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Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article. Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry.

Puppy Supplies Welcome to Buck Family Farm, a place where our love for Golden Retrievers has evolved into a passion for providing families with affectionate, intelligent, and healthy Golden Retriever Puppies. Our goal is to make sure your next family pet is everything you expected and more. Our Dogs Our family specializes in raising Golden Retrievers of all coat shades who enjoy our spacious 20 acre farm. It is important to us that each dog gets special attention and care each day. Our family-style setup allows our dogs to have the luxury of running free and romping around to their hearts' content while playing together and with our family. Also, since this is our at-home classroom, someone is always available to play ball or give a much needed scratch on the belly and pat on the head. Genetic testing is also performed on each dog to help us make wise choices for the best pairings and to produce puppies with the best probability of excellent health. Of high importance however, is taking into consideration the temperament of each of our Golden Retrievers to produce a well balanced and friendly companion, who exhibits all of the classic traits of the breed. Puppies Buck Family Farm puppies are AKC registered, vet certified, have first shots, are wormed and will come to your home with a 1 year health guarantee and a first bag of puppy food. We also send a blanket with mommy's scent and all appropriate NYS paperwork as well as copies of parents' health clearances. Our desire is to make your experience with us and our puppies everything you expected and more. Puppy Applications If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from our farm please fill out an adoption application to help us get to know you a little better. When your application is accepted you will have the opportunity to place your name on our waiting list for an additional fee. This ensures a courtesy call when a particular color, gender or litter of choice has arrived. You will then have the opportunity to place a deposit on one of our puppies. You will receive a courtesy notification of the litters' arrival and have opportunity to place a deposit. However, deposits that are not submitted promptly will affect your pick-order. Deposits are usually non-refundable. Placing a Deposit Once a new litter is born and determined to be healthy and thriving, we open them for deposit. First, to those on our waiting list, and then to families who have pre-approved applications. We choose puppies at 5 weeks of age in the order that deposits were placed. Please contact us for Paypal, zelle and Venmo handles. Visiting We frequently update pictures of all puppies on a regular basis. You will not be allowed to visit the puppies or parents until mommy is settled in and feeling comfortable with visitors. At 5 weeks of age we have adopting families visit our farm and choose their puppy. Puppies are chosen in the order that deposits were placed. Homecoming At 8 weeks of age and after veterinary examination, puppies will be united with their forever families! Zoey Zoey has been such a good dog and mother, but we thought it was time for her to retire and take it easy. She has has had some of the cutest pups and we are so glad that we got to share her with you all through them! She is a beautiful dark red color, very active and loves attention! She is also a great mother to her puppies! Roxie is AKC certified and she has been Genetic tested and is clear in everything, but has one copy of ichthyosis mutation. Our son Benson has claimed her as his own. She is a playful dog and loves nothing better than a good race! As soon as she hears Benson start the 4wheeler she is right there to see if she can keep up with him! Bretta is AKC certified and she has been genetic tested and is clear of genetic disorders. Maci This is Maci! She is the darkest of our red dogs and is an excellent mother when she has puppies! Maci is AKC certified and she has been Genetic tested and is clear in everything, but has one copy of ichthyosis mutation. She is sweet tempered just like her mother Zoey. Chloe is AKC certified and she has been Genetic tested and is clear in everything, but has one copy of ichthyosis mutation. There are 6 boys and 2 girls! All the puppies have been vet checked and are clear. Please text or call Carol at or email troyercarol90 gmail. They puppies will be ready to take to their forever homes on Sept. Anya has found her forever home! Meet Magnum. I have combined the two for easier navigation of all of my services and breeding program. I welcome you to my home on the internet and encourage you to browse around to see all that I have to offer. My name is Chrissy Harp, I have been in business for 18 years now. I want everyone that purchases a golden to have the same great experience of owning a well mannered, healthy, lovable puppy as I have. Everyone should own a golden retriever once in their lives, there is nothing like it!! My line has been in our family for 26 years, so I know the health history and it speaks for itself. I stand behind every puppy with a 2 year health guarantee. My whole mission behind spending all this time and money finding the perfect breed able dogs, is so an average family can have a high quality, healthy pet. As it becomes available, I will post information about my puppies as well as dogs that I have available for sale. You may sign up for my email newsletter. I try to send one out when I have a litter expected, a dog that is trained and ready to be placed, a possible therapy dog, a retired dog needing a retirement home, or if something is new. Additional photos are always available. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at puppies opkgoldens. Quality Goldens for family companions, obedience, and show. I breed Golden Retrievers that have been carefully chosen to produce family companions with excellent temperaments, good conformation and that are intelligent and easy to train. At Carriage Hill we believe in striving to produce the best goldens we can therefore we breed to produce the breed standard and all of our golden's have clearances from OFA on their hips, elbows and heart as well as testing on their eyes by an ophthalmologist. At Carriage Hill we specialize in helping you to pick a puppy that will be a match for your family, and providing support on how to care for your new family member. I feel the most important part of pet ownership is that you train your puppy, I will show you how to use everyday games to prepare your puppy for training and to help establish yourself as the Alfa in the family. You should plan on taking your puppy to a minimum of two training sessions, first the puppy obedience class when they are 12 weeks old and then beginners obedience. Each of these classes are usually once a week for 8 weeks and are a essential part of responsible pet ownership. I sell all of my pet puppies with a limited registration from AKC, this means that you will need to get your pet either spayed or neutered. All of our golden puppies are socialized with our family, have had their first set of puppy shots, are wormedtwice, and their dew claws are removed. We usually plan 2 - 3 litters a year. Browse through the rest to see pictures and information about Stormy and Bode our males, and our Golden Girls. 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. Our dogs are special to us, and we breed selectively and sparingly. Nestled in the sprawling countryside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, we provide our beloved dogs with the space they need to thrive and grow. We believe in the responsibility of raising healthy, socialized puppies. We believe in finding our puppies their perfect homes and families. We believe in supporting our buyers with quality resources and information. Our dogs are AKC registered with champion lines, and we consistently strive for excellence in breeding—both for the sake of our customers and our precious puppies. All our puppies are thoroughly evaluated by our veterinarian and come with a two-year genetic health guarantee. In , Dahlia retired and was adopted by a wonderful family. First off, please review the Step Process below, so you can become familiar with what our process and timeline look like. Then, call us when you are ready to be put on the call list for a particular litter. The balance should be paid in cash at pickup. Are you ready to seriously commit to a dog for life? Even before considering a puppy, be sure you are ready to invest the time and energy into puppy raising, an regular exercise program, love, discipline, the extra financial responsibility, etc. Ready for a Golden Retriever Puppy? When you welcome one of our Golden Retriever puppies into your home, they become a part of your family — and you become a part of ours. This sometimes means our process is a little different. But it always means our dogs are happier, and our puppies are healthier. Learn more about our process and give us a call if you have any questions! Sign Up for Email Announcements Our top priority is the health of our dogs and puppies. As a small-scale farm, we breed selectively and sparingly. As you prepare to bring home your precious puppy, get to know our fur family, review our contract and terms of agreement , and learn more about how you can prepare to welcome your sweet puppy home. Read through our FAQ's here on the website. Give Us a Call Once you receive a new litter email announcement, or read about the exciting news on our blog, contact us by phone at to start the process. Advanced wait lists cannot be made prior to the announcement of a new litter. Phone messages will be returned after pm on weekdays, and as available on Saturdays. Say Yes! Once our puppies are two 2 weeks old, we will contact you based on the order in which you were placed on our call list. Your deposit must be made to hold your place of interest. Take time to get to know the personality of your pup and begin forming a special bond. You can also choose to meet your puppy by video, or we can share photos. Growing Goldens Between weeks, our Goldens are evaluated by our vet, fully vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped for safety. All of our puppies are supported with a 2-year genetic health guarantee. Bringing Puppy Home Between 8 and 9 weeks old, you can bring your precious pup home with you! On the day of pick-up, bring your final balance in cash — only cash payments can be processed on our small, family farm. This can be done by registering with the American Kennel Club. Registration provides support to help fund vital programs everywhere, such as canine health research, lost dog recovery, kennel inspections and pet disaster relief. This can be done at the time of registration. Stay in Touch As you and your puppy form a lifelong bond, stay in touch! We love hearing about all the fun our pups have in their furever homes!

Health and breeding information What diseases can occur in Cocker Spaniel and Pug mix. Cocker Spaniel Pug mixes are popular dog owners because they combine a combination of both breeds. They are also known as a Carlin mix and are unique and one of a kind in every way. However, they can also be more prone to certain diseases and health problems than other dog breeds. One of the most common health problems seen in Cocker Spaniel Pug mixes is a respiratory disorder. This happens when the dog's upper airways are severely constricted, causing him to breathe heavily and not get enough oxygen. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and lung failure. Regular visits to the veterinarian can help diagnose and treat these problems. Another common problem in Cocker Spaniel Pug mixes is patellar luxation. This occurs when the kneecap is either prematurely or improperly seated in the joint. While this is not necessarily life threatening, it can lead to health problems that require early treatment and care. Other common, but not life-threatening, problems that occur in Cocker Spaniel Pug mixes include gingivitis, torn cruciate ligaments, allergies, and skin problems. Because these problems often require early treatment, you should visit your veterinarian regularly to make sure your dog is getting all the necessary vaccines and tests. It is important to remember that Cocker Spaniel Pug mixes can be sensitive to stress. Therefore, it is important to provide them with a calm, stress-free home where they can relax and stay away from anything that might upset them. Overall, Cocker Spaniel Pug mixes are a popular breed. Although they can be more prone to certain diseases and health issues than other dog breeds, proper handling and care can help them live a happy and healthy life. What does this mixed breed look like? A Cocker Spaniel and Pug mixed breed is a sociable and playful breed. It has a medium length, dense and fluffy coat. The color is usually chocolate brown or black with white markings. Sometimes the female has lighter colors such as cream, dark brown or blackish brown coat. The color of the undercoat is usually lighter than the top. The head and tail of the dog are larger compared to other breeds, which gives a very unique appearance. What are breed characteristics of this mix dog? A Cocker Spaniel and Pug mix usually has a short, soft coat with varying shades of color. The ears are usually long and hang down. The head is round and the nose is usually black. The body is muscular, the legs are short and strong. The root of the tail is slightly curved over the back. The mongrel has a weight between 4. Fur length. Lifespan Sociability When you are looking for the perfect puppy for your home, one of the best things you should do is find out everything about the dog that you can, so you know what to expect. Cocker Pugs tend to be loyal and affectionate dogs. They create strong bonds with their human companions and are a great choice for families. Their easily trained and are eager to play with anyone. The mix of the personalities of the Cocker Spaniel and the Pug balance each other out. They result in being intelligent and loving dogs. You need to exercise Cocker Pugs daily, otherwise, they will become pudgy. They need lots of attention. These dogs are very intelligent, but they are often stubborn. Many of them are motivated by treats or food. Cocker Spaniels are happy , affectionate, and social. They are also good with other dogs and children when socialized early, as well as being sweet and gentle. They always want to please you and they crave your attention. Cocker Spaniels are also energetic, so they love to explore and play. Pugs are known as being clowns, while at the same time being intelligent and not at all aggressive. They love spending time with you, and they do their best to take all of your attention. These dogs can also be lazy, which often will cause chubbiness. They have low levels of energy and are glad to simply hang out. If you are noticing that your Cocker Pug is taking after their pug parent, make sure that you are giving them exercise daily. Your dog will be good with children and other dogs , but they can be strong-willed and stubborn. Many times, the genes from the parents of the puppy will balance one another out, resulting in an intelligent, loving and charming companion. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Not much is known about cats. This will be covered when you purchase high-quality dog food. Fats also add Omega-6 and omega-3 to their diet, which is necessary for their skin, coat, heart, and brain. Cocker Pugs generally are social dogs that will enjoy going to a dog park and making some new friends. However, your dog may be more laidback, which means they are happy to simply lay around. Unfortunately, this can make them gain weight. Walking them daily so they get exercise will be needed to keep your dog from becoming overweight. Since they have shorter snouts, these dogs may be more heat sensitive. Therefore, you will need patience while training them. Some of these hybrids can be very stubborn. You can usually motivate your Cocker Pug with food, so use this to your advantage. You also want to use positive reinforcement, combining small treats and vocal praise for rewards during training. This can make them lose interest in their training. Their nails should be trimmed monthly, either by you, your vet, or by your groomer. Since he has floppy ears, you will need to keep them clean to prevent infections due to the buildup of bacteria. Your vet will be able to recommend a wash for you to use. You may need to bathe him each month, particularly if he loves rolling in the grass and dirt while outside. Brush his teeth each week to so that you stop tartar from accumulating. One of the biggest things is the possibility of it having a brachycephalic head with a short snout. If your dog has a face that is similar to a pug , they are going to have more health issues than if it has a Cocker Spaniel head. These dogs are occasionally diagnosed with kidney disease and obesity, and they may need tests such as hip x-rays, thyroid tests, skin scrapings, allergy tests, electrocardiograms, biopsies, and others. Minor Conditions. Similarly, it is generally accepted that this mixed-breed was first created in America, but records are lacking. As this new breed has such a limited history, we need to look to its parents to get a better idea of its background. The Spaniel is believed to be of Spanish origin, and records date back to the s. Historically used as a gun dog, the Cocker Spaniel would hunt on land. Though many modern Cocker Spaniels are kept as companion animals and show dogs they are still widely used as working dogs today. Around years ago, the English Cocker Spaniel gave rise to the American Cocker Spaniel — a smaller and daintier dog with little sporting ability. The Pug dog has been around a lot longer than the Cocker Spaniel and has truly ancient roots. In fact, experts agree that Pugs have been in China since before the year B. They have always been a lap dog and to this day remain superb companion animals. Appearance As the Cocker Pug is quite a recently developed breed, there is still a large variability within the population when it comes to their physical appearance. Over time, and with repeated breedings, they will begin to develop a more uniform appearance. On the whole, this breed looks fairly similar to the Puggle, which of course is a Pug crossed with a Beagle. They have a lean and well-muscled body that is compact and supported by long, straight legs. They are always larger than the Pug, measuring up to 45cm and weighing from 8kg to 16kg. Some facial skin folds are likely and these are often more prominent on the nasal bridge. Their eyes are a soulful dark brown and their nose is usually black. The pendulous ears of the Cocker Pug hang loosely beside the face, and while not as large as those of the Spaniel, are certainly wider and longer than those of the Pug. The fur tends to be short and dense, however, a small number of dogs will have the longer and wavier fur as seen on the Cocker spaniel. Fur colour is either black or light fawn. For those that are fawn in colour, they will usually have a dark facial mask. A truly social breed, these dogs enjoy nothing more than spending time with their family and being fawned over. They bond closely to all family members and form particularly strong attachments with any children in the home. They are confident and plucky, able to adapt to a variety of situations and rarely developing anxieties or nervous behaviours. Most Cocker Pugs do well with other dogs, though do need to be introduced to them when still young. Caution is advised around smaller pets and cats, who may be seen as more of a toy to chase than a friend. The perfect house pet, these lap dogs are content to spend the majority of their day relaxing inside, and once they have received their minimum daily exercise requirements should not crave much more attention. Trainability While on one hand the Cocker Pug is eager to please their owner and full of enthusiasm and energy, they can be strong-willed and take patience to train. Some individuals are stubborn and, while they may understand what is being asked of them, can decide they would much rather do something else entirely! Easily distracted, to maintain their attention, training sessions should be kept short and interesting. Positive reinforcement will yield the best results, and both vocal praise and small training treats can be used as rewards. This breed does not react well to negative reinforcement or punishment-based training, which may cause them to lose interest. A low T4 level can cause a myriad of symptoms, including sluggish behaviour, skin infections, alopecia and weight gain. Some straightforward blood tests can diagnose the condition and the treatment is to simply replace the thyroid hormone by giving daily medication. Most dogs will respond very well to the treatment, which will be life-long. Ear Infections Any Spaniel or Spaniel cross with long, floppy ears will be predisposed to ear infections throughout their lifetime. This is because the airflow within the ear canal is reduced and moisture levels and humidity are high. Bacteria and yeast can multiply, leading to chronic and painful infections. Owners can prevent recurring infections by keeping ears clean and dry as much as possible and avoiding the ears getting wet. Dogs with entropion may show signs of discomfort by rubbing at their face or squinting their eyes. Bilateral clear ocular discharge is common and the fur under the eyes may become tear-stained. Entropion is usually fixed with a surgery to improve the positioning of the eyelids and the prognosis tends to be excellent after surgery. For most adults, two thirty-minute walks twice a day is usually sufficient. Though access to a fenced garden is not a necessity, the Cocker Pug enjoys time spent outdoors and will certainly use an outside area if available. They like to play games of fetch and chasing and do quite well in canine sporting activities. Beware under-exercising the Cocker Pug, as they may gain weight quickly. Grooming As most breed members have quite a short coat, they only need to be brushed twice a week or so. Some individuals will have prominent skin folds on their face which may need to be wiped and dried each day, preventing a dermatitis. The biggest grooming consideration when it comes to the Cocker Pug is their ears. Their floppy ears should be checked for any signs of build-up or skin reddening on a daily basis as they are prone to infections. Any wax should be cleaned out and most will benefit from an ear cleaning every two weeks. User reviews There are no user reviews for this listing. Popular Dog Breeds. It is a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Pug. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. He was 4 years old on Christmas day. He is full of energy and very strong for a small dog. Very alert, smart, stubborn and loves constant attention. Pedro is absolutely great with kids. I can't tire him out, even on the longest walks. The only time he has embarrassed us is when in the company of people wearing hi-viz clothing, baseball caps and niqab's. Overall he has a fantastic temperament and is always entertaining us with his antics. He was the size of a full-grown Cocker, weighing in at 35 lbs. His ears were long and his snout was short, but not fully pugged. His tail was curled like a Pug. His coat was short, coarse and thick like a Pug, but was wavy by his tail. His eyes were prominent, but not "bugged" like a Pug. He was repeatedly mistaken for a Mastiff puppy, even to the age of nine. Sparky's disposition was even-tempered, tolerant and mellow. He never met a stranger. He had a courageous spirit and feared nothing. He was the happiest dog, and well known for his "full body wag. His tail is like the Cocker Spaniel and docked. He has an extremely soft and shiny jet black coat. He is solid like the Pug but the size of the Cocker. He is the best of both worlds. He was easily to train to sit , lie down, roll over, stay, and pretty much anything. He seems to know what you are saying. He is not too hyper like the Pug, but never runs out of energy for the long walks. Duke is a lap dog; happy and mellow and eager to please, yet our big protector! He is a 6-month-old Cocker Pug. He seems to have the personality of a Cocker; loves to play. He is 25 lb. He is a loving, energetic and adorable pup, with a great temperament. I think he is a perfect example of a beautiful Cocker Spaniel x Pug. In only one month she learned sit, wait, leave it, lie down, and some more of the fun ones: dance, spin, shake, speak and roll over. Her mother is a lb black Pug and her father is a lb. Although she was only 35lbs, she acted as if she were bigger and was the leader of all our dogs. Cudjoe was a great family dog who would never hurt anyone. Unfortunately, she was only 8 when she was diagnosed with cutaneous lymphosarcoma skin cancer and soon after died. She put up a fight to the very end and we were left broken hearted.

Our collection of stock images includes a wide variety of photos and illustrations that are perfect for any project, from websites and social media posts to print advertisements and product packaging. Our photographs capture the beauty and elegance of this beloved breed, with images of dogs both alone and in groups, inside and outdoors, and in a variety of poses and settings. Our illustrations are perfect for adding a playful, whimsical touch to your designs, with cute and charming depictions of the French Poodle that are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. Where French Poodle Images Can Be Used French Poodle images are a versatile addition to any project, from personal designs to professional marketing materials. They can be used on websites, social media platforms, and blogs to add a touch of personality and charm, or on print materials such as brochures, flyers, and advertisements to show off your brand's unique character and style. How to Use French Poodle Images Effectively When using French Poodle images in your designs, it's important to choose the right image for the right project. If you're creating a playful design or marketing campaign, an illustration may be the perfect choice to add a touch of whimsy and fun. On the other hand, if you're looking to showcase the elegance and beauty of the French Poodle, a high-quality photograph may be the best option. When using French Poodle images in your designs, be sure to choose images that match the tone and style of your project, and consider using them sparingly to prevent overwhelming your audience. Conclusion Our collection of French Poodle images includes a wide variety of high-quality photos and illustrations that are perfect for any project you have in mind. Whether you're looking to add a touch of whimsy and playfulness to a personal design project or want to showcase the elegance and beauty of this beloved breed in your professional marketing materials, our collection has something for you. Remember to choose the right image for the right project, and use them sparingly to ensure that they have the maximum impact. So why wait? Start exploring our collection of French Poodle images today! Height: over 15 inches Weight: 45 to 80 pounds Height: 19 to 24 inches Weight: 45 to 80 pounds Medium Size not recognized by the AKC Height: 14 to 18 inches Weight: 40 to 50 pounds Miniature Height: 11 to 15 inches Weight: 14 to 18 pounds Height: 12 to 13 inches Weight: 14 to 18 pounds Toy Height: 10 inches or under Weight: 6 to 9 pounds Height: 10 to 11 inches Weight: 6 to 9 pounds Apart from these four recognized sizes, there is also what breeders call the teacup French Poodle. They are essentially smaller than the toy and should not be mistaken as one. So far, no breed standard covers the size of teacups, but according to the breeders I know, they are usually 5 to 7 pounds in weight and 9 inches in size. The temperament of French Poodles slightly differs according to their size. But generally, they are smart, active, trainable, and loyal dogs. Standard French Poodles are quite energetic. However, when you compare them to the other sizes, they are still more reserved. The smaller ones are often seen following their owners and entertaining themselves with various activities, unlike the standard-sized pups who love to just chill around with their favorite person. When it comes to children, the medium and miniature are more recommended because they are slightly larger compared to the toy and the teacup. If you are worried about their behavior towards visitors, stop your anxious thoughts. French Poodles, no matter what size, are friendly to strangers and other pets in the household. If you consider taking care of them as a priority, they could even exceed this life expectancy. Puppies afflicted with this do not produce sufficient adrenal hormones, leading to gastrointestinal disturbances, lethargy, and canine stress. Chronic Active Hepatitis: This occurs when the liver is inflamed which leads to liver failure. This is a result of an autosomal recessive gene that is present in Poodles. This is a progressive disease and is seen mostly in adult French Poodles. Atrial Septal Defects: This is a rare heart problem that is present among the Poodle population. The heart is observed to have a hole in the upper chambers which can lead to breathing difficulties, coughing, exercise intolerance, and heart failure. Patellar Luxation: This is a common problem of small French Poodles which concerns their kneecap. Sebaceous Adenitis: This is a hereditary problem that is common among standard Poodles. The sebaceous glands which are responsible for lubricating the skin and coat are inflamed, so your pup might experience hair loss, flaking, scaling, skin thickening, and sores. Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: This is a congenital problem that prevents the optic nerve to fully develop, leading to blindness. Dogs with this condition do not produce enough platelet so their bleeding time is longer than usual. How Much Is a French Poodle? This price can still change if you plan to buy one who came from a champion bloodline or those with a rare or unique coloration. Apart from the initial cost of purchasing a puppy, you also have to buy some essential items so your pet will thrive inside your home. This includes dog food, crate, bed, food and water bowl, leash and collar, brush, chew toys, training treats, shampoo, urine cleaner, and poop scooper. Also, Poodles need professional grooming due to their coat. Here is a list of breeders you should get in touch with: AKC Marketplace — This is the widest breeder directory that features a lot of Poodle varieties. All the breeders listed in this marketplace are a member of the organization. You can view their website if you need breeder information like phone number and email address. Sturt Your Stuff — This breeding facility is located in an acre ranch outside Wellington, Colorado. All their pups come with pedigree papers and OFA certifications. Find adopting as the better option for you? Carolina Poodle Rescue — You can check out the French Poodles that are ready for adoption in this rescue by simply visiting their website. French Poodles do not smell. In fact, aside from being less shedding, they are also one of the cleanest breeds there is. French Poodles tend to be attached to one person, especially if that individual has been very nice and affectionate to them. The rarest French Poodle color is the apricot. This is a dilute of red which is also the last color to be recognized for the breed. Some apricot French Poodles are so light that they look almost cream. Final Thoughts Although the name French Poodle is already widely used to address the breed that originated in Germany, I would still recommend that you drop the geographical indicator and call the Poodles as they should be called. If you come across a breeder who markets his puppies using the name French Poodle, immediately cancel your transaction. These types of breeders who do not find time to research the origin and proper name usage of the dogs they are selling are obviously just in it for money. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Are Poodles Called French for a Reason? However, the fact that a geographical identifier is included in this name is incredibly confusing due to the fact that Poodles did not actually originate in France but rather in Germany. The fact that these dogs are the national dog of France is the only viable reason why certain breeders and pet owners continue to insist on calling this breed, French Poodle. According to the available evidence, the more recent lines of French Poodles were developed in this country to serve as circus performers and duck catchers. This is how the French Poodle got its name. This is not the case at all. There is just one breed of Poodle, and regardless of what we label them, neither their genetic composition nor their overall behavior will ever differ. Others say that the breed originated in the United States. Other historians are of the opinion that the North African Barbet, a dog breed that was brought to the Iberian Peninsula from Africa, is one of the forebears of the Poodle. Following that, the kind made its way to Gaul, where it was utilized for his exceptional hunting skills. This theory has gained widespread acceptance over the years. The Poodle may have originated from dogs who were transported out of the Asian steppes by the conquering North African Berbers. He eventually made his way into Portugal in the 8th Century with the Moors. This is yet another idea on the origin of the Poodle. In a similar manner, they were bred to have an above-average doggy intellect in addition to exceptional swimming abilities, which allows them to perform the role of the most effective water retrievers. As time progressed, they made the transition from the waterways to the laps of the elites as they became the preferred pets of European royal families. The toy and miniature versions of the French Poodle were bred so that they would make better companions. After that, it was discovered that their nose was particularly adept at tracking, which led to them taking up the profession of truffle hunter. Due to the fact that they are also natural entertainers, they were frequently used in circuses in the role of entertainers. Breeders in the United States began making toy versions of the French Poodle around the turn of the 20th Century. Poodles of this breed and the standard Poodle are identical in every way except for their size. Are There Other Types of Poodles? The difference in size between the various types of Poodles is the primary distinction between them. The standard Poodle is the largest kind, while the toy poodle is the smallest. Miniatures are considered to be in the middle of the pack. In recent years, teacup Poodles have also become increasingly popular, which has led to an increase in the number of breeders producing these dogs by making use of runts or puppies born with dwarfism. They are also called true royals because of how they stand and the beautiful colors of their coats. It has oval-shaped eyes that give the impression that it is very smart and aware. Most of the time, the ears are at or below eye level. It is thickly feathered and sits close to their head. Under their eyes, their muzzles are a little bit muscular, and their faces are straight and long. This breed has a long neck that makes it look respectable. The ribs are well arched, and the chest is deep. It has a straight tail that is often held up. The coat can either have curls or strings on it. They have curly coats, lively faces, and dark eyes, just like their larger breed siblings. On the other hand, the AKC does not list the height of a medium French poodle because they do not recognize this breed. But the FCI recognizes this size, which is between 14 and 18 inches tall and 40 to 50 pounds heavy. The AKC says that a miniature French poodle is between 11 and 15 inches tall and weighs between 14 and 18 pounds. FCI said it was between 12 and 13 inches tall and weighed between 14 and 18 pounds. Toy French Poodles are under 10 inches tall and weigh between 6 and 9 pounds. So far, there is no breed standard that says how big a teacup should be. However, breeders I know say that they usually weigh between 5 and 7 pounds and are 9 inches tall. In general, though, they are smart dogs that are also energetic, amenable to training, and devoted to their owners. French Poodles are known for their high levels of activity. When contrasted with the other sizes, however, they continue to maintain a more reserved disposition. In contrast to the standard-sized puppies, which prefer to do nothing more than laze around with their favorite human companion, the smaller ones are frequently observed following their owners and occupying themselves with a variety of activities. When it comes to children, the medium and tiny are more advanced than the toy and the teacup because they are slightly larger than the other two options. They are also more naughty and energetic, which allows them to readily adjust to the high level of energy that children exhibit. Because French Poodles have the disposition to be reserved and apprehensive around strangers, it is essential that you begin socializing with your French Poodle puppy as soon as you possibly can. They are also very silly, and they want to be the ones to start the games while they are with their family. Their enthusiasm to please their owners is another factor that contributes to their high level of trainability. That can be debated, but there is no denying that they are very near the top. They will pick up commands quickly and be eager to go on to more difficult tasks, just like other intelligent dogs. They can also make fantastic friends, but only for people who are willing to meet all of the requirements that come along with owning a dog. Keep in mind that the training should focus on providing them with positive reinforcement. Poodles have substantial egos, and their pride is easily wounded if they are punished. When working with your French Poodle, the best outcomes may be achieved through patience, practice, and rewards. During the course of each training session, your Poodle puppy will form a bond with you. Because they are both smart and active, French Poodles need a significant amount of daily exercise to maintain their good health. You will need to rearrange your daily activities in order to make time for your Poodle to have fun, get exercise, and be trained. Training sessions should be kept quick and fun, and your Poodle should be provided plenty of opportunities for mental and physical stimulation. This will help reduce the likelihood of undesired behaviors, like boredom-related destructiveness, emerging during the sessions. As a result, their coat sheds very little hair or allergens, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers. Poodle puppies require very little grooming in the form of bathing and brushing when they are younger. However, when they begin to mature, their coats will demand a wide variety of attention from you, and the manner in which you choose to groom them will decide what kind of treatment their coats will require. If the matting becomes too severe, specialists recommend cutting the hair very short and starting the process of growing out their curly locks from the beginning. On the opposite side of the coin are those individuals who believe that taking their poodles to a professional groomer is the way to go. Your Poodle needs lots of physical and cerebral activity in the form of playing games, and training, so prepares to spend plenty of one-on-one time with your pup. Because of their small size, they are able to live well in an apartment as long as their exercise needs are met. They are calm dogs that are well-trained in the art of socializing with children. Poodles can also get along well with other animals if they are properly socialized when they are young. However, because of the reality that they are prone to anxiety, poodles may not perform well in homes that are always filled with people, are noisy, and are otherwise disorganized. They are quick to warm up to new people, despite the fact that initially, they may be reserved with strangers. They are not extremely territorial, which makes them poor watchdogs and raises questions about their suitability as guard dogs. Nevertheless, if there is a definite threat, they will protect their owners and families by standing in front of them. However, for the most part, they are modest, serene, and watchful, and they provide their families and owners with the benefit of their playful and attentive company. Poodles are known for their intelligence, which is one of their most distinguishing traits. It is frequently asserted about him that he possesses human-like intelligence, an extraordinary ability that amazes his owners. Naturally, intelligent dogs can be challenging housemates at times. They pick up bad and good behaviors very quickly, and they remember all they learn. They are going to be OK so long as they feel loved by you and have plenty of time to run around and get some fresh air outside. They will have a great time in the dog park if you take them there to play catch with a ball. They also enjoy going on hikes, particularly if the trail leads to a lake where they can swim at the end of it. Poodles are also wonderful dogs to have in the house if you have other people living there. In addition, when they have been properly socialized, they have a tendency to be quite kind to children. Because French poodles do not have coats that shed, they are frequently an excellent choice for persons who suffer from allergies. However, the absence of shedding does not indicate that it is a coat that requires no maintenance. French poodles are super intelligent dogs that are relatively simple to teach and take great pleasure in making their owners happy. As mentioned before, Training should be kept upbeat and interesting, and it should not be boring. French Poodles can live in a studio apartment or a multi-acre estate as long as they are given enough exercise and human contact to keep them happy. They would much rather stay home and be with their loved ones than go out and socialize with the world. Your eager-to-please mini will quickly enter his zone if you encourage your dog with a lot of praise and maintain a consistent routine. Because French poodles are so devoted to their human companions, they often pick up housebreaking skills quickly. It is highly recommended that first-time dog owners enroll in an obedience class taught by an experienced instructor. If you set a goal to look after them, they might live even longer than the average person would anticipate them to. In that case, according to The Poodle Club of America , they run the risk of developing one of the following health conditions: 1-Atrial Septal Defects: This is a relatively uncommon heart condition seen in the Poodles community. It has been discovered that the top chambers of the heart have a hole in them, which can cause issues with breathing, coughing, inability to tolerate the exercise, and ultimately heart failure. It is simple to put off making a diagnosis of this disease until it has progressed to a more severe stage because the symptoms are nonspecific and can be confused with those of other conditions. This condition has a higher probability of occurring in these dogs if they have consumed one huge meal a day, eat quickly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating. Poodles are particularly susceptible to this condition. The condition known as bloat happens when the stomach becomes twisted after being inflated with gas or air. This could be because of an imbalance in the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands, or it could be because of other illnesses that cause the body of the dog to create an excessive quantity of cortisol. Increasing the amount you drink and the number of times you urinate are two common symptoms. Some of the other conditions that can cause seizures to include metabolic disorders, bacterial infections that affect the brain, tumors, exposure to poisons, severe head injuries, and many more. If your Poodle is having seizures, it is imperative that you take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible for an examination. Joint deterioration is a natural process that occurs over time and can eventually lead to arthritis, discomfort, and even disability. Dog hip dysplasia can be caused by a number of factors, including being overweight, engaging in strenuous or extended exercise before reaching maturity, having a rapid growth rate, and consuming meals high in calories or dietary supplements. Hair loss, obesity, and lethargy have been linked to it, along with hyperpigmentation and pyoderma. Lethargy is another one of the symptoms. There are a lot of toy breeds that are susceptible to this problem. When your Poodle has Legg-Perthes disease, the blood flow to the head of the femur the large bone in the back of the thigh , which connects to the pelvis, is reduced, and the head of the femur begins to crumble. The initial signs of Legg-Perthes, which include limping and atrophy of the leg muscle, puppies usually start showing signs of between the ages of four and six months old. PRA is an abbreviation for progressive retinal atrophy. A tolerance to nighttime light develops in affected canines in the early stages of the illness. As the condition progresses, they begin to lose their ability to see in the sunlight. Many affected dogs can cope with their eyesight loss to some degree if their surroundings do not alter. This condition affects a person from birth. It results in total blindness and an aberrant reaction of the pupil in the eye that is afflicted. It is estimated that half of all Standard Poodles are either carriers of the condition or afflicted by it. This hereditary disorder is difficult to diagnose, and it is frequently confused with hypothyroidism, allergies, and other conditions for which it may be mistakenly diagnosed. When a dog gets SA, the sebaceous glands in its skin become irritated for reasons that are not fully understood, and they eventually die off. Sebum is a fatty fluid that is normally produced by these glands. It has a role in preventing the skin from drying out. The most prominent sign is abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding following an injury or operation. Other symptoms include bleeding from the gums, nose, stomach, or intestines. Other symptoms include nosebleeds and gum bleeding. There is only one treatment available at this time which is a blood transfusion that must be made from the blood of healthy dogs because there is no cure. What to look for Before Buying a French poodle? Poodles, like dogs of all breeds, have a higher risk of developing certain diseases than the general population, although they are generally healthy. Although it is true that not all Poodles will contract any or all of these diseases, If you are considering adding a French Poodle to your family, it is vital that you are aware of all of these things first. Clearances from the veterinarian demonstrate that a dog has been examined for and found to be free of a certain disease. The following medical testing has been suggested by the National Breed Club: 1. Examination of the Hip Miniature and Standard 2. Examination by an Ophthalmologist Miniature, Standard, and Toy 3. Patella Evaluation Miniature and Toy 5. This pricing is likely to jump if you intend to purchase an individual who came from a champion bloodline or an individual that possesses a rare or distinctive coloring. In addition to the initial expense of buying a puppy, you will also need to spend more money on other supplies to ensure that your new pet will be happy and healthy in its new environment. This includes things like dog food, a kennel, a bed, a food and water bowl, a leash and collar, a brush, chew toys, training treats, shampoo, a urine cleaner, and a poop scooper. The total price for all of these goods might be dollars. In addition, due to their coat, Poodles require the services of a professional groomer. Where to Buy French Poodles: There is a lot of information available online that can direct you to a breeder or rescue organization that provides ethically sourced, healthy Poodle puppies. To begin, conduct some initial resarch. Puppy mills masquerading as respectable breeders are unfortunately common, as are online scams. Do your research on a variety of online discussion boards before introducing a new pet into your home to ensure that it will get along well with all members of your family. If you are considering purchasing a French Poodle then you should get in touch with the following breeders, which are listed below: 1- AKC Marketplace: It is the most comprehensive breeder directory available, and it lists a large number of different types of Poodles. This online marketplace features only breeders who are also members of the organization that maintains it. If you require breeder information such as a phone number or email address, you can get this information on their website. Pedigree papers and OFA health certifications are included with every one of their puppies for sale. Do you believe that adopting a child is the best choice for you? Here is a list of organizations that rescue French Poodles that you can get in touch with: 4- The Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation : It is a charitable organization that is managed by the Poodle Club of America. Vaccinations, veterinary checkups, and spaying and neutering procedures were performed on the dogs in their care. Simply clicking on the picture of the dog will take you to a page where you can read an extensive analysis of their character. Be sure to get all of your questions answered, make arrangements to see the parent dogs or the mother, and always trust your gut. The American Kennel Club AKC also gives possibilities for locating a breeder; however, they have quite stringent regulations on who is permitted to participate. Who would make the perfect companion for a French Poodle? Before bringing a French Poodle into your home, there are a few things you need to bear in mind, as these dogs make fantastic companions for many different types of households. French Poodles are high-maintenance pets that need to be groomed and cared for on a regular basis. This could become significant over time and should be factored into your budget on a consistent basis. They tend to be calm when they are indoors, but they want ample room to run around and play on a daily basis. This could be an excellent opportunity for you to work together if you or a member of your family is a runner. French Poodles demand a significant amount of mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis. This is not the breed for you if you are frequently absent from your residence for long stretches of time. The French Poodle: 10 key Takeaways 1. The toy poodle did not originate in France but rather in Germany. They were bred to be used as hunting dogs in the beginning. The poodle cut is not intended for fashion but rather for functionality. Poodles can have their hair styled in a number of different ways. Poodles are available in three different sizes, but they all adhere to the same breed standard. Poodles of any size are very active canines. This is true regardless of their size. They do not have fur; rather, they have hair. A great number of poodles are employed. At one point in time, the Iditarod was raced by a team of Poodles. Poodles have been owned by a lot of famous people in the United States. Are French Poodles attached to one person? A French Poodle will form a strong attachment to a single person, particularly if that person has treated them kindly and shown them a lot of attention in the past. Due to the fact that they have interests, this breed cannot be relied upon to treat everyone in an equitable manner. The apricot color of the French Poodle is the rarest of all the colors. This is the ultimate authorized color for the breed, and it is a diluted version of the color red. Some apricot French Poodles have a coloring that is almost identical to cream. I only presented them as evidence to show that they are not a separate breed, contrary to what some misinformed pet owners assert. Post navigation. Maybe you have studied a lot about poodles, but we are sure that we will help you to know about some interesting facts about them that you have never heard before. But side by side, you will be getting some beautiful pictures of poodle puppies for your picture collection. Fun Fact 1: There are three main Poodle categories. Poodles are categorized according to their sizes. Next is the Miniature Poodle, which grows up to 15 inches tall. Fun Fact 2: They are also retrievers. Considering just how much hair covers their faces and bodies. Fur is shed once or twice each year, while hair continues to grow. Amazing Poodle Dog Puppies Pictures: So without wasting any more time, we should directly go to our motive and yes, it is that we will be discussing about something interesting about this dog breed. Actually, we all know that Poodle is the national dog of France but the breed has originated from Germany. But yes, all their reputation grew from France and so they do claim Poodle as their National dog. Fun Fact 4: They are fond of humans. Fun Fact 5: They are generally healthy. In general, they are considered one of the healthiest dog breeds in the world. Most Poodles live anywhere from 10 to 18 years. However, you should know why the Poodles were bred for the first time in Germany. Actually, they were bred as working dogs and not as pets. They were excellent swimmers and so they were used by the hunters to retrieve ducks and other birds from the water. Poodles have a very soft mouth, which helped them to bring the injured from the water. Interestingly, the furs all over their body were just used as a protection as they swam in the cold water. Therefore, if you just see the fur pattern of the poodle you will find that the furs were used to protect the vital areas from cold water. Fun Fact 6: The name has an interesting history. As mentioned, Poodles came from Germany instead of France. This makes sense because the name came from pudel. More often than not, they mix Poodles with other breeds that are also hypoallergenic. Overall, there are more than 40 different cross-breeds that came from Poodles. Fun Fact 8: Elvies Presley loved them. When Elvis was in the army, he had a Poodle named Champagne. One of which is Honey, whom he gave to his wife Priscilla. He also gave his mother a Poodle named Sweet Pea. Most of the dogs shed as a part of a biological process, but amazingly, poodle will never stop growing its fur. This is the main reason that they need regular grooming. If they are not groomed well, it will end up in matted and locking fur all over their body. This is the reason they are regarded as hypoallergenic and generally odorless. Fun Fact 9: An artist made them popular. However, a German artist looked at them from a different perspective. This is what made the breed very popular during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, Poodles are one of the most common dogs to enter in dog shows. You should also know that poodles are one of the smartest dog breed in the world. They are though easy to train and they response to the training rapidly. To say in details, they are very intelligent and if you can train them in the right way, they will need just sometime to understand what you are up to. Going back to the s, poodles were dressed in human clothing and trained well to act out beautiful tricks in front of people in the dog shows. From then, the popularity of poodles in the dog show has started. And today it is one of the popular breed for the dog shows. Fun Fact American celebrities and icons love them, too! We already know that Elvis Presley was fond of Poodles. However, there are many other celebrities and icons who love this breed. Fun Fact Kids and the elderly love them, and Poodles love them back! Because they are hypoallergenic, Poodles are the go-to pet for young and old dog lovers. In return, they also enjoy being around them! In fact, Doug Dawson, a Poodle-owner who brings his dog to work in a nursing home, once found out that his Poodle named Nala knows how to work the elevator. Nala would ride the elevator and go around different rooms in the nursing home, visiting the elderly to bring joy and comfort. So whenever you are thinking of a poodle remember that you are looking for a dog with amazing haircut and you really have an interest for fancy dogs. Poodles are given silly haircuts just because they look good in that. If you see the matter in details, you will find that most of the owners of poodle prepare their dog for dog shows. So they give fancy cuts to make them look more attractive. Forget about that and just think about how you enjoyed the pictures of poodle puppies. I'm a blogger who loves to write about pets. I like to try new products, find cute pictures of them and share them with people. Related Posts. Life Span Did You Know? The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds and was originally developed in Germany to hunt waterfowl. The Poodle may have originated in Germany, but they are much-loved by the French. So much so that the Poodle is the national dog of France. The Miniature Poodle is slightly more recent. This Mini version likely originated in France. The Mini Poodle has all of the same characteristics as a Standard Poodle; they just come in a smaller package. The Miniature Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds. On top of their intelligence, they are also known to have a cheerful disposition and a sensitive nature. They get along great with children. Due to their small size, they can be easily injured by rough play or accidental falls that can happen with younger children. Because of this, they may be better suited to a home with older children. Younger children should be fine as long as they are taught how to properly interact with a small dog and interactions between young kids and puppies are closely supervised. Although they are considered part of the Non-Sporting Group, some facts about Miniature Poodles are that they are versatile and athletic dogs that are also quite playful. Provided they are well-socialized, they get along well with other dogs and tend to do well with strangers. They do tend to be protective of their home and can be suspicious of strangers coming up on the property. They are known to bark to alert you of strangers coming to the house. This makes them a good watchdog, but overall, they are more interested in making friends. This dog breed is highly adaptable. The Miniature Poodle does well in any type of home, including apartments, and fits in with just about any family type. They do well in most climates, but, as with many dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because Mini Poodles are people-oriented, they do not like being left alone and will not handle being left alone for long periods of time very well. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please, which makes them a good fit for owners of any experience level and one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are a people-oriented breed and are sensitive to moods and tones of voice. They do not respond well to harsh training methods or harsh tones as they take it personally, get their feelings hurt, and lose respect for you. A Mini Poodle tends to respond best to consistent training that is fun and focused on positive rewards. A Mini Poodle is one of the fluffiest dog breeds and will have a curly or corded coat that can come in just about any color. Although this dog breed has a low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, their coat still needs a lot of grooming. They need to be brushed daily to prevent tangles and matting. They should also be professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coat healthy. Miniature Poodles are high-energy dogs that require a good amount of exercise each day. Daily walks plus some playtime and other activities are usually enough for them. When puppies finish growing and developing, they often enjoy games of fetch and other activities like swimming, hiking, or jogging with their favorite human. Mini Poodles also tend to be great candidates for several dog sports, like agility, tracking, obedience, retriever hunt tests, and more. Just make sure to visit the vet and get your dog cleared for these activities before you jump in. Fully-grown Miniature Poodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Mini Poodles generally live for years on average. The Miniature Poodle was very popular among the French nobility. Featured Miniature Poodle Article.

Click here to call Graham Our German Sheperd puppies are born and raised in our home with continuous human bonding and socializing. Although I am NOT a human in a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your family, and your life. You got me I hope because you want a loving partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when I get bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of family member you want me to be. Puppies, young dogs with Class 1. We only offer dogs with sound personality and temperament; health and strong character. We are by choice a small select breeder in the south of England with 30 years Experience. We breed occasionally for quality and not quantity, and are very particular as to where our puppies go. We very seldom show our dogs. Good German Shepherd breeding starts with good females of good families. A Good family is determined by the quality of siblings more so than the fame of parents and grand parents. It is far better to breed with a mother who has excellent structure, health and character and whose siblings display similar qualities, than to another who is a top ranking show dog with a superb pedigree but whose siblings were rejects. We recommend Skinners dog food for your dog. Click here for more details on their range of pet foods. We are a German Shepherd breeder that specializes in quality, intelligent dogs with proven superior genetics. We sell German Shepherd puppies that are the perfect choice for professionals and families. We focus on producing a stable, protective line of German Shepherds that you can trust with your children. Sweet tempered companions that will protect your family and property Our German Shepherds have incredible pedigrees and we carefully choose only the best genetics to constantly improve upon the German Shepherd bloodline. We have German Shepherd puppies for sale in Texas, but arrangements can be made to sell a puppy to any state within the 48 contiguous states. We are always happy to talk or visit with you and would love to show you our beautiful German Shepherds. Our German Shepherd Dogs can be used for search and rescue, tracking, guarding, guide dogs for the blind or physically disabled, police work, show and of course a family pet. Our dogs are well socialized with children and other pets. Our puppies are AKC Registered and come with a health guarantee. Our high quality puppies are excellent with children and very easy to train. We have carefully selected world class German Shepherds with proven superior genetics. Our puppies have the potential to become champions in the show ring and your family hero. The West German bloodlines are bred to have great personalities and superb temperaments. They go through extensive training and rigorous testing to earn their titles. The West German Shepherd bloodlines are not just tested on their beauty and showmanship, but also on their ability to perform difficult tasks that require a high level of intelligence, motivation and desire to please their master. As a German Shepherd Breeder, it is our desire to provide you with an exceptional puppy that can bring you the same joy that ours have brought to our family. Our German Shepherds are the perfect choice for personal protection and are great companions for all ages. Testimonials: "Hi. He blended right into our family and we don't remember life before him. His temperament and intelligence are above average. At the vet I heard the vet and techs in the back gushing over how behaved he was and they sent me home with extra goodies for him hehe. He's already house trained. I've already been able to teach him two commands "here" and "place". He's also the best snuggler and is sooo very patient and forgiving with my tornado of a two year old son. He is the best dog I've had in my entire life and love him to the moon. I can't wait until he's old enough to start going on adventures with us. Thank ya'll for a wonderful dog! We get soooo much attention with her! We've had people literally pull off the road just to comment on her! Lots of people asking if we are going to breed her! We are meeting with someone on Friday to evaluate her for protection training. She's my girl and she knows her job well! Btw, people always ask me where I got her.I tell them all about you guys! Here are pictures of Liberty sunbathing with her sister, Queen Bitsy! She loves her boy! June 26, German Shepherd dogs are a very popular dog breed, owing to their many qualities. While German Shepherds were bred specifically for their herding and intelligence, they are also known for their strength, trainability, and obedience. These traits make them excellent disability assistance dogs, police dogs, and watch dogs as well as excellent pets. They are also considered easily identifiable due to their distinct tan and black or red and black markings. Many other colour varieties do exist including black masks, sable, pure black, and pure white varieties to mention a few. This is an obviously handsome, eager to learn, and curious dog breed that is very self-assured despite the curiosity in its nature. They are loving and attentive dogs with their family members but are not inclined to make friends easily with strangers, making them quite intimidating at times. Once getting past the initial introduction, these dogs are very friendly and energetic with children as well adults. Much is known about German Shepherds and some of their common medical ailments by pet owners and dog breeders alike. This includes hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency to name a few conditions the dog breed is prone to. Good breeding practices can help limit these problems in the breed. As German Shepherd dogs can also be prone to a large range of skin related problems, these can also be limited with responsible breeding practices, although some of the skin conditions are difficult to completely eradicate as individual variations do exist. As the range of most common breed-specific dog skin problems in German Shepherds is quite vast, we will discuss these conditions over a 3-part blog series. Here are some of the common pet allergy related problems that are seen in German Shepherd dogs: Environmental Allergy Canine atopic dermatitis An environmental allergy can occur in the predisposed individual to natural environmental substances such as grass and tree pollen, house dust, house dust mites, human dander, and environmental fungus in wet grass or close to water bodies. Indoor allergens, outdoors allergens, or a combination of them may cause dog allergy symptoms. A shepherd dog with any lifestyle can be affected by environmental allergies. Environmental allergies can cause seasonal or round the year dog allergy symptoms at a young age including itchiness, skin infection, hair loss, ear infection, skin rashes and redness. Often, the infections are resolved with treatment but recur until allergy is identified and managed. As an environmental allergy is a life long problem, and usually progresses with age, early intra-dermal allergy testing to identify offending allergens is encouraged. This helps to start allergy immunotherapy for better allergy control. Allergy desensitization will generally help German Shepherd avoid long term bacterial skin infections, that they are also quite prone to. Contact Hypersensitivity German Shepherd dogs are also affected by contact allergies, which can be triggered by compounds coming in contact with skin. This is especially true and evident for less haired areas that are more in contact with the environment. Most signs are noted at the paws, underbelly, armpits and tail based, perianal regions for this reason. Over time, skin redness and irritation signs may progress further along additional areas of the skin. Secondary skin infections may also develop, leading to further skin problems. Contact allergens for dogs may be substances found indoors or outdoors. Household cleaning agents, various plants, toys, carpet fibers, and even some skin products when applied for treatment are examples of agents that can cause contact allergy dermatitis. To help minimize this skin problem, identification of the contact irritant or allergen and its avoidance is critical. Thorough patient history review and in some cases, patch testing can be performed at our pet dermatology clinic to help control this problem. Flea Bite Hypersensitivity also called Flea Bite Allergy Flea bite allergies can cause pruritic dermatitis anywhere on the body, but especially on the back of German Shepherds. All it takes is one flea bite to cause a severe reaction! The vast majority of symptoms of this allergy, especially itching, disappear within a few days of adequate flea control. Interestingly, it can be quite difficult to find fleas and their evidence on flea allergic patients, due to their intense itchiness on the back end, where fleas can generally be found. Excellent flea control and flea treatment products are available these days, of which the most suitable and effective for your Shepherd can help control this problem well. Remember, in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver areas of the lower mainland, our weather is mild round the year and harsh winters are not seen. Thus, flea infestations and flea allergy can be seen in pets round the year. Insect Bite Hypersensitivity As German Shepherds possess an immune system that can be quite reactive, they can also be affected by insect bite allergies including a condition called Eosinophilic furunculosis of face. In regions with biting flies being common in warmer months, fly bite dermatitis of ear tips is also seen in this breed. Being active dogs that like to train and spend time outdoors, they are definitely more exposed to insects in the environment. Food Hypersensitivity also Food Allergy, or Cutaneous Adverse Food Reaction Food allergies also affect German Shepherd dogs, in keeping with the dog breed being prone to developing allergies. While food allergy is less common compared to flea allergy as well as environmental allergy due to pollen, grass and dust mites, it is important to consider any pet with skin problems and signs of intestinal upset, to be a possible for allergic dog. If food allergy does affect a dog, controlling exposure to one or more allergens will help prevent ongoing concerns. Food allergy may also be seen in combination with other allergies, making identification of the problem more challenging. A fair amount of testing options are available for assessing food allergy in dogs. Not all these options are entirely reliable as blood tests and saliva tests have been proven to be of minimal benefit in benefiting the patient. If food allergy is suspected but control over the problem has not been achieved, a vet dermatologist consultation is encouraged to help confirm and eventually control the problem and related symptoms. Combination Allergies and Their Secondary Effects All dogs affected by allergies, irrespective of breed and including the German Shepherd, can be affected by more than one allergen. In fact, having allergies to more than one allergen is more common than being allergic to just one thing. Being allergic to a range of things polysensitization makes allergy in pets a complicated condition. This may mean an allergy to multiple grasses, tree pollen, foods, insects, etc. Some pets may be affected by a large range of food allergens without having additional allergy triggers. In dogs affected by multiple allergies, identification of the most important allergen is always the key. Ideally, most or all of the offending allergens need to be identified to help ensure good patient comfort. This in turn, will help limit secondary skin infections in a breed like German Shepherds, that is quite prone to skin infections as we will find in the next blog discussing skin infection related conditions of German Shepherds. Early and definitive identification of allergy signs is always helpful in stopping progression of allergies and their impact in any dog, but is especially true for German Shepherds. If your German Shepherd shows allergic symptoms of itchiness, redness of skin, hair loss, or changes in skin quality, it may be time to consult with a vet dermatology clinic so that your pet dermatologist can help identify the true problem. He is also the dermatology feature editor for Canadian Veterinary Journal.

Teach them to walk nicely on a leash for exploration and pack walks. Train them to basic and advanced obedience commands for a better relationship. Offer fair and consistent discipline to develop rules. Training your German Shepherd puppy involves teaching them how to be successful in your world and life. This means they need to understand what you expect of them and how you communicate your expectations. Use the Right Tools for the Job Use the right tools for your puppy or adult and follow the training steps below to begin basic training with your German Shepherd. Teaching obedience without these supplies makes the work harder on you. Buy the right tools. Here are some of the best examples of great tools for your training. Having the right tools makes all the difference. You also need some tasty treats. Use pea-sized pieces of cheese, small bits of cooked chicken, or one of these yummy German Shepherd healthy treats of your choosing. Follow this German Shepherd training guide to teach your dog the basics of obedience at home. How to Train a German Shepherd to Sit Teaching your dog sit is one of the easiest German Shepherd training commands for your puppy or dog. Your pup sits hundreds of times in a day. Now all you need to do is connect the motion to the command. Teach Sit Step-by-Step Start with your dog in a standing position. Have your reward treat in your hand. Show your pup the treat is in your hand. Move your hand over their head as you keep the treat near their nose. As their head raises to look at the treat, their bottom begins lowering to the ground. We want your dog to associate the correct motion with the reward first. After a few sessions, say sit when their entire bottom is on the floor. Remember to reward them only when their bottom is on the floor. Once you are sure they know the command, increase your distance from them when you give the sit command. Your goal is to say sit from a long distance and your puppy performs. Practice in different rooms inside your home and use a variety of distances while training indoors. Move to the outdoors with a secure long leash when your pup is ready for more distractions and distance. Start with the last success. Stay keeps your dog in one spot until you release them and is essential training. For advanced training, use stay to transition from one command to the next. Begin indoors in a quiet area free from distractions. Hold the leash in your left hand. Use the right hand to signal to stay while standing directly in front of your dog. Raise your hand and turn your palm toward your dog. When he stays with success, walk toward him and give him the treat. Now add in the word stay when your dog performs the stay behavior correctly. Increase the stay time your dog is in the stay position beginning with 5 seconds and working up to one minute or more. Next, work on extending the distance between you and your dog while in the stay. Take a few steps back each time you train. Your goal is to reach the end of your leash while your pup stays in place. This could take many sessions over weeks or months. Guide to Advanced Stay Techniques Once you are at the full distance of your leash, drop the leash and work on having your dog stay while you move into different rooms. Add in distractions, such as friends walking around while you train your GSD. For the final steps, have your dog on the long leash and train in your backyard. Extend the leash as far as it will reach and have your dog stay in place for 30 seconds or longer. Move to outdoor training at a quiet park and repeat the steps for increasing distractions. You can use this time to plan for the next command or simply to have them wait on you. Teach Down Step-by-Step Start with your dog or puppy in a sitting position. Have a tasty treat in your closed hand. Let them see you put that treat in your hand. Move your hand toward the floor in front of them. Your pup will follow the treat into a down position. Offer them the tasty treat and praise them immediately when they are in the down position. You want to make sure they know the motions first. Continue practicing this technique throughout the day. After a few sessions with your pup performing the correct motion, add in the word down. Give him his tasty reward when he is in the down position. Practice in different rooms to ensure your dog knows the command. Move to areas where there are distractions, such as a busy room in your house, and even outside while on a leash. Use the long leash for outdoor sessions and safety. Increase the time your dog is in the down position by taking a long time to offer the treat. A reliable recall come is part of your basic obedience training. When they come to you, reward them with a happy voice and a good boy. You may want to step a few feet backward while calling him. This lures him to follow you. Once your dog reliably moves toward you when you call them, add in the word come. Reward them and repeat the exercise using different distances and the word come now. Increase the distance you are away when you call him inside the house. If your German Shepherd performs the command reliably, add in farther distances. Reward them when they respond correctly. Practice many times with the word come while you are in the same room. Now, call him from farther and farther away in different rooms. Use distractions in the home while practicing. Call him while other people are in the room. Next, use both different rooms and a variety of distractions together. But only if he ignores multiple distractions. If he responds correctly during multiple training sessions, leash him with the long leash mentioned earlier as an essential tool and train him outside to work on concentrating with outdoor distractions. Repeat the process you used indoors practicing with varying distances and distractions outside. Use this guide for a fast recall and to save yourself some stress on this command. They familiarize your dog with the many ways in which they might get asked to perform their commands. These extra steps are invaluable to the quality of your German Shepherd obedience home training program. See how long you can have your dog stay while you move into different practice areas and work on increasing the time. Try to keep his attention on you during his training despite other distractions in your room, inside your house, or outdoors. If your GSD seems to have forgotten their command, take them back to the last place they were successful and begin training from there. Not all of your days are perfect, right? Adjust your training as needed. Instead, make sure you have a well-rounded training program apart from this German Shepherd training guide : Through exciting mental stimulation and boredom-busting activities. By regularly brushing their coats to give them healthy skin and decrease shedding. Offering them the right chew toys that are safe , non-toxic, and withstand heavy chewing while being fun. Use brief training sessions and practice frequently. End training with a command you know your pup will perform and reward them at the end. Keep up your training daily for quicker learning. And… Always look for ways to bond with your German Shepherd through everyday training opportunities. If you want to achieve the quickest results for training your GSD then use games and have fun with your dog! You can easily learn breakthrough techniques to help you feel confident training your German Shepherd at home by enrolling in this scientifically-based brain training program that guides you through advanced tricks and obedience. Great work! Visit ShepherdSense. Then, share it! Catherine Krasavin, BS Hons. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? Although any German Shepherd dog is trainable, they are very strong and powerful animals. If you start out with a puppy, you have the opportunity to shape and mold its personality and develop your relationship early. German Shepherds can be very protective of their family members, so you want to socialize your puppy early in puppyhood. This will get them used to interacting well with a wide variety of people and animals, which is essential. This will be a big dog, and you want to prepare the dog when they are young and small for future grooming and veterinary visits. They may need nail trimming, ear cleaning, temperature taking and other procedures. These procedures will be difficult to accomplish should your full-sized adult German Shepherd dog object. You will need to train them to sit, stay, and heel, in addition to house training them. Your puppy will not understand your commands immediately. Have patience with your dog when they don't do exactly what you ask right away. German Shepherds love to learn and they are highly motivated to follow your commands if they are rewarded with treats. Pet your puppy while they're eating, as long as they do not stiffen and stop eating when you are petting the puppy. If the puppy stiffens, stops eating or growls, you have to deal with this aggressive response immediately. Do this by removing the food bowl and feeding the dog by hand. There is no bowl to guard. Make the bowl no big deal. If a piece of food is dropped inside, let the puppy take it and praise them. Then feed nearby again. The bowl will not always have food inside. Gradually increase the amount of food you drop in the bowl as you stand or sit there with the puppy. You can also add high value treats like roasted chicken breast into the bowl if your puppy seems to need more reassurance that you bring goodness to the food bowl. Resource guarding can be a very serious symptom of fear aggression and, if you are seeing this in a puppy, it needs to be addressed ASAP so it does not escalate. You can gradually ask the puppy to look at you to get more food, then sit and wait for more food, etc. .The humans controls the resource of food and rewards the puppy for good behavior. You still praise your dog, just not offer a treat each time. If you are working to modify a command to create a faster response, add in treats again to shape the behavior until they have it down. Then start using treats to reward truly outstanding performance. Do not yell at your pet. Learn to recognize when you are losing patience and stop the training session on a happy note. Your dog can sense your frustration in your body language and tone of voice. Try another day when you are both fresh. If you continue to have problems, get a professional trainer involved. Typically, as puppies are first learning commands, one adult family member will be responsible for training. Later, when the puppy is consistent and understands the basics, other members of the family can participate in formal training. It is important for the dog to understand that not only one person in the household is to be obeyed. Your puppy should be weeks old and started on their vaccine series for this first class. There are puppy preschools designed for puppies who have not yet finished receiving all of their vaccines. The school will have certain requirements for enrollment and you will likely have to provide proof of vaccination. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. How to train your German Shepherd Dog — 5 key steps Niki Dog health and wellness Puppy training December 29, The OneMind Dogs method is built on the idea that close bonds start with owners understanding their dogs. Building a magical connection with your German Shepherd takes empathy, patience, and a keen eye for the non-verbal cues dogs communicate with. Naturally, this applies to training all dogs, especially those highly intelligent breeds that need plenty of stimulation. Two German Shepherds can be equally fast learners but have different learning styles. One may prefer to think through a task while the other prefers jumping in head first. Setting the dog up for success in training So, what does it mean to set up for success? When you train matters as much as how you train. Choose a time of day when your dog is likely to be motivated, focused, and eager. A motivated puppy will pay more attention and have an easier time following cues. Training just before mealtime is great because then mealtime becomes a reward. Rewards also encourage dogs to focus and listen. Try lots of different toys — hard, soft, noisy, bouncy, crinkly etc. Make the family part of the fun and DIY safe puppy toys at home! If rewards are how you finish strong, routine is what gives you momentum going into training. When sessions start at the same time every day, dogs know what to expect, and when. Likewise, late afternoon sessions can help energetic puppies wind down for the evening and sleep soundly. Knowing what they value tells us what motivates them. We can use this to communicate things more intuitively. This also applies when trying to teach your dog new commands. This means we need to help them connect the verbal command to the act of putting their bum on the floor. Being flexible will keep you from getting frustrated and your puppy from feeling overwhelmed. How we respond has a huge impact on the success of any training session. We focus on positive reinforcement because it rewards a job well done, and uses healthy alternatives to replace bad manners. Plus dogs respond much better, learn faster and trust you more in the long run! Teaching your German Shepherd to chill out alone Boundaries are the key to a happy home for every family, and the same is true when bringing a new pet into yours. Spacial boundaries range from having a safe nook where they chill out to staying calm when visitors come over. Giving your dog a safe space to chill alone will help them get used to their own company. Running an obstacle course and other physical exercises teaches dogs to use their bodies, improves balance, and supports their growth. Mental stimulation, on the other hand, improves their focus, regulates emotions, and strengthens the magical bond they share with you. Training that engages their minds as much as their bodies will lead to better results. It helps your dog stay on task, even in a disruptive environment. Using their brains to solve problems builds confidence by engaging all the tools they need in everyday life. Success here is about pairing fitness and focus. OneMind Dogs Foundation for Agility has some great tips to keep daily walks fun , exciting, and mentally stimulating. You can even hide the DIY puppy toys as part of a game to get their noses working. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in. How can you resist the adorable face of a German Shepherd puppy? Aside from the fact that they are among the most versatile dog breeds… They are also intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs that make great family pets. Now, before you can get started on all that training, there are some things you need to know about how to train a German Shepherd puppy effectively. Keep reading to find out more! German Shepherd Puppy Behaviour Understanding how german shepherds behave will help you train them more effectively. You see, these dogs are known for being full of energy. They are also very curious, so you may notice that they will be exploring everything around them. But hey, since German Shepherds are naturally intelligent, they quickly learn new things. And you must also understand that German shepherd puppies have a short attention span. They require more patience, and it is crucial to be consistent with your training. There must be rules that they need to follow. Another thing you should know about German Shepherd puppies because they are very social creatures. They love being around people and other dogs. Which is why it is essential to socialise your puppy early on. When it comes to puppy training , you need to have specific goals in mind. Here is a general timeline that you can follow: By the time your German Shepherd is three months old, he should be able to learn some basic obedience commands such as how to sit, stay, come when called, and lie down. Between two to four months, your training goals should be about House Training, Crate Training and Socialisation. We discussed all of these during our previous blog posts about Puppy Training Guide. You should also continue with their socialisation training and make sure they are comfortable around different types of people, animals, and situations. You must understand that during this time, the goal of the puppy training should be about Obedience, Impulse Control, and Shaping Calm Behaviour. If you want to train your puppy to be obedient, it can be helpful to enrol them in an obedience class. It will help them learn how to follow commands, and you can also support them in socialising with other dogs and people. Now, about Impulse Control, this is all about teaching your German Shepherd puppy to resist his urges. This is an important skill for German Shepherds simply because they are energetic. While Recall Training is about teaching your German Shepherd to come back to you when called. But we will probably discuss that in more detail in another blog post. Remember this: At this stage, you MUST still continue working on their obedience, recall, and impulse control training. So, those are some general training goals that you can follow per timeline. Of course, every German Shepherd is different and will learn at his own pace. But this timeline should give you a general idea of what to expect and when to start teaching specific commands. A Few Tips for Socialising your Puppy with Other Dogs and People The best way to socialise your German Shepherd puppy is by exposing them to as many different people and animals as possible. And this can be done by taking them to a well-run obedience school. You should also expose them to different people such as men, women, children, and seniors. The more exposure they have early on, the better adjusted they will be when they grow up. Another tip is to make sure you keep training sessions short and fun. And always remember to practice positive reinforcement. Praise them and give them treats when they do something good. Just remember to go slowly and expose them to different things one at a time. Eventually, they will be comfortable around anything and everything. The takeaways from this blog post are pretty simple… First, in order to train your German Shepherd puppy effectively… you need to make sure you understand their behaviour. Second, establish the training goals per timeline. That is so you can have a general idea of what to teach your German Shepherd puppy and when to start teaching them. Lastly, you should be socialising your German Shepherd puppy with other dogs and people. Let us know in the comments below! If you find this helpful, feel free to share it with your friends and family whom you think will find this beneficial. Or if you have a puppy that needs professional training, book with our indoor puppy school. Chris Loverseed As long as I can remember, I could be found with a dog and lead in hand. I have had a lifelong interest in the way dogs act, and have constantly wanted to bring the best out of every pet. The trainers at Positive K9 Training are experienced and dedicated to getting great results for you as a dog owner. Recent Posts.

His breeding program focuses on improving the health and well-being of the breed by selecting breedable parents with the best traits to produce healthy, multi-generational Labradoodle puppies. He also begins crate training each puppy at five weeks. In addition to getting microchipped, socialized, vaccinated, and dewormed, each puppy goes home with ALAA registration and a two-year health guarantee. Limited Litter Availability Ethical breeders usually limit the number of litters their breedable Labradoodle mothers produce each year to ensure that each puppy gets equal attention as their littermates. This protocol lets the mothers get months of rest before producing their next litter or retiring. Limited litter production also applies to breeders who specialize in breeding other designers Doodles. Health Prioritization Reputable breeders offering Labradoodle puppies for sale in PA should get their dogs tested for several hereditary health issues to avoid producing litters with potentially unhealthy puppies. Although Labradoodles are a generally hardy dog breed, they can become susceptible to eye, hip, elbow, knee, and cardiac diseases. Experience with the Breed The best Labradoodle breeders should have extensive knowledge and experience working with the breed they can relay to first-time owners with countless questions. The time it takes to bring your puppy home after filling out an application can vary depending on where you look. I was very lucky in that my breeder had a litter of puppies available at the time I was looking for one. In fact, I spotted an advert for puppies on Facebook, and I was able to go and view them right away. At the time, the pups were only four weeks old, so I did have to wait for four weeks until they were old enough to leave their mother and had received their first vaccinations. That time gave me a chance to buy everything I needed for the new arrival and to puppy-proof as best I could my home and garden. Your life will suddenly get a whole lot busier once your furbaby lands! We made a list of ethical breeders from nearby states, which you can try:. We use our own Snowy River Training Program to help our puppies develop into confident and well-behaved companions. We offer a wide range of Labradoodle colors and sizes to choose from, including mini and medium. We are committed to providing the best possible homes for our Labradoodles and will work with you to ensure a smooth adoption process. Bashful Life is better with a Labradoodle by your side! Come and meet Bashful! He is a sweet loving, cuddly boy. Already crate trained and loves to go for walks. Also, loves the water! Come and meet Doc. He loves adventure and would love a home with an active family. Already Crate Trained! Frequently Asked Questions Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. With decades of experience, we have been breeding the finest Labradoodles and providing families with loving, healthy, and well-socialized puppies. What is the breeding process at Snowy River Doodles? Our breeding program focuses on producing puppies with excellent temperaments, sound health, and beautiful coats. We carefully select our breeding dogs from top-quality lines, ensuring the highest standards in health and temperament. Our puppy has begun potty training and crate training. What does that mean? We use a litter box placed in their pen starting at three weeks of age and gradually make the pen larger as they begin to recognize the potty area. This trains the puppies to potty in one area. When you go home, that area will be outside. At six weeks, they begin spending time outside. At this time, they also start eating at least one meal a day in a crate by themselves and they spend some time in a crate for a few hours during the day. We put an old towel and chew toy in the crate with them. Do you ship? No, we no longer ship puppies. We feel that there are enough labradoodle breeders across the country to find one locally and there is no need to put a puppy through this stressful process. I am willing to meet owners at the Philadelphia or Harrisburg Airport if you wish to fly in and take your puppy back home with you under your seat. Please inquire if you are interested in this. There are additional fees and requirements. Our Labradoodle puppies are raised in a loving home environment where they receive early socialization and basic training. We introduce them to various sounds, surfaces, and experiences to ensure they are well-adjusted and prepared for life with their new families. Can I visit Snowy River Doodles to meet the puppies and their parents? At Snowy River, we prioritize the health and safety of our puppies. Only families with deposits will be able to visit once puppies are 6 weeks old. And meet the parents at that time. His parents are Tally and Huey. Tina was very responsive throughout the adoption process and you can tell she really cares about her dogs and where the puppies go. Eli has a huge personality and is such a sweetheart. Training was pretty easy as he is super smart. He adapted well when we added our daughter in and is very patient with her. We love our Eli so much and he has added so much to our little family. Thank you Tina for the best companion and snuggle buddy. He is smart, funny and still, at 6 years old, very mischievous! He is the second doodle I got from Snowy River Labradoodles. Sadly his brother, Baxter has crossed the rainbow bridge. They have the most wonderful temperament and are just so much fun. Tina does a wonderful job working with the puppies and is such a pleasure to deal with. There has never been and never will be another dog like her! She smiles at us, she stands up and hugs us when we get home, she brings pure happiness to everyone she meets! She is a little more timid when going out in public so pet therapy is not in her future career. She is still the sweetest! She comes around and gives everyone in our family love, not missing anyone. When you arrive home, she always goes and grabs her babies to show you. She knows so many tricks and was so easy to teach! Our year-old daughter taught her sit, roll over, shake, jump through a hula hoop, tell a secret, weave between your legs, high five and even how to push a button to ask for a treat. She likes to put on dog shows for our company! We really did our research before purchasing our first doodle and man did we choose right when we came to you! We sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Lancaster Pennsylvania and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted.

Temperament and Personality These dogs are attention seekers, loving to be close to their family members, also following them wherever they go, a trait well-inherited from both their parents. Being easy-going, they mingle well with children of all ages, loving to play with them, though adults should supervise because of their small size of these dogs. They are also excellent with canine and noncanine pets, but owing to their short stature, they should not be left alone with big dogs. Having a great sense of humor, the fun-loving Frugs are natural charmers, always desiring to entertain and please their owners in every way they can. The French Bulldog Pug mixes cannot thrive well in too warm or very close temperature. Inheriting the curiosity of their parents, particularly the Pug, they are curious about all that is going on around them. They get along well with strangers, though the guard dog instinct inherent in their genes could be triggered if not given proper training. Care Exercise These moderately active dogs would do fine when taken for a leisurely walk on a regular basis. However, they cannot stand excessive exercise. The Frenchie Pug puppies are more active than the older dogs that have a calm disposition loving to relax in apartments. However, engage them in some activity of the other as they get dejected on being left alone. Grooming Owing to their short coats, these dogs need very less grooming. However, brush them once a week to remove the dead hairs from their coat. Bathe your pet when he gets dirty, or to get rid of the hassle of bathing, you can wipe his body with a wet cloth. Make sure to keep the wrinkles on their face dry to prevent infection of any kind. Check their ears and do not let excessive wax accumulate. Their nails are also to be kept clean to ensure proper hygiene. Health Problems Though they are healthy, they might suffer from some of the common ailments of their parents. Patellar luxation, cataract, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, allergies, breathing difficulties, and entropion are a few of them Training Obedience: As it tends to get stubborn and willful, just like its parents, giving it obedience training since its puppy days is essential. Watchdog training: As it is intelligent and courageous similar to the French bulldog, you can train him to be a good watchdog. Acquaint him with different people and experiences so that he can differentiate normal circumstances from suspicious ones. Tricks: As it always desires to amuse and charm its owners, you can take this opportunity and teach it skills like walking backward. After he has performed the trick, give him lots of praises and pats or even a treat. Feeding The Frenchie Pug will need about one and a half to two cups of dry dog food every day. Overfeeding them might make them obese. These pups are irresistible, especially at a young age, but before you head to the breeder, you should know what to expect from your Frenchie Pug puppy. First and most importantly, know that Frenchie Pug puppies are not easy to train. This breed can be stubborn and a bit strong-willed, so be prepared to dedicate some time to teaching them the basics. This includes commands like sit, stay, and come, but it also includes housebreaking. These things often take more time with Frenchie Pugs than they do with other breeds, so you must have patience and be consistent with training. You should also know that since Frenchie Pugs inherit traits from both French Bulldogs and Pugs, their appearance can vary quite a bit based on which parent they resemble more. Frenchie Pugs Come From Royal Ancestors You know that Frenchie Pugs are the offspring of a French Bulldog and a Pug, but what you may not know is that their Pug ancestors were believed to be the preferred companion dog of Chinese royalty. Unlike most mixed breeds that can inherit personality traits and behavioral tendencies from one or both parent breeds and ultimately vary quite a bit, the Frenchie Pug comes from two pretty similar parent breeds. What this means for you is that you can rest assured that the dog you welcome into your family will be loving, affectionate, playful, energetic, and needy. Knowing what to expect in terms of the temperament of your dog is very important to some people, so this is definitely a positive feature of this crossbreed. Frenchie Pugs Are Good for Apartment Living Finding a dog that is suitable to live with you in an apartment can be challenging for many reasons, but one of the biggest is barking. If you do live in an apartment where noise is a big issue, the Frenchie Pug may be perfect for you. This breed is generally very quiet and barks very rarely. If your routine will leave your Frenchie Pug at home alone for long stretches, this may not be the best type of dog for you. The more human interaction and attention your Frenchie Pug gets, the happier they will be. Are These Dogs Good for Families? In fact, while some breeds are simply good for families and children, Frenchie Pugs thrive in a family environment. Socialization early on will aid in cultivating this kind of calm and accepting personality, but your Frenchie Pug will likely have these traits naturally. Like all breeds, Frenchie Pugs should be eating a high-protein diet that includes healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. No specific diet restrictions exist with this breed, so any high-quality commercial dog food will do. It should be noted that high-quality food is key, as low-tier dog foods that contain fillers can lead to health problems for any breed. This is particularly important for dogs like the Frenchie Pug who is genetically predisposed to medical issues already. Many small dogs are prone to overeating and obesity, and the Frenchie Pug is no exception. One minute walk each day or a few minute walks on a daily basis will be perfect for this breed and will help minimize weight gain. To put it simply, Frenchie Pugs are pretty lazy dogs, and as long as they get their recommended walking time in each day, they will happily lie on the couch with you or sit with you while you work or watch TV. Routine walking will keep your puppy in tip-top shape. However, these dogs are also strong-willed and can offer up some serious difficulty for inexperienced dog owners. Like we mentioned earlier, the French Bulldog Pug mix normally takes a bit longer to get housebroken, so expect to put in some additional effort to get your pup to this point. This will make your job and your life a whole lot easier. Shedding is, however, one downside to this breed, as Frenchie Pugs do tend to shed quite a bit. While you may not have to brush your pup too often, you should be prepared to vacuum regularly. Since Frenchie Pugs inherit some of their physical traits from their wrinkly Pug parent breed, your dog may have skin folds that require regular cleaning to prevent infection. This largely depends on how much of that adorable wrinkliness your Frenchie Pug exhibits; physical traits can vary on an individual level. Lastly, regular grooming practices like teeth and ear cleaning every other week or so will go a long way in preventing tooth and gum issues as well as ear infections. French Bulldogs and Pugs are not known for their heartiness, and their common ailments can be seen in this breed as well. Regular vet visits are essential for the French Bulldog Pug Mix, and your pup may require more testing and medical screening than other breeds. This can lead to higher-than-normal vet bills, so be aware of this and the below common conditions found in this breed. Minor Conditions Eyelid issues like entropion and ectropion Patellar Luxation. Hundreds of abandoned and abused dogs are surrendered so there might be a chance for you to find a French Bulldog Pug here. Brush the hair with firm bristles at least once a week to get rid of dead hairs. You can use a wet cloth to wipe off a speck of dirt or bathe your dog entirely if he becomes all grubby and grimy. Always see to it that the creases on the face are thoroughly dried up to prevent any infection. Clean both ears and trim their nails regularly. French Bulldog Pugs Health Problems It is typical for hybrids like the Pug and French bulldog Combination to inherit the health condition that has afflicted the parent breed. Being born hale and hearty is not always a guarantee that they will not develop the same problem. Screening tests are now available to help breeders determine which dog to breed. Ultimately, you need to be conscious and be able to recognize the signs for these illnesses. Glaucoma is caused by high pressure that builds up in the eye. This may impair the optic nerve and can result in total blindness. It usually starts with just one eye and can progress into the other. Cataracts affect the lens of the eyes, making them dense and opaque. The most common cause is genetic. Diabetic dogs are more vulnerable and prone to develop this disease. Eye injury and infection are also common causes. Allergies or allergic reaction whether from food or the season may be in progress if you notice an increase in scratching, licking, and chewing. Antihistamines usually work wonders. Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic skin disease related to allergies. Like most allergies, the signs include itching, scratching, rubbing, and licking, especially around the face, paws, and underarms. Entropion is when the eyelashes, including the skin around the eye, have direct contact with the cornea. This condition is either congenital caused by an anatomic defect or acquired as a result of trauma. Dogs with dislocated kneecaps exhibit prolonged and abnormal movement of the hindlimb. You may find them occasionally skipping or limping. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome is characterized by elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, everted Laryngeal Saccules. Brachycephalic dogs like the French bulldog and Pug mix, often have difficulty breathing and may have respiratory problems. Health issues may affect their quality of life. Therefore, it is your responsibility to look after the welfare of your Pug French bulldog. It is essential that you limit activities that may lead to excessive physical exertion. Keep in mind that these mongrels are also unable to swim so try to keep them away from pools or puddles. Exposure to direct sunlight and excessive heat can make them susceptible to illnesses so make sure that you monitor their temperature. Pug French Bulldog Food Requirements Your primary goal is to properly nourish your French Bulldog Pug, so you may want to give him only the best food brands available in the market. They could do with approximately one and a half to two cups of dry dog food in a single day. Measuring the amount of food you serve and monitoring how much he eats are highly recommended. Find products that they will also enjoy eating. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to support supple skin and a beautiful coat, antioxidants for a healthy immune system, and probiotics to assist in proper digestion. It is free from any artificial ingredients, by-products or fillers. It is also rich in antioxidants, Omega fatty acids, probiotics and more. It has DHA that promotes optimum brain development and probiotics that aids digestion. It also has omega-3 fish oils, vitamins, and minerals. It has no additives and harmful chemicals; VeRUS provides ample nourishment for a growing dog. It is one of the most popular natural dog foods in the market. It is totally free of grain and corn, wheat and soy which makes it easy to digest and definitely safe for dogs with sensitive stomachs. With percent which is by far the highest animal-based protein compared to other dog food, Nulo does not use by-products or any other food derivatives. Their recipe is free of artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives. With no common allergens added, this dog food is an excellent choice for Pug and French bulldog combination with sensitive stomachs and skin allergies. It is completely free of wheat, corn, and soy and has probiotics for good digestion. Orijen Senior Dog Orijen Senior Dog food is manufactured with 80 percent meat and fish making it a good source of high-quality protein. It provides natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine which supports healthy joints. Key benefits include Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to ensure healthy skin and coat, an increased amount of protein and L-Carnitine for healthy muscles, carbohydrates for energy, Vitamins, chelated minerals and antioxidants for immune system health and natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine for mobility and healthy joints. The formula is enhanced with guaranteed probiotics and fiber to help support digestion especially among sensitive pets, high-quality protein to maintain ideal body condition, and added glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints. Chicken, turkey, and beef are great sources of protein. Salmon and tuna are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which promotes healthy brain and heart and good eyesight. Rice, wheat, and grains are carbohydrates that our pets can actually digest. But as they grow old, they become more relaxed. They are known to be moderately active dogs, so too much exercise is dangerous. Physical activities for about minutes ensure that your dog gets a sufficient amount of exercise and stimulation. A leisurely walk each day is one activity that your dog will surely enjoy. You may also engage them in play using toys. Luckily, these toys are readily available in the market: Throwables — for playing fetch and tossing JW Pet Products Hol-ee Roller — Your dog, develops problem-solving skills as they work to extricate treats or toys from this rubber ball. Launchers and Chuckit! Ultra Ball — Bring your fetching experience to the next level with the launcher and a high bouncing ball that also floats in water. Chewables — for chewing and teething Kong Original Toy Rubber — Stuff it with treats and your dog will find this satisfying. It also reduces distress caused by separation anxiety. The toy teaches your dog how to focus attention and helps lessen hyperactivity. The structure provides adequate comfort and optimum levels of relaxation. Furthermore, consistent and regular training will help you achieve desirable results. Obedience — Training your Mix of Pug and French Bulldog may be a little daunting as they prove to very obstinate and may have difficulty picking up on tasks. Establish yourself as the master and let him know you are in control. Watchdog — You may start this training by letting your dog socialize or mingle with other people. This will provide him experiences that will help develop his sense of inquisitiveness. Through this, your Mix of Pug and French Bulldog will be able to recognize suspicious activities around him. Tricks — They will always aim to please so you can use this opportunity to teach your pet friend entertaining and interesting tricks like a handshake, kiss, crawl, walking backward and a lot more. Ultimately, it is important to reinforce training with love — let your mix of French Bulldog and Pug know and feel your appreciation by giving him treats or toys. French Bulldog Pug and Families The cross between Pug and French Bulldog are gaining much popularity as household pets because of their lovable and affectionate nature. This is very appealing, especially among the younger generation. Before you take home the newest member of your family, there are certain things that you need to consider. Establish the rules and assign responsibilities like who is going to feed, bathe, and walk him. Designate one activity room in your household where family members can mingle with your new pet while pointing out which rooms is off-limits. Being the champion chewers as they are the combination of French Bulldog and Pug have a penchant for biting into things so you need to organize your belongings ahead of time. You may consider building up a temporary living space that is gated off. Frug Description The Frenchie Pug is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the French Bulldog and the Pug. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Their mother is a brindle French Bulldog and their father is a fawn Pug. He enjoys play dates with his best friend Ginger who is a Corgi. They play for hours chasing playing tug of war and wrestling. Banx is a cuddler, and loves being by my side. What a gift, a true blessing. He was the best birthday present for me. He also thinks he is a guard dog, but warms up very quickly to the guests; he will even sneak a kiss in if he can. He loves to go rollerblading and running like a wild man with other dogs in the park, but his favorite things to do are eat and sleep. When he passes out, he snores very loudly, and there's no waking him up. She is very devoted, and hasn't got a drop of aggression in her. Very balanced dog. Very clever too. Robber the second-generation white and black Frenchie Pug puppy at 4 months old See more examples of the Frenchie Pug. Should a French Bulldog Mix take after their Frenchie parent, they will be a small companion breed that bonds closely with their families. They tend to have an energetic, playful personality and love nothing more than being with their favorite humans. French Bulldogs tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate dogs that get along with just about everyone. They tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. They will even warm up quickly to strangers as long as they have been properly socialized. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect the same from a French Bulldog Mix. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for the puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialization, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. Frenchies are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. However, as a brachycephalic breed, they are extra sensitive to heat and also sensitive to the cold. They also do not like being left alone for long periods of time. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Frenchie Mix to also be a highly adaptable dog. The other parent will introduce their own traits and some potential quirks, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, or they could inherit some or all of them. They can also be prone to allergies, have sensitive skin, and also a sensitive stomach. Good breeding practices will make a huge difference. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. Although French Bulldogs can sometimes be stubborn, they are eager to please and tend to be easy to train. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward, they can be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect a French Bulldog Mix to be highly trainable as well. Regardless of owner experience, there are many benefits of puppy training classes. A mixed-breed dog can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a mix of both. You will also need to clean their facial wrinkles. Weekly ear checks with cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, a Frenchie Mix is more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. This makes good, consistent dental care for dogs even more important for them. Daily brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste or using an enzyme toothpaste paired with cleanings at the vet when needed is ideal. Frenchies are known couch potato dogs that are happy to lay back, relax, and cuddle with you. Daily walks plus some playtime are usually enough for this affectionate little dog. Even though they like to relax, they also like to play and will be energetic when they do. They can also be athletic and compete in dog sports. As a brachycephalic breed, you do need to be careful of overexertion and overheating. But, there are plenty of ways to safely exercise flat-faced dogs to make sure your French Bulldog Mix gets enough exercise. If the other parent breed is also a low-energy breed, then you can expect something similar from a Frenchie Mix. If the other parent breed requires more activity, then you will need to be prepared for the potential of a higher energy dog. Fully-grown Frenchies usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so make sure you ask the breeder about them. This can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown French Bulldog Mix. French Bulldogs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span in a French Bulldog Mix. Featured French Bulldog Mix Article.

How to accept discipline and more besides So taking a puppy any earlier is wrong and detrimental to their development. We follow many of the guidelines set forth by a program called Puppy Culture. Know that once you have your puppy, everything you do, everything they see, every good experience, bad experience, taste, smell, sight, reward and punishment trains them in some way. All of these experiences are granted to them by you and they will be looking to you for guidance through these experiences. Puppies are exactly like children. They take their cues from you to learn where they can go, where they should not, what they should be scared of, what they should not, what they can play with, what they can not…and on and on. You may as well take advantage of this innocence, when they have no idea of what life is with no preconceived ideas, no habits formed or needing to be broken, to start training them to fit into the life that they will lead with the skills that they will need. I believe you should start to train your Labrador puppy as soon as you get them home, from 8 weeks of age. But I stress this important point, to make it fun! You have to think of a puppy as a very young child. A puppy is just as impulsive, has just as little self-control and just as short an attention span. You need to think the same with a puppy. They are just like a child. A puppy will eat what they like, when they like. Go where they can, when they can. And they will not be able to listen to and act on your every word. They will have a very short attention span and no self-control. It would be totally unfair. While watching TV train your puppy during the commercial breaks. Commercial breaks are usually about minutes long perfect time for training your pup! This means going very slowly and not expecting too much. Having many small wins is very encouraging. Just do very gentle training exercises for short periods of time. Most people with a Labrador as a family pet will think of training as obedience commands and performing tricks. But you can train them basic things such as: Sit Stay for mere seconds…with no distractions! Keep it easy! Roll over. Commencing Marker Training your chocolate labrador pup Start Marker Training at 8 weeks of age When you take your 8 week old labrador pup to their new home, you should commence their obedience training immediately. Just repetitively say yes and give your pup a treat immediately. Then familiarise your labrador pup with a leash. Clip the leash to their collar and allow the pup to roam a little. This way they will adjust to its weight and the sensation around their neck. If you try to walk your pup straight away, they will simply resist. Don't pull and command, but rather cultivate a positive experience with a leash. Secondly, I recommend that you feed your new labrador pup with a leash attached until they learn to sit. This will establish you as the master and immediately teach the pup restraint. Do not give the food bowl to your dog without firstly bringing him under your control. Even with my mature dogs, I will not let them feed except on command. Feeding should never be random. Hold the leash close to the labrador pup's neck and push their rear end down to the seated position. When they are sitting, enthusiastically praise your pup and, only then, reward their obedience with food. Remember, food should always represent a reward for good behaviour. They hear tones and frequencies. When we train them, we are conditioning them to associate a particular sound with a response so that it means something to them. Labrador puppies like all dogs learn contextually and by consistent repetition. In this way, a labrador pup learns to associate sounds with responses and rewards. This is why you should reward your pup immediately when they have performed a command correctly, even if they did not intend to do so. In the early stages, I prefer to teach a dog to 'sit,' then move on to 'staying' before teaching them to 'come'. This is especially so while they are still a puppy. Remember that a 12 month old dog is still a pup. They are regularly hyperactive and overstimulated. The goal is to get your labrador puppy into a calm and submissive state as often as you can. Ensure you are demonstrating a calm and composed, yet assertive demeanor. When you are in charge, your labrador pup will willingly sit and look to you for direction. Exercise patience and be repetitive but don't overdo it. Remember that the time you put in now will help you bond with your young dog, even if they do not appear to be advancing quickly. It will be a very worthwhile investment in a long term relationship for years to come. Of these three basic commands, the 'stay' command will take more time to teach. When this is mastered and entrenched in your dog's obedience, it can save your dog from danger. You are teaching them associations, not English words. Sit Teaching your new labrador pup to sit should begin immediately when you take it home. Begin by feeding them on a leash. Hold the leash close to the pup's neck. Give the pup the 'sit' command, but don't reward them with food until they are sitting. In this way you have begun to condition the pup to the 'sit' command. This requires patience at meal time. Remember that a labrador pup requires 4 feeds a day for the first phase of their life. This gives you ample opportunity for repetition and reward. When the dog sits, reward them with a treat and a lot of enthusiastic praise. Each time they repeat the behaviour, reward them with a treat again. You can train your labrador pup for short intervals at any time. Carry a few small pieces of food. Call your pup, then reward them with lots of affirmation and a piece of food when they comply. Teach them to sit by offering a small treat. Say 'sit', then let them smell the food as you move your hand over their head. A labrador pup will automatically lift the nose in the air to follow the food. As the head moves up and back, the pup will tend to sit. Give lots of praise and gradually increase repetition as they associate the word 'sit' with the food. Stay Your Labrador pup will need to understand the 'sit' command before you advance to 'stay'. Before you give the 'stay' command, make sure that the dog is seated. To keep the dog in the sitting position, you will use your hand with the fingers pointing up and the palm in front of their face. To begin with, position yourself about half a metre away from your pup's face. Direct the 'stay' command calmly, with your hand up. Slowly take half a step back and remain there for 3 seconds to begin with. Then step back towards to the dog. Wait for another 3 sec and then reward your dog with a treat. Repeat this 5 times. Reward them at the end of each 'stay' routine by praising them enthusiastically and giving them a treat. Don't praise or reward the dog until they have remained seated in front of you for a minimum of 3 seconds when you return. Your puppy should not move a millimetre until you give the reward. If your dog breaks early, you have gone too far. Simply return to your dog, reset them in the seated position and begin the routine again. Come It is important to make sure your Labrador understands the 'stay' command before you begin the recall or 'come' command. Make sure you pup is seated before you give the 'come' command. As your walk away from your pup, maintain eye contact. Don't back away too far too soon. If the pup breaks early, give the 'come' command to establish association. When you call your dog to 'come', do not let them jump up on you. If the dog wants to stand on its back legs and reach up, place the palm of your hand on their head and hold it away from you. I suggest that you don't say 'no! The down command should be used as a more constructive training command. If your pup jumps up, make your disapproval known by using a 'dog' sound; 'Ahhh! If you find yourself becoming frustrated, then put the pup away and start again tomorrow. Don't take it personally and don't blame the dog. Corrections are necessary, but not out of frustration or anger. If it's not working, then look at your consistency and your communication. If the training is a positive experience then you will strengthen the bonding and learning process. Develop consistent communication and trust with your dog in the process of the training. Labrador pups love to please and they will be very proud of themselves when they accomplish the command and gain your approval. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. What is the best age to start training a Lab puppy to work? This guide will answer all of your questions regarding when to start training a Lab puppy. It will combine my personal experience with that of other experts in the field, along with information from behavioral research, to guide you with your decision of when to start training a Labrador puppy of your own. Congratulations on your fluffy new bundle of joy. Labs gained their well-deserved place among favorite breeds for so many reasons. Enthusiastic companions, fast learners, loyal and brave, Labrador Retrievers are fantastic pets. How Puppies Learn In the natural canine world, mother dogs teach their pups everything they need to know about their world, survival and living together happily in various stages of development. Most professional trainers try to mimic the natural canine learning process in their puppy training phases. In fact, we only recommend positive training techniques. Rewards can include food, special treats, praise and petting, playing with a favorite toy, etc. Basic Training Concepts Every Puppy Should Learn The first two components of your puppy training should be thorough socialization and potty training. Here are a few tips with each of those early behaviors. Socialization actually refers to exposure to a wide range of situations and individuals. This goes for being around lots of different people, including children. While your pup is still impressionable and inquisitive, introduce her to friends, neighbors and strangers. Introduce her to children with careful instructions to stay quiet, move slowly and pet gently. They could end up grabbing her tightly, and scaring or hurting her. Being handled by other people will be very key in socializing your puppy. Your dog should be properly socialized to gentle and careful handling, teeth brushing, touching ears and paws and tail. This will make trips to the vet and groomer easier. Make sure to also check out our guide to taking puppies outside for more help with socialization. Crate Training for Dogs Crate training is the process of teaching your dog to love spending time secure in their cosy den. Some puppies basically crate train themselves, loving their crate from day one. Others need a more gradual introduction to this safe space. The trick is to not turn crating into a punishment , but instead make it a wonderful place to have a short undisturbed rest. Most puppies will go through a play biting phase, so if you need help training your lab not to nip, you can follow this guide. It will be important for your dog to sit quietly in the field or duck stand. Self-control should be incorporated throughout daily routines and all training phases. Finally, learning how to walk politely on a leash in public is important. In addition to the behaviors listed above, there are a few extra considerations for training a gundog. As early as 8 weeks old, professional gundog trainers begin introducing lab puppies to various scenarios. The core behavioral requirements for a gundog that can be started in puppies this young are: Thorough socialization and desensitization to various environments and sounds. Be sure to start with quieter sounds and build to louder sounds, especially when introducing the sound of gunfire, to avoid creating a frantic dog. Calmness and steadiness amidst distraction. The earliest introduction to this is teaching your pup to sit for his meals, which can be captured as early as six weeks. There are, however, two important considerations to your Lab puppy training. Before their leg bones are fully developed, Labs can develop joint issues if they run too hard and long. Second, resist the urge to play fetch and retrieve every day with your Lab puppy. They overdo it with tossing a ball or dummy to try to encourage the pup to retrieve. The retrieving instinct typically kicks in quite strong around puberty between five to 10 months. Instead, we suggest focusing on sit, stay and waiting quietly with self control. Those are the more difficult behaviors for a lab to learn once adolescent hormones kick in. Start with socialization and household manners as early as 8 weeks old. Then move to sit, stay, steadiness training, and walking on a leash between 12 and 18 weeks. Training is an ongoing life skill, rather than something you do once and consider done. For a hunting Lab, adding various distractions and practicing perfect recall in different environments will be the two biggest training techniques to work on throughout life. Enjoy your training! If you are following my training of Bubba, you know that training a 3—4-month-old puppy is a big challenge. By the time your puppy reaches the 5-month age, they have generally started to mature some, not a lot and are usually a bit more receptive to training. Here is the training you can work on with your 5-month-old Lab puppy. Regarding this series of posts This is post nine of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Bubba Bubba has turned the corner from puppy to adolescent. She now understands the training schedule and looks forward to being trained twice a day. I know this because when Bubba comes out of the dog trailer, she is watching me and bouncing in anticipation of being trained. She has learned that if she does her obedience work, she gets to retrieve. So, she is willing to do the work to get the reward. This simple shift has made working with Bubba so much more enjoyable. Now is when I get to really see her start to improve, and I find that so rewarding. Training and socialization for five-month-old Labrador puppy Here are the things we have been working on and will continue to work on with Bubba in month five. Increased self-control and restraint This goes hand-in-hand with obedience. I must continue to increase my expectations of Bubba and put her in more and more situations where she must make the decision to obey. At this age, I can see the conflict going on in her mind. I call her with a HERE command, but she wants to run after the cat. She looks at me, so I know she heard me and then she looks at the cat. At this point, she will more often than not choose to obey the HERE command and come to me. This is huge. It shows some maturity and an increase in knowledge and understanding of right and wrong behavior. Dog trainers live for times like these. It means the dog is growing and learning and making good choices. This drill is very simple. Why is this important? Well, most people have problems with their dog coming to them consistently. The reason is most often because each time the dog comes the dog gets put away in the house, or in a crate. Or they get something taken away from them like a toy or a stick. It allows your dog to learn that coming to you is a good thing and not a bad thing. Obedience training your 5-month-old puppy We continue to work on obedience daily with Bubba and will for at least the next months. After that, we will still do obedience training at least twice a week. You are never done obedience training. Your dog may get very good at obedience work, but if you do not work on it for a few weeks or longer, it will start to deteriorate. For now, we simply use a chain collar and heeling stick, but not too far down the line we will start collar conditioning her for corrections by the electronic collar. In fact, technically, we are already collar conditioning Bubba since each time we take her out to train we put an e-collar on her. It is a small puppy sized collar and it is not turned on, but she wears it each time she gets trained. So, when I pull out the e-collar, Bubba gets very excited because she knows she is going to get trained. This is the response we are looking for. Some dogs get very excited when the owner grabs the leash, because they know that they are going for a walk. This is the same reaction we are looking for from putting on an electronic collar. The dog should not act differently when the e-collar is on. If your dog cowers or fights you when you want to put the e-collar on, then you have introduced the collar incorrectly and your dog now thinks that the e-collar is a bad thing. This means that your dog is collar wise and will act completely different when the e-collar is on. This is a huge problem because it is very likely your dog will be obedient when the collar is on and disobedient when the collar is off. That is not what we want to achieve. We want your dog to be obedient with or without the e-collar on. Micro-obedience sessions At this young age, we often do what I call micro-obedience sessions. These are obedience training sessions, but they are only around minutes long. These are very effective for puppies because they have a very short attention span. You just must pick one obedience command to focus on for each micro-session, preferably only one drill. It is better to do micro-sessions a day than to try and pack too much into each session. She is not perfect, she is still a puppy and therefore makes a lot of mistakes, but she understands the HEEL command and I can walk in squares or a figure 8 and she is following my legs for the turns. I will continue to work on longer and longer walks with Bubba at heel throughout the month. Learn more about How to obedience train a Labrador puppy. Bubba is a chocolate Lab, and as I have said in the past, chocolates tend to mature slower than black or yellow Labs. Because of this, Bubba really struggled with a remote SIT for a long time. She could not seem to stop her little butt from moving! However, we have made progress and she is now sitting still, and I can walk away from her to a distance of around six feet while she remains seated. Again, she makes mistakes. She is a puppy, and we must give her some grace, but we still correct the mistakes and continue to work on improvement. The distance can be anywhere from 3 feet to 6 feet. Later, this will be very important since this is the position to which I expect all my dogs to deliver the birds. She will end facing the same direction I am facing, sitting next to me. This is a vital drill that we do with every dog that goes through one of our programs. It teaches the dog to deliver the bird to a HEEL position. By starting this with Bubba at this young age, she will learn quickly what the HEEL position is and soon I will be able to say HEEL and put my left hand out from my side slightly and she will come into that position. I did use treats for a short time, which again, I am not a fan of for many reasons. HERE is a vital command and so we will work on it daily. And for those of you who are wondering, yes, manually does mean chasing her puppy butt down, putting on a lead and pulling her towards me with the HERE command all the way back to where I was when I issued the command. It is so important that you never, and I mean NEVER, give a dog a command that you are not willing to enforce in one way or another. For your dog to learn that commands are meant to be obeyed, they must understand that any refusal of the command will be backed up with a correction. The correction may only be a sharp NO, or it may be more serious like a lead correction. Retrieving with your 5-month-old Lab puppy In my last post, I talked about how important it is for you to NOT retrieve with a teething-puppy. Bubba has most of her adult teeth in already, we are just waiting on a few, but she is showing us she is more than ready to retrieve again. So, we have begun hand thrown marks again and she is going out like gangbusters and delivering the bumpers right to my hand. If I notice any problems with her carrying the bumpers or if she starts dropping them a lot, I will stop again until the teeth are more solid. If Bubba seems to be in pain at all during retrieving, we will stop immediately. We never want her to associate retrieving with pain. Bubba already understands the retrieving game when it comes to assistant thrown marks too. She sits with me or Steve at the line and faces the gunners throwers in the field. She sits tall and proud; she knows what the gunners are out there for, and she is ready to do the work. It is so fun to watch these puppies figure out the game and what their job is. It is time to start a new retrieving drill with Bubba. The drill is designed to get a dog to mark throws that are further and further away. It gets them to run out a longer distance to a mark and not even notice the change in distance. It is done by starting with a 20—yard mark, generally on shorter grass where the bumper can be seen on the ground. Have the thrower throw the bumper and send the dog using their name. After the dog picks up the bumper and is running back to you, take a few large steps backward. Take delivery of the bumper and line your dog up for another mark. The mark will be in the same place, but that location is now several yards deeper since you have backed up. Have the thrower throw another bumper and again send your dog. After the dog picks up the bumper and is running back to you, again back up several yards. Repeat until your dog is retrieving at longer distances. This drill works well for dogs that have a very strong retrieving desire. For dogs with less desire, you will need to move much slower, only doing marks total in a session. Remember, you never want to burn out your dog with retrieves. Always leave them wanting more! Final thoughts on training for your 5-month-old Labrador puppy If you have been following these posts, you are getting very close to moving your dog into hunting training. We take dogs for our hunting programs right after their adult teeth are in, so generally at months of age. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Training your 5-month-old Labrador puppy. And yet, many new owners get so caught up in the cuteness of these bundles of fur that they disregard any training until the dog is much older. Sometimes new owners are just overwhelmed with taking care of their new puppy. Others lack the information needed to make good decisions regarding training for their new family member. Unfortunately, though, some bad behaviors or missed socialization and exposure opportunities are difficult to address with an older dog. So, if your goal is for you new retriever to eventually grow into an excellent duck dog, here is a guide to raising your Lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Picking up the puppy The journey with your new retriever pup starts the day you pick him or her up from the breeder. Hopefully you have done your homework and selected a litter of puppies with parents who have proven trainability. If you have a pick from the litter, you will want to take some time to observe the puppies. Even so, most trainers will tell you that picking a puppy is a complete crapshoot, meaning there really is no way to know how good the dog will be while looking at them as a puppy. Genetics and a proven pedigree are the best way to stack the odds in your favor from the start. Beyond that, if you have a good breeder, they are the next best source for information regarding the pups. A good breeder will give you a recommendation based on what you plan to use the pup for and your family situation. Check out this post on searching for a great retriever puppy and what to look for in breeders. If possible, bring someone with you to pick up the puppy. While you can put a puppy in a crate to transport them home, leaving the litter is a traumatic time for most puppies. Being held on the way home is a good way to start bonding with the puppy. Learn what to buy for your new Lab puppy. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. The first week raising your Labrador Retriever puppy There is very little training needed the first week you have your puppy home. Use this time to hold, pet and play with your new puppy. Bonding with the puppy is important and this is a good time to do that. You will likely be exhausted this week from getting up multiple times each night to let your puppy outside. Learn more in What should I do the first week with my new Lab puppy? Socialization is key for retriever gun dog puppies While socialization is important for all dogs, it is essential for retriever puppies destined to hunt. Socialization is the act of putting your retriever puppy in new situations and allowing the puppy to figure it out. Your puppy may handle new situations well, or she might show timid or frightened behaviors. This is not the time to coddle your future gun dog. Dogs are very aware of their owners and if you act or acknowledge your puppies fear, they will likely think you are scared too. This is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve with socialization. We want puppies to learn to adjust quickly to new situations. We want them to learn how to figure out new conditions and handle them without fear or hesitation. Puppies need to be socialized to people also. Let your puppy interact with people of all ages, including children. In addition, it can be helpful if they are also socialized to other dogs and cats. And yet we see too many retrievers with little to no retrieving desire. Sometimes this is just the result of bad breeding, but it can also be the result of poor introduction to retrieving or using the wrong items for retrieving. Many people like to play fetch with their puppy using a ball or Frisbee. But if your puppy is destined to be a hunting partner, this is going to make some retrieving problems down the line. We may use a ball to encourage a very young week old puppy to retrieve, IF, and only IF, the puppy is struggling with retrieving desire. Otherwise, we strongly discourage ongoing use of these items. Gun dogs and duck dogs are working dogs and they need to retrieve birds that fall to the ground. The rolling action of the ball or frisbee will create an excitement and energy that will make retrieving birds seem boring. We have found that dogs that have only retrieved balls or Frisbee often struggle when they need to retrieve a bumper or bird. We have an entire post on this subject, see How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Expose your Labrador puppy to common hunting elements A retriever that is going to be expected to hunt, should be introduced to hunting equipment and elements at an early age. Hills and mounds, flat areas and shallow divots are terrain that a hunting retriever should learn to traverse with ease. In addition to land, different water is also an important factor. Lakes are good, but you should also try to expose your puppy to dirty water. Water with lily pads, cat tails and algae are all things a duck dog will need to handle to work. Hunting equipment Labrador retriever puppies need to learn all about the equipment you use when hunting. Doing this when they are young and continuing the exposure as they grow, will make this second nature to them. Boats and blinds If you hunt out of a boat or blind, introduce your puppy to it. For boats, start on land. Get your puppy comfortable getting in and out of the boat. Throw retrieves from the boat. Similarly, introduce your dog to the blind as a good thing. If you are using a dog blind or hut, make sure your spend lots of time getting your pup comfortable going into and out of it. Make it a fun place to go to get retrieves. Duck or goose decoys If you will use decoys when hunting, take time to expose your puppy to them. Many times over the next few months, put some out on your lawn and let your puppy learn what they are. Eventually, move them to water and again allow your pup to explore them. Throw retrieves through them and teach the dog that he can ignore the decoys. Guns This is one of the most important things that you need to exposure your new puppy to. And it really needs to be done right. The last thing you want to do is create a gun-shy dog. That is very difficult to fix and the dog may never be able to hunt if the damage is too deep. Learn more about how to do this correctly in Introduction to gunfire. Basic obedience for your gun dog puppy Your puppy is ready to learn obedience early on, and you will find that if you start when they are only a couple months old, they will learn quicker and be more obedient as they age. This will make a huge difference as they get older. Teaching HERE to young pups will require a long lead. Squat down a few feet from your puppy and say HERE as you gently pull them to you. Praise is essential with young pups, but the praise should be given when the puppy does something right. For instance, you say SIT and push his bottom down. You can use treats to teach your puppy obedience and reward him or her for obeying commands. But treats should only be used for very young puppies under 4 months. Many Labs will soon learn to only obey when given a treat, that is not the lesson you want your dog to learn. It can be difficult to discipline a cute little puppy, but it is essential. Here at Otter Tail Kennels, we get more than our share of calls from people whose puppies are out of control and causing problems in the home. The pups are causing friction in the family relationships. Small issues often become much larger issues if they remain uncorrected. If you see your puppy doing something wrong, you need to take action to let him know that the behavior is not acceptable. Final thoughts on raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog The time to start training your Labrador puppy to be a duck or gun dog is now. Right away. Even if you plan to send your retriever puppy to a professional trainer in the future, you still want to take the time to socialize, expose, teach and discipline your dog now. Each week your puppy is growing and learning, and those first five months are the perfect time to get him or her off on the right foot. The socialization, exposure, and obedience are all steppingstones they need to advance in their role as a hunting partner. Do not skimp or disregard this time. You can give your ultimate duck dog some essential skills — the ability to adjust to every and all situations with ease. Nothing could be more important. You can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. Raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog.