How do I train a labrador retriever puppy?
I’m getting a new puppy (chocolate labrador retriever) from my local animal shelter in a few days and he is 6 months old.
I have no idea if he is house trained so if not, how would I train him to go outside and not pee/poop inside?
I am having him crate trained so he doesn’t get into things or pee on the couches/other things. How do I crate train him?
He already knows how to sit pretty well on command, fetch, and is starting to learn how to shake with his paw. He still doesn’t know how to lie down. What is a good way to teach him that?
How would I train him to not jump up on people or furniture and not chew on things other than toys/bones?
As any other puppy, he is very playful and loves attention. He is getting fixed before we get him and I heard it makes them calmer and not so hyper afterwards. Is that true? How can I make him not so wild? A lot of fetching/walks?
Any other tips for training a puppy would help or any comments about past training experiences.
Also I have seen people with their dogs at he park without a leash. Their dog will wonder around and stay close, but when the owner calls its name it comes right to it. Can I teach/train my dog to do that? How?
You can use the same techniques on older dogs as puppies. Biggest difference is the longer time after eating or drinking before they are ready to relieve themselves. If a dog has been living where it could keep its living space clean, it should quickly catch on. The important part will be teaching it that if it goes to the door, you will let it out. It will be much more difficult if the dog was forced to live in its filth. You will need to learn to read the dog and learn its schedule, and when it needs to go out. Keep it in sight, closing doors and setting up gates. Some people even leash the dog to themselves. I have used a tie down at my computer desk.
For more details, see my answer at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110321204022AAOaU3P
Filed under: Labrador Crate Training
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* when training i start by using treats but then i lean more to just giving him praise or giving him his favorite toy because some dogs wont listen if they were always given treat and if you dont have a treat in your hand.
(EX: when you want him to "sit" hold the treat above his nose and slowly move it back (towards him) and he should sit and say "sit" and then reward him)
> for the chewing: i either say "no" when they jump up and push them off of the person. You can also get a spray bottle and spray him once if he chews something he isnt suppose to or jumps up and say "no" ive done this with a rescue puppy who would get to "mouthy" and after about 2 months she completely stopped.Also make sure to provide a lot of toys (ropes, stuffed toys, and bones) so he has "good" things to chew on
>how i trained my puppy to lay down is i would get him to sit and then let him smell my hand(i had my hand in a fist and had a treat inside Or just show him the treat and lower it.) and i would lower my hand to the ground and say "down" and once he did it i would give him the treat and say "good boy" Ive noticed it is easier to train a dog to lay down with a treat than a toy because some dogs will try to snatch the toy away.
>Get him sociable with other dogs so he gets use to being around them (like go to a dog park)
>Dogs tend to calm down a little after getting them fixed; also if they are fixed they are usually more laid back and not aggressive towards other dogs as much as unneutred dogs
>Also here are a few sites:
Also there are some videos on youtube by trainers and they are good too; just type in what you want him to learn. Another thing is you can call a dog trainer around your area and im sure they can give you some advise/tips too.
http://www.dog-obedience-training-review…
http://www.perfectpaws.com/pupstuff.html
http://www.puppy-training-at-home.com/
http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/Pupp…
References :
owns 6 dogs and i trained them all (im 16 and lives on a ranch)
Based on all these questions, you really have to see a dog trainer. You can’t crate train a dog if you don’t know how. Crate training is not the way to keep him from peeing on things he’s not supposed to, that is not the point of the crate.
The dog is young so he will still be hyper after being fixed. Labs are VERY VERY hyper and will be hyper for a few YEARS. A good lab is a tired lab. He will need a lot of exercise. Mix it up, play fetch, take walks, teach him tricks.
The very best thing you can do is work with a professional dog trainer who does clicker training. Clicker training is very fun for you and for the dog.
I have a lab that was absolutely nuts when we got her in September. She is much better behaved after working with a trainer. It’s very much worth the expense! The shelter should be able to refer you to a certified professional dog trainer. Do NOT work with a trainer who uses a choke chain or other harsh methods. Dogs respond better to positive reinforcement.
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Get him into puppy training then have him go into training each year.I have a black labrador that is mixed with a golden retreiver. I got her into training like when she was 2 years old.If you get any dog trained right away it will be much easier.My dog isn’t fixed, and she is sometimes wild. If you play with him a lot and walk him he shouldn’t be wild.
Here is a website on how to crate train your puppy:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cratetraining.htm
Good Luck!
References :
Labradors are really smart and want to please you so training should be fairly easy if done right. First off if you want him to respond well you need to take him on daily walks or runs to keep his energy under control. It is good you are crate training because that almost always eliminates the pee/pooping in house. You buy a crate big enough for the dog to stand comftorbly and be able to turn completley around (And plan for the dog to get bigger so look at breed standard for average size). Anythim you leave the house put him in the crate. When you go to bed, in the crate. If he whines when you put him in ignore it. He will get used to it and stop within the first few days/weeks. give him a fav chew toy to keep him occupied while in crate. Because the dog will be sleeping there he will not pee or poop in his "Den" or bed. He wants to keep it clean for himself. As soon as you wake up or come home take him out to potty, this will also eliminate pottying in the house. To train to lie down is simple for most but can be difficult for some. Get a treat at first and hold it in your hand on the ground until he is laying down. Give him the treat and say down or whatever you plan to be the command. if that doesnt work sit on the floor, have a treat in hand. hold one leg out then bring it to a bend. have the dog on either side of your leg, show the treat and pull the treat under your leg with the dog folloing, because your leg is shorter then the dog it will force the dog to lay down. Not jumping on people, well if he does then turn and tell people to turn their backs and ignore him until he stops. in his mind he sees this as "oh if i jump no one pays attention to me, if I dont they pet me." and if he doesnt jump pet him that is his reward. You can stop chewing with two things one lots of toys, variety and different thickness/lasting kinds keep dogs intrest in toys, Two puppy bitter spray, can be bought at most pet stores, doesnt harm furniture, spray on anything you dont want the pup to chew, they lick it get a horrible taste and dont do it again. Yes when he gets fixed he will be about 15% more or less, less hyper/excited then he was before. To make him not so hyper or wild is with exercise and play. Play fetch or tug of war once or twice a day as well as two long runs/walks depending on how hyper he is. The more exercise the happier.calmer, healthier the dog is. Puppies learn quicker and better then adult dogs even though it is true that an old dog can learn new tricks. Anything you teach him now he will most likely remember forever. Now is the time to tell him right from wrong. If he doesnt learn the rules now it is less likely he will learn them later. Also you might want to get a squirt bottle, fill it with water and if he does something you don’t like squirt him and say bad. Whatever you do don’t put him in his crate when he is bad, i know it seems like a good idea but it makes the dog think his crate is a bad thing when it shouldnt be, it should be his bed/fav place. Eventually you will be able to say crate or something similar and he will go in happily. Hope I helped! Ps. Labs love water so swimming in pools, lakes, creeks, is a great way for exercise as well. Labs can be hyper and will think they are puppies until they are 5-7 years old but with good training and exercise they are amazing dogs and can be calm.
Owner of a black lab, english bulldog, and olde english bulldogge as well as a cat. (:
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RLTexas has answered this very well and has my vote already! I just wanted to add that I have a rescue dog and she is a black lab/spaniel cross. She does have severe separation anxiety that has never quite gone away. The breed is typically high energy and VERY affectionate. Take him outside often until he gets the idea that his pottie is outside, especially right after he pees in the house. Make sure he pees first and then play,so he knows he has to duty his duty outside and its not just playtime. If he jumps up on you put your knee up to stop him. Don’t hurt, just block. He will need lots of exercise and lots of toys to chew on.
Good Luck and enjoy your new friend.
References :
You can use the same techniques on older dogs as puppies. Biggest difference is the longer time after eating or drinking before they are ready to relieve themselves. If a dog has been living where it could keep its living space clean, it should quickly catch on. The important part will be teaching it that if it goes to the door, you will let it out. It will be much more difficult if the dog was forced to live in its filth. You will need to learn to read the dog and learn its schedule, and when it needs to go out. Keep it in sight, closing doors and setting up gates. Some people even leash the dog to themselves. I have used a tie down at my computer desk.
For more details, see my answer at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110321204022AAOaU3P
References :