If there’s just one thing labrador owners want to accomplish, that is effective labrador retriever training. Through training, a dog learns how to act in ways acceptable by his human companions thus in turn can enhance the pet and owner bond. Socialization, basic obedience training and housebreaking are best taught as soon as possible to prevent unwanted behaviors from developing. While these issues are considered as the most essential one can teach his beloved pet, owners may also teach extra tricks that will certainly amuse everyone.

Here are some tricks you may want to teach your pet:

Fetch.
Training a labrador to perfect fetch should not be so difficult since this breed is hard-wired for retrieving. They can carry objects in their mouths with great gentleness and their webbed paws make it easy for them to get stuff from the water.

Some labradors can discern the command by themselves but if your pet needs training, you’ll need to begin teaching the command “take it”. To do so, hold a treat in front of your dog’s mouth and give the command “take it”. If he has associated the command with the action, you will soon notice him opening his mouth each time he hears you give the command. Take this chance to slip a dumbbell inside his mouth and let it stay there for a few seconds. Praise and reward him with a treat. Once he’s used to having the dumbbell in his mouth, continue with “hold it”. After he picks up the dumbbell, gently hold his mouth and command him to “hold it”. After a few seconds, command him to “give” the dumbbell and let him spit it out. Continue working with every command and later on with the take it-hold it-give sequence. Lengthen the distance slowly and don’t forget to reward him with praise or treat for every good behavior displayed.

Speak.
Another trick you can teach during labrador retriever training is speak. To get started, you’ll need to pick a hand signal; twisting your closed fist, snapping your fingers or whatever is easy for you. Give the hand signal and reward him with praise or treat if he barks. If your dog doesn’t bark, keep on giving the hand sign until he barks. Frequent practice of the command will subsequently enable him to understand the trick.

Kiss me.
In fact, you never need to teach your pet to kiss given that dogs naturally love to kiss their owners. The only thing you must teach him is to do the trick only after a verbal command is given. Give the command “kiss me” and lower your cheek in front of his mouth. Reward him with praise or treat when he licks your face after the command is given.

These three tricks are just some of the numerous things you can train your beloved labrador retriever. Although labrador retrievers are recognized for being obedient and highly trainable, be aware that training a certain command may take time. Just enjoy the training sessions rather than forcing your pet to learn things too quickly.