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Smiling Black grandpa in glasses and a brown cardigan shakes the paw of a black Labrador Retriever in a cozy living room. 1 / 33

Grandpa Walter Knelt Down on the Rug and Held Out His Hand. Duke Knew Just What to Do.

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On a warm, patterned rug in a lived-in living room, a very formal handshake is taking place. Grandpa Walter, in a cozy brown shawl-collar cardigan and wire-rimmed glasses, his white beard neatly trimmed, kneels low and holds out his hand with a proud, gentle grin. Duke, his glossy black Labrador Retriever, has lifted one big front paw and placed it squarely in Walter's palm, sitting tall with his chest out and his leather collar snug around his neck. Behind them, a gray sofa piled with pillows, a plush toy elephant, a houseplant, and a coffee table with glasses and a mug complete the homey scene.

Labrador Retrievers are famously friendly, eager to please, and highly food motivated, which makes them some of the easiest dogs to train. Originally bred to help fishermen and hunters retrieve, they love having a job to do and respond wonderfully to positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, and play. Labs are also energetic and generally need plenty of daily exercise, along with mental challenges like learning tricks, to stay happy and well behaved. Their love of food means portion control matters, since the breed can put on weight easily. Short, cheerful training sessions are a great way to burn off some energy while building a strong bond.

Duke seems to have mastered this particular skill already, and Walter could not look prouder. It is a small trick, but between these two it feels like a promise: partners, through and through.

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Smiling Black grandpa in a cream cable-knit cardigan wraps a wet black Labrador in a plaid blanket by a rainy doorway.Duke Came Home Dripping From the Rain. Grandpa Walter Was Waiting at the Door.Black grandpa in an olive cardigan holds a vanilla ice cream cone as a black Labrador licks it in a sunny kitchen.Grandpa Walter Treated Himself to a Vanilla Cone. He Got Exactly Zero Bites.
Black grandpa in glasses and a cardigan holds a glass bowl of popcorn on the couch as a black Labrador sniffs it.Grandpa Walter Brought Out the Popcorn. The Movie Hadn't Even Started Yet.Black grandpa in an olive cardigan hammers a wooden fence while a black Labrador sits in front holding a stick in its mouth.Grandpa Walter Was Fixing the Old Fence When His Helper Showed Up With MaterialsBlack grandpa in a cream cardigan does a seated toe-touch stretch on a gray yoga mat beside a black Labrador lying down.Grandpa Walter Rolled Out His Exercise Mat. Duke Signed Up for the Class Too.Black grandpa in glasses and a cardigan studies a checkerboard at dusk as a black Labrador rests its chin on the table.Grandpa Walter Was Deep in a Checkers Game. Then He Glanced to the Left.