If you are a Labrador owner you won't need telling how wonderfully rewarding dog ownership can be. Everyone has their favourites of course, and why not, but the Labrador owning fraternity fancy they have some pretty special companions. I once read that the Labrador was the most beloved breed of dog to own. Possibly not surprising if you know anyone about the Labradors fabled even temperament and loving and loyal disposition.
However, finding and choosing a dog is one thing, training a dog is quite another. Although this description concerns itself with Labrador training the basic system could be applied to any breed.
Any dog can be a remarkable companion to man, a trained dog can take that companionship and sense of completeness to another level. One of the first things to recognise is that dogs (and Labradors in particular) love to work with humans. In fact they are never happier than when they have something to fetch, find or guard. The association between man and dog is one that has grown over generations and when both "partners" understand and work at their role the association of course is a thing of beauty.
At this point it is also as well to remind ourselves that dogs, yes, including Labradors are essentially pack animals. That is to say they are genetically pre disposed to favouring life amongst a group of their peers. Traditionally such groups would also have one dominant animal as the pack leader - we've all heard the expression Alpha Male. We'll in the dog world the Alpha male dog would be the strongest most thriving dog in the pack and as such would get first pick of all the females. This in turn would ensure that the alpha males progeny or offspring would likely be the fittest dogs amongst all litters and enjoy the best opening of survival. A customary model and one which we know from well documented investigate selects out the weaker strains or less thriving gene bearers. I guess you could say "that's life"!
Why am I telling you all this? Well, because it's leading that you understand that your Labrador not only will enjoy the training you give him/her but is of course genetically predisposed to expect it. Well, maybe not expect training but of course expect to be lead and to willingly follow. That's the pack mentality at work again. Unless there is something seriously wrong, you (or your partner) should, in the eyes of your dog be the dominant animal in your "pack" (i.e. You family unit that includes your dog) Your dog will simply find his position somewhere lower down the order dependent upon the signals and indications you give him/her. Make no mistake, fail to exert your authority or be unconvincing or inconsistent in the role of "alpha" animal or pack leader and your dog (lovely though your Labrador is) will take the opening to try to promote him/herself up the hierarchy. You have to be consistent, strong and clear with all your actions. Thorough tone of voice, short and sharp for commands, high pitched and musical for praise. Learn how to be distant and signal your expectation with some detachment when you need a command followed. Conversely be over customary and effusive with your affection when you are praising your dog. If a command isn't followed repeat your actions until it is. And when the command is followed show your appreciation with a treat or a cuddle or anyone makes your dog (and you) happy.
Get this bit right and you will have formed a bedrock on which to base all your training and companionship activity. You won't regret it.
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