Puppy Structure
A Training Program for Labrador Puppies
This app will guide you through training your puppy step by step. Each lesson builds on the one before it, so work through them in order.
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Overall Progress
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Day Streak
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Exposures
Foundation Skills
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Core Commands
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Life Skills & Manners
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Daily Training Checklist
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Practice “Yes!” with treats (10 repetitions)
Say your puppy’s name and reward when they look (10 repetitions)
Practice eye contact for five minutes
Work on your current lesson (10-15 minutes)
Socialization exposure (3 new experiences)
Handle paws, ears, and mouth gently
Crate time with treats and toys
Practice soft mouth during play
Training Note
Short sessions (5-10 minutes, 3-5 times daily) yield superior results. Always conclude while your puppy remains engaged and enthusiastic.
1
The “Yes!” Marker
Establish your communication system. When you say “Yes!” your puppy receives a treat, marking precise moments of success.
2
Name Recognition
Your puppy’s name means “look at me immediately.” This is attention-getting, not a command in itself.
3
Eye Contact Foundation
Teach your puppy to meet your gaze voluntarily. This signals engagement and readiness to learn.
4
Treat Delivery Mechanics
Where and how you deliver treats shapes behavior. Precision in delivery creates clarity in training.
5
The Art of Luring
Use food to guide your puppy’s body into positions. Master the technique of fading the lure quickly.
6
The Release Word
Your puppy must understand when they are free to move. Select one word and use it consistently.
7
Sit Foundation
Silent lure to hand signal to verbal cue. Build to eighty percent reliability before advancing.
8
Down Foundation
Fold-back luring method. Same progression as sit with eighty percent criteria.
9
Recall System — “Here”
The most important command. Two words: “Here” for practice, plus one emergency word. Builds over twelve weeks.
10
Stay Foundation
Three Ds progression: Duration first, then Distance, then Distraction. Never combine simultaneously.
11
Loose Leash Walking
Modern engagement-based method. Reinforcement zone technique, not mechanical corrections. Hardest skill for Labs.
12
Leave It / Drop It
Two separate behaviors: Leave it means don’t take; Drop it means release from mouth. Different protocols for each.
13
Wait / Door Manners
Pause at all thresholds: doors, gates, car, crate. Automatic waiting behavior.
14
Place / Settle
Go to mat or bed and settle on cue. Optional advanced skill for calm behavior.
15
Bite Inhibition Protocol
TIME-CRITICAL: Must complete by sixteen weeks. Progressive soft mouth training from any pressure to gentle only.
16
Polite Greeting
No jumping from day one. Four on floor gets attention; jumping makes you a statue. Family consistency essential.
17
Handling & Grooming
Desensitization to paws, ears, mouth, body. Prepares for veterinary exams and grooming.
18
Resource Guarding Prevention
Critical for food-motivated Labs. Teach: people near food equals better food appears.
19
Crate Training Progression
Foundation week, duration building weeks 1-4, real-world use weeks 5-8. Alone time, car rides, overnight.
20
Car Confidence
Entry and exit manners, settling in motion, motion sickness management, long trip preparation.
21
Vet Visit Preparation
Mock exams at home, positive vet visits for treats only, preparation for real examinations.
22
Counter Surfing Prevention
Lab-specific problem. Management plus training approach to prevent this common behavior.
Socialization is about positive exposure to many categories of experiences, not just people. Track your puppy’s progress across all categories before 16 weeks.
Daily Minimums