How to Train Your Labrador

Labradors are wonderful, all-round dogs, and the popular choice of many people. Not only do they make the ideal family pet, but because they are highly intelligent. Many are trained to be service dogs, are used by the police as sniffer dogs for drugs, and of course, as guide dogs for the blind. They are well known for their friendly disposition, their eagerness to please, their good nature, and the fact too, that they bond easily. Even so, despite all these wonderful characteristics, if you decide to get a Labrador puppy, then you will definitely need these 5 tips on how to train a Labrador, to ensure that your dog grows to be a well-adjusted, happy and contented animal.

Tip # 1: Potty Training and Teething

Potty Training
It is very important that you start potty training your puppy from the minute you bring him home, and let him know that it is not acceptable to you when he pees or poops in the house. Give him a little help by taking him outside when:

a) He has become too excited
b) As soon as he wakes up in the morning
c) Once an hour during the day
d) As soon as possible after playtime
e) About five minutes after eating and drinking
f) Just before bedtime

Teething
When your puppy starts teething his gums will throb and become itchy, and he will want to chew on anything and everything to try to ease the discomfort. However, as sympathetic as you are that your puppy is uncomfortable, you must stop him when he starts chewing on your furniture, shoes, and other personal items, by correcting him during the act, by giving him his own textured, rubber toys, to chew on.

Tip #2 : Discipline, discipline, discipline!

As cute as your new puppy is, he will do things on a daily basis that he should not do, simply because he does not know the difference between right and wrong. It is up to you entirely to teach him what he is and is not allowed to do. As soon as he does something that is not acceptable to you, then say a firm “no!” while making eye contact with him. This process must be repeated each time he does something wrong, and he will eventually get to know about the things that make you unhappy.Speed the process up a little, by giving your puppy a treat everytime he does something right, and he will soon get the message as to what he should and should not do. Eventually, he will realize that, by doing the right thing, he gets a treat from you, instead of a stern warning when he does something wrong.

Tip # 3: Biting and Nipping

When you are playing with your puppy, he will more than likely become so excited, that he begins nipping and biting. Again, as mentioned previously, you need to let him know in no uncertain terms, that this is totally unacceptable by looking him straight in the eye, and telling him “no!” This must be done repeatedly, because even though your puppy is still small, his bites can and do hurt. If he is not stopped from biting and nipping as soon as possible, this unacceptable behaviour will continue into adulthood, and create problems for you and him, that could have been avoided.

Tip # 4: Teach Your Dog to Socialize

It is imperative that you teach your puppy to socialize properly, not only with humans, but with other dogs as well. When your puppy is about 12 weeks old, get him used to coming into contact with other people and dogs, by taking him for regular walks, where you know where other dog walkers will be. The more he comes into contact with strangers and their dogs, the less fearful and aggressive he will become. When you visit family or friends who have dogs, let them give your puppy his treats from time to time during your visit, so that your puppy feels safe and comfortable with them.

Tip # 5: Stop Incessant Barking

All dogs bark, some of them constantly, which usually ends up with people in the neighborhood complaining about the disturbance. Prevent this from happening with your puppy, by making sure that he is never bored, especially when you are not at home, by seeing to it that there are plenty of toys and dog treats to keep him busy at all times.

Finally, remember when using the above 5 tips to train a Labrador, that the more you praise your puppy when he gets something right, the more successful you will be.