Labradors + Follow

Puppies can go outside from 8 weeks old in your backyard for potty training, exercise and play. But visits to public places is trickier, as new puppies need to be protected from infection too. Vaccinations take time to build a puppy’s immunity. Meanwhile puppies need to meet people in their community! Especially if they are …

If you’ve ever had a dog run away or even worse, stolen, then you know the heartache that comes with that feels beyond repair… I’m sure any pet owner would agree that it is certainly as hard as losing your own child. There are more and more reports of stolen dogs, especially purebreds, and also commonly in urban areas. Unfortunately, due to the economic downturn and many people strapped for money, dog thefts, and more so, purebred dog thefts, are on the rise, especially the ones that are most popular at the top of the AKC highest registration list, such …

DOES YOUR PET SHAMPOO CONTAIN THESE CHEMICALS • D-trans Allethrin – from a class of synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids, derived from natural chemicals found in chrysanthemums. Synthetic varieties are significantly more potent and persistent than naturally-occurring products and can cause allergic responses. Also a suspected endocrine system disruptor. Veterinarians caution against using pyrethroid-containing products if there are cats in the home. • Resmethrin – also from the chemical class called pyrethroids. Very toxic to cats; should not be used in a household with cats. • Pyriproxyfen and S-Methoprene – Considered relatively safe with low toxicity. However, data is lacking about …

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!  To be a lab that is… Labradors LOVE the snow!  They will play, play, play all day long in this fluffy white stuff if you let them! With that thick undercoat–they are insulated unlike most dog breeds, for frigid weather, but there are still precations. It can be TOO cold for your labby to be outside occasionally–and to prevent frost bite to exposed skin… and there are certain safety standards you should always follow in the wintertime. Water supply Make sure your lab ALWAYS has access to drinking water while spending time …

Your garden variety tomatoes contain a range of nutrients that are good for dogs. But tomatoes also contain a chemical called tomatine, which is toxic to your dog in high concentrations. Tomatine levels are lower in ripe tomatoes, and smaller varieties. Your dog can eat morsels of ripe cherry tomatoes, but tomatine levels are dangerously …

In Is Your Dog Drinking A Lot Of Water, Pippa looks at the causes of excessive thirst in dogs. And how to recognize if your Lab is drinking too much Dogs get thirsty and drink more for the same reasons that people do. Feeling thirsty is a very basic animal reaction to becoming dehydrated. Maintaining …

What can dogs not eat? We separate the facts from the myths so you can have peace of mind. There are many substances that are poisonous. We keep them out of reach of our dogs and babies from day to day. However, there are some surprisingly common human foods that can be highly toxic to …

I’m Pippa Mattinson, a writer, and British trainer of hunting dogs. I am the author of the original Total Recall dog training program published by Quiller Books in 2012. I wrote Total Recall to help the large numbers of people that struggle to get their dogs to obey them outdoors, when there are exciting distractions …

Hartford Animal Hospital ***Note: “Veterinary conference almost over so I will be heading home and back to work tomorrow. Sorry but I won’t be able to answer any more questions, but I refer you to the Tufts Vet Nutrition website! At a cardiology conference this morning I learned that the nutritional information I have been giving my clients is accurate. Nothing new was revealed, but it is important to ensure that my information is correct. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a potentially fatal heart disease, has been occurring/recognized in low-risk breeds of dog since 2015. It was discovered that many of …

The Husky Lab mix joins two intelligent, active, large dog breeds into one goofy yet protective canine combination. The Siberian Husky and Labrador Retriever breeds aren’t the most natural cross. They have very different heritages, temperaments and characteristics, which play out in a variety of ways when you scramble them together. To really get to …

The benefits to your dog of the great taste, teeth cleaning capabilities, chewing benefits and nutrients need to be weighed up against the potential risks. Lamb bones, especially cooked ones, can chip your dog’s teeth. In rare cases bones splinter, and pieces can block or damage your dog’s insides.  Contents Feeding bones to dogs is …

From a health and safety perspective it makes perfect sense to wash your hands after handling a pet. But our dogs usually live amongst us as family members and we have to be realistic about what that means.  It’s an interesting fact that normal life and perfect safety are rarely entirely compatible. I have three …

The average Labrador Retriever lifespan is 12 to 12.5 years. Although a recent study suggests chocolate Labs live shorter lives averaging 10.7 years, significantly less than black and yellow Labradors. Factors influencing lifespan in Labs include diet, healthcare, management and inherited diseases. Changing these factors can enable you to help your dog live longer. Contents …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textMany people ask me what age they should spay/neuter their dog.  DO NOT pass by this blog…it could mean life or death for your animal if you don’t know the facts. Many of you know that we recommend against spaying or neutering at an early age.  Most pets are spayed and neutered at or before 6 months of age.  Below is an extremely educational, and emotional, video from Dr. Becker, a widely known veterinarian, on the truths about de-sexing your pets. It is incredibly worth your time as a responsible and passionate animal-loving pet owner to watch this very moving video …

Big dog names are a classic way to name your giant puppy. But they are also a fun way to find a unique name for a smaller dog.  A majestic name can match the enormous attitude of your personality packed pupster, or elevate your diminutive dog to unexpected levels.  These awesome big dog names range …

Your new black puppy deserves a name as awesome as they are. My Labrador and Cocker Spaniel mad family have named a lot of black dogs over the years. Our preference for puppies of any fur color is short, snappy human names.  Our black dog names have included Jack, Ted, Tig and Molly. All traditional …

Your Goldador has a noble heritage and a modern purpose.  Originally two intelligent, trainable hunting breeds, the cooperative Golden Retriever Labrador hybrid surged in popularity just a few decades ago thanks to service dog charities. In fact, the first Goldador I met was a seeing eye dog puppy, being socialized by a family friend.  Goldadors …

The best boy dog names have that feel good factor. But it can be challenging to come up with original ideas for your new puppy. And to get your family members to agree!   Why not get everyone in  your household to write their favorite names down on a piece of paper, and stick it to …

Ireland is an incredible place. From the metropolitan cities to the open landscapes, it’s always been one of my favorite regions to visit. I spent some of the most memorable days of my childhood there, messing about in boats and chatting with the friendly locals. Irish dog names are a lovely way to give a …

The Cocker Spaniel Lab mix is a designer dog that has been around for a lot longer than that term has been popular. They are almost the antithesis to the modern trend for hybridization, combined historically by gamekeepers wanting an all purpose hunting and retrieving companion for long days out in the fields. And these …

I used to put myself under an insane amount of pressure when I named new pets. And puppies were the worst. Well, obviously, no, puppies are the best. But the weight of the world can feel on your shoulders when making such an important decision. But slow down, it’s not actually such a struggle when …

Dog names that start with D are fabulous choices for people like us who love a bit of alliteration. Doug, Dana, Darrell or Denise the dog? Denver, Driscoll, Doc or Dodo the dog? Using the first letter to launch your puppy name search makes so much sense, and it’s a trick I use for plenty …

There is no shame in realising you can’t afford to keep your dog, and looking for a safe and ethical way to give them the life you aren’t able to right now. Price rises, income drops, medical bills and job losses feel like they’re rife at the moment. No one brings a pet into their …

I grew up with Jack Russell Terriers and Labrador Retrievers. My rural homelife brought into stark contrast the ways in which these breeds have very different personalities, and jobs to do. When working our Labs sat beside pegs, or retrieved over long distances. They were patient, confident and focussed. The Terriers scrapped through the undergrowth. …

Sharing is caring right? Well not always. There are plenty of human foods that are not good for dogs, and some that are positively dangerous.  The internet is awash with articles entitled: “can dogs eat (insert the food of your choice here)”. From the everyday to the bizarre it seems that we are driven to …

I was so surprised the other day when my puppy had made yet another puddle (new to housetraining) and I told her ‘no no’ and wagged her finger at her. Her response was a sit down and hang her head. She may not have been feeling guilty but she certainly looked as though she was! So what’s going on? Here, she is most likely reacting to your body language and the disapproving sound in your voice. It’s unlikely that guilt came into it, in fact, unless you actually caught her in the act of making the ‘puppy puddle,’ she would’ve …

This is a rather uncomfortable subject to take on, but my husband and I have been involved in professional dog breeding and AKC exhibiting of Labradors for the last four decades, along with our local dog club, involvement in consulting on dog legislation with our local Representative, and several dog clubs. During that time, since we breed labradors, we really never went through a ‘recession’ and we’ve had people travel from all over the country to get our pups. One of the uncomfortable things that I have both observed and gotten proof of from our state, is that there are …

I’ve lived with a lot of dogs in my life, from hounds to labradors and even a terrier. All of them seem to have one thing in common about the enjoyment of rolling in something that smells disgusting. It might be fox scat, something dead or something completely unidentifiable. Every single dog I’ve ever had has followed this pattern, apparently, when they roll in things that smell remover revolting to us humans. There are several options put forward by behavioral experts for this one. No definitive answer is really possible. But there are many possible reasons. When wolves are observed …

Question: I have an intact male who is five years old and we live in the countryside so he mostly walks off-leash. When we go out for our first morning walk, one of his first jobs is to find a secluded place and relieve himself, but as soon as he’s done so he stretches out his body with his back legs, exuberantly gravels up the earth in long channels scratching it up with his claws as soon as he finishes his job, he joins me and continues his walk. What is he doing and why? Answer: dogs know that they …

Country dog names come in two general categories – those inspired by the country music industry, and those that give a nod to deep South ranch life. These ideas really lend themselves to puppy names, because the associated words tend to have clearly enunciated letters, and stand distinctively apart from your usual doggy commands. Dog …