Archive for February, 2009
Author: Anna Hart
When I write of a "well-rounded" black Labrador puppy, you may immediately picture a round, roly-poly black puppy. That is not what we normally mean by the term, of course. Understanding black Labrador puppies begins by grasping the fact that a well-rounded black Labrador puppy is one that has learned to get along with other dogs and with family members (including other pets). It is a puppy that has bonded with his "pack" and fits in well. It has been socialized – but how do you socialize a black Labrador puppy?
Socializing the Black Labrador Puppy
All dogs are social creatures, but few are as social as a black Labrador puppy. A black Labrador puppy loves attention, and wants to get it from everyone and everything. A black Labrador puppy does not want to share, however, and must learn that every member of the "pack" shares. He must learn how to respond to both human and animal members of his new pack.
Understanding black Labrador puppies involves 7 simple steps that help puppies become well-rounded.
1. Puppy Pats
Your black Labrador puppy needs to be patted, touched, and caressed. Most people do this instinctively from the time they get the puppy. Children, especially, touch the puppy in every possible place they can. The more children there are, the more puppy pats your black Labrador puppy will receive. Even if yours is a gun dog, and children are not playing with it, it still needs puppy pats. Let it feel your hand on its ears, its nose, and its paw pads. Get your black Labrador puppy accustomed to being touched and patted. It will help him fit into his new life. While you're at it, teach children how to treat the puppy.
2. Puppy Playtime
It is important that you and your black Labrador puppy have several playtimes each day. If possible, give him at least one in the morning and one in the evening, as this will establish a pattern for future exercise times. Teach your black Labrador puppy that you are his friend. Play fetch. Take a toy away, teaching the importance of sharing. Do not let him take it back in an aggressive manner. Hide a toy and let him hunt it.
3. Puppy Rolling Game
Every black Labrador puppy needs to be involved in frequent bouts of the puppy rolling game. This game shows the puppy that his position in your pack is one of submission. When playing with your black Labrador puppy, roll him on his side now and then. Hold him there as you silently count to 10. When you reach 10, remove your hand and let the puppy get up. If he struggles while you're holding him, do not let go. You must not let your black Labrador puppy overpower you, or he will believe he is the pack's dominant member.
4. Share-a-Puppy
A big part of understanding black Labrador puppies is recognizing that they need a wide circle of acquaintances. When you get your pup, note his age in a notebook. Subtract it from 24 weeks. If your puppy is 8 weeks old, you would subtract 24 – 8 = 16. In those weeks (whatever number you wrote), you need to share your puppy with at least 100 new people. If you wrote 16 weeks, set a goal of having your puppy meet 6-7 new people each week. Keep track so you know it is happening. Simply have strangers hold your black Labrador puppy, and touch it. Hand it back and forth carefully so it does not fall.
5. Share-a-Meal
A black Labrador puppy can quickly learn to be protective of his food dish. If left to natural instincts, he may become hostile when others come near his bowl. To avoid this, share a meal by sitting or standing close to the bowl when the pup is eating. Have other family members do the same. Teach your black Labrador puppy that his food is safe even when someone is very near.
6. Puppy Home School
From the time you get your black Labrador puppy, teach him every day. He is old enough to learn basic commands such as come; down; drop it; leave it; and sit. Avoid yelling at the puppy or punishing it. There are good Labrador training courses available on the Internet. Order one and use it faithfully.
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What pooch does not love getting a treat or two now and then. Dog owners also love giving their dog’s treats. If you have a dog, then you have a good idea of what your dog likes to nibble on. There are so many treats available these days and they all come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and consistencies. For every great dog treat, there are those on the market that are not so good. These treats can harm your pet by being lodged in your dog’s throat or intestines. This can cause choking or worse. If you love treating your canine friend, then you will want to be aware of those treats that can be potentially harmful. Even with treats that are not usually dangerous, you need to supervise your dog when they eat.
Greenies: Most dogs really enjoy these treats. They are advertised as a treats that help clean your dog’s teeth. However, you need to be aware that “greenies” can cause choking. This is because dogs eat these very quickly causes large chunks to lodge in the throat. Young puppies should not eat this treat and dogs that are prone to “scarfing” food. If your dog eats these treats, be aware of potential vomiting, bloody stools, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog has eaten this treat, seek medical attention.
Rawhide Chews: What dog does not love snacking on these chewy treats? Rawhides are good because it cleans your dog’s teeth and keeps your dog occupied. However, rawhides are dangerous, as well. Some rawhides that originate outside of the United States may actually be preserved with arsenic-based chemicals that will be ingested by your doggie when he or she chews. For this reason, make certain that any rawhide treat you purchase is processed in the United States where this preservative is forbidden. If you cannot tell where a treat originated do not buy it! In addition, you still need to watch your dog when he her she is munching on rawhides to help prevent choking. Make sure you buy rawhides that are the right size for your dog, too. A small dog needs the smaller sized rawhide treats.
Chocolate: Chocolate is a terrible thing to allow dogs to eat. Of course, sometimes dogs get into candy and cake without your knowledge. Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats, so you need to be aware of your dog sneaking chocolate nibbles, especially around the holidays. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine. This acts in the canine about the same way caffeine acts in the human. A little will make the doggie hyperactive, but a huge dose may be fatal. If your dog has gotten into chocolate, you need to look for vomiting, shallow breathing, and irregular heartbeat. A visit to the emergency vet unusually results.
Bones: It seems that it is the right of every dog to be able to crunch on a real bone from time to time. Dogs love bones of all types. However, some bones can be dangerous. Both chicken and turkey bones are especially dangerous because they are brittle. When your dog chews on the, they can easily splinter and cause choking. Some pork and beef bones can also cause the same problem. Veterinarians agree that the one of the safest bones you can give your dog is a shinbone. If you must give your dog a bone, make sure you supervise your pooch and if he or she shows signs of bleeding, then you should call your vet immediately for some advice.
This is not to say that you cannot give your dog an occasional treat. That is one of the fun parts of owning a dog. You do need to watch your dog and make sure that your dog is safe when snacking. Always pay attention to what kind of treat you give your dog in case of a recall.
Last night we were trying to watch a movie and couldn't get past the snoring old chocolate labrador retriever passed out on the floor in front of us. I was surfing through YouTube today and found this video that reminded me of him. Enjoy!
Deciding whether or not your Labrador is permitted admittance to the furniture is a pretty important decision. If you have a big dog, it's an even bigger deal.
Furniture access is a concern of high importance for two reasons: firstly, because it's mighty inconvenient to have to struggle for space on your own couch; and secondly, because it strongly relates to the matter of dominance, which is of the highest importance as far as a harmonious dog/owner relationship goes.
Your Labrador puppy knows that the furniture – in specific, your bed – is your domain. If he's allowed up onto your own, private territory as a matter of action and whenever he feels like it, that's yielding a pretty big point to him; especially since it's rarely a two-way point (when was the last time you invaded your Labrador puppy's own den and snuggled down for a nap in his bed?).
It's advisable to be knowledgeable of these things before making a final resolution on furniture access for your Labrador. If you do decide to grant him unimpeded access, you'll need to make sure that you're extra-stringent with the remaining facets of alpha-dominance to keep him from getting an over-inflated sense of self-importance.
Having a tough time to get your dog to stop biting? Welcome to the club. Dog biting is a totally familiar issue and must be dealt with as promptly as possible especially if your pooch is still a wee pup.
My Labrador, Brylow used to bite me all the time. His bite wasn't strong enough to actually hurt me, but it was certainly jolting, not to mention irritating. Now if your dog's biting behavior is pushing you to the verge of sending it to nearest shelter, STOP. Firstly you need to figure out why your dog is acting this way.
Is there a specific action that is causing your dog to switch to "bite mode", like a hug for instance? Some dogs are not to keen on being hugged and would respond with a bite. You also need to be able to distinguish if the dog is showing signs of being under stress. It's widely acknowledged that stress is the main reason dogs' exhibit aggression which leads to frequent nipping and biting. Typical signs of stress and aggression include frequent growling, barking, excessive grooming, and restless pacing. If stress is not the underlying cause then it's certainly a standard example of a dominant dog thinking it's the leader of the household. The following dog training tips for biting should take care of the problem.
Start giving your dog obedience lessons
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