How to train your Labrador

If you’re brand new to the Labrador breed, you might be wondering how to start your Labrador training. Training is often one of the most fun and rewarding parts of owning a dog, and as soon as you bring a furry friend home, training needs to be high on your list of priorities. 

Luckily for you, the experts here at Burgess Pet Care have put together this handy Labrador training guide. We care about all animals and support their health and well-being through our delicious and nutritious dry dog food. Discover our tasty recipes, and use our food and treats alongside your Labrador training journey today. 

Keep reading for our expert tips & tricks… 

The importance of training your Labrador puppy 

The natural activity and intelligence of the Labrador or Labrador Retriever mean that they will need to be engaged to lead a fulfilled life. They will most likely thrive on lots of positive reward-based training, as well as plenty of exercise and the right nutrition to keep them happy and healthy. 

>> We’ve got a full Labrador care guide for all the information you need! << 

Without any form of training, the world can be a pretty confusing place for your dog. We all expect dogs to behave in set ways and follow certain rules, but your dog first needs to understand those rules before they can stick to them. 

Here are some great reasons why training is essential for puppies: 

• It can keep your dog’s mind active
• It helps you bond and understand each other 
• It can enhance the benefits that dogs bring to our lives 
• It prevents behavioural issues such as biting, chewing and jumping up 
• It keeps your dog safe from potential hazards 

Training can be a lot easier to learn when it is fun, and one of the most effective and kindest methods of training is called ‘reward-based training’, also known as positive reinforcement (more on this below!) 

According to Royvon, a long-established family business which offers reward-based training programmes focused on movement and fun, the most typical challenges for an untrained Labrador Retriever can include: 

• Pulling on the lead and lunging towards anything that interests them 
• Boisterous and over-excited behaviour, including jumping up, grabbing the lead in their mouth, crashing into people and objects, and stealing food and other items 
• Running off to greet people and other dogs instead of coming back when called 

Once you master these problems, you’ll make sure that your pooch is growing into the loving family pet that many people think of straight away when it comes to Labradors. 

How to train your Labrador puppy 

But how do you start the training process? 

Well, it’s important to start socialising your Lab puppy early. This includes all kinds of places, people, animals, and sensations that would be a part of their life by the time he or she is 12 weeks old. This exposure should work in line with the puppy’s natural curiosity so that they can approach and discover new things and experiences at their own pace, without either getting too overwhelmed or not experiencing enough. 

Here are some of our top tips when it comes to Labrador training…

Harness the power of positive, reward-based training 

Positive, reward-based training works like this - by rewarding your dog when they do what you want them to do, they’ll want to behave that way again. With regular repetition, your dog will eventually respond to the command without needing the reward - although it’s always nice to keep the positivity going by giving your best furry friend the occasional dog treat when they’ve been especially good. 

Teach basic obedience 

You can apply this positive reinforcement when it comes to actually training your dog. If you are training a small puppy, you’ll want to be able to teach them things like their name and basic commands such as ‘sit’ or ‘down’. 

Play the name game - Say your puppy’s name clearly, and when they look at you, reward them straight away. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you do it, the more your dog will get used to their name. 

Control biting - All puppies will naturally go through a mouthing phase. If they are biting your hands or clothes, say ‘no’ in a firm voice and offer a suitable chew toy instead. When they do take the toy, make sure you praise them. 

Practice recall - Teach your dog a reliable, fast and enthusiastic recall as soon as possible. This is so that no matter what other fascinating things are going on, they will always run back towards you. In the same way your dog will learn their name, practice by going out into a large field and reward your dog each time they come back to you. 

>> Discover more by reading our top dog training tips << 

Get to grips with leash walking 

Teach your Labrador to walk politely on a lead from as early an age as possible. For a Labrador, the world is full of fascinating scents, posts, and tufts of grass that must be scent-marked, especially for males, and objects that must be immediately investigated. This makes it hard for them to remember that there is a person on the other end of the lead. 

But, with lots of practice, patience, and a way of rewarding that works for them, keeping an eye on their human counterpart can become a habit for your dog that will last a lifetime. You can start indoors - reward your puppy for walking by your side. If they pull, simply stop or change direction gently to let them know not to do that. 

> How much exercise does your dog need? Discover more about how often you should be taking your dogs out for walks

So, are Labs easy to train? 

Yes, while this blog might’ve made you think you’ve got your work cut out, Labradors are actually widely considered as one of the easiest dog breeds to train! They are highly intelligent, eager to please, and highly motivated by food - which we can help with! 

Make sure you browse through our high-quality puppy food, adult dog food, and mature dog food, which can be an excellent training tool and contain delicious and nutritious ingredients that support your dog’s diet.  

>> Find out the best food for feeding your Labrador puppy & dog right here! << 

Keep your Lab happy and healthy with the help of Burgess Pet Care 

And there you have it… Our Labrador training tips. Hopefully, you’re now feeling much more confident with your Labrador pup and can apply some of our tips above into action in real life! Training any dog isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely rewarding once you start to see your progress paying off. 

Here at Burgess Pet Care, we’re a leading UK manufacturer that caterers for the country’s most popular animals, including dogs, cats and small animals. Make sure you check out our dog care guides for more advice surrounding your dog’s diet, lifestyle, and overall well-being. 

For more information and advice surrounding your furry friends, be sure to get in touch with our team!

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