When your neighbor knocks on your door at 9 PM at night, a lot of things go through your mind. I answered the door with my two labs in tow, barking, and carrying on. While they are fairly obedient, they have been known to forget themselves for a minute or two, especially the seven month old puppy. Of course, you can definitely expect some of this behavior, as we were not expecting any visitors.

When I opened the door, my neighbors wife was cowering behind her husband. She was deathly afraid of these two monstrous beasts. I couldn’t understand why. They were behind a secure door, and she was protected by her husband, and me. Still, it was as if she had never seen a medium-size dog like a Labrador Retriever, or any other dog before in her life.

It must be terrible to have a fear like this, I thought to myself watching her squirm, and cling to her husband. I didn’t even try the usual, “they’re Labrador retrievers, they won’t hurt anybody, they may let you to death”. Why waste my time? There was no way I was going to cure her of this fear on my front porch.

It did make me wonder though. How do you cure somebody of a fear like this? It scares me having a neighbor, so afraid of dogs. My neighborhood seems to be overrun with rabbits, and squirrels. While I can’t imagine my labradorsNot following my commands, and chasing after them. It is definitely possible,  predictable, even probable, and potentially, a huge predicament.

In my nightmare I drive into the garage, from a local trip to the grocery store. Chase my 8 month old 68 pound Labrador retriever, knocks down my not so much heavier wife, carrying a bag of groceries. As she falls to the ground, and the soy milk, and organic food fly out of the paper, not plastic,  into the air, And just about the time my wife reaches out to grab the tofu, my 4-year-old 76 pound lab comes chasing after the same rabbit, and completes the perfect storm by knocking her back down.

Meanwhile, across the yard, there’s a very nice lady, with a fear of dogs, that’s also unloading groceries. As she turns with both hands full, carrying three bags of groceries, she deftly swings her hips, and nudges the door closed when her SUV, and is proud of herself for not jumping through the air, as the rabbit crosses her path. In fact she’s proud of the fact that she wasn’t afraid of the rabbit. Just as a smile starts to come across her face she sees two, as far as she’s concerned nuclear missiles headed straight for her.

Of course I’m right behind the nuclear missiles, screaming, “it’s okay, they’re Labrador retrievers, they won’t bite”. just what she wanted to hear, as she tuck and rolls, into her house.

Although this sounds amusing, my neighbor won’t think it’s  amusing, in fact she will be terrified, and scarred,  and that is something, I do not look forward to.

I am not concerned about them “attacking” her, or anything like that. I don’t want to be responsible for awaking the fear that she feels when she sees my dogs. If you own a Labrador retriever, you know that they have an “overly friendly manner”. Their tails have cleared more tables than most busboys!

So my question is… How do you cure somebody that has a very deep rooted fear like this?

We are going to address this in a series of articles over the next few weeks.

Firstly, do not panic! You can prevent further injury to your pet if you act fast. Think logically and try not to let you emotions cloud your judgment. A clear head is the best line of defense when fighting for Labrador health. Any major injury to your Labrador is going to necessitate an emergency visit to the vet’s office…Making sure you keep your wits about you will help ensure safe passage for both you and your pet.

Check your pet’s airway. Listen for breathing sounds and watch the chest move up and down. If you hear blockage, use a finger to clear the air passageways and help your pet to breathe.

If there was a loss of blood, check to see if your pet is in shock. A dog in shock needs to get medical help immediately, as it can worsen rapidly. If your Labrador exhibits the signs of shock (rapid heartbeat, pale or blue gums, weakness or lethargy) try to prevent the loss of any more blood and get it to a vet fast.

To control hemorrhaging, apply direct pressure by putting your finger or hand over the bleeding wound. Find a pad or towel, anything clean you can use to apply pressure. If your Labrador is bleeding where it’s possible to apply a tourniquet, wrap a piece of cloth just above the wound but do not leave it on for more than 30 minutes.

If your dog has a broken or fractured leg, you can immobilize the limb; try wrapping a section of newspaper or a magazine around the limb to support it. This will reduce the damage on the way to the vet’s office.

The best treatment for severe burns is cooling with water and keeping the dog warm with blankets or towels. To keep the risk of infection down, dress the wounds with sterile pads and prevent too much movement in the area of the wound.

As always, a veterinarian is best qualified to care for your injured pet. Set your Labrador up for safe travel and get to the vet’s office as quickly as possible.

Spaying or neutering your Labrador puppy is a good idea, even though you may have come across or heard by word of mouth several myths associated with the act. It’s usually best for Labrador health to spay or neuter your dog when she is still a puppy, when she is more resilient and tend to recover in a shorter amount of time than older or more mature Labs.

We humans associate gender with our personal identity to a very strong degree, but Labradors do not have this kind of psychological or cultural concept to deal with, so it is a mistake to assume that your dog will be traumatized when you have him or her neutered or spayed.

Another common misconception is that neutering or spaying your pet will make him or her fat, lazy, and lacking energy. Except for the period of time immediately after the procedure is performed, spaying or neuturing your dog will not effect their metabolism. Remember, dogs do not grow fat and lazy because of a lack of reproductive organs, but because of metabolic functions and what kind of dog food you buy and how much you feed them. The solution is to be careful not to overfeed your Labrador, and to be sure to give her plenty of attention, time for play, andexercise.

Spaying your puppy is best to do before she goes into heat. Studies have shown that this is the most healthy option for optimum Labrador health, prevents tumors, and you do not have to deal with the sporadic and crazy behavior of a dog in heat, as well as the possibility of puppies.

Spaying or neutering your Labrador Retriever is one of the most important things you can do to help ensure they stay healthy and happy.  Every dog, except those used for breeding, should be spayed or neutered.

Labradors are beautiful dogs with thick coats that, unfortunately, shed. Depending on what kind of Lab you have, you will find that some with healthy coats can shed all year round while others, like black labs, shed twice a year. A dog sheds when they lose their old coat and grow a new one. If you want your dog’s coat to look healthy and to shine, not only is a good diet important, but it is also vital for you to groom her regularly.

Labrador grooming can include both bathing and regular brushing. It isn’t necessary to bathe your Lab weekly, or even monthly, but it is important to regularly check your dog’s coat to see if it is once again time to give Fido a bath.

As you begin the bathing process, you may find your Lab is somewhat skittish at first. Use a soothing voice and regular praise throughout the bath to keep the dog calm. If necessary, find someone to help you with the process. Having an extra set of hands during the bath can make it far easier on both you and the dog. Use dog shampoo to thoroughly lather the entire coat. Be sure completely rinse your pet off and do not allow him or her to get out or shake. Use an old towel to briskly towel dry your dog at the end of the bath.

Brushing your Lab regularly helps to keep her coat healthy and makes frequent baths unnecessary. Remember that Labs love attention and good brushing several times a week is a great way to not only interact with your dog, but to keep their coat healthy. Be sure to use a pet grooming brush designed to remove shed hair.

Labrador grooming can be a pleasant experience both for you and your Lab if you are patient, calm and consistent in the way you treat her.

So what should you and your favorite pet look for in a good dog park?  It boils down to the “4 S’s.”

Safety:  Be sure the park is fenced in and secure.  Chain link or other durable fencing should be used and high enough to prevent even the most feisty Labrador from jumping out.

Shade: Shade is particularly important during the hot summer months – especially for longer trips.  Be sure your pooch’s park has plenty of shade.

Sanitation:  The best parks always have clean up stations for those ‘little messes’ our lovely Labs leave us.

Sipping Water:  Your pet will be running and playing – and working up a thirst.  Be sure your favorite pet park has clean, potable water for pooches.

If you simply keep the 4 S’s of dog parks in mind, you will most likely find the perfect place for you and your Labrador to frolic and play.

As a final piece of advice, be sure that you understand all of the rules and regulations of the park.  While most rely on the same set, some differ, so take the time to check for posted rules and be sure to follow them.  The more people that do the better the experience is for each Labrador Retriever that visits.

Take some time to recognize one of the leading culprits behind lumpy Labrador zits:  plastic dog bowls.  As odd as it sounds, changing from a plastic bowl to a glass or china bowl can actually have a huge impact on the number and severity of breakouts faced by your dog.  Plastic bowls are perfect for collecting oils and bacteria which can lead to increased break-outs, so toss out the plastic and opt for something less like to lead to embarrassing zits! It’s also a good idea to clean food and water bowls each day to remove any build-up.

In the event your Labrador does develop a bad case of acne, it is important to keep an eye on it.  Failing to regularly clean the affected area may lead to a burst pimple.  This can become inflamed, crusty and bleed.  If your pups pimples get to this state, take the time to clean the area and dab hydrogen peroxide to prevent infection.

The truth is, a zit or two isn’t going to cause Rover anxiety.  They might, however, cause YOU some.  Take the time to gently wash Rover’s face with a warm cloth several times a day to help prevent any pimples from bursting and remember, they don’t bother your little friend anywhere near as much as they bother you!

This problem is further compounded by the number of dysplastic animals that develop arthritis.  These problems are so prevalent that many industry leaders believe that anyone purchasing a puppy from a breeder must carefully research their options.  It is critical that Labradors puppies are only bred from stock which has been x-rayed and examined for the disorders and that only dogs with PennHIP or OFA breeding clearings.  While these requirements will, by no means, guarantee that a puppy will never develop this often painful disease, they do significantly reduce the risks.

Eye health is critically important for a happy dog.  Unfortunately, many labs suffer from cataracts or retinal atrophy.  Again, it is critically important that breeding stock by tested each year for these disorders to lessen the risk of future vision problems. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation maintains a registry for this purpose.

Anyone interested in purchasing a lab for their family should spend a good deal of time research available breeders.  The best carefully screen all breeding stock animals for all of the ‘at risk’ diseases and disorders.  Remember that purchasing a Labrador from an above par breeder means purchasing a dog that can fit into a wide range of living situations. They are extremely intelligent, obedient and agile.  Labs make ideal ‘helper’ dogs.  Make sure that you and your family have the perfect pet pal by carefully researchig the breeder before falling in love with a new, adorable pup.

So, what would a Labrador like to do the most when let loose for fun?  Where are some of the best places to take them?  How can you keep them coming back to you?  Well, with some thought, and proper training, you won’t have any problems at all.

City dwellers might find it hard to take their beautiful Labrador out in the springtime for a great round of fun, unless there is a dog park nearby.  These parks are built specifically for dogs to have a run in, meet up with each other, and go for a walk with their owners.  Yes, the owners have to stay with them and stay on clean-up duty, but it’s worth every minute to see the literal joy on the dog’s face.

Living in the suburbs, however, will make it easier on Labrador owners in the springtime.  They will be able to open their doors and let the dog out into the yard for a good, old-fashioned run.  One thing must be kept in mind though, is how to keep the dog safe for these runs.

Using safeguards such as fencing and training will help to keep the Labrador from running out into the street, or into a disapproving neighbor’s yard.  Sadly, there are people who don’t like dogs and would prefer not to have them running around.

Some owners choose to use a simple chain-link or wooden fence, although others are opting for the electronic fences instead.  Training is needed either way for the Labrador—but they’ll still be pleased with their springtime exercise!

Learn how you can help and read up on the breed; knowledge will help you in a number of ways.  First, you will find out that there is so much to love about the lab in the first place.  Discovering more information about lab rescues will be something that you will find very satisfying, and there is quite a bit of information on rescue of not only this special breed, but just about every other breed out there.  Quite often it is up to the Humane Society or local animal cruelty prevention society to take care of rescuing animals of all types from abusive owners.  That is not always the case, though.

Other rescue groups do exist in a number of areas specifically for the purpose of Labrador rescue.  On our website, you’ll find a list of several different websites—some are very localized, others are national.  One is even a Canadian website.

Helping Labrador Retrievers find safe homes after they have not been well-treated is something that is not always an easy thing to do.  These dogs will quite often need lots of patience and loving care after what they have gone through, and you and your dog may need to learn some new coping skills.

Typically, Lab rescue will yield a dog, or dogs, that have been malnourished and mistreated in any number of ways by the owners.  The websites that are listed on our sites are no-kill shelters, and will work to find homes for these beautiful animals that will suit them.

All animals, especially Labs, are loving—and these particular dogs can

provide all sorts of other things for the owners.  Protection, fun, and a general sense of well-being can be had because of playing with this wonderful breed.  Whether it’s mixed or full-bred, they’re wonderful and are great with kids and adults alike.

Your Labrador was born to work, being a sporting breed that loves the water and loves to run.  Given their unique coats that shed water and their tails that move a large amount of water, their swimming abilities have made them a favorite working hunting dog since the 19th century.

Nowadays, it has been discovered that Labrador Retrievers are uniquely suited to being assistance dogs.  Their medium to large size and athletic physique makes them ideal for sturdiness for infirm human companions, while their gentle nature and intelligence means they are patient and easily trained.  An assistance dog might mean a guide dog for the blind or visually impaired, a hearing dog for the deaf, or a service dog, who assists people who have medical alert situation or need special psychiatric assistance.

The training is highly specialized for each of these animals, and there is a strict Code of Federal Regulations which define the service animal and direct the requirements for their training.  Some breeds are better at this than others, and Labradors are highly sought-after companions because they are so trainable and easy-going.  The specialized training is intended to create a service animal that is not easily rattled, maintains a friendly demeanor unless his master is threatened, and can resist distractions and temptations.

There are hundreds of service dog organizations in the United States, and a little bit of quick research can help you either find a dog to help you, or find the training that will allow your Lab to help others.  There are more medical and psychological conditions that might be helped by a service dog than you might have imagined. It is a rewarding experience for both animal and handler, with the human’s needs being met and enabling them greater independence, and the dog’s needs being met by making it feel needed.