Expert Tips On Handling Labradoodle Puppies
Labradoodle puppies should always be bought from a reputed dog breeder and never from pet shops. Puppies from ethical breeders are generally susceptible to less health problems.
Once the puppy is home, general care will be the same as other
puppies. It must be taken to the vet regularly for checkups, vaccinated
and if it is not meant for breeding, it should be spayed or neutered at
the appropriate age.When you first bring your new puppy home, let it get used to its new family and surroundings before introducing it to the neighborhood. A quiet week or two is beneficial to help the puppy adapt with a feeling of stability and consistency and the least amount of stress as possible. This will make potty training easier when the puppy feels safe and secure.
The growing puppy, typical of its breed, is a highly energetic and an
active creature. It must be given the appropriate dog food with the
correct balance of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. NEVER GIVE YOUR DOGS BONES OF ANY KIND. They can splinter and perforate their intestines.
Experts recommend a crate for a Labradoodle puppy as it will fulfill its instinctive desire for a den. Initially, a puppy should not be crated for more than (age in months +1) a few hours at a time. The crate should never be used for punishments. Moreover, these puppies will need supervision as their naturally curious nature leads them to learn mischief, which should be checked right at the beginning.
It is also necessary to teach him/her to socialize right from the start (after a 1-2 week settling in period, following adoption). Car rides, walks accompanied by a gentle leash, playing with other dogs and gentle children, and positive exposure to special situations such as being around people in wheelchairs or blind family members, or living with other pets, are experiences the puppy may be exposed to right from three weeks to twenty weeks of age.
Like children, puppies need plenty of attention, affection and praise. They respond well to treats. Trainers often use different forms of treats to elicit certain behaviors.
Potty training: The best form of house training is prevention. In the
initial days, the puppy should not be left unsupervised. The puppy
should be taken outdoors when it is taken out of its crate, and rewarded
when it eliminates outside. Likewise, after eating/drinking, it should
be taken outdoors and praised when it potties outdoor. In case it is
seen squatting indoors, it should be immediately interrupted with a
noise or clap, firmly taken outside and after it finishes the job,
rewarded. This type of positive reinforcement will quickly train the
pup.
The ‘clicker’ therapy works well with this intelligent breed. For this, choose a word or any sound such as a click which will be like a signal to the puppy that a particular behavior is appreciated. To teach this positive association, make the sound, click or just say ‘good boy/girl’ immediately before giving a treat. If you are training, the treat should be something small that the puppy can gulp down without chewing. Pea sized morsels of chopped liver, meat or doggy treats will work fine.
After the puppy has learned to associate the treat with the sound, word or click, start training him/her. Reward good deeds with the click. The puppy soon learns to look for the click in what it does.
Labradoodle puppies get bored easily, particularly when they start getting into mischief. They should be given plenty of toys meant for dogs, and owners should spend time and play with them. Healthy games like fetch are entertaining and beneficial for these pups, while tug of war and rough housing can send wrong signals which cannot be controlled later.
It is really quite easy to have a well trained, obedient, and lovable companion in a Labradoodle puppy. One only needs to keep abreast with the right techniques. Websites such as labradoodle-dogs.net provide a lot of useful tips on raising and taking care of this breed of dogs.
How To Take Care Of Labradoodles:
Experienced owners and veterinary practitioners recommend the following tips to take care of Labradoodle:
* Regular vaccination to prevent a range of diseases. (We do not recommend over-vaccinating. Recommended vaccine schedule: http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Vaccine.html. Always check with your vet for further recommendation.)
* Regular medical checkups. At home, the dog should be examined thoroughly on a regular basis (at least once a month), especially the ears, skin, nose, teeth, gums and eyes. It is also important to take preventive measures against flea and heart worm attacks on a regular basis.
* In its food, maintain a proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates,
fiber, fats and vitamins and minerals. It is wise to choose dog food
which has meat as the primary ingredient. NEVER GIVE YOUR DOG BONES OF ANY KIND. They can splinter and perforate intestines.
* Some owners claim brushing the dog’s teeth regularly is hugely beneficial. To maintain good oral hygiene, six monthly scaling and professional cleaning is recommended.
* Regular brushing of the coat and trimming around the eyes and chin are all the grooming required for Labradoodles. If matting occurs, a shave-down may be appropriate. The nails must be cut to a length comfortable to the dog. Since these dogs have floppy ears, ear infections are common in the breed. The ears should be kept hair free, and cleaned regularly with cotton ball dipped in baby oil or ear cleaning solution. Q-tips can also be used, but they must not be inserted into the ear canal.
* Excessive bathing strips the coat of protective oils. Dogs were not
meant by nature to take frequent baths. Usually, once in every few
months is sufficient for this breed, since they do not produce a strong odor. Although, we have found it necessary after a swim in the lake. Always be sure the water your dog swims in is safe. Sometimes, where there are a lot of boats and petroleum floating in the water, it is important to bathe your dog as soon as possible or they can get a skin infection.
* This breed is a highly energetic one, and needs to be exercised regularly to maintain muscle tone and prevent diseases such as hip dysplasia. Experts recommend a minimum of two twenty minute walks a day, accompanied by swimming sessions which strengthen muscles without putting a strain on joints. Exercises, to develop and maintain the hip muscles, lowers the risk of developing hip dysplasia later in the dog’s life. However, if the dog is in pain, it should not be forced to exert its muscles. Instead, adequate steps recommended by a qualified vet should be strictly adhered to.
* Spaying or neutering is recommended for healthier and longer life. A female should be spayed before the first heat to prevent cancer and infection of the uterus. In case of males, neutering before it is 4 years old will reduce the risk of prostrate diseases and cancer of the testicles. It is also known to reduce aggression.
If the dog is not meant for breeding; spaying or neutering it will prevent unwanted puppies. In spaying, the reproductive organ of the female animal is removed surgically. For male dogs, the process of surgically removing the testicles is called neutering.
These procedures are conducted under anesthesia and the wound heals in about a week.
Most vets recommend the procedure at an appropriate age (before first heat cycle for females and by 4 years for males) as later, fat and possible heat/menstruation can affect the success of the procedure.
Neutered/spayed dogs show less behavioral and temperamental problems and the dogs are more affectionate and manageable.
Labradoodles are excellent house pets, guide dogs and lovable companions for different kinds of therapies. It is important to get puppies from a reliable dog breeder, which can be also found through online searches. The puppies require standard care and affection, and bringing up these dogs requires minimum hassle. With lots of attention for a few months, these dogs can give a lifetime of love, care and companionship to their owners and their families.
Helpful Links:
List of poisonous foods and plants: http://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/poisonous-plants-and-foods-for-dogs
General Labradoodle questions or comments: http://labradoodle-dogs.net/
More about puppy socialization and its importance: http://www.darnfar.com/puppy_socialization.html and http://www.prouxchihuahuas.com/id75.html
