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Posts Tagged ‘labradors’

We’ve all heard the common saying that dogs are a man’s best friend. The truth of this statement lies in choosing the right breed. While some breeds, such as Dobermans and Dalmatians, are naturally aggressive if not raised carefully, Labradors are naturally friendly. This is one reason that makes them an ideal breed for those that are constantly running around and don’t have the time or money to spend on obedience schools. From the first day a Labrador is brought into your house, it will wag its tail and lick your face with love! Since Labs are usually mild-mannered, they make excellent pets. They are gentle and well-behaved around strangers, so kids can introduce their friends to the dog without any worries. Many families find this gentleness to outweigh the fact that Labradors do not make very good guard dogs.

In addition, Labradors rarely make any noise, unless they are startled by something unusual. Thus, they are ideal for families who live in close proximity to their neighbors. In addition to being a good family pet, Labradors also make an ideal companion for an outdoorsman. Labradors are often used in hunting expeditions because they are athletic, curious and love water. When labs aren’t actively hunting, this breed makes a great companion to the hunter. But when taking your lab hunting, some dogs may need boots for dogs to help protect their pads from getting torn up. Others may need small clothes for dogs to help keep warmer in the cold months.

Lastly, as many of us have witnessed, many Labradors are used as guide dogs for the blind or otherwise disabled. Not only are Labradors highly compassionate, but they are also extremely smart. Thus, they can be trained to do just about any task within their physical capabilities for their needy owners. For example, Labradors have been known to bark to alert other people when their masters suffer a heart attack, seizure, or stroke. In short, Labradors are the best breed of dog because they play and work alongside their human owners. Whether you are a parent, sportsman, or person in need of assistance, you should seriously consider adopting a loving Labrador into your family. One lick on the face or wag of its tail will convince you that you’ve made the right choice. Labradors are truly a man’s best friend!

Labradors can sometimes blind us to their weaknesses due to their whole range of skills and winning traits. The dog is at its most imperfect whenever recall issues make the dog very focused on everything, that is, except its master’s voice. How can dog owners use Labrador Training in responding to this possibly harmful habit?

First of all, at the root of getting dogs to respond to recall is food and a familiar sound that gets the dog on their bearings. The first can be achieved by even some signal word that hints of food, but the second can be demonstrated by the following. One trainer claims that whistling every time he sets about doing something good or productive with his lambs is the trick. He whistles before he feeds, he whistles before he does belly rubs, etc. In the end, the result of his mere whistling is that the dogs actually come running.

The following would be another great Labrador training plan. Visualize the dog park as among you and your dog’s top destinations eventually. Before you both head out to that place, you first need to have your dog 100% reliable in a quiet area. In your practices, make it a point to give a great reward if the dog comes to you, and give a correction if the dog fails (for example, if you are using a long line and practicing progressive recalls, try hitting the end of a line). Some owner respond to an error by grabbing the dogs by the collar, coming back up hauling them to the spot from where the dog was called, while the owner is saying “I said Come.” Upon coming to the spot, tell the dog “Good come” followed by a treat.

The point of the exercise is that the dog needs to be aware that when the recall is given, it is bad to be away from the master, it is good to be with you, and being away from you is not tolerable.

Other things to remember include exercising the dog’s recall through distractions. Lessen the recall distance every time a distraction is added. Once you were able to work on overcoming some mild distractions, try keeping the dog on a leash for a while once you get to the park; yet, even there at the park, it is still up to you if you want a couple more on-leash visits to get the dog comfortable to the idea of playing recall in the park. Practice recalls with rewards every time he gets it right. Make him comfortable and secure in the fact that his returning when you call does not mean that the fun will stop.

Indeed there is hard work ahead, but the dog will get it in the end. Do not forget to have treats with you, although if the dog is quite happy with praise, that will be good too.

Soon, you can actually enjoy letting your dog run off lead in the park, but you will get to enjoy the magic of Labrador training when you can easily call the dog off distractions in the form of people and other dogs.

Labradors, with their relatively large size, are the ideal athletes and playmates for active children. But once in a while comes along the young labrador that is brimming with high energy fun. This is the sort of dog that gets really overexcited within seconds, and gets out of control when it already is. A common trigger is when the dog sees other dogs or people.

Sometimes this Labrador training problem is even more complex since the dog is not really aggressive but simply capable of hurting out of sheer excitement. So what is an owner to do, given that she or he seeks to go beyond just putting the dog on leash every time somebody drops by at home?

Besides spaying or neutering the hyper active dog (and these happen to be the most effective), the immediate step is to train it alone on a leash.

In case you have not tried ‘Nothing In Life Is Free’, then this must be the scheme that will persuade your dog to be more just and fair in its actuations, thus helping it overcome its flamboyant streaks. The main point behind the scheme is that the dog needs to do something in exchange for being able to enjoy what it needs or wants. So, imagine a dog that wants the walk to start, or wants to start eating. In the case of the former, it will only get that if it is sitting calmly by the door, and in the latter, it is sitting calmly waiting for you to set down its bowl. Whatever happens, do not make the careless step of giving a command that cannot be enforced anyway, should the dog balk. In the long run, the dog will think of your failures as its victories!

With the appropriate Labrador training, it is possible to have a drastic turn around. Sometimes the same house whirlwind can be taken to heavily crowded areas, with plenty of dogs and people, and yet the dog is able to behave as if there is nothing special going on. The dog can be made to sit and focus on its owner, and is positively not distracted by noisy pedestrians.

To conclude, the keys for lab owners who wish to form well the personality of their active dogs is consistency and firmness, to regularly give the dog their share of exercise, and to have ways of enforcing commands whenever there are distractions (unless there is a good way to get rid of distractions). Dog owners must also never forget how to be calm and level-headed in training the dog, knowing that dogs will not think twice about ignoring angry humans!

If you think that you have a labrador puppy at home that is trying to make a crack at dominance, then you can be sure it is time for some labrador training.

It may sound unbelievable, but it is usually in the little things that the lure dominance wormed its way into your dog: allowing it to go ahead in leaving and entering the door, letting it pull you during walks, giving in to what it wants when it growls, etc. But from the point of view of Labrador training, what is to be done now?

Despite its rebellious instincts, the dog is not some ungrateful thing that is doing all this to bring you down. What actually is going on is that the dog, just like all dogs, was able to pick up the fact of someone’s fear and uncertainty in terms of the person’s interacting with the dog. In reaction, the dog is simply trying to assume control of things since you are not a source of confidence. But the toll on the dog comes in the form of its aggressive and high-strung behavior, something that signals a dominant behavior.

After settling the issue that your lack of firmness and consistency can affect the dog, the next thing needed is supprt for “Nothing in Life is Free” as a way to help the dog out of its dominant streak. The dog needs to learn in this scheme that if it wants or needs something, it will need to “pay” a price first, e.g. obeying a command. This means that if the dog wants to start eating, it needs to be sitting and calm. If it wants to go outside, it will need to be sitting by the door first. If it wants a toy to be thrown, it needs to be sitting down first.

Other things you can do include:

a) getting a crate. Put the dog inside whenever either of you need a break. But you need to maximize the importance of your crate by of course training the dog to appreciate the crate as a place of security and privacy.

b) training in obedience work with the dog. A good way to build the relationship you plan for the dog and yourself is to have “work” for it to do, 5 minutes a day several times through out the day. Start off with a long lead to get the puppy to run and play in the yard, after which obedience can start. Keeping the leash on the dog allows you to regain control of the dog.

In fact, basic obedience training may be a source of major solutions. Short fun positive training sessions will help strengthen the link between you and your dog. The best class for a puppy involves positive reinforcement techniques and also allows interaction, or playtime, off leash with other pups. Take the opportunity also to teach her new tricks while feeding by hand.

To end, set aside time and consistency in preparation for teaching a dog that you are alpha. Keep in mind that the Labrador training is indeed part and parcel of dog raising, and that the dog must not experienced a day without “Nothing in Life is Free.”

According to your dog’s personal needs, you need to ensure that your dog is kept physically trim and mentally exercised through Labrador training. Labradors are highly intelligent dogs that will need good stimuli at home whether or not they have their handlers-trainers with them at home.

Interactive games that bring the two of you together are a fun way to train your dog in accomplishing basic and routine tasks. These can also give the dog that mental simulation it may be sorely missing. Take a look at these guidelines for an easy-to-follow retrieval exercise which can be tried in your own backyard:

The first exercise, called Fetch, starts by getting the dog to sit, and throwing the dog’s pet item—like a treat or toy—some meters away from both of you. Get your dog to fetch, if it runs, follow by a few meters behind.

Give and Take is another activity; as the dog gets and runs away with the toy, run away from the dog to get it to go after you. When the dog catches up, turn to it and put one hand out to get it to give up the toy. If the dog does so, give it a treat with the other hand.

Keep up the practice and play with the dog over the weeks, bit by bit adding to the distance that the dog has to bring the bone over. If your dog gets shows signs of not enjoying the game anymore, stop in order to sustain the motivation of your dog. The next time the dog is ready for play, try throwing things for discarding like an old shoe or a slipper. But this time, you need to call out “Fetch the slipper” as you throw the item. You also should not change the items too fast, otherwise the dog will not have a reasonable amount of time to learn what are the name of the items. Due to your Labrador training, soon enough your dog may be able to retrieve items for you as you name or call it.

Before we end, we ought not to forget food as really helpful for giving your dog’s everyday routine a change. If indeed you need a new twist to how you feed your dog, try using a Kong. These are toys effective at keeping your dog preoccupied for hours and hours with food puzzles. Activity balls work the same way as kongs. Place a handful of treats inside so that they fall out as it rolls along the floor.

According to your dog’s personal needs, you need to ensure that your dog is kept physically trim and mentally exercised through Labrador training. Labradors are highly intelligent dogs that will need good stimuli at home whether or not they have their handlers-trainers with them at home.

Interactive games that bring the two of you together are a fun way to train your dog in accomplishing basic and routine tasks. These can also give the dog that mental simulation it may be sorely missing. Take a look at these guidelines for an easy-to-follow retrieval exercise which can be tried in your own backyard:

The first exercise is called “Fetch!” Tell the dog to sit, and throw the dog’s favorite item—a toy—about a few meters from both of you. Then tell your dog to fetch. If it runs after it, follow it a few steps behind.

Give and Take is the next part of the activity. As the dog picks up the toy, run away so that the dog pursues after you. When the dog catches up, turn to it and put one hand out, telling it to “give” you the toy. As the dog does so, reward it with a treat from the other hand.

Keep practicing and playing with the dog over the weeks, changing and increasing the distance of the toy being thrown. If your dog starts getting bored, stop promptly, since you need to keep your dog motivated. The next time around, try throwing new items like a shoe or a towel; this time, call out “Fetch the shoe” or “Fetch the towel” as you throw the items. Remember also not to change the items too fast, otherwise the dog will not learn sufficiently the name of the items you are using. Who knows, over time the dog will be able to retrieve items as they are called/named, thanks to Labrador training!

Before we end, we ought not to forget food as really helpful for giving your dog’s everyday routine a change. If indeed you need a new twist to how you feed your dog, try using a Kong. These are toys effective at keeping your dog preoccupied for hours and hours with food puzzles. Activity balls work the same way as kongs. Place a handful of treats inside so that they fall out as it rolls along the floor.

Ever experienced walking your dog in some park, only to punctuate your dog with shouting and bellowing because it is now hot on the trail of something and is not paying the least attention to you? Indeed, it is not enough knowing that the dog has no way, for example, to control its inclination to follow a scent. Being able to truly recall your dog at any time is a critical skill in Labrador training. Recall is the hallmark of a responsible dog handler-owner-trainer.

What could be the possible reasons why a dog refuses to “come”?

a) First of all, some dogs have already experienced approaching, only to be turned away or ignored. This is obviously confusing to the dog!

b) Some dogs are pursuing what totally taps into what they were born to go after: a squirrel, a totally absorbing odor, etc.

c) Owners can also end up creating a link between the “come” gesture and what the dog is exactly up to at that time.

If you want a simple and plain way to training your dog in recall, the training needs to happen in an area that has limited distractions. Remember to never vary how you use the recall command (same tone, exact same words). Then try calling the dog’s name all day, getting it to come to you and giving it a treat or playing its favorite game if it approaches. The whole point of it is that the dog needs to see that coming to you is fun and rewarding.

Once the dog is used to coming when its name is called, add the recall command and get it used to the sound.

Third, once the dog has got the hang of the recall command, try mixing in a few distractions. Keep the dog on a long lead and see if it will still come to you.

Third, when the dog has got the hand of the recall command through your Labrador training, drop by some park where it is secure to walk off-leash dogs. You may also want to visit this park together with another dog owner that is used to wide spaces. Recall both dogs, and reward the one that returns first.

Labrador puppy belongs to one of the most famous and widespread breeds in the world. It belongs to the retriever group of dogs which is one of several types of gun dogs. A Labrador puppy is the ideal company for people of all ages as they are considered~viewed as unthreatening, sophisticated, energetic, gentle and good natured. They make excellent working dogs and with training they are known to be one of the most dutiful and multitalented breeds in the world.

A Labrador puppy will grow to be a very large dog weighing between 55 to 80 pounds at a height of 21 to 25 inches. They also have a strong muscular body plus a coat that is meant to be water repellent that helps them survive the winter. The puppy can be black, yellow or chocolate in color, all of which are acceptably recognized colors as the Labrador breed. |Although a Labrador puppy would survive for 12 or 13 years, they should never be brought in to a household environment until they are at least 7-10 weeks old.

Before getting a Labrador puppy it is always crucial to take into thoughtfulness the components and obligations that come with caring for this particular breed of dogs. A significant amount of time is expected to train the dog especially if it is needed to be a working dog. They are also known to be a devouring breed which means they will require a lot of exercise especially since they are known to be gun dogs that are energetic animals. If you want to carry your Labrador puppy here and there in the car, dont worry about it for they usually are not prone to car sickness. The budget to condition and care for it is another component that has to be taken into consideration ahead of having a Labrador.

The safest way to acquire a Labrador puppy is through a recognized breeder. The breeder should be a responsible informant of service ahead of and after having the puppy while the owner and the pup adjust to life together. You should also check for vaccination details and any other health concerns before getting the puppy. Don’t also forget to check the personality type of the Labrador you are about to buy.

A Labrador puppy is a handful to care, so make sure you picture the obligations that come along with it. read on each single detail about the breed to provide it the perfect environment when it gets home.

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One of the most important considerations regarding bringing a puppy to your home is to choose one that will fit in with your family and your lifestyle. For those who are very relaxed about life bringing home a pet that is very active will not make much sense as it will not suit you or the puppy. You need to choose your pet according to his ability to bond with you and to be a part of your lifestyle.

Exercise Is Important

Another important aspect to choosing your puppy is to address the need for him to get plenty of exercise though a tiny breed such as a Boston terrier or even a Cocker Spaniel will not require quite as much exercise as do larger sized dogs such as Labradors and Alsatians. You should also think ahead about the nature of your puppy.

For those people that have young children about the home it makes sense to choose their puppy from a breed that is known for its gentleness and so you must consider choosing from breeds such as collies, bulldogs as well as chows. You will of course need to spend some time researching various dog breed and then make your choice as wisely as possible.

However, if you wish for more security about your home then you would certainly need to check out different dog breeds including Dobermans and German Shepherds as well as Boxers. Such breeds know their surroundings well and will always alert you in case of suspicious activity in the vicinity of your home.

Another way of choosing a puppy is to know how well a particular breed trains because breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Irish Settlers are easy to train while other breeds require more effort in getting them to be well behaved. You might also want to pick a puppy that is good in the water and so your efforts should be focused on picking from Otter hounds, and American water hounds as they are very attracted to being in the water.

All said and done, choosing the right puppy represents a major decision which should be taken after giving plenty of thought and exercising a lot of care. In addition, once you have acquired a puppy you should then sit down and pick a suitable puppy name. In fact, this process also requires showing extra consideration since your puppy is going to be with you for many years and you want to pick a name for him that will give you pleasure and which will also make owning a pet that much more fun.

A number of aspects need to be considered before bringing home a puppy. If you act wisely and carefully, the latest member of your family will surely prove to be a great joy for everyone.

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