Advice on Training Your Lab Puppy
Labradors are one of the most lovable and loyal breed of dogs. They are gentle with children, eager to please and love to play. Even though labs were originally bred to be a hunting dog because of their keen sense of smell, they also make great companions. With time, repetition, consistency and dedication to the right kind of training, a lab puppy will grow into a faithful companion for life.
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House Training
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Crate training, when used correctly, can be a very effective way to house-train a lab puppy. Because most dogs hate to soil the area in which they rest, crate training can be a great tool to use to help your lab pup learn to control his bladder.
If you plan on using crate training, realize it is not meant to be used as a long-term confinement. Put your lab puppy in the crate for a short amount of time, then let her out to go outside. This will help not only in teaching her that going to the bathroom is not acceptable indoors, but also in letting the dog know that going outside is what is expected.
Socializing
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Socializing your lab pup as early as possible is crucial to having a well-mannered and friendly dog. You will want to familiarize him with adults, children and other dogs at an early age. If there is another type of animal that your pet will be exposed to daily, have them spend time together when the pup is still young.
The first day you bring your lab puppy into your home, be prepared to commit the full day to getting her familiar with her surroundings. This includes not only people and other pets, but also in the material things that she will now be living with. Keep in mind that this is a whole new world for her, and it can be a scary world. Your love, patience and praise are what she needs on her first few days in your home.
Basic Commands
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As mentioned earlier, Labrador puppies are intelligent and eager to please. Because of this, they are one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Some of the basic commands that can be taught are come, sit, down and stay. With each command, repeat the verbal command and the action until your lab puppy will obey the action simply by the verbal command.
Avoid punishing your dog if they do not follow your commands. Training takes time, dedication and repetition. Lab puppies react better with praise rather than punishment. Treats can be used as rewards when training your lab, but keep in mind that you run the risk of having your dog only obey when food is present. Verbal praise and affection work just as well.
If you find that your training sessions are not progressing as well as you would like or had hoped, consider taking your lab puppy to a local obedience training class. You can ask other pet owners for referrals or ask your vet for a obedience school that he recommends.
With repetition, consistency and love, your intelligent lab puppy will quickly catch on to simple commands.
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