The initial part of Lab puppy training involves getting into the
daily swing of things. Knowing where his food and water dishes
are is a great place to start. Following that will be learning
when he eats, when and where he sleeps,
puppy potty training and what toys belong to him, and not
you. Also needed is clarity in what is expected of your
Labrador, and what is not acceptable. It is very important to
use clear and concise commands.
Before
dog training starts, you have to consider the
training method you intend to use. This method needs to be
consistent, so making the decision is one that requires some
research. Many professional animal trainers use what’s called
positive reinforcement.
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This philosophy believes that animals are much better
behaved and easier to train when they’re earning rewards
and praise than if they’re being punished.
Punishment and negative reinforcement training has
actually been proven to cause aggression and unwanted
behaviours. |
One common tool used in positive reinforcement training is the
clicker. It’s a small handheld device which makes a clicking
sound when pressed. It can be found at most pet supply stores
for a couple bucks. The purpose of the clicker is to mark the
correct behaviour with a sound. More info on
clicker training.
It’s more consistent than a word or phrase from the owner and
faster which means it’s easier for your dog to understand when
they’ve performed the correct behaviour. Follow the click with
a reward, like a tasty treat, and you’re off to a great start.
Labrador Training Tips
Now that you have a plan for positive reinforcement it’s time
for housebreaking or potty training. When it comes to potty
training there are some specific Labrador training tips.
Labradors are larger dogs and that means they’ll be able to
begin holding their bladder earlier than many smaller dogs.
This is good news because it means you can begin potty training
almost from the day you bring your Labrador puppy home.
When it comes to Labrador training tips, one of the fastest ways
to potty train your Labrador puppy is to use a crate.
Crate
training not only makes housetraining easier, it provides your
Labrador puppy with a structure and a safe place to go during
the day.
The size of the crate need only be large enough for him to turn
around and lie down. Instead of having to make multiple crate
purchases as your Lab grows, you could buy a large or extra
large crate now, and simply block off the space he doesn’t need
with the use of sturdy cardboard or a well-sanded piece of
plywood.
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Dogs have a natural instinct not to mess where they sleep,
therefore if you leave too much free space, he will be able to
do his business in the cage but still sleep far enough away from
it. As your Labrador grows, keep moving the barrier until it is
no longer needed.
Never use the crate as a means of punishment for your dog. Your
goal is to provide a safe and secure area that your Lab can turn
to for rest and reprieve when needed. Using it as a punishment
will simply defeat its purpose. You need to introduce the crate
from day one as being related to safety.
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Labrador training tips for the use of a crate in a positive
nature are easy enough to follow. It is a gradual training that
should only be used for short periods of time at first. However,
once your pup becomes accustomed to this you will find him going
to his crate on his own for a nap or a time-out during
situations he finds uncomfortable.
When you being to use the crate for longer periods of time such
as while you are at work or out for any length of time, you need
to teach him when you open the door to his crate it’s time to go
outside.
It’s best to already have leash in hand before you open the door
because it won’t take your Lab long to find a different place
for elimination. You are still trying to reinforce the good
behaviour of him doing his duties outside, so make sure you have
your clicker and a treat on hand to praise him again for a job
well done.
Training Labrador Puppies begins with the right training method
and a plan. Know the rules and what you expect from your puppy
before you begin training so you can be consistent. Lab pups
are intelligent and eager to please, a little love and patience,
and a few Labrador training tips, will go a long way with this
breed and he’ll grow into the wonderful dog you know he can be.
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Labrador Puppy
Training |
