More Dog Food Recalls!

Ugh! Just found out that Purina is now recalling certain brands of its dog food and that they have now thrown a dry dog food into the cycle! Please everyone, do a Google New search on Dog Food Recall and read the latest news on the topic! We have been lucky that none of the organic and holistic dog foods, such as the Eagle Pack we use for our Labs, have been recalled but I am keeping a close eye on it!

Here is just one of the many articles out there: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/31/pet.food.recall.ap/index.html

~Shannon

DogWire Dog Gifts
http://www.dogwiregifts.com

Halting Aggression

Aggression comes in all shapes and manners. This morning, we received our own taste of aggression from within the house.

Dakota has a slight obsessive compulsive problem when it comes to her stuff dog toys. She wants any and every chance to play with them but, if we would let her have them all the time, she would shred them to bits. Such is the life of a Labrador Retriever! So, we put them away and allow her to play fetch with them for a few minutes out of every day.

I released the hounds to the basement recreation room and I didn’t see that my husband had left her stuffed toys at the end of the stairs. No big deal! She just had a chance to play with them earlier then expected.

The playing went on for a while and then it was time to head upstairs. I had noticed that as she had kept the toys away from Cheyenne, she was doing a play growl even when Cheyenne was not near her. There was no need to worry because her wagging tail was telling me it was all in fun. Then it changed! I went to get her to drop the toy, which she normally is a little reluctant to do but does it anyway. However, she would not budge! I was able to get her to sit, and then put my hand on the toy in her mouth (which usually gets her to release it immediately), and she growled at me! Again, it was a play growl because her tail was wagging but it was enough to raise a red flag to me. I am alpha in this house and she listens to me no matter what. This time, she was not listening and this was not good!

We went back into the days of puppy training; I pushed her upper lip into her teeth to get her mouth to open and release the toy. I was treated to another growl! No lip curling, no mean aggression but another growl nonetheless! Nothing I did was able to pry that blasted stuffed hedgehog from her mouth!

So, Cheyenne and I went upstairs and I started to train Cheyenne with some yummy treats right in front of Dakota (while she was still locked behind the stairway gate). After a while, Dakota started to release the toy and look at me; just to pick it up again. A couple of times, I put the treat in front of her face to release the toy and it was the 3rd time that she did finally release it!

That was it! She broke one of the major commandments in our house; thou shall never show any form of aggression to the humans in the house. Sure, she had a slight obsessive behavior with the stuffed toys before but she won’t have that problem again. You see, I took all the stuffed toys (which were falling apart anyway) and threw them into the garbage outside. Why? It is a simple fact of escalation in dogs and I am nipping any possible escalation in aggression now before it can get worse. My rule is; everything is a privilege to the dogs and if they are disrespectful to that privilege, they get it taken away for either a while or, in this case, for the foreseeable future. Case closed!

Doggy Daycare Pictures

Last night the Lab Brats returned home from Doggy Daycare with pictures from their first day! Our old doggy daycare never did this type of thing and so we just had to share them with you.

Of course, they sent home a card asking us if we would like to purchase these pictures and others. Hmm - what kind of Labrador Retriever family would we be if we didnt have our digital camera and use it frequently? LOL

Dog Tips and Advice

We are happy to announce that no dog is left out! Mommy has now added a section to DogWireGifts.com highlighting Dog Tips and Advice. Why? Because we know how important reliable dog information is on the Internet and since we already had the Labrador Retriever articles on 8PawsUp.com, we felt it only fair to include all of our canine friends - regardless of color, breed, or design. So go and check it out now here!

Mommy is working hard to populate it right now so please keep checking back for new tips and advice every week. We are getting the information to mommy as fast as we cant but her poor little human fingers just can't keep up! (She needs paws!)

Oh! And don't forget to send her an email at shan[at]dogwiregifts.com with any tips and advice topics that you would like to see!

Lab smiles,
Dakota & Cheyenne

April Showers = Muddy Pooches

The April showers haven't even begun to rain on us but that doesn't stop the dogs from finding any and every little mud puddle they can. For us, it was a beautiful 70 degree day at the local dog park and the first 1.5 hours went very well. Needless to say, one our way out, little Miss Cheyenne saw decided to no longer heed my calls of "no, leave it!" when getting close to a mud puddle. The other dogs were doing it and it looked like fun. Within a blink of an eye, Cheyenne ran head first into a long ravine of mud and, after she found the muddiest part of it, she laid down on her side and shoot a huge Labrador smile at me.

Dakota instinctively looked up at me to decide whether she dare join her sister. The look on my face and tone of my voice must have told her it was not wise to venture down the path her canine sister had taken and so she clung to my side.

The trip was only supposed to be 1.5 hours. However, the need to let Cheyenne dry off in the front of the park was necessary. The last thing needed was a dripping, muddy, smelly Lab Brat in the back seat of my sedan. Figures my husband had just taken the car seat covers out a couple of days before!

Correction: Chocolate Lab, Silver Fur

Some time ago, we posted about "Chocolate Labs, Silver Fur". Our breeder wrote a comment and we stand corrected.

Shannon - actually, we do keep the black in the line, Sam's mom was black, and Kiwi had three grandparents, one on top, two on the bottom who were black. Any color of lab can get the hair coming back from a cut in a weird color, our blacks who've had a tooth graze or a scratch from brush get white hair growth in those places. If it is a major concern for you, you can get a product called Furall at the farm store which when used on a wound will help prevent the hair coming back in the wrong color.

Due to the names of the dogs in the lineage, we assumed they were all chocolate. It seems that Dakota and Cheyenne's lines were mixed with black to keep the line pure. Sorry, Chris! :)

We actually don't mind the color since the Lab Brats are our family companions. Even with the silver, they get so many compliments on the red (brindle) highlight and build. So, the Labrador Brats will not be using "Furall", but we did want to put it out there should anyone else care to try it.

Dog Dominance

I have two spayed female labs. One is 5, one is 2+. They play, eat, hunt, sleep do everything together until 3 days ago when the older female mounted the younger dog, and they had to be dragged apart with some good puncture bite wounds etc.The older dog has been dormant, but the two year old is getting bolder, with stealing toys etc. The older dog never seemed to mind this behavior until Bloody Sunday.

We now have to keep the older dog on a leash for fear she will hurt the younger dog. We have walked them together, and if they both are occupied they seem OK outside. With no distractions, the older dog is constantly checking out the younger and will posture and try to mount again if we don't stop her ... Will I have to give one of these dogs up?

~LLister

This is definitely a dominance issue. Here, read this article on Lab Sibling Rivalry. You need to understand the pack order and how to help square away the order within your house. I don't see any reason why you would need to give either of them up as it is an easy situation to handle - if handled correctly.I hope it helps! Keep us up to date!

Lab smiles,
Sianan

Picture Collage

Please feel free to have a seat, make yourself comfy, and enjoy a slideshow of the Lab Brats!

They can be just so cute when they aren't getting into trouble! :)

Unexpected friends

A full day of doggy daycare and you think the pups would have been tired. Well, Cheyenne was pooped but Dakota came home, ate, and wanted to go downstairs to play with her stuffed toys. Yes, the girl is obsessive about those squeak toys and wants nothing more than to see how many she can get in her mouth at any given time and keep away from her family.

Why wasn't Dakota as tired as Cheyenne? From what the doggy daycare told us, Dakota decided to sun herself all day. The weather was beautiful and not too hot nor cold. So, she laid out and became a sun bathing doggess all day. Sure, she played here and there. However, her best friend on the first day of doggy daycare was Mr. Sun!

Gotta Love Doggy Daycare!

The Lab Brats left early this morning; on their way to a new doggy daycare. For those that remember, the Labs once enjoyed their days at a local daycare but had to be removed due to continuous problems with kennel cough and other illnesses. Needless to say, we made sure the next place would be better maintained, had more room, and was run by very knowledgeable staff. After months of being on a waiting list, Dakota and Cheyenne are now enjoying one day per week at the Central Bark Doggy Daycare in Waukesha.

It was around 12pm, when I couldn't stand it anymore. Even though I was hard at work, our house was empty and I so wondered if the brats were okay. One call to the doggy daycare and the words "Your dogs are doing wonderfully! They are so well behaved. You are so lucky!" Wow! The Lab Brats are well behaved and I am lucky. I guess counting the multiple puppy tooth scars I have all over my body from the months of training were well worth it. My pups are enjoying a well-deserved day of frolicking in the sun and I am enjoying the opportunity to work in peace and quiet. Thank you girls for being well behaved and not giving them a reason to kick you out on your first day! I can't wait until they come home, demand their food, and crash for the next 48 hours straight from exhaustion!

LabBrats Review: Purina Busy Bone Dental

Mom is not feeling very well today so it she gave us permission to do something we have wanted to do for a while now. A Labrador Retriever review!

What's that? Well, we know how picky Labs are and how many products either can't handle a Lab's mighty teeth, chewing ability, or stomach, so we decided to start reviewing some of the new stuff mom and dad bring home for us. Mom was waiting until she was able to update 8PawsUp.com so that user's can post their own reviews but decided to let us get our paws dirty today. So, without further delay, we present our first Lab Review!

• Product: Purina Busy Bone Dental (for large dogs)
• Reason for purchase: Dakota's "alleged" bad breath
• Dakota's Notes: Tasty yummy. I started to drool before mom even put it on the floor. It took 15 minutes for me to eat and my breath was cleaner smelling after just 1 bone! Mom did have some crumbs to vacuum after as we ate it on the carpet. Best yet, I didnt have any allergic reaction to the ingredients!
• Cheyenne's Notes: I was jumping out of my skin while mom was trying to open the package. It took me 20 minutes to eat since I didn't want to drop even the smallest of crumbs. Dakota's breath was much better (because I didn't have a problem) that I kept trying to lick the crumbs from her mouth afterwards.
• Lab Brats Rating: 7 out of 8 Paws Up

Although the package says to feed one a day, mom said she will only feed us one every month. A package of 2 bones was over $5.50, which is too expensive for everyday feeding. Too bad because we really liked it but mom knows best and doesn't want us to have any tummy problems either.

Well that's our first and far from last review. If you have a product that you would like us to review, feel free to email our mom at shan[at]8pawsup.com.

Lab smiles,
Dakota & Cheyenne

Greeting Guests

Dakota and Cheyenne love to meet new people. Naturally, when someone comes to our house, it turns into a social gathering for the Labs. To them, the people came to see them and only them. These guests are not here to socialize with the other humans in the house nor fix a leaky pipe. They are now in the Lab Brats territory and therefore all eyes and hands must be on the girls.

So, it didn't surprise me that when an emergency plumber was needed, the poor gentlemen would have to go through a thorough Lab inspection prior to entering the "Lab Domain". The first question out of the pair was "Are they friendly?". My answer: "Sure, as long as you aren't a threat to me." I had to laugh when both men smiled but came into the house as though being slowed down by some sort of invisible force field. I guess when you have two big dogs, one weighing in at 83 lbs and the other around 75 lbs, one would be on their guard. Especially when you look down and notice that the hair on the back of the big one is standing straighter than a new recruit in the army; even though the tail is wagging a mile a minute.

I have no choice but to laugh at them during times like these. No, they don't get scolded or told to leave the people alone. This is there domain and as long as they do not jump or bite, they are more than allowed to give the people a once over. It is when Dakota sticks her muzzle so far up the visitor's crotch that I have to get her attention. I usually do so with a laugh and a humorous remark of "Dakota, you are such a pervert!". Does that stop her? Sure, for about 2 minutes. It is like she needs to make sure the visitors aren't changing into someone else - they must have the same scent from second to second - no matter how many times she sticks her nose there or how far into the unexpecting crotches of our guests that she needs to get!

That's our pervert... err... Lab!

Leaky Bladder

I just hate it when I have another Labrador Retriever medical topic to blog about. Usually it means that one of the Lab Brats is suffering something and we get to spend another couple of hours at the vet. Although it is usually Cheyenne, this time it is Dakota.

Dakota has once again began to clean her privates more so than usual. This time though, my husband caught the culprit. Dakota's leaking urine while in a laying down position. No, she isn't having housebreaking problems, she is not even noticing it until it is too late and she tries to clean herself to get rid of the evidence. She can be sleeping and all of a sudden wake up to clean herself. Unfortunately, this may be the sign of a bladder infection.

Lucky for us, we have a vet appointment already set up for next weekend so that she can get her regular hip dysplasia check with a blood check to make sure that her Metacam medication for her hips isn't causing anything bad such as liver damage. So, my husband has until next Saturday to get a pie plate for an early morning urine specimen from Dakota right before our appointment. Lucky for us, we have girls. I could only imagine my husband trying to chase around a male dog at 5am, in the Wisconsin cold, to collect a fresh urine sample! LOL

Major Pet Food Recall - Pets Dying!

At least 10 dogs and cats have died after eating a number of wet pet foods recently. Now 60 million containers are being recalled due to kidney failure and death. They are not sure what caused the problem with the foods but if your dogs or cats are on any of these foods, please stop feeding it to them immediately!

• Recalled Dog Product Information
• Recalled Cat Product Information
• Menu Foods Recall (Press Release)

Follow the links to see a complete list of foods and UPC numbers from the bags. Spread the word!

Coat Blowout Season!

No, we aren't have a blowout sale on our coats, rather, we are having coats that are blowing out!

Everyone will tell you; if you want a dog that doesn't shed, don't get a Labrador Retriever. For those that don't have Labs, please listen to these people! A once tidy and clean house can be covered in dog fur within hours - especially when the spring season arrives! Last season wasn't so bad because Cheyenne was just a puppy so we just had Dakota blowing her coat. Oops - let me step back here. "Blowing their coat" means that they are shedding their underlining of winter fur in their coats. Labrador Retrievers have a very dense fur with an outer layer that is water repellent and another layer below that keeps them warm. When the spring hits, there is no more need for the under layer of fur - so, it starts to come off in early spring.

Well, it is early spring and we have shedding! Even with vacuuming every two days, my Dyson Animal 14 vacuum cleaner just can't keep up. We joke that every time we empty the canister, it looks like we are throwing away a Lab puppy because there is just so much fur!

Not only that - when I say it is everywhere, I mean it is EVERYWHERE! I haven't had one meal in the last few weeks that I haven't gotten to the table and found a piece of dog hair on it! It is on our stove, in our refrigerator, on our couches, in our shower - you name it, it is there! No! We don't live in a dirty house - I clean it from top to bottom every other day! Dog fur is buried in every small space and corner it can find. On top of that, there was a huge clump of loose fur hanging from Dakota's rear end just the other day! It is coming out it droves and taking over our life!

So, the question begs - would I rather a life without Labs in order to keep my house from getting overrun with dog fur during the "coat blowing" season? No way! Labs are my life! These Labs are my life! Heck, if I didn't love them so much, it would be an easy excuse to get rid of them. These Lab Brats aren't going anywhere - they are staying right here - butt clumping fur and all!

DogWire Squidoo!

Dakota and Cheyenne are the inspiration behind not only 8PawsUp.com but also its larger site DogWireGifts.com. Some call it inspiration while others may call it dog obsession. Either way, both dog breed specific and general dog lover gift stores are a huge hit!

To keep up with the growing popularity, DogWireGifts.com now has it owns Squidoo lens. Come and check it out now - let us know what you think! Dakota and Cheyenne are dying for some constructive feedback as they have worked their paws to the bones to get this everything up and running smoothly!

Okay, so they didn't work their paws to the bones. I worked my fingers to the bones because both of them were sitting behind me and barking orders! You have no idea how particular and demanding these Lab Brats can be when they want something done! :)

Sulking Puppy

Have you ever seen a Labrador Retriever sulk before? It is one of the funniest things ever! It is even funnier when you have a Lab with extra droopy Sad-Sam looking eyes. Well, that's Dakota for you and today she is putting on an extra helping of "feel sorry for me" because her daddy came home real quick from work and left again.

The Lab Brats got so excited because daddy was home from work and it was only when he changed from one work outfit to another did Dakota's tail stop wagging! One minute she was the happiest puppy in the world, daddy's little girl. The next moment, she was like this:

Needless to say, this is anything but a happy Lab puppy. Not even a doggy cookie works for clearing up her blues. She just keeps walking around the house, sighing, and looking out the front window for him. She is so sad that you can't help but laugh. Cheyenne could care less as she watches Dakota with interest from a distance. Daddy better come home soon or her face is going to slide right off!

Living with a Labrador Puppy

I came across this great article in my normal Labrador web surfing and had to share. This is hilarious but oh so true! Take heed and heart! Thank goodness the Lab Brats are finally beyond steps 1-7!

---

Living with a Labrador Puppy
Written by Beren deMotier

Instructions

STEP 1: Look into your puppy’s adorable eyes, and lower your standards of cleanliness, of landscaping, of punctuality, of how smelly you are willing to be.

STEP 2: Sign up for puppy classes as soon as you return home with the puppy; use your cell phone at the breeder’s if possible.

STEP 3: Remove all chewable objects from the floor: shoes, purses, pillows, recycling bins, computer hard drives and toddlers.

STEP 4: Gate off any areas the puppy shouldn’t go using metal gates (plastic gates won’t last a day or wooden ones an hour).

STEP 5: Don’t let that puppy out of your sight for a second! Use positive reinforcement for every good behavior (“Good Rover, good pooping outside!”), and not shaming. Labradors are the surfer dudes of the canine world, and will look at you blankly if you point out the error of their ways.

STEP 6: Practice on a leash as soon as you get a collar on that pup. Make him follow you, or you will be following him with your arm outstretched shouting, “Heel, Rover, heel!” for the next 12 years.

STEP 7: Learn home repair skills as your Labrador enters the teen years and teethes on doors, stairs and kitchen cupboards, as well as swallowing aluminum cans, entire collars (spitting out the metal parts), and any chew toy marketed as "lasts for hours."

STEP 8: Once mature at four, your Lab will become the dog of your dreams--provided you’ve trained him, gotten used to piles of poop and don’t mind finding dog hair in every square inch of your home, including in the refrigerator and its contents.

STEP 9: Enjoy his golden years of calmness as arthritis sets in, his ebullience wanes and you have the perfect dog.

Reference: How to Live with a Labrador by Beren deMotier

Update: Lost Lab Massachusetts!

I am happy to report that Celine is now home safe and sound with her new family! Dakota and Cheyenne are so happy they are doing back flips!

Posted 3/9/07 by foster mom: Due to a wonderful new 'mom' that wouldn't give up and the help from a local tracker, Celine is home tonight safe and sound!! She was sleeping calmly in her pup tent in her living room last I spoke to her mom. Thank you to everyone for your good wishes and prayers, I am sure they all helped.

What happy news!!!

Flaky Skin

Agh! For the love of Chocolate Labs! We thought we conquered this over a year ago and now it is back in full swing. Both Labs Brats have dry flaky skin and what is even worse is that Dakota has dry patches on her muzzle and Cheyenne keeps eating her paws. The culprit? The dog food!

Don't worry, the pups get the best food possible. However, we decided to give them the duck version of the food. We didn't know that they use a small amount of chicken by-product and both of the girls are allergic to chicken. Unfortunately, they are having a very high reaction to it this time. So, it is back to the Salmon line (or as we call it, the "Fishy" food) for us! Wish us luck because if we don't, Cheyenne will be missing some paws if this keeps up any longer!

Labs Don't Like Clothes

A nice person sent our Labs a couple of t-shirts. Unfortunately, they were a little small so I just put it over Dakota's neck and I don't think either Dakota nor Cheyenne really liked it that much.

*laugh* Well, it was a nice gesture anyway. :)

Lost Lab Massachusetts!

There is a lost Labrador Retriever so please read and help her find her way home!

PLEASE HELP FIND CELINE!!!CELINE WAS JUST ADOPTED OUT ON SATURDAY AND PICKED UP FROM TRANSPORT ON SATURDAY. SHE IS A LABS4RESCUE DOG WITH A WONDERFUL ADOPTER. SHE HAS A TAG ON AND IS MICROCHIPPED. SHE IS FULL GROWN YELLOW LAB WITH LONG HOUND EARS. SHE IS SHY AND SCARED AND BOLTED WHEN HER OWNER FELL ON THE ICE AND SCARED HER. SHE HAS THE NUMBER 50 SHAVED OUT ON HER SIDE, TO TAKE OFF THE PAINT THAT HER ORIGINAL OWNERS MUST HAVE PUT ON HER. SHE WAS ADOPTED IN THE WEST BOROUGH AREA OF MASS. PLEASE PLEASE IF ANYONE HEARS ANYTHING ABOUT A DOG WITH THE NUMBER 50 SHAVED OUT OF HER SIDE HAIR, PLEASE CALL ME, SUSAN AT 917 207 8008 ASAP. SHE MUST BE COLD AND SCARED TONIGHT AND WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. MY EMAIL IS SUSANEKAIREB@GMAIL.COM

Chocolate Lab, Silver Fur

During one of our normal one-on-one times, my hand smoothed out Dakota's fur around her face. It was then that I noticed a bump on her upper lip. She did not seem to be in pain or even give notice to the dime-sized bump so I decided to take a closer look. As it turns out, it is a group of dead skin right at the hair line. Rubbing it only makes the fur come out in chunks. Is this natural? Sadly, yes.

When a Labrador Retriever, or almost any dog for that matter, ends up getting a scab from something (say, a little doggy sister), they develop the scab right on top of the skin. This pushes the fur follicles up and out. The result? A giant bald spot that takes forever to grow in.

Given that our Labs are from a full chocolate line, the fur that grows in after one of these scabbing episodes is usually grey or silver in color. No, my girls are not silver labs! They are full chocolate with some brindle. However, because their line was never crossed with a black (which a breeder should do from time to time to keep the chocolate line pure and deep in color), this variation can occur. Were they born with silver fur? Nope! Not a one! However, Dakota now has a few silver hairs on her muzzle, back, and tail due to rough playing. Cheyenne has a couple on her shoulder as well and will probably have a line down her nose soon as Dakota took a chunk of fur when she grazed Cheyenne's muzzle with her tooth during a game of fetch.

Should one worry about this? Nope! Unless you show your Labs, this can happen and it doesn't mean that they are sick or may develop health issues. It is just like someone in their 20's having a patch of grey hair early.... it is just the genetics of hair color. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ying Yang Labrador

I was thinking about the balance and peace that I find with having Labrador Retrievers in my life and family. Then it came upon me, the idea of a new design for my online Lab Dog Store of a Ying-Yang with the small portions of the opposite color replaced with a silhouette of a Labrador Retriever. It is the true harmony and love that this wonderful dog breed brings us human family members and to covey this to non-Lab owners, this design is perfect!

Find the animal balance between positive and negative with this black and white silhouette Labrador Retriever Ying-Yang sign. Perfect dog lover gift idea for the Lab purebreed, rescue, or mix dog breed lover in your life. Wishing the best of a canine balanced life!

If you like this design too, feel free to check it out on other products in our Ying Yang Labrador dog breed section!

Free Dog Toys!

Ever see parents spend a lot of money on toys that their children just toss aside only for their kid to turn around and play with the box it came in? Well, Labrador Retrievers are the same way!

After having their normal play time this morning with daddy, they kept staring at me while I was finishing up getting ready for work. They have such sad faces when I go to work that it just breaks my heart. So, I turned around and grabbed a couple of empty gallon milk jugs off the top of the fridge and threw them into the living room. Play time was on!

Yep! Our dogs love clear plastic bottles, containers, and jugs. The thicker the plastic, the better! They run around the room like it is the bestest toy in the world. Cheyenne will "butt tuck" with it, throw it up in the air and try to catch it. Dakota will run into a corner (keep away) and if you don't chase her, she will lay don't and shred it - piece by little piece. Not to worry, neither pup chews on it for too long and they do not eat any pieces - they just love to play with it.

Once they were done, it was time to call our for a trade. Both Labs come running up to me in the kitchen, with jugs in their mouths and a Lab smile on their face. As I reached for their special treats, they then laid the jugs at my feet so I could toss them in the recycle bin.

For free, you get at least 20 minutes of play time and don't have to worry if they destroy the plastic container because it is going to be thrown out any way. Allowing them, as a major chewing breed, to get their chew on something we don't care about, satisfies their craving to chew and items like our slippers and furniture go another day without harm!

Try it with your Lab for free! Just remember it is important to remove all the caps, plastic bands, labels, and any other parts that your dog may choke on or cut them. Never give your dog a metal container or anything with sharp edges or made of a hazardous material! You don't want to turn play time into vet time!