppy, and she was training him as a Seeing Eye dog. But Will, a Labrador-retriever mix, washed out because he was too friendly with other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers Make A Great Family Pet
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