What to Expect When House Training a Puppy in 7 Days

House training a puppy in 7 days is not hard to do and is often thought of as impossible to do. While it can be tricky at first, it is certainly doable and with a little practice, you puppy will be housebroken in 7 days or less. Generally it takes about a day or two for your puppy to really begin to understand what house training is all about, but it does depend largely on the breed of dog and how old he or she is.

House training doesn't have to take months to accomplish so let's look at some things you can do to effectively house train your puppy in 7 days.

One of the biggest things is to set a schedule for your puppy to follow. This can be as simple as taking him outside to go potty after every meal and feeding him at the same time every day so that he gets used to the fact that he has to go potty at a certain time. Young puppies don't often know that they have to go potty until it is too late so if you can get them outside before they do, you will have a much better chance of avoiding an accident on your rug.

Giving your puppy a treat and saying something positive like "good boy!" right after he finishes going potty will also help him become potty trained faster. It works well and should not be overlooked when house training your puppy. Puppies want to please you and also love food so if you can show him that he is pleasing you and give him food to; he is going to understand you much better.

Of course there will be times when your puppy just won't be able to make it outside in time. This is normal and is part of raising a puppy so when it does happen don't freak out. It won't do you or your puppy any good to yell at him and it may even make things worse and confuse your puppy. The best thing to do when this happens is to just let it go and clean up the spot with a good pet disinfectant. You don't want your puppy to be able to smell the floor where he went and think that it is OK to go there.

House training a puppy in 7 days is possible but you will still need to keep a constant eye on your puppy to make sure he does not have any accidents. After that you should not have to worry about your puppy going potty in your house again.

To find out more about house training a puppy in 7 days, check out some more tips at http://www.squidoo.com/house-training-a-puppy-in-7-days.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets

View original article http://EzineArticles.com/4779369

Continue Reading...

Labrador Retriever Puppy Training - Tips and Tricks to Start

Labrador retrievers are really a great breed of dog, just ask anyone who owns one. However they are also quite mischievous, and if you do not keep your eye on them at all times, your puppy may try destroying your house when you have your back turned.

Training your Labrador puppy can help put a stop to these bad habits so your puppy can grow up to be a saint. In fact Labrador retriever puppy training should be first on your list of things to do when you first get your puppy home. Training them when they are young can help prevent a lot of nasty accidents from happening to your home.

So where do you start? I like to start by teaching the pup his name. Labs are very smart and will learn this quickly, so it shouldn't take you two long to teach. Start by taking your puppy to a quiet part of your house where there will be no distractions. Get his attention with a treat and say his name a few times, then give him the treat and praise your pup. You will need to do this over and over for a few days, but your puppy should be able to understand.

I also like to start potty training at this time. This may be the most important lesson you teach you're Labrador and if you value anything in your house then you will need to keep a constant eye on your puppy. This is where a crate comes in handy. You can put your puppy in his crate when you are really busy and can't watch him all the time. The main thing to remember about crate training is that you can't leave your puppy in there for too long, maybe an hour at the longest.

It is a good idea to set up a schedule for your new Labrador puppy also. Your schedule should include the times you will take your puppy out to go to the bathroom, the times you will feed your puppy, and the times you will have him in his crate if you are crate training. Having a set schedule and sticking to it can mean a shorter learning curve for your puppy, and once your puppy gets used to the routine, he will be telling you it's time to go outside.

One last thing you should be aware of is that you have to be committed to training your puppy. There will be nights he will howl for hours, and days he will have accidents in your home, but if you help your puppy learn the right way to do things, he will grow up to be everything you hoped for.

This article only scratched the surface on Labrador retriever puppy training. For more tips and tricks check out http://www.squidoo.com/Labradorretrieverpuppytraining.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Labrador Retriever Puppy Training

View original article http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jay_Even

Continue Reading...

Dabney and Dudley

Dabney is three years old and has the white chest, Dudley is going to be 2 years old in October and has a very small patch of white on his chest. They are both obsessed with toys. Both are rescues and the most loveable dogs.













Photos from Cara (USA)

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets black Labrador Retriever photos

Continue Reading...

6 Ways To Pamper Your Pet

Labrador Retrievers are one of the friendliest dogs in existence. Don’t be fooled by their large body structure and fierce stare because they actually love people. These types of canines are very pleasant and playful. Although they will give a loud bark sometimes, they won’t really bite you unlike most dogs coming from different breeds would.

They are so warm and all they really want to do is to play and have some fun. Researchers have proven that dogs are great stress-busters, especially Labrador Retrievers. When you come home from work, they will welcome you with a big grin and with a wagging tale. They will also bring a ball or any toy as an expression of their desire to play with you.

As a pet-owner, this kind of greeting can be very heart-warming. They give you the joy of being acknowledged, even in such a simple way. So if you want to reward them for being such good mutts, here a few things you can do.

Labs love solid stuff

1. Give your dog some yummy biscuits.

2. Grab some chewable food like a flavored cow hide. Your dog will have fun trying to eat it and rip it apart while you will have zero problems in dealing about the stink and mess, unlike when you give bones.

3. Buy a new toy. Whether this is a regular ball or a squealing rubber toy, your dog will surely spend hours playing with it. Just make sure you don’t get anything too small that might easily be swallowed

Dog delighting activities

1. Please your playful pet with a bath. Black labs need to be bathed regularly because their color absorbs heat. Spare them from getting a heatstroke or a fever by keeping their bodies cool and fresh with a bath.

2. Take them to the beach. Labs are not afraid of the waters. In fact, they love to jump in the waves. This makes an enjoyable exercise for them.

3. Play fetch with your dog. As their name suggests, they love to retrieve things, like a stick or a ball.

6 Ways To Pamper Your Pet by Jenny Parker.

Jenny Parker is a writer for an expat community blog that provides international calling cards and swiss calling cards for international travelers. She also writes a variety of different topics. Take an additional 10% off with coupon code "acc10".

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets pamper your pet

Continue Reading...

Dog Park Safety And Etiquette

A Safe Day With The Dogs

While it's true staying safe and happy at the dog park is mostly a matter of common sense, that doesn't necessarily mean the process is easy, or that it's okay to be careless. The truth is if you want to bring your pet to a place like this, you must follow simple yet important rules to ensure your safety, the well-being of other pet-owners, and most of all, the health and happiness of the animals themselves. These aforementioned rules can be boiled down into three basic areas.

1) Be prepared: Your considerations here must be two-fold - your thoughts have to be on your dog and the other animals you're certain to encounter at a dog park. This doesn't mean you need to feel anxious - it just means you must take proper precautions to ensure you and your pet are ready for a new experience, as you would with anything else.

Before going to the dog park, your dog must be spayed/neutered, up-to-date with all relevant vaccinations, and absent fleas, mange or other contagious conditions. It's important to keep your dog healthy, but it's equally important to keep other animals out of harm's way. Avoid bringing sick animals to the dog park.

Avoid bringing untrained, young dogs that haven't yet been socialized to other animals, too. Part of your preparation for casual play at the dog park is to take your dog to obedience classes - they should be socialized properly before trips to the dog park. This will ensure your ability to control your dog, despite the many strange, exciting new animals and people it will unquestionably encounter.

Lastly, bring accessories to ensure your dog's comfort, safety, and happiness. Toys and treats are welcome at the dog park, but ensure treats are given to your dog away from other animals, so as not to arouse any jealousy or other problems. Depending on a particular park's rules (likely to be posted at the park's entrance), you may also be expected to bring bags to remove your dog's waste. Other obvious, vital implements are standard - leashes, collars, etc., etc. - but should not be neglected.

2) Be respectful: Other aspects of visiting the dog park involve interaction with other humans. Mostly this section can be boiled down to maintaining your common courtesy for others, but there are various things it's important to remember.

Follow the posted rules at a dog park - the space doesn't belong to you, and it's a privilege for you and the dog to be there. In addition, treat others as you would have yourself treated - don't lecture them about their dogs' misbehavior or appearance, and make sure that if your dog is causing problems, you quickly remove the animal.

If any children are present, take the utmost care to ensure their safety. Regardless of your dog's temperament, this means keeping your pet leashed around kids, and your eyes firmly on the dog at all times. Even a minor loss of control in this regard could cause serious safety issues for humans and dogs alike.

3) Have fun: While you must remain focused on your dog and respectful of others, it's important to remember the whole point of a dog park is to let your pet have fun - exercising and experiencing social time with other animals. There's a lot for you to consider, certainly, and such is part of being a good dog owner, but if you can, take a second and remind yourself of the simple joy your dog's taking in frolicking around the park, interacting with other happy, healthy, safe dogs.

Carleen Coulter writes for several pet related sites, including the dog costumes site Dog Costumes Now and it associate fun facebook page, Canine Cosplay, where you can share photos of your pets in costume.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Dog Park Safety Dog Costumes Now

Continue Reading...

Don't Be Fooled: Labrador Retrievers Do Shed!

Don't Be Fooled: Labrador Retrievers Do Shed!

But don't let it stop you from getting a cute little black, chocolate or yellow lab puppy. Putting up with the little fur bunnies that crop up around the house is only a minor nuisance. A nuisance that is far outweighed by the breed's natural intelligence, boundless energy, and loving nature. Labs are great dogs. You just need to know how to prevent the shedding problem at the source and groom your Labrador with the right product.

Most people think that since the Labrador Retriever is a short-haired dog, it doesn't shed. I know I did when I brought my black lab puppy home. Shedding wasn't a big deal when she was a puppy, but when she became and 80 lb. dog, I would vacuum up tons of hair every week. Technically, Labradors are known as moderate shedders. Not as bad as a German Shepherd or Alaskan Malamute, but they DO shed.

Labradors have what is called a double coat. Outside, they have a water-repellent coat called a guard coat that keeps them dry while they are in water retrieving ducks. Then they have a soft, downy undercoat that helps keep them warm in cold waters. They generally shed their coats twice a year. So there's lots of opportunity for fur to accumulate on your carpets, floors, bedspreads, couches and black dress pants.

You might think giving them a bath is the answer, but it isn't. Labs do not need to be bathed frequently. If your Labrador is dusty, or muddy, just rinse them off with plain water and rub them down with a towel or chamois leather. Or, if you prefer, wait until they are dry and brush the dirt off them. Shampooing them too often is not a great idea because it strips the natural oils from their coat. These oils are the unique elements that help repel dirt and water.

To help keep the shedding under control, you need to brush your lab at least once a week. And brush her outside. You could buy a stiff bristle brush or a hand glove, but, I suggest you do yourself a favor and invest in a Furminator. The Furminator is a de-shedding tool that reduces shedding up to 90 percent by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the dog's topcoat. It works much better than a brush or comb by not only removing tons of hair, but also bringing out your Labrador's natural oils for a healthy skin and shiny topcoat. (To check out a really cool demo of this tool in action, go to http://www.furminator.com).

Remember, if you catch the loose fur before your Labrador sheds it all over your new oriental area rug, you and your Lab will be a lot happier. Groom your dog frequently!

For more tips and tricks on living with and raising a Labrador Retriever, visit us at Labrador Dogs.

About the Author: Cherie Stirewalt , a successful affiliate marketer and freelance writer, operates a practical guide to affiliate marketing. Providing in-depth reviews of affiliate marketing tools and easy-to-use tips for maximizing success on the internet. Get her in-depth analysis of article submitter software on her website: http://affiliate-marketing-support.com.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Labrador Retriever shedding dog shedding

View original article http://www.a1articles.com/dont-be-fooled-labrador-retrievers-do-shed-154962.html

Continue Reading...

This Simple Test Pins Down Your Dog's Food Sensitivities...

In the second half of this 2-part video series, Dr. Becker talks to Dr. Jean Dodds, founder of Hemopet Advanced Canine Thyroid Testing and Canine Food Sensitivity Testing.



Today I'm concluding my interview, via Skype, with Dr. Jean Dodds.

Many of you have probably heard of Dr. Dodds. She lectures worldwide on clinical pathology and hematology, blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition, and holistic medicine.

In 1986, Dr. Dodds started a non-profit organization called Hemopet, which set the standard for veterinary transfusion medicine. Then in 1991, Dr. Dodds created the Pet Life-Line, which is a greyhound rescue adoption organization that physiologically feeds transfusion medicine. The doctor also started Hemolife at the same time. Each of these endeavors has achieved worldwide recognition.

Saliva Testing for Food Sensitivities

When we left off last week in part 1, The Hidden Signs of Hypothyroidism You Don't Want to Miss, we were discussing an exciting new patented technology called NutraScan. It's a method for scanning saliva from pets (dogs only for right now) to look for antibodies in the GI tract against particular foods. In other words, it's a method of detecting food sensitivities and intolerances in canines.

What the NutraScan technology looks at is a dog's sensitivity to or intolerance of a particular food. This is a great tool to have for dogs exhibiting classical signs of sensitivity such as a rumbling tummy, gas, some diarrhea and/or constipation, or perhaps vomiting.

I asked Dr. Dodds if the NutraScan is a test that can be done preventively, for example on a young puppy – or does the dog have to be exposed to an allergen in order to test positive with the NutraScan.

Dr. Dodd responds that in actuality, most food sensitivities don't show up until an animal is around two years of age. Frequent and ongoing exposure to an allergen is needed for a response to develop. Because of this, testing puppies doesn't make much sense.

Dr. Dodds thinks we should start testing dogs between 12 and 18 months of age, and then yearly thereafter as a proactive tool.

We know from human studies that three to five months before the GI tract reacts to an allergen, the antibodies are present in saliva. So as part of a proactive, preventive health program for dogs, it's a great idea to test saliva for the presence of antibodies.

I asked Dr. Dodds if the NutraScan can help dogs that have already developed symptoms.

Dr. Dodds points out that 15 to 20 percent of dogs with food sensitivities have lesions on their skin. They have itching and skin irritation, but the real culprit is in the gastrointestinal tract.

For dogs that are already sick, even if they're on an elimination diet, a novel protein diet or some other special diet, antibodies in the saliva will still be present for many months after the animal was first reactive. Dr. Dodds' clinical trial database is now complete, and there are dogs that have been on special diets for over a year and a half that still show antibodies for a food they haven't eaten in all that time.

This means the NutraScan technology can give us a picture of what foods a dog has reacted to over a significant period of time. This will help us isolate foods that we might not assume are a problem, but that have indeed contributed to GI symptoms as well as dermatologic changes in many cases.

The Value of Salivary Testing

Dr. Dodds makes the point that her saliva testing technology is not similar to serum food reactive assays that test for 30 or 40 sensitivities simultaneously.

The primary food antigens are beef, corn, wheat, soy, eggs and milk. Those are the antigens tested for currently by the NutraScan. By the end of this year, Dr. Dodds hopes to introduce another 14 secondary food antigens to the program. She also has plans to expand the testing to include cats and horses.

I asked Dr. Dodds to talk a little bit about the skepticism of saliva testing among traditional medical practitioners, and why testing with saliva is potentially more sensitive than traditional IgE testing.

Dr. Dodds explains that IgE (immunoglobulin E) testing looks for food allergies, which is a different situation. True food allergies are rare. Much more prevalent are food sensitivities and intolerances. Intolerance isn't necessarily an immunological problem. For some reason a certain food interacts in a negative way with the GI tract and it isn't well tolerated. It's a food that should be avoided.

Salivary testing is well documented as a very important tool in human medicine. The tests Dr. Dodds does aren't available in North America yet, but are used extensively in Europe. The company her lab is collaborating with, DST – Diagnostics in a Drop, is in Eastern Germany.

DST introduced a handheld iPod-shaped device in May of this year. The device will be used throughout Europe initially, and will eventually be introduced to North America after regulatory approval, permits, etc.

The handheld device can be used by veterinarians, or even pet owners, to test saliva in less than 20 minutes. Then the device is put into a reader which quantifies the amount of antibodies against the specific offending food antigens.

This is really exciting technology, in my opinion.

Many pets are getting high quality nutrition, but are still ingesting certain foods or ingredients that are biologically inappropriate for their individual physiology. NutraScan technology can help develop customized functional nutrition programs for pets.

Immune Function Testing

I asked Dr. Dodds to talk a little about the immune testing she does. I asked her if it's something she does at the same time she's checking IgA, IgM and IgG levels.

Dr. Dodds points out it's slightly different. She takes serum from the animal and checks the amount of globulins present generically, not just against foods. A pet deficient in one of the globulins, say there's an IgA deficiency, can inherit this problem which causes defects in secretory immunity.

This means the animal's immune system can't fight off foreign invaders, which results in chronic infections and other health problems. It's a different problem from food intolerance when an animal is genetically programmed not to make IgA.

Salivary tests for food sensitivities won't be beneficial for pets with these genetic predispositions, because they don't make antibodies. The immune system is genetically defective from birth.

I find this test from Hemopet very useful in my practice. It can be very frustrating to pet owners who are doing everything humanly possible to keep their dog well, without success. Dr. Dodds' immune function test is valuable in uncovering genetic predispositions in animals.

My Thanks to Dr. Jean Dodds

As you can see, Dr. Dodds has a lot happening at Hemopet and it's all pretty exciting!

I want to thank the doctor for taking time out of her busy day to chat with me.

Going forward, I plan to keep MercolaHealthyPets.com readers updated on the latest goings on at Hemopet and other exciting work Dr. Dodds is involved in.

To read part 1, visit The Hidden Signs of Hypothyroidism You Don't Want to Miss

Dr. Becker is the resident proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian of HealthyPets.Mercola.com. You can learn holistic ways of preventing illness in your pets by subscribing to MercolaHealthyPets.com, an online resource for animal lovers. For more pet care tips, subscribe for FREE to Mercola Healthy Pet Newsletter.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets dog food sensitivities Hemopet Pet Life-Line NutraScan

Continue Reading...

Scooby

Here is a photo of a very handsome, yellow Labrador Retriever named Scooby, after a bath.



Photo from: Ruchi (India)

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Labrador Retriever pictures

Continue Reading...

Free Sample of Dr. Tim’s Premium All Natural Dog Food

"Dr. Tim's Premium All Natural Pet Food lines have been formulated as a complete wholesome meal for your pet, whether they prefer to scale the couch or scale Mount Everest. The highest quality, low ash protein ingredients, along with the right blend of carbohydrates, fats and fibers allow your animal to lead a hale and hearty life. Our slow cook method produces a kibble that is extremely digestible, highly palatable and affordable. Externally applied probiotics, prebiotics and natural antioxidants help keep your pet's immune system strong. To minimize allergic reaction, corn and soy products are not used in Dr. Tim's Premium All Natural pet food products."

Fill out the short form on their website to request your Free Sample of Dr. Tim’s Premium All Natural Dog Food

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Free Sample of Dr. Tim’s Premium All Natural Dog Food free dog food dog food samples

Continue Reading...

Free Bag Hills Science Diet Ideal Balance Dog Food After Rebate

Get a Free 4 lb bag of Hills Science Diet Ideal Balance dog food (up to $12.99) when using this mail-in rebate.

Your purchase of Hills Science Diet Ideal Balance Dog Food must be made by 10/31/11 and your request must be postmarked by 11/30/11 to receive your rebate check.

Download your rebate form for a Free Bag Hills Science Diet Ideal Balance Dog Food.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Free Bag Hills Science Diet Ideal Balance Dog Food After Rebate free dog food dog food rebate

Continue Reading...

The Hidden Signs of Hypothyroidism You Don't Want to Miss

In part 1 of this 2-part video series, Dr. Becker talks to Dr. Jean Dodds, founder of Hemopet Advanced Canine Thyroid Testing and Canine Food Sensitivity Testing.



Today I'm extremely excited to interview, via Skype, Dr. Jean Dodds. Dr. Dodds has graciously agreed to talk with me this morning, at a very early hour for her in California.

Many of you have probably already heard of Dr. Dodds. She lectures worldwide on clinical pathology and hematology, blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition, and holistic medicine.

In 1986, Dr. Dodds started a non-profit organization called Hemopet, which set the standard for veterinary transfusion medicine. Then in 1991, Dr. Dodds created the Pet Life-Line, which is a greyhound rescue adoption organization that physiologically feeds transfusion medicine. The doctor also started Hemolife at the same time. Each of these endeavors has achieved worldwide recognition.

How I Learned About Dr. Dodds

I met Dr. Dodds in 1999 when I began using her lab for thyroid tests for my clinic patients. I switched to Dr. Dodds' lab when I recognized other veterinary labs doing thyroid tests lumped every dog and cat together to develop norms and averages.

For example, 2 year-old male, intact Chihuahua test results were compared to the normal reference values for 12 year-old female, spayed Huskies. And while all dogs are the same species, there are significant metabolic and physiologic differences between those two groups of dogs, as an example.

Dr. Dodds recognizes normal reference values vary depending on several factors specific to the animal's breed, gender, age, health status and other variables. She has developed a massive databank of information which we now use to capture and track test results based on physiology.

I asked Dr. Dodds why it is that she's the only resource worldwide who takes into account dynamic physiologic factors in test results.

Dr. Dodds responded that she wonders the same thing herself!

For example, Michigan State University has a larger computer database of test results than she does, and access to the same decades-old information demonstrating that thyroid and other lab parameters vary with the breed, gender, age and so forth of the animal. Dr. Dodds thinks it's pretty odd that only her lab takes all these factors into account in determining normal reference values for lab test results.

There are a lot of reasons I personally prefer Hemolife over other labs. Probably the biggest is that in addition to the more precise parameters she uses to compare test results, Dr. Dodds also personally reviews every blood test that comes through Hemolife and adds her own comments. This is like a little bonus I receive when I send tests to her lab, and I find it extremely helpful.

Are Autoimmune Diseases in Pets on the Rise?

Next I asked Dr. Dodds about the condition known as autoimmune thyroiditis. It feels to me as though this disease is on the rise, but it also could be we're simply diagnosing it more accurately in recent years.

Dr. Dodds feels both situations are in play, both in pets and in humans.

Many of you reading this are aware that immune-mediated or autoimmune diseases are on the rise across the globe. Dr. Dodds says this is partly a problem of environmental exposure, but we also have better diagnostic tools available today, such as critical thyroid antibody testing. This tool wasn't available in veterinary medicine 20 years ago.

I recognize this to be true because when I was in college 20 or so years ago, we certainly learned about hypothyroidism, but we heard very little about autoimmune thyroiditis.

Dr. Dodds believes in addition to environmental exposure and improved diagnostics, another factor in the rising rate of autoimmune diseases in dogs is inbreeding and line breeding of purebred and hybrid-breed dogs. This has increased the genetic predisposition of some animals toward immune-mediated disease.

Early, Hidden Signs a Pet Has Hypothyroidism

Something else I learned after vet school when I began my practice is that vet students are taught there's nothing wrong with an animal until there are obvious signs of illness. Signs, for example, like hair loss, lethargy, or a change in mood.

What I found in my practice is an animal can show up in what appears to be vibrant health, but there's underlying metabolic disease (as an example). I asked Dr. Dodds about hidden symptoms in a hypothyroid dog that we should be looking for but do not.

Dr. Dodds points out that less obvious signs of hypothyroidism can be present for up to a year before classical symptoms appear. And unfortunately, it's not until 70 percent of the thyroid gland is damaged by autoimmune-generated destruction that classical signs present.

So an animal doesn't just wake up one morning with hypothyroidism – the disease has progressed to the point where it's obvious.

Early signs are typically behavioral in nature, for example, erratic or unstable temperament, passivity, irritability or aggression. Or the pet doesn't pay attention when you call him. There are a variety of subtle changes taking place the family often doesn't notice because they occur slowly and progressively.

Sometimes it's an infrequent visitor who points out changes in the pet's behavior.

Subtle weight gain is another symptom – idiopathic obesity, which is obesity with no apparent cause. The animal isn't eating more or exercising less, yet is gaining weight gradually.

Often the skin and hair coat look very healthy, but metabolically a significant amount of damage is occurring.

Link Between Vaccines and Autoimmune Disorders

I asked Dr. Dodds if she sees any link between vaccinations and increasing numbers of autoimmune disorders.

Dr. Dodds says the connection is clear. Vaccines are an environmental trigger of sorts, along with too many drugs in general – flea/tick products, heartworm products, etc.

We're subjecting pets to constant and repeated exposure to chemicals and drugs. Dr. Dodds believes vaccines are not clean, pure products. She says they contain remnants of tissue cultures and other chemicals. Dr. Dodds believes these are toxic tissue cultures being injected into animals. There are a few intranasal vaccines in existence, but most vaccines are injected.

I next asked Dr. Dodds about her involvement as co-creator of the Rabies Challenge Fund.

Dr. Dodds explains the Rabies Challenge Fund is a not-for-profit charitable trust. Their work involves concurrent five and seven year trials to determine that rabies vaccines don't need to be given every one, two or three years as currently required by law. These trials have already been validated in France, but U.S. regulations are different, so the French data can't be validated here.

The Rabies Challenge Fund is halfway through year four of the concurrent trials. So within the next two years, Dr. Dodds hopes to have a trial that will not only license a five-year vaccine for dogs, but will also point to exactly what antibody level in the blood is truly protective against rabies for dogs. At the moment, we only know this information for humans, and extrapolate for animals.

I am personally very excited about this research. It will ultimately allow us to provide a rabies vaccine that protects pets against the disease without making them toxic through repeated, unnecessary vaccinations.

You can learn more about this important research at http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/.

Dr. Dodds' Hemolife Lab Testing Service

I next asked Dr. Dodds about Hemolife's reputation for accuracy, reliability, and a patented method for interpreting test results.

Dr. Dodds points out that her 25 year database is indeed patented. It allows her to factor in the age, breed and activity level of animals as part of the results measurement – for example separating 'couch potato' dogs from Iditarod racers. Obviously, those variables in activity level point to different metabolic needs.

Dr. Dodds has 48 years of background in clinical pathology as well as veterinary medicine, and as a result she is extremely concerned with reliability, reproducibility and rigid standards for running assays in her lab. Hemolife's technology since 2009 runs only environmentally safe, non radio-isotropic assays for thyroid function in dogs.

Dr. Dodds recommends annual thyroid testing for dogs that are genetically predisposed to hypothyroidism. For those of you interested in having your dog's test results sent to Hemolife for analysis, you can ask your veterinarian to send them there.

You can visit the Hemolife webpage, read about how to send in samples and download the appropriate form to take with you to your vet. Your vet can send the blood test to Hemolife and they'll return the results to both your vet and you. As guardian of your pet, both Dr. Dodds and I believe you should have a copy of all lab test results. You may need them while traveling, in the case of an emergency, or if you move or have some other reason to change veterinarians.

Saliva Testing

I asked Dr. Dodds, who is always involved in new and exciting projects, what's currently in the works at Hemopet.

Dr. Dodds says she recently got a new patented technology called NutraScan. It's a method for scanning saliva from pets (dogs only for right now) to look for antibodies in the GI tract against particular foods. In other words, it's a method of detecting food sensitivities and intolerances in canines.

Dr. Dodds points out that this testing is not synonymous with food allergy tests. We use the term 'food allergy' all the time, but the fact is, true allergies to food are extremely rare.

What the NutraScan technology looks at is a dog's sensitivity to or intolerance of a particular food. This is a great tool to have for dogs exhibiting classical signs of sensitivity such as a rumbling tummy, gas, some diarrhea and/or constipation, or perhaps vomiting.

These symptoms don't occur immediately upon eating an offending food. They typically occur from two to 72 hours later. Often, it's difficult to associate a dog's digestive issues with something she ate, because the offending food could've been ingested days ago.

Dr. Becker is the resident proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian of HealthyPets.Mercola.com. You can learn holistic ways of preventing illness in your pets by subscribing to MercolaHealthyPets.com, an online resource for animal lovers. For more pet care tips, subscribe for FREE to Mercola Healthy Pet Newsletter.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Dr. Dodds autoimmune diseases in pets hypothyroidism

Continue Reading...

Free Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6 Dog Food Sample

Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is offering you the chance to try a free sample of Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6 Dog Food.

"Rachael Ray Nutrish® just 6® contains lamb meal, which is the number one ingredient, followed by five other wholesome ingredients. Of course, just 6® has all the added vitamins and minerals your dog needs to keep him healthy and happy.

* Limited ingredient recipe
* Made with just six simple ingredients plus vitamins and minerals
* No corn, no wheat, no soy
* No by-product meal or fillers
* No artificial flavors, colors or artificial preservatives"

Fill out the form on their website to get your free sample* of Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6® super premium food for dogs (*while supplies last).

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Free Sample of Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Dog Food

Continue Reading...

Maintaining Dog's Attention With These Four Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

The activity of chewing and biting is part of the daily life of a dog. So nobody should be worried by the dogs that cause harm. Total and severe destruction seems to be the outright satisfaction of dogs whenever they come into sight of anything exciting. But do not worry about this problem because specially designed dog toys are available that will keep your dog chewing endlessly. Dog toys for aggressive chewers are sturdy and durable to bare the bites of sharp canines of dogs. They are built to provide your dog with long lasting play and fun.

There are large varieties of pet toys but the following are the common and most popular toys for aggressive chewers. These are cheap in cost and provide the utmost enthusiasm to dogs. If you are a dog owner, don't hesitate to spend for the sake of the happiness of your pet. Have a look below for toys you can choose for your dog:

KONG Extreme Pet Toy

This is the best product, if your dog is an aggressive chewer. If you own an aggressive chewer dog, this is the best product for you. KONG Extreme Pet Toy is renowned and tough dog toy suitable for aggressive chewers. It is a special and interesting treat for dogs apart from being a boredom killer.

Hurley-West Paw

This is a mobile toys for aggressive chewers. Hurley-west paw is built of non toxic resistant material to sustain continuous chewing and biting. They are soft and are found in various bright colours. This will prove to be the best gift you can give to your dogs as dogs love playing and fun. Their prices are cut down and are affordable in all shops and an online toy stores.

Rope Pet Toys

Chewing is a healthy habit for dog's teeth. Rope toys are especially helpful for pulling and tossing. They are safe and useful for oral cleaning of the plaque and tartar on the teeth of the pet. The materials used to build the product are braided spirally with thin fibres. Moreover, these fibres are non-toxic. Besides keeping teeth strong, these rope pet toys will help to increase strength of your pet.

Hard Nylon Bones

This is another effective pet toys for aggressive chewer. These are durable and non toxic. Candies and mints are used to develop these type of toys to make your dog's chewing moments more enjoyable. To sustain the aggressive chewing from dogs, these are made with hard nylon bones.

Concluding, not every dog toy is good for your dog. Pet toys for aggressive chewers are designed uniquely to withstand any resistant strength and power. This durability of the material of pet toy will make sure a long term fun for your pet.

Mark Davis is an expert in Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers and has a lifetime of experience raising and training pets. He now spends most of his time reviewing toys for dogs on his website. Over the years, the site has helped many people find their dog's ideal dog toys along with reviews and low prices. You can find your dog a toy with his help, from chasing to chewing type. For the best deal on Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers, visit http://www.TopDogToys.net.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets dog toys aggressive chewers

View original article http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_D_Davis

Continue Reading...

Free Purina Beneful WagPack Sample

"Try new Beneful brand dog food Healthy Fiesta - a festive blend of flavors in every bowl. Made with:

* Wholesome rice

* Real Chicken

* Accents of vitamin-rich veggies and avocado.

With your Free Purina Beneful WagPack Sample you will also receive a free issue of Wag World Magazine.

Click on the first bubble to learn more about the Free Purina Beneful WagPack Sample and to make your request.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Free Purina Beneful WagPack Sample

Continue Reading...

Free Cranimals Dog Supplement Sample

Over on the Cranimals Facebook page, they are offering a free sample of their Original, Very Berry or Gold dog supplements.

"Cranimals™ is a simple way to add nature's goodness to your pet's kibble or wet food. There are specific supplements for puppies and kittens, adult and senior pets. Cranimals™ will make tails wag!

Cranimals™ supplements and treats are made from food grade North American organic cranberries, red raspberries and blueberries and contain many potent antioxidants - nature's best defence against aging and common pet diseases such as urinary tract infections, struvite crystals, immune deficiencies, chronic itching, arthritis and cancer."

Head on over to their Facebook page to learn more about their products and to make your request for your Free Cranimals Dog Supplement Sample. Just LIKE them on Facebook and e-mail them your mailing address and supplements type at info@cranimal.com

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets Free Sample of Cranimals Dog Supplement

Continue Reading...

Does Your Dog Have Fleas? - Use Natural Products To Kill Fleas

If you see your dog biting and scratching its skin, then it's highly likely that your dog does have fleas. Fleas breed prolifically and especially in warm weather, so you need to act fast if you don't want to be overrun! Sometimes a professional pest control person needs to be called in so you can get rid of the fleas in your home very quickly.

Fleas can be brown or dark red in color but if you look closely, they can be scary. Fortunately, there are many methods to control fleas in your home and on your animals. Fleas are equipped with large legs and the back of their exoskeleton is quite hard. Adults can latch onto a host while they're feeding.

Adult fleas have very sharp mouth parts so they can suck the blood from their prey. They don't have eyes as such and rely on their antenna for touch, smell, and to sense heat. Humans can suffer from flea bites, and larva eat dust or debris on the floor until they become adults. Pupa can remain dormant for up to a year while waiting for optimum conditions to become active.

When you give flea treatment to your animals, you should also look to treat your floorboards, carpets, bedding, and garden. This comprehensive treatment should take care of any flea problems. Vacuum carpets thoroughly, as well as vacuuming any crevices close to your floor. You can treat your whole house all at the same time, along with your pets.

Wash bedding in hot water in your washing machine, then dry thoroughly. Wash your dog's bedding at the same time. Make sure that you wash your nighttime clothing also. Vacuum your mattress and leave it exposed to sunlight if possible. Remember to vacuum the carpets and floor boards and any close by crevices or cracks on your walls.

Table salt is a natural and commonly available method of killing fleas. You can get refined table salt from a health food or grocery store. Shake the salt all over your carpet, dog bed, rugs, and along skirting boards. Rake your carpet just like you do your yard, and leave it around for from 2 to 5 days. This will make it penetrate flea skins and they will bleed to death. After you have salted everything down, vacuum everything.

Another method for getting rid of fleas in your carpet, is to add four parts of borax to one part salt, and then use the same as you would use for straight salt. If your dog does have fleas, then you can wash it as you would normally. After the dog is dry, put a half cup of baking powder into a shaker as well as 1/2 teaspoon of essential orange oil. Shake it a bit, then shake it all over your dog.

So, if you do determine that your dog has fleas, the above methods will be a natural way to rid your home and animals of these pesky bloodsuckers.

Jenny is passionate about helping people train their dog successfully and gives helpful hints and tips on health and nutrition. For anyone looking to work closely with dogs she gives people suggestions on how to become a dog trainer. She writes about dog problems such as does your dog have fleas, and looks at solutions to solve the problem without harmful chemicals.

Technorati Tags: All About Labradors Labrador Retriever Labradors Dogs Pets

View original article http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jenny_H_Jordan

Continue Reading...