Labradors usually will not start a fight, bit if another dog starts one your dog will certainly defend himself. Stud dogs often fight one another, and some dogs become jealous of their owner to the point of fighting any dog that comes near the house or car.
It is dangerous to try stopping a dog fight. While fighting, the dogs are emotionally out of control and may bite a person at this time. It is no use shouting at them to stop and you should not try to separate them, as the dogs are generally stronger than you are. The most effective way to stop a fight is a pail or two of water dumped on them or best of all a hose with spray nozzle attached and the water turned on full force.
Since fights often happen near the house, it might be wise to keep a hose in readiness if you have the bad luck of possessing any dogs that do not get along together. Labradors are not at all of mean temperament, and they are certainly not bred to be fighters. However, certain dogs (male or female) may form dislikes and it is usually rather hopeless to attempt reconciliations and more practical to prevent encounters which can lead to fighting.
DogandMaster.com
DogandMaster.com on October 17th 2007 in Dog Behaviour
Keep in mind that as your Labrador ages, she will need less food to maintain a consistent weight. With elderly dogs it is important to cut back on the amount of protein (particularly meat) that is ingested, because high levels of protein can put a strain on the kidneys.
Overweight dogs should be brought back into their ideal weight, primarily through gradually increasing the amount of their daily exercise. Reduce the number of calories in the dog’s diet by substituting low-calorie fillers such as grated carrot or apples, unsalted popcorn, or low-fat cottage cheese for a portion of their meal.
Underweight dogs can be brought up to a good weight by adding high-calorie boosters to their meals, such as an occasional raw egg, cheese, or hamburger. Such caloric supplementation may also be needed during the winter if your Labrador is kenneled or worked outside much of the time, and during peak working periods when extra calories are burned. A high-calorie supplement can be purchased from your vet, pet stores, and online catalogs.
DogandMaster.com
DogandMaster.com on October 9th 2007 in Dog Nutrition, Dog Health
The most common injuries that happen to our dogs involve the head area. And it is the ears that are most frequently torn in dogfights. The ears also tend to bleed profusely. So if your dog comes back injured with an ear wound, then take the following three simple steps to bandaging the area:
1. First make sure that your dog is calm from whatever fight he got into. Then clean the wound with warm water and a light disinfectant. Be sure not to get any hair or other small particles inside the wounded area.
2. Next, wrap the ear with a bandage. You should have plenty of bandage material from your emergency first aid kit but a cloth or shirt will do just fine. Wind the bandage around the head to keep it secure and to prevent the ear from bleeding when the dog shakes his head.
3. Continue with bandaging his ear by wrapping it around his head over and over until it is secure. Avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the windpipe. If need be, you want to use what is called an “Elizabethan Collar”. Now get your dog to the vet immediately for further medical attention.
DogandMaster.com
DogandMaster.com on September 25th 2007 in Dog First Aid, Dog Health
All dogs are suitable for training, although some breeds make naturally superior pupils because generations of ancestors were selected for trainability. (You may want to consult owners, breeders and AKC Standards for information about tractable breeds or even check out an Obedience competition).
If you purchase a breed not known for prowess in the Obedience ring, don’t give up. If training isn’t going so well, maybe it’s your problem instead of the dog’s. Perhaps you’ll find that your methods are inconsistent or confusing. If you’re at your wit’s end, contact a professional trainer for advice or join a local obedience class. Also, you may need to research training and behavior problems more thoroughly. There should be a shelf full of appropriate books at your local library or bookstore.
If you’re wondering whether age is an obstacle, rest assured that there is no age limit for effective dog training. You may have to be a little more persistent in training an adult dog, but there is no truth to the adage that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” However, it is certainly easier if a foundation for learning is initiated right from the start of the relationship.
DogandMaster.com
DogandMaster.com on September 19th 2007 in Dog Training
