We all look for healthy snack choices for our beloved pets, but with so many choices out there, it is almost impossible to find what you’re looking for. Many of the snacks that claim they are healthy are not. Additives and preservatives can be found in almost all dog and puppy snacks available.
Texas Australian Labradoodles have tried hundreds of commercially available snacks and treats. Some of the snacks our dogs had refused to eat, and others did not look or smell naturally. Our journey took us to SugarBay Creations and we found that we shared their frustration of providing wholesome, healthy and natural products for our four-legged babies.
What makes SugarBay Creations different? Lets start with their motto. Simple ingredients for healthy and happy pups. We found that our dogs and puppies loved their snacks and training treats and that they contain no preservatives or artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
Have you ever bought “natural” treats thinking that they would be good for your labradoodle puppy only to find that he does not want to eat it? Well, SugarBay Creations offer two categories of snacks: Snack Treats and Training Treats. We find that these two categories are sufficient for any Australian Labradoodles owner.
Training Treats:
Oatmeal Liver Bites is a bite sized snack that is perfect for training. These little morsels are packed with natural flavors and elicits great motivation even from stubborn pets. It is a simple soft and chewy snack made from 100% real ingredients. These training treats do not contain unnecessary growth hormones, antibiotics, or vaccines. This wholesome snack contains only three simple ingredients, including liver, organic oats and a touch of organically grown pitted green olives, these provide the optimum nutritional value to your pets.
These treats are perfect as they will not fill up your labradoodle’s little belly, yet your puppy will work extra hard to get these high value rewards!
Snack Treats:
Tuna Wafers are great and nutritious. These snack treats are made with organic oats and eggs from free range chickens. This treat is made from Non GMO wild caught Albacore Tuna packed in water with no added salt, which provides a healthy, protein packed choice with all the taste and none of the smell of regular canned tuna. A bit of 100% real cheddar cheese, adds the taste that pups go crazy for!
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Bones offer not only great taste but also many health benefits that pumpkin offer. These Pumpkin Peanut Butter Bones are simply made of just that! Organically grown pumpkins, all-natural peanut butter with no artificial flavors or sweeteners, free range eggs, organic coconut oil, and organic oats.
Texas Australian Labradoodles have personally met and spoken with the devoted Weimaraner owner and creator of SugarBay Creations. She informed me that she was very frustrated with the expensive treats she was buying for her dogs only to have them refuse to eat them a couple of weeks after they were opened. Also, she was done spending money on snacks that smelled of chemicals after opening a sealed bag. She therefore was forced to look to other sources for natural snacks that contained no preservatives and no artificial flavorings. After a long journey researching health-benefits of common ingredients for pets, she created these training tidbits and snacks that are highly desired by all kinds of pets. For specific health benefits of ingredients used in SugarBay Creations’ puppy and dog snacks, please visit their website here.
Australian Labradoodles puppies are extremely cute and cuddly. They are soft and fluffy, and everyone wants to hold them and play with them. However, these cute babies start losing their “baby” teeth around sixteen weeks, these little bundle of joy starts chewing on anything that they can get paws on and can cause hundreds of dollars in damages from chewing on everything.
During our Open House we answer many questions that our families have. We discuss potential issues that they may encounter once they bring their puppy home. For example, many new pet owners are not sure what their puppy’s stool should look like or what is the best approach to easily clip their puppy’s nails without injuring their newest addition to their family. We also give many tips to assist our families with the care of their puppy, such as technique to brush their hypoallergenic puppy’s coat to prevent mats forming at the skin.
To ensure a great puppy start, we give our families tips on puppy training and how to intervene and redirect when their puppy starts to chew inappropriate objects, whether it is your finger or your remote control. We use substitution, a simple behavior modification technique to teach the puppy to chew on an appropriate object instead of inappropriate object. To do this, we share with our families some of our favorite healthy and appropriate chew toys for teething puppies.
This is a natural, single-ingredient, 100% beef prepared in a human-grade commercial kitchen without harsh chemicals. It is high in Collagen, Glucosamine and Chondroitin that support healthy joints with a unique aroma and taste that is very desirable by puppies and grown dogs. These easy to digest but are safer than rawhide and will not cause digestive distress that rawhides can cause.
Organic lamb tripe are a great source of probiotics, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and support digestive, dental, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. These treats are from grass fed lamb, free of antibiotics or hormones and are perfect for sensitive stomachs that aid digestion and relieve constipation. Untouched, untreated, unbleached tripe with no preservatives, hormones, or artificial ingredients will keep your puppy busy for hours at a time.
All-natural, gluten-free cheese sticks are healthy, delicious premium organic chews that are made from 100% Yak milk with no artificial ingredients, chemicals or preservatives. These sticks are highly nutritious and are excellent alternative to rawhide and other chew treats like antlers that may be hard on the GI tract or the teeth. Larger treats are sufficient to keep your puppy busy for hours enjoying the treat.
All-natural sweet potato skins are gluten and grain free and are loaded with fiber, antioxidants and natural vitamins and minerals. These healthy treats help complete your puppy meet their nutritional needs without supplements without fat or added sugar. Thick cut skins help balance your pet’s blood sugar levels and are perfect for the teething puppy and will occupy your pet for extended time. Excellent addition to your pet’s raw food diet.
All-natural beef bully sticks are made from high-quality, free-range, grass-fed beef that are high in protein and other essential vitamins to support a healthy diet. They promote dental health through scraping away tartar and plaque through you Australian Labradoodle puppy chewing action. Free of any additives, hormones or unhealthy chemicals. Bully sticks are fully digestible and an excellent alternative to rawhide and will not splinter.
Although this is not an organic product, we have found it helpful as it is virtually indestructible chew toy designed by mechanical and polymer engineers. In addition, this chew toy floats and is perfect an excellent fetching toy. GoughNuts are safe for your Australian Labradoodle and even if your teething puppy chews through the outside layer to expose the red layer (puppy should not chew on the red), the manufacturer will replace it.
What Should You Look For in The Best Puppy Chew?
Ensure that it is soft enough to provide relief from sore gums, yet tough enough to last. For a puppy chew to work, it must be made from safe material and it must be soft enough to have some give and maintain your puppy’s interest in it, yet it should be tough to last.
In the 1080’s, Wally Conron created the Labradoodle as allergy and asthma friendly breed with service dog temperament. Since its creation, the Labradoodle breed has gained in the popularity and has become admired for its intelligence, affection, excellent temperament as well as their non-shedding and hypoallergenic qualities. However, Washington Post reported Mr. Conron stating that despite his best intentions, inadvertently his Labradoodle turned into a “Frankenstein’s monster”.
As owners and breeders of multigenerational Australian Labradoodles, we wondered why the creator of such incredible breed would ever call them “monsters.” According to Conron, he felt that the breed was exploited by breeders that not only started crossing the labradoodle with other breeds but did so without any regard for the dogs’ or puppies’ health. We understand Mr. Conron sentiment and feel that backyard breeders frequently undermine the integrity of any breed through unregulated and unethical breeding practices.
In their quest to make easy money fast, backyard breeders didn’t properly test the health of their dogs and resorted to inbreeding or using easily accessible dogs. These factors had detrimental effects on the health and disposition of the resulting puppies that ultimately ended up unwanted, abused or abandoned. We feel that breeders that disregard years of research, science, and genetic testing are responsible for creating the “Frankenstein’s monsters” that Conron was referring to.
Disparity between backyard Labradoodles and multigenerational Australian Labradoodles
Backyard breeders do not spend the time or resources to test their breeding stock, which result in low quality puppies. They may try cutting cost by overbreeding the same mother dog and providing low quality food to lack of vaccinations/vet checkups for the mother dog and the puppies.
Though unethical and unscrupulous breeding, promises of well-behaved, non-shedding and hypoallergenic first-generation Labradoodles went unfulfilled. Families end up feeling betrayed and frustrated as their expectations of healthy and well-behaved four-legged friend dissipated by costly vet bills and behavioral problems.
The Australian Labradoodle community agrees that health testing of parent dogs is crucial to produce healthy puppies. Reputable breeders employ research, genetic testing and proper breeding practices to eliminate undesirable traits, such as coat shedding or temperament issues and diligently works to improve the Labradoodle breed standard. In addition to investing in healthy parent dogs, reputable Australian Labradoodle Breeders also invest significant amount of time and effort to properly raise and train their puppies. Endless time is spent on researching benchmarks for best practices in potty training, impulse control, bite inhibition, and other basic training. They take the time to develop each puppy and employ temperament testing to ensure that the placed puppy meets the family’s expectations and is agreeable with the family’s lifestyle.
Australian Labradoodles Clubs work to improve the breed standard
Reputable Australian Labradoodle breeders don’t acquire adult dogs ready for breeding but instead they work with their dogs since they were pups. Most will invest many years of health testing and training to produce a perfect parent dog. Most will also become members of Australian Labradoodle Clubs, such as WALA or ALCA, as these Clubs are committed to protect the Labradoodle breed through rigorous health and DNA testing requirements. Breeders are unable to register their dogs that have flawed health scores. In addition to setting forth health testing requirements, WALA and ALCA provide a formal Pedigree document for all registered dogs after carefully scrutinizing provided information for accuracy. You can rest assured that you will never receive a homemade pedigree from a reputable breeder!
Reputable Australian Labradoodle breeders vs backyard breeders
Reputable multigenerational Australian Breeders have invested years in learning how to improve the Australian Labradoodle breed and have spent thousands of dollars on proper nutrition, supplementation, and health and genetic testing. For reputable breeders, litters don’t just happen. Successful litter of healthy puppies start with scrutinizing pedigrees and analyzing generations of health and DNA testing for each of the potential parent dog. This ensures that the resulting puppies have the best possible start in life and the families have the best possible chance of adopting healthy pets. Families can rest assured that breeders accredited with WALA and ALCA use adult dogs that have passed all of the required health and generic testing to assure the puppies’ health and longevity.
Are Australian Labradoodles Bad?
Anyone contemplating acquiring a Labradoodle, should do their diligence in learning as much about the breed as possible. Finding conflicting information on line? No time to do the research? We encourage you to pick up the phone and call the breeder. Call many breeders. Ask questions and clarify information. Consider which generation and the kind of the Labradoodle you are interested in. If you need low-shedding and hypoallergenic pet, you would know that only the multigenerational Australian Labradoodle would work for you. Consider WHAT you are looking for in a four-legged companion. What type of coat are you looking for? Hair? Wool? Fleece? Learning all you can prior to making decisions about a puppy is imperative for a long and happy relationship. have improved the quality of life for many families and continue to do so.
Ensuring that you are getting a high-quality puppy
When you decide to adopt WALA/ALCA registered puppy, you will get a dog from ethically conscious breeder who is required to maintain stringent breed standards. Your puppy’s lineage will also be free on hereditary diseases and temperament problems, minimizing the risk of passing on of diseases or undesirable traits.
Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles are hypoallergenic and non-shedding, which makes them great choice for allergy sufferers. However, their intelligence and adaptability make them stand out from all other breeds and a great choice for busy families. Texas Australian Labradoodles are proud members of the WALA and ALCA and produce puppies that uphold the expectation of healthy and happy in their new homes. The care we provide is geared toward upholding the breed standards and improving the outcomes for our dogs and puppies. Therefore, we urge you to consider investing in your four-legged companion from WALA/ALCA registered breeder.
Most Labradoodle puppies in Texas enjoy a swim in the backyard pool. But, contrary to popular belief, puppies are not always born swimmers, so you have to look out for your doodle puppy around water. Many new dog owners overestimate their new puppy’s swimming proficiency and underestimate the danger of their backyard pool. To prevent any unforeseen accidents, below are some tips to keep your puppy safe in and around water.
1. Train your pup to exit the pool or other body of water
A pool fence can keep your pup safely on dry land, but young puppies can easily drown because they don’t have the strength required to swim to safety or climb out of a pool when they need to. That’s why a puppy’s first swimming lesson should teach them how to find the pool exit.
2. Purchase a life jacket
The popularity of pet life jackets has increased in recent years. Life jackets are a great purchase for labradoodle puppies even if don’t have a pool in your own backyard, as you can easily bring them along to the lake.
3. Get a pool alarm
Labradoodle puppies often love the water so much that they’ll find a way to get into the pool without supervision. The pool alarm will sound off as soon as something disturbs the surface of the water, so you’ll be able to immediately respond if your puppy sneaks outside undetected.
4. Learn puppy CPR
No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. Knowing how to perform CPR on your dog could save your puppy’s life and ensures that you and your puppy enjoy the water for years to come.
Labradoodle puppies in Texas are drawn to the water, much like the rest of us after a few minutes in the heat. Therefore, it is up to you to show them in and around water. Always keep safety in mind, and let your puppy adjust to the water and the art of swimming at their own pace. Playing and enjoying the water, while teaching them how to exit the pool should make learning how to swim a breeze.
What is the Best Age to Neuter or Spay your Australian Labradoodle Puppy?
People frequently ask, at what age should they neuter/spay their puppy? According the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), in recent times, the common practice has been to spay/neuter your puppy as soon as it is safe for the puppy to tolerate the anesthesia. However, there is renewed interest in the question of age-appropriate spay and neuter of puppies, in view numerous scientific studies that found significant health implications related to this common procedure.
When looking at the canine health authority, AAHA recommends that puppies be spayed/neutered between 5-15 months of age. As a guide, 5-6 months for puppies that will weigh under 45 lbs when adults and between 9-15 months of age for puppies that will weigh over 45 lbs when adults. Larger dogs take longer to grow, and the age difference is mainly to do with the growth cycle.
Are there risks and benefits to spaying and neutering?
Risks: Research shows that there are many reasons why pet owners do not spay/neuter their dogs. Some of these include fear of anesthesia, anesthesia complication and financial constraints.
Benefits: Pet owners should know that while there are some risks involved, spay/neuter caries benefits of fending off cancers and infections. Some benefits include a decreases in the risk of mammary and testicular cancers, uterine infections, prevents pet overpopulation, and prevents undesirable behaviors.
Risks and benefits of early spaying and neutering
Risks: University of California, Davis, performed a study on golden retrievers in 2013 that suggested while early sterilization prevented many diseases, it may have increased the risk of other problems (cranial cruciate ligament rupture, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, lymphosarcoma, and orthopedic issues). Despite these findings, the study stressed that more studies on the link between sterilization age and the onset of certain diseases are needed to help understand the implications. Multiple health implications on early spayed/neutered dogs were voiced in the 2017 article “Spay-neuter considerations to maximize health.” The article was published by Innovative Veterinary Care that indicated that early sterilization leads to “orthopedics, cancer, behavior and other health issues” for the dogs.
Risks: Unwanted pregnancies, financial obligations and ethical dilemmas regarding the newborn puppies. Many people simply either do not know that their female dog is pregnant or the dog experiences complications that lead to costly medical interventions. Some people are also not equipped to deal with newborn puppies and the many demands that come with raising socialized and healthy puppies. These puppies can die from either inadequate care or diseases. Other adverse effects of late sterilization include obesity, stunted growth, joint dysplasia, and musculoskeletal disorders, to name a few.
Every dog owner must eventually deal with the issues of spaying or neutering their pet as clearly, there are health advantages and disadvantages for both early and late spay/neuter. Despite many scientific studies and guidelines, it remains a complex question that encompass many factors that each pet owner needs to carefully consider. The decision should be made on objective findings, such as your dog’s disease risk and your lifestyle.
Based on our experience and the research, there seems to be an overwhelming evidence that early spay/neuter is adverse to the health and long-term well-being of dogs. Therefore, we recommend that you delay spaying/neutering until 9 months of your puppy’s age.
We also recommend that you consult with your veterinarian to help figure out best timing for this procedure. Spend some time with your veterinarian discussing your goals for your pet and your personal concerns. Do not be afraid to ask questions. We believe that sharing the most accurate and current information with your veterinarian is the best plan to figure out the best timing for spaying and neutering of your pets. While you cannot predict when your dog is going to get sick or injured, you can protect yourself from expensive veterinary bills. Familiarizing yourself with the evidence-based research regarding the risks and benefits, may enable you to make an educated choice regarding your pet.
