What with all the recalls, warnings, and seizures regarding Rx flea/tick meds, we get so many requests about what people can do naturally, effectively, and won’t break their banks! Plus, don’t you freak out when your kid buries his face RIGHT in the spot you put the flea/tick treatment? Ugh. I know… Fleas, ticks, and internal parasites are some of the many enemies you sign up for when being a pet owner. There are multiple flea and tick preventatives out there, but as always here, we like to try a holistic approach if available… Diatomaceous Earth is a product that …

Want a smarter, more empathetic, possibly healthier child at ALL ages? It may come as no surprise that having a family dog can benefit your child’s emotional intelligence, confidence, and empathy. And so much more. Here are seven ways kids who have a pet in the home have a leg up on those who don’t: They have higher self-esteem When given tasks to complete, such as helping with the care of a pet, kids show an improvement in self-esteem. The tasks should be age-appropriate, though, the authors say, such as allowing a 3-year-old who is too young to walk a dog put the water …

vc_rowvc_column/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_column_text What’s Your Favorite Color Lab? /vc_column_textvc_empty_spacevc_column_textThe Labrador Retriever breed comes in three recognized colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. The yellow can range from a light creamy color to a toasty typical yellow coat, to a reddish tone many call “fox red”. But still, these different shades still fall under a yellow coat. Yellows should have a black pigment around their eyes and nose. Chocolate may range from light to dark (though a nice dark chocolate coat is the proper chocolate coat) with liver pigment around the nose and eyes. And then of course, the original… the black Labrador./vc_column_text/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_single_image image=”12897″/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textWe …

We independently researched  and evaluated all recommended products and services.  As you read you will find the right product for YOUR dog and YOUR use! There’s no worse feeling than when your dog goes missing — something celebrities like Paris Hilton have even experienced. If you worry about your furry friend wandering off, you can give yourself peace of mind by outfitting them with a GPS tracker. The best dog GPS trackers provide real-time location updates directly to your phone, allowing you to quickly find your pet and bring them home safely if they wander out of your yard or …

You say, “That’s not possible.” And after almost 4 decades of having Labrador pups around almost all the time, I can 100% tell you, IF you correct your puppy on the way home (1-12 hours for most–day # 1) the way we tell you, for the first day, (Use this link for technique) there should be no jumping or biting after that. Still sound impossible? Well, I’m a small person. I have thin skin (literally!) and I can’t be bleeding or be knocked over (I have back problems already) so my decision when I train a Lab pup is:  biting …

So you want a puppy? Should you adopt From a breeder? What do you need to know before you start your quest?  What are the pitfalls to avoid? Also:  You’ve found the perfect “furbaby,” now what? Discover the best way to navigate the waters of welcoming a new canine family member. The information in Insider Secrets to Adopting the Right Dog allows you to experience a smooth, peaceful transition for you and your new addition. Insider Secrets includes sections on puppy training, how to choose a breeder, how to choose an individual dog, how to house-train, and socialize your new …

Alternative to more expensive forms of raw diet for dogs–we’ve had a lot of calls asking for an alternative to BARF raw patties so I’ve compiled info for you below! –and this whole month (February) its 50% off!!!!!! We have been proponents and educators of raw feeding for almost 2 decades, and you can read our blogs to find out all about it and how it can benefit your dog.  We all enjoy the benefits of: real food, no gmo’s, no fillers, no artificial colors/preservatives, no smelly kibble poops, and the amazing ‘no shedding’ that raw is best known for. …

Labradors, like most breeds, inevitably shed their coats once or twice a year, during the major season changes. If they are shedding excessively and continuously, however, it is likely due to one of two reasons: poor nutrition or stress. BUT I have many, many insider secrets I’ve learned over the past 30 years from other breeders and show handlers that I’d love to share with you. You WON’T hear these tips anywhere else…so please read…and share…and put down that vacuum cleaner!!! Preventing Excessive Shedding The first thing you need is the right tools. Now, many of you have a dog shedding …

Sometimes we are surprised when somebody approaches us or walks in our house with a hat, and our dogs bark at them. This happens quite frequently in our home because my husband doesn’t wear a hat. Ever.  So when my Labradors see a man and a hat they bark, I think, because they’re not used to it, and they may even think the person’s head is deformed or something (LOL?). Sometimes we wish we could peer inside their brains and just know what they feel and think, but we can only guess and make wise theories from observations and science. …

No matter whether you have a purebred or a mixed breed dog, many of you have ones that like to chase things small and furry, even if they’re not fast enough to catch them. What we may notice most is that whenever they see something in the distance they may like to chase, they pause, or in doing so, may “freeze” in position and lift one paw, just like a trained hunting dog. Is this instinctual behavior for a Labrador or is it some kind of indicator of his breeding? Some dogs even lower their front body into what we …

 While breeding purebred dogs has been the focus of our lives, we also love ALL dogs and animals, and in fact, we (Jonathan and Donna) are very involved with dog legislation in their state, even being involved at the Capitol, talking with lawmakers and advising committee members and lawmakers. We’ve owned rescue dogs ourselves. Along the way, sadly, we have found some disturbing facts that made us get more involved. THIS made us lose sleep at night. If you truly believe “ALL DOGS MATTER” please keep reading:  THESE RESCUES ARE NOT REGULATED. What that means for people adopting from a …

vc_rowvc_columnvc_column_textThis post is a day late, but really every day around here is Labrador Retriever Day, right? We really cherish our EML families and loved seeing extra pup posts in our Facebook group yesterday! They were so smile inducing that we thought we’d share some of that joy here! :)/vc_column_textvc_empty_space/vc_column/vc_rowvc_rowvc_columnvc_gallery images=”15077,15076,15075,15074,15073,15072,15071,15070,15069,15068,15067,15065,15064,15063,15062,15058,15061,15060,15059,15057,15078,15066″/vc_column/vc_row

I’ve been hesitant to write this article as so many people have and love their doodles, but I get asked a lot what the difference is. In order to discover this, I had to ask the EXPERTS (not the backyard breeder or puppy mill just making a buck and not at all concerned with genetics) This statement caught my eye and made me look further. Apparently, the man who “invented” the labradoodle now feels he’s made a terrible mistake, and regrets ever creating the breed. The reason given is basically due to the overwhelming popularity of having a dog with …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The term “vaping” is a misnomer that implies ESD’s emit harmless water vapor, when they, in fact, discharge aerosol filled with toxic chemicals at levels even higher than in tobacco smoke. E-Cigarettes heat, vaporize, and emit numerous harmful chemicals exposing your Lab to substantial risk. Some of the chemicals cause cancer and are reproductive toxins (causing harm to the hormones—even in neutered or spayed animals–showing up in coat and skin issues or worse). Carcinogens include nitrosamines, formaldehyde, cadmium, lead, and nickel. When ESD heats propylene glycol, a common vaping liquid ingredient, it forms propylene oxide, a known carcinogen. Exhaled ESD …

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 …

If one were to roughly compare the extent to which Border Collies have had their intelligence improved, it equates to a dog with the intelligence of a three-year-old child, or about 40% more intelligent than an average dog—which is to say that an average Border Collie can be considered a genius of the dog world; this means they would equate to a human with an IQ of 140 or higher on average.” But to be clear, when a dog is too smart–they can outsmart YOU and training can be a challenge! Border Collies are one of the hardest to train. …