FluffyWA
Book

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

Watercolour illustration of a Labrador Retriever puppy sitting beside a round food-puzzle feeder with a jar of treats above
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.

Prevent, escort, reward

Toilet training

Toilet training is a schedule and supervision task. Every outdoor success is information; every indoor accident means the schedule, supervision or health context needs review.

Person in a raincoat holding an umbrella while a small dog sniffs beside a red flag marking its outdoor toilet spot
One marked toilet place and the same calm sequence make wet-weather practice predictable.

Six times the puppy must go out

During the day, add a scheduled trip every 45–60 minutes.

Watercolour toilet timing wheel showing a puppy going outside after waking, meals and play and every few hours
GO OUT after WAKING, after MEALS and after PLAY, plus EVERY FEW HOURS on the dog’s current schedule.

Use the same toilet-place sequence

  1. Take the same route Escort the dog on a secure lead directly to the toilet area without a tour of the yard.
  2. Use the same surface Consistency of place and surface helps the dog recognise the job.
  3. Wait quietly for 2–3 minutes No play, conversation or wandering while you wait.
  4. Mark the instant toileting happens Mark while the dog is still outside and completing the behaviour.
  5. Reward outside Deliver the reward at the toilet place. Do not wait until you are back indoors.
  6. Play only after success If toileting always ends outdoor time, the dog may learn to hold on to make the outing last longer.

Find the missing trip

Record three consecutive days

Chapter 27 provides fields for date, time, outdoor success, indoor accident and last meal time. Three consecutive days usually reveal where the schedule is late.

Regression is information

Expect a setback at 14–16 weeks and again in adolescence

Return to the previous stage’s outing frequency. Do not increase punishment.

Training with FluffyWA

Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.

Book a staySee live prices