Answers To Your Toughest Dog-related Questions Are Here
You are more than just a master to your dog. You are his best friend, too! You are also tasked with his care, so you must make the most of your position of responsibility. This article is a great start in educating yourself on his wants, needs and requirements.
Hugs are great, but steer clear of kisses. Dog kisses are very unsanitary. Remember that dogs use their tongues to clean themselves, and they like to eat garbage and drink out of the toilet. There is an old wives' tale that says that the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of a human. This is not the truth!
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he or she may eventually come in contact with a skunk. If he gets sprayed, mix together one teaspoon of dish-washing detergent, a fourth a cup of baking soda and a quart of hydrogen peroxide solution (but make sure it is no more than three percent). Apply the mixture to your dog's coat and allow it to sit for five minutes. Wash your dog off well afterward.
Pet boarding and day-care services are a billion dollar business, so make sure you get your money's worth if you have to leave home without your dog. Although kennels offer interesting opportunities to socialize, your dog will be happier with familiar surroundings. Thoroughly check references for a sitter-service and keep him in his own home if at all possible. Otherwise, put him in a reputable kennel and check up on him oft
Schedule regular veterinary visits. Regular veterinary exams are extremely important for your dog's overall health - as with humans, it is important to catch any health problems early on. The vet will make sure that your dog is up to date on his vaccinations, and check for any other issues such as weight and dental problems or parasites.
If you want a dog that behaves well you must take the time to properly train it. If you do not do this then you will almost surely be dealing with behavioral problems for the length of the dog's life. Training is the only way that you can prevent this from happening.
You may be tempted to use your favorite hair shampoo on your dog, but this should not be done. Human shampoo can cause dog skin to dry out. Instead, find a quality shampoo that is made for dogs. When how to write a can dogs eat oatmeal cookies bath your dog, make sure to rinse all of the residue out of his fur.
You need to trim your dog's nails regularly. If you neglect your dog's nails, they will be in discomfort. Buy some clippers and do the job yourself. Can't hack it? Take them to the groomer instead.
Be consistent when giving your dog commands. This is an area where a lot of dog owners have a problem, especially when you won't feed your dog from the table but your spouse will. Make sure that everyone in your home understands what's acceptable so that the dog will receive a clear message. That will make him more likely to obey.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. You should congratulate your dog when it displays a good behavior, for instance by giving it a treat or petting it. Talk to your dog in a soft voice and make sure you praise it every time the good behavior is displayed.
If you are a very enthusiastic owner of a pure-bred dog, join your local AKC. They are an active social group where you can share your love for your dog, learn a lot and make new friends too. The experience can also help prepare you and your dog for entering contests and winning shows!
Your dog needs healthy teeth and you should brush them regularly. This helps to prevent dental problems and gum disease, but also prevents other illnesses. Infections in the mouth can spread to other areas of the dog's body, like the kidneys and the heart. Pet stores sell special toothpaste for dogs.
A great way to have some company on your car rides is to take your dog with you. Most dogs enjoy riding in the car. Riding in the car is also a good place to practice some training exercises with your pet as well. You can practice "stay"u009d when the dog enters and exits the vehicle. Always remember to leave windows down because heat from a closed car can kill the dog.
If you bathe your dog often, watch out for signs of painful earaches that can be problematic for canines. They can happen when too much water gets into the ears. Use cotton balls dabbed in baby oil while giving him a bath, and that should keep water from getting in, even if he splashes around.
The pads of your dog's feet can become dry and cracked, so make sure that you moisturize them regularly. Ask your veterinarian for advice on which product to use. Avoid using moisturizers that are intended for humans, because they can make the pads too soft and your dog may get hurt.
Bigger is not better when selecting a dog house. Allow for room for growth, but do not go much bigger than what you will need for him to be comfortable as an adult. This will allow the entire house to heat from his body heat during the cold winter months.
You need to invest in a quality collar and ID tag with your address on it. Choose a robust collar that is adapted to the size of your dog. You should be able to easily fit two fingers inside the collar. Do not forget to update the ID tag if you get a new phone number.
If your dog is covering everything in the house with his shedding fur, grab a paper towel. Lightly wet it with water and rub it down his back in the direction of fur growth. The loose hair should come off easily on the paper towel and your dog will love the attention too!
If you want a happy and healthy dog, you must be a responsible pet owner. There are many things you must do and that will not only help your dog, but will be helpful to you and your relationship with him, too. Use the tips here to make sure your time with your dog is the best it can be.
Miniature Labrador: The Smallest Labrador Retriever
A mini labrador? What kind of special breed is it that makes our beloved Lab appear in miniature form? If you’ve heard about the smallest Labrador Retriever lately and are wondering what this craze is about, this article will surely help you.
So let’s first deal with the question of what the smallest Labrador Retriever actually is…
What is a Mini Labrador?
A Miniature Labrador is a special breed of Labrador that only reaches a size of 40 to 45 cm. The Miniature Labrador does not differ from a normal Labrador except for the size. Its friendly nature and family-friendly character are the same.
Miniature Labrador Retrievers aren’t actually a breed of dog in their own right.
They exist because resourceful breeders bred them so small. Incidentally, with questionable methods and a number of possible problems that the dogs and their owners can face later.
Unlike other dog species, there are actually no Labradors in miniature format. Especially not as a recognized breed, as is the case with schnauzers, poodles or dachshunds, where there are actually recognized “teacups” or “mini” breeds.
Mini Labrador Retriever Size
A Mini Labrador Retriever usually does not grow taller than 40 cm to 45 cm. With this size they reach a maximum weight of up to 20 kg.
So they are not quite as small as one would imagine. A dog with a size of 45cm also needs space, a means of transport in the car and is by no means a sofa buddy like the very small dogs.
Miniature Labrador Experiences
There are no real long-term experiences with miniature Labrador Retrievers. The breeding of this Labrador Mix is simply too new for that.
However, there are very controversial discussions about how artificial small-scale breeding affects the health of dogs and what problems they will have to endure in their development later on.
To understand this a little better, one has to look at how miniature Labradors are bred in the first place.
How are miniature Labrador Retrievers bred?
Now comes the part of the article that I’m going to make a lot of enemies with.
Namely with the breeders who currently breed and offer Miniature Labradors.
The reason for this is relatively simple: As a visitor to my blog and dog lover, I can only explain to you what the reality is when breeding miniature Labradors.
I can neither speak nicely nor approve it.
Breeders use the small stature of the parent animals
Short stature occurs not only in humans, but also in dogs. It actually results from a genetic flaw that causes bone growth to slow down significantly.
End of the story: Too little bone growth = short legged Labrador Retriever.
I’ll explain it in a very simplified way and one or the other breeder will probably scold me. *wink*
Miniature Labradors are bred by crossing two Labrador Retrievers that have this exact genetic disorder. If both parents have a natural short stature and pass this on in their genes to the next generation, in the end a puppy is born that never reaches the full size, but remains a short legged Labrador Retriever.
If you were to do that with people, there would be a huge social outcry. And rightly so!
Nobody would dismiss that with a “but they are so cute”.
Crossbreeds with small breeds of dogs
There is a second variant that breeders use to be able to breed the smallest Labrador Retriever at the end of the day.
And that is mating with smaller breeds of dogs. A Labrador Retriever is crossed with a smaller but similar breed of dog.
In the end a smaller dog is born, but it is not purebred. To offer this dog as a pure-bred “Miniature Labrador” would almost be a deception. Because he is not purebred.
In addition, this type of breeding can lead to diseases and long-term consequences that do not make your four-legged friend’s life more pleasant.
Health Risks for the Smallest Labrador Retriever
By now we’ve talked a lot about the potential health hazards of Miniature Labs, but I haven’t pointed out any possible consequences directly to you.
Labradors are inherently a breed of dog that presents relatively few health problems.
Mini Labradors are very special breeds that bring a few risks.
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As a keen person who reads about Dogs, I figured sharing that information was sensible. Please take the opportunity to promote this article if you appreciated it. Thank you for going through it.