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While you won’t find a specific test ranking the intelligence of hybrid dogs, it’s well-known that the Labradoodle is among the most intelligent mixed breeds. They get their smarts from their Poodle and Labrador Retriever parents, both of which are extremely clever breeds.
But just because a Labradoodle is smart doesn’t mean they’ll master a trick as soon as you present it to them. They can definitely pick up on things quickly, but you still need to train them just like every other dog out there.
Why a Labradoodle Is So Smart
While Coren did not include mixed breeds in his test,1 that doesn’t mean you can’t figure out how smart the average Labradoodle is. To understand why this is the case, though, you need to know where a Labradoodle gets their intelligence from.
Like all animals, a Labradoodle gets half their genes from each of the parental breeds. This means for F1 Labredoodles half the genes will come from a Poodle, and the other half will come from a Labrador Retriever.
There’s no way of knowing which genes a Labradoodle will inherit from each parent, including their intelligence genes. But this is where this hybrid has an advantage over most other mixed breeds. Since both parents are extremely intelligent, it doesn’t matter which one a Labradoodle gets their intelligence from.
The Poodle ranks second among all breeds in Coren’s intelligence test, while a Labrador Retriever ranks seventh. Considering that Coren ranked 130 breeds, having both parents in the top 10 puts the Labradoodle at the top of the top when it comes to dog smarts.
The 5 Tips for Training Your Labradoodle
Just because the Labradoodle is an extremely intelligent dog breed doesn’t mean they will do everything you tell them without any training.
Whether you’re trying to get them to master basic tasks or move on to something a bit more complex, a Labradoodle is going to need training just like any other dog. With that in mind, we highlighted five important tips you should follow.
1. Stay Consistent
This is by far the most important thing you need to do when training any dog, and a Labradoodle is no exception. In fact, since a Labradoodle might pick up on a task so quickly, it’s even more important to stay consistent with your training.
Think about it: Even if you learn something quickly, if you only do it two or three times and then wait a few months to do it again, you might forget about it! It’s the same thing with your Labradoodle. Even after they start listening to you, stay consistent.
Aim for one or two training sessions a day with your dog, and each training session should last between 10 and 15 minutes.
2. Stay Positive
When you’re training your Labradoodle, you want to stick exclusively with positive reinforcement. Avoid all punishment, since this usually only leads to fear; it will eventually damage your relationship and the trust needed for training.
Your Labradoodle wants to please you, and if you get them to actively enjoy training sessions, it’s much easier to work with them, and they’ll have more fun with it too!
3. Use Treats
While dogs love positive attention, if you really want to get their focus, use some of their favorite treats. Find out which treat your Labradoodle loves the most, and then only give it to them during training. This will have them giving you all their attention each and every training session and having them doing their absolute best with every task. You can always ask your vet about the best treat options for your pup.
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4. Start Slow
We all know that Labradoodles are smart, but before you can start training them to do more complex tricks, you need to work on the easy stuff. Have them master sitting, waiting, and recalling before moving on to all the fancier tricks.
You might not be able to turn as many heads with the simple stuff, but it’s still useful, and it’s necessary before you can start training them on anything else.
5. Have Fun
When you’re having fun, your Labradoodle is too! So, if your dog can tell that you’re not having fun or that you’re frustrated, they won’t enjoy the training sessions. Keep it upbeat and happy, and your pet will begin seeking you out for training sessions in no time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about getting a Labradoodle, one of the perks is their extremely high intelligence. While some Labradoodles might be smarter than others, there’s really no such thing as a low-intelligence Labradoodle.
No matter which parent they take after, they will rank high in dog smarts, which is a perk no matter how you look at it.
- See also: How Big Does a Labradoodle Get?
Featured Image Credit: EvgeniiAnd, Shutterstock
