Are Labradoodles easy to train?
We get it you took one look at the Labradoodle and saw that cute, cuddly face and thought, I have to have one. Then the questions start rolling in one of them being, Are Labradoodles easy to train? What a great thing to ask, especially for new puppy parents. They need a dog that will learn the puppy training basics quickly, be able to follow simple commands, and possibly learn some tricks.
Dogs that are easily trained are not just intelligent; they have a willingness to learn. These dogs are also able to associate prompts with the action. Desire is a huge factor here. A dog may understand what you want when you say “sit,” but they may just flat out not want to do it.
Back to the question. Are Labradoodles easy to train? The answer is yes. Because of their nature to be social and their intelligence level, they learn very quickly. As a breed, they are generally quite eager to learn new things. Labradoodles are people pleasers by nature and have an excellent ability to bond with their human pack. When it comes to training, consistency from day one is the most important thing; we can’t stress that enough.
Three characteristics that make Labradoodles easily trainable.
Some of the characteristics you are looking for with a new puppy is their temperament, level of intelligence, and their social skills. We are going to discuss these things further so you can get a better understanding of the things that make a breed trainable.
Temperament
What does temperament mean? It is defined as the dog’s nature, as it permanently affects their behavior. Labradoodles have a fantastic temperament; this adorable breed is friendly, smart, loyal, fun-loving, and very active. They are ready and willing to be your faithful companion. Don’t confuse all the bragging we are doing on the Labradoodles’ ability to learn quickly with thinking training is just going to happen all by itself. If you don’t socialize your puppy or stimulate them, they can become stubborn. Friendly and active dogs can become chaotic and reckless without direction and boundaries. The unsocialized puppy will come off as a jerk. Let’s not let that happen.
Intelligence
Labradoodles are bred from a Poodle and Labrador Retriever; these two breeds are known for being extremely intelligent and uber trainable. You will soon see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with the Labradoodle. They get all the most excellent qualities of the bred parents. Here is a quick look at the bred parents.
Poodles are empathetic and highly intelligent, being 2nd on Stanley Coren’s list of the smartest purebred breeds. They are fascinating guys that will pick up on your mood. They will even change their behavior to suit your mood; they are incredibly intuitive. Poodles can be stubborn sometimes.
The Labrador Retriever is another brilliant and friendly breed. They are known for being outgoing and a bundle of energy. They are ranked 7th on Stanley Coren’s list of the smartest purebred breeds.
Socialization
For us, this is one of the most important things you can do to help make life with any dog breed enjoyable. Socialization is when a dog is taught how to get along with other pets and humans. The puppy should be exposed to different life situations. Believe it or not, socialization should start between 3 and 14 weeks of age. That’s why you should look for a breeder that appreciates socialization, seeing the puppy will be with them for the first eight weeks of their life. Labradoodles are friendly and very social, so let’s look at some ways we can socialize them.
It is your job to train your dog to be ready for adulthood. Nobody likes a jerk for a dog. You need to start on day one of receiving your puppy and seek help if you have questions. Here are a few points to think about while socializing your dog.
Handling
A puppy must be handled as early as possible. Handling your puppy gives him a chance to get used to the idea that they will be touched. During this handling time, play with the puppy’s mouth, paws, and ears. By doing this, you are preparing them for visits with the groomer and veterinarian as well as getting comfortable with people touching them in those areas.
Other people
Make sure wherever you go, you take your puppy when you can. Get your puppy out and about in the world. They need to be around other people as soon as possible. Make sure to mix it up with the type of people you introduce them too. You can accomplish this by going on walks, doggie daycare, and visiting family. So easy and enjoyable for you both.
Feeding
It’s natural for a dog to guard food; however, we don’t need them getting nervous thinking that someone is going to take it from them. To help prevent this, handle the puppy while they are eating, drop a treat in the food dish while they are eating then walk away. Before you know it, the puppy will be used to activity around feeding time.
Controlled exposure to other dogs
How do you meet other dogs? Borrow your friend’s dog or take them to a dog park. You should make sure you are in a neutral area to prevent any misunderstandings.
Preventing aggression
Having a calm demeanor when correcting aggressive behavior is essential. It is okay to be firm; the puppy will respond, learn, and understand.
Being alone
Take the time to get your puppy used to the create by setting a few times a day aside for alone time. However, when you do this, you can never use the creat as a place of punishment. You are trying to create a place of protection and comfort.
Early training
We can not stress this enough. Keep the three to14-week timeframe in mind here. Your puppy has no idea what you expect of them unless you teach them in a kind and nurturing way.
If you find yourself outside of this time frame, it will be okay. Try to find out all you can about the puppy’s life before meeting you. Ask the person you are getting the puppy from; they will know some of the answers, or they might be able to point you in the right direction. Immediately start training and gently correcting behavior.
Skills to start with
So now that your question, ‘Are Labradoodles easy to train?”, has been answered. Where do you start with training? Here are some essential basics to build an excellent foundation for your puppy.
Crate training.
Potty training
House rules
Basic obedience – Name recognition, sit, stay, down, come when called, leash walking
It is up to you to be consistent and patient with the puppy. Don’t forget to be patient with yourself too. Mistakes will happen but chalk that up to learning experience and move forward.
So what do you think? Are Labradoodles easy to train? We think so, but it’s important to remember they will pick up on bad behavior just as quickly as good. Be consistent.
If you are looking for a new puppy, please check out our Labradoodle Puppies For Sale.
