australian poodle mix puppies

Prince: house trained, great with other dogs and loves kids; very friendly, happy, affectionate dog Prince is an unbelievably gorgeous 5 year old boy that has been surrendered to our kennels. He is house trained, great with other dogs and loves kids. He does not know cats. He can do with some more leash training. He is a very friendly, happy, affectionate and loving dog who loves to play and be with his human. He needs a good size garden, daily exercise and a warm bed inside the house at night. He must be a very special family member! He has the biggest smile and will always warm your heart and brighten your day with his beautiful temperament. He enjoys his toys and loves to play with his ball! He will make an unconditionally loving companion and such a special friend. He would love to join you on outdoor activities and fun adventures! Availability: Kindly understand that a dog's availability can change in seconds. They can ONLY leave for their new homes at 9 weeks of age. All healthy puppies and dogs will only be ready for adoption after they have had their 1st vaccinations, micro-chipped and sterilised. Procedure: If you are interested in adopting, we will email you an adoption application. Once completed we will arrange a home inspection. Their adorable curly fur and expressive faces make you want to cuddle them — and these little guys love nothing more than a good squish. All this and more makes our labradoodle puppies for sale one the most in-demand in our center. Activity-loving families adore these dogs for their propensity towards sports, and anyone who prefers low-shedding pooch benefits from their wooly or fleecy fur. Labradoodle puppies for sale are so cute and come in such a wide range of colors that it makes choosing your new best friend super-hard! While spearheading the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia breeding program, he conducted the crossbreeding of a standard poodle and Labrador retriever in view of it being a hypoallergenic guide dog for blind people. The first example of this type of dog, called Sultan, went to live with a lady in Hawaii, where other breeders saw him as an inspiration and this is how Australian Labradoodle puppies started. Both the International Australian Labradoodles Association and the Australian Labradoodles Association of America are working hard to incorporate more intergenerational breeding so these dog breeders can register this type of dog as a purebred dog. Its gentle, obedient and intelligent personality combined with a hypoallergenic coat make it ideal for family members with allergies, but it also makes an excellent service or therapy dog. Labradoodle Puppies Lifespan When properly taken care of, healthy dogs tend to live anywhere from 10 to 13 years. The lifespan of our Labradoodle puppies for sale is slightly above average at 12 to 14 years. Here are the life stages of multigenerational Australian Labradoodles: Puppyhood: First five months Adolescence: Between five months and two years Adulthood: Between two and three years Middle age: Between seven years and 10 years Senior: Over 10 years Labradoodles need the most attention and care in the first and last stages of their life. During puppyhood, their minds are highly impressionable, which is ideal for training. During their senior years, Labradoodles are more susceptible to health problems, which means owners need to keep a watchful eye. Labradoodle Size The size of labradoodle puppies for sale directly relates to the size of their parents and which generation of breed Labradoodle breeders chose. The larger the puppies, the larger the adult dog will be, and the faster their growth will be coming out of the puppy stage. A standard labradoodle puppy will weigh from pounds by the time it reaches two months of age. By a year old, it will have grown dramatically to up to 80 pounds, depending on the size of its parents. Medium Labradoodles occupy a spectrum of sizes between standard and mini Labradoodles, with the specifics depending heavily on the details of the breeding pair that birthed them and the breeding program they come from. Labradoodle Puppies Temperament While Labradoodle breeders originally bred the Australian Labradoodles as therapy dogs, their fun, friendly personalities made them popular pets. Now you can find these sociable dogs in homes across the globe. Here are some of the top personality traits of our Labradoodle puppies for sale. They tend to do best in active households where they can work off all that pent-up energy. You can fulfill their needs through the following activities: Walks or jogs: Labradoodles make great walking companions and can even keep up with you during a jog. Playing in the yard: Enjoy a game of fetch with your furry friend in the yard or just let it loose on its own. Dog sports: If you stay active through sports, consider making your labradoodle a part of your routine. Bring it on bike rides, go for a run together or kick a ball around in the yard. Obstacle courses: Set up an obstacle course for your dog using household items. Scavenger hunt: Creating a scavenger hunt for your canine is a great way to exercise its body and brain. In general, Labradoodles need anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. You can also enroll them later at a Labradoodle puppy alumni school for proper training. Friendliness What makes Labradoodles the perfect puppy compare to other dog breeds is their ability to get along with just about anyone. They inherit this trait from their Labrador retriever parent, a breed also known for its outgoing nature. You can trust your labradoodle to form friendships with everyone, from children and older adults to strangers and other puppies. Thanks to their affectionate, sociable personalities, Labradoodles make great pets for first-time owners, families, or anyone looking for a companion. Intelligence Thanks to their poodle parent breeds, Labradoodles are incredibly intelligent dogs. Because Labradoodles are intelligent, they often crave mental stimulation. Labradoodle Puppies Grooming Our Labradoodle puppies for sale have a variety of coat textures that dog owners enjoy, but in general, their low shedding coat needs brushing at least twice a week. Not only does this keep them tangle-free but it also removes excess debris from their coat, keeping them fresh and hygienic. Regularly trim the hair around their eyes and in between their paws to prevent these problem areas from causing irritation. Pooches with fleece coats tend to have longer fur and benefit the most from going to a professional groomer — although every dog loves getting pampered once in a while. At Pride and Prejudoodles, we send a can and a bag of the foods we use for free with your hand-delivered bundle of joy. If you need to change it for any reason, it must be done gradually to avoid stomach upsets. Just bear in mind that a diet is such a crucial aspect of wellness that feeding them good quality food will add years to their lives compared to opting for low-quality feed. Pride and Prejudoodles is here to help. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Labradoodle puppies for adoption. The term first appeared in , but was not initially popular. The cheapest offer starts at R 3 .Check it out! Frequently Asked Questions Is a Labradoodle a good dog? High energy, these active dogs are best suited to families who can take them for long, interesting walks of up to an hour a day. Is a Labradoodle a good dog? What color Labradoodle is most rare? Red: The rarest color of Labradoodle coat shades, these pups have a black nose pigment. They are also the hardest to breed. Cream: When born, these Labradoodles are slightly darker. Later they turn to a warm cream color. What is the downside of Labradoodle? Labradoodle crossbreeds tend to be big dogs and need lots of space to exercise. Lab-Poodle mix dogs are high-energy and need frequent exercise. Lab Poodles are susceptible to several health issues you need to consider. Labradoodle dogs are expensive to buy. Can Labradoodle be left alone? When it comes down to it, fully grown Labradoodles are fine to be left alone occasionally for anywhere up to 8 hours. Labradoodles are however easily one of most people-friendly breeds. Do Labradoodles bark a lot? This basically means Labradoodles will bark deliberately to send you, their owner, specific types of information. Are Black Labradoodles rare? Black Labradoodles are a breed of chocolate-colored Labradors and black Poodle. To get this breed, both parents have to be of dark color. They are a rare breed of a recessive genetic trait. The breed is often pure black, including the paw cushions, noses, eyes, and other physical features. What is f2 Labradoodle? An f2 Labradoodle has two first generation Labradoodle parents, and a Lab and a Poodle grandparent on each side. There are pros and cons to buying or adopting an f2 Labradoodle puppy, but they have the potential to be great pets in the right homes. Are boy or girl Labradoodles better? Final Thoughts. In reality, the main difference between male and female Labradoodles is their hormone levels. Are Labradoodles smart? Labradoodles are some of the most intelligent hybrid dogs thanks to their parents, the Labrador and Poodle. Recent Posts. Puppies ' Please contact me for cost of puppies. We screen adopters and they need to agree to our puppy policy. About us ' Our dogs are a part of our family they live with us in our home and share our lives in full, our puppies are raised with love and care in our home. Golden doodles are an extraordinary friendly loyal breed created by crossing Golden Retrievers to poodles. Golden doodles are highly valued for its low shedding coat and fun loving personalities that makes it an ideal house mate and family pet. We occasionally have Golden doodle puppies for sale and if your choice for your next best friend is a Golden doodle the best place in South Africa to adopt a puppy is from GoldendoodlesZA where our dogs are fully health tested, ensuring you a healthy companion for life, have super friendly temperaments and are bred out of quality imported bloodlines. GoldendoodlesZA are expecting puppies available for adoption — please contact us for more information. F1 standard puppies Puppies expected August ready to go mid to end October Puppies have arrived!!!

All of the famous loving and gentle characteristics of other Goldens are found within the Block Head Golden Retriever. As a matter of fact, Block Head Golden Retrievers can be born within the same litter as Goldens with more wedge-shaped heads. These British Goldens usually have a much lighter cream-colored coat than when compared in American or Canadian Golden Retrievers. Also, they tend to have longer more feathery coats as well. However, the biggest differences found within these pups lie with their physical builds. The Block Head Golden Retriever has a much broader head than other retrievers. Along with that, their eyes are often much rounder and darker than other Goldens whose eyes tend to be more almond shape and lighter in color. Block Head Golden Retrievers are less prone to cancer. In a study on Golden Retrievers, English Golden Retrievers were shown to be affected by cancer at a .Studies have also shown that this sub-breed live longer lives than other types of Golden Retriever. The only colors of Golden Retriever that are recognized by the American Kennel Club are light golden, golden, and dark golden. Cream-colored or white Golden Retrievers are not certified colors. Block Head Golden Retrievers are more commonly found among white and cream-colored retrievers. Block Head Golden Retrievers are walking garbage cans! Not to say that they smell bad, but these dogs will eat anything and everything. Do not be fooled by their wily charm and lovable face. As a matter of fact, you may spend your whole life looking and not find a single one. They are amongst the gentlest and kindest souls of any living creature on the planet. Not only that, but they are exceptionally loyal and faithful dogs who live to make their masters and families happy. They are also very intelligent dogs. Normally, intelligence and stubbornness go hand-in-hand when it comes to dogs. However, such is not the case with the Block Head Golden Retriever. Their desire to please overrides the usual stubborn urges. In turn, Goldens are very easy to train. They can also be trained to help out elderly individuals or other family members with disabilities. We cannot recommend this dog enough when it comes to finding the perfect dog for any family situation. To the Block Head Golden Retriever, other pets are just playmates and family members. However, just like any breed, there are some key things to note when properly raising one. Seldom will you find a picky eater among this bunch. Being larger dogs, cups of high-quality food a day should be more than sufficient. And we recommend spacing out their feedings as well instead of leaving constant food in their bowls. They might not have the full-on energy of a Husky or Australian Cattle Dog , but they definitely love to play. A good solid hour of play each day will satisfy their exercise requirements. These dogs are also known for their puppy-like personality even late into their twilight years. To minimize their shedding, you should brush your Golden fully times a week with a slicker brush. However, there a few conditions that the breed is more prone to than others. Hip and elbow dysplasia are the two biggest areas of concern for these dogs. This more commonly found in larger dogs. This can lead to arthritis and other problems down the road. These are inheritable genetic conditions as well. So, if your Golden is experiencing these conditions, you should avoid breeding them. Another big cause of concern for this breed in particular is gastric dilation-volvulus—more commonly known as bloat. If you realize your pup eats too much too fast, just make sure they get a good rest or nap immediately afterward before letting them run off and play. Minor Conditions. A Block Head Golden Retriever is a specific type of Golden Retriever that is recognized by their blocky or square-shaped heads. Temperament A Blockhead Golden Retriever is known to be friendly , affectionate, and loyal. They are great with children and make excellent family pets. They are also intelligent and are dogs that train well, which makes them a popular choice for service dogs for people with disabilities or emotional support animals. Finally, if you are looking for a show dog, then a Blockheaded Golden is the one for you as their broad skull and square-shaped heads help them stand out during show competition. Health Concerns A Blockhead Golden is prone to certain health issues, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and various eye problems. To avoid these kinds of health problems, try to feed you pup a fresh food diet and offer healthy treats like peanut butter , bananas or blueberries as an alternative to high-fat, high-sugar treats that can contribute to these issues. Check their lineage: Make sure that the puppy comes from a reputable breeder who specializes in Blockhead Golden Retrievers and abides by breeding standards. Observe their body structure: These puppies are typically have a stockier build and thicker bones compared to other Golden Retriever puppies. Notice their coat thickness: Blockhead Golden Retriever puppies often have thicker and longer fur compared to other Golden puppies. As a general guide, here are some things to look out for: Unwilling To Provide Health Clearances Avoid breeders who are unwilling to provide health clearances for their breeding dogs. These clearances should include hip and elbow evaluations, as well as certification that the dog is free of hereditary eye diseases. This could indicate that they have something to hide or that they are running a puppy mill operation. These traits are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and could indicate that the breeder is more interested in making a profit than producing healthy, high-quality puppies. Breeders Focused on Sales Avoid breeders who seem more interested in making a sale than ensuring that their puppies are going to good homes or who focus on many different dog breeds. A reputable breeder will ask you plenty of questions about your lifestyle and living situation to make sure that you are a good fit for one of their puppies. Breeders with Excessive Litter Be cautious of breeders who have a large number of litters available at any given time or who always seem to have puppies available. This could indicate that they are running a puppy mill operation or that they are breeding their dogs too frequently, which can lead to health problems for the mother and her puppies. By being aware of these red flags, you can help ensure that you find a reputable and responsible breeder who will provide you with a healthy and happy puppy. Their coat color is also typically lighter and less dense than a Block Headed Golden Retriever. They are intelligent and easy to train, making them great family pets. They are also energetic and love to play, so they require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Health Concerns Slender Head Golden are also prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems. Make sure to look at the Golden Retriever Club of America directory for a list of reputable breeders. American vs. They are often used for hunting and retrieving due to their athleticism and endurance. American Golden Retrievers American Golden Retrievers are lankier and less stocky than British Retrievers, with a dense, water-repellent coat in shades of gold and moderate feathering. They are often used as therapy dogs, guide dogs, and search and rescue dogs due to their high energy and eagerness to please. They are typically heavier with shorter legs and tail and a slightly deeper chest. They are known for their calm and gentle temperament, making them great family pets. Again, make sure to look at the Golden Retriever Club of America directory for a list of reputable breeders and put in the time researching and choose a breeder who specializes in the subtype that best suits your needs. It will be worth it in the long run! What are the best toys for Block Head Golden Retrievers? Toys that allow for interactive play are are great options for them and will keep them engaged and stimulated. Share this:. Blockhead vs. Learn more. If it is your first time getting a Golden retriever, you may be overwhelmed with the multiple options in the market. No doubt, this breed comes with a number of varieties that can leave you confused about what to pick. Should you go for the American, Canadian, or British Golden retriever? Should the puppy be fluffy or non-fluffy? How about blockhead versus slender head varieties? In this guide, we will touch on the last part. We will tell you all you need to know about block head vs slender head Golden retrievers. Hopefully, this will help you make an informed choice when getting a puppy. Appearance A. The fur is also longer than his counterparts. This type is mostly common with English and British Golden retrievers. The latter usually features a lighter cream color than the former and has a more feathery coat as well. Apart from having a large block head and long fur, block goldies also have eyes that are darker and rounder than their peers with light almond-shaped eyes. While all Block head Golden retrievers look somewhat alike, there can be distinct characteristics based on the type. For instance, a British block head Goldie appears to be smaller compared to the Canadian version. The former also has lighter fur than the latter. American block heads are more muscular than British and Canadian varieties. They also come with darker coats and lighter eyes. Besides the size, different block head Goldies have different lengths of fur depending on the type. Ideally, Canadian goldies have shorter fur than American and British varieties. Also, the British types have prominent skulls and unique bone structures and thus are often block heads rather than narrow heads. Slender Head Golden Retrievers Slender head golden retrievers have narrower heads than block heads. You can also call them wedge-shaped-headed Goldies. The shape and size of head have everything to do with the bone structure of the skull. The bones align in a way that the head assumes a narrow shape rather than a square one. Slender head goldies also have shorter fur than block head retrievers. Most of them belong to the American and Canadian golden retriever types. British slender heads are very rare. Golden retriever adults are easy to tell apart. Just look at the shape and size of the head and you can instantly tell whether you are staring at a block head or a slender head Goldie. However, when they are puppies, it can be hard to differentiate between the two. As a matter of fact, most owners cannot tell whether their puppy is a block head or a slender head until they are several months old. As a puppy, the head-defining attributes are barely noticeable. To complicate things further, one litter can have both block head and slender head golden retrievers. Of course, if two block head parents have a litter, there is a high chance that all the puppies in the litter will look like mummy and daddy. On the other hand, if one parent has a block head while the other one has a slender head, the litter may consist of puppies of both varieties. Because it is very hard to distinguish a block head puppy from a slender head, you have to be careful when selecting the best puppy to bring home. It is in your best interest to talk to the breeder and ask them about the genealogy report of the litter. Obviously, if you are only interested in having a Golden retriever puppy of any type, you can skip the entire step altogether. Can Both Be Show Dogs? Both block and slender head goldies look very cute. However, if you want to have your dog participate in the show ring, you will be forced to get the block head variety. The large, square head of the block head is preferred over the narrow head or a slender goldie. The breed requirement for a show dog is a large, block head, deep-set eyes, straight muzzles, healthy teeth, and wide faces. The eyes should be dark or medium-dark brown and the nose brown or black. Other things include a symmetrical body, average length, friendly personality, the ability to listen to commands, and a pleasant facial expression. This means that not all block heads are automatically accepted as show dogs. Personality Golden retrievers, in general, have sweet temperaments. They are eager to please, smart, loyal, and non-aggressive. If you have kids, they will enjoy having a Goldie at home. He is playful while still being gentle, especially around kids. The best thing about them is that they love every member of the family and will create a special bond with every last one of them. Whether you want to adopt a block or a slender golden retriever, you will have a dog with all the qualities of the Golden retriever. They only look different physically but everything else is the same. Expect a dog that is smart, brave, and non-aggressive. He would much rather be submissive than aggressive. Both have lots of fur on their coats that shed very heavily. Perhaps the only difference is that the block head has longer fur, meaning he needs frequent grooming than the slender type with shorter fur on his coat. The stakes are higher if you are looking to have a show dog. His care and grooming needs will be higher than your average pet. He needs to maintain a certain weight and behavior, look a certain way, and be in good health always. Prepare to spend huge sums of money on this. Related Posts:. Above all, we are a top Golden retriever Breeder and we produce purebred AKC block head Golden retriever puppies for sale. Thus, block headed golden retriever and blockhead golden retriever puppies. Moreover, blocky head golden retriever, golden retriever block head, block head golden retriever breeders, and blockhead golden retriever breeders. Furthermore, upcoming golden retriever litters, adorable golden retriever puppies for sale, and amica golden retrievers. Nevertheless, we also have block head golden retrievers, block head golden retriever, golden retriever blockhead puppies, and block headed golden retriever. Furthermore, blockhead golden retriever puppies, blocky head golden retriever, and golden retriever block head. Meanwhile, block head golden retriever breeders, blockhead golden retriever breeders, and golden retriever blocky head are also available. In addition, dark golden retriever for sale, and dark golden retriever puppies for sale. And you are concerned about handing over money to a con artist or want to be sure the puppy is bred and raised with the love and care it needs, not in a puppy mill or local pet store. However, families choose to adopt from us due to our easy adoption process, high standards for breeders, chance to personally meet their new puppies where they are raised, and the fact that we have the cutest Golden Retriever puppies you have ever seen. Moreover, who can say? To sum up, you might just come across the Golden retriever puppy of your dreams. Furthermore, explore our top bloodline of Golden Retrievers for sale nearby and find your new best friend right away! As a result, here you will discover the irresistible puppies from the blockhead Golden Retriever breeder Mudy Goldens and learn why our Golden Retriever puppies for sale are so different and unique. Furthermore, these adorable Golden retriever puppies come purebred and fully registered. Professional Blockhead Golden Retriever Breeder However, in our breeding program, we include Golden retrievers that we believe are some of the best Golden Retriever stud dogs available. For instance, we prefer big males with substance and bone, who exude strength and confidence, have solid headpieces, and are well put together. Also, to ensure their health and the health of their offspring, breeding Golden Retriever dogs undergo a variety of tests. To clarify, all puppies are sold under contract and come with a written hip and health guarantee as well as lifetime breeder support. Moreover, our Golden Retriever puppies for sale are masterfully crafted, and their charming personalities and endearing behavior will seduce you. However, a Golden Retriever dog is a truly loyal and loving companion. Not A Puppy Mill However, your puppy is raised in a healthy and caring environment. A Certified Vet Check Certainly, a certified veterinarian examines your puppy from head to tail. Health Guarantee Most importantly, there is a genuine, 2-year genetic health guarantee for your puppy. So, the majority of the Golden Retrievers in our kennel are from highly regarded show quality bloodlines. Similarly, for our breeding program, we often hand-pick show dogs from complementary bloodlines. In addition, our Golden Retrievers are of sound mind, proper breed type, substantial size and bone, and eager to please. In short, you have come to the right place if you are looking for a block head Golden Retriever puppy as a personal protection dog, show dog, or simply a loyal and loving family companion. Likewise, Mudy Goldens is capable of doing it all! Winner of the best Golden Retriever kennel award. In this Kennel, our world champion stud force is unmatched, and we produce the best Golden Retriever puppies with our top breeding females. Secondly, our achievements at AKC speak for themselves; please take the time to read through all of this important information. Thirdly, and most importantly, we are one of the pioneers to introduce the block head Golden Retriever breeding procedure to the United States, and it all started here at Mudy Goldens. Moreover, our website includes Golden Retriever puppy images, generations of our breeding line, golden retriever articles, retriever education, and is just a taste of our devotion to this incredible breed. However, our breeding program produces block headed Golden Retriever puppies for sale from our best breeding stock. In other words, outstanding Golden Retriever breeding for over three decades. Moreover, our Golden Retriever breeding program is founded on superior blockhead golden retriever breeding techniques that have been used for over a century. Because of this, we are able to create great Golden Retriever puppies using these methods for any home, show, or sporting event. Related Articles: Block Head Golden Retriever Puppies While it is easy to identify this type of Golden Retriever when they become adults, it is hard to recognize it when they are puppies. Often the pet owner will have no idea they have a blockhead golden until the puppy has been home with them for several months. The attribute that defines this type of puppy, which is their head shape and size, is hard to distinguish when they are puppies. It is also hard to tell whether a litter of Golden Retrievers will include any block head puppies or not. Of course, if you have two block heads that breed together, there is a higher likelihood that at least some of the puppies would have this defining feature with them. But this is not guaranteed. However, block head Goldies are bound to show up in litters that is the least expected. In some cases, dog owners have seen that it is more common to get a block head Golden Retriever among different colors of Golden Retrievers, especially the light colored ones. Rather than focusing on the block head feature of the dog, it is important to look more at the variety of Golden Retriever that you would like to bring home. This means you should take a look at these dogs and see if they have the specific characteristics you want, rather than hoping to purchase a puppy that has a block head, but may turn out to be a slender head. This is common with many different breeds of dogs, though for some reason Golden Retrievers seem to get lumped together in one group. When it comes to the varieties that are with the Golden Retriever though, the differences are cosmetic and will not affect the temperament or the health of your dog. The two main types include: Block Head Golden Retriever The Block head Golden Retriever is recognized because it has a larger head, often with better fur, compared to the other breeds that are out there. This type of dog is graded as a show dog due to these features. When they are a baby, they may not look much different than the other varieties, which can make some pet owners wary about purchasing one until they know for sure. As the dog gets bigger, it is easier to see the different shape and size of the head become more prominent. This type of Golden Retriever holds more of the standard look for this breed. This does not mean there is anything wrong with the slender head breed. But because the other breed has been designed to do well at shows and being shown off, it is the more common, and the more popular, breed to work with. Slender Head Golden Retriever If you are looking for a show dog, then you will want to use the block head Golden Retriever to do this. The reason for this is that they are showy and have bigger heads. This does not mean that they are necessarily any better than the second option of Golden Retriever, the Slender Head Golden Retriever. For this breed of dog, the domed or narrow head is going to be found. This is preferred for some pet owners because they look pretty cute with this kind of head. The only difference between them and the block head breed is the side of the head. They have the same temperament and the same health factors so that should not determine whether you choose one or another. It is all a matter of personal preference. Different Varieties of Golden Retrievers In addition to the two main types of Golden Retrievers that we talked about above, there are a few different varieties of these dogs as well. They are all lovable and great additions to have in your family. But it is up to the personal preference of the dog owner to determine which one is best for them. This is the one that looks quite a bit different than some of the other breeds. The hair is a bit shorter and thinner compared to some of the others. The coat is often darker since the lighter color sometime seen will come from their long light-colored overcoat. This is good news if you want a dog that is not going to shed all that much, though you do lose out on some of the fluffiness that comes with this variety. This type of dog is also going to be a bit taller than some of the other varieties of Golden Retrievers. Their weight is a little bit more as well. This is not a huge difference, but if you would like the dog to be a little bit smaller, then you may want to choose one of the other breeds, especially the American Golden Retriever. This is a breed that is seen in many parts of Europe and Australia. They have some beautiful coats that come with long and feathery fur, which is a distinctive feature of this breed. This version is a little bit smaller than the Canadian variety, even though the differences are not that large. There are only a few differences between the English and American varieties of these dogs. They have the same kind of temperament and the same size. The biggest difference will be in the build. You will quickly notice that the British variety will have more power and muscles, along with rounder and darker eyes compared to their American friends. The color of the coat is often lighter as well. American Golden Retriever These breeds have less muscles compared to some of the other varieties. This makes them look lankier and they often have narrower bodies and heads as well. They may have a darker coat compared to the British breed, though the color is more lustrous golden. They may also have some feathering, giving your family a big fluffy dog to love on all they want. When this type of Golden Retriever starts to run around, you will notice their gait is smooth, free, and powerful with a lot of coordination along the way. Their feet can also converge on a center point of balance as they run around. This will help them be a good show dog, even if they do not have the block head that is generally accepted for this. Keep in mind that this is for the American standard, which is different than some of the other options. All of these varieties of Golden Retrievers can fit under either the block head or slender head variety. It will depend on the litter and breeding that are used. It is possible for one litter to be a combination of both of these types based on the genetics of the parent. It may take a few generations of breeding in a specific way before you get a full litter of block head puppies, though this is not a guarantee either. All Golden Retrievers are a wonderful addition to your home and family. And when you are looking for a loyal and faithful dog that is able to keep up with everything your family likes to do, then the Golden Retriever is one of the best options out there. Whether you choose to go with a block head or a slender head Golden Retriever, you are getting a pet that your whole family will enjoy. Related Articles:.

How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the toilet at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialisation Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the garden Besides the gnomes and questionable garden furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own garden is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and garden to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favourite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These smart, social dogs are known for their amiable temperaments and their patience. Traditionally bred as hunting dogs, Labs also are among the most popular service dogs, acting as guide dogs for blind people and as therapy dogs. By socializing these dogs early, you can tap into their natural instincts as protectors and companions. Socialize Puppies Labs are natural born people pleasers. Introduce your Lab puppy to as many new people and places as possible during the early months of its life. Keep each new meeting and experience positive and upbeat. Doing this will reinforce your Lab's natural tendency to be friendly and accepting of everyone. If you have young children in the home, be sure to socialize them to the animal as well as the reverse. Although Labs are patient and tolerant, they may still nip at a child who teases or hurts them during play. Make sure everyone knows the boundaries and rules. Exercise Every Day Labrador retrievers are high energy dogs, which is part of the reason they are such great pets for active families. But if Labs aren't given sufficient exercise, they can quickly become bored. This often leads to destructive behavior and other common behavior problems , such as barking, chewing, and digging. It's also why Labs are not well-suited for apartment living; they're too big and too active. Plan on giving your Lab an hour or more of exercise each day. Most Labs love long walks or a game of fetch. These are the perfect way to burn off your Lab's energy. Take advantage of their innate trainability by starting an obedience program as soon as you bring your Labrador retriever home. You can work on basic obedience commands on your own, or sign up for a dog obedience class with a local dog trainer. Classes are a great way to train your Lab while socializing at the same time. Since Labs get to be fairly large and have a tendency to pull on the leash, make walking on a loose leash your first priority. You should also teach your Lab to "come," "drop it," and "fetch," so you can take advantage of its natural tendency for retrieving. Use Positive Reinforcement Training Their eagerness to learn, playfulness, affectionate natures, and their love of treats make Labrador retrievers fantastic candidates for positive reinforcement dog training. Reward their good behaviors with a small treat, a game, or some cuddle time with you. You'll find your Lab is soon offering you the behaviors you like with little prompting. If you decide to use treats in your training, remember that Labs have a tendency to become overweight. Plan on a Long Adolescence One of the most endearing qualities of Labrador retrievers is that they remain very puppy-like long after they've reached adulthood. The downside is that their energy level and tendency to get into mischief continues well into adulthood as well. Therefore, it pays to have behavior management tools handy. The training to become a service animal will vary depending on what the dog will be doing; some are trained to be animal companions to sick children and adults in the hospital, while others are trained to serve as seeing-eye dogs. Others may provide assistance to people with mental illnesses, or behavioral problems. Check the requirements for licensing and training where you live; some places have more strict rules and requirements for service dogs than others. Problems and Proofing Behavior Many Labrador retrievers are happiest and the most well-behaved when they have a job to do. Consider getting involved with a dog sport or training your Lab as a service animal or pet therapy dog. Crate train your Labrador so it doesn't have the run of the house when you're not there to supervise Provide your Lab with a variety of interesting toys and chews to keep it from getting bored. Continue practicing basic obedience commands; it reinforces your Lab's training and provides mental stimulation. No matter what training you decide on, keeping your Lab busy and active is sure to keep one of those famous Lab smiles on its face. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. McGreevy, Paul D et al. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine genetics and epidemiology vol. 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. Print Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. Labrador puppies will learn quickly about acceptable and unacceptable behavior those first few weeks, if you, the owner, are willing to set and enforce boundaries. Here is the training you should be working on with your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post three 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. Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week three home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for approximately 3 weeks now. This week you should start noticing some bigger changes with your puppy. Here are some of the changes I notice with Bubba. First, she is growing fast! Bubba is almost ready for a new collar already. I have loosened her current collar twice, and there is no more room to expand it. She is also learning a lot. Bubba is also becoming more personable. She likes and has more interest in people now and wants to be petted and scratched more often. Training equipment for Lab puppy We added a couple new training tools this week. But a thicker check cord will also work. We use this check cord for longer outside marks and assistant-marks which I will discuss more in a bit. Puppy sized canvas or light-weight plastic bumpers In week two, we introduced formal retrieving in a hallway in the house. In week three, we move outside with retrieving and introduce assistant throws, so it is helpful to have a few more bumpers. Puppy training that will continue Much of the training I have been working on for the past two weeks with Bubba will continue into this week and beyond. Dog training is not something that has a definitive end-date. For instance, you teach your puppy to SIT and then you must work and practice that command daily or weekly, often for months before the response to the command is solid. But even once the response is solid, you cannot completely stop training. If you stop training, even an older dog, the dog can lose the previous training. So, realize that you are never done working with your dog, especially on obedience training. Some areas that we will continue training Bubba on are: Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. She rarely makes any noise while in her crate and settles down quickly after being put into her crate. In the upcoming weeks, we will work towards getting Bubba to enter her crate on command. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. We have caught her in a few accidents, but she already seems to understand that she is not supposed to go potty inside. This does not mean that she is done housebreaking. We still expect accidents and will for a few months, so we watch her carefully while she is running around in the house. We also praise her for behaviors like going to the door and tapping the door or whining at the door. These behaviors are rewarded with us taking her outside to go potty. When she goes potty outside, we praise her and then take her right back in. We want her to start understanding that these cue behaviors will get her out to go potty and that is all. Looking for more information on housebreaking? But we will also add a few new ones. We will use this while teaching our puppy the SIT command. It also will be used going forward, anytime we are done working on structured obedience work. We will release the dog from formal work with the OKAY command. But we also use it to mean go to a certain place, such as on a mat or stand. Or, when we want her to go into her crate or kennel. This is an associative command, meaning the puppy will learn the command through our repetition of the word as we tie it to a behavior. But over time, she will make the association and will perform it on her own. This is very important especially if you ever plan on doing more advanced training with your retriever. You will use whatever your dogs name is. A few commands that we will continue to work on this week We will continue to work on obedience commands this week and in the weeks to come. Each week we will expect a little more and better compliance and performance to the command. She is sitting when I put the leash and chain collar on her and when I am taking it off. This week we also added SIT before eating. We only make her SIT for a few seconds; we are working on control. She does not SIT on her own yet, but she will be doing that within a week or so I would guess. Right now, I grab her collar and say SIT. In week three, I have a slightly higher expectation. On walks, I make her walk right beside me for a minute or two using the HEEL command before releasing her and letting her run back and forth a bit. This tells me that she understands the command. Then release her. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Remember: Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. Make every effort to socialize your puppy You should continue to take steps to socialize your week-old puppy. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Learn more about socialization. Hand throws with a puppy bumper you are throwing out a bumper done outside will carry a lot more distraction than retrieves in a hallway. Just pick up the bumper and try again tomorrow. When retrieving outside, make sure you have a long foot rope attached to your puppy. Never try to do retrieves outside without a rope. You will have problems and encourage bad behaviors. You must have a way to get the puppy to come back to you, otherwise you should not be doing retrieves outside. Once your puppy is doing well retrieving outside, you are ready to introduce assistant marks. Introduction to assistant marks The most important thing we worked on with Bubba this week is assistant marks. Assistant marks are retrieves where someone else is throwing the bumper, not you. This teaches your puppy to watch out in the field for a mark. It is very rare that a duck will come from behind you, fly over your head and you shoot it. The ducks and pheasants will be falling in front of you, so the dog must learn to look out and watch for the mark. We start assistant marks on very short grass with white plugs so that the puppy can clearly see the item on the ground. We hold the puppy in a SIT position facing a thrower who is about 20 feet from you. When your puppy picks up the bumper, immediately start calling her back to you. Remember, you should have the foot check cord on her so you can pull the puppy in if needed. Then, take the bumper from her, throw it behind you, make your puppy sit facing the thrower again and repeat. Only do retrieves and then call it a day. Soon your puppy will learn this game and love it. They will start facing the thrower on their own and sitting and waiting for a mark. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy week-old puppies are so eager to learn, so be sure and take advantage of this enthusiasm to teach new concepts and enforce previous ones. Continue to teach your puppy to handle more and more pressure and correction while maintaining a good attitude. Lastly, assistant marks are a big deal. Once a dog learns this part of the game, you can work to increase the distance and complexity of the marks. 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. Check Price on Amazon 6. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. This is known as command nagging. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If an order is not executed the first time, show your Lab what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they learn to obey the first time the command is made. Discipline at the Precise Moment of the Unwanted Behavior Timing is crucial when disciplining your 8-week-old Labrador pup. Dogs will typically forget an experience in 2 minutes. However, they can recall your training commands through associative memory. Once your pup has corrected his unwanted behavior with the desired behavior, reward him with a tasty treat and lots of praise. To learn more about how to discipline your dog, check out my top article, How to Discipline a Labrador: What Not to Do! It can also cause aggression in dogs , as found in this year-long study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. Using physical punishment such as hitting, kicking, or grabbing the jowls and shaking, is simply animal abuse. Other unacceptable methods are physically forcing the dog down onto its side or back, growling at your dog, withdrawing food, using a shock collar, or tying it for hours. Wean Your Puppy off Training Treats Your Labrador needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when he has repeatedly performed the behavior and completely mastered it in different locations and with various distractions. Nonetheless, your Labrador puppy is still a dog in training, and you still need to tell him that he has done the right thing. The rule of thumb is that they are trained young when it comes to dog training. You should train Labrador puppies as soon as you bring them home, typically around 8 weeks of age. The American Kennel Club AKC indicates that the first key milestone when training a Lab pup is 8 weeks, as soon as they have left their mother. It is a crucial time to lay the foundation for your Labrador puppy to integrate into the family. When you bring your Labrador Retriever puppy home at two months, it has most likely interacted with a few situations and is eager enough to learn and follow the rules of a new home. A recent study scientifically proved that 8-week-old puppies are quite capable of learning at this young age as they quickly learned to open a puzzle box baited with food and remembered the skill an hour later. Interestingly, these puppies learned the skill better from a human rather than their mother. Other studies have also proven that it is effective for future behavior to teach puppies socialization and other skills rather than adults. In this study, puppies who attended a command and socialization training class for one hour a day for six months responded better to strangers than adult dogs who attended the same classes. Are Lab Puppies Easy to Train? Lab puppies are easy to train. They are a working breed that enjoys physical and mental stimulation and have many positive traits. They are intelligent, devoted, friendly, highly social, and love to please. They are often used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, or search and rescue due to their easy trainability. Apart from the age factor, other breed-specific reasons make training a Labrador puppy easy. Here are three examples: Labradors are among the most intelligent dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs, canine psychologist Stanley Coren lists Labradors in the top tier of the smartest dogs. So, even at just two months, your puppy has it in his blood to learn and carry out commands. To perform their original working job of retrieving fish that came off the trawl, Labradors had to be watchful and enthusiastic. These are essential learning characteristics. As game and waterfowl retrievers for hunters, Labradors have to be obedient. Another core training requirement makes your Lab puppy easy to train. With these ten principles on exactly how to train an 8-week-old Labrador, you can now apply them to the key areas your young puppy needs to be trained in. Labrador Puppy Training: Key Areas There are five critical areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week-old Lab puppy. In the next section, I will tell you what the training entails. How to Socialize a Labrador They say humans are social beings, but that is also true about dogs. Socialization begins with the breeder and continues with you. To socialize a Labrador, expose him to many different places and situations. Include sounds, smells, other adults, children, animals, cars, objects, etc. Dogs who are well socialized in the first 12 weeks will be set up for life. Socializing and training your puppy young plays a significant role in the development of adult dogs, as evidenced in this important study. Here are two key findings: Dogs that are well socialized as pups will behave more positively with humans and are less likely to display unwanted behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. Socialized dogs are more likely to engage in positive social behaviors with humans. They also learn better how to play games with humans, helping them establish a true bond with their owners. As a puppy, you can teach your Labrador social skills and confidence through intentional training moments in the family. Once he has completed his vaccinations, take him to public places such as parks or puppy socialization classes. Put him outside hourly and learn to anticipate when he needs to go. Reward and praise him when he does go outside. Usually, puppies will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and after meals. Use their natural rhythm for daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing in the area they sleep in and usually hold it. Nonetheless, very young puppies might be unable to do so. Walk your Labrador after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to allow him to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. Puppies will need to be allowed to relieve themselves every hour, and for vaccinated dogs, a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent them from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you need to go out, get someone to help you stick to the routine. Repeating this routine for the first few days will give your new furry friend a good idea of his expectations. Check out my guide to Labrador potty training here. To crate train an 8-week-old Labrador puppy, start as soon as you bring him home. Slowly introduce him to the crate by throwing a treat inside and let him explore the crate voluntarily. When you first leave him with the door closed, make sure he is tired as he will sleep and not be afraid. Check out my Best Dog Crates for Labradors and Playpens recommendations, including soft crates, travel crates, and furniture styles. Here are six key things you should practice when crate-training your Labrador: Keep your puppy in the crate at night. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets used to other sleeping arrangements. My puppy cried during the first night, but she was just fine after that. Lab puppies can be left alone in a crate for 1 hour for each month of age for up to 4 hours. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house. This is also for his safety, such as when you are cooking. Do not let your Lab out of the cage when barking or giving you those puppy eyes. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate, i. He will quickly learn that being quiet leads to nice things. He will quickly learn that this special place is just for him. Various toys and bedding will offer some comfort for your Labrador. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, the best ones will give your Lab enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. Instead, buy a crate with an adjustable divider that allows him to grow into and choose a standard metal model with either a single or double door. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel , also from Amazon, are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog. This one is even airline adaptable and meets most airline cargo specifications. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained not to hurt as they have learned their bite inhibition. This simply means that the dog has learned to control the strength of his bite. This sends the message that the bite hurts. Persist by leaving your hand in his mouth until he lets go, then use lots of praise. All puppies need to master this technique that they initially learned from their mother and littermates. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Training your Lab puppy to soft bite must be done in puppyhood as an adolescent dog will not know how to adjust the force of his jaws when he has adult teeth and adult jaw muscles. This can be devastating for you both, should your Labrador go on to bite someone! Have realistic expectations — as it can take your puppy weeks to learn his soft bite. How to Train a Labrador Puppy to Walk on a Leash Walking on a leash is not a natural skill in dogs — they need to learn it! Teach a leash cue, then introduce the pup to very short walks. If the dog pulls, stand fast and wait for him to return to you before continuing. Do this by letting him wear them for short periods inside the house and yard. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached, such as the Walk Your Dog With Love harness. They give you more control and are ideal for medium-large breeds. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your Lab to short walks outside on a leash. When it appears he is about to lunge toward another dog or object, quickly distract him with a treat. Timing is crucial. Reward him every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of leash walking is perfected. You can start steps 1 and 2 when the puppy is young, but you can only commence step 3 once the dog has been vaccinated. Final Thoughts Eight weeks old is the perfect time to train a Labrador puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, not biting, and leash training. To successfully train your Lab puppy in these areas, you must follow good training principles such as using reward-based training, being consistent in your commands, and disciplining at the precise moment of poor behavior. Begin with basic commands before introducing more complex or trick commands. Related Posts You May Like:. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!

German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy!

Wildlife by Taylor Ann! We have over 35 years experience breeding, raising, and training work line, show line, and long coats. Here at Von Weiss kennels we strive to bring you the best in work line, show line, and family German Shepherds. We only breed three females once a year. As a result we are able to ensure solid, well secured, puppies and dams. Our Shepherds are part of our family as we hope our puppies will be a part of yours! Melissa came to my home and spent quite a bit of time with us to see how Coco would do in my home and around with my kids since I had a younger child with two older ones. We tried a in-home trial for a week and was very happy with Coco so we adopted her! Melissa has also answered all of my questions and given me tips since I was a bit rusty with having a pet. Melissa loves her dogs and only wants the best. She has a heart of gold! As for Coco, she has a very calm temperament and has fit so well into our family. I'm of course her favorite and she's basically stuck to me like glue. She also loves my girls and is very protective of all of us. I also feel a lot safer in my home with her being there. She's super alert and knows when someone is near my property. I've also been very happy with how well behaved Coco is. Thank you again, Melissa! I did a lot of research before choosing Von Weiss Kennels and I know we made the right choice. After completing the background questionnaire and a home check our family was invited to visit the kennel and meet her wonderful pack of dogs and pups. We were very impressed with how happy and healthy the dogs and pups were and how they were all part of the family. I would definitely recommend anyone looking for a pup or training to contact them to see for yourself. I was quite impressed with her sincerity, commitment, and dedication to her animals and her clients. Melissa made the the whole process from start to finish amazing and being able to come out and visit my puppy weekly has been the best experience!!! Excellent breeder with a commitment to temperament and intelligence. I found Melissa to be an honest breeder. She actually cares for her animals and where they go. Available after the sale to offer advice, tips, and training on your new Pet. She does everything possible to raise her litters the right way. Trooper has a great personality, extremely stable temperament, super solid environmentals, and as such can be taken literally anywhere with no issue at all. On top of being a joy to live with, he is exquisitely trainable. They have brought smiles and joy. They are rambunctious, playful, cuddliers, and love to splash around in the pool then curl up on someone's lap. Thank you Melissa for allowing us the joy of these girls. Highly recommend her! Roland Susan We brought home Khan today. Melissa is the best. Each weekend for a little over a month, I have visited her kennel and her beautiful dogs getting to know Khan. I have a greater understanding of German Shepherds, she is a fountain of information on how to raise and care for Khan. Thank you so very much. You have given me more than you know. Dogs are Beautiful! Ryan Jack Our young stud Zeus graduated his second obedience class last night .He came in first place!!! What a fine animal with the best temperament I could have ever wanted!!! I can not believe how fortunate we are to have this dog in our lives. Exercise Grooming In the 19th century, Shepherds bred all kinds of dogs mainly to herd and guard flocks. Thus, the dogs needed to display a high level of intelligence, extra normal strength, resilience, courage and bravery, a keen sense of smell, and trainability qualities, etc. These mongrel combinations provided dog breeds that could efficiently guard and herd flocks but differed in appearance and ability, from one locality to another. German Shepherd dogs are well known to be highly inquisitive which makes them excellent for rescue mission training. The German Shepherd has a noble character and shows very high levels of loyalty to its owners. The dog is also described as extremely territorial and has displayed characteristics of overprotectiveness in some cases. The German shepherd can survive in all types of environment; their thick furriness makes them better prepared for cold climates. German Shepherds are considered extremely playful and active. These breeds spend half of their daily routine with activities. The German Shepherd is popularly known as an athletic natured dog and requires a good dose of daily exercise to keep up muscle tone, build and development. If improperly exercised the German Shepherd has been known to become frustrated and exhibit undesirable behaviors. The German Shepherd requires an occasional brushing, as this helps with removing loose hair from its fur. The German Shepherd sheds fur once or twice a year and in this time the breed requires a lot of soft brushing. This can be done using a soft to medium bristle brush. The German Shepherd occasionally requires that its nails are trimmed off when they grow too long, however, some breeds instinctually file their nails against any hard surface that can be fine. Excessive nail growth can cause much pain and even lead to structural concerns. In choosing a German Shepherd breed you must ask yourself what it is you want in a dog and what kind of person are you? Our German Shepherd puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Healthy German Shepherds live for as long as between nine to thirteen years, however, some german shepherd has lived much longer than Thirteen years. How fast can German Shepherds run? An adult German Shepherd can run approximately 30miles per hour. Originally the German Shepherd was bred for guarding and herding of flocks. The German Shepherd dog is highly intelligent and a fairly quick learner and that is why Police and Military institutions use them in operations. How do I care for a German Shepherd dog? The German Shepherd sheds lightly all through the year so be sure to brush it at least twice weekly. Bathe it after each shedding season. Brush its teeth at least once a month. Feed with healthy meals. Routine exercise of at least 45 minutes each day is crucial to the existence of a German Shepherd. Do they shed a lot? Yes, German Shepherds sheds heavily all year round and blows the thick, dense fur under its harsh topcoat twice a year. Are German Shepherds good with kids? German Shepherds are good with kids, however, they can become very protective because of this adult supervisor is highly recommended. At what age are German Shepherds fully grown? In moderation German Shepherds, reach full maturity between months i. There have been known cases of some Eastern European lines taking up to 3years i. Why do German shepherd ears stand up? During the early puppy age weeks German shepherds have floppy ears but this usually becomes pointed ears, standing up due to the cartilage in the ear becoming hard and strong thereby making the ears stand permanently. Are male or female German shepherd more affectionate? The female may also be less tolerable than the male when it comes to playing with children. Are you interested in purchasing a German Shepherd? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Our team cares for the parents and their puppies around the clock. The puppies can go home after the age of 12 weeks. With putting our dogs first, we require you to book a visit with your new puppy 3 times before taking them home. This way, you can pick the puppy that connects with you, you get to meet the parents, and talk with our breeder. We screen each new puppy parent for safety reasons for our dogs. Your dog must be paid in full by the time they are ready to go home. Your Puppy Package Puppies need a lot of attention, patience, love, training, their own spaces and things. The Puppy Package is included with each puppy, This package will give you and your puppy the perfect start. Take a look below to see which one best fits you. Belgian Malinois Height: inches male , inches female Weight: pounds male , pounds female Life Expectancy: years Temperament: Intelligent, Hard Working, Loyal, Confident Energy Level: Energetic excellent running, hiking, and biking companions. They also excel in agility, Schutzhund protection training , and tracking. Trainability: Easy Training they are highly intelligent dogs that must have engagement through training Malinois are highly intelligent and energetic dogs that need exercise. They also need mental stimulation. These dogs are not for those that want a laid back dog. They are for people that are active, have time to train, and space for the dog to run. They take to learning commands quickly. Although an excellent family dog, they do require dedicated training. They are for people that have time to train and space for them to run. We have answers. In order to ensure that none of our customers ever have to deal with fake breeders, fraudulent backyard breeders or puppy mills our company screens and vets each and every German Shepherd breeder that applies. This extensive process helps to ensure that every Las Vegas German Shepherd for sale through our website is ethically bred and sold! Does Uptown Puppies value transparency when it comes to selecting a breeder? What is a backyard breeder? The breeding practices used by backyard breeders and puppy mills usually leads to inbred dogs or other major health issues further down the line. Another issue is the primitive breeding techniques used by backyard breeders and limited space which can lead to separation anxiety later in life or even infections in small puppies. How does Uptown Puppies work? What happens after I choose my new best friend? Finding a puppy through the Uptown Puppies network is a lot different than just trusting your search for a new family member to an online search engine. Will a German Shepherd for sale in Las Vegas enjoy hikes? The answer is yes, any German Shepherd will enjoy as much time outside in the wilderness as possible. If you are an active hiker, camper or runner your German Shepherd will be absolutely content to join along on your adventures! One of the greatest benefits of working with Uptown Puppies is having the freedom to choose from a large selection of breeders across the country. Most of the breeders who are approved to join the Uptown Puppies network are more than happy to work with you to arrange transparent to the most convenient airport for both parties. There are a ton of benefits to working with a reputable shelter but they are not for everyone. If finding a purpose-bred German Shepherd or even a different purebred dog is on your checklist then Uptown is the place to be. As more and more customers move to an online marketplace to conduct their search for the perfect German Shepherd puppy mills grow and thrive behind cheerful websites that hide their true intentions. Based on solely information online without ever having visited a facility it can be extremely difficult to tell a puppy mill from a reputable local breeding business.

The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Golden Retrievers are very food motivated. If your puppy seems to be getting fat, you may need to switch to the lower end of the above recommendations. Alternatively, if their ribs are becoming too prominent, you should work to the upper ends of the guidelines. Golden Retriever puppies have much smaller stomachs than adults. This means their daily food allowance should be split into smaller, more frequent meals. Rather than just feeding them once in the morning and once in the evening, as you might plan to do eventually, their food will need to be split into 3 or even 4 portions, like so: 8 — 12 weeks: 4 meals a day 3 — 6 months: 3 meals a day 6 — 12 months: 2 meals a day However, like the feeding charts, this should only be used as a guide. Feeding too much food at once can lead to cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort for your puppy. How to Choose the Best Golden Retriever Puppy Food Puppies need a balance of certain nutrients and vitamins to support their growth — not just as much food as possible. In fact, simply giving as much food as possible is linked to certain joint-related health problems. So, when searching for a high quality puppy food, there are a few key ingredients you might want to search for. This includes a real meat source, and the correct amount of nutrients like calcium and iron. Commercial Food vs Homemade Food There are pros and cons to every type of puppy food available. Dry food is long-lasting and easy to use during training, but can contain filler ingredients. Wet food is palatable and easy to serve, but can be more expensive and harder to use during training. Homemade food is often very appealing in terms of taste for our dogs, but is the most likely type to contain nutritional imbalances that can lead to serious health problems. So, they will continue to grow and develop physically until somewhere between 12 and 18 months. You may want to transition your puppy to a new food when you bring them home, rather than whatever your breeder was giving them. Ideally, you want to make the change over the course of a week. Replace a very small amount of their old food with their new food at mealtimes. Over the week, you can change these amounts by decreasing their old food and increasing the new. By the end of the week, they will be eating only the new food. Changing abruptly can cause stomach upsets and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. But, Golden Retrievers should generally look lanky rather than chubby. But, the most successful rewards in this type of training are often food, such as kibble or small chunks or meat and cheese. Doing all of your training in the morning can lead to stomach upsets if your puppy ends up eating a large amount of their daily allowance all at once. Instead, try and complete shorter training sessions before each mealtime, and give whatever allowance is left for each meal after training is done. This can also benefit your training, as a hungry dog will be more motivated to work for those treats! Learn more » Congratulations on your new golden retriever puppy! You now have a beautiful, smart, and loyal dog who will love you for life. To make sure they grow into a healthy and happy companion, you need to feed them the right amount of food. At months old, which is usually when they are ready to leave their mother, a golden retriever puppy should be eating 3 cups of dog food divided into three meals per day. This is based on a typical large-breed puppy food. Different brands will give a feeding guide on their packaging. However, how much and how often to feed your golden retriever will keep changing during this time of rapid growth. Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Timeline Image Credit: PxHere All puppies are different as are the foods, but some general guidelines for feeding your golden retriever during their first year are: 0—6 weeks: A golden retriever puppy can start eating solid food when they are 3—4 weeks old. Give them a total of 3 cups of dog food per day by their third month, 3 to 4 cups by the time they are 6 months old. The AKC recommends waiting until large breed puppies are at least 12 months old before switching them over to adult dog food and more likely 18 months. The amount will depend on their weight and activity level, but a rough guide is 1—2 cups per meal. Image Credit: Kinek00, Shutterstock Large breed puppies like golden retrievers should eat three to four small meals a day for the first 3—6 months of their lives. Smaller portions spread throughout the day are easier on their tummies and help prevent bloat, a serious condition that can be deadly for dogs. It also helps them maintain their energy level throughout the day. Puppy food has more calories and fat to support their growth, as well as extra vitamins and minerals for their developing immune and nervous systems and bones. The protein source matters, too. Puppies need animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb for their growing muscles. Choose a Large Breed Formula: Large breed puppies grow quickly, which means they need extra support for their bones and joints. Formulations for large breeds contain the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio for strong bones and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. They can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their age, weight, and activity level. But puppies need to be fed on a schedule to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. How do you know if your puppy is getting enough to eat? After that, their growth will start to slow down. He Has a Healthy Appetite: A healthy puppy is interested in food and eager to eat. He Has Plenty of Energy: A well-fed puppy is full of energy and ready to play. Make the most of mealtime with these tips: 1. It also helps other aspects of puppy training, such as potty training and crate training. Image Credit: Alena Marchuk, Shutterstock This means leaving food out all day for them to graze on whenever they want. Leave food down for 10 minutes and then pick up what is not eaten. If they have not eaten anything, offer it again in an hour. Slow them down by scattering their kibble around the bowl, using a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat. This will help them learn to eat slowly and enjoy their food more. If your puppy is not drinking enough water for your liking, try adding a bit of broth to their bowl to make it more appealing and help them stay hydrated. Resist the Urge to Sneak Them Table Scraps Puppies are experts at giving those big, soulful eyes that make it hard to say no. But resist the temptation to give them table scraps or human food. Aside from teaching them bad manners, it can also lead to health problems, like obesity. A lot of human foods are not safe or healthy for dogs. For instance, garlic and onions are toxic to dogs. Oily food can upset their stomach, and carbs add a lot of calories. This helps them learn that mealtime is a specific time and place and not something that happens all over the house. Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace. This includes other pets in the house and small children who might want to bother them or try to steal their food. Otherwise, meals can become a stressful experience for your puppy instead of a happy one. Conclusion Feeding your golden retriever puppy the right amount of quality dog food will establish a strong foundation for their health and happiness. In addition, make mealtimes more meaningful by turning them into lessons and bonding moments between you and your dog. The puppy phase is over before you know it, so enjoy it while it lasts! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation.

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 San Luis Obispo California 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. We are dedicated to breeding healthy Labradoodles, and all our breeding dogs undergo comprehensive health tests for eyes, hips, elbows, and at least eight potential genetic conditions. Our breeding dogs live in loving guardian homes and are cherished members of wonderful families. They return to Brasken for delivering and raising their puppies. Our Guardian Home program allows our breeding dogs to stay with their families for their entire lives, ensuring they receive the love and attention they deserve. Labradoodle Puppy Care We believe in providing our puppies with the best care possible. Before coming home, our Labradoodle puppies receive their first set of vaccinations, deworming, and are microchipped. They come with a health record booklet, a familiar blanket, a bag of food, a puppy info packet, and a puppy training book to help you get started on the right foot. Frequently Asked Questions What breeding accreditations do you have? We are accredited by the AFAA, which recognizes us as one of the trusted labradoodle breeders in California. For our puppies we use the Pawprint Genetics Laboratory and ensure our breeding Labradoodles pass health tests for eyes, hips, elbows, and at least eight potential genetic conditions. Do the puppies come with a health guarantee? Yes, all our puppies come with a health guarantee. Can I visit your facility to see the conditions in which your dogs and puppies are kept? We do welcome people to come by to see our facility and the pups which you can do by scheduling an appointment. What is the puppy adoption process? Our puppy adoption process involves filling out a puppy application, reviewing our contract, and placing a deposit to reserve a puppy. Are the puppies trained and socialized before coming home? Yes, our puppies receive early socialization and handling. We start their training by introducing them to basic commands and potty training. What do your Labradoodle puppies come home with? Our Labradoodle puppies come home with their first set of vaccinations, deworming, a microchip, a health record booklet, a familiar blanket, a bag of food, a puppy info packet, and a puppy training book. What size Labradoodles do you breed? We breed miniature, medium, and standard-size Labradoodles. What generation do you breed? We breed multigenerational Australian Labradoodles for sale in California How much do your Labradoodles cost? We also have guardian labradoodles available if cost is a concern. For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly. We are excited to help you find the perfect Labradoodle puppy to join your family! We had researched breeders and liters for over a year until deciding on Brasken. We adopted our love bug a couple months ago and are beyond thrilled. Because Brandon and Kristen run a strict breeding program for health, temperament and beauty their pups are so exceptional. They will thoroughly educate you from A to Z on all things puppy to prepare you for adoption day and puppyhood. Our Frankie Grace is only 16 weeks old and listens to all our commands. I swear she is almost human. She is a dream. She loves hugs, running, playing ball, meeting new friends human and fur. Branden and Kristen were incredible to work with and provided us with all the right tools and information to bring our girl home. They are extremely knowledgable and caring to all puppies and their families. We couldn't be happier and look forward to our continued relationship with Brasken. They are amazing. They are dedicated to this breed and producing the best puppies. We were so impressed on our site visit to meet them and pick up our puppy. Our dog is wonderful, truly a part of our family. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Scroll through their website to see how awesome the dogs are they breed. You will fall in love with their puppies. Beth MacLean. Testimonials As a veterinarian I work with multiple breeders. Charl and Jerry Beauchat have been clients of mine for several years. Their dogs are always kept in great condition. Every puppy is health checked and micro-chipped prior to going to its new home. Providing healthy family members remains a priority of mine as well as theirs Jonathan CortezDVM We can not say enough about the integrity of your program. Pete and Jiffy …head and shoulders above the pack when it comes to a quality breeder…. Do yourself a favor and visit Charl and Shadow Mountain Labradoodles if you are considering a new puppy. We have made a full time commitment to our program. Three of us work full time with our dogs, puppies and families. Charl and Jerry are in Southern California, our daughter Jena, has branched out and is now carrying on our work in Oklahoma! We are also currently training 10 new Australian Labradoodle Breeders in California, Oklahoma, Washington, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Missouri and Ohio to bless families and to protect this wonderful breed! Shadow Mountain Australian Labradoodles are bred with love and care in a home environment. We work hard to place our puppies in an environment where both the families and the puppies are set up for success. Quick Links.

Puppies expected Spring , we are very excited to produce quality puppies. AKC Standard Poodles raised in a wonderful home environment. Socialized with adults, children, and other animals! We strive to breed for correct structure, to preserve the breed, health, and temperament. The puppies are worked with daily to produce happy, confident puppies with great temperaments from day one when they are born and we are there with them. Puppies are exposed to many things to help desensitize them so they will be confident dogs. They are born and raised in the house. We start grooming at three weeks, and nails cut every 3 days. We use the early neurological stimulation and the early scent intro. Tails are docked long and dew claws removed. Worming and vacnataions per age. A vet check with a health check certificate at 8 weeks old. Our dogs are shown in UKC, and are part of the family. I take them to agility classes for fun and we go on hikes and outings. Of course Standard Poodles don't shed or smell and make great pets. .Brushing required They are very intelligent and eager to please. Puppies are sold with a limited registration unless discussed. Precisely Poodles Precisely Poodles are located in Menifee, California, and assure to provide you with Poodles that have excellent health, amazing temperament, and beautiful appearances. The Poodle puppies in California at this facility are born and raised at home. They are taken care of by the owner, her husband, and their children, and the puppies get all the love, care, and attention of the family. The Poodles at Precisely Poodles are also exposed to other animals as a part of their socialization training. Household activities acclimatize them to household atmospheres. The dogs raised here are family dogs and can be loyal companions because they grow up around other human beings. They are fully socialized, desensitized, and acclimatized. On the website for Precisely Poodles, you can find a lot of information about the Poodle breed if you are interested in the breed but are unsure of how to take care of it should you decide to buy one. The website informs new owners about the proper way to care for a Poodle. The ears of Poodles also have to be checked regularly for wax and mites, which can lead to ear infections if left unattended for too long. Taking care of your Poodle will lead to better health and a better bond between the owner and the dog. Precisely Poodles claims that all their Poodles are also hypo-allergenic as the breed sheds much less hair than other dogs. All pet parents are health tested before they are bred, and you can find relevant information about all tests on their website. You can also contact the website to check for any announcements on the upcoming litters. All their dogs, females and males, have their pictures on the website. Precisely Poodles Details. She is a dedicated breeder and treats all her puppies with the utmost care. She is very healthy, good temperament, smart and beautiful! Connie also continues to check in with us from time to time to see how Daisy is doing. If I ever get another poodle, it will be a Valencia Poodle. He is a very healthy and loving puppy! You can tell that he was treated with so much love. Even after getting Archie I would message Connie and she continues to respond to my messages very quickly! Our family will be going back to Valencia Doodles for new additions!! Thank you so much for everything you do and for loving these puppies so much. Connie is an amazing breeder! Our poodle was even potty trained!! Connie always communicated well with us, gave us updates on our pup and she absolutely produced the best clean, healthy, good quality, best temperament pup ever! Keep up the great work!! She offered to FaceTime and I quickly knew she was the real deal. She has been the best therapy pup for my daughter as well. Nursing school is no joke We love Piper so much that we are adopting another!! Connie is a wonderful breeder who cares for her pups and she totally focuses on quality!

Post by Glitterbug » Mon May 03, pm Hi, We bought Piet home at 12 weeks and I was going to go for the medium crate by Petbrand these are the ones my breeders uses and sells but she recommended a large one. He is a standard F1b but will be big as both parents are big and he has huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge paws!!! He's now 18 weeks and getting bigger by the week. He is growing fast so I am glad we went for the bigger size. We use the vetbed wooly matt folded in half as he likes to move from the soft side to the metal floor of the crate as he gets warm - bless He was also used to this as again our breeder uses this. It's excellent as the moisture does not sit on the top and I chuck it in the washing machine and a quick whizz in the dryer and as good as new. On the first night we took him home I put a training pad in there just in cas and he did have to go. I took it out from then onwards and apart from once in 6 weeks is dry all night and during the day when he has his sleeps. I did start using the water bowl but he used it as a toy The crate is by out 2 sofas and again a wall so closed in at 3 sides so makes it a good den for him and he knew we were near when we were getting him used to it. We have a medium one for the boot of the car with a nonslip matt uinderneath and cut strips to put under the towels to stop him sliding on corners I have read that some doodles will go in the crates of their own accord for a snooze. Not our boy.Piet does now sleep on the floor during the day as well but will get up as soon as my rear leaves the sofa uh oh I sound like I am always sitting down!! Good luck and hope some of this has helped. Look forward to seeing the pics of the new arrival. Having troubles? See our alphabetized list of dog breeds here. More Useful Information If you have reviewed the chart above and still have questions about selecting the right dog cages for your pet, this comprehensive guide will help you buy the best products with the right dimensions; and, appropriate dog cage, pet carrier, and kennel sizes, before you spend your money. We do encourage owners to consult their pet professional that specializes in your dog's breed information. Buying the right dog crate sizes for your pets involves a number of important considerations. Pet crates are made of a plastic, aluminum, or collapsible metal material which is just big enough for your dog to stand and turn around in. When you have a dog, you will probably be faced with a challenge when it comes to deciding whether or not to crate your dog. You may feel that it is unfair to crate your dog and deny it its freedom to be out and about. However, both professional trainers and veterinary doctors can attest to the fact that crating your dog has a positive impact on its well-being. So crates as dog training tools are highly recommended by professionals. A crate allows your dog to satisfy its natural instinct to be in a den and this prevents it from experiencing problems that un-crated dogs feel. Before you crate your dog, look into the different sizes available and choose one that will fit your dog perfectly. The use of a crate will also prevent an instance where your dog starts to develop bad habits that could be harmful to it or your property. If you get the right dog crate size for your dog, you can prevent harm from coming to your pet. A crate trained puppy provides more peace of mind for owners and allows for proactive puppy care, which promotes good overall dog health. House Training A crate is a good way to initiate house training by teaching the dog some form of routine. It greatly helps puppy potty training crate efforts and once your dog is properly trained, you can go to bed knowing that your dog can keep itself out of danger at night and when alone in the house. Appropriate crate sizing allows your dog to move around a little without giving them too much space where they can relieve themselves which enhances cleanliness. Confinement At times, your dog may be feeling anxious or over-excited and may be getting in your way. You can put your dog in the crate at such times to help it calm down from all the excitement around it. This is especially useful during mealtimes or when there is a lot of activity in the house that may be disturbing your dog. After the excitement has cooled down, you can let him out to play. Ensure that the size you use is not too small as this will make the dog uncomfortable. Traveling Traveling with pets can be daunting as they may not be ready to adapt to all the changes around them. With a travel kennel, your dog can relax in the crate as you travel and it will feel safe inside its crate because the crate is a familiar environment. Find the right dog carrier to match your traveling needs and don't forget to see whether yours requires a travel kit to make them IATA airline approved. For Your Dog Privacy Do you know that feeling you get where you want some time to yourself to think some things through or just rest? Well, dogs get that too and having a crate to retreat to helps them have some form of privacy and security which they can use to rest when they are having a hard time. It helps dogs have a place of solace to turn to when they are sick or stressed and this is important for the psychological well-being of the dog. The right crate will have been the size of a den, enhancing the privacy of your dog. A good crate cover can further support your pet's needs. This essential crate accessory also helps contain pet hair in and around the crate. Crate covers can be found here. Bowel Control If you choose the appropriate size of crate, your pet will not have extra space to use for relieving itself. Being in a crate will help your dog exercise control over its bowels as it will not wish to dirty its crate and it will thus wait until you let it out of the crate in order to empty its bowels. Associating the outdoors with emptying of bowels will make it very easy for your dog to control its urge to pass urine or defecate whilst in the crate. Involvement When there is a lot of activity going on around the house, people tend to put the dog in another room to avoid disturbance from the dog. This can make a dog feel lonely due to its social nature and can affect its psychology. A crate allows the dog to be with you in the room while activities are going on without feeling left out. A dog crate also enables the dog to tag along during trips due to the convenience it provides. In this way, your pet will not be left at home alone when you go out which will have a positive impact on its well-being. Given the highly social nature of dogs, it is important that they feel like they are part of your family and this can be done by ensuring that they spend a lot of time indoors as opposed to being left in the outdoors. By using a dog crate to confine your dog, you can have the dog stay inside even when nobody is around to supervise it as you can be assured of its safety and it will feel that it is part of the family. Leaving a dog in the outdoors makes it begin to exhibit some problem behaviors such as digging and barking which are caused by its isolation. Now that you have appreciated the importance of a dog crate, it is time to get down to business and choose the best one for your dog. Number If you travel a lot with your dog or if your dog needs a bigger crate due to its size, you can get more than one. You can leave one in your car for use during traveling and have another crate in the house which your dog can use when it is indoors. In this way, you will do away with the need to carry huge crates in and out of the house each time you want to travel with your dog. Purpose The reason behind getting a crate will influence the type of crate that you will buy. If you plan on using the crate mainly indoors, you can opt for a decorative one which does not have to be mobile. If you wish to use the crate as a means of travel for your dog, look for something portable. It is advisable that you seek the help of a professional trainer who will help you make the right decision when it comes to your dog. If you travel with your dog a lot, look for a crate which is easy to break down, light in weight and one that does not take up much space in the car. Soft crates are the best for use during travel and you should look for crates that will protect your dog in the case of a car crash. This is also useful in the case where you plan on taking a flight with your dog. Many soft-sided and plastic kennels are approved for use by airlines but you should check with the airline you wish to use to confirm the specifics of air approved crates for your dog's size. Doors Crates come in a single door, double door and triple door models. They each have their benefits and are suitable for particular needs. For example, a single door folding crate is an affordable option if you have a good spot for the crate that only requires a single entry. If your chosen area for the crate needs a side door configuration, the double door is an excellent choice. Finally, when training puppies or extra small dogs, it is often useful to have multiple door openings to tend to your puppy's every need. Chewing For dogs with a tendency to chew or anxious dogs, do not use a soft crate which they can chew through. Opt for a more durable, heavy duty product such as a plastic crate which can withstand the effects of chewing. However, there are dogs which can be really destructive and you should monitor your dog care within the first few weeks of crating in order to tell whether it can chew through the crate material or not. Having a distraction in the crate such as a toy or some dry dog food or treats can help reduce the amount of chewing. Choosing the right size reduces anxiety in dogs and makes them chew on the crate sides less. Storage Soft-sided and wire dog crates are very easy to set up and break down and are great choices if you do not plan to use the crate a lot. Plastic dog crates are harder to set up and break down and can be used if you have adequate room for storage. The temperature in the area where you live will have an effect on your choice of a crate. For hot places, go for a wire crate as this will allow air circulation, keeping your dog cool. To protect your dog from the sun, you can place a towel on top of the crate and you can have a fan installed in the crate for added cooling. If you live in a cold area, go for a plastic crate which prevents your dog from catching a cold. The size of your crate will also affect the ease of storage and you should take that into consideration. Duration If you plan on crating your dog for a small amount of time as you run a few errands, you can use a soft-sided crate. However, since these types of crates can easily be broken out of, you should opt for a wire crate or a plastic dog crate if you plan to leave the dog unattended for a long period of time. It takes a few minutes for a determined dog to break free from a soft-sided crate so should you choose to get one, be sure to monitor your dog. Types of Dog Crates Your choice of crate will be dependent on factors such as its purpose, the size of your pet, the nature of your dog, and the amount of time that your dog will spend in the crate. Soft-Sided Crates These types of crates are made of soft mesh material or a material with similar features to mesh. They come in different shapes and sizes and are a common option among dog owners as they are affordable, easy to carry due to their light weight and dogs adapt to them with ease. Pros They are easy to use with your dog for airline travel as most approve of these kinds of crates for use in cabins. They are also convenient to carry around because they are not heavy and storage is easy as they are easy to collapse. A huge plus with these crates is that most dogs love them. Cons They are made of soft material which is not durable and it is easy for dogs to chew on them. They are also very hard to clean and should not be used for dogs which are yet to learn how to control their bowel movements. Plastic Dog Crate These are sturdier as compared to soft-sided crates and they offer your dog more privacy when compared to wire dog crates. The downside to using these crates is that they have poor ventilation and you cannot keep your dog in them for long. Pros They are easy to clean because of the material used and they provide your dog with the feeling of being in a den. Approved by most airlines, you can use them when traveling with your dog. They are also very durable and cannot be damaged by dogs. Cons They are bulky and are hard to store because of the long process involved in breaking them down. Metal Wire Dog Crates These are made of heavy duty metal wires and they are ideal for dogs who love to chew on things as they cannot damage the wire crate. They are very strong and they provide your dog with visibility to its surroundings. Pros They allow a lot of air circulation, allowing you to leave your dog in the crate for long periods. Their visibility allows your dog to take part in family activities. Heavy duty wire crates from manufacturers such as Midwest are very durable, as they cannot be chewed through and they do not absorb odors, keeping them free of dog smells. Cons The high visibility is not ideal for reactive dogs that can get anxious easily and their heaviness makes them hard to carry. Please note that the wire crates are made of metal which may rust with time. Wood Crates Of all the crates, these are the most attractive and the various shades of brown will blend in well with your decor. They are great for use in the indoors. They are not easy to clean though and their mobility is limited due to their heaviness. Most dogs also do not respond to these crates well. Pros You have a lot of styles and sizes to choose from, such as a crate that doubles as an end table. Cons They are more expensive when compared to other crates and they can be ruined if your dog loves to chew and scratch things. Wood also absorbs odors, which makes it have a dog odor. Combination Crates These crates combine the features of both metal dog crates with plastic or wooden crates and they come in different sizes. Pros They come equipped with wheels at the bottom to make traveling easy and they have easy access doors. Cons They are very hard to set up and are heavy to carry. No dividers available 5. This crate comes with a waterproof liner and crate divider. You can either purchase it with one or two doors. In addition, it also comes in large and extra-large sizes. It can also fold into a compact space for travel or storage. Dog crate for Doodles is a great way of giving a new puppy or adopted adult dog a safe place to stay when you are gone for a long time. For adopted dogs, crates can be a way to get them used to a new home before being allowed free range of the house while you are gone. They can also be a safe place for dogs with separation anxiety when you are away at work. There are lots of different ways to crate trains. However, If you are purchasing from a breeder, ask to look at the parents for a rough comparison of what to expect of your dog. But, for a full-grown dog to fit comfortably in a crate, he or she will need to be able to enter and turn around without ducking or being crammed. Give your dog toys, bedding, and toys to chew on while you are not there. Your dog will feel lonely and bored if left in an empty crate. Puzzle toys and chew sticks are great for keeping dogs busy for long stretches. Adding a blanket with your scent will also help comfort your dog. Get them used to their crate slowly. This means starting for short periods with your present and gradually increase the time spent in the crate before leaving them in it while you are out. Outings should also be gradual and increase in time. Collars and tags can snag and get stuck in crate wires. Using a crate as punishment will make it confusing when you create them while you are out, as they will associate you leaving as punishment. As a result, they will start to reject the crate and can become violent while in it. Therefore, Give them potty pads. Consequently, potty pads encourage them to use the bathroom in their crate when left alone. When picking a crate, it is also good to remember that this will be a one-time buy if done correctly, as these crates are rather durable. So though these crates seem higher priced for smaller puppies, you will spend more money buying a new crate for every stage that the puppy grows than if you just bought a crate and divider. Likewise, these dividers can be moved to allow one crate to grow with your puppy. Having a full crate open usually encourages them to pick a side in a far corner to use as a bathroom area. Waterproof liner Most crates will come with a liner already. These liners should fit the crate snugly to prevent any accidents from happening. It comes with a divider, or you can buy one The proper locking system is essential during the potty training If your dog can get out of crates quickly, you might want to invest in a crate with multiple locks. Made of metal Soft crates are great for traveling but pose a risk when used daily. At the same time, an untrained dog could chew through a soft crate or choke on the zippers. Therefore, finding the right crate for your dog can be tricky, but with the proper research and knowledge of what to look for, we hope we have given everyone a great option. These crates are like a private room for your dog. Dog training is a huge part of raising any pet, and the crate is vital to potting training any new pup. Sharing is caring! I recommend the following two new mini Australian Labradoodle parents. I use Amazon. Royal Canin dry Mini Puppy dog food Stainless steel or plastic bowls are easiest to keep clean stone can collect a film if not cleaned often. All natural, made in America treats and chew options For your new puppy, an extra-small collar will work at first, but within just a couple of weeks, you will need a small one which may last even until the puppy is an adult. A large crate 36 inches and we prefer double door- This crate can be divided into a smaller size and then expanded as your Australian Labradoodle grows. I like to use Sherpa mats inside my crates. These are easy to wash and dry and fit on the crate bottom without too much bulk. A Vittles Vault seals dog food better than most other dog food storage containers. It is worth the few extra bucks. Remember that as wonderful as this breed is, you are still bringing home a puppy! Your puppy will need love, patience, positive correction, and consistency. Your puppy will want to be with you! However, there will be times you will want to crate her. Be positive when placing your puppy in the crate. You can even place a blanket over the crate at night to signify it is time to sleep. Your puppy will want to chew as he teethes. Supplying your puppy with toys and all-natural chew sticks and items will help. Correct your puppy when you find him chewing off-limit items and then supply him with an appropriate option. Your puppy will need to be taken out often as you potty train. Your puppy will grow quickly between 8 weeks and five months. It will be a fun time as long as you are prepared to be patient and work hard to train your Australian Labradoodle. Your diligence will pay off with a faithful friend to enjoy for many years. This is great advice, as crate training your Labradoodle early will make things easier as they get older. Labradoodles, through simple genetics, will typically only grow so large. Standard Labradoodles will be about 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 50 to 65 pounds. Medium Labradoodles will be about 17 to 20 inches tall and weigh 30 to 45 pounds. Miniature Labradoodles will be about 14 to 16 inches tall and weight 18 to 28 pounds. Account for extra space Once your dog has stopped growing, they should still have enough space to be comfortable in their crate. A few good ways to determine if they have enough space is to look at their headspace and legspace. When your dog stands up, they should be able to hold their head high, not lower it because their head is hitting the top of the crate. Additionally, while lying down, your dog should be able to stretch out. Now that you know these tips, you can go out and get a crate that will last for years to come. Before that, however, you need to find the right Labradoodle puppy to welcome into your home. At CNR Farms, we have lovable pups that are waiting for their forever home. Contact us today at to learn more.