Labrador Training for Better Working Dogs
Labradors are arguably among the most popular type of retrievers, if not the peerless. They were originally meant to help during hunts for ducks and other fowl. Even without Labrador training, these dogs love water (even up to now) and seem to do best in going into the water and bringing back the game its master shot.
Labs makes an excellent pet, affectionate and loving, and they are good working dogs to boot. Two lines have been developed in the US: the field line and the show line, the last one being bred for conformation and temperament. In any case, many labradors over the years regularly make distinctions in both conformation and temperament.
The field line is meant for hunting ability and field work. The two lines differ mainly because field dogs display the most drive and energy, while the show line is just a tad behind this.
Nowadays, labs catch the attention of those looking for pets through their skill at hunting and retrieving after the kill. These dogs are easy to absorb their lessons in activities that compose Labrador dog training, and have inbred hunting and retrieving skills that harmonize with their smart brains. Their positive temperament keeps any of their impatience and displeasure in check. So it was really no surprise that when a random group of labs were given the American Temperament Test, more than 91% of the Labs aced. The American Temperament Test gauges the dog’s temperament in areas like degree of aggressiveness, shyness, friendliness, protectiveness and stability with the owner in the face of emergencies.
Aside from the general retrieving and hunting work that labradors are able to fulfill in the field, their brand of work ethics and smarts have helped them rake in awards and recognition. The stories and anecdotes of labs who have rescued or saved their owners from various scenarios of extreme danger will not be forgotten anytime soon.
The talent and brilliance of labradors (which still grows with training Labradors) make them good assistance dogs, like hearing dogs for the deaf, sight dogs for the blind, and a service dog for the disabled. And who has heard of psychiatric service dogs? These remind an individual that they need to take medication, or sometimes they simply get help from other people if their human starts displaying unusual behavior.
Those who pioneered the use of therapy dogs have been able to show that patients in nursing homes and retirement homes benefit a lot when they receive affection and attention from dogs. If a dog is to help out in therapy work, the dog needs to be affectionate and gentle, and also permit petting and hugging from a variety of people of all ages and sizes. The lab is among the most perfect for the job!
This is Blitz, my nine week old yellow lab. He is in training to be a guide, and we have started with some of the training, including sit/stay and down/stay. Now, a ton of this isn’t perfect, like when he breaks his stay, (But this is the fualt of my two year old brother…Blitz isn’t quite ready for that kind of distractions) or laying down after I told him to sit, but you have to keep in mind…He’s only nine weeks, I don’t expect perfection from him.
This is my 4 month old lab puppy Hank..
http://ponderosakennels.com/blog Goodie is learning to handle on the water. Cute Lab pup with Pat Nolan PonderosaKennels.com
Yellow Labrador Retriever puppies playing in their first snow. Adult black, yellow and chocolate have a romp too! Cute! Great music too.
Raising a y puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
3 Lab puppies running around playing. Filmed this at the breeder when picking up our yellow Labrador. Running around with his sister and brother.
