Labrador Retriever Training

Labrador Retrievers are generally enthusiastic and cheerful towards most people. They’re very eager to please their masters and are usually dependable. However, they can develop some bad behavioral problems and can ruin any dog owner’s day. Maybe you haven’t really trained your Labrador properly, or you just need to know how to retrain him yourself. If you want to know how to train your Labrador, then this article will give you a basic overview on how to go about training.

Before you go into the task of training (or retraining) a Labrador, you should learn to understand that although they are generally steady-tempered and peaceful, they can present you with a number of problems.

Labrador Retrievers can be overly hyperactive if they’re not properly housebroken. Bounciness is one symptom of their hyperactivity and they can easily injure anyone by jumping and lunging at people. Due to their large size, it becomes dangerous especially when you have children.

They can be rude and even downright aggressive

This is typically a common behavior in dogs that are confused with the hierarchy of the household and want to achieve dominant status. They can be neurotic and tend to behave in an obsessive manner. There was a time when they were considered as the best-behaved type of dog. But now, due to lack of proper training from owners, they’ve lost that title. Neurotic behavior from dogs (especially if they’re Labrador Retrievers) is a huge headache if you have a backyard. Expect large holes and other forms of destruction.

They tend to be more susceptible to separation anxiety than most other dogs. Labrador Retrievers constantly require frequent attention and don’t like the feeling of being isolated. They can even get upset and will turn their frustrations into annoying behaviors such as chewing and barking.

Training labrador retrievers

As with all dogs, Labrador Retrievers need proper training in order for them to be at their best behavior. Here are some tips for you so you can be successful with your Labrador training:

Basic commands such as SIT, STAY, and COME should be reinforced from time to time. With the right tone of voice and an exclusive marker word such as YES for every time he obeys, ensures that your dog will understand you more and more everyday.

Why Retrievers?

The reason why they’re called Retrievers is because they were bred to retrieve stuff. Let your Labrador live up to his genetic predisposition by teaching him how to fetch things for you. Playing fetch makes your Labrador happy and will burn off some of the hyperactivity he’s been feeling lately.

Positive reinforcement is one way to go about training your dog. This means you’ll only have to reward your dog every time he obeys your command. If he disobeys, make him feel your disappointment towards him by ignoring him and depriving him of attention.

Ensure adequate exercise

Make sure your Labrador gets enough exercise such as walks and other activities so as to prevent him from getting bored. Also, provide him with enough mental stimulation so he can learn to process his thoughts on his own (he’ll learn to use his brain when trying to understand commands). Repeating training of basic commands is one form of mental exercise. New commands that you’re trying to teach him is also another form.

Make sure to give him enough attention everyday but don’t overdo it. Too much attention will spoil your dog and he’ll develop rude behavior. On the flipside, neglecting him will cause boredom and he might develop destructive habits. The best way to deal with your dog is to balance everything out when you’re training.

Never punish your dog with physical force

This will only present a lot of problems for you in the future if you continue to do this. He’ll most likely develop a phobia of you and will no longer try to be near you and you won’t be successful with his training. It might also develop aggression in your dog if you keep hurting him.

Make sure your dog is healthy all the time when you’re training him. A Labrador with a disease can cause a lot of heartaches in your household. Too much aggression on your dog’s part might mean he’s not feeling too good. Remember to always consult with your local veterinarian.

All dogs crave socialization

They’re much like humans, in that they won’t survive on their own. They are pack animals who try to follow the hierarchy of things and obey the leader (which is you). Labradors aren’t really that much of a problem for owners, as long as their masters know how to lead them.

More on Labradors:

The #1 Labrabor Training Guide – If your Labrador is a training nightmare... then click to view our top rated Labrador dog training and obedience guide that is available for immediate download.