Labrador retrievers are always at the top of the list of most popular—and most favorite–dog breeds. These intelligent and social dogs are famous for their friendly temperaments and their incredible patience. Once bred as hunting dogs, Labradors are likewise one of the most popular service dogs, serving as therapy dogs and guide dogs for blind people.

By socializing and training Labradors early, you could tap into their natural instincts as companions and protectors.

Labs are people pleasers. Introduce your Lab pup to as many new places and people as possible, especially in the early months of its life. Make sure that each new meeting and experience is positive and fun. Doing this will support your Lab’s natural instincts to be amiable and accepting of everyone.

Labs are also high-energy canines, which is also the reason why they’re such amazing pets for families with children. However, if Labs are not given enough exercise, they could become bored quickly. This usually leads to destructive and disruptive behavior and other typical behavior issues, like barking, digging, and chewing.

It is also why Labradors aren’t well-suited for families living in an apartment; they’re too active and too big.

You can plan to give your pet Lab at least an hour of exercise every day. A lot of Labradors love a game of fetch or just long walks. These are the ideal ways to burn off your pet Lab’s energy.

Their playfulness, affectionate natures, eagerness to learn, and their love of treats make Labs wonderful candidates for house training. Praise and reward their great behaviors with a tasty treat, a game, or even just some cuddle time with you.

All of these traits make Labradors excellent service animals. The service dog training would vary, relying on what the dog would be doing; some dogs are trained to be companions to sick adults and children in the hospital, while other dogs are trained to become seeing-eye dogs. They may likewise provide help to people with mental conditions or behavioral issues.