Labrador training is quite possibly the most easy type of dog training. The Labrador Retriever is listed as one of the smartest breeds of dogs, making them super easy to train. They are known for their high level of intelligence, willingness to learn, and dedication to their families.
The Labrador was created with work in mind. The breed was bred to help man hunt birds. They’re known for their love of water, and are excellent swimmers. Their bodies are compact, with webbed feet and rudder-like tails, which aid in their swimming efforts. Bred to chase down and retrieve fallen birds in open fields and water, Labradors are also top athletes. Spending long days in the field running, and swimming in the water, is what they are meant to do. This breed is high energy and requires a lot of exercise. Training can not be ignored, as this breed is known for becoming destructive if their intelligence is ignored.
It’s important that you begin labrador training from the time your pup comes home. Along with potty training, teach your new Lab how to sit, lie down, and come to you when called. Positive reinforcement works very well with this breed, so use encouraging words and treats. Finding a professional trainer that specializes in training Labs will not be difficult, either. Private and group lessons are offered by most, with many types of classes available. For those who are interested in a challenge, there are plenty of sports you can compete in with your Labrador. Dock Diving, Obedience Competition and Agility are just a few. Dock Diving channels the breed’s speed and excellent swimming abilities, while Obedience Competition allows you to show off your skills as a team. Labrador Retrievers are routinely known as the top winning title holders in Obedience Competition. Agility is a sport that has gained much popularity, and is perfect for the Lab. This sport times a dog and handler team through an obstacle course which is not only challenging, but a whole lot of fun!
What are you waiting for? Your Lab is begging for some fun!
An incessantly barking dog can be a real nuisance, leading to owner frustration, squabbles among neighbors, and legal headaches if the police get involved. Armed with accurate knowledge about why dogs bark can help owners stop nuisance barking for good.
Some dog breeds bark more than others, and a few, like the Basenji, don’t bark at all. Dogs often bark for behavioral reasons as well, and understanding those reasons is often key to moderating and controlling the bothersome barking.
Dogs bark as a warning. When a dog senses a threat, they will bark an alert to their owners. Someone may be passing by or knocking on the door, or there may be a very real threat to the family home. This type of bark will usually be a distinctive alert bark.
Labrador training to bark only at legitimate threats and not just the mailman will take a certain amount of training on the part of the owner. The dog should be rewarded for barking at obvious threats, such as lurkers or threatening behavior from strangers, and corrected for inappropriate barking to help it learn appropriate boundaries for warning barks. It can also be helpful for the owner to teach the dog when to “speak” and when to “quiet” or “be still.”
Dogs bark out of excitement. Dogs and especially puppies bark when they are playing with people or with other dogs. They will usually sound happy and excited. This bark may also come before an exciting event, like a walk or when they see a favorite treat or toy.
A natural reaction on the part of the owner may be shouting at the dog to quiet down, but the dog may perceive this as encouragement. The owner, as far as the dog can tell, is also barking, and quite loudly, too. The owner should instead stay calm and redirect the dog’s attention, ordering the dog to sit or lie down.
Dogs bark to get attention. Just as children whine, dogs may bark to get their owner’s attention. This can be an annoying whiny bark, and it may be linked to the dog wanting to go outside, needing basic care, or simply wanting attention.
Dogs can be taught other, more appropriate ways to get their owner’s attention, from nuzzling a hand to standing at the door. It’s up to the owner to read his or her dog’s signals, however.
Dogs bark out of boredom or anxiety. Dogs get lonely and stressed, just as humans do, and they bark to relieve their emotions or tension. This bark is often the one that triggers the most irritation for owners and neighbors, and it can be a very annoying sound, sometimes high pitched and full of frustration.
A dog that is bored or anxious is a needy animal. These dogs desperately yearn for the attention of their owners. A bored dog will benefit from exercise, training, or a fun toy that dispenses treats with a little bit of work on the part of the dog. An anxious dog may be alone for too many hours throughout the day, or it may be chained outside by itself. Dogs are social animals and need to spend time with their owners.
If the dog is regularly with its owner and continues to suffer from separation anxiety, it may be comforted by the sounds of a radio or TV. It may also want to sleep on an unwashed shirt or blanket that smells of its owner. Spending more time in active playtime with its owner may help the dog feel more bonded.
Barking may be natural, but excessive barking can be annoying for a dog’s owners and their neighbors. Dogs bark to communicate their needs, and owners as pack leaders should listen to better meet those needs.
If your dog continues to bark inordinately after you have made adjustments to your own behavior, it’s time to consult a veterinarian or behaviorist for professional assistance.