Create a First-Aid Kit for Your Dog

Maybe you’ve been in this situation. You’re at the park and your pup is happily pouncing along and then you hear a tiny yelp. Uh oh. Bee sting. You panic – just a little – and then wonder what you should do. Your first call should be to your veterinarian, but it might be good for you to have some supplies with you in case they give you some immediate instructions.

A first-aid kit is important not only in the event of a natural disaster, but any time a pet is far away from immediate help. It may even be a good idea to have one in your car or in a backpack you take with you on a walk or to the park.

Your first-aid kit should be durable, and a waterproof container is a great idea, too. If you can’t fit everything into one container, your dog can easily carry some of his own gear! There are some cool dog backpacks you can buy especially if you take your dog out on trails or camping with you. Make sure your dog isn’t carrying everything though. It gets pretty hot out there on the trails during the spring and summer months. You can buy a pre-made kit, and it should have most of what you need, but designing your own is a great way to make sure that what you have is customized to your pet’s lifestyle and needs.

What should your dog’s first-aid kit include?

• Absorbent gauze pads

• Adhesive tape

• Cotton balls or swabs

• Fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (always check with veterinarian or animal poison control expert before giving to your pet)

• Ice pack

• Disposable gloves

• Scissors with blunt end

• Tweezers

• OTC antibiotic ointment

• Oral syringe or turkey baster

• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for bathing)

• Wound & Skin care spray

• Antihistamine

• Small flashlight

• Alcohol wipes

• Styptic powder

• Saline eye solution

• Artificial tear gel

• Electrolyte replacement –sugar-free alternatives for dogs.

• Collapsible bowl

• Nail clippers or nail file

• Towels and cloths

• Phone number, clinic name, address of your veterinarian as well as local veterinary emergency clinics

Remember, your kit may contain more or less than what we’ve listed her based on your family’s lifestyle.

Training an Australian Labradoodle. Is it easier than training other breeds?

Australian Labradoodles are smart and trainable because they were bred specifically for that purpose.

Please know this, Australian Labradoodles were bred specifically for service and therapy work.

Our Doodles (I really can only speak for our dogs because I'm really not an expert but definitely close lol) love human connection. They want eye contact, they understand when your happy or sad and they want to be close and share their life with you. They have a sense of humor and know that something is funny and they want to laugh with you. They are intensely curious with a drive for understanding the things you spend your time doing. They love following your schedule and the daily rhythms of your life. They are very social yet protective. If you are around someone that you're not comfortable with they will see it and possibly growl if they see your body language or expressions as scared. They love to let you know when someone is home by barking but they only bark for a reason and when they see that you have heard them then they behave based on how they've been trained. You can train your Australian Labradoodle puppy to be a watch dog or not. How you ask? Attention and rewards, aka, treats. 

A well trained dog is better than sweet tea with some Georgia peach slices, right? However, the flip side is this — Doodles are so smart that if you don't learn the basic principles of boundaries, the basic command of "off" or "no", your puppy do as it pleases and train itself. Yep, I said it, the doodle is out of the bag. Now, let's ponder this for a moment. Let's say a really sweet doodle owner let's their puppy jump up on the couch and they don't correct it. Months go by and the really sweet doodle owner doesn't want their grown doodle to jump up on its own anymore. Do you think it will be easy to tell that doodle no and have it listen? Probably not....I knew you knew the answer. :) However, your young pup will be extremely trainable and very intelligent.

Just remember, you are training your new pet 24 hours a day. Yes, those 15 minute sessions are absolutely necessary but the rest of the day matters just as much.  Therefore, crate training, socialization, and lot's of patience is a must! We offer puppy training if you need it.

Labradoodle VS Australian Labradoodle VS Aussiedoodle

You may be wondering what the difference is between a Labradoodle, an Australian Labradoodle and an Aussiedoodle. There is some confusion between these three breeds of dogs, but it's pretty easy to explain.    

A Labradoodle is a combination of a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle and combines the best of both breeds.  A Labrador has a short dense coat and comes in black, chocolate or yellow.  This loyal breed is intelligent and even tempered and can weigh between 55-80+ pounds depending on breeding.  The Standard Poodle is alert, trainable and social.  These curly-coated dogs come in white, black, gray, blue, silver, brown and apricot and can weigh anywhere from 45-65 pounds. Small Poodles have been bred into the line of Labradoodles, Aussiedoodles and Australian Labradoodles, which offers a miniature size across all three of the breeds.

An Aussiedoodle is a combination of an Australian Shepard and a Standard Poodle. Despite its name, the Australian Shepard started on ranches in the United States during the 19th century. This affectionate and active breed weighs between 35-70 pounds at maturity.

And finally, the Australian Labradoodle.  This is a very special and lovable breed of dog. The Australian Labradoodle breeding line includes the Labrador Retriever, Curly Coat Retriever, Poodle, Irish Water Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel. 

We've already discussed the Poodle and Retriever.  The Curly Coat Retriever is one of the oldest of the retriever breeds.  This proud and smart breed can weigh up to 90 pounds and is playful with its humans, and more discerning with strangers.  The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the largest and oldest of spaniels. This liver-colored canine is clownish, inquisitive and alert and can weigh up to 65 pounds. The American Cocker Spaniel has an amenable, cheerful disposition is a wonderful family companion. This breed can be very sensitive and can weigh between 20-30 pounds.  The English Cocker Spaniel is sturdy and happy — with a lot of energy, and can weigh between 26-34 pounds. 

Multi-generation Australian Labradoodles have been bred over time to bring together the best qualities of these breeds.  Their temperament is more established than first or second generation labradoodles, and they are consistently low to non-shedding and allergy-friendly.  They come in three sizes: miniature, medium and standard - typically ranging in size from 15-65 pounds. Their colors are varied as well: chocolate, tan, cream, apricot, red, tri-color, shiny blacks, merle, phantom, and parti-colored.

Australian Labradoodles make wonderful companions. They are smart, sensitive, goofy, and love their humans.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80% of dogs will develop some form of oral disease by the age of three.

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Neglecting oral hygiene in dogs can lead to issues like tartar build up, gum disease, bad breath and other larger health issues like heart disease, lung disease and kidney disease.

Some other signs of oral disease.

• broken or loose teeth

• extra teeth or retained baby teeth

• teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar

• abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth

• reduced appetite or refusal to eat

• pain in or around the mouth

• bleeding from the mouth

• swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. If your dog does start having dental disease, you may want to consider a cleaning every 6 months. You can choose to have your dog’s teeth cleaned with or without anesthesia. You should consult your vet to determine which choice is best for you and your labradoodle.

DIY Puppies Toys

DIY - Dog Fetch Stick

Supplies needed: an old stick from the yard, an old t-shirt, duct tape and scissors

Wrapping a stick with a t-shirt and duct tape is a great way to make a fetch stick last longer and be easily seen when either you or your dog can’t seem to find it!

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The Up-Cycled Old Sock Chew Toy

Supplies needed: An old sock, an bottle to be recycled, pebbles

Does your labradoodle love chewing on your socks? Does your doodle also love to chew on plastic? Here’s a great way to give him a toy he’ll love that reminds him of you.

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DIY Doodle Treats

A Day In Kona's Life | Australian Labradoodle from Morning TO Night!

This will be told by Kona, she did a little ESP and had me type this for her.

So, first I'm up at 6 a.m. and maybe even earlier.  I'm let out right after I wake up.  I'm very careful to stand at the front door until I'm told it's okay to run outside and relieve myself.  This is when I really breath in the morning air, I'm given fresh water when the water bowls are turned over, I'm fed my favorite dog food and usually there is an egg mixed up in it with some warm water.  I can tell when I eat that my food has no fillers or grain because my tummy feels good and I have lots of energy.  All the other dogs are right there next to me but they know I'm the boss and queen.  I've trained them all well. 

Next, Dale puts a leash on me and a couple of other dogs and we go to the bus stop.  I love my morning walk and when it's not my turn I just go back to bed with Mom.  After stretching some more, lounging around, watching my Mom get ready and sneaking in some hugs and kisses we are off in a car ride.  I don't ever know where we are going but I know we are going somewhere.  When my Mom get's her purse on her shoulder I know I'm going for a car ride.  Now, I really don't care what dogs come with us because I know my seat and it's behind Dale so I can keep my eyes on my Mom.  We may go to the Feed Barn, Lowes or grocery shopping but I never touch the groceries or chew on anything except my dog treats. 

By the time we make it home my stomach is growling and I'm ready for another meal.  So, all the dogs come together and we eat once again.  Now is when I get to lay on the lawn, play with the other dogs, and find the perfect shady spot to take a good nap.  Some of the doodles are in a huge metal pen on the grass just to keep them safe and the good dogs like me just get to lay around in the yard. 

These same guys show up all the time with boxes saying amazon on them...and sometimes in those boxes are treats for me.  All I know is Dale gives my Mom this look like...Again? 

Next, the kids show up for some fun.  When the little guy shows up we chase after balls and sticks and if I don't win I may just steal it away from one of the smaller dogs but finders keepers losers weepers.

After all that playing I just might get a bath or have my hair cut.  This only happens once a month but I can see the look in their eyes and I know it's curtains...shower curtains for me.  I may like the bath once it starts but I'll never admit it.  Plus, I may act a little more prissy once I'm clean and trimmed up but darn it, I look good. 

Now it's just about dinner time.  I make sure I sit at the edge of the kitchen.  This is where all the good food comes from.  When I hear my named called I know it's time to lick the floor or I may get a treat from dinner.  Just before dinner is ready all of us dogs get fed, with fresh water, and we all go in our crates to settle down while the family eats dinner. 

Once dinner is done we all trot outside and relieve ourselves, we go for a walk, and then it just might be a movie night.  All of us dogs come inside, I get the big pillow on the floor or a seat on the couch.  Some of us are crated in the wood coffee table crates, some of us get a nice lap to sit in, and some of us can't wait to get in our crates so we can get some sleep. 

Before bed we all go out one last time and sometimes my Mom might let me out again a couple of hours later at midnight.  When I go to sleep I stretch out, I snore, and I prefer the big pillow on my Mom's floor. Pepper gets to sleep in the bed but I need more room on the floor.  Chloe likes to sleep with her head under the bed with only her body sticking out.  But I like to sleep where I can keep an eye on my Mom and follower her anytime she wakes up throughout the night. 

 The next morning I'm up at 6 am and ready for a new day...love my people family, love my dog family, and they all love me!

I Just Might Be Flunking At This Blog Stuff

Seriously, I love my new site and I love this blog idea but my last post was April.  My new goal is at least once a week.  At least!  I bet you're wondering how I will accomplish this, right?  Well, I have a plan that I set in motion last week.  I dusted off my Macbook Pro and updated, verified the disc, repaired the disc, watched 83 youtube videos, suddenly I was watching ship wrecks so I got back on track and finished watching more Macbook repair videos, I removed tons of junk from 2011 and BAM my laptop was coming back to life.  It stopped crashing when I opened Safari (the internet on a Mac) and it's still going strong.  Fingers crossed.  I know, I know...why in the heck does all this matter?  It matters because late at night I finally have time to blab and run my mouth and I don't like to do it on my desktop in my office.  I love to lay in bed and type away.  I call these the honest hours.  

What exactly is the honest hours?  They are the hours that I'm just tired and rummy enough that I speak the truth.  I'm more opinionated.  I love to write my reviews at night too.  It's like the words flow and my fingers can't type fast enough.  I will have two opposing thoughts and I will ramble on for hours about them.  The only scary part is the next morning when I have had my rest and I go back and read what I wrote...uhhh, it can be scary but I usually end up laughing at myself and that little, tiny person inside says, "Leave it, don't change it!", so I don't and my "chick-balls" grow a little bit bigger and I have the confidence to say what I'm thinking even more the next time.  Otherwise known as, wearing you big girl panties! 

Why does my honesty, thoughts and ideals really matter?  For doodles sakes, I'm only a dog breeder.  Right?!  Don't you remember the first time you saw your fifth grade teacher smoking at the park?  Yeah, this is going to reveal my age, a little, but there was a time when people could smoke in public.  I remember seeing Mrs. Steskal, my fifth grade teacher, smoking somewhere.  My world crashed around me.  How could SHE be smoking and have a life?  I thought she crawled into her closet at school and waited patiently for all of us to return so she could be a teacher.  Wasn't that her only life?  Well, I'm here to break it to "you-all", it wasn't her only life and she was a person behind that teaching thing she did.  

Well, I'm not just a dog breeder.  I've had quite the life and many experiences that brought me to the person that chose to have puppies and dogs in my world.  I have many things I want to share and most will be related to dogs and doodles but many may not.  You can even stalk me and find out who is "that lady" you're considering adopting a dog from or my friends can check up on my thoughts here and then latter they can mention they read this and I can feel all creeped out and shocked that someone is actually readying my late night blogging.  I'm sure my Aunt will send me this printed out with grammatical corrections or Katie will tell me, "SHE" not "her".  I get corrected a lot.   

Anyways, my laptop is functioning and I'm ready to finish what I started here.  If you have any specific questions you'd like my opinion on let me know.  Plus, I will be snagging stuff from our private group on Facebook to share here.  Our private group is about the best place online.  I love it and all the posts.  The private group is for our families with their doodles. (and they have to be good boys and girls)

Let me know you're reading this with a comment or private message.  I'd love to hear from each and every person...well, not every person.   Now, they know who they are, and it's definitely not you, if you're wondering: "Oh no, is she talking to me?"  If you have to ask yourself that then NO!! I'm not talking to you, and... you are actually a wonderful person because you think it could be you when you are probably someone I love and adore or would love and adore if I got to know you better.  It's the ones that think they are smarter than you, they tell tall tales and they could never imagine anyone is on to them.  So, those two women, please just get off my site, NOW, and go crawl under the rock you came out of.  Let's hope I leave that last funny line...we shall see in the morning.  :)  

See I told you anything can happen when blogging late at night.......bahahahahah