Early Training Basics

Your puppy’s mother began its training program at birth. Once your puppy arrives in your home, it has already been given some basics on behavior — so don’t think it is too young to learn to behave in your environment. You must set the parameters that will work in your household right from the beginning.  Remember as you set your household rules that your fifteen pound puppy will grow up to be a 65 to 85 pound adult.  Restrict the behaviors now, like jumping up, that will be out of bounds later.

The Labrador Retriever is a highly intelligent animal and a natural and capable learner. But at the core, the Labrador is a dog – a pack animal. Your challenge is to ensure that you are regarded as the pack leader.  The puppy's dam has provided effective leadership.  She disciplines quickly in direct proportion to the offense through a low growl, a swat of the paw, or a shake of the neck. These disciplinary behaviors can be translated into human terms.  Correct your dog in a manner it will understand – a firm vocal reprimand, a stern look, a shake of the neck.

Early puppy training should include the following:

·         Responding to its name — simply use your puppy’s name whenever dealing with it and praise it when it responds. This will give your puppy its first success. Your puppy will discover that a correct response brings rewards and it will thrive on such positive reinforcement. This will make it want to learn more.

·         Understanding and responding to the word "no" – this is necessary for convenience and for safety.

·         Collar and leash training – sets the foundation for many family outings.

·         Food and eating manners – early on, while your puppy is eating, stick your finger in the bowl and "stir" it; occasionally lift the bowl up and add a few more kibbles. This is done to ensure that your puppy avoids becoming possessive of its food bowl.

·         Household manners – establish the boundaries that are appropriate for your household.

Common sense should be your guide in deciding when to begin formal training. It is useless and frustrating for all involved to begin training a puppy than cannot understand what you want of it. As a general rule, most Labradors can begin command training at two to four months old. Concentration and repetition are the keys.  Consider puppy kindergarten classes and beginning training classes.

There are a number of excellent books regarding puppy raising and training.  The following are books I read and recommend:

Mother Knows Best, The Natural Way to Train Your Dog, author Carol Lea Benjamin

The Howell Book of Puppy Raising, author Charlotte Schwartz

The Art of Raising a Puppy, author The Monks of New Skete