Labrador puppies are adorable, but they can be a lot of work, especially if you’re new to dog ownership. The key to training any puppy, especially labs, is using positive reinforcement and consistency. But there are other things you can do as well to get your new lab puppy adjusted and trained in no time. Follow along below for some tips and tricks:
Give Your Labrador Lots of Attention
If you’re not home to give your puppy attention, make sure someone else is there to occupy them. If that’s not possible, try leaving some of his favorite toys or treats with him while he’s alone. Instead, he will be less likely to find something destructive if he has something fun to play with.
Try Out a Basic Obedience Class
If you’re looking for a way to bond with your puppy and teach him good manners, enrolling in a basic obedience class is an excellent choice.
Puppy classes are also important because they help socialize your dog. Dogs who don’t get enough socialization may be more likely to develop behavior problems later on in life.
Make Sure Everyone in Your House Knows Your Training Rules
Making sure that everyone in your house is on the same page with training will go a long way.
- Be consistent in enforcing the rules.
- Have everyone be involved in the training process.
Consider Crate Training
Kennel/ crate training is an important part of puppy care. Not only does it keep your puppy safe, but it also helps your puppy develop good habits early on.
Kennel training isn’t something that should be rushed, and if you’d like more information on it, check out one of our blogs dedicated to the topic here.
Keep Toys On Hand to Avoid Destroyed Personal Items
You want to encourage your new lab pup to chew on toys instead of household items, so they need to be close at hand. Make sure you choose toys that are safe for the dog and not too small or hard and safe for their age.
For some ideas on toys for your labrador during its teething stage, check out this article.
Use Positive Reinforcement with Your Labrador
Using positive reinforcement is the best way to train your Labrador puppy. Positive reinforcement involves giving your puppy a treat or praise when they do something good, such as sitting on command or walking on a leash without pulling. If you’re using treats, make sure they are small enough that it takes only one bite for your lab to eat them, so you don’t overfeed them.
You can also use toys as rewards for good behavior when training your puppy: give him something fun to play with when he does what you ask of him. This will make training much more enjoyable for both of you!
If you’re looking for a great companion and family pet, the Labrador Retriever is a perfect choice. They are gentle, friendly, and loyal dogs who will be your best friend for life.
Remember that patience is key to puppy training. Positive reinforcement, which means rewarding your dog for good behavior, is the best way to train a puppy. If you follow the above tips and tricks, your new lab will adjust to family life in no time!
