Puppy Academy
Building a Foundation for Your Willow Creeks Labrador
Training Goal
Positive Reinforcement
Daily Time
15 Minutes (split up)
Essentials
High-value treats & patience
1 Potty Training Mastery
Labradors are clean animals by nature, but their small bladders require a consistent schedule for success.
- The Schedule: Take your puppy out immediately after waking up, after every meal, and after any vigorous play session.
- The Command: Use a specific phrase like "Go Potty" as they are in the act so they associate the word with the action.
- The Reward: Throw a "Puppy Party" with treats and praise the second they finish their business outside.
Pro Tip: If an accident happens inside, do not punish the puppy. Simply clean it with an enzymatic cleaner and resolve to take them out sooner next time.
2 Creating a Safe Haven
The crate should be a "den," never a place for punishment. It helps with housebreaking and keeps your puppy safe when unsupervised.
- Introduction: Feed meals inside the crate with the door open to create a positive association.
- The Scent: Use the Willow Creeks scent blanket provided in your puppy pack to make the space smell like home.
- Duration: Gradually increase the time the door is closed, starting with just a few minutes while you are in the room.
3 Gentle Mouth Management
Labrador puppies explore the world with their mouths. It is vital to teach "bite inhibition" early on.
- The Yelp: If the puppy nips your skin, give a high-pitched "Ouch!" and immediately stop play for 30 seconds.
- The Swap: Always have a toy nearby. If they try to chew on you, redirect their mouth to an appropriate chew toy.
- Ignore the Demand: If the puppy is nipping for attention, stand up and walk away. Attention is the ultimate reward; removing it is a powerful teacher.
4 The Big Three: Sit, Stay, Come
Start these commands in a low-distraction environment like your living room before moving outdoors.
- Sit: Hold a treat above their nose and move it back toward their tail. Their bottom will naturally hit the floor.
- Stay: Start with just one second of stillness and reward. Slowly build up the duration and distance.
- Recall (Come): Never call your puppy to you for something they dislike (like a bath). Always make "Come" lead to the best rewards.