The Labrador Puppy – Tips for Training #2

In part 1 of this article, we listed 10 tips for training a Labrador puppy. We noted that you may be training a black Labrador puppy. You may be training a yellow Labrador puppy. Or you may be training a chocolate Labrador puppy. There is no difference. Tips for training a Labrador puppy apply equally to every Labrador puppy.

Here, then, is our second installment of Labrador puppy training tips.

• Teach your Labrador puppy to relieve itself in the right place by using a cage. A Labrador puppy will not want to “mess” its “den”. Put your puppy in a cage when it is time for the puppy to rest or sleep. When you take it from the cage, take it outside quickly.
• At first, take your Labrador puppy out of its cage at least once an hour to empty its bladder. If it does nothing, put it gently back in the cage. If it does relieve itself, praise and reward it immediately!
• Training a Labrador puppy involves training its owner. Take notes during the first weeks. Write down when you feed the puppy, when it relieves itself, and when it sleeps. You will soon learn its rhythm, and be able to fit training to it. Then you can gradually lengthen the time your Labrador puppy is out of its cage.
• Accidents happen. If they do, reprimand if you catch the puppy in the act. Otherwise, clean it up and say nothing. Write down the time, and make sure that the next day your Labrador puppy is in its cage an hour before that time.
• Always remember that you are in charge – “Alpha Dog” is the term often used. In a wild dog pack, one emerges as the leader. That must be you if a Labrador puppy is to obey.
• When taking a Labrador puppy for a walk, always put it on a leash. The puppy will feel your control through the leash.
• Try to understand life through a dog’s mind. To a Labrador puppy, digging is as natural as the day is long. To protect your lawn and garden, provide a puppy garden where digging is not only allowed, but encouraged. Hide treats in it to let the puppy know it is an appropriate place to dig.
• Everyone in the house must be on the same page when training a Labrador puppy. Whatever the lesson you are teaching the pup, everyone must do the same thing – all the time.
• A Labrador puppy will be more relaxed and behaved if it gets plenty of exercise. Boredom is a trigger for bad behavior. Take him or her out to run off energy.
• Another way to avoid boredom is to incorporate exploration into the day for your Labrador puppy. Go in the car to a new place to walk, run, and explore. If you live near a mall, visit a “people-watching” spot outside the mall and let it socialize with strangers.

Look for additional tips for training a Labrador puppy in our next entry.