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A Day in the Life: Puppy Breeder

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 A Day In The Life: Puppy Breeder I have been breeding Labrador Retrievers and Goldadors for several years now. Each litter is so unique and special, breeding dogs is such a special and fulfilling job that I am privileged to have! I just wanted to share a little bit about how we do things at Silver Lining Labs.  I usually begin my day with feeding all of the dogs and puppies breakfast. We have Labrador Retrievers, and it is so funny to see how excited they all get when the food comes out. Even the little puppies are super food motivated! For puppies who have just started eating, I give them mashed up wet puppy food. I really like the Kirkland Chicken, Rice, and Veggie formula. I give our momma dog 24/7 access to her regular food, as well as canned dog food and the puppy kibble. After breakfast I will clean out the whelping pen. This job can take me 5 minutes to over an hour, depending on the age and stage of the puppies. Below I wrote out my routine for cleaning the kennel. Cl...
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Puppy Starter Information Pack

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Getting a dog for the first time can be quite stressful, scary, and a little chaotic. I have put together a puppy starter information pack so you can find all the necessary information needed to make this process a lot easier.  *I mention a dog named Duke several times in this article, this is just to make it easier to understand the points I am trying to make. It also makes it a little more personal.  Before we get started on tips and tricks and training, you need to know something. Dogs are not perfect. Your puppy will make mistakes and accidents all the time. You will deal with potty stains on your floor, chewed up dressers and shoes, and a few barks here and there. But even with all of the hardships, having a dog is so rewarding! When a dog makes a mistake, you don’t usually punish it. Especially when it is a potty accident! Here is why… Let me paint you a quick picture… You have left Duke in a closed off room while you go eat lunch. After enjoying your meal, you go back t...
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Puppy Potty Training In 2 Simple Steps!

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 Like myself I'm sure you have been scrambling around the internet for a potty training solution. Everyone's done it. Well, your searching can come to an end! Today I am going to tell you what worked best for me and my Frenchton Rory.  There is seriously only one main thing you need to know... You have to do the work. If you take your puppy out every thirty minutes to the same spot every time, your puppy will soon learn that they go potty outside. Dogs learn from habits, and when you get them in the very good habit of going outside to the same spot every single time, your puppy will be potty trained within weeks!  Step 1. Take your dog out every thirty minutes. You can stretch this time period as your puppy learns, but for the first few days keep it consistent. TIP: Consistency, consistency, consistency is key!!  Step 2. Praise and reward. Every time your puppy goes to the bathroom outside give them a reward. What I do is give a treat while saying my praise word. It...
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Everything You Need To Know About Labrador Retrievers

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 Labrador Retrievers are an amazing dog breed! They are loyal, loving, and they live for one thing: to please you. I know this because I own a golden Labrador Retriever, and my parents and grandparents own a black Labrador Retriever. I have so many experiences and stories that I could tell you, but first, let's talk a little bit about the breed itself.  Colours Labs can come in several different colours including Black, Yellow (this colour includes different shades of Golden and White) and Chocolate or Brown. You may also find silver Labs, but they are very uncommon. There are some myths about what types of attitudes the different colours may have, but the truth is, the colour really doesn't matter. If you are wanting to buy a Lab, then pick whichever colour you want!  Energy Level I will not lie, Labs are energetic... Very energetic! Sadie and Wrenna (our two Labrador Retrievers) can chase their toys around outside all day, and not tire. It is like they have some kind of...
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Adorable Puppy Photoshoot

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 Have you ever seen a newborn photoshoot with a puppy?! I recently came across this and loved the idea, so here are some adorable photos that I took of our new litter of Goldador puppies. I hope this brightens up your day!         These are our female puppies. They were so good cuddling up together.  Nap time! Above are the two brothers... Best buds for life! I have always loved the tail shot! It just captures the hilarious personalities that puppies have! Our only black female puppy... She is truly adorable!  The whole litter cuddled up. They are the perfect age to do a photoshoot!  Here are some tips that I found very helpful while taking photos of these little cuties: Get your props ready before you grab the pups. By doing this, you are taking a lot of stress out of the equation! Have any distractions (including the mom) out of the room. You don't want anything getting in your photo except the puppies.  I am NOT a professional ph...
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What you need before getting a puppy

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Now that you have made the big decision, I'm going to go over most of what you need before you get your dog or puppy. First, here is a list of things that I have found helpful for my dogs and I. At the very bottom I have a complete list, without descriptions.  1. Kennel  Rory Sitting pretty in her wire crate.  If you didn't know already, dogs are den animals. They enjoy having their place. So having a kennel is a great idea! Also, having a kennel is very helpful when you need to leave for a longer period of time. There are several different types of kennels. One is a wire crate. This is what I use, some like it, some don't. Wire crates can have two doors, and they usually have a tray to catch any pee. I find this very helpful, especially when you have a puppy who isn't potty trained yet. What I like to do with my wire crate is put a blanket on top of it to make the puppy feel more secure inside. To make it even more homey for your dog, you can add a mat or blanket insid...
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Everything you need to know about Frenchtons

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 So you have decided to look into one of America's most wonderful designer breeds? Congrats! I am here to tell you all the good, all the bad, and every other little thing about this adorable mixed breed. First you might be wondering what a Frenchton is. It is a small designer breed with parents that are purebred French Bulldog, and purebred Boston Terrier.  Health One of the first things I want to tell you, is that Frenchton's were bred to be healthier. This does not mean that they are perfectly healthy!! They were just bred to have longer snouts, which helps with the breathing and respiratory issues.   History Frenchtons are originally from the United States, which makes sense because the Boston Terrier was popularized in the States also. They are a designer breed, which basically means the AKC and CKC kennel clubs don't recognize them because they are a mixed breed. But they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.  Here are the pros and cons of this...
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