SENDAI – About 20 students who had refused to go to school have been able to build their self-confidence by taking care of a candidate guide dog at their private high school since June.
Not only has the dog, an 11-month-old Labrador retriever named Elle, grown over the past nine months, but the students also have matured as a result of the experience. Seven third-year students graduated from the high school in Sendai on Monday and the dog will enter a guide dog training center this spring.
The students who are taking care of Elle attend the Sendai Campus of Clark Memorial International High School, a correspondence school with more than 50 campuses nationwide. Elle was brought to the school by teacher Sayaka Matsumura, 27, who volunteered to raise a candidate guide dog in the hope that caring for and training a dog would help stimulate students’ mental growth.
Puppies that are guide dog candidates usually are raised by volunteers at home for about a year. According to the Japan Guide Dog Association, it is quite rare that a puppy is brought up in a school setting.
The students were divided into three groups and took turns caring for the dog, including taking her for walks and feeding her.
One of the students, Asami Toda, a third-year student who had been a virtual shut-in for 10 years, went out on the streets with Elle and solicited donations to raise money for guide dogs.
“A few years back, I wouldn’t have been able to go out by myself onto busy shopping streets. I feel as if Elle has drawn me out,” Toda said. Spending time with the retriever aroused her interest in welfare and she decided to continue her education at a nursing care vocational school.
Ryota Fukuda, 19, a third-year student who entered the school in autumn after a history of refusing to go to school as a middle school and high school student, was the dog’s most earnest caretaker.
He is scheduled to enter a university this spring and aims to become a counselor. “Watching Elle’s daily growth, I’ve become confident myself,” he said.
Matsumura happily said, “Students have learned to build relationships of trust with Elle and their fellow students.”
Yosuke Suenaga, 27, who will train Elle at the guide dog association’s Sendai training center, said, “Elle has become a dog who likes to be with people, as she received a lot of affection from students.”
Elle is scheduled to return to the training center around May to undergo full-time training. Of the candidates for guide dogs, only 30 percent to 40 percent actually become guide dogs. But the students expect Elle to succeed.
Caring for dog helps former truants mature
Filed under Lab Puppy Training by on Feb 6th, 2012. Comment. 
Imagine seeing this entry at an online dating site: “Avid swimmer, EBLD seeking lifetime relationship. Must haves: long runs in the park; exciting games of ball or Frisbee; constant attention. Must not haves: someone who’s too busy for me; someone who’ll put me in the doghouse.”
Who is EBLD? An Energetic Black Lab Dog! If you’re thinking of getting one, you’re going to want to know how to take care of a black Lab dog. And if you think you can take care of a black lab dog with little time, think again. This dog belongs with owners that are willing to spend time with and for it.
Attention
The most important factor in the care of a black Lab is attention. A black Lab will do without a lot of things, but it will not do without attention. A black Lab simply will not be ignored.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most lovable, even-tempered dogs there is. He wants to share his immense supply of love with his owners, and can’t imagine they won’t take time to reciprocate.
Labrador Retrievers are also highly intelligent dogs. They can quickly sense reluctance on their owners’ part to spend time with them. They are eager to please, and use their intelligence to please you. In return, your care of a black Lab must include plenty of energetic play, and intelligent interaction.
Microchip
It is not essential to the care of a black Lab to have a microchip inserted, but it does provide a level of protection if your retriever strays.
Exercise
To provide good care of a black Lab, you will need to give it regular, daily exercise in large doses. Plan on 30 to 60 minutes daily as a minimum. Your black Lab will love to have 30 minutes morning and evening if possible.
Exercise should be varied. Include walks, on or off leash. Work in games of fetch (to allow you to breathe while he races!). Incorporate obedience or hunting training into your care of a black Lab and he will be able to exercise his intelligence, too.
Be sure the exercise is regular, as your black Lab’s boundless energy must find an outlet. If the outlet is not exercise, it may be destructive behavior.
Preventative Care
You should not limit your care of a black Lab to its present needs. You can forestall certain medical concerns, such as hip dysphasia, by giving the Labrador preventative care. Begin preventative care of a black Labrador when you first get the dog. First, check with the breeder to be sure the puppy’s parents are free of genetic problems. The puppy should have had its first shots and worming. Take it to a veterinarian for a check-up, and continue to take it for “wellness” visits.
Maintain preventative health care of a black lab by having your vet include, minimally: checks for external and internal parasites, inoculations, and heart worm preventative.
Food
The cook involved in the care of a black Lab must consider several things.
1. Black Labrador Retrievers will eat almost anything – think goat! To take care of a Black Lab, you need to guard against it eating junk.
2. The best food to give when taking care of a black Lab is real food. Give it real meat, raw or cooked: beef, chicken, and turkey. Give it fresh raw fruits and vegetables. Mix in brown rice and oatmeal for fiber, eggs and yogurt. Commercial dog foods, unknown before 1930, seem to exist as an outlet for rejected grains and meats that could not be sold to humans.
3. Watch your Labrador’s intake. If you really want to take proper care of a black Lab, you will not let it become overweight, risking heart disease, arthritis, and other health problems.
Grooming
You won’t need a professional groomer to take care of a Black Lab’s coat, but you should not assume the dog needs no grooming. Black Labradors shed a lot in spring and autumn, but they need to be groomed year-round.
To take proper care of a black Lab’s coat, you will need a narrow-toothed comb, short-haired rake, toenail clippers, wide-toothed comb, and a wire slicker brush. A bristle brush is nice for distributing oils when your Lab is not shedding.
Proper care of a black Lab will require daily grooming during seasonal blowing of the coat. The job is not nearly as large if done daily, and the sooner you remove dead hair, the sooner new hair can grow. Use the short-haired rake first, to rake out dead hairs. Use the wire slicker brush to get what the rake missed. Use the wide-toothed comb lightly to loosen matted hairs. The next step proves how intent you are on proper care of a black Lab. Go over the entire dog carefully with your narrow-toothed comb! Finish the job with your bristle brush to catch loose hairs.
Aside from spring and autumn’s major shedding periods, your Retriever will need to be brushed twice a week. Cut its toenails once every month to avoid foot problems.
By: Anna Hart
About the Author:
Filed under Lab Puppy Training by on Feb 4th, 2012. Comment.
“How To Train A Labrador Retriever Puppy In 2 Days…”
A short demo video of what happened when my cousins Mike and Robin
left their 5 1/2 month-old Lab puppy with me, for a two day dog
training vacation.
This dog is developmentally slow. I was limited in what I could do
with her, because both her body and her social maturity were equal
to a puppy of 12-14 weeks, instead of the 5 1/2 months of age that
her papers suggest.
Watch It Now
The techniques used in this video are from Adam Katz
To find out how this training is done Click Here to Find the Secrets to this Lab Puppy Training
Go To Chocolate Labradors Make Great Family Pets from How To Train A Lab Puppy In 2 Days
Filed under Lab Puppy Training by on Feb 2nd, 2012. Comment.
Looking for ideas for Labrador Retriever names? Lets face it, this breed is one, if not THE most popular dog breed in the world. And because of this it deserves a name that’s as special as the dog itself.
Sure, you could come up with any dog name, but why not try to find a name that actually fits? A name that reflects this dogs intelligence, sociable nature, or even it’s physical characteristics like it’s color.
Since we believe that special dogs deserve special names, when coming up with the Labrador Retriever dog names shown below, we chose 3 lab name categories that we felt would help you to think a bit out of the box when it comes to selecting the best Labrador Retriever names. These categories are…
General Lab Names…
These general names were chosen and suggested simply because we felt they would sound good on a lab. We didn’t feel that just any dog name would fit this particular breed. As an example, Fifi would be a great Poodle name, but not on a lab. Here’s a few dog name suggestions that we thought might be a good match…
Cassidy: This name has a friendly, easy going sound to it, and it seems to be a good match with this breeds temperament.
Charisma: Somebody who has charisma is someone with personal magnetism. If you’ve noticed that your lab is drawing a lot of attention, then the name Charisma might be an appropriate match.
Fetch: A good name match for a dog that’s a Retriever.
Jazz: A smooth and cool sounding name, and one that might appeal to a music loving owner.
Ricochet: For the lab that’s all over the place!
Other General Lab Name Ideas…
Amanda, Bailey, Bandanna, Boone, Cabo, Caboodle, Cha-Cha, Chelsea, Cheyenne, Cody, Denali, Hailey, Kahuna, Maui, Rio, Sierra, Tango, Tiara
Black or Chocolate Lab Names…
Should you be the proud owner of a Retriever whose color is black or chocolate, here’s some name suggestions and a list of names that might be a good fit for it’s dark color…
Java: For an energetic black lab that doesn’t need caffeine.
Kahlua: A good match for a chocolate lab whose owner is fond of either this famous drink, or Hawaii from where it originates, or both!
Panther: For the lab that’s as stealthy and sleek as a black panther.
Sable: Named after the highly valued black sable fur, the lab given this name should be one that carries itself well and that knows its special.
Other Black Or Chocolate Lab Name Ideas…
Aurora, Coco, Ebony, Eightball, Espresso, Hoodlum, Luna, Midnight, Nighthawk, Phantom, Raven, Salem, Shadow, Star, Storm, Taboo
Yellow Lab Names…
Blondes have more fun! So giving your yellow lab a name that highlights its beautiful coloration will make it stand paws above the rest. Here’s a few naming suggestions and a list of names after things that are bright or yellow…
Butter: Don’t laugh, but I encountered a yellow lab recently who owned this very memorable and unique name. I’ll never forget having met Butter!
Marilyn: For the blonde lab whose owner is a Marilyn Monroe fan. This sultry pooch draws the attention of everyone as it enters the room one hip at a time!
Sundance: This energetic dog brightens everyone’s day.
Other Yellow Lab Name Ideas…
Amber, Autumn, Blondie, Chiquita, Daisy, Ember, Garbo, Goldie, Harlow, Meadow, Omelet, Paris, Sandy, Sahara, Savanna, Sunny, Zsa Zsa
When looking for Labrador Retriever Names, they’re easy to find when you consider your labs temperament and physical characteristics when choosing a name. If you take care to choose the right one, not only will your dog appreciate it, but he will also attract more attention…thus more petting, playing and treats!
When Richard Livitski isn’t busy digging up Labrador Retriever Names, he’s working on his dog names website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names and puppy names in all shapes and sizes can be found.
By: Richard Livitski
About the Author:
When Richard Livitski isn’t busy digging up Labrador Retriever Names, he’s working on his dog names website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names and puppy names in all shapes and sizes can be found.
Filed under Puppies Problems by on Jan 13th, 2012. Comment.
Ive got a labrador retriever which is 10 weeks old and currently it keeps biting and nipping. I know that this happens for puppies because they’re teething but how do i calm them down from doing it to me?
Filed under Puppies Problems by on Dec 27th, 2011. 6 Comments.
