Mistakes to be avoided while training your Labrador Retriever - Part 1
Mistakes to be avoided while training your Labrador Retriever Part 1
People seem most excited about training when the lab is between 8 weeks and about 8 months. For some reason, after that, the novelty or fun wears off, and less and less training goes on. In addition, the training that does happen is not as focused or goal-oriented as earlier work. It is at this time we often teach our lab the bad habits that will haunt us for the next decade, and make further training, hunting, or even time in the backyard not the delightful experience we initially hoped to achieve. Details are everything in lab work. Details that sacrifice good attitude are not, but the details of your work will magnify and come back to haunt you, positively or negatively as time goes by. If you perform obedience or retrieving exercises, and literally nag your lab to death, you are going backward. Details are critical, but not if in pursing perfection in the little things, you make your lab dread the work you are doing. You have to pay attention to the small things, and pay attention to the big picture: your lab's state of mind. Maybe that's why there are so many people looking for books, guidance or another lab, because it is not a trivial thing to train a lab well.
What are the 'details'? Let's use some examples. When your lab retrieves, what happens at the end of the retrieve? Does the lab generally come back to your area, and generally get the bumper or bird to you? What should the lab do, do you know? There should be a clear, definable conclusion to everything your lab does, so the choices for behavior are not there for the lab. When a lab comes back from retrieving something for you, he should come back to a default obedience position, like at your side, and sit down waiting for you to take the bumper. That way the lab always knows what it is supposed to do, and you can control what happens. Further, when you take the bumper from the lab, what happens at that instant? Does the dog gleefully jump up and grab at it or run out and wait for it to go flying past him again? Why would you have a lab do that? Instead, consider teaching the lab that at the end of a retrieve, all it is supposed to do is give you the bird or bumper, and wait to see what comes next, remaining seated at your side. Whether you are hunting, competing or playing ball in the park, no one wants a lab jumping up and biting at what is in his hand. Control the situation and teach the lab his role in this great activity.
About the Author
Aggravated by your Labrador Retriever who thinks the inside of the house is the bathroom, jumps on every guest , and chews up shoes, books, or anything in reach? Try "Labrador Training Secrets Revealed" for answers.
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