4 Tips for Managing Your Labradoodle’s Separation Anxiety
Labradoodles love spending time with people. However, that love can sometimes lead to separation anxiety when they’re left alone for too long. Whether you’re leaving for a family vacation or an extended day at work, your loyal companion could have a strong reaction. Here are four tips for managing your Labradoodle’s separation anxiety:
Identify the Signs
Some common signs of separation anxiety in dogs include digging and scratching at doors in an attempt to follow or chase after their owner, destructive chewing of furniture or other household items, howling, barking, and whining. If already house-trained, Australian Labradoodle puppies that are suffering from separation anxiety may also urinate or defecate indoors.
Teach Your Puppy to be Bored
Although most puppies get into trouble when they are bored, at times it is OK for him to just hang and do nothing. Your puppy does not have to be going 24/7. Supervised boredom can help your puppy learn to stay calm and not get into trouble. You also don’t have to give your puppy attention all the time. If your puppy learns that napping or calmly watching his environment are OK and he learns to keep himself occupied with his chews and toys while you are there, he will know how to keep himself busy without getting into trouble when you have to leave him alone.
Be Calm When Leaving and Coming Home
When you’re off to work in the morning, don’t make a fuss about leaving. If your dog starts to panic and pace around you, ignore them have a base command that he can always go back to, like sit. You can teach your dog that when he is anxious, excited, scared, etc., all he has to do is sit to calm down and regain his composure. You can take a few minutes to hug your dog and let him know he is a good boy until you feel his body relax. You can then go on with your preparations as before knowing that your pet feels more at ease than before. The same goes for when you come back home. You can also try ignoring them and see which one works better. Ignoring your pet e them for the first few minutes may work for some pets but probably not all. This way you have two approaches to try and see which one is more effective. While it may be difficult to not give them attention, this simple exercise will help your dog calm down over time.
Use Treats to Your Advantage
When you have to leave them alone, giving your pup a high-value treat when you return home each time you leave them alone is another good way for your dog to associate your departure with something positive. Only reserve that treat for when you’re leaving for an extended period. A common example of a high-value treat is a puzzle toy that’s filled with peanut butter or chunks of boiled chicken breast.
Leave Them Exhausted
Although the Dogs, especially young Australian Labradoodle puppiesare calm by nature, younger puppies tend to have more energy than older dogs. That have a lot of energy that they needs to be use up otherwise, your dog may start acting out. This lack of exercise can manifest itself through the same symptoms of separation anxiety listed above, including urinating or defecating indoors and destructively chewing at furniture. Run with your Labradoodle, or bring them to a dog park Taking your Labradoodle for a short walk or playing a short game of fetch so that they can play and will help your puppy discharge some of that excess energy in a positive way use up their energy.
Managing your Labradoodle’s separation anxiety will require consistent effort and patience. You can also learn more about this topic from Texas Australian Labradoodles.
Lucky you! You chose a good one from that litter of Labradoodle puppies, and now you’re home with the little guy or gal. You want to be a responsible pet owner from the start, so schedule that first vet visit right away.
Catching health issues and getting started on a lifelong schedule of preventive care is so important.
Ideally, you have already established a good relationship with a veterinarian. You may well have made the appointment as soon as you knew about your new arrival. Here are some things to cover on that first visit.
Making The Vet Visit Stress Free
Your pup will go through quite a lot of changes in those first days and weeks away from mom and its littermates. But a well-bred pup will adjust quickly to its new home and family.
Crates are the safest way to transport a dog, and the ride to the vet will be less stressful if the pup is accustomed to resting quietly in one. It’s safer in the office, too. It can be chaotic there and it’s better to be cautious around other dogs.
Positive reinforcement goes a long way in dog training, so take a few tasty treats to reward the pup for good behavior and to distract him or her from scary situations.
What to Talk About With Your Vet
Here are some topics to bring to the vet’s attention and some questions to ask.
A good breeder like Texas Australian Labradoodles will supply you with a medical record of any vaccinations, wormings, and medical care received. Make a copy for your vet’s records.
Plan to continue the routine vaccination schedule and exams. Catch up if needed.
Get a thorough physical exam and fecal exam.
Start a parasite control program.
Ask about microchipping.
Discuss breed specific health issues.
Make a plan for socializing and training your new pup.
Talk about spaying/neutering, including risks, and the proper time to do so.
If you plan to breed, talk about that, too.
Final Thoughts
Your veterinarian will be involved in your pet’s life for many years. Make it a happy association for both parties by being proactive about your dog’s health.
Fireworks season is upon us, and while they might be enjoyable for us, they can be anything but for your beloved Labradoodle. Dogs, especially puppies, are very sensitive to loud noises and sudden flashes of light. If you have a brand-new puppy in the house, then it’s imperative that you know how to keep them safe and calm during the fireworks season.
Signs of Stress in Your Labradoodle
The first step to ensuring your dog’s safety during fireworks is being able to recognize when they’re feeling stressed or scared. Some signs that your Labradoodle pup may be experiencing stress include:
Panting or drooling
Shaking or trembling
Hiding or trying to escape from the area
Pacing back and forth
Barking excessively or whining
Restlessness
Keeping Your Dog Calm During Fireworks
Once you know how your pup reacts when feeling stressed out, you can take steps to keep them calm during fireworks. Here are some tips for keeping your Labradoodle safe and relaxed during this season:
Exercise your dog beforehand – It’s essential to make sure your Labradoodle is getting plenty of exercise before the fireworks start. Take them on a long walk or play with them in the yard to tire them out. This will help keep their energy levels low, making them less likely to react negatively when the noise starts.
Provide a secure environment – Make sure your pup has access to a safe space like a crate where they can go if they start feeling anxious. You should also ensure that all windows and doors are securely locked so that your pup doesn’t try and escape if they hear something scary outside.
Stay with them – When fireworks go off close by, stay with your pup in their safe space and let them know everything is ok. This will help them feel more secure in their environment and less likely to panic during loud noises.
Distract them – Offer treats or toys as distractions when fireworks are going off outside. This will help keep their mind off the noise and give them something else to focus on instead of the loud booms and flashes of light.
We at Texas Australian Labradoodles hope these tips will help you and your pet have a peaceful time during the celebratory season.
Do you have a new little labradoodle puppy getting into mischief around your home? You may want to send your puppy outdoors when he’s getting a little too rambunctious, but you have to be aware of how the cold weather is going to affect him.
Here’s what you need to know about protecting Labradoodle puppies in cold temperatures.
Dress Your Puppy Warmly
For all their energetic bounding all over the place, little Labradoodle puppies can get chilled more easily than older dogs. And some types of Labradoodle coats, though they seem fluffy, are not very warm. For example, the loose, shaggy type isn’t snug enough when it’s really cold out.
Your puppy will appreciate a doggy sweater or coat when going out for longer romps — or even for shorter bathroom breaks if the temps are getting frigid.
Watch Out for Ice Balls
Puppies love to play in the snow, but proper puppy winter safety is key.
Ice balls often form on their bodies, clinging to their hair and balling up between their toes. They can make your dog uncomfortable and he may try to bite or lick them, breaching the skin and opening the door to infection.
Check your puppy for ice balls every time you bring him back in. Remove them with a bit of warm water and towel your puppy dry.
Beware of Salt and Deicing Chemicals
To keep roads and sidewalks safer for walking in the snow and ice, humans often scatter salt and deicing chemicals. However, these chemicals (even just salt) can burn your pup’s paws.
Try to avoid walking your puppy through areas where these products have been used. Or, if they will tolerate them, have your puppy wear dog booties. You may have to work at it a little, but getting your puppy acclimated to dog booties is a good idea for all the winters to come.
Bringing a new puppy into your home and into your family is an absolute joy. You get to watch as the puppy explores its new home and gets to know its new family. However, there is an adjustment period as your pup explores its new surroundings and finds its place in your home.
There are things you can do to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for your puppy’s transition into your world. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when bringing home a new pup:
Plan for the Puppy’s Arrival – There are things you will need to have ready for your puppy. If you know when your new puppy will be coming home, you can get these items in advance so you’re ready when the time comes.
Good quality puppy food and treats
Water and food bowls
A leash and a collar
A pet crate for safe transportation
Chew toys to keep your shoes and other belongings safe from little teeth
Toys to chase and play with
Gates or barriers (like baby gates) to keep puppies away from stairwells and out of other rooms
Puppy training pads and poop collection bags
Grooming supplies like shampoo, brushes, and combs
A soft, warm bed for your new puppy
Puppy-Proof Your Home – Move items that you don’t want your puppy getting into and consider taking valuable items out of common areas until the puppy has settled into its new home.
Prepare Your Family and Pets for the Introduction of the New Puppy – Teach children how to interact with the new puppy. Remind them to give the puppy space and time to adjust. Allow pets to meet on their own terms. Let them discover each other on their terms without any forced meetings or confrontations. Animals, just like humans, can get to know one another with time.
Set Aside Time for Your New Family Member – Your new puppy will likely be excited to get to know you and your home. As it gets more comfortable, share different areas of the house with your new pup and make time to play. This new experience for your pup may cause nervousness, so show your new puppy extra love and affection.
Some breeds will be easy-going and friendly to begin with like labradoodle puppies or sheepadoodle puppies, while others may need more patience and support to transition into your home. Learn more about puppy adoption atTexas Austrian Labradoodles.
There are many tasks that come hand-in-hand with owning a Australian Labradoodle including exercising, training, spending time with, and feeding your puppy. There are some owners that know what they’re going to name their puppy long before they even begin their Labradoodle parent duties. On the other hand, some owners take a while to pick the perfect name. This important decision can prove to be difficult, because they want to make sure that it is the perfect name and that it fits their puppy well. Finding the perfect name for the newest member of the family may not be as simple as it seems, but when you finally find a name that fits, you’ll be glad you took the extra time. The following are a few ideas for naming your Australian Labradoodle.
Celebrity Names:
Many people have favorite celebrities and role models that have affected their lives in some way or another. Whether this character or person is fictional or living doesn’t matter, either can be potential names for your favorite Labradoodle.
Favorite Food:
Everybody loves food and has a personal connection to your favorites. This one might be a little out of left field but could be a cute fit for your new best friend. A name like Biscuit, Peaches, or T-Bone could be the perfect name for your furry pet.
People Names:
Perhaps you have had a name in mind for a child, but for whatever reason you’re done having children or your spouse has previously vetoed this name for a little human. You still like the name but have nowhere to use it. Or maybe you have a grandparent or uncle who you look up to or who just happens to have a name you enjoy. Try it out on your Labradoodle puppy and see if it fits their look and personality.
Names Based on Looks:
There are many names that can be matched to your Labradoodle puppy based purely on their physical coloring or characteristics. Names such as Snowball, Charcoal, and Caramel describe the color of the puppy bearing them. Also, depending on where their coloring is or if it creates certain patterns, you may want to name them accordingly. For instance, a name like Bandit may suit a Larabadoodle with dark fur around their eyes. If they have random patches of color on their coat, a name like Patches may work nicely.
Your Background:
Names can blossom from a variety of places. For example, you can choose an important place or moment in your past. You could name your new pet the name of a town that you once lived, or even something that stands out to you from your culture or religion.
