Labradors + Follow

Do dogs like hugs? We sure like hugging them, but can you be sure your pup really understands what you mean by a hug, and whether it’s welcome? Hugs aren’t a normal part of dogs’ behavior, and most pets tolerate an embrace rather than enjoy it. So if you want to show your dog you …

Will a small amount of onion hurt my dog? Onion is a staple ingredient in our home, and my pup is also a homing missile to food dropped on the sidewalk. So it feels like the likelihood of him one day ingesting a small helping of onion by accident is pretty high, even though we’re …

A 5 month old puppy is a young dog hovering on the brink of maturity. And yet still in many ways a puppy. Today I’m going to talk about my 5 month old Lab puppy Bonnie. I’ll share some photos and video with you. And you’ll find out what you can expect from a puppy …

Our litters of puppies all started barking at around three weeks old. Although newborn puppies are physically capable of barking from the day that they are born, it’s very unusual to hear. Most puppies start barking or to make low murmurs or grunts at around two weeks, once their eyes and ears are opened. But …

Dogs can use pee pads forever, but it’s not usually the best plan. Pee pads when compared with outdoor puppy potty training are less hygienic, smelly and limit your lifestyle. A dog that is never house trained can’t go visit your friends house, or come lay down on the floor in your local dog friendly …

My dog sits alone in another room sometimes, and when she first did it I must admit that, even with years of doggy experience under my belt, I did feel hurt. Rejected, in fact! Your dog choosing to place themselves away from the family can be a bit of a low blow. Especially when the …

An outdoor canopy bed for dogs is a must-have piece of gardenware for anyone whose dog likes to keep them company outside. Heatstroke is a common problem for dogs living in hot climates, but providing suitably shaded places to rest can protect your pet from heat-induced illness. In wet weather, a covered dog bed will …

Aesthetic dog beds have always been my aim for our family dog. I have spent hours, days, weeks even, making sure my home decor is how I want it. Spending my hard earned dollars on soft furnishings and repairs every year! And I bet you are the same. It’s no wonder my family and yours …

The best digging toys for dogs give them the space and material they need to express those natural dirt scraping behaviors. Your dog might make for some sweet Tik Tok videos when they are covered in mud, but destroying your backyard or burrowing under the fence is less than ideal. It’s a fact that dogs …

Self fetch dog toys allow your dog to play for as long as they want, without you needing to lift more than a finger. And with some products you won’t have to be involved at all. Self fetch dog toys have a ball that is launched from a little machine, and then when your dog …

How many dogs is too many for you? For most families, four dogs or more are too many to cope with on a daily basis. However, many families are maxed out at one, and some homes can cope with as many as half a dozen dogs at any time. There have always been a lot …

Our dogs are designed to work with us, and one of the primary parts of their job was retrieving. Our canine companions have been selectively bred to enjoy picking things up, carrying them and delivering them to their handlers. Hunting dogs will bring their handlers rabbits, pheasants or ducks. But dogs at home will settle …

My dog needs surgery and I can’t afford it – it’s a scenario no one ever imagines being in when they first bring home a new puppy. But as the years pass circumstances can change quite dramatically. And the healthy young dog you brought into your life won’t always stay fit as the proverbial fiddle. …

Question: My 5-year-old Labrador roughhoused with a younger dog all afternoon. Tonight his tail is limp, and he can’t move. I think he may have broken his tail. It hurts because he walks away from me when I touch it. Did he break it while playing? What should I do? Answer:  Whenever these traits are observed, make an appointment immediately with a veterinarian to get them checked out. He may have strained a muscle, tendons, or ligaments that actually support his tail and make it wag! This issue usually appears suddenly as a flaccid tail hanging straight down, or is …

Dogs hide under the bed because they are comfortable settling down in a cosy den that smells like their favorite person. But they also seek shelter when afraid, anxious or avoiding something elsewhere in the home. Working out why your dog is hiding under the bed will enable you to either resolve the issue that’s …

The Labrador Retriever held a well earned place as the most popular pedigree dog breed in USA and many other parts of the world for several decades. My home would not be complete without a Lab and I have been raising and training these intelligent, loyal dogs for many years. Labradors were bred to be …

I love it when my dog sits on my foot, right up until the tingling and numbness sets in and i’m forced to give my toes a reluctant wiggle. Only one of our dogs regularly sits on my feet, but the gesture although sometimes uncomfortable always makes me feel special. Contents Why Do Dogs Sit …

Not all female dogs are whining and carrying a toy around the house because they desperately want a baby. Your gorgeous girl might be feeling hormonal, and if she’s had a litter before it’s not impossible that she’s harking back to those lovely puppy days. But not every female dog that is whining and carrying …

Most dogs don’t use litter boxes, but this isn’t because they are incapable of learning to relieve themselves in a specific spot. In fact, on rare occasions both puppies and adult dogs successfully learn to use litter boxes just as well as your average pet cat. However, in general dogs don’t use litter boxes for …

Dogs whine in the car because they are excited. Or because they feel unwell or worried. Going for a ride is great fun, especially if you are travelling to somewhere you love. So imagine how it feels getting into the car, when every single journey has the potential to take you to your favorite place. …

Not all dogs hate mailmen, but those that do seem to bear a real hardcore grudge. And when you think about it, it’s completely understandable from their perspective. I’m delighted to see the mailman in the morning, he drops off my fun packages and postcards after all. Dogs hate mailmen because all they see is …

The best food to hide dog pills in conceals their medication completely. It hides the tablet visually, and even helps to obscure the smell. Stinky meats or cheese are ideal for this, but simply household basics like a bit of bread equally do the trick for most dogs. Some however I have found will unwrap …

There are several ways to stop your dog digging under the fence, and the one that’s best for your pup and your home will depend on a few factors. The reason why they started digging in the first place, their size, strength and breed, and also developmental stage all play a part. The best methods …

The black Labradoodle is a crossbreed between the purebred Standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. They have a black coat, usually with no other markings or small flecks of white on the chest and feet. This hybrid designer dog is active, intelligent and quick witted. They are easy to engage in positive training, and their …

To introduce your puppy to the dog you’ll need to begin with an enclosed neutral area, with plenty of supervision. Be ready to move on to a walk or other joint activity if things go well, and stop the session if either dog becomes stressed or unhappy. Prevention is key, so plan ahead and remove …

Why do Labradors whine? Labradors may whine for several reasons. An important rule of communication is that the communicator must believe it is going to bring about some kind of reward or improvement in their circumstances. So looking for that benefit is a sure fire path to establishing why your dog is whining, and then …

The Beagle Lab mix is a designer hybrid dog with a purebred Labrador Retriever parent and a pedigree Beagle parent. A cross breed with two driven, intelligent and athletic parents the Beagador, Labbe or Leagle can be a great companion for a family with an active lifestyle. The Beagle Lab mix needs a lot of …

Labradors aren’t a typically high maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. But, all Labrador owners know just how messy these dogs can get! As a general rule, many Labs can get away without a bath for months at a time! But, you will need to wash them when they get dirty – particularly if …

Stacking up the German Shepherd vs the Labrador as a potential pet is a challenge. The Labrador and German Shepherd are large dogs with thick double coats and a strong sense of loyalty. They are intelligent breeds that are relatively easy to train, and very active. However, they have plenty of differences too and not …

Why are Labradors always hungry? A 2016 study at the University of Cambridge found that Labradors’ insatiable appetite might be due to changes in a specific gene, called the POMC gene. When the POMC gene is changed, the chemical messages which tell a Lab when he’s full don’t work properly. About a quarter of Labradors …