Labradors respond to rewards be they treats, toys or affection. Aversive methods are completely unhelpful and particularly when Labrador retrievers respond so much more positivity and confidently to rewards.

Discipline is not punishment and discipline must not be confused with unhelpful aversive trading methods.

Discipline is a structured daily routine, keeping daily repeat events like meals, exercise and training times to within 1/2 start time. When you have a disciplined routine then your puppy will start to associate the events as rewards in themselves.

A Labrador needs rules, boundaries, restrictions to be happy and secure so be disciplined yourself so that your Labrador puppy understands the routine. Discipline is the process of repetitive actions with your dog until they know what you want them to do. Don’t correct a dog until they know the rules. This means that you ignore mistakes and calmly and confidently ‘go again’. Reward your labrador when they offer your the desired behaviour.

As I commence a training program I quickly introduce the word ‘NO’ and in an entirety positive way to communicate with my dog that we need to ‘try again’, and particularly when my labrador puppy is confident to ‘offer behaviours’. My dogs are not threatened or intimidated by NO,…on the contrary.

Calm, Confident Consistent leadership lets your labrador know when their behaviour is acceptable. Cruelty/abuse must under no circumstances be presented as discipline and aversive intervention is never acceptable as a means of training.