The Labrador is undoubtedly the UKs most popular working and domestic pet dog. Although show labs feature as domestic pets also, I have found that over the last 20 years as a professional dog trainer, more and more of my clients choose Labradors from working lines, or working stock, as their choice of pet.

These two types of Labradors often show distinct differences in behaviour. Some show Labradors may have a strong instinct to retrieve or hunt, but Labradors bred from working lines, often called field bred Labs, are specifically bred for their function. These dogs are known for their athleticism, endurance, and resilience in various weather conditions, making them excellent at marking and retrieving game.

Working stock Labradors excel in running, jumping, and swimming, using these attributes effectively in different weather conditions. This athleticism also provides a strong foundation for training these dogs to work alongside their human owners. However, it’s essential to channel these natural instincts; otherwise, owning a working line dog as a domestic pet can become challenging.

Labradors from working stock make great family pets and blend in beautifully to domestic life but because they are not living as working dogs, it does not mean that those working instincts will not come to the fore at some point early in their development.

Quite the opposite…

Most of the clients who come to me have one issue above all others.

Ignoring recalls!

The second most frequent problem is pulling on the lead. along with other high energy behaviours involving jumping up, barking, or an inability to settle down after a walk. All these behaviours lead to an unsteady dog.

What do I mean by unsteady?

Steadiness in a gundog refers to remaining calm and focused amidst distractions during training, including thrown dummies, other handlers and their dogs, and eventually, game and birdlife. A term I refer to, called social steadiness, is about teaching self-control in a home environment and social settings.

Labradors are known for their social nature. Recall issues can certainly develop when dogs are over-socialised or they get way more play with other dogs than training, but most of the recall issues mentioned by owners relate to dogs ignoring owners in environments rich with scents and wildlife.

Allowing a dog to free roam before establishing any basic training foundation is the nemesis to any hopes of a good recall. As the dog matures and uses those powerful hunting instincts, it will learn to hunt and ignore its owner. One who trains a dog for working purposes will know this beforehand and will lay foundations before exposing a dog to where it can use those senses to the full.

In my experience, those basic training foundations are essential for providing young dogs with structure and ongoing education on proper behaviour both at home and in outdoor settings. Basic training serves as the foundation for your dog’s education and requires practise and commitment.

It’s much easier to start with good habits from the beginning than to correct problematic behaviours at a later stage.

One common instinct shared by many domestic Labradors and their working counterparts is the desire to retrieve, or at the very least to pick up and carry objects. Labradors often express their happiness or excitement by grabbing items and parading them in their mouths.

Harnessing this common innate behaviour is one of the keys to focusing their athleticism and drive. It can serve as the foundation for developing steady behaviours like self-control, obedience, and focusing those hunting instincts to provide an outlet for excess energy.

Labrador rescue work has given me the privilege of working with a variety of dogs from both domestic show and working lines. While not all are natural retrievers, most have a desire to retrieve to some degree, making it an excellent starting point to establish a bond with a dog.

Retrieve training is much more than game of fetch. Repetitively throwing a ball around for a dog to run and fetch will often create even more of an athlete and unhealthy adrenaline fuelled fixations. Much damage can be done to a young dog’s joints due to high-speed chasing and slamming on the brakes. A case of too much physical exercise way too soon.

Retrieve training is a world away from fetch. It is about working together as a team and establishing a strong training relationship that thrives in multiple environments as you progress the various ways retrieves can be done. You not only provide an excellent outlet for instincts and the right amount of physical exercise, but you build behavioural qualities that benefit your dog in all aspects of life.

Labradors from working stock often require more than simply fitting into the role of a family pet and going for 2-3 daily walks. These dogs with strong genetic drives may find domestic life too sedate when they have so much more to offer. To satisfy their intelligence and drive, training that is built around those selective traits is how it can be properly channelled.

A Labrador with a powerful genetic drive can be compared to someone buying a Porsche as a first vehicle as opposed to a smaller car. Dogs with such a powerful genetic engine may not fit into the domestic lifestyle you had in mind and will demand more from you.

Most unruly behaviours driven by excessive energy can be managed with proper focus. Without the right amount and type of stimulation, these dogs may become restless and frustrated. Preplanning to accommodate their needs is time well spent. I remember a client some years ago who commented that life was like living with his dog being on crack cocaine. In truth, the dog’s lifestyle was not far away from staying in a library all day. That frustration and energy had to go somewhere.

In conclusion, the Labrador’s innate instinct to hunt and retrieve is a powerful tool that can be used to instil vital qualities of self-control and focus. Through retrieve and gun dog foundation training, you can connect with your dog and develop behaviours that will benefit you both in the long term. So, remember, it’s not just a game of fetch; it is about creating a well-rounded and content companion. Otherwise, if the appropriate type of stimulation is not met you may find trouble in putting the brakes on an engine that is constantly revving up with nowhere to go!