Beginners’ Guide to Training Labradors - Part Two

Training Labradors, as we said in part one of this article, is a joyous task - but it is a task. As we begin part two, remember that training Labradors requires commitment, patience, treats, and lots of praise. Remember, too, that treats and praise should always be given at the same time. “Praise-with-treat” is the key to training Labradors.

Having taught your Labrador puppy to sit, you are ready to move on to other commands. Before you do, though, be sure your puppy will sit even without a treat. Be sure it will sit at any location. You will especially want it to obey the Sit! command at the door. This will keep the puppy from jumping on guests, or dashing out the door while you’re getting his leash fastened.

Down! Can Be Taught with These Steps.

If you are training Labradors that will be around young children, you will want them to learn the Down! command early. Training Labradors when they are young will keep them from knocking down small children.

* Take your puppy to a quiet place where there are few distractions.
* Get the puppy’s attention by sitting down near it.
* Give the “Sit!” command, and get your puppy in a sitting position.
* Say “Down!” Your voice should always go down, not up, when you are training Labradors. Do not shout or sound angry, but be firm.
* As you give the command, move your hand so the treat is between the puppy’s front paws. He should go down to reach it.
* The moment he is down, praise-with-treat.
* Let the puppy get up, and repeat the lesson.
* If your puppy does not go all the way into a lying position, keep your fingers on the treat. Slowly push it between the puppy’s paws, toward its belly, and wait for him to go down. Then praise-with-treat.
* Once your puppy learns to go down from a sit position, teach him to do Down” from a standing position.

Stay! Can Be Taught with These Steps.

Training Labradors means training until the puppy is consistently obeying both the Sit! and Down! commands - in every location - without treats. When it has reached this point, it is ready to learn the Stay! command. You will find that training Labradors of a young age to stay is very rewarding.

* Take your puppy to a quiet place where there are few distractions.
* Give the “Sit!” command, and get your puppy in a sitting position.
* Say “Stay!” As stated above, your voice should always go down when training Labradors, not up. Keep your voice kind, but firm.
* As you give the command, place your hand in front of the puppy’s face like a stop sign.
* Step away from the puppy for 1 second, and then return.
* Praise-with-treat. Withhold both treat and praise, though, if the puppy moves or stands to get the treat.
* Gradually increase, a few seconds at a time, the amount of time you are away from the puppy.
* Gradually increase, a foot at a time, the distance you move away from the puppy.
* Those who are professional at training Labradors recommend that you work up to 1 minute on a Stay! with a distance of at least 10 feet between you and the puppy.

Down! Stay! Combination

Over a few months, you should be able to extend the Stay! time to as much as 15 minutes, and have the puppy stay right where it is. For such a long period of time, it is better to combine the Down! and Stay! commands. Get the puppy to go down, lying on the floor. Then give the Stay! command as usual.

A good practice when training Labradors on a Down! Stay! combination is to leave the room while the puppy is on the combination command. You may also want to have it in a place where it likes to rest, since the puppy will feel more relaxed.

Tip: End every lesson on a success.