Training tips for adult lab?
I have a 4 year old dog that is dominantly yellow labrador. I have been able to do some basic training with her but I want to get some more intense training in.
What tips do you have to help out with training for her?
She is a very playful, hyper dog. She is already housebroken and understands maybe about 5-10 commands but she is stubborn about follow through. I want to teach her frisbee, swimming, being around strangers and other dogs, not to bark at every single person and car that goes passed our house.
Any tips please?
By dominantly lab, I mean she is mixed, they think with pyrenees.
If you can walk your dog before you train her then this will help wonders, because you will have drained all that hyper energy and she will be more attentive. if she is stubborn about follow through then do not over exert her with training. Do it for ten minutes at a time so every time you finish she sort of wants more etc. End on a good note so that the next time she will associate the activity in a more positive light rather than keeping going until you both get frustrated. I don’t kow how adaptive the retriever will be for the frisbee as you need a quie speedy dog like a border collie but try first with the ball. You can get ones with a string attached so you can reel it back in, but the thing i found best with my dog was the treat i offered. Whatever you do, do no pull the ball from the dogs mouth as this will only mean you are not incontrol. I know it sounds so simple but the dog has to give it up. Hold on to the ball yes, but do not pull. If you want, using the ball as leverage tip the dogs head upwards toward the sky gently until they let go. They have to let go, it’s something to do with their swallowing mechanism.
As for swimming. you do not have to teach your dog. She is a water dog, that’s what retrievers are and when she gets used to fetching then start throwing the ball into the water. It will come naturally to her.
Retreivers do not usually attack but they do constantly alert you to people approaching. This is fine, but as long as she stop when you tell her,. You can either get an E collar to make it easier on yourself, or stand in front of her and tell her to be quiet and do not open the door until she stops. You can put a sign up outside telling people to wait etc because your dog is in training. When people come in then ask them to give her a treat so she starts associating visitors with a nice biscuit. Also, do not let her come to the door with you. She can come a certain distance, but when people knock then always put her sitting in the same place in the hallway and you may have to put her back every time you turn your back.
Riley 11 month old yellow lab working on the water retrieve with second dog distraction. Hunt Dog Training and Dog obedience video.
Training a lab a tracking and dead bird