When on the hunt for a Labrador puppy, the initial and crucial step is locating the appropriate breeder. This task should not be taken lightly as it plays a significant role in choosing the finest Lab puppy that suits your needs. Our article aims to assist you in making the correct choice by highlighting some red flags to keep an eye out for.
Why You Need A Good Labrador Breeder
Labrador breeders vary greatly, with some being much more skilled than others. The task of breeding Labrador retrievers requires extensive knowledge and preparation in order to produce puppies that are both healthy and well-behaved. Anyone undertaking this responsibility should have the necessary capabilities to meet these standards.
The breeder should have the capability to offer assistance and guidance for any inquiries concerning your dog’s welfare throughout its lifetime. It is crucial to acknowledge that your puppy’s well-being is largely influenced by the breeder’s actions even before their birth since good breeders guarantee that their pups obtain healthy genes and a favorable beginning. Therefore, let us examine 41 effective means of identifying an inadequate Labrador breeder.
Signs Of A Bad Dog Breeder
A person who breeds dogs poorly doesn’t always have bad intentions or operate as a puppy mill. It can be challenging to identify a subpar breeder specifically for Labradors, particularly when you’re eager to obtain a new dog and averse to waiting. Nevertheless, locating a reputable breeder will lead you to a delightful path with your latest companion and prevent any terrible, preventable issues.
In the event that you notice any of the indications of an irresponsible dog breeder, it may be wise to graciously look for another breeder on your list.
1. The Breeder Doesn’t Ask You Questions About Yourself
During your initial communication with the breeder, it is important for them to engage in conversation and demonstrate an interest in your background, as well as your experience with dogs and specifically Labradors. This is because they should be seeking reassurance that you are the most suitable person to care for one of their puppies. If their only concern is your ability to pay, it can be indicative of a troubling lack of interest.
2. The Breeder Hasn’t Carried Out Health Tests On The Parent Dogs
To ensure quality breeding, it is important for both parents to possess a minimum of low hip scores, elbow scores of 0, clear eye tests conducted in the past year, and be DNA clear for the Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
3. The Breeder Doesn’t Have Evidence Of The Health Tests
Assuming the breeder promises health testing of the parents but stalls in providing the health certificates, it is safe to assume that they lack the documents. In case they cite difficulty in scanning them, one may rely on the certificates being present during a visit. If, however, they fail to produce them upon arrival, it is best to leave politely.
4. The Parent Dogs Have No Purpose Beyond Breeding
A reputable Labrador breeder would keep dogs in their care for purposes other than breeding. These purposes could include participation in work, agility or obedience competitions or being shown in events. The dogs should not only be considered for their breeding potential but also should be treasured as cherished members of either the family or the sports team. Keeping dogs solely for their breeding ability is not acceptable.
5. The Breeder Has Numerous Litters Each Year
While there are some high-quality breeders who may have a few litters annually, having multiple litters should be cause for concern. It is recommended to conduct a Google search on the breeder’s name or kennel name, and if their name appears frequently on wanted ad pages, it’s best to avoid them.
6. The Breeder Also Sells Puppies To Pet Stores
Pet stores will never be able to purchase puppies from responsible breeders.
7. The Breeder Has Many Dogs Of Different Breeds
Good breeders may have dogs of various breeds, but these will consistently fit into a clear and comprehensible group. Working Labradors, for instance, could coexist and operate with Spaniels or HPRs.
If a breeder has multiple dogs from unrelated breeds and has no clear interest in any specific breed, it is advised to be cautious. It is important to question the breeder’s motives for possessing various female dogs of different breed categories.
8. The Breeder Won’t Let You See The Mother
Always insist on seeing the mother before taking a puppy home. Dishonest breeders will not outright deny your request, but will instead come up with plausible excuses such as ‘she’s at work with my husband’, ‘she’s gone on a vacation with a friend’, ‘she’s taking a break from the pups due to mastitis’, or even the disturbing ‘she’s passed away’.
Although there may be instances where these explanations are valid, as a purchaser, it is impermissible to take the chance that the breeder might be a commercial puppy producer who has zero interaction with the dam, or that the dam has been secluded because of health issues or violent behavior.
9. The Puppies Are Unclean
Puppies can become messy from time to time, but if they live in urine or feces, they will emit a strong odor and appear unclean. This indicates that the breeder lacks understanding of puppies or neglects their well-being. In any case, you should avoid getting a puppy from such a breeder.
10. The Puppies Surroundings Are Inadequate For Their Needs
A responsible breeder provides a puppy with sufficient room, warmth, and light. If a breeder confines the litter, deprives them of leg stretching, exposes them to cold or darkness, it indicates poor care. Consequently, the puppies might become unhealthy, unsociable, and unconfident dogs.
11. The Breeder Won’t Meet You At Their Home
Do not consider a breeder who refuses to let you see the puppies in their home. If the breeder suggests meeting in a public location, it is wise to decline, as they may have ulterior motives. Although they may offer plausible explanations, it is not worth the danger of supporting a puppy mill, which is likely why they are hesitant to invite you to their location.
12. The Puppies Have No Toys Or Soft Bedding
Stimulation and comfort are essential for puppies. If you notice that the puppies are kept in an empty area without any cozy bedding during your visit, it indicates that the breeder is not knowledgeable or concerned about their necessity for socialization, amusement, and ease.
BONUS: How to Train Dogs Who Are Not Food Motivated
Training dogs can be easier with treats as most of them will do what you ask in exchange for the reward. However, what method can be used to train a dog that is not interested in food rewards?
If your dog lacks motivation, dog training may seem like an impossible task. Providing a stimulus that captures their attention and motivates them to listen to you is necessary. Changing your strategy is important if treats fail to work for your dog. Fortunately, there are other methods to train your dog.
Prior to examining alternative reward systems, it is crucial to comprehend why a canine may initially lack appetite towards food.
There could be instances when a health concern is causing the problem. Alternatively, your canine companion might not be fond of the particular type or brand of treats you are providing. Moreover, if a dog is displaying a lack of interest in food, it could be due to the pet owner’s lack of interest in using food as a training tool. Identifying the root cause of the issue is crucially significant as a preliminary measure.
Although rare, a few dogs favor high-intensity play, toys, or social recognition more than food; however, such canines are typically in the minority.
The Importance of Ruling Out Health Problems
Occasionally, dogs develop a phenomenon referred to as “conditioned taste aversion” in which they exhibit a lack of interest in the food put before them, even though they had consumed it voraciously in the past.
When this occurs, it is advisable to schedule a consultation with your vet.
Occasionally, aging can be the cause of conditioned taste aversion. Aging dogs may experience a decline in their sense of smell which can lead to selective eating habits.
Dog owners and trainers should always eliminate medical conditions as a possible cause when their dogs suddenly refuse food, as there are numerous factors that could lead to a decreased appetite in dogs. It is imperative to have your dog examined to confirm that there are no underlying medical issues. Keep in mind that dogs can be very tenacious and conceal their symptoms well, which makes it challenging to identify what’s bothering them.
The Impact of Free-Feeding Dogs
Dogs who have access to their food at all times through free-feeding may lose their interest in food and become picky. Unlike timed feeding, free-feeding allows dogs to eat whenever they like, which can lead to a lack of enthusiasm towards their food.
High-value treats may be more appealing to dogs that are free-fed than their regular food. Alternatively, establishing a set feeding schedule for your dog can be a solution. The appropriate meal plan for your canine companion varies based on its age, breed, size, activity level, and overall health. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the ideal frequency and portion size for each meal.
The Problem of Misusing Treats
Occasionally, dog proprietors may unintentionally decrease their dog’s desire for food. This frequently happens due to the incorrect use of treats. To illustrate, a dog caregiver might employ a treat to coerce their dog into entering their crate, even if the dog despises being locked up. Or, perhaps they utilize it as bait to make their dog take a bath. When treats are employed to entrap the dog, they will associate treats with something intimidating or unpleasant and will shun them.
To prevent misusing rewards, seek methods to make activities that your dog dislikes, such as being placed in a crate or being bathed, more enjoyable. Desensitization and counter conditioning are commonly used by dog trainers to accomplish this. It is important to ensure that treats are always enjoyable and pleasant for the dog.
Dogs Being Too Distracted, Anxious or Overexcited
In case your dog displays no interest in food during training sessions or outings, it probably means that the dog is too overwhelmed or fearful to eat. Dog trainers call this state as being “over the threshold”. As a result, the dog’s emotions become intense, and they become reluctant to eat, and they become incapable of accessing their cognitive abilities, including learning.
It is a common occurrence among both humans and animals. When a dog is in fight or flight mode, the digestive system receives less blood flow as it is redirected to the dog’s limbs and sensory organs. This prepares the dog to react swiftly to any situation.
To ensure the safety of overly enthusiastic canines, it is important to keep them away from things that overly excite them. They feel insecure and must learn to relax on their own. Multiple techniques for altering their behavior exist to decrease their fear and reaction to environmental triggers.
Your Dog Might be Tired or Confused
At times, a dog may get confused while being trained due to a lack of understanding or exhaustion. This can cause them to reject food and display displacement behaviors like scratching, yawning or sneezing. If this happens, the dog may require smaller steps in the training process, a break, or a shorter session.
Your Dog May Be Afraid of Punishment
Dogs that tend to submit or those that have been reprimanded for consuming food may avoid accepting treats by turning their heads away, but they must be taught that accepting food is not risky.
In case your dog doesn’t show interest in food, attempt to investigate the root cause. Meanwhile, implement positive reinforcement techniques using things your dog enjoys, such as a beloved toy, physical affection or verbal commendations. You might want to assess whether the rewards you are providing are actually valuable enough. If you observe an improvement in your dog’s performance, it is possible that you are on the right track. However, if the desired behavior begins to wane, it could be an indication that the rewards you are using are not valuable enough, or there could be too many alternate reinforcers competing for your dog’s attention.
