labrador training

Labrador Training

Pamela Blackwood Duncan

http://www.traininglabradors.co.uk

○ http://www.traininglabradors.co.uk/labrador-training

Labrador Training


Labrador Training

Labradors - one of the most popular

breeds

Often the breed of choice as working

dogs

Do they really require special training?

Let's take a closer look.


What Makes Labradors

Different

Labrador training is relatively easy

Remember – that cute little puppy

Will one day be a big, strong dog

If that's not already the case

So make an early start.



Different (2)

Labradors have their own behavioural

traits

Inherent in their blood line

Understanding these inbuilt traits

The key to making Labrador Training

○ More simple

○ More successful

For both you and your pet



Different (2)

Remember your Labrador

Is still a dog

No matter how intelligent

If you treat your dog like a person

You lose the upper hand in training.


If you neglect to

Train your Labrador

You are actually putting him at risk.

Strength and size, can be trouble.

Biting and chewing can be a problem

But both are trainable behaviours.


The Fundamentals of

Labrador Training

Starting Young

The right routine

Times to avoid

Treats and rewards

Commands and hand signals


Starting Young


The Right Routine

Establish a proper training routine

So your dog understands what is expected

Five minutes or so

At any one time - to get the hang of it

Without getting bored or distracted.


The Right Routine (2)

Leave a reasonable time between

sessions

Four or five sessions a week

○ Enough to start with.

Don't go too quickly

○ Find a pace that suits

The dog's age and

Standard of behaviour



Build dog's training schedule from

Your dog's progress

Not

Your own desires to have a show winner



Find the right place is important

A quiet place free from distractions

Makes training much easier.


Times to avoid

Know the times that are difficult

Times that you won't get attention

include -

Too soon after feeding time

Too soon after previous lesson.

Too soon fter being in crate


Times to avoid (2)

When particularly

○ Energetic

○ Tired

When other people around

○ Particularly strangers


Labrador Training


Treats and Rewards

Important part of training regime

But only while they are treats

If given too often

Treats will no longer be a treat

Treats will completely lose effectiveness


Treats and Rewards (2)

A treat must be a little bit different

e.g. Never give part of normal diet

A little bit of some 'human' food

e.g. A small piece of cheese

○ but check it's Pet Friendly first


Treats and Rewards(3)

Unlike treats where not given too often

ALWAYS reward your dog with praise

Whenever does training task well.



Only give when task done correctly

Give more often when a new task

the first few times

Once he's got the hang of it

only give randomly

○ doesn't directly link the task

○ with getting a treat



ALWAYS encouragement and praise


Labrador Training


Verbal Commands and

Hand Signals

For any given task

Always the same instruction

○ One or two words

Use a particular hand signal

○ Always at the same time

○ Always in the same way


Verbal commands and

Hand Signals (2)

Lab associates simultaneous use of

The command

The hand signal

As a clear indication of what to do

And associates the instructions with task


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