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 …
The best puppy toys for Labs and other large breed dogs have to be really tough to last more than a few weeks. Good puppy toys are not cheap, and most puppies are very hard on their toys. Puppies like to chew on materials with different textures so you’ll need to buy several different types …
The best homemade dog shampoo will keep your dog’s coat fresh, skin in top condition, and your bank balance in the green. A DIY dog shampoo is a great way to avoid abrasive or potentially irritant ingredients. Homemade dog shampoo recipes make up lovely organic, natural, and wholesome coat care solutions. Why Should I Use …
The white Labradoodle is a Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix dog, with a chalky coat. White Labradoodle puppies inherit their snowy fur from the Poodle parent. This coat color isn’t caused by the albinism gene, and your pale Labradoodle puppy will have dark irises, eye rims and claws. White Coats and Important Jobs? The Labradoodle …
Labs and Rottweilers are both high energy breeds that need plenty of exercise and thorough training. If you are not sure which breed will suit your family best, then the most important factor for you is going to be temperament. Differences in coat, color and size are likely to be a lesser consideration. I’m not …
I’ve always gravitated towards Southern culture. And not just because I’m obsessed with the music. Insanely high levels of hospitality, perfect manners and unique food just scratch the surface of the great South. The best Southern dog names give a shout out to our favorite region. From epic singers to stunning locations, rural ranch work …
P is the perfect first letter for a puppy’s name. That’s because P dog names begin with a hard, distinctive sound that will help to catch your pup’s attention. It’s not the first letter of any common canine commands, and yet it isn’t over used or too popular either as a dog name starter either. …
We are so grateful for our dear friends, Bud and Alice Roberts, to guest write another blog post for us on resource guarding. You can read Part 1 here! As they’ll explain below, Bud and Alice have many years of experience in the dog training world, including in Bud’s military career and in their spare time working with rescues. Their wisdom is invaluable to us, and truly, we trust them implicitly with any training questions we come across. This post was mainly to help people know what kind of training to do early on in puppyhood to prevent resource guarding …
I was once accused of being cruel for running with my Labrador. That’s right, the claim was totally sincere. My companion announced that running deprives dogs of sniffing opportunities, and chances for a casual doggy chat with other curious canines. And was therefore deeply, fundamentally unkind. Honestly, I couldn’t have disagreed more. A tricky situation …
I love dog names that have an official slant to them. Something short, snappy, formal and tough in tone. Chief, Sarge, Sabre. Dao, Glaive or Marshal. Military dog names range from popular weapons to battles, vehicles and even through the ranks. Whether you are a military history buff or a modern tactician fan, dog names …
The Terrier is a feisty dog with a diverse history full of digging, chasing, rushing about and working in a gang. Depending on their modern purpose, they can also be extremely loyal and protective too. The Labrador Retriever, whilst it has split into two types in modern times, is a rather more reliable character. Outgoing, …
Being unique is not an impossible dream. But truly creative dog names don’t come from your standard quirky baby naming books. They have origins in something else. Unique dog names have a basis in the extraordinary or unusual. The only way to truly individually name your pet is to start from a premise that other …
The Springador is a medium sized, energetic, mixed breed dog. It’s a cross between a Labrador Retriever and an English Springer Spaniel. The Springador will often have a black or brown coat with some white markings and the ones I have known have all had a friendly, outgoing nature. Contents In the UK Springadors are …
There is no doubt that Whippets and Labradors are two of the very best pet dogs you can find. Labradors will always have my heart, but Whippets are a close second. I’ve grown up with the loyal, dependable Labrador Retriever. They are intelligent, focussed, and loyal to a demanding fault. Whippets are less clever, harder …
Heidi, Howard, Hank. Horacio, Henny or Hopscotch. Whether it’s for a boy or girl, dog names that start with H are the best choices for puppy naming because they are so varied! It’s one of those letters that encompasses words with a broad range of ideas, thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re in love with hardcore …
Labs have very special needs in older age than other breeds due to their size, their build, and their unique qualities. Helping them grow healthy is the first step, but then once they hit 8 or 9 they enter the SENIOR YEARS (a couple gray hairs ‘may’ appear–but not necessarily)—and many old/experienced breeders will tell you—it is critical from that age on (and what you’ve done up to that point) that will determine the length of your dog’s life and the QUALITY of its life. If your Lab is a family member, like ours, then you want them to be …
Gretel, Gabe, Gloria. Giggles, Gabby or Goal. The letter G has huge appeal when it comes to naming your puppy, because it’s not an overused member of the alphabet. Dog names that start with G do include some classics, like Grace, George, Gabriel and Grayson, don’t get me wrong. But they also allow you to …
Chocolate poisoning in dogs is not uncommon. Yet not every dog will be poisoned by eating chocolate. This often leads to confusion. I’m going to explain why some dogs suffer ill effects from eating chocolate while others do not, and why I never give chocolate to my own dogs, under any circumstances. Contents Why Can’t …
LIMA dog training stands for ‘Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive’ dog training. So it’s not a specific method or protocol, but rather an over-arching philosophy, which you can apply to every training situation. Many professional dog trainers, including all those affiliated with the CCPDT and the APDT, commit to training in accordance with LIMA principles. And …
The iconic Blue Heeler is a stocky, driven and a vigorously zealous cattle driving partner. The Labrador Retriever was also born and bred for work in the field, but their hunting role required more patience and less pizazz. It’s therefore no surprise that the Blue Heeler Lab mix, fondly known as the Labraheeler, is a …
I don’t know about you, but my dogs’ main recall cue is their name. They are whistle trained too, for when the command inevitably gets ruined by my kids calling them repeatedly, but each dog’s name is still the everyday go-to for getting them to come running. Short, snappy, individually sculpted 1 syllable dog names …
US Navy sailor launches rescue of small puppy saved during overseas deployment: ‘Can’t leave a comrade behind’ An American soldier is hoping to be a hero for a puppy in danger. U.S. Navy sailor Joy (last name withheld) found a helpless pup while on her fourth overseas deployment in the Middle East, the New York-based nonprofit organization Paws of War told Fox News Digital. Now a veteran, Joy found two puppies hiding near her base. Considering the harsh conditions in the area, she knew the animals’ lives were at risk. Paws https://pawsofwar.org of War said that life for homeless animals …
A rash on the groin is a sensitive and uncomfortable matter for our dogs! Dogs can experience the same skin problems on their undercarriage that they suffer anywhere else on their body. Rashes can be brought on by bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, allergies, or atopic dermatitis. Groin rashes can be difficult to treat because …
There are many reasons an individual may feel they can no longer care for their pet, whether it be a disability, aging, change in housing or jobs, or even death. Many of us have not made provisions in our wills for our dogs when we can no longer care for them—and as a result, many end up in shelters, or going from family to family in a rescue situation. Any reputable breeder will take any of their dogs back at any time. But it’s also a good idea to have, written down, who will be the guardian of …
Puppy Training Camp at Endless Mt. Labradors—generations of knowledge!!! Many people, these days, are too busy to train a puppy, work long hours, or have never done it before and would love a professional to do it. At EML we offer several packages for training your puppy, but there is only limited space and time, and may not be available at all times of the year. But we can train for a week or two. That pretty much covers the basics. Here are the things we work on with them, listed below. Lindy Packard is our intuitive PUPPY WHISPERER who …
Black nails on a dog are completely normal for some pets. Dogs with solid black coats almost always have black nails. And surprisingly, so do lots of white dogs! It’s also possible for one dog to have a mix of black nails and clear nails on different toes. Dogs’ nails don’t usually change color unless …
