Dog Obedience Training Tips For A Labrador Retriever

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 best results, start training when your Lab is still young - between 12 and 16 weeks. If this is not possible for some reason, you can start at any age. Training will be a lot easier if you have already formed a close bond with the dog. If he sees you the person who feeds him, walks him, comforts him and takes care of him, he will be even keener to please you.

Start with the easy 'come', 'sit', 'stay' and 'heel' commands. Keep your voice calm, yet friendly so that the dog views training as a fun activity. Every time he does something correctly, pat and praise him profusely. You should have a leash with a length of about 30 feet, a 6 foot leash, as well as a training collar.

Use your Labrador's instinctive ability to concentrate on your voice and presence. With the long leash, you can also teach him the 'sit - stay' command. When he starts getting the message, you can gradually increase the distance between yourself and him. Again, never forget to reward. The short leash is used to teach him how to walk 'at heel' with you.

Train for an hour at least three times a week. Don't make the lessons any longer because Labs have limited attention spans, especially young ones. Take care not to get impatient or irritable if he gets careless or forgets a command. Rather cut the session short than persist if he is in a distracted mood.

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.

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