Neighbors and Barking

I wonder - do you ever feel bad when your dogs are in the backyard playing and barking at each other? Do you ever feel like the neighbors are probably really annoyed at the noise? I don’t mean leaving your dogs outside for hours; I mean having them out for less then 30 minutes to play...

Just now Cheyenne was barking at Dakota because Dakota decided to hog all the balls outside and not let Cheyenne have any. This is normal play for them as Dakota is just asserting her alpha role with her little sister. However, Cheyenne likes to verbalize how annoyed she is that her big sister won't share and boy does she have a mouth on her.

It is all my fault and I know it. You see, when Cheyenne was a pup, I told her to "tell her" (Dakota) when she would take all the toys and hide. In the house, it is fun. Outside the house, well, I just don't think the neighbors think it is as much fun.

Sure, if we had kids and they were playing in the snow, then they would talk and laugh out loud. But, when it is dogs, people just don't think it is as cute. Not that we have had any complaints nor that we should be embarrassed about our dogs being dogs... just that I wonder how many other Lab or other type of dog owners and lovers feel this way from time to time. For some reason, kids are tolerated but dogs are not. Anyone else find this to be true?

Homemade Dog Treats

What Labs can turn down free dog treats?

When we received an email from a woman that was working to break into the homemade dog treat scene, our doggy ears perked up. All she wanted to do was send us some free samples of her dog cookies and get our feedback. Well, the Lab Brats don't just reply to an email, we bark it out to the entire blog community! *laugh*

Conni's Pampered Pooch (http://www.connispamperedpooch.com) is a home based business where Connie herself makes all her own dog treats with natural ingredients and by hand. There are no fancy contraptions in Connie's kitchen; just love!

The amount of care and love she puts into her products is obvious. Upon opening the bag, the Lab Brats automatically smelled the doggy goodness and Cheyenne was climbing on the counter to get a closer "look" even though I didn't open the box fully. The little brat actually grabbed the bag of Beef-N-Cheddar biscuits from the counter and tried to run away with it! Not to worry, with one "drop it" command, the bag was released from the Jaws of Life and equally shared between both dogs.

So, what do we think about Conni's Pampered Pooch dog treats? The Lab Brats love them! We received free samples of both the Beef-N-Cheddar as well as Apples-N-Cinnamon. Although they loved both and woofed down even last morsel, the Beef was definitely more a hit in our house.

Awesome doggy cookies Connie! Keep up the great work!

Lab Advice: Not Eating

Question:
Shannon- I have a 10 month old Chocolate Lab. The past month he has been very picky about eating. First it was he would not eat out of his dish holder but would eat out of his bowl in his crate. So a friend (also a lab breeder/owner) said to feed him in there because he is just spoiled and proving who has power. Now he flips his dish over in the crate so the food spills out of the crate. Friday he was fed at 5:30 (usual time) and he did not eat the majority of his food until 8:30 at least. So to prove a point and make him want to eat, I thought I would not feed him in the am (usual feed time is 7:30) and make him hungry. At 5:30 he was given his food and water and he drank the water and played with the food. So I went and added watered down gravy topping to the food and then he did eat it finally (not devoured) just ate it. This morning he was let out and then was given food and water and he drank his water down quickly but turned down the food. So instead of giving him the food to nibble on during the day I picked it up and figured I would give it to him at 5:30. He is still active and plays. Chews on his bones and goes potty (both). My husband thinks I am paranoid. Do you think the pup should see the vet? Please help. Thanks Tanya

Answer:
Tanya - Please stop catering to your pup and moving his schedule and food around to try and make him eat.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that he is going potty and popping fine. If the digestive system is still working, then it means that either your dog food is really not that great (to your pup) or you pup is just being moody and only wants to eat when and where he wants. You didn't say what food you are feeding so I will just say that you need to make sure that it is a high quality dog food with all the nutrients he needs. Forget the "gravy" and stuff... dog food is all he needs (with a treat here and there).

If there are not problems with digestion and the pup is able to go potty/pooping just fine, then I suggest you read the Labrador Retriever Feeding Guide. Your pup should be on a feeding schedule and also have any left over food removed after a certain time. We give our dogs 30 minutes at most to finish their food before picking up their dish and throwing out the rest. (Of course, they gobble everything down in 1 minute flat.) Your pup will not starve. Just make sure you give the same amount of food at the same time every day and remove the uneaten portions.

Try this for a few days. If you notice that there is no change after a few days or that your pup is losing a great deal of weight or have other health problems that are coming to light, bring your pup to the veterinarian. Most of the time it is just the pup being annoying stubborn... just keep a close eye on it and take the alpha role back in your house.

Good luck!

Snow Games

The Lab Brats are full of energy this morning. It may be the freshly fallen snow or the fact that we can't even remember the last time we were able to get to the dog park (they don't snow plow well enough for a Saturn to get to it). What to do to get rid of all that Labrador energy?

Find it! Well, a version of our very popular "Find It! Game" with a twist. Instead of hiding the food around the house, I threw a handful of their dog kibble out into the fresh powder of snow. Talk about being in heaven! Both dogs took a head-dive into the snow and started to use their hunting (smell) skills and digging to find the kibble spread throughout the yard before the other could find it. With hearts pounding and noses smelling every area of the yard, they used their innate Lab skills to find every last morsel.

Did it work? Most definitely! Both dogs came into the house breathing heavy and after getting a small bit of water, they crashed on the floor out of breath. Score one for the Lab mommy!

(Please note: When throwing kibble into the snow, make sure that it is on soft snow that is far away from any ice melter or salt that may have been spread out to prevent ice. Consumption of such ice melters can be poisonous to dogs if ingested.)

Bye Bye Doggy Daycare

Daddy broke the news to us last night: this Thursday is our last day at Central Bark Doggy Daycare.

Something was said about how much human money it costs to send us to doggy daycare every week. I dont get it! We only get to go once a week but daddy told us it costs tons of mommy and daddy's hard earned money to let us attend this super place. Huh? Why cant they just make more money?

So daddy tried to explain this to us in doggie terms. For what it costs for them to send both of us to doggy daycare just one day a week for a year, the amount of American money spent equals the following in 1 year:

57 - 30lb bags of Eagle Pack Holistic Select® Dry Dog Food (our dog food)

OR

297 boxes of Nutro Lamb Dog Treats (our dog cookies)

OR

122 reflective dog collars

OR

8 complete veterinarian clinic visits with complete shots

OR

346 brand new Cuz toys

OR

231 brand new squeaky plush duck toys

All I can say is... Wow! Cheyenne started to cry when she heard about all the wonderful food we could buy with all that money and as for me, I am all for saying goodbye to doggy daycare if it means there is more money for brand new squeaky ducks! Sure we will miss doggy daycare but when you can have more squeaky ducks instead - there is no competition!!

Lab smiles,
Dakota

Which Puppy Food?

Question:

We are blessed to be bringing home a beautiful Yellow Lab puppy on the 23rd of feb. Mathayus will be 15 weeks old when we bring him home and we have everything except for the food, we can't seem to decide what would be best for our new family member. Do you have any suggestions?

Signed,
John


Answer:

First, congrats on the new addition to your family! Bringing home a puppy is both an exciting and nervous time.

In answer to your question, I highly recommend the Eagle Pack Holistic Select® Large & Giant Breed Puppy Formula. Not only does it provide everything a growing large breed puppy needs but Eagle Pack was one of the few dog food companies that did not have to be pulled off the pet store shelves during the most recent pet food scare. Eagle Pack has high guidelines for testing and quality control for their pet products.

Our own Labrador Retrievers went through a number of dog foods until we found Eagle Pack Holistic. Both dogs had dry skin, dull coats, runny eyes, and were prone to hip problems. After a few weeks on Eagle Pack Holistic, all these problems were resolved. Sure, it is a little more expensive then other dog foods but it is holistic, helps prevent unnecessary vet visits for ailments caused by poor food, and they even supply dog food coupons on their website to help with the costs. And an added bonus is that the food is guaranteed. If your pup doesn't like it, they will give you your money back.

Of course, there is a process for moving over your pup from the dog food provided by the breeder to whatever new food you choose. You will want to make sure it is a slow transition from the old food to the new food and read up on Dog Food and Labrador Retrievers.

Good luck and congrats on the new family member! Make sure to send us pictures to post!

Bring in the Ducky!

I am such a happy Labbie! Mommy went out into the extreme cold yesterday and gots me my barkday pressie! Of course, she couldnt leave little Sis out so Cheyenne gots a pressie of her own. Then she had the Lab gaul to steal my ducky from me. Wanna see? Take a look at the video evidence mommy gots on the camera thingy below!

Thanks mommy for the ducky! I am definitely one loved Lab!

Lab smiles,
Dakota

Missing Birthday Present

Bad, bad, mommy! My barkday came and went and all I gots is a "Happy Birthday" with a few belly rubs. You believe that daddy forgot to wish me a happy birthday until he got home late that night? I mean, what is a Labbie to do??

Sure, mommy said that it has been too cold to run out and get a present but I am worth it, aint I? What's the big deal with all this talk about the cold anyway? Sis and I dont see a problem. Actually it is refreshing to walk out into the brisk cold and have the breeze hit your "nether regions" and all. I think mommy is just a whimp because she dont have pretty coats like me and Sis.

She says not to worry. She says she will go out later today just to get my barkday present. All I can say is its about time and she better not come home without one of those stuffed ducks! I love me those stuffed ducks! Mine, mine, mine! None for bratty Sis! Now that be a barkday!

Lab smiles,
Dakota

Happy 3rd Birthday, Dakota!

Yes! Today is our Dakota's 3rd birthday. Just 3 years ago a small chocolate Lab pup named "Peaches" was born to two beautiful Labrador Retrievers. So small and so innocent.

Our breeds paired us up with Dakota after we filled out a family survey. At 7 weeks old, "Peaches" was assessed by the breeder and it seemed that our family was a sure fit to be the perfect home for this particular pup. Our breeder must have had angels whispering in her ear because she paired us up perfectly. "Peaches" fits this family like a glove.

At 8 weeks old, we drove 4 hours south to pick up our precious pup. She was adorable! She was a spitting image of her father; the Lab my husband fell in love with after seeing only a picture online. Even though she was small, you could tell by the size of her paws that she was going to be one big girl. That day we named her Dakota and welcomed her into our family.

I can't help but laugh because we always heard "get a load of this size of this pup's paws" while she was young and even today people still think she has some growing to do. Sure, she may be 3 years old but she is just an 82lb mushy puppy that sometimes thinks she is more human then dog. Alas, that is my husband's fault - or at least I would like to think it is his fault. *innocent smile*

So, tonight we celebrate Dakota's birthday and you all seem to think a new toy and trip to the dog park are the perfect way to celebrate. Alas, we are in the Midwest and have more snow, icy roads, and freezing temperatures today so the dog park will have to wait a bit more. Not to worry though - this Lab mommy will venture out into the cold tonight to get Dakota's birthday present. Want to know what it will be? Check back on Wednesday to see! *wink*

Lab Advice: Annoying Behavior

Question:

Shannon,

I have a 9 mo. old chocolate lab male. He has always been a barker! Every morning when he's ready for us to get out of bed, he barks non-stop. Then he follows me to the bathroom and barks at me while I go potty! When he wants to play or attention, he will bark at you and sometimes act like he's gonna bite us! How do we get him to stop this annoying behavior?

Signed: Steph


Answer:

Steph,

Isn't that annoying or what? Believe it or not, the Lab Brats went through the same thing and there is a way to curb this behavior. First though, you must realize that your pup is in the middle of Stage 3: Adolescent in the Lab Stages meaning welcome to what humans call the "terrible twos"! So, your pup is going to be a pain in the rear and try to test your patience in every way. However, now is the time to reinforce your alpha role in the house.

Remember that you should NEVER take a barking pup out of a crate when they are in the middle of barking nor should you ever give them any type of attention when they get mouthy or verbal. In the morning, you need to set up a schedule as to what time you get out of bed and let your pup out: this includes the weekends. Wait until he is done barking before you let him outside - he should sit for you and wait before you open the door. Only when he is calm and submissive do you even give him attention or let him out. The same thing goes for when you are in the bathroom and whenever he wants to play. If he looks like he is going to snap, turn your body away from him. Do not show him aggression back as he will think you are up for a play fight.

I know how difficult it can be to ignore the barking. Our Dakota caught on quickly that barking got her nowhere but Cheyenne was another story. And, of course, she has such a high-pitch bark when she wants your attention that it goes right through your bones. Crate training was so difficult and teaching her that only calm and submissive behavior gets her things took a long time but we stuck to our guns. Now she is much better and hardly has any problems with barking. When she does, we go back to square one and it takes only a couple of days to remind her who is boss.

Two last bits of advice on the subject of being maintaining your alpha role and nipping such things in the bud. 1) When playing tug or anything else like that, never let your pup win and get the toy away from you. 2) Make sure all members of your family are on the same page as far as training. It only takes one member in the house to spoil the pup and everything you have worked so hard to train.

Good luck and don't give up hope! With persistent and consistent training, your house will be quiet one day! *smile*

Lab smiles,
Shannon

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Lab Brats and family would like to wish you a wonderful Valentine's Day. We hope it is a day filled with loads of love, laughter, and more than one belly rub! *smile*

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here Comes Dakota's Birthday!

Next Monday, February 18th, our mushy Dakota will turn 3 years old! It seems like only yesterday that we brought her home at 8 weeks old and a small 10lbs. Today she is slightly over 80lbs and the biggest mushy human lover you can imagine.

So, it is once again time to poll our cyber Lab family. What do you think we should get Dakota for her 3rd birthday?

Don't be shy - the poll is multiple choice so choose as many or as little present as you think Dakota should receive. Of course, we took out the choice of "Other" this year because you people always think we should get another Lab puppy as a present for the Lab Brats. Are you nuts? Have you not read our blog and realize what life is like with just the two? *laugh*

Enough with the Barking!

My frustration levels rises. I wonder where in the world she learned this behavior and how did it come to this. What am I talking about? Cheyenne's new annoying bark.

Barking is a normal way for dogs to communicate and I am all for communication. Normally though, Cheyenne will let out this single high-pitch bark only when needing to go out for potty or when she can't get to something she wants. I understand the former reason and the latter is usually reserved for those times I hide bits of their kibble around the house and there is one that is just to difficult to get. But now that high-pitch "Mommy come here" bark is being use for when she is bored and wants someone to play with her or give her attention.

Our smart Labbie knows that this particular bark will get us to come running to her side since we don't want her to have an accident in the house. However, we will now find her laying in her spots around the house and just letting out a single bark to see if we will come running... and running we do because this type of bark is so high-pitch that it could be nothing short of an emergency... right?

*laugh* Darned if you do and darned if you don't come to her side. How are we going to train this out of her? Well, there is no other way then to get her on a specific potty schedule and ignore all the other barks until she realizes once again that the bark is only for emergencies and not to trick us into falling to our knees to give her belly rubs or throw a ball for her.

Let's just pray that my eardrums don't burst before she understands the difference between truly needing us at that moment and crying wolf...

Stop Canine Obesity

I am not one to usually post for advertisements for other websites but when I received a blog comment for "Helping the Hips", it seemed obvious that this was a message that needed to be conveyed.

As you already know, Dakota has Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) and therefore maintaining her health is crucial to a long and happy life. One of the main aspects of maintaining her health is through maintaining her weight. This past weekend, Dakota tipped the scales once again at 82.2lbs. Given her size, she should not be more than 80lbs in order to ensure that no unnecessary weight is bearing on her hips and causing further damage. So, when I received a post about a new website called StopCanineObesity.com I had to post about it.

Remember that Labrador Retrievers love to eat and there is a high rate of obesity in this particular dog breed. The breed itself is made for high levels of activity to go along with its eating habits and with the proper levels of exercise and feeding, Labs are able to stay lean, healthy, and happy.

Canine Obesity – Just How Bad Is It?
Canine obesity is an important – and very common – medical condition with serious health implications. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated that there are 41.2 million pet dogs in the United States. Other sources estimate 40 percent of those dogs, approximately 17 million, are overweight or obese. A recent study conducted by Pfizer Animal Health found that veterinarians consider 47% of their patients overweight or obese but only 17% of dog owners think the same. Why the difference? It could be denial or the difficulty owners have in recognizing when their dogs are overweight.

So I urge you to visit StopCanineObesity.com and learn all you can about the causes, health problems, and identifying obesity in dogs. You want a healthy and happy pup, right? Then become an expert in canine obesity... for your dog's sake.

Our February Online Newsletter

Hot off the press! Our February 2008 issue of "Lab Tails" is now available for you online!

Read it here: http://www.8pawsup.com/newsletter/080201newsletter.html

Where's the Heat?

Why do we make our dogs suffer as much as we do? I mean - all they want to do is love us and be by our side as much as possible. It is all about us and not them. *laugh* Yeah right!!

It's all about Dakota! Once again this morning, I was reminded about how much we inconvenience our beloved 3-year old chocolate Labrador Retriever queen. Not only do we not play with her or massage her on command but we don't provide heat from our heating vents on command either.

What bad dog parents we are to keep the house at 68F degrees! Don't we know that Dakota simply cannot function without it being at least 72F in the house?? It is winter for chocolate sake! The queen must have her heat or lay idle by the 8ft-long heating vent in our living room and not only reposition herself every couple of minutes but let our a huge sigh to let us know that she is not happy with the situation at all. We are such awful doggy parents not to think of her needs above our own. Just a couple of months ago, we blocked her "sacred" heating vent with a huge Christmas tree and now that it is available to her once again, we have gone and turned down the heating temperature in the house to save money. What gall to interrupt her highness' beauty rest!

Nevertheless, Dakota's humble servant (mainly me) turned the heat up to 72F and now the chocolate queen of the house is resting soundly with her own personal sauna heating her back and hips.

What gall we had to do such a thing! We are lucky if the queen doesn't behead us! *laugh* Ah - such is life at the Lab Brats house... where Dakota will never quite get that she is not actually a human being but a dog. *huge laugh*

Wet Labs Smell

Yes my friends, wet Labrador Retrievers do indeed smell!

What a way to start off a Friday morning; by exclaiming the well-known fact that dogs smell! *laugh* Why state the obvious? Well, no matter how many times Dakota and Cheyenne get wet or snowy, I cannot get beyond how fast they stink and stink they do! For instance, this morning we were greeted by 6-10 inches of snow in the midwest and although my husband and I dreaded going out to clean it all up, the Lab Brats were happy as pigs in mud. With their reflective collars on, they ran their chocolate rears as fast and they can into the backyard and started to imitate snow plows once again. Not one inch of their chocolate bodies could be seen because they were now all white!

You would think that when the snow gets shaken off at the end of playing that they are nice and dry... alas, how wrong we dog owners are. For beyond the beautiful coat lay a smell that holds its attack until it is in a clean enclosed house!!

Wetness everywhere! Of course, the Lab Brats think the smell is too good to keep to themselves. After we are done toweling them off, they run over to rub against the couch, carpet, and anything else they can "share" their new found smell with. It doesn't matter how much we dry them or how much their mommy says "No!", they must do what they must do... for after all... they are Labrador Retrievers!

Thank goodness for Yankee Candles! *laugh*