Labrador Puppy Training Schedule by Age
A Labrador puppy’s training should start the moment it comes home, usually around 8 weeks old. In the beginning, focus on housebreaking, crate training, and name recognition.
By the time your puppy is 3–4 months old, begin leash manners and basic obedience, and by 6 months, your dog should be practicing advanced commands and social discipline.
Labs are quick learners, but consistency, positive reinforcement, and age-appropriate lessons are key to raising a calm, confident, and well-behaved adult dog.
Why Age-Specific Training Matters for Labradors?
Labs grow and learn in stages, both in their bodies and in their behavior. With each stage, they pick up new skills and face new challenges. If you try to teach a young puppy something too advanced, they can get stressed or confused. But if you wait too long, they may already form habits that are tough to change.
Knowing the right time to teach each skill helps your dog learn faster and keeps training enjoyable for both of you.
This schedule is based on canine development patterns recognized by organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and long-standing training principles used by professional breeders and dog behaviorists.
8 to 10 Weeks Old: The Foundation Stage
At 8 weeks, your Labrador puppy is like a blank slate, curious, impressionable, and eager to bond. This is the key time to build trust and set gentle routines they can follow with confidence.
Training Focus:
- Name recognition: Say the puppy’s name often, reward quick responses.
- Potty training: Take the pup outside every 1–2 hours and after naps or meals. Always to the same spot.
- Crate training: Introduce the crate as a safe, cozy den, never punishment.
- Social exposure: Gentle introduction to sounds, people, and handling.
- Simple cues: “Sit,” “Come,” and “No” (used calmly and consistently).
🐾 Pro tip: Use tiny, soft training treats like Zuke’s Mini Naturals. They keep your puppy motivated without overfeeding.
10 to 12 Weeks Old: Building Confidence
During these weeks, a young dog becomes more curious and starts testing limits. It is the perfect time to shape polite behavior and prevent nipping, chewing, and jumping.
Training Focus:
- Leash introduction: Let the puppy wear a light collar and leash indoors. Encourage calm walking beside you.
- Impulse control: Teach “Wait” before meals and doors.
- Socialization: Safe exposure to car rides, vacuum sounds, gentle strangers, and other vaccinated dogs.
- Handling practice: Touch paws, ears, and mouth gently to prepare for vet and grooming visits.
🎯 Goal: A confident, curious puppy that is learning to listen even in mild distractions.
3 to 4 Months Old: Obedience Foundations
At this age, Labs are full of energy and curiosity. They learn quickly, but only in short training sessions. This is the perfect time to start teaching simple rules and helping them get used to a daily routine.
Training Focus:
- Basic commands: Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Leave it, Drop it.
- Recall games: Play hide-and-seek or “come for treats.”
- Loose-leash walking: Start short outdoor walks; reward when the leash stays slack.
- Gentle correction: Redirect rather than scold; consistency works better than harshness.
🦴 Training Tip: Use short 5–10 minute sessions several times a day. Puppies learn better in bursts than in long lessons.
4 to 6 Months Old: The Teenage Phase
At around 5–6 months, many Labrador pups start testing boundaries. They may act like they do not remember the commands they have already learned and will try to push the rules. Do not worry, this is a normal part of growing up. Stay calm, stay consistent, and they will get back on track.
Training Focus:
- Reinforce obedience: Practice all earlier commands in busier environments.
- Distraction training: Gradually introduce louder areas, people, and other dogs.
- Social manners: Stop jumping, mouthing, and barking early, Labs are strong and grow fast.
- Crate duration: Increase to a few hours, with plenty of play and potty breaks in between.
6 to 9 Months Old: Polishing Skills
At this age, your Labrador knows most commands, but still needs regular practice. The way you guide them now will shape their behavior as an adult.
Training Focus:
- Advanced obedience: “Heel,” “Stay” with distance, and “Go to bed.”
- Controlled freedom: Practice off-leash recall in fenced areas.
- Focus and patience: Teach calm behavior before meals or playtime.
- Mental exercise: Puzzle feeders, fetch routines, and scent games prevent boredom.
9 to 12 Months Old: Transition to Adulthood
By one year, a Labrador’s body looks adult, but the mind is still maturing. Continued training ensures all those months of effort turn into lifelong reliability.
Training Focus:
- Distraction-proof obedience: Practice commands around people, other dogs, and everyday outdoor sounds so your dog learns to listen anywhere.
- Consistency: Stick to the rules and do not ease up too soon. Labs do best when the expectations are always clear.
- Advanced challenges: Try basic agility, fetch and retrieving drills, or join an obedience class to keep your dog’s mind and body active.
- Polish leash manners: Teach your dog to walk calmly beside you, sit when you stop, and avoid pulling on the leash.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Labrador Puppy Training
- Starting too late: Training must begin early to prevent stubborn habits.
- Inconsistency: Every family member should use the same cues and rules.
- Overtraining: Puppies tire quickly; quality matters more than duration.
- Punishment: Labs respond far better to praise and redirection.
- Skipping mental enrichment: A bored Labrador finds its own “fun”, usually destructive.
Quick Daily Training Routine Example
| Time of Day | Activity | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Short potty break + “sit/stay” practice | Obedience + Routine |
| Midday | Playtime + leash walk | Exercise + Socialization |
| Evening | Crate nap + calm handling | Comfort + Independence |
| Night | Short command review before bedtime | Reinforcement |
Frequently Asked Question(s)
How do I stop my puppy from biting during play?
Puppies use their mouths to understand everything around them, so biting at this age is completely normal. What you need to show your Labrador is how to play gently. When your puppy bites, make a quick “ouch” sound and stop the game right away. Then hand your pup a proper chew toy to bite instead. With time, your puppy will learn that gentle play keeps you involved, but biting too hard makes the fun stop. Staying consistent is the most important part.
My Labrador won’t listen outside, what’s going wrong?
Labradors get distracted very quickly outdoors. There are so many new smells, sounds, and things to look at. This does not mean disobedience; it is just excitement. Start recall training in a quiet area, then gradually increase distractions. Use really good treats when you are outside, like small bits of chicken or cheese. Keep training short and simple. Once your dog learns to focus on you, the obedience will come naturally.
When can a puppy start off-leash training?
Only once your pup reliably responds to recall commands indoors and on leash. Most Labs are ready around 6–9 months, but maturity varies. Begin in a fenced area or use a long training line. Never trust off-leash recall in open spaces until it’s proven under distraction, safety always comes first.
Should I use clicker training for my puppy?
Yes, you should. Labs usually love food and learn quickly, which makes clicker training a great choice. The click lets your puppy know the exact moment they did something right. This makes training clearer and helps them understand faster. Use small treats and a happy voice to keep your pup excited to learn.
How do I keep a dog mentally stimulated during training?
Labradors are smart working dogs, and they can get into trouble when they are bored, chewing or digging just to stay busy. Keep their minds active by using puzzle feeders, scent games, and different versions of fetch. You can also teach a fun “find it” game by hiding their toys or treats around the room. These activities help them use their brain, stay focused, and improve their training results.
6. What should I do if my dog seems stubborn or slow to learn?
Most Labradors are not actually stubborn. They usually just need clearer guidance or more attention. Try going back to basic commands in a calm place with fewer distractions. Use short words and repeat the same cues every time, and make sure everyone at home does the same. Keep training sessions positive and always finish with a small win. Labradors learn best when they feel encouraged, not pushed.