Best Tricks To Teach An Energetic Labrador Retriever
Labradors are smart, athletic, and full of energy—which is a great combo if you know how to handle it. But if you don’t, you’ll have a tornado of chaos running through your house, chewing, jumping, and finding new ways to drive you nuts.
As a veterinarian with ten years of experience and someone who runs a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, I know one thing for sure—if you don’t give a Labrador a job, they’ll create one. And trust me, their version of “a job” usually involves destruction.
Teaching them fun, challenging tricks gives them the mental and physical workout they crave, plus it builds discipline and strengthens your bond. If you’ve got an energetic Lab bouncing off the walls, these are the best tricks to keep them engaged, burn off energy, and actually get them to listen to you.
1. Spin – Burn Energy While Keeping Focus
Labradors love movement, so spin is a great trick to keep them active while improving their focus and coordination.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Hold a treat near their nose.
- Slowly move your hand in a circle—when they follow, say “Spin” and reward.
- Repeat in both directions to build balance.
💡 Pro Tip: Once they get the hang of it, speed it up or add multiple spins for a challenge.
2. Jump Through a Hoop – Channel Their Energy the Right Way
Labs love to jump, and if you don’t direct that energy, they’ll be jumping on guests, counters, and furniture.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Start with the hoop on the ground.
- Lure them through with a treat, saying “Through”.
- Slowly raise the hoop as they get more confident.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a hula hoop or agility ring and make sure to warm them up first to avoid injury.
3. Fetch and Drop It – Teach Control While Burning Energy
Labs were bred to retrieve, so fetch is more than just a game—it’s built into them. But if they don’t bring the ball back or refuse to drop it, you’re in for a frustrating time.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Toss the ball and say “Fetch” as they run after it.
- When they pick it up, call them back.
- Hold a treat and say “Drop it”—when they let go, reward and repeat.
💡 Pro Tip: If they run off with the ball, use two toys—when they grab the first, throw the second in the opposite direction to encourage returning.
4. Weave Between Your Legs – A Trick That Tires Them Out Fast
Weaving through your legs is a great energy-burning trick that also builds coordination and focus.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Stand with your legs apart.
- Use a treat to lure them in a figure-eight motion around your legs.
- Say “Weave” and reward when they follow.
💡 Pro Tip: Labs love movement, so keep it fast-paced once they understand the trick.
5. Tug-of-War with Rules – Teach Impulse Control
Tug-of-war is not just about strength—it’s a great way to teach control and reinforce the “Drop It” command.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Hold a sturdy tug toy and encourage them to grab it.
- Tug lightly and say “Take it”.
- After a few seconds, say “Drop it” and stop tugging—reward when they let go.
💡 Pro Tip: If they get too rough or ignore “drop it,” end the game immediately—they’ll learn to play by the rules.
6. Crawl – Work Their Mind and Muscles
Crawling builds muscle control and burns energy without intense jumping. It’s also a great trick to challenge their focus.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Ask your Lab to lie down.
- Hold a treat just in front of their nose and slowly move it forward.
- When they crawl forward, say “Crawl” and reward.
💡 Pro Tip: Use this trick to cool them down after a high-energy play session.
7. Touch (Nose Targeting) – Redirect Their Energy
Teaching “Touch” is one of the best ways to get a Lab’s attention, especially when they’re too excited to listen.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Hold out your hand and say “Touch.”
- When they boop your palm with their nose, reward immediately.
- Repeat until they touch your hand on command.
💡 Pro Tip: Use “Touch” to snap them out of distractions when they’re hyper or unfocused.
8. Play Dead – A Fun Trick That Requires Patience
This is a crowd-pleaser and teaches impulse control—your Lab has to slow down and stay still, which is a challenge for an energetic dog.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Start with your dog in a down position.
- Hold a treat near their nose and move it toward their side.
- When they roll over, say “Bang” or “Play Dead” and reward them.
💡 Pro Tip: Once they master it, have fun with it—use dramatic hand signals or a finger-gun motion.
9. Figure Eight Around Cones – A Labrador Agility Favorite
Labs thrive on agility work, and weaving through cones is a great way to burn energy while training focus and coordination.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Set up two cones or objects a few feet apart.
- Use a treat to lure them in a figure-eight pattern around the cones.
- Say “Weave” and reward them when they complete the pattern.
💡 Pro Tip: Start slow and controlled, then build speed for more of a challenge.
10. Bow – A Trick That Stretches and Warms Them Up
“Bow” is a fun trick that also stretches their muscles before high-energy activities.
👉 How to Teach It:
- Hold a treat near their nose.
- Move it down between their front legs, encouraging them to stretch forward.
- Say “Bow” and reward them when they hold the position.
💡 Pro Tip: This is a great warm-up stretch before running, hiking, or agility training.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Lab’s Energy Under Control
Labradors love to work and play, but if you don’t give them an outlet, they’ll make their own fun—and you won’t like it.
✅ Teach movement-based tricks like Spin, Weave, and Jump Through a Hoop to burn energy.
✅ Use mental tricks like Crawl and Play Dead to build focus and patience.
✅ Teach impulse control with Tug-of-War and Drop It.
✅ Incorporate agility with Figure Eights and Fetch.
A well-trained, mentally stimulated Labrador is a happy, obedient, and well-behaved Labrador. Give them a challenge, keep training fun, and they’ll stay out of trouble—or at least, most of it.
The choice is yours.
