How to Train a Labrador Retriever Puppy

If you’ve just gotten a new Lab puppy, you can begin puppy training provided your training methods are based on positive reinforcement. You can typically start training as soon as you get your Labrador Retriever puppy, which usually will be around eight weeks old.

• Puppy-proof your home. Making sure your house is safe for a puppy will help prevent accidents and help your dog feel safe. Keep electric cords concealed or out of reach. Don’t feed them from the table, and keep foods and houseplants that are toxic to dogs away from them. Keep cleaning products, medicines, and items that can be choking hazards out of reach, and secure windows, toilets, and trash bins.
• Begin with housetraining. Within your house, your dog should have a place of their own where they feel comfortable. If crate-training your puppy, chose a crate that isn’t so big your dog uses the bathroom in the space, but not so small so your dog feels cramped. Show your dog the door where they can exit to use the bathroom outside, and reward them for going out before using the bathroom. Play with them inside so they have good associations with the space, and return them to their crate, making sure to monitor and reward their potty training progress.
• Introduce basic commands. As soon as you bring home an eight-week-old Lab puppy, you can begin teaching them simple commands. Choose a distraction-free setting where you can establish eye contact and the dog’s attention, and hold the treat above your dog’s head or in view where they’ll know the reward is pending. Authoritatively state your command (whether it’s “sit” or “stay”) and then reward your dog when they complete the action.
• Gradually work on socialization: Slowly let your puppy meet new people, starting with individuals and moving on to larger groups once it seems comfortable. It's best to begin socialization with family members who will see your puppy frequently. Then, you can introduce additional unfamiliar people one by one over time. Make sure your puppy meets people with varied appearances too, e.g., children, someone with a beard, in a wheelchair, in a uniform, wearing sunglasses, or holding an umbrella. Remember to reward your puppy with treats for their progress in handling new experiences.

Training a new puppy is a time-consuming but rewarding process. Consider these tips when you first bring your Labrador puppy home:

1. 1. Have patience. Training a new puppy for the first time can be daunting, but remember that your dog’s brain is still forming, and it’s learning everything from scratch. If you don’t want your dog jumping on furniture, for example, gently place them away from the furniture and reward them when they stay away. Be consistent to help them remember the rule. Starting early can pay off in the long run, and patience is key, as puppies that are as young as eight weeks can be traumatized by obedience training methods that rely on negative reinforcement. More nurturing methods are effective and suitable at that age.
2. 2. Don’t over-correct. Keep training sessions short—no more than three minutes—and structure them like a game or playtime. Puppies are young and exploratory, and they have short attention spans. Setting up a world of rules they can’t yet grasp can be stressful.
3. 3. Use small exercises. Positive reinforcement training for young dogs should come in the form of short house-training or impulse-control exercises. Introduce socialization exercises in small amounts so as not to overwhelm your puppy.
4. 4. Consistency: There are a host of training tips in the world of Labrador puppy training, but it’s important that the method is consistent. Do some research on a method or training program that you can use with your dog. If you use a clicker, for example, keep using the same type so the dog can get used to the method.
5. 5. Use a kennel: Since Labradors are larger dogs, they can hold their bladders earlier in life, so potty training can happen almost immediately. Using a kennel or crate training is helpful since your dog can get used to a place they understand to be safe. Make sure your kennel or crate is associated not with punishment but with a special place of safety in their new home.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.