About Labradoodles

Since our mini Australian labradoodles are all microchipped, prospective owners never have to debate whether or not to microchip—but there are many good reasons to microchip a pet.  One of the first would be the ability some pets have to wiggle out of their collars.  Some pets just don’t like to wear collars all the time, despite the best efforts of their people.  If a pet becomes lost without her collar, the microchip that has been implanted increases exponentially the likelihood she will be returned to her rightful owner.  Be sure and keep the microchip company updated with your current address and phone numbers, as well as current contact information for a backup contact should your doodle become lost.

A microchip is only about the size of a grain of rice, and they do not need to be replaced once they have been implanted in your dog.  Until 2003, there were universal scanners for pet microchips, but as technology has developed, types of pet microchips were created that are incompatible with some scanners and vice versa.   As of this writing, development of a universal pet microchip scanner is pending, but even taking this into consideration, having your pet microchipped is an important safety measure.

Freshwater ponds, creeks, lakes, rivers and streams can contain blue-green algae-borne toxins that are fatal to dogs.  If the water where your mini Australian Labradoodle swims looks cloudy with a green or blue-green tint, you should suspect an overabundance of blue-green algae and keep your dog out.  Blue-green algae have been documented as causing the deaths of several dogs as well as livestock and humans.

A very specific combination of environmental conditions that most commonly occurs in late summer or early fall can expediate rapid population growth of a blue-green algae family called cyanobacteria. This type of algae thrives in many aquatic environments year-round, but can reproduce out of control during sustained times of warm weather in shallow, nutrient-rich bodies of water.  This variety of blue-green algae produces a toxin that is one of the most potent natural poisons known.  The algae blooms may resemble foam, scum, or mats on the water’s surface, appearing to be blue, bright green, brown, or red.  The water may or may not smell bad, since algae usually do not produce a negative odor until they are breaking down and beginning to die out.   The only way to know for certain if water is contaminated by the bad algae is to have it tested by an expert, and to further muddy the issue, not all algae blooms are toxic.  When an algae bloom IS toxic, it can kill or sicken an animal within 15 or 20 minutes of ingestion, targeting the liver and nervous system.  Symptoms of toxic algae ingestion include skin irritation or lesions, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, convulsions, and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.  If you suspect your pet has come in contact with toxic algae, wash his coat immediately and call a veterinarian as quickly as possible. 
 

Happy Labor Day weekend!  Hopefully you have plans to have a great time and take your Labradoodle with you.  Here are a few tips to keep that darling doodle happy and safe over the holiday.  A common Labor Day outing is a picnic—who doesn’t love a picnic?  Be careful that your dog doesn’t follow her nose too enthusiastically and ingest chicken bones or pieces of aluminum foil used to wrap picnic foods.  Summer is the season for insects, so protect your dog against fleas, ticks and heartworm.  The warm weather also promotes allergies to pollen and plants.  If your dog is chewing on himself, seek veterinary attention.


The hot sun can dehydrate a dog or even result in heatstroke—be sure she has a source of fresh drinking water (consider a spill-proof water bowl), ventilated moving air, and shade.    A dog with a fresh water source is less likely to drink sea water, contaminated or chemically lake or pool water, or automobile chemicals on the ground, which can make him ill.  If your dog is in a pen, consider purchasing a fan or a dog cooling mat to keep her comfortable.  Some dog grooming sprays include a sunscreen, and you can apply hypoallergenic sunscreen suitable for babies (30 SPF or higher) on exposed skin areas.  Dog noses are especially prone to sunburn.    If your dog is not a swimmer, supervise him closely—even strong swimmers drown when exhausted.  Never leave your dog in a parked car, where temperatures can reach over 150 degrees Fahrenheit even with a window cracked. (It is a common misconception that this is sufficient prevention of heatstroke or even death in dogs.)  Limit exercise periods to the coolest parts of the day, avoiding surfaces such as sidewalks, asphalt or sand, which may absorb the heat and burn your dog’s paws.  The most common signs of heatstroke in a dog are rapid panting, twitching muscles, skin that feels hot to the touch, and a dazed look.  If any of these symptoms occur, contact a vet immediately and attempt to cool the dog by using towels soaked in cool (not cold) water, hosing her down, or giving him a cool bath. Allow her to lick ice cubes or sip cool water.  In the event of heatstroke, a trip to the vet may save your dog’s life.


 

Myth #1—A yard is an absolute requirement for every Labradoodle. Dogs are pack animals who want to be with you.  The majority of the time a dog spends in the yard is hanging around the door, waiting to come back where you are.  Even in a huge house, the dog tends to be right under your feet.  A yard is not going to make a dog get his cardio!  His people need to be walking him, running with him, taking him to the beach or the dog park.  Activities like this make you both healthier, encourage socialization, and improve your bond, whether or not you share a yard. 

Myth #2—Avoid playing tug-of-war or your Labradoodle becomes overly aggressive.  As long as you have rules and boundaries when you play this game, the wild side of your dog has a healthy outlet.  This game represents the final stage of the hunt, when the pack leader ends up with the food and cements his position as leader.  As long as you end up with the toy, rope, or sock, tug-of-war is a fun way to establish yourself as the pack leader.

Myth #3—Never disturb a Labradoodle who is eating.  One of the most common situations that results in dog bites are when her food is disturbed, but that is because the dog sees people, even her own, as a threat.  Dogs should look forward to being interrupted while eating in the expectation of a treat.  To accomplish this, shift his bowl or food in some way, starting from above and working down until sticking your hand in her bowl.  That way, the dog will learn when the bowl is inadvertently bumped or reached into, she won’t respond as if her meal is threatened.

Myth #4—A wagging tail always means a friendly Labradoodle.   Dog tail wagging is actually a complicated system of communication, with three levels of height.  90 degrees high with small wags means the dog should be avoided, as he is trying to establish dominance and appear threatening.  If the tail is very low between the dog’s legs, the dog is afraid and feels defensive and should be given a wide berth.  A friendly dog’s tail is somewhere in the middle wagging loosely with a “smiling” face.  There are other canine body language cues to watch when meeting a dog—position of ears and head, hackles, and expression to name a few.  The safest thing to do is ask the dog’s person if it is okay before getting any closer than you have to!

Do you have to spell out “R-I-D-E” in front of your dog?   Many dogs love to take a car ride with their people—after all, a lot of drive-through places have dog biscuits these days.  Most people know that their Labradoodle can’t be left inside a parked car on a baking summer day, but many don’t know how high or how fast the temperature rises inside the vehicle.  Parking in the shade or cracking a window does little to alleviate this process, since the windows will absorb light.  For example, on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with cracked windows can reach 102 degrees within a ten-minute period of time.    After thirty minutes, that possibility rises to 120 degrees.  Pets are at danger of heatstroke at 100 degrees.  The temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight may elevate more than 30 degrees per minute.  Dogs can suffer organ and brain damage after about 15 minutes in this situation, and it can prove lethal not long after.

A dog’s natural design conserves heat.  The sweat glands on their noses and foot pads do not provide adequate cooling for a hot summer day inside a vehicle.  Panting and drinking water does help them, but not if they are only breathing overheated air in a confined space.   Short-nosed breeds such as pugs and bulldogs, puppies, senior pets, and pets with health problems are particularly vulnerable in hot weather.

Many people are dead-set against ever giving their dogs people food.  At minimum, foods that are fatty or high in sugar or salt content should be avoided.  Grapes, raisins, chocolate, coffee and coffee grounds, tea and tea bags, macadamia nuts, walnuts, animal fat, fried foods, bones, tomatoes, avocadoes, nutmeg, raw eggs, mushrooms, sugar and corn syrups are all food dogs should never be given under any circumstances.

You should always consult a veterinarian before introducing your Labradoodle to any new food item.  There is also always a chance that any change in your dog’s diet can cause a negative reaction and upset her stomach.   Once you introduce a new food to your dog, he will probably always want some of yours whenever he smells it the next time.  Foods that I have known people to use to give a dog that needs to take pills or has a stomach ailment (such as diarrhea) are: rice, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and organic peanut butter.

It is essential to dog-proof your home before adopting a labradoodle or any other dog.  Whether puppy or adult, an energetic dog can have catastrophic effects on any home.  The first, most basic dog-proofing step is to completely remove anything you don’t want chewed or swallowed from the floor, including clothing and shoes, particularly ones that have been worn recently.  Move all trash cans out of reach or close them securely, as the contents of a garbage can are a smorgasbord from heaven for any dog.

Wrap exposed electrical cords and tie up any window treatment cords.  Put all toxic chemicals in an area your dog cannot reach.  The same safety latches and gates used to restrict access to children work well to keep pets out as well.  Remove all toxic plants from your home and yard, and isolate foods that are harmful to dogs, which include onions, raisins, and chocolate.   Gum and nicotine patches, while not food items, can also be extremely harmful to an overzealous dog or puppy. 

Fall is slowly starting to creep and though labradoodles are a bit on the hairy side, they can feel the affects of the chilly weather, too.  I would recommend knitting a sweater for your dog.  It is pretty easy to buy a dog sweater from a store, or even giving them a discarded hooded sweatshirt.  But knitting will create a bond between you and your dog.

You can find several patterns online.  You can also utilize the local library for pattern books.  Some libraries also have knitting circles, as do some community centers.  Make use of the resources that surround you.

Some daily activity and exercise is essential, allowing freedom to move about in a natural manner. Lack of exercise leads to poor muscle tone, obesity, heart ailments, bone disorders and often results in emotional problems and dog behavior quirks. Labradoodles with no exercise subjected to overcrowding and confinement in cages for prolonged periods, often their entire lives, develop a great variety of physical and emotional disorders.

An exercised dog may rest more calmly at home and be less nervous when left alone. Exercise can improve dogs bone and joint health, heart, and lung function. Exercise makes show dogs look better and feel better to a judge’s exploring hands. (Because a happy dog looks more gorgeous).

You do not need to take up marathon running in order to adequately exercise your dog. Make your walks interesting. Let your dog carry a box, a basket, or a toy while walking. Let your dog jump or balance over a tree, hide their toys, hide yourself, and most important – let them play with other dogs!

When you get a labradoodle puppy, there are many aspects of care that need to be considered, such as brushing his/her teeth, and how often. It is best to do it at least three times a week. You can do it daily if you like. Use a pediatric toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste (no fluoride). Lift the puppy’s lip and brush just the outside surfaces of the teeth starting at the gum line and sweeping away toward the tip of the tooth.

Your puppy will learn that this is part of his grooming routine just like nail trims and will make it a lot more manageable when he grows up. Brushing the teeth help keep the teeth in good shape, decreasing periodontal disease, and increasing the time between dental cleanings.