training the pup

We've been working on training the pup to alert us when someone is at the door. It's not quite as easy as you think with a rambunctious 7 month old lab. His basic commands are coming along fine, but we want a whole lot more from him.
A couple of days ago, he woke from a sound sleep, jumped up off the couch, stood up at the kitchen door and barked. I hadn't heard anyone pull in the drive, so I figured he was hearing things. Imagine my surprise, when I got up and checked, to see a friend of ours coming up the hallway stairs. Tucker may not have heard the vehicle pull in, but he heard the outer door open and close. He may not be impressive enough at his age and size to scare anyone off yet, but give him time :D
Labs were never meant to be attack dogs, which we don't want, but what we do want is a dog who will let us know when someone is here. And labs make great early warning sirens.

(click to enlarge)