Yeah, I agree with GottaLuvMutts. IMO, I think it would be best for the three of you to enroll in positive reward training classes at a good facility in your area ASAP.
For recall, you can start with a long lead and some treats. Say "come" with the happiest voice you can muster, get excited and happy, if he doesn't make a move towards you, gently pull the lead towards you and show him the treat. Praise like crazy when he gets to you and give him the treat. It won't take long for him to come on his own. Then start over with the lead and "come" in your yard (or outdoor setting). NEVER call the dog when he's done something wrong and NEVER yell at him or get angry after he comes to you. You want this to be the most rewarding command he learns. (don't care if he chewed your $600 shoes, or your $ 5,000 sofa). Never call and punish.
You will need the guidance of a professional trainer to get you through the most trying times, (which have yet to come), as you have a fiance who doesn't know how to communicate well with your dog. Labs have a notorious teenage phase which lasts from about 9 months to as long as 2 years. The more you learn about positive training techniques as well as how to read your pup, the easier it will be to get through this phase without creating a negative environment. Communication is key. You will both need to learn to communicate on his level. You will both need to be patient as he grows and matures.
Also, keep in mind that Labs are generally eager to please, and need lots of physical and mental exercise. They also should be crated when they cannot be supervised. If you want, you can tether his leash to your waste as you move about the house, but don't leave him unsupervised. He is coming into an age where his teeth go exploring, and you don't want to set him up for failure or put him in a position where he can ingest something dangerous.
You might also ask one of the forum mods to move this tot he training thread. You may get more responses.
For recall, you can start with a long lead and some treats. Say "come" with the happiest voice you can muster, get excited and happy, if he doesn't make a move towards you, gently pull the lead towards you and show him the treat. Praise like crazy when he gets to you and give him the treat. It won't take long for him to come on his own. Then start over with the lead and "come" in your yard (or outdoor setting). NEVER call the dog when he's done something wrong and NEVER yell at him or get angry after he comes to you. You want this to be the most rewarding command he learns. (don't care if he chewed your $600 shoes, or your $ 5,000 sofa). Never call and punish.
You will need the guidance of a professional trainer to get you through the most trying times, (which have yet to come), as you have a fiance who doesn't know how to communicate well with your dog. Labs have a notorious teenage phase which lasts from about 9 months to as long as 2 years. The more you learn about positive training techniques as well as how to read your pup, the easier it will be to get through this phase without creating a negative environment. Communication is key. You will both need to learn to communicate on his level. You will both need to be patient as he grows and matures.
Also, keep in mind that Labs are generally eager to please, and need lots of physical and mental exercise. They also should be crated when they cannot be supervised. If you want, you can tether his leash to your waste as you move about the house, but don't leave him unsupervised. He is coming into an age where his teeth go exploring, and you don't want to set him up for failure or put him in a position where he can ingest something dangerous.
You might also ask one of the forum mods to move this tot he training thread. You may get more responses.
