Protecting Your Labrador Retriever From Ticks & Fleas

All dogs that frequent the outdoors will sooner or later come down with a case of flea infestation. In the summer, fleas are everywhere your Labrador wants to go, so be prepared to do battle against their presence on the dog and in your house. While fleas seem to like all dogs, they also go for certain humans.
Fleas are nasty insects, they bite the host, itch like crazy, suck blood, and often pass on tapeworms. It takes a good effort to rid them from where they hide. Begin by purchasing a flea spray or powder from your veterinarian, pet shop, or grooming parlor. The dog’s coat must be thoroughly doused with the repellent for it to work effectively, but be careful to apply it safely. Start at the head and work down the body, applying it against the grain of the coat. Take great care to protect and cover the dog’s eyes, nose, and mouth, as such products can be very irritating to sensitive tissue. I would recommend two people doing the head: one to protect; one to slowly, carefully apply the anti-flea agent.
Anything frequently used by the dog (such as a crate or a bed) should also be sprayed to kill the breeding colonies not on the dog. If the fleas should work their way into the carpeting and furniture, apply a heavy-duty insect bomb (available in hardware stores) to the entire house and evacuate the area for several hours. There are also commercial products (sprays, powders, or liquids) that you can apply to your rug after the bombing to keep any embedded eggs from hatching and re-infesting the area.
To help deter further infestations, place a flea collar on the dog when outside (you can remove it inside, if you like). Should the collar ever get wet, immediately remove it as it can be very irritating to the dog’s skin. Should normal efforts fail to rid your dog of fleas, a flea dip should do the job. You can either take the dog to a professional groomer or carefully bathe the dog at home following the directions on the product.
Ticks are also common problems for labradors, especially black ones whose dark coats mask their presence. Certain species are also the vectors of Lyme disease, which affects humans as well as other mammals. Ticks gnaw through the dog’s skin and implant themselves in order to suck the dog’s blood. They must be carefully removed, not simply ripped off, because improper removal can cause the head to be torn from the tick’s body and remain embedded in the dog’s skin, where it may become infected or abscessed. To remove the tick, use tweezers or your thumb and first finger to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. Exert a firm but gentle constant upward pressure (don’t twist, as this can tear the body). Some people prefer to apply tick dip to the site prior to removal. The dip suffocates the ticks and make the task easier. This is not necessary if care is taken to remove the tick properly. A thick, red spot may remain for several days where the tick was removed. Never burn a tick off with a match or cigarette. This is simply dangerous and unnecessary.

FROM PAGE 9E 

Do you love your pet? To feature your pet in Neighbors, send a photo and a short description to: Neighbors, Readers’ Pets, The Herald, P.O. Box 921, Bradenton, FL 34206.
Source: www.bradenton.com

Compassion drives Murrays mission 
Photographs of fuzzy Labrador puppies, baby giraffe and black kittens cover the walls and filing cabinets in Diane Murrays office. When I was little, I was going to be a veterinarian, Murray said at Montana Techs College of Technology, where she teaches business.
Source: www.montanastandard.com

Pick your pet 
PETS: Even in the hectic lifestyle we have today, many of us do find at least a moment to spare on behalf of our domestic companions. Most people tend to keep a family dog or cat at home.
Source: www.dailynews.lk

Hundreds flock to store opening

Fayetteville Observer - As hunters and anglers took advice from vendors and guides, children wrestled with labrador pups and fishing tales unfolded fishing tying and casting instruction, numerous vendors and delicacies such as Ted Ray s famous vidalia onion hush puppies
Source: www.fayettevillenc.com

Compassion drives Murray s mission
Montana Standard - Photographs of fuzzy Labrador puppies, baby giraffe and black kittens cover the walls and filing cabinets in Diane Murray s office. When I was little, I was going to be a veterinarian, Murray said at Montana Tech s College of Technology
Source: www.mtstandard.com

Wildlife a natural treasure
Tallahassee Democrat - Buddy, our black Labrador retriever mix, sat at the glass door and stared outside. When I followed his gaze, I was thrilled to see four white-tailed deer in our backyard. Two spotted fawns frolicked like puppies while their alert mothers kept an eye
Source: www.tallahassee.com

Labrador Retrievers Make Life Easier For The Handicapped

Having proved their love for humans and their desire to serve, labradors are now being trained throughout the world to assist many types of handicapped owners in the chores of everyday life. You have probably seen a handicapped man or woman being guided by a loving and well-trained Labrador Retriever at some time. With some assistance, many people who would formerly have been confined in their activities are now entering the mainstream of society. Their extensively trained labradors are their vehicles to freedom.
Because labradors have extraordinary sense of perceptions, they are one of the breeds being widely used as Hearing Ear Dogs. After completing a rigorous four- to six-month obedience and auditory awareness program, they are specifically trained to the individual needs of their hearing-impaired or deaf owners. Their primary tasks are to alert the owner to the noises that most people take for granted such as the doorbell or telephone, the alarm clock, a baby crying, smoke alarms, oncoming traffic, or emergency sirens. The Hearing Ear Dog makes his owner aware of any important sound by running between the sound and the owner until attention is paid, gently nudging an owner who is asleep, or pulling the owner from harm’s way.
Aid Dogs are trained to assist physically disabled people with tasks requiring dexterity or mobility. This variety of tasks include picking up items dropped on the floor to bringing in the mail or turning light switches on and off. These skills are taught to a Labrador by building on his natural intelligence, retrieving instincts, gentle nature, and his desire to please. After mastering a battery of advanced obedience techniques, each dog is placed with his disabled owner and taught the specific chores he will be required to perform in the home.
With an arthritis sufferer, for example, the Aid Dog will retrieve or carry objects as commanded. With a more severely handicapped individual, such as a wheel-chair-bound stroke victim or paraplegic, a system of communicating with the dog may also have to be devised to replace vocal commands or hand signals. Aid Dogs learn to assist their owners by performing many of the physical tasks they are unable to handle, in this way widening the owners’ abilities to take an active role in the world around them.

Couple find it great to raise Leader Dogs, tough to let go 

HOLLY TWP. - Pete, a 10-month-old golden retriever, lumbers over to a toy-filled wicker basket and gently paws around, not knowing he will be leaving his home in less than two months. Read More…

Ooh, baby, baby. Read More…

As visitors enter the front door of the Selma/Dallas County Animal Shelter, they are greeted by a cacophony of barks, howls, hisses and me-ow-ows, as well as a friendly “Hello” from Interim Director Warren Hinson, behind the counter at one side of the comfortable waiting room. Read More…

Training Your Young Labrador Retriever

You can begin some elementary retrieving exercises at eight weeks or so, and your Labrador will most likely love the game and look forward to it each day. To teach the basic mechanics of the fetch (run out, pick up the object, return the object to the master, and release), begin by placing the puppy on a 10-foot lead. Take a favorite toy or a ball large enough not to be swallowed, dangle it in front and above the dog’s head to gain its attention, and toss it 5 to 6 feet in front of you. Precede your command with your dog’s name. For example, say, “Jake, fetch!” As he races for the toy, follow behind him. Make sure the lead stays loose and does not snap shut and frighten or hurt him (and perhaps permanently sour him on retrieving).
If he picks up the toy, praise him encouragingly. Should he merely eye or paw the toy, make him pick it up by shaking it in front of him, repeating “Jake, fetch!” Once he has grasped the toy, walk backwards to your beginning spot. Coax him to follow you by motioning him toward you using your hands and fingers. When he arrives back, get the toy from his mouth by commanding “Out!” and gently pulling it loose. Now is the time to give him a lot of praise and affection - not during the exercise, although encouragement can be helpful.
At such a young age, the emphasis in this and all types of exercise is on fun, not on performance. Improvement in response should naturally come with familiarity. As the puppy masters the game, vary it. Keep the dog guessing. Try to remain in position and not move out toward the toy. Later, you can attach a longer lead and extend the distance of your throw, or throw the toy sideways. Any Labrador retriever worth its name will take easily and eagerly to this game.
It is recommended that you play with the puppy often and consciously make an effort to get down to its level. Standing upright, humans can be quite an imposing sight for a puppy. Sitting or lying on the floor, they are no longer towers but friendly companions. Giving a puppy some eye-to-eye attention will go a long way in cementing the human-dog bond.
Because Labrador retrievers make good swimmers as adults, some misinformed people think this gives them the liberty to dunk young puppies into any available pool of water. A Labrador is a natural swimmer, but the dog needs to learn the fundamentals before being expected to feel at ease in the water. When a puppy’s first exposure to the water is being thrown or forced in, the shock may make it dislike and fear the water throughout life. Many potential field dogs have been ruined by improper or overzealous training.
The first introduction to the water can begin while a puppy is quite young (three months is a good age). A puppy should be able to master the mechanics very quickly, especially if “shown the ropes” by some older dogs. The owner should always be nearby, should trouble arise. It often helps the dog feel at ease if the owner wades into the water with it on the first dip.
Ponds or lakes, with their easy entries, are best for training water dogs. The slick tiles and steep sides of a pool are often unmanageable for the dog, and many drownings have occurred when an exhausted dog was unable to climb out of the water. Similarly, a young puppy is not strong enough to manage a rough ocean surf, but should be encouraged to play along the shoreline in a sheltered area of shallow water.

A call for progressive breeders to bed down already

San Francisco Gate - A call for progressive breeders to bed down already Mark Morford Friday, September 29, 2006 Free rescued Golden Retriever or Labrador with every successful ovum fertilization. Free puppy/baby organic ice-cream Find Out More

Gulf News - Rex: Neutered, handsome, medium-sized, beige Labrador cross. 11 months old. Playful. Used to cats and other dogs. Affectionate AP is run by one lady who could really use your help. Call 050-6258375 to see some of the animals. No calls from breeders or Find Out More

Monterey County Herald - language — like cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle mix), labradoodle (Labrador retriever and poodle mix) or pekepoo (Pekingese and poodle mix). These are just a few of “designer breeds” — hybrids and crossbreds — a trend many purebred breeders at Find Out More

Pet of the week: Diesel the chocolate lab 

Diesel is a 2-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever. He gets along well with other dogs and is good in the house. He has a very thick, rich coat and enjoys hugs and cuddling as well as playing ball and taking walks. More…

‘Jake’ a labrador dog survived a 400 foot fall over Huntcliff, near Saltburn this afternoon. More…

160 breeds represented at dog show

Union - Those specialties include Labrador retrievers and Boston terriers. Saturday, Sunday is the all-breed (show). Monday is a These people include kennel club members and American Kennel Club judges, local breeders, local professional handlers and dog
Source: www.theunion.com

Maureen Lipman: Our Dorset trip was delightful
Guardian Unlimited - pack, from racing around, foot-loss and fancy free, keeping up with the Westies and emulating his hero, Bobby the labrador The trainers, the breeders, the owners, the gamblers? Or the government that pockets the copious taxes on dog racing? Because
Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You
PRWeb - Horse-Races.Net Releases its 2006 Breeders’ Cup World Championships Contender Profiles Horse-Races.Net, the Internet’s oldest and largest independently operated horse racing information, news, and links website, announces the unveiling of its 2006
Source: www.prweb.com

New breeds mix most desirable characteristics
Winchester Star - Labrador retriever and a poodle. PUGGLE : Pug and a beagle. POMPAPOO : Pomeranian and poodle. SCHNOODLE : Schnauzer and poodle Hahn wouldn t reveal how much it costs to buy one of her designer dogs, but she said breeders could charge anywhere between
Source: www.winchesterstar.com

Traveling With Your Labrador Retriever

Since your Labrador may sometimes accompany you when you travel, it is important to indoctrinate it into riding in the car while it is still a puppy. Start with short trips, such as local errands, and increase from there. The dog should always ride in the back seat and should be taught to lie down while the car is moving. Young puppies often do well to ride in their crates during any extended car trip.
For trips of more than an hour, do not feed the dog just prior to departure. Like people, many dogs experience motion sickness. Should your dog be prone to vomiting in the car, it will require medication from your veterinarian whenever you are planning a long drive. Most dogs outgrow this as they get more accustomed to car trips. Plan on stopping at least every two hours, at which time you should walk the dog to give it some exercise and a chance to relieve itself. Remember that the dog will be in an unfamiliar terrain, so always have it on leash to prevent an unexpected bolting.
While the car is moving, allow a small amount of fresh air to circulate inside by opening the windows approximately 2 inches (5 cm) from the top. This should be sufficient, as large doses-of air from fully opened windows can cause eye, ear, and throat irritation.
Caution: In the summertime, provide several small amounts of drinking water during the trip to prevent dehydration. When stopped, never leave a dog in a parked car during the heat of the day. Even with the windows slightly lowered, the internal temperature of the car can soar in just minutes and be fatal to the dog.
If you are planning an extended trip requiring overnight lodging, make reservations in advance at a hotel or motel that will allow pets. Travel guides or your local automobile club should be able to supply you with a list of places that accept animals.
Boarding Your Lab: If you are to be away and must leave your Labrador behind, the most satisfactory arrangement would be to leave the dog with a friend or relative with whom the dog is familiar. Barring this, you have several options. The breeder from whom you purchased your dog may have the facilities to house it on a temporary basis. Alternatively, you can check your local papers for “foster care” advertisements by local people who are willing to look after pets in their home for a limited amount of time. Should you consider this method, be sure to visit the site on several occasions with the dog to familiarize it with the people and location and to verify that this is a suitable environment for your pet. Commercial kennels offer boarding services for those with no other options. Most kennels are clean and tend to all your pet’s basic needs, but labradors are very people-oriented and tend to miss the companionship they are used to when placed in boarding kennels. Should this be necessary, however, check that the kennel is accredited by the American Boarding Kennel Association.