Training a Labrador

Who can honestly say that a Labrador isn't one of the most wonderful types of dog around? Unfortunately though their fun and playful nature can make them tricky to deal with and make training a Labrador a somewhat difficult task to begin with. However, would it be necessary to give them special training to keep that personality under control? Let's take a closer look.

What Makes Labradors Different

Training a Labrador is not easy. Being such a lively and energetic dog, they need a lot of patience as you get things underway. Their energy levels are huge, and they can't wait to be invited into whatever you and your family might do.

The first thing you should remember and constantly repeat to yourself is that your Labrador, no matter how much fun he is, is still a dog - an animal that needs to be treated properly. The moment you begin to include your dog as a person, or allow them privileges which social behaviour might provide, you lose your authority in your leadership.

And bear in mind, that if you fail to train your Labrador, they can actually end up at risk. That bouncy and inquisitive nature can quite easily land them in a bit of mischief. They are especially at risk if they climb or jump too much in enclosed spaces - both trainable behaviours.

The fundamentals of Training a Labrador

To start off with, make sure you start young and provide your Labrador as much activity as you can from an early age. Yes, Labradors are approachable dogs. They are bred as hunting companions and have a lot of energy. If they aren't able to get rid of all that energy, you'll soon find it pops up to haunt your home.

If your Labrador has the exercise he needs, the training process will be much easier. Although you will always need to be sensible and firm.

Consistency - Training a Labrador should need a lot of logical behaviour or else it leads to a lot of confusion. For example, it isn't really fair to play tug of war with your Lab only to turn around and scold them if they start biting other things is it? If your dog is getting mixed messages about what they can and can't do, they will end up frustrated with your training and authority.

Basics - To start with a Labrador should be trained in basics like "sit", "stay" and especially "down". Labradors love to explore and jump, so you need to get a certain level of control from the beginning. Teach them early that those types of behaviours are controlled by you.

Rewards - It is becoming less and less common these days to punish a dog during the training process. Instead what people are focussing on is rewarding your pet for good behaviour. Labs enjoy not only treats as a reward, but physical encouragement as well.

Training a Labrador is a difficult experience. It required energy, patience and a lot of your time as well. Most importantly, you mustn't let your wonderful new puppy get the better of you. The second you give in to him, you lose the battle and it can be hard to regain that ground as the dog grows older.

To find out more about Labrador problems, training and solutions try http://www.thelabradortrainer.com.

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