Dead Dog Food?

Have you noticed our pets are developing the same diseases that we humans are? Not too many years ago many of the chronic diseases were rarely mentioned among pets. It seems that with increased disease, the costs of veterinary care has also skyrocketed.

Keeping a pet healthy and well cared for has become a very expensive part of the household budget. That means that many animals will not get the care they really need because family budgets just don't stretch far enough.

You have heard the phrase, "you are what you eat" and that applies to animals too. You can't take a package of "dead" pet food and keep "life" in an animal.

Are You Getting What You Think You're Buying?

Read a bag of a well-advertised brand of pet food and it makes you want to serve it for the family dinner: "Choice cuts of beef, plump whole chickens, fresh liver and grains, and all the wholesome nutrition your dog or cat will ever need."

These images are promoted with big advertising dollars by the $11 billion per year U.S. pet food industry:

* Nestle makes Alpo, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Mighty Dog, and Ralston Purina.

* Heinz makes 9 Lives, Amore, Gravy Train, Kibbles-n-Bits, and ... surprise! .... Nature's Recipe.

* Colgate-Palmolive makes Science Diet.

* Procter & Gamble, one of the major companies attacked for their repetitive animal testing, makes Eukanuba and Iams.

* Mars makes Kal Kan, Mealtime, Pedigree, Sheba and Waltham's.

Price is often an indicator of quality.
It's impossible to sell a 40# bag of dog food for $11.95
when quality protein and grain would cost more than that
not even considering profit margins.

[Read Full Article]

Rattling Labrador Stomach

There doesn't seem to a day that passes that I don't think about the world of Labrador Retrievers and more specifically, whether or not my Lab Brats are "normal" Labs. Then I come across an article that confirms that not only do I have Labs but that I am a very lucky dog owner.

"Scotland: Chris Morrison's black Labrador retriever will be wearing a muzzle during any future walks on the golf course after undergoing surgery to remove 13 golf balls.

Morrison noticed his dog was rattling when he walked and took him to Bob Hesketh, a local veterinarian. Hesketh was of the opinion that the dog might have swallowed a 'couple' of golf balls and decided to operate.

"It was like a magic trick. I opened him up and felt what I thought was two or three golf balls. But they just kept coming until we had a bagful," said Hesketh, adding that the balls were swallowed months ago."

I am not sure if that is considered "normal" Lab behavior but I can honestly say that is one magic trick I never want my girls to learn!

Labradors & Separation Anxiety

Do you leave your home and return only to find that your normally well behaved Lab has dug a hole straight through your couch or chewed the cushions off each of your new dining room chairs? If so, then welcome to the world of canine separation anxiety!

Labrador Retrievers are rated as one of the most common breeds for... [Read Full Article]

Curbing Dog Barking

Excessive barking is nothing new. Dogs appear to enjoy barking, and they do so for various reasons. They bark when they want something, when they say “hello,” when they are having fun, when they are startled or alarmed, when they are defending their territory or threatening someone, when they are frustrated, and when they hear other dogs barking. Unfortunately, a dog who barks incessantly can drive the family crazy—and disturb the entire... [Read full article]

About Spaying and Neutering

There are so many people that keep asking whether or not to spay their Labrador Retriever. I have to admit that when we were ready to spay Dakota, my aunt went into a tizzy about how we shouldn’t spay her because she was a purebred and we should at least get one litter out of her. For us, it was more about protecting her from any future deadly illness then having puppies. Sure, she would have made an excellent mom but luckily we did spay her at 6 months old because when she was just under 2 years old, she was diagnosed with Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). No responsible breeder will ever breed a dog with CHD.

With all the questions surrounding spaying and neutering dogs, I finally sat down and wrote an article about spaying and neutering. It is my hope that dog owners will get the facts about spaying and neutering their dogs; from surgery and benefits to myths and facts so they can make a responsible decision that best suits their family.

Read the article here and let me know what you think.

Article: Choosing the Right Dog Food: What to Ask

Once again, I am a published author! My latest work "Choosing the Right Dog Food: What to Ask" has now been published by my client online. For those that don't know, the Lab Brats mom is a published dog expert freelance writer. With all the concerns about dog food and contamination, this is one of the most important articles I have written.

• Choosing the Right Dog Food: What to Ask
  By Shannon K. Steffen
  Dog foods come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Wet dog food is used primarily for those canines with particular taste palettes or as an intermittent treat. For the less discriminating, dog dry food varieties are available. It is not necessarily the delicate palette of a dog that determines what type of food it eats, but rather a combination of its dietary need, availability of the food brand in the area, owner preferences, and financial cost.

So, please take a moment to read the article, and of course, feel free to leave a comment on what you think about the article.

Hiking With Dogs

Another dog article, written by yours truly, has been published on the web!

• Hiking With Dogs
  All the plans are set, the course laid out, safety gear purchased, and all preparations have been made. But what about your dog?

Read the full article here!

Pet Sitters: Questions to Ask Before You Go

Another dog article, written by yours truly, has been published on the web!

• Pet Sitters: Questions to Ask Before You Go
  You want to leave on vacation, but what about Duke and Fluffy? For some, boarding kennels are a perfect solution for their pets to receive the care they need, but for others, they want their pet to receive more personalized care during their absence. For them, there is no better option than a pet sitter.

Read the full article here!

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

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!

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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

Labrador Retriever Feeding Guide

Just wrote a new Labrador Retriever article! Enjoy!

There are are currently over a hundred dog foods in the U.S. market alone; deciding which one to choose can make any new dog owner's head spin. You want what's best for your pup but you don't want to brake your bank account while trying to give Fido to the best. We review some of the dietary needs of Labrador Retriever in regards to dog food.

Labrador Retriever Feeding Guide: http://8pawsup.com/articles/health/dogfoodfeeding.html

If I am missing anything, please let me know. Constructive criticism is always welcome!

Canine Separation Anxiety

Article By: Shannon

Do you leave your home and return only to find that your normally well behaved Lab has dug a hole straight through your couch or chewed the cushions off each of your new dining room chairs? If so, then welcome to the world of canine separation anxiety!

>>FULL ARTICLE<<

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

I was hoping never to have to write an article on Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) but seeing as Dakota was diagnosed a little over 2 weeks ago with CHD, I felt the need to research the topic further. There was a great deal of information and although I am still in a bit of shock that she has it at such a young age (she isn't even 2), I thought this may be helpful for others. So, I wrote an article to help other families become knowledgeable about CHD so that they can help their pups as well. Let's just hope I have no more experience with canine medical conditions to write about for quite some time!

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD): http://www.8pawsup.com/articles/health/hipdysplasia.html

Feedback is always welcome!

Lab smiles!

Labrador Retriever Sibling Rivalry

Every household with more than one child experiences some form of sibling rivalry. As humans, we automatically try to even the playing field and do everything in our power to ensure that all children in the house are seen and treated as equal. This is human conditioning and, unfortunately, most humans take this same approach with dog sibling rivalry. The problem is - they are not human and do not follow by the same "everyone is equal" rules. Read More >

Toxic Foods for Your Lab

After writing an article about Poisonous Plants, someone had requested that I write one about Toxic Foods for dogs. It was a great idea and after researching the topic for a while, the article is now published!

There were some foods that I didn't even know were toxic until I began my research so I suggest everyone read it. Of course, if I am missing any foods, please let me know so I can update it right away! Again, the article is geared towards Labs but the same list holds true for all dogs!

Toxic Foods for Your Lab: http://www.8pawsup.com/articles/dogtoxicfoods.html

Lab Smiles,
Shannon
owned by Dakota & Cheyenne

8 Paws Up Lab Info & Gifts
http://www.8pawsup.com

DogWire Dog, Breed, & Mutt Gifts
http://www.dogwiregifts.com/

Poisonous Plants

Dakota and Cheyenne just can't keep their mouths off of things... hence, I did some research and decided once again to write an article on my findings.

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One of the most common elements to brighten any home is the use of both indoor and outdoor plants. Unknown to most, some of the prettiest of plants can be the most poisonous and deadly to animals, including their family Labrador Retriever.

Labs are known chewers and with that said, they will put their mouth on almost anything within their reach. This includes things not only on the floor but also items on counters, tables, and anyplace else your Lab may be able to climb up to. So, before you buy that pretty plant you saw at the store, check to make sure it is not on this list.

Read the full article here: http://www.8pawsup.com/articles/poisonousplants.html

Lab Behavior Problems - Biting & Mouthing

Being a first-time Labrador Retriever owner brings with it not only responsibility but often battle scars. This particular dog breed was bred for using its mouth for hunting and retrieving game. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see a Lab have the natural instinct to put everything and anything in its mouth; including its owner's hands, clothing, and most prized personal items. Unfortunately, most Lab owners will take this behavior and commonly label the dog as a "freak" to its breed. To do so is wrong. The Labrador Retriever is just doing what it was designed to do and it is the owner's responsibility to teach it what is and is not acceptable behavior. Know the types of biting, the warning signs, and how to correct unwanted behavior. [Read Full Article . . .]

Osteochondritis Dessicans (OCD) Article

Cheyenne was diagnosed with OCD a few days ago and since then I have been devouring all the information I can on the topic: the disease, statistics, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of OCD. With all this information, I decided to write another article in the hopes that it will help prevent other Labs and their owners from having to go through this disease. I know that some things are out of our control but I think every Lab owner should be informed about this disease and how to detect the early warning signs.

Labrador Retriever Osteochondritis Dessicans (OCD)

I would greatly appreciate it if you all can take the time to read it and comment back. You know how much I respect your opinions. :)

Fireworks and Labrador Retrievers

KEEPING YOUR LAB SAFE DURING THE CELEBRATIONS
Independence Day and similar holidays are supposed to be a time for celebration, so why is your Lab not celebrating? Fireworks! Sure, they are pretty and give us a warm feeling of independence, but these big boomers are nothing to bark at! Some Labrador Retrievers actually enjoy the festivities and are able to stay next to their owners without flinching. However, most Labs would rather have nothing to do with the elaborate colors and ground-shaking boomers. For them, there is no place too small in which they cannot squeeze into in order to get as far away from the 4th of July celebrations as possible. This is why we have comprised a list of hints to help your Lab get through the day (and night) with as little stress as possible. [more]

The Summer Heat and Labs

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.

[Read Full Article]