Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to train a Labrador retriever puppy to be a good dog

Congratulations on your recently adopted Labrador retriever puppy! Not only are they one of the most adorable dog breeds; they’re also one of the most popular. According to research from the American Kennel Club (AKC), the two most popular dog breeds are Labrador retrievers and French bulldogs. In fact, the Labrador retriever has held the coveted number-one slot for the past 30 years in a row. Last year alone, the AKC registered over 98,300 Labs. If you’ve ever wondered how to train a Labrador puppy to be a good dog, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know about training your new fur baby.

A yellow Labrador retriever puppy playing in the grass.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Are Lab puppies easy to train? 

The Labrador retriever got its start not in Labrador, but on the island of Newfoundland next door, part of the same Canadian province. Modern-day Labs owe their drive and work ethic to their ancestors, who were originally bred as working dogs in the 1500s. With their dense double coats and innate love of water, Labs worked alongside fishermen, helping them retrieve their nets and swimming after escaped fish. 

Intelligent, sociable, and eager to please, Labradors are the most popular dog in the United States. They rank highly on the trainability scale because they’re extremely motivated to please their pet parents. That being said, their intelligence can pose a problem if you spend a lot of time away from home. If your Lab puppy doesn’t have enough exercise and mental stimulation, he won’t be able to expend all that excess energy, which can result in destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture and nonstop barking. 

How long does it take to train a Lab puppy? 

According to the Lab experts at The Labrador Site, “Many dog trainers would simply reply ‘How long is a piece of string?’ to this question.” How long it takes to train your puppy depends on a variety of factors, such as:

  • Your puppy’s age
  • Your skill level as a trainer
  • How much time you spend on training
  • Your puppy’s temperament
  • What you want to train your puppy to do

According to the experts, it usually takes between four and eight weeks to fully housebreak a puppy, but the same rule can be applied to most forms of training. Whether you’re teaching your puppy how to sit, harness training him for walks, or teaching him tricks, you can expect to see results in a month or two as long as you work with your puppy consistently. 

How to make training easier

According to Cabin Labradors’ Cathy Straub Benedict and Betty Barkley, breeder at Breton Gate Labrador Retrievers, you’ll want to puppy-proof your home right away. You should also begin socializing your puppy as soon as you bring him home. Labs love people, but they can be boisterous. Teaching them how to socialize without getting too excited is paramount to having a well-trained pooch. Getting your puppy accustomed to being groomed at an early age also reduces anxiety. If puppies are already used to activities like having their teeth brushed and getting wet during bath time, they won’t be afraid of it when they’re older. (Fortunately, most Labs love water, so you might have a difficult time getting your pup out of the bath.)

A yellow Lab puppy stands in a garden with his tongue out.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you train a Lab puppy not to bite?

While Lab puppies are some of the cutest in the world, their razor-sharp teeth aren’t so adorable. If your pup has made a habit of chewing your shoes — or biting at your fingers — it’s a problem you should nip in the bud as soon as possible. (Pun intended.) So, what should you do if your puppy bites? Here’s what experts have to say.

Put on an award-worthy performance

Puppies can be nippy, but they don’t actually want to hurt you. That’s why one of the best ways to get your puppy to stop biting you is to pretend you’ve been hurt. Experts recommend crying out loudly and acting like you’re in pain. If your pup thinks he’s harmed you, he’s much less likely to do it again. 

Avoid rough play

Playing the occasional game of tug-of-war is fine, but if your puppy equates roughness with playtime, he could develop a habit of nibbling at your fingers. Similarly, you should never use your hands as toys, as you’ll inadvertently teach your puppy that chewing or scratching at your hands is all part of the game. 

Reward good behavior

Instead of punishing your puppy, which could make him afraid of you, reward his good behavior instead. Give him a treat and praise him when he chews on his toys instead of household items. He’ll be much more likely to repeat the behaviors you want. 

A yellow Lab puppy lying in the dirt.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While training takes time and patience, there are a few rules that apply to all forms of training. Repetition is the best way for puppies to learn. Work in 10-15-minute training sessions several times a day instead of trying to pack everything into one longer session. Your puppy’s attention span can’t keep up with a longer lesson, and he’ll have an easier time learning the more frequently you work with him. Be patient with your pup. Labs are intelligent dogs, but they need time to learn new skills. With consistency, diligence, and patience, you’ll be able to train your pup to be the best boy around in no time. 

Editors' Recommendations

Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
How much should newborn puppies eat? Follow this feeding chart
Here's what you need to know about feeding newborn puppies
Bottle feeding a newborn puppy

Having newborn puppies around can be such a gift, but there's also a lot of work involved. You need to keep their enclosure clean, make sure they're fed, and stay on top of their health in a multitude of ways. Luckily, we're here to help you navigate your newborn puppies' feeding routine.

Whenever possible, newborn puppies should consume their mother's nutrient-rich milk, which helps protect them from illness while their immune systems develop. It's the perfect food for them! However, it's not always possible for a mama dog to feed her litter all by herself.

Read more
Video: Dog snoring isn’t that unusual, but this pup sounds just like a cartoon character
Dogs snore for a few different reasons
A small puppy sleeps in their owner's arms

Sometimes real life seems fake, and this dog certainly fits into that category. If you've never seen a dog snoring before, you're in for a surprise. This particular pup looks so silly while sleeping that you might imagine you're actually watching Pluto the cartoon dog. That's why the viral TikTok video posted by yowritten has the internet in stitches while watching the hilarious beastie.

We all know dogs love to sleep, but this one might be the king of it. The video opens to show a large pooch lying down in his favorite sleeping position, deep in slumber. On-screen text says, "Bro sleeps like he's in a cartoon." As the camera zooms in we get to watch his jowls move every time he breathes out. In addition, you can hear the distinct sound of a snoring dog, almost as if he were in a movie.

Read more
How to give a dog a pill: This dog medicine trick makes it look easy
Does your dog hate taking her medicine? Try this viral trick
A dog mom holds up a treat for her pup on a walk

Lots of pups don't like to take their pills — in fact, it's something they're well known for on social. While sometimes we see funny videos of a dog hiding, cheeking, or spitting out their dog medicine, in this instance, we get to see a pet parent describe the secret behind her success. This particular pooch always takes her medicine and seems to love pill time.

The viral video on TikTok is entitled "Only way to get Honey to consume medications is with this little trick" and shows us this dog mom's way of making sure her sweet girl always takes her medicine.

Read more