Labrador Retriever Training–loving and losing the clicker

If you have a Lab to train, you’ve probably noticed that your dog is really eager to please you–more so than many other breeds. This makes Labrador Retriever training seem pretty easy.

But that doesn’t mean that it’s not still going to take time and attention from you–you still have to train your dog if you want him to listen to you. And one of the big problems with Labs is that they’re prone to obesity moreso than other breeds, which means that while treats are really motivating, they’re not always the best choice.

Enter the Clicker. This is a super training tool because your dog sees it as a real reward (once you introduce it properly) and it’s calorie-free (wouldn’t it be great if there were something so effective for people?! ;-)). What’s more, it’s really portable and once you get the hang of using it, it’s easy to always carry it whenever you have your dog (unlike treats which you’ll have to carry a *lot* of to always have some on hand).

Clicker training has become really popular, and there are several good programs on the market. This is the one we use. What’s great about it is that it takes a really scientific approach–the authors tell you precisely why they recommend you do things in a certain way. If you tend to be curious like me, you’ll love this about them!

Plus the authors have bundled in video to make their program work really well for people who have short attention spans (like I do). Plus, if you like things meaty with plenty of explanation and reassurance, that’s exactly what you’ll find here.

My one reservation is that the sales page for the product is kinda long–the program is so good that it really doesn’t require that kind of hard sell–and it’s a little pricey. It’s worth every penny, but I know I had reservations before clicking to buy.

Whether you’re at your wits end with your Labrador Retriever (or other dog breed) and desperately need training help, or you just know that you and your dog could have an even better relationship, these scientific secrets of super dog training will transform your dog into a happier, more obedient pooch, in almost no time flat.

Have you ever tried clicker training? What did you like about it?

P.S. Have you entered our latest giveaway yet?

Natural dog health made easy

If you have the basics of natural dog health covered, you might be looking for more advanced tactics to keep your dog healthy. Sort of like advanced dog training, taking a more advanced approach to dog health includes those things that are really good for your dog but aren’t things you’re already doing.

1. Schedule health screenings with your vet. As your vet gets older, there are specific checks your vet needs to perform. By keeping on schedule with them, you’ll often find that you can prevent future problems with natural dog health options instead of having go straight to medications (because you catch problems early).
2. Use essential oils like those by Young Living Oils to optimize your dog’s health. They offer blends for everything from anxiety to good health.
3. Keep your dog’s mind occupied. Just like with people, keeping your dog’s brain active keeps your whole dog naturally healthy. Interactive dog toys are a great tool to use to keep your dog busy.

What do you use for natural dog health?

Dog health products: The right hairbrush

When you brush your dog, what kind of brush do you use? The FURminator is a popular dog health product that pulls out the dog’s undercoat and reduces shedding.

This can help keep your dog cooler in the summer, which will make your dog happier.

We tried a Furminator for about two weeks with our dog Vance and he hated it, despite our best efforts to get him to like it. I’m not sure if I wasn’t using it right (I watched the video, but maybe I held my wrist wrong).

The dog health product hairbrush we wound up using is the Zoom Groom from Kong. It’s easy to hold and does a good job of removing loose undercoat fur. With Vance’s short coat (he’s a yellow Lab), the Zoom Groom keeps him looking clean and tidy and has definitely cut down on his shedding. As an added bonus, the Zoom Groom is a lot cheaper than the FURminator, though it’s probably not quite as effective.

Which dog health product hair brush do you use? Have you tried the FURminator or the Zoom Groom?

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the Dog Treat Giveaway!