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 …
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, …
What does glucosamine do for dogs? Joint issues are one of my biggest concerns as a dog owner. The older my pups get, the more prone they are to joint pain and arthritis. As well as other problems like hip and elbow dysplasia. If left alone, our pets can no longer run, and might even …
vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text title=”Does my Labrador feel ‘guilt’ when I correct them?”I recall a time my Lab made a puddle in one of the rooms at our house and I scolded him and wagged my finger. He responded by hanging his head. I doubt he was feeling guilty but he sure looked like it! My tone of voice and finger surely made him nervous. But unfortunately, he’d probably already forgotten about the puddle. Unless I had found him ‘in the act’ it really is unlikely that he/she feels guilty. ***Dogs associate only very immediate consequences with their acts –even something that happened …
Why are dogs gentle with eggs? My dogs love to play rough, together and by themselves! I wasn’t sure they even knew how to be gentle with their paws. So you can imagine my surprise when I gave them an egg, and it remained whole and unbroken in their mouth, even as they dropped it …
Why does my dog roll around on her toys? My dogs love to play, goof around, and come up with all kinds of antics. It’s part of their charm and what makes dogs… dogs. But sometimes my pup will take it a bit too far as she rolls on her toys or on smelly objects. …
Dogs bark. That’s just a fact of life. Some bark more than others though, and not all of that barking is directed at the mailman or squirrels. Barking has many reasons and causes – my dog barks at cats and pigeons, and (less often) as a frustrated greeting when he’s on the leash, for example. …
What smell do dogs hate to pee on? Potty training my dog was one of the hardest parts of raising a puppy. No matter how vigilant I was about watching him, he seemed to pee in the house the minute my attention was elsewhere! And, when a dog has peed somewhere in your house, they’ll …
Why do dogs go under the bed? Sometimes, my dog disappears for a while. When I go looking for him, I find him under the bed. Often, he’ll be sleeping, but occasionally he just lies there watching everything that moves with perked ears and eyes wide open. The reasons dogs choose hiding spaces like this …
I often get asked about dewclaws on pups. Do we remove them? Should we remove them? Well, here’s my answer… We do not remove dewclaws. First, because we do not predominately breed field labs that are going to be heavily hunted in thick brush. Secondly, because they do it at 2 weeks old, with no anesthesia (and I can’t stand the sound of screaming puppies in pain), and also the possibility of infection in a pup so young. If you wish to hunt your pup in thick brush, you can either remove the dewclaws right away after it goes home, …
vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text Happy Halloween Lab Lovers! From some of the cutest and spookiest EML’s! /vc_column_textvc_column_text /vc_column_text/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textClick for more EML Blog posts! Follow us on our new Instagram page!/vc_column_text/vc_column/vc_row
