Training ou rlabrador to stop biting barking and wetting

Don’t believe that Wagging tails are an indicator of mood. You can figure things out by watching his tail, but don’t believe it will tell you what he might do next. If his tail is underneath, it shows he’s uncomfortable or scared. Straight out behind him means he’s feeling at ease. Sitting on it indicates he’s in the process of learning.

Through our series of articles, you will learn to use the “recall” or “come” command, through a conditioned reflex. This can be used to teach any command, but at this time, it will only be used for “recall”, or “come”, as it is not useful in the development of higher learning.

Dogs can be trained in four properly conducted repetitions. These 4 repetitions should be performed in 4 different places with 4 different setups. For example when he hears a new instruction, he has no idea what is being requested. The second time he hears that command, he begins to get the message. The next time, he fully understands, but dogs being dogs, he is going to resist you and we call this the learning plateau.

Learning plateaus are where your labrador needs a few moments to sort and file information. Even at the speed of light, instructions need to be sorted out to go to memory. This happens usually on the third request when you are trying to teach or break a behavior.

So, when your labrador is learning something new, praise and patience, are required during the few moments it takes to learn. But although your labrador may understand what you are trying to achieve now that you’ve shown hime 3 times, means he’s going to try to go against you! His job is to oppose you. He needs to think things out during the third request. This moment requires praise, regardless of what he is thinking.

You see he’s going to think about the idea, then look at you, then the idea and back to you again. So stay with his thinking, and re-enforce it with praise. Non physical praise only.

You cannot second-guess what he might be thinking at this time. Presume nothing. Allow his choice to dictate your next move. Chances are, he’s going to continue one last try at having his own way.

There are only two things he can do. He’s either going to do it the way you want, for which you’ll continue praise, or, he’s going to do it the wrong way, and you’ll praise him until you are sure he got it wrong. You’ll perform the correct way to strengthen the desired behavior you really want.