Start Training your new labrador pup

Basic Training

Basic training exercises for labrador pups include short retrieves. These exercises need only take a few minutes a day. When you start retrieves, start with short throws of 1-2 metres. Make sure your pup is excited and really wants the object before you toss it. When the pup runs over to the object and picks it up, coax them back to you. Before you take the object, praise and pat them and give them a treat. Don't train them when there are distractions and don't overdo the repetitions in each session. Three to four repetitions are enough initially. It is important to leave your pup wanting more, rather than becoming bored and disinterested. It is also critical that your puppy does not feel stressed or pressured while training. If you weaken the spirit of your puppy they will not want to do it again and you might not have the dog you want. 

You are the master and you are also their trainer. You will be working with your labrador pup daily, exercising them and teaching them the rules. If, after a few weeks, your pup doesn't consistently respond to your commands, then the problem is likely to be with your commands or consistency. A well-behaved dog is a well trained dog. And for this to occur, you need to communicate consistent messages.

Understand the rules

Everyone in the house must cooperate and comply with the agreed rules. Everything stands or falls on consistency, and a lack of consistency will undermine all your training. There will be no use making a rule if it is regularly broken. This will confuse your pup, particularly if one person disciplines the pup but another person does otherwise. Every member of the household should learn and practice the basic obedience commands. And they should understand the need to reward obedience and good behaviour. The exception is with toddlers and very young children. They should be supervised at all times when a dog is near them. Remember that dogs are pack animals and they will instinctively find and assert their place in the pack order. However, every person over 4 years of age can be above your dog in the pack hierarchy.