Labradors + Follow

Jumping up is a common problem for owners of any dog breed. And your friendly pup is no exception. You’ve been embarrassed too many times by mucky paws on your friend’s clean clothes, and knocking people flying as they greet them at the dog park. Today I’ll share step by step positive training instructions that …

The best dog brush for your pet will keep coat tangle free, last a long time, be nice to hold and kind to their skin. Not every brush suits every type of fur equally, of course. For my Labradors I have a selection of grooming tools, and the one I pick up depends on the …

Two very different types of Labrador have developed over the last fifty years. English Labs tend to have broader heads, thicker tails, a barrel chest and a healthy helping of enthusiasm for greeting every person and dog they meet. American type Labs are slimmer built but turbo charged, with a high prey drive, determination and …

This is a complete guide to the miniature Labrador. It will help you to understand how Labradors are bred in smaller sizes, and why breeders have made the choice to shrink them down. We’ll look at the differences between full sized and mini Labs, the ethics of breeding them to be shorter, and help you …

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, known for their loyalty, intelligence, and friendly nature. However, like all dogs, Labradors are susceptible to various health issues, including chronic valve disease, which is a common cause of heart murmurs in this breed. This is referred to by Labrador breeders as TVD or Tricuspid valve dysplasia. Chronic valve disease is a condition that affects the heart’s valves, which control the flow of blood through the heart. The valves can become thickened and deformed over time, causing them to leak or not close properly, or regurgitate blood …

Being bitten by a tiny 8 week old puppy is surprisingly painful. It is also very upsetting. After all, we generally don’t bite our friends! Puppies start teething at 3-4 months old. Puppies do bite because they are teething, but they also bite in play. And biting tends to start in earnest once the puppy …

The three main Labrador colors are black, chocolate and yellow. These colors come in few different shades, some through breeding darker tones to deeper hues like with the red fox Lab, and others through genetic differences like dilute genes. Dilute genes make the typical Labrador Retriever colors more pale, giving you charcoal, silver and champagne …

There are many things to consider before taking on the responsibility of a Labrador puppy. Price is just one of them. And Labrador Retriever price is more complicated that just the purchase price of a Labrador puppy at $800 to $1200. You also need to consider the impact of a Labrador puppy on your home …

Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend, and for good reason. Not only do they provide companionship and unconditional love, but they can also have a positive impact on our mental health. In fact, research has shown that owning a dog can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improve overall well-being. Here are some ways that having a dog can benefit your mental health. Reduced stress and anxiety Spending time with a dog can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Dogs have a calming effect on humans, and studies have shown that petting a dog …

One of the latest case studies on canines is a research study conducted by the University of Helsinki in Finland, which found that dogs can detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in human sweat samples with a high degree of accuracy. The study involved training dogs to identify the scent of the virus in sweat samples collected from COVID-19-positive patients. The study found that the dogs were able to identify the virus with an accuracy rate of 94%, which is similar to the accuracy rate of PCR tests. The research team believes that this could be a useful tool …

Tough dog names aren’t just perfect for guard dogs, they can be a cool way to name your cute pet puppy too! Today I’ll share a selection of bold, fierce and fabulously furious ideas for your new bestie. Whether he’s a badass Bulldog, yappy Yorkie or cheerful Chihuahua, I hope you’ll find your perfect fit. …

Dealing with a puppy crying can be incredibly stressful and upsetting. And even embarassing if you have close, grumpy neighbors to contend with. But puppies need to communicate their feelings to their family. And crying or whimpering is a small puppy’s way of telling you they are sad or lonely. Fortunately, there are lots of …

Labradors and French bulldogs are both popular dog breeds, but they have very different personalities and characteristics. Labradors are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, while French bulldogs are known for being more laid-back–but very, very independent. But is this the breed for you? Here’s some things to consider. And the differences between the two breeds. One of the main reasons why Labradors are often considered better than French bulldogs is their intelligence. Labradors are highly trainable and can be taught a wide range of commands and tricks, making them ideal for families who want a dog that can …

When it comes to choosing a furry friend to add to your family, there are plenty of options to consider. One popular choice is the labradoodle, a crossbreed between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. While Labradoodles might seem like the perfect choice for those who want the best of both worlds, there are several reasons why you might want to think twice before buying a Labradoodle instead of a purebred Labrador.   1. Labradoodles are not a recognized breed Unlike purebred Labradors, Labradoodles are not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other major …

I have raised around a dozen Labrador puppies over the years. One of the most important parts of puppy care is feeding. How much to feed, when to offer meals and which brands to choose can leave new owners with a bit of a headache. Well, today I’ll share everyone I have learned about feeding …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_single_image image=”160″/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textI thought maybe a crash course in crate training post would be welcomed! We do have an older post with a longtime shared crate training manual here! But I thought I’d share what I typically go over in short with each puppy parent here on gotcha day! I’d like to open by saying, crate training is truly the easiest way to go about potty training your puppy, and it is in NO way inhumane or “mean”. It’s difficult to even post pictures of a puppy sleeping sweetly in their crate, or a dog (because of course that’s when they perk …

Have you heard about bubble theory dog training? If you have a reactive dog, I think it’s a really helpful way to visualize the problem. It doesn’t exactly add anything new to what we already know about reactivity, thresholds, and counter conditioning, but it can help you understand all of those things better – especially …

The sharing of human snacks is a topic which tends to divide dog owners. I personally like to go by the adage of ‘everything in moderation’. Letting my dog sometimes have human foods is both a fun way to enrich his life with new experiences, and a great way to incorporate high value rewards in …

When my first dog was an unruly puppy, a Labrador owner told me that the onset of adolescence would be worse. Then that he’d improve quite a lot at a year old, and fully settle down at three years old. It wasn’t really what I wanted to hear at the time. But with hindsight I …

My dog is very keen to try eating anything once. He’s also super motivated by novelty, and extra interested in previously unseen foodstuffs. So finding new snacks for him to try is a fun way of enriching his daily life. If you’re in the same boat, perhaps you’ve considered whether rambutan is a safe option. …

Dog crates take up a lot of space. No matter where you put them, they always seem to be in the way!  It’s tempting to use the smallest dog crate you think you can reasonably get away with. However, a crate that is too small can cause problems such as muscle stiffness or soreness, for …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text title=”Why Dogs may prefer Certain people over Others” I often hear a guy say, “My dog likes my wife more than me!” Is there something I can do to make her like me more? Well, my first thought is, “Does your wife feed your dogs/ Play with it?/ Greet her more warmly and cuddly than you? The other thing I’ve observed is that dogs don’t prefer people that TEASE them. One study found that once dogs realized a person teased or misled them, they no longer trusted them. Some people, I’ve found, find this the only way to relate …

I love golden berries, but they’re expensive to buy from stores in my region. I’ve been told they’ll grow quite easily in my yard, but before I try that, I need to know if they’ll be safe for my dog. So can dogs eat golden berries they find on the ground, or even steal flagrantly …

Crates and crate training can be a hot topic of conversation when pet parents get together, and not always in a good way. It’s a topic that sometimes causes controversy on our facebook fan page, and one I have not written about for quite a while.  But a friend asked me recently if it was …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text title=”EASY WAYS TO CUT THE HIGH COST OF PET CARE” If the cost of pet healthcare has your head swirling—you are not alone. Since Covid lockdowns, veterinary Medicine has become both hard to find and VERY expensive. As many struggle to cut costs during this time of recession, here are some ways you may not have thought of to save money on your Labrador’s healthcare costs. Make preventative maintenance your top priority as a pet owner, just as many Americans don’t wait until they get sick for the doctor to fix them—we should PREVENT sickness in our animals in …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text title=”Why Does My Lab ‘Butt—Sniff’ every dog we meet? (Doggie Social Media!)” I know that this is fairly normal, standard dog behavior (or maybe your dog engages in it more than most!), but don’t you wonder why your dog does not start a meeting face-to-face?? Surely there’s as much information to be exchanged with the front end as with the back? To humans, nose-to-tail contact may seem discourteous, but humans are the exception here, not the rule. It may look ‘intimate’ to you but to a dog it’s more polite to offer a modest butt-sniff by way of an …

What do Labradors usually die from? This is such an important question to ask, although I agree it isn’t a pleasant one to think about. When you know the leading causes of death in the Labrador Retriever breed, you may have a chance to spot symptoms earlier and do more to extend your precious pup’s …

I assumed the dog with the longest teeth should also be the biggest dog. It just makes sense, right? I wish it was so simple. No species in the world exhibits more physical diversity today than the modern domestic dog. And this canine diversity definitely includes tooth length! Part of the reason for this is …

Are belly bands for dogs cruel? When my dog started getting older, I came across belly bands and discovered they’re a hotly debated topic in the dog world. Some dog owners swear by them as a helpful tool. Others claim that they are cruel and should not be used on dogs. So who is right? …

Where do Labs like to be pet? I love Labrador Retrievers, like pretty much everyone else in the world! Look at any list of the most popular dog breeds, and you’ll see Labs on it. Whether you own one of these loving, friendly pets, or you can’t wait to meet one out on a walk, …