How To Brush Your Labrador Retriever

There are three grooming tools you can use when you thought of how to brush your Labrador Retriever

Your Labrador Retriever should be brushed two to three times each week. Brushing will reduce some of the hair in the house, and that’s always nice. But brushing also stimu¬lates the oil glands in the skin, which help keep the coat healthy and shiny. 

Pin Brush
A pin brush looks like a woman’s hairbrush. It has an oval head with numerous metal, pinlike bristles. These pins have round heads on them, like a bead. This brush will go through the coat down to the skin (and the bead on the bristle pre¬vents scratching the skin) and will loosen clumps of coat, dirt, grass seeds, burrs, or other debris. Use this brush first.

To brush your dog, lay him on his side and sit or kneel next to him so that you and he can both relax. Then, starting at his head, begin brushing in the direction the coat grows. Brush with the coat, from the head down to the tip of the tail. Make sure the brush goes all the way through the coat to the skin; don’t just skim over the top of the coat. By going through the coat to the skin, this brush will make sure the undercoat is not bunched, clumped, or stuck together. It will also pull out the dead undercoat.
When you have finished one side, then roll your dog over and do the same thing on the other side.

Slicker Brush
Not all Lab coats have the same density and texture. If your Lab has a more dense coat, the slicker brush may be a better choice. A slicker brush has many thin wire bristles that are bent at an angle. This brush is effective at getting out all the dead hair, especially from the undercoat. Use the slicker brush after the pin brush, and use it the same way you did the pin brush. Don’t forget the tail!

Shedding Blade

The next tool you will use is a shedding blade. This looks like a flexible saw blade bent into a U shape with a handle holding both blades together. This does not go through the coat but, instead, will pull out all the dead outercoat. With your dog still lying on his side, repeat your previous pattern, going over the dog from head to tail on each side with the shedding blade.

Vacuum
You may also wish to introduce your dog to a canister vacuum. If he will toler¬ate it, it will help tremendously to get the last bits of shedding coat off the dog. When you’re done brushing your Lab, you should have a dog with a clean, shiny coat and a garbage bag (or vacuum bag) full of loose hair.

From now on everytime your were thinking on grooming your dog, you'll always think of this how to brush your labrador retriever for sure, am i right? especially for you Labrador lovers. peace out ^_^

Simple But Important Dog Command Training

Remember and don't forget this is the first and most simple but important "Dog Command Training"


Dog command training constructs the foundation to the other puppy obedience training. All these basic commands are important for a dog to learn before you move on to the other obedience trainings.


The following are a few basic dog training commands:

Sit

Usually, I will ask my dogs or puppies to sit before I give them food. This method works well because food is a good motivation for dog.

Down

This command is almost the same like "Sit". You will need to lower your hand that carry the food treat. So that you dog will be in a crawling position.

Stay

This command is to stop your dog from moving, jumping, walking and more. Stay command usually comes together with body language. Eg: finger pointing at the dog.

Come

This is an important command, especially when you are walking your dog outside your house. The command could save your dog's life by preventing your dog from running over a busy road.

Heel

This is a command during walking. Your dog needs to always beside you either right or left. No matter if you speed up or sow down, your dog must follow you. When you stop walking or running, your dog must do the same.

That's all for the most simple but important dog command training tips, but don't you ever under estimate it as it could really destroys your relationship with your dogs -_^

Dog Breed: Labrador Retriever

Dog Breed: Labrador Retriever
Other Names: Labrador, Lab
Dog Group Kennel Club: Sporting (AKC) Gundog (KC)


Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a large, powerful-looking dog with a blocky head, drop ears, a sleek, short coat, and a strong tail.


Coat
The short Lab coat is very dense and repels water, protecting the dog from chill. Coat colours include: jet black, pale to deep chocolate, and yellow, which can range from cream to russet.


Weight: 55 – 75 lbs


Average Life Span: 11 – 13 yrs


Exercise
They need a lot of exercise. Unexercised they may be forced to alleviate their energy and boredom by turning to destruction. They are also known to love their food, and can put weight on easily, therefore this needs to be monitored. Ask your local vet for advice.

Training
Labrador Retrievers are very intelligent and are easy to train. Training should be gentle and consistent. Early socialisaton with animals and people is required as with all breeds.


Grooming
Weekly brushing is required to remove dead hairs and keep the coat healthy.



Temperament

The Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing, and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water – for they love to swim. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs. They crave human attention. A good watchdog, but not a good guard. Labradors are known for their complete lack of aggression. They really just love people too much.


Labrador Retriever Issues

Bloat (gastric torsion), though not a hereditary condition, frequently affects many breeds including the labrador. This is a very serious condition. When a dog bloats, the stomach can turn and block, causing a build up of gas. Unless treated quickly, bloat can be fatal. Signs of bloat include futile attempts to vomit and to salivate. Bloat, which may lead to cardiovascular collapse, usually occurs when exercise too closely follows eating. The incidence of bloat may be lessened by feeding adult dogs twice a day and, of course, by allowing a dog time to digest before taking him for a run in the park.

Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint resulting in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the hip socket. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, at some cost to dog and owner. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian. 

Elbow Dysplasia : Due perhaps to improper development (different growth rates) of the three bones making up the elbow, the joint is lax or loose and in mildly affected dogs leads to painful arthritis. Treatments involve surgical correction if possible, or medical management using aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs. 

Cataracts: As with humans, dogs can get cataracts, but the presence of cataracts in young dogs, called juvenile cataracts, have a hereditary foundation. Cataracts are diagnosed by means of an ophthalmoscopic exam. If the dog is in good health, cataracts can be surgically removed with usually good results. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): is a family of diseases all involving the gradual deterioration of the retina. It is diagnosed by a retinoscopic exam or by means of an electroretinogram (ERG). Early in the disease, affected dogs become nightblind and lack the ability to see in dim light; later on daytime vision also fails. As their vision deteriorates, affected dogs adapt to their handicap very well, as long as their environment remains constant. Certain breeds are affected early in life, whereas in other breeds, PRA develops much later in onset.

Ear Infections: Because of their floppy ears and their love of swimming, Labradors can be prone to ear infections. Not all Labs get them, but many that do can be chronic about it. It is important to check your Lab’s ears regularly. The ear should be light pink or flesh-toned and clean, and there should be no odour coming from the ear or the ear canal.

Allergies: in dogs usually involves the skin but can also involve the ears, nose and other parts of the body too. The reasons can be many and it is difficult to pinpoint the underlying causes. Often it is a question of a reaction to some food or additive to the food formulation. Flea bites are a major problem with many dogs. When confronted with skin allergies, first, check for flea bites. Dogs are very sensitive to them and often mutilate their bodies by chewing the area, trying to get some relief. The best allergy test is intradermal skin testing, which is usually done by a veterinary dermatologist. It is possible to test for inhalant allergies using blood testing, but this is not yet considered to be as accurate as skin testing.

Labrador Retriever History
The Original Labradors were black dogs bred for water work, including collecting fish that fell out of the nets and retrieving waterfowl. These dogs originated in Newfoundland, Canada. In order to avoid confusion with the larger, heavy-coated Newfoundland dog, he was called the Labrador. The Labrador frequently accompanied fisherman across the ocean to England where they became a popular sporting dog. At one time Labradors were only black, now yellow has become more popular as has chocolate. They still remain one of the most popular breeds of dogs.

Health Care For Your Older Dogs

Hope this entry of health care for your older dogs will not make you go away, because in the end we all will have to face our greatest fear that is to lose our beloved friend to the better place, and by friend i mean dog even though i think it's not necessary but i thought i'll mention it for not-yet dog lover audience.


Old age comes at different times for different breeds of dogs and different individual dogs. In general smaller breeds have a higher life expectancy than larger breeds. A strong, healthy dog will probably age later. Evidence also suggests that dogs that are spayed or neutered before six months of age ordinarily live longer than dogs that are kept intact.


Regular checkups are a must for older dogs. In addition to annual vaccinations and checkups, talk to your veterinarian about special geriatric screenings for your dog.
As your dog ages there are changes that you need to be aware of so that you can adapt their lifestyle to make their lives as happy and healthy as possible.

Weight
Metabolism slows down in the older dog. This means the dog requires less food to meet their lowered energy requirements. As a dog gets older they may also be less enthusiastic for pyhsical activities. Both of these factors can lead to weight gain in the older dog. It is very important to keep your dogs weight under control, as heart conditions, joint pain, and diabetes can all be influenced by obesity. You may need to alter the amount or type of food you are giving to your dog. There are some types of food specially formulated for the older dog. Discuss your dog’s feeding program with your local vet to be sure your dog is getting the proper nutrition for their age and activity level.


Arthritis
The most common reason older pets do not “get around” like they used to is arthritis. The wear and tear on joint surfaces restricts movement and causes discomfort and pain. A number of other anti-arthritic medications are available from your local vet. Dogs with arthritis still need exercise, this should be modified to your dog’s ability.


Eye Sight
The most obvious sign of ageing in a dog is often seen in their eyes. The cloudy appearance in the centre of the eye which used to be dark in colour is due to a cataract. Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens begins to dehydrate and reflects light back from the eye instead of trapping the light and focusing it on the retina.There are many categories and causes of cataracts. Treatment for cataracts is surgical removal and may be done in one or both eyes depending on the specifics of each patient.


Glaucoma, an increase in pressure within the eye, can have serious consequences. Glaucoma can be controlled. Glaucoma is caused by a decrease in the amount of fluid that flows out of the eye. This is a serious disease and without proper treatment it can result in blindness. Glaucoma is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in adult dogs. The treatment chosen (i.e. surgery and/or medical therapy) will be influenced by what the goal of therapy is: to stop pain in a blind eye or to preserve vision. Medical treatment consists of a number of different drugs used in combination. Some are given by mouth and effect the whole body, while others are put directly into the eye and have a local effect. The drugs that work when the problem is first diagnosed may not work forever. Therefore, the intraocular pressure needs to be monitored on a regular basis so that the medication regimen can be altered to fit the needs of the patient. Unfortunately glaucoma cannot be cured, only controlled. When medical treatment fails, surgical therapy can help prolong vision.


Be sure to have your vet give a close look at your pet’s eyes especially after they reach 8 years of age.


Healthy Teeth and Gums
Routine dental care by your veterinarian is very important since older dogs are more prone to gum disease and tartar buildup on their teeth. Diseased teeth and gums can have serious consequences for your pet. In addition to regular visits with a professional, it’s always a good idea for you to check your dog’s teeth and gums regularly.


Kidney and Liver Function

Both functions decrease as your animal ages. Regular check-ups mean these conditions will be treated with medication and appropriate diet. Signs of possible liver or kidney disease could be vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive drinking and urination, and confusion.


Healthy Skin and Fur

The skin seems to lose its elasticity and becomes thinner as your dog ages. The skin is also more susceptible to infection in older pets, especially beneath those fur mats that form if grooming is lacking. Just like humans turn grey with age, more gray hairs appear as your dog ages. If the quality of your dog’s coat changes dramatically, consult your vet. Frequent brushing of the older pet is very important, plus they like the special attention.


With your special loving care and commitment, your dog can enjoy a quality life during these senior years.


Euthaniasia

Inevitably there will be a time when you have to cope with the decision to euthanize your well loved pet. Remember that if your pet is suffering, euthanasia is a final act of caring and love. You will meet again at Rainbow Bridge.


This is where i don't wanna stop actually, but it just sad enough to know that we'll have to part ways with our beloved dog that's always been there for us in happiness and sad... so just to remind you one last time, read out this health care for your older dogs carefully so that maybe, hopefully they could stay a little bit longer with us ^_^

Dog Healthcare: Skin Allergies

Dog Healthcare: Skin Allergies
The last type of cause for your dog's skin irritation is allergies. This can be the most frustrating issue to diagnose because you need to identify if the problem originates from environmental, food, or flea allergies.


Environmental allergies will often have your dog chewing his side, back, or belly creating bald inflamed patches of skin called hot spots. Does your dog like swimming in ponds, or lakes, or hang out in the rain? The frequent moisture can be a contributor, especially with dense coated dogs. A type of hot spot is moist eczema, where the skin lesions occur from moisture on the skin that remained long enough to allow bacteria to reproduce.


Different types of grass and thistles have been a common cause of flare-ups for dogs with an environmental allergy. Dust mites, or pollen could be the root of the problem. Is the lawn at the dog park sprayed with pesticides?


Environmental allergies are hard to identify without the help of proper testing. If you have ruled out any patterns of hot spots coinciding with your dog's daily activities and are still at a loss of the cause, then you can get a VARL blood test done at the vet. The VARL test results will give you the break down of the environmental distresses to your dog. It gives a ranking of 1-10 on how allergic your dog is to each plant in your area. VARL then offers specialized allergy shots customized to the results.


If it turns out your dog is allergic to sun exposure (common in white purebreds), or grass, then there are companies who design special dog sweaters, sunscreen, and boots to protect him. You can spray Betegen Spray directly on his hot spots to alleviate the burn sensation. Betegen Spray can sometimes be found without a prescription at pet stores or sold over the counter at vet hospitals.

Dog Food allergies will have your puppy chewing at the center of his paws, shaking his head due to chronic ear infections, and scratching wildly at his whiskers. Identify what kind of kibble you are feeding him. What type of treats does he eat? Is he receiving any food scraps?


Most food allergy skin irritations are derived from a hypersensitivity to the protein in the diet. To run a food trial you need to completely switch him from the protein he is currently eating to a kibble of an entirely different protein. The new food should be fed consistently for 10 to 16 weeks to see the full effect. NO treats, bones, or scraps should be given during this process because even the smallest amount of conflicting protein will totally eradicate the effects of the food trial.

Meanwhile, you should be rinsing out his ears with Chlorhexiderm Flush. You can find this at every pet store. It is always a good idea to flush his ears out before and after he goes swimming or gets bathed. Dogs have L-shaped ear canals that go beyond the reach of the common Q-tip. Water gets trapped in the lower part of the canal and this is how bacteria and yeast infections develop. Dogs with food allergies get an overgrowth of their body's normal yeast growth so they are exceptionally prone to yeast infections in their ears. You can tell by the distinct chalky smell.

Spray the inside of his paws with Betegen Spray as often as once a day to clear up the pink inflammation. Elizabethan collars and baby socks make it harder for your dog to gnaw at his paws.


If the food allergy is out of your control, then the vet may prescribe Prednisolone, which is an anti-inflammatory steroid medication used to control the side effects of the allergy. Most are given in tapering doses. You will notice your dog having to urinate much more frequently on this med. Steroids are very powerful and can have lasting negative effects on his internal organs, especially if they are given frequently over long periods of time. If you give him Prednisolone only a few times while he is young, then the lasting effects are less risky. The vet will also give you Mometamax to drop into his ears to alleviate the inflammation and irritation. You may get some antibiotics as well. A cortisone shot will eliminate your dog's symptoms for nearly a month at a time but can be extremely harsh on his liver.

Flea Allergies can look like a rash, hot spots, or small red scabs and welts. Your dog may act obsessive with chewing and itching even if no fleas are living in his fur. Your dog's whole reaction can be ignited by only one fleabite if he has flea allergies.


It is best to use the preventative measures mentioned earlier to ensure that your dog will not have to worry about a single flea affecting him. If you have ruled out the other two allergies and are certain your dog has a flea allergy then there is no need to set up an appointment at the vet. The vet would just sell you a prescription flea shampoo but a soothing aloe and oatmeal shampoo will work just as well.

If your dog's skin and coat are not in optimal condition then the right measures should be taken to relieve your pets annoying Dermatitis inflammation. Discomfort causes stress and unease, which can lead to many other health issues. If left untreated, any skin irritation can become dangerous if it gets infected. He will thank you when he can finally sleep through the night again without having to scratch himself to shreds! End of - Dog Healthcare: Skin Allergies

What Is A Dog Whisperer?

What Is A Dog Whisperer? That is the real question
A dog whisperer is somebody who has developed a high level of awareness & understanding of the mind & natural instincts of the dog species. This enables human & dog to form a deep connection free of the lots of constraints humans normally put in the way.


Because us humans & our canines are a different species they regularly encounter difficulties in communicating effectively with each other. They cannot sit down with them & have a conversation over a pleasant cup of coffee, like they would with our human friends. But what can they do? I'll get in to that soon after, but you could say that being a dog whisperer means that you have broken down these barriers of communication & have developed a very actual kind of way communication with canines. A dog whisperer realigns his/her methods of communication so that it matches up with & is relevant to canines.

Regrettably all of human-dog relationships in this world are way, lopsided affairs. It is usually us humans endlessly issuing commands or reprimanding our canines, seemingly oblivious to what our canines are actually feeling & trying to communicate to us. Look at it this way - think of a very dominant, overbearing person you have come across in your own life (in my case it was a boss I had a few years back). This person probably doesn't care much for the way you are feeling & what your thoughts are. They need to get their message across to you & tell you off when you don't reach their standards. When you do try to do or say something they fail to acknowledge your attempts or basically ignore you. How do you feel? frustrated.., helpless.. & probably much worse. I think lots of of our canines live in this type of restrictive surroundings every day. Our canines are constantly reaching out & trying to communicate with their human relatives, but somehow it seems to go unnoticed or at least misinterpreted.

The thing is our canines are continually speaking to us in their language. They communicate with us (& each other) through various means using energy, body language, scent, facial expression, the movement of ears & tail, overall posture & voice (barking, growling). As you can see, most of these signals or expressions are non verbal where is humans communicate in a chiefly verbal manner. What a dog whisperer does is acknowledge the difference between human & dog. A dog whisperer takes a step back, shuts up, observes & understands these gestures our canines continue to express to us. When you do this you cannot help but form a deep connection along with your dog as you will understand his desires & needs & therefore can reply in a manner which is appropriate to the situation, & is expected by your dog. You are communicating, your dog to you, & you to your dog - in lieu of merely issuing & enforcing an order & having your dog "do something for you".

When we are in this position of understanding our dogs it's only logical that we are better placed to address their problems and shape their behavior. A dog whisperer treats a dog as a dog, not as a fluffy four legged human. They respect a dog for what it is and work with mother nature and the natural instincts of the canine species. Sadly most dogs aren't afforded this same respect and level of understanding. Many well intentioned "dog lovers" smother their dogs with affection and the best of everything (toys, treats, fancy beds etc.) but this is not what dogs actually crave. A dog whisperer will provide the species specific, very real needs of the dog so they can live a fulfilling, peaceful, happy and well balanced life.

Picture this all too common scenario. You arrive home from a hard day at the office to find that your beloved dog has once again chewed up the cushions that were nicely decorating the sofa. You're angry. In a raised voice you swear at him/her and tell him how disappointed you are. You then throw your shoe at him as you bend down to pick up the mess. As you are blowing off steam your dog is avoiding you, head down low, eyes looking up almost sheepishly, with tail firmly tucked between his hind legs.
At this point many dog owners look at their dog and say "look at the little bugger, he knows what he's done wrong, just look at how guilty he looks". This is the wrong conclusion to make. Your dog doesn't think like that (like a human) and he doesn't have a clue what you are rambling on about. He makes no connection between the chewed up cushions and your mood.

Dogs live in the present moment, so what he is picking up on and reacting to is your angry energy, raised voice and threatening body language. He may have also learned what the consequences are when you arrive home in this type of mood - he was probably waiting for the shoe to come his way! This scenario is an example of how us humans and our dogs view the very same situation from an entirely different perspective. Dog whispering is about understanding and recognizing that these differences exist, then acting accordingly.

Dog Training Basics On Aggression

When it comes to dogs or maybe any other animals, there are always room left for aggression, so here we are not going ignore it but instead we're gonna talk about it, yea, this is dog training basics on aggression behavior to be precise... We're all familiar with basic dog training commands. We're speaking about "sit", "stay", "heel", and so on. These fundamentals are not convenient skills; they're the foundation of a lifelong relationship together with your dog. They set the tone for the remainder of your dog's life.
Canines that are trained properly - we're speaking about positive reinforcement techniques - assume their role as the lesser pack dog. Lowest on the totem pole. Canines are social animals with a hierarchy.


Dog Aggression Training Fundamentals


It's important for their safety and yours that you are thought about the alpha dog. This isn't accomplished with choke collars, yelling, and physical dominance but a structured surroundings where behaviors signal that you're in charge. This means the dog is greeted last, fed last, and not allowed in the bedroom and so on.


When it comes to training, it means setting boundaries. For example, teaching your dog early on what they're allowed to chew on and what isn't appropriate. This is basically accomplished by basically replacing an unacceptable item like a shoe, book, hand or even the furniture with a bone or toy.

Says Fisher, "Sit and stay are important however of my favourite commands is the settle down command." With this command you have your dog on a leash, you have it lie down beside you, and you put the leash under your foot so that if the puppy tries to get up, it self-corrects it.

It takes diligence on your part, patience and constant supervision however it's important to teach your dog what can and cannot be chewed on. In the event you fail to set these simple boundaries you'll finish up with a house filled with chewed up stuff as well as a dog that pushes the limits in other areas .

You are not pushing the dog down; the leash is holding it down. Do that for half an hour at a time each day and it teaches your dog to be calm. Lots of individuals who have a active dog think "oh my god, I have got to take it out for another hour's exercise." All you are doing then is giving yourself an amazingly fit dog that needs or hours of exercise a day.

What the dog needs to learn is to settle down by your foot. Finally you'll be able to take it off the leash and your dog, no matter whether your home, at the office or at a friend's house, sits down by your foot and stays here.

Take long of a break from training and your dog will forget, get rusty, and start pushing the limits. Hierarchy changes in a dog pack from time to time. To establish your role as the lead dog, you must remind them whose boss with regular positive reinforcement training sessions.

Training your dog isn't something that is accomplished in a week session at your local pet store. It's a lifelong method. It's about boundaries, repetition, positive reinforcement and recalling to train often.

Aggression often stems from a dog thinking they have a higher role in the relatives than they do. Owners often give mixed signals by letting the dog sleep with them, letting the dog set the boundaries like growling when ever someone gets close to their food, defending their toys and even barking.
So, even the most calming dog will sometimes occur to be more aggressive than ever, that is where this dog training basics on aggression behavior would take part in helping out.