Independent Training of a Labrador Retriever

Although the Labrador retriever earns high marks as an all around family pet, this breed demonstrates a stubborn streak. Labs possess an independence rarely seen in Golden retrievers, which can present a challenge in training. While Labradors feature strong musculature, getting them to keep four paws on the floor, or walk loosely on the leash is one of the more challenging aspects of training this breed, due to its independence.

  1. Early Socialization Creates Balance

    • The best time to start training your lab is around eight weeks. Namely the period between eight weeks and sixteen weeks marks the optimum time to expose your Lab puppy to different types of people, dogs and situations.

      Socializing your puppy creates a confident, well-balanced canine. Once this window closes it is very difficult to socialize a dog to the extent that is accomplished between eight and 16 weeks. In the high-spirited Lab, this is especially important since it needs to have an outlet for its energy; otherwise, behavior problems like destructive chewing or exuberant jumping, to name a few, can develop.

    Positive Reinforcement Training

    • Positive-reinforcement training works by rewarding a dog for the things it does right, while removing any "pay-off" or reward for poor behavior. For example, when an exuberant Lab jumps on you at the door, rather than push it off with your hand (negative attention), quickly step away, withdrawing all attention from your bouncy Lab. Don't even look at him. This way you remove any reward--positive or negative. This teaches the Lab that jumping up sends you away, rather than gets the attention it seeks.

    Eliminate Unwanted Behaviors

    • Labs, especially those under two years old, tend to jump often. Teach your Lab a reliable sit to train jumping out of him. Sitting is one of the easiest skills to train and it is also incompatible with jumping. Positive reinforcement training seeks ways to show your dog what is expected of him without the use of force and punishment.

    Considerations

    • Walking together cooperatively is one of the many joys of dog ownership. Introduce a flat collar and leash to your Lab puppy immediately. Choose a flat, non-choking nylon collar at first and fit it so that you can put a few fingers between the collar and the pup's neck. Don't make it so loose that it will snag on things like tree branches or catch the puppy's leg. While it's likely your pup will protest the collar with scratching and pawing at it, it will dislike the leash more.

    Introduce the Collar and Leash

    • Attach the leash to the collar and allow the puppy to drag it around for a while. Supervise its activities. Take the end of the leash in your hand and let the puppy feel the tension on the lead when you create resistance. Don't pull forcibly. Just maintain your hold and let the puppy cry, buck, paw as it gets accustomed to the feeling of the collar and leash.

    Walking on the Leash

    • Once the puppy has tired some, encourage it to walk with you. Use positive, encouraging tones. When your puppy moves toward you or with you, creating slack in the leash lavish praise and reward with a small yummy treat. If your pup begins to protest again, stop in your tracks and ignore it. Once the puppy is calm again, end the training session (don't end the session when your puppy is protesting) and try again in a few hours or the next day.