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This means they are not considered a purebred dog or a designer dog breed. Border Collies are athletic, loyal dogs with a high energy level. They love to move and work with their families. You can also meet the mother dog in-person for an idea about what to expect regarding general size and temperament. On the Border Collie side, you have a highly intelligent, affectionate, and loyal dog that loves to be active and loves to work. Border Collies get along well with other dogs and children, but can be reserved or slightly suspicious towards strangers. Otherwise, they will find their own entertainment, which might result in them herding your children or a flock of sheep into your kitchen. The Border Collie Mix could take all of its characteristics from the Border Collie, from the other parent dog breed in the mix, or be any combination of characteristics from both. Before bringing a Border Collie Mix home, make sure you take some time to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed of the litter. This will give you a good idea of what possibilities to prepare for in your Border Collie Mix puppy. The Border Collie is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They may be a high-energy dog breed that prefers wide open spaces, but they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get plenty of mental stimulation and exercise. A well-exercised, mentally engaged Border Collie is also okay with being alone. In terms of climate, this dog breed does best in a moderate climate as they do not do well in hot or cold climates. With a Border Collie Mix, you could end up with a dog that is moderately adaptable like the Border Collie. Or, you could end up with a dog more similar to the other parent breed. This could result in a more adaptable or less adaptable dog depending on the cross. Having a conversation with the breeder about the other parent breed can clear up some of the confusion and give you a better idea of what to expect. Border Collies are generally healthy, but can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. You can also ask about the genetic history of the parents and check out health screenings and health clearances to rule out some conditions. On the Border Collie side, you have a dog that is highly intelligent and eager to learn. They are generally difficult for the average person to train, so you will want to enroll in obedience and training classes with your Border Collie Mix puppy regardless of the other parent breed. Even if the dog breed in the cross is highly trainable for novice dog owners, there is the possibility the puppy will pick up Border Collie characteristics and be more difficult to train. A well-trained and properly socialized puppy is more likely to grow into a well-rounded dog, so make sure you start training and socialization early. Border Collies have a weather-resistant double coat that requires weekly brushing. They also have heavier shedding sessions as the seasons change and need to be brushed more frequently during this time. Depending on the other parent breed in your Border Collie Mix, their coat could require more or less grooming. Finding out about the other parent breed from the breeder will give you an idea of what you could expect when it comes to coat. Regardless of the coat, all dogs need to have their nails trimmed, teeth brushed, and ears checked regularly. For most dogs, trimming nails once a month is sufficient. When it comes to dental care for your dog , brushing their teeth daily is recommended. This will help prevent the tartar and plaque buildup that leads to dental disease. If your Border Collie Mix has ears that drop down, they are more prone to moisture and developing an infection. Regularly checking them and cleaning as needed helps reduce the risk of ear infections in your dog. Border Collies have a lot of energy and never seem to get tired. They love to be moving and working. Plus, they were originally bred to run several miles a day and they still have the energy to do so. It is important that you are prepared to handle a high energy working dog when you choose a Border Collie Mix puppy. If the other parent breed is a couch potato, your puppy could end up having a lower energy level. A Border Collie tends to weigh between 30 and 50 pounds and usually stands 18 to 22 inches tall. The other parent breed could cause this to vary. So, be sure to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in your Border Collie Mix. Also, make sure you stop by to meet the mother dog. There are always exceptions, but the size of the mother will at least give you something to work with. A Border Collie typically lives 12 to 15 years. You could expect a similar range in your Border Collie Mix with the understanding that the other parent breed could affect the range one way or the other. Featured Border Collie Mix Article. Showing 1 - 40 of 41 resultsPage 1 - 41 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. Dewormed, first vaccinations and clear health check. These babies are desensitized to.Jacobs and Heidelberg. See all Border collie Australian Shepherd cross pups Stratford Adorable and snuggly little puppies for sale! Their mother is pure border collie and father is pure Australian shepherd final pics are of them. There are 6 males and 2 females for sale. They are.This gentle yet excitable young dog can't wait to start his new life with you. Lucky looks for every opportunity to make new dog friends to run around and.The pups come from very good temperament and sane parents. Both parents are very social and friendly. Puppies are very social, friendly.The older one is a female named Lily, born February, .The younger one is a male named Max, born December 28, .It would be nice.Jacobs Mixed large breed puppies for sale. Call or text us to get a quick reply. Gorgeous colors and beautiful temperaments. If you are looking for the perfect family dog, then this is a great.Mother is onsite. All puppies have been vet checked, had their 1st shots, and.Ready To Go! The proud parents had a litter of 7 to choose from. Dad is a.His name is Addy and unfortunately we have been forced to move and downsize our home. Please message me for more.All 1st year shots, Ready for their new home. Mom is 50Lbs, Dad 70Lbs, light brown puppy is larger than black puppy who has her.There are 3 girls available. They will come fully vet checked with first and second shots, de worming and a clear bill of health.There are 3 females and 1 male. The male is now sold. Please Contact 8 Month old puppy Oshawa Through no fault of his own Kaitoe is looking for his new, forever home. He is an unaltered male, 8 months old born December 28th and his dad, the white dog in the photos and on-site, is a Bull.He is house trained and would not be a problem in a new environment. Reason for selling are serious.Handled since birth and raised in a busy barn environment, these guys are well socialized with people, other dogs and

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Bernedoodles make amazing family companions, or even excellent service or therapy dogs. Thanks to its sweet temperament and low-shedding coat, the Bernedoodle has become one of the most popular Doodle breeds. Unfortunately, many people are still getting scammed by puppy mills that are well-known for their unethical breeding practices. An ethical breeder will be transparent with any of their documentation. In addition to that, they back their promises with genetic health guarantees that are usually applicable from one to three years from adoption. As they proudly say, they treat their dogs as family members first and breeding partners second, and each puppy is raised in a safe family environment. As a responsible Bernedoodle breeder in Illinois, Central Illinois Doodles screens all of their parent dogs for various genetic conditions and orthopedic health. In addition to that, they only breed temperament-tested dogs with loving personalities. What Makes This Breeder Unique? They begin socializing the puppies from day one, and they introduce the pups to different stimulating activities and exercises. Testimonials Hollie Mable is a very sociable, sweet, and well mannered doodle. She loves all other dogs and people too. She is always up for hiking in the mountains or snuggling on the couch. She does very well on and off leash and she is non-shedding. She is the perfect dog and so happy to have her as part of my family. Purchasing Dakota could not have gone any smoother. It was a very easy transaction, and Erin supplied me with a folder of information about Dakota including his shots record and a health guarantee. While waiting to get Dakota, Erin was great about sending me pictures of him and his siblings. She would regularly give me updates on how he was doing, and I felt like I knew him before I met him. It was obvious when I did get Dakota how loved and cared for he was. He was a very happy and social puppy from day one. He transitioned beautifully into our home with my kids and other dog. He is three now and still the happiest and sweetest dog! I have had absolutely no issues with his health or temperament. I would absolutely get another dog from Pecan Hill Puppies again! The Brownings Piper is the best dog ever. She is energetic, playful, and very smart. She loves to be by my side whether that is cuddling on the couch or taking a trip to town for ice cream. Piper has brought a lot of love and laughter into our lives. Contact Us. For allergy-friendly needs, F1b puppies are optimal Standard-sized need space to stretch Mini or tiny sizes available for smaller spaces see puppies Why Should I Get a Bernedoodle Puppy? Like many other types of Doodles, the Bernedoodle breed is well known for its high intelligence, loyalty, great health, and longevity. As loyal as they can be, the Bernedoodle is quite gentle and goofy when it comes to their personalities. With such a big and loving heart, the Bernedoodles can also serve exceptionally well as guard dogs. Bernedoodles are also incredibly friendly dogs and great around children, which makes them a fantastic family dog breed! Why Central Illinois Doodles? Our Bernedoodle pups are also raised according to the highest ethical standards and undergo early socialization, ensuring they grow healthy, well-mannered, and incredibly friendly. And if you need proof, the insurance of health warranty backs up our Bernedoodle Puppies. No matter what you may call them nicknames include Bernese Mountain dog poodle mix, the Bernese Mountain Poo, the Bernedoodle, the Berne-doodle, and even just the Doodle , the mini Bernedoodle is the perfect companion for all lifestyles. Check out our Bernedoodles for sale at Central Illinois Doodles today. We are one of the best Bernedoodle dog breeders in the Midwest, helping you find your high-quality Bernedoodle companion. History of Bernedoodles As covered, the Bernedoodle is a mixed dog breed. Due to their pedigree, Bernedoodles are very affectionate , incredibly loyal, and good-natured, which are the traits they inherit from Bernese Mountain Dogs. Bernedoodle puppies are also very well-mannered, a trait common among Poodles. At least not to the level this magnificent breed deserves. Bred from Great Mastiffs and other types of guard dog breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog was brought over to Switzerland approximately 2, years ago by the Romans. Aside from being known for having a loving personality, these breeds are only one of the four kinds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. These dogs were generally known as farm dogs that worked hard. Eventually, the Bernese Mountain Dog breed mixed with the Poodle breed led to the creation of the incredible Bernedoodle dog breed. Types of Bernedoodles. Very healthy with no serious illnesses due to hybrid genes Long lifespan of years Very loyal, gentle, docile creatures Great family dogs Great with children, people, and other dogs Highly intelligent - Bernedoodles rank among the smartest dogs Easy to train and eager to please Enjoy spending time with humans, making them excellent companions Low-to-no shedding! One of the few larger dog breeds that hardly shed Allergy-friendly coats Make excellent service animals or emotional support dogs - Bernedoodles can be trained for conditions like PTSD and anxiety disorders Bernedoodle Sizes You may mistakenly assume that all Bernedoodles are very large animals. This is not the case, as Mini Bernedoodle puppies can come in a range of sizes depending on the size of their parents. Here are the sizes of our Bernedoodles. The curlier their coats, the more allergy-friendly they will be. Typically, F1 Bernedoodles are suitable if you have a mild allergy. Some will have wavy hair with loose curls very similar to F1 Bernedoodle puppies and will be very low to non-shedding. The others will have curlier hair like their poodle fathers and also be non-shedding. By two to three weeks of age, the different coat types can be properly identified. Curly coated F1B Bernedoodles are best for people with moderate or severe allergies. Also, the Bernedoodle is low to non-shedding, making it a good choice of breed if you suffer from allergies. Bernedoodles are loyal dogs, with fun-loving, gentle, and often goofy personalities. Due to their nature, Bernedoodles make great guard dogs and are very attached to their owners and families. Bernedoodles are also highly intelligent and therefore are very easy to train. Bernedoodles are good with children and excellent family dogs. Bernedoodles need less exercise and are overall more docile and less energetic than Aussiedoodles, but they still enjoy walking and playing outdoors. You should choose a Bernedoodle if you have a slightly less active lifestyle and love a dog with a gentle, calm demeanor that requires less exercise. If you suffer from allergies, Bernedoodles may be a great option, as their Poodle parents make their coats allergy-friendly. Bernedoodles also shed much less than their Bernese Mountain Dog parents, which is a huge bonus for most people. The curlier the coat, the less shedding and the more allergy-friendly they will be. Bernedoodle puppies are easy to train because they are highly intelligent and are often used as service or emotional support dogs. Bernedoodles enjoy learning new things and are generally happy, easy-going, and eager to please their owners. When it comes to new tricks, Bernedoodle puppies will learn fast and will be able to keep up with you, making training a breeze. Their calm, affectionate demeanor and generally adaptable sensibilities make them highly resilient creatures who adjust well to changes in the family such as new children or new living environments. Bernedoodle puppies tend to take their cues from their owners about new situations and people. The Bernedoodle is a healthy breed and they do not suffer from any life-threatening diseases as long as they are given the proper nutrition and exercise. Bernedoodle puppies are a great choice for people with more active lifestyles or children. Available Bernedoodles Everyone wants the perfect puppy. You are looking for the puppy you can love, and the one who will love you back with unconditional puppy love. We understand and will help you find the puppy that is just right for you and your family! Our family raises adorable Tiny, Mini, and Standard Bernedoodle puppies. We provide our puppies with loving care from day 1 and ensure the puppies stay healthy, allowing us to present you with a happy, active puppy dog pal. We are best at producing Tri-colored Mini and Standard Bernedoodles and our puppies make great companions and playmates. Browse our website to see photos of Bernedoodle puppies for sale. We also picture many of the puppies who have found their forever homes. Learn about our family, our puppies and their parents, and how you can become the proud owner of a new puppy! Our puppies go to their forever home with the following: Prepaid ICA Registration Health certificate from our vet Up to date on vaccinations Up to date on dewormers Micro chipped 2 year genetic health guarantee Dew claws removed. Learn more Island Grove is based on an acre farm in beautiful countryside. Here, the family has been breeding Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles for over nine years and has established a good reputation as a reliable breeder. The Poodle and Bernese Mountain dog parent dogs are all health-screened for the genetic conditions that can affect the breeds, so you know that your pup will enjoy a problem-free future. What Influences Bernedoodle Prices? Curly coats are also the best option for you if you hate vacuuming! However, those qualities push the price of those puppies right up, and you can expect to pay top dollar for one of those cute tiny Teddies. Some coat colors are also worth more, especially if the puppies have unusual markings. Breeder Reputation Generally, a breeder with an excellent reputation will charge more for their pups than a new breeder who has yet to make their mark on the industry. Puppies whose parents are health-screened for the most common genetic diseases are usually pricier than those not. We strongly recommend that you only consider buying a puppy from a breeder that can prove their breeding dogs are clear of congenital health conditions that could be passed on to their offspring. Beware Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders! Unfortunately, the demand for designer dogs has pushed up the price of puppies to eyewatering levels. That demand has also seen the emergence of unscrupulous operations known as puppy mills or puppy farms. Puppy farms produce as many puppies as quickly as possible to catch the current designer breed trend. By this time, the backyard breeder has long disappeared. Puppy Mill Red Flags There are lots of puppy mills that advertise their puppies online. Even the savviest puppy hunter can fall victim to a scammer, especially when confronted by a pair of gorgeous, cute puppy eyes! But how do you spot a backyard breeder or puppy mill? Here are some glaring red flags to be alert to! Cut and Paste Puppy mills often use the same advertisements. Look out for ads with the exact text used to advertise multiple breeds. Puppies should be eight weeks old before they can be vaccinated. So, if the advert says that the pups are younger than that and have been vaccinated, the advertiser is probably a puppy mill. Too Cheap As previously mentioned, designer puppies are pretty pricey. So, if you find an advert for a puppy that appears extremely cheap, the chances are the breeder is a puppy mill. Where To Meet Backyard breeders typically expect you to meet them somewhere random, such as in a deserted parking lot or even in a gas station. Photoshop A common ploy used by puppy farms is to use videos and photos of random puppies on their websites. No Waiting! Most reputable breeders have a waiting list for their puppies, often for years or even longer. Health Screening Certificates A premier Doodle breeder will be glad to produce health screening certificates for both the parent dogs. Those certificates should show that the puppies will be free from any genetic disorders associated with the parent breeds. You should also receive vaccination documentation, deworming, and flea and tick prevention paperwork. Insist on seeing the puppies with their mom and watching how the pups behave around her. On arrival, my friend asked if they could see the puppies with their mom and meet the dad, too. Dad was apparently away from the kennels on stud duties elsewhere! When I was puppy hunting some years ago, I spotted a likely advert on the net and phoned the breeder to ask for more information about the puppies and arrange to go and view them. The reply was dismissive, and I was told that I would have no trouble selling the puppy to someone else as it was super cute and very well-bred! Needless to say, I walked away. Contract Of Sale A reputable breeder usually insists that buyers of their pups sign a formal contract of sale. The report has a list of backyard breeders and puppy mills that have been shut down or sued for malpractice. Final Thoughts I hope you enjoyed our guide to finding the perfect Bernedoodle puppy in Illinois. If you found the article helpful, please remember to share it. If possible, go for a breeder that offers a two-year health guarantee. Did you find a beautiful Bernedoodle through one of the Illinois breeders we featured here? Tell us your story in the comments box below. Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment.

Breeds The link has been copied! When considering the addition of a Goldendoodle to your family, one of the first questions that come to mind is, "How much does a Goldendoodle cost? This comprehensive guide will delve into various aspects influencing a Goldendoodle's price. Additionally, we'll discuss the importance of choosing reputable breeders and provide valuable information on protecting your pup with innovative technology like Fi's GPS-tracking dog collar. By learning about these factors beforehand, prospective Goldendoodle owners can confidently navigate this process while ensuring they bring home a healthy and happy companion. How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost? If you're considering adding a Goldendoodle to your family, it's essential to understand the costs associated with this popular and lovable breed. In addition to the upfront cost of purchasing or adopting a puppy, ongoing expenses like vet visits, vaccinations, grooming services, and pet food need to be considered. The cost of a Goldendoodle puppy can vary, depending on several elements, which will be discussed in further detail later. First, however, it's essential to focus on the purchase price and consider routine costs throughout your dog's life. These may include annual check-ups at the veterinarian's office including vaccinations , monthly heartworm prevention medication, grooming sessions every weeks, and high-quality pet food that meets their nutritional needs. How Much Is a Goldendoodle Puppy? The price of a Goldendoodle puppy can range widely depending on the breeder, its location, and any special features it may have. However, some breeders may charge even higher prices if their puppies come from an exceptional bloodline or have unique traits. Purchasing From Breeders Breeder reputation: Look for reviews online and ask around within local communities or social media groups dedicated to Goldendoodles. Health testing: Reputable breeders will conduct health tests on both parent dogs before breeding them together. Puppy contract: A responsible breeder should provide a written agreement outlining what they guarantee regarding your new pet's health status and other terms related to care after purchase. Finding Adoptable Dogs Through Rescues and Shelters Adopting a Goldendoodle from an animal rescue or refuge can be a great way to give a home to an abandoned pup while saving money. Many organizations specialize in rescuing specific breeds, like the IDOG Rescue , which focuses on finding homes for doodle dogs such as Goldendoodles. Keep in mind that adopting through shelters may require additional time and patience compared to purchasing from breeders since you might have to wait until your desired breed becomes available. However, this option is often more affordable than buying directly from breeders and helps support animal welfare efforts. Factors That Impact the Cost of a Goldendoodle When considering the purchase of a Goldendoodle, it's essential to understand that various factors can impact their cost. Colors The color of a Goldendoodle's coat can significantly influence its price. Rarer coat colors, such as reds and merle goldendoodles , are more expensive than common shades like cream or apricot. While this may not affect the dog's personality or health, many potential owners are willing to pay extra for unique appearances. Dogs with proven lineage from reputable breeders often come at higher prices due to their genetic quality assurance than those without documented ancestry. Breeder Reputation Reputable Breeders: Purchasing your puppy from reputable Goldendoodle breeders ensures you get a healthy dog raised in good conditions. Reputable breeders follow ethical breeding practices by testing parent dogs for genetic disorders and providing proper care during pregnancy and after birth. This level of care comes at a higher cost but provides peace of mind knowing your pup is coming from responsible hands. Puppy Mills and Pet Stores: It's crucial to avoid buying from puppy mills or pet stores, as these establishments prioritize profit over the welfare of their animals. Dogs bred in such conditions often suffer from health issues due to poor breeding practices and inadequate care. While puppies from these sources may have a lower initial cost, they can lead to higher expenses in vet bills later on. We do not recommend buying from a pet store or a puppy mill. Estimated Size The size of your Goldendoodle will also impact its price. Smaller Goldendoodles, like Mini Goldendoodle or Teacup varieties, typically cost more than Standard-sized dogs because they are in higher demand due to their convenient size for apartment living and easier handling by owners with limited space. On the other hand, larger adult Goldendoodles might be less expensive but could require more resources for grooming costs, food consumption, and exercise needs. The Prices of Different Size Goldendoodles Goldendoodles come in various sizes, which can significantly impact their cost. In this section, we will explore the prices of Mini, Teacup, and Standard Goldendoodles to help you understand how size affects the overall price. Mini Goldendoodle Price The Mini Goldendoodle is a popular choice for those who want a smaller dog with all the wonderful qualities of a standard-sized one. These dogs typically weigh between pounds and stand around inches tall at shoulder height. You may also find that some breeders charge more for rarer coat colors or patterns. Teacup Goldendoodle Price If you're looking for an even smaller version of the beloved doodle breed, then consider getting a Teacup Goldendoodle. Weighing only pounds and standing just under 12 inches tall at shoulder height when fully grown makes them perfect pets for people living in apartments or small homes. Keep in mind that caring for teacups might require extra attention compared to larger breeds, so be prepared for additional expenses in the long run. Standard Goldendoodle Price The Standard Goldendoodle is the largest of the three sizes, weighing between pounds and standing around inches tall at shoulder height. These dogs are known for their friendly personalities and low-shedding coats, making them great family pets. It's essential to choose a responsible breeder who prioritizes health testing and ethical breeding practices when purchasing your new furry friend. This innovative device allows you to keep tabs on your dog's location at all times, giving you peace of mind knowing that they are safe. The Fi Smart Collar offers several features that make it an excellent choice for Goldendoodle owners. These include: Real-time tracking: The collar uses advanced GPS technology to provide accurate location data so that you can find your pup quickly if they wander off or gets lost. Fence alerts: You can set up virtual fences around specific areas such as your home and receive notifications if your dog leaves these boundaries. This feature helps prevent them from venturing too far away or into dangerous situations. Durable design: The collar is built with high-quality materials designed to withstand rough play and harsh weather conditions, ensuring long-lasting protection for your pet. Battery life: Boasting a battery life of up to three months between charges, this collar ensures continuous monitoring without frequent interruptions for recharging. In addition to providing security and peace of mind, the Fi Smart Collar also tracks activity levels. It enables you to monitor how much exercise your Goldendoodle gets daily - crucial information, given their energetic nature. Now that you know the cost of owning one, let's look into what makes this breed so special with our next heading: Goldendoodle Breed Guide. Goldendoodle Breed Guide The Goldendoodle is a popular and versatile breed, known for its friendly personality, intelligence, and low-shedding coat. A blend of the Golden Retriever and Poodle breeds, this hybrid pooch presents a great mix of attributes that make it appropriate for various ways of life. Personality Goldendoodles are typically affectionate, social dogs with a gentle temperament. They get along well with children and other pets in the household. Their high level of intelligence makes them easy to train as they quickly pick up on commands and cues from their owners. Moreover, these dogs have an innate desire to please their humans, which further contributes to their trainability. Generally speaking: Miniature Goldendoodles: weigh between pounds kg and stand at about inches cm tall at shoulder height. Standard Goldendoodles: Standard Goldendoodles are larger, weighing between pounds kg and standing at inches cm. Average Lifespan The average lifespan of a healthy Goldendoodle ranges from around 10 to 15 years when provided proper care, including regular vet check-ups , vaccinations, exercise routines, grooming sessions, and a balanced diet. They enjoy activities such as walking, running, swimming, or playing fetch. Providing them with at least 30 minutes of daily exercise is essential for keeping your Goldendoodle happy and healthy. Additionally, engaging in mental stimulation exercises, like puzzle toys or obedience training sessions, can help keep their minds sharp. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The lifetime care costs of owning a Goldendoodle include expenses related to food, grooming, veterinary care including vaccinations , pet insurance if opted for , and accessories like collars and leashes Fi GPS Tracking Dog Collar recommended , among others. How Can I Lower the Cost of a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles can be quite expensive, but there are ways to reduce the cost while still enjoying the companionship of this lovable breed. Adopting vs. Buying From a Breeder Pet adoption websites and local animal shelters often have Goldendoodles available for adoption at significantly lower costs compared to buying from breeders. By adopting, not only do you save money, but you also provide a loving home to an animal in need. Purchasing or Adopting an Older Dog Instead of a Puppy If your heart is set on owning a Goldendoodle, but the price tag seems too steep, consider adopting or purchasing an older dog instead of opting for puppies. Older dogs usually come with lower prices as they might not possess certain desirable traits like specific coat colors or pedigree lineage. Additionally, senior dogs tend to be calmer and require less training than their younger counterparts. Conclusion After considering all the factors that impact the cost of a Goldendoodle, it is safe to say that they can be quite expensive. The price of a Goldendoodle can vary significantly, depending on factors such as size, age, and the breeder's reputation. Additionally, grooming costs and potential health issues should also be taken into account when calculating the actual cost of owning a Goldendoodle. If you're interested in getting a Goldendoodle but want to lower the cost, consider adopting an adult dog or purchasing from reputable breeders with reasonable prices. Investing in pet insurance is essential to ensure that any unforeseen medical costs won't be a burden. If you're ready to welcome a new furry friend into your home and want peace of mind knowing their whereabouts at all times, try Fi's GPS-tracking dog collar today! Be sure to keep tabs on your pup with Fi's GPS collar, which gives you real-time location updates and activity tracking. The link has been copied! You might also like. Before buying or adopting any dog, it pays to do your homework. Knowing where to search for your next dog, what to look for in a reputable breeder, and what you should expect to pay can improve your odds of bringing home a healthy dog at a reasonable cost. Purebred dogs have national breed clubs that provide information about the breed. Though the goldendoodle is a crossbreed, a national organization called the Goldendoodle Association of North America supports responsible breeding and pet ownership. Cost of Adopting a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles occasionally find themselves in need of rescue when people buy puppies from unscrupulous breeders who make unrealistic guarantees, or when new pup parents find themselves unprepared for caring for their goldendoodle. For instance, reputable goldendoodle breeders should never guarantee that a puppy will be 'hypoallergenic' or will not shed. When those adorable goldendoodle puppies start shedding, or when their human has an allergic reaction, the doodle may be in need of a new home. Rescuing an adult goldendoodle is not only a great way to save some money on the purchase price of the dog, but also provides other benefits. Goldendoodle puppies may also end up in rescue occasionally. This adoption fee generally includes the costs of updated vaccines and a spay or neuter surgery, and helps to ensure the organization can continue its lifesaving work. Cost of Buying a Goldendoodle Buying a goldendoodle puppy from a breeder is the most expensive way to acquire a goldendoodle. However, the cost of a puppy varies wildly. Breeders from different states may charge more, and the cost of a larger size goldendoodle may be different than a smaller goldendoodle. Some breeders also charge more for more desirable colors or coat types. Responsible goldendoodle breeders put a lot of money into their breeding programs, which is why their puppies cost a lot. Such breeders purchase or keep high-quality dogs for their breeding programs, perform genetic health screenings on the parents before breeding them, maintain pedigrees and pair dogs thoughtfully to better the breed. Reputable breeders also pursue thorough veterinary care for their adult dogs and puppies, feed high-quality diets, register their litters with the proper organization, and never overbreed their females or breed more puppies than they can responsibly care for. Due to the efforts they put in to produce healthy, high-quality dogs, good breeders usually offer a health guarantee on their puppies. Such breeders may simply breed together any male and female they happen to own and sell the resulting puppies. When a goldendoodle breeder tells you the price of buying a puppy, ask about their breeding program, genetic screening and health guarantees to find out what you are paying for. Additionally, be aware that some pets stores sell goldendoodle puppies along with many other breeds of puppies. It is very difficult to obtain accurate information on breeders who supply to pet stores, and in many cases, animal welfare experts worry about these puppies coming from puppy mills. A puppy mill is often described as a commercial dog breeding operation where the goal is to produce as many puppies as possible without regard for their health and the welfare of the breeding dogs. Both the adult dogs and puppies often have poor health, are exposed to more infectious diseases, and tend to have ongoing health problems in additional to coming from inhumane living conditions. For this reason, it is best to avoid purchasing a puppy if it has a questionable origin. One significant cost to consider for goldendoodles is the cost of professional grooming. Almost all goldendoodles need to have their hair trimmed by a groomer. Some goldendoodles may need grooming once a month; others can go about eight weeks in between haircuts. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. You will need more toys for your dog during its puppy years, particularly for chewing and teething. As your dog ages, you may want to get more challenging toys for mental stimulation, such as interactive toys, robust chew toys, treat-dispensing toys, and more, all of which keep your dog entertained and well-adjusted. If you need professional services like dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, or training, your monthly costs will go up. Puppy obedience classes are recommended for your Goldendoodle puppy, but you can continue training into adulthood to teach your dog skills like advanced obedience, agility, or rally. The most important aspect of your pet budget is health care, including high-quality food. You may also need to treat a chronic health condition, which can add hundreds of dollars each month to your expenses. Other expenses may vary according to your lifestyle and schedule. Dog training is another possible expense if your dog develops behavioral problems that require professional help. You should also consider security deposits if you rent an apartment or home. As your dog ages, some of your expenses may change. Your dog may require special prescription diets, more frequent vet visits, and extra supplies like diapers, potty pads, or mobility aids like ramps. Preventative care is one of the best ways to avoid major expenses in the future. You can cut back on other areas, such as making your own toys instead of buying expensive toys and relying on friends or family to walk your dog during the day rather than a professional walker. Some pet insurance companies offer special coverage for preventative care, alternative treatments, pet boarding, behavioral training, and more. Conclusion Goldendoodles are a highly desirable dog breed, but they can be expensive. There are many optional expenses, such as pet sitting or boarding , training, and pet insurance , to consider before bringing your pup home. At their best, they are intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. They come in three sizes: miniature weighing 15 to 30 pounds , medium 30 to 45 pounds , and standard 45 to more than pounds. Because they are a cross breed, their traits are not fixed, so there is not a guarantee that the Goldendoodle puppy you purchase will fall into the desired weight range. The Goldendoodle is intelligent, friendly, and family oriented. It is a highly social dog. Goldendoodles tend to follow their nose wherever it leads, so a fenced-in yard is recommended. They are always ready for a game; most Goldendoodles retain the natural retrieving instincts of the Golden Retriever. Goldendoodles do not bark frequently. History Less - In the s, breeders in both North America and Australia began crossing golden retrievers with standard poodles. The original purpose of the cross was to attempt to develop guide dogs suitable for visually impaired individuals with allergies. The goldendoodle is sometimes called a designer dog. The Encyclopedia Britannica traces the term "designer dog" to the late 20th century, when breeders began to cross purebred poodles with other purebred breeds in order to obtain a dog with the poodle's non-shedding coat, along with various desirable characteristics from other breeds.

Listed here are some tips to help your dog through the harsh winter. Keep your GSD well-groomed and brushed. Keep them indoors when the temperature is frigid outside. If your dog lives outside, consider investing in an insulated dog house with a sloped roof and raised floor. A sloped roof helps prevent the water from seeping inside the house, while a sloped floor helps to shield your dog from chilly ground. Plus, depending on how extreme the weather is, you may also need to attach a heater to the dog house. Provide warm beddings. Give your dog a cozy blanket to snuggle up to in their bed. It will be helpful to shape the blanket like a donut so that your dog can nest down inside the blanket comfortably. If your dog needs more heat, you can also consider inserting heated dog pads inside their house. Make sure they have constant access to plenty of fresh water to drink from. Just like their hoomans, dogs can become hydrated in cold weather. Increase their food intake. You should feed your dog more foods, preferably foods high in protein, to keep them warm during cold months. Get them some clothes. Additional clothing, such as a sweater or coat, can be beneficial, especially to puppies or geriatric dogs, to limit their exposure to extreme temperature. Get them some boots. Dry them thoroughly. When they return from a walk, in addition to wiping off their paws, be sure to towel dry them as much as possible, and if needed, use a hairdryer as well. Avoid bathing. In the winter, try to avoid bathing more than once every two weeks. For in-between bathing, you can use waterless pet shampoo to keep your dog looking sharp and smelling good. When bathing your dog, do it in enclosed and warm places like a garage, and dry them off thoroughly after. Leaving your dog unattended in a car for too long on a cold day can wind him up in potentially cold-related issues like hypothermia. Please note that the combination of fainting, sudden lethargy, and blue gums and tongue are serious indications of hypothermia. In the meantime, do the following first aid steps: Step 1: dry them up with a towel and hair dryer. Step 2: bundle them up in thick blankets. Step 3: place a hot water bottle in their belly. Step 4: monitor their temperature. Step 5: continue monitoring their temperature. Once their body temperature returns to normal, you can remove the hot water bottle but keep them bundled up. Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd. Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. Here is my recommendation for the best dog food for German Shepherds. Leash: A leash is a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With a good leash, you can give your dog the freedom they need while keeping them safe and under control. Here are my top picks for the best leashes for German Shepherds. A harness that is improperly fitted or used can cause serious injury to your dog. Read my review of the best harnesses for German Shepherds here. Different bowls serve different purposes, and the bowl that you need will depend on a number of factors. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here. There are a ton of different factors to consider when choosing a crate. Beds: German Shepherds need a bed that is comfortable, supportive, and durable. This breed is known for being high energy, so you need a bed that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. House: It can be tough to find the best dog house for German Shepherds. Shampoo: You want to find a shampoo that is specifically designed for German Shepherds. This breed has a lot of furs, and you need a shampoo that will be gentle on their skin and coat. Shock Collar: A shock collar is a training tool that can be used on German Shepherds. It delivers an electric shock to the dog when they exhibit certain behaviors. While some people are against the use of shock collars, I believe that they can be helpful in certain situations. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here. Vacuum: If you have a German Shepherd, you need a vacuum that is specifically designed to deal with all of the furs they shed. Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be hard to keep up with. The right vacuum will make your life much easier. Related posts:. German Shepherds have a double coat, with a dense undercoat and a coarser outer coat, which provides them with some insulation against cold weather. But how cold is too cold, and can your German Shepherd live outside? We answer both those questions and more here. While German Shepherds can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, they can get cold just like people can. Shaking and shivering are tell-tale signs, and if your dog is exhibiting these signs, they need to come inside to warm up. That said, you might be surprised how long your dog can stay out in the cold before they need to come inside! However, they should always have access to shelter and water to keep them happy and healthy. The shelter should be insulated and protect them from the elements, and that includes both the rain and wind. Finally, you still need to spend time with your German Shepherd, even if they are outside most of the day. We also recommend having more than one dog because this will give them more companionship while outside. German Shepherds have two insulating coats, which is a big reason that they do well in colder environments. For starters, they need access to housing and insulation. Their shelter needs to protect them from rain, wind, and anything else that the great outdoors can throw at them. Wind and rain quickly lower how much your German Shepherd can handle being outside. They need to have a way to escape the weather if it gets too cold. Of course, this can be your home, but it also can be a shelter for them outside. The important part is that your German Shepherd can access whatever they need when they need it. Rather, their coat acts as insulation. During the summer months, it keeps your dog cool, and during the winter months, it keeps them warm. Working Dogs vs. Pets Whether you should house your German Shepherd outside comes down to one important factor: if you want a working dog or a pet. Still, since German Shepherds are extremely social animals, we highly recommend getting more than one dog and spending time with them even if they are a working dog. Keep in mind that this area should not include their shelter. So, if their shelter takes up square feet, their entire area should take up at least 4, square feet. Use common sense and keep an eye on your pup. Featured Image Credit: adamikarl, Shutterstock Contents. Yes, German shepherds get cold. Because of the way they are built accompanying their thick double coats, German shepherds tolerate lower temperatures easier than other breeds. A German shepherd can tolerate chilly temperatures for a long time or freezing temperatures for a short period. We Recommend The coat will keep your dog warm and cozy, so that they can play outside or sleep comfortably throughout the day even in freezing weather. A Sable German shepherd has longer and fluffier hair than the average German shepherd , which will be able to withstand colder temperatures easier. On the other hand, like most breeds, they can also become acclimated rather quickly to the changing seasons. Age Due to their body mass and size, puppies cannot tolerate cold temperatures like adults. On the other hand, a senior german shepherd temperature will not withstand cold weather as easily as an adult because they cannot regulate their temperature as they age. During these conditions, your German shepherd should avoid going outside as much as possible to decrease the risks of hypothermia and getting sick. Overall Health If your German shepherd eats a well-balanced diet and generally stays healthy, it will be able to withstand cold temperatures longer, however, if your dog is sick or has a health condition. German shepherds are very capable of coping with extreme weather conditions based on their muscle metabolism, paw-blood circulation, energy level, and body structure. Thin and Dense Double Coat German shepherds with shorter hair tend to have a thin layer of fur as their undercoat. Their undercoat functions perform well in extreme cold and hot temperatures. Muscle Metabolism German shepherds can manage their body heat well due to their high muscle mass. Muscle mass maintains high metabolic rates, which allows for an overall high body temperature. Paw Blood Circulation German shepherd paws develop a large amount of blood supply which helps them with circulation. Their heavy padded paws are why they can tolerate walking on sweltering pavement and in the freezing snow. Although they may seem like they have loads of energy playing in the snow or running around the yard, they may not realize they are cold. Pay close attention to their body language. Instead, allow them to get used to the cold with small doses every time you go out with them. Burrowing — is not just a playful method to increase activity. Stress signs — barking, whining , and even howling mean that your dog is showing signs of anxiety. Hunched back or tucked tail — usually happens after they have made attempts to get warm and failed. If your GSD stays out any longer in the cold, they will get sick and develop hypothermia. Pale or Bluish gums — a definite sign of hypothermia. Signs of Hypothermia include: Fur and skin are frozen to the touch Sleepy or lethargic behavior Body temperature lower than 95F Slowed heart rate Labored breathing and trouble walking Sometimes coma While signs of hypothermia may not be present immediately, you should always watch your dog after being out in the cold. The best thing you can do if you suspect your dog has hypothermia is to use warm blankets that just come out of the dryer and place hot-water bottles in and around their bedding. Call a vet immediately after you have warmed them and seek professional guidance. Never put hot-water bottles directly on your pet as you may risk burning them. Coats are best for senior dogs, sick dogs, and puppies. You might also consider buying durable dog boots. Keep walks shorter and ensure your home is warm for when you get back. During bathroom breaks, keep their fur dry as soon as they come inside. Here are some common questions asked by other German shepherd owners. Do German Shepherds Like the Cold? Do German Shepherds Like Snow? Yes, German shepherds love snow. A German shepherd in the snow is like a toddler at a candy store. What is the Perfect Temperature for a German Shepherd? In the summer, temperatures above 95F are too hot. Can German Shepherds Live Outside? Even though the German shepherds are very affectionate and family-oriented dogs, they can surely live outside. Especially if the shelter is provided to keep them safe from windchill and other weather conditions. After ten to fifteen minutes in below-freezing temperatures, your German shepherd should come inside to get warmed back up. The best way to tell whether your dog is managing is by paying attention to their body language. German shepherds are drawn to warmth like humans , so it can be irresistible not to want to curl up in front of a hot burning fireplace. However, fireplaces are dangerous and can cause burns at an unsafe distance. Keep your GSD at least five feet away from the fireplace at all times. Does a GSD have a low surface area? Yes, the GSDs have a low surface area. It means that they lose less heat through their skin. German shepherds are large breeds with a fairly regulated internal heat system. Their paws circulate blood the most, which helps as it will either help them stay cool or warm during sweltering and cold weather. Also, take note of the conditions the weather has outside. Recommended Gear for German Shepherds. Breed Info One of the reasons why German Shepherds became among the most popular breeds in the world is that they can tolerate all sorts of climates. In fact, early GSDs were bred to herd sheep even in intensely cold weather. Do German Shepherds Get Cold? Just like any other breed, German Shepherds do get cold. But thanks to their robust bodies and double coats, they tolerate low temperatures better than most breeds. In fact, many GSDs love playing in snow. Whereas, the outer coat act as guard hairs to repel moisture and keep the cold from reaching the body. It is important to note, however, that the density of undercoats differ between individual dogs. Body Structure German Shepherds have robust bodies that allow them to stay comfortable in low temperatures. They have a good ratio of muscle and fat to keep their vital organs insulated. Additionally, dogs in general have a remarkable paw structure, which features a network of blood vessels that ensures blood is warmed up before it is pumped back throughout the rest of the body. Additionally, many GSDs will instinctively engage in physical activity when the weather gets cold in an effort to keep their bodies warm. How cold is too cold for a German Shepherd to be outside? Besides, they benefit tremendously from the physical and mental stimulation. There are several factors that could make your German Shepherd less tolerant of the cold. These include: Age German Shepherd puppies have not had the chance to develop their robust bodies and lush coats, and so will have a lower tolerance for frosty weather. Health If your dog is malnourished or has an underlying health condition, they might not have enough fat and flesh to insulate their vital organs. It might not take much to make them feel too cold. Undercoat Not all GSDs have thick or woolly coats. Dampness Guard hairs can only do so much. Ways to Tell if Your Dog is Cold The more time you spend bonding with your dog, the better connection you have. When dogs shiver, their muscles use stored energy to create small involuntary movements in an effort to generate warmth. Needing to Curl Up At the onset of cold weather, many dogs will try to become more active to keep their bodies warm. But eventually, they will instinctively try to preserve their energy and keep warm by curling up. They do so by burrowing or nesting, ideally in proper beddings. Even when standing, they will try to preserve body heat by hunching their back and tucking their tail in. Showing Signs of Stress When they become uncomfortable in the cold, dogs will exhibit signs of anxiety. German Shepherds are particularly vocal, so they might howl , bark , and whine. Lethargy As their bodies focus on keeping their vital organs warm, dogs often become lethargic when they feel too cold. This might be accompanied by dilated pupils. Ways to Keep Your Dog Warm in Colder Weather As winter approaches, a good rule of thumb is to keep your dog indoors unless supervised for potty and play. Generally, these are what you need to keep them safe and comfortable in cold weather: Keep them indoors. The most important thing to keep your dog safe in frigid temperatures is to let them stay indoors. Always make sure they have proper shelter than protects them from snow, wind, and rain. Ensure access to fresh water. Proper hydration will help your dog tolerate the chilly weather. Provide proper beddings. Give your dog thicker blankets so they can bundle up when they want to. You can even roll the blankets up and shape them in a circle so your dog can nest. An elevated bed keeps their body further away from the cold as they sleep. Increase their food servings. Just being in frosty weather makes your dog use up more energy. So, feed them more food to keep their bodies from using their fat and muscle stores for energy. Protect their paws. Additionally, if you have a long-coated GSD, make sure you keep their paws trimmed short since their fur can soak up dampness from the ground and make them more susceptible to hypothermia. Get some clothes. Dog clothes are generally unnecessary for GSDs unless temperatures reach critically low levels or your dog is particularly sensitive to the cold. In those cases, additional insulation through dog sweaters or vests will be helpful. Avoid bathing. Instead, brush them often to remove dirt and debris, remove loose hair, and keep their skin and coat healthy. What to do if you Suspect your Dog has Hypothermia Hypothermia is a serious condition caused by exposure to low temperatures. It could lead to heart failure, comatose, or even death. If a vet is not immediately available, take the following steps: Step 1: Dry them up. Soak up what you can with a towel and use a hairdryer to dry them up and give them warmth at the same time. Step 2: Keep them warm. Step 3: Check their temperature. Otherwise, watch them closely as they warm up. Step 4: Monitor their progress. Check their temperature every 10 minutes. As soon as their body temperature returns to normal, you can remove the heat but keep them bundled up. Final Thoughts The bodies of German Shepherds are built to tolerate the cold much better than other breeds. However, they do still feel cold and excessive exposure to low temperatures still poses severe danger. Generally tired with low energy A dry nose and gums Loss of skin elasticity If you take your dog inside and these symptoms or behaviors do not improve quickly, then you need to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Intervention at this stage is critical to avoid a potentially life-threatening issue. Note on skin elasticity According to dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinarian for the AKC, skin elasticity is probably the easiest way to check if your dog is dehydrated. Watch carefully as it falls back into place. In well-hydrated dogs, the skin instantly will spring back to its original position. T he skin of dehydrated dogs, on the other hand, will take longer to fall back into place. Always make sure that your dog has a clean supply of fresh water at all times. Though as a general rule, dogs should drink about an ounce of water per pound of their body weight per day. Additionally, make sure that your dog always has access to shade. Just like you seek out shade on a hot day, so does your dog. A dog kept in the hot sun without access to shade can quickly overheat and begin to dehydrate. However, this aspect of grooming a GSD is often misunderstood. Similar to an insulated home, it actually traps cool air and keeps it in. So, do not be overly eager when brushing your GSD. Take care to lightly brush your GSD and remove only the hair that is already shedding on its own. Removing more hair than that will disrupt its natural layering and may cause your GSD to become too hot. Cold weather All of my German Shepherds have loved the snow. You may have experienced that they love to chase snowballs and just romp around having a good time. But in this instance, I still keep a close eye on them because even though the air temperature is warm, they are still walking on the frozen ground and the pads on their paws are still susceptible to freezing on ice and snow. This is different for dogs that are acclimated to the cold weather. Typically, German Shepherds, once acclimated, can stay outside in very cold weather for long periods of time. But if you have a mostly inside dog during the winter, it is the sudden change in temperature that you need to be careful of. So use your common sense, consider how much time your dog does spend outside, keep an eye on your dog and adjust accordingly. Bringing your dog inside from the cold After a walk in the snow, it is good practice to thoroughly dry off your dog when it returns inside. Not only does that lessen the smell of a wet dog, it also protects your dog from a few potential hazards which you may not have occurred to you. While your dog is walking, especially if you live in a city, it can step on a number of things that are harmful to it. And since dogs have a tendency to lick their paws, they can ingest these things. Frostbite Just like you, your dog can get hypothermia or frostbite. Be aware if your dog is experiencing frostbite. It can actually take several days before there is any clear indication of frostbite. At that time, the frostbitten area may become inflamed and painful to your dog. So check on these frequently. It is also a good idea to trim the hair between its pads. Cold weather and cars Just like you would never leave your dog in a hot car during the summer time, the same goes for leaving your dog in the car during winter. In cold temperatures, your car is basically a refrigerator. Be aware of this, and do not leave your dog in the car on a cold day for an extended period of time. This is because snow and ice will mask the scents that your dog is used to following to find its way back home. This happens to many dogs each winter. So in addition to keeping your dog on a leash during walks, make sure that it has a snug-fitting collar with the proper identification tags in case your dog does become separated from you. Feeding considerations Staying warm burns calories. So be aware of this, and make sure that your dog is getting a high-quality diet in the proper amounts. You may need to increase how much you feed your dog during the winter if it spends a fair amount of time outside. If you are unsure of exactly how much your dog should be eating, consult with your veterinarian, as each dog has its own individual requirements. Puppies If you are dealing with a puppy during hot and cold weather, keep in mind that they are not as developed as their full-grown counterparts. Because of this, they will be much less tolerant of heat or cold. Afford your puppy the same considerations that you would to a child in these circumstances. The key being to not overdo it in any one area with your puppy — spend less time in the heat, spend less time in the cold, be extra attentive to any signs of distress. And if possible, make sure that your puppy lives indoors. While a GSD can live outdoors, it is not recommended at a young age. An outdoor puppy is at a much higher risk to develop an illness or be adversely affected by extremes in weather. Final thoughts Although GSDs can live and thrive in just about any weather, your dog still needs all of the basics like food, water, and shelter. Especially if you live in an area that experiences extremes in weather. Treat your GSD with the same consideration that you would a person whom you deeply care about — because your dog most certainly cares about you, and it deserves as much love back from you as it gives to you. What naturally prepares your Shepherd for cold weather? Your German Shepherd has a few characteristics and instinctual behaviors that will help keep her warm. Shepherds have a thick double-coat. Most German Shepherds have a medium-length outer layer of guard hairs with a thick fleecy undercoat. Their outer coat is dense and the stiff hairs usually lie flat. Orvis News points out this coarseness also means the coat has a water-repellant quality. Its purpose is insulation, and it serves GSDs in both hot and cold weather. In the frigid cold, the undercoat is further insurance that body heat does not escape. You should note that German Shepherds can have three varieties of coat lengths in addition to the standard plush. Short outer coat with a normal thick undercoat. Long-haired with an undercoat — These dogs also have feathering which consists of tufts on the ears and pants on the hind legs. Their hair will be much thicker in appearance than other feathered breeds like the Golden Retriever. Long-haired dog with no undercoat A German Shepherd has a low surface area. Animals living in colder climates often have a larger body mass than those who do not. Have you ever wondered why a Chihuahua struggles to stay warm at 45 degrees Fahrenheit while a Labrador seems in Paradise? It is not solely because of their coat. Large-breed dogs have less surface area over which heat can escape. Per the AKC , the breed standard for the German Shepherd calls for a height of 22 to 26 inches at the top of the shoulders and a weight of 50 to 90 pounds. As you probably know, many Shepherds are much larger than the breed standard. Muscles keep your dog warm. Although not as buff as a Staffordshire Terrier or Bull Mastiff, your Shepherd has great muscling under his fur. Muscles generate heat through metabolism and as a last resort through effective shivering. Dogs have special attributes to keep warm. According to Dog Discoveries , all dogs have basic traits and behaviors to stay warm when it is cold out. Your German Shepherd is better adapted than some other breeds. Bushy tail to cover face when sleeping — Dogs will often sleep in a curled position to minimize heat loss and GSDs have exceptionally bushy tails to keep nose and eyes warm. Piloerection — When your German Shepherd puffs up, her guard hairs and undercoat trap cold air away from her skin and body. A German Shepherd in his prime can handle temperatures 20 degrees Fahrenheit fairly easily. He can tolerate temperatures even as low as to degrees Fahrenheit for short periods and as long as he stays dry. Some Shepherds should not be exposed to extremely cold temperatures because of their decreased ability to cope. Puppies — Very young dogs are small, lack muscle mass, have minimal body fat, do not have a proper fur coat, and have underdeveloped temperature regulation centers in the brain. They cannot shiver effectively and have a large surface-area-to-body-volume ratio. Senior dogs — Aging dogs lose muscle mass and immune functions and sometimes their hair. Do not subject elder dogs to extremes in temperature for long periods. Sick dogs — Dealing with the energy needs of an illness, especially chronic, prevents your German Shepherd from handling cold weather effectively. Chronic illness may lead to loss of muscle and fat. Dogs without an undercoat — If your dog does not have an undercoat, avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing, regardless of his coat length. Dogs lacking condition — Dogs who are malnourished or suffering from another cause of weight loss do not have the energy stores to cope when it is exceedingly cold outside. Even a balmy 45 degrees Fahrenheit may be too cold for them. What do you need to provide your dog when it is cold? Have you acclimated your dog to cold weather? Even if your dog is accustomed to staying outdoors in all conditions for eight to 12 hours, she needs basic amenities. Not only is it the law in many areas, but it ensures her comfort and well-being. Freshwater — Although it seems common sense, water provides the hydration necessary for all metabolic processes, including staying warm. Shelter — Your German Shepherd needs shelter from the wind. A doghouse will also protect from rain, sleet, and snow, and provides additional insulation. Digital Marketing Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you decided to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Every dog has a different tolerance for the cold. Read on to find out more. Long-haired GSDs can withstand even colder temperatures. Yet, factors like age, health conditions, activity level, and weight may also affect their ability to stand the cold weather. Unlike some breeds who were bred to live and sleep in the snow, like Sebastian Huskies, Saint Bernards, and Malamutes, German Shepherds were bred to live and work with people and livestock. The fact is, the German Shepherd is a breed of dog that has a double coat. This means that there are two layers of fur. Their outer coat is long and coarse, and it is there to protect the dog against snow and ice. The undercoat is thick and soft, and it insulates the dog against cold in the winter as well as heat in the summer. Many owners have shared that their GSDs literally love the snow. Their pooches were fine even after being out in the snow for one to two hours. And when they are cold, they will come inside. Depending on their coat length, age, weight, lifestyle, and diet, German Shepherds will do alright even below zero, as long as they are on the move and are not left outside for a prolonged period of time. How cold is too cold for your German Shepherd? If the temperature gets too far below, your dog will have trouble regulating its temperature. However, there are a few exceptions to this. For example, if your pup is a long-haired German Shepherd with a thick fur coat, eats a healthy diet, or is muscular, he may be able to withstand even lower temperatures. How long can your German Shepherd stay in below zero temperature? Your GSD can go outside for 15 to 20 minutes at below-freezing temperatures for potty breaks. All dogs also have ways to retain heat. For one, their bushy tail can be used to cover the face and keep it warm while sleeping. Also, as a German Shepherd curls up, he retains heat better while sleeping. Raising the coat hairs also helps to trap heat and keep the body warm. These factors include: Age German Shepherd puppies have a thin fur coat that makes winter very hard on them. Their muscles are also underdeveloped, making it hard to regulate body heat well. Feeding your puppy a highly nutritious diet and giving them a warm coat can help them stay warm during winter. On the other hand, older dogs may also have trouble regulating their body heat as well. Over time, older dogs lose their hair and muscles, and their immune systems may dwindle as they age. It is usually best to not take a senior German Shepherd into the severe cold too often. In case you live in an area with a very cold winter, you may keep your young or old dog warm with a vest while going outside. Activity Level If a German Shepherd is highly active and always on the move, he can keep himself warm on a chilly day just by staying busy. This should not be a problem if your dog is healthy. They can run for at least several hours a day for sure. This is a dog who is bred to go all day regardless of the temperature, and all that activity helps to keep your Shepherd warm. Weight If your German Shepherd is slim and seems to be losing weight, this means he may not have enough muscle and body fat to keep him warm. Both of these are important to maintain heat. In really cold weather conditions, the body fat can be converted to extra energy to keep your pup warm. Protein from meat and salmon is a calorie-dense nutrient. And many of the high-protein diets are extremely high in calories and can lead to being overweight. Health conditions If your dog eats a balanced diet and has enough physical and mental stimulation during the day, he is a happy and healthy dog that can stay active to keep himself warm in cold weather. However, when your dog is sick, their bodies automatically take extra energy and direct it toward healing. This leaves very little energy left to help the dog stay warm. This is why it is best to keep any sick German Shepherds inside where it is nice and warm. What to look for when your dog reacts to colder temperatures? Again, not all German Shepherds have the same ability to regulate their body heat temperatures, and they may struggle with colder temperatures. If it seems like your dog is shivering when it gets colder, you need to keep them inside or give them some added layers of protection. Simple cold-weather caring tips for dogs You may assume that your Shepherd will be able to handle the cold with no problem. However, even if your dog seems to be having a great time in the snow, there are some things that you can do to make it safer and easier for them: Paw Balm Paw balm has been used throughout history to protect the paws of dogs who have to track over ice and snow. The formula even includes vitamin E to heal any wounds as well as keep the paws healthy. It can protect them from ice, snow, and salt. Key Benefits: Premium paw balm helps to protect and soothe cracked pads and paws. Moisturizing formula made from premium ingredients. Safe, non-toxic, natural protection includes white beeswax, yellow beeswax and coconut. Easy to apply and you can reapply as needed. Made in the USA.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. German Shepherd feet come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and even have their own set of paw problems. The SV standards state that the German Shepherd paws are rounded, short, well-closed and arched. The pads are very hard, but not chapped or too rough. The nails are dark, short, and strong. Dewclaws may appear sometimes on the hind legs and are removed during the first few days after birth. Nails are short and dark. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed, but are normally left on and accepted. The dewclaws, if any, should be removed from the hind legs. Pads well-cushioned and durable. With short nails, strong and dark in color. Dewclaws are removed from the hindlegs. German Shepherd paws come in three basic shapes: cat shape hare shape webbed feet Each shape is suited to particular tasks and ground. Cat feet The cat-shaped foot is small and has a compact, round form. It is built for balance, endurance, and strength. Hare feet While the cat-shaped foot is compact, a hare-footed dog has two elongated central toes that project out from the rest of the paw. This style of foot is intended for speed and quick movement, especially out of a relaxing position. The elongated toes help propel the body forward with quickness and agility, much like the feet of hares or rabbits. Dog breeds with hare feet include the Whippet, Greyhound, and Borzoi. Webbed feet Webbed footed dogs are those built for swimming, but they are similarily proficient on land and especially boggy or slippery surfaces. Many hunting breeds have webbed feet, for example, the Weimaraner, Portuguese Water Dog, and Labrador Retriever which are all hunting breeds. These German Shepherds have long middle toes hare feet shape and the feet on the right have thick pads. These pads provide them with extra cushioning to protect their bones and joints from the shock of running. The pads also provide insulation from weather extremes and aid in walking on rough surfaces like concrete, rocky ground, or asphalt. The Purpose of the Paw The paw pad is made of keratin, collagen, and fatty tissues to serve a number of useful functions. And the pad supports a GSD with balance, decreasing speed, and quick stopping. Here we see the underside of the paw and the dark paw pad. This is a normal, healthy paw pad. Notice the roughed skin? The thick, coarse tissues that form the paw pads do not freeze as quickly or easily as normal skin, so they are able to withstand freezing temperatures for longer periods but only when necessary. The paws are covered in thick, tough skin that feels like sandpaper when rubbed against the grain of their skin. For working breeds, like the German Shepherd Dog, or dogs that spend much of their time outdoors or on rough ground, the paw pads become calloused and coarse. As the dog develops, their paw pads also become highly perceptive and flexible to the ground beneath their feet, which is why you rarely see a German Shepherd lose their footing and slip. Some owners state their German Shepherd has long feet and long toes, for example, the hare foot type we discussed earlier. Furthermore, each type of foot style gives the German Shepherd an advantage. Take a look at these different feet types. The breed information tells us that shorter, more compact feet are the Standard for German Shepherd Dogs, as this foot type provides the dog with better stability and a strong foundation for athletic abilities. Even the smallest cut or tiniest bit of debris can create a large problem for your dog. Here are a few tips for daily foot care and maintenance that are easy and prevent major foot problems from developing. Trim their nail regularly. Coat Hair Trim Some German Shepherds have longer coats and foot hair that sticks out between the toes. Shorter fur is less likely to collect stickers and rocks. Check Between the Toes Check between the toes for any debris, such as rocks, caked-on mud or twigs. Any debris stuck in the toe area can cause discomfort or skin irritation. Remove the debris with a warm cloth and soapy water. Reapply, especially after walking in the snow, on the blacktop, or rocky ground. First Aid Treatment Have supplies on hand for any minor first aid treatment. Wounds, cuts, and abrasions smaller than half an inch are generally treated at home with a mild antibacterial cleanser and a wrap. And taking care of their paws is a routine and easy task that you can do daily. Common causes of foot sensitivity include: running too often on hard or hot surfaces, unclipped fur between the toe pads which snags irritating objects, and overgrown, painful nails. You can prevent paw sensitivity by taking simple precautions. That means YOU are responsible for their feet and you must stay alert to problems before they need serious medical attention. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Depending on their genetics, diet, and environment, among a variety of other things, German Shepherds will be around 71 to 90 pounds. I used to have my dog checked over every month as a puppy. Suppose you are feeding your GSD dry kibble. To learn more about this topic, check out this article, Do German Shepherds need large breed food? However, for the most part, large paws mean that your dog will be higher in weight and height. This is simply because your larger-sized dog — such as a German Shepherd — needs paws that are large enough to support him. They would look ridiculous, right? Could you also imagine Chihuahua-sized feet on your German Shepherd puppy? I guess not — he would be falling all over the place! Dogs can grow at different speeds, and sometimes their paws may look disproportionate. Certainly not, as he may be about to go through a significant growth spurt. My female German Shepherd is a classic example of this. As an adult, she weighs a massive 88 pounds, and she is exceptionally tall, standing at 27 inches — she is therefore nicely proportioned. However, as you can see from the below pictures, her paws at both 8 and 11 weeks certainly do not appear overly big! At this time, they should be more proportionate and may give a bit more accuracy. Other Ways to Indicate Adult Size and Weight A straightforward way to predict how big your German Shepherd will be is to double his size once he has hit the week mark. Of course, your German Shepherd could be a bit larger than that actual calculation, seeing how many of them continue growing at a slower rate — between 18 months and sometimes up to 2 years old. Here are a few tips and tricks for guessing how big your German Shepherd puppy will end up as an adult: Look at the mom and dad. Even then, the puppy may end up with smaller-sized paws. Paws should not be the only thing to look at as an indicator of height and weight. Look at the skin and how loose it is. Generally, a puppy that has a lot of excess loose skin will have more room to grow. So, if your German Shepherd is a bit on the saggy side, it simply means he will be able to grow into his skin. Lots of loose skin can certainly mean you will have a larger German Shepherd. Use a calculator. They will ask a few simple questions, such as type of breed, how old they are, and how much they weighed at birth. So, are any of these methods accurate? You will need to go to the final paragraph to find the answer! Other Puppy Proportions Some breeds have pretty different proportions. At three months, the corgi pup weighs around 15 pounds. Then, at one year, they are about 25 pounds. These proportions are attributed to their short legs! The Corgi puppy has a lot less body to grow into than a German Shepherd puppy and a lot less leg, too! Because German Shepherds grow very quickly, their paws must adapt early to support them in their growth journey. Final Thoughts German Shepherd puppies have big paws because they are necessary to support this large breed as they grow older. You will need to use a combination of different methods to obtain a better estimate of how large your German Shepherd puppy will eventually be. Do webbed paws offer an advantage? According to Daily Dog Stuff , webbed paws do offer dogs advantages. The webbing creates a larger surface area to paddle through the water, which similarly to a kayak paddle, helps a dog make the most of every stroke. Webbed paws also help dogs navigate through muddy terrain better, as the webbing can help prevent their paws from sinking into the mud. Webbing also allows dogs to dig more effectively. Do webbed paws create any unique medical concerns? Dogs may get yeast or bacterial infections in the folds and creases between their paw pads. If a dog spends a lot of time in water and their paws are not dried off, the moisture that remains between the paw pads can cause the bacteria that naturally reside on their skin to overpopulate, causing an uncomfortable infection. Dogs with webbed paws have a higher chance of getting a paw infection, as the webbing causes their paws to stay wet longer and reduces the airflow between the paw pads, creating an environment that bacteria like to grow in. If your German Shepherd has webbed paws, be sure to clean them out regularly by moistening a paper towel or washcloth and cleaning between each paw pad, then drying out each section with a dry towel after. According to Veterinary Expert , the medical term for a paw infection is Pododermatitis. Upon inspection of an infected paw, owners will observe symptoms such as redness, swelling, bleeding, debris dirt that needs to be cleaned out, or a foreign object that has stuck into the paw , and odors. If you notice your dog exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms Dr. Patty Kuhly of Vet Street recommends scheduling a veterinary appointment for your dog to be examined promptly. Pododermatitis is usually very simple to diagnose and treat. To help prevent your dog from having Pododermatitis, have a towel ready to dry their paws after they swim or spend time in moist conditions, such as playing in the snow, or hiking in muddy terrain. Summary The American Kennel Club breed standard of the German Shepherd does not include webbed feet in the official description.

View All Articles in Training When to Start Training Your Pup While training may not be the first thing you think about when collecting your cute new bundle of floof from the breeder, it should certainly be up there on your priority list. Chances are, if you picked a good facility, your puppy will already have a leg up on the training ladder. Either way, the very best way to quickly make your new pet feel at home is to establish the boundaries of their behavior in a firm but fair manner. Take them outside to pee frequently and praise them when they do what you want them to do, but never punish any accidents. Every dog learns at their own speed, and training takes patience. Yet, the rules need to be in place from day one. If you let your pooch sleep on your bed one day but banish them from the bedroom the next, they are going to end up very confused. Routines that are established in these first few weeks will stick with your Berne. After all, these super-intelligent dogs learn fast. Compared with more excited, energetic Doodles, they can be a breeze to handle if you pick the right teaching method. Here are four of the best as recommended by canine experts: Positive Reinforcement Early ideas on dog training focused heavily on the owner asserting dominance over their pet through positive punishment shouting, hitting, and hurting. We have moved far away from these today. Such treatment often backfires, creating an anxious, aggressive dog that is liable to lash out when provoked. Now, most trainers make use of positive reinforcement methods. Instead of reacting to unwanted behaviors, they focus on rewarding the wanted ones. They do this through the use of attention, praise, toys, and treats. The idea is that if the dog associates a particular behavior with a reward, they are more likely to repeat that behavior. A potential issue with this technique is that sometimes bad behavior is its own reward. Say your dog likes to steal food from the counter or escape from the garden. In these instances, a negative punishment removing a favorite toy, treat, or simply your attention is recommended to let them know this is not acceptable. Clicker Training Based on the same principles as positive reinforcement, clicker training is the method most often utilized by doggy trainers. Secondly, it can be used at the exact moment your pup displays the wanted action. In this way, the positive behavior is very clearly marked. Of course, with this method, you first have to train your pal to associate the clicker with a future reward. Do this by encouraging them to obey a command they are already familiar with, using the clicker, and promptly feeding them a treat. With time a link will form between the two. Eventually, the clicker may even become the reward itself — the signal of a job well done for your dog. This desire to mimic as a way of pleasing the leader is a natural behavior among pack animals in the wild. They are given the freedom to engage in dog-like behaviors within reason. Training often occurs off the leash and focuses on promoting actions associated with hunting, defending, and retrieving. Socialization plays a crucial role in mirror training. Owners are encouraged to include their pooch in all aspects of their lives so as to build a strong bond with them. Getting out and about with other dogs is also vital. Pack-animal mentality means that positive behaviors are also acquired this way. Relationship-Based Training As the name suggests, relationship-based training is also highly focused on the bond between pet and owner. The idea is that any training built on a solid and trusting relationship is likely to be far more effective. You are looking to learn everything you can about your pup and their specific needs. The aim is to be in tune with their emotions, be able to accurately interpret their body language, and understand what motivates them. Positive reinforcement methods are then used to shape behavior. At the same time, the environment is closely controlled to set the dog up for success. So, for instance, you try not to leave temptation in their way if it can be avoided. This training takes a little longer than other kinds but can offer more success in the long run. Training Items You Absolutely Need for Your Doodle Depending on the method you opt for, you will need a few tools to guarantee success. For instance, with each one, you will require reward items such as treats and toys. Here are some toys that will work for Bernies. Aside from that, you will want a good quality collar or harness and leash for outside training. Opt for a harness if your puppy likes to pull. These are generally better for bigger, more powerful dogs such as Bernedoodles, anyway, as they give you a little more control. Many owners also choose to crate train their pup. This has a number of advantages, including giving your dog a place that is all theirs, a place where they can feel safe and secure. Check out our dedicated articles on leash training and crate training for more specific advice on each one. However, it also increases the likelihood of them snatching food from tables and counters if not closely supervised. When they obey, offer pets and praise, and they will soon get the hang of it. Avoid mixed messages by never feeding your pup from the table. Jumping While Bernedoodles tend to be cautious with strangers, the opposite is true with those they love. They may demonstrate their enthusiasm by jumping up to say hello — not ideal if your Bernie is on the larger side. It can be challenging for owners who appreciate all the loving to discourage such behavior, but not everyone enjoys being sent flying. While the natural response might be to push your pup down, they will likely view this as part of the game. Instead, the best thing to do is withdraw your attention. Turn away from your dog without a sound and cross your arms over your chest. If they keep jumping up, then simply turn around and leave the room. If you are having problems with a noisy hound, try to identify what might lie underneath the behavior rather than simply trying to control it. Barking can signal an array of issues — everything from boredom to anxiety. So, pay attention to when it occurs. Bernedoodles, being highly sociable dogs, are prone to separation anxiety, so if your pup is disturbing the neighbors when you are away from the house, this is likely the problem. Find out what you can do about separation anxiety here. Early and thorough socialization is the best preventative measure for this. Pulling on the Leash A common issue among most young pups, pulling on the leash can be a serious problem with Bernedoodles, though — especially when they are on the larger side. This behavior usually occurs simply because your pup is excited to be outside, and that enthusiasm translates to them wanting to get to the dog park as quickly as they can. Mastering walking on the leash mostly just takes practice. You need to be firm and not let them get away with doing it at any time. If your Berne starts to get ahead of you, simply stop, make them sit if you can, and begin to walk again only when they are a bit calmer. See here for more leash training tips and tricks. Digging Just like barking, digging tends to be a symptom of an underlying problem like boredom. The thing with Doodles is that incredible intelligence makes them less likely to be satisfied with merely hanging out in the yard all day. They need to be kept both physically and mentally stimulated. If they are not… bring on the destructive behaviors! Digging is a firm doggy favorite. The trick is to divert their attention to something else. If they are getting enough walks and plenty of affection, try throwing a few toys into the mix. Puzzle toys have been designed specifically to keep clever canines entertained for longer. Finally, try giving your dog a designated space in the garden to dig far away from the fence and your favorite plants and flowers. Biting and Mouthing While common in young pups, especially when teething, aggressive biting is not a Bernedoodle trait. Herding dogs such as Bernes might nip to get you to go where they want to go a behavior they can easily be trained out of. Still, if your pup is getting a little vicious for no reason, you could have a problem. If it is just puppy teething — not fun in any way when they are having at you with those needle-sharp teeth — consider investing in a high-quality teething toy such as one of these. They could be feeling particularly anxious about something — a new person or other kinds of changes in the household. Alternatively, they might be sick and in pain. If you are confident that they are getting enough nutrition for their weight and life stage, chances are your hound is just looking for something fun to chew on and taking it to the extreme. Again, chew toys are the best answer. They will keep your pet occupied and help them to fulfill their natural instinct for mouthing. This is what keeps their teeth clean and their jaws healthy, after all. The issue should resolve itself in no time at all. Especially because most breeders begin this process long before you pick your new puppy up. Just keep things consistent, and you will get there fairly quickly and painlessly. A few things you can do are: take your pup out to the place you want them to go on a regular basis. Designate a specific command and offer lots of love, hugs, and praise when they do what you ask of them. Never punish any accidents — this could actually set your dog back. Some owners recommend crate training for puppies who are having a slightly more difficult time getting the hang of it all. When To Get Professional Help If your pup starts or continues to display behavior issues such as aggression, food aggression, excessive barking, destructive chewing, mounting, or separation anxiety, it is likely that he will need special attention to address them. The best way to deal with Doodle behavior issues is to hire a trainer, or a behaviorist to come to your home for a one-on-one consult. Not only will you learn the skills you need to be successful, but your puppy will learn incredible manners and behaviors as well! See Also: Click the image Amy helps you set up your home, get your family all on the same page and teaches you exactly what to do the second your puppy arrives for optimal training success. You can also schedule LIVE! Office Hours for one-on-one help with Amy and participate in weekly online puppy classes right in your living room! Need help with training? We recommend this on top of group classes. By the way, the skills they teach works for any dog at any age. Bernedoodles, with their incredible intelligence and people-pleasing manner, are relatively easy to train compared to other dogs. Keep things light, fun, and interesting, and you should be able to teach your pal to do just about anything within reason. How do you train a Bernedoodle puppy? There are various training methods. The one you subscribe to will be the one that works best for you and your pup. How do you discipline a Bernedoodle? Discipline is a tricky business in the world of canines. Experts agree that shouting and hitting simply do not work in the long run. Bernedoodles are awesome dogs, and you will never regret adding one to your household. However, they do take a fair bit of looking after. If used properly, they can be a wonderful safe haven for your pet. At Premier Doodles, we start this process early on and all of our puppies from weeks will have multiple crates available in their kennel kept in our master bedroom. They learn what we call a Positive Conditioned Emotional Response PCER which means they come to learn that the crate is a great place to be and have to train this. The crate should be big enough for your pet to stand up, lay down and turn around. Don't worry about dividers as most all of our bernedoodles are great in the crate. Should accidents begin to appear on one side of the crate you'll have to creatively reduce the amount of space they have inside the crate. IMPORTANT NOTE: you will need to purchase two crates, one at the back door with a connected x-pen or other type of portable fencing that is clipped onto the crate to make a small play area, and the other next to your bed if you want maximum success. We have a YouTube channel called Premier Doodles where we have a short video showing what this setup looks like. The crate should be used to safely confine your pet when you are away from home, at night and for short periods of time when you are unable to watch them. We do not recommend keeping any type of collar on your pet while in the crate or in your home.It is important that from the very beginning, you never use your crate to punish your pet. You must make it a positive experience from the start. We want to create a PCER. You most definitely can confine your pet for short periods of time when they are misbehaving, but you never want to place your pet in there in a harsh or negative manner. If your pet develops a fear or dislike to their crate, it can be a very difficult situation to turn around. The crate should be a safe haven for your pet. It is an area that they should be able to go to and feel secure and comfortable. Use softer chew toys as they are more quiet at night time especially while you're sleeping. This includes bedding. We will attempt to put old towels or perhaps even an old sheet in my dogs crate but if they start to chew them, out they come. It is not worth the risk to have a pet ingest something that literally can kill them or cost a hefty price to have surgically removed. We usually keep our pets in their crate at night until they are able to hold their potty all night and they understand that we sleep at night, we don't "party". We want our dogs in the bedroom at night so we will then use a baby gate to keep them in there with us at night. They are typically crated during the day while we are gone until they are approximately 2 years of age. That is the average for dogs to mature especially bernedoodles. This may seem like a long time, but it is well worth the patience. Dogs that are well socialized are a pure pleasure to be around. They are far more "stable" than an un-socialized pet. They are much less likely to get themselves into trouble, which could ultimately get you into "big" trouble. This couldn't be further from the truth. They should always be socialized with safe, healthy dogs that are tolerant of obnoxiouspuppies. It is a common misconception that a lot of people believe that in order to have a "protective" dog, you must keep it away from people. You must praise or encourage inappropriate behavior, i. In reality, a dog that is well socialized is every bit as likely to alert you, or perhaps even defend you in the face of danger. The critical difference is: An un-socialized dog is going to assume that every single person, child etc. They have a much higher ability to "perceive" what is a true threat than the unfortunate un-social dog. The un-socialized pet is actually one that is running on fear of the "unknown". The reality is this: You should be getting a pet for a "pet". They should be a well-loved, properly cared for member of your family. To get a "pet" solely for "protection" is usually a recipe for disaster. We all can take comfort in the fact that all dogs usually alert us to something "different" in or around the house. That in itself is a huge deterrent to someone who is up to no good. To rely on a pet to keep us totally safe from harm, is not fair to the dog, nor should it be "their'' responsibility alone. A final note: To allow a dog to pick and choose what they perceive as a threat, to not socialize your dog, to not properly train and provide care for your dog, to not allow your dog to be a member of the family, is almost ALWAYS a disaster in the making. Insurance companies, Boarding Kennels, Hotels, Apartments, etc. There are certain Breeds of dogs that are not "welcome". There are no "bad" breeds in my opinion, but unfortunately, there are literally thousands of "bad" owners. Expose your pet to all different types of people, noises, environments etc. Do not force your pet to accept strangers, nor do you want to coddle fearful behavior. Do be mindful that your new puppy is not fully vaccinated until 16 weeks of age. Until then, you can still get them out and in car rides and with a rubbermaid tote can put into a cart at Lowe's and let them hear and see new people. Do yourself a favor and socialize your pet. You and they will be glad you did! They need to be corrected the instant the unwanted behavior occurs. They live in a world of cause and effect. Dogs live in the NOW. Corrections have to happen in the NOW. The quickest way to teach your dog that you are not trustworthy is to punish your dog with physical violence or to reprimand him for some action that he is not presently engaged in. Abuse is never acceptable, hitting a dog is never acceptable. You cannot use fear as a means of making an animal behave; it doesn't work. Showing an animal strong leadership and giving rules is not the same thing as instilling fear and administering inappropriate punishment. Never correct an animal out of anger of frustration. When you try and correct your dog out of anger, you are usually more out of control than your dog is. You are fulfilling your own needs, not the animals. Negative attention is better than no attention at all This is something that most parents can relate to as well. Whether this is laying down napping, playing with appropriate toys, sitting before being allowed outside, greeting people, etc. My number 1 rule for solving behavioral problems is to NOT reinforce them. Extinguish them or better yet work to not let them creep up into their pattern of life. Simply put, if your dog is acting out inappropriately and you react to it, you are very likely reinforcing that behavior. You may be reacting negatively, but you are reacting. However; if you re-direct your pet to something appropriate and then reward them for that, you will usually end up extinguishing the behavior that you do not want. For example: If your dog is jumping on you and you scream, yell, push or otherwise acknowledge the pet, you are reinforcing that behavior. Have you ever seen a "sane" dog repeatedly attack a telephone pole for no reason???? Having said that, you must also use common sense. If "Fido" is chewing on an electrical cord, you can not simply ignore it. What you should do is very quickly but calmly get up and with a sharp "NO" correct the pup and then immediately re-direct the pup to something appropriate. Reward for correct behavior. But it doesn't have to be! And with our Premier bernedoodles you'll find them to be one of the easiest puppies to housebreak because we have already started this process well before you bring your new puppy home. The following tips are helpful, if followed, in making a great and fun time less stressful for you and your pup! Once your puppy is a little bit older, they almost always can hold their potty overnight. The crate should be big enough for your puppy to standup, turnaround, and lay down. Our bernedoodle puppies do great in a Midwest XL wire crate. Puppies should be fed 3 times per day, at the very least they need to be fed 2 times per day. Please talk to your Veterinarian about your abilities to feed your pet and follow their advice. We personally do not recommend "paper'' training a puppy. No matter how you look at it, it is giving the puppy permission to use the bathroom in the house. It, of course, is a personal choice and some people's work schedule does not allow for anything different. Just keep in mind, it will be more difficult to change the "way of thinking" for the older puppy and you need to be patient Young puppies need to potty much more frequently than older puppies. Take that into consideration when housebreaking. We typically take our puppies out every minutes the first week after coming home, whether we think they need to go or not. This will be increased to hours after a few weeks. The first order of business should always be to potty when first going outside. Take your puppy to the area you want them to go and give them just a short amount of time to take care of business. When they are outside we start using potty commands Go Potty for 1 and Go Poo Poo for 2 at about 4 weeks of age and we even start using these phrases the first weeks. We repeat these phrases until they posture to do their business, at which time we shut up. As soon as they are done like the millisecond! We also do this in the wee hours of the morning but without this excitement and never with the lights on. Then take them back out to the potty area and try again. Once they have pottied, they have earned some time to play, explore, etc. Puppies are like small children, they need to be watched at all times, they need to learn right from wrong and they need a chance to be puppies! Get the puppy outside immediately while somebody else is cleaning up the mess. We use OdoBan to take all odors out so that it does not become a place that smells like an area to relieve themselves. You must use common sense when taking water away. If it is hot, the puppy has been playing hard, etc. You can also give ice cubes. Make sure you take your puppy outside right before you go to bed. If they immediately start crying you need to ignore them - they are seeking attention, and giving it to them even negative is teaching them that "this is the way to get attention". Place the puppy down and let them take care of business. Again we are saying quietly "Go Potty". Once they've gone potty, quietly praise them "Good potty" and take them right back to their crate. Do not play with your puppy, or otherwise encourage them to "wake" up, or that very well may be their incentive to "party" at 3 a. Once your puppy has developed a little more control, you will find that they start sleeping throughout the night in no time. In the beginning, they physically cannot hold their potty all night, once they can however; it is not in their best interest to get up in the middle of the night unless it has been made "rewarding"to them. We always get our puppies out immediately after eating and drinking. If after 15 minutes they don't go potty we will bring back inside and place in a crate. About 5 minutes later we will take back outside and repeat this process until they have relieved themselves. This is so common that most puppies will go through this at some point in their early part of their life. The best thing you can do is to try to avoid doing those things that seem to bring this behavior about. This is normal. If this behavior continues best to have a veterinarian check for a UTI. Here are some tips to help: Use a crate when you cannot supervise. Put his crate near a door allowing him to get outside quickly, potentially avoiding an accident. Keep quiet but relaxed. Ignore his behavior. Build up gradually to new things. Do basic obedience training. Make it fun and confidence building. Using lots of obedience commands and praises helps distract. Take him out regularly to do his business so his bladder will not build up pressure every 15 minutes. Do not go straight to his crate when entering a room. Allow him to calm down first, before letting him out. Just ignore the dog and walk past. When you go to the crate to let him out do so quietly. When out in the yard, do not call him up to you but walk slowly around with him. Give him a command to urinate and praise him calmly using voice only when he does. Do everything slowly and work at making your body language calm and unconcerned. Keep verbal volume low. Get down at ground level. Or sit on a low chair. Be non-threatening. Spend time sitting with him by your side on a leash. Take him for walks where he can gradually be exposed to the situations that trigger his urination. Ask friends to practice no touch, no talk, no eye contact around him. Avoid situations and people that you cannot control until your dog is learning to control himself and gain confidence. Submissive urination can be annoying, but exhibiting your frustration to your dog only makes it worse way worse as this is the very reason why they will sometimes do it. With a little planning and adjusting your attitude, you can minimize and overcome the problem which will disappear anyways but mine as well help along the line. However,there are rules that must be followed. If you ignore the rules, you should not play at all. If played properly, these games are some of the best anti-aggression exercises you can practice with your dog. Rule 1 While playing tug-of-war, most dogs will make a mistake and grab fingers or a hand instead of the toy. Because we are playing a game and feel that the mouth or bite was accidental, people tend to ignore it. This is a BIG mistake! If you allow rough housing or tug-of-war, you MUST never allow the dog to mouth or bite for any reason. The very instant the dog's tooth or teeth touch you or your clothing, you must immediately reprimand the dog and STOP playing. Dogs are very capable of controlling their teeth. Rule 2 The dog should never be allowed to initiate the play session or grab for the toy without invitation. Only when you give a command such as "take it". Especially with puppies, if you allow the dog to grab things without invitation, then you can find yourself playing while trying to get dressed, put on socks etc. You start the game, you end the game. Rule 3 It is always a good idea to stop the game every 30 seconds or so. When you stop the game, give your dog the command to "give or drop it". Make your dog sit or down. Praise and release. If you want to continue to play, give the dog the command to "take it" and continue. If the dog does not respond to the commands to give, you must immediately take the toy away and stop playing. This would clearly tell you that your dog either does not understand the command, or you are absolutely NOT in control. If you are not in control, you should never play this game with your dog. What may be a "soft" bite to you very well may not be to a child or an elderly person. When bites occur in play, in greeting or as an accident, we tend to ignore or excuse it dogs are very capable of controlling their teeth. What happens is the dog learns that they can act recklessly around us. We have taught them that there is no need to exercise caution around us or be respectful. They learn that biting is acceptable. Dogs do not do this to each other. They don't rationalize or make excuses. Biting and disrespect are swiftly and effectively reprimanded and it very rarely, if ever, happens again. Puppies are going to mouth you.We want them to learn an appropriate ABI or in other words how much force can they bite down that is deemed acceptable ie doesn't hurt. We need to first work with this component and then work on reducing the frequency. But bite force first. As you're playing with your puppy just keep screeching "OUCH" when it's too hard and at the moment they cease or bite softly praise them big time. This will go back and forth and forth and back like a ping pong match well at least played by two competent players! This will not be a one session deal. This will take weeks and weeks of being very consistent in your "OUCH" every time they either bite you or your clothes too hard. We do want to promote gentle bite behavior as this reinforces the bonding and teaches them an appropriate ABI which is imperative for producing a stable adult dog. DO NOT take the mouthing behavior away but lets just shape it so that the puppy knows when it's too hard. If your puppy is clearly highly energized and not responding then the play session is over and you walk away. That's it. Never ever hit or smack your dog to correct or thump them on the head as this will only produce head shy dogs. Remember…It is natural for dogs to bite, it must be understood that biting human flesh is the problem and will never be tolerated when it's too hard. The good news is that puppy mouthing behavior aka puppy biting almost always goes away between months even if you let it go. We just prefer the process of teaching boundaries early on while still allowing for some gentle mouthing behaviors. Just remember this will take a LONG time and will make up a big part of your early puppy training. Remember, dogs repeat behaviors that are in some way, shape or form rewarding to them. If you can remove the reward negative punishment , the behavior usually will decrease and then disappear. You need to figure out what the "reward" is and then remove it. Obviously, some behavior will not be able to be extinguished. For example, if the dog enjoys rolling in feces or mud, chewing, barking or anything that in and of itself is rewarding and you cannot "remove" it, it will continue. Yes there are some more invasive ways to extinguish these behaviors thru negative punishment e-collars, putting dog feces in holes being dug in the backyard and filling it, etc. Extinction can work great for nuisance behaviors such as barking, whining for attention, jumping, begging, controlling play, etc. If you attempt to use extinction, be prepared for the behavior to escalate before it starts to decrease. For example: If your dog is used to jumping on you and receiving attention and you decide to ignore it, the dog will become confused - "Hey.Very often, they will try harder to get the desired attention. If you stick to your guns and refuse to acknowledge the dog, the behavior will usually decrease and eventually stop. If you pay attention or reward it even one time or even slightly, it will be all the more difficult to extinguish in the future. The only thing you will accomplish is to have the dog work harder to get what they want. The type of reaction depends on the individual personality of the puppy, his overall resilience, and your reaction. We do fear recovery response training during the first 8 weeks to make sure they have a fast recovery to new novel noises and objects and situations. The how and when of fear periods also depends on the individual puppy, so you may or may not see it in your puppy as described. Generally speaking, puppies go through two potential fear periods during puppyhood. The first fear phase comes when the puppy is just months of age. This also coincides with a very critical socialization period. Your puppy is coming into a new home, leaving behind his mother, and litter mates, and is being introduced to a new family. What you have to do is just keep everything FUN! Puppies look to you as a security buffer and want to see how you react in a situation. Carry super yummy treats with you everywhere you go. Ask people to give your puppy a treat. Give treats with lots of praise in situations where you see your puppy is a little unsure. Carry a favorite toy with you and play squeaky toys or tug of war. This helps a puppy feel more comfortable. It is important to be upbeat and excited about new things and encourage your puppy to feel the same way. The second fear phase comes later in puppyhood. These puppies normally become worried about novel things, or you may see your puppy express fear over something that never bothered them before. The key to this phase is to not force your puppy into situations, and just like before, remember to keep it fun. Instead, give a few treats, talk to him, and then YOU walk up to statue and touch it. YouTube is littered with videos of dogs being forced to interact or even being chased! This type of interaction can be seriously distressing for your puppy. Remember to keep it fun and positive, and he will move through the phase without any problems. A More Thorough Response.There are windows of time when certain types of behaviors e. We have done our part, but this training must continue long after they go to their new homes. Fear-based periods can include fearful responses to noises, dogs barking, music, really anything that could be interpreted as a threat. Although dogs have been domesticated for a long time, they still carry DNA from their wolf lineage and that includes protective puppy behaviors such as quickly scampering to cover when a threat is perceived. Between months these types of responses can be manifested by cowering behavior but can also include barking, growling, ears back and tail down, and in some cases just a bit of unsureness about the stimulus causing this reaction. Keep in mind that these behaviors manifest from a genetic basis that likely came with wild populations of dog ancestors e. Well, there are several key socialization periods as well and the first one occurs during the first 8 weeks, and this is when puppies begin to bond and trust their human family. Without a thorough socialization program, you will be battling that on top of puppy-fear based responses at a whole new level. Trust me fear-based training does make a difference when started in the first 8 weeks and research corroborates this and that early puppy training the first 8 weeks helps to temper these responses, but every puppy is different, and every home and environmental conditions are different as well. Just keep all of this in mind during the training period that these genetically programmed responses helped the puppies survive before becoming household pets that we have today. Unfortunately, they carry the genetic baggage from their past ancestors, and we just need to work around this. Understanding this is the first step toward puppy training… Ok so what to do!? Is there hope? Absolutely and the above information just sets the stage for how to train the puppies and help them thru these two fear-based periods. This can be extremely overwhelming and can manifest itself in many ways wanting to be with you all the time, depressed immune responses, etc. The main thing is to use the first fear-based period between weeks to absolutely bond to your new puppy and make sure they feel secure, protected, and not frightened. Many families have young kids and although they were raised with kids of all ages this first 8—week fear-based period can kick in and when chased by a young child, grabbed, pulled, or petted and handled can induce a fear-based response that may be hard to detect at first but can slowly creep in. Make sure that whoever is interacting with the puppy is doing so in a very friendly and non-threatening way. But remember kids can induce a fear-based response as can other dogs during this initial fear-based period. Allow the puppy to initiate contact with new people. Early traumatic experiences to a hostile child or dog can have a lifelong impact on the puppy and in many cases, this can cause permanent behavioral changes and why we do not advocate for dog parks or other situations where lots of dogs are together without proper supervision. You can also use a Bluetooth speaker and occasionally play novel noises during the day search in YouTube for Puppy Culture noises. During these very positive training episodes you can again play novel noises but very brief and have lots of treats ready to redirect their behavior. Such as they are fearful of going into the back seat. Your job is to create a positive experience by getting into the back seat. Maybe get some raw meat and put into a Ziplock bag and let your dog smell it. Then if they put one foot up onto the back seat treat them. Then two feet only gets a treat etc. Keep it fun. But you must be abundantly patient during this time. Dogs that routinely go thru basic obedience training school during this time seem to fly thru it with flying colors, but patience and praise is the key. The bottom line is that training and socialization is going to happen the rest of their lives. Certainly, it gets easier! Your investment now will have a lifelong impact on the well-being of your fur baby. 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! We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime. Therefore, this article is dedicated to establishing some Bernedoodle training ground rules to make training as smooth for both you and your dog. Even though they are designer dogs, they are not meant to be trained for dog shows. If you like partying, you can have your Bernedoodle accompany you. If you like lying around, you can have your Bernedoodle accompany you. The breed is moderately active. Therefore, they can take on any activity you would want them to take on, as long as you give them enough rest. Since a Bernedoodle will always want to accompany you, it is best to train them according to your schedule and lifestyle. If you lead a super active lifestyle, we suggest you train your dog to be docile in the outdoor environment. However, if you like to stay at home, you can teach them basic household chores such as bringing a towel, etc. Try not to put too many irrelevant commands in their minds because their goofy minds might end up getting confused. Train Them Early Train them early to reap the fruits in the long run. Bernedoodles tend to get too comfortable in their surroundings and, as quick learners, adapt to habits in no time. Before getting a puppy, we suggest you plan a mini-vacation for the first week of your companionship. You can devote this first week to bond with your Bernedoodle puppy and training them diligently. Teach them a few obedience commands right when you get them. When a puppy is given too much time to themselves before training, they pick up naturally bad habits and are generally crate trained. Therefore, they get stuck learning only the basic commands for most of their life. However, if you train your puppy early, they will adopt a curious and adventurous mind. Therefore, they will learn how to do advanced tricks and abbey special commands in no time. After all, a Bernedoodle is a companion dog and will adapt to the way you live. Therefore, if you live a train dedicated to active training, they will live that way too. However, if you get lazy with training, they will slack off in picking up commands. Always Use Positive Reinforcements Dogs are sensitive to your behavior — so tread carefully. Something to be careful about — not only with Bernedoodles is how sensitive they can be towards your behavior. If you show them anger — they will either reciprocate it or feel stressed about your negative emotion. Dogs — like humans — cannot learn and perform while they are under stress. Therefore, it is best to make them feel welcome during their training session. Many dog trainers in the past used to punish dogs for not performing the desired command. However, doing that to a Bernedoodle can lead to anxiety and long-term bonding issues. The best way to train a Bernedoodle is to use positive reinforcements. Positive reinforcements are the act of awarding your dog for good behavior instead of punishing him for bad ones. Positive reinforcements allow the dog to create a stronger bond with you. Moreover, it allows the dog to be happy with his training sessions instead of dreading them. Laser-Sharp Focus Dogs get distracted easily, but they will not learn any complex commands unless they can focus. Much like humans, dogs need to be idle to focus on the task at hand. Whether you want to teach your dog new commands or want them to stay quiet for a while, they cannot do it until they are focused. The best way to teach your Bernedoodle to focus is to teach them the sit and stay command combination. Once your dog knows how to sit on command, move a little away from him and continue commanding him to sit. Add the stay command and slowly increase the duration of each stay session. When your dog knows how to stay until further notice, they will learn how to do nothing even when there might be some distractions around. Unless the dog learns not to do anything, he will never learn how to stay focused and learn new tricks. Take Them Outdoors — Learn from Experiences Outdoors is the perfect place for your dog to learn many visual cues and boost their sensory development. When you take your dog outdoors, two things happen — they interact with the world around them other than you, and they get physical exercise. When a dog gets to interact with a world other than you and your house, they learn several visual cues. Moreover, being outdoors with your dog is the perfect opportunity for you to gauge how he responds to other animals, strangers, and children. Most Bernedoodles are likely to be friendly and docile with other animals and strangers. Therefore, you will not have to make them undergo extensive training. However, some might get aggressive and will need specialized training to be friendly. Being outdoors also gives the dog the physical stimulation it needs to go about his day properly. If dogs have too much pent-up energy in them, they tend to develop destructive and aggressive behavior. Give Them Mental Games to Play Physical stimulation is important, but so is mental stimulation, which is why brain training for your dog is vital. How well your dog is mentally stimulated makes a huge difference in how well he can be trained. However, the same is true too. The more mentally stimulated the dog, the more intelligence he is likely to develop. The more intelligent the dog, the easier it will be to train him. Bernedoodles, in general, tend to be highly intelligent dogs — therefore, they like to be mentally stimulated and like to learn new things every other day. If a Bernedoodle is not adequately mentally stimulated, he will become sad and aggressive. The best way to mentally stimulate your Bernedoodle to keep his mind sharp enough for rigorous training is simple. You can get your dog to try a new command every three days. This will give them enough challenge to feel stimulated but not too much to overwhelm and distress them — which brings up the next ground rule. Training can be very difficult for your dog to wrap his head around. Therefore, while continuous training sessions are vital, it is necessary to keep each session short. Therefore, it is best to keep them happy about training for only minutes a stretch and let them imbibe the commands you teach them. An overworked dog will end up feeling too tired to obey the commands they have learned. Therefore, the best way to keep them from burning out is to teach consistently but gradually. If you are teaching the basic sit command to your dog, make sure you only make a few repetitions in one go. Too many repetitions will make your dog resist the training and resent the next session. Allow your dog at least two days to learn a command as simple as sit. Reinforce their training with the first few repetitions and slowly do away with the treats once they start to get the hang of the command — even if it takes a few days. Bernedoodles are companion dogs and love to spend all their time with their family. However, they are also very sensitive and need to learn how to be alone at an early age. If your dog is used to being with you at all times as a puppy, not having you around for even a short duration can be a cause of significant distress and sadness for them. When your puppy is only in his socializing stage, make sure you give him time to himself. Therefore, he will learn to feel comfortable in your absence. The best way to do so is to let the puppy move around in your house while you stay out of their sight for a while. Begin with 10 minutes of solitude, and you can gradually increase the time to hours at a stretch. This resonates with the ground rule of training your Bernedoodle in accordance with your lifestyle. If you need to go out to work for most of the day, train your puppy to learn your schedule. When you return home, make sure you spoil him with a lot of treats. This will let the dog understand that even if you leave them alone for a while, you will come back and shower him with love when you return. Use the Leash Wisely The leash is the first and last control you have over your dog. Therefore, it is important to use it accurately. Your dog will learn to associate the leash with training and walking, which should induce excitement in him. You must never use a leash to get strict or punish a dog. Otherwise, he will associate the leash with negativity. Dogs tend to associate places and objects with emotions. Therefore, once they have associated the leash with negativity, they will never be happy to be on a leash even while training and walking. Using a leash while training your dog is very important. This is especially true for Bernedoodles because even as intelligent dogs, they tend to be very distracted. If your dog is not on a leash while training, it will become difficult to keep him in one place. You can start walking your dog on a leash and teach him to stay at your heel. Once you are confident enough that your dog will not run off towards distractions and will listen to you if you call him, you can try walking him without the leash as well. However, the transformation from with to without a leash should be done very slowly and carefully. It is best to start the transformation within the confines of your home so that your dog will still be in reach if he runs off. However, their loyalty can cause problems when not trained properly. However, mixed with Poodle traits, the dog might not have any chill. If your dog is also aggressive in nature, he is likely to be too protective. This leads to them being suspicious of anyone who comes to your house. They might even have a tendency to bite. Therefore, you need to teach him the boundary between loyal and aggressively loyal. Loyalty is an inept trait in Bernedoodles. Therefore, you have to focus on training him not to be aggressive to anyone in your house. The answer is not to tie him up when someone visits — that will only make him more aggressive. You must make sure the dog is comfortable with people entering your house. To do so, you can walk your dog on a leash to the door when guests arrive. When your guest arrives, give the sit command and allow the guest to give him a treat — but only if the dog is sitting and not being aggressive. Once the guest is inside, you can allow your dog to roam freely and give him treats whenever he is not aggressive. This will teach him to trust having strangers in the house in your presence. Biting Training Dogs can nib — but teach them not to bite. As mentioned earlier, dogs are very receptive to your emotions. We will use that dog characteristic to our advantage. You can allow your dog to nib on your hand. This will let your dog know that they hurt you by putting pressure with their jaws on your hand. Eventually, with enough treats and repetitions, the dog will learn not to apply pressure to avoid causing pain. Make sure your dog is well-adept to not apply pressure while nibbling. Once that is done, you can ask your family or friends trusted by your dog to follow the same command sequence. This way, the dog will eventually learn not to bite either you or any other human around him. Every time your dog refrains from putting pressure while nibbling, award him with a treat. You will end up with a fierce dog who is not afraid to scare but will not cause harm unless he senses danger. Summing Up Bernedoodle is an interesting dog breed. With high intelligence, loyalty, and goofiness, they are extremely adorable. Their curiosity also makes them easy to train as long as you start training them as soon as you get them. With the right blend of positive reinforcements, accurate tool usage, scheduling, and patience, you can train your Bernedoodle to be the best companion dog there is. 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. This will help temper the Berner side of aloofness. If he takes after the Poodle side, the dog needs outlets for his boundless intelligence and energy. Manners training, retrieving and enrichment activities like puzzle toys can help satisfy his needs and prevent boredom. Dog breeders typically try to cross dogs that have the most appealing characteristics of each breed. Each Bernedoodle is unique and may take on more of the appearance or temperament of one parent breed than the other. Most Bernedoodles have a wavy coat with minimal shedding. Some have a curly coat similar to their Poodle ancestors. They can be pure black, black and white, black and brown or tri-colored black, brown and white. There are three sizes of Bernedoodles The standard Bernedoodle is a cross between a standard Poodle and a Berner. He ranges between 50 to 90 pounds and 23 to 29 inches at the shoulder. The mini Bernedoodle is a cross between the mini Poodle and the Berner. He ranges between 25 to 49 pounds and 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder. The tiny Bernedoodle is a cross between a toy Poodle and a mini Bernedoodle and is between 10 to 24 pounds and 12 to 17 inches at the shoulder. The mini and tiny Bernedoodles may have slightly higher energy levels than the standards do. Bernedoodles can make great family members for people who want an intelligent, easygoing companion. But be aware that your puppy may take after his high-driven, friendly Poodle ancestors or his aloof, headstrong Berner side in appearance and temperament. Start early and use plenty of positive reinforcements. They will be more happy and confident if they understand that you are in charge. Mini Bernedoodle pups are intelligent, and they will quickly learn what is expected of them. Here are a at home training tips for Mini Bernedoodles — there are also many good resources online. This will be home to your MiniBernedoodle pup when they sleep or when you are away. Make sure the crate is big enough that your pup can comfortably lie down, sit, and stand up. Place some comfortable rags or mattresses for them to sleep on and lure them inside with their favorite toys. Every time they pop into the crate willingly, give them a treat or play with them to show your appreciation. Many pups come to see their crate as a safe place to go when they want to rest or need a break. Potty Training One of the most challenging parts of the training is teaching your MiniBernedoodle pup to do their job at the right place. You will need to be patient and use many positive reinforcements while showing them the right place to do their business. Take the puppy out first thing in the morning and after every time that they eat, drink, or play. Make sure you reward them when they poo or pee at the proper place. Socializing You need to start socializing your mini doodle puppy as soon as possible. Although these puppies are quite even-tempered, they can also be anxious around strangers. To avoid unpleasantness later on, when guests come around, start training your pup to socialize when they are still babies. You have to train your pup to socialize with not just humans but with other dogs as well. Many people tend to think that dogs get along with dogs. Frequent walks and visits to doggy daycare and dog parks are great training tools. The more they see and interact with other pups and people the better their social skills will be. A well-behaved, friendly dog is a pleasure to be around since they are safe and loved by all. Barking Training Another problem you might face with your Bernedoodle pup is barking — this is their way of expressing themselved. The will most often do this for food, when they need to go outside, to alert you of strangers, or to get your attention. Try to understand the reason behind their barking so you can find a solution. For instance, if your pup mostly barks for food, have their feed ready at their place at fixed times every day. They will quickly learn that there is a time and will wait more patiently. Again, reward them the first few times they wait patiently for the food without barking. It will help them to understand what they are expected to do. Outdoor Walks - Leash Training Start out by introducing your puppy to their harness or leash. Let her wear in around the house for short periods of time while you are playing. Teach you puppy to come to you for treats around the house when you ask them to. Progress to holding the leash and asking them to follow you for the upcoming treats. Practice inside first, then outside as they become more comfortable. Here is a great leash training article from the American Kennel Club. Discourage Nipping Puppies playing with other pups will nip out of sheer playfulness. Your Mini Bernedoodle puppy might do the same when playing with you. But you have to train them that nipping is not allowed. The point to note here is that nipping is not the same as mouthing, a typical dog trait for showing affection. The difference lies in the force. So, you have to teach your Mini Bernedoodle pup the difference between mouthing and nipping. Eventually, your pup will understand the difference between nipping and mouthing. They will learn that nipping will not get them anywhere and learn to control the amount of force they use when play-biting. Verbal Cues Every dog understands a few human words. You, too, can train your Bernedoodle pup to follow verbal cues of things that you want them to do. For instance, when potty training your pup, you may use the word potty. Just make sure you use the same word every time. When your puppy poos after you say the word reward them, to show that this is what you are asking of them. You can use similar simple words for eating, going out, playtime, treats, and so on. If you are consistent they will learn to associate the word and will follow your verbal cues. Final Words Mini Bernedoodle puppies are a pleasure to be around. They are wonderfully friendly, active, and playful family-friendly dogs. Early and proper training will head off many difficulties. You will have a fantastic companion for life whose love is irreplaceable and completely unselfish. Pleasant Creek Mini Mini Bernedoodles puppies are socialized and positive behaviors are encouraged from the start! Laura: .Sniffing Taking self to a corner or isolated area away from crate or owner There is a chance the puppy can bark. Not all Bernedoodle puppies will bark to indicate they need to use the bathroom. They often learn this will get your attention when they get older. Persistence is everything in how to potty train your Bernedoodle puppy. Each of these cues can trigger a bowel movement or pee — so take the opportunity each and eveytime to educate the puppy about your expectations. Bernedoodles descend from the giant, majestic, and sometimes very stubborn Bernese Mountain Dog! This Step Shows You How To Potty Train a Bernedoodle Properly Now that you understand the physical and time cues, plus have an understanding about the importance of consistency and praise — it is time for the most important step. The key element of potty training a Bernedoodle is creating a schedule and sticking to it. We are blessed with intelligent puppies like Bernedoodle crosses. Their brains and nature primes them to learn how to be house trained to suit our modern lifestyle. All the elements are there from an early age. You need to create a schedule and stick to it. Here are the rules on how to potty train a bernedoodle. We feed on a schedule. There is no grazing or meals on demand for a puppy you want to housetrain. Set a morning and evening meal, and as close as humanly possible stick to this schedule As per the temporal cue list above — after eating and having water it is time to take your Bernedoodle outside to toilet Bedtime and Wakeup time Stick closely to the schedule if possible. Take the puppy to the toilet straight after retrieving from the sleep area Similarly take the puppy to toilet prior to bedtime as well this will eliminate unfortunate accidents in the sacred crate space Puppies Nap — this cannot be planned in detail You need to be acutely aware of when the nap is happening though, as immediately afterwards the puppy should be taken out to toilet Plan regular playtimes as part of the routine Stimulation mentally and exertion physically are both triggers that can lead to toilet time Plan these to keep your puppy entertained and then maximise on the opportunity to potty train immediately after Away for a time? Do this. Try not to let the time you are ware interference with the waking or sleeping time for the puppy. Crate or isolate the puppy see advice above without food or water Limit to as few hours as possible Remember to toilet immediately on return I know, such a strict schedule approach can be inconvenient. However a few weeks of strict adherence is a minor inconvenience once the Bernedoodle is successfully toilet trained. How to Potty Train a Bernedoodle in an Apartment Toilet training in an apartment can be trickier than in a home. It is often easier in a home to give the dog fast access to the outside to use the bathroom. If you need to travel down stairs or an elevator — you will need to be more prepared than most. Routine and schedule is everything for your dog. You are going to need an indoor dog toilet or a porch potty. Most apartment dwellers choose to stick with this option permanently so their dog has no distress if left alone in the apartment. Life is unpredictable, having a safe option is a good idea. Rinse the three layers of the dog potty tray with soapy water and clean-up is complete. Color: Green and Black. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Check out the video. It is self draining, we can wash it with a hose, and our dog loves it! Here we review 7 DIY or affordable porch or indoor dog toilets to consider. Even a well trained Bernedoodle might make a mistake every now and then. It is important to handles these toilet mistakes appropriately. Managing these unfortunate events is a vital part of how to potty train a Berendoodle. These tips let you know how to approach the stinky problem. If you catch your Bernedoodle peeing Act quickly! Move towards the puppy and pick them up. We are alerting the dog that something is not right — not yelling at them. Pick the dog up and move them to the correct spot that you want them to go to toilet. Take the puppy to the toilet area. Even if they finish before you get there — linger at the toilet for some time with the dog. If the puppy does finish in the correct spot, reward your Berendoodle with both the vocal praise pick one phrase and stick with it — see above and also have some treats handy! If you catch your Bernedoodle mid-poo This one is much tougher. If you catch the dog early and the toilet is nearby — you might succeed in moving the dog to the correct location. Usually this is not feasible. Let it happen, then deal with it. Express disappointment in a measured voice. Use the same word when things are not welcome. A sound or consistent word avoids confusion. There is no merit in scaring the dog mid-poop. There is little merit for most dogs in yelling at them or showing them their mistake. Do not make a big deal about cleaning up the mess. Get it sorted and go from there. It can be frustrating, but look for the temporal and physical signs of pooping next time and try to get ahead of the problem. Only an enzymatic cleaner will clean up the hidden smells. When you are trying to figure out how to potty train a Bernedoodle, your first step should be to pick up some cleaning goods. There will be some mess. If not, the dog will return to the same spot and mess there again. This is the single most important product to make house training your dog possible. IF there is a lot of poop to clean off your Bernedoodle, start with a thorough clean using water and dog shampoo. In these circumstances washing the dog in a sink or shower is typically the best bet. Dwelling in a bath is not a great idea! If it is a once off then your regular dog shampoo should do the trick. We took a deep dive and thoroughly reviewed the 5 Best Shampoo For Bernedoodles here. It has rave reviews from the Bernedoodle owners and a groomer! I spoke to. In our test it washed really effectively and lathered up with not too much shampoo required. This type of dog can come in various colors, patterns, and sizes, each more unique than litters before. Although they are intelligent dogs, the Bernedoodle is not without its challenges regarding training and obedience. As a result, some pet owners will find specific struggles with their new Bernedoodle puppy once they bring it home. For example, Poodles are a high-energy breed devoted to their owners, while Bernese Mountain dogs have a calming nature but prefer to keep busy by working on a task, like protecting their yard and home. Anytime two dog breeds cross, there can be challenges. Some challenges of training Bernedoodles can be: Stubbornness Exhibit sensitivity Stubbornness Poodles and Bernese Mountain dogs are highly intelligent animals, making the Bernedoodle a smart hybrid breed. However, even intelligent dogs can be stubborn when going through training. These dogs may push the boundaries to see what they can get away with before receiving a correction from their owners. Unfortunately, this stubborn streak can also appear often if you are inconsistent with their training or if multiple household members use different training techniques. Easily Distracted High-energy dogs can appear easily distracted, especially during training. Bernedoodle puppies have exceptionally short attention spans, making it more challenging to train for long periods. Exhibit Sensitivity Poodles and Bernese Mountain dogs are incredibly social animals and love to please their owners. Although this characteristic can be an advantage for training methods, if you are prone to scolding or using punishment, your pet may exhibit sensitivity and retreat from you, hindering your training efforts. Using proper methods and techniques when teaching your dog how to behave is critical, especially for sensitive Bernedoodles that may cower if you raise your voice or make threatening movements. How To Train a Bernedoodle the Right Way The most important thing to remember when training a Bernedoodle is that each dog is unique and can take anywhere from four to six months to adapt to your obedience commands. Of course, some ways will help make your methods easier for them to understand and follow. Some tips for Bernedoodle training include: Start training as soon as you bring home your new pet Be consistent with commands Enlist in short spurts of training, multiple times a day Ensure your pet receives enough physical and mental stimulation By recognizing some simple tricks, pet owners may have an easier time getting their dogs to follow commands and learn desirable behaviors. How To House Train a Bernedoodle Many dog owners will want to begin house training as soon as they bring home their new Bernedoodle puppy. No one wants to clean up messes that a dog leaves in the house, so having your new pet house trained is vital for sanitary living conditions. Puppies typically eliminate urine approximately every 15 to 20 minutes because of their small, immature bladders. On average, a Bernedoodle puppy will have a bowel movement 20 to 30 minutes after eating a meal and after exercising. One of the best ways to have a headstart on practical house training is to minimize the instances your pup will pee or poop inside. The best way to house train your Bernedoodle puppy is by following these steps: As soon as you wake up, take your dog outside for a chance to go to the bathroom. Provide your pet with water and food for the morning, then set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes for the next outside potty break. Follow a strict 15 to minute schedule for potty breaks throughout the day. In addition, watch for potential cues your pup needs to go, including excessive sniffing or circling in the house. This way, your Bernedoodle has a better chance of going outside than indoors. You should remove any water source from your new puppy in the early evening. This schedule will give them enough time to eliminate their bladders before bedtime and reduce nighttime accidents in the house. Each time your pet successfully goes to the bathroom outside, reward them with treats and praise to provide positive reinforcement for good behavior. If your new puppy has an accident indoors, refrain from punishing them. Tell your dog a stern, No, then pick them up and take them outside. Do not make a big production of any accidents indoors as this gives the dog attention, and they may interpret it as a way to get recognition from you. Avoid eye contact during this time, and clean up their mess quickly. How To Leash Train a Bernedoodle The next phase of training a Bernedoodle will be ensuring that you can take them out for a walk on a leash. Because Bernedoodles are moderately active breeds, they require one to three daily walks ranging from 30 to 60 minutes or more. Nothing is more frustrating than a dog that pulls constantly or gets tangled up in their lead with you or other dogs. Showing your new Bernedoodle puppy how to walk on a leash will give them the structure they need each time they leave the house for daily walks. In addition, proper leash training will come in handy when meeting new people and unfamiliar dogs. Leash training should regularly occur in your home with your new Bernedoodle as they mature and settle into their new family. The best way to leash train your pet will incorporate these steps: Always make leash training a positive activity, so your pet associates its walks with a pleasant experience rather than punishment. Remember to bring high-value treats to reward your dog as you go through the training process with them. Some dog owners find it easier to leash train their Bernedoodle using a harness rather than a collar. You can try both methods to see which works best for you and your pet. However, using a harness can minimize pulling or accidental harm from sharp jerks on a collar if your pet suddenly tries to run or pulls too hard. Keep the leash in both hands with one hand at your hip, providing only enough leash to reach your dog comfortably. Do not allow excessive leash distance where they can roam far from you or tangle up during the walk. Ensure your dog always stays by your side while consistently providing positive feedback and treats to them as they walk beside you. Give your dog lots of eye contact and verbal praise during good leash walking behavior. If your Bernedoodle puppy tries to pull aggressively or tries to wander away, immediately stop walking. By restricting the ability to stray from your side, your pup will soon learn that the walking stops if they are not beside you and paying attention to your cues. Some dog owners find that the short attention span of Bernedoodle puppies can work in their favor during leash training. For example, if your new pet suddenly wants to run off during a walk because it spotted a cat, you can use redirection instead. Rather than stopping and waiting for your dog to look for obedience cues, try switching directions and removing your pet from the area of distraction. This change of scenery may be all your dog needs to reengage into their positive walking behavior. How To Eliminate Nipping or Biting One common occurrence with Bernedoodle puppies is their constant need to mouth, nip, or bite people, other animals, and objects in their surroundings. Puppies are baby dogs that use their nose and mouth to explore the world around them, making nipping or biting an instinctual behavior. Suppose your Bernedoodle puppy does not receive the proper training that discourages nipping or biting early. In that case, it may grow to continue this negative action into adulthood and unknowingly cause harm to people or other animals. Training a Bernedoodle to stop nipping or biting is simple once you recognize some tips to use, including: As soon as your pet mouths your hand, fingers, leg, etc. If you catch your puppy chewing on off-limits items, like shoes or furniture, immediately intervene with a swift no command, remove them from the area and provide an appropriate chew toy to resume their chewing behavior. Offer your Bernedoodle toys that allow treats inside to promote chewing and grab their interest more than your hands or personal items. This way, your dog will want to chew on toys that provide them with treats and reinforce good behaviors. Suppose redirection does not work with your puppy. In that case, some dog owners find that avoiding eye contact and immediately leaving their pet is an effective way to get the message across after biting. If you leave the room every time your dog nips at your fingers, they will soon realize that this behavior sends you away, which does not give them the attention they seek. Remember to never bite or strike your Bernedoodle puppy as punishment for nipping or biting you. Your pet might be trying to get your attention, may smell food on your fingers, or is not aware that this is negative behavior. By following these tips, remembering to use positive reinforcement, and being consistent, your new dog will quickly learn their boundaries and what behaviors are acceptable in your home. You will also like:. Home Info Which Doodle is best for you? This allows you to enjoy the companionship of each other early on. Start your Bernedoodle puppy training from the moment you bring it home. Remember that each dog has its unique traits. No dog is the same. Same with us humans. Even identical twins have their unique characteristics which makes them different from each other. Bernedoodle are loyal companion dogs that require moderate activity. Train them to complement your way of life. Bernedoodles are the cross-breed between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. Both parents are also excellent breeds - intelligent, friendly, and easy-to-train dogs. Just like other pets, no matter how smart they are, they would still require training and guidance. As a pet owner, we collated this guide that would significantly benefit you. Imagine how wonderful would it be to have such an obedient and well-mannered dog right? Learn on! This is an important stage in honing a happy and meaningful relationship with your pet. The best way to jumpstart your Bernedoodle puppy training program is to research your puppy. Training old dogs requires a different set of tricks and a level of patience. Learning would only be different. For example, you are trying to teach a puppy to fetch a ball for about an hour. It won't have the stamina to learn how to fetch a ball for 60 minutes. But, you can still teach them less rigorous tricks such as shaking hands or retrieving their toys. Having to train the puppies at such a young age helps them develop that muscle and mental memory to be able to do the trick. It provides them with the strong foundation that they would be needing growing up. The young age of these puppies is a critical learning period. Their minds are like a sponge, always eager to learn. For those owning Bernedoodle, take advantage of their intelligence and willingness to be trained. Some research suggests that the learning stage for puppies is between 0 to 16 weeks old. It is the most crucial stage in their development. This is also considered the period where they learn to socialize with other canines. The first two weeks are when they still rely largely on their moms. Basic Obedience Training for Bernedoodle Puppies One important thing to remember during Bernedoodle puppy training is to know when to praise them and give them treats and when not to. When it comes to basic obedience training, this is where these canines learn how to sit, stay, come, fetch, walk, and other simple instructions you tell them to. Believe us when we say that your life will be so much easier if your dogs learn how to follow basic obedience instructions. Although Bernedoodles are known to be smart dogs, do not start training them with complex instructions. Start with simple ones that they can easily follow. Remember that consistency plays an important part in their learning. To make the training more fun for them, use positive reinforcement. Give them treats for a job well done. You can also pet them or praise them whenever they can follow your instructions. Make sure to repeat the command using different techniques such as changing environments, adding noises, or other forms of distractions. This will train them to follow instructions despite being in a tough environment. Patience is the key. Do not shout or scold your dogs if they fail to deliver what is expected. Crate Training for Bernedoodle Puppies Crate training is important so that your pets feel that they have a safe space within your home. This could also be used when you are doing your Bernedoodle potty training. During the crate training, you can start by putting their favorite blankets or toys inside the crate. Watch carefully how they would react. Those items should encourage them to walk voluntarily inside the crates. Never force or push them to enter the crates. Once your pet has entered the crate, take short intervals leaving it close. You can slowly extend the duration over time. If you see your pet panicking right away, you can open the door. Repeat the process until your pet gets more comfortable leaving the door closed over a long period. This process should be done slowly and in progression to avoid anxiety and panic for your pets. Remember, the crate should be used to help them potty train and should serve as a secure place for them. Do not use it as a form of punishment. But this roommate of yours is four-legged and could cause trouble and headache if not trained well. If you want to be living peacefully together with your furry friend, make sure to house trained it. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key for a successful Bernedoodle potty training journey. Socialization Training for Bernedoodle Puppies Socialization is vital for dogs, especially for Bernedoodle who enjoy the company of other dogs. Through socialization class, these puppies learn to interact with otter dogs. This is integral in forming their behaviors. This is also helpful for getting them accustomed to dealing with different people, different environments. If you want a confident dog, you will have to let them interact with other animals. Even if it's not their first time interacting with people or other dogs, make sure to watch your pet carefully, they could experience anxiety or discomfort during socialization. This can include off-leash training, advanced commands, and even specialized training such as agility or therapy work. Make sure that you enroll in a reputable training school where you can learn advanced training. This is where more complex and challenging tricks will be taught and can be learned by your pet. This breed can be stubborn at times. Asking it to follow your instruction could be challenging. Breathe in, be patient, and be creative with your training session. Excessive barking. This breed can't bark excessively even if they are happy. Make sure to address this during your training. Understand what triggers them to consistently bark so you can address the issue. These are just some of the problems that you may have to deal with while training your pet. If you are having a hard time resolving them, do not hesitate to ask a professional trainer or breeder. They have years of experience in dealing with this breed. You may also seek the guidance of a vet. Tips for Successful Bernedoodle Puppy Training If you want to be successful in your puppy training journey, follow these tips below. Begin training at an early age: The sooner you start the training, the earlier they can learn and follow your instructions. The better for both of you. Stay consistent: For the puppy to learn faster, be consistent in giving instructions. Established rules which are to be followed at all times. Apply positive reinforcement: Use treats, praise, and play to motivate to reward your Bernedoodle and make training fun for both of you. Never shout or hurt your pet, especially during times of stubbornness. Be patient: it takes time to learn. Humans also learn over time so be patient. Ask for professional help. If things are getting out of hand and you're finding it too difficult to handle, seek guidance from a professional. They will provide you with the knowledge to help you out. Recommended Resources for Bernedoodle Puppy Training To better equip you with information on training your pets, here are some of the resources you can check. Sophia Yin 2. Local Dog Training Classes: Check with your local pet stores, community centers, or dog training facilities for puppy training classes in your area. You can start with one resource first and see if the information aligns with your goal and your way of life. You can slowly progress on the resources as your training progresses too.

A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases. Non-rapid eye movement NREM. This phase often lasts about 10 minutes. Rapid eye movement REM. Breathing increases during this phase of deep sleep, especially if your pup is dreaming yes, dogs dream. Recommended Videos Your dog will run through these cycles. There may be other reasons, too. How can I find out how fast my pet is breathing? However, vets say some dogs have lower thresholds. Count the breaths. Repeat for 30 seconds. Multiply the number of breaths by 2. Should I call a vet? Several factors can trigger fast breathing during sleep. Exertion Best-case scenario: Your pup is still cooling down from a rousing play session or exercise. If you took your puppy out for a game of fetch or went on a power walk together, they may still be breathing heavily as they nap it off. Heatstroke is dangerous for dogs, just like for humans. Turn down the heat or move your puppy to a cooler space, preferably inside, on a hot day. Make sure they have plenty of water. Food poisoning If your puppy got into something they should not have, like garlic or onions , they might breathe heavily. If it collapses or has too much pressure, your puppy may start breathing more heavily. Other symptoms of this issue include a dry cough. This problem typically occurs in older dogs, but puppies can have issues too. Certain breeds, like chihuahuas, are more susceptible to tracheal collapses. Heart issues Heavy breathing can be a sign of heart disease. If your dog is diagnosed with ticker trouble, the vet may have you monitor their resting breathing rate more often. Simply count each breath, which is considered one inhale and exhale, for 30 or 60 seconds. If counting for 30 seconds, multiply the number of breaths by 2. Generally, anything over 30 to 35 breaths per minute is cause for concern. Puppies may breathe rapidly when sleeping if they have recently played or exercised or are too hot. Fast breathing during rest periods can also be a sign of something more serious, such as food poisoning or heart disease. Make sure to keep your dog out of the heat and ensure they always have plenty of water. Call your vet if you notice fast breathing while sleeping. They can advise you on the next steps and evaluate your pup to determine if treatment is necessary. Editors' Recommendations. Lung disease Pain In a healthy puppy, a short lived episode of fast breathing that quickly resolves and is not accompanied by any other symptoms is unlikely to be of concern. During non-REM sleep, the dog is immobile and does not dream. Is your dog twitching in their sleep? If so, this is likely them in REM sleep which can cause them to move their limbs and breathe heavily as they dream. This is normal sleep behavior and does not indicate any sort of health concern. If your puppy is breathing heavily during sleep, he is simply dreaming about chasing his favorite ball! Breathing heavily during sleep is not a problem and does not mean that your puppy is in any kind of distress. A normal resting breathing rate in puppies is breaths per minute when the puppy is relaxed and quiet. The respiratory rate can naturally be higher if the puppy is excited or has recently exercised. Once the puppy calms down, this breathing rate should go back to the normal breaths per minute range. If the breathing does not return to normal on its own within a short period of time or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, increased effort to breathe, changes in the color of the tongue or gums, or other changes in health or behavior, then this is a sign that the rapid breathing is abnormal and should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Seek veterinary care right away. Depending on the cause of the breathing problem, treatment could include medications or surgery, or a referral to a specialist for further care. Fast breathing in puppies is often a normal occurrence, especially when it happens during sleep. Puppies dream just like we do and they may twitch, move, or breathe rapidly during REM sleep when they are dreaming. Puppies can also breathe fast if they are excited or after exercise, such as playing with a favorite toy or running to greet the guests that just arrived at your door! At these times, it is not unexpected to see your puppy breathing faster than normal - although it is important to know the answer to how far can a puppy walk and how much exercise they can do in general to ensure you're not over-taxing them. If your puppy breathes faster than normal when he is calm and quiet, and the episode does not resolve within a short amount of time or is accompanied by other respiratory symptoms, then it may be time to see your veterinarian for further advice and care. Fast breathing can be a sign of several illnesses in puppies, including heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Looking for more great puppy content to help you navigate that first year of their life? Find out how much sleep does a puppy need? Bronchopneumonia Lungworm In these cases, you may often see puppies breathing very shallow breaths, very fast. You will also see other issues like weakness, fever, and refusing to eat. These are all mostly illnesses that need veterinary treatment. Lung disorders and puppy breathing problems Lung disease is a natural culprit for respiratory distress in puppies. Lung cancer is possible, but luckily this is extremely rare in young dogs but more common in older dogs. Conditions like pulmonary edema fluid in the lungs are usually related to the heart which we discuss next but may also happen because of one of the diseases we discussed above. Seizures may also cause fluid in the lungs and increase the respiratory rate. Other common issues with the lungs are usually related to trauma and injury, such as a rib puncturing the lung or something bruising the lung. But they can have other heart issues, such as Patent ductus arteriosis Aortic stenosis Or ventricular defects, among others. A vet will usually pick up on a heart murmur with these kinds of issues. Most of these are birth defects, and your vet may need to fix some with surgery. Of course, any disease that attacks the function of the heart will affect the airways for the same reason, as the lungs and the heart are closely connected. So if you note persistent coughing, wheezing, and shallow, labored breathing in your puppy, be sure to check out the heart. Breathing issues in newborn puppies One phenomenon that is extremely common in newborn puppies is gasping for air. This is because they often have fluid in their lungs when they are born. This can resolve naturally, but since newborn puppies are extremely vulnerable, it is essential to help remove the fluid from their lungs so that they can breathe easily as quickly as possible. This video will show what to do with a gasping newborn puppy: .Organ and abdominal swelling Another reason for fast breathing in puppies is any kind of swelling or pressure in the abdomen. If a diseased organ begins to swell, it puts pressure on the lungs and creates less space for the dog to inhale properly. There can also be congenital disabilities where the organs in the abdomen can migrate to the thorax and compress the lungs. Likewise, there could be swelling in the abdomen from blockages such as something they are getting stuck in the intestines , a build-up of fluid, or a twisted intestine. Many of these are life-threatening conditions, and swelling in the stomach areas should be taken seriously. Parasites and breathing issues in puppies Parasites are a common reason for swelling in the abdomen. Puppies with distended or swollen tummies often have a worm infestation. Aside from the many health complications related to intestinal parasites, it can cause faster breathing as the swollen tummy puts pressure on the lungs. Poisoning and medications Poisoning is one of our worst nightmares. When a dog has ingested something toxic, they will often begin to breathe very fast, very suddenly. Poisoning can be a variety of toxins, but one common one is allium poisoning garlic or onions , as it attacks the red blood cells. Sometimes medications can cause fast breathing in puppies too. These include any form of cortisone like Prednisone for inflammatory conditions or itching. But be on the lookout for any culprit, such as rat poison or human medications. Anything that affects either the amount of blood the dog has, whether it can travel properly such as if the blood vessels are constricting , or whether they have enough red blood cells can affect whether they have enough oxygen. Puppies can become hypovolemic because they are losing blood internally or externally due to injury. Or they may have a disease or toxin that is attacking their red blood cells. This could be autoimmune problems, parasites, poisons, or a number of other health conditions to check for. Many neurological issues could be to blame, including conditions that cause seizures. Brain injuries like a concussion or bleeding on the brain can also be an issue. So if rapid breathing seems to be a problem for your dog, always have your vet do a full health check to rule out all problems. When puppies enter the rapid eye movement REM phase of sleeping, they breathe faster. You may also hear vocalizations and see twitching while they dream. This is normal. Short-nosed puppies like Bulldogs can also suffer from conditions like sleep apnea that will disturb their breathing. So in some cases, it may be a problem with their airways relaxing so much in sleep that it causes an obstruction. This may need surgery. Unless a puppy is showing other signs of illness or respiratory distress, breathing faster is a normal reaction during REM sleep when they are dreaming. Breathing is more shallow, rapid, and irregular when puppies dream. Some breeds, like Bulldogs, also suffer from sleep apnea. Why is my puppy breathing fast in the car? Puppies usually pant in cars because of excitement or stress over a new environment. They may also have motion sickness or be overheating, so be aware of stress signals like drooling, lip licking, or yawning. You can also see our article on why dogs whine in cars to help with this issue. Final Thoughts A puppy breathing fast and panting is perfectly normal when they are anxious, excited, hot, or exercising. But medical reasons for excessive panting include nausea, organ problems and diseases, asthma, birth defects, and even parasites. If you see your puppy breathing excessively and there are no obvious reasons for it, it may very well be a medical emergency. Tamsin De La Harpe Author Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs. Got Questions? A normal resting respiratory rate for a puppy can be anywhere between 15 to 40 breaths per minute, while an adult dog will breathe anywhere between 10 to 30 breaths per minute. For example, a brachycephalic dog may breathe differently than those with longer snouts, or a high-energy working breed may breathe quicker than a low-energy breed. Your puppy might also experience rapid breathing also known as tachypnea if they are scared or nervous, such as in a new environment, meeting new dogs, or if they are going on a car ride — these are times of heightened awareness and anticipation. Some puppies may also have irregular breathing or faster breathing when they are sleeping and dreaming. This is also normal and nothing to worry about. For instance, during the REM rapid eye movement stage of sleep, brain waves are faster and more irregular. Is your dog experiencing a loss of appetite? Is your dog open-mouth breathing with nostrils extended? Be a smarter pet parent Sign up for the best pet advice you can get Common medical conditions that can cause your puppy to breathe fast: Upper Respiratory Infections canine infectious respiratory disease, kennel cough Pneumonia. Contact Help! Why is my dog breathing fast but acting normal? You have just noticed that your dog is breathing fast but hasn't been exercising or playing. Should you be concerned? Today our Davidson County vets share some of the reasons why dogs breathe fast, and when you should call the vet. Why is my dog breathing fast? Is something wrong? For you to be able to spot abnormal breathing you'll need to understand what a healthy respiratory breathing rate for your dog is. A typical healthy dog will take between 15 to 35 breaths per minute while at rest. Naturally, while exercising, your pooch will breathe much more quickly. So, anything above 40 breaths per minute while your dog is at rest is considered abnormal and certainly worth investigating. That said, it's important to understand that panting doesn't always mean that there's a problem. Panting is your pup's way of regulating their body temperature, cooling themselves down and allowing water and heat to evaporate from their upper respiratory tract, tongue, and mouth. Dogs can't sweat to cool themselves down, instead they need to breathe fast to allow air to circulate through their body. Rapid breathing helps your pup's body to get back to a normal temperature. How can I tell if my dog is breathing too fast? You may even want to do this when you are not concerned, in order to have a clear understanding of your pet's normal respiratory rate. Anything under 30 breaths per minute is considered normal, anything above 35 may be a cause for concern and is worth contacting your vet over. Your vet will have a good understanding of your dogs normal respiratory rate from previous examinations. Brachycephalic dog breeds, breeds with 'squished faces' or shortened snouts , such as Boston terriers, boxers, and pugs face a higher risk of developing breathing issues and should always be closely monitored by pet owners for signs of increased respiratory effort. Short nosed breeds aren't the only ones that can run into difficulties breathing normally. No matter which breed your dog is, fast breathing could be a sign that your pooch is suffering from an illness or injury that requires urgent veterinary care. A few potential causes of fast or heavy breathing in dogs include: Asthma Lung Diseases such as cancer Exercise. Side Effects of Medication Watching their beloved pup sleeping is one of the sweetest things in the world for many owners. Our pups are gorgeous, but when they sleep, especially in a funny position, we just can not resist them. Looking after our paw friends during sleep is not only quite normal, but it can also be very helpful, as we can recognize any breathing issues that may be present. However, the normal breathing rate for each pup is individual, that is why you may want to consult a veterinarian for accurate information about your paw friend. After 30 seconds you can just multiply the number by two, to determine the breathing rate of your paw friend. Why Do Pups Breathe Fast As mentioned above pups have higher breathing rates than adult dogs, which applies even more to hyper pups, who are eager to play and explore. In general, we could say that there are three types of reasons for faster breathing in pups: 1. Physical-related causes they are quite normal, and you should not worry ; 2. Psychological causes; 3. Underlying medical issues. Psychological causes might be related to stress triggers, that may cause anxiety and lead to increased breathing rate. The third group includes underlying health conditions like heart failure, respiratory problems, Cushing's disease a. In this case you need to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important that the area is not draughty as, as your puppy may get sick. You should always keep in mind that heatstroke is dangerous not only for humans, but also for dogs. During this stage the eyes move fast behind closed eyelids , the heart rate increases and the breathing gets irregular. However, from a medical point of view, there is nothing to worry about. Stress triggers can usually be a rapid environmental change, i. Your Pup Is Breathing Fast During Sleep - When Should You Consult a Veterinarian If you notice that your paw friend is breathing rapidly even when they are resting, or they are panting with a closed or not fully opened mouth, you should contact a veterinarian. Coughing, retching, wheezing as well as producing other sounds , having blue or pale gums, are other signs of underlying health conditions, that require a veterinarian check. This condition can cause permanent lung damage. Coughing occurs as a response of the body in order to help the airways clear the excess mucus. Bronchitis can be acute and chronic. While acute bronchitis is usually caused by infection viral or bacterial and is a temporary condition, if its symptoms remain more than 2 months, it is deemed chronic. Trachea Problems The trachea is a part of the airway system, supported by cartilaginous rings that open to let air in and out. This is a progressive disease, most common in toy breeds like the Pug, the Yorkshire Terrier , the Miniature and the Toy Poodle, the Chihuahua. Tracheal collapse is perceived as an extension of chronic bronchitis. The treatment of trachea problems may feature both medication and preventative care. Dyspnea Dyspnea or the so-called shortness of breath is a condition that prevents the lungs from expanding. As a result, they can not get enough oxygen into the bloodstream which leads to breathing problems. Initial treatment may feature: providing oxygen, taking out fluid from the chest cavity, doing tracheal intubation, inhalation, keeping the pup hydrated, treating any bacterial infections if present. Heart Problems Fast breathing can be a sign of congestive heart failure. Accompanying symptoms can be panting, experiencing fatigue, having difficulties breathing or breathing very rapidly, coughing, and having blue gums. Medication to correct the heartbeat or prevent fluids from build-up may be prescribed. Also, surgery may be administered. Certain types of food such as chocolate, garlic, onion, chives, macadamia nuts, avocado, xylitol, corn on the cob can be harmful for your paw friend. We always recommend that you keep human food which is potentially dangerous for your dog locked and always supervise your paw friend while outdoor. Side Effects of Medication Sedatives and pain relievers can lead to breathing problems in your paw friend. In most cases these medications do not lead to labored breathing when used properly , however, if your dog has an allergic reaction, heart issues, anemia or internal bleeding, breathing problems may occur. Should I Be Worried? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This could be a natural response to a stressful situation, or it could be a sign of something more concerning. How do you know the difference? Read on as we take an in-depth look at dog breathing, starting with what exactly is normal and why dogs breathe so much faster than humans. How Fast Do Dogs Breathe? Dogs do breathe faster than humans. While most humans have a respiration rate of between 12 and 20 breaths per minute when at rest, for dogs it can be almost double that. Dogs can breathe anywhere from 15 to 35 times per minute while at rest and still be considered in the normal range. Smaller dogs tend to breathe faster than larger dogs. You can expect big dogs to be at the lower end of the spectrum and your toy and miniature breeds to be at the higher end. They might have a respiratory rate of between and breaths per minute after a game of chase, but this should last no longer than about 10 minutes once they have returned to a restful state. The reason that dogs breathe so fast in comparison to humans is that this is how they manage their body heat. Quick breathing allows air to circulate around their body and for heat to escape via their upper respiratory tract, tongue, and mouth. A little bit of quick breathing can get their body back to a comfortable temperature quickly. What if your dog has bad breath? Read our guide here. It should take them a maximum of about ten minutes of rest to return to normal breathing post-exercise. If it takes longer than this, it can be a sign that they are being overexercised and you might want to tone things down on your next outing. In High Temperatures When it is hot, your dog might start breathing quickly to lower its temperature. You will probably notice them doing other things to keep cool, such as finding a cool piece of ground to lay their belly on. It might be completely normal for them to have elevated breathing for several hours on a really hot day. While your dog is doing their best to manage their temperature, they are at risk of heat exhaustion if they are kept in the heat for too long. Think about things that you can do to help them lower their temperature. Make sure they have access to shade, a cool spot, or make a fan available for them to sit in front of, and make sure they have plenty of cool water to sip. Active Dreams It can be strange to see your dog breathing faster than normal when they are sleeping, but this is often nothing to worry about. Dogs often have active dreams of chasing their favorite prey or playing with other pups. If they are getting a good workout in their sleep, their respiratory rate might rise as if they are actually doing those things. There will usually be other signs that accompany this type of dreaming such as whining and the occasional leg twitch. Also, when they wake up, their breathing should return to normal pretty quickly. Try not to wake them up while they are having one of those dreams. Just as it is disconcerting for you to be woken when you are in deep REM sleep, the same is true for your dog. Stress And Anxiety You might find that when you first bring a puppy home, they are breathing pretty fast. This can be the result of stress and anxiety associated with adapting to their new home. It is pretty normal and will pass over time. Think about it; they have been taken away from their mother and littermates and have been plunged into an unfamiliar environment with lots of people who want to cuddle them. They are going to be stressed out! This should pass within about a week. Other signs that your dog or puppy might be stressed out include frequent yawning, drooling, licking, pacing, shaking, a general inability to stay still, excessive shedding, and hiding away from people in the household. While adapting to a new home is the most common cause of stress in puppies, for adult dogs being left at home alone for extended periods of time is the most common cause of stress. Having someone drop in and pass time with your dog during the day if you are out of the house for extended periods can make a big difference to their mental health. Read our advice on how to help your new puppy adapt to their new home here. If your dog seems to have extended periods of accelerated breathing for no apparent reason, you might start to be concerned. The first thing to do is to count their breathing to get a feel for just how fast their breathing is, and compare it to what is normal for them. Pay particular attention to breathing issues when it comes to brachycephalic dog breeds —dogs with flat, squished faces— as breathing issues may be one of the first symptoms that they develop. Below are the most common medical conditions associated with accelerated breathing, and the other accompanying symptoms you can expect to notice if they are affecting your dog. Asthma As well as rapid breathing, other common symptoms of asthma in dogs include sudden difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, heavy panting with mouth open, a bluish color to the gums, loss of appetite, and loss of energy. Lung Cancer Lung cancer only tends to be common in older dogs. As well as rapid breathing, other common symptoms include coughing, lethargy, vomiting, weight loss, hair loss, loss of appetite, lameness, fever, and gastrointestinal ulcers. Kennel Cough This is a highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs that usually gets passed around when a large number of dogs come into contact like they do in kennels. As well as rapid breathing, expect to see a strong cough, runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and low fever. Laryngeal Paralysis This is a disease that can make it difficult for your dog to close off their windpipe when they are eating and drinking, which can result in a variety of issues. As well as rapid breathing you will probably notice a strange noise when they are inhaling, a change in the sound of their bark, a blue discoloration around the tongue and gums, and coughing or gagging while eating or drinking. Windpipe Issues Dogs can be affected by a variety of windpipe issues, including pressure on the windpipe and tracheal collapse. As well as rapid breathing, you will notice coughing, vomiting, and gagging, as well as blueness around the mouth. Bacterial Or Fungal Respiratory Infection As well as breathing difficulties, if your pup has picked up a respiratory infection you can expect to see snorting and sneezing, discharge around the nose and eyes, foam around the mouth, high fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and lethargy. Smoke Inhalation If your dog has been exposed to smoke which they have inhaled, in addition to rapid breathing you can expect to see coughing and wheezing, red or irritated eyes, lethargy, weakness, and foaming around the mouth. Pain Increased breathing can be one of the various symptoms that your dog displays when they are in some kind of pain, as a kind of stress response. You can also expert shaking, flattening of the ears, whining, low posture, whimpering, excessive licking or scratching of a specific area, reluctance to play or move, or a loss of appetite. Parasites If your dog has picked up a parasite, such as heartworms, rapid breathing can be one of the symptoms. You may also see diarrhea, vomiting, scooting, a distended abdomen, weight loss, decreased activity, and a dull coat. Compressed Lungs A compressed lung, or pneumothorax, is an accumulation of air outside the lungs but inside the chest walls. This prevents the lungs from inflating properly. Pressure on the lungs due to compression can cause accelerated and abnormal breathing. You may also notice a dull sound associated with their breathing, coughing, and hypoventilation. It can be congenital, or the result of an accident. When your dog is suffering from a hernia, as well as a bulge at the site of the hernia and rapid breathing you may notice vomiting, loss of appetite, drooling, and other general signs of pain. Anemia Anemia occurs when a dog cannot produce enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. This can affect several vital body functions. Dogs suffering from anemia often breathe quickly. They will also likely have pale gums, seem weak and lethargic, and have very dark-colored stools. Medication Certain medications can cause your dog to start breathing quickly. This side effect should be listed on the medication along with other symptoms to look out for. Symptoms Of Concern In addition to the speed, the main symptoms to be concerned about in connection with breathing are: Breathing with the mouth open Noticeably labored breathing Any blueness around the tongue and gums An unusually low or high body temperature Any other respiratory signs such as coughing or sneezing Inactivity or lethargy Weight loss or loss of appetite Any changes in their regular stool Any general signs of pain FAQs How fast should my dog be breathing? A resting respiratory rate of between breaths per minute is considered normal for dogs. Smaller dogs tend to breathe faster and larger dogs slower, Your dog may breathe faster after exercise, when it is very hot, or when they are stressed, but breathing faster than this for extended periods or no apparent reason is a reason for concern. Do puppies breathe fast when they are sleeping? It is more usual to see puppies breathing fast when they are sleeping than adult dogs. This is because they sleep more, and also because they are processing so many more new experiences. This means that they are more likely to have the kind of intense, active dreams that cause their bodies to respond to their dream as if they are active in real life. You will probably notice other signs of this type of dreaming, such as whining, growling, and twitching limbs. The accelerated breathing should only last a few minutes and should stop when they wake up. Do puppies have a fast heart rate? Newborn pups can have a heart rate of around beats per minute. It will slow down as they grow, but stay high at around beats per minute for the first six months or so of their lives. The Verdict When you notice that your dog is breathing a lot faster than you, this is nothing to worry about. The resting respiratory rate of your dog should be about twice as fast as yours. When they are recovering from exercise or dealing with extreme heat, you can expect their breathing to increase significantly, by as much as ten times. They may also breathe faster if they are dealing with stress or anxiety, or having a very active dream. If your dog is consistently breathing at more than 35 breaths per minute for no discernable reason, though, this can be a symptom of a variety of problems from pneumonia, to parasites, to pain. It is time to consult your vet and watch out for other symptoms of what could be going on with your dog. Have you dealt with a dog suffering from accelerated breathing? Share your experience with the community in the comments 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. By Dr. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a referral fee. Learn more If you have adopted a new dog into the family, then, chances are that you are already observing subtle new behaviors in your pup. You may have noticed that it tends to breathe rapidly from time, especially while asleep. Now the question is, is it normal? And should pet parents be worried about such conditions in their young dogs? After all, a dog breathing fast can be extremely stressful for new owners. Particularly for dog owners that have never had any dogs before! However, the situation might not be serious as most of those spates of accelerated breathing are caused by normal conditions. It is only very few that call for urgent veterinary attention. To further understand the causes of rapid breathing in puppies, and to soothe any fears, the following tips will help. What is Considered Fast Breathing? It is quite difficult to know what is considered abnormal breathing in dogs without first studying their normal breathing rate. Pet parents should be informed to know what to always look out for as canine breathing is a bit different from what we experience as humans. Depending on their activity level and general health, an average adult dog is expected to take 10 to 30 breaths a minute. It should also be noted that breathing fast while sleeping can be completely normal for puppy breathing rates, too. Furthermore, to get an accurate result, you just have to catch the puppy when it is relaxed. Though it might sound easy, it can be quite difficult to get a hyperactive puppy into a relaxed mode for more than a few seconds. If your pup is the type that finds it hard to relax, then you have to wait until it has fallen asleep. With this set-up, you will be able to count the number of times the chest retracts and expands per minute. To be sure that your result is accurate enough, you should perform the test repeatedly. Armed with this vital info, every pet parent should be well equipped to decipher when their canine companion is having labored breathing and when it is normal. Why do Puppies Breathe So Fast? If your puppy breathing fast is meeting an average of 30 times per minute, it should be obvious. However, sometimes puppy breathing can be hard to keep track of. A puppy panting in sleep can even take more breaths within one minute. But regardless of any underlying reason, a panting puppy can take as much as breaths in a single minute. Here are some possible reasons why your puppy is breathing so fast. Excessive Heat A puppy that has spent much time under the scorching sun is likely to pant rapidly — this is a normal situation. It will aid the dog in regulating its body temperature. And although there are sweat glands present in their paws, the best that a dog can do under such a situation is to pant to cool off. This form of remedy is natural and how fast a dog breathes is dependent on how hot its body is. Stress and Anxiety It is a common occurrence for puppies to experience rapid breathing when they arrive at their new homes. This is considered one of the most difficult instances of rapid breathing and excessive panting, as it has no immediate remedy. Most puppies are confused and frightened when they are first brought home, especially with their separation from a familiar home to a strange one. These puppies will also be missing the care of their mother, and it will take them time to settle and acclimate to their new environment. Any new experience like going in a car for the first time can bring on fast breathing, which will normalize as the puppy gets used to the experience. Over-Exertion High temperature and excessive physical activity also result in rapid breathing. Puppies are naturally hyperactive; in fact, they are best described as little balls of energy, ever ready to run around and play non-stop. They are going to be worn out from all that activity, and once they take a break, fast breathing will be observed. Consequently, your pup may decide to lie down for some minutes to catch its breath. The fast breathing is merely an attempt to bring things back to normal as the dog calms down. Sleeping Puppies tend to sleep more compared to adult dogs, and it is quite normal for them to breathe faster while asleep — it is a vital part of their development process. Typically, accelerated breathing occurs in the rapid eye movement REM stage. At this stage, a puppy is fast asleep and has some vivid dreams. The rapid breathing can be attributed to the dog having horrifying dreams or pleasant ones where it is chasing and lynching prey. Whichever may be the case, all fast breathing will cease immediately when your puppy is awake. Additionally, it is not strange for accelerated breathing to occur alongside some unusual behaviors — a dog can suddenly start to bark, whimper, or kick like it is making attempt to break out in a run. All these are quite normal with puppies and do not call for professional attention. Sleeping position Rapid breathing may be the culprit when a dog lies or stands with its elbows placed side apart and neck stretched out. In this kind of condition, distress is sure to set in when you try interacting with the pup. Their gums and tongue should be equally scrutinized, and the vet should be brought in if any unusual color is observed blue or blue-purple tinge. But when accelerated breathing is a result of health problems, the causes are quite numerous. From a medical standpoint, these are just a few examples of why your dog is breathing rapidly. Tachypnea There is no immediate cause for these types of breathing problems. A puppy with tachypnea will suddenly start panting even when it was relaxed before the episode. This type of panting tends to persist and can last longer compared to normal panting spells. You might observe your puppy positioning its body such that the intake of air will be increased, and for this effort, the pup will look exhausted. For the canine population, panting is supposed to come naturally; so, when you notice that your pooch is working too hard for it, it is time to call on the vet. Dyspnea might also be a result of some physical symptoms coming from an underlying health problem that is ailing the dog. This includes conditions like kennel cough, asthma, infections, pulmonary edema, worms, and a whole lot more. Brachycephalic Dogs A dog that is Brachycephalic can have its normal panting escalate into a health problem. The condition is prevalent among breeds with signature short snouts like Boston Terriers , Pugs , and many more. Of course, knowing how many breaths the average dog takes is going to be vastly different when compared to non-brachycephalic dog breeds. These dog breeds are prone to breathing problems, their soft palates are longer and have the propensity to obstruct the airways, narrowing the nostrils; thus making inhaling difficult. If your pup belongs to any of those breeds, then you must try to avoid the occurrence of excessive panting. Possible Cures or Solutions If rapid canine breathing is a result of some medical condition, the vet will recommend some medication to manage or cure the condition. If the culprit is excessive heat, the possible remedy is to take the puppy indoors and increase the air-conditioner. Coldwater should also be made available. Failure to cool the dog down immediately may lead to heatstroke, which is fatal and can lead to death on some occasions. Never expose a puppy to very hot weather for too long or leave it locked in a hot car. You can only be loving and gentle, taking the opportunity to bond with your new pooch as you try to let it know that all is well and that you are ready to protect and care for it. This is exactly where the treats come in handy; you can dish out the treats during vet visits, car rides, or trips just to let them know that this new experience is nothing but a positive one. With time, the puppy will begin to associate those situations with dog treats , praises, and rewards, and the negative feelings will dissipate naturally. The remedy for over-exertion is to make plenty of water available to the dog and bring it into an air-conditioned room. You may also try relaxing the dog for a while by making it sit before moving out for the next play session, which is inevitable as puppies rarely rest. There is no remedy for accelerated breathing while a puppy sleeps. Just wait for the dog to wake up, and all will become normal again. It is not a good idea to wake a puppy from sleep just because it is breathing fast — this may lead to dog bites as the shock of suddenly snapping back into reality becomes overwhelming. The dog is likely to forget who you are and act in self-defense, so it is best to let sleeping dogs lie. Conclusion Canine rapid breathing does not always signify distress; your puppy breathing fast and shallow with an open mouth and lolling tongue could mean that it is just panting to cool down its body temperature. However, if you notice that your canine friend is breathing faster and heavier than normal, with a mouth partly open or closed, something serious may be in the offing, and the vet should be contacted immediately. Also, note that a puppy breathing fast while sleeping may be that the young dog is acting its dream out! Note: The contents of the www. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. You might also be interested in: Normal Breathing in dogs We hope that you all remember from biology class that breathing in brings oxygen into our lungs, swapping it with carbon dioxide to be expelled. The oxygen goes round the body to our cells, providing them with energy to function, producing more CO2 as a waste product. Without this critical action, we pretty much cease to function… we die! Our bodies are pretty good at knowing what they want. When our bodies are metabolising producing energy fast, such as during exercise, we use up oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide. Increased carbon dioxide leads to a drop in the pH of the blood — it becomes more acidic. So if the chemoreceptors detect low blood pH and O2, and high CO2, they tell the lungs and associated muscles to work faster tachypnoea or breathing fast. This brings oxygen into and CO2 out of our bodies more quickly, restoring balance. Once the levels are normal, the receptors tell the lungs to slow down again. So why is your puppy breathing fast? Probably because its chemoreceptors have detected low O2 and blood pH, and high CO2, and are compensating. Question answered! You probably want a bit more information than that. Normal Causes There are plenty of normal reasons why your puppy might be breathing fast. As mentioned above, the most likely reason is exercise. If a puppy has been running around all afternoon, its body will have a huge demand for oxygen to supply the hard-working cells, and a lot of CO2 to remove. Breathing fast will help correct this quickly. Stress, excitement or fear are all linked to the stress hormone cortisol. Also known as the fight-or-flight hormone, when it activates it increases the heart rate. As the heart is a muscle, it needs oxygen to function. A faster heart leads to tachypnoea as the lungs compensate to bring more O2 to the heart. Has your puppy just had a fright or gotten excited? This might be the cause of the fast breathing rate. Cortisol is also responsible for an increased breathing rate due to pain. If your puppy sadly hurts themself, they may breathe faster. Finally, the lungs have a secondary function of helping to cool the body down by expelling warm air and inhaling cooler air. As dogs only sweat through their feet and noses, the lungs are particularly important in regulating heat. Heat is produced secondarily to exercise or just because of the environment — if your puppy is too hot, it will pant fast to lose some of that heat. Be especially wary of exercising puppies on hot days, as the two heat sources can overwhelm their compensation mechanisms and lead to heatstroke — heatstroke can be fatal , especially in puppies, so always help them cool down if they are panting too hard. A fever due to illness can cause rapid breathing for the same reason. Heart Diseases The heart is closely linked to the lungs. It pumps blood to the lungs, allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged. Most heart diseases in puppies are present from birth — developing heart disease at such a young age is rare. The developing heart undergoes a lot of changes before a puppy is born. These cause the blood to flow in the wrong direction, or the heart to have to work harder against pressure. The result is excessive strain on the heart. We can sometimes hear these defects with a stethoscope as a heart murmur. Only the most serious heart defects cause disease and tachypnoea as a puppy — many will either cause no effects or result in disease later in life. Puppies with heart disease may have soft coughs and be very lethargic. To compensate, the lungs speed up — lung disease often results in very fast but shallow breathing. There are many kinds of lung disease. In puppies, the most common are probably infectious lung diseases. These include kennel cough , bronchopneumonia, viral infections like influenza, and lungworm. These diseases damage the lungs, fill them with infection and reduce the area available for oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged. Secondary infections after inhaling objects such as grass seeds or just a simple blockage are also a common cause of tachypnoea. Generally, puppies with lung infections also have a fever, a cough and are quite poorly, so please speak to your vet if you suspect a lung infection. Sometimes newborn puppies can be born breathing very rapidly as a result of their lungs not functioning properly. When animals are born, the lungs are often immature and full of fluid — they usually clear within a few hours of life but they can sometimes take longer, especially if the puppy was born premature. In these cases, the puppy will often be breathing quite fast. Newborn puppies are very vulnerable, so a puppy like this will need a lot of veterinary care. Finally, the lungs can also be physically damaged, reducing their capacity and resulting in compensatory tachypnoea. Examples include bruising or puncture after an accident, or damage to the ribs or diaphragm that control lung movement. These events are obviously an emergency as there could be other issues going on like internal bleeding. However, not all tachypnoea is directly linked to the heart or lungs. These puppies are often dehydrated, e. Hypovolaemia can also occur due to bleeding. Finally, the red blood cells themselves the cells that carry oxygen can be low anaemia or damaged. There are many causes of red blood cell dysfunction, including chronic disease, parasites, autoimmune diseases, carbon monoxide or onion poisoning. Puppies with these issues are often pale, cold and have blue gums. All of the above are emergencies that need to be seen by a vet ASAP. The abdomen is close to the lungs and the abdominal organs even push up on the diaphragm when animals breathe out to help expel air. But if the organs get too big they can start to compress the lungs too much, they reduce its capacity for oxygen movement and causing tachypnoea. One of the most common reasons for a swollen belly in puppies is worms — puppies should be treated for worms regularly to prevent this. Swollen tummies can also occur due to blockages from swallowed objects or stools, twisted intestines or fluid in the abdomen. There is also a rare congenital disease that allows abdominal organs to enter the thorax where the lungs are, pushing on them — we can correct this with surgery. A puppy with a big swollen belly should always be investigated for these diseases. Finally, remember that control of the breathing rate is related to specific parts of the brain. Brain damage can sometimes result in tachypnoea, as well as other serious neurological issues. There is usually an underlying cause, and in puppies is probably due to an accident. If your puppy has bumped their head, please speak to a vet quickly, especially if they are breathing fast, are collapsed or bleeding, or are an abnormal colour. You should only consider talking to a vet if the puppy is breathing fast for prolonged periods of time, or there are other signs of disease. You might also be interested in:.

A whelping box is a safe, enclosed space where a dog can give birth and care for her puppies. The box typically has high sides to prevent the puppies from accidentally falling out, and it is often lined with soft bedding material to keep the puppies warm and comfortable. The box may also include a heat lamp to provide additional warmth, and it may be equipped with a door that can be opened or closed for easy, safe access, and to regulate the temperature inside. A whelping box should be large enough for the mother to move around comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat and provide a feeling of security. It should be used from the time your dog goes into labor until the puppies are weaned. Once the puppies are weaned, they can be moved to a puppy pen or dog crate. By the way, a whelping box should also have puppy rails. Puppy rails, also known as pig rails, are secured inside the whelping box quite low around the perimeter of the box. This is a crucial safety feature, as it helps prevent the puppies from being crushed against the wall of the box How Does A Whelping Box Help? A dog whelping box is an essential piece of equipment for any dog owner who is expecting a litter of puppies, as it helps to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and her offspring. A whelping box provides a safe, warm environment for your dog to have her puppies. This helps keep the mama calm during the labor and keep stress levels to a minimum while caring for the pups in a safe space. If you have other pets in the house, a whelping box ensures that they do not disturb or hurt the puppies. Using a whelping box also reduces the risk of the puppies becoming injured or lost. A DIY whelping box is an easy and affordable way to provide a safe space for your dog to have her puppies. Building a whelping box is a simple project that anyone can do. There are quite a few different ways to do that — most of them being very simple, quick, and inexpensive. Choose a bin that is large enough for your dog to move around comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat. If the sides are very high, drill or cut holes in the sides of the bin for ventilation. Finally, line the bottom of the bin with appropriate materials to absorb any mess. And there you have it, a cheap DIY whelping box! Find a sturdy cardboard box that is large enough for your dog to move around in. Cut holes in the sides of the box for ventilation. You should also cut an appropriate sized opening for the mama and puppies to get out of the box comfortably. Line the bottom of the box with comfy and cushy materials that absorb any mess. Cardboard is very porous and it can get flimsy rather quickly. However, you may want to opt for something sturdier and less porous instead. Bring Out The Kiddie Pool You can build a whelping box out of many different materials, but one of the cheapest and easiest options is to use a kiddie pool. To create a kiddie pool whelping box, simply clean the pool thoroughly, secure the puppy rails you can use pool noodles for this , and line it with towels or blankets. Place the pool in a quiet, draft-free room in your home and make sure that it is big enough for your dog to move around comfortably. But, a sturdy wood whelping box can be used over and over again, making it well worth your time. Of course, you should carefully consider which type of wood you use. For instance, the popular plywood is actually very porous, making it harder to clean. It also traps in dirt and bacteria, which could lead to infections and illnesses. Start by measuring your mama dog and the area where you want to place the whelping box and cut the wood to size. Be sure to make the opening large enough for your dog to comfortably enter and exit. In addition to that, you should also attach low rails inside the box. But why PVC? PVC is a strong, durable material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. And if it does get dirty, a quick wipe-down is all it takes to clean it. In addition, PVC is lightweight and easy to assemble, making it ideal for use in a whelping box. Many whelping boxes available for purchase are made from PVC materials thanks to all of their amazing qualities. But, as you may know, ready made PVC whelping boxes can be quite pricey. However, PVC pipes make excellent pig rails for that added safety and security. Obviously, you want to make the DIY whelping box as comfortable as possible for the mama and the pups. Some breeders also use heat lamps to keep the whelping box warm. Even though some people opt for newspaper or wood shavings, we recommend you avoid them. Another popular choice is using old bedding or towels. They may get trapped or accidentally crushed by the mother. However, if you manage to secure the blankets and towels in place, they should be safe to use. In addition to that, you can also opt for a specially designed crate pad that stays in place, provides warmth, and is safe for the puppies. Line the bottom of the box with absorbent material and change it often. Wash bedding in hot water and disinfect surfaces regularly. The bedding should be dry at all times, so whenever an accident happens, be sure to change the bedding as soon as possible. Where you place the box is just as important as the box itself. It should be in a quiet area away from the main traffic flow of your home, and out of direct sunlight. You should also keep it far away from potential hazards like open stairways or fireplaces. The whelping box should also be large enough to accommodate the mother dog and all of her puppies comfortably. The temperature in the area should be comfortable — not too hot and not too cold. If necessary you may have to get an additional heating pad or a heating lamp to keep the puppies warm. To build a basic DIY whelping box, you will need either a kiddie pool, cardboard box, or a storage bin. You should also stock up on bedding material like blankets, towels, or crate pads. Next, line the bottom of the box with your chosen bedding material. This will help to keep the puppies warm and dry. Finally, place the box in a quiet, private area where your dog can feel safe and secure. By following these simple steps, you can easily create a cozy space for your dog to welcome her new puppies into the world. PVC tubes are often used to create puppy rails, a. As we mentioned earlier, a dog whelping box should be big enough for the mama and pups to comfortably move around. Yet, it should be snug enough so that it retains body heat. The general recommendation is that a whelping box should be one foot longer than your mama dog. Only measure your dog stretched out, as the mama has to be able to move and stretch comfortably around the box while caring for the puppies. By the way, you can also get some hints from websites that sell different dog whelping boxes. Just take a quick peek at what sizes they offer! It provides a safe, warm environment for the mama and her pups, and helps to contain the mess. Building a DIY whelping box is a simple project that anyone can do. Do you have any tips for building a DIY whelping box? Share them in the comments below! Designing to protect puppies during birth whelping , it keeps them safely contained, protects them from the cold, and ensures they aren't crushed by their mother. What's the point of a whelping box? A whelping box or whelping bed is a secure zone for your dog to give birth. It is a safe and ideal place for your pregnant dog to give birth. From reusable plastic whelping boxes to cardboard options, there are lots to choose from. You will also need to keep the box warm, so it's advised to choose bedding materials that are soft, warm, have good traction, and are easily cleaned and disinfected. Avoid hay, straw or shavings that can cause eye and skin irritations. Where is the best place to put a whelping box? In order to keep your newborn puppies safe, place your whelping box in a room that is isolated from other dogs. You might want to consider closing a door or gate to keep other inquisitive pups away. Alternatively, an ex-pen around the whelping box will provide an extra layer of safety. Take a look at some of the best whelping boxes to buy now.The whelping insert can also be easily dismantled, making the box great for their next stage of life. Simply pop the whelping box in the recycling when finished to avoid any cross contamination. It also comes with coated wooden puppy rails to stop the young pups being squashed by their mother. Complete with water-resistant cardboard liner, this whelping box from Amazon comes in three different sizes and stops cross-contamination between litters. Choose from three sizes to find the right one for your breed. It might be more of an investment, but it also comes with an added puppy playpen to let the new dogs grow and play safely. Watch Next. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A female dog in her whelping box. Whelping Box with Extension Wall. Whelping boxes vary from improvised cardboard boxes, durable corrugated plastic to purpose built equipment, typically made of plywood or plastic. Desirable features include ease of cleaning and sanitation, extendibility, and toughness. However, there can sometimes not be enough traction, and with the added factor of an unnaturally flat floor, often puppies can develop, and suffer from what is known as hip dysplasia. Also whelping dens exist, which are whelping boxes that are enclosed on top. Commercially available whelping boxes often feature accommodations for accessories such as heat control devices and IP camera attachment. The sides of the box are designed to be high enough to safely contain the puppies, yet low enough to allow the mother to enter and leave comfortably, with consideration given to her protruding mammary glands. Alternatively, the box is provisioned with a doorway with adjustable height for the same purpose. The bottom of the box may or may not have a floor and may be lined with specially designed "whelping pads," or layers of newspaper or fabric to provide insulation from cold floors and to absorb fluids. Full covers may be used to prevent puppies from escaping. Most boxes will include a low railing termed rails, pig rails, or roll-bars fixed to the inside perimeter of the box. This is to protect puppies from being crushed or smothered by the mother should she roll over during birthing or while asleep. This is considered especially important with larger dog breeds.

The Bulldog is also the mascot of Yale University and the U. Marines, no doubt for its tough and tenacious character. Although Bulldogs were originally bred as cattle herders and for a bloody sport called bullbaiting, they now make excellent family pets. Georgians love Bulldogs for their gentle and loving nature. This is a fairly low maintenance breed that loves a brief walk, followed by a snooze on the sofa. In particular, Bulldogs are a great first pet for novice pet parents in Georgia. In terms of lifestyle, Bulldogs adapt well to apartment living in Georgia although they do have a loud bark. They can tolerate being alone to some degree, so a Bulldog may be a good choice for individuals who live alone and go away to work for some hours every day. However, Bulldogs do not tolerate extreme cold or extreme hot weather. Bulldogs are an all-around friendly breed. They are affectionate with family members and do well with kids. You might find your Bulldog is overly friendly towards strangers. However, they can have some trouble adjusting to other dogs in the household. Bulldogs are moderate shedders and heavy droolers. This is a generally robust breed with overall good health and easy to groom. However, Bulldogs do have a high tendency to gain weight, so you have to be careful about giving treats and table scraps and controlling portion size at mealtimes. In terms of training your Bulldog in Georgia, this is not a breed known for its supreme intelligence. Apartment dwellers in Georgia should be aware that Bulldogs have a tendency to bark and howl, so early training is key. Overall, Bulldogs are a great choice for Georgia individuals and families. This is a playful breed with low to medium energy and moderate exercise needs. Bulldogs make great companion dogs in Georgia. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T.