Snowy River Labradoodles

12/17/2025

Your Dog's First Snow Day Checklist! ❄️☃️
A puppy's first snow is magical! A little preparation ensures it's also safe and fun.

Your first snow day plan:
🐾 Paw Protection
Wipe paws with a warm cloth after they come inside to remove ice and salt.
Keep the hair between their paw pads trimmed to prevent ice balls.

🧥 Warmth & Safety
Keep the first few trips outside short to let them acclimate to the cold.
A dry sweater or coat is a must for small puppies or dogs with short clips.

😋 Fun & Games
Shovel a small potty spot for them in the yard so they know where to go.
Make sure they don't eat the snow, especially yellow snow or snow near roadways.

Supervision is key to a wonderful and safe first snow experience!

📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/16/2025

How to Stop Unwanted Jumping 🐾🚫
Jumping is a natural greeting for dogs, but it can be unsafe and unwelcome. Teach them a polite alternative!

👍 Step 1: Ignore the Jump
The moment their paws leave the floor, turn your back, cross your arms, and stay silent. Don't push them off or say "no."

🐾 Step 2: Reward Four on the Floor
The second all four paws are back on the ground, turn back around and calmly praise them or offer a treat.

ฝึกฝน Step 3: Practice with a Leash
When you know they might jump (like when you first get home), have them on a leash. If they jump, simply step on the leash, giving them just enough room to stand, but not to jump up.

🙋 Step 4: Teach an Alternate Behavior
Ask for a "sit" when you or guests arrive. This gives them a specific, incompatible job to do instead of jumping.

🤔 Struggling with jumping?
📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/15/2025

The Importance of the "Sniffy Walk" 👃🐾
Is your daily walk just a race to the finish line? It's time to discover the "sniffy walk," a game-changer for your dog's mental health, especially for intelligent breeds like Labradoodles.

🧠 Why Sniffing is Brain Work:
A dog's nose is their primary sense for interpreting the world. Allowing them to sniff freely on a walk is the equivalent of us reading the newspaper. It provides crucial mental stimulation, reduces stress, and tires them out more effectively than physical exercise alone.

⭐ How to Take a Sniffy Walk:
Use a long line (10-15 feet) instead of a short leash in a safe area. Walk slowly and let your dog lead the way, stopping to investigate whatever interests them for as long as they want.

😌 The Calming Effect:
Sniffing is a naturally calming behavior. A 20-minute sniffy walk can do more to calm a restless or anxious dog than a 40-minute power walk.

❄️ Perfect for Winter:
When it's too cold for a long hike, a short but scent-focused walk provides the mental exercise your dog craves without prolonged exposure to the elements.

Letting your dog use their nose is one of the best and easiest ways to enrich their life.

📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/12/2025

Choosing a Holiday Sitter/Boarder Do’s & Don’ts 🐾🏡
Leaving your dog is hard. Choosing the right care ensures they are safe and happy while you're away.

✅ Sitter & Boarding Guidelines:
✅ DO schedule a "meet and greet" in advance to see how your dog and the sitter interact.
❌ DON'T choose a sitter based on price alone. Experience and reliability are key.
✅ DO ask for references and check online reviews.
❌ DON'T forget to provide a detailed list of your dog's routine, feeding schedule, and any quirks.
✅ DO a trial run, like a half-day of daycare or a short overnight stay, before a long trip.

Peace of mind is the best holiday gift.
📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/11/2025

Last-Minute Holiday Travel Checklist! 🚗✈️
Traveling soon? Run through this final checklist to make sure your dog is ready for the journey.

Your final travel check:
🎒 The Doggy Bag
Is their food, water, and bowl packed?
Do you have their favorite blanket and a chew toy?
Are their medications and a copy of their vet records in the bag?

🐕 The Dog
Have they had a long walk or play session to burn off energy?
Have you limited their food and water for a few hours before leaving to prevent car sickness?

🚗 The Vehicle
Is their crate, harness, or car seat securely installed?
Is the temperature in the car comfortable for them?

A final check ensures a smooth and safe start to your holiday trip!

🤔 Have a safe and happy holiday!
📞 Call 717-62-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/10/2025

12/09/2025

Fun Brain Games with Holiday Trash ♻️🧠
Don't throw out those cardboard boxes and wrapping paper tubes! Turn them into fun, free enrichment toys for your dog.

📦 The Box Fort:
Arrange a few empty gift boxes on the floor and hide treats or kibble inside and underneath them for your dog to find.

🎁 The Ripping Game:
Place a treat inside a small cardboard box (like a tissue box) and let your dog have fun shredding it to get the reward. (Supervise this one!)

📜 The Tube Puzzle:
Take a wrapping paper tube, fold in the ends, and poke a few holes in it. Fill it with kibble for a fun food puzzle.

🎉 The Paper Snuffle:
Loosely crumple up some wrapping paper (make sure there's no tape or ribbon) and hide treats inside the crinkles.

📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/08/2025

The "Look at That" Game for Anxious or Excited Dogs 👀🎯
"Look at That" (LAT) is a simple but powerful training game that helps change a dog's reaction to their triggers, whether it's another dog, a squirrel, or a scary garbage can.

🧠 How It Works:
The game teaches your dog that instead of barking or lunging at their trigger, they can choose to look at it calmly and then look back at you for a reward. This builds self-control and a positive association.

⭐ Step 1: Find the Distance
Start far enough away from the trigger that your dog can see it but is not reacting. This is called being "under threshold."

⭐ Step 2: Mark the Look
The very second your dog looks at the trigger, say "Yes!" or click your clicker.

⭐ Step 3: Reward the Turn
Your dog will hear the "Yes!" and turn their head back toward you. The moment they do, give them a high-value treat.

⭐ Step 4: Repeat!
Repeat the sequence: Dog looks at trigger -> "Yes!" -> Dog looks at you -> Reward. Over time, your dog will start to see the trigger and immediately look back at you, anticipating the reward.

This game turns a scary situation into a predictable and rewarding one for your dog.

📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/06/2025

So cute♥️

Which of these Doodle Ornaments is your favorite? We were surprised at the one that seemed to be included in just about every order. 🐕‍🦺🤗

Answer to yesterday’s question:
The most popular attachment was
Here Comes Santa Paws. 🤩🎅🏻🐾

12/06/2025

River, Lilly and Sara cuddled up for movie night on the recliner. ♥️

12/05/2025

Having Holiday Guests Over With a Dog 🎄👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Help your dog (and your guests) have a positive experience with these simple rules.

🎉 Holiday Guest Etiquette:
✅ DO tell your guests your house rules for the dog before they interact (e.g., "please don't feed him from the table").
❌ DON'T force your dog to interact with people if they are nervous or trying to rest.
✅ DO create a "safe zone" with their bed and a chew toy where they can retreat and be left alone.
❌ DON'T assume your guests know how to interact with a dog. Supervise all interactions, especially with children.
✅ DO take your dog for a long walk before guests arrive to burn off excess energy.

A little management makes the holidays merry for everyone.

📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]

12/04/2025

Your Dog's Annual Vet Visit: What to Ask 🩺✅
An annual checkup is more than just shots. It's your best opportunity to be proactive about your dog's health.

Your vet visit checklist:
⚖️ Diet & Weight
Is my dog at a healthy weight?
Based on their age and activity, is this the right food for them?
How do their teeth and gums look?

🏃 Lifestyle & Behavior
Are there any lumps, bumps, or skin changes I should monitor?
Do you have any concerns about their mobility or joint health?
Is this recent change in behavior (e.g., drinking more water) normal?

💉 Preventatives & Future Health
Are they up to date on all necessary vaccines and parasite prevention?
What routine bloodwork do you recommend at this age?

Being an informed advocate for your pet is the best care you can give.

📞 Call 717-629-0383
📧 Email [email protected]