Dog Boarding & Training Advise...

[mommy22boys]

Yes, we bring our own food. Speaking of food- do you know of a brand of food that makes a special formula for labs? She mentioned something about a brand & I thought she said like Canine or something but I googled it and can't figure it out. What food do you recommend? We are currently just using Purina Puppy chow but she said it's not good for housebreaking because the nutrients (or absence of) in it make them need to poop a lot more than other foods.

He has an appointment today to get his kennel cough shot!

[1tricky1]

Did she say Canidae? (Can-i- day) I love that food but it is expensive.
I would ask her again.
Purina puppy is mostly fillers and poor quality ingredients. You have to feed a lot more and then yes, they poop a lot more.
I would definitely change foods.
I feed Iams because it is easy for me to get, and my dogs do best on it. I would feed Canidae if it was easier for me to get.
I have tried many foods. Some foods like Blue Buffalo are just too rich (and expensive) for my dogs. My dogs had diarrhea and gas for 3 months on Blue buffalo!!

[1tricky1]

Please keep us informed as to how things go.

[motherofmolly]

your lab is bored. but, you need to get control of this now or it will only get worse.

suggestions:

1.) fenced in yard or a runner where he can run far distances....go out with a tennis ball and just keep throwing it for him....throw it and then say "come" strong and forceful. if he doesnt come, show him another ball (have a few" ) and say "come" again...or here if you feel better. tire him out this way. once he has ran alot and starts to lay down. put a leash on him.

2.) tug on the leash and get him to a standing position. tell him "sit". strong voice. if he doesnt sit. push his butt down and have him sit. now walk a few feet with him following and then say sit again. he doesnt sit. push his butt down and have him sit. do this a total of three times. on the third time give him a small treat.

3.) next do a heel the same way as above. 3 times and treat him

4.) lay down. same as number 2 above. treat him.

5.) done for the day. give him water and let him rest.

6.) start again next day.

within a week he should know his sit, lay and heel. now work in stay. this is harder. start by working him with the ball. have him lay down (down command)...then say "STAY" hard and strong. be firm. back up watching him the entire time. if he gets up "STAY" him make him lay down again. back up again. he gets up "NO STAY" him this time. if he stays. do two more times and treat him. if he doesnt stop for today and start again tomorrow.

dogs are like kids. you have to do it the same way in getting them to learn. once you find him getting the commands. stop the ball throwing in the begining and just work obedience. you will find that this is fun for him and he will listen. but words have to be strong and firm. i should add too that once you do away with the ball throwing for the beginning part, do away with the treat at the end. instead of a treat, give him a ball. and remember when he has done good, let him know with that crazy "good boy" high pitched baby talking silliness. it works. they can tell you are happy with them.

really. 30 minutes a day should be plenty for obedience training. labs want to work. they want to play. they also chew. but, they will get out of the chewing habit once they are adult. (1.5 years to 2 years old).

questions, i am a pm away.

if you do this, it will work. i had my lab trained in 5 days with sit, stay, heel and down. once this is done, you can work on stay and then come, or stay and heel. and a walk and heel at the same time. they really want you to be happy and want you to spend time with them.