Helpful Dog Obedience Training Tips For A Labrador

If you own a Labrador Retriever, here are some basic dog obedience training tips. Labradors make wonderful pets due to their friendly natures and are therefore ideal for a family. They are not aggressive and will gladly participate in all kinds of rough and tumble games. Labs are also gentle, loving, patient and loyal - that's why they make ideal guide dogs.

However, a Labrador may have a slight problem when it comes to obedience. They only start maturing psychologically after the age of two. Training can be a nightmare unless you know what you are doing. But, with his eagerness to please, and a level of authority from you, it can be easily done with some key dog obedience training tips. It won't take long for him to become a well-disciplined member of the family.

For maximum results, begin training your Lab when he is between 3 and 4 months of age. If, for some reason, this is can't be done, you can begin at any time. Training is going to be much easier if you and the dog have already become close. If he views you as the person who cares for him, comforts him, feeds him, and walks him, he will want to please you even more.

Start by teaching the four commands that form the basis of all dog training techniques, namely 'come, sit, stay, and heel'. Keep your voice businesslike but friendly because it's important that the Lab sees training sessions as fun. Whenever he gets something right, lavish him with praise. You will need three pieces of equipment for training, i. E. A training collar, a 6 foot leash, as well as a 30 ft leash.

Use his inbred ability to focus on your presence and voice. With the longer leash, teach him the sit-stay command. When he gets the hang of it, steadily extend the distance between him and you. Again, don't forget to praise whenever he gets it right. You can teach him to walk at your heel with the short leash.

Each training session should be no longer than an hour at least three times every week. Labs may have difficulty if the sessions are too long because young ones have short attentions spans. Refrain from showing impatience or irritation if he is careless or can't remember a command. If he seems distracted, rather stop the session altogether.

These simple dog obedience training tips are tried and tested, and your Lab will soon start responding. This breed love to please their owners and they like praise even more. This is why they respond well to training. Therefore, remember that the more praise you lavish on him, the more he is going to learn.