How can I train my 11 week old Lab puppy?

Question

She needs to be taught to come, stay and 'hush'. Oh, and 'no bite'.

Answer 1

First off, Congrats on your new puppy,
Well, there are really many ways to train your pup to do all of these things. I strongly recommend starting with sit if she does not already know that. but if she does, come would be next. to train come call her name to get her attention, the firmly say the come, but still with a nice tone. then when she comes praise her a lot. I could go into all of they ways to train these things, but to make it easier for both you and I a researched a web site that a trust...
http://www.purina.com/dogs/behavior/BasicCommands.aspx
this is the site I refer to for all of the dogs I train

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR PUPPY!

ps. any more questions you can just add as a deatail and I will respond ASAP

Answer 2

Use only positive training methods. An 11 week old puppy is the perfect age to begin training, but remember Pup is still a baby. She has a short attention span. Limit the length of time you spend training, just do lots of mini-sessions.

Set your puppy up for success and then reward her.

The best training book is called The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog. Currently out of print, you would need to pick one up on ebay. It's got kind of a silly title, but it is simple clear and positive in approach.

Please do NOT follow anything by Cesar Millan The Dog Whisperer. He uses old school aversive training techniques that are no longer considered valid training techniques. They do "work" but do not build the sense of trust that a puppy needs.

As for the "biting" problem, I think you mean your pup is mouthy and nips and chews during play. This is very common, especially with retrievers which are bred for carrying prey softly in their mouths. Your pup does not realize that she is hurting you when she plays.

She needs to learn that when she touches you with a tooth, the game is UP. IMMEDIATELY give her a marker noise to tell her that she made a mistake. I use a short sharp "EH!" sound ONCE. (This is kind of a universal No sound. Most animals will recognize it as No-no.) The EH! sound is better because of the sharpness. NO is too long and drawn out to be as effective.

As you give the pup the marker, at the same time, pick up the toy (or yourself) and walk away. Ignore the pup for 2-3 minutes, then come back and give hima second (or third, or eighty-fifth) chance. If she touches you again with a tooth, repeat. Pick up the toy and leave. If short order she will begin to guess what she did that made the game end. Because the game is fun, she will stop playing that way.

One other suggestion: NEVER play "tease the puppy" with your hands. It looks like a fun game, but she can only play that game in a way that will reinforce the biting. You don't ever want to reinforce that. So play tease the puppy with a toy, such as a tug rope or squeak toy.

Answer 3

Buy the book "Water Dog". It mostly has an emphasis on training dogs for hunting but also quite a bit on making the dog a "good citizen" and a part of the family. Very well written and very easy to read and understand. You can use the parts that apply and skip the parts that don't or you may try and go deeper into the retreiver training since that is what the pup was bred to do. I got the book and trained my yellow female, first dog i ever trained and i was very pleased with the advice i got from the book. You will see results much faster than you can imagine. The thing that makes the most important thing is to spend time with and bond with your dog. Best of luck!

Answer 4

Really your best bet is to enroll in a training class, but...

For come, sound welcoming and interesting. Use a happy tone of voice and smile when you call her. When she comes, pet her, laugh, give her treats, give her a toy, etc. Only call her to you for good things. Don't call her if the consequences will be unfavorable to her (getting her nails trimmed, getting yelled at, etc.).

For stay, start small. Remain near her and have her stay for just a few seconds. Praise her and then tell her she can move (okay or free are usuallly used as release words). If she gets up before you release her, say "uh, uh" and put her back in position. With repetition she will figure out she can't move until told to. Once she understands this you can begin to have her stay longer. When she can stay with you next to her for about 30 seconds, have her stay when you stand one or two steps away, but only ask her to stay for 5 or 10 seconds. Gradually increase time and distance.

When she barks tell her hush. When she responds, praise her. Sometimes it is more useful to whisper the command than yell it. The dog has to stop barking to hear what you are saying.

For biting (I am assuming it's play biting), say "ouch" and freeze. If she stops biting, go back to playing with her. If she doesn't, walk away and ignore her for 30 seconds. You can also give her a toy to chew on, as she may just need to have something in her mouth.

Answer 5

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMQA5

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 6

pups are easy and fun to train. This wont be difficult.

Its good to get something she really likes like a toy you know she loves or maybe treats SOMETIMES. if you get her too used to the treats she'll probably become overweight or confused.
Use different things.

Use a place where theres enough space and not too many things to distract her.

STAYING

1. first pet her lovingly and say her name while playing with her or feeding her treats. once she has your attention and respect-

2. say "Stay" slowly like "stayyyy" and move away (leave whatever toy or treats with her)...if she stays go to her and congratulate(sp?) her. say "good girl" or her name. ita good teaching her name this way too.

if she doesnt obey at first just keep trying and only congratulate her when she obeys.

COMING

1. Just like the first step in Staying, say "stayyy" then move away but this time take her toy or treats with you.

2. If she stays make eye contact from where you are and shake the toy or treats and say "come"

it might take her a while to really learn come after learning what stay means. You can teach her stay first or come. Whichever you find easier. Animals dont understand your language, they understand your tone of voice and the sounds you make. So if you say "stay" and "come" in a sweet way she'll feel comfortable with you and know this means something good and obey you.

good luck.


oh and for Hush. i'm not sure how but when my cat goes in to her crazy singing mood she meows do loud and for almost an hour. Nothings wrong with her, she just feels like meowing i guess. To make her hush when she's aboout to MEOOW! i interrupt with something like "shut the hell up!" lol just kidding. i say "quiet!" or if you want, teach the word "hush" to your pup.

but first make sure of why she's barking or growling to make you say hush. she might be warning you of something or expressing her feelings with barks. Let your puppy be free but if you need to tame her barking i recommend you interrupt with a loud tone. say "HUSH! HUSH!" or something.

with 'No biting'....get her a soft chew toy thats a distinctive shape. Pet her when she chews that and yell "No" when she bites you or other people. She'll learn that chew toys are for chewing and humans arent.

Answer 7

Do yourself a favor and or watch the Dog Whisperer w/ Cesar Milan....although he deals with "red zone cases" you will get a pretty good idea of how dogs think.....Once you understand the psychology you can understand the reason why dogs are the way they are good / bad is all because of the humans energy that they pick up on....Once you understand that you can teach you dog anythink.....and for you its especially imperative because like a child, puppies learn their habits early..... is tremendously education and slightly addictive if UR a real dog person....It's On the national Geographic channel like everyday....If U don't have cable you can either rent/ buy episodes or purchase his book.......Good luck

Answer 8

I definately recommend Petsmart Dog Obedience classes - even for the youngest and most stubborn pets (we had that problem)

Answer 9

get a book on training your dog or take him to obedience classes at petsmart or somewhere near your home.... it's the best way

Answer 10

call your local petco or similar store and see if they offer classes. Not only does it help you train your pup, but it socializes the pup also.