hey!
1. My puppy is 3 month old Lab, he still have accidents in the house, but better. Im wondering if I should put a bed in his crate? my house is pretty warm
2. Is the flea shot safe for dogs? any side effects?
3. Is 27 pounds for a 3 month lab a good size?
4. Should I use a choke collar so he learns how to walk beside me?
5. what does heel mean?
6. Should i get my dog neutered at 3 month of age?
7. Where can I get my dog neutered for cheaper than my vet? ()
8. Is it true if the dog’s nose have pink pegment it is an indication of a bigger dog?
9.Can he be left outside at night in his crate?
10. When will he start growing super fast?
11. Is Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Original good food for him?
Thanks!
December 13th, 2009 - 2:18 pm
1. I personally wouldn’t put the bed in there. My dogs actually prefer the crate bottom sometimes because it’s cool. They overheat somewhat easily. We have beds OUTside their crates, but they very often choose the crate over that. Once he is 100% housetrained, you can give him a bed. If he happens to have an accident in there, it will be a pain to clean. Chewing, pee-ing puppy — no bed.
Maybe an old blanket or quilt would be OK, but there’s still an issue with chewing and peeing."
2. This one is best answered by a vet, I’d say. At any rate, I’m not sure. For a while, our pets got shots for that, but then it was recalled or discontinued or something. It’s been a while so I can’t remember the details. They have never had fleas though…. Ever!
3. I’m not sure what a "good " size is…? It sounds like it’s within the normal range, but I don’t know its height.
Are you wondering about how big it will be or about whether or not it’s overweight? Did you see both of the parents? If you are trying to judge how big he’ll be, that’s really your best gauge. Otherwise, I’ve *heard* that doubling its weight at 4 months is a good estimate of full-grown weight. There can be a wide range. My Labs are both large (but not overweight) for the average (90 lbs. each), but some females can be 55 lbs. I know a black field trial dynamo that is so small you can’t really believe it’s a Lab. Also, if it is an English Lab, it will be smaller.
4. Please do not use a choke collar. Their necks are built generally the same as ours, and choke collars can do the same damage as they would to us. If you do a lot of research, you will find this to be true. If you want to use something, I’d say a Halti or Gentle Leader. I would even say a pinch collar over a choke (you NEVER yank a pinch collar!!!), although that’s not my first choice. There is really great training info on the web. We trained our dogs with clickers, and you would not believe the compliments we get. Any training problems are OUR fault because we haven’t done what we needed to do. http://www.clickertraining.com/
Despite popular opinion, it is not NECESSARY to be harsh or mean to train your dog. You can establish yourself as pack leader without harsh methods. The more fun it is for him, the better for both of y’all!
5. "Heel" generally means "come to my right side and sit down" or "stay in heel position" (when you’re walking). However, one of my dogs heels to the left (we trained him that way) because we already had one heeling on the right! LOL!
6. Yes. Check with your vet for the ideal age, but it’s better to neuter early rather than later as far as behavior issues. Also, it’s very important in reducing the unwanted pet population!
7. Here is a directory by state. I don’t know where you live, so I can’t make recommendations. I know in my area there is an organization called SNYP (Spay Neuter Your Pet) that gives low-cost neuters. Google "low-cost spay neuter" along with your city and you should get some good options.
http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html#states
8. No, that’s not true. Is it truly pink, or does he have liver pigmentation? What color is his coat? I don’t know if this is what’s going on, but some Labs (including mine) get something called "snow nose." This is when their noses fade to pinkish in the winter, then get black again in summer. It’s weird, but it’s true! Some other breeds do this too.
If you have a yellow and its nose is liver-colored, it means he carries a gene for chocolate coat.
If it’s TRULY pink, and he lacks pigment on the rims of his eyes and such, then he’s what’s called a Dudley. He can’t be shown, but who cares?
9. He can, but in my opinion, he shouldn’t. Dogs are pack animals. They sleep in packs, and to put him outside at night is to isolate him from his pack, which is not good. YOU are his pack. Our dogs have the full range of the house to sleep in. Guess where they sleep? Where we do! ALso, he is very young! A better idea is to address whatever issue there is that makes you want him to sleep outside. He should have better shelter outside anyway than a crate. And if he’s outside, why would he need to be kept in the crate? Anyway, you are going to bring him into your bed so it doesn’t matter, right? Ha!
10. He is already growing super fast is my guess! LOL! I remember one of my Labs being super gawky, long-limbed at around 8 or 9 months.
11. I would have no problem feeding my dogs this, but I am not an expert on food, or especially on food allergies in dogs. I would just avoid the "doggie junk food" bargain type of food that you get at the grocery store.
Hope this helps! I think it’s great that you are asking so many questions.
December 13th, 2009 - 2:18 pm
Okay, I can’t answer ALL of these questions, but I can answer SOME of them. I’ll number the ones I can answer based on the order you posted them in.
1.) Yes, put a bed or blanket in his crate, otherwise he can develop sores from laying on the plastic too long. He needs padding to remain comfortable and to prevent these sores, it has nothing to do with him staying warm if the crate is in your house.
3.) 27 Pounds at 3 months old isn’t that bad. If you’re concerned about his weight, check with your vet, as they can better tell you what weight he should be at.
4.) A choke or prong collar can be used to leash train. Also, let him walk around the house on a leash at all times, so he can get used to it. If you use a prong or a leash collar, have a PROFESSIONAL fit the collar on the dog, and show you how to use it, as if it’s not used properly, you can SERIOUSLY injure the dog. If used properly, they are completley safe and work great. Keep in mind that your dog is only 3 months old, so the collar will need to be changed a few times between now and adulthood to prevent it from becoming too tight and hurting the dog.
5.) Heel is the command used to tell the dog to return to your side, and is a necessity for the dog to learn for taking it on walks. It is also necessary for the dog to learn a command such as heel OR come in the case the dog runs too far off. The dog needs to learn AND OBEY this command. Believe it or not, these commands can save a dog’s life in the event he runs down a driveway, etc… These commands can prevent him from running directly into traffic if he’s trained well enough.
6.) Neutering him at this age is perfectly fine. Check with the vet or clinic you plan on doing the procedure, as they all have different weight and age requirements.
7.) Call local shelters to find information on a low cost spay and neuter vet or clinic in your area. They can give you information on places that do low cost spay and neuters, although, if you can’t find anything cheaper, $70 isn’t that bad of a price really.
8.) Pink pigment does NOT mean the dog will be bigger. However, pink pigment in black labs can be a signal of poor breeding, or that somewhere in his lines is another breed of dog. Chances are, if he’s a black lab, and he has pink pigment on his nose, he wasn’t bred very well. Same goes for white spots on the chest or paws. If he’s NOT a black lab, I’m not sure if this would go for him to. However, the color of ANYTHING on your dog, is not a signal of size, it’s just a color, nothing more, nothing less.
8.) NO, he can NOT be left in a CRATE outside all night long. Crates are made for INSIDE, kennels are made for outside. Crates do NOT offer enough sufficient shelter for the dog to be left outside in them all night. If it were to happen to rain and the dog were left in a crate, he would have no shelter from the rain, and could end up incredibly sick. Also, if he’s left outside and it gets too hot, he has no way to escape the heat in a crate, and he can overheat QUICKLY, which can be fatal in some cases.
This is NOT a good idea unless you have a proper OUTDOOR kennel for the dog. If you’re considering keeping him outside, look into getting a proper chain-link kennel WITH a top and a good lock on the gate, and a dog house inside that he can access if he needs to. Said dog house should also be insulated during cold months depending on the region you live in.
I apologize for having not been able to answer all of your questions, but I hope the answers I could provide were at least semi-helpful.
December 13th, 2009 - 2:18 pm
1. I wouldn’t. Wait till he’s a little older; for now some old towels will do nicely.
2. Don’t know about this.
3. What’s your vet say. Just like people, 3 month old vary in size and that’s normal.
4. NO. Find a trainer who uses positive methods and learn how. Even if you were using aversives, a choke chain is not appropriate for a 3 month old puppy — they don’t have the muscle they need to protect their trach’s.
5. Heel means walk right beside me on my left side. Basically, his right ear should be even with the seam of your left pants leg and he should be very close to you. When you stop, he should sit without being told.
6. There are differing opinions on this one. Your vet should guide you. I would recommend having it done by 6 months.
7. Check your humane society. They should know of any low cost spay/neuter programs.
8. No.
9. He *can* be. It isn’t wise. He is a social animal, and a baby at that. He should be with the people who care for him.
10. Puppies usually go through a growth spurt at around 4-5 months of age.
11. Not in my opinion. Look at the ingredients and think about whether they are a good diet for a carnivore. Unless they’ve changed things the first ingredient (and therefore the predominant ingredient) is corn. Corn really does very little, if anything, nutritionally for your dog.
December 13th, 2009 - 2:18 pm
I love labs! I have been a volunteer trainer for a program that trains dogs to give to visually impaired persons. They use Labs in their progam and I hold Labs in the highest esteem.
1. Until he is past the age of chewing, I would hold off putting a bed in his create. Instead I would put an old banket, so that he has something warm, but nothing that he can injest (ie form from the bed). I have found that they really like having something in there, so I would put at least something in there. When you are around to watch him, a pillow bed is a great idea. They love them!
3. A good weight for labs is to be able to see the intent by their hip area. NO ribs! I would say that he is in a good range, though especially for a male.
4. If you are going to use a collar, use a chain collar vrs. a choke collar. Also wait until he is older. Chain collars cause no pain, but only give them some restrant, so they give up (hopefully) on the pulling. Another option instead of the collar is treat training. Since labs are food motivated, the will do almost anything for treats. Carry treats with you on your next walk. When he starts to pull call him back to you. When he returns to your side, give him a treat and praise him. When he walks by you, praise, praise, praise. Labs love to be praised by the ones they love. The more bonded you are with him, the more easier he will respond.
9. I would not advise leaving him outside in his crate at night. Labs are too creative and may find a way out…
On a side note. I have found that my labs love ice cubes. Thought maybe yours would to…just be careful not to chip his teeth!
December 13th, 2009 - 2:18 pm
First, you must take your pup to the vet as soon as possible – he will need a series of shots, you can ask about food, the flea shot (probably not recommended right now) and the vet is the appropriate place to have him neutered. Puppy visits at the vet are absolutely necessary. If you need financial assistance, contact your local Animal Welfare League or Animal Control agency as they can sometimes provide short term loans.
You will also want to talk at length (you’ll probably need to take notes) with your vet about proper care and nourishment of your pet. He will have changing nutrition needs as he grows.
Your dog cannot be left outside in his crate. Ever. Placing a cushion in your dog’s crate indoors will definitely make him more comfortable. If he chews it up, you might try placing towels in the crate just to give him something softer to sleep on. Crate at night and when you are out (for a reasonable amount of time) is okay. Your dog needs socialization, so regular time with you, friends, family and dog walks are essential to helping him become well adjusted.
If you are worried about chasing him around the house to keep him from chewing or ‘going’ in the house, attach the leash to your belt loop and have your pup follow you around. This will also help your pup bond with you and you’ll be able to keep him out of trouble:-)
Regarding potty training, he’s way too young to hold it all night or all day. Your pup can probably hold it about 1 hour per month of his age. You have a 3 month old, so you’ll need to take him out every three hours – including at night. Take him on his leash out the same door to the same place every time. This is a ‘business’ trip, not play time and it’s only for potty time, so wait quietly until pup ‘goes’ then praise him and bring him back indoors. If pup does not go, bring him in and take him out about 10 minutes later. Always take your pup out after feeding.
The choke collar is not appropriate for your 3 month old pup. In addition to reading "Canine Good Citizen" for ideas on how you can effectively train your pup to be a good leash walker, please consider a "Gentle Leader" or a "Halti" or a harness. These gentle solutions will not hurt your pup if you use them properly and will keep him close to you as you walk. He is a pup, so he’ll still be pretty excited, but he’ll calm down with time:-)
You may want to buy a dog training book, such as the "Canine Good Citizen". It will answer your questions more fully about house training, commands like ‘heel’ and how to train your puppy to come to you on command. You can start training your puppy right now. ‘Sit’, ‘shake’, ‘down’ are simple to teach and ‘come’ will allow you to call your dog back to you reliably if you begin to teach it as early as possible.
Best of luck:-)
December 13th, 2009 - 2:18 pm
i can answer these questions: #1 yea u should put a bed in his crate. #2 a flea shot is ok for dogs, but flea drops r better. #3 he’s a pretty good size. #4 a choke collar is better 4 adult dogs, it could hurt a puppy easily. #5 heel means 2 walk nicely on a leash, like don’t pull. #6 we’ve always got our dogs fixed at 6 months, but i would ask my vet the best age. #7 sometimes u can find a free spay and neuter place, ask ur vet or an animal shelter. #8 no, leave him in the house when he’s in his crate. #9 about 6 months. #10 yea, Hill’s Science Diet is a good dog food.