Some tips about training a 9-month old Labrador Retriever

Here is another question from a lab-owner just like yourselves (you can read some of the answers by looking at the comments on this post):

My dog is a 9-moth old lab, about 70 lbs, so he’s pretty big. I’m having some issues with him chewing on plants and other things [lol our grill cover]. He’s an outdoor dog. He occasionally digs but my daughter has [at least temporarily] resolved the problem. I know that this is bad, but we don’t really have too much time at home to spend with him, but my daughter does try to spend as much time as she can with him. Any tips on training him to be obedient? Oh, and he also likes to jump on people when they come up to him. Any advice you have would be great…

Thank You!
wow, thank you guys for all these answers. we originally got this dog because we needed a guard dog and my children wanted a big dog. also, he’s not really by himself, i know this sounds funny but we do also own a pomeranian that stays in the backyard with him. they do get along, but i don’t think my lab is really getting any “playtime” with the pom.
we tried the electric fence, i felt so bad. i just don’t think it’s really humaine. we took it off of him, and to our surprise, he is still somewhat cautious of the areas we blocked off

The only tip I know is the longer you walk the dog, the more these little problems (grill chewing hehe) are solved.
My pup used to be wild with biting me and digging the yard and other dog stuff, until I upped her daily walks to total 2 hours a day, I just wake up earlier in the morning.
Labs need both mental and physical stimulation or they can even get neurotic. I know it’s hard with work and school, but maybe you can take some time for agility training or any kind of training class for your dog to get socialization and stimulation. More exercise and mind stimulation really are the magic keys to solve all the bad habits.

Please encourage your daughter to get up earlier to walk and throw him a frisbee. They need to do their jobs what they were bred for is in their blood, to retrieve..

Catherine
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:29 pm

Not trying to be rude, but can I ask why you have this animal if you dont have enought time to spend with it? =/
References :

♥catsndogsrthebest♥
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:32 pm

The only tip I know is the longer you walk the dog, the more these little problems (grill chewing hehe) are solved.
My pup used to be wild with biting me and digging the yard and other dog stuff, until I upped her daily walks to total 2 hours a day, I just wake up earlier in the morning.
Labs need both mental and physical stimulation or they can even get neurotic. I know it's hard with work and school, but maybe you can take some time for agility training or any kind of training class for your dog to get socialization and stimulation. More exercise and mind stimulation really are the magic keys to solve all the bad habits.

Please encourage your daughter to get up earlier to walk and throw him a frisbee. They need to do their jobs what they were bred for is in their blood, to retrieve.
References :

steph
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:32 pm

I trained a guide dog puppy, so i know how you feel. When the dor jumps up at people, grab its paws and don't let go for thirty seconds. Even if he whines or tries to pull away, dont let go until the thirty seconds is up. Do that every time and your puppy should soon stop. As for the plants, try an electric fence.
References :

teelob
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 pm

for the jumping there are a couple of things you can try:

When he jumps put your knee out (just be careful not to knee him in the chest)

or when he jumps GENTLY step on his back feet with just your toes. Not to hurt.

Or as he's jumping, step towards him, it throws him off balance.

For the chewing, give him toys to chew. Let him know these are his. He's bored.
References :

amysamida
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:41 pm

It sounds like you care about this puppy, but leaving him outside creates all sorts of problems, especially if he is out there all by himself. Dogs are pack animals, they never lead solitary lives. So that is a huge issue all by itself and heartbreaking for someone like me, who knows how very lonely and bored he must be. Also, training him will be almost impossible. He's digging because he's bored. It probably filled up some of his time, gave him exercise, and let him release some frustration. To be honest, since you say you don't have much time for this boy, if you really do care about him, it would be best to bring him into the house and deal with the housebreaking and crate training, and all that stuff, even if you have to find a trainer to come in, and maybe a dog walker, so that you have a dog who is part of the family. If you can't do this, the very kindest thing would be to find him a home. If your daughter loves him, she should want what is best for him, and that is for him to have a happy fulfilling life full of love and games, and training, of course, it's hard, but maybe it's time to think about what you can give this puppy, not just what he can give you. Since you say you don't have time for him, I can't really give you any training tips, because the one thing that training takes is time. Every day. It's worth it to have a great companion, but it doesn't happen overnight.
References :
Veterinary technician, dog trainer, groomer

always b natural
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:44 pm

Your dog needs company. Dogs are social animals, and he is being left by himself for long periods of time. Boredom is causing him to resort to his own devises, and do dog stuff that comes naturally. Take him to obedience class ASAP. It will help you bond with him, and will improve your dog's behavior. As for jumping, your dog might be a bit to big to try this, but this is what I have always done. (I have done this as soon as the dog comes home and jumps on me, never too early to learn that this is unacceptable behavior.) This method is particularly effective with big dogs. When your dog jumps up, gently hold his front legs, and using your foot, sweep his back legs out from under him. As he goes down, guide his upper body so he lands gently (this is surprisingly easy.) He will look so surprised, as he cannot see your foot, and has no idea how he landed on his side. He will try one more time almost immediately, just to see if the same thing happens. Repeat. I have only had one dog that has tried jumping up a third time.
References :

littletweety000
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:29 pm

Puppies - especially Labs! - are very destructive when bored. The best thing I would reccommend for when you aren't home - is toys. And plenty of them! If you have around 10 toys in total for your dog, only allow him to play with 2 or 3 per day - because if he has all of his toys to choose from he will get bored. Whereas if he hasn't had his favourite toy for a few days, it will amuse him much longer. Kongs are great to keep a puppy amused, as are biscuit balls.

The plant/digging situation isn't as easy when you aren't home, becuase usually they will do it if they are bored/wanting attention. The easiest way I've got my pup to stop digging is two ways. One is if you catch him digging, don't yell at him and be mad at him for the next 5 hours. Won't help. If you catch him - yell a strong No! And immediately call him - as soon as he comes over, give him lots of attention and "good boy". He will realise he's getting attention/rewards for stopping what he was doing. Always reward the good and ignore the bad!

Secondly - get him a digging pit. (Maybe one of those paddling pools for toddlers) Fill it with sand and encourage him to dig there. Hid treats there even. He will soon get to love it - and stop digging where you don't want him to.

Lastly, the jumping. Takes a while but if you're dedicated to it, will work. Labs are very excitable dogs, so love jumping. Everytime he jumps up on you, simply turn your back to him. The moment he sits down - turn around and praise him lots. If he jumps again, turn your back again. Keep doing this and only ever reward when he's sitting. If he jumps when you're playing - turn and walk away. Then come back and if he does it again, turn and walk away. Tedious I know! But it works. He will soon realise that he gets more attention when he does what you want him to do.
References :

Training Labrador Retrievers

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