Good leash leadership starts with a collar: flat, buckled or snap. Attach a leash to the collar, and let your | | dog drag it around while you watch. When it is potty time, use the leash to direct your Labradoodle to her
usual spot. Placing her on your left side when walking with a leash will make it much easier to eventually
teach her how to heal.
 | | Put on the breaks
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Now that your Labradoodle has a feel for the leash, teach her how to heel and stay with you. Stand with |
| | your dog at your left side, and say "Heel!" in a firm voice. Keep her engaged and by your side by talking to
her in a cheerful voice. If she gets distracted and pulls ahead, gently pull back on the leash until you are
even with her, and repeat"Heel!". Or you could say "Heel!" and then make a sharp U-turn to the right.
Your dog will then be behind you and will rush to return to your side. Whichever method you choose, be
sure to praise your Labradoodle and repeat the exercise as necessary.
| | Who, me?
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Mealtime is ideal for teaching your Labradoodle to come on command. Call out your dog's name, followed |
| | by "Come!" at feeding time. He'll speed to your side, pronto. When you are outdoors, step away from
your dog, call out his name, and say "Come!". Every time he responds correctly, give him plenty of praise.
| | Just relax
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By the time your Labradoodle is 8 weeks old, she is ready to learn to sit on command. Show her by saying |
| | "Sit!" in a firm tone while getting her attention with a piece of dry food. Move the food above her eye level
and, as your dog follows the food, she will sit. Praise her and give her the food. The next time you say
"Sit!" she obeys, skip the food and substitute a heaping dose of verbal praise.
| | House-training
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House-training is a defining moment in your relationship with your Labradoodle. Becasue elimination is a |
| | way to mark territory, teaching your dog where to eliminate confirms that you are the one in control.
There are three types of house-training. Which one you choose depends on your living situation. You can
outdoor-train, paper-train then outdoor-train, or litter train (small dogs only).
It is easier to train a dog to eliminate outdoors without the detour of paper-trainging. However, some
apartment dwellers or others in special circumstances may not be able to get outside as often as necessary
to immediately outdoor-train a young dog. In this event, paper-training can be an important intermediate
step to full house-training. Litter training is a viable option for someone with a small dog who has limited
access to the outdoors. Look in et supply stores for dog litter systems for dogs less than 35 pounds.
Whichever type of house-training you choose, you will need patience, persistence, and a good training
plan. Stick with it. Your Labradoodle wants to please you; as soon as she understands what you want from
her, she will try to do it.
Calm and direct middle-range tones of voice are perfect for commands
The Australian Labradoodle
The Perfect Service and Family Companion
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