Train Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed of dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Labradors are known to be family-friendly, gentle dogs who are easy to train. They come in three colors: black, chocolate and yellow. Labradors are high-energy animals, especially since their breed was developed to work, hunt, and run all day. Because they are highly trainable, Labradors are frequently used for such elite jobs as guide dogs for the blind, for search-and-rescue missions, and also by law enforcement groups for tasks like drug detection. They also make wonderful family members!

Steps

Following the Standard Training Technique

1. Begin training early. Labrador Retrievers grow to be quite large and can often be excitable dogs. Show your dog affection and lavish praise when he behaves well. It's useful to the later training process if you build a close relationship with your dog from the start.
   • For young puppies (8 to12 weeks old), keep training sessions short but fun. For example, when you bring your new puppy home, take him to the toilet spot in the garden and praise him when he uses it. It will be a coincidence at first, but it's never too young to tell him "Toilet time" when he happens to squat. Then lavish lots of praise on him.This will help your dog learn to connect that behavior with praise and make him more likely to repeat it.
   • You can also start with simple commands such as "Sit". With a young pup, the training is a simple as spotting he's about to sit anyway, and when his hind leg hits the ground, saying "Sit" and making a bit of a fuss of him. He'll be perplexed at first, but soon he'll realize the link between the word and the action.
2. Never beat your dog. Beating or hitting Labrador Retrievers when they behave undesirably is not a useful training measure. Instead of learning from the punishment, your dog will instead become fearful of you, which ultimately defeats the training process since that is not the desired result.
3. Reward the behavior you wish to encourage. Rewarding good behavior is more useful and constructive for training purposes than punishing bad behavior. Aim to give the command, and then give a reward immediately the action is carried out. This strengthens the link in the dog's mind between action and reward. Start with a basic command, such as "Sit," and work on that until your dog has it mastered.
   • Once the dog is regularly repeating an action for a cue word, make the treat giving less predictable. This is because a dog that gets a reward every time gets sloppy, because the treats are too easy to come by. By skipping a reward, it sharpens up his thinking and makes him wonder if he didn't sit fast enough or well enough and therefore he works harder to please you. Eventually you will reward every fourth or fifth command, so that he remains focused on earning a treat but without getting discouraged that they are too hard to earn.
4. Try clicker training. Clicker training gets the dog to associate the "click-clack" sound of a clicker (pressed by you) with a reward. The clever part of the clicker is that it can mark the precise moment that a desired action took place, hence building a strong link between the action and reward. Labradors are highly trainable because they are so food motivated, which makes clicker training ideal for them.
   • Learn how to clicker train your dog. Eventually your dog will come to learn that clicks are always followed by treats, which is a very powerful incentive for Labrador Retrievers. One your dog makes this connection, you can use the click to mark the instant he performs the right behavior, such as sitting down. Over time, he will learn that sitting down when commanded gets him rewards.
5. Appeal to your Labrador's belly. Labrador Retrievers are extremely food-oriented and motivated. Reward desirable behavior with food and you’re likely to get a repeat of that good behavior. Food treats should be small, such as Mini Zukes, Charlie Bears, Bil Jac or freeze dried liver. Cooked kidney is a cheap alternative to buying dog treats and is also very easy to prepare and cut up. Many dogs will even work for their regular dog kibble.
   • Giving treats as a reward for the behavior you wish to encourage should be used only as a starting measure. Treats should soon be replaced with praise as the reward, otherwise the dog may become overweight or even obese. Alternatively, you could also weigh out your dog's daily food allowance out and then set aside a small amount of the daily total for use as treats. This helps prevent your Labrador from putting on weight with all the training you are doing.
   • Some trainers recommend having a dog with attention problems have to earn every kibble in his bowl, instead of being fed large meals at one time. That way, your dog is very focused on you and the food, making it easier to convey the message that he needs to “learn to earn.”
6. Make the reward-giving less predictable. Once your dog is regularly repeating an action after he is issued a command, make the treat giving less predictable. Mix things up a little. Typically, a dog that gets a reward every time gets sloppy because the treats are too easy to come by. By skipping a reward, it sharpens up your dog's thinking and makes him wonder if he didn't sit fast enough or well enough. He will therefore work harder to please you. Eventually you will reward every fourth or fifth command, so that he remains focused on earning a treat but without getting discouraged that they are too hard to earn.
7. Expand the training. Test your Labrador Retriever in different situations and add distractions. Once you have established basic commands (e.g. "Sit" and "Stay") in the quiet of your own yard, practice with distractions so the dog knows he must respond and learns to focus on you no matter what the distractions. Add noise, or another trainer, or even another animal. When you dog gets distracted and has troubling focusing, you need to temporarily interrupt his stream of thought by talking to or commanding him or by an action (such as stomping your foot).
   • Work on distraction techniques with treats in low distraction settings and at home. Always follow through with praise and treats. As you get more confident on your dog's ability to stay in control, increase the level of difficulty by walking around the block or near a dog park to work on his skills. Work up to busier areas once your Lab is consistently responding to commands like “leave it” or “watch me”.
   • Work up slowly to added distraction and you will both gain confidence in your Labrador's ability to handle a crowd. This is key to creating a well-mannered dog that behaves well in situations where there are other people and animals.
8. Enroll in an accredited obedience program. Local shelters, pet stores, and other organizations offer training programs at low cost. Consider visiting one of the classes prior to enrolling to make sure that you agree with the type of training presented. You may also want to consider getting a professional trainer. A professional dog trainer, such as one from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), is very knowledgeable about dogs and can help you learn basic handling skills. Overall, though it is an added expense, having professional training assistance is beneficial in the long run because it will help you and your energetic dog communicate effectively.
   • An important part of training is helping your dog to behave around other dogs, so try and attend a puppy class. Many veterinary clinics hold puppy classes. All the attendees have received their first vaccination and are only allowed to attend if they are healthy. The benefit to the puppy is learning confidence and social skills around other young dogs.

Becoming a Good Trainer

1. Be prepared. Research appropriate training methods prior to actual training. Check online, local libraries and local organizations. You can also ask your vet for advice. Remember, the more knowledgeable you are, the better you know how to react under different circumstances.
   • Make sure as well that you have what you need to effectively train your dog. Purchase a clicker if you're planning to clicker train as well as an appropriate collar and leash for general training. A leash should be no more than five to six feet in length. The best leashes for training are leather. Always check your equipment to make sure it is in good order and not liable to snap or break.
2. Use rewards-based training. This type of training is ideal for Labrador Retrievers. This method works by rewarding the good behavior, while ignoring the bad. Punishment is thus not a part of this training technique. This capitalizes on the idea of using what motivates a Labrador to train him: rewards of food and attention/affection.
   • The idea is that the Labrador works hard to repeat the behavior which earned him a treat or a fuss. The unwanted behavior was ignored by you, the trainer, and in your dog's mind does not benefit him at all, is a waste of energy, and therefore is not worth repeating.
3. Choose ideal times and places. Training works best when you dedicate a couple of short sessions (10 - 15 minutes) twice a day to it. Try to train at times when the dog is not tired, but also not bursting with pent-up energy. For example, if you've been out all day and come home, it might be best to let the puppy run round the yard for 5 minutes first, or take an adult dog for a short walk, before beginning a focused training session.
   • Try to train in a place where there are few distractions, so that your Labrador Retriever can focus his attention on you. A good time to choose to train a dog is just before a meal, so the dog will be very keen to work to earn those tasty treats.
4. Be precise and direct. Your commands need to be simple, short, clear and consistent. "No", "Drop", "Wait", "Stop," and "Fetch" are strong, simple, and direct. Don't lecture your Labrador; they're not human so they don't process language in the same way. Phrases like "Stop doing that, oh for goodness sake" or "Oy, stop chewing on the table" will not work as they are too complicated.
   • Experts believe that the dog registers the first part of the word as the most important, so longer commands such as "Sit Fido if you want a treat" are liable to confuse him. Just say the word "Sit" instead.
5. Be firm and in control. In general, shouting at any dog is ineffective. This is especially true for Labrador Retrievers who are an excitable breed by nature. Use a firm but pleasant and upbeat voice when instructing your dog; don't yell or lose control. Dogs are very intuitive and will be able to sense your frustration and may react in kind. Tone of voice matters, especially since, again, dogs don't process language in the same way that humans do. So how you say something may mean as much if not more than what you say.
   • Positive, but firm and assertive commands will communicate to the Labrador what you want him to do.
6. Consider using hand gestures. Try using hand gestures at the same time as you issue verbal commands. For example, raise your hand at the same time as saying "Sit". Dog behaviorists believe that dogs look for multiple clues as to what we want them to do, which includes the command word, tone of voice, and body language.
7. Be timely in your responses and commands. Admonishing a Labrador too long after the incident is ineffective. If you need to admonish or correct your dog, it needs to be done during or within a few seconds of the act. Dogs will have forgotten the event within seconds of its occurrence, so it's key to address the behavior immediately in order to facilitate the retraining process.
8. Be consistent. Always be consistent in your commands and desires of the dog. This helps your dog to understand what is expected. Don't forget to enforce training when you are out and about, so that your dog doesn't just thinking that "Sit" and "Stay" are things he has to do in the yard or house. By enforcing commands in public places it helps your Labrador Retriever to understand he must obey under all circumstances.
   • Consistency is key to making good behaviors routine and normal - and thus turns your dog into a well-trained and behaved pet!
9. Get the whole family involved. If you live in a household of more than one, your family also needs training. Explain to your family as well as visitors to your home about what your dog is and is not allowed to do. For example, if you do not allow anyone to feed your Labrador Retriever at the dinner table, then you need to let others know about that rule. If other family members or visitors don't know about this rule, they may feed your dog, which is confusing for him and will disrupt the training you have done.
   • Make sure everyone in the house uses the same commands. Using different words for the same action will confuse the dog and delay progress.

Understanding Your Breed

1. Remember that dogs weren't born perfectly trained. Keep in mind that he wasn't born automatically knowing the rules of living in a human world. When your dog misbehaves, it isn't because he is a fundamentally bad dog, but because he does what Labrador Retrievers do in a Labrador fashion until you teach him new behaviors.
2. Educate yourself on the breed. Labrador Retrievers are generally intelligent, happy, and energetic dogs. They need substantial attention and an outlet for their energy. They originated in Newfoundland and were were frequently used by fishermen to help retrieve fishing nets and loose fish. To this day, they remain good "workers" and swimmers. This also makes they a highly trainable breed of dog.
   • The versatility of the Labrador has seen the breed utilized in many "jobs," including search and rescue, police work, drug detection, and service work for the blind, among others.
3. Treat Labrador Retrievers in a manner that befits their breed. You need to understand what they want and need in order to train them. For example, it's essential to know that Labrador Retrievers are highly food-motivated and will do almost anything for a treat. They are also affection-junkies and love to please their master. This means that you should mobilize these inner traits of the breed in the training process, and indeed, doing this is key to successful training.
   • Remember that Labrador Retrievers are an especially energetic breed. A Labrador that lacks an opportunity to vent that energy is going to be hard to train. Make sure your gets plenty of walks and runs, and incorporate training sessions into that time.
   • Keep in mind that giving them what they need will help ensure that they don't engage in "bad behaviors". For example, Labrador Retrievers need to play and be thoroughly walked. If you don't do this, they often become bored and destructive. Increased physical activity helps a dog stay healthy and also tires them out. Keep your dog active (and not destructive) by playing fetch and going on substantial walks at least twice a day.

Tips

• Enjoy your Labrador. They are wonderful dogs. Be fair, consistent, and clear. They'll reward YOU in turn with love and affection!

Warnings

• Do not punish your Labrador Retriever when you catch him doing something wrong. This will only cause confusion since the dog won't be able to link the wrong-doing with the punishment. All it will teach him is to be wary of you because you punished him for no discernible reason.
• Avoid using a shock collar on your dog. Shock collars are controversial and should only be used by experienced professionals for very specific and limited training purposes, such as hunting and long distance work, etc. The contact points on shock collars can cause serious injury to dogs. Moreover, if not used properly, you could confuse the dog and make him aggressive. Shock collars should only be used as a last resort and with the support of professional trainers. Do not attempt to train your dog on your own using the shock collar method.

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