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Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You. They tend to feature a single Coat that can come with short to medium length hair. They are most likely to come in a single color which will be chocolate and their coat is going to shine most of the time. A Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix can be a very fun-loving, affectionate, friendly, loyal, and high-energy dog. No doubt, they are one of the most popular Google searched designer dogs of .Here in this guide, I am going to give you a brief idea about their appearance as well as some behavioral traits. I am also going to give you some space of information about where do they come from, how can you adopt one, health issue, and how to get take care of a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix if you adopt one. If you have a family with kids then a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix can be a perfect fit for us they are very great with children. So they can easily get along with kids as well as other pet animals. However, training a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix can be tough if they are trained in their adults. That is why it is always recommended to train them early as training a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix at an early stage is very easy. They are also very good watchdog and will come in a single color which will be chocolate that shines all the time. On the other hand, they can be very loyal and affectionate towards their owner. They are also very good with strangers, so you never have to worry about a guest suddenly appearing on your doorstep. They always look forward to spending sometimes with the family and of course with the owner too. They can also be very outgoing and demanding sometimes. It is very hard to find a healthy Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix as it is one of the most popular designer dogs nowadays that has been bred in a small number. The cost of the Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix puppy also fluctuates according to the availability of the puppy and demand in the market. If you are looking to adopt the designer dog in a budget then maybe it would be better if you look at other designer dogs as keeping a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix can be expensive. A hybrid like this one comes with a very expensive price tag and also so can be expensive to maintain them. They can be very Goofy, lively, and outgoing medium dogs with a soft mouth. After proper research, we find that they are also very good working dogs as well as Watch Dogs. If you are a dog lover then you can easily get attached toward a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix due to its cute and attractive color chocolate. Just to learn more about them, we did proper Research and spent more than 3 hours looking at their parents. After doing hours of research we managed to collect some valuable information through the internet that you might want to know. Just after doing those researches, we brought you this article and if you go through this whole article you will enjoy the 3 hours of research in a few minutes and got to know perfectly about them. To know more about Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix stay with the article as we will discuss everything. It is likely to experience some shedding from Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix occasionally as it totally depends upon how much they inherit from its parent Golden Retriever. Apart from that, their coat also needs some frequent grooming done to maintain the cleanliness and healthiness of hairs. Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix color Only by its name, you can expect what color they can come in. A Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix is more likely to come in a single color and it will be chocolate. You will also find their coat a bit shiny due to its parent Golden Retriever. So, the perfect color of chocolate lab golden retriever mix would be chocolate with some shiny hair on them. They Can very very good working dogs as well as a watchdog for big families. Apart from that, it is never recommended to adopt a medium-sized dog if you live in a small Apartment as medium size dog like this word can be very energetic and can be destructive at home in your absence. It was always recommended that you keep them in an apartment with their low-energy. So every time you leave your house, make sure that their energy is completely drained. After doing proper research on its parents, we managed to know what you can expect from a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix but always remember that each of the Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix puppies will be different from one another. The chocolate lab comes with a height of 1 foot 2 inches to 1 foot 10 inches tall at the shoulder and they can weigh between 55 pounds to 80 Pounds approx. The chocolate lab usually comes with a lifespan of 10 years to 12 years. Golden retriever comes with a height of 1 foot 4 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder. They can also weigh between 55 to 75 pounds. Golden retriever comes with a lifespan of 10 years to 12 years. So, after looking at its parents, we can easily guess that a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix puppy will come with a height of 1 foot 3 inches tall 21 foot 11 inches tall at the shoulder. They can also weigh between 40 pounds to 60 Pounds approx. Beyond that range, it would be right to say that your Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix is overweight. The lifespan would be 10 years to 12 years as Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix both parents come with the same lifespan. It is very difficult to find any history about Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix as they are hybrid which has been originated in the United States recently. Both of his penes got a brief history to discuss and now we are going to know about some of their histories so that we can learn about its offspring. But before we learn about history I would like to give you some space of information on how the demand for designer dogs is fuelling the puppy Mills. The saddest thing is that the demand of designer dogs between families has been fuelling the puppy mills from the last few years and no doubt that these mills are making millions of dollars just by the cross-breeding designer dog. Here in the graph, I have shown you how much the demand for designer dogs has been increased over the last few years and no doubt that it will also increase in the future and the price is going to be at its peak very soon. The golden retriever was first bred in Scotland in the mid 19th century. At that time, golden retriever used to be known as Hunting dogs. They were very popular between the wealthy Scottish elite. Now they are more popular as family dogs. But the ancestors of Golden Retrievers were used to be only sporting dogs because of their activeness, soft mouth and power. At that time, they also used to be a hunting dog as well but from time to time they started to develop a gentle mouth which better source for retrieving games. There are many organizations as well as clubs that are only dedicated to Golden retrievers and you can also find breed-specific adoption sites all over the internet. One of the most popular organizations of a golden retriever is in Scotland popularly known as the golden retriever Club of Scotland which assembled Golden retrievers in their home. In the American Kennel Club recognizes the golden retriever and the golden retriever Club of America was founded in .Origin of chocolate lab In , the chocolate lab got very popular between families as they manage to make a good impression on the shooting field. Plus, they also ruled for 3 years between American families because of its attractive brown color. However, the brown color was not acceptable to most Labrador lovers because they used to say that they are not a pure chocolate lab. The demand for the black lab was at its peak at that time too. However, due to its special colors and calling name chocolate lab, its demand and popularity never got faded between families of the United States. As most of the people prefer to describe their pet as a chocolate dog as the chocolate word is the most used word. Characteristics and facts of chocolate lab Golden Retriever mix. Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix tends to be very adorable as well as active. They can also be very intelligent, lively, high energy dog. They can have some unique behavioral as well as physical traits from its parent chocolate lab and Golden Retriever. They behave very well with their owner in the training because of their Intelligence and willingness. They can also be very easy to train. As Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix is the mix of chocolate lab and Golden Retriever and both the parents are medium-sized dogs that tend to be very willing and sweet. So, it will be very easy for you to make them follow your command. You can keep them in one place and make them shed their hair, so that you can clean them off every time their hairs and danders fall onto the floors. It is very important to keep them from roaming around in the kitchen. They tend to be very lovely and will always look to socialize with people as well as with their family members. They can also be very outgoing and will love to go out with you in the car as well. You should always look forward to walking them every morning or evening so that you can train their energy as well as make them happy. They can even bark sometimes if they feel threatened by strangers but with devotions, you can make them calm. There is also the downside of owning a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix, they are not good when they are left alone on their own. Leaving them for too long on their own can make them feel stressed and depressed so it will always be recommended not to leave your Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix for more than 6 hours on their own. If you are a very busy person or you need to do work most of the time then it would be recommended not to adopt a Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix or to hire a caretaker for your dog. The right method is the key to perfection. It comes with a medium-sized here on their single thick coat. You need to brush their coat every day as well as always remember to not make the grooming experience fun and painless for your dog. You should always brush their coat in the direction of hair growth. Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix can shed seasonally at it has been seen that most of the time Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix sheds in the Early Spring to make some room for the new hair growth as well as to survive in the hot summer days You must know how to maintain a dog when they shed because when a dog sheds it leaves too much danders spread all over the house that can cause you problems if not heightened properly. If they come with medium-size hair then it would be always recommended to keep them in one place when the season of shedding arrives. If there is somebody present in your house who has an allergy to the animal then it would be always recommended to groom your dog perfectly as well as in the right method. You also need to moisturize their skin as dry skin can promote more harmful danders that are the major cause of allergies getting triggered. Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix Needs a bath every month so that it can look clean most of the time. They come with a chocolate color coat that shines most of the time so it will be always recommended to moisturize their coat and bath them with proper shampoo and conditioner. You need to make sure that you bath them in the right method. You should never bath them more than once a month as it can make the skin look unnatural and dry. A happy dog is a healthy dog and a healthy dog is a happy dog no doubts. So you need to make sure that you feed them with only high-quality food as they are hybrid and every hybrid needs a different dietary routine from one another. A good diet routine always contains protein-rich ingredients like meats. You should also avoid feeding them too many fruits and vegetables as it is never considered a good diet for dogs. Always remember that a proper and high-quality diet is what makes the Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix healthy. You can also add some supplements with the meal after consulting vet so that you can prevent health issues that may occur in the future with your Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix. The price can also skyrocket if there is not enough puppies to fulfill all the demand or if you are getting a puppy that comes with Health Insurance. You can also do a quick search near your location and find a reputable breeder who breeds Golden Retriever Chocolate Lab Mix. Apart from that, you can also visit some adoption centers to find your desired puppy. Other Chocolate Lab Mixes. The double coat has a soft undercoat below a rough top coat that is water resistant. Either way, their coat will be fairly high maintenance. Shedding and Grooming Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding. Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere. Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well. Are They Hypoallergenic? The Goldador dog will not be hypoallergenic. They are high shedders, spreading dander from skin and saliva liberally around your home! With designer breeds like the Golden Retriever Lab, you can only make an educated guess about their temperament based on the general demeanor of their parents as well as the temperament of the parent breeds as a whole. If they are left alone a lot, they may become very destructive to your home. They will chew out of boredom or anxiety. As many Lab lovers know, these dogs do not know a stranger. Generally, the Goldador will get on well with children and other pets. Socialization Socialization from an early age is important for any breed, including the Golden Retriever Lab. Even though it hails from overly friendly and sociable breeds, there are still no guarantees to the temperament of your dog. Since training and socialization are both best started early on, puppy training classes can be a great way to both train and socialize your puppy at the same time. Training Tips The Goldador has an easygoing and eager to please temperament that helps make them highly trainable. Owners should start training early, from the time their puppy comes home. The parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs, and now therapy dogs. Obedience classes will help create a well-mannered dog but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner. Since Goldadors grow to be large dogs, obedience is also important to prevent them from jumping up at your guests! Energy Levels Golden Retriever Labrador puppies will grow into high-energy adults with a love for playing and a passion for retrieving! A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix makes a great companion for jogging, hiking, or cycling. This is a breed that also loves to swim. Canine sports, like agility, obedience trials, and tracking, are also a great way to keep your dog physically active, mentally stimulated, and out of trouble. As a very social breed, they do best as indoor dogs, but with a large, fenced in yard to run around. In addition to self-exercise, they need walks or other forms of daily activity with their owners. Exercise is especially important for the health of your Goldador since both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way of combating these joint problems. Health and Care All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to some extent. The measure of this is called the coefficient of inbreeding COI. The higher the COI, the greater the risks of health issues arising specifically from inbreeding. In a crossbreed such as the Goldador, the COI is usually much lower than it is in a purebred dog, and this is a good thing. To begin to look at the health and care of a Goldador we first need to consider the inherited health risks from both parent breeds Labrador and Golden Retriever. Labrador Health Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new Goldador pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed: Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNKP. Both breeds are active, friendly, loving dogs who thrive on human companionship, wanting nothing more than to please their owners except perhaps eat and jump in any water they can find! They are ideal pets where there are children about and they get on well with other household animals. Both are very happy breeds, extremely affectionate, constantly wagging their tails and always on the go. They are easily trained, being eager to learn and to please and can turn their paw to just about anything. They are total foodies however possibly more so the Labrador Retriever which helps with their training but not their waistlines! The mixing of the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever was so successful that organisations that train guide and assistance dogs frequently use these crosses today. As the Goldador is a relatively recent breed, it requires more of an understanding of the two breeds that go into the formation of the Goldador. The Labrador Retriever breed originated not in Labrador, but on the coast of Newfoundland in the 17th century. They were trained to bring in the fishing nets through the icy waters and, in the early 19th century, were brought to Poole Harbour in Great Britain. They were so attractive and with such appealing personalities that the fishermen had umpteen offers from Englishmen to buy them. The breed with their working abilities was instantly successful as a gundog. The Earl of Malmesbury became fascinated by these dogs, known at that time as Saint John's Dogs, and he started breeding them, calling them Labrador Dogs. Today Labradors are still used as working gundogs as well as being beloved family pets. Sir Dudley Marjoribanks Lord Tweedmouth took a liking to the yellow colour that was sometimes found in retrievers and so in he acquired a dog called Nous from Brighton. Nous was the only yellow puppy in a litter of black Curly-Coated Retrievers. He bred this dog to a liver-coloured Tweed Water Spaniel bitch called Belle who was an excellent retrieving dog. This produced four yellow puppies and in the following 20 years of further breeding, he continued trying to breed his idea of the perfect dog by bringing in Red Setters , other Tweed Water Spaniels, other retrievers and possibly even a Bloodhound or two. In the breed was registered and shown as Golden Flat Coats until when the listing was changed to Golden or Yellow Retrievers. Today Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular of all breeds, and some are still used as working gundogs. Health and Common Issues One aim with crossbreeds is to dilute or eliminate any inherited health issues that may exist within one or other of the breeds. This dilution or elimination is only likely if only one parent is the carrier of any particular condition, and where this is a first cross F1.

Knowing all of these changes that your puppy is going through will help make waiting to bring them home just a little easier. Puppies are born nearly helpless: neurologically immature, blind, and deaf. They depend on their mama for everything. They were born covered in fur. They cannot regulate their own body temperature and therefore need their mama to keep warm. At birth their eyes and ears are closed, so they cannot see or hear. Only their front feet are strong, allowing them to pull themself towards mama. They spend most of their time sleeping or suckling. All of their sleeping is helping them to grow very quickly. By ten days old, they will double their birth weight! One eye may open before the other. By the end of week 2, the breeder will begin to handle Puppy more and get them used to human contact which has been shown to also help speed up neurological development. The breeder will also deworm them for the first time. They can stand and sit up. They can wag their tail. They will be able to better regulate their body temperature. By the end of this period, Puppy will cut all their milk teeth. The front teeth, canines, and incisors will be the first to appear. Your newborn puppy will start experimenting with making dog sounds and may even start to bark. Week 4 They will have become really active and strong on their legs. They can see very well now. By the end of this period, Puppy should be able to go potty independently and will use their new strong legs to move away from the sleeping area to go potty. They will start cutting their back teeth. They may start trying to climb out of the whelping box. The breeder will deworm them for the second time. Your newborn puppy will require mama to lick their anogenital region to stimulate peeing and pooping. Weeks Puppy will start learning some simple social skills, including tail wagging, growling, and pawing as they play and play-fight with their siblings. Your Doodle puppy will also learn coordination and the ranking process. They may start nipping to relieve discomfort from teething. Interactions with mama and siblings teach bite inhibition. They will learn appropriate submissive and attention-soliciting and attention-receptive behavior. Your not so newborn puppy will start to show signs of distress when separated from their siblings or if they wander too far away from the litter nest. They will gain confidence and learn appropriate social behavior with other dogs. They will grow in independence gradually as they pass through the key puppy development stages. Dood also begins to develop and show their personality. If you want to start preparing for bringing your not so newborn puppy home, check out our Doodle Puppy Checklist! More Doodle Puppy Development Guides. This means you should avoid leaving food out for them at all times, as they can eat too much and become sick or even develop bloat, which can quickly become deadly. How To Feed Your Goldendoodle Puppy This may seem like a silly question, but it is relevant because the answer is actually not that obvious! You should be able to cover the food with your hand without your puppy making too much fuss. Allow them to start eating. While they are eating, stroke them and pet their heads. This is an excellent time to brush them, too, as they are occupied and not scrambling around. This is an important practice to get them used to your presence and prevent food guarding and aggression. Considering how large Goldendoodles can get even when they are puppies, this is an important part of their training. Next, give your puppy about 15 minutes to eat their food. During this time, they will either eat all of their food or eat until they are full and lose interest in the rest. After 15 minutes is up, remove any of the uneaten food left behind. If your puppy is still eating, then let them finish their food. The number of options can be overwhelming! Hopefully, I can whittle it down for you and make the decision a little easier. The American Kennel Club recommends using premium or high-end puppy food as they typically have a higher nutritional density and are more consistent, whereas cheaper foods can be inconsistent and contain filler products. Puppies have higher nutritional needs than adult dogs. Their food should be more nutrient-dense because they can only eat a little bit at a time. Their food will generally be more expensive owing to its quality; however, it should last you longer than a bag of adult food. Just like with adult dog food, you can choose between kibble or solid food, pouches or semi-moist food, or canned soft food. Top Puppy Food Suggestions For Goldendoodles While there are innumerable options out there for you to choose from, I have carefully narrowed them down to three products that I highly recommend for your Goldendoodle. Your Goldendoodle will grow to be very large and be prone to joint problems, so it is a wise decision to start them on puppy food that will support their growth through the time when they are doing most of it. Here are my three favorite Goldendoodle puppy foods and the features I love about them: Product. Wondering what a Goldendoodle looks like at 16 weeks old? Also, you got in on the nitty-gritty of what to expect from a 3-month-old Goldendoodle. Their physical appearance is changing rapidly and you may notice longer legs and leaner bodies. As an aside, just a month ago, we could easily carry her cradled safely in one arm. But by the end of four months, she was close to 20 pounds and we needed to cradle her in both arms to carry her. In addition to her physical growth, her hair coat was growing too. Early on, the puppy coat is fluffy or even wispy. However, at around four months of age, the puppy coat is changing. Keep an eye out for signs the adult coat is coming in. You may notice the puppy coat getting longer, the texture changing, and the amount of curl increasing. Also, her adult coat was beginning to grow in along her top line—along the top of her back. At four months, the hair on her tail was growing and her tail had a fluffier appearance. That said, all Goldendoodles do start out with puppy coats and eventually transition to their adult coats. The coat had a naturally disheveled look, but was still very easy to care for. Manageability of the coat For both the F1 Goldendoodle and F1B Goldendoodle in our pack, the coats were easy to manage at four months. While the adult coat was starting to grow in, it was not tangling with the puppy hair…yet. With so many physical changes happening, you may be wondering what other changes to expect. By four months, your puppy is probably starting to master these skills! And there is a biological reason for this! Fortunately, around four months, puppies are gaining bladder control! If your puppy is potty trained or close to being potty trained, remember to keep up the positive reinforcement and consistent schedule. Take your puppy out to potty after meals, after play time, after waking up from naps, and times in between. And if an accident happens, give your puppy and you lots of grace. Neither of you are perfect. Even though we have a puppy safe fenced-in yard where our dogs can run and play, we continued to take our 4-month-Goldendoodle out on a leash for potty breaks. This way, we can keep praising her for pottying, and we know whether she went poop, pee, or both. Also, at this age, puppies still need plenty of naps in addition to sleeping at night. According to Embrace Pet Insurance, the average 4-month-old puppy sleeps about 11 hours in a 24 hour period. Is it still roomy enough to be comfortable for sleeping? Because your Goldendoodle puppy is growing rapidly, has he or she outgrown the crate? Our puppy outgrew her first crate at this age and she needed a larger one. Also, there should be at least enough room for your puppy to turn around easily. Teething Much like babies, Goldendoodle puppies go through a teething stage. This is when they lose their puppy teeth and adult teeth start coming in. During this teething stage, our fur babies need plenty of ways to relieve their need to chew. Offering a variety of chew toys made from a variety of materials can help your puppy get through the teething stage. When selecting chew toys, make sure to follow the kneecap smack rule i. Why are these guidelines important? Basically, this means avoid hard toys and chews such as deer antlers, hard nylon toys, and bones. How could we not have noticed!?! So, over the next couple of weeks, we started watching for signs she was losing a tooth. And every so often, we were observant enough to find a baby tooth that had fallen out of her mouth and dropped onto our floor. What does that mean, really? Now, she was now seeing the world as a bigger place. Not only did she notice the leaf in front of her nose, but also she now noticed the birds flying high in the sky. Puppy enrichment, socialization, and play time By now, most puppies have completed their last round of vaccinations! For our family, this was big. We loved using the Pawland extra wide dog gate across hallways and entries to confine her space and keep her safe. Plus, as you can see in the photo below, they are sturdy, versatile, and attractive. We have two and are thinking of buying a third in brown for our outdoor patio. But for our pupper, those same tables and chairs must morph into great look-out mountains that needed to be scaled for their expansive views. Continuing to use a leash inside the house when we needed to keep our eye on our Goldendoodle puppy was a helpful solution. Additionally, we redirected her with games and training. Training Our puppy quickly learned sit, stay, come, lay down, spin, and shake paws. She is laser-focused and eager to practice her skills—and the treats she gets as rewards are high on her list, too. Often, she tries to anticipate or guess the command. Goldendoodles are smart , which makes teaching skills easy and fun for the family. In addition to fun tricks, teaching good manners is important. For example, practicing four-on-the-floor greetings now will instill a proper hello at adulthood. Teaching a sit before entering and exiting a door makes life easier. What does this look like? For our puppy, we use a dog comb and comb her hair daily. Then we gently massage her paws so that she is used to having them handled. Then, at the next visit, rather than a full groom, take the next step and ask for a feet, face, and fanny trim. Our senior Goldendoodle has the drill down and is used to having her hair cut. For Sadie, we started combing her and introducing her to the grooming tools at ten weeks. Nail trims Additionally, at 4 months, our Goldendoodle puppy has had two nail trims. After letting her get used to the nail trimming tools, we slowly progressed to clipping her nails. I clipped just the very tips of the nails. I use Millers Forge dog nail trimmers and have for 5 years now. My goal was all about making the experience a positive and happy one for her. I was not so focused on perfectly trimmed nails. The very act of nail trimming was high on my list of puppy care routines to put in place early. Also, in addition to coat care, we started to introduce her to the idea of daily toothbrushing. My vet gave me honest insight into why brushing matters and I learned a valuable lesson. Food and nutrition Since puppies is growing so much, the amount of food needed increases too. Your veterinarian is the best resource for determining how much food your Goldendoodle puppy needs at this stage. For our puppy, the amount of food she needed doubled between 10 weeks and four months of age. Also, at four months, our puppy is still a chow hound, so we continued to use slow feeders or dog puzzles to slow down feeding time. Veterinary visits Most likely, around four months, your puppy will go to the vet for his or her last round of puppy vaccinations. This may be the last new puppy vet check-up until the puppy spay or neuter. Here are just a few questions that you may want to ask your vet: When should I spay or neuter my Goldendoodle puppy? Do you have any recommendations for puppy training classes? How much should I be feeding my Goldendoodle? How much should I be increasing the amount of food as my puppy ages? When should I switch from puppy formula to adult formula dog food? What dog food do you recommend for my Goldendoodle? Do you recommend vaccinations for kennel cough? Is now a good time to get pet insurance? How does it work? At this age, our puppy was faster than a Hoover vacuum when it came to sucking up anything on the floor. For us, keeping everything picked up off the floor was job number one. Our puppy has grown enough that she can sniff out human food or drinks left sitting on side tables, coffee tables, and—with a stretch—kitchen counters, too. Yes, Goldendoodles tend to be excellent counter surfers. Can you relate? Since at this age, Goldendoodle puppies may be starting to check out the kitchen table and trying out their counter surfing skills, we want to make sure you are aware of two common household dangers for puppers: 1. Xylitol is hazardous for dogs Xylitol a. Grapes are bad for dogs Also, remember that grapes are toxic to dogs. Keep grapes and raisins out of the house. Or, if you do have grapes or raisins in the house, keep them safely tucked away or well out of reach of your dog. Puppies are a lot of work! Yes, there was still craziness. But our Goldendoodle was sleeping through the night, had the potty thing down, was cozy in her crate, and learning some basic commands. Potty time Breakfast — In her crate with a slow feeder, which gives the hoomans a few minutes to get ready while she is eating Potty time Activity — training, play time, leash walk, car ride Potty time Nap time in her crate — anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours Potty time Activity — training, play time, leash walk, car ride Potty Crate time — anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours Potty Activity — training, play time, leash walk, car ride Quiet time — Combing, grooming, paw handling about 10 minutes Potty time Snuggling on the couch around 8 p. Does that seem like a lot? The article suggests six to eight scheduled potty breaks for puppies this age. And before you know it, puppy days will turn into the quieter-yet-still-comical days of Goldendoodle adulthood. Want to look ahead? Photographing them is getting more difficult every week. They have to have a full tummy, but not so much that they are too sleepy. I love it though. I have to say this has been a rewarding yet difficult job for me. Very different from my photography job, but much like my mothering job I had when the kids were babies. Cleaning up messes is not so fun, but those snuggles are hard to beat. I will miss them so when they leave in 4 weeks. I told Chris he will have to hold onto me. I will definitely grieve these babies. However, they all have wonderful homes and that is such a blessing. Once again I am listing them in their original birth order. You can see their original 1 day old pics at www. The more straight coated ones are now beginning to get their waves and curls and the curly ones are getting curlier and curlier. Here they are at 4 weeks. Murphy supporting his team Green collar boy is Murphy, named after Dale Murphy, so I had to include at least one Braves image. He has such a sweet personality. He loves everyone. He is very loving and always wants to snuggle with me if I am in the pen. So so sweet. I think he may have a future in ministry. He is the quietest, calmest boy. Sweet Curtis. He looks just like a little bear cub. Teddy is another snuggler. He loves to lick faces and cuddle up to you. Good boy, Teddy. He is my smart boy. He has been the first to learn how to use the puppy litter tray. I am hoping he will teach the others to do the same. He is also a cuddle bug. What a sweet, sweet girl. She is getting little curls in her ears now. Yes, she and the other two girls are princesses. Well, princess London around here. She has the sweetest face. She always looks so serious, but she really loves everyone. A princess has a lot to do, so I am not surprised by her serious expressions. Give it to Jesus, London. She has found a wonderful family and I am so happy for her. I thought about keeping her, but she found such a good family, I could not keep her to myself. I look forward to seeing her grow up. She will be close by, thankfully! She is a little diva with a big heart. She is my most independent puppy. She is always stirring things up with the others, trying to get a game going. She and Murphy tend to be the social butterflies. Echo continues to be an amazing mama taking wonderful care of her babies!! We have had another busy week and the puppies have made so much progress. We have fallen into a daily routine. In addition to this, we continue the ENS exercises and weigh-in for each puppy. The puppies are moving faster and when Echo returns to the whelping box the puppies scurry around ready for another meal. Weight-in We continue to weigh the puppies daily and keep a record of their progress Double BirthWeight Milestone Echo had done an amazing job feeding her puppies. All our puppies have been gaining weight daily. Puppies should double their birth weight between 7 — 10 days. The first puppy doubled her birth weight on day 7 and the rest followed over the next few days. All our puppies have doubled their birthweight and continue to grow with each passing day. As you know, the Goldendoodle breed is an intentional mix of Poodle and Golden Retriever. We have a few smaller puppies in this litter. The below picture shows the comparison of our largest puppy and our smallest puppy. At first Echo was constantly in the whelping box and puppies just cycled through taking their turn eating without any intervention on my part. Now that Echo spends time away from her whelping box when she returns, all the puppies want to eat. Their vision will continue to improve over the next weeks. By doing just the right things at just the right time, we can give your puppy the best start possible. These timelines are simply guidelines. Daily cuddles Puppy socialization starts at birth. We handle our puppies as soon as their mamas feel comfortable and give them all daily cuddles. My grandchildren are great helpers with this. I love to share this learning experience with them; teaching them to love and respect animals and to be gentle. Puppies will practice walking on all fours, strengthening their hind legs Puppies will become more aware and start to interact with their litter-mates Puppies will start to vocalize Share this:.

Keep reading to discover a reputable breeder in your area and see where boxer puppies are for sale in California! This small family-owned kennel focuses on improving and maintaining the Boxer breed via regular genetic testing, careful breeding practices, and a rigorous puppy placement process. Website: TelstarBoxers Telstar Boxers is a family-operated Boxer breeder in Temecula with a long history of producing healthy, well-trained pups. Their intense adoption policies ensure that only the most capable and caring pet parents end up with Telstar Boxer puppies. Notably, they also offer white Boxer pups at lower prices than their dark-furred puppies, making them one of the most affordable options for Californian pet parents. But in addition to the convenient location, Soleil Boxers is preferable due to their professional practices. Should you ever need to surrender your Boxer, Soleil Boxers will gladly accept the pup back into their care to make sure that it continues to receive the best care. This area is home to dozens of farms and ranches, making it an excellent place for boisterous Boxer puppies to grow up. Pet parents who want to breed Boxer dogs can also purchase studs from Encore Boxers. Things to Consider When Choosing Boxer Breeders Before you place a deposit on a Boxer puppy, be sure to take a little time to research your chosen breeder. Unfortunately, not all dog breeders are reputable, and purchasing a Boxer from an untrustworthy breeder can be a dangerous endeavor. For example, purebred Boxer dogs can develop hyperthyroidism , aortic stenosis, and hip dysplasia. However, many of the most severe health problems are entirely preventable with regular genetic testing. The best Boxer breeders in California test the DNA of their breeding pairs before allowing them to produce offspring, preventing them from puppies with life-shortening degenerative diseases. When adopting a Boxer puppy, ensure that your chosen breeder invests in genetic testing. Public Reputation Do you know what people are saying about your preferred Boxer breeder? Instead, they ensure that each puppy finds their ideal pet parent match. This process is typically done via an in-depth vetting process that may consist of a lengthy application or an at-home visit. In Summary—the Best Boxer Breeders in California The Boxer breed often gets a bad rap, but purebred Boxer pups from reputable breeders are often some of the gentlest and well-behaved dogs on the face of the earth. And those living in The Golden State have the good luck of having several trustworthy Boxer breeders from which to choose! Taking these additional steps before buying a Boxer dog can ensure that your new four-legged family member lives a long and happy life. Related Posts. My fascination for this breed actually began as a child while growing up in Great Britain. The yearly outing with my father was one I looked forward to with much anticipation. Years later I married my husband, Gene. It was always my ambition to one day bring a boxer into our own family, to be raised together with our two young sons. In we ventured out to purchase our first American bred boxer. Both my husband and I consider ourselves very fortunate indeed to have been able to purchase a beautiful, show potential brindle bitch named Chelsea from Glenn and Zona Grupe of Glennroe Boxers. Attending shows together, Zona and I put four owner-handled majors in quick succession on our beautiful Chelsea. As our foundation bitch, she launched Telstar on its way to success. Much more, I might add, than my wildest dreams. Striving to do the very best we possibly can in every aspect of raising, breeding and showing our own dogs has enabled me to enjoy the benefits of knowing our achievements have come from our love and devotion for the Boxer. Showing and breeding has had additional perks. I have had the great fortune of meeting many wonderful people along the way. As a boxer breeder, I also derive a great deal of satisfaction when placing a pet puppy in a companion home, knowing that these buyers benefit not only from our philosophy of breeding a quality, healthy, structurally sound boxer, but also from having the joy and love of owning one. I still enjoy competing as an owner handler, and oddly enough, still feel that same overwhelming sense of accomplishment being on the other end of the leash when I finish the championship on one of my dogs. The feeling is no different than I felt in the beginning, some thirty years ago. A note to all those on the waiting list. We are so sorry the website was temporarily shut down. We were having technical difficulties, So happy its back on. But we were always here to continue breeding for your fur baby. Thankyou for being patient, always look forward to helping you. We are Sublime Boxers, a family orientated breeder. We love placing our boxers with loving homes. Show quality dog, or family pet, we got them! We do a lot for our dogs. Our adult dogs get wormed every three months and updated on their shots. Momma dogs get extra worming before and during their litters to ensure the pups get less-to-none of those nasty worms that are certain in every puppy dog or cat. Then, pups get their regiment of worming before they go home, as well as their 1st puppy shot. All adult dogs are on NuVet, which is a vitamin with antioxidants to ensure the puppies are at their best before they go home. We also give you a puppy pack to get you started with your new puppy. Contents include a bag of food to lessen the stress of a new environment. All our dogs are loved, have large pens, and run around our 1-acre yard. We spray throughout the year to keep the fleas and flys at bay, as everything can affect the dogs and puppies. We have had nothing but excellent comments from owners, telling us how fantastic their puppy is in looks, smarts, temperament, and loving nature. That is why we take great pride in our dogs. Through selective breeding, we have kept an excellent line of boxers with a lovable temperament that has been consistent throughout the years, including even out most recent litters of puppies. We also give a one-year health guarantee, that you can extend to 2 years if you keep your puppy on NuVet, which is a supplement that helps your puppy with the stress of growing up by building its immune system. We hope that we can help you with finding your next loved pet.

I have a great love and passion for German Shepherds, due to their intelligence and loyalty. I have a large, close family that are helping me raise, train, show and breed the dogs I love. Tiltonhaus kennel is attached to our home so that our German Shepherds can live primarily in our home enjoying family life with us. Rotating the dogs this way gives each dog lots of quality time with us. We strive to give our dogs the environment and attention that best enhances their well being and health. We live on 10 acres of land where our dogs can run and explore, along with several secure yards and runs for outdoor activity. Tiltonhaus German Shepherd dogs enjoy family outings, such as hikes, bike rides, picnics, camping, vacations, etc. All of our German Shepherds are purebred, AKC Registered, and come from top West German champion bloodlines known for producing dogs that are not only beautiful, but have balanced temperaments and strong work ethics. Degenerative Myelopathy. Our breeding dogs have had their hips and elbows certified with either the German SV a-stamp program or through OFA, which gives us the confidence to have all of our Tiltonhaus puppies guaranteed for hips and health in writing. Our puppies are handled and socialized from birth. So we become very attached to these little pups and care about their well being. Potential buyers should be prepared to answer questions about why they want to purchase a puppy and their plans for their puppy. We recommend that your new puppy get basic obedience training to be a happy, well-adjusted dog. Tiltonhaus is family owned and operated, fully licensed business located in Deer Park, Washington 15 minutes north of Spokane, WA. Testimonials "We wanted a sister for our 6 year old GSD, Katja, she had just lost her favorite kitty Tattoo, who was 33 years old. I then started researching GSD Breeders in our area. I researched them thoroughly. From the moment Bobbi and I spoke on the phone I knew this was the perfect fit, she sent us pics of her mom n dad and pics of Zasha. All of the parents history, health records, vet checks, AKC certification and verification. We called a handful breeders and met with a couple and were saddened and discouraged. She cared, she asked tons of questions, wanted us on speaker phone to get a feel of our family. You could tell her dogs and puppies were her family just as much as any human. Bobbie encouraged us to talk it over, call her back with any questions and we were welcome anytime for a visit. We did call back with questions and planned a visit the next Saturday as they live 3 hours from us. I have never been greeted into a strangers home so warmly. All her dogs are amazing, loving, smart, beautiful and tested. Justin brought his girl Kimber home and we remained in touch by sending photos, messages and her checking in. Fast forward 1. He said to me "Mom, come on - it's Bobbie! If she's home, I bet she'd love it" so I sent a quick message and immediately she said "yes! It was intended as a short visit but we were having a nice time and Kimber and our lab were having so much fun playing with her dogs that we took much of their afternoon. She had a 5 month old puppy that we all feel in love with for her goofiness and loving manner. Sounded as though all would be fine in time but Bobbie wouldn't take that chance in case she needed extra medical care in her future etc so she gave the person who had a deposit on this girl her pick of the litter instead. Over the next 4 months she was monitored and vet checked and released with a clean bill of health. We are a busy house with 2 of Bobbie's German Shepherds, a lab and a yorkie but always try to take moments to send Bobbie updates of their antics and spoiling. I can tell you in our hunt we did not come across anyone as dedicated, responsible, committed or loving with her dogs than Bobbie and we can't leave her children or Mike out - they too were there every visit and very engaged and supportive with the dogs. Much love, " - Michelle Evjen-Freed and family Bobbie is wonderful lady, who deeply cares about her dogs. All her dogs is absolutely stunning, well behaved. I'm mom of her 2 gorgeous German Shepherds. Bobbie is very honest and responsible breeder. I love Bobbie and highly recommend her!! Julia Goudie.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. They are extremely kind, affectionate and intelligent puppies. They are like teddy bears and love their cuddles like their mom Heidi and dad Duke. They are bred to a very high standard and their pedigree is available. This is the first litter from our gorgeous family dog, Heidi, who is an excellent family pet. We have one male and one female cream puppy available, they are in perfect health and displaying a friendly temperament, much like their mother. Our puppies have been raised and played with by my nine grandchildren since they were born, so they are well accustomed to being handled regularly. They were also born the same time our cat had kittens so they are well used to and quite affectionate with our cats and kittens. Each puppy is IKC registered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped. We would be more than happy for you to visit and meet the puppies before making any commitments. It is very important to us that the puppies go to suitable homes that will provide love and affection aswell as proper looking after. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.

Aggression is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. A professional will be able to assess the situation and help you come up with a plan to address the aggression. Other Considerations To Keep In Mind With proper training and socialization, your Goldendoodle will learn to control their biting behavior and will be a well-mannered companion for years to come. However, the key is to start early and be consistent with your training. If you allow your dog to mouth and nip sometimes but not others, they will be confused about what is acceptable behavior. In addition to that, dogs are much more likely to pick up on good habits if you teach them from a young age. Finally, be patient! Like all dogs, Goldendoodles need time to learn what is expected of them. With a little time and effort, you can help your Goldendoodle learn to keep their teeth to themselves. Of course, it also includes lots of tutorials and resources on how to tackle excessive Goldendoodle puppy biting. Do not scream or hit your dog, as this will only make them more likely to bite again in the future. This will help your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. If your Goldendoodle continues to bite, you may need to seek professional help. When Do Goldendoodles Stop Biting? So, when do Goldendoodles stop biting? This is a common question among Doodle owners, and unfortunately, there is no single answer. One of the most common questions new Goldendoodle owners ask is when their puppy will outgrow the biting phase. Typically, Goldendoodles grow out of their biting phase once they get all of their adult teeth. Until your pup has grown into all of its adult teeth, there are a few things you can do to help discourage your pup from nipping. For starters, never play rough games with your Goldendoodle that involve hitting or wrestling. These games only encourage them to bite. You can also provide them with plenty of chew toys to help satisfy their need to gnaw. Early socialization is also vital, as this will teach your puppy how to appropriately interact with you, other people, and other pets. With a little time and effort, your Goldendoodle will learn to control their biting impulses and become a well-mannered companion. If your Goldendoodle is older than a year old and still biting, there may be an underlying issue, such as anxiety or boredom. The good news is that you can easily fix the boredom issue by giving your pup plenty of attention, playtime, and exercise. With the help of a professional, you can develop a training plan that will help your Goldendoodle learn to curb their biting impulses. Goldendoodle Biting: Final Thoughts Goldendoodles are wonderful, loving companions. However, like all dogs, they need to be properly trained and socialized in order to become well-mannered members of the family. While Goldendoodles are generally friendly dogs, they can sometimes bite due to excitement, boredom, stress, or fear. If your Goldendoodle is biting, there are a few things you can do to discourage this behavior, including providing chew toys, increasing mental and physical stimulation, and desensitizing them to their triggers. If the problem persists, seek professional help from a certified trainer or behaviorist. With some patience and training, you should be able to stop your Goldendoodle from biting for good. View All Articles in Training Expose Your Pet To Novel Experiences From a Young Age While most Goldendoodles adore people which is why they make such poor guard dogs , early and extensive socialization is crucial for helping your pup to be confident in all situations. Goldies that have spent plenty of time with other people, including children, will naturally be the most comfortable in their company. Those raised in a more isolated environment will be more nervous and anxious overall, and this is when they could become aggressive. Puppy play dates are a great way of getting your pup used to the company of other dogs to start with. Puppy kindergarten and group training sessions are another way to help your pal feel confident with being around plenty of other dogs. This makes them a much-in-demand family pet. However, you should never take it for granted that there will never be any problems at all. For a start, Goldies can be quite boisterous dogs, meaning they might knock smaller children down without the intention to do so. See Also: Click the image Beyond this, you need to make sure that your kids treat your pup with kindness and respect at all times. They should never bother them when they are sleeping or want some alone time. Not to say that you need to spend every minute of the day with your dog although these pups do better in a household where there is always someone around , but you do need to ensure they get plenty of daily exercise for one. Younger dogs may need as much as two hours of walks and games a day to keep their exuberance in check. When you do have the time to give them a bit of attention, Goldendoodles greatly benefit from training. Positive reinforcement training is where you train your pup using rewards to highlight desired behaviors. Most canine experts would recommend this as the best current method. See Also: Click the image Goldendoodle Behavioral Stages As is the case with their physical growth, a dog goes through different stages of mental development — especially in their first year. Where they are at with this will be a lot less apparent, yet it is essential that you are aware of these different stages, so you know both what to expect and how to handle it. As they start exploring the world around them, they will learn early lessons about being around and communicating with other dogs. This includes things like bite inhibition, vocalizations, and what various postures mean. See Also: Click the image Socialization Stage and Fear Imprint Period weeks Once they have their initial shots and are okay with being away from their littermates, this is the time to start socializing your pup to other people, dogs, and animals. This should be done slowly, and you need to ensure that all experiences at this stage are positive. The puppy is capable of experiencing true fear at this age, and any traumatic events at this time will stay with them for a very long time, if not forever. See Also: Click the image Seniority Classification Stage weeks At this stage, your puppy is likely very comfortable around you and your family and learning so much from your daily interactions. This is the stage where they will likely start to test boundaries to see what they can get away with. It can also be when aggressive behaviors are first observed. They value you as their stand-in parent and protector. However, once they reach this stage, they will start to become more independent. This is the time when they might decide to run off on you. How you deal with this behavior will set a precedent for how much freedom you can give your pet in later life. Related Content. Even if another dog seems aggressive towards them, it will take a lot to set the Goldendoodle off. However, they can be triggered on occasion. Most of the time, when a Goldendoodle is aggressive towards other dogs , it is because the Goldendoodle has never really socialized with dogs in the past. This is something that they really should be trying to do from a young age; otherwise, it causes tons of issues. As long as you start your Goldendoodle interacting with other pups from a very young age almost around the time you get them , then they should be fine. Of course, hindsight is a good thing. If you do not own a time machine and we are .This means that you will need to come up with some other solutions for dealing with the problem. You may not want to have your dog running up to meet others right away. Instead, keep them on a leash and try to keep a distance. Over time, when your dog seems to stop showing those aggressive behaviors, you can increase how close you get to other dogs or increase the number of dogs your pet will meet. At the same time, you will want to attempt to avoid any situations that could potentially be a high-risk situation for your animal. For example, if you find that your dog always seems aggressive towards a particular dog, steer clear of them. If your dog seems to be possessive of a particular area, then steer clear of that. You will start to learn what triggers your dog. Positive Reinforcement As with all dog training, you need to ensure that you only utilize positive reinforcement. What does this mean? Suppose your dog is not aggressive in a situation that they would typically be aggressive in. In that case, you will reinforce that behavior positively. This will generally be praise and maybe a few treats. If they do a negative behavior, you ignore it. You just ignore it. Over time, they will start to associate good behavior with rewards and associate the negative behavior with being ignored. It is crucial to avoid using negative emotions towards your dog when they are being aggressive. We are not going to lie to you here. If you have an aggressive Goldendoodle, it will take a while to deal with the problem. There is no overnight solution. You need to be patient and take things step by step. Do small things at a time. Expect it to take weeks, sometimes months. However, we can assure you that if you do have a Goldendoodle that is aggressive around other dogs, it will be trained out of them eventually. Goldendoodles make fantastic family pets. This is because they do not have a bad bone in their body. Now, obviously, we would not recommend that you leave a Goldendoodle alone with your child. However, we would say the same about every other dog out there. However, in normal circumstances, your dog is going to be okay around children. However, you do need to remember that a Goldendoodle is a living animal. The same goes for your child. If your child is not taught how to behave around the Goldendoodle and treat them with respect, then there is a strong chance that your child will do something wrong. For example, they may not spot the warning signs that the Goldendoodle does not like something. A kid may also try to take a bone or a toy away from the Goldendoodle. It happens. It is the child. Thankfully, once you have taught them how to respect the dog, things will become easier. You may need to ensure that your Goldendoodle is familiar with children and used to their unpredictability. This is important if you have a new child in the household. You can use the same exposure therapy that we mentioned previously. Aggressiveness Around Food We are not going to lie here. This is the one area that you may find serious issues with your Goldendoodle. The same applies to all dogs. Remember, dogs have been bred from wild animals. Wavy coat Goldendoodles are typically low shedding. This means that they still have that inherent desire to be possessive of their food. This means that you will likely need to take care of when your dog is eating. If the dog does seem to be a bit aggressive around food, then the following tips and tricks have been proven to work: Ensure that your dog is eating enough Do not allow the dog to eat until you say so. For example, you may want to ask them to sit before placing the bowl on the floor. They cannot move unless you let them move. If the dog is aggressive when you touch their bowl, do not back away. Keep taking that bowl. They will learn. You do not want to reward them for their aggressive behavior, right? There are several reasons why your Goldendoodle may turn aggressive. We want to go through some of the more common of them. B y understanding why your Goldendoodle is aggressive, it becomes a lot easier to deal with the problem. Fear If a dog feels that it is scared or under threat, then it will be aggressive. It is only natural for the dog. It wants to protect itself and you, the pack leader. Confusion Goldendoodles can become confused when they are in unfamiliar surroundings, and something unexpected happens. This could be fireworks. A knock on the door. The same may occur if somebody comes into your home that the dog has not met before. Are Goldendoodles Aggressive while on the leash Goldendoodles who have not been taught how to walk with a leash can be a bit more prone to being aggressive. They may start to pull on the leash, or they may growl or bark when on it. They may be aggressive towards other dogs. This is why it is so crucial that you work on the leash bits and pieces from a young age. Anxiety Goldendoodles can be aggressive if they are suffering from anxiety. For example, if they have separation anxiety or they are in an unfamiliar situation. This can overlap with the confusion and fear causes that we just discussed. Resource Guarding Remember what we said earlier about how dogs may become aggressive around food? Well, this is known as resource guarding. It can also happen with toys. Whenever the dog has something that they feel is important to their wellbeing, they will protect it. This will often be in an aggressive manner. You need to train this behavior out of them. Pain or Illness This is rare. However, many dogs, when they are sick, will become aggressive. If there seems to be no other cause, then a trip to the vets would be a safe bet for you. Never raise your voice around your dog You must try to avoid raising your voice around your dog. This applies even if you are not yelling at your dog directly. By yelling, you are creating a scary situation for your animal. Only ever use positive reinforcement We did mention this earlier, but we really want to drill the point home. It is important that you only ever use positive reinforcement around your dog. Never punish them for anything outside of ignoring them. Otherwise, you will just be installing a sense of aggression in them. The most aggressive dogs will be the ones that have been treated aggressively, to begin with. Mental Stimulation A lot of Goldendoodles only feel aggressive because they are not mentally stimulated enough. So, get your dog some puzzle toys or a selection of different toys. It will really help them out. Regular training can also go a long way towards stimulating their mind too. Regular exercise If your dog is not getting enough exercise, then this could result in aggressive behaviors. So, take your dog for multiple walks per day. This will help to tire them out, and, ultimately, this will result in them being nowhere near as aggressive. Remember, Goldendoodles are not naturally aggressive. If they have an aggressive streak, then this could indicate that there is something wrong. Try to stamp out the behavior as fast as you can. We promise you, though. They will go eventually. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Scared Mum Sep 24, 22 PM i have 2 dogs 14 and 13 with cateracts and one has become very angry, aggressive and bullish to the point of picking serious fights with the other.Sep 24, 22 PM When I am sitting on the couch, she will get right in my face, sometimes she wants to be petted, loved, to go outside or to be fed! She can be so sweet Owners father aggressive pit bull mix Sep 24, 22 PM This dog will sit lay down rollover shake speak ifyou say it has bit my daughter when she reached to pet him bit her boyfriend for the same and attacked Aggressive blue nose fawn male sibling towards each other recently fighting one another Sep 24, 22 PM I have 2 blue nose fawn pitbull male puppies and just lately they have been fighting each other, they are around 6 months old. He has stenosis of the spine, scolisis, a hernia, and carpal laxity. A couple of weeks ago we got a two months old Alaskan Malamute, male puppy. From day 1 he is prone to biting not nibbing , growling at us, did Aggressive terrier mix Dec 30, 21 PM I adopted My now 6 yr old terrier mix from the shelter. He was surrendered by his last owner and came out with a kennel cough. They have become aggressive toward each other during the last year. They become jealous around my husband Aggressive St. I bet some of you wonder why your Goldendoodle growls. I know I do! For those of you who are curious about this topic, I did some research today and came across some interesting details. Why do Goldendoodles growl? Goldendoodles growl because it is their way of expressing how they are feeling. Growling for Goldendoodles allows them to vocalize and communicate to those around them various emotions that they may be feeling. Growling is most often thought of as a way to express aggression for dogs, including Goldendoodles, but this is not the only emotion expressed when they growl. Growling for Goldendoodles can also be the way they express fear, pain, or playfulness. If Goldendoodles growl, it is but one way for them to express themselves vocally. Goldendoodles cannot communicate with words, so they will use various sounds, including growling and body language, to express emotion, thought, wants, and needs. A strong connection or bond between pet parents or caregivers and Goldendoodles allows them to respond appropriately and discover the issue. Perhaps they heard a strange sound outside, or maybe they hurt on the inside. Whatever the reason Goldendoodles growl, it is not always linked to aggression. Goldendoodles growl as a way of expressing themselve s like other dogs. Growling is one way for them to express their thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs because they cannot communicate with words that we can understand. Goldendoodles use growling and other sounds that include barking, whimpering, and howling to communicate along with their body language. Growling for any dog, including Goldendoodles, can also be related to how they feel as a dog. This growling could mean that they are hurting or feeling sick somewhere in their body. Since they can not communicate with words, it is our job to discover what their growling and other sounds mean. These sounds and meanings can vary from one Goldendoodle to another. Another reason why Goldendoodles growl is to express fear. If Goldendoodles are frightened or scared of something, they may use growling as a way to ward of whatever is scaring them. Instead, it is a means for them to attempt to protect themselves or someone else. Sometimes still, why Goldendoodles growl can be because they are excited or feeling playful. This is most likely to happen during physical playtime when they are excited and happy. It is not a reason for concern if they growl when playing unless accompanied by other body languages such as biting or nipping. Goldendoodles and other dogs have to be creative in expressing themselves to us—their inability to use words and have conversations limit their communication to sounds and body language. Perceptive pet parents who know their Goldendoodles well and have a strong bond will find it easier to interpret these sounds and their body language. This allows them to respond appropriately to the need, want, or feeling the Goldendoodle might have. There are numerous reasons why Goldendoodles growl that can be directly related to their environment and what is happening in that environment. Growling can also be related to how they feel or something else entirely. What should be done when Goldendoodles growl? When Goldendoodles or other dogs growl, the pet parent or caregiver should stop what they are doing if possible and attempt to figure out what is happening. It can also include searching the immediate environment and watching what the Goldendoodle looks at. Each dog is unique in how they will express themselves. A Goldendoodle who growls might be upset that the house cat is near their food bowl. A wise pet parent might notice this by looking around. A Goldendoodle who growls when facing the front door might smell that someone is near the entrance or outside of it. Even still, a Goldendoodle who growls while licking a specific body part over and over again might have an undiagnosed injury that is bothering them. By stopping for a few moments to address the situation, the pet parent or caregiver can sometimes stop the dogs growling and even restore harmony in the home environment and their dog. If the pet parent cannot determine why the Goldendoodle is growling by looking around and watching the dog; if they are able, taking a more in-depth look at the situation can sometimes provide answers. The most important thing for any loving pet parent to do is to be compassionate to the Goldendoodle that is growling and maintain a positive attitude. Dogs are very perceptive and can pick up on our own emotions. If a dog is scared of something and tries to tell us, we may react to their fear with fear of our own, increasing their fear and making it more challenging to troubleshoot the problem. Some Goldendoodles or other dogs will even growl when they are excited or being playful with others at certain moments. In these moments for pet parents playing or spending time with their Goldendoodle, who suddenly growls, there is no need for concern unless it is accompanied by other body language such as biting. Being responsive in the moment is a short term solution to growling. In the long term, knowing and understanding the individual Goldendoodle will allow pet parents or caregivers to provide a loving, harmonious home life conducive to happiness for everyone involved, including the Goldendoodle. This requires time, patience, understanding, trust, and a strong bond or connection between dog and human. Is growling in Goldendoodles or other dogs acceptable? Yes, growling in Goldendoodles or other dogs is acceptable as a means for them to communicate if it is not continual or directed at another. It also must not include negative body language. Biting, lunging, and other body language are connected to aggression and should be addressed immediately. If the growling appears to come with other negative qualities such as lunging or attacking others, including other dogs, animals, and people, it should be remedied. This type of growling and aggression can quickly escalate and become a problem if left unchecked. The best solution for this situation is to remove the growling Goldendoodle. Does training and socialization help with growling? These can include not growling when the mailman comes to the door, or when the cat walks past their food bowl. When it comes to growling, socialization is vital. Through social interactions, Goldendoodles learn to live with and get along with others, including other dogs, animals, and people. Socialization also teaches Goldendoodles how others behave. This can teach them that it is okay for another dog to have a treat when they get one or that they are still loved when their pet parent picks up the house cat for a snuggle. Early exposure to various life situations, animals, and people create a well-rounded dog that can handle what life brings. It helps Goldendoodles be less stressed, fearful, and anxious at certain times in their lives. Goldendoodles are naturally social, friendly, and gentle, so training and socialization should go smoothly. Are Goldendoodles aggressive? No, Goldendoodles are not aggressive dogs. Goldendoodles have a very loving and gentle nature due to their breeding, which reduces the likelihood that they will feel and show aggression at any time, even when provoked. It must be said that whether Goldendoodle or other dog if they have been neglected or abused, or have not been appropriately trained and socialized, they can become aggressive whether accidentally or due to upbringing. This situation is not their fault but a byproduct of their upbringing and home environment. In these situations, why Goldendoodles growl is related to what they were exposed to or how they were treated. Proper training and socializing at any stage of life can reduce aggression and create a happier, healthier, and more gentle dog, regardless of whether they are a Goldendoodle or other breed. In Conclusion Whether dogs growl, Goldendoodles or otherwise, varies from dog to dog and is based on their immediate environment and feelings. While many people automatically believe growling is always a negative quality linked to aggression, this is not always the case. Fear, pain, and playfulness can also be reasons for growling. Whatever the reason Goldendoodles growl, if it is accompanied by biting or other negative body language, it should be stopped immediately.

Introduction A very special dog is now becoming part of your life. So many of the people who have undertaken this journey before you have reported that it was the most rewarding thing they have ever done — and the odds are that it will be for you, too. Puppy mill rescue dogs Over the next year or two, you will watch a dog who has been deprived of virtually every known pleasure begin to first explore, then enjoy, a life that offers her these pleasures. But it may not be an easy road for you and for your new canine companion. Puppy mill dogs have had their world turned upside down. This guide provides you with some specific methods for helping your puppy mill survivor. It is meant to supplement our larger report entitled Understanding and Caring for Rescued Puppy Mill Dogs , which is a comprehensive summary of the findings of our study of over 1, breeding dogs who were rescued from lives in puppy mills and adopted into human households. In obtaining full psychological and behavioral profiles of them, we were able to gain a wealth of information about these incredible dogs. Some basic facts: Puppy mills. They are large-scale commercial dog-breeding operations where the happiness of the dogs is all but ignored in order to make a monetary profit from selling the puppies. To maximize profits, the dogs are housed in very small enclosures, live in unsanitary living quarters, are fed inferior-quality food, are denied decent medical care, and, most important, are severely deprived of positive human social contact. Psychological functioning. Because puppy mill dogs are born and raised in an impoverished environment and endure severe stress throughout life, their psychological functioning is not like that of normally raised pet dogs. This shows itself in how they interact with people, their desire to make eye contact, their social skills with other dogs, their desire to play, their ability to focus attention and learn — in short, their ability to function like a typical dog. Fortunately, the dogs have a remarkable capacity to recover from their psychological impairments. Many recover to the point where they appear to be completely rid of their psychological difficulties, others recover partially but not completely, and others are so severely troubled that they continue to struggle emotionally. Every puppy mill dog has a different capacity to adapt and recover, and we almost never know at the outset what this limit will be or when the dog will reach it. What this means is that adopters must accept up-front that the dog they are taking into their home may retain some psychological impairment throughout his or her life and may always be a special-needs companion. Rehabilitation of puppy mill dogs is often difficult and fraught with frustration. It may take weeks, months, or even years for the dogs to be free of their fears and other emotional struggles. But, as our studies have shown, the adopters who open their arms and hearts to these little survivors are all but assured an immensely rewarding experience. Course of recovery. For some it is fast, but for most it is slow. It can be fast, and then slow, and then fast again. Steps forward are often interspersed with steps backward. All puppy mill dogs are affected by their puppy mill experience in their own way, and their needs for healing are very unique when they escape that life. Methods of rehabilitation will also vary in their effectiveness from dog to dog. Methods that are beneficial for one dog may be ineffective and even counterproductive in another. Rehabilitation can involve some trial and error until you see what works best for your dog. Normal dog behavior. We know that there are many aspects of normal dog behavior that dogs who have spent their entire lives in puppy mills cannot be expected to show at first, among them: Showing any control or discrimination over when and where they urinate and defecate Trusting humans Desiring petting or being picked up, held or hugged Playing with humans, other dogs or toys Understanding any cues Walking on a leash Eight words to live by. Write them on a piece of paper and post it on your refrigerator so you will see it every day. For example, while almost no dog straight out of the puppy mill has any concept of or experience with a collar and leash, if a dog has been given enough time to learn about these things in a foster home, it may mean that, upon coming home with you, the dog is very familiar with wearing a collar and being on a leash. Back to top 2. How to prepare for bringing home your rescued puppy mill dog There are some things you will need to do before your new adopted puppy mill dog arrives in your home. Do: Dog-proof your house. In particular, remove or place out of reach small objects that might be ingested and anything you do not want chewed. Buy a dog crate that is the right size for the new dog tall enough for the dog to stand, long enough to accommodate the dog lying down from nose to base of the tail. Wire crates provide more ventilation, but the dogs feel more exposed correctable by draping blankets over the top and sides. The plastic crates are more den-like, thus providing a greater sense of security. The tops also can come off, allowing a fearful dog to be removed without pulling her through a crate door. Finally, be sure that the bottom of the crate is very comfortable to walk on, as many of these dogs have walked on nothing but wire cage flooring and their feet may be injured and painful. A soft blanket or pad works well for this. Have these additional items already at home before the arrival of the dog: Nylon leash, 6 feet in length Sturdy nylon collar of the correct size You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably under the collar when it is on the dog. Harness Again, you may have to wait until the dog arrives for proper sizing. Back to top 3. How to introduce your dog to your home You will almost certainly adjust to your new dog well before he adjusts to you, your family, and your household. Because of this, one of the strongest inclinations for newly adopted puppy mill dogs is to hide — behind, under, farther away — in any way that lessens the fear. The hiding can be for days or weeks, with the dog coming out only at night to get some food and water. When a puppy mill dog enters your home, your most important job is to protect him from things that frighten him. Do: Be patient. For these dogs, use of a crate will likely have to be omitted from any steps during the adjustment phase to the new home. Ideally, give her a quiet room to herself, where she can adjust without threats and disruptions for the first few days. Place a bowl of water and a little dry and canned food in the room not far from the crate. Put newspapers or piddle pads available at pet stores on the other side of the room. Then leave her alone and just peek in on her occasionally for the next few hours. Fully expect to find that your dog has urinated or had a bowel movement in the room. After a few days in his own room, bring the dog in his crate to an area of the house that has some human activity, but not a lot. The crate should either sit backed up into a corner or be shielded with towels or blankets draped over its top, sides and back end to give the dog a sense of safety behind him. The door to the crate should be left partially open. Here, the dog can feel some security in his crate but begin to be exposed to the all-new experiences of a human household. Next, set up the exercise pen in a room so that your dog can safely venture out of her crate but still feel somewhat protected. The pen also prevents the dog from going into parts of the house that you or she are not quite ready for. Always try to move slowly when around your puppy mill dog. Sudden and fast movements can be very frightening. Minimize loud and sudden noises, since they also can be very frightening. In fact, having another friendly and compatible dog in the house is what adopters tell us is the single most effective thing you can do to rehabilitate the adopted puppy mill dog. At night, having your dog sleep next to your bed can help him adjust to you in a non-threatening way. This may not be suitable for all adopters or the dogs themselves, so each adopter must decide which nighttime sleeping arrangement is best. You want him to learn that, in his safe place, nothing bad happens, which then allows him to feel more relaxed at all times because he knows he can always go to his safe place. Introducing puppy mill dogs to other friendly dogs in the house usually goes smoothly, but here are some tips to encourage a successful meeting. If possible, carry out the first contact between your newly adopted puppy mill dog and your current dog s in a neutral location — that is, someplace that none of the dogs have been before. With you supervising, allow them to watch and smell each other for a few hours. Let the dogs stay there for another hour or two. Next comes face-to-face introductions. If you have several dogs, do the following introduction with just one dog at a time. Put a collar and leash on your dog and also on the puppy mill dog if she accepts it. Have someone else bring the other dog into the room where you and your puppy mill dog are waiting. Be ready to use the leashes to separate them promptly if either shows any signs of aggression growling, snarling, baring of teeth, attempting to bite. When they start to show interest in other things in the environment rather than fully focusing on each other, it will tell you that they are generally accepting of each other. If you have to leave the house, confine the dogs separately so that your puppy mill dog and your other dog s cannot physically interact. You can keep them in separate rooms, or use a dependably strong baby gate to separate them, so that they can still see, smell and hear one another. Feed the puppy mill dog in an area at least 10 feet away from where the other dogs are fed, preferably where they cannot see each other while eating. If your puppy mill dog appreciates toys, she should have her own. Sharing things like toys, beds, food, and treats will come later, once your dogs become friends. Praise all the dogs for friendly behavior toward one another. Maintain a soft and soothing that is, not excited tone of voice so as not to startle or worry a noise-sensitive puppy mill dog. If you notice this happening, keep interactive sessions short until the dogs appear more calm during play. Back to top 5. Puppy mill dogs suffer on both counts. And because of this, puppy mill dogs arrive in the human home with very little willingness or ability to trust you or any other human. More importantly, the trust you want to help your dog develop is a trust in the world, of which you are one very valuable part. For puppy mill dogs, fear diminishes and trust grows in small increments over time. Our studies show that the vast majority of puppy mill dogs come to trust humans, but we have also learned that, for some of the dogs, this trust is extended to only one or two people. As long as the dog has at least one person he can trust, the opportunity exists for him to fully enjoy his life. Establish a consistent schedule that the dog will learn she can depend on. This is a critical part of building trust. Make a schedule for feeding times, going outside, play, rest and sleep — and stick to it. You want to teach your puppy mill dog that he can trust the world, that he can depend on the world to function in a reliable and nonthreatening way. Teach your dog that you are the source of good things in life, starting with food. Most puppy mill dogs will not eat from your hand at first, but with patience you can almost always teach this degree of trust. You can also build trust using treats. Sit on the floor with delicious treats placed at varying distances on the floor around you. It could take minutes or it could take months, but over time almost all puppy mill dogs will eventually start coming closer and closer to you to get the treats. Then, gradually shorten the distances between the treats and your body and between the treats and your hand, until you can place a treat in your upturned palm and have the dog take it out of your hand. When this happens, it is a huge sign of acceptance and trust. You will also want to simply teach your dog that you mean her no harm whatsoever — that you are not something to fear. So, sit on the floor, preferably and talk very softly to your dog. Many people read aloud in a soothing tone, which benefits both your dog and you, since you can get some reading done. If your dog is very frightened, you can read to her as she lies in her crate. Back to top 6. How to touch and handle your dog It is human nature to want to comfort frightened creatures by holding and embracing them. Giving hugs, cuddling, and showering them with love seems to be just what rescued puppy mill dogs need. Most puppy mill dogs are uncomfortable with physical contact by humans, and some are outright terrified. And, in light of their life experience, they have every reason to be. They have received very little or no positive human touch their whole lives. Change takes time, so be patient. Occasionally and gradually edge your arm, hand, leg, or body closer to your dog to show that nearness is no cause for alarm. Given enough time, almost all puppy mill dogs will eventually get close enough to sniff you — a huge step for them. Sometime after that, the dog will usually touch you with her nose or a paw. Let your dog have several weeks of developing confidence in her touching you before you try to touch her. If your puppy mill dog accepts your touch, you may try to pick her up, but do it in gradual steps. First, make sure she allows you to touch her sides, then allows you to place a hand under her body. Just back up to the point at which she did accept it and move through the steps more slowly. If at any point she seems distressed, stop and give her a few days before trying again. Dogs who do this also may roll onto their backs and even pass some urine. All of this is a show of submission. Celebrate your dog making her first physical contact with you. Remain absolutely calm and silent. Any sound or movement could erase the big step the dog has just made. Make direct eye contact at first. Point your head a bit off to the side and keep visual contact out of the corner of your eye. Ever startle a puppy mill dog by touching her from behind. Back to top 7. Early exposure to and interaction with humans during puppyhood is essential for the developing canine brain to form the connections that make for positive social relationships with humans throughout life. So, if a puppy is exposed to stairs in a positive way, for example, his comfort level with stairs will be natural throughout life. By contrast, if a puppy grows to adulthood without ever encountering stairs, he may have a persistent fear of stairs. As you can imagine, puppy mill dogs are routinely deprived of exposure to so many things that dogs living in homes experience every day. So, our overall goal in socializing puppy mill dogs is to lessen their fears of the basic, normal things that pet dogs encounter. We are striving to have them feel comfortable with being around humans and other dogs, being outdoors in wide open spaces, walking on solid ground, going through a doorway, playing with toys, riding in a car, hearing a vacuum cleaner, going up and down stairs, getting bathed, and so much more. Our greatest efforts, of course, are directed at helping puppy mill dogs to become comfortable around and bonded with people so they can enjoy living in human society. Because of the uniqueness of each and every rescued puppy mill dog, socialization plans must be tailored to the individual. Every aspect of the plan — what they are socialized to, where they are socialized, what specific steps and pace are required, what supplemental help e. Other dogs serve as a valuable role model for everything from how to play to where to go to the bathroom. Based on extensive reports from adopters, socialization efforts are very beneficial for many puppy mill dogs, but for others it can actually create distress. First, it is crucial for the puppy mill dog adopter to accept that every dog will maximally socialize to a different level. For example, some puppy mill dogs may be initially unwilling to walk on stairs, but over time will become completely comfortable running up and down stairs. Others may become better on stairs but never comfortable, and still others may become comfortable going up stairs but not down, or vice versa. The same is true with regard to socialization to humans. Some dogs may never achieve a comfort level with certain people in their lives. Only time will tell. All but a few of rescued puppy mill dogs will bond to their primary person, however. Have another dog around to help socialize your puppy mill dog. If you do not have one already, consider adopting another dog in need of a home. Misery may love company, but misery also compounds misery when two fearful dogs live together. Use desensitization and counter-conditioning to help socialize your dog. These techniques make the fearful stimulus e. The goal is to get your dog to associate good things with going to the vet. The same technique can be used to get a dog to enjoy the presence of people, other dogs, or a new baby in the house. When using desensitization and counter-conditioning, everything is done in small, gradual increments. Progress may occur rapidly or very slowly, and different dogs have different limits. Have all interactions between your dog and people she is shy around or fearful of e. They should stand sideways to the dog, crouch down if possible, not make direct eye contact, make no sudden movements, and talk to your dog in a calm, quiet tone of voice. If it is safe to do so i. If this goes well and your dog remains comfortable, give some treats to the person to place in the palm of the hand that she extends to your dog. Avoid the avoidable, when possible. Try pheromone therapy, which can ease anxiety and fear in many dogs. Dog-appeasing pheromone DAP comes in a spray bottle, a plug-in wall diffuser, and a collar. It is available through many online websites and at pet supply stores. Consult your veterinarian to see if this option is appropriate for your dog. Provide whatever comforting words and gestures seem to help your dog cope with his emotional challenges. How this absurd notion ever got started is a mystery, but it is scientific nonsense. Use common sense here. If you had a snake phobia and were placed in a box where snakes were poured on top of you, would you come out of the box less or more fearful of snakes? Ignoring the barking is the best response, because it prevents the dog from being rewarded for trying to get people to go away, and hence reinforcing the behavior. Back to top 8. But we must realize that bodily eliminations inside the house are not accidents at all to the puppy mill dog; in fact, to these dogs, this is perfectly normal behavior. To make matters worse, most of these dogs are very fearful, so training them to do anything — even with strictly positive techniques — can make them even more fearful. For puppy mill dogs, the basic rule is this: Reward the good, distract from the bad. Punishment is never a good idea when house-training a dog, but it can be even more harmful for the fragile and sensitive emotional make-up of rescued puppy mill dogs, impeding and even reversing any progress they are gaining in trusting people. House-training may take a week, it may take a month, it may take a year. Try not to get discouraged. As our studies clearly show, some dogs will achieve full mastery of eliminating in the right place. Be very careful when using even the gentlest-sounding house-training methods with puppy mill dogs. Because of the fear these dogs can have, even the most benign things, such as rewarding the dog for urinating in the right place, can scare them. Keep in mind that many puppy mill dogs are very frightened of being outdoors, which is, of course, a major hindrance to training a dog to do her business outside. For these dogs, use piddle pads or newspaper to train the dog to eliminate indoors initially. As an aside, not everyone wants or needs to train their dogs to do their business outside. For them, having the dog eliminate indoors on piddle pads or paper is just fine. It may happen, but do not allow it to be your expectation. Back to top 9. How to deal with marking Marking is when a dog most often a male, but occasionally a female urinates on specific objects or locations because of the influence of sex hormones or some source of stress. Male dogs in puppy mills, all of whom are not neutered obviously , mark in their cages and enclosures as a territorial signal to the other nearby males. The longer they do this before they leave the puppy mill, the more habitual it becomes and the lower the likelihood that it will fully stop even when they are neutered. In addition to the influence of sex hormones, marking can also be triggered by stress, anxiety and fear. And because we know that these emotional states are prominent in rescued puppy mill dogs, it is not surprising to find that marking is common in their new adoptive homes. Competition over human attention, sleeping places, access to certain locations e. Try dog-appeasing pheromone DAP , which comes in a spray bottle, plug-in wall diffuser and a collar, and is available for purchase via many websites. Use belly bands available at pet stores and online if needed. Clean all urine markings very thoroughly with white vinegar and an enzymatic product, which neutralizes urine odors available at pet stores and online. How to leash-train your dog It is extremely rare for dogs in puppy mills to have ever been on a leash. While we take for granted that for a dog or a human , using your neck to pull against something is no big deal, if you have never done that in your life, it would be a very unusual and possibly even scary sensation. This is likely why, in our study of puppy mill dogs, they pull against a leash much less often than typical pet dogs. Similarly, any pulling of the puppy mill dog with a leash is likely very frightening to him because he has never had something pull against this part of his body. Why leash-train? It allows you to gently get your dog out of a tight hiding place, such as out from under furniture, if need be. And it allows you to gently lead the dog to the chosen potty area if the dog is frightened of being picked up and carried. Purchase a sturdy nylon collar and a harness of proper size and fit. This will provide a mild pulling sensation on the collar that should not be upsetting. Be sure to always supervise the dog very closely to prevent the leash from catching on something and endangering your dog. Use the same leash-dragging strategy with the leash attached to the harness. You can alternate this with the sessions of collar attachment. Use only the harness if the collar is upsetting to your dog. Use delicious food treats as enticements and rewards when you first attach the collar, harness or leash, if your dog seems resistant but not distressed. Feed the treats while another person is placing the collar or harness on, or attaching the leash. Doing this in short trials over several hours or days should lead the dog to associate the apparatus with the treats and then be accepting of having them put on and wearing them. When it appears that leash-dragging is well tolerated, pick up the leash and follow your dog as she walks around, occasionally giving a very slight pull on the leash. Slowly increase the amount of resistance so she can feel what a little tension against the collar or harness feels like. Using this method, most dogs become quite comfortable with walking on leash. When she seems relatively confident with the outdoors, you can take her outside on the leash. Almost all of these things are eventually achievable, but you must go very slowly and be guided by what your dog shows he is ready for. Back to top .How to crate-train your dog The first thing to know about crate-training a puppy mill dog is this: Not all puppy mill dogs can be — or should be — crate-trained. Seeing, and especially being in, a cage-like enclosure may arouse memories of the puppy mill. Why crate-train? For this function, the crate door is left open. There are times when you need your dog to be in her crate, such as during the night or when workers are in the house and your door may be inadvertently left open. For this function, the crate door is kept closed. Make being in the crate a positive experience for the dog. Try feeding the dog in her crate and offer treats in the crate. In fact, anytime you lead your dog into the crate for the purpose of confinement, include a favorite treat e. Make sure your dog has first had the opportunity to go to the bathroom anytime she is put in the crate with the door closed. Start with short periods of time in the closed-door crate and slowly work up to longer periods of time. This means first observing how long your dog is comfortable in the crate before showing any indications of anxiety, such as pacing, pawing at the crate door, digging into the corners of the crate, crying, whimpering or barking. If possible, do several of these sessions each day. Then, over the next few weeks, very gradually increase the time she is spending in the crate during each session. In most cases, you will be able to extend the length of time that she can comfortably spend in the crate by several hours. He will very quickly form a mental association between crate and fear, and that may simply escalate the fear level. Use the crate in any way as punishment. Allow anything to make the crate an unpleasant experience. How to teach your dog to respond to basic cues Teaching your dog to respond to basic cues e. Basic training also establishes a leader and follower relationship, which is the most basic foundation for correcting any problem behaviors that may arise later. For the dogs who are negatively affected by training, there are two main factors at work: fear and an impaired ability to focus and concentrate. Actual training methods can be found in many books and online videos, including the Best Friends online pet care library. What you need to know here is how standard methods of basic training must be modified for the special needs of puppy mill dogs. Take your dog to training classes if you prefer having the structure of a class, but only if the other dogs, people and commotion do not cause your dog distress. Make certain that the professional trainer if you use one is knowledgeable about rescued puppy mill dogs and has had experience with them. Learning requires the mind to concentrate and maintain focus, and our studies show that, when compared to typical pet dogs, puppy mill dogs are less able to do this. None of this means that puppy mill dogs cannot learn, but they will have different capacities for how fast and how much they can learn. Try desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques if your dog seems very fearful or distressed by attempts at training. How to deal with poop-eating Dogs coming out of puppy mills do some strange things, but eating poop known as coprophagia is certainly one of the most unappealing to us humans. Puppy mill dogs eat poop for many reasons — ranging from hunger to relief of boredom. There are food additives that can make poop distasteful to a dog. The additives must be added to the food of any dog whose poop your dog is eating. Other things that your dog may prefer over poop include crumbled dog treats or small bits of bread. Punish your dog for eating poop. He looks clean, he smells better than he once did. He eats better now than he ever did. This is Sawyer. My dream dog. My once hopeful stud boy. When I took him home he was infested with worms, reeked like a New York City trash can and had hip dysplasia. It took months to rehabilitate and glue his broke shell back together. I remember standing at the door for 3 hours while he stood in my back yard not allowing me to get near him; he stood in the cold November rain and shivered. He wanted to come in so badly but was too afraid. I stood inside the kitchen soaking wet crying and begging him to come in. I finally had to get a bed sheet and with my husbands help cornered him and tossed the sheet over him. He was purchased from a well known breeder who offered a warranty and a guarantee on his health. We promptly started health testing him when he got home. Sadly he failed his OFA and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. His breeder refuses even after receiving proof to honor her warranty. She herself admitted that she has never tested her dogs but yet sells them at a premium rate. Look for proof of testing. She never cried a day in her life for this dog. This is Sawyer, I cry when asked about him, he will always have a special place in my heart. I saw old rusted crates stacked along the drive, driving past a dog run out by some trees I saw a dog house and 4 small dogs, I parked next to a car port type structure that housed several cages stacked on top of one another in rows, inside the cages were chickens, rabbits, cats, ferrets and other small animals. There were several small shack like out buildings. I walked up to the door and knocked, no one answered but I had called 5 minutes prior so they knew I was there. I opened the door leaning inside to say Hello; looking around there were empty cages everywhere and bags of Purina stacked 10 or more bags high, empty bags and other trash scattered on the floor. Back out on the porch I called the breeder to alert them that I was there, looking up I was faced with 2 dobermans not looking very happy, I later learned that they were nice. I entered a room with a desk, sofa, 2 recliners, a TV, door covered with bed sheets and walls lined with dog crates stacked from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, filled with filthy dogs. I had arrived with enough cash to buy 4 dogs. In the cage above them I found Sawyer, then referred to as Prado. He was scared and my heart broke seeing him. I passed it up. I drove home with a pit in my stomach but vowed to take care of and do the right thing by those dogs. He has a dog brother who keeps him in line, he has been trained and know several tricks; can wave, high five, pray, dance, roll over… and many more. I get letters from Sawyer every few months and everyone of his letters makes me cry. He is doing great and is a good boy. I love you Sawyer. Another sad story starts with an Oregon breeder sending me a dog in whelp, the dog was due 2 weeks after she arrived. I took the fluffy white dog out of her crate at the airport holding her in the air to shine my smile upon her face and once again found myself looking into sad scared eyes. I took her to the vet to confirm her pregnancy and the vet told me what I already knew. I had her groomed to get her pee stained and matted coat into presentable shape; I was called by the groomer to tell me she had bit her. Took her home to have her a few days later bite my 11 year old daughter and to later have her bite a guest in my home and my vet the day I returned her to her breeder. Being told stories from clients about an Indiana breeder who is breeding a dog that was either hit by a car or stepped on, the story was told to me by multiple clients who claimed to visit the breeder and was told the dog had a funny limp and was skittish because of her accident, unfortunately the cause of the accident change based on who was visiting. Calls from other concerned customers who visited an Iowa breeder; was advised in order to visit she first had to pay for a puppy. Arriving to play with the puppies they found the adult dogs matted and dirty, so dirty even that to touch them or have the dogs brush up against them would soil their clothes and leave an awful stench. Hearing barking in a side room where they were able to gain a quick peek revealed dogs in crates stacked from floor to ceiling. Calls from a different client reported a visit to a neighboring Iowa breeder with a similar story. I will continue to report on stories from clients and my experiences with puppy mill breeders. Here are other dogs who were found in puppy mills across the United States. Please support ethical breeding and do not buy pets from pet stores or puppy mills. The Labradoodle is a companion dog and should not be raised in a kennel, they need human companionship and thrive on being loved. If after looking at these pictures your heart needs to rescue a doodle contact the International Doodle Owners Group a 3 c rescue www. If you are unclear of what a puppymill is take a look at the pictures below. They are sickening and; REAL. This type of life for millions of poor unfortunate dogs is a reality everyday. For many dogs they are confined in conditions like this for their entire life until they are no longer able to breed to make their capturers money then they are killed. The dogs you see in these pictures are VERY lucky as they are being photographed because they were rescued. So many dogs do not hit the dog lottery and make it out alive. How can you help? Well, Kent and I were talking last night in how it was one of the better decisions we have made. First, he and Willie are the best of buddies. Every morning Sawyer wakes up and climbs in between Kent and I giving us kisses. He loves to climb next to you and cuddle up, such a snuggler. In my opinion he is just a complete embodiment of love. He always wags his tail and just loves his life. Sawyer is just as good for Willie as Willie is for Sawyer. This past time when WIllie saw my travel bag he followed me around every where. Then he started to pout. I always make up what they are saying, by the way. But sometimes I think he is so happy because of the trials he went through. He tries to wake Willie up and the rest of us. Needless to say, we love our dogs. They are some of the most popular in the neighborhood! They are both unique in their same ways, and they both show their love in different ways. But they really love each other. Have your heart set on a doodle puppy? Colorado Puppy Rescue is a great rescue to consider. They focus on the rescue of puppies and their mothers. Puppies and pregnant mothers are often listed as only available to rescue organizations by county shelters, which means they may be at risk of euthanasia. Colorado Puppy Rescue takes in puppies and their mothers from mostly rural shelters and rescues throughout Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas , and New Mexico. Colorado Puppy Rescue places all of their dogs into foster homes which have been specially screened to provide the best possible care to mothers and puppies. When adopting a puppy from Colorado Puppy Rescue, you can have some confidence that they have been well raised and socialized prior to becoming available for adoption. Colorado Puppy Rescue has been rescuing dogs and puppies for over 16 years. While they are not particularly likely to get doodle puppies, it is possible. If you put in an application with Colorado Puppy Rescue you may be matched with the puppy you are looking for. Applications stay on file for six months, so if you are willing to wait, there is a decent chance that a puppy that meets your needs will become available. All puppies available from Colorado Puppy Rescue receive a full veterinary examination and have their vaccinations. They also offer a complimentary free wellness check. Adopting the mothers of these puppies is also a wonderful option. Dogs who have been mothers are often great with other pets in your home and many people believe them to be particularly sweet and sensitive. Colorado Puppy Rescue stands by its puppies for life. If for any reason you would need to return your puppy to this rescue, they are more than happy to take them back and find the perfect home for them. They take in a wide variety of mixed-breed puppies, including poodle mixes. This rescue was founded by volunteers who participated in other rescues but found that the specific needs of puppies and their mothers often went unmet. This is why this rescue was founded. Fosters who house the dogs after they have been rescued are key to his rescue. Fosters carefully train, socialize, and generally prepare puppies for life in an adoptive home. These spay and neuter clinics help rural county shelters to reduce the number of dogs that come in by providing low-cost spay and neuter programs so that fewer unwanted puppies will be born. Instead, consider a breed-specific doodle rescue to surrender your doodle to. Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue depends heavily on its foster program to provide safe homes for dogs before they are adopted. If you have never owned a puppy before, fostering with Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue is a great idea. You can learn what it takes to take care of a puppy to help you decide whether puppy adoption is right for you or whether you would be better off adopting an adult dog that may require slightly less care. Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue fully supports their fosters and depends on them to save lives. You will then fill out an adoption application and attend an adoption event to meet the puppies you are considering. Having your paperwork done ahead of time makes it much more likely that you will be able to adopt the dog you want. National Mill Dog Rescue National Mill Dog Rescue saves breeding dogs that have been discarded, typically from less than reputable sources like puppy mills. It was founded in by Theresa Strader. She became aware of the plight of breeding dogs when she rescued an Italian Greyhound from an auction in Missouri. This dog had spent the seven years that she had been alive as a commercial breeding dog and was in very poor condition. She had spent all of her life in a little wire cage, never exercised or socialized. She had severe dental disease and was terrified of people. Once Theresa Strader realized what many breeding dogs go through, she decided to start a rescue specifically for them. National Mill Dog Rescue takes in a wide variety of dogs that have been deliberately bred. Because doodles are so popular, there is a very good chance that you will be able to find a doodle at this rescue at some point. Most of the dogs in this rescue are retired breeding dogs, although sometimes they are dogs that have been surrendered by their owners because of medical reasons or because the breeder went out of operation. Many have been poorly bred and may have issues that will not go away, even with dedicated care. National Mill Dog Rescue is extremely supportive of their adopters, providing one-on-one behavioral support, medical care, and whatever else the dog needs. They will always take back dogs that are adopted out from their rescue. National Mill Dog Rescue is willing to adopt out nationally, just as they rescue nationally. However, you will need to travel to the rescue to pick up your dog. They require fenced-in yards for many of their dogs and they require the other pets in the home to be spayed or neutered. Liz Nass enass mlive. Ford International Airport was filled with barks after 98 dogs rescued from a puppy mill landed in Grand Rapids Friday, June .Commercial dog breeding facilities in which the health of the dogs are disregarded in order to maximize profits are considered puppy mills. These dogs were said to have neglected and living in overcrowded conditions. She said their biggest mission is to get the dogs to local shelters with capacity for a large number and hopefully find them home. As the plane coming from Springfield, Missouri pulled up to the hangar, there was a lot of excitement from the representatives of seven West Michigan shelters waiting to take them to a safe environment. The dogs were a mix of chihuahuas, poodle mixes and dachshunds. Miss Bianca was the first dog to come off the plane, shaking and nervous as she stepped into her new life. Ford Airport on Friday, June 23, .Miss Bianca was the first dog off the plane. Drew Travis MLive. Twenty-two dogs are heading to the Cascade Humane Society. She said the next steps for the dogs include giving the dogs quick physicals to medically evaluate them, with many of them having dental issues when they come out of puppy mills, as well as spaying and neutering them if needed. The next step after that is to just give the dogs time to rest and readjust to life outside of the puppy mill, including providing them love and care, while they wait to hopefully be adopted. She said this situation required all hands on deck and she was excited to see the amount of support in the community to load the dogs up and take them across the region. She is hoping that the dogs will be able to fully acclimate sooner rather than later with their quick response to the call for help. Schlacter said the foundation facilitates one transport almost every week, constantly working to bring dogs to safer and loving situations. As all the dogs were loaded up into their shelter vans, the crowd cheered, ready for them to start the next phase of their life. After most of the dogs were on the way to their shelters, Bissell took one of the five-year-old males outside to walk around in the grass. She said he was headed to Harbor Humane Society in Holland. Schlacter said that there is no better feeling than seeing a successful transport of pets, and she will be excited to hear the adoption stories later on from the group. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? More on MLive:.

Shih poos are a cross between a shih tzu and a toy poodle. While some shih tzu breeders breed a poodle to a shih tzu to create first-generation shih poos, it's also common practice to breed shih poos to one another to create multigenerational dogs. As cross-breeds, shih poos are not an officially recognized breed, and there is no breed standard regarding appearance or temperament. Even shih poo puppies born to the same litter may take after one parent more than the other and appear vastly different in coat texture and coloring, says PetGuide. Shih poos fall in the small to tiny range, typically standing between eight and 18 inches at the withers and weighing anywhere from eight to 18 pounds. Their coat may be long, straight and silky like that of the shih tzu, shorter and curly like that of a poodle or it may fall somewhere in between. Despite the appearance, the shih poo's coat barely sheds, making these dogs a good fit for someone with mild pet allergies. Coloring can take after either parent breed. While poodles have solid coats that are typically black, white, gray, brown or apricot, shih tzu coats may be solid or come in various color patterns and combinations. Shoodle coats may mimic the coloring pattern of either parent. Personality: Often, mixed-breed dogs develop a temperament that balances the qualities of their parent breeds. Shih tzus tend to be highly affectionate and extremely charming, but possess a stubborn streak that can make them difficult to train. Poodles, on the other hand, while equally charming with playful and comedic personalities, are highly intelligent dogs who are more eager to please and easier to train. Shih poos, as a result, are often playful, affectionate and quick-witted little charmers, although they may inherit their shih tzu parent's willfulness. Because of this, they often need a firm but patient guide in training, and might not be the best choice for first-time dog parents. What shih poos may lack in trainability, they more than make up for in love and affection. They love to play with toys and get along wonderfully with older children, although due to their small size and hair that's easy to grab and pull, they should be closely supervised around small children. While friendly and great at getting along well with other pets, especially if introduced as puppies, older shih poos might not love having other dogs around. They often do well as only dogs. Even so, these fluffy pups love being close to their people and don't tolerate being left alone for long periods of time. If work or school takes you away from home for long hours, you may need to consider doggie daycare to keep your shih poo happy. Living With: Shih poos are generally versatile dogs that can do well in small apartments as well as larger homes. They need up to 30 minutes a day of play and exercise, which can be satisfied with two or three short walks each day or minute sessions of vigorous playtime twice daily. The rest of the time, they'll be content to curl up in your lap or to cuddle up next to you on the sofa. Shih poos are highly social and love to be around people, so expect them to stick close as you move around the house. While shih poos tend to be long-lived, with some living 17 years or more, they can be predisposed to the same health problems as their parent breeds. These include allergies, patellar luxation , vision problems and endocrine disorders such as Addison's disease, hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease. Shih poos that inherit the shorter snout of the shih tzu may also be prone to respiratory issues, reverse sneezing and snoring. Extra care should be taken to prevent overheating and heat stroke, says Dogtime. And like many small breeds, these dogs may be prone to dental problems and will benefit from regular dental cleanings and daily tooth brushing. Regardless of the length or texture of your shih poo's coat, it will be thick, fast-growing and prone to matting. Daily brushing and monthly visits to the groomer are recommended to keep the coat under control. Limit baths to a few times a month to prevent the skin from drying out. When bathing, be sure to prevent water from getting in the ear canals to prevent ear infections from developing. Shoodles have healthy appetites and will overeat if given the chance, which will lead to unhealthy weight gain. It's best to keep them on a consistent feeding schedule rather than allowing them to graze on kibble throughout the day. Feed your pup a high-quality food dog formulated for small breeds , and keep treats to a minimum. History: Not much is known about the backstory of the shih poo. Unlike other boutique breeds, no breeders have come forward to take credit for introducing the shih poo. Most likely this cross-breed came about unintentionally, with breeders in the U. As a cross-breed, shih poos are not recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club, although they are recognized by various designer breed registration clubs, including the American Canine Hybrid Club and the International Designer Canine Registry. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. They are not purebreds like their Shih Tzu or Poodle parents. Shih-Poo coats can be curly like their Poodle parent, straight like their Shih-Tzu parent, or a combination of the two. They are generally considered hypoallergenic. Shih-Poos can come in black, white, brown, brindle, and all variations and color combinations. Like most small dogs, Shih-Poos can be prone to dental health issues. Maintain proper dental hygiene for your Shih-Poo. Shih-Poos are pretty versatile and can live in just about any kind of home. Shih-Poos come from the loyal, adorable Shih Tzu, and the intelligent, sophisticated Poodle. Unfortunately, like any other breed, these little cutie pies wind up in shelters, from people not wanting a long-term commitment. If you keep your eyes out for a Shih Tzu or Poodle rescue, in your area, that is most likely where you will find a Shih-Poo awaiting adoption. They are not acknowledged as an official breed at the present time. That said, as a mix between Shih-Tzu and Toy Poodle parents, you can expect the Shih-Poo to be on the small side Most weigh in at eight to 18 pounds and range in height from eight to 18 inches. As Poodle and Shih Tzu size can vary between teacup, miniature and standard, the size of the Shih-Poo will also vary. Shih Tzus can be stubborn, but what they lack in trainability, they make up for in personality ten fold. They are incredibly friendly, attentive, and cute, while Poodles are intelligent, trainable, and active. Shih-Poo personalities can vary but typically will fall in the middle of parental traits. Most Shih-Poos are described as friendly and playful. While Shih-Poos enjoy a good siesta, they also enjoy walks and thrive on playtime. They may not be eager to learn new tricks but do enjoy interaction and attention. Shih-Poos may not be as barky as their Poodle parent, but may alert you to any displeasures, such as a missed meal, with a single bark until every few minutes until needs are met. Training and socialization should be established early on. Consistency and positive reinforcement are the ways to go with Shih-Poos. Shih-Poo Health While many designer crossbreeds have improved overall health, they can inherit health issues their parents are prone to. That said, Shih-Poos can typically live approximately 16 years on average in relatively great health. Watch for signs of heat stroke if your dog happens to have a shorter snout. As a small dog, they can be prone to dental problems. Maintain good dental care and have their teeth regularly checked and professionally cleaned. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Make sure Shih-Poos are kept on a dietary schedule. Do not allow free-feeding as they will overeat and rapidly gain weight. They will need regular potty breaks and one or two ten-to minute walks a day for optimal health. Dental issues can be problematic. Regular teeth cleanings are recommended, as well as systematic dental chews and teeth brushings. Your vet should be able to help you establish a routine. Shih-Poo ears should be kept clean and dry. After bathing, take extra steps to ensure this. If your pup gets a smelly, pungent odor, they may have an ear infection. Ear cleaning solution can help keep your pup from getting infections and unnecessary trips to the vet. Shih-Poo Feeding An ideal Shih-Poo diet should be formulated for a small-sized breed with medium energy. High quality food is recommended, as they do tend to have dental issues. They should not be allowed to free feed as they may gain weight. A feeding schedule is ideal with a minimum of treats. They can get the curly fur from their Poodle parent, the straight fur from their Shih-Tzu parent, or a combination of the two, which is most likely. The color will vary, as well. They can come in black, white, brown, brindle, and all variations and color combinations. Daily brushings, as well as monthly groomings, will help keep your pup looking and feeling their very best. You may also want to give them a few baths in between, but not more than weekly, as their skin and coat can get dry and irritated. Shih-Poos prefer to be mostly around adults or older kids who know how to play gently. That said, for children who learn early how to properly approach and play with a small dog, the Shih-Poo can make a great companion. When it comes to other pets, Shih-Poos can get along with other animals if they are introduced slowly and calmly, and early socialization will help this go smoothly. Shih-Poos can be left alone for short periods of time, but a second dog could be ideal for them, especially in their later years. However, you may want to try Shih Tzu or Poodle breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. Although purebred dogs are carefully bred over generations according to the breed standard the written description of the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed , hybrid dogs like the shih tzu—poodle mix have no official standard. This means that characteristics like height and weight, body structure, color, coat type, and temperament are less predictable than they are in purebred dogs. Different breeders may have different ideas of what constitutes the perfect shih tzu—poodle mix. Additionally, shih tzu—poodle mixes are not recognized by any of the reputable purebred dog registries such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club. Shih Tzu—Poodle Mix Care The low-shedding coats of both shih tzu and poodles require of upkeep, and the grooming requirements for shih tzu—poodle mixes are similar. Brush daily or every other day to keep the coat untangled and to prevent mats from forming. Like poodles and shih tzu, shih tzu—poodle mixes require regular haircuts from a professional groomer. Also trim the nails every two weeks and check the ears once a week, cleaning them with a pet safe ear cleaner if they appear dirty. Excessive dirt or redness in the ears means a veterinary visit is in order. Shih tzu—poodle mixes are smart, but how trainable they are depends whether they inherited more the eager-to-please personality of the Poodle or the more stubborn nature of the shih tzu. Regardless, positive-reinforcement methods like clicker training using tasty treat rewards gets great results from any dog. Despite being indoor dogs, shih tzu—poodle mixes still need some exercise. Aim for two walks a day or one walk and one play session in a safely enclosed space like your fenced yard. More energetic shih tzu—poodle mixes with trainable personalities might also like training for fun dog sports like agility, flyball, and obedience. Each breed has certain inherited health disorders in their family background, and those health issues can be passed on to the puppies in a litter. Breeding shih tzu to poodles means the puppies could potentially inherit any of the genetic diseases common to either breed. Shih tzu are prone to hip dysplasia , patellar luxation slipped kneecap , and various eye problems including cataracts , progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment, and eyelid abnormalities. Responsible breeders start with healthy, well-bred adult purebred shih tzu and poodles and test them for the genetic diseases common to their breed before breeding them together. Responsible breeders should also test their adult shih tzu—poodle hybrids before breeding them to decrease the odds that the puppies will inherit genetic issues. Responsible breeders also offer a health guarantee on their puppies that protects the puppy buyer in case the puppy develop a genetic disease later in life. Many shih tzu—poodles will overeat if you keep the bowl filled, so instead serve measured meals twice a day. Ask to your veterinarian for a recommendation for a healthy food for your shih tzu—poodle mix, as well as an ideal healthy weight for your adult shih tzu—poodle. If possible, arrange to meet them and spend some time with them. This will give you some idea of their characteristic traits and, while there is no guarantee that these traits will pass on to your puppy, you should look for friendly, alert, and happy parents. Shih-Poos Are Considered Hypoallergenic Shih-Poos, like their Poodle parent breed , are often described as being hypoallergenic which prospective owners take to mean that they will not affect those with allergies to dogs. However, those with dog allergies are allergic to the dander that the dog produces, and not to a specific coat or hair. All dogs produce dander, which is effectively just dead skin cells. However, while there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog breed, the Poodle is one breed that is known to cause fewer allergic reactions in sufferers, lending some credence to the claim. If you are allergic to dogs or have a condition like asthma, try spending some time with these breeds to see how you react and whether they trigger allergic reactions. Although they are best known as a Chinese breed, they actually originate from Tibet and it is believed that the nation sent dogs to Chinese royalty as gifts, and they were then bred with Pekinese or Pugs. Although the breed has long been popular in China, it was at its most popular in the 19th century. The Empress was so taken with the breed that she considered the dogs to be sacred. This popularity stems from the fact that the little lion dogs have a face that looks like a lion and Buddha was said to have ridden to Earth on the back of a lion. There is some debate surrounding its origins but the breed was either first bred as a water dog in Germany or from the French Barbet. On balance, even though the dog was once named the royal breed in France, it seems most likely that they are a German water dog by origin. Even their fancy hairstyle stems from their early working lives. Today, there are dozens of hybrid Poodle breeds available, including the Shih-Poo. However, they have been bred from two very well-known breeds that we can take information from. Shih-Tzus and Poodles both tend to be friendly and outgoing, and they should not be shy or nervous. This breed is known to get on well with people of all ages, especially those that show them love and adoration. They are very happy to be stroked and loved. This can be further encouraged through positive and continuous socialization at a young age. However, they do not always get on well with dogs outside the family unit but can make companions for existing dogs when bought as a puppy. Small dogs are known for being a bit yappy. They vocalize their feelings, to make up for the fact that they are small. While this is common in a lot of small breeds, it is actually less common in the Shih-Poo, which adopts the quieter nature of the Poodle. Are These Dogs Good for Families? He will happily curl up on your lap for hours if allowed, and he will get on with all family members. He will also enjoy playing, so he is a good dog for older children. As ever, it is not recommended that families with very small children have this dog. Babies and toddlers tend to grab at things when concentrating on them, and this can lead to injury or cause the dog to nip. However, if you want your dog to live with cats or other dogs, it is better to introduce them slowly and at a young age. Shih-Poos do not cope well with being left alone for extended periods of time, so having another dog as a companion can help to alleviate loneliness, prevent boredom, and stop any negative habits that might form. He can make a great family pet for those with older children that know how to play calmly with a dog. He can also be integrated into an existing family consisting of other dogs and even cats. He will benefit from being fed high-quality dry kibble, and you should expect to feed approximately one cup of food a day. This is best served as two small meals and you should avoid free-feeding because this breed, like so many other dog breeds, has a tendency to overeat which can lead to weight issues like joint pain. This is thanks, in part, to their diminutive size. A short, brisk walk in the morning and another in the evening is ideal, and you can supplement this throughout the day by playing with a ball or small toy. He will, however, perform well in agility classes and these can be a great way to exercise his mind as well as his body. This means that you need to offer training at a young age to ensure that they are learning desirable traits and behaviors. Although they are intelligent, the Shih-Poo can be headstrong and stubborn, and they do not always take well to training. The short attention span means that your dog will benefit from short and relatively simple training sessions. You will need a lot of patience to get the desired results, so be prepared to put in some time and effort. Socialization should be considered an important part of training any dog, especially this breed. Good socialization teaches the dog how to behave around strangers and when meeting new people. It also introduces them to other dogs and helps prevent them from being nervous and unhappy. A nervous dog is always on edge and can become nippy. A good way to ensure socialization is with puppy classes. Your Shih-Poo might not want to learn new tricks or other behaviors but is likely to want to meet new people and make new friends, so they will usually relish puppy classes. You can also take walks at your local dog park, which will offer further socialization. Brushing their coat is vital, and you should do this twice a week. You may also need to trim the coat every year, especially around the eyes and face to help ensure that your dog can see properly. Small dogs are especially prone to dental problems, so brush two or three times a week, more often if your dog will let you. In general, you should avoid bathing dogs because it can strip them of natural, protective oils, but it is recommended that Shih Tzu and Poodle Mix owners bathe their dogs every month or two. This can help prevent skin problems that are otherwise prevalent in this breed. Brush at least twice a week, ideally three times, and potentially every day if your dog will let you. The breed also has the potential to suffer from skin and coat complaints. Regular and thorough grooming will help to prevent these problems and can provide them some relief if they are suffering any kind of insensitivity or rash. They can also become teary-eyed, and this can prevent them from seeing properly and may lead to them scratching and rubbing at their eyes, causing further problems. Wipe the tears away when you see there is a buildup and this will prevent your dog from having to do it and potentially irritate the area further. As such, you should be prepared to take them for regular veterinarian checkups and make sure you have good pet insurance because the costs can quickly mount. Despite these potential problems, the Shih-Poo has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years with some dogs living much longer than this. Minor Conditions. Because of their small size they are the perfect lapdog and are known as a designer breed. Poodle crosses are one of the most popular form of hybrid dog breeds. The Shih Poo was bred to be a hypoallergenic lapdog, making it perfect for those with allergies. Although they are very popular, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official breed yet. You should always remember to purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder, or you can adopt at your local shelter. A Shih Tzu was originally Chinese Royalty and were pampered by Emperors and spent their days as lap warmers. They are known for being very loyal to their owners but are also outgoing and stubborn dogs. Although they are a sociable breed, they love to be at home too. The Poodle came from Germany and was originally a popular dog among artists. The American Kennel Club recognized the poodle as an official breed in , and now recognize it as the 7th most popular dog breed. So, when we cross a Shih Tzu with a Poodle, we get a Shih Poo, which combines the characteristics from both parents into this fun, cuddly little dog. While it is not always possible to know the exact characteristics of your Shih Poo because they are a hybrid, there are some general traits that are more common in this small breed. Take a look below to learn more about them. Characteristics As we mentioned above, because the Shih Poo is a relatively new breed, it can be difficult to predict exactly what they are going to look like. We can take a look at their parents and guess many of the statistics and traits though. Appearance Because both of their parents are small, it is easy to guess that the Shih Poo is going to be small. On average, a Shih Poo weighs in at 8 to 18 pounds and ranges in height from 8 to 18 inches. However, as Poodle and Shih Tzu sizes can vary between teacup, miniature and standard, the size of the Shih Poo will also vary. Although small in size, they have a sturdy body. Coat Shih Poo coats can vary and it can be long and silky or short and curly. They can get the curly fur from their Poodle parent, the straight fur from their Shih Tzu parent, or a combination of the two, which is most likely. Their fur is hypoallergenic, which is what makes them such a popular hybrid. The Shih Poo inherits this hypoallergenic fur from their Poodle parent, as the Shih Tzu has a non-hypoallergenic coat. They can come in black, white, brown, brindle and all variations and color combinations. It is not uncommon for puppies of the same litter to be born with different colored coats. A Shih Poo is normally friendly and playful and, with moderate energy levels, would be very happy napping in your lap for a few hours. They can be quite vocal dogs, although not as vocal as their Poodle parent. Shih Poos are most likely to bark if they are frustrated at something, so it is important to train them from an early age to ensure they do not exhibit unwanted behaviors later on in life. A Shih Poo can make a great family dog when given supportive and positive training and lots of attention , but they are also adaptable and may be suited to the quiet life too. This means they can be a great pup for single individuals who are retired and want a cuddly companion dog to curl up with! They do well in different living environments, including big houses, small houses and apartments. Lifespan The life expectancy of a Shih Poo is relatively long. They can normally live for anywhere between 10 to 18 years, although on average it is 13 years. Known Health Issues Again, because the Shih Tzu Poodle mix is a crossbreed, and a new crossbreed, it can be difficult to know exactly what health conditions they may face. However, we can guess based on their parents. Luckily, if they inherit the longer muzzle from their Poodle parent, they may not have any issues with breathing problems that Shih Tzus inherit. Shih Poos are also known for having dental issues, which we go into more detail about below. Of course, these are all possible health problems but not for definite. Daily Life Now you know all about the characteristics and temperament of a Shih Poo dog, it is time to take a look at what everyday life with one is like. Food And Diet As with any dog, you should always make sure to feed your Shih Poo a healthy and balanced diet. Shih Poos are known to love food, so you should never allow them to free-feed otherwise you may end up with a very overweight dog! An ideal Shih-Poo diet should be a dog food formulated for a small-sized breed with medium energy. You should change their diet as they grow from a puppy into an adult and then again as they go into their senior years. If you need help with the type of food you should be feeding your Shih Poo, you can always ask your vet. They should exercise every day, with it recommended that you should take your Shih Poo on one or two 15 minute walks every day. They will also regularly need to go outside to go to the bathroom, because of their small body and small bladder. Family Compatibility Shih Poos make great family dogs because they love attention. They are friendly and playful, although they need regular grooming and exercise. Because they are an adaptable dog, they can thrive in many different situations, whether you live in a big house or a small apartment. They also love to cuddle up with you and are the perfect lapdog, which may make them perfect for a retired individual who wants a furry companion! It is worth mentioning that Shih Poos are very delicate dogs and may not do well in environments with small children, unless the children have been taught to be gentle with the dogs. Children have a tendency to be rough with animals, and this could end up harming your Shih Poo, so a family with older children might be a better fit. Your Shih Poo will get on with other dogs in the home if they are socialized properly. They do not really like to be left alone and can benefit from having a furry playmate in the home, especially in their later years. Training Many Shih Poo owners have reported that their pooch is energetic and playful, which means they are not difficult to train. They are intelligent dogs that respond well to consistent and positive reinforcement training methods, with verbal praise and treats as rewards. Punishment based training is never a good idea and will not help your Shih Poo to understand. Depending on which parent your Shih Poo takes after more, they may be more inclined to learn tricks. If they take after their Poodle parent, they will likely have a very high IQ and will want to learn. However, a Shih Tzu is much less inclined to impress you! You should start training your Shih Poo as soon as you get them. Housetraining can be a challenge with a Shih Poo puppy, but a little vigilance goes a long way and staying on top of their training will make them much happier. You will need to be patient with them while they are potty training and remember not to express anger at your Shih Poo puppy. Socializing Socializing your Poodle mix puppy is also important from a young age. This is especially important if you have young children in the house or other pets. You should always remember to do this slowly so you do not overwhelm them. Grooming Unfortunately, Shih Poos do require quite a bit of grooming. Neither of their parent breeds have very easy coats to maintain, although a Shih Poo does have a hypoallergenic coat and is very low-shedding. The Shih Poo may have long and silky or short and curly fur, depending on which parent they take after more, but it is likely to be a mix of somewhere in the middle. They need to be brushed daily and trimmed monthly to keep their fur in the best shape and mat and tangle-free. Regular bathing is not really required because they are a very clean dog, although they may need a bath from time to time. A bath can also help to ward off any skin issues they may have inherited. Professional Grooming Many Shih Poo owners take their dogs to the groomers for a hair cut. The type of cut they get will depend on the type of fur they have, but if they have curly fur then you might choose a puppy clip or lamb clip. You will also need to trim their nails occasionally and check their ears for any sign of infection. It is especially important to make sure their ears are dry after bathing, otherwise they may end up with an infection. Both the Shih Tzu and the Poodle breeds are prone to tear stains, so you can expect your Shih Poo to also suffer from tear stains. Gently wiping around the eyes once a day can help this problem. We mentioned above that Shih Poos can have a lot of dental issues. You will need to make sure you are cleaning their teeth daily to ensure this does not become a big problem. You can do this with chewable dental sticks if needed. You vet can help you to establish a routine. A Shih Poo is a very adaptable dog that can thrive in many different situations. They like attention and to be doted on, so if you live in a family where many different people can give them lots of attention, they will love living with you! Equally, they are happy living in individual homes with one carer. Are Shih Poos aggressive? Shih Poos are not known for being aggressive. They are energetic and playful and love attention, although they also love curling up on your lap for a cuddle. Summary Shih Poos are an adorable little mixed breed of dog that is the result of breeding a Shih Tzu and a Poodle. Because they are a hybrid, you cannot always be sure what traits and characteristics this designer dog breed is going to take from each parent, but your Shih Poo will be energetic, playing and loving. While they like to exercise and be outside, they also love to curl up with you on the couch and are a true lapdog. Their adaptability makes them perfect for both families and individual people, and they can thrive in a big house or a small apartment. Is a Shih Poo puppy the right companion for you? Search Dog Breeds. Life Span Did You Know? The Shih-Poo has an adorable, alert expression and small, sturdy body. They can take after the Poodle parent, the Shih-Tzu parent, or be any combination of the characteristics of both parent breeds. Shih-Poos tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate. They love their families and are avidly devoted to them. They tend to be friendly to other dogs, strangers, other pets, and children. They tend to do better with older children who have been taught how to carefully handle a dog. Due to their small size, a Shih-Poo can be easily hurt by rough play or accidental falls. They can do well in families with younger children as long as any time with them is closely supervised. The Shih-Poo tends to be a courageous little dog. They make excellent watchdogs because they are very alert. However, they can become territorial and barking can become a nuisance if left unchecked. Early socialization and training can help curb these tendencies and help your Shih-Poo puppy grow into a well-behaved, confident dog. This designer dog breed is highly adaptable. They do well in apartments as well as in larger homes and tend to do well in most climates. They are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, so they do best in moderate climates. Due to their small size, they may need to layer up for short trips outside when winter rolls in. Because Shih-Poos crave affection and love their humans, they do not like being left alone for long periods of time. The Shih-Poo is a generally healthy designer dog breed. Although the genetic mix can sometimes result in winning the genetic lottery, a mixed dog breed can still be susceptible to health conditions common in one or both of the parent breeds in the cross. By talking with the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances, you can allay several of these potential health concerns. This designer dog breed is highly intelligent and can be easy to train. However, they can also have a stubborn streak that can cause some difficulty for first-time dog owners. This is often easily remedied with the help of some puppy training classes. They can also be difficult to housebreak, but it can be done with plenty of training, consistency, and patience. Crate training can also help. Shih-Poos respond best to positive, reward-based training. Whether with praise, treats, or play, you can reward your Shih-Poo for the behavior you like, which will encourage them to do more of it. Coat types and colors can vary greatly in your Shih-Poo. They can have the long, silky, and straight coat of the Shih Tzu, the short, curly, and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, or a combination of both. Most Shih-Poos end up with a curly or wavy, low or non-shedding coat. However, you should be prepared for your Shih-Poo to exhibit either coat type of the parent breeds. This coat looks its best with a combination of brushing a few times a week at home and then professional grooming every four to six weeks. This will help remove tangles and loose hair and prevent matting. Regular dental care is also important. Small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Drop down ears, or floppy ears, are more prone to ear infections because they can trap moisture, dirt, or debris. Daily walks and some indoor playtime will give this dog plenty of exercise. Beyond that, most of them can keep up with you on longer walks and can even compete in dog sports like rally, obedience, and agility. Be sure to check with your vet first and get your dog cleared before taking on any rigorous activities or training for dog sports. A Shih-Poo will generally stand 8 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. The size of the mother dog can give you a good idea of what to expect in your dog. This designer dog breed usually lives for 15 years or more. Some have even been known to live for 21 years! Featured Shih-Poo Article.

Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. We have answers. The cost of Poodles change depending on several things. The experience of the breeder, type of coat, as well as size affects price. Uptown is so great because you can find amazing Poodles to love, and pups you can afford too! Do your breeders arrange travel for Los Angeles Poodles out of state? Without a doubt! M ost of the breeders, businesses and companies in our network really know their stuff when it comes to transporting Poodle pups all over geographically. They are also able to arrange for your Poodle puppy to be sent by plane to the nearest major airport close to you. Our network is also growing by the day, so you may be able to pick up your pup really close by! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Los Angeles? To make sure that the health and wellbeing of your puppy is safeguarded, our standards are very strict when it comes to experience of the breeder, the places where breeding occurs, care of the animals, etc. The internet is easily accessible to anyone and everyone, making it basic for bad breeders, as well as puppy mills, to hurt families who are just looking for a new best friend. We just want to help families that care find honest breeders, companies and businesses who can help give you the Poodle you have always wanted. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Los Angeles? Puppy mills are an absolute nightmare for all the dogs and puppies involved. The mothers are stuck in cages all their lives, their only purpose to give birth to litter after litter. The puppies that come out of puppy mills often have behavioral issues and health problems that can end up costing you thousands in vet bills. These puppies often die at a young age. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Los Angeles for sale now? We will help connect you with the best breeders, companies and businesses based on a variety of preferences, and before you know it, you will have your new best friend, on or by your lap at home. What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Los Angeles? There are many types of Poodles available. Poodles are very popular and are also incredibly intelligent. Their actual intelligence is just after the Border Collie. They are also highly skillful, able to be dogs that assist, and more! Right now the internet is populated with puppy scams. We aim to create long-term relationships with our Breeder Pledge, screening process and more, with our customers as well as our dog breeders. All you need to do is take a look at our reviews and see all the families and Poodles we have connected and you will see how well our network works!