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We care about puppies We raise our AKC puppies in a enrichment and socialization environment. Wagging Tail Reviews See how our past puppies are enjoying life with their families. Stay Tuned! Breeding that is both safe and responsible Our breeding circumstances are of the finest quality, resulting in healthy, happy, and gorgeous puppies. Raised in a Warm and Caring Home Our puppies are nurtured as members of our family and are raised in our house. Completely purebred Our males and females are all certified pedigree dogs, and our litters are all purebred puppies. Morgan K. I got my first Frenchie from the Sproull's and the whole experience was amazing! I will definitely be going back soon to get another you just can't have enough frenchies! I would highly recommend her to anyone, they let you come visit anytime so you can bond with your puppy! There is no place better if you are looking for an amazing French Bulldog! Melissa S. I have always rescued dogs and was unsure if I wanted to buy one. Jessica's showed me there are breeders who truly care about their animals. She hand raises them with her family and treats them as loved pets. Now I have this nugget of love! Heather M. I found Jessicah 2. After many breeder interviews we decided to go with her. I highly recommend Jessicah. So you need to make an informed decision about whether or not this breed is right for you. There are many other factors that go into the expense of Frenchies. A female delivers 1—3 puppies per birth and because of this, there is a shortage of new Frenchies. Black is a classic color for Frenchies. Brindle representatives of the breed of no particular color variety have captured the hearts of owners. Chocolate bulldogs have a beautiful dark-brown coat. An Isabella Frenchie has a unique light brown appearance. The merle French bulldog is as popular as always. A lilac dog looks like a little cloud with legs. White representative of the breed looks fantastic but you need to be ok with all the bathing. The blue Frenchie always looks great. There were a lot of debates on the purebred nature of them but recent advances in genetic testing have been able to certify that no funny business took place. Fluffy bulldogs can occur in all kinds of different colors and can be registered with the AKC. The prices are astronomical! Breeders see that as an investment because later you can get new puppies and sell them. But the risk is very high because something can happen to your dog or something can happen to its puppies. User Manuals. Interested in French Bulldogs? Hover over the Breed Info tab at the top of this page to learn all about the breed. French Bulldogs have had a remarkable rise. Frenchies ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years. The British Veterinary Association has urged people not to buy flat-faced breeds, such as Frenchies. She has treated French bulldogs with breathing difficulties, and she stresses that would-be owners need to research breeders and health testing and to recognize that problems can be expensive to treat. She owns two and has conditioned them to run agility courses and take hilly hikes. The stats are based on nearly , puppies and other dogs newly registered last year — about 1 in every 7 of them a Frenchie. Registration is voluntary. The most rarely owned? English foxhounds. With roots in England and then France, French bulldogs became chic among American elites around the turn of the 20th century, then faded from favor. That changed, rapidly , in this century. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gave the dogs fresh exposure. Still more came last year, when U. Last year, about , newly registered French bulldogs surpassed Labs by over 21, As a longtime breeder and a veterinarian, Dr. The Westlake , Ohio-based vet has seen plenty of Frenchies with problems but rejects arguments that the breed is inherently unhealthy. Some of her own do canine performance sports. Some other breeds are prone to ailments ranging from hip dysplasia to cancers, and mixed-breed dogs also can get sick. Lori Teller says. To animal rights and welfare activists, the French bulldog frenzy puts a snorting, panting face on problems with dog breeding in general. A new breathing test made its U. Sign up today. Most popular in Success articles. French Bulldog Companion Dog Group The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated. Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dogs ability to perform its traditional work. Absolute soundness and proper muscle tone is a must. History It is generally accepted that the French Bulldog was developed in France, using the Miniature or Toy Bulldogs brought over from England by English lace workers. What specific breeds were crossed with the English dogs is not known, but they did introduce the "bat ear," which is not a characteristic of the English Bulldogs. During that period, the Bulldog primarily belonged to Parisian market porters, butchers and coachmen. It soon won over high society and the artistic world with it unique appearance and character, and rapidly became popular. The first breed club was formed in Paris in .The first registration dates from , and the first standard was established in , the year the French Kennel Club recognized the breed. General Appearance The French Bulldog's appearance is that of an active, intelligent, muscular dog, powerful for its small size. It is short and compact, stocky, with good bone, a smooth, short coat, distinctive bat ears, and a naturally short tail. Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Significant lack of breed type. Important Proportions The length of the body, between the point of the shoulder and the point of the buttocks, slightly exceeds the height, measured at the withers. Characteristics The French Bulldog is an affectionate and sociable companion. It is lively and playful, but not boisterous. Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness. Head The head is characterized by a shortening of the muzzle, as well as a slight to moderate backwards slope of the nose. The head is strong, broad and square, with skin that forms nearly symmetrical folds and wrinkles without excess. The forehead is slightly rounded. The stop is well defined, and there is a furrow between the eyes that does not extend onto the skull. No prominence of occiput. Although the muzzle is proportionately short in comparison to the size of the dog, it is distinct and allows for comfortable breathing. It is broad, deep and well laid back, with symmetrical folds of skin coming down on to the lips. Cheek muscles are well developed. The thick, broad flews hang over the lower jaw at the sides and meet the underlip in front, completely covering the teeth. The flews are black. The deep, square, broad underjaw is undershot and well turned up. The tongue must never show when the dogs mouth is closed. The jaws are broad and powerful. The lower jaw projects in front of the upper jaw, and turns up. The arch of the lower incisors is rounded. The gap between the upper and lower incisors should not be so large that the upper and lower lips do not meet. Serious Faults: Muzzle too long or, excessively short. Tongue visible when the mouth is closed. Muzzle so short as to affect breathing. Disqualification: Torsion or lateral deviation of the jaw, resulting in the tongue being visible at all times. A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in an undershot bite. Serious Faults: Teeth showing when the mouth is closed. Pincer bite. Disqualifications: Torsion or lateral deviation of the jaw, resulting in the tongue constantly being visible. Scissors bite. EYES The eyes are clearly visible, striking, rather large, round, dark, and have a lively expression. They are set wide apart and low in the skull well away from the ears. Neither the white of the eyes nor the haw shows when the dog is looking forward. The eye rims must be black. Serious Fault: Light eyes. Disqualifications: Eyes that are two different colors. Wall eye. NOSE The nose is turned up slightly snub nose , and has broad, symmetrical, well-opened nostrils, with a well-defined line between them. The upturned nose must allow normal breathing. The nose is always black, in all coat colors, never brown or blue. Disqualification: Nose color other than black. Completely closed nostrils. Respiratory distress. EARS The breed typical bat ears are broad at the base, with a round top. The elongated ears are set high on the head, but not too close together, and are carried erect, with the orifice to the front. The ear leather is fine and soft. Disqualifications: Cropped ears, or ears that are not carried erect. NECK The short, powerful, slightly arched neck is free of dewlap, and broadens towards the shoulder. Forequarters The shoulder blades and upper arms are short and thick, covered with visible musculature. The shoulder must be well laid back. The upper arm is short, thick, muscular, and slightly curved. The elbows are close and tight to the body. The forearm is short, straight, and muscular. The wrist is solid and strong. The pasterns are short, strong, and slightly sloping. The forefeet are round, compact, small cat feet , and may turn out slightly. The toes are tight. The nails are short, thick, and black. Fault: Light-colored nails. Body The compact body is deep and broad through the chest, with a broad back. The chest is well let down slightly lower than the elbows. The ribs are well-sprung resulting in a barrel-shaped ribcage. Viewed from the front, the forechest is broad, and square-shaped. The loin is short, broad, firm, and arched. The line of the back rises progressively, but not excessively, from the withers toward the loin. Also called a roach back, it is breed typical. There is moderate tuck up. The back is broad and muscular, firm without slackness. The croup is well sloping. Serious Fault: Straight backline, from withers to loin. The legs are straight viewed from the side and from the rear. The thighs are firm and well-muscled. The strong hocks are well let down and there is moderate angulation at the hock joint. The rear pastern is short. The hind feet are round and compact, turning neither inward or outward. Disqualification: Weak, insufficiently angulated hocks. TAIL Naturally short, ideally long enough to cover the anus, set low, rather straight, thick at the base, and tapering at the tip. A kinked, knotted, broken, or relatively long tail that does not reach beyond the point of the hocks is admissible. It is carried low. Even in action, the tail must not rise above the horizontal. Disqualification: Docked tail. No tail. Ingrown tail. Coat Short, smooth, close, glossy and soft. The skin is firm. There is no undercoat. Disqualifications: Long, wire-haired, or woolly coat. Color Acceptable colors include: fawn; brindle; fawn and white; brindle and white; and any other color that does not constitute a disqualification. From light fawn to dark fawn, sometimes presenting a paler coloring, with or without a black mask, although masked subjects are preferred. Sometimes accompanied by limited white. Brindle: Fawn coat moderately characterized by dark brindling, creating a tiger-marked effect. Strongly brindled coats must not cover the fawn ground color. A black mask may be present. Limited white is acceptable. Fault: In fawns, a deep, black line extending along the spine. White stockings in brindles and fawns. White dogs, with black nose and eyelids, are permissible. Some fawn spots on the skin are acceptable. Brindle with moderate or significant white Pied : The white is ideally distributed over the entire body. Some brindle spots on the skin are acceptable. Fault: Excessive ticking. Serious Faults: Excessive depigmentation of the lips, nose, eyelids, all of which must have some pigmentation. Disqualification: Albinism. Any colors not noted in the standard, to include, but not limited to, black, black with fawn markings black and tan , all dilutions of black, mouse, liver, all with or without white. Males: 10 to 14 inches. Females: 9 to 12 inches. A deviation of a half inch is acceptable. Females: 18 pounds to 29 pounds. A deviation of 1 pound above is acceptable when the dog is in good condition. Eliminating Faults: Height under 8 inches, or above 15 inches. Weight over 33 pounds. Gait The correct gait is free, powerful, and smooth, with the legs moving parallel to the median plane of the body double tracking. Eliminating Faults An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event. Height under 8 inches, or above 15 inches. Weight over 31 pounds. Disqualifications A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Nose color other than black. Eyes that are two different colors. Cropped ears. The Frenchie is not a breed that can be owned and ignored. It needs attention from its owner and a commitment. It differs from the English Bulldog in its movement, which is free and unrestrained. Discover more about our French Bulldog puppies for sale below! A Frenchie has an alert and curious expression, enhanced by its bat ears. Its loose, soft skin around the shoulders and head form adorable wrinkles. Sharing several characteristics of its Bulldog ancestors, the French Bulldog breed is characterized by a heavy-boned and wide-body, muscular build, big square head, low center of gravity, and a short, fine coat, which is found in various colors, including brindle, fawn, white, and black. A trait much loved in this breed is its upper lips hang down over the lower lips. The teeth meet in an underbite and the lower jaw is square and deep. We get our French Bulldogs from some of the finest breeders in the country and they are a top-selling breed. Note: Most French Bulldogs cannot swim, so be cautious around swimming pools and water. Health Issues In terms of health issues, French Bulldogs are prone to joint diseases, spinal disorders, heart defects and eye problems. In fact, females often must deliver pups by cesarean section, because they have relatively large heads. They can also be prone to respiratory problems. They tend to wheeze, snore and have trouble in hot weather, though they do fine with a doggy door or if left inside with frequent outdoor breaks during the hot Arizona summer. Overall, the Frenchie is a pretty high-maintenance dog, but a beloved breed because of how cute, patient, entertaining and loving they are. Disposition A small but strong and entertaining home dog as well as a sturdy lapdog as the breed is very fond of sleeping and cuddling with its owner. Fiercely loyal to its owner s. Do not overfeed this breed. They are tiny and will tend to gain weight if their food intake is not proper. This puppy is going to be alert, playful and affectionate. Sweet, friendly, willing to please and the French Bulldog loves playing and enjoys entertaining its family. Not a loud or yappy dog and known to be hilarious to watch. They have a charming and comical personality. Good for apartment living but does need daily exercise for both mental stimulation and physical fulfillment. The Frenchie gets along well with strangers and is great with other animals and kids. Owners of the Frenchie should establish themselves as the leaders right off the bat. The Frenchie needs leadership and will not be at its very best without it. Owner and puppy communication is necessary for this breed to thrive. Frenchies are a very clean dog and most will avoid getting muddy or wet. This breed may slobber a bit or drool, but most do not. The French Bulldog is a hunter of mice. Karen K. This was a rare breed at that time. I watched a little impish creature running in a backyard coursing in circle 8's. She abruptyly stopped to bow at my feet with the breed's famous "playbow". This adorable little creature went home with me. Her life was short. However, that brief encounter with a French bulldog led to a personal L'Affair du Coeur with French bulldogs. By , I had become a fancier learning to train and show my Fancibuls. The first Fancibul litter was born in November .The keeper from my first homebred litter, "Match" won a 5 pt. I became focused on grasping the AKC standard of the breed, researching the breed's history, perusing pedigrees, genetics, the excitement of caring for Frenchie puppies, learning to train and then present my Fancibuls with success and less awkwardness in AKC conformation shows. It is a challenge to plan a healthy mating and give love and special care to a French bulldog. Without that, they cannot live a happy, healthy and long life! Many are living years, Although Prior to , I had owned cocker spaniels , the rare breed of Anatolian shepherds, a Komondor for guarding property, and later an English bulldog and shih zhu to breed and show, no other breed captured my heart like this breed which is often referred to as the "dog in the cloak of a clown with a heart of a philosopher. I decided to breed only Frenchies. From popularity in the 's, the breed had became largely invisible in the USA. I was smitten with the uniqueness of their playful nature, loving devotion, the minimal grooming , and size and temperament suitable for a household pet. Although popular in , the lack of vaccines and breed appropriate vet care led to their becoming a rare breed. It is now the 2nd most popular purebred breed according to the American Kennel Club. I limit my breeding program to a couple of well-planned litters per year. I will be the first to admit that a French bulldog is NOT the breed for every fancier of purebred dogs nor is the French bulldog an ideal pet for every home. Watch the AvailABul page for announcements. By an email request, you may receive newsletters that update plans for upcoming litters. Write fancibul aol. Several Fancibuls have top show awards outside the USA, e. Most were trained and handled by their proud owners. For a look at some of those recently showing-off, look at my Show-Biz page. I hope to leave a legacy to this breed that has given so much to my life over the years. I sense that I am a part of their joy in living their dream. If you need a dogtalk, give me a call. This national breed club has the distinction of being the first among AKC-sanctioned national breed clubs. Please check www.
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Puppies are so cute! Just the thought of a little pup romping around the room and playing with his many toys makes people smile. And puppy kisses are the best! But it takes a lot of planning and work to have a successful relationship with the new addition. Remaining with them until then helps him learn how to appropriately play and interact with others. It also teaches him bite inhibition, so that he learns not to bite down too hard on our skin. So what exactly should we expect from our 8 week old puppy? Puppy Proof Your House Puppies are curious about everything. Choose the room your puppy will be in the most and make sure that electrical cords, hazardous chemicals, medications, and small items that can be ingested are out of his reach. When you get him, try to obtain a blanket or toy with the scent of his mother and littermates if possible. That will help him feel more at ease in a new environment. The breeder of my Lhasa apso Ralphie gave us a toy with those scents to help him make the transition, as he had a familiar scent with him which I placed in his pen at home. She was born in rescue but was the last of a litter of nine to be adopted when I saw her. But she made the transition fine. These include the following: Crates and exercise pens. But make sure you buy one with a divider included so that you can adjust the size of the crate as he grows. Collar and leash. Some breeders and rescues provide these. You may also want a harness to walk him. Clean-up tools. Chew deterrent. They make chew deterrents for various surfaces, such as for cloth or for wood such as furniture or baseboards. Toys and chew items. There are so many toys on the market today. Purchase a variety of safe types—some squeak, others rattle. And safe chews like Kong toys and Nylabones are important, because the puppy will explore the world with his mouth. Food and treats. You may want to change the puppy to a food you prefer. Many breeders and rescues will provide you with starter food. Then, if you change it, do so over at least a week or two. Other Preparations In addition to puppy-proofing your home and getting the above-listed items, there are other appointments you should have lined up prior to getting your pup, if possible. Have a veterinarian appointment set for your new puppy to be checked within the first few days after you get him. So, if you can, book the appointment in advance. When you meet with the vet, ask about what vaccinations your puppy will need. Puppies who are eight-weeks old generally have already had their distemper, adenovirus II, parvovirus, and parainfluenza vaccines. Discuss with your vet the appropriate heartworm preventative and flea and tick products for your puppy. Also ask about your puppy being microchipped. A microchip is really important should your puppy get lost. If you have the time, also look into puppy kindergarten and socialization classes. Make sure that the trainer is a positive reinforcement trainer who has experience in training puppies. And the facility should be clean and well-run. All puppies admitted to any classes should also be required to have age-appropriate vaccinations. Post Arrival After your new furry bundle of joy has arrived, the fun starts! And play with him and train him. Some breeders and rescues may have already started to house train him. Scheduling Puppies need consistency. So have a schedule for his feeding, pottying, training, exercise, and socialization. At eight weeks old, he may be getting three to four feedings per day. So feed him each meal at the same time each day. And have a basic schedule for his other needs. You may need other people to help out with some of his needs, such as house training. Socialization Socialization means exposing your new puppy, in a positive manner, to all the things that he will have to face in the real world. So he should be trained to walk over various surfaces, hear everyday noises, and meet friendly people and pets. But you can still have friends and family members over to meet him. And give them tidbits of treats to give the puppy to make any encounter such as petting a positive one. Of course, first give your new puppy a few days to settle in at your home before you expose him to even more new experiences. At home, too, get him used to the sounds of water running, the dishwasher and other appliances running, and the vacuum. You get the idea. Make each a positive experience, giving him a piece of kibble or a small treat. And do this slowly not to overwhelm him. And get him used to car rides. A very young puppy will have to go to the bathroom after he eats, sleeps, and has any excitement including play. He has very little bladder control at eight weeks old. A young puppy can hold his urine about one hour more than his age. So he can hold it about three hours at two months old. You may want to have an exercise pen set up as a safe area. You can place a potty pad at one end and a bed or towel as his bed at the other end. And place a few safe toys, including a puppy Kong. I just make sure to take the puppy out at the right times. Handling Your puppy has to get used to handling and grooming. You can have him chew a safe chew or lick moist food or Kong stuffing out of a Kong to occupy his mouth and make the training exercise positive. Get him used to gently massaging his whole body, including feet and touching his nails. Get him used to gently opening his mouth. Calmly praise any calm behavior. Keep the sessions very short—a few minutes at most. You should do only a part of his body during each session or it will probably be too much for him. If he struggles, calmly wait until he settles before releasing him. Obedience Training Your new puppy is basically a blank slate. He has to learn all the commands to live with us successfully. Training also helps the puppy bond with you. Of course, give him a day or two to settle in for most commands. But you can still help him learn his identity. So, first, teach him his name. You can show him a piece of his kibble or a tiny treat and hold it near your face when you say his name. Do this a few times. Then try to just say his name, not holding the food near your face. When he looks at you, again praise and reward. Remember to never use his name in a negative manner, such as for a correction. Always start any training session without any distractions. Your puppy has to be able to focus on you to learn. One of the first commands we teach our puppies is to sit. You can hold a treat just above his nose and slowly move it back towards his forehead. Calmly praise and reward when he sits. Another command I teach puppies in the first week is to come to me. I make it a lot of fun. Some puppies adapt easily, whereas others buck against the leash. Other Normal Puppy Behaviors Puppies explore the world with their mouths. So the little land sharks will try to chew on you and whatever they can reach. This is where your safe toys and chews come in. Always redirect him to the safe items and praise when he chews them. Puppy zoomies are normal. All of a sudden, your puppy may run around the room bouncing off the furniture. This is normal. Final Thoughts New puppies are so much fun! Do you have a puppy or have you had one? Please tell us about it in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. 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. Fourth meal 5 pm You should follow this type of feeding schedule until your Lab puppy is 14 weeks old, after which you can adopt a two meal per day plan. However, keep in mind that Labs are especially prone to overeating and obesity, so if you use treats, ensure you give them sparingly. In fact, a study in the UK listed Labrador Retrievers among the eight breeds most prone to being overweight. So your food-loving Lab puppy requires a bit of control. One way to keep them from overeating treats is to portion out their food for the day and use that as their reward. In most cases, the puppy will respond just as enthusiastically to kibble. Place a bowl of water in a location accessible to your puppy and supervise him to ensure he drinks enough but not too much. Puppies at this age should drink between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. So if your eight-week-old Lab is 12 lbs 5. This is an essential part of puppy care. As mentioned, if you get your puppy from a reliable breeder which should always be the case , the pup should have already started with his vaccinations, and the breeder should provide the vaccination records. Then, make an appointment with the vet for any vaccination follow-up. Also, ensure your pup stays on worm preventative medication as puppies are more prone than adult dogs to worm infection. Sometimes puppies are also born with certain types of worms from an infected mother, especially roundworms and hookworms, where mother-to-puppy transmission is a significant mode of spreading. Be especially sure that your Lab puppy gets the heartworm vaccination. Heartworm is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease, and once your dog is infected, the cure is expensive and extremely harsh on your dog. A trained dog will learn how to behave in and outside the home and around other humans and pets. I have a full beginner guide on how to train an 8 week old Labrador puppy , but in a nutshell, there are three training areas you should focus on in terms of pet training: housebreaking, obedience, and socialization. Housebreak Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Housebreaking means training your puppy to eliminate outdoors or at a designated location inside the home instead of doing it anywhere and at any time. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks because their system is not yet mature enough to hold it for long. Luckily you can take advantage of that to teach your dog to always use the same spot. Pay attention to the signs your puppy gives when they need to ease themselves, like circling, whining, or sniffing their groin. Puppies naturally need to eliminate at these times: First thing after waking up in the morning. Last thing before retiring at night. After every meal. After drinking plenty of water. Upon waking up from a nap. During or after play or exercise. When they wake up during the night. Their brain, at this point, is like a sponge that will easily absorb new info. Also, teaching these commands early will make living with you easier for your dog as he will know what is expected of him. Teach your Lab puppy to sit, lay down, stay, leave, and other basic commands that are foundational for more advanced training later. Remember to use only positive reinforcement training approaches and reward your puppy with verbal praise, positive gesture cues, and treats. Exposure to these realities will help your Lab puppy adjust fast and nurture proper social behavior. In addition, exposure will preempt signs of poor puppy socialization, like aggression and fear around people and other animals. In general, your eight-week-old Labrador puppy should have two minute sessions of exercise daily. In addition, keep the following in mind: Keep exercise sessions short in the beginning and allow your puppy to adapt gradually. Playtime counts as exercise, so be careful not to over-exercise your Lab puppy. This is the harness I use. Allow your pup spontaneous rest moments between play. When exercising your puppy , avoid taking him for walks during the coldest or hottest times of the day. There are several ways to ensure your eight-week-old Labrador puppy is always safe, including ample supervision and choosing the right kind of toy. They might also try to get away on an exploratory walk if the door is left open. To avoid these dangers, puppy-proofing your home before getting your eight-week-old Lab puppy is vital. Read more here, What Foods are Poisonous to Labradors? Unplug power cords and put them away when not in use, as your puppy could try chewing on them. Remember that your puppy is young and still learning. It is also a legal requirement in some countries, such as the UK, and it may be required when traveling. While name tags are an excellent way to identify a dog, they can be easily removed or get lost, which means you are better off microchipping your Lab puppy, or even better, do both. Choose Safe Play Toys for Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Like us, eight-week-old puppies still have their baby teeth which they gradually lose to make room for their adult teeth. So, expect a lot of chewing and nipping during this time. Like humans, teething can be uncomfortable, and chewing is their only way to relieve some of that pain. To that end, ensure your Lab puppy has the right chewing toys to avoid damaging teeth or accidentally swallowing toy pieces. This toy is great for teething pups, doubles as a fetch toy, and is also a treat-dispensing toy where you can stuff it with peanut butter or other goodies. If proper toys are not provided, your Lab puppy will chew any available object in the house, such as table legs, shoes, remotes, or your hands. As such, they need proper resources for resting and sleeping. That includes the time to do so and a place where they will feel safe in. This synthetic dog bed has an ultra-soft feel and provides maximum comfort for your Lab. You can use it in the crate or as a stand-alone bed, and it comes in a few different styles and sizes. I like this bed due to its 3. Ensure the bed is in a location with no draft and where your puppy does not get any disturbance when resting. If you put your puppy straight into the crate without helping them adjust, it may react poorly. When buying a kennel, the best approach is to buy one that your pup can use as an adult dog, which for a Lab would be around 42 inches .Just be sure to get a crate with dividers so you can make the space smaller for your puppy. An 8-week-old Lab puppy can only walk for approximately minutes at a time. In most cases, young puppies will not walk but rather jump around and play. Still, keep in mind that they do not need long exercise sessions. Instead, keep playtimes short and allow for lots of rest. Remember that puppies should only walk about five minutes for every month of age, twice a day. At three months, you can stretch it to 15 minutes. Overwalking your Lab puppy can cause joint and bone issues and should be avoided. As such, a dog from a larger breed will need more food as a puppy than a smaller breed. An 8-week-old Lab puppy should be fed three to four meals of no more than cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy will depend on his size and weight. For example, if your puppy is between lbs 4. These measurements can vary with each dog food product, as different manufacturers have varying ingredients, so ensure you check the packaging first. Eight week old Lab puppies sleep for approximately 18 to 20 hours a day. An 8 week old Lab should pee as soon as they wake up, after eating and drinking, after waking up from a nap, during or after a session of play or exercise, just before going to bed at night, and when they awake during the night. 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:. Crate training , potty training , and learning to settle at night and will all begin in earnest at 8 weeks. Is your 8 week old puppy driving you crazy? Puppies, like babies, can be hard work. Not to mention annoying, and frustrating! But hang on in there. Chances are, you are sleep deprived, and your life has been turned upside down too. Many of the problems that arise with a new baby puppy, are easily resolved with just a little help. And looking after your puppy with diarrhea is no fun. Which he will, because Labrador puppies are always hungry! You have to ration out his food for him. You need to know how much your puppy needs to eat in a 24 hour period, and then divide that amount between at least 4 meals. First night with puppy Your 8 week old puppy should not sleep in or on your bed. Bed sharing with new puppies is too dangerous. He might fall off, and is likely to leave little puddles on your mattress and carpet. Later on you can bed share with your dog if you want to, but not right now, at least not unless you puppy proof the room and sleep on the floor. Your 8 week old puppy should not be free to roam the house at night. There is so much potential for harm. Even if you only sleep for six hours or so, there is a great deal of mischief your puppy can get up to in that time. So, the three main options that work well for 8 week old puppies are described next First night options for an 8 week old puppy Here are those three alternative sleeping arrangement for the first few nights Safe sleeping area Sturdy box or crate next to your bed 1 The puppy safe sleeping area Just before you go to bed and after taking your outside to empty himself, you can put the puppy to bed in a puppy proof room with a washable floor. Or you can put his bed inside a large puppy playpen. Put plenty of newspaper or puppy pads down to cover most of the floor. On the other hand you WILL have to get up in the night. Which option is best? It may also result in vomiting and diarrhea for your pup, and a lot of clearing up for you. It might seem irrational to you, but there are good reasons for your puppy to be scared. If asked to sleep alone on the first night in their new home, they usually cry. For a surprisingly long time. Unless you live in a mansion, you will be able to hear him. And so will your neighbors. The best way around this, is to have the puppy sleep next to you for the first few nights as described in Option 3 above. New puppies learn very quickly. Whilst initial crying is the result of fear or loneliness, puppies they soon discover that crying gets them attention. How much do puppies sleep? Your 8 week old puppy will spend around 18 to 20 hours asleep out of every .But dogs continue to sleep for long periods throughout their lives. Sleeping often and deeply is normal for an 8 week old puppy. This is nothing to worry about if your puppy is energetic and playful when awake, eating and growing well, and seems healthy in every other respect Potty training your 8 week old puppy. Potty training your 8 week old Labrador puppy can start on the very first day. A few new puppies can last six or seven hours at night without a wee. But many cannot do this until they are around ten weeks old. If you crate your puppy at night, expect to get up in the middle night and take your puppy outside for a wee, for up to two weeks. If you opt to leave your puppy at night with puppy pads or newspaper, expect it to take a little longer than this before you come down to a nice clean floor each morning. Getting up earlier for a while is a given with an 8 week old puppy. Puppies pee much more frequently often the day. Some new puppies can last an hour or so between wees, but again, many cannot. If you are going back to work, or want to leave your puppy for three to four hours before he is five or six months old, and you want to crate train, you need to arrange for someone else to take care of him during the day. Even for this short period of time. An 8 week old puppy should not be left in a crate for hours at a time during the day. The secret to success in crate training a new puppy lies in getting good habits established from the start. And this means getting that puppy outside to his toilet area, whenever his little bladder is getting full. Your puppy will quickly become comfortable with you disappearing for a few minutes if you reliably return. But too much isolation is a common cause of noisy or destructive behavior. Puppies need company. Older puppies may cope happily with being left for up to four hours, but even an adult Labrador may become distressed or destructive if left alone for a full working day on a regular basis. Labradors are very sociable dogs and they need to have people around them. No matter how many walks he gets at the weekend. Puppies biting Most people know that puppies nip when teething. Despite learning early bite inhibition from their mother and littermates, puppies continue this spikey behavior when you bring them home. Destructive puppy behavior Your 8 week old puppy will chew, gnaw and dig around the home. It can be quite a shock to discover just how destructive a Labrador can be, both indoors and out, especially if left unsupervised for long periods of time. Expect your puppy to destroy anything he can get in his mouth. Indoors and out. Some even chew the skirting boards, rip plaster from the walls, and tear up carpets in their homes. Supervision, playpens and puppy crates will help keep your home in tact during the destructive phase. Puppies running off 8 week old puppies need time off leash. Tiny puppies have an automatic response with means that they follow people around. This response disappears by the time the puppy is around four or five months old. Labradors are retrieving dogs. They love to hunt and follow scent trails. Expect that an older puppy will want to explore away from you and get that off lead recall established well before he is six months old. Expect that an older puppy will stray further and further away on walks if you are too predictable and just traipse along behind him. Teach him to follow you and not the other way around. What we expect from an 8 week old puppy We expect an awful lot from our tiny puppies. Both when they are still very small, and then as they grow bigger. Some of our expectations are simply not in line with the way puppies think and behave. Cuddles We expect that puppies will enjoy being cuddled. Sometimes they do, mostly they are just being polite. TIP: Wait for your puppy to stop wriggling before you place him on the floor or he will wriggle harder next time! A fun friend for children We expect that our children will be able to play with a new puppy, but small puppies often bite and wriggle too much for little ones to enjoy them. Those pleasures tend to come later TIP: Use baby gates to give toddlers and puppies space apart from one another Success and quick results We expect that the efforts we put in to housetraining will be rewarded, that the puppy will listen to what we say. But potty training and obedience training take time. Your 8 week old puppy will have accidents in the house to begin with and needs your help to understand what you want him to do next. As he grows, we expect our puppy to return our love and affection, to respect us, be loyal, and obedient. And he will be, in time. Nor had we anticipated just how depressing it would be to clear up puppy pee and poop every time we get up in the morning, or return home from a quick shopping trip. But they are common reasons for people to become disenchanted with their furry companion. One of our aims here on The Labrador Site is to help close this gap between expectations and reality. So that puppies go into their new homes, and stay there for the rest of their lives. And most of the problems described above can be avoided or passed through without too much pain, if you have the right information! And a little preparation. You can do this if you are ready. Much puppy naughtiness is linked to over-excitement. Focus on being calm around your puppy, and read up on how to train your puppy effectively. The considered and appropriate use of a crate and baby gates, is a great way to prevent conflict between puppies and their families. Confinement is not a substitute for companionship and training though, and of course it is very important to be sure you have enough time in your life for a Labrador, before going ahead and getting that lovely puppy. Do check out our article: are you ready for a Labrador , before you take the plunge.
Coming in at number three this year is our fluffy friend, the Golden Retriever! Golden Retriever Breed Basics Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle and friendly dispositions. They were originally developed to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end, but they also make amazing companions. The Golden Retriever is eager to please and fun to train, which helps them excel at almost anything. They enjoy people of all ages and generally get along well with other dogs. Colors range from almost white to red-gold, and anything in between. They have long, feathery tails and floppy ears. Golden Retrievers stand anywhere from .Goldens have a soft, fluffy coat that needs daily care in order to minimize shedding and keep them looking their best. Pay special attention to any feathering around the hindquarters, tail, and ears because mats can easily develop in those areas. If dog hair is a problem for your household, this breed may not be a good fit. Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs with many fine qualities, but the breed is prone to a number of health problems. At the top of the list is cancer. Goldens are susceptible to a number of different kinds, all of which can be difficult to treat and emotionally challenging to owners. No one really understands the reason for high cancer rates in the breed, but inheritance is suspected to play a role. As with almost all popular purebred dogs, Goldens can also be prone to hip or elbow dysplasia, so be sure your breeder screens their dogs for these disorders. This breed can gain weight easily, so be sure to monitor calory intake and keep table scraps to a minimum. Keeping your Golden at his ideal body weight can help keep him healthy and happy throughout his life. They get along with kids and do well with other dogs. These are happy, active dogs who are willing to try almost anything, which is part of their charm! These dogs do best in active households where someone is available to exercise them regularly. They bond strongly with their families, which makes them prone to separation anxiety if left alone too often. Crate-training your Golden will help prevent this from becoming a problem. Goldens are energetic, active dogs who love doing stuff and need daily exercise. Long walks are great, but Goldens really love games of fetch, and will often carry around toys for their humans to throw. They generally adore anything involving water, hiking, or jogging. Goldens are fun dogs that want to make their people happy. They love training and excel at almost every canine activity. They are often top competitors in obedience competitions, agility, and field trials. Also, their excellent temperament has made them very popular as service dogs for people with disabilities. The breed was developed by Scottish noblemen who wanted to create a versatile hunting dog for their upland estates. The AKC recognized the Golden in , and today, they are the 3rd most popular breed in the country! Today, Goldens are still used for hunting, but they have been trained for a number of other jobs as well. They serve as service and therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and even drug detection dogs! The Golden has also been popular for starring roles in a number of movies and TV shows, most notably the Homeward Bound films. British Christmas Traditions British people have a lot of the same Christmas traditions that we do here in the U. Stuffing, cranberry sauce, and bacon-wrapped sausages are typical side dishes. Picture a flakey biscuit-type pastry. Then, picture filling it with gravy. Sound delicious? Trifle is another popular, and delicious, dessert. Be sure to try one if you ever get the chance! Christmas trees are popular in England too, as are stockings, with a twist. Instead of hanging them over the fireplace, most British children hang their stockings at the foot of their beds. That would be boring. Instead, British children burn them in the fireplace, in hopes that the ashes will float up the chimney and reach Santa as quickly as possible! Please check back soon to learn about our runner-up, the German Shepherd! This entry was posted in TevraPet. Bookmark the permalink. Cody Tromler. Christmas Eve morning and my four-year-old daughter, Hailey, was in the hospital again, this time in a brand-new wing of Swedish Issaquah Medical Center. She was the only pediatric patient. The doctor was with Hailey, waiting to talk to my husband, Gary, and me, but I paused for a moment in the hallway, bracing myself. An artificial tree, festooned with lights and ornaments, stood in the corner. Carols played over the PA. The staff had tried to give the place a festive air, but it felt grim and sterile to me. Hailey had battled chronic lung disease and epilepsy since birth. Even when she was home, she was mostly bedridden. A surgically inserted feeding tube kept her alive. Her big brother, Logan, and sister, Harmony, were wonderful to her, but when they went off to school or to play with friends, Hailey was left on her own. What kind of lonely life is this for a child? I just wanted my little girl to enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood. Gary and I had scrimped for months and managed to save enough for our family to celebrate. Then Hailey caught some kind of respiratory virus. In the middle of the night on December 23, she had such trouble breathing that her lips turned blue. I called .The diagnosis was acute pneumonia. If she comes home, I thought. Hailey lay in bed, her face as pale as the sheets, the sparkle in her eyes dimmed. The doctor spoke in a low voice to Gary and me, telling us Hailey needed immediate surgery to move the feeding tube from her stomach to her small intestine because she was aspirating fluid into her lungs. Hailey had been incredibly brave through all of her treatments over the years. How could I encourage her to keep fighting? Suddenly it hit me. The perfect solution, the thing she wanted most. I brought it up with Gary that evening when we went to the cafeteria to grab a bite. When I throw the ball, he brings it back. Simply having him lie next to her comforted her. And it was just goldens she responded to. A golden retriever. Way beyond our budget. We were living paycheck to paycheck. And we lived in an apartment with no yard—not the kind of place for a big, active dog. Besides the initial cost, there would be food and vet bills. He wanted Hailey to be healthy and happy as much as I did. But he was practical. I already worked full-time taking care of a child with disabilities, an ideal job because I could watch Hailey at the same time. Hailey kept talking the whole time about her dog: what she would name it, how much she would love it. At one point, the anesthesiologist had to tell her to slow down and take a breath. The surgery went smoothly, and three days later Hailey came home. But the journey to get her dog was only just beginning. I picked up odd jobs. I walked dogs, cleaned houses, worked for an on-call nanny agency at night while Gary watched the kids. Every Sunday night, we would empty the jar and count the money so we could see our progress. It took eight months, but by the following August we finally had enough money saved. We found a golden retriever breeder and made plans to pick a puppy from his next litter. New worries sprang up in my mind: What if the dog was too rough for Hailey? We met the breeder in the parking lot of a grocery store on a Saturday morning. It was a chaotic scene, with other families clamoring to play with the 15 adorable puppies waiting for homes. But soon she was taking him on walks. The first time was just to our mailbox. Gary went with her, and they would add a block or so with every walk until Hailey could walk for 20 minutes without losing her breath. She took over the responsibility of feeding Hunter. By December, she was eating small portions. Most important, Hunter was her best friend, her constant companion. Hailey still spent much of the day resting in bed. Hunter lay right next to her. One day, Hailey overheard me sharing my biggest worry with Gary, that she would never be able to lead a normal life. If God can get Hunter for me, surely God can take care of me! We had Hunter trained to alert to her seizures, and her health and confidence grew. At age 9, she was eating so well, the doctors removed her feeding tube. Our lives have grown as well. Hailey now has three younger siblings. Our next dream is launching a center to train service dogs for other families. Like Hailey, I have faith that God will help us get there. For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Guideposts magazine. Share this story.
Atlanta, Georgia Daytona Beach, Florida [email protected] Find the perfect furever friend for you and your family to dote on! Contact our Lawrenceville, GA pet store location to find the perfect puppy for your family. Up-to-Date on Shots. About French Bulldogs. Puppies will be picked based on the receipt of deposit and marked as such next to their picture. Full payment is due at 6 weeks unless prior arrangements have been made. Douglasville, Georgia. Dogs and Puppies, French Bulldog. I have an 8 week old Blue Tri female available and ready for her permanent home. Both parents are under.Atlanta, Georgia. Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. Save This SearchThe smushy-faced Frenchie is beloved worldwide as small, non-sporting city dog. It loves companionship and bonds with animals and families. Frenchie puppies make amazing non-barking watchdogs. No puppies where found matching your criteria. Boston Terrier. Chow Chow. English Bulldog. Featured Listings. Atlanta, GA. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. The French Bulldog, also called Frenchie, is admired for its appearance and intelligence. It has great watching skills and has an alert and independent nature. It loves to protect its owner. It has a massive body, with a large and square head, and a broad muzzle. French Bulldogs for sale can command tens of thousands of dollars. Because of the difficulty in achieving rare colors, unusual Frenchies can be more vulnerable to genetic diseases. This is often from close line breeding. Georgia You will find French Bulldog dogs and puppies for adoption in our Georgia listings. How much do French Bulldogs cost? French Bulldogs can cost anywhere between …The smushy-faced Frenchie is beloved worldwide as small, non-sporting city dog. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. You can find French bulldogs being bred by knowledgeable breeders starting with the list below. Puppies available! French Bulldog Frenchie Puppies For.French Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Frenchies generally live for years on average. With this dog breed being so popular, there are plenty of celebrities who have chosen the French Bulldog as their companion, which also means there are plenty of famous Frenchies out there. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in England, then brought to France, they have compact bodies, upright ears, and are the perfect partner for spending time at home. But before you run off and impulsively buy a puppy, there are a few things you should know. We constantly scan the internet and other breeders to ensure that are pricing appropriately. Blue and Merle Frenchies are usually bit higher than standard colors. When we have a litter our primary focus when breeding these amazing animals is to ensure healthy, quality dogs with great temperament and conformation, while following breed standard.Superfly Frenchies offers French Bulldog puppies for sale that you can undoubtedly be proud of. Click to …Superfly Frenchies offers French Bulldog puppies for sale that you can undoubtedly be proud of. Search by City. Advanced Search. Find French Bulldog puppies for sale. Few dogs are as recognizable as the French Bulldog. Learn more. We are a small, hobby breeder located at the foothills of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains! More to come. Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate, kind, protective, joyful, alert, independent, obstinate. Adult Weight: Welcome! Ready for a caring home.We specialize in French Bulldog. French Bulldog Puppies for sale! Search for a French Bulldog puppy or dog. Find French Bulldog puppies some of the best quality exotic colored French Bulldogs for sale! We offer some of the finest blood lines available. Do you sell puppies with breeding rights? These attributes include sex, temperament, coloring, and more importantly, breeder experience. Born on Feb 13, !! Several colors available, contact me for aditional information. French Bulldogs for Sale in Atlanta. Few dogs are as recognizable as the French Bulldog. Look No Further for your Frenchie Puppy. Annually, Southern Frenchies sell only a handful of breeds. French Bulldogs, Atlanta GA. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in Georgia work? French Bulldog puppies in Atlanta differ in price based on the breeder or breeding company you are going through. Superfly Frenchies offers French Bulldog puppies for sale that you can undoubtedly be proud of. French Bulldog Breeders in Georgia. French Bulldog Puppies for Sale. French Bulldog. Welcome to Royale French Bulldogs, where we have some of the best quality exotic colored French Bulldogs for sale! We offer some of you at their side! French Bulldog Puppies For Sale. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in and Sons. French email [email protected]. We have Blue French Bulldogs, Lilac homes. How much do French Bulldogs cost? He is utd on shots vet checked raised in the house and super sweet. We have a gorgeous litter of French bulldog babies. Bulldog puppies for sale in Valdosta, GA from trusted. French Bulldog Price Facts; How much do your puppies cost? The business is certified through the American per page - Puppyfinder. The narrow hips of French Bulldogs mean that natural reproduction is nearly impossible to achieve. Ducky is smaller than her siblings but has the breed that's been getting more and more popular by the day. Puppies will be picked based on the receipt of deposit babies. All our Puppies will be Vet Checked, Vaccinated and. Various factors influence the cost of Frenchies, including breeder experience, pedigree, coat-type and much more. French Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Georgia French Bulldogs for the market and have built our foundation around some of the most renowned pedigrees in the world. Find French Bulldog puppies for sale. If a buyer changes his mind within 5 days of purchasing a puppy we can help you rehome him. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in England, then brought to France, they have compact bodies, upright ears, and are the perfect partner for spending time at home. Learn more puppies available 1, certified breeders. French Bulldog Puppies. That's because Frenchies are fun-loving, family-friendly, cuddly little guys and girls who love nothing more than to nap away the day with most personality out of her litter! We offer some of most personality out of her litter! Price: .Gallery have some of the best quality exotic colored French Bulldogs for sale! French Bulldog Classifieds Hoobly. Easy, transparent and safe: healthy and happy French Bulldog puppies from the best breeders. French bulldogs for sale in Georgia are best acquired through reputable businesses such as Southern Frenchies Georgia We don't see any French Bulldogs available for adoption right now, but new adoptable pets are added every day. Try a different search below! Search Now Search for a French Bulldog puppy or dog.
Puppy pads Create a Schedule Golden Retriever pups would do well with a schedule. Dogs live with a routine, and they are easy to train by having one. For this reason, make a schedule of the things you need to do regularly. Eventually, your pup will learn the routine events and will make itself adept at them. It will help you prepare for your pet, especially in the first few days of living together. As you allow your pet to adjust, do your best to create a stress-free environment for it. Always supervise it as it familiarizes itself with its new home. It can even grow louder as they age. Moderate Training Golden Retrievers responds well, especially to positive reinforcement. Squeaky Toys Out of all toys, your pet will love the squeaky ones. For this reason, prepare for a lot of loud squeaks every time your pet is active. Thus, in picking your pet, you may want to consider getting it from the best. Tells you any health problems A good breeder will tell you any significant health problems in any of the dogs he or she bred. Asks more questions than you A good breeder would ask for more items from you than you would for him or her. Not in a hurry to send off A good breeder is not in a hurry to send the puppies off and get your money. He or she will even show you other breeders and veterinarians caring for their dogs. Requires expectations on both sides A good breeder will create a contract that offers not only what he or she expects from you. More than that, he or she will also show what you can expect from him or her. Sends puppies properly A good breeder will never send a puppy in a compartment and without any responsible person to go with it. Works only with one or two breeds A good breeder works only with a single or a couple of species. Shows breeding experience A good breeder shows her dogs in recognized confirmation shows. He or she will also join his or her breed in other breed-related performance events. Other states. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies, you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies, we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. We even have all types of golden retrievers for sale! At My Golden Retriever Puppies, we pride ourselves on our golden retriever price being fair and affordable for high quality puppies. Location Information for Pennsylvania Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies, we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Pennsylvania? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of our golden retriever puppies for sale. How do I know which breeders to trust in Pennsylvania? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article. We are a c 3 nonprofit relying on donations , supporters , fundraising, and event and retail proceeds for funding to provide top-quality care to all DVGRR dogs. Learn more about our Golden Gateway campus and watch our campus tour video. Watch our video to take a quick tour. Click to learn more. Our mission is simple: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue provides new beginnings for displaced Golden Retrievers, and other golden-hearted dogs, along with a full array of adoptive and educational support for the adopters and broader community. If you are interested in adopting, please attend one of our Monthly Open House: Meet the Dogs, Tour, and Shop events, held every second Saturday of the month from 10am until 12pm. Plus, we always need event sponsors. Learn more, click here! All dogs must remain on lead during the event; no flexis. We ask that each dog be handled by one human. Click here for all the details! Details are coming! Help us cover the costs of renovations! Click here for details! Kennel Caregivers — Dedicated, responsible, hard-working, compassionate individuals. Must be 17 years or older. Click here to learn more and apply.
Welcoming a Bernedoodle Puppy: How to Prepare with Proper Supplies February 13, Bernedoodles are lovable, playful dogs that like spending time outside as much as they enjoy curling up on the couch. They are excellent family dogs and have a special affection for children. Because they are the offspring of poodles, they also inherit a nearly hypoallergenic coat. The Bernedoodle, a hybrid between a Bernese Mountain dog and a poodle, was first bred in .They were raised primarily to be family pets, and thrive when showered with affection and cuddles. When it comes to Bernedoodles, they are equally at home on the sofa or trekking with their owners. They might be stubborn and uncooperative at first, but quickly learn to control their behavior. Preparation These preparatory tasks will help you and your house to welcome a new dog. Before bringing home a new puppy, certain considerations should be taken into account. These include where the puppy will spend its first night, who will be responsible for its care, and whether you have the necessary materials on hand. Keep your cool and avoid bringing home a Bernedoodle when it is not the right moment. Make sure you do your homework beforehand. Learn how to care for and nurture a puppy before you bring one home. Many adjustments will be necessary for your house to accommodate this new family member. And if finding the right items seems hard, Doodle websites like WeLoveDoodles can help you with the required information. It is common practice to teach dogs to sleep in crates to give them a sense of security. Pick a spot for your dog to eat. Keep their food where they can reach it. Baby gates can be used to keep your puppy out of particular areas of your house. Ensure your house is safe for your puppy by performing proper inspections, such as toxic plants, cleaning chemicals, and wires. Buy the Right Supplies Your new puppy will need a place to sleep, such as a kennel or a bed. Bowls for food and drink are a necessity. You cannot take them on a stroll without a leash, tag, harness, or any other type of leash attachment. When training your puppy, you should use a harness. If you are a frequent traveler, a vehicle restraint is a must for the protection of your dog. There are poo bags and puppy pads for both indoor and outdoor usage. Food Check with the shelter or breeder on food the Bernedoodle has been used to. Purchase the same bag and keep it on hand at your home. When it comes to welcoming your puppy to their new home, nothing beats a delicious dinner and some playtime! Having their food brand on hand will save you the stress of running to the store to find the brand they need. Choose a vet-recommended brand specifically designed for young puppies and ease them into it with a bit of new food mixed in and gradually increase over time. Bed If you are house training your Bernedoodle, we suggest that you choose a bed that takes up the majority of the available space in your cage. Collar You should start training your puppy to wear a collar as soon as possible. Treats After using the potty, your dog probably wants a big snuggle and some playfulness. Grooming Tools Every weeks, you should take your Bernedoodle to a professional groomer to get their hair trimmed. The sooner you start brushing your dog, the easier it will be for them to adapt to it. Brushing can be done as frequently or as little as you choose. Also, you will need to get bath supplies for your dog. Dogs should be bathed correctly and with the right items. Here is a list of supplies you should get before welcoming a Bernedoodle puppy. Puppy food. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The biggest challenge is the first few weeks. We recommend that you plan on using some vacation time during the first few weeks to get your puppy off to a great start. Put the hard work in early, and you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor after! We see the biggest failures occur when people are not willing to invest the time needed during the first few weeks. In these weeks, your puppy will become crate trained, housebroken, and continue learning their basic commands sit, down, stay and come. We will have already started this in our home but you must continue putting the hard work in the first few weeks. Yes that could mean some sleepless nights but it will be over before you know it. Once Your Puppy is Home: Once your puppy is home, enjoy it. First and foremost just know that this will not last for a long period of time. Puppyhood can be so rewarding but you have to be patient and be their leader. Bernedoodles must be trained using a very loving and patient approach. We feed ours about 2. See our puppy contract in header above, click the link, and we have the feeding schedule spelled out there. If you want a housebroken puppy, and fast, the bottom line is that you need to get your puppy out frequently. We take ours out every minutes, and more frequently right after meals. After they drink we always allow them access to clean fresh water or eat we will take them out every minutes until they have both urinated and defecated. The bottom line, is that if you want to housebreak your puppy fast, you need to prevent as many accidents as possible. Never, ever, use newspaper or puppy pads if you want to do this the right way. Bottom line is that the puppies will quickly learn that outside is where they are supposed to go to the bathroom. Every puppy is different, and some will have faster metabolisms. You need to watch for the visual cues your puppy will tell you when they have to go increased pacing, head down sniffing.Also we set up our puppy area using baby fences that is next to the door that they will use to go in and out of the house to go potty. They will quickly learn to tell you when they have to go by either sitting or standing next to the door, or in some cases, scratching at the door.Some people have had success training their dogs to paw at some bells that you can tether up at the back door as well. Bottom line, is that the more you're on top of this early, the quicker they will learn the deal of housebreaking. In most cases we have had our puppies housebroken within a day or two, but this means we are always with the puppies the first few weeks until they have the hang of it. Once they do, they won't be perfect and accidents will still happen and usually the persons mistake. DO NOT scold the dog. Just quickly scoop up the dog and take them outside. When the puppies are young, we start telling them to go potty for pee and poo poo for.You can use any other command but this is what we have used successfully. Training them to go on command is hugely helpful and starts imprinting on the dog what they need to do outside. As the puppies start moving around outside we just say "Go Potty".We keep repeating this until they give the characteristic squat of urinating or hump backed and crouched position of defecating. As soon as they are done at the very moment, and not a second later we excitedly praise the puppy by saying "Good Potty" or "Good Poo Poo". You can also first say "Yes! The Bernedoodle puppies want to please you and they catch on to this very quickly. You continue to repeat this process everytime they go outside and they will get the hang of it. This is extremely useful especially when you're on long road trips or in a rush to leave the house for a bit! We typically remove food after the puppies have had all the opportunity they want to feed and usually have the last feeding around 7 pm but leave water out all the time until about 8 pm. We will continue to walk them every minutes unless they are sleeping and we try to get them some good romping around time at this point so they are good and tired for bed time. We use crates at night time and during the day on occassion to get them used to the crate. We give them one last walk around pm. When they are weeks of age, expect to get up once in the early morning hours to walk them, but just let them go to the bathroom, and then promptly return them to their crate. Be strong with this! Don't give in to any whining or barking or the like. If you do, they have conditioned you and the crate will become a dust collector. The first few nights the puppies may literally go bizerk on you.Be strong! Don't do anything more than this. We had one puppy that cried and pawed at the crate door the whole night and we thought for sure this would be the one that wasn't going to crate train. Well by day three, she was perfect. You just need to know that except on very, very, very rare occassion, your puppy is going to learn to settle and sleep in their crate. You just have to be mentally strong, get some ear plugs, give your puppies maybe a sound machine and some toys, and try to get some rest. We just get one of the XL size crates and then safely secure an object to give them less space.This way you won't have to get a bigger crate when they grow. Although we give them an open fenced in area that we supervise to play in, we will put them in the crate several times during the day for about an hour so that they can get used to the routine. They may fight it at first, but will learn to love it very soon. Just don't quit on this very important step. Don't over do this at the young ages and just incorporate training throughout the day as a general part of their daily routine. SO if you want to teach them sit, just put a piece of food in your hand, palm facing up, and begin moving the food slightly above their head and backward while saying "sit".We will have already started this with them but keep it going! Just be patient, enjoy puppyhood, have a great attitude, and you'll develop what will be your favorite dog ever! However there are some things you can do to help. First, have a toy or bone within reach and when the puppy begins mouthing a hand or arm or something just say "OUCH" and then give them the toy or bone. Do not hit nor tap on the puppies snout. Just a firm and loud "OUCH!! Puppies are exploring and play biting each other during the first 8 weeks and they learn how hard they can and can not bite. Human flesh, without the thick coat, is a lot more sensitive and the puppy needs to learn what is and what is not appropriate. Don't be afraid to raise your voice when the mouthing is too hard. Or if the puppy is doing good licking then say "Good kisses" or whatever praise statement you want to use. But really encourage the good behavior. The frequency of puppy mouthing will naturally decrease but you need to teach them acceptable force of their bite.We are always here for you and will help partner with you during this process. Please never, ever hesitate to drop us a line with any questions or concerns. We want to see you have great success with your new family member!! By Kaitlyn Arford. Reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM on Jun. This is directly related to their lineage, or the breed of their parents. The higher the number, the further away you are from the simple Bernese Mountain Dog-Poodle mix. Standard Bernedoodles weigh 61— pounds, stand up to 29 inches tall, and can live 12—15 years. Mini Bernedoodles, full-grown, weigh 20—45 pounds, stand up to 22 inches tall, and live 14—16 years. Toy Bernedoodles weigh less than 20 pounds and stand 12—17 inches tall. These dogs live the longest, up to 18 years. For example, Toy and Miniature Bernedoodles can each live happily in a small apartment. But a Standard Bernedoodle might prefer more space to stretch their legs and spread out when sleeping on the floor. But these dogs are also very adaptable, so a well-exercised Bernedoodle—of any size—can happily fit into most families. Bernedoodle Health Issues The Bernedoodle lifespan ranges 12—18 years, depending on how big your dog is. As a general rule, smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs. These dogs can inherit conditions from both of their parent breeds, but Miniatures might have different health issues arise than Standards. Before you bring your puppy home, check with your Bernedoodle breeder to get a complete health history for your pup and their parents. Breeders should vaccinate dogs, screen for different health conditions, and be able to provide a family history. Both are inherited conditions that, if left untreated, will lead to arthritis. Hip and elbow dysplasia can be treated by keeping your Bernedoodle at a healthy weight, as obesity puts more pressure on their joints. However, hip and elbow dysplasia may also require medications, joint supplements , or even surgery if the case is severe. Dogs with PRA experience declining eyesight that eventually leads to blindness. Symptoms include: Clumsiness Cataracts Night blindness this is often the first sign There is no treatment for PRA, but blind dogs can live long and happy lives with proper care. Allergies Although Bernedoodles are known to be a good fit for people with allergies, this breed still experiences allergies of their own. Their allergies can be from food or the environment , and signs include persistent itching or licking, rashes, skin and ear infections, and hair loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your vet. They can help you come up with a plan for identifying and treating the allergy. Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus GDV Large dogs with a deep chest, such as Standard Bernedoodles, are at risk for developing gastric dilatation-volvulus , a severe form of bloat in dogs. Both the stomach and the spleen can be affected; when the stomach twists the spleen gets entangled as well. This can occur in dogs who eat too quickly or who eat one big meal for the day. Symptoms of GDV include: Inability to settle. Purebreds have been bred for generations following a special blueprint—the breed standard, which is the written description of the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed. For this reason, purebred dogs are very standardized, with predictable height and weight, body structure, color, coat type, and temperament. Because the Bernedoodle is a hybrid and not a purebred dog, it is not recognized by any of the reputable purebred dog registries such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club. The Bernedoodle also does not have an official breed standard, so there is a lot of variation in how individual Bernedoodles look and act. Bernedoodles may be first generation crosses called F1 , second generation F2 , third generation F3 and so on. The resulting puppies in an F1 litter are quite variable. Some may look more like Bernese Mountain Dogs and some may look more like pooodles. Some puppies might look like a mix between the two parent breeds, and some might look nothing like either parent breed. Coat type and level of shedding can be all over the map in a litter of F1 Bernedoodle puppies. F2 Bernedoodles result by crossing two F1 Bernedoodles. F2 Bernedoodles also have variable coat types. Some breeders introduce more poodle into the bloodlines to help achieve more consistency in coat type. This is called backcrossing and is indicated by a B for instance, F2B. Bernedoodle Care Grooming requirements for the Bernedoodle vary depending on the type of coat. Although most Bernedoodles have wavy to curly coats, some have straighter coats. Coats that are more straight than wavy tend to shed more, so need more frequent brushing—daily or every other day—to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Curlier coats shed less, but also need regular brushing to keep the coat untangled. Brush wavy and curly coats a few times a week. Like poodles, wavy-and curly-coated Bernedoodles need trimming from a professional groomer every four to eight weeks. If you see excessive dirt or redness in the ears schedule a veterinary visit. Bernedoodles are smart, but how trainable they are depends on if they inherited the more agreeable nature of the poodle or the stubborn side of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Either way, positive training methods like clicker training paired with tasty treat rewards will help you get the best results from your Bernedoodle. Bernedoodles need plenty of daily exercise, including one or two walks a day plus off-leash games of fetch in a safely enclosed space like a fenced yard or dog park. Athletic Bernedoodles with biddable temperaments might also enjoy training for fun dog sports like agility, flyball, obedience, rally and dock jumping. Most purebred dogs have certain inherited health disorders in their family history. Crossing Bernese Mountain Dogs with poodles means the puppies can potentially inherit any of the genetic diseases common to either breed. Responsible breeders start with healthy, well-bred adult purebred dogs and test them for the genetic diseases common to their breed before breeding them together. Reputable breeders should also test their adult Bernedoodle hybrids before breeding them to decrease the probability that the puppies will be affected by genetic issues. Responsible breeders should also offer a health guarantee on their puppies should the puppy develop a genetic disease later in life. Feed measured meals twice a day rather than free feeding leaving food out all the time. Standard Bernedoodle puppies that may grow to be giant sized by adulthood should eat a food formulated for large-breed puppies to encourage slow and steady growth. Talk to your breeder or veterinarian to get a recommendation for a healthy food for your Bernedoodle, as well as an ideal healthy weight for your adult Bernedoodle. Not a huge deal, but good to avoid if possible. FYI we have Nationwide and are pretty happy with it so far. Socialization classes: Socialization classes with other dogs the same age and same vaccine level were a huge win for us. Knowing she will confidently run up to and play with any dog makes us so happy and is the result of just a few of these classes. Sign up for these early as spots are limited, especially during Covid times. Vet appointment: Similar to socialization classes, vet appointments are hard to come by with all these new puppies. Once we knew what date we were getting Moose, we made her first vet check up for the next day. Training plan: Start figuring out how you want to approach training. We did all of our training at home from Zak George videos on YouTube. Here are the essential items for the first few weeks. Crate : You likely hear about crate training a lot. We can post more about crates if people are interested! The two worked really well together. We also adjusted her playpen from a small circle around her crate to blocking off part of the living room and eventually blocking off half of the apartment. Bed optional : I would wait on this one, honestly! So many things to buy and set up at once. Food, snacks, etc. Kibble: Find out what food your dog has been having with the breeder or shelter. We chose to keep Moose on the recommended kibble. Treats : Again, you have years to buy more treats. We did a lot of dehydrated chicken before expanding to other meats. We used ice cream bowls the first few months because her bowls were way too large for her servings. Many people swear by potty pads, but we mostly stuck with grass and tanbark patches. These made it easy for her to transition to pottying outside once vaccinated. Lots more to say here so let us know if you have questions. Potty spray : Accidents are going to happen. Poop bags : These are a good one to get a subscription on because you know.We used them a ton before Moose was fully vaccinated if she went anywhere public to help reduce the risk of a disease etc. Brush : Start brushing your puppy in the first few days so they get used to it. Lightweight ones are great while your pup is small. We got a rope one we loved, but it was too heavy for Moose until she was 6 months old. We ended up getting a few of the same one but you can mix and match. Start with smaller, lighter toys. Learn which toys your dog is having the most fun with, then buy more. Rotate them around so they still feel new and exciting. We got a simple soft one for carrying her around before she had her vaccines. It also gave us more peace of mind and confidence leaving her alone for short periods of time without worrying that she was disturbing our neighbors. Have questions or topics you want to hear more about? Let us know in comments below! February 7, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? When it comes to having the best of both worlds, Bernedoodles are it! These mixed breed designers pups were bred to be the perfect companion dog and quickly rose up in the ranks of popular puppy breeds over the last two decades! How do you know if a Bernedoodle is a right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Bernedoodles! Sherry Rupke of Swissridge Kennels claims to be the very first breeder that purposely cross-bred two purebreeds: Standard Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog. Since this breed is only approximately two decades old, the American Kennel Club still does not consider the Bernedoodle a purebred. Nevertheless, the rise in popularity has also led to many more breeders producing these pups. If you were interested in bringing a Bernedoodle home, while there are many reputable breeders that specialize in these pups, you can also find these pups in shelters or rescue groups that focus on Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs, to potentially find these mixed pups! What are Bernedoodle Breed Characteristics? When it comes to range, few breeds can beat the Bernedoodle! These pups come in a variety of sizes and coat colors. Bernedoodles come in a few different sizes: tiny, miniature, medium, and standard. They can range in weight from ten pounds in the tiny category all the way to ninety pounds in the standard category. Along with variety in sizes, their coats can be within a range from completely black, black and white, black and brown, or tri-colored with patches of either black, white, or brown. Probably the most common coat and markings people seek when looking for a Bernedoodle puppy is the tri-color variety that is in closer resemblance to the Bernese Mountain Dog. Depending on which side of their genetic makeup your pup takes after, some Bernedoodle pups coats can be curly, or wavy like the Standard Poodle and not shed as much making them a good candidate for parents who suffer from allergies. Other Bernedoodle pups can have straighter coats that have a tendency to shed more and are not hypoallergenic. What are Bernedoodles Personalities like? The Puppy Academy student, Hamilton! Goofy, smart, loyal to their families, and friendly, these pups have the best personality traits from both sides! Most Bernedoodles parents pick these pups because of their good demeanors and temperaments. Your puppy may lean toward the Standard Poodle side, depicting traits of high intelligence, hard-working, and loyal. Or your puppy can lean toward the Bernese Mountain Dog which is good-natured, confident, and affectionate. Some Bernese Mountain Dogs can be stubborn, in particular during their adolescent phase, and a bit aloof or standoffish toward strangers. With good basic obedience and early socialization, any Bernedoodle can make a great fit for a family and develop friendly demeanors toward new people. While these pups are considered to be working dogs and do require daily exercise, they are also content with hanging out with you at home. Moderate exercises such as one to two longer walks, with play sessions in between, a day is sufficient to burn off energy and keep your pup content! Tiny and Mini Bernedoodles are better equipment for urban environment living whereas Medium to Standard sized Bernedoodles would need more space to exercise and play. No matter the size of your Bernedoodle puppy, they are going to need adequate exercise, which is why they do really well with active families! Tiny and Mini Bernedoodles will require a bit less activity and can adapt to tighter living spaces that come with urban environments such as apartments or condos. As for Medium to Standard-sized Bernedoodles which are taller and wider and can grow upwards of ninety pounds, they may be bumping into more coffee tables and have trouble fitting in the same hallway as you in smaller dwellings! For all sizes, access to either a fenced-in yard or a nearby park you can take them to is ideal for this breed! How to Care for Your Bernedoodle Puppy! When it comes to caring for your new Bernedoodle puppy, start off by scheduling a first veterinarian visit within the first week of bringing your puppy home! Like many large breed working dogs, Bernedoodle may suffer from joint dysplasia. Bernese Mountain Dogs have been known to suffer blood disorders, some cancers, and progressive retinal atrophy. Generally, Bernedoodles are healthy and sturdy especially if they come from a reputable breeder. General care for your Bernedoodle puppy will include brushing their teeth to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Floppy ears means they may be susceptible to ear infections so regularly check and clean them to avoid these from happening. Because their coat types can vary, depending on your puppy, if they have a curly coat you may need to frequently brush them to avoid matting. We recommend that you take your puppy to a professional groomer every few months to get their fur trimmed. The Puppy Academy student, Cali! Create a Daily Puppy Training Schedule Bernedoodle puppies are smart and easily trained but they can have a stubborn streak as they get into their adolescence. Creating early structure at home can help mitigate this stubbornness by establishing daily routines your puppy can expect and also establish you as leader. Since Bernedoodles are made up of two intelligent hard-working breeds, basic obedience training with food positive reinforcement will benefit their behavioral growth! Socialize Your Bernedoodle Puppy with People, Children, and Other Pets Bernedoodles have friendly dispositions and make great family dogs, however, they can be standoffish to new people as they get older. Use Play to Help Train Them Tap into their playful nature and use your playtime sessions together to teach good manners! For example, use Fetch to teach your Bernedoodle how to come to you, Drop-it to give the toy back, then ask them to sit to teach polite manners as they learn to wait until you toss the toy again for them to get. Although Bernedoodles love to work, they sometimes need a bit more motivation! This can come with the aid of food rewards, and providing variation to their training routines to keep them engaged. Enrolling your puppy in training classes, or working with them by yourself at home using a program like our online puppy school will give you a plan to follow with basic training routines to teach your Bernedoodle good manners, as well as keep challenging them along the way so they never get bored, and advance their skillset! Did you recently bring home a Bernedoodle puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! One thing is certain — your life will never be the same again once you bring this little bundle of happiness home. Dogs change your life in ways nothing else can — a Mini Bernedoodle is an affectionate and loving companion. Bringing home a puppy also means you are responsible for their well-being. Here are some handy tips on how to take care of and train your Mini Bernedoodle puppy. Diet and Nutrition There is no universal food when it comes to dog foods. What is suitable for one dog might lead to allergies or digestive problems in another. Just make sure you only provide high-quality dog food for your Mini Bernedoodle puppy for them to stay healthy. Your veterinarian might also have some specific suggestions. The feeding quantity will depend on the age and size of your MiniBernedoodle pup. Here is a rough feeding guide: puppy food meals till 6 months 2 puppy food meals a day post that Change to adult food once they are a year old The general rule of thumb is to feed 20 calories per pound of body weight. For example, a pound Bernedoodle puppy needs calories per day. Activity and Exercise Mini Bernedoodle puppies are very active and need a lot of exercise. You can take your Mini Bernedoodle puppy for regular walks, hiking, running, and even swimming. These pups love water. The critical point is to have regular playtimes with your Mini Bernedoodle pups, or they can become restless. If you cannot take them for walks, do have playtimes at home. Play fetch in the yard or make them run around the house. Just make sure they have enough activity throughout the day. MiniBernedoodles enjoy playing in the snow as well! Grooming Mini Bernedoodles will need to be brushed a couple times a week to prevent tangles and matting. This also distributes oils in their coat to keep in looking shiny and healthy. You Mini Berndoodle will also need the occasional bath — rugged outdoor play may find them a bit dirty. When you bath your minibernedoodle use a gentle shampoo that is meant for dogs. Be careful to keep soap out of their eyes and give them treats to make bath time more fun. Every couple months your mini will need to visit the pet salon for a day for relaxation. A skilled groomer will give your mini bernedoodle a bath, trim her hair, trim their nails and express their anal glands. Your veterinarian will give your pup a thorough examination, help keep you on track with immunizations and may suggest heart worm and flea tick preventatives. Being an active participant in your pets health is crucial — so be ready with any questions or concerns you have when you visit your veterinarian. Mental Health Mini Bernedoodle puppies are like Velcro; they like staying close to their humans. If you work long hours away from home, a Mini Bernedoodle puppy may not be a good choice. They tend to suffer from separation anxiety and become depressed if they are left alone for prolonged periods. You need to keep them close, they will enjoy coming along on trips to the park and pet shop. Mini Bernedoodle pups are also very intelligent, given they are bred from poodles. Poodles are the second most intelligent dog breed in the world. Make sure you give them a wide variety of toys and play mentally stimulating games with them. They will be happy, healthy, and will thrive if you can provide them with such an environment. Laura:
It cannot be easy to choose the appropriate dog for your family. There are several breeders with distinct ethics and qualities of Labradoodles, just like any other breed. I recommend that you look at other breeders and ask them questions and other Labradoodle owners to get a sense of the breed. This will assist you in determining which breeder you can trust and rely on for the type of Labradoodle you choose. Always remember to inquire about and conduct research. You may also learn more regarding each breeder located in Nebraska by looking at social media, testimonials, reviews, and other sources. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat. When a puppies choose a family for adoption they rescue their humans. Get your fur baby today. Yard Sale on Cuteness near Lincoln, Nebraska. At the Corral, we are passionate about providing families with the perfect Labradoodle puppies for sale. Whether you are looking for a petite, mini, medium, Moyen, or large standard, we have a wide selection of f1 and f1b puppies to choose from. Our Australian Labradoodles are highly sought after for their non-shedding and allergy-friendly qualities, and many families from the Midwest visit us to meet these adorable poodle mix variants. We take great care in selecting our breeding dogs to ensure the health and well-being of our puppies. We never compromise on their health for the sake of achieving AKC standards, and we prioritize their overall health and happiness. Our puppies are raised in a loving and nurturing environment, and we provide them with the best possible care to ensure that they are happy and healthy when they go to their forever homes. Our puppies come with complete vet records, pedigree information, and have received their 1st vaccination. We also provide 10 car rides to help them get used to travel. Our Australian Labradoodles are crate trained and microchipped for added safety and security. Y'all come on down to the Corral, where we got the best dang Labradoodle puppies in the whole country! With pups of all shapes and sizes, we got something for every type of family. And our Australian Labradoodles are known for their non-shedding, allergy-friendly coats, making 'em a hit with folks in the Midwest. We take real good care of our puppies, too. We only breed the healthiest dogs and never cut corners on their care. And our pups are raised in a loving environment so they're happy and healthy when they go to their forever homes. When you get a pup from us, you'll also get their complete vet records and pedigree information. Plus, their first vaccination and 10 car rides to get 'em used to travel. And we even provide crate training and microchipping for added safety. Come on down to the Corral and meet our adorable Australian Labradoodles today! Please fill out an adoption application on our website to inquire about adoption, use the contact form to inquire about guardian homes, AND like us on Facebook for a never ending cuteness overload on your feed! 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 Gretna Nebraska 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. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Nebraska? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Nebraska. Life with an Uptown Labradoodle is a whole lot easier without al the sneezing, sniffling, and clumps of fur on the floor. Soft, Cuddly, Cute Australian Labradoodles are some of the cutest dogs in the world, and we breed our puppies to be even more adorable than normal. Uptown also provides the best food, supplements and training programs to help you raise the ultimate Australian Labradoodle. Perfect Family Pet Australian Labradoodles fit in with families of all shapes in sizes, whether your home has kids, pets, or none of the above! Doodles make the perfect companion for people as diverse as retirees, solo travelers, and big, growing families. Elite Nebraska Labradoodle Genetic Lines Eliminating negative traits like genetic diseases and bringing out the positive ones is all part of what we do. We want every litter and every puppy to be just as healthy, even-tempered and adorable as the last.
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 Long Island New York 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. If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our list of the highest rated Labradoodle Breeders in New York features ethical facilities whose main focus is producing healthy Labradoodle pups. More breeders are taking on the huge responsibility of breeding Labradoodle puppies in New York, which is naturally a great thing. However, the high demand has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. See Also: Click the image Although Doodle scammers will leave you empty-handed with no money or puppy, puppy mills are a different story. Namely, their lower prices are used to attract unknowing buyers while selling them unhealthy puppies from overbred parents. Oftentimes, the kennels are in horrible conditions, the dogs are malnourished, and come with a wide set of health problems. You can always ask the breeder for proof of health testing, as reputable breeders have no problems providing you with the documentation. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Another great indicator is that a breeder is recommended by Gooddog. All of these organizations require their certified breeders to follow high standards of health and genetic testing. In addition to that, the breeders have to follow ethical breeding practices and provide a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for the breeding dogs and puppies. See Also:. We ensured that none of the Labradoodle breeders mentioned here has a bad reputation and that no breeders with unethical procedures or puppy mills were listed. Secondly, PuppySpot offers a range of resources and services to make the process of bringing your new Labradoodle home as easy as possible. Lastly, PuppySpot is committed to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. They have a strict policy against working with puppy mills or substandard breeders and partner with animal welfare organizations to support their mission. They make the process easy, and their commitment to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare is something to be proud of! You can trust this breeder, who has been breeding Australian multigenerational miniature and standard-sized Labradoodles since , to do everything she can to raise healthy and happy puppies. All puppies have been vaccinated, microchipped, and checked their health. You can also request health and genetic tests from this breeder. Hips, eyes, and other joints are among the most common health examinations. Furthermore, genetic testing guarantees that your dog will be free of inherited disorders. You will get a Labradoodle puppy that will share your home for the rest of its life. Each breeding parent has undergone extensive health checks and genetic testing. Before you can be approved as a breeder, both organizations need you to undergo health tests on your dogs. This breeder spends time exposing puppies to various stimuli and lifelong conditions such as nail trimming and bathing. Most Labradoodle breeders in New York will not provide their puppies with this additional training and stimulation. All puppies are vet-checked, given their first set of immunizations, dewormed, and come with a health guarantee. Parent dogs are health-tested and genetically checked, providing you peace of mind when choosing a Labradoodle puppy. This breeder is known for its multigeneration medium-sized Labradoodles. All pups come with a health guarantee of 2-years, up-to-date immunizations, microchipping, and free pet insurance for an initial period of 30 days. All breeding parents are entirely healthy and have had their eyes, hearts, knees, elbows, and hips examined by the OFA. This breeder is known for its multigenerational medium and standard-size Labradoodles. They only have a limited amount of certified therapy and service dogs available each year, so talk to them if you want your Labradoodle to be more than just a family pet or a companion dog. In New York, Guardianship initiatives are an excellent method to receive a low-cost Labradoodle pup. Within one week of the buyer receiving the puppy, a veterinarian will inspect the puppy. They breed F2B standard-sized Labradoodle puppies. At 6 weeks of age, the puppies will get their first checkup and vaccinations with the Country Side doctor. We usually suggest contacting each breeder individually and asking them a range of questions. Choose a breeder willing to address your issues and choose the best dog on the basis of temperament rather than appearance. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat. They have puppies that come from very good bloodlines and they focus mostly on Australian Labradoodles, Multi-Generational Labradoodles F3 , Goldendoodles, and double doodles. Johnson raises them like their own within their own home and they teach them basics from a young age until they go home. They socialize the puppies with people and other dogs so they are ready to go to their forever homes. Tips for New Puppy Owners Congratulations on your new puppy! That tip is to take the time to prepare your puppy for his first visit to the grooming salon! Most puppies have their first grooming experience at around 11 or 12 weeks of age when their course of vaccinations is complete. Daily Brushing First of all, you must get into the routine of combing and brushing your Doodle pup every day. After a few days of wriggling and attempting to steal the grooming tools, Raffles has now gotten used to the whole rigmarole and accepts it without too much protest. Blow Dry Many dogs find the sound and sensation of a blow dryer quite alarming, so I started to introduce my puppy to that from day one. When I dried my hair, I simply put Raffles on the bed next to me, set the dryer onto its lowest, coolest setting, and gently allowed the air to pass over him. Here is a Labradoodle puppy checklist to help your puppy settle in during their first month in your home: Make sure you have a safe place for your puppy to sleep. This could be a crate or an exercise pen with a soft bed inside. Puppies need to eat three to four times a day, so make sure you have a regular feeding schedule of good quality pet food for the healthiest puppy possible. Puppies should be taken outside frequently to go to the bathroom. They may not hold it for long at first, so be prepared for accidents. Happy puppies need a lot of exercise, so make sure you have time for long walks or play sessions every day. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come, and be consistent with your rewards and corrections. Remember to be patient! Enjoy this time and create lots of happy memories with your new furry friend. Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding operations that churn out puppies for profit without regard to the welfare of the animals. The puppies are often raised in horrible conditions and may not receive proper vet care or socialization. The breeder seems more interested in making a sale than answering your questions or getting to know you. The breeder has multiple breeds of puppies available. The breeder has puppies that are very young less than eight weeks old. We made a list of ethical Labradoodle breeders from nearby states, so you will not fall into the hands of these puppy mills. Check these out:. We have answers. What is a Labradoodle, exactly? The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid breed. Hybrid breeds are sort of like mixed breeds, except in this case the parent breeds are chosen on purpose to pass down specific traits to their offspring. Can I only pick local Labradoodle puppies for sale near Nassau County? Businesses and breeders listed at Uptown Puppies can arrange travel accommodations for your pup to whichever major airport is most convenient, meaning your options are nearly unlimited. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Nassau County? The pledge covers all aspects of animal care, health, breeder standards, legal compliance, and much more—take a look for yourself and see just what goes into becoming a Labradoodle superstar. How is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodle puppies for sale in Nassau County? You might be shocked to discover that bad or dishonest breeders are all over the place online. The truth is that almost anyone can show up online with the right marketing selling Labradoodle puppies for sale in Levittown. What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills are basically dog factories for Labradoodle puppies for sale in Freeport. At mills, unscrupulous Australian Labradoodle breeders try to sell as many dogs as possible for as cheap as possible. However, these Labradoodle puppies for sale in Hicksville, NY are often sickly, mistreated, and poorly bred—leading to a higher risk of genetic illness and heartbreak for their families down the line. Where do Labradoodle puppies for sale in Valley Stream come from? The Labradoodle is a modern hybrid breed that until recently was relatively unknown. These dogs were first bred to be the ultimate companion dogs—meaning allergy-friendly, gentle, adorable, and people-loving. The world is catching on to Labradoodle mania, and these dogs are now some of the most popular in the world. Just look at how many people are searching for Labradoodle puppies for sale in East Meadow and Labradoodle puppies for sale in Elmont, New York! See Labradoodle puppies that you love, or want to contact one of our recommended breeders? Last step? Are Labradoodle puppies for sale in Oceanside hypoallergenic? Labradoodle puppies for sale in Glen Cove can be just as hypoallergenic as their Poodle parents. Many people who suffer from pet allergies report that their symptoms are lessened or disappear entirely when around their Labradoodle. While everyone experiences allergies to varying degrees of severity, Labradoodle puppies for sale in Plainview are indeed an allergy-friendly breed. Do Labradoodle puppies for sale in Baldwin shed? All dogs shed to varying degrees. What types of coats do Labradoodle puppies for sale in Massapequa have? Labradoodle coats can come in three main varieties—straight, wavy, and curly. Straight haired Labradoodle puppies for sale in Merrick, New York shed the most, wavy-coated Doodles shed a little, and curly-coated Labradoodles shed the least. The three types of coats are also referred to as hair straight , fleece wavy and wool curly.
Like our previous litters, these puppies should prove to have beauty, intelligence, a gentle nature, and if you are so inclined to develop it, hunting drive! Our dam, AKC registered dark Golden Retriever, Roxie, is 70 lbs of playful, fun-loving, kid snuggling, sweetness with a beautiful wavy auburn colored coat. Not to mention that she can find a single pheasant feather in a 5-acre field! Our dam, AKC registered Golden Retriever, Aspen, is 60 lbs, a gorgeous deep mahogany red and has stunning conformation as well as a sweet, playful temperament. She will begin her breeding career in the fall of .We are so excited to meet her first litter of pups! Our sire, AKC registered red Standard Poodle, Fisher, is 65 lbs and a smart, sweet, affectionate boy with a soft curly red coat and a gentle disposition. Fisher began his breeding career in the spring of and we are so pleased with his sweet, smart, beautiful pups! We continuously strive for the perfect combination of temperament, intelligence, conformation, aesthetics, and utility to ensure that our F1 red Goldendoodle puppies make great family pets and hunting companions! Our puppies come vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and their health is guaranteed. They will be handled frequently by adults and children to ensure optimal socialization and exposed to other dogs and cats to maximize their chances for success in their new family environments. Each pup will also be introduced to game birds and assessed for hunting potential in the interest of helping our hunting families choose the best prospects. John and Christina Norton. Standard Goldendoodles can weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. Personality The place where the Goldendoodle puppy really excels is its personality. Its breed is known for being simultaneously intelligent and adoring. A Goldendoodle puppy is very sociable, which makes them perfect animals for households with children and other animals or pets, even cats. Just like the Labradoodle, this breed requires correct socialization to ensure they get used to different sights, sounds and smells during puppyhood. This means taking your Goldendoodle to plenty of doggy-friendly parks so they can meet canine friends and introducing them to other people. Our Goldendoodle puppies for sale are fully trained Doodles, so you can focus on the fun bits, like bonding, eating food and playing. These dogs prefer to live in a house with a gated backyard where they can get regular exercise breaks. Do They Like to Play? Goldendoodle Puppy Training These clever dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners because Goldendoodles love to please and take great pride in learning new skills. Are Goldendoodles Intelligent? Both of its poodle and golden retriever parent breeds are known for their intelligence and trainability, and Goldendoodles have inherited this breed trait. This means the person training a Goldendoodle needs to be strong-willed, firm and consistent — but never harsh or aggressive. Much like a poodle, Doodles are sensitive dogs, and positive reinforcement is a must to bring out the best in them. How Obedient Are They? Goldendoodle pups adore human company, and making their pet parents happy brings them genuine satisfaction. As such, correct puppy training produces a highly obedient and loyal adult Goldendoodle. Older adults, people with disabilities and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders can benefit significantly from the warmth and sweetness of these adorable Goldendoodle pups. Are They Easy to Train? Doodle puppies can be mischievous and cheeky, but aggression is practically unheard of. So as long as you treat them with the same gentle respect they offer, a Goldendoodle is one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Goldendoodles have loads of energy and require regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and calm temperament. A Goldendoodle need a moderately high level of outdoor activity — usually a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally one hour, of moderate to vigorous exercise per day will keep Goldendoodle puppies at their best. Unlike puppy mills, all good puppy and dog breeders provide a certificate that shows health clearances. At Pride and Prejudoodles, our tests cover common health conditions. As such, you have peace of mind when purchasing your new puppy from us. How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Goldendoodles live for between 10 and 15 years. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Goldendoodle puppies for adoption.
average weight for 9 week old german shepherd puppy - Gundog expert Jayne Coley summarises the early training routine that she followed with her own young labrador, Trade. Register for our newsletter To continue reading this content please register for our newsletter. You have to adapt your training to suit the type of puppy you have. The steps below summarise the training routine that I have followed with my young dog, Trade, who has an easy-going temperament. I began to train him properly in the New Year when he was 9 — 10 months old, though I usually wait until the shooting season is over when I have time to do a little each day on a regular basis. Step 1: Foundations By the age of 9 — 10 months, Trade had been toilet trained, knew his name and came back when I called him. He had been well socialised and behaved in company on a lead, was used to going out in my vehicle and had learned to swim. Trade has never been chastised for carrying something he should not, e. I then place the item out of reach. Crucially, by this age we had built up a good bond before formal training began. Step 2: Heelwork It was so wet and muddy at home so I started training on the patio and in our yard where the pup is restricted to a certain area and there are no distractions. We began with heelwork on the lead. To keep the exercise interesting, I walked in straight lines, did figures of eight, included the occasional tight turn and altered my pace. This all helped to keep Trade focused on what we were doing. If he didn't sit immediately, I repeated the command whilst pushing his bottom down with my left hand. Once confident with this routine, I put a lightweight collar on him and progressed to walking to heel off the lead, using my hands to encourage him to keep his head up and concentrate on me, when necessary. If he did move, I calmly walked up to him and, holding his collar, took him back to the exact spot he moved from in a quiet but positive manner. I slowly built up the distance until I could walk around him in a huge circle. Once he did this perfectly, I introduced the recall. Instead of always walking back to him, I would call him back to me, encouraging him to come straight to my hands which were cupped gently in front of my hips. Once I was happy with this, I began to mix up heelwork with sit and stay, and recall. When he didn't move, I quietly picked the dummy up myself. Gradually — over several days — I built on this until I could throw a couple of dummies, one at a time, over and around him and he remained steady. It is always important to lift the pup's top lip out of the way when you put a dummy in his mouth. Trade was reluctant to do this at first, but with patience and perseverance over several days, he accepted it. Slowly, I built on this until I could walk away backwards the length of the lead and call him to me, concentrating on perfecting a good delivery, using my hands to encourage him to bring the dummy right to me with his head held nice and high. Step 6: Retrieving Next, we worked on being sent for a retrieve. I then bent down and pointed my right hand towards the dummy whilst looking at the top of his head to make sure he was looking past my hand at it, before saying his name positively and at the same time letting go of one end of the lead so that he instinctively ran forward and picked the dummy. Initially, I sat back on my heels, which encouraged him to run straight back to me. Slowly we built on this until the lead was no longer needed. Sometimes I would send him for the dummy, sometimes I'd pick it up myself, or I'd walk him to heel in the opposite direction before sending him. On other occasions, I would stand well back from Trade and throw a dummy over his head, call him to me and then send him for the dummy from my position. I like to vary things as this keeps him interested and wondering what I am going to do next. He was at first a little unsure, so I repeated it in a lighter tone, to which he responded. In return, I praised him quietly. Always remember, training a dog is like building a house — it is imperative that the foundations are put down properly, otherwise, sooner or later, cracks will appear. Keep it light and encouraging when you praise, and low and gruff when you scold, so your puppy knows the difference. Especially if you have a boisterous puppy. Keep everything calm and relaxed, and do things in your time. And yet, many new owners get so caught up in the cuteness of these bundles of fur that they disregard any training until the dog is much older. Sometimes new owners are just overwhelmed with taking care of their new puppy. Others lack the information needed to make good decisions regarding training for their new family member. Unfortunately, though, some bad behaviors or missed socialization and exposure opportunities are difficult to address with an older dog. So, if your goal is for you new retriever to eventually grow into an excellent duck dog, here is a guide to raising your Lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Picking up the puppy The journey with your new retriever pup starts the day you pick him or her up from the breeder. Hopefully you have done your homework and selected a litter of puppies with parents who have proven trainability. If you have a pick from the litter, you will want to take some time to observe the puppies. Even so, most trainers will tell you that picking a puppy is a complete crapshoot, meaning there really is no way to know how good the dog will be while looking at them as a puppy. Genetics and a proven pedigree are the best way to stack the odds in your favor from the start. Beyond that, if you have a good breeder, they are the next best source for information regarding the pups. A good breeder will give you a recommendation based on what you plan to use the pup for and your family situation. Check out this post on searching for a great retriever puppy and what to look for in breeders. If possible, bring someone with you to pick up the puppy. While you can put a puppy in a crate to transport them home, leaving the litter is a traumatic time for most puppies. Being held on the way home is a good way to start bonding with the puppy. Learn what to buy for your new Lab puppy. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. The first week raising your Labrador Retriever puppy There is very little training needed the first week you have your puppy home. Use this time to hold, pet and play with your new puppy. Bonding with the puppy is important and this is a good time to do that. You will likely be exhausted this week from getting up multiple times each night to let your puppy outside. Learn more in What should I do the first week with my new Lab puppy? Socialization is key for retriever gun dog puppies While socialization is important for all dogs, it is essential for retriever puppies destined to hunt. Socialization is the act of putting your retriever puppy in new situations and allowing the puppy to figure it out. Your puppy may handle new situations well, or she might show timid or frightened behaviors. This is not the time to coddle your future gun dog. Dogs are very aware of their owners and if you act or acknowledge your puppies fear, they will likely think you are scared too. This is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve with socialization. We want puppies to learn to adjust quickly to new situations. We want them to learn how to figure out new conditions and handle them without fear or hesitation. Puppies need to be socialized to people also. Let your puppy interact with people of all ages, including children. In addition, it can be helpful if they are also socialized to other dogs and cats. And yet we see too many retrievers with little to no retrieving desire. Sometimes this is just the result of bad breeding, but it can also be the result of poor introduction to retrieving or using the wrong items for retrieving. Many people like to play fetch with their puppy using a ball or Frisbee. But if your puppy is destined to be a hunting partner, this is going to make some retrieving problems down the line. We may use a ball to encourage a very young week old puppy to retrieve, IF, and only IF, the puppy is struggling with retrieving desire. Otherwise, we strongly discourage ongoing use of these items. Gun dogs and duck dogs are working dogs and they need to retrieve birds that fall to the ground. The rolling action of the ball or frisbee will create an excitement and energy that will make retrieving birds seem boring. We have found that dogs that have only retrieved balls or Frisbee often struggle when they need to retrieve a bumper or bird. We have an entire post on this subject, see How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Expose your Labrador puppy to common hunting elements A retriever that is going to be expected to hunt, should be introduced to hunting equipment and elements at an early age. Hills and mounds, flat areas and shallow divots are terrain that a hunting retriever should learn to traverse with ease. In addition to land, different water is also an important factor. Lakes are good, but you should also try to expose your puppy to dirty water. Water with lily pads, cat tails and algae are all things a duck dog will need to handle to work. Hunting equipment Labrador retriever puppies need to learn all about the equipment you use when hunting. Doing this when they are young and continuing the exposure as they grow, will make this second nature to them. Boats and blinds If you hunt out of a boat or blind, introduce your puppy to it. For boats, start on land. Get your puppy comfortable getting in and out of the boat. Throw retrieves from the boat. Similarly, introduce your dog to the blind as a good thing. If you are using a dog blind or hut, make sure your spend lots of time getting your pup comfortable going into and out of it. Make it a fun place to go to get retrieves. Duck or goose decoys If you will use decoys when hunting, take time to expose your puppy to them. Many times over the next few months, put some out on your lawn and let your puppy learn what they are. Eventually, move them to water and again allow your pup to explore them. Throw retrieves through them and teach the dog that he can ignore the decoys. Guns This is one of the most important things that you need to exposure your new puppy to. And it really needs to be done right. The last thing you want to do is create a gun-shy dog. That is very difficult to fix and the dog may never be able to hunt if the damage is too deep. Learn more about how to do this correctly in Introduction to gunfire. Basic obedience for your gun dog puppy Your puppy is ready to learn obedience early on, and you will find that if you start when they are only a couple months old, they will learn quicker and be more obedient as they age. This will make a huge difference as they get older. Teaching HERE to young pups will require a long lead. Squat down a few feet from your puppy and say HERE as you gently pull them to you. Praise is essential with young pups, but the praise should be given when the puppy does something right. For instance, you say SIT and push his bottom down. You can use treats to teach your puppy obedience and reward him or her for obeying commands. But treats should only be used for very young puppies under 4 months. Many Labs will soon learn to only obey when given a treat, that is not the lesson you want your dog to learn. It can be difficult to discipline a cute little puppy, but it is essential. Here at Otter Tail Kennels, we get more than our share of calls from people whose puppies are out of control and causing problems in the home. The pups are causing friction in the family relationships. Small issues often become much larger issues if they remain uncorrected. If you see your puppy doing something wrong, you need to take action to let him know that the behavior is not acceptable. Final thoughts on raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog The time to start training your Labrador puppy to be a duck or gun dog is now. Right away. Even if you plan to send your retriever puppy to a professional trainer in the future, you still want to take the time to socialize, expose, teach and discipline your dog now. Each week your puppy is growing and learning, and those first five months are the perfect time to get him or her off on the right foot. The socialization, exposure, and obedience are all steppingstones they need to advance in their role as a hunting partner. Do not skimp or disregard this time. You can give your ultimate duck dog some essential skills — the ability to adjust to every and all situations with ease. Nothing could be more important. You can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. Raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. This is is a very strong breeding presenting 14 National Field Champions in their combined pedigrees. She is a muscular rock solid 52 pound female of pure energy. She can outrun anyone and her love of retrieving is pure and always front and center. She is definitely her mother's Jet daughter. She taught her well, she is a strong hunting partner and a loyal family companion who loves with her whole heart. She trains the young ones around Bailiwick, she is so very smart. Spend one minute with her and it is obvious, she is "Over the Top", she truly has it all. Retrieve, yes she loves retrieving, ask her and you shall receive. She is a devoted companion who loves with her whole heart, will work all day, not a problem with her. At the end of a long day she is not hard to find, she will be right at your side. This beautiful gal was born dreaming if ducks and duck ponds. Radley is Mr. Personality, he will put a smile on your face. We can retrieve all day or we can just visit and be cool, either way not a problem for Radley. He is truly a pleasure to train, so smart just tell him once and he has it down pat!!!!! This is a very strong breeding.Her love is retrieving, if you have the time she has the energy. She is dedicated, loving and very smart. Training her is a pleasure. What a loving personality, she will put a smile on your face. This is a very strong breeding. Stella presents three National Champions in her pedigree
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average weight for 9 week old german shepherd puppy - Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Since German shepherds are large, active dogs and are known to have hips that give out, it's important to make sure they have good nutrition throughout their lives. Make sure to buy healthy food that is not full of filler ingredients. For example, make sure you are feeding a quality food that contains animal protein and doesn't use corn for protein. You can feed your German shepherd dry or wet food, or a combination of both. If you choose to feed your German shepherd homemade meals, it's important to talk to your veterinarian about what they need to include. This will help ensure that the dog will get a balanced diet. Try to resist giving your dog table scraps, especially if it is begging for them. People food can be unhealthy for the dog and can impact its interest in its healthy food. As your dog ages, it will have different nutritional needs. Feed your dog a food that is designed for its specific age, such as a puppy food when it very young, an adult food when it is in middle age, and senior food when it is in old age. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source There are also specific formulas you may need to consider at some point, for example, special foods for large breeds or weight control food for overweight dogs. Talk to your vet about what food will work best for your dog. Because your vet will understand your specific dog's health issues, they may want it to get specific nutritional needs met. Instead, mix the foods together, gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old food over the course of several weeks. Look at the packaging of the food to determine the suggested serving size. This should be based on the size and age of your dog. You can also talk to your veterinarian about how much they think your dog should be eating. It is best to divide your German shepherd's daily food into 2 or more smaller meals. Giving smaller meals helps to minimize the risk of bloat, which is a life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. Go to source When you feed your dog several times a day, your dog will need to relieve themselves shortly after each meal. Never exercise a German shepherd right after they eat since this could increase the risk of bloating. In addition to feeding it healthy food, the snacks you feed your German shepherd can have an impact on its health. Pick low calorie treats that are satisfying for dogs, including crunchy vegetables and kibble in a feeding toy that slows the dog's consumption down. Dogs can drink a lot of water every day and it's important that they do to prevent dehydration. Fill up its bowl with clean water every day and leave it where your dog has access to it. Also, check up on the bowl throughout the day, if possible, to make sure there is plenty of water available. However, German shepherds should drink small amounts of water throughout the day, instead of drinking a large amount at one time. Gradually hydrating throughout the day will ensure that the dog doesn't get bloat. Dehydration can be a threat to your dog's health. Signs that it might be dehydrated and needs more water include excessive panting, loss of appetite, and dry nose or gums. If you see these symptoms, give your dog water immediately. Go to source Advertisement. As the German Shepherd growth chart suggests, a German Shepherd dog reaches full size and adult weight after one year. A growth spurt can occur between 1. The result of this late growth is an up to 10 percent increase in height and weight. Although you can consider a German Shepherd fully grown by one year, there may be additional factors that influence the growth of German Shepherd dogs. Is Your German Shepherd Healthy? Improper development can occur for many reasons. It could be as simple as your dog responding poorly to their dog food. Your feeding schedule and portions might not be sufficient. Your dog could also have a basic nutritional deficiency that you need to correct. Yet, being underweight or overweight can signify serious health problems. Weight loss can occur when the syndrome develops. Dogs typically show signs of EPI at between six months and six years of age. Parasites Dogs are highly susceptible to parasites. Deworming medication helps to reduce the risk. Yet, almost all puppies experience a parasitic infection at least once. Upon infection, your dog is at risk of serious weight loss and other troubling symptoms. Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus can affect any breed but has an above-average occurrence in German Shepherds. These dogs need insulin daily to accommodate for the inability to metabolize sugars. If your German has diabetes, severe weight loss can occur in a short period. Diabetes typically affects canines that are four years or older. It is the most common cancer in German Shepherds. Up to three percent will develop HSA. In most cases, this condition sets in at around nine to 12 years. Dietary Deficiency Do you have your German Shepherd on a raw food diet? Puppies often run underweight when receiving their nutritional requirements through raw meat. This diet is healthy and effective but needs monitoring, as not all dogs respond the same. Review the diet plan with a veterinarian and confirm there are no digestive or metabolic issues. Also, do not forget the importance of exercise! Clear Your Concerns with Coverage You put your heart into loving your dog like a child, but some things are out of your control. Health struggles can affect canines as much as humans. Even purebreds from AKC-certified breeders are not safe from serious health struggles both early and late in life. All you can do is prepare yourself to overcome complications. What if cancer happens? What else could happen? Peace of mind is great as a dog owner. Is coverage the answer? Get pet insurance quotes and see for yourself. Get Quotes for Your Cat Charitable Giving With every pet insurance policy we generate, we do our bit to help less fortunate animals across Canada and the U. Popular Articles. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Now it is time to focus more on gender and german shepherd growth rates. The official breed standard for the German Shepherd dog states that adult dogs can stand between 22 and 26 inches tall paw pads to shoulders and weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds. The official breed standard also specifies that adult male german shepherds often stand taller and weigh more than an adult female german shepherd. Typically, an adult male German Shepherd will stand two inches taller and weigh anywhere from 15 to 20 pounds more than an adult female german shepherd. This is exactly why a bigger German Shepherd male dog is likely to continue growing for a longer period because the skeleton can only grow so fast. It uses an average German Shepherd pup that weighs 64 pounds at one year of age. One month old A one-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 9. Two months old A two-month-old GSD puppy may weigh up to .Three months old A three-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Four months old A four-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Five months old A five-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Six months old A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Seven months old A seven-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Eight months old An eight-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Nine months old A nine-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Ten months old A ten-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 72 pounds, representing about 94 percent of the growing left to do. Eleven months old An eleven-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to .Twelve months old A twelve-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 76 pounds, representing about percent of the growing left to do. Female German Shepherd For a female German Shepherd puppy, the weight range in adulthood typically varies between 50 pounds and 80 pounds. Puppies will be between 22 to 24 inches tall paw pads to shoulders on average. It uses an average female German Shepherd that weighs 64 pounds at one year of age. One month old A one-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 7 pounds, representing about 11 percent of the growing left to do. Two months old A two-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 16 pounds, representing about 26 percent of the growing left to do. Three months old A three-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 27 pounds, representing about 41 percent of the growing left to do. Four months old A four-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 36 pounds, representing about 55 percent of the growing left to do. Five months old A five-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 44 pounds, representing about 66 percent of the growing left to do. Six months old A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 50 pounds, representing about 75 percent of the growing left to do. Seven months old A seven-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 54 pounds, representing about 82 percent of the growing left to do. Eight months old An eight-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 58 pounds, representing about 87 percent of the growing left to do. Nine months old A nine-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 60 pounds, representing about 91 percent of the growing left to do. Ten months old A ten-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 61 pounds, representing about 94 percent of the growing left to do. Eleven months old An eleven-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 63 pounds, representing about 97 percent of the growing left to do. Twelve months old A twelve-month-old German Shepherd puppy may weigh up to 64 pounds, representing about percent of the growing left to do. The bone marrow will become inflamed and sore, sometimes to a level where it becomes excruciating to your dog. In most cases, panosteitis will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or even longer and then dissipate. However, it may recur several times while your GSD puppy is still growing. While panosteitis lasts, your puppy may limp, whine, whimper, and exhibit lameness that seems to move from one leg to another in no apparent pattern. Panosteitis is thought to have genetic heritable origins and is unfortunately quite common in the German Shepherd breed. Treating panosteitis usually involves giving a German shepherd puppy pain medications. Unfortunately, many pain medications have uncomfortable side effects, including stomach upset, and gastrointestinal distress. But the fact is that the German Shepherd dog breed was not created to be a big, bulky dog. These dogs were created to be livestock herding working dogs. To do this, they need to be light on their feet, athletic, and rangy so they can move and navigate quickly. While some GSDs are naturally bigger than others, and males tend to be taller and heavier than females, this is not always the case. Here is more information regarding German Shepherd puppy development. Start with the Dog Breed Standard According to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America , the German Shepherd as a breed typically stands between 22 and 24 inches tall paw pads to shoulder tops for female adult dogs and 24 to 26 inches tall for male adult dogs. No weight range is given for the official dog breed standard. However, the standard does say the dog typically measures between 8. So these can give you some good starting measurements. The American Kennel Club AKC gives a 50 to 90 pounds weight range, with about 10 pounds differences between adult females and adult males. Find out from your breeder the exact height, weight, and length measurements for each parent dog. You can also ask the breeder about how long it took each parent dog to complete its growth. The greatest influence will come from learning as much as possible about which parent dog your puppy seems to most favor in looks. Your breeder will be in the best position to weigh in on this question, both from the point of view of the parent dogs and the lineage as a whole. You can also ask where your GSD puppy falls on the size spectrum within their particular litter. While a smaller puppy may end up being a bigger adult dog, this is more the exception than the norm. For example, if you know that your puppy was the middleweight in the litter, you can expect your adult GSD to maintain that position as all the puppies grow up. The growth process is not unlike what happens as children grow up! In other words, for your puppy to grow bigger, its bones first have to grow bigger. This requires a partnership between bone and cartilage. This partnership takes place within centers called growth plates. The growth plates are located at the ends of the long skeletal bones. Inside each growth plate is an area that is responsible for generating new bone tissue. This is the most important fact to cement into your memory. As long as the growth plates are still producing new bone tissue, they are relatively soft. This is because the tissue the growth plates are producing is also soft and flexible. Only once your German Shepherd puppy has finally grown up as much as they will do will these growth plates and their tissues harden fully. You need to do two important things to protect and support your GSD puppy to reach their full adult height, weight, and size safely and healthily. In most cases, you will be guided to feed a puppy food formulated specifically for large breed puppies that will grow up more slowly over a longer period. Guard against over-exertion in play, exercise, and athletics As the American Kennel Club AKC points out, large breed puppies are known to be more vulnerable to exercise-induced injury while they are still growing. This is because the growth process takes longer, and their skeletal systems support a great deal of weight. While no official study exists to definitively say when it is safe to let your GSD make use of their considerable natural athletic ability, your veterinarian can help you assess when and how to add in additional activity as your puppy grows up. Here, you might be wondering how you will deal with so much rambunctious puppy when you have exercise restrictions! But it is important to remember that mental activity is just as stimulating and tiring to smart dogs like the German Shepherd! GSDs are intensely people-oriented and eager to please and will readily take to training sessions and obedience school. German Shepherd puppies can still exercise by trying interspersing walks or short runs with the mental stimulation of training sessions to keep your pup from over-exerting. As the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals RSCPA explains, over-exercising a growing puppy can lead to several musculoskeletal problems even as they are still growing and in adulthood. In general, you want to aim for a moderate daily activity that combines training, free play, interactive play with you, and walks of one mile or less. Tug of war, frisbee, tethered bike rides or runs, and any activity that forces your dog to keep up with you should be avoided at all costs. These issues include the following: Hip dysplasia.