Goldi-Lab

As you may remember from a couple of days ago, the Lab Brats got their crates back. They were so happy that they immediately took up laying in the crates on and off throughout the day without one word from this Lab mommy. So I should be happy, right? I mean, this is what was supposed to happen. No twisting their paws behind their backs and no re-training with treats. Just an easy progression.

Yeah, right! *laugh*

It seems that Goldilocks has taken over one of our Labs. Cheyenne has now turned into Goldi-Lab. Her bed and crate are not enough but she needs to test out her sister's bed and crate when Dakota is busy in another room... or when no one is paying attention. She goes from one bed to another to test out which one is "just right". To Cheyenne, it always seems to be her sister's bed. Why? Well, because it is Dakota's and Cheyenne wants what Dakota has because she is a sneaky little sister.

Of course, we wake her to remind her that the bed she is in is not her own and she needs to go to her own bed. It isn't like she doesn't know which one is her bed - tell her to "kennel up" and she will go into her own bed each and every time. It is funny though to watch as she sulks out of Dakota's crate and heads into her own. (She is just so darn cute when she does it!) She knows that she is not supposed to be in there and like any little bratty sister, she hates when she is caught "red pawed".

The evidence:

Cheyenne & Dakota's crates and beds



Cheyenne's bed empty



Cheyenne sneaking a nap in her sister's bed when no one is looking

Back to Crates

No, the Lab Brats weren't bad enough to warrant bringing back their dog crates. You see, within the next couple of weeks, this Labrador mommy will be not only heading to San Francisco for a long weekend business trip but also returning to corporate life soon after, which will take me away from my beloved dogs for 8 hours away every weekday.

Neither Dakota nor Cheyenne remember being without me for a long period of time. When we brought Dakota home, I was able to work from home for the large Internet organization I had been employed with. Since then I have spent a great deal of time with both pups and they will need some comfort and peace of mind while I am gone.

Hence, the dog crates. Not to worry... they will not be crated all day while we are at work. However, the dog crates have always served as a "den" and comfort zone for the dogs whenever they want to get away, hide from something, or just sleep in peace. So, my present to them is that security blanket if you will... while their mommy is gone they have a place to feel secure... to come and go as they please.

The Lab Brats don't know what is going on. We set up their crates back in their bedroom last night and both took to them immediately. You could tell instantly that they both harbored hard feelings about them being taken away in the first place. They both kenneled up immediately and laid down... no need for commands and, of course, no need to close the crate doors.

There are still a couple of weeks until I leave for the west coast and then back to corporate life here in the Midwest but this will give them plenty of time to acclimate. We have learned over the years that the last thing you want to do is change too many things quickly on a Labrador Retriever. They need time to adjust... and the crates are just the first step at providing them with a reminder of the love and security they have in this family.

May Lab Meetup Blast!

The May 24th Milwaukee Area Labrador Retriever Meetup was a huge success!

There were 5 people in attendance and 6 Labrador Retrievers even though it was a holiday weekend! The weather was beautiful and not only did the Labs have a great time at the park but the Lab owners made some new friends, shared Lab stories and even traded much helpful Lab advice. All in all it was a huge success.

Dakota and Cheyenne had a blast as the welcoming crew once again. Every Lab was properly sniffed and played with to insure quality Lab time. Of course, Dakota would have liked her Lab mommy to bring the Chuck-It Ball Thrower but we already know she would have been too obsessed with it during the Lab play date rather then the Labs. She didn't need any distractions from her post of Lab hostess to the event. *wink*

We hope you enjoy these pictures and if you live in the Milwaukee area, please feel free to join our group... we meet once a month and boy do we have fun!

Big Trouble

So many experts say that if you correct a dog, you have to correct it while it is doing the bad act otherwise the dog won't link the act as being something bad. Dogs tend to forget within seconds of doing something and have a very poor short term memory.

That may be true for most dogs but it is the furthest thing from the truth when it comes to our Dakota.

Take this morning as a prime example of my argument. My husband was waking me up when all of a sudden the Lab Brats hear me move and they come charging into the room. The first hint of their presence in the room was Cheyenne jumping on the bed. Oh no she didn't!! Our Labradors are not allowed in our bedroom let alone on the furniture. So, my husband told her "Off!" and she jumped off but I my ears caught the sound of a stampede coming around the bed from the other side. It was Dakota walking around the bed to say good morning to me.

I sat upright in bed so fast and my superhuman "God" voice bellowed "OUT!". After the word left my lips, I saw nothing more then a chocolate streak heading towards the bedroom door. She heard me and heard me good.

It has now been an hour since I have gotten out of bed and although Cheyenne acts as if nothing happened, Dakota is walking around the house sulking. If I call her over to pet her, she walks over slowly with her head down and with the cutest "Sad Sam" face. She doesn't just sit in front of me but gives me her paw slowly as a sign of her asking for forgiveness. No matter how many times I take her paw and massage it (my sign for her being forgiven), she continues beg for my forgiveness in the same manner over and over again.

It is for that reason I always laugh when I hear an expert say that all dogs don't remember what they did for more then a few seconds after they did the act. Sure, some dogs like Cheyenne don't but other dogs, like my Dakota, can hold onto it for hours. Well, either that or she is milking it to make me feel so guilty I will have no choice but to give her extra cookies throughout the day for being such a bad mommy... *laugh*

Like Mother, Like Lab

Like doggy, like human. Around this house there is no shortage between the personalities of the Lab Brats and their human parents.

For example, Dakota is laid-back, easy going, drools at food, stubborn, wants to be waited on, and is just a big loving mush. That is her daddy (my husband) through and through. On the other hand, you have Cheyenne... sassy, verbal, energetic, silly, and yet a loving girl that wants nothing more then love and kisses. Gee, doesn't that sound familiar? *laugh* Maybe that it because she is just like me!

So it shouldn't surprise me when we went to the dog park last weekend and Cheyenne headed straight for the mud pools, right? I mean... she is exactly like me and I would so love to take in a mud bath at the local spa. *laugh* She didn't run in and out of it but rather just lounged in it and enjoyed the sensation of it on her Labrador fur.

Sure, I can deal with her doing things like this because I understand her... and it helps that I had the backseat of my car all covered should such an occasion arise. However, what I couldn't believe was my husband's response to her actions.

Upon our return home, he saw Cheyenne and laughed. Instantly, he turned to me and said "If you want a mud bath so much, why not join Cheyenne. Better yet, it's free!"

Umm... no hunny... that's not quite the same! Maybe I should just push him in one next time we are at the dog park and see how much he enjoys it! *laugh*

Announcing Stellar New Dog Bowls!

We're excited about this new merchandise; it's been on our list for a few years now - Dog Bowls! With our large catalogue of pet related content, and many pet loving customers, Dog Bowls are just the natural fit in our product line up.

We have 2 sizes in store:

Large Pet Bowls - Perfect for the Lab with a hearty appetite (or large thirst), this rugged, full-sized stoneware bowl overflows with charm. With a wide diameter of 7.25" and standing a lofty 3" tall, there's more than enough room to satisfy even the biggest hunger.

Small Pet Bowls - Ideal for dog or dog owners who turn their nose at the bland, this durable, space-saving stoneware bowl suits four-legged friends with an average appetite. Yet with a 6" diameter and standing 2.5" tall, there's still room for plenty of chow (or a refreshing beverage).

Both products are made of stoneware, lead paint free, and dishwasher safe. So get yours today at 8PawsUp.com and to sweeten the deal, we will give you $5 off your order of $50 or more from both 8PawsUp.com and DogWireGifts.com! Just enter coupon code JUDGETENURE when checking out to receive this great deal! Hurry! Offer expires May 25th, 2008!

Agh! Blowing Coats!

It is that time of year again! Time to put the vacuum into a more easily accessible area of the closet so that it can be pulled out every two days. Yep! The Lab Brats are blowing their coats and our house can easily turn into the Wild West of Labs, with dog fur tumbleweeds flowing around, if we aren't on top of things.

Funny how some time ago I heard a few people talking about Labrador Retrievers and they said how Labs hardly shed. My mind did a second take. What? Labs don't shed? No one explained this to our two chocolate Labrador Retrievers. They shed all year long and when spring comes around in the great state of Wisconsin, they blow their thick winter coats in no time. Why are ours so thick? Well, when you have -50 degree wind chills during the winter, the body of a Labrador Retriever knows to make sure it pads it on extra thick to keep them warm. So, when the Lab Brats blow - they BLOW!!

I have to say though - thank goodness for my Dyson Animal 17 vacuum. I read about it on the Labrador Retriever board right after we brought Dakota home and I wanted one so bad. Sure, they are expensive but when you have Labs, a strong bag-less vacuum made for animals is the way to go. If we had to replace bags all the time, we would go broke. Every 2 days I vacuum and have to empty the vacuum at least twice each time.

The running joke in our house is that one day we are going to make money on all that shedded fur! Yep! We are going to use it to clone puppies to help us keep up with the cost of cleaning up after the Lab Brats! *wink*

Farewell Dear Cuz

Labrador Retrievers love their toys. The problem is trying to find a toy that can withstand the great jaws of a Lab. Of course, it always happens that a Labs favorite toy is often one that they are able to destroy...

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Dakota's beloved Cuz toy. No, this is not the first "bad" Cuz toy she has had... I believe this orange beauty was known as Cuz VIII.

We will always remember your high-pitched squeak and your ability to bounce in the opposite direction after being thrown. Dakota misses slowly and painfully chomping on your backside until your squeaker popped out and then pulling apart your rubbery hide slowly as though she were slowly ripping the flesh off some wild animal in Africa. Every orange rubber piece of your once whole body placed in piles throughout the living area.

Of course, Dakota still felt your feet had a great deal of use and she wants you to know that she would have carried around your small feet in his huge Lab mouth had her mommy and daddy allowed her - but, alas, your feet were too small and they were more afraid of Dakota choking on those rubbery appendages then whether or not she still loved you...

You will be missed... but never fear as with just $4.95 we can bring home Cuz IX! *evil laugh*

Don't forget Father's Day!

Just in time for Father's Day: 8PawsUp Father's Day Lab Gifts! Even if he doesn't have human kids, dogs are children with fur. Remember your Lab's daddy and grandpa with one of our hundreds of dog gift designs including Chocolate, Yellow, Black, Rescue, and Mixed Lab dog for the Labrador lover in your life. Check out our complete line of dog gifts at 8Paws Up Lab Gifts today and don't forget to use coupon code "JUDGESTUDIO" to get $5 off your order of $50 of more now through May 17th!

Awesome Lab Meetup!

This weekend was our first Milwaukee Area Labrador Retriever Meetup group meeting and we had a blast. It has been too long since we last got together with a group of other Labrador Retriever owners and it was well overdue.

With two hours of ball playing, miles of walking around the dog park, a couple of baths in mud pools (Cheyenne) and meeting all our new Lab friends, it was well worth the time to create this local group. Dakota and Cheyenne had a blast and are still recovering from all the excitement. I am thinking next time we should head to the dog park with the river that runs through it... well, all depending on the Wisconsin weather of course. *laugh*

Keep Your Pup Cool

Summer is upon us and it is time for us to remember the importance of keeping our Labrador Retrievers cool during the summer heat.

With the dog days of summer here it's important to help keep our Labs cool and protected. We have compiled a list of some things every Labrador Retriever owner needs to keep in mind and some helpful ideas to keep your dogs cool.

1. If your Lab will be outside for even a short period of time, make sure it has a cool and shady place to rest and lots of water in a spill-proof water bowl.

2. Keep your Labs well-groomed in summer.

3. A child's plastic wading pool is one of the best ideas for Labs.

4. Dog walks should take place in the early morning hours or later in the evening, when the sun has started to set.

5. If your Lab is going to be out in the sun for a longer period of time, use a sunscreen made especially for dogs!

The main thing to remember in the summer is to take cues from your Lab. If you keep a close eye on your Lab during those hot, humid months you and your Lab will enjoy a great summer. Just remember that a well-informed Labrador Retriever owner makes for a happy and healthy Lab.

Reference:
The Summer Heat and Labs

Seeking Lab Advice?

Some of you may have noticed that the link to "Lab Advice" in the right sidebar is now gone. It is not that I don't want to help other Labrador Retriever dog owners but rather the amount of outpouring I have received in response to the advice mailbox.

So many Lab dog owners and lovers have written me; seeking advice based on my own personal experience. The thing is that I really don't have enough time in my schedule there days to answer the flood of emails. That is why I will no longer be giving one-on-one Lab advice to other dog owners.

However, I will not leave you high and dry. I know how important it is for dog owners to become familiar with this specific dog breed and have a place to seek advice in times of need. For those needing answers to specific Lab health, training, and breed questions, I invite you to join the Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Board. I have been a member of this specific board since a few weeks after Dakota came home - that is over 3 years ago!

There is a great wealth of information on this message board and the forums are filled with the knowledge and expertise of not only other Labrador Retriever owners but people in the veterinarian field, dog breeders, and dog training professionals.

So there is no reason to be discouraged. The Lab Brats blog will still bring you loads of funny stories, articles, and the daily life of Dakota & Cheyenne - two impossible chocolate Labs with a quest to drive this Lab mommy insane!

Gemini Labs

Sometimes I swear that our Labs came from the same egg! It is like two peas in a pod with these two.

Just this weekend, my family was enjoying some much needed sun in our area while relaxing at home. For those avid readers, you already know how much Dakota & Cheyenne enjoy their morning sun spots in our living room. Well, not only were they relaxing in the morning sun but they were laying in the exact same position - down to the curve of their otter tail!

I wish I could have gotten a picture of it but as soon as this Lab mommy gets out of her chair, the dogs jump and Cheyenne gets up to follow me. Sure, I could carry around the camera all day long but whenever us Lab families are ready for a good picture, they don't do anything cute! *laugh*

Of course I could always get them going potty in unison or on of the other thousands of things they do at the same time or mirror off of the other but I doubt any readers want to see my dogs going potty... no matter how cute Labrador Retrievers are! *wink*