The Daily Dog: Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is known for its steady temperament, intelligence, and deep loyalty to its people. Labs make outstanding family dogs, but their energy, size, and enthusiasm mean they do best with structure, daily activity, and consistent training.

What to Know About the Labrador Retriever

• Friendly, outgoing breed that thrives on human interaction

• Excellent with children and generally social with other dogs

• Highly food-motivated, which makes training easier when done correctly

• Needs daily physical exercise and mental work to prevent boredom behaviors

• Slow to mature, often acting puppy-like well into adulthood

• Strong retrieving and carrying instincts can turn into chewing if unmanaged

• Prone to weight gain, so portion control and activity matter

• Benefits from early obedience training and clear household rules

• Excels in family roles, working dogs, service work, and active lifestyles

Train the Family Dog, Not Just the Breed

At Alaska Dog Works, we’ve been training dogs to be reliable, well-mannered family companions for over 30 years. We’ve worked with more than 150 breeds and helped over 3,000 clients build better relationships with their dogs through practical, experience-based training.

To learn more about our training philosophy and get real-world advice you can use with your own dog, listen to our podcast at https://dogworksradio.com