How to train your lab to attack on command

Do you want to train your Lab to attack command?

If “yes” is your answer, read on to discover how you can train your Labrador Retriever to attack your signal in 6 easy ways.

Is it possible to train your Lab to attack?

The Labrador is known for being well-tempered and kind. The Labrador’s reputation as an accommodating and friendly dog precedes him. Some people find these characteristics incredibly attractive and already have everything they could ever ask for in a dog.

There is one thing that makes these characteristics less endearing, however, when you want a dog that can guard you and attack when necessary. Before we continue, it is important to point out that training a Labrador to serve as a guard dog is a serious matter.

The way humans function and process things is different from that of dogs. However, you will only be disappointed if you expect them to separate the contexts of situations. For example, you might want them to be kind to your children when they’re with you at home. You might also want them to guard the house if anything were to happen.

It will take a lot of patience for your Labrador to process this information, so if you are serious about learning how to train a dog to attack, you must be patient. The first thing you should do before you begin your lab guard training is mindful of your expectations and understand that the task at hand is not easy at all.

However, don’t worry. It is not impossible to teach your Labrador to attack despite its friendly nature. That’s right, you read it correctly. It may take quite a while to complete Labrador training for such purposes, and you may need a lot of patience. You can, however, achieve promising results if you are determined.

Need help to train your Lab to attack your signal?

When it comes to any type of training, the first concern is whether or not you need a formal trainer. It is not strictly necessary to hire a professional to train your dog to attack, but it is highly recommended.

The training of your Labrador to attack cue can be dangerous. In addition, if you are not an expert, you may not be able to handle the situations that may arise. Make the process easier and lessen the dangers of something untoward happening by getting a professional trainer.

Nevertheless, we understand that there may be areas where access to trainers may be limited, so in such cases, training your Labrador by yourself may be the best option. Use proper protective equipment throughout the training process if you are planning to teach your Labrador Retriever to attack its own.

You will need to do a lot of research and preparation beforehand since guard dog training is not something you want to mess up. Despite the difficulties, you can still achieve good training if you dedicate yourself to it. If you need additional assistance with the entire process, you will need to purchase additional tools.

Is it time to train your Lab to attack?

As early as possible is crucial when it comes to dog training since habits play a major role. By doing this, your Labrador will be able to absorb all of the lessons that you will be teaching. This does not mean that they will immediately embrace the training.

At the age of about 5 or 6 months, you can begin training your Labrador. Even though you can start between those times, the general rule of thumb is the earlier you train your Labrador, the better.

Moreover, keep in mind that any form of training requires a lot of repetition. Thus, you should start as soon as possible so you can inculcate in your dog’s mind that these actions correspond with these commands.

As they get older, usually around 7 or 8 months, the training becomes more challenging. The earliest you can train them, the better. Take advantage of their young age as much as possible.

The best way to train your Lab to attack

You should know that the training itself will be a long and tedious process. In addition, people usually only train their Labrador Retrievers to attack their signal if they wish to increase their security.

But if you’re already committed to learning how to train your Labrador to attack command, here are our suggestions:

1. Get ready for Labrador attacks.

To train your Labrador to attack, you must first prepare yourself. There is no alternative to this. Before anything else, you should conduct sufficient research to feel comfortable with the training process. When you know what to do in the beginning, it will benefit you in the long run.

In addition, you should wear protective clothing. Gloves that are thick and proper protective clothing are valuable tools for preventing injuries. Make sure that any part of your body that your Lab can easily attack is covered and protected from their bites.

2. Find a place with plenty of space.

You will need a lot of space and training to train your Lab for attack command. While training them, you will need to move around a lot, so you should ensure that both you and your pet are comfortable.

As well, ensure that the space is large enough for your dog to be able to follow basic commands, such as sit and rollover. You need to place your Lab in an environment that is conducive to them and that they are comfortable within.

3. Make them feel uncomfortable.

Putting your dog in a situation where she will want to attack you is the key to training her to attack your command. According to this study, your Labrador will not attack you under normal circumstances, so you will need to fabricate the provocation.

You will need to learn what triggers your Lab to become annoyed or what aggravates them the most to provoke them. Once you learn these triggers, you will be able to implement them during training. It varies from dog to dog how to train your dog to attack, so it is important to consider your approach thoroughly.

Whenever your Lab attacks your hand or arm, you must say the command or cue immediately. It will ensure that your dog understands that this is what attacking means. To get your Lab to understand what it means to attack your signal, you may have to try a few times, so you just need to be patient.

You can proceed to the next step after your dog has learned what attack means. However, don’t forget to reward him for his hard work. In training, incentives go a long way, especially with Labradors and their voracious appetites.

4. Repetition of the training process.

The key to a successful training program is repetition. You cannot train your Labrador one time only. To ensure that your dog understands what you are trying to do, it is a time-consuming process that involves doing the same things over and over again.

It’s important to remember that training success isn’t linear. Occasionally, your lab may seem to understand what you mean one day, but forget it the next. That’s okay and completely normal. Maintain your patience when dealing with them, as all forms of training need persistence.

Remember to reward them when they succeed and never punish them when they make mistakes or forget what they are supposed to do. You can do the initial set of provocations for a time until you feel your Lab is ready to move forward.

5. Increase training intensity.

Your Lab won’t bite other people’s arms if you train it to bite only your arm. When you say the cue, your dog is more likely to bite and attack your arm instead of attacking other people. Try using objects that imitate human beings to solve this problem. By doing so, they will understand that you want them to attack ‘someone’ when you say the command.

A good-sized doll may be required for this project, or you can use whatever human-looking item you can find. They may not respond well at first and may attack your arm. After a while, they will understand that the cue means they have to attack whatever you are referring to.

6. Be sure to reward them.

Giving your Labrador rewards for a job well done is a crucial component of teaching him to attack. In addition to being happy, they will also associate their actions with treats. Therefore, they are more likely to follow what you want them to do.

In an ideal world, you would no longer need to reward them every time they follow your instructions correctly. As long as you give them treats now and then, they will remain motivated.

Conclusion

Well-mannered and lovable, Labradors are a popular dog breed. While your Labs might have a natural temperament, they can still learn to attack your command or when necessary.

We have outlined a few steps above that will transform your Labrador Retriever into a fierce and fearless guard dog. Choosing to train them on your own requires patience and open-mindedness.