Many consider training a Labrador Retriever, or any dog for that matter, a daunting task. Some dog owners ignore the training aspect of dog ownership completely, and choose to let their dog run wild and unrestrained. Unfortunately, this approach makes life miserable for both the dog and its owner.

Perhaps you have a Labrador already that fits that unpleasant description. Maybe you've tried to teach your dog to sit, stay, lie down, and refrain from chewing on your shoes. Maybe you think that your Labrador doesn't respond, doesn't pay attention, or is just too stupid to learn correct behaviors. Or maybe you've just never taken the time to correctly train your lab.

It's unfortunate how many poorly-trained Labs roam this earth today-- because with just a little bit of work, a Labrador Retriever can be transformed from an unresponsive pain-in-the-rear to a social, obedient, refined companion.

There are several components to training labs that must be understood before you will be successful in training your own Labrador. The first concept you must firmly grasp is that Labradors are social animals. They adore their human masters and often spend the majority of their time and effort conjuring up ways to please you. Of course, this trait isn't apparent in all cases-- after all, how could a Labrador puppy possibly be trying to please you by ripping a hole in the living room carpet? But by spending time watching your Lab, you will begin to realize that this quest for your approval provides the motivation for much, if not all, that your Labrador does.

The second component to Labrador training is recognizing a Lab's intelligence. All dogs possess some intelligence (of course, some obviously less than others). Labradors are no exception. Labradors are working dogs-- they are commonly employed as drug-sniffers, seeing-eye dogs, rescue dogs, and hunting companions. None of this would be possible if Labs were not easy to train and intelligent enough to be dependable. Some of you might be thinking, "Some Labradors are obviously intelligent, but my dog must have gotten the wrong genes." Think again-- while your Lab may seem unintelligent, many of the "dumb" things we've all seen our Labs do are the result of either poor or lacking training or retained "wild" instincts that aren't compatible with their current surroundings. Labradors are very intelligent creatures and will respond well to training of all types-- even training that is not optimal or well presented.

Finally, one of the biggest keys to training any dog, and in particular Labradors, is consistency. This is one of the most over-looked and ignored aspects of training that is proved over and over again to promote the most success in dog training. Most dog owners never realize that their training efforts are all going to waste because they don't consistently enforce the rules and commands that they are attempting to teach their dogs! The basic principle is this: when you tell your Labrador to sit and he doesn't sit, reprimand the dog firmly and then MAKE HIM SIT. Shouting, throwing things, and saying the command louder won't help. In fact, these actions will only teach your dog that when you say a command, he should run away because you're about to have a temper tantrum. The only thing that will instill obedience and understanding in your Labrador is by giving a command then showing him IMMEDIATELY AND REPEATEDLY what you expect from him. This will not only speed up the training process but will enhance your relationship with your Lab by removing the constant frustration of him not doing what you say. In many cases, your Labrador doesn't yet understand what you want from him. So by showing him calmly and gently, you teach your dog what you want and also make training sessions enjoyable for both you and your Labrador.

These three concepts are absolutely imperative for you to understand before you begin to train your Labrador. They are some of the fundamental principles that separate failed attempts from success, and in order to be truly satisfied with your Labrador's training, you must understand and implement them. When you pair them with proper techniques and guidelines, you will be on the right track to training a Labrador Retriever that will not only be obedient, but will be a true companion for years to come.