Labrador Retrievers: Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

By: Richard Cussons
There are various reasons why dog owners purposely breed their Labrador Retrievers. One reason is that their dog is up to breed standard and they want to produce a litter. Some dog owners want to improve the breed. In some instances unknown to the owner, breeding may also took place despite that dogs are carefully confined when they are in season. No matter what the reasons are, it is important to know the signs if your Lab is in the family way.

A female dog can only become pregnant if she is bred during her heat cycle. Canine cycle, referred as estrous cycle has four stages. The first stage is proestrus in which the female dog is attractive to males but not receptive to them. This stage generally lasts six to eleven days. This stage has already ended when the dog becomes receptive to the male and will stand to be bred. The next stage is the estrus, the actual fertile stage in which the female dog is now receptive to male. This stage lasts five to nine days. This stage has ended when the female is not receptive to the male anymore. The third stage is the diestrus, a non-receptive time and the last stage of the estrous cycle is the anestrus in which no ovarian activity took place.

Dog pregnancy generally lasts 60-65 days. Early signs of pregnancy in dogs include loss of appetite, sudden decrease in activity, nipple growth and behavioral changes. As the pregnancy progresses, further signs occur. Three to four weeks into the pregnancy, you will notice an increase in appetite and weight gain by one month. Around five weeks, your dog's nipple will develop and she will begin to look broader. Increase in abdomen size can be seen and uterine swelling around the placental sites that feels like firm and discrete lumps exist. During the last few weeks of pregnancy, puppy movement can be felt and milk production begins.

Dog pregnancy can also be detected through x-rays, ultrasound or blood test. Blood test can be done by a veterinarian 30 days after being bred. In some cases, a female dog will display signs of dog pregnancy without actually being pregnant. That is why it is important to visit your veterinarian to confirm the pregnancy and that proper care will be given. Dog owners should always remember that their pregnant Labrador Retrievers need special care to make sure that they are ready when the time comes.

Richard Cussons writes articles about Labrador Retrievers and other dog breeds. Discover essential Labrador training tips at labradorsavvy.com.

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Dog Agility Training for Fun

Dog agility is a sport in which handler directs a dog off-leash through obstacle course in a race for time and accuracy. Obstacle course consist of various tunnels, jumps, a tire jump, weave poles, a pause table where the dog must sit or lie down for a count of five seconds, and obstacles that the dog must climb. The first dog agility performance was as entertainment at the Crufts dog show in 1978 and became a success that is now gaining popularity worldwide. It demonstrates dog’s ability to be versatile, quick and agile. All types and breeds of dogs can join in this sport. Even children and puppies are encouraged to participate in this event. If you do not want to compete and want to join the agility just for fun, you can do so in non-competitive agility classes.

In an agility training course, training obedience is the basic key. Dogs are trained to be obedient to their owner or the handler. The dogs must know and obey the different commands such as sit, halt or stop, lay down and other commands that can be used during the agility course. Dog agility equipment is necessary during the training. In purchasing dog agility equipment, there are things that you have to consider. First, you have to consider the dog. Use appropriate equipment for your dog’s size, breed, and age. Second, adjustable equipment is recommended to be used on your dog, this way; you can adjust it to the level of training. Go for portability of the equipment. If do not want to spend most of your time assembling the course, choose dog agility equipment that can be put together easily or already assembled.

Consult a veterinarian before starting the agility training to ensure that your dog is in good physical health and have the necessary vaccines to participate in the training. Making sure that your dog has the strength and endurance to overcome one obstacle after another. Dog agility training helps develop the bonding between the pet owner or handler and the dog. Talk to your dog and offer treats for an accomplished command or task.

Find more helpful information on Agility Equipment, Dog Training Equipment and Dog Training Aids

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