Training basics that work
Labs thrive on positive reinforcement: reward what you like and your puppy will repeat it. Keep sessions short, five minutes or less for young puppies, a few times a day. End on a success. Use small, soft treats and enthusiastic praise, and train before meals when your puppy is hungry.
1. Name and attention
Say your puppy's name in a cheerful voice. When they look at you, mark it with "yes!" and give a treat. Repeat a dozen times. This is the foundation for everything else: a puppy who looks to you for direction.
2. Sit
Hold a treat at your puppy's nose, then slowly move it up and back over their head. As their rear lowers, say "sit," mark with "yes!" and treat. Practice before meals, doors and leash-ups, so "sit" becomes the polite way to ask for anything.
3. Down
From a sit, lower a treat from the nose to the floor between the paws. As your puppy lies down, mark and reward. Be patient; some puppies take a few sessions.
4. Come
This may be the most important cue. Start indoors. Crouch, say "come!" in a happy voice and reward generously when they reach you. Never call your puppy to punish them, or they will learn that coming is bad. Practice in more distracting places with a long line, and make recall the best thing that happens all day.
5. Stay
Ask for a sit, say "stay," take one step back, return and reward. Gradually build duration and distance. Keep early stays very short.
6. Leave it and drop it
Labs pick things up, so these two cues keep them safe. For "leave it," cover a treat with your hand, wait for your puppy to look away and reward from the other hand. For "drop it," trade a toy for a treat, then give the toy back so they learn that giving up objects is not a loss.
7. Loose-leash walking
Start in the house or yard with a light leash. Reward your puppy for staying near your side. When the leash goes tight, stop and wait; walk on when it relaxes. Change direction often and reward attention. Labs are strong, so train this early, before they weigh 70 pounds.
8. Settle on a mat
Teach your puppy to lie calmly on a mat and reward them for staying. This makes restaurants, visitors and vet waiting rooms easier.
Tips for success
- Use one cue per behavior and keep the same words in the house
- Reward right away, within a second or two
- Practice in many places as your puppy grows
- Do not repeat cues over and over; help the puppy succeed instead
- Be consistent, and make training a family activity
Classes
A good puppy class, once your vet approves, helps with socialization and gives you an expert eye on your technique. Pair it with our tips on socialization, biting and crate training.
Choosing rewards
Different puppies value different things. Some will do anything for a tiny piece of chicken, others prefer a game of tug or a favorite toy. Build a menu of rewards, from kibble for easy behaviors to high-value treats for hard ones like recall in the yard. Keep treats tiny so training does not add many calories.
Troubleshooting common problems
- My puppy ignores me outside. Work in quieter spots first, use better treats and keep sessions short.
- Sits only with a treat in view. Fade the lure by using the hand signal alone, then reward from a pocket or pouch.
- Lunges on leash. Practice at a distance and reward calm looks at distractions.
- Gets bored fast. End sooner, mix up the behaviors and add a game.
Adding duration, distance and distraction
Once your puppy knows a behavior in a quiet room, change just one thing at a time: a little longer, a little farther or a little more distraction. If your puppy fails, go back a step. Labs learn quickly, but they generalize slowly: a sit at home does not automatically mean a sit at the park, so practice in many places.
Keep learning
Once the basics are solid, try tricks, scent work, dock diving or therapy-dog prep. Labs love a job, and a trained Lab is a joy. Many families also pursue the AKC Canine Good Citizen program, a good goal for a well-mannered adult.
Questions? Talk to a real person
We are glad to share the training routines our own dogs learned. Call or text (919) 899-8917, browse our available puppies, or send us a note. There's no cost and no pressure in asking.