I have been around working retrievers for most of my life but it wasn’t until I started talking to retriever trainers in the USA that I came across the phrase American Labrador.   You hear the term used more widely now, but in the UK it’s still more common for American Labs to be referred to…

Fed up with your dog stealing your shoes, your kid’s toys, food from the table, and anything else they can grab or lay their paws on? You are not alone! And I’m going to show you how to help your dog turn over a new leaf and stop stealing your stuff.  We’ll also look at…

I first heard the term English lab and American Lab many years ago when I joined retriever training and hunting forums to hang out with other folks that shared my passion for working Labrador Retrievers.  I soon discovered that in American hunting circles, the term English Lab was not a compliment. And that English Labradors…

The Vizslador or Labrala, as the Vizsla Lab mix is sometimes called, is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Hungarian Vizsla. Both breeds are fairly easily trained, and enthusiastic. Sporting breeds like Vizlas and Labradors have been crossed for years in order to combine favorable characteristics of each breed to achieve the perfect…

Chocolate Lab vs black Lab – it’s the battle of the coats! Black is the dominant genetic coat color in the Labrador Retriever breed, so they are more commonly found. Chocolate Labs have a recessive genetic, and each parent needs to carry the potential for this trait for the brown color to overpower the default…

Field Labrador is an unofficial term, generally used to describe an American type Lab. These working Labrador Retrievers are best known for their hunting work, but field Labs and show Labs can both participate in gundog training, and both compete for field titles. These activities are fun ways to engage a Labrador in the kind…

It is not unusual for people go to visit a litter of Labrador puppies to choose their pet, and come home with not one puppy but two! Two puppies usually settle in together very happily. After all, leaving home with your brother or sister is a great deal more fun than leaving home all by…

Apple cider vinegar is commonly used as a home remedy for humans. It’s natural to wonder whether this suppose miracle remedy can help your dog’s ailments too. As a scientist at heart though, I can never take these things at face value. So I’ve been looking at where it comes from, how it works and…

Allegra can alleviate the symptoms of hay fever in dogs, such as a runny nose and eyes, and an itchy coat. It can also help and reduce the itching caused by atopic dermatitis, an excessive allergic reaction to irritants including flea bites, foods, and environmental allergens. Severe atopic dermatitis often leads to “hotspots” on your…

Has your head been turned by a handsome Schnauzer Lab mix pup? You’re already pretty lucky, as they’re pretty rare designer dogs. Although there are a huge number of crossbreed dog mixes vying for our attention these days, from the ubiquitous Labradoodle to the many Cockapoos waiting impatiently at the gates of my daughter’s Kindergarten…

We veterinarians see more laryngeal paralysis in more dogs than you might think. The most common breeds we see with it include the Black Russian Terrier, Rottweiler, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Bouvier de Flanders, Leonberger, or Great Pyrenees. But it can be an issue in other medium to large size breeds like Labradors, and any dog…

As a veterinarian, I help a lot of dogs with scratching issues. I’m going to help you to understand the potential underlying reasons, what you can do treat habitual itching at home, and when it’s time to visit your local practice for a bit more assistance and prescription drugs. Symptoms Scratching is self explanatory, but…

I bought myself a bunch of presents last week. We’ve got a new rescue dog coming home soon, and in celebration of this (and just my general love of Labradors), I decided to have a bit of a gift party. Oops! In the name of justifying my purchases, I thought I’d share them with you…

Modern dog trainers are increasingly recommending harnesses over dog collars for puppies and adult dogs alike.  I recommend a body harness for most of my students’ dogs. And I’m going to show you how to get your dog into and out of their harness, using a few simple games. I’ll also give you some tips…

You spend enough time around the Labrador community, you’re going to hear about Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease. In fact, it is something that all Labrador owners need to be aware of. If your Labrador has hurt his back leg, is limping or appears to be lame, this will be one of the first things that …

If you own a Labrador, then you will need a good supply of dog training equipment. Whether your pup is just going to be a family pet, or you want to explore the fun world of gun dog training, obedience or agililty, there are some dog training supplies which will be essential to your success. …

Would you like your very own handmade replica of your Labrador? A cute copy of your adorable pup, to proudly display in your home? The pattern below is for the yellow Lab puppy shown in the picture here, but you can adapt it to match your dog perfectly. *I have included links to products that …

Have you ever stood at a veterinarian’s table whilst they hold a stephoscope against your pet’s chest and tell you, ever so solumnly, that they can hear a heart murmur? I have, and it’s not a nice feeling even when you are familiar with the term. But it’s also nothing like a death sentence or …

We think all Labradors are gorgeous. Whether they have a pedigree spanning the generations or are cross-bred with the collie next door, we love them all the same. Although black, chocolate and yellow are the sole official shades, we all know that Labradors have a vast and wonderful variety of hues. From white, to fox red …

Helping your Labrador stay slim isn’t just about looks – it’s important for their overall welfare too. Labradors are meant to be fit and healthy. Allowing your Lab to get overweight isn’t just bad for his health, it’s also bad for your bank balance. Unfit dogs have more medical issues, which means more trips to …

Just as no two people are the same, no two Labradors are either. But whilst each one of them is unique, there are still many common facets that Labradors share, which make them awesome family pets. Wonderful parts of their personality, as well as their distinctive look, ensure that this breed will always be dear …

When we take a Labrador into our lives, we know at the back of our minds that they won’t be with us forever. When they are young and full of energy, I find it’s easy to ignore this feeling. But if they fall ill, or just get older, the reality becomes more prominent in our …

Animal behavior has been formally studied since the early 1800s. It’s amazing how many different (and often conflicting) ideas we have about dog psychology. Psychology refers to the science of how the brain works and behavior. So dog psychology includes how dogs think, social interactions between dogs, and how dogs bond with each other and …

Training a well-behaved dog can be hard. Training a dog to mind his manners even when he’s off his leash is even harder. So, you might think that training a highly motivated, high energy, high prey drive dog to leave other animals alone while off his leash is downright impossible. It’s so tempting to go …

Dogs and babies sure make for the cutest pictures when they are together, but things aren’t as straightforward when you step inside the photograph. I’ve been training dogs for a long time, and I’ve also raised a child alongside two bouncy German Shepherds. So I’m confident I can help you to safely and happily navigate …

I’m Elsa Blomster, a postitive reinforcement dog training expert. And today I’m really excited to tell you about how I clicker train fetch. Because retrieving using the clicker philosophy means that we put the spotlight on the correct behavior, rather than upsetting and confusing our dogs by punishing behaviors we didn’t want to see. My …

It is a lot of fun shopping for your new Labrador puppy, but puppy gear can be expensive! I’ve made a quick checklist of the supplies you really do need. These are all items I make sure I have in my home for every puppy I raise.  Please note that the Labrador Site is an …

When I first wrote about post puppy depression some years ago, I think people were much less aware of the importance of good mental health. I coined the term ‘puppy blues’ because so many people told me that they felt inexplicably sad or overwhelmed after bringing home a new puppy Puppies don’t need to be …

This is Bonnie. She’s just over a year old, and food is her life!  And I mean her whole life.  I like to think I’m more important, but who am I kidding?  So why are Labradors always hungry? And what can you do to take their mind off food for a few minutes? Well, there’s …

This is far more common than people might think. Not all Labs like water, at least not to begin with. But all Labradors enjoy swimming if helped to overcome their initial fear or reluctance to enter the water. If you have an older labrador that has never swum, getting them swimming might take quite a long …