Relocating your Pup

Relocation: How to Get Your Furry Friend Through the Move

Moving to a new home in a new neighborhood can be a daunting experience – for both your human family and your furry companions. Helping your dog adjust to new surroundings, new neighbors, new street sounds, and totally new area boundaries may mean retraining in certain basic commands until your pup feels totally comfortable in her new yard and begins to respond to your voice. Depending on her personality, this type of retraining can take anywhere from several days to several weeks.

Moving Day Stress

The stress of packing everything up and moving can be overwhelming for your dog. Try to keep her away from the comings and goings of moving men, packing boxes, and open doors by placing her in a closed-door room away from the foot traffic. Give her some water and food and place her bedding in the room to make her feel safe.

When you get to your new house, do exactly the same thing. Find a nice, quiet room away from all the noise and people, and allow her to just relax. Once all the boxes and suitcases are inside, let her out into her new home to explore. Remember to keep the doors and windows closed until she settles in. You don’t want her running out the door into unfamiliar territory where she can get lost or hit by a car.

Your New Yard

If your new yard is unprotected, or has underground dog fences, you’ll need to put your pup on her collar and leash to take her outside to “do her business” the first few times until you get the parameters set up on your property. Letting her out on her own without protection can lead to trouble.

Go back and test your basic training commands – “sit,” “stay,” and “come” – while she is on a leash inside your new yard. If you have continued working with her as she has matured, she’ll remember those commands wherever she is and will respond appropriately.

If she appears distracted because of her new surroundings, reinforce that she needs to pay attention to you with your clicker and dog treats. DO NOT let her off-leash until she is responding quickly and appropriately every time you issue a command. Depending on her temperament and the amount of time you have spent on continuing education with your pup, this could take anywhere from 2 days to several weeks.

Once your hidden dog fence is up and running, set the training flags up around the perimeter just like you did in the beginning of her containment system training. Walk the boundaries of the area with your dog while she is on her leash and show her every flag, letting her look at it and smell it if necessary.

You will probably need to go back and re-establish your training with her until she knows where her new boundaries lie just like you did in the beginning. This training period should be much shorter however, since she already knows the consequences of moving beyond the underground dog fence.

Your New Neighborhood

Walk around the neighborhood with your dog as soon as possible so that she becomes familiar with all the sights, smells, and sounds of her new environment. If you see her becoming fearful or agitated, note whatever is grabbing her attention, and walk right past it. If you become nervous or frightened, she’ll pick up on your emotions through the tension in her leash and will respond in kind.

Don’t let her approach strange dogs or humans without first asking permission, and without checking out the body posture of the animal she might want to get to know. Notice if the new dog is staring or tense, or looks happy and ready to play. Even when the new dog looks friendly, keep your pup on her leash and close to you until you can determine if they will get along.

Time To Explore

Once you feel that your dog knows her yard boundaries and won’t cross them, you can let her off-leash to explore the territory on her own. You’ll need to stay in the yard with her the first few times to be sure she doesn’t cross the hidden dog fence line. As she becomes adjusted to her new surroundings and listens to your commands, you’ll be able to leave her alone in the yard for longer and longer periods of time.

Don’t Become Complacent

With proper training and continued reinforcement of that training, your pup should become quickly adjusted to her new home. However, remember that she is just a puppy, so staying diligent and watching over her like you would your human child can keep her safe from harm.

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Fun Tips for Training Your Labrador

As an animal lover you're probably the type of person that buys the healthiest dog food and the best pet insurance. You’re proud to see your Labrador impress everyone at the dog park with his or her speed and agility. But sometimes, your Labrador’s energy, intelligence and athleticism can make training seem more difficult.

That’s why it’s important to train correctly and train early so you can bond as the top dog and get down to the business of enjoying one another.

For fun and effective training, follow these 6 tips:

6. Say No

Labs are highly people-oriented, sensitive and eager to please. They can sense the slightest annoyance in your voice and will do whatever they can to change it. Set boundaries by using a firm tone and not giving in once your dog flashes that heartbreaking sad puppy face.

5. Don’t Punish After the Fact

That said, try to keep it positive and avoid punishment, which will only make your dog anxious, confused and possibly aggressive. If your dog’s transgression happened more than ten minutes ago, let it go. They have very short memory spans and will know only that you’re mad, not what they’ve done wrong.

4. Use Non-Violent, Reward-Based Techniques

Labs will do almost anything if they know it will be rewarded with a treat. Their sensitivity also means they react favorably to praise and immediate recognition of their good behavior. Consider purchasing a clicker from a pet store and using it to acknowledge every element of a complicated trick, like rolling over. Once your dog understands the click means praise, you can use it to learn even more complicated tricks.

It should go without saying, but never use violence. If the dog is acting aggressively, there are likely deeper issues involved, ones that need to be addressed with patience and focused training. Any violence against your dog will only increase their anxiety, which will make them more violent themselves.

3. Leash Train

The last thing you need is to be dragged down the street by your muscular dog. Using the techniques above, train your dog to walk with a slack leash. Jerk the leash and say, “heel” when they get out of control. For particularly leash adverse puppies, have them wear the leash as they walk around the house until they get used to it.

2. Use a Crate

When used correctly, crates can be an effective way to potty train your lab. Make it as comfy as possible with your dog’s favorite chew toys and blanket so that it’s a sanctuary, not a place of punishment. Once established, you can use a crate for potty training and to keep your dog away from the rest of the house when you’re gone during the day.

1. Let them play and treat them well!

Just like kids, puppies need time to romp and play if they’re going to be happy and stimulated. A good diet and plenty of exercise will help, too. The better shape they’re in, the more easygoing they’ll be.

Throughout all of this, be persistent, consistent, and above all, patient. Your lab will be a quick learner, just as long as you stay on message. Have fun!

Fun Tips for Training Your Labrador is a Guest Post by Rob Toledo:

Rob Toledo has grown up with several Labradors always running around the house. He currently volunteers at a local animal shelter in the Pacific Northwest. He recommends considering dog insurance for your four legged friends.

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Does Your Dog Have Allergies or Mange

Both allergies and the mange are potentially serious, if you choose to wait for the symptoms disappear, you could lose your dog. Both have similar symptoms, such as red bumps, itching and sores on the skin.

The sooner you find the right diagnoses, the sooner your dog will be healthy again. Your vet will take a skin scraping to check for mites, the test he will perform is pedal-reflex test, but this test comes with limitations also.

If your dog has allergies, the reaction will usually disappear after 36 hours, if you have removed everything, which could have caused the reaction.  If the symptoms persist, your dog will more than likely have mange.

You can do a simple test on your own, to see if you dog might possibly have mange, scrape your dog’s outer ear with your fingers, if he tries to scratch his ear with his hind leg, then he will probably have`1 mites.

Your vet can check your dog’s skin scrapings under a microscope and check for mites, which could possibly cause mange. Skin scrapings will not always show mites, if this is your dog’s results, than start immediately to treat their condition as you would mange.

Home Mite Treatments:

1) Place three to five drops of mineral oil in your dog’s ear canal with an eyedropper, then gently message the ear. After two hours, wipe their ear with a cotton ball or soft tissue. Use this procedure twice a week, for a period of three weeks.

2) You can make a soothing mite ointment at home, using 1 cup calamine lotion, 1 cup aloe vera gel and 1 cup soluble sulphur. Mix ingredients thoroughly in a large pan, add 1 gallon distilled water and bring mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. After cooling, poor mixture into a clean sealed jar. Use the treatment once a week, for 3 to 4 weeks. Apply to the dog’s entire body making sure to get between the toes and feet. Leave mixture on the dog’s body and let them air dry.

3) Wash your dog with medicated shampoo and cover the entire body with petroleum jelly, this will suffocate mites and alleviates any skin irritants, repeat every other day for no less than 2 weeks.

4) Using an acne cream, containing 5 percent concentration of benzoyl peroxide; to fight against mites, may  be apply to your dogs infected areas, 3 times a week for 2 weeks. 

5) Medications such as Revolution and Frontline should be used especially around harvest time to prevent your dog from being infected with fleas and skin mites. This treatment is to be applied once a month, between your dog’s shoulder blades, the dog can get wet within 2 hours without reapplying. This treatment will also aid in keeping your dog free of mange. These treatments are by prescription and purchased through your vet.

As with any treatment, you should always check with your vet to insure your dog’s safety and optimal health benefits.

Does Your Dog Have Allergies or Mange is a Guest Post by Dr. Susan Wright DMV:

Dr. Susan Wright DMV is a veterinarian with more than a decade of experience. Susan is a writer and serves as a dog bark collar expert. Dr. Wright and her staff share their love of dogs both professionally and personally by writing informational and entertaining pieces on the proper care of domestic animals.

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FURminator Dog DeShedding Tool Coupon: Save $7.00

For those of you thinking about purchasing a FURminator Dog DeShedding Tool, Petco has a printable coupon for you to save $7.00.



The coupon for $7.00 Off any FURminator DeShedding Tool is valid until 5/31/12 and you must present your Petco Pals card (free to join) to receive offer.

The FURminator DeShedding Tool is an incredibly handy product that will certainly help to reduce your Labrador Retriever's shedding quickly, efficiently, and gently. To learn more about this product you can read our review at FURminator Dog deShedding Tool.

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Free Sample of Milk-Bone Trail Mix Dog Snacks (new link)

We had a link posted to get a Free Milk-Bone Trail Mix Dog Treat Sample on 5/11 from It's Good to Give Milk-Bone (still available, see below). This is a new link, from Walmart to get a Free Sample.



Milk-Bone Trail Mix Dog Snacks made with:

"Rolled oats--wholesome source of fiber
Real beef--savory flavor and rich in protein
Sweet potato--natural source of carbohydrates
Chewy and crunchy
All natural with added nutrients
No artificial preservatives
No corn"

If you missed our post on 5/11, that offer is still available from It's Good to Give Milk-Bone at: Free Milk-Bone Trail Mix Dog Treat Sample

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Flea and Tick Season 2012: It's Early and It's Ugly

Well, the good news for many of us across the U.S. is we had a mild winter with above-average temperatures and not a lot of snow.

The bad news is warm winter weather means an early and heavy bug season, specifically for fleas and ticks.

These pests are surfacing from their dormant life cycles sooner rather than later this year.

In fact, many veterinarians are predicting a 2012 flea and tick season that will be the worst in a decade.

And it's already underway in some parts of the country.

No Need to Panic

Widespread panic is more or less what the sellers of chemical pest preventives would like to see as a result of an early and heavy flea and tick season this year.

But before you start having nightmares about massive flea infestations or blood-bloated ticks all over your dog -- which could easily prompt you to run out and buy every chemical pest agent you can find – take a deep breath.

Everything you need to do to control pests on your pet this year falls into these three easy-to-remember categories:

* Keep your pet pest-free
* Keep your home pest-free
* Keep your yard pest-free

I strongly discourage pet owners from automatically applying harsh chemical agents to repel or kill pests. I see animals every day at my Natural Pet clinic that suffer from the side effects of toxic chemicals and drugs they were exposed to for any number of reasons, including pest control.

And to make matters worse, many of these pets still get fleas and ticks even with the use of toxic chemical agents.

That's why I believe in using natural pest repellents and other non-toxic pest control methods whenever possible.

If you live where fleas and ticks are prevalent during the warmer months, vigilance in keeping your pet, your home and your yard pest-free should allow your four-legged companion to enjoy his summer right along with the rest of the family.

All Natural Tips for a Pest-Free Pet

If fleas are a problem, comb your pet with a flea comb at least once a day, every day during pest season. Do the combing on a white towel or other light colored cloth so you can see what's coming off your pet's coat and skin as you comb.

Flea 'dirt' (actually flea feces) looks like real dirt, but when suspended in a little rubbing alcohol or water will dissolve and release a red color (blood) allowing you to discern real dirt from flea dirt.

Drop the combings into a bowl or other container of soapy water and flush it down the toilet when your combing session is over.

Bathe your pet. A soothing bath will kill fleas (via drowning), help heal skin irritation, and make your furry companion feel more comfortable and less itchy. Also, clean animals aren't as attractive to fleas. Pick a non-grain (no oatmeal) shampoo specifically for pets.

Be aware that some pets have a condition called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which is sensitivity to flea saliva. This is actually a very common condition in dogs. It's not the bite of a flea that causes most of the itching, it's the saliva. And the saliva can cause irritation way out of proportion to the number of fleas on your pet.

That's why lots of dog owners assume the terrible itching their pet is enduring can't be flea related because they don't see any fleas. In fact, a pet with FAD can be made absolutely miserable from the saliva of just one or two fleas. And it can make her uncomfortable for many weeks – long after the fleas are dead and gone.

If ticks are a problem where you live, the best way to control them is through daily grooming and nose-to-tail body checks of your pet. You should examine your dog or cat closely for ticks whenever he's been outside, and at least once a day, regardless.

If you should find a tick attached to your pet, it must be removed carefully and safely.

Don't squeeze the tick, pull on it, press down on it, burn it, or otherwise try to kill it while it's still embedded in your pet. You don't want to inadvertently harm your dog or cat, and you don't want to cause the tick to secrete more saliva into your pet or leave pieces of the rostrum (the 'sticker') embedded in your pet's skin.

The safest way to remove a tick is with a twisting motion. Our Tick Stick tick removal tool is great to have on hand if you ever need to get a tick off your pet.

In addition to the above suggestions, I also recommend you make liberal use of an all-natural pest repellent like Natural Flea and Tick Defense, which is effective against flies and mosquitoes as well. It contains all natural ingredients -- safe oils and pure water.

Other safe alternatives to chemical pest repellents include cedar oil (specifically formulated to be applied to pets) and natural food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) (both of which can be applied directly to your pet's skin and coat – follow label application instructions), and fresh garlic (it must be fresh, not processed -- work with your holistic vet to determine a safe amount for your pet's body weight).

Don't waste your money on garlic in pill form or brewer's yeast pills. The B vitamins found in brewer's yeast responsible for boosting the immune system can be naturally delivered by feeding your pet a meat based, living food diet. I don't recommend feeding allergenic brewer's yeast to pets.

Powdered garlic or garlic in tablet form has lost the medicinal component, Allicin, found in fresh garlic. Garlic pills can be dangerous to pets.

DE can also be added to your pet's food if your pet has internal parasites. DE is not effective against heartworms as they are present in the bloodstream, where DE isn't.

All Natural Tips for a Pest-Free Home

Your first line of defense against a flea infestation in your home is to keep your pet pest-free using the suggestions outlined above.

Vacuuming all the areas of your home your pet has access to is a given in controlling fleas indoors. Vacuum the carpet, area rugs, bare floors, upholstered furniture, pillows, your pet's bedding and even your own if your pet sleeps with you.

Use the crevice tool and other nifty attachments to vacuum along the baseboards and around the corners and edges of furniture. Don't forget to vacuum hard-to-reach places like under furniture, beds and closet floors.

Dump the contents of your vacuum as soon as you're finished and get them out of the house.

If feasible, designate a single sleeping area for your pet – preferably one you can clean easily. Fleas accumulate in pet sleeping spaces, so if you can limit those, it will be easier to control the situation.

Your dog's or cat's bedding should be vacuumed daily and washed frequently.

You can apply a light dusting of food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) on your carpets, bare floors, and pet bedding. Make sure the DE is food grade, not pool filter grade as the latter is toxic if ingested.

Like diatomaceous earth, cedar oil can be applied to your environment and pet bedding, as well as directly on your dog or cat. It is an all-natural insect repellent. Pestigator.comi has a wealth of information about the use of cedar oil as well as a wide variety of cedar-based products for indoor, outdoor and direct pet application use.

You can apply sodium polyborate powder to your carpets and wood floors to get rid of fleas at the larval stage. Instructions at Fleabusters.comii state you should keep pets and children out of the room while you're applying the product, but they can come into the area safely immediately afterward. The powder works for a year once it's applied unless you have your carpets steam cleaned.

All-Natural Tips for a Pest-Free Yard

Keep your grass mowed, weeds pulled, and bushes trimmed. Clear away debris as it accumulates and do regular inspections of your property for places where pests are apt to hide and multiply.

Food grade diatomaceous earth can also be used to control pests in your yard. However, it doesn't work immediately and must be reapplied frequently (monthly for best results). To use dry with a powder applicator you'll need about 1 pound per 500 square feet. You can also mix it up as a paste and apply it with a hose-end sprayer, using 2 tablespoons per gallon of water.

Mosquito Barrieriii is an all-natural, liquid garlic based solution that can be sprayed on your lawn. Its repellent effect should last about a month according to the manufacturer.

Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that eat flea larvae. Many people have had success using them in their gardens and yards to keep the flea population under control.

Under the right conditions, nematodes work quite well. They can be applied with a lawn sprayer and have been known to reduce the flea population by 80 percent in 24 hours.

More research is needed, but it seems nematodes are most effective in moist, sandy soil away from direct sunlight. The worms don't survive in the hot sun. (Fortunately, neither do fleas.) Nematodes can be purchased at some pet stores, nurseries and online.

When a Chemical Preventive or Treatment is Unavoidable

I can't overemphasize the need to avoid the unnecessary application of chemical products due to their known and suspected levels of toxicity.

However, if you're faced with a situation in which you have no choice but to use a chemical pest preventive on your dog or cat, here are some ways you can reduce the danger, especially of spot-on products:

* Follow dosing directions precisely. If your pet is at the low end of a dosage range, step down to the next lowest dosage. Be extremely cautious with small dogs and do not under any circumstances apply dog product to your cat.

* Don't depend exclusively on chemical treatments. Rotate natural preventives with chemical ones. An every other month rotation works well for many pet owners at my practice. Many of my clients are able to apply one round of chemicals in the spring and another in late summer and completely avoid infestation while dramatically reducing the frequency of chemicals used.

* Monitor your pet closely for adverse reactions after you apply a chemical product – especially when using one for the first time.

* Since your pet's liver will be tasked with processing the chemicals that make it into the bloodstream, it can be very beneficial to give your dog or cat a supplement to help detoxify her liver. I recommend milk thistle, which is a detox agent and also helps to actually regenerate liver cells.

You can get milk thistle through your holistic vet, who should also guide you on how much to give your pet depending on age, weight and other prescribed medications. I recommend one dose daily for seven days following any flea, tick or heartworm application.

I also recommend chlorella, a super green food that is a very powerful detox agent. Your holistic vet should also advise you about how much chlorella to give your pet.

If you use both these cleansing products throughout the summer, you can help protect your pet's liver from the toxic effects of chemical pest preventives.

The Bottom Line

No matter what combination of pest repellent systems you use, including chemical agents, your pet can still attract pests and parasites. In fact, even animals loaded with chemicals to the point of toxicosis can still, for example, acquire heartworm.

My advice is do all you can to avoid pests, relying on natural preventives as much as possible, and then have your vet run a SNAP 4Dx test every six months to check for the presence of heartworm and tick-borne diseases (Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia).

Also, again thanks to the mild winter we had, I'm seeing a lot more positive fecal results for GI parasites. I recommend you have your vet check a sample of your pet's stool twice a year as well.

References:

i Pestigator.com
ii Fleabusters.com
iii Mosquito Barrier

Source: KETKNBC.com March 30, 2012

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4 Tips for a Stress-Free Move with your Labrador

Loyalty is a trait that nearly every dog possesses, and Labradors are no different. Although dogs are territorial animals, they tend to become more attached to the people they're with rather than the homes in which they live. An unfamiliar environment may initially seem strange to your pup, but with you by their side, they'll adjust fairly quickly. While Labs are particularly adaptable animals, acting upon the following steps can make the transition even smoother for your furry best friend.

1. Get One Last Check-Up Before You Go

Your pup may not show any signs of compromised health, but it's important to take him or her to the veterinarian sometime before the moving company arrives. This is just a general precautionary measure to make sure your dog has all of his or her vaccinations and tests completed. Sometimes a move requires a health certificate that may also have to be acquired during this visit. Ask your vet for some professional advice about moving with your dog and perhaps a recommendation for a good vet in your new location.

2. Take a Deep Breath

Labs are a very intuitive breed that can sense when their owners are stressed about something. If you've owned your Lab for a long time, you likely already know that he or she has a way of detecting how you're feeling and feeding off of this. So, if you're stressed about the move, your Lab will begin to worry too. One way you can relax a little during this stressful time is by taking leisurely walks with your pet a couple of times per day.

3. Dog-Proof Your New Place

To help your furry friend become successfully adjusted to your new home, you can start by making it a safe and comfortable environment. First things first, properly store all items that are poisonous to your dog. Common household cleaning products should be placed on high shelves with baby locks on the doors of the cabinets. Keep all plants out of reach and make sure your pup never enters the garage without you present, since this area is likely filled with several hazardous products.

4. Explore Your New Surroundings

Explore the territory with your pup to help him or her become familiar with your new home. Get involved in social activities with other dogs and gradually introduce him or her to new people. Try to get into a routine with your Lab and continue to take him or her to regular places, such as a nearby dog park and the grocery store, so that he or she can gain a sense of stability in the new surroundings.

Both you and your Lab will have quite a bit of adjusting to do in a new place, but taking the above precautionary measures can help make this transition a more successful one for the both of you. Above all, remember to take advantage of the companionship that your dog offers and provide support for your pup to make the drama of the move easier on you both.

Moving with your Labrador Retriever is a Guest Post by Maire:

About the Author: Maire loves to practice yoga and walk her dog, Pete.

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Free Milk-Bone Trail Mix Dog Treat Sample

Milk-Bone is teaming up with the American Hiking Society to celebrate National Trails Day on June 2.



Pledge to hit a local trail with your dog and you'll receive a free sample of new Milk-Bone Trail Mix! This all-natural treat, made from real beef, sweet potatoes and rolled oats, makes a great training tool or snack for your dog!

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3 Common Skin Problems with Labrador Retrievers

Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. As one of the most trainable and well-disposed breeds out there, it's no wonder they've held the most popular breed spot for over a decade. While Labradors are a wonderful breed and certainly have earned that top spot on the list, this has also caused some issues with the breeding of these precious pups. In high demand, some breeders have resorted to harmful breeding techniques that cause genetic issues in their pups.

That being said, Labradors have slew of genetic disorders and common illnesses that plague them and their owners. While hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy are more common diseases found in Labradors, there are several less worrisome skin problems and diseases that Labradors can suffer from. Keep an eye out from these three skin irritants in your pup at home, so that you can treat it early

Hypothyroid Related Alopecia

Thyroid issues one of the more common health issues found in Labrador retrievers. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not secrete enough of the thyroid hormone called thyroxine. This hormone plays a major role in controlling metabolism and is necessary for proper growth. Hypothyroidism can cause many health ailments in a dog, including dry skin, hair loss, weight loss, and lethargy. Alopecia is just another term for hair loss. Labradors usually lose hair on sides of their body between the front and rear legs. For the most part, this hair loss is harmless and is mostly used as an indicator of the greater issue. Your veterinarian can diagnose thyroid issues with a simple blood test. Treatment is relatively simple with thyroid hormone replacement drugs. This dry skin and hair loss can be agitating to your pet and can appear worrisome, but if properly diagnosed, is usually effectively treated.

Lick Granuloma

The lick granuloma can be one of the most difficult conditions to deal with for a pet owner and pet. The most common cause of this disorder is psychological. This skin issue is a form of self-trauma where a dog constantly licks a specific area of their body until that area become inflamed and raw. Typically dogs do this licking on the lower portions of their extremities near their paws. The fact that lick granulomas are usually caused by a compulsion in dogs makes it very difficult to treat. The issue can also be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, allergies, and joint disease, but these are far less common. Lick granulomas are particularly common in large, active dog breeds (the Labrador). There are several treatments available for this disorder and it is essential that affected dogs be seen by a veterinary professional.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

As if fleas and pesky parasites weren't issue enough, some dogs can be allergic to fleas, causing unfortunate skin irritation. Dogs that are allergic to fleas will experience significantly more irritation from the parasites and will typically cause further damage to themselves from constantly gnawing at the itchy, irritated area. Interestingly, Labradors that are allergic to fleas are not allergic to the bites themselves, but rather the flea's saliva. This means that the irritation can occur even in areas that have not been bitten. Thankfully, there are a variety of effective treatments on the market for canine fleas and ticks. These treatments help prevent flea infestations and can deter fleas from even approaching your pet.

3 Common Skin Problems with Labrador Retrievers is a Guest Post by Laine Harrison:

Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.

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Free Free 2.75 oz. Natural Balance Dog Food Roll at Petco

For those of your that feed your Labrador Retrievers Purina Pro Plan dog food, Petco is offering a free can with coupon.

Print out the listed coupon and visit your local Petco to get a Free 2.75 oz. Natural Balance Dog Food Roll.

To use the coupon for the Free Can of Purina Pro Plan dog food, you must be a member of Petco Pals (free to join) and present the coupon with your PALS card.

Limit one per household, coupon expires 5/31/12.

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Ways to Make your Dog Quiet and Happy

Ever wondered what your neighbor thinks about you and your dog especially when the pet you own barks a lot?  Well, to be honest, your neighbors are totally NOT pleased about it, even if you have the cutest dog in the world.  For them, the barking especially during the night is just a nuisance.  So, stop your pet from keeping your friendly and not so friendly neighbors awake, particularly at night!

Here a few ways to keep your dog quiet and happy.

1.  Know what motivates your dog. 

Dogs are classified into different groups.  There are gun dogs that enjoy retrieving, herding for working pooches, hunting for hounds and playing and attention seeking for toy dogs.  Thus, it is advisable that in order to keep your dog happy, you must also keep them busy with what they would enjoy with.  There are a lot of activities that you can sign up your dogs with, but know whether it will work for them or not. 

2.  Your presence is of importance.

You need to be with your pup and not just be a weekend owner.  You can guarantee that your dogs will be there for you when you would want them, thus it is just appropriate that you do the same for your pooch.  A daily activity with your dog in a leash free area is very ideal for both the dog and you as the owner.  If you have a backyard that would be an ideal place for you to train your dog so that you can let your pup come inside the house through your backdoor.  If your dog has been trained properly, it is just like having another member of the family in the house.

3.  Sign up your dog with Obedience Training

Don’t just enroll your pup with a puppy school.  Try to widen your pup’s skills by enrolling your dog with obedience school.  You may need to assign some of your time with this activity as this will be a session done three times a month in a club and with extended training in your home for a few minutes, a few days of the week.

4.  Create a place that is safe and friendly for you pup

Most of dog owners would want to let their dog bark when someone approaches but not to the extent that he will bite all the visitors that will come into your place.  Thus, you need to prevent your dog from barking too much by building screens so that the dog can’t see the passer-by.  You can also leave some toys for your dogs to play with or you can turn some music on so that it will distract your dog from barking at some local noises within your area.  

Ways to Make your Dog Quiet and Happy is a Guest Post by Laine Harrison:

Laine Harrison, working mom, loves having pets at home.  It gives her house a homey feeling just like her hot tubs.  She tries to share her portable hot tubs with her kids.

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Free Holistic Select Dog Food Sample

Share Holistic Select. Refer your friends to try Holistic Select Pet Food for free and you'll earn valuable coupons!

Holistic Select® food for pets was introduced in 2000, and has resonated with pet parents like you who are dedicated to health and nutrition and who understand the power of a holistic approach to pet food.

Holistic Select goes "beyond natural" by building a foundation of premium proteins, fats and carbohydrates and then adding Select Actives™. Select Actives are Nature's Power Ingredients, like enzymes, live micro-organisms, botanicals and phytonutrients. When combined, these powerful ingredients activate a higher level of health — and this is the holistic philosophy that guides all of our pet food recipes.

The following Free Holistic Select Dog Food Sample recipes are available:

"Dog Samples:

Holistic Select® Radiant Adult Health Anchovy, Sardine & Salmon Meal Recipe

Holistic Select® Radiant Adult Health Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe

Holistic Select® Large & Giant Breed Adult Health Chicken Meal & Oatmeal Recipe

Holistic Select® Small & Mini Breed Radiant Adult Health Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meals Recipe

Holistic Select® Nourish Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meals Recipe

Samplers will receive their requested sample(s) along with the following coupons:

$5.00 off any Holistic Select® Dry Dog or Dry Cat Recipe

$7.00 off any 14 lb. or larger Holistic Select® Dry Dog Recipe or 5 lb. 14 oz. or larger Holistic Select® Dry Cat Recipe

$1.00 off Holistic Select® Canned Food for Dogs or Cats"

PS: They also have cat food sample available.

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Dog-E-Glow Lighted Collars Giveaway

Walking your Labrador Retriever will be much safer if you are the winner of the Dog-E-Glow Lighted Collars Giveaway.



Mother Moment is running a giveaway for your chance to win a safe and stylish Dog-E-Glow collar. "These collars use 100,000-hour LED bulbs and will run approximately 150 hours on one set of batteries." Collars come in different designs for male or female dogs (Pink Camouflage, Skulls, College Sports Collection, Striped Hearts and more).

If your interested in a chance to win a Dog-E-Glow Lighted Collar, visit the Mother Moment and enter the Dog-E-Glow Lighted Collars Giveaway by leaving a comment with your pet and what design you think is the cutest. Deadline is May 5th.

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Stella and Doc - Yellow Labrador Retrievers

Erin (USA) sent in the wonderful photos of Stella and Doc.

From Erin: We love our babies very much!



Stella and Doc (Stella is the darker yellow)



Stella



Doc (upside down)

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DERMagic Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar Review & Giveaway

With the weather getting warmer, my two Labrador Retriever girls are getting more outside play time and exercise. But, outside time means that fleas, ticks and other insects will be present.

Protecting my two Labrador Retrievers naturally is a priority, so I was very happy when I was approached by DERMagic, to try their new Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar.



Our family has used DERMagic products in the past (DERMagic Lemongrass Skin Rescue Shampoo Bar Review) and have been very pleased with their all-natural and organic comprehensive skin care line for pets. Their products are made from certified organic ingredients and can be used to treat a whole range of problems, including Hot Spots, Rashes, Skin Irritations, Parasites, Mange and more.

The DERMagic Flea Bar is the only Shampoo Bar of its kind, uniquely using Diatomaceous Earth in its formulation. Diatomaceous Earth is a fine white powder made by tiny (microscopic) water creatures that make silica-based shells for themselves. These tiny shells fall to the bottom of lakes and oceans over millions of years, accumulating in massive white deposits that are then mined and crushed to a fine powder. Deadly to any insect or larvae, each tiny “shell” is very sharp, like razor blades to insects, but completely harmless to all animals, fish, and birds.



Combining this element with a proprietary blend of essential oils, bathing with the DERMagic Flea Bar kills fleas and deters them from jumping onto the dog. As an additional benefit, this shampoo bar provides an anti-microbial, calming and therapeutic effect for dogs with both dry and oily skin. And, it is completely safe, using no toxins, chemical insecticides, sulfates or other irritants that can exacerbate itchiness.

The first thing I noticed while bathing my Labrador Retriever girls (besides the fact that they weren't happy) with the DERMagic Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar, was the wonderful smell and the easy lathering of the dog bar soap. It was very easy to use, I didn't have spilled liquid shampoo all over the place and it rinsed cleanly.

My Labradors looked and smelled clean and I was happy to know that I was using a product that was safe and green. We have never had a problem with fleas with our Labs, occasional ticks or other insects (can't be help with dogs outside) but, I am please knowing that I'm providing another defense that is effective for killing fleas and repelling insects naturally.

Hats off to DERMagic for another outstanding product!

DERMagic Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar Giveaway

DERMagic was generous enough to let me do a giveaway for your chance to win one Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar. If you would like to win DERMagic's Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar, here's what you have to do:

Main Entry:

Visit the DERMagic website and leave a comment, letting us know what other product of theirs you would like to try.

Extra Entries:

To receive these extra entries, you MUST do the MAIN entry. Please leave a comment for each additional entry you complete (current followers and subscribers count).

One Extra Entry: Sign up to our feed on the right hand side of our blog. If you already subscribe, please let us know.

One Extra Entry: Subscribe to our e-mail on the right hand side of our blog. If you already subscribe, please let us know.

One Extra Entry: Follow All About Labradors on Google Friend Connect. If your already a friend, just let us know.

One Extra Entry: If you add All About Labradors to your Blogroll.

Five Extra Entries: If you blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post.

Unlimited Extra Entries

To receive these unlimited extra entries, you MUST do the MAIN entry.

Tweet about the contest (be sure to leave the tweet link). One extra entry for each tweet.

Leave a comment on another post besides this one ( leave link to comment ).

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States only, 18 or older and will end at 11:59 PM EST 5/13/12. The winner will be selected by random generator and the entries verified. The winner will then have 48 hours to claim their giveaway prize. If the winner does not claim their prize within their 48 hour period, a new winner will be chosen.

You must leave an e-mail address (or have it available in a profile) so that I can contact you if you are the winner. Be advised, comments are moderated.

Contest has ended. Congratulations to our winner Beth Elderton!!

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Jennifer at Revolution PR on behalf of DERMagic for the opportunity to review the Organic Diatomaceous Earth Flea Bar. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. I was not compensated in any manner, other than the product to review and one bar to do this giveaway. My reviews may not always positive, but they are my personal and honest opinions. Please conduct your own research before purchasing products. For more information about All About Labradors please read our Disclaimer and Disclosure Policies.

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