Positive training · From eight weeks

Labrador Retriever Puppy Training Manual

From 8 Weeks

Labrador Retriever: food puzzles turn appetite into measured enrichment and impulse-control practice.

29 chapters · English / 中文

Labrador Retriever: food puzzles turn appetite into measured enrichment and impulse-control practice.

Breed profile

Training group: Gundogs and retrievers
Origin: The Labrador Retriever originated from Newfoundland fishing dogs and was developed for retrieving work.
Shoulder height: 55–62 cm
Weight: 25–36 kg
Coat: Short double coat
Coat care: Build calm, reward-based acceptance of brushing and of dryer or blower sound and airflow; do not force handling.
Drive keywords: Food · Retrieving · Social contact
Handling practice: Condition the short double coat to calm brushing and to dryer or blower sound and airflow, marking relaxed stillness and allowing breaks. · Build cooperative paw, nail and harness handling while the puppy is relaxed; stop before restraint creates a struggle.

General Australian reference range only; individual dogs vary.

Quality, choice and recovery

Socialisation, done safely

Socialisation does not mean “see as much as possible.” It means creating pleasant or neutral associations at low intensity. One intense fright can undermine multiple good experiences.

Three golden rules

Distance is the volume control Begin far enough away that the puppy can still eat.
Choice remains with the puppy The puppy may approach or move away; never block the exit route.
Appetite, body language and recovery show intensity together Food acceptance, soft body language and prompt recovery together suggest the level may be manageable. Refusing food means lower the intensity immediately.

Watercolour socialisation wheel showing six categories of puppy experiences — The socialisation wheel covers PEOPLE, DOGS, SOUNDS, SURFACES, GROOMING and VET VISITS.

The 60-item socialisation checklist

Complete each item at the puppy’s pace; blank fields are for the first date, reaction score and notes
Item	First date	Reaction score 1–5	Notes
People · 10 items
Person wearing a hat
Person wearing sunglasses
Person holding an umbrella
Person using a walking stick
Jogger
Person carrying a baby
Toddler
Group of teenagers
Worker in a high-visibility vest
Delivery person ringing the doorbell
Sounds · 10 items
Vacuum cleaner
Washing-machine spin cycle
Lawn mower
Power drill
Pots and pans clattering
Doorbell
Baby crying
Thunderstorm, beginning with a low-volume recording
Fireworks recording
Car horn
Surfaces & environments · 10 items
Tiles
Timber floor
Carpet
Grass
Sand
Gravel
Metal manhole cover
Wet or slippery surface
Timber boardwalk
A low, stable ramp—one calm pass; see Chapter 20
Objects & movement · 10 items
Shopping trolley
Bicycle
E-scooter
Pram or stroller
Wheelchair
Suitcase
Robot vacuum—start switched off and stationary
Balloon
Umbrella opening and closing
Wheelie bin being moved
Animals · 10 items
These rows are management prompts, not invitations to test pursuit on live animals. Keep every specified barrier, lead and distance in place. If the breed profile requires professional cat or small-animal compatibility assessment, keep those animals securely separated and leave the row untested and unscored until the qualified professional directs the plan.
Calm, stable adult dog
Small dog
Cat behind secure separation—professional assessment where required by the breed profile
Chicken or bird viewed at a distance behind a secure barrier
Horse viewed from a distance
Kangaroo or wild rabbit viewed from a distance with the puppy physically secured
Lizard viewed from a distance with the puppy physically secured
Sound of dogs barking
Another puppy—vaccinated and similar in size
Animal smells at a veterinary clinic
Handling & situations · 10 items
Touch paws and spread toes
Check teeth
Touch ears
Thermometer-taking position—do not perform
Condition the short double coat to calm brushing and to dryer or blower sound and airflow, marking relaxed stillness and allowing breaks.
Build cooperative paw, nail and harness handling while the puppy is relaxed; stop before restraint creates a struggle.
Getting into and out of the car
Five-minute car ride
Veterinary-clinic “happy visit”—treats only, no examination
Outside a grooming salon

Watercolour diagram showing a three-second petting consent test — PET 3 SECONDS = touch gently for three seconds; PAUSE = remove the hand; MORE PLEASE = the puppy chooses to return for more.

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