The Best Training Method Used To Train A Labrador

Have you been wondering how professional dog trainers train a Labrador without frowns? Do you want to use their training method to avoid obedience school training fees? If you answered "yes" in either questions, today is your lucky day. In this article, you will learn the most effect training method used for training dogs. It is called Positive Reinforcement - the happiest training method.

Positive Reinforcement

From the keyword of this training method, you can understand that it is depends on the positivity of an experience. To train a Labrador effectively and to help your Labrador enjoy training, positive reinforcement is the best way to go.

Positive training is about training your dog that whenever he does something good, something good will happens to him. It's pretty much like the golden rule. To train a Labrador to behave well, you can use positive reinforcement. You can train a Labrador to sit for long durations, keep quiet in the car, be friendly to others, and even get beer through positive reinforcement. In short, you can train a Labrador to many GOOD things through positive reinforcement.

Here's how you can train a Labrador effectively through positive reinforcement:

1. Keep Your Treats Accessible

You need to keep your treats with you whenever you are with your dog so you can reward him immediately whenever he does something great. You would definitely love to give your dog a treat whenever he does something really amazing and a hug is insufficient.

2. During The Very Beginning Stage Of Training, Give Your Labrador Treats IMMEDIATELY

By doing so, your Labrador will understand that a certain action will help him earn such a delicious treat, a pat on the head, a hug, or a kiss.

3. When You Train A Labrador, Don't Always Give Treats For Every Obeyed Command

Give your dog a variety of good experiences aside from treats. You can pat your dog, or simply tell him what a good dog he is.

4. Remember To Praise Your Labrador When He Does Good Things

When you train a Labrador, you must always remember to praise him when he does something good, especially during the first days of training.

5. Avoid Giving Treats For No Reason

Teach your dog that the treats he gets are special by not giving him too much treats. You can train a dog to value your affection and whatever you give him if you only give those goodies when he is being a good boy.

Cynthia Harmon is a Labrador trainer who has trained 8 generations of pure bred Labradors. You can read more about Labrador training by visiting her site: http://www.howtotrainalab.com/

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Pet Wellness - Unsurpassed Allergy Relief For Dogs

Pet Wellness - Unsurpassed Allergy Relief For Dogs...

By Michel Jayne

When it comes to your pet's wellness you strive for excellence just like you do for your family. Rightfully so, as most pets are a part of the family and seeing them unhappy or ill is difficult for everyone to watch. Of course we look for remedies for the problem by visiting the vet, getting a diagnosis and medication to help the situation. One of the most common of these situations is dog allergies. Pet owners go to great lengths to find allergy relief for dogs with the hopes that something will have a positive effect and provide relief.

Dogs can have an allergy related to food, the environment and even seasonal allergies much like people. These allergies bring on symptoms of itching, often so severe that a dog will spend much of his day scratching himself in turn causing hair loss or even hot spots. Another symptom is sneezing.

Pet owners concerned with pet wellness and providing relief for their dog's allergies often find themselves spending a pretty penny on medication from the vet; often times returning to the vet without much success and taking another medication with the hopes it will work better.

Consider taking another road to get allergy relief for dogs and that road is nature's path - giving your dog relief and comfort, and making the rest of the family relieved from the anxiety of watching an unhappy pet. Pet wellness is all about a happy, healthy energetic pet and using natural or holistic approaches to health problems. This is a very good place to start before spending loads of money on vet bills and medications. Not to mention nature's path is above and beyond safe, inexpensive and successful, and what people used for years before veterinarians became too available.

Here you will find an unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs that will have you wondering why on earth you haven't looked into natural remedies for pets before.

1. Colloidal Oatmeal Bath

This is a very successful treatment; however, about 80% of dogs are allergic to grains so if you are sure your dog is not one of them then this a good natural root to take. I have found it successful with my Saluki, in which it is very common to have dry sensitive skin even without an allergy.

I like to test and experiment with natural products before I write about them so here is what I did. How did I find out if my Saluki was allergic to oatmeal or not? Simple, I made up this colloidal oatmeal from home and used it on a small portion of his skin. I did this for one week, each day checking to see if the area was in any way agitated or if he was scratching. There was no irritation so I proceeded with the bath.By the following day the scratching was lessened by more than half and by the second day he was not scratching at all. With this came an energy increase and a happy, well, back to normal dog. But because I know that many dogs are allergic to oatmeal I sought to find another natural solution. Once again, take care to ensure your dog IS NOT allergic to grains before utilizing colloidal oatmeal rinsing.

In the event your dog is allergic to grains, don't worry there is another unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs but this one comes with a story first.

I have had two success stories of my own with this herbal tea rinse, and I believe it offers an unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs but does not pose an allergy threat.

This is the one I love and not just for my dog. My husband has terribly dry flaky skin that requires he use an over the counter, specially formulated medicine for his shower and then furthered by a all body lotion. He hates applying the lotion because it is thick and takes to much time to put on and leaves him feeling sticky afterward. I decided one day I would see if this herbal rinse would work as well on him as it did my Saluki and low and behold it did. Now he just uses this rinse and applies a normal lotion with natural hydrating ingredients, and no more has the added expense of a special shower gel and body lotion, saves time on the application, and doesn't have to put up with feeling sticky for hours. Plus, this herbal rinse seems to have a longer effect than the over the counter gel and lotion he was using. That is success story number one.

Success story number two involves my one year old Saluki, Mystic Moon and goes like this. Although I knew the colloidal oatmeal bath would work, I wanted to test out this herbal tea rinse that was highly recommended by our holistic vet. I figured I would wait until Mystic Moon needed another rinse for his dry skin. But something else took place that made his dry skin really act up and that was when we went on holiday for a week. Mystic Moon stayed with his sister in the small little privately owned sanctuary we got him from. It made me feel so much better to have him stay in a place where he had his friends he had grown up with, his sister and the owner who actually had tears in his eyes when I first took Mystic Moon home.

The owner of the sanctuary, trying to do me a service and favor, took Mystic Moon for tick dipping so he would be tick free before I came to collect him after my travels, totally unaware that I have a high regard for natural pet remedies as opposed to chemicals, and he was not aware that Salukies naturally suffer from dry skin. Mystic Moons skin was on fire, with hot spots, scratching and often times whining while he was scratching. So this now became my opportunity to try out the herbal tea rinse and see just how effective it was under severe conditions.

It was highly effective within about 24 hours and by 48 hours and he was scratching and whining no more and his hot spots had cooled down by about 90%, and totally gone by the third day.

2. Herbal Tea Rinse

- Add 5 green, chamomile or Tulsi tea bags to 2 quarts very hot water, steep until water is cool (I recommend 3 hours to allow for the maximum amount of polyphenols to exit the teabag and enter the water).

- Remove tea bags and pour the cooled rinse over your pet from the neck down. It is preferable that these rinses are used in the tub as opposed to outside.

- Massage into skin and do not rinse.

You can also refrigerate used tea bags for a soothing topical poultice for hot spots or rashes.

If you notice your dog biting and scratching his paws they could be getting the bulk of the allergy annoyance. A good allergy relief for dogs in this instance is a simple yet effective one.

3. Epsom Salt

Bathe your dog in Epsom salt, allowing his paws to soak for a while in the bathtub. Just take care not to let him drink the water. If you are not able to keep him in the tub for long than do it several times a day for shorter periods. If your dog stay nicely in the tub, will lie down and relax then let him soak his paws until he is ready to come out - it could very well be that just his paws soaking in the salt at that time is giving him relief. How many times you do this depends on the severity of the allergic reaction.

Other things to consider

* Altering your dog's diet could put an end to needing allergy relief for dogs.
* Changing his bedding.

It is important to know that many dogs will get allergy relief when their owner takes the time to find out what he is allergic to and makes the necessary changes to bedding, diet or environment, totally eliminating allergy symptoms. This can sometime be time consuming as you make changes to their diet, surroundings, etc and try and narrow down the cause but can you money if you can find the culprit. Or, you can visit your vet and ask him to perform the necessary tests to determine the causes of your dog's allergy.

I previously had an amazing German Sheppard named Mishka for about 13 years, who I recently lost due to old age and joint degenerative disease, of which it became time to euthanize him. During my time with Mishka I was not switched on to natural remedies for pets and used over the counter products for flea and tick assistance. They worked only after about 2-3 applications, which terribly disturbed his skin, gave me headaches and then required that I get more medical attention for him for his messed up skin due to the chemicals in the tick products. If only I had known what I know now, Mishka's experience with tick dipping would have been a whole different story and although he did recover, he did have to go through it each time he needed tick dipping over 12 years and I had to put up with anxiety from watching him suffer for a period of time, which was furthered by vet bills and medications. Not to mention when I was pregnant I could not do the dipping myself so had to pay for it. I actually paid for a treatment that was also doing him harm, which massively frustrated me but I didn't know I had another avenue in pet wellness, which was natural remedies for pets.

So yes, I have learned a lot, experienced a lot, and each time I travel a new road of pet illnesses or discomforts, I always go the natural route first and have never been left unsatisfied. I am not alone; there are millions of us "Pet wellness through natural remedies fans."

This unsurpassed allergy relief for dogs is yours for the taking and so are many more natural pet remedies waiting at your dogs feet for you to discover, make use of, enjoy, and heal your pet without your vet.

Michel carries out her mother's tradition of human and pet wellness, utilizing natural pet and human care for her family and their animals. Including holistic care, natural remedies, and home grown meals for people and pets. Human and pet wellness is life's passion for Michel, who also shows you ways to heal your pet without your vet.

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One Thing You Must Do Immediately If You Have a Tasmanian Devil Dog

One Thing You Must Do Immediately If You Have a Tasmanian Devil Dog...

By Kathy H Porter

Let's be clear. Tasmanian devil dogs are manageable and pose absolutely no threat to people. What they have are behaviors that can be harmful to themselves or are frowned upon in polite society. Separation anxiety, in extreme forms, can be harmful to the dog that suffers from it. Uncontrollable barking, snapping, and flailing of body parts as a dog enters its first obedience class while on leash is behavior that is definitely frowned upon in polite society.

I know these things to be true. I've described what I would call Tasmanian devil dog behavior in two of the dogs that I've had in a lifetime of living with dogs. Felix, my rescue whippet, suffered from one of the worst cases of separation anxiety my vet had ever come across. At it's worst, I wondered if we were doing Felix a favor by keeping him alive. Not quite ready to step over that line, I did what turned out to be the best kind of fix. I got him a girlfriend.

Once we brought a female whippet into the house, Felix, for the most part, settled down and lived with us quite happily.

I often wonder if I could have spared Felix some of his doggie hell if I'd known about this one thing that I believe every dog owner must do as soon as they find themselves confronting their own Tasmanian devil dog.

If you discover that your dog predicts thunder storms 45 minutes before they roll in because their body starts to shake uncontrollably, you might want to do this one thing.

If your dog exhibits the same kind of out-of-control behavior that my newest dog did walking into its first obedience class, you definitely want to do this one thing. I'll tell you first and then I'll tell you why.

What you want to do immediately after acknowledging that your dog needs a way to be calm is to buy an anxiety wrap.

I had no idea what this "thing" was for. But, the trainer who watched me walk into her obedience class with Tessa, a 20 pound, out-of-control, dog, didn't hesitate to recommend one as she quickly hurried over to us to calmly re-direct my dog's behavior.

"Doesn't get out much, does she?" the trainer commented dryly. "You're going to want to get her an anxiety wrap. You can buy one online."

After an exhausting hour of class during which time Tessa spent most of it between my legs in a sit or a down, we went home. Tessa flopped onto her dog bed and I went online. Much to my astonishment, when I put the phrase 'anxiety wrap' into the search box, quite a few web sites popped up.

I trusted the trainer who had sent me off to buy one. After doing some online research, what I found out was that this product holistically reduces or can completely stop fear, shyness, thunderstorm phobias and other dog behavioral problems.

True confession time? I was dumbfounded. Would this really work? I did some more reading on a web site that really provided an in-depth explanation for why this product was effective. And then all that remained was to decide what size to buy. Rather than guess, I called the company and after speaking with someone, I ordered the smallest size anxiety wrap they had.

What I found out was that I had purchased the perfect "thing" to help me work with Tessa both at home and in dog class. It really did calm her down and she was more focused. There was a noticeable difference in how she walked into class the following week. We were even able to take the wrap off of her midway through the six-week session and she was just fine.

The anxiety wrap by itself isn't going to entirely erase a dog's behavioral problems. However, when it's used alongside of positive training methods, it's amazing to see how much improved a dog's behavior can become.

Kathy H Porter blogs about rescue dogs and how they transform our lives. Visit: http://healingrescuedogs.com/ to claim your free report on how understanding dog behavior can dramatically improve your personal and professional success.

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Free Smart Bones Dog Chew Sample

Over on the SmartBones® Facebook page, they are offering a Free sample of their dog chews.

SmartBones® are made using extruded, wholesome, grain starch and other vegetables such as Sweet potatoes, carrots and peas, in the place of rawhide and combining it with irresistible chicken jerky.

"Like" SmartBones® on Facebook to request your Free Smart Bones Dog Chew Sample.

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How To Help Cure Dog Skin Allergies

How To Help Cure Dog Skin Allergies...

By Jennifer Gretson

It is not just humans that have to deal with skin allergies and infections. There are many dog skin allergies that you will find that you have to deal with. Some are extremely easy to help with but there will be some that take months to figure out what it is. The problem with being a dog is that they cannot care for themselves.

The first step is to find the cause of the infection or allergic reaction. It is important that you do everything in your power to stop it from ever happening again and to be able to stop whatever is causing the problem right now. This will give you the ability to start the treatment process. You will need to think about what you were doing just before the skin reaction flared up. There could be a variety of reasons for your dog's skin to start flaring up in a rash, including changes to its diet or even problems with the current weather conditions and climate.

When you know the cause of the reaction, you will need to start cutting down on the chance of the exposure. This can be difficult in some cases, such as pollen allergies, but there are times that you can make one simple change. This is especially the case if you have tried new shampoo or a different type of dog food. Go back to what you were originally using or you could consider cooking your own meals for your pet. This will help you deal with some of the many dietary problems that occur.

Now it comes to soothing the problem that has occurred. Your dog can only do so much and will need your help. Consider bathing your dog in some warm water with fragrant-free shampoo. Another popular option is to use baby shampoo, which is naturally designed for sensitive skin and is perfect when there is already an allergic reaction. You can find out some soaps from your vet too to help with the problem.

Once you have washed your dog, you will need to rinse off all traces of the shampoo or soap that you have used. Adding apple cider vinegar is a popular option for many people. This is because the vinegar has a natural ability to soothe problems. You could also consider using Epsom salts, which will soothe and work to kill the infection due to the antibacterial properties.

You need to start to find ways to help decrease the sensitivity in your dogs skin and one of the ways to do this is through oils. You can use sunflower oil with your pet's food, which will help to promote the skin to create its own oils. Omega 3 is another popular oil that will help with boosting the immune system and healing the reactions. You can add more oily fish to your animal's diet or you can guy supplements from the pet store. However, most dogs prefer not to take pills and will usually fight against you.

You could also find some creams at the pet store to help you with the soothing process. You should read the labels to make sure that the ingredients will not harm your dog any more but you will usually benefit from the prices being much lower than those that are prescribed.

However, there are times that no matter what you do the cause will not go away. At times like this, you will need to see your vet to get help. Your vet will be able to help by finding the exact cause and then prescribing medication that is able to help with the treatment of your dog skin allergies that your pet is experiencing.

Jennifer is a family dog health specialist specializing in dog skin problems. She recommends all-natural treatments for dog skin allergies.

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Learning More About Dog Skin Problems

Learning More About Dog Skin Problems

Author: Jennifer Gretson

One of the most common type of dog health problems is that of severe skin irritations. Typically the dog will start scratching frequently, and the owner may observe such things as open wounds along with pronounced hair loss. Sometimes evidence of parasites such as fleas are also observed, and in order to properly treat this condition is important to understand all about the different types of dog skin problems.~One of the more common kinds of dog health related problems is having a severe skin irritation. Usually your dog will start to scratch frequently, and the owner might observe such things including open wounds as well as pronounced hair loss. Additionally, there may be evidence of parasites, for example fleas, are observed, and to properly treat this kind of condition, it is very important to know all about different kinds of dog skin problems.~When it comes to health problems for dogs, having severe skin irritation is one of the most common. Some of the symptoms of this will include scratching frequently, and there may even be some open wounds along with severe hair loss. There could also be evidence of a flea bite or other parasites which are observed, and since it is important to properly treat this condition, it's imperative to understand everything concerning different dog skin problems.

A hot spot is an area which is a moist sore that usually will develop due to a cut or irritation, and when the area is very wet than bacteria may begin to multiply which is what causes an infection. This is why it is important to keep your canine away from any type of source of moisture, and this would include such things as wet grass, pools and baths.

Another very common condition is that of having ringworm, it can be signified by round patches which have hair loss. This type condition must be treated right away because it can spread among other dogs, and there are sometimes that will also spread to humans. In addition to prescribing medications, there are many special types of shampoos and dips available on the market.

Quite possibly one of the most common reasons for skin problems is due to allergies, and in many cases these are very difficult to detect and identify due to the fact that your pet may be allergic to just about anything in its environment. A very frequent reaction can come from being bit by a flea. This leads to frequent itching and scratching as well as biting on the infected area and is very uncomfortable.

There are many other types of allergies which may include such things as mites and grass and other types of substances, and although there currently is no cure for these, there are anti-histamines as well as sprays and ointments that can help to soothe the effects.

A few other reasons might include getting poor nutrition, there are different pet foods which may have ingredients that could create a reaction. Having a nutritious diet is very important in improving both their skin as well as the hair. There are numerous really good commercial pet foods, and some might have ingredients such as vegetables and fruits along with other important nutrients and supplements.

Proper grooming should be practiced at all times and this includes bathing as well as brushing your dog's coat often. It is recommended not to use human shampoos as these are much harsher than those that are specially formulated for canines only. Brushing will help in your pet's circulation and will help you spot check for any type of infections.

If you see wounds and lesions consistently then it is time for you to visit your veterinarian, especially if they last more than a few weeks. Your pet could very well have a serious medical condition and your vet will be able to diagnose and come up with a treatment program.

About the Author:

I'm a pet health authority who specializes in natural skin care for dogs. Click here for more information.

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Benefits of Glucosamine for Dogs in Osteoarthritis

While veterinarians are the people we depend on to try and diagnose what they are dogs may or may not be suffering from, in fact, it is likely that the typical dog owner has a bit of common sense and knowledge to do same. This cannot happen for all the health conditions or diseases, but it is true for arthritis in dogs, as well as other health complaint known as hip dysplasia.

Some of the common indicators that a dog may suffer from any of these health complaints are as follows:

(1) The dog is limping or has a decidedly abnormal gait or clumsy (walking pattern).

(2) The effort to come to bed, or struggle to sleep when it has been permanent.

(3) There is less enthusiasm when playing outside and an aversion to leaving.

(4) The dog is always behind you when approached, or try pet.

Glucosamine for dogs is one of the most effective methods to prevent and treat osteoarthritis a disease from which dog is suffering. Therefore, you must have a priority in the list of things for your dog to any dog owner who really cares about your pet.

Some people have expressed concern about the validity and usefulness of glucosamine for dogs, saying it could be nothing more than a place above and therefore not worthy of purchase. The idea is that the place subjects that did not realize while taking a drug, and instead think they really have some kind of cutting edge medicine to help with pain or other conditions. Because of this a psychological drug requires much thought and willpower to make the person think you are helping your body. Without doing a disservice to dogs in general, dogs are simply not intelligent, and therefore are guaranteed glucosamine for dogs that really do provide good benefits. In summary, glucosamine for dogs provide others with arthritis, and seem generally happier and more active and then it is a direct consequence of glucosamine supplement for dogs.

Glucosamine is a vital component found in all bones and more specifically, the cartilage and synovial fluid of the joint. Cartilage is the cushion of the joint that cushions joints and prevents them from neighboring rubbing against each other like sticks. When you run down the cartilage and bones begin to push each other, this is called arthritis. Glucosamine for dogs will therefore help the pain or directly increase the deficit has been a pet. It is possible that glucosamine in liquid form is best for your pet, as they may have an aversion to swallowing pills. A liquid can be easily placed in dog treats or other foods such as braided bully sticks or peanut butter.

A Glucosamine has a variety of combinations available in market like glucosamine chondroitin, glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine chondoitin sulphate, glucosamine msm, glucosamine chondroitin msm, Glucosamine Sulphate KCL which can be used depending upon the severity of the problem but a special care had to be taken before administering this drug to the dog if the dog suffers from the diabetes.

Benefits of Glucosamine for Dogs in Osteoarthritis by Mohammed Khan

About the Author:

I am an educationist by profession and have a great interest in educating people about various diseases like osteoarthritis Glucosamine and Glucosamine for dogs

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A Review on Frontline Spot On for Dogs

A Review on Frontline Spot On for Dogs By Joanne C Chapman:

It's not very often I have problems when it comes to my two black Labradors. Usually they are low maintenance dogs that never seem to get any ailments. It was only a fortnight ago though, when I had quite a surprise. My two dogs were ridden with fleas. I can't imagine this happened overnight, but it's not something I check for regularly, so the infestation could well have been there for quite a while. Well, I couldn't sit around...Something had to be one!

To tell you the truth, this is not the first time my dogs have caught fleas. I had it happen a couple of years ago and, if I remember correctly they were quite a pain to get rid of. I bought a big container of flea powder and rubbed it into the dogs' fur. Expecting the powder to have done its job, I left it at that.

Did the powder do its job? No, the fleas were still there the next day! I had to repeat the process several times before I got completely rid of the infestation.

With this latest infestation I was determined to do things differently and find a more effective treatment that would rid my dogs of fleas quickly and easily...Asking the lady at the pet shop, she recommended me Frontline Spot On. I was a bit skeptical at first as the pipettes inside the box looked quite small and I couldn't imagine them doing much.

Frontline Spot On comes in a three or six pipette pack. The six pack option comes out much cheaper per pipette but the three pack is a good one to buy if you're just checking out if Frontline is actually any good. I took the cautious approach and bought the three pack. It was fairly cheap, so I had not much to loose.

Putting the Frontline on was easy. Just a snip to the top of the pipette, part a small piece of fur on the back of the dog's neck - exposing the skin, and then it was just a case of squeezing all the contents directly onto the skin. You're meant to get as little as possible on any of the fur, but I found this quite impossible as my dogs tended to move around frantically as the liquid was squeezed onto them. I guess they didn't like the cold liquid going onto the back of their necks, but this is a small price to pay for the ridding of a flea infestation.

Since using the treatment the fleas have been totally banished. The instructions say that it kills fleas in the space of around 24 hours and that's exactly what it did. Frontline for Dogs carries on working for two months, protecting the dog from further infestations. When the two months are up, it's just a case of repeating the process again. The three pack will last me six months, so things will be covered for this spring and summer. In winter and autumn, fleas are nowhere near as prevalent so treatment shouldn't be necessary.

If your dog has dog fleas, I heartily recommend this treatment. It certainly beats flea powder and, in my opinion is much more effective.

Joanne Chapman is a part time blog writer who has always had a great affection for dogs. Her two black Labradors play a big part in her life and she likes to keep them healthy. She routinely uses Frontline Spot On to keep her dogs flea free.

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User's Guide To A Raw Dog Food Diet

Many people are changing their pets over to a diet of raw dog food. You have probably heard about this trend in canine nutrition. It is not as difficult to do, or as expensive, as you may think. It can actually be less expensive than a dry kibble diet, and your pet's health will be greatly improved.

Your pet is not really that different biologically from wolves and other wild canines. They all have digestive systems that are designed to process prey in its natural state. For a pet, this can be accomplished through ingesting beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish. Meaty bones are especially important for dental and digestive health. Raw eggs are also an important source of nutrition.

When a canine is able to fully utilize the nutrients he is given, his health and activity levels markedly improve. Older and sedentary pets become energized and enthusiastic, seeming years younger. Your pet's coat will shine and not have any unpleasant odor. These diets are great for cleaning teeth, and maintaining healthy gums.

A sluggish or lethargic canine will frequently respond to this kind of diet and have increased vigor. Allergic symptoms will usually disappear within a few weeks. Conditions caused by inflammation, such as arthritis, may improve or even disappear, depending on the severity. This diet will also help you get your obese pet slim and active again. Your pet has a far greater chance of an extended and active life. Bitches have been reported to have easier pregnancies, and produce healthier pups, when eating uncooked meals.

Uncooked and unprocessed foods contain vital nutrients that are destroyed in the cooking process. As a canine ages, their body produces fewer digestive enzymes, and uncooked foods contain enzymes that can be used in this process. Also, this diet has no grain, unlike most kibble, a food that is not good for canine health.

You can buy prepared food for this diet or make it yourself out of meats from the butcher's. There are advantages to either system and, as a third alternative, you may want to use both. There are a number of excellent raw meals available in stores or online. There are frozen products that come in individual packets, and dehydrated ones that you add water to before serving.

There are good raw products out there, they are all natural, and many are organic. They are made of raw meats, fruits and vegetables. Frozen ones come in individual packages, or as chunks. You defrost it as needed, and store the rest away in your freezer. The other type is dehydrated. It is minimally processed, and also provides excellent nutrition. You rehydrate portions before a meal. This type is great for its ease in transport and storage. Ten pounds rehydrates into forty pounds of food,

Buying the meats directly from the butcher may save money in the long run, if you have the time, and make the effort, to find quality meats at good prices. You are one step closer in the meal chain so there is more nutrition to be derived. Many people find supplementing prepared food with meaty bones to be optimal.

Either way, a raw food diet is sure to reap many health benefits for your dog. It will increase his chances for a full and healthy life. Any digestive, arthritic or allergic problems he may have should be eliminated. When you give your pet the diet his system is designed to thrive on, you'll have healthy and active companion.

About the Author:

Jamie is a pet health expert who specializes in organic dog foods. Click Darwin's Natural Pet Food for more information.

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Free Nordic Naturals Pet Pack Sample

We have talked about how important it is to add essential fatty acids to your Labrador Retriever's diet all the time here on the All About Labradors blog. Nordic Naturals, who offer the largest line of fish oil products available for humans, was inspired to produce a Nordic Pet Collection™ to provide dog and cat companions with the same quality oils they produce for humans, so they too can benefit from exceptional quality omega-3 fish oils.

From Nordic Naturals: "Our pet products have been reviewed and specially formulated for dogs and cats to maximize the omega-3 health benefits for your pet companion. We do not include rosemary oil or flavorings, which are contained in our human products and many omega-3 fatty acid supplements, in order to ensure safety for your dog or cat companions."

Right now, they are offering a Free Pet Pack Sample for those who would like to give their products a try. To get yours, just visit the Nordic Naturals website, scroll down to the bottom and click "Free Sample" (they are also offering a free sample of their Wellness Pack and Sport Pack ).

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What to Do if a Dog Has Dry, Itchy Skin

A common skin problem that you will find amongst different breeds of dogs is itchy, dry skin. If you find that your dog is scratching uncontrollably where breaking skin while scratching, you will want to get him checked out by a veterinarian to make sure that this is not more of a problem than you think.

In the following video, Victoria Calvin with Splish-n-Splash Mobile Pet Spa in Miami, Florida, gives you some options of what to do if your Labrador Retriever has itchy, dry skin.



Tips from "What to do if your dog has itchy dry skin":

Medicated shampoo - will alleviate the dryness and also moisturize the skin. Will help to prevent flaking and itchiness. Follow up with a medicated or regular conditioner.

Key to alleviating dry skin is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Don't over shampoo your dog, which will dry out the skin more. Make sure you moisturize at least once a week to help alleviate the dry itchy skin.

Anti-itch spray will help alleviate scratching and uncomfort that your dog might be feeling.

Leave-in conditioners are a great way to moisturize in between baths.

Brushing your dog's coat gently with a soft bristle brush.

The above tips are great for temporary relief but remember the first step in relief for your dog dry itchy skin is to find the cause. And unfortunately, this can be harder than you might initially think.

Top Paw(tm) Itch Ease Medicated Shampoo



Vet's Remedy Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Fungal Shampoo & Conditioner for Dogs



St. Jon Medicated Anti-Itch Spray



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Anouk

This beautiful chocolate Labrador Retriever's name is Anouk. Photos of the cute pup were added to Our Lovable Labradors Group on Flickr by SiteGefühl.







Anouk in Berlin...



Photos from: SiteGefühl (Germany)

Thanks for joining Our Lovable Labradors Group

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