Receiving love back from our fur babies when we pet them is one of the best feelings. However, keep in mind that excessive pampering can turn your Labradoodle into a mischievous and stubborn one. So what’s the solution? Discipline. That doesn’t sound so simple, does it? We got your back here. Without further ado let’s see how to get your Labradoodle disciplined.
Use non-violent methods such as ignoring it or timeouts as a message to let your Labradoodle know that some of their behaviors were not appreciated. Doing this will teach them to refrain from repeating the same behaviors. But don’t be strict always. Those little creatures need love too.
Appreciating their good behaviors with rewards like treats and praises will encourage them to stick to good behaviors. Since Labradoodles are quite intelligent, they quickly get which behavior will earn them some love and of course treats.
You have to be consistent with your Labradoodle while disciplining them. Besides that, be determined, apply timeout methods, reward them, use distraction, and most importantly don’t ever use any physical punishments.
The General Idea of How to Discipline a Labradoodle
Mainly your goal here is to communicate with your Labradoodle and make sure that they get the message as to which behaviours are considered good and which are not.
To do this, you’ll have to encourage the correct actions and reward with compliments or some treats perhaps. Also, discourage any sort of unacceptable behaviors using punishments that don’t have any violence in them.
The Right Kind of Discipline to Use
Although punishment is important to discipline your pup, you can’t go overboard with it. You need to make sure the punishment you’re using is mild, just enough, and proper. Avoid using any kind of physical abuse as punishment as that will only cause more damage to your Labradoodle.
You can try the two kind of obedience training available for your fur babies:
Positive Obedience Training: This training uses humane methods to discourage any unacceptable and bad manners.
Aversive Obedience Training: The aversive obedience training uses violent methods that severely damages Labradoodles’ health and not to mention the emotional disturbance it causes. This method is completely brutal, vicious, and useless. Going for this method will be a bad decision and will harm your pooch.
Hence using positive obedience training is an absolute better option. It’s more effective and doesn’t harm your Labradoodle. Your fur baby understands your message in a much safer way than aversive obedience. Because the positive obedience has very mild punishments such as:
Ignorance
Pause/ Timeout
Removing your fur baby’s toy
Using voice pitch to make your dog stop doing wrong actions
On the other hand, the punishments of aversive obedience can have severe impact on your relationship with your pooch and in fact your bond might take a good amount of damage.
That’s all about the general method. It’s time to get into the basics of teaching discipline.
Basics of Labradoodle Discipline
Make the Rules Clear
In order to discipline your dog, the most important rule that you need to teach it is the NO rule. The best option is to apply this method from the very beginning of having your Labradoodle. So that whenever your pooch does something wrong, you can nicely tell them “no” and that’ll stop them. Suppose, you don’t like your pooch climbing up your furniture or sofa, so say “no” every time you see him climbing or jumping on the sofa and move them away.
It’ll not happen overnight. So keep patience and be consistent with the training.
Ninja Advice: Inform all your family members about the activities that your pooch is allowed to do. Making a note and sticking it to the fridge is also a good idea for everyone to notice and it’d work as a good reminder too.
Fixing Wrong Behavior
Fix their wrong actions right away. It’s your responsibility to divert all your Labradoodles’ negative behavior & encourage positive ones. Let’s say, your pooch is chewing on your shoes, say “no”. Remove the shoe from him and instead hand him a toy to chew on. Following this method you’re correcting the wrong behavior without any violence.
Negative Response
When you can’t control things anymore, and your Labradoodles behavior is uncontrollable, maybe you should consider showing him that certain bad manners will not be fun for him. Respond negatively to some situations if needed.
For example, in case your Labradoodle is going crazy and aggressive over something, pause the playing and avoid him, take whatever toys he has away, and consider putting him in a separate room. However, this is only an instance.
5 Steps to Labradoodle Discipline – The Correct Way
1. Meal Training
2. Training of Basic Commands
3. The Crate Training
4. Getting Them Potty Trained
5. No command Training
1. Meal Training
Eating is the favorite part of Labradoodles. Labradoodle puppies will bite and eat anything as long as it fits in their mouth. No kidding. In fact just yesterday I caught my 8 months old Labradoodle trying to eat a stone. They’re a big foodie. You’re probably already familiar with the situation and noticed that your Labradoodle becomes really excited whenever you come out with food in hand. Although it’s cute in the starting, it becomes extremely dangerous as your fur baby grows up.
That’s why it’s crucial to train your Labradoodle about meals. Your goal here is to make sure that your dog only eats when you command it to. This will both discipline your dog about the meals and at the same time make you appear as an alpha figure to your Labradoodle.
Step 1: Grab your puppy’s collar & let someone fill the bowl filled with food and make sure the distance is at least 2 feet.
Step 2: Now, While you are grabbing your Labradoodle, say the command “wait” loudly enough for him to notice it.
Step 3: Wait till your Labradoodle has calmed down and again command “eat” and let go of your pooch and let him devour his food.
Step 4: Repeat this process every day and every-time while feeding your Labradoodle. Remember to stay consistent.
Step 5: Once this is in for a week, try to make him wait but this time don’t hold his collar. Command and make your dog sit, keep the food bowl before him but don’t reveal the bowl yet and cover it with your hand. Command him to wait and don’t move your hands till he calms down. Say ‘Eat’ and then move your hand off the bowl.
Step 6: Eventually, covering the food won’t be needed anymore; your Labradoodlewould learn to wait until you command him to eat.
2. Training of Basic Commands
Getting a puppy is just like having a toddler. And it’s only normal for you to expect him to grow up as a well-behaved one. To get the best version of the dog, start teaching right and proper manners from the beginning.
Although it might not be possible to teach them every single rule of the house, you can still teach them some basic commands. There are 7 necessary commands you should teach your Labradoodle.
Teach your Labradoodle puppy his name.
Teach the ‘Sit’ Command
Teach the ‘Stay’ command
The ‘Tug of war’ command to exhaust him.
Teach to “bark” only on your command
Teach the ‘Go Home’ command.
Try teaching your dog all the basic commands individually and record his disciplines.
3. Crate Training
Labradoodles are renowned for getting into trouble. But it’s quite impossible too to keep an eye on your Labradoodle all the time. That’s why it’s crucial to provide them with a safe place to hang out while they’re alone. That’s when the crates really come to help. It can be used to house train the Labradoodle. Since Labradoodles don’t really like to handle their poop and pee-pee business where they rest, it’s quite easier to house-train them
Now crate training could be really time-consuming. It can take weeks or months and it all depends on the age, temperament, and previous experience of your Labradoodle. Make sure you crate-train him accordingly. If anything goes wrong with the crate-training once, that might change your pooch’s view towards the crate and they wouldn’t want to go inside. So let’s see how to crate-train your Labradoodle correctly:
Step 1: Create a calm crate environment for your Labradoodle puppy.
Throw a comfortable bed and your puppy’s favorite toys. Make an enjoyable space for your Labradoodle.
Step 2: Motivate your Labradoodle to take a look inside and go in eventually.
Let the crate’s door stay open and allow your Labradoodle to investigate it. Maybe try putting his favorite treat or toys inside to make the crate look friendly, safe, and approachable for him to go in.
Step 3: Create a positive vibe around the crate.
Whatever the situation may be, your dog needs to be surrounded with positive things regarding the crate. To make this happen, you can try out number of things such as:
Throw some of his favorite treats inside the crate and allow him to figure out.
Whenever you find your Labradoodle giving a visit to the crate, praise and reward him with treats.
If your Labradoodle is familiar with playing fetch, throw a ball in the crate & command him to fetch it.
Step 4: Gradually begin closing the crate’s door.
Begin with giving him meals inside the crate and close the door when he’s engaged in eating. Open the crate’s door as soon as he’s done. This method will help him get used to closing doors. Repeat this process and over time increase the closed door time.
NOTE: This was only a common crate training idea, but to get the detailed and progressive guide check out how you can crate train your Labradoodle.
4. Getting Them Potty Trained
Giving them potty training is basically teaching them where they can poop and where they can not. Now, to do this first thing you need to do is to teach your pooch to pee and poop in the same place as long as he doesn’t understand that this is the supposed spot to poop. For this process to work, it might require a lot more time, determination, efforts, and patience than usual.
Let’s see how you can get your pooch potty trained:
Create an appropriate feeding timetable for your Labradoodle and try to continue feeding at the same time everyday. Follow the same intervals too.
Keep a record of a one week time whenever your pooch poops. It reminds me of the time I potty trained Groot. He’d take a loo once after every 2nd feeding.
Now you’re aware of his poop time so bring him out of his house at the exact time.
Everytime he takes a poop outside his house, don’t forget to treat him and praise him. A nice treat would give him a sign that you encourage that behavior.
Since puppies take a poop more than twice everyday, things might get really exhausting. However, this is extremely crucial and you can’t really put it off.
Soon enough your Labradoodle will learn his exact place and time to pee and poop.
5. “No-command” Training
In case you aren’t already aware of this, then know that the Labradoodles are very naughty dogs. So teaching them a “NO” or “leave it” command would go a long way to help him stay away from doing unacceptable behaviors. This command will help you teach your dog things he shouldn’t do and become much more disciplined. Let’s see how you can teach the “NO” command to your Labradoodle.
Keep some treats ready to reward him whenever he listens to you..
Keep some treats on the floor for him to spot it.
Whenever your Labradoodle runs toward the treat to get it, cover it with your hand and say the command “NO”
Since Labradoodles are foodies, they’ll still try their best to get that treat.
Repeat the command “NO” as long as he doesn’t give up.
When you see him stop trying, toss him a treat and compliment him.
Keep repeating the process until he learns to stop on your first command of “NO”.
Keep trying this with various things like his favourite toys or some old footwear he loved to chew.
According to many dog trainers, yelling at your dogs will only make his behavior worse and more aggressive. Avoid yelling or showing any anger at all while teaching the “NO” command. However, too gentle “NO” might not work either. Find the firm sweet spot.
Do’s for Discipling your Labradoodle
Be Determined and Consistent
You have to be determined and consistent with your instructions. This would make sure your Labradoodle gets familiar with it and ultimately understands it.
For instance, in case your pooch begins to pee in your room, lift him instantly and put him at his pee spot. Although it might take some time, hang in there, you’ll get yourself a pre-trained Labradoodle.
Apply the Timeout Strategy
If you notice your Labradoodle disobeying you, apply the timeout strategy. This involves putting him in a different room and taking all his toys away. This will allow him to think about his actions.LabradoodleIf you notice your Labradoodle disobeying you, apply the timeout strategy. This involves putting him in a different room and taking all his toys away. This will allow him to think about his actions.
Try Distractions
Besides using timeouts, try using ‘Distraction and Redirection’ to make your Labradoodle more disciplined. Clap or make a loud noise to distract your dog if he is nibbling on you. The noise distracts them and they stop biting or nibbling and you can now toss a toy to them to redirect their attention.
Maintain your Labradoodles’ schedule
Make sure you have a fixed schedule for your Labradoodle. He’ll get familiar with the time of waking up, eating, time intervals, and potty. This will make everything easy for both of you.
Reassert Authority
Try showing authority to earn your Labradoodles’ respect. Anything otherwise will lead your Labradoodle to think you lack authority and he’ll take over the dominance. Once this is done, it’s the beginning of a very dangerous journey. Your pooch will avoid your commands, bark more, and become excessively possessive of his toys. None of us want that. What can you do to claim your authority back? We’ve gathered a few things here:
Make sure you take your meal first before feeding your Labradoodle.
Teach him some tricks.
Make sure your sleeping and resting space is higher than your dog’s.
Teach him commands and reward him only if he listens to it
Don’ts for Discipling your Labradoodle
Avoid any form of Physical or Brutal Punishments
Refrain from using physical punishments. Likewise, don’t starve your doggo as a punishment. This can cause more harm and even give them trauma which can ruin your relationship with him forever.
Don’t Appreciate or Give Treats For Negative behavior
For example, you’re having your food and your dog comes at you jumping, don’t share food with him in this situation. This will give him the wrong message that it’s okay to do so and in the worst case – he might try harder the next time you’re having a meal. So, no rewards for the bad behaviors.
Don’t yell or scream at your Labradoodle.
You know the reason why your Labradoodle is barking or whining. In the same way, your Labradoodle knows the difference between the tone of your usual voice & yelling voice.
Screaming at your Labradoodle. can leave a very negative effect on your Labradoodle. In fact, your Labradoodle might try to keep up with your tone and start barking aggressively. This can eventually become a habit. So the best option is to avoid yelling in the first place.
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