Training Labrador Retrievers

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The Definition of Soft-Mouth

Labrador Retrievers are known for being “soft-mouth”. The term soft-mouth simply means that the dog is inclined to carry an object in its mouth without clamping down, chewing, biting, or otherwise damaging the object. Since most Labradors are naturally soft-mouthed and don’t require any formal training for this skill, they are considered one of the foremost breeds for fowl retrieval. Labs can be counted on to retrieve the bird and bring it back intact.

However, not all Labradors are adept soft-mouth retrievers from birth. This is especially important to recognise if you are planning on hunting with the Lab puppy later on, but hard-mouth dogs can be a problem to any owner because they are more likely to bite hard, especially when being offered food from your hands. Here’s an example of this: I hunt with neither of my Labs so this issue isn’t as critical, but they demonstrate how some Labs are born with more soft-mouthed tendencies than others. One of my Labradors is very soft-mouth: he takes his time and is very gentle when taking food from my hands (that I offer him). But the other is very rough when I give her food. She often clamps on my fingers in her excitement to eat whatever I’m offering to her.

If you are planning on hunting with your Labrador in the future or simply don’t like being chomped on, try this exercise with your Lab to encourage soft-mouthed behavior. You should try doing this exercise at least once before mealtimes.

Hold a small piece of food in your fist. It’s important that your Lab is able to smell the food but not reach it. Offer it to the Lab and let him/her smell it. If he/she bites your fist or uses his/her teeth in any way, pull back and say “No!”. If he/she only sniffs and licks your hand, praise him/her warmly and let him/her have the treat.

Once your Lab begins to learn what you want from him/her during this exercise, his/her soft-mouth tendencies should improve dramatically. After three or four days of your Lab successfully completing this exercise, try offering the food between your fingers instead of in your fist and repeat the same actions.

The important part of this step is that they don’t succeed in getting the food if they bite. This can be a bit more difficult when the food is in between your fingers, because if the Lab bites quickly he/she’ll end up with the food anyway despite your “No”. Therefore, only move to this step when you’re confident in your Lab’s abilities.

Doing this exercise will not only prepare a lab for fowl retrieval later on, but will reduce quick biting tendencies in young and old Labs alike.

-Lauren

P.S. — On February 23rd, A professional dog trainer revealed all her secrets– and I recorded the call! Want to listen in for free?