Would Your Breeder Take Back Your Pup If You Couldn’t Keep Him/Her?
A reputable breeder will have a clause in their contract that if at any time in the life of the pup the buyer can not keep the dog that it must be returned to the breeder.
This ensures that the dog will be placed in the proper home. At no time is the buyer allowed to place the dog themselves (unless the breeder okays the home buyer has in mind) and buyer is never allowed to place the dog in a shelter.
This has only happened to us once in 44 years of breeding. Last year I took back an 11 month old black boy named Charlie.
Why was he returned? Your gonna love this…….
“He sheds, he smells, he is out of control in public” My first thought was they did not socialize this pup. They did not follow my intructions on puppy obedience class and they admitted it. Although they had a private trainer to the house (which is great) it does not teach a pup to socialize properly around other dogs and people.
Well, I took Charlie back and he was the most well behaved boy. He was incredibly smart to boot. Of course he sheds; he’s a Labrador. But, he did not stink and he was “not” out of control in public. I took him to nursing homes to visit patients and he was an angel.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with him. I came to the conclusion that the wife did not want him any longer. Believe me I screened this family well and even worked with their young daughter in my yard, more than once, to become accustomed to my girls because she had a bit of fear of dogs. She got over her fear – it was not a factor in giving him up.
I took him to my vet for a full check and heartworm check (buyer admitted forgetting to give the HW meds) and he got a clean bill of health.
Charlie was with me for about 2 months until I found the perfect home for him. He is living with a young couple who absolutely adore him. I helped them get into a novice obedience class and the trainer could not believe anyone would give up such a smart, well behaved boy. They went on to the advanced class as well.
So the story has a happy ending. Had I not found the right home Charlie would have stayed with me for the rest of his life. Believe me it was hard enough to give him up at 8 weeks of age and to have to do it again was a heart ache. But knowing he was going to the right home this time around was a big help. But I still cried when he left, just like I did when he was 8 weeks old and left us. Knowing he is loved above and beyond and finally in the right place makes it all worth while.
Here is my wonderful boy lovin his new home and wallowing in the water as a Lab should.
And to me it was a blessing that he was with us for his first birthday; even his brother Ollie and Clyde were here to celebrate, along with his momma and grandma: we went to DQ!
Here he is hanging out in my yard with momma, grandma, brother Clyde and Uncle Murphy
Remember, a reputable breeder will always take a pup back for any reason. Sometimes it’s for a better reason than in Charlie’s case; job transfer out of the country, illness in the family, etc.
Thank you Ryan and Courtney for loving my sweet boy and giving him the best home ever. You two are the best!
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
Diagnosing Hip Dysplasia (HD)
If you suspect your dog has HD please know the only way to diagnose is via x-ray.
No vet can diagnose HD just by:
1. Examining the dog
2. Pulling on the legs (which you absolutely do not want done on a growing pup) (if your vet tries to do this to your pup – many will on your first vet visit – please stop them immediately or they can do damage) I also suggest finding a new vet.
3. Seeing the dog move.
The x-rays must be done by a vet with experience in proper positioning. Most of you will not find your regular vet qualified to do these x-rays.
Proper positioning is very important. See this link:
http://leerburg.com/hipart.htm?set=1
Note: The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals is the only organization qualified to read the x-rays on pure bred dogs and give a rating of fair, good or excellent (or confirm HD). Your vet is not qualified to do this.
www.offa.org
I am sorry the links do not appear to be working. Please paste into your browser to view them.
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
The Importance Of Pre-Op Blood Work
Whenever your dog needs surgery it is very important to do full blood work prior to be sure all organs are functioning properly.
For example if the liver or kidney levels are off (and you don’t know it) the anesthesia during surgery could produce more problems for these organs that could later be fatal.
This is also true of younger dogs going in for spay or neuter. Vets will give you the option of doing the work up or not.
I highly recommend y0u spend the extra money to be on the safe side.
If your vet does not suggest this, question them. If they say its not necessary please find a new vet.
*Even if you have no surgery planned and you have a senior dog (age 7 and up) yearly blood work is important to check all organ function. If something is elevated you can reverse it with meds or natural supplements or at least keep it in check (from further elevation).
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
Natural Weed Killer/Fertilizer Non Toxic To Dogs
This is a great recipe for weeds and will not hurt your pets.
1/2 cup white viniger
1/2 cup salt
1 tspn Dawn dishwashing liquid
Mix together and put in a spray bottle.
Spray your weeds and give them time to die off and than pull them up.
For an all natural lawn fertilizer use Milorganite.
http://www.milorganite.com/
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
Why Does My Puppy Keep Biting? Teach “No Bite”
You need to teach your puppy “no bite”.
Its really very easy.
When your pup bites you, gently grab the lower jaw with your thumb on the inside under the tongue and gently give pressure quickly as you say “no bite” and release the jaw right away.
If the pup goes to bite again repeat the process.
I find after giving the command if I ask for kisses and get a lick I praise the pup and this helps the process along.
Be consistent. It truly does work.
I start this training on my pups at about 4 weeks of age so when they go to their new homes they already know the command “no bite”.
Try it, it works, be consistent (as you should with any training).
Good luck
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
Get Rid Of The Smell From Pet Urine In Carpet
Problems with house training a pet, a senior dog with incontinence, etc.?
This method works great.
Clean the area as you normaly would. But does the dog or cat keep going back and squatting on that same spot? Even though you cleaned it well?
Even, if they don’t do this, do you keep smelling urine? I know I do because I have a good nose for it.
If you are not smelling it but your pet is still squating in that spot, that is because their sense of smell is so much more intense than yours.
Once the area you cleaned is dry, sprinkle baking soda all over the area. Let it sit over night (or for at least 8 hours) and vaccume up the next day.
You will be amazed at the difference and I bet your pet will leave it alone as well.
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
Bacon Crunchies
This is a wonderful starter to a dinner party or cocktail party.
Easy to make and they freeze great.
Bacon Crunchies
Double or triple the batch
¾ c dark brown sugar
1 stick margarine (room temp)
1 package onion soup mix
1 lb bacon
Pepperidge farm white bread (thin one)
Remove crust and cut into 1/4s
Mix the first 3 ingred. till well blended
Spread mixture on 1/4s about 1 tspn per ¼ (don’t put on too much)
Wrap each one in a piece of bacon overlapping and lay on cookie sheet cut side down (cut bacon strips into thirds – one piece for each 1/4 pc of bread)
Bake 325 deg. 10-15 min.
Make in advance without baking and freeze on cookie sheet than transfer to zip lock for future baking
Spread mixture thin and always cut bread in 1/4s first.
Enjoy
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
What To Do For Loose Stools
First off be sure you do not have a parasite issue. Take a stool sample to the vet to be sure you don’t have giardia, coccidia or the like.
It is often best to have the sample sent to the laboratory to be sure nothing is missed.
If the above is ruled out – dogs can get loose stools from a sudden diet change. If changing food be sure and do a slow change over (most dog foods give instructions on the bag for this)
If its just stress or a food change too quick giving canned pumpkin (1-2 tbsp) in a meals for a few days or more can help (also works for constipation). Cottage cheese can also help (same amt) but too much can bind. Metamucil is also helpful but check with our vet for dosage according to age and weight of your dog.
Over feeding (especially with a puppy) can also cause loose stools so if you have just increased feeding first try cutting back a bit and see if that helps.
Probiotic (live organism that needs refridgeration is best) can help sooth the intestinal tract when having a bout of loose stools. Health food stores carry them or go to Progressivelabs.com and call Nancy at ext. 149 and ask for Multi Dophilus (tell her I sent you, she knows this product well). I have used it for my dogs for years). Works great! They love the taste too.
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
My Dog Eats Poop
The correct term is Caprophagia and yes it is gross. But, there is a solution.
The best one I can give you is pick up the stool as soon as it hits the ground so your dog does not have access to it.
This theory is that it breaks the habit and the dog will forget about eating poop.
It does work but you must be diligent each day going out in the yard with your dog(s)
There are products on the market (like Deter) that I have tried that don’t work.
Neither does all you read on the internet: feeding pineapple, fig newtons, meat tenderizer (too much salt IMO) etc.
You will also read that some say dogs eat feces because it tastes good. I disagree, I have watched my dog eat it and can tell she is not really enjoying the taste. She will also leave some behind.
It has been called a learned behavior from watching mom clean up after the pups when in the whelping box.
I am believing in the theory (in the link below) that some eat it because of learning to clean up after their young. My girl only eats her daughters stool and never touches another.
Here is some more info for you to read up on, but, as I said, clean it up immediately and break the habit. That is the best remedy I have found.
BE DILIGENT!!!
http://www.vetinfo.com/deatpoop.html
Another site with some info that might help or deter you from using what I mention above. (again, just pick up the poop as soon as it hits the ground to break the habit – this can take a month or more….)
http://www.dogpoopdiet.com/
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
Creamed Spinach
This is a great recipe:
4 slices bacon
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 chopped cloves garlic
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 1/4 cups 1/2 and 1/2
1 16 oz bag of fresh spinach (boiled in water, drained and set aside)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp pepper
Fresh Parm cheese.
Cook bacon in skillet and remove and set aside. Add onion and garlic and saute in bacon grease.
add butter and flour and cook for 2 minutes till flour is cooked
add 1/2 and 1/2 and simmer for 2 min or until thickened.
Add cooked spinach and remaining ingred. (s, p,nutmeg)
Stir well, top with grated parm cheese and serve.
Patty
www.snowcolabradors.com
