NEARR

The following articles, documents, and links are a great reference when looking for information about retrievers, rescue dogs, and behavior problems. Please feel free to send additional or broken links to webmaster@nearr.com.

• General Information
  • What is a Rescued Retriever?
  • What Kinds of Retrievers are There?
  • General Dog Owner Information
• Rescue and Shelter Links
  • Retriever Rescue Groups in the Northeast
  • Local Shelters and All-Breed Rescues
  • Retriever Rescue Groups Outside the Northeast
  • National Rescue Links
• Advice/Training Tips
  • Helping your New Dog Fit In
    • Dogs and Cats
    • Dog to Dog Introductions
    • Dogs and Kids
  • Overcoming Behavioral Issues
• Products and Services
  • Financial Assistance for Pet Medical Emergencies
  • Dog Training in New England
  • Doggie Daycare Centers
  • Traveling with Your Dog
  • Rescue Friendly Pet Stores
  • Dog Supplies
  • Gift Ideas for Retriever Fans
• Fun Stuff! Pages for people who love retrievers
  • Retriever Links
  • Labrador Retriever Clubs
  • Canine Activities
  • Canine Cuisine

General Information

Rescue Dogs (What can I expect?)

Where Am I? And Who Are These People?
Reasons to Rescue

Books on Rescue Dogs:

Adopt the Perfect Dog, Gwen Bailey
Save That Dog, Liz Palika
Second Start, Jacqueline O'Neil
The Adoption Option, Eliza Rubenstein
Second Hand Dog, Carol Lee Benjamin

About Retrievers

When is My Lab Going to Settle Down?
What is a Labrador Retriever?

Not sure which breed is best suited for you and your lifestyle? Check out these Web sites:

Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Flat-Coated Retriever
Curly Coated Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Reasons NOT to Get a Retriever:

Top 10 Reasons NOT to get a Labrador
Is the Golden Retriever Right for You?
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Right for You?
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Right for You?

General Dog Owner's Information

NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services, Inc.) Provides assistance dogs.
Caring Canines Visiting Therapy Dogs An all volunteer group of owners and their registered therapy dogs.
Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs Of Massachusetts.
Dog Owner's Guide One of the most comprehensive resources for dog owners on the web. A great collection of articles covering topics from health to aggression.
Information on Puppy Mills/Pet Store Dogs More information about puppy mills.
Senior Dog Project Information about adopting a senior dog.
Dog Infomat Resources for dog owners.
Dog Pages Dog breeder/product search engine.
MyApartmentMap Pet Friendly Rental Search
Living with a Diabetic Dog Informative article on canine diabetes.

Rescue and Shelter Links

Retriever Rescue Groups - North East

Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc. (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT). Hotline: 978-356-2982.
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (All of New England).
Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc. Tony Vitti. (860) 388-6437.
Golden Retriever Rescue (New Jersey).
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue and Relief (United States).
Peppertree Rescue (upstate NY)
Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Local Shelters and All Breed Rescue

Animal Refuge League, Westbrook, ME.
City of Hartford Animal Shelter Newington, CT. Updated weekly as most dogs are urgent.
Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control, Chicopee, MA; Facility for Hampden County. Updated weekly.
MSPCA Facilities located throughout MA
Taunton Animal Shelter Taunton, MA 508-822-1250.
Buddy Dog Humane Society Sudbury, MA.
All Pets Rescue Accord, MA.
North Attleboro Virtual Shelter North Attleboro, MA.
Save A Dog Framingham, MA.
Second Chance Animal Rescue Western Massachusetts.
Northeast Rottweiler Rescue Westford, MA.

Retriever Rescue Groups - Elsewhere

Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue Arizona.
Lab Rescue Maryland.
MidWest Labrador Retriever Rescue Chicago, IL area only.
Labrador Retriever Rescue Ontario Labrador Retrievers in Canada.
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue Reinholds, PA.

National Rescue Links

Petfinder.com National database of adoptable pets maintained by shelters. Searchable by breed, age, sex. Also features postings by individuals looking for pets or looking to surrender their pets.
Dog Rescue Worker's Page A bulletin board of postings by shelters & rescue workers, listing dogs in danger of euthanasia across the country.
Hearts United For Animals Largest animal sanctuary in the Midwest.
The Senior Dogs Project A very special place to visit if you are interested in adopting an older dog.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club National club.

Advice/Training Tips

Dogs and Others

Web sites to help your new dog fit in to your pack:

Dog/Cat interactions:

Dogs and Cats
More on Dogs and Cats
Dog/Cat Advice from the Maryland SPCA

Dog/Children interactions:

Dogs and Kids Safety first.
Dogs Safety for Kids How to approach dogs.
Kids and Dogs Safety Tip sheet (Sheila Blythe-Saucier).

Overcoming Behavioral Issues

Becoming the Alpha
Resource Guarding
Crating
Clicker Training Recommended by one of our foster homes who use this training method with great success.
Dogs and Poop It seems that many dogs like to eat nasty things.
Dealing with a reactive dog Advice on dealing with a leash reactive dog.

Training Advice

Nothing in Life is Free Training article.
Dog's Best Friend, Ltd (Patricia McConnell) Her booklet The Cautious Canine is helpful for counter-conditioning and desensitizing. Located in Wisconsin but the site offers videos and books.
Retriever Training a Non-Retriever Breed Training article by Kate Maynar.
Confirmation handling Michelle Santana's tips for conformation handling.
Lessons from Agility Agility advice.

Products and Services

Financial Assistance for Pet Medical Emergencies

Angels 4 Animals Non-profit organization whose services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need.
Care Credit Credit card company for health care, including veterinary care, offering a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.
Fairy Dog Parents We provide qualified applicants with necessities such as financial assistance for food, medical and general wellness needs.
Friends of Animals Offering pet owners a low-cost spay/neuter program.
Gracie's Mission, Inc Educating people about alternative medical treatments for animals and giving financial assistance to those in need.
HandicappedPets.com Products, services, and support for elderly, disabled, and handicapped pets.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Pet health care insurance.
Help-A-Pet A nonprofit organization which provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense.
IMOM Dedicated to ensuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.
LabMed A non-profit organization created to help rescued Labs in need of assistance.
Labrador Life Line Non-profit organization that is "Savings Lives, One Lab at a Time."
The Pet Fund Non-profit organization helping all types of domestic animals in need of emergency care.
Trupanion Pet Insurance Pet health care insurance.
United Animal Nations Provides grants for companion animals during life-threatening emergencies when rescuers or caregivers cannot afford the entire cost of treatment.
Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) Pet health care insurance.

Training Classes/Obedience Schools

Blue Max Dog Norwood, MA. Services the area South of Boston including Dedham, Westwood, Canton, Sharon, Foxboro, Mansfield, Attleboro, Milton and Wrentham. We are professionals specialized in pet dog training and behavior modification. (617) 827-6514
Melanie's Dog House Private one-on-one training. Located in Londonderry NH. (603) 434-5234 or (978) 697-6158.
New England Dog Training Club Cambridge, MA.
Master Peace Dog Franklin, MA. Committed to ensuring you and your doggie get the best instructions available. And they're rescue friendly!
Gibson Kennels Grafton, MA.
Gemini Dogs Littleton, MA. Provides obedience, agility training, private lessons, and day care.
Pioneer Valley Training Club MA. Conformation, obedience, agility training and event calendar.
Canine University Malden, MA. Uses positive reinforcement and clicker training for obedience lessons. Excellent instructors and very friendly to rescued dogs.
Curious Canine Puppy classes, beginner classes and beyond, Canine Good Citizen testing, kids and dog safety workshops, plus private instruction. Two locations: Leominster and Ashby, Massachusetts
Pawsitive Dog Roxbury, MA. (617) 541-1000. Incredibly strict, but does a great job with dogs, particularly problem dogs with aggression issues.
Charles River Dog Training Club Weston, MA.
Canine Consulting Training Center, 108 Newburyport Turnpike, Route 1, Rowley, MA 01969. email contact: Wolfywm@aol.com
Especially for Pets Various locations.
Gail Fisher's All Dog's Gym & Inn Manchester, NH. Group, private, and clicker training.
American Country Amherst, NH. Training, agility training, and boarding.
Animal Manners Inc 333 Winnicut Rd, Greenland, NH 603-431-4738. Trainer Karen Betournay "is awesome."
Paw-zn-around Saco, ME.
Puppy, Please! Jessica Janowski offers fun, family friendly dog training in Merrimack, NH and also in your home.
The Creative Canine Emma Parsons has written a book about clicker training for aggressive dogs called Click to Calm. You can contact Emma at Emma@creativecanine.com
Weston Dog Training Club Various types of obedience training for all dogs held in Waltham, MA.
Alyssa B. Ward's Friendly Pet Training Alyssa offers in-home animal friendly training and offers a discounted rate to anyone who has rescued/adopted a dog.
Pawsitive Steps with Anne Springer. Located in Maine, but has taken private clients in Massachusetts. Beginner Through Advanced Pet Manners, Click a Trick, Rocket Recalls, Mr. Rover's Neighborhood, CGC Evaluations, Private Consultations. (978) 356-3286.
Paws for Praise. Located in Danvers MA. (978)356-7667

Doggie Daycare/Boarding Facilities

Bone-anza Doggie Daycare Beverly, MA.
The Dog Shop East Longmeadow, MA. Provides doggie day care, a bakery, dog grooming, and a "Laundromutt" (do it yourself dog wash).
Gibson Kennels Grafton, MA.
Decadent Dogs Needham MA. They have not only traditional boarding, but also dog walkers and house sitters.
Gemini Dogs Littleton, MA. Provides obedience, agility training, private lessons, and day care.
Happy Tails Pet Sitting Medford, MA area. 781-396-4348.
Pet Companions, Inc. Somerville, MA: Pampering your pet since 1985!  Owner Judy Basteri has seven rescued dogs of her own!
Best Friends Pet Resorts & Salons MA locations include: Tyngsboro, Sudbury, and Brockton; CT locations include: Avon, Norwalk, and Rocky Hill.
Gail Fisher's All Dog's Gym & Inn Manchester, NH. All Inclusive packages include maid services, daily massages, turn down service
Paw-zn-around Saco, ME. Great facility, very caring staff without being over the top
Canine Companions (508) 485-4888 796 Boston Post Rd E, Marlborough MA, 01752.
Metropet 310 Bourne Ave., Rumford, RI. 401-438-WOOF.
Happy Tails Doggy Daycare Franklin, MA. "Because Dogs Need Friends Too"

Traveling with your Dog

Surfside Hotel Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard. While it was not the Ritz, the suite was comfortable and they encourage dogs. You are right on the town green and ocean (each less than a block away) and the main strip is across the street.
PetsWelcome.com Search engine for pet friendly lodging, kennels, emergency vets, etc.
Lazy Dog Inn Chocorua, New Hampshire (just outside Conway). I cannot stress enough that if you are looking for a getaway with your dog/s, you should look into the Lazy Dog Inn. Absolutely FANTASTIC!
The Village House Jackson, New Hampshire (located on 6 acres overlooking the White Mountains) A clean, flexible, and friendly place for people to travel with their pets.
Pet Friendly Travel
The Victorian Inn 24 South Water Street Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539 (508) 627-4784 email: victorianinn@thevic.com
Pet Travel
Dog Gone Fun
Medway dog park Great for dogs and humans.
Bring your dog - List of places that will let you travel with your dog.

Rescue Friendly Pet Supply Stores

Recommended by NEARR volunteers.

A.W. Brown's Pet Supply Store East Long Meadow, MA. A reputable, customer focused store who provides basic obedience training.
Pet Edge Woburn, MA. Discount Pet Supplies with a huge online catalog!
Reigning Cats & Dogs 3 Garden ST Kennebunk, ME 207-985-1414 Dog-friendly store in Kennebunk, ME. Also offers grooming. Smallish store but packed full of stuff, from Planet Dog to Ruffwear to Lupine - also carries Wellness & other higher quality dog foods. Woman who does the nail trims is fast as lightening - my guys don't even know it's happening and it's done!

Dog Supplies

Agility Works
Sit Stay Supplies and newsletter
Clouds And Co. Obedience articles and bags
Collar and leash combined
Dokken Dog Supply Decoys resembling various dead fowl for retriever training and other gun dog items.
Freebies for Pets!
Pet Strollers for dogs and cats, from a charitable partner of NEARR
Doggone Good! Lots of doggie things. Visit and buy from this website using this link and you'll help NEARR.

Gifts Ideas for the Retriever Fan

Inky Paw
The Lab Retriever Shop
Labrador Stuff
3 lab shirt

Fun Stuff

Retriever Lovers' Links

Working Retriever Central "Couch potato retrievers need not apply" (working dog trials).
Live, Love, and Laugh with Golden Retrievers Honoring Golden Retrievers.
All Labs Information and Labrador products.
Dog Play "People who play with their dog, stay with their dog" A great site with unlimited activities!
LostDogSearch A one-person volunteer operation that provides free information, guidance, and support through this website, emails, and phone calls.
BigYellowDog.com A great site for all Labrador enthusiasts.

Labrador Retriever Clubs (North East)

National Labrador Retriever Club
Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Boston Karen Kennedy, Secy, 343 Locust Street Danvers, MA 01923 (978) 774-8458. email: PleasantPine@aol.com
Labrador Retriever Club of Central Connecticut, Deb Jakubielski Secy, 171 Depot Rd, Canterbury, CT 06331
Labrador Retriever Club of Southern Connecticut, Geri Barnett Secy, Kent Lake Ave, Carmel, NY 10512
Labrador Retriever Club of the Pioneer Valley, Jan Lemire, Corr Secy, PO Box 270775, W Hartford, CT 06127 Email: mailto:BRWDLAB@aol.com
Pawcatuck River Labrador Retriever Club, Catherine Mason, Secy, 5 Hardwick Rd, Quaker Hill, CT 06375. Email: chmason@uconect.net

Interesting Articles

Why Americans Love Labrador Retrievers Brendan I. Koerner's article about the popularity of Labs.

Canine Recreation

AKC Novice Test
ARFF Agility and Flyball
target="_blank"Dock Dogs
Canine Water Sports

Canine Cuisine

3-C Baking Company All Natural Dog Treats. Christa is a major supporter and good friend of NEARR.
Dog Food Ingredient Search Engine
3 Dog Bakery
Pet Food Ratings
LABMED's Famous Cookbook Buy a great dog cookbook AND help a dog in need!
Dog Feeding Information
Dog Food Comparison Charts
Kibble Ingredients
Quality Dog Food Comparison Chart