Must Have Sunspots

My Labrador Retrievers known many commands and we swear that Dakota even knows how to spell. There is one particular word they know and coming running to no matter where they are in the house: "Sunspots!"

During winter, we don't get much daylight here in Wisconsin as our days are usually overcast. So, when we do it is a real treat. That is why I walk around the entire house first thing in the morning and open all the blinds and shades as far open as I can get them. I even resort to climbing on top of my couch to manually roll up one of the blinds behind it to make sure all areas of all windows are showing. Once I notice the sun hitting the floor, I say out loud: "Cheyenne. Dakota. Sunspots." and both Lab Brats come running from other rooms just to lay down on the floor with the sun shining on their bodies. Even if I think the sunspot is just large enough for one dog, both will find some way of squeezing onto the sunspot together; sometimes resting their head on their other's body or even sitting on the one laying down. It is like the sunrise showdown in my house as soon as the smallest ray of sun hits my floor and the Lab Brats love every minute of it!

Curious - how many other Labs out there go to such extremes to lay in a sunspot at their homes? Feel free to post a comment and tell us about your Lab's sun worshipping behaviors.

Can't Escape the Nose

It is not nice to fool with mother nature nor wee Labbies.

The sense of smell for Labrador Retrievers can be amazing at times. Take this morning. While sitting in my office (and my husband in the shower), Cheyenne started to bark her single high pitch barks. This is her signal to me that there is something that she wants but cannot get to. Usually, it is a peice of kibble that I have hidden in the house during one of our "find it" games, in which I have long since forgotten. However, this time it was different.

As I walked into the kitchen, Cheyenne looked at me as I told her "Show Me" (her command to show me what she wants by sitting pretty and pointing her face at the object she wants). My gaze followed hers and found the dog treat jar on the counter and open wide. It seems that daddy forgot to close the treat jar after giving the Lab Brats their morning treat and although Cheyenne could not physically see the jar from her height, she knew that she smelled "cookies" and was letting me know that food was left out and we had forgotten to give some to her. *laugh*

Yes, Cheyenne's AKC name isn't "Great White Hunter" for nothing. She knows when there is something good to eat that we have left out and forgotten about. And this time, it was daddy forgetting to close the lid to the dog treat jar that spiked Cheyenne's interest. Needless to say, she alerted me to daddy's wrong-doing and for that I reached my hand in the jar and gave her a just reward before cleaning up after her daddy once again.

Daddy should know better then to question the mighty nose of our Labbies; especially Cheyenne. That's my girl!

Lab Weight Scale

So many people e-mail me asking what the proper weight is for a Labrador Retriever or how big their pup will get. Lab owners must realize that each Lab is different plus there are two distinct types of Labs: American (Field) Labs and English (Show) Labs. Our Lab Brats are the English breed and therefore are larger than the leaner American Labs. However, with Cheyenne & Dakota's help, we have put together this age weight scale based on the Lab Brats themselves. Now, remember, the Lab Brats are full blood sisters from the same dame and sire but from two separate litters.

Dakota
7w - 10.5 lbs
7m - 50.6 lbs
12m - 83.4 lbs
14m - 83.4 lbs
15m - 82.9 lbs
16m - 82.9 lbs
19m - 85.2 lbs
20m - 88.3 lbs
21m - 85.4 lbs
2yr - 80.6 lbs
2yr - 82.7 lbs
Today (~3yr) - 80.6 lbs

Cheyenne
5w - 8.5 lbs
9w - 11.4 lbs
11w - 16.6 lbs
12w - 16.6 lbs
13w - 16.6 lbs
15w - 27.2 lbs
19w - 34.8 lbs
6m - 45.1 lbs
7m - 56.0 lbs
8m - 63.4 lbs
9m - 63.4 lbs
10m - 66.4 lbs
11m - 66.4 lbs
12m - 66.4 lbs
13m - 71.8 lbs
15m - 71.3 lbs
16m - 71.3 lbs
18m - 66.1 lbs
19m - 66.1 lbs
21m - 74.2 lbs
23m - 72.3 lbs
Today (2yr) - 70.8 lbs

Luckily for us, Dakota and Cheyenne are now full grown and won't be getting any bigger. Due to Dakota's hip dysplasia, we cut off 8 lbs of her weight to help decrease the weight her hips need to bare. Although both dogs are very big, they are very muscular and lean. This is the proper weight for a dog; healthy. You should be able to see the ribs but not be able to count them by looking at them. As Labrador's are a large breed dog, the right amount of high quality food and exercise is crucial.

So, I hope this answers many of the questions new Lab owners have. Since there is no specific growth chart or weight scale for dog breeds, it is difficult to say exactly how much your dog should weigh. However, I hope this will help give some new Lab owners an idea of how to maintain a healthy and happy Lab.

Drinking Water on Command

You can bring a Lab to water and make it drink!

Sometimes, dogs need water and trying to get a dog to drink water on command is like pulling teeth. So, how do you get your Labrador Retriever to drink water when it is necessary?

What do I mean by necessary? Well, case in point, Cheyenne and her daddy were playing around the other day when Cheyenne turned and licked some topical ointment off of her daddy. It was an anti-fungal ointment, which is dangerous if ingested. Granted, she only licked a little bit before making one of the strangest faces and knowing that the ointment tasted horrible. However, it was important to get her mouth rinsed with water and hopefully dilute whatever she ingested.

Getting her to drink on command was impossible so I came up with a quick solution. Off I ran and when I returned, I threw some of the dog's kibble into her water bowl. She started to lick up the water eagerly while trying to get the pieces of kibble. Into the bottom of the bowl dove her head and even after she collected all of the kibble, she continued to drink water to quench her thirst after eating something good.

Not to worry - she is fine now and didn't need a trip to the veterinarian. However, this is a great trick that I thought I would pass along should any other dog lovers find themselves in the same situation. Whether your dog is dehydrated and too stubborn to drink some water or your pup has just ingested a little bit of something it shouldn't and you need to hydrate it quickly, this trick should work for all dog owners. It is a very simple solution for the most stubborn of dogs.

Graduation for One

Believe it or not, we are not disappointed. This weekend we met with one of our trainers and she recommended that Dakota move to the next class (Beginner Novice) while Cheyenne stay in the same class (Beginner) and not graduate with her sister. The reasoning behind this is not so much that Cheyenne is not able to handle the obedience commands but rather that the Lab Brats really need to be separated.

So, yesterday was our first day with the Lab Brats in separate classes. Although they were on the same field, they were much further away from each other and this calmed both of them down significantly. That doesn't mean that they were not looking for each other or that Cheyenne didn't let out a bark to get her sister's attention. It was just that Cheyenne was realizing that it is mommy that she needs to pay attention to; not Dakota.

A couple of further points that we noticed. The first thing is that although we used to let the girls run around the training field beforehand, to get rid of some energy, we noticed that this allowed them to think that the field was for play. Needless to say, we now don't get there early and let them run around. Play time is after training and only if they do well during the training; not before.

The second thing is that sometimes it is best to take it slow in training and not try to rush for towards that more advance class. Some dogs take longer then others to train. This doesn't mean that they aren't as smart but maybe just that they learn differently then other dogs. The rule of thumb is to keep working on the commands until your dog can do it in their sleep and never give up on training your dog because you think he or she is too difficult to train. You should see how many times I have to tap on Cheyenne's head and say "Ready" to get her to finally look up at me. Is she a stupid dog? Far from it! It is just that she is a Retriever and she much rather be chasing/retrieving a duck or something then learning how to sit straight.

Training is an art that should not be rushed; especially with Labrador Retrievers. In the end, it is worth it!

Labrador Retriever Christmas Cards

If you haven't gotten your Christmas cards yet, may I recommend one of our newest artists?

I am very picky about what I add to my 8PawsUp.com Lab Dog Gifts store so it should not come as a shock when I came across this artist that I would have to add this beautiful art piece. It is truly a stunning Christmas artwork design highlighted by a black lab looking adoringly at Santa Claus. Sure, it comes on a wide variety of other gift products that would make any Labrador Retriever dog lover's Christmas but I am especially fond of the Christmas cards. What Lab lover wouldn't be?

Looking for other Labrador Retriever themed holiday gifts, then check out our huge selection of Labrador Retriever Christmas Gifts today!

We Have Pavlov's Labs

I swear that we have Pavlov's dogs in our house. The mention of food, cheese, or even making yourself a sandwich and the drool starts to flow. I am not talking about a little trickle here or there but you actually hear the rush of fluid flowing from Dakota's mouth as it starts to make a small pond on the kitchen floor. Of course, seeing as the Lab Brats are full-blooded sisters, Cheyenne's ability to make drool flow is almost as equally impressive but no one has Dakota beat.

This makes having an old bath towel in our kitchen a necessity. We often use it to dry Dakota's chin after she is done drinking water from her bowl but we also use it to wipe up the floor after Dakota's Falls starts to flow.

What is even more funny is that the drool doesn't just start to flow in one room in the house but in the livingroom and even in our car. For example, we will be eating french fries while sitting in front of the television on the couch and we will need to drape towels over the edges of the couch and our legs. Why? Because Dakota and Cheyenne LOVE McDonald's french fries and just knowing they are near causes a flood of tidal proportions! Then there are those times we stop at the bank drive-thru and they send over a treat for the girls when they give us our receipt. The girls know the tube is the "cookie" shoot and will continue to drool over the door of the car, our shoulders, and the middle console until the cookies are placed firmly inside their very wet mouths!

Even though I know some dogs can have this trait, the Lab Brats are still known in our house as Pavlov's dogs. Now if only we could learn how to turn the drool switch to the "off" position whenever we want. Now that would be cool!

Rocking Dog Training Day!

I finally have proof that dog siblings listen much better when they are on their own rather then when they are together!

My husband happened upon once-in-a-lifetime football tickets for yesterday's game and couldn't make it to early morning outdoor dog training. So, we prepared a Kong for Dakota and she was left home alone while Cheyenne and I headed out for cold-weather dog training. The Lab Brats didn't like being separated but when I look back on it, I know it was the best thing.

Cheyenne was on her mark the entire time during training! There was no sister on the other end of the line for her to concentrate on so her eyes were fixed totally on me. We were even able to do off leash training without her making a b-line for her sister. Instead, her off leash "front" command would find her sitting directly in front of me with her eyes focused on mine. It was totally amazing and the entire class was in awe because they always thought Cheyenne was ADHD and a class talker. Now they know she can behave.

It just goes to show that one Labrador Retriever is easier to train when you don't have a sibling around. Now if only we could convince the trainer to test Cheyenne without Dakota around next week during their graduation to the next level class. (laugh)

Christmas Holiday Labs!

Just in time for the Christmas and Holiday season! We just added a brand new Christmas and Winter Holiday section to our 8PawsUp.com store and they are just too wonderful to pass up! If you don't celebrate Christmas, then that's ok because we have Winter Holiday items as well. These beautiful gifts will let people know you are a Labrador Retriever lover! Check them out in our Labrador Retriever Christmas and Holiday Dog Gifts section today!

Peachy Pup

Great news! Dakota is doing wonderfully! Although she was quite groggy and slept from the time we got her home until the next morning, she came out with a clean bill of health and a healthy pearly white smile.

You are never going to believe this! Well, a couple of days ago I noticed that the growth on Dakota's left elbow was smaller in size; like half the size it was originally. So, when I brought her in yesterday for her procedure to have it removed, I mentioned to the receptionist about it and told her to convey to the vet to remove it only if necessary. As it turns out, the vet had a difficult time finding it because it was so small that he decided not to remove it! He called me with the great news right after he finished her teeth and said that he thinks it was just a blister or infection that seems to be going away on its own. So, he decided she needed nothing more then an extra week on antibiotics. He normally gives 1 week of antibiotics after teeth cleanings but just extended it to help get rid of the rest of that growth/bump.

We are so happy! All of you wonderful puppy prayers worked because our Dakota came out with nothing more then a little fur shaved off her elbow and a wonderful clean smile. (We came out with a $332.00 bill! *laugh*)

Thank you everyone for all the doggy blessings! We are forever thankful!

Puppy Prayers Please

It was a difficult morning for Dakota and Cheyenne. They woke up bright and early, took off for their morning walk with daddy, and when they returned home they found their bowls empty. No food, no water. Dakota was to have a procedure to remove a growth on her elbow and get her teeth cleaned. The vet was stern in their approach of no food nor water after midnight and I had to hold my ground.

That was easier said then done. Cheyenne kept barking to demand she be fed and Dakota sulked around the house. They had no clue what was going on and I felt even worse when I had to lock Cheyenne in her crate so I could go and drop Dakota off. Normally the Lab Brats are not crated but since Cheyenne has never been home alone without Dakota, I didn't want to chance it.

Dakota and I arrived at the veterinarian around 8:15am and she was just being so sweet, looking up at me with those sad eyes, that I didn't want to leave her. I am telling you that her face can melt the coldest of hearts; it is something like the face of Puss in Boots from the movie Shrek. Our hearts always melt for her.

I returned home, fed Cheyenne, let her search the house up and down for her sister, and watched her settle into her sun spot in the living room. Sure, right now she is quite but the Lab Brats normally sleep all morning in the sun. The true fun will be when Cheyenne awakens this afternoon and remembers her sister is gone. I can see it now - high pitched barks and running around smelling everything for a few hours. Thank goodness Dakota comes home around 3:30pm today or I doubt Cheyenne would let us sleep.

So, since Dakota is now at the vet and going through her procedure today, we ask for many puppy prayers for an easy procedure and quick recovery. Thanks and doggy blessings!

Dog Style Birthday!

As you already know, this weekend was Cheyenne's 2nd birthday and boy did we celebrate!

Saturday we spent an hour or so at the dog park, where Cheyenne and Dakota had a blast running all over the place and playing with their doggy friends. Normally Dakota doesn't run a lot (without being thrown a ball) but she was all over the park; running alongside her sister and playing like you wouldn't believe.



Cheyenne and her new birthday present.

Then it was onto the pet store to pick up Cheyenne's new toy. Because the Lab Brats chew through everything, we had no idea what to get her. So, we opted to buy her a replacement to her squeaky-broken football that was able to last 6 months before being killed. She was in heaven and it was as though we had gotten her the best gift in the world. It squeaks! It squeaks! And it squeaks some more! (laugh)



Dakota with her new "pacifier".

Dakota ended up getting a replacement Cuz because she likes to chew the squeaker out of her toys too. She is so silly because she walks around with the ball part sticking out of her mouth like she is sucking on a pacifier!

Then Sunday was a day filled with treats. After a morning of dog training in the cold rain, we stopped by the local butcher for some dog bones. Yep! Raw cow leg bones that are fresh and still have the meat and marrow on/in them! The Lab Brats just couldn't wait to get home!



Cheyenne enjoying her birthday treat.

It took over 3 hours of chewing on the bones before either dog got bored or their mouth got sore (not sure since they refuse to tell us). It cost us $6 for the two bones and not only was it a very healthy birthday present but it is the only thing our Labrador Retrievers can't chew through. Well worth the money to make the girls happy on Cheyenne's happiest of birthdays so far. Here's looking forward to her next 50 birthdays! *wink*



Dakota with her own treat.

Happy 2nd Birthday Cheyenne!

Tomorrow is Cheyenne's 2nd Birthday and we couldn't be prouder. It is still hard to believe that my baby Lab is growing up so quickly. She still looks like a puppy to me; weighing in at a little over 70lbs and full of energy. She is so silly and there is not a day that goes by that she doesn't have me laughing hysterical at something she has done or the funny way she is acting. She is a treasure to have in our home and in our lives.

Even the Lab Brats' weekly visit to doggy daycare came with a birthday surprise. It seems that Cheyenne was treated like royalty all day. Upon returning home, my husband handed me the birthday treat from the daycare, a beautiful picture of my puppy (sporting a "Birthday Dog" bandana from the facility) and a large roast beef and potato doggy biscuit. What a spoiled pooch!


Tomorrow she will be spoiled even more with some wonderful birthday treats chosen by our great Lab Brats Dog Blog readers - YOU! Judging on the poll, 34% of you feel a new toy is in order, followed by 25% with a doggy birthday cake. Since no doggy birthday should be celebrated without something good to eat, Cheyenne will be getting both a cake and a new toy. Of course, she will be sharing her cake with Dakota and we will make sure to get Dakota her own toy as well so she doesn't feel left out! Thanks to everyone that voted and we will be sure to post birthday pictures of the Lab Brats enjoying the celebrations on Monday!