by Ben Shaw

Despite their large adult size, Labrador retrievers have always been one of the most preferred family dogs. This is probably because of the fact that Labrador retrievers are naturally playful and friendly. It is important to remember however that training is crucial in order to have the best experience with your pet. Here are some important tips on Labrador retriever training.

Begin as Soon as Possible

One enduring rule in any kind of dog training is to start training during the puppy stage. Untrained dogs that grow into adulthood naturally already have set patterns of behavior that may be difficult to correct. Adult dogs are naturally already stubborn so the best time for Labrador retriever training is during the puppy years. Common sense would also tell you that it is not easy to train a fully grown adult Labrador. Even large tall people might have a hard time controlling an eager Lab that has the habit of jumping on people.

Socialize

Like most other dogs, Labradors need to be socialized. Socialization as part of your Labrador retriever training program will help your dog get used to other animals and humans.

You can start socializing a young Labrador by taking it for walks and trips to moderately populated areas. You could also take your pet to parks where it can be exposed to different sights and sounds. Don’t forget though that you should never leave your Labrador alone during socialization so that you can easily come to its rescue during moments of anxiety.

Use the Leash

Early Labrador retriever training should always involve leash training. An untrained adult Labrador may struggle against leashes. You can just imagine how potentially difficult that would be for you. Since Labradors grow big, a leash is your only way to control it outside if simple commands fail for some reason. While still young, get it used to the leash while you teach it the basic commands of sit, stay and come.

One thing you shouldn’t forget to do during Labrador retriever training is to be consistent. This means that you have to involve all the other family members in training your Lab. If you teach it not to do something and other family members allow the undesirable behavior, your Lab could become confused and forget its training.

Play and Exercise

Labradors are so full of energy and enthusiasm so you would have to use up that energy in desirable behavior to stop it from developing bad patterns. One way to do that is through healthy play and exercise. You can take your Labrador along for walks or for a play session at the park. Labrador retriever training should also always involve fetch training sessions. As your dog’s name would suggest, your Lab is a natural at playing fetch.

Do Not Punish

Labrador retriever training should ideally involve only positive reinforcement. This is really just a fancy name which means that you shouldn’t use force and punishment on your Lab. Instead of traditional punishment techniques, you should instead reward and praise your dog for good behavior.

Find real tips on how to train your dalmatian dog and your labrador retriever dog in fast and easy steps!

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