I like the Dr.P website. It should answer ALL your trainig questions

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/dog.htm

I have a one year old Yellow Labrador and I just got her a couple days ago. The people who had her before me only used the crate for punishment, which would explain why she is TERRIFIED of it. She doesn’t like treats too much so that won’t persuade her and I don’t want to scare her even more. I’ve gotten her in before and she’ll lay down for about 2 seconds. And I’ve gotten the door closed (I only left it closed for a few seconds and praised her the whole time she was in.) Is this the right approach?

(I am not asking your opinion on whether or not crates should be used, I’m asking on how to help her like it more.)
She is not agressive at all, she’s an attention whore, and she is a TOTAL pleaser. Even more then most labs.
As I said I want the crate to be a happy experience for her.

You’re on the right track, certainly.

Also, put her food dish in there. If she wants to eat, she’ll get in the crate. Do *not* close the door when she’s in there eating — this should be a totally non-stressful situation.

Google for many terrific articles on crate training. There are all kinds of theories and essentially you need to do what you’re comfortable with.

One other question — if you’re using a solid crate (like a fiberglass Vari-Kennel), consider getting a wire crate so she can see out and not feel like she’s too closed in.

Crates are actually a natural thing for dogs, as it simulates their natural inclination for denning, but if the crate was abused (i.e., used for punishment, or the dog confined to the crate too long) it can be a bit of a challenge to get the dog used to it. Hang in there. It’s worth it.

EDIT — Just thought of another idea — if it’s a crate that comes apart, take the top off so it’s more like a bed. When she gets used to that, you can put the top back on.

Right now she’s inside and I am using the doggie pads.
How can I succeed at getting her off the doggie pads and having her eliminate outside? I’ve had her a week.
Thanks!

A) she’s 8 weeks old
B) You’ve only had her a week
C) You’re using pads.

These things take time. This training is not done over night or in a week. Her bladder has to develop as well.

Try to get her off of the doggie pads as soon as possible, these basically are telling her it’s ok to go potty in the house.

I highly reccomend crate training. I have never used the pads or newspapers and never will. All of my pups are housebroken using crate training.

This site has some great advice on Crate Training and Housbreaking. It is a lot of info and I think you just might find it useful.

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

Find a trainer who can help you:

http://www.apdt.com/

Best of luck to you and feel free to email me if you have any questions

Depends on your hours and schedules.

Well basically, sometime in the future I would love to get a Labrador puppy, since I live aaages away from the nearest dog rescue home and it’d be abit cruel to get the new dog on thousands of buses and trains to get home. I don’t even know if dogs can get on trains and buses..

Anyway. I would love to get a male Labrador pup, and maybe a female sometime after, if the training and all that goes well. I dunno why but I just love male pets, a teeny bit more than females. Though I’m abit worried that male Labs are abit dominent and more boistrous than females.

Nowww, I know Labs are amazing pets, and I’ve not met any that are aggressive or yappy etc, but I have met a good few who are abit annoying in the way that they jump and nearly knock you over and lick you to death whenever you see them. My friend for instance has two males who don’t have any table manners, or any manners at all. They’re lovely, but not when they meet someone or if there’s food around. They also hump other dogs, even males, which I think is a sign of domenience?

I know they probably weren’t well socialised, etc, but I don’t really want my dog to turn into one of them. I’d love him to be well mannered, and to greet people on all 4′s and not to jump up and to be well trained around food and new people, and maybe even dogs. I know that’ll be alot to ask for, and that as a puppy and growing adult he won’t be perfect, but I want him to be as good as he can.

What sort of things can I start doing the day I get him home? Things like forcing him to sleep in his own bed, not hand feeding him, or letting him get away with things I don’t want him to when he’s huge, etc. But what else? And what sort of things should I teach him?

Also, how do I pick the best puppy from the litter? I’ve heard most people say to pick the one that comes up to you, licks you all over, and plays with you. But surely those dogs might become like my friends? I wouldn’t pick the one that is curled up in the corner not reacting, but should I pick one that greets me but on all 4′s and as calmly as an excited puppy can? So yeahh, what should I look for in a puppy?

Sorry, I’ve gone on abit, but I want my puppy to be well behaved and I don’t want him to become a nightmare when he’s big.

it sound like you are pretty well informed about dogs/puppies. But if you are looking for reliable information, you can always do more research! Firstly, no, as far as i know, you are not allowed to bring dogs except seeing eye dogs on buses, but surely if that was your only barrier to getting a dog, you could arrange for a ride? A labrador is a good people dog and are also good for families, although i don’t like to classify them to much as all dogs are different. as for the things you listed it sounds like you have a pretty good idea yourself. and although that may not sound like alot now, it certainly will when you have a 3 month old puppy trailling around behind you eating kleenex, peeing on rugs, etc..
the main goal is to establish boundries and stick to them. as in although the little puppy jumping up now may seem cute, noot so much when he is a 100 pound hound. if you want to go even further out, just start teaching some basic commands. Come, is the first one i teach, as it could possibly save their life in the future. also it’s easier to teach because puppy naturelly wants to be by your side anyways. I would suggest enrolling in "puppy school". Thats what we did with our doodle and it was very successful. It gives them the chance to socialize, and learn new tricks. you get to learn from experienced trainers and if you have a busy scheduel you may not remember to train/practise with your pooch, but at least you know you are going to "school" once a week. My pooch loved it so much that we ended up "graduation" a grand total of 4 times! I would also recomend crate training although i do not know your daily schedule and how it will fit in with the dog. The crate takes the place of his naturel "den". then you have a place where he will happily spend his time, when you are out, safe from getting into trouble. As long as you go to a reliable breeder or other shelter, i would think all the dogs could make good companions. you can pick one that stands out in your mind, or if you do want to evaluate them, there are little tests that you can do with the puppy after meating him to help you ecvaluate things like his temperment. although i can’t think of it on the spot, im sure if you google it you would find something.
i know you want to be a good, disiplined owner but remember to spend some quality time with him/her too! after all a dog is truely a best friend.
good luck and have fun!