Training labradors and stopping puppy barking

To begin, ask your dog if he "wants to go to work", tell him "good boy", as you show him your lead, and lean back from him. This will help command his attention up and toward you, without focusing on putting on the lead.

We want to be sure not to give the impression that we're assaulting him with the lead! Bend at the knees, keeping your back straight as you affix your lead to his collar, gently talking, but not physically touching any more than necessary.
Tell him he's a good boy as you head out the door. As soon as you have cleared the area in front of your door, come to a halt. If your dog looks toward you, you'll tell him he's a good boy. Always, every time, no exceptions ever, no matter what, when, or where,: if your dog looks toward you, even a brief momentary glance out of the corner of his eye, that requires praise.

This rule will never vary. If he looks away, gently, in a conversational tone, tell him "no", followed by "good". Always, every time, no exceptions ever, no matter what, when, or where: Anytime we say "no", we must always say "good" immediately thereafter.

This rule will never vary: any time you say "no" you must say "good" instantly, otherwise he'll not figure out what we want. (Remember, we are using a system that allows your dog to think through the process of elimination.) If he looks toward you, tell him "good boy" again, and continue to repeat "good boy" intermittently until his attention drifts away.
As soon as his attention fades, once again say "no", immediately followed once again by "good boy".

Continue praising until his attention drifts once again. As soon as his attention becomes fixed elsewhere, say "no", and again follow with praise.

* GETTING STARTED The equipment needed is: A 6 ft. leather or web lead is best (nylon or rope may slide through the fingers causing a burn or blister, chain likewise, and is too heavy, creating the sense that you are pulling), a flat collar, and a twenty foot lead, long line, or rope.
Four empty but clean soda cans, slightly crushed so as to be "square" to prevent their rolling and creating a prolonged sound, with six pennies inside each, with tape over the opening, and a utility bag for carrying equipment.
Lastly, you'll need an open mind and a desire to improve the quality of life for your pet.

First Things First.
Proper handling of your lead: Failure to properly handle your lead is usually the first mistake that leads to your next and more crucial mistakes.
The lead must be handled in a casual relaxed manner to avoid transmitting tension and triggering the opposition reflex in your dog. Start by opening your hand with the thumb extended and palm facing you. Hang the loop or handle over the thumb, and gently close fist around both lengths of the handle.

Close your thumb down over the second joint of the index finger.

Pull down so the handle is to be snug over your thumb as you maintain a gentle grasp around the handle. This is a safety.
If your dog should pull hard, the handle will not accidentally slip through your palm. If it is imminent that you will lose balance and fall, opening the fist will release you and prevent a fall.

Next, take the length of your lead, and bring it upward, placing it under the fingers and in contact with both sides of the handle in your closed palm. You should now be able to pull or slide the running length through the palm to make adjustments.
Drop your arm down to your side.
The length should break just at your kneecap if you're dog were in the heel position. Ordinarily, the heel position is with your dog on your left side, and the lead will be held in your right hand.

Take a look at this video below to see how a dog should respond.

Your left hand must never (until you are trained) hold the lead while in the heel position, except to collect the length to return it to your right hand.
The length of your lead shall break just below your left kneecap.

If you need to work your dog on your right side, or from in front, or at a distance, the lead will be in your left hand. (If you are going to heel your dog on your right side, for our purposes, you will need to make the appropriate adjustments with regard to left and right signals, turns, etc.
I recommend not doing so at this time, unless physical needs dictate).

The heel position means your dogs shoulder is at your knee. It does not matter whether he is standing, sitting, walking, lying down, or jumping straight up in the air! In fact, if I could get all of my dogs to heel while jumping straight up in the air, I would be ecstatic.
If your dog's shoulders are aligned at your knee and he is facing the same direction as you, that's the heel position.

Trivial as this may seem, nothing in the Wits' End Dog Training Method (at this point) is arbitrary.

Pay close attention to the above details. Notice that the running length of the lead should easily flow through the closed fingers. The arm should hang relaxed at your side. Keep your back straight; don't lean over your dog. The length of the lead should break at your kneecap.