Best Tricks To Teach A Smart Labrador Puppy
Labrador puppies are smart, eager to learn, and full of energy—which is great, but only if you channel it in the right direction. If you don’t give them mental stimulation, they’ll find their own way to stay busy (and trust me, that usually means chewed-up shoes, stolen socks, and furniture that looks like a war zone).
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I’ve seen plenty of Labs. They’re one of the easiest breeds to train, but that doesn’t mean you can just wing it. You need to stay consistent, make training fun, and challenge their intelligence.
1. Sit – The Foundation of All Training
If your Lab doesn’t know “sit,” you’re already behind. This is the first trick every dog should learn because it helps with impulse control and makes future training easier.
👉 How to teach it:
- Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose.
- Slowly lift it over their head—when their butt hits the ground, say “Sit” and reward them.
- Repeat until they do it without the treat in your hand.
💡 Pro Tip: Once your puppy masters “sit,” use it before meals, before going outside, or anytime they need to calm down.
2. Paw (Shake) – A Fun, Easy Trick for Engagement
Labs love attention, and “paw” is a great way to keep them engaged and build focus.
👉 How to teach it:
- Ask your puppy to sit.
- Hold a treat in your hand and let them sniff it.
- Tap their paw until they lift it—when they do, shake it and say “Paw”.
- Reward and repeat.
💡 Pro Tip: If they don’t lift their paw, gently pick it up for them at first. They’ll get the idea fast.
3. Spin – A Trick That Builds Coordination
Spinning in a circle burns off energy while helping your puppy learn body awareness.
👉 How to teach it:
- Hold a treat near their nose.
- Slowly move it in a circle—when they follow, say “Spin” and reward.
- Repeat in both directions to balance coordination.
💡 Pro Tip: Once they get the hang of it, challenge them by saying the command without using a treat to guide them.
4. Stay – Teaches Patience and Impulse Control
Labrador puppies are always on the move, but teaching “stay” helps them learn patience and discipline.
👉 How to teach it:
- Start with your puppy in a sit position.
- Hold up your hand like a stop sign and say “Stay.”
- Take a step back—if they stay, reward immediately.
- Slowly increase the distance and duration.
💡 Pro Tip: Labs love to follow their owners, so start small—even one second of staying is a win in the beginning.
5. Touch (Target Training) – Great for Teaching Other Tricks
Teaching your puppy to touch your hand with their nose is a great trick that leads to more advanced training. It helps with recall, leash training, and focus.
👉 How to teach it:
- Hold out your hand and say “Touch.”
- When your puppy sniffs or nudges your hand, reward them immediately.
- Repeat until they touch your hand on command.
💡 Pro Tip: Once they master “touch,” use it to redirect their attention when they’re distracted.
6. Roll Over – A Classic Trick That’s Fun and Engaging
Labs love rolling around, so turning it into a trick is just making use of their natural behavior.
👉 How to teach it:
- Have your puppy lay down.
- Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it over their shoulder.
- When they roll onto their back, say “Roll Over” and reward them.
- Keep practicing until they roll over completely on command.
💡 Pro Tip: Some dogs resist rolling over—be patient and break it down into small steps.
7. Play Dead – A Crowd Favorite
Want to impress your friends? “Play Dead” is one of the most entertaining tricks and also teaches impulse control.
👉 How to teach it:
- Start with your puppy in a down position.
- Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it to the side, encouraging them to flop onto their side.
- Say “Bang” or “Play Dead” as they do it and reward them.
💡 Pro Tip: Once they master it, add drama—make a finger-gun motion when you say “Bang” for extra effect.
8. Leave It – Prevents Bad Habits
Labs put everything in their mouths, so teaching “leave it” is a must to keep them out of trouble.
👉 How to teach it:
- Hold a treat in your closed fist and say “Leave it.”
- If they try to get it, don’t open your hand—wait until they stop sniffing or licking.
- The second they back off, reward them with a different treat.
💡 Pro Tip: Once they understand, try it with food on the floor to reinforce the behavior.
9. Fetch – Burns Off Endless Labrador Energy
Labs were bred to retrieve, so fetch is both a game and a natural instinct for them.
👉 How to teach it:
- Start with a ball or toy they like.
- Toss it a short distance and say “Fetch.”
- When they pick it up, call them back and reward them for returning it.
- If they don’t drop it, trade them a treat for the toy.
💡 Pro Tip: If they run after the ball but don’t bring it back, use two toys—when they chase the first, throw the second in the opposite direction to encourage returning.
10. Bow – A Fun Trick That Also Prevents Stiffness
“Bow” is a fun trick that stretches your Lab’s muscles while keeping training sessions lighthearted.
👉 How to teach it:
- Hold a treat near their nose.
- Move it down between their front legs while keeping their back end up.
- Say “Bow” and reward them when they hold the position.
💡 Pro Tip: Use this as a warm-up stretch before active play sessions.
Final Thoughts: Train Smart, Keep It Fun
Labs are one of the smartest breeds, but they need structure. If you don’t train them properly, they’ll use that intelligence for mischief.
✅ Start with the basics—Sit, Stay, and Paw.
✅ Challenge them with advanced tricks like Roll Over and Play Dead.
✅ Use training to build impulse control—Leave It and Stay are essential.
✅ Make it fun—Fetch and Spin help burn energy.
A well-trained Labrador is a happy Labrador—and a happy Labrador makes life easier for you. So, train them right, keep them engaged, and you’ll have a smart, obedient pup that actually listens.
The choice is yours.
