How to Train a Lab Dog
There's a reason that the Lab dog, also known as the Labrador retriever, is a popular breed. These dogs are very smart and obedient, which makes them fairly easy to train. It's easiest to train your Lab dog while it is still a puppy, but don't worry if you've rescued it when it is already older. That old saying about not being able to teach them new tricks, happily, just is not true.
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Instructions
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Potty train your Lab. Take your dog outside to the area where you would like it to go very often during that first month. Praise it when it goes in the appropriate spot by saying "good potty." When it goes elsewhere, even in the house, ignore it unless you catch it in the act. If you do, take the dog to the appropriate place and give praise. Eventually, the dog will realize that going where you want it to is good and anywhere else is inappropriate.
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Teach your dog to come. First put your dog on a leash. Say "come" and gently pull the leash toward you. Your dog should follow suit. Reward it when it gets to you. Repeat this exercise several times until it starts coming toward you without the leash tug. Then try it off-leash.
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Teach your dog to sit. Say "sit" and gently press down on the middle of your dog's back until it sits. At the same time, hold a treat and lift your other arm upward. The dog will follow your hand with its eyes while putting its rear down, assuming the perfect sitting position. Repeat and reward until the dog sits on its own without prodding. Then practice come and sit in sequence so when your dog comes it will automatically sit in front of you.
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Practice retrieving or "fetching." Since this is what your Lab dog is bred to do, a lot of this activity will already be instinctual. Throw a ball or stick and your dog will run and grab it. Then use the come command to have it bring the object back to you. Tell it to sit and then take the object. Reward your dog and throw the object again until you develop a rhythm.
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Tips & Warnings
Stop playing fetch before your dog wants to. If it thinks it's in charge of the game, not you, it may become overly dominant. Continually praise your dog for good behavior even after training is over.
Dogs learn at different rates. Don't get frustrated. Just keep practicing.
