AboutLabman Expertise I can help you with your new dog. I am experienced in, and trained in techniques the average person can make work with dogs, especially puppies. I strongly believe in obedience training and the need to give your dog proper leadership. I have been raising a new puppy every year since 1991. I know housebreaking and protecting the puppy and the house from each other. I can explain the the feeding regimen you can easily follow to give your dog the same long, active life life as highly valuable dog guides. I try to give answers you can make work.
The mark of a real expert is knowing the limits of his knowledge. I will not try to answer questions on breed standards, AKC registration, etc. PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.
Experience Like many, I grew up around dogs, but never realized how much I had to learn before my family started socializing puppies for a large dog guide school. The school shares their experience from thousands of dogs with the people they entrust to raise their puppies. Their recommendations on training, feeding, and care come from a large, well documented program. After it is a year old, they X-ray every one of the hundreds of dogs they breed every year. I continue to attend monthly training sessions with trained volunteers and professional staff. I share experiences with others doing the same. The school must have sturdy, healthy, well behaved dogs, that will have a long, active life. If that is what you want too, I can help you. In addition I have done extensive reading, and the 4 years my daughter was in 4-H were a real learning experience for Dad too. That exposed me to more breeds than the Labs, Shepherds, and Goldens in the dog guide program.
Question About three weeks ago we lost our beloved Lab named Jesse. She was 12 and died suddenly due to hemmoraghing in the abd. caused by a liver tumor. We are of course devestated and she was like a sister to my 12 year old son. She went everywhere he did and even went on weekends with him to his dad's. His dad loved her too as we all did and my older sons in college are grieving as well. We just adopted another lab female who is 5. She is so pretty and sweet natured. Very laid back and house trained, etc. She has warmed up to us a lot and still is having some adjustment problems. She has not used the bathroom (poop) in almost two weeks and just started urinating outside and would go a little inside. Not eating great but coming around. Is this bathroom problem common? Should we put her on a special food? She is a little chubby so I know she has eaten in her day!ha. She will be fine but seems to be hesitant about going out and has to be encouraged. We are taking her on a leash now but I was wondering if we should let her go out on her own with us of course.. Maybe the leash is the thing. I know she loves to go on walks.. Can you help and should we take her to the vet about the bathroom issue? Thanks so much. Susan
Answer I would get her into the vet along with any medical info you have on her. She just needs a good check up and perhaps an update on shots plus perhaps flea and heartworm remedy. Talk to the vet about the lack of bowel movements. Two weeks seems unlikely to me. Perhaps she is hiding them. I would do lots of walks where you can keep an eye on her. If you are doing off leash, she may be managing to hide long enough for a bowel movement. If she has to do one in front of you, lavish praise on her. She may need to learn she is allowed to have bowel movements in front of you. I would also check the corners of your house looking for hidden bowel movements.
I wouldn't worry about the food. I feel too many people worry about food too much. Except for poorly bred ones, most dogs will thrive on most chows. This is quite obvious in the service dog programs where the schools breed thousands of dogs and most of them do very well on whatever common brand the school is feeding, Iams, Pro Plan, Science diet, Purina 1, etc. if otherwise she is doing OK on what you are feeding, stick to it.
