Tips for Training a Labrador Puppy

The Labrador is one of the most intelligent and trainable breeds around. They are eager learners and people pleasers. No wonder they are mostly used to be trained as guide dogs for the blind. Once trained they are very reliable in responding to the commands they were taught. Every blind person who owns a Labrador for a guide dog depends for his or her life on that dog.

Like in any breed one gets exceptions and not all Labradors qualify to be trained as guide dogs. I believe anybody who saw the movie "Marley and Me" would agree to that. One thing to remember when training a Labrador is that they have quite an appetite. This can be used to your advantage. This makes them perfect candidates for clicker training, and from my experience, I know that they respond very well to clicker training. So I definately recommend that you as Labrador owner get informed about clicker training and use that.

The most important tip for training a Labrador puppy is to start early. In fact you should start the very moment that puppy sets foot in your house. Lay the ground rules and stick to it. Do NOT look at that puppy as a cute little bundle of love (yes he is, I know!). Look at that puppy as a "soon to be 7 month old, energetic, wants to eat everything, wants to jump on everyone" puppy. Do not allow him to jump up, do not allow him to play-bite.

Secondly, be very consistent in all your training. From the very start, expect his best performance for his age. Training must always be fun and games. Do not kill his enthusiasm by punishment, but always keep it positive. You have to be strict but not harsh. There are Labradors that are more calm, docile and submissive- they should be treated very gently.

Then of cause, training sessions should be very short. It really depends on each dog's attention span, but three 10 min sessions with play included in the session is better than one 30 minute session.

These are the most important tips for training a labrador puppy.
Happy training!