While you can’t find a specific test ranking a mixed breed dog’s intelligence, it’s well-known that the Labradoodle is among the most intelligent mixed breeds out there. Labradoodles get their intelligence from their Poodle and Labrador Retriever parents, both of which are extremely smart breeds.
But just because a Labradoodle is smart doesn’t mean they’ll master every trick as soon as you present it to them. Sure, they’ll pick up on things quickly, but you’ll still need to train them just like every other dog breed out there.
Why a Labradoodle Is So Smart
While you can’t find a specific test, like the Coren test, for a mixed breed like a Labradoodle, that doesn’t mean you can’t figure out just how smart the average Labradoodle is. But to understand why this is the case, you need to understand where a Labradoodle gets its intelligence from.
Like all animals, a Labradoodle gets half its genes from its mom and half its genes from its dad. What’s important to note with this is that it means that half the genes will come from a Poodle, and half the genes will come from a Labrador Retriever.
There’s no way of knowing which genes the Labradoodle will inherit from each parent, including their intelligence genes. But this is where the Labradoodle has an advantage over most other mixed breeds. Since both parent breeds are extremely intelligent, it doesn’t matter which parent breed a Labradoodle gets its intelligence from.
The Poodle ranks second among all breeds in Coren’s intelligence test, while a Labrador Retriever ranks seventh. Considering Coren ranked 130 dog breeds, having two parent breeds in the top 10 put the Labradoodle at the top of the top when it comes to intelligence.
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 breed. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted five important tips you should follow below.
1. Stay Consistent
This is by far the most important thing you need to do when training any dog breed, and a Labradoodle is no exception. In fact, because 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 Labradoodle, and each training session should last between 10 and 15 minutes.
2. Stay Positive
If staying consistent is the number one rule, staying positive is a close second. When you’re training your Labradoodle, you want to stick exclusively with positive reinforcement. Avoid all negative reinforcement since this usually only leads to fear and your pup hiding the “negative” behaviors.
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 attention add in some of their favorite treats. Find out which treat your Labradoodle loves the most, and then only give it to them while 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.
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 super 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! Meanwhile, if your Labradoodle 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 Labradoodle 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 dumb Labradoodle.
No matter which parent they take after, they will rank high in intelligence, which is a perk no matter how you look at it.
- See also: Does the Full Moon Affect Your Pets?
Featured Image Credit: Angeline Dobber, Shutterstock
