Training A New Labrador Retriever Puppy
Training is a very important aspect of ownership. A well-trained dog is a joy to be around. Training methods used today are a lot easier, more effective, and friendlier than they have ever been. Before you begin to train your new dog you must first train yourself.
You should begin researching training methods before you get your new puppy.
First, let’s do some research about the Labrador retriever breed itself. Labradors are not from the country of Labrador, they are actually from New Foundland. They are bred primarily as a working gun dog. They must be able to hunt and retrieve ducks from the water for long hours in all different weather conditions, hence the need for a short, dense weather resistant coat and the trademark “otter” tail. The Labrador itself is a gentle breed of dog, excellent with children, and non-aggressive. They are outgoing, eager to please, and very intelligent. They are often the dogs chosen for guide and service dogs for the handicapped.
Now that you are up to par about your chosen breed, you need to become familiar with basic puppy behavior and training. A pup’s first few weeks home are the most important days of its life. This is the time to teach the pup how to behave properly. The whole idea of training is to get your pup to do what you want, when you want. You should use training lures, such as a toy or treat, to get them to do certain things, like sit.
Most dogs enjoy the treat/toy and will do whatever their owner wants to get it. Instead of having an hour of training a day, break up the sessions into ten or more 5-minute sessions, so that the dog doesn’t get bored and lose enthusiasm. Eventually you will not need treats to make your dog follow commands, they will do it just to please you. It is still good to praise him a lot and offer rewards and treats sometimes for a job well done. It is no doubt that lure-reward training is the best and most positive way to train your dog.
For a puppy and for training you need a few supplies, so here’s my usual list: buckle collar with ID tag, a leash, chew toys (Kongs), a dog bed, a crate, training treats and toys, and most important- the knowledge and love to train and teach your dog. Participate in a training class, read books and magazines on training, and practice with your puppy at home.
Housetraining:
Since most problems arise from those first few days at home, a pup should have clear rules as soon as it gets home. As soon as a puppy gets home make sure that someone can be home with him almost twenty four hours a day.
Do not let an untrained dog have full roam of the house or you are asking for it! When you are away from home confine the dog to one area, you can’t expect a puppy to go two or more hours without an accident, sometimes not even that long. Never confine a puppy to its crate or it will soil it and then you have lost a valuable training tool. I order to teach the pup where to do its business you must take it out every hour. If you keep the puppy on a feeding schedule this will make housetraining a lot easier because you know when they have to go. When you take the pup outside ask him to sit quietly before opening the door, soon he will learn to sit at the door when he needs to go outside. As soon as you take them out, use a command like “go potty” and when they go praise them like they peed gold! I mean go all out, pet them, and then give them a treat.
Come and Sit
You should be teaching and rewarding the pup for coming reliably, willingly, and happily when called and it should be done fully as soon as possible. Call your dog’s name, squat down and shake a treat or toy until they come running. As soon as they begin to run to you start praising “good boy.” When the pup almost reaches you instruct him to sit and hold out a treat. Move back and repeat, always praising, but treating occasionally. Try and switch it up with different things as a reward, such as a kong, squeak toy, etc. Teach everyone around the dog to get the dog to come and sit. If the dog is playing with off leash or somewhere unfamiliar, have the dog come every minute or so, praise him, and then let him go play again.
Sit and Down
Teaching a dog sit and down can resolve nearly all behavioral problems and can help with off-leash control. Let’s say we are training a dog named Jack. You hold the treat and say, “Jack, sit.” Then move the treat up and over his muzzle, the dog will automatically sit and then say “good boy, Jack, good dog” and give him the treat. To teach down put Jack in a sit position and hold a treat in your hand, now say, “Jack, down.” Move the treat in our hand between his front paws and as he lowers his head to get the treat move your hand out slowly and he will lie down. Then praise and treat as you did when he sat. Remember, keep your training sessions short, but do as many as you can a day.
Leash Walking and Following You
Do not attempt to force your dog to walk beside you on a leash, it will only make it seem like a chore and not fun. You want him to follow you and walk by your side willingly. To teach the dog to follow, keep walking and walk away from the dog. If he falls behind, say “Jack, hustle boy, come on,” if he runs ahead say “steady Jack” or “Easy Boy.” Practice this often, make a course through your house, try it in different surroundings, but make sure it is a safe enclosed area where he cannot run away.
Try the same on the leash, but have him sit first and then walk on your left side and say “Heel Jack” before you go. You want him to stop and sit when you stop. Have a treat in the hand that you use to hold his leash. If he begins to pull on the leash, stop immediately and make him sit. Continue practicing!
You can start this training as soon as you get your pup home, and don’t ever stop, when he’s ten years old still have at least one training session a day. You will enjoy your dog to the fullest if he is well trained and he will enjoy you just as much!
