How to Train a Labradoodle Puppy – The Ultimate Guide

  The Labradoodle is widely regarded as the first ‘hybrid’ dog breed – it’s all in the name. They were originally bred as hypoallergenic guide dogs, and their popularity has soared in recent years. What’s not to love? Even-tempered, low shedding, active and affectionate, the Labradoodle really is an ideal family pet.

Smart and sociable little rascals, they are happiest when they are with the people they love, being on their own can sometimes be quite the challenge at first. They are active, energetic and full of beans – but with good positive training, your Labradoodle will quickly learn their doggy manners. 

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Right. So here we are, at the very start of our ultimate guide to Labradoodle training. Let’s get cracking!

Prerequisites for training my Labradoodle puppy

What age can I start to train my Labradoodle puppy?

You can start Labradoodle training as soon as you bring them home. Your puppy is basically like a sponge at this time, that soaks up everything you say and do with them. Having said that, there’s no time like the present! Let’s start easy and simple – don’t want your Labradoodles to struggle with frustration.

What do I need to start my Labradoodle training?

You don’t need anything fancy – just a few pieces of your dog’s own kibble and loads of patience. But will need the following goodies for an easy training period:

    A pouch or container for those all important treats

    A soft collar with their name tag. We also recommend you have a harness, but by law in the UK, dogs do need to wear a collar with a name tag. 

    A harness – they are much kinder for your Labradoodle pup to walk in, and your puppy will get big and strong quite quickly!

    A 2-meter training leash. You’ll need this for your recall training. Even though Labradoodles are super friendly, you don’t want them running up to everyone they meet. It’s way too early to get a bad rep around the neighborhood.  

    A mat or piece of vet bed for teaching your pup to settle

    Training Treats – Who doesn’t love a treat? Your Labradoodle definitely will. And so will you, since it will make training much easier. We’ve written more about treats here.

    Two identical toys that you can do swaps with when training your puppy to let go or when teaching them other games like fetch. 

    A soft brush to not only groom your puppy but also to bond with them. Labradoodles have lovely curly coats that need some maintenance!

    A crate and playpen: Not everyone likes the idea of a crate, but they’re far from prisons. They can actually be super handy for training and making your puppy feel comfortable!

Good to know about training Labradoodle puppies

What are Labradoodles bred for?

It might seem like Labradoodles have been around forever, but the first one was actually born in 1988. Wally Conron, a guide dog breeder in Australia, received a request from a blind lady whose husband suffered from severe allergies to dog hair. And so the Labradoodle was born. Poodles, by their nature, couldn’t perform the tasks of a guide dog so well, but by crossing both breeds, it turned out a dog capable of guide dog tasks with hypoallergenic fur. 

What does this have to do with how I train my Labradoodle?

It’s all in the name. Your Labradoodle is a mix of a Labrador and a Poodle. Besides a quirky name, it’s important to know their breeds well because they have different genetic traits that are useful to consider when training. Here we go:

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Labradors are bred to retrieve. Before earning their title as beloved companions that we know and love today, Labradors would have been hunting and retrieving. They are strong swimmers and will often go out of their way to find a puddle to splash in.

Poodles were bred largely for hunting ducks. Nowadays, Poodles have come a long way from their former life as duck hunters and are linked to lives of luxury. You know the stereotype of Poodles being perceived as the ultimate pampered pooch – a far cry from the duck pond. 

As you can tell from their active background, you must be mindful that they need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep out of mischief. 

Alright, now that you know some basic history, here’s some other information you’ll find helpful to get the most out of your Labradoodle training. Your Labradoodle is likely to be a foodie; which is excellent since it will make training as easy as pie.

    Labradoodles often have a fascination with water. They’re pretty much like fish once they jump in, so be prepared to go fishing them out of muddy puddles on a regular basis. 

    They are really active and will need a lot of exercise once they are fully grown. Any excess energy will probably be put to bad use finding trouble, so make sure they get enough daily physical activity. 

    They have an amazing sense of smell, so retrieving or scent work games will be a great treat. 

    Labradoodles are very sociable and love nothing more than greeting everyone with bursts of excitement. That being said, make sure to focus plenty on sitting, not jumping and calm behaviors, so they really get those impeccable manners, bang on.

    The Labrador in your Labradoodle (try saying that after a few drinks) loves retrieving, so they’ll enjoy carrying pretty much anything. Make sure that they’re allowed to carry whatever is it they’re carrying; otherwise, prepare yourself to see your socks in their mouth. 

Overview of the training program and topics we’ll cover

So let’s get cracking then. Let’s get stuck into what you’re really here for… Labradoodle training. Before we begin, remember that training sessions should be kept short, always end on a high note and to work within your pups capabilities. Oh, and remember to have fun…this isn’t torture.  

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Here is what we will cover in training. It sounds like a lot, I know. But don’t panic – we’re going to break it all down for you into bite sized pieces: 

    Sitting

    Lying down

    Learning their name

    Coming when you call them

    Walking nicely on a leash

    Playing fetch

    Sleeping in their crate

    Coping with being left alone

    Going to the bathroom in the right place 

How we build this program: Push Drop Stick

Week 1 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Week one of Labradoodle training. Let’s go!

Remember to take things slowly. There are so many new things happening to your pup, and they still might need time to adjust. Cuddles should help them get the hang of things easier but give them the chance to walk away if they’re not up for snuggle time.  

We’ll dive straight into socialization exercises, training, and husbandry tasks in the first week. 

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Let your puppy explore the yard

– Teach your puppy about surfaces – Name

– Sit

– Recall

– Retrieve

– Sleep Training

– Potty Training

– Alone Training – Brushing

– Hand Touch

Sleep Training – The First Week

Alone Training

Toilet Training for your Labradoodle Puppy

Socialization Exercises to do This Week

Training To Do This Week

Husbandry Exercises To Do this week

Week 2 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Week 2 already! You’re probably not getting the best nights sleep yet, but I’m sure your pup will have started feeling much more at ease in their new home.  

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Fireworks

– Watch the world go by outside your house

– Play dress up

– Sit in the car

– Invite friends over – Alone Training

– Crate Training

– Potty Training

– Name – in yard

– Recall – cue word

– Fetch

– Drop

-Sit – add a cue word

– Leash walking – Grooming

Socialization Exercises To Do This Week

Training Tasks To Do This Week

Husbandry Tasks To Do This Week

Week 3 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Socialization exercises to do this week Training Exercises to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Scent Trails

– Go for a drive

– Invite Friends Over

– Write a puppy socialization checklist – Recall – outside in the yard

– Four Paws on the floor – Not Jumping up

– Down

– Generalization

– Alone Training – Harness fitting

Socialization Exercises To Do This Week

Training To Do This Week

Husbandry Task To Do This Week

Week 4 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Week 4 already! Does time fly with your new best friend or what? Hopefully your pup is coming on leaps and bounds now. Just remember about the Push, Stick, Drop method – if they are struggling with anything, take it a step back and just practice until they feel comfortable. See why we kept insisting on being patient? 

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If everything seems to be in order, here’s what’s on the agenda for Week 4. 

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Meet another dog

– Find a puppy class – Settle on a mat

– Leash walking

– Recall games

– Grooming sensitive areas

Socialization Exercises To Do This Week

Training To Do This Week

How to prepare

    Choose a mat – something comfortable, soft, and that you can carry easily like a towel, bath mat or piece of vet bed. 

    Have your puppy’s harness on, and their leash ready. 

    Bring a stuffed Kong with you or their favorite chew toy. (yes puppies chew a lot!)

    It’s best to try this exercise when your puppy is tired to make it a bit easier 

Leash walking

Teaching your puppy to walk on the leash is one of the most important things you need to do. In fact, we’re so passionate about this that we’ve dedicated a whole article to it here. No one wants to be dragged through the park, so get cracking while your puppy is still young.

Recall games – Playing tennis with your puppy!

No rackets needed. In this game, your puppy is going to act like a ball, you and your friend like rackets. And no, you won’t be swinging yourself at your puppy. Playing tennis with your puppy means you and your friend will be calling your pup’s name back and forth. Your puppy should keep running between you, looking for a tasty reward.  Got it? Pretty easy, right?

Grooming a Puppy – next steps

Hopefully, you and your pup are bonding well over a good grooming session by now. This week, it’s time to brush through the more sensitive areas such as their tummy and paws. 

PRO TIPS

    If your puppy gets over excited, choose a time of day when they are likely to be a bit calmer, maybe a bit sleepy. 

    As always, use plenty of treats, so your pup learns to love to be groomed!

Week 5 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Congratulations! You’ve made it all the way to week 5 in Labradoodle training. I bet they have grown up so much by now. Just think how far you and your pup have come. It’s incredible how fast they learn!

And this is where it gets interesting. It’s probably around this time that your puppy can start officially going for walks following all their vaccinations. Exciting times!

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Go to the bar – you deserve it!

– Tick 3 things off your personal socialization checklist – Alone Training

– Recall – outside using a lead

– Leash walking – outside

– Push/drop/stick on known exercises – Pretend nail clips

– Grooming

Go to the bar – you deserve it!

 Ah, at last someone is telling you to go to the bar. You’ve waited a long time for this, haven’t you? 

Let’s get down there after a nice long walk, so they’re likely to be tired. 

PRO TIPS

Take a mat for them to settle on with a stuffed Kong or a chew toy, so they’re focused on something and not on everything going on around them.

Trust us. People will want to coo and fuss over your gorgeous pup. But don’t be afraid to (gently) tell them you’d rather they didn’t, especially if they’re playing with their Kong or napping. For your pup, the mat needs to be a safe space where they can enjoy being undisturbed.

Tick 3 things off your personal socialization checklist

Remember that list from earlier? Find 3 new things you haven’t done yet and tick them off. If you’ve worked through lots already, revisit some important to you and your lifestyle. Could it be to visit the beach? 

Alone Training

Okay, we understand that leaving your puppy alone can be tough. But for everyone’s peace of mind in the future, they do need to learn to cope by themselves. 

This week, practice your alone training exercise at least three times, and start increasing the time you leave them. You already know this, but don’t rush. It won’t make training go any faster if you stress your puppy out.

Recall – Outside, using a leash

Ok, time to get this outside. I’m sure your Labradoodle has already been nailing recall indoors, but the real test is going to be when there’s birds, neighbors and plane sounds all around them.

If it doesn’t go to plan, don’t be disheartened. There’s always tomorrow.

Keep your pups focus on you with plenty of high-value treats – those stinky, delicious sausages you often keep for yourself. Practice about 6 recalls with them on the lead for this week – we’ll move up to another level next time.

PRO TIP: You’re going to need to be super exciting and chirpy to detract from all those sights and smells. Oh, and only use the ‘ come’ cue when your pup looks at you; that’s how you know you’ve got their attention and your recall will actually work.

Leash walking – outside

Now that your pup’s vaccinated, nothing is stopping you from

going on those real-life walks you’ve dreamed about. Finally…the day has

come! 

We call leash training ‘’loose lead walking’’, which

basically means just that, that the lead is loose. It works like this:

    If they walk forward and the slack disappears, you need to stop walking.

    If the slack remains (forming a nice J shape between you and your puppy), you can keep moving forward. 

Sounds so simple, right? Leash walking is often one of the most tricky parts of Labradoodle training (or any kind of puppy training), so there’s no shame in wanting some more support. 

We’ve got a full loose leash walking training guide here – but in the Zigzag app you can directly talk to our team of expert puppy coaches who will be happy to give you personal advice.

 Push/drop/stick on known exercises

You know the drill. Refer back to Push, drop, stick on the exercises you are working on and work out if you’re ready to move on to higher training levels.

Pretend nail clips

Most dogs have sensitive paws, so trimming their nails can be a challenge. It’s therefore important to get them used to it early to avoid any dramatics when they’re older. Otherwise, you’ll end up with either teeth or a claw in your face. Not on purpose of course, simply reflex.

First, just like with grooming, you need to make sure they feel okay with us touching them. For now we will just pretend to trim their claws. No actual trimming, just your best impression of a claw-trimmer. 

Week 6 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Tick 3 things off your personal checklist – Following on walks

– Push/drop/stick on known exercises – Check puppy’s mouth

Time to tick another 3 things off your Socialization checklist. Have a think about any interesting or novel activities you enjoy and might want to enjoy with your Labradoodle. If you’re one of those people lucky to have a horse, maybe it’s a good time to introduce them to each other.

Following on walks

The ‘’Follow Me’’game is a great way to improve your pup’s recall on walks. It’s basically a way to get them to stay nice and close to you. It may feel like your puppy is glued to your side,  but once they gain some independence this might not always be the case. And let’s face it, you probably love them being glued to you.

In places where there are loads of distractions, this game helps keep the focus on you, and not on flapping pigeons they’d like to chase.

Push/drop/stick

How is your Labradoodle pup doing with their training? Time for an appraisal and time to push, drop, stick on any training to increase the difficulty.

Check puppy’s mouth – First steps

You need to check your puppy’s mouth regularly, just to check their teeth and gums. It’s always better to check, than having to book an appointment at the vet for something funky in their mouth. Your vet will often check your dog this way so it’s important they are used to it from you and can be a good patient.

Here’s how you do it:

    Gently touch your puppy’s cheek, and reward them so they get used to your hand coming towards their mouth.

That’s about as far as you’re going this week with that. Easy, right?

Week 7 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Puppy Parkour

– Tick 3 things off your personal checklist – Wait

– Walk with a friend’s dog

– Recall – off the leash

– Push/drop/stick on known exercises – Pretend ear drops

Puppy Parkour

…and what exactly is Puppy Parkour? Well, it’s a bit like agility training, but no need for fancy equipment.  You can do it with your pup just for fun. It is actually loads of fun. But it also has some benefits that come with it such:

    Bonding with your puppy outside.

    Confidence building 

    For their physical fitness 

    For helping their coordination and balance.

Since we’ve already been playing around with surfaces and obstacles indoors, it’s time to take it outside. Use some logs, puddles and stones to make a trail for them to follow!

Tick 3 things off your personal socialization checklist

Have another look at the checklist and see what you haven’t done yet perhaps:

    A swimming lesson

    Going in a lift

    Going to a mall

Teaching your Labradoodle puppy to wait

Patience is a virtue, even for our puppies. It’s not often something they want to do willingly though!

When we say ‘’wait’’, we mean they are not moving when we walk away. It can also mean waiting to cross a road or waiting before they rush for their food or waiting at a door, so as you can see,  it’s pretty useful in many situations. 

There are 2 steps to teaching your Labradoodle to wait or stay

Duration: As in how long can they wait

Distance: How far away can you be and they still wait. 

Let’s start with duration.

Ask your puppy to sit just the same as you always do.

Don’t say your marker word ‘good’ until you have counted to 5 so there’s a delay before you mark and reward.

    While you count, remember to smile. Not so you look pretty, but this will let your pup know they’re on the right track. They respond to emotion at the end of the day!

    You’re going to need to repeat this about 6 times in order to build the time up. Baby steps will get you there. 

Now, let’s practice distance.

    Ask your puppy to sit as you did before.

    Introduce a hand signal for them to wait. A apartment hand-like ‘stop’ is the most common signal, but feel free to do a fist or a peace sign if you’d prefer. 

    Take a step back. Then, return to your puppy and reward

    Now, try the same exercise but move to the side. 

    Repeat about 6 times.

PRO TIP: As you can probably already tell, patience is not your puppy’s strength at the moment. Try to anticipate when they might move and reward them before they do. That way, they’re consistently winning at the waiting game. It’s frustrating if they keep getting it wrong, and Labradoodles can struggle with that.

Husbandry tasks to do this week

Walk with a friend’s dog

By now, your puppy and your friend’s dog should be firm pals. Now it’s time to go for a walk together!

Let’s get real, though. This might not be as calm and as pleasant as you thought it would be. Your Labradoodle is a bundle of joy and eager to play, which means you’ll probably deal with a couple of pulls here and there. As long as you remember, there’s not a pass or fail when training. Everything is all down to practice, and it will be alright.

Recall – off the leash

Honestly, don’t panic! We know you are possibly terrified about this part. But it will be alright, trust us on this one. 

How to prepare

    You’ll need a quiet place with few distractions, not near busy roads or fields of sheep. Many places have secure and enclosed dog parks, so if you’re really worried, you could go have a look for one in your area. 

    This is where you need the smelliest and best treats of all! 

PRO TIPS

    Stay close, you don’t want your puppy getting distracted if you are miles away.

    Relax. Puppies are a bit like mirrors, if they see you stress, they will stress as well. 

    Have a secret weapon: something like dried sprats or liver seem disgusting to us, but are largely irresistible for them. Keep them as your safety go-to treats for them when you’re training your Labradoodle for off-leash recall.

    Practice in your yard first. Recall really can’t be practiced enough, so better practice in the safest (yet distracting) place you can find as much as you can.

Push/drop/stick on known exercises

Remember to go up a level and increase the difficulty if they’re feeling up for it!

Pretend ear drops

Your Labradoodle will have quite floppy and hairy ears, this means that although they are beautiful, quite a lot of dirt can get inside them. To keep them nice and clean, it’s good practice to get them used to having their ears checked and drops put in. You want them to have a great time outdoors playing in the mud and water, but you also want to keep them away from infections or gunky ears. 

Again, for now, we will only be pretending to place drops in them but it’s useful training for the future. 

Week 8 – Training your Labradoodle puppy

Wow! You’ve made it to Week 8. What a great job you’ve done. I imagine your pup is looking quite like the little grown-up now, but remember, they may look all grown-up, but they are still babies under all that fur.

Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week

– Joggers and Cyclists

– Tick 3 things off your personal checklist – Practice exercises in different locations

– Introduce nose work

– Push/drop/stick on known exercises – Nail trims

Joggers and Cyclists

What’s not to love about chasing joggers and cyclists when you’re a Labradoodle?

They can be quite loud and scary. Especially with those neon clothes they like to wear. We don’t want your puppy to be startled when they come round but don’t want them to chase either – as funny as this would look.

When you run into a jogger or cyclist, reward your puppy for ignoring them as they go past. You’re rewarding them for a behavior you want to see more of, so this is the time to show them.

PRO TIP: If your puppy doesn’t want to take treats, it could mean they are stressed. Just go back a step, and take it from there.

Tick 3 things off your personal socialization checklist

Anything goes with socialization, so time to get creative! Not too creative though. Don’t take them skydiving.

Practice exercises in different locations

Remember generalization? In Week 8, it’s a good time to practice all your pup’s skills in places such as:

    Pet Supermarkets

    Train Stations

    DIY Stores

    Yard centers 

Yes, these are all locations your puppy would love to go crazy in. We do it on purpose. 

Introducing nose work to your Labradoodle puppy

Our dogs’ noses are a formidable tool. Let’s put them to work! 

You’ll need an old towel, and a stuffed Kong or bathroom roll tube with some food. Hide the toy and use the cue ‘find it’ to get your pup to put that hooter to work! 

PRO TIPS

    Don’t make it too hard, to begin with. This game is supposed to be fun and not frustrate them when they can’t find what they’re smelling. Imagine they do the same thing to you with Sunday Roast. 

    After a few practices, you can start making it more difficult. You can maybe hide the towel under some cushions or on top of a chair.

How to trim your Labradoodle puppy’s claws (nail trims)

We’re taking the plunge today and trimming those claws. Don’t be scared. It’s not like they have bear claws.

Before you begin, here are a few things you should know:

    Your puppy needs to be ready for this. If they are still unsure about the clippers. it’s better not to do it yet. Let’s take a few steps back and try again in another week. 

    Dog claws have a vein running through called the quick which you definitely don’t want to cut. It will bleed a lot, and freak everyone out. Make sure you don’t trim too short. 

    If your puppy has black claws and you are worried about the Quick, ask your vet or groomer to show you how to cut them. 

PRO TIPS

    If your puppy has short claws, they may not need clipping – you can always pretend!

    Just one paw a day is plenty.

    If your puppy does plenty of sidewalk walking, this will help file their claws too, which means trimming them yourself is one less thing you’ll have to do.

What’s next for your Labradoodle puppy?

Well! What a journey it’s been. Why not have a look at some of the other training you can do with your puppy in the ZigZag puppy training app? The possibilities are endless and you’re going to love keeping your Labradoodle training up as much as they enjoy learning. 

In the Zigzag app, you’ll find more in-depth training, games and socialization advice tailored for your puppy and their breed or mix of breeds. 

If you run into some training hiccups, (who doesn’t?) you’ll have access to the Zigzag puppy coaches. They’re a friendly bunch, and are here to help you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to ask them any questions you might have, they’d love to hear from you!