Lab puppy training is not always as easy as you might expect, but it also is not that complicated. Like all dog training, it varies from puppy to puppy, with each of them boasting a different personality and set of learned behaviours that you might have to correct.
If you are not sure how to get started with training your Lab puppy or do not know if you will have the time necessary to help them develop, then here is a breakdown of some ways to make it simpler. The hardest part of training your new puppy is getting started.
Consider Your Schedule
How much time are you actually going to have to train your pup? Not everybody can afford to train them during the brighter hours of the day, and this can make it a bit harder to get them invested in social interactions with other dogs – at least until weekends.
Your schedule plays a huge part in how you train your puppy and where you will actually be able to take them safely. People who work long hours might also have less time to spend with their pup overall, something that can be tricky if you are trying to build a proper relationship with them.
Strict schedules and less time make proper training even more important. If you only have an hour of light left to take your pup outdoors, then you need to make it count since you do not have as much time to waste.
Remember that your Lab puppy will eventually start to fall into a routine that matches yours. If you can only take them out for walks at certain times, then they will learn to expect walks at those times. The same goes for feeding, times where you can sit together, or even the time that you wake up.
Double-Check Everything
Before you even get started with the training, be sure to look up anything that might be important. It does not matter how small it might be – you want to be absolutely certain that you are not making any mistakes or following any misinformation from the internet.
Professional sources of training info and dog details are a good thing to rely on since they have actual experts working on the tips there. If you get incorrect training information, you might end up doing something that reinforces bad behaviour or confuses your young puppy.
This goes for all health-related information too. If you are not completely sure that you are doing the right thing for your dog’s health – or even if you are sure – you should double-check just in case. It is better to get professional confirmation than to make a mistake and only realize it later on.
Be sure to treat your puppy properly, and do not leave important things up to chance. Taking good care of your puppy is a major part of letting them grow up to be happy, healthy, and glad to see you as their owner. If you are not careful, you might harm them in the long term.
Look Into Training Programs
While it can be tempting to try and train your Lab puppy yourself, this is not always a good idea, even if you have experience with it. There are very few reasons to not get involved in a training course, no matter how actively or passively you might stick to it.
One of the most notable benefits of a proper program is having a consistent, clear structure to it. This can help a lot with knowing what to focus on next and can aid the natural development of your puppy over the course of however long the training lasts.
It is not always a good idea to send a new puppy off to be trained by somebody else, but a lot of training programs are entirely remote. These allow you to stay with your puppy while getting third-party assistance that makes the puppy easy to train, helping you stay on track at all times.
Do not feel like you need to prove that you can train your pup yourself. Even if you have raised or taken care of a Lab puppy before, a good training program can get you started and make the hard parts much easier to manage.
Specialized Training
Training might also matter for more specialized roles, like an emotional support dog. This can be a lot harder to manage on your own, so having third-party help is important. Ideally, you would want a pre-trained dog, but this is not always an option (or your preference).
With this kind of training, a program is essential for getting things right. Even the smallest difference in how you train a puppy can have long-lasting benefits, making them more suitable for that role and letting them support you better in the long term.
Make Your Home Safe
Always look into puppy safety before bringing a Lab puppy home. If your home is not safe, then they might end up eating something that they should not or getting stuck on top of something that they can’t safely jump down from.
Puppies are curious, and a Lab puppy will most likely try to wander. A large part of getting them used to your home is through gradual exposure, making sure that they are not overwhelmed with home life all at once.
This means that things like microwave noises, kitchen sounds, doors being slammed, daily schedules, alarm clocks, and meal times all have to be learned slowly. Ideally, you want to restrict your pup to a smaller area, stopping them from wandering too far and getting lost or hurt. That will also make it will be easier for you to train your dog to use a dog door and ensure that the pup does not stray too far away. It is also a good idea to contact a dog door company and get the right-sized door installed.
Until you can train your puppy properly, always assume that they will get themselves hurt if possible. The more you can hide or cover up dangerous parts of their home space, the easier it becomes for them to stay safe and avoid accidental injury while exploring, playing, or even just sleeping.
Get Started
If you are ready to start training your Lab puppy, then now is as good a time as any. It is important to get them trained as soon as you can, especially if you are worried about them not integrating into your life properly.
The more effort you put into puppy training, and the more help you get, the easier it becomes to make the puppy a core part of your family.