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Newborn German shepherd puppies are used to sleeping together with their mother and littermates. Since they left their packs and became your family member, they are now looking to their humans to provide them with the warmth and love they missed. Without good socialization early in life, your German shepherd will likely become overly protective and territorial, making them want to stay close to you anytime and anywhere. Overly protective shepherds are dangerous and unpredictable. This can occur with both puppies and adults, but puppies may react more strongly since they have endured separation from their mother and littermates. A dog with separation anxiety needs to be medicated immediately otherwise, they can exhibit an alarming behavior that is hard to stop, such as excessive howling and barking, becoming destructive, and trying to escape from their house. Fear Another reason is that your dog gets frightened. Your dog can develop fearful behavior as a result of the lack of early socialization or because they were picked on or mistreated as a puppy. With fear, the naturally protective German shepherd can become aggressive, taking their protective instinct too far. If your shepherd is a puppy, be aware that they might undergo what is called a fear period. In this stage, your puppy may suddenly become worried, anxious, or afraid for no apparent reason other than their age. For some, the dog on the bed provides a great sense of security and comfort, but others find the idea unhygienic. But it can be okay when your puppy matures into an adult dog. Even after they reach adulthood, I would still suggest keeping your dog out of your bed. They could ruin your sleep by snoring, tossing and turning, or cover-hogging. How to Teach My German Shepherd to Not Sleep On the Bed The first thing that you need to remember is that, as with any behavioral modification procedure, if your shepherd has slept in your bed for some time, it will take a while until they learn to change their sleeping habits. Here are steps to keep your dog from sleeping in your bed: Make your bed unappealing to your dog. Create an appealing new sleeping zone. Tire out your dog. Lead your dog to their new sleeping space, and make it a positive experience. Make it a positive experience. Make Your Bed Unappealing Do whatever you can to make your bed less appealing to your dog. You can also place obstacles around and on the bed, like a pen or upturned laundry basket, to make it less cozy and inviting than their own bed. Ideally, the new place should feel safe and secure, so they can sleep without worrying about something sneaking up on them in the middle of the night. You can also add some other things to their corner like their favorite toys, blanket, and pillow to make the transition as smooth as possible. The key here is to tire your shepherd out to keep them from acting out. Do whatever you can to tucker your dog out. You can have your dog do their favorite physical or mental exercises a few hours before bedtime. If you force your dog to do something against their will, they will revert back to their previous habits. Make It a Positive Experience Praise and reward your dog with treats whenever they stay in their new bed. Most likely, for the first weeks, your dog will try to sleep in their old spot again. Instead, lead them back to their bed, reward them, and then try again. Related Questions 1. They might feel anxious or are afraid of something in their room such as pets or that you have inadvertently encouraged them to sleep with you. Your dog may change his sleeping area for various reasons. For example, they might feel your bedroom is too hot or too cold, or something upset them, or it is because they simply want their own room. Your dog may prefer you over your husband because you are always there with them. Still, naturally, if one person in a couple spends more time with the dog, the dog will yearn to spend time with the other partner too. 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:. Check Price on Amazon Early socialization, obedience training, and puppy training classes are vital for new pups. Please remember, though, if you let your puppy sleep with you, it may require more work during the daytime to assert your dominance and help your pup become more independent. As a first-time dog owner, I took the advice of my breeder who recommended using a crate and to lay the foundations on the first night. As the crate will be too large at first, you can partition it in half until your dog grows. Read More: 8 Best Dog Crates for German Shepherds and Playpens You can place the crate in his own special area of the house, or you can choose to put it right next to your bed if space allows. I chose the former as I am a light sleeper, and I hate to have my sleep disturbed — remember too that dogs have different sleep cycles than humans. If you choose to put the crate in your bedroom you can transition to another area of the house after a few weeks. Although I could hear my German Shepherd cry once in a while during the first night, once that was over, she was just fine. This is quite normal, and your dog will soon get to love their crate as it is their own special place where they can go to either rest or enjoy their favorite chew toys. When Your German Shepherd is an Adult This study states that approximately half of pet owners share their bedroom or bed with their pet during the night. If you choose to sleep with your German Shepherd once he is an adult, several benefits come along with it. However, you should make sure that your dog is well-behaved and trained. Dogs who are territorial or aggressive should not sleep in your bed. When you opt to sleep with your pet, these overall benefits become even stronger. Some of the most common health benefits of sleeping with your adult German Shepherd include: An overall reduction in depression and anxiety. Increased feeling of security. Lowered blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. A decrease in hypertension. As you can see, many benefits go along with sleeping with your adult German Shepherd in addition to increasing the loving bond. However, this should only occur after your dog has shown that he has been properly trained and socialized and knows you are the boss! Of course, there can be negatives in allowing your German Shepherd to sleep with you. It may affect your marriage! Although I have mentioned you may suffer from disturbed sleep if you sleep with your German Shepherd, this depends on the type of sleeper that you are. In fact, this study from The Mayo Clinic looked at the sleep of 40 healthy humans and their dogs occupying the same bedroom to find out whether sleeping together was conducive to sleep. Still, even when you are allowing your dog to sleep with you, there are two rules to follow: Only allow your dog onto your bed at night when you say so. Your German Shepherd should not feel that he has free reign of your bed and can come and go as he pleases. This can impede how he views your hierarchy. Instead, only allow him on the bed at night, and only after you have said it is okay. Always have another spot for your German Shepherd to sleep. Sometimes your dog wants to enjoy his own space. Always make sure you have a bed or crate nearby where he can get warm and cozy without being in your bed. This will give him additional security. When all is said and done once your GSD is an adult, and they grow pretty quick as you can see from the GSD growth chart , it is a matter of personal choice. Here are some other key takeaways from the article: You may choose to let your new GSD pup sleep in a crate or his own bed at the side of you. Only when he is an adult, you have the option of letting him accompany you to your bed at night time. The benefits of sleeping with your dog include increased security, bonding, and mental health. Negatives include possible disturbed sleep and an increase in any allergy symptoms. Related Posts You May Like:. They need to go to the toilet How to stop a german shepherd puppy crying at night? There are many different reasons that your pup may be crying at night. Fortunately, there are also lots of ways to help him sleep better at night. Here are a few of the ways you can stop your german shepherd puppy from crying at night: Exercise to tire your German Shepherd puppy out: Your puppy should be taken out for 5 minutes for however many months old they are. For example, a 3-month-old puppy would be taken out for 15 minutes. Make sure you tire them out enough to help them sleep better at night. Let your German Shepherd puppy outside before bed: Make sure you let your puppy outside to relieve himself before putting him to bed. Surround your German Shepherd puppy with familiar objects: Bring clothing with the scent of the home or the breeder next to him while he sleeps. This will help give him something familiar and help him ease into the transition to his new home. Play soothing music: Playing classical music before and during bedtime can help alleviate whining and anxiety as well as drown out other noise or unfamiliar sounds that may upset or rouse your puppy. The average dog sleeps for only 45 minutes at a time, while human sleep cycles are much longer, lasting 70 to minutes. Dogs can only experience two sleep cycles during that time period. Dogs also differ from humans in that they are polyphasic sleepers, which means they sleep on and off throughout the day. Humans, on the other hand, are monophasic sleepers. Most humans receive their 7 to 9 hours of sleep all at once. While humans spend most of their waking hours awake and alert, dogs dedicate up to 5 hours of their day to simply resting. Dogs who rest more during the day tend to seem happier and more relaxed. Do dogs dream and what about? Dreaming occurs mainly during this REM phase of sleep. And dogs do cycle through REM during their sleep. So its make sense to believe that dog do dream. A puppy will spend more time in dream sleep than an adult dog as they fall asleep more often. So just what are our furry friends dreaming about? Anything your dog does during the day is being processed while they sleep and relived in their dream. This can be observed by their twitching whiskers, the whimpering, and the running paws while they are sleeping. Chances are that your dog may also be dreaming about you if you spend enough quality time interacting with them. They will be dreaming about your play session, walks, and cuddle time together. Where should my German Shepherd puppy sleep? German Shepherd puppies should sleep inside with comfortable beddings. This is because if your puppy has too much space to roam, it will be harder to get them potty trained as they will just find a spot to do their business away from where they are sleeping. You can place the crate beside your bed or in an area close to you. In this way, your new furry friend can smell you. And it gives him a sense of security. Should I sleep with my German Shepherd puppy? You should not sleep with your German Shepherd puppy during the first few months home. Yet you can let your pup sleep beside you in a crate or a dog bed. Your puppy needs to get used to a regular schedule, work on their independence, and see you as the dominant figure. Once your GSD has become an adult months-old to 2-year-old , it will be fine for you to sleep with him. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep with me? A new dog may need some time to adjust before they are ready to sleep in your bed. If they show interest in sleeping with you and are well-behaved , you can always let them on the bed later on down the road. What are the benefits of sleeping with dogs? If you are still reading, chances are you might like to sleep with your dog at night. Pets offer comfort and security, but they may affect sleep quality or trigger allergies for some people. Petting dogs in particular has proved to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. If touching your pet is part of the key to gaining health benefits, cuddling up together at night is only to make it better. Sleeping with dogs promotes creativity Studies have shown that when dogs are with their owners their heartbeats sync up. This experience promotes theta brainwaves which can be seen in connection with creativity, intuition, daydreaming, and fantasizing and is a repository for memories, emotions, sensations. Theta waves are strong during internal focus, meditation, prayer, and spiritual awareness. Sleeping with dogs boost your mood Studies have found that people who spend time with dogs reported fewer depressive symptoms. Not only is it fun to be with your furry friends, it also helps us relax and increases our flow of oxytocin, the love chemical. Sleeping with dogs makes you feel safe Think about it — your GSD is hard-wired to protect. Many people and having the dog protecting them helps them feel more secure and sleep more soundly. Sleeping with dogs is comfortable That furry, cuddly animal is likely to love lying with you just as much as you enjoy laying with them. The level of comfort a dog brings to the bed helps put you at ease and makes you feel cozy. Sleeping with dogs promote immunity Many people have hygienic concerns when it comes to sleeping with their dogs. However, one study found that infants who slept with their pets were less likely to develop allergies later on in life. After all, your new furry friend will sleep for at least 15 hours per day during their short lives. And the better they sleep, the healthier and happier they are. Further reading. It took the better part of 35 years to perfect the breed, but the results were impressive—a smart , swift, and intelligent animal, skilled in a variety of tasks. Over the years, the German Shepherd cultivated a strong reputation as a loyal and authoritative breed. It was von Stephanitz himself who eventually shifted the focus from herding to police and military work and great effect. Today, German Shepherds are the preferred companion of K-9 units and similar outfits all over the world. While it might take some time for German Shepherds to warm up to their human companions, their eventual devotion is unwavering and absolute. According to VetStreet, German Shepherds are not cut out for the backyard lifestyle. If you own one of these dogs, you need to be prepared to make room for him or her as a regular member of the household. This anxiety occurs when an animal is greatly attached to its owner or other family members fur-covered or otherwise and becomes upset when they leave. It sometimes manifests itself in destructive behavior and could be a major factor in their refusal to leave you alone during the night. You might also entice them with treats or puzzle toys whenever you leave the house, which will condition them to view your departure in a more positive light. They might also be trying to protect you from what they perceive as an external threat—for example if you have overnight guests with whom the dog is unfamiliar. You can train your dog to be less anxious by slowly introducing him or her to strangers in a neutral environment. Keep a supply of small treats on hand for people to offer. This will help the dog to associate strangers with delicious rewards, thereby dialing back the perceived threat. Or maybe you adopted it from a shelter, and its previous owners allowed it to sleep in their beds from day one. Pet behavioral expert Dr. Margaret Gruen suggests that dogs who curl up in the fetal position during sleep are attempting to keep warm, in addition to protecting their vital organs. If your German Shepherd is taking this position night after night, it might be seeking additional warmth by climbing into bed with you. Make their bed more appealing Does your German Shepherd have its sleeping area? If your dog is a puppy, invest in a bed that will be large enough when they grow to full size. Encourage your dog to lay down on the bed, enticing it with praise, treats, and other rewards. Start with plenty of high-value treats, such as bits of hot dog, cooked chicken, or cheese. Apprehensive about training a dog to stay in its own space? Check out this handy YouTube tutorial , which takes a great deal of the guesswork out of the process. It even includes tips on finding the perfect bed. Use the positive reinforcement described earlier to help the dog associate the crate with good times and relaxation. Toss a ball into the crate and encourage the pup to run in after it, or fill a puzzle toy with treats and place it inside. Once the dog gets used to the crate, you can experiment with leaving him or her inside for longer periods, and eventually overnight. Do I have to train the dog to sleep in its bed? In a word, no. If you prefer to have your dog sleep with you at night, there are numerous ways to encourage him or her. Take a look at this YouTube video for inspiration. If you do opt to train your German Shepherd to sleep on its own, be consistent. Choosing to let your adult German Shepherd Dog sleep with you is your own decision and there are many benefits to doing so. However, you should know that as a puppy the best thing you can do for them is completely ignore unwanted behavior. Separation anxiety: My first German Shepherd was Fina. Fina was an amazing, friendly dog. I made one huge mistake with her when I first got her. I brought her home and she was separated from the other pups and her mom and I was crate training her. At night, she whined, and I felt bad, so I slept on the ground near her crate, allowing her to chew on my finger. This was a huge mistake and lead to a lifetime of severe separation anxiety. Ignore whining! You can sleep with your cuddly puppy, but do not do it to appease them. If you are crate training them, they are going to whimper and whine. It was amazing and fascinating to watch. I have crate trained multiple puppies. I put their crates in my bedroom, right beside the bed. Once that door closes, they begin whining and howling. At this point there is no turning back. NEVER try to calm them down. NEVER yell at them. NEVER do anything positive or negative. At this point you need to plug your ears and wait it out. They will stop. In general, the first night they will whine 20 minutes. The second night they will whine 15 minutes. The third night they will whine 10 minutes. The fourth night they will whine 5 minutes. Basically, if you deal with 1 hour of whining, you could save yourself 13 years of major behavioral problems. Should my German Shepherd sleep in my bed? There are some negatives but the pros outweigh the cons for many people. Does your dog sleep with you? Please comment below with your stories about dogs sleeping in your bed. Watching TV with your dog on the family sofa is one thing, but your bed belongs to you. Almost every dog-owner has contemplated this question when adding a new canine member to the family. You should not let your German Shepherd dog sleep with you. Although there are might be co-sleeping benefits for both you and your dog, your pet deserves a separate bed. Additionally there are some factors to consider, such as pet allergies, bed size, and sleep schedule. The most significant benefit is that it forms and reinforces the bond between you and your dog. This statement is true with young puppies and mostly accurate with dogs adopted from a rescue or shelter. Allowing a dog to sleep with you is a clear sign to the dog that he or she is an accepted addition to your home. Dogs are pack animals. By nature, dogs sleep with their families. Whether their priority is your safety or their own safety, co-sleeping fulfills a need for your dog. Certain types of dogs get cold often. Staying warm at night, especially in colder climates, is more difficult for short-haired dogs. This fact is especially so with smaller dogs and elderly dogs. Cuddling with their owners is a great way to keep warm at night. Some dogs have anxiety. Some dogs are naturally anxious and high-strung. Sleeping together every night is predictable, and dogs like that. There are also rescue dogs who have a history that makes them feel unsafe frequently. Sleeping with their owner can help build trust in humans and develop a strong bond. Eventually, the anxiety may lessen as the dog starts to feel unthreatened and protected. Many dogs have separation anxiety. Although the degree of separation anxiety may vary considerably, many dogs do experience it on some level. Sleeping together with their owners all night long makes everything right with their world. There are numerous physical and mental health benefits you get that result from sleeping with your dog. Among them are reduced blood pressure, depression, loneliness, insomnia, and stress. Laying next to a dog helps you fall asleep more easily. You sleep more soundly with your dog nearby because you feel safer. Some people are light sleepers because they feel like they need to be alert always. Knowing a dog is by your side, being alert on your behalf gives you an increased sense of security. Being near a dog helps you relax. A hormone called oxytocin increases its flow in your body when you are very close to a dog. This hormone makes you feel happy and loving. There are specific tendencies characteristic to this breed that fit with co-sleeping. For example, dog-owners in history bred German Shepherds to be herders. They are happiest when their people are settled in and all together. If your German Shepherd experiences separation anxiety, he or she might refuse to leave your side at night. Members of this breed are also natural protectors of their pack. They will sleep better, knowing that they can watch over you to keep you safe. Like other dogs, German Shepherds who are rescue dogs may have been allowed to sleep with their past owners. They may also have been in situations where they felt to be in danger repeatedly. Co-sleeping with you may be a way for your dog to feel safe and secure. Do You Have Enough Space? A practical thing to consider is whether your bed will fit yourself, your significant other, and your pet or pets. The average German Shepherd can weigh lbs .A queen-size bed would work for a single owner and a German Shepherd, but two adults plus a large dog require a king-size bed. The main thing dog-owners complain about when it comes to having their dog sleep with them is having their sleep disrupted. Some dogs bark at the smallest sound coming from outside. Some dogs move around on the bed frequently. Ideally, your dog will learn to mirror your sleep pattern. Are Allergens An Issue? Some dog-owners have mild pet allergies and still choose to own a dog anyway. German Shepherds are among the worst breeds when it comes to producing pet dander. They are prone to dry skin, which worsens when they get a bath too infrequently and if they get a bath too often. They also shed quite a lot. Adding these allergens to your bed may cause allergic reactions. If your dog continually challenges you, then you may not want to invite him or her onto your bed, which is your personal space. That would reinforce the notion that your dog is your equal or your superior. You need to maintain your place as the person in charge. Alternatives To Co-Sleeping With Your Dog If any of the challenges above apply to you, then you can try alternative ways to receive some of the benefits of co-sleeping without inviting your dog into your bed. One option is to crate-train your dog. Since the dog is inside the house, you will still be alerted to any intruders. The dog will feel comforted by being in a designated safe space and with the nightly routine. You can even put the crate inside your bedroom if there is enough space. Another alternative is to place a dog lounger on the floor as close to your bed as possible. You and your dog will still be sleeping near each other. It is essential to make the dog bed as comfortable and inviting as possible. The XL and jumbo options will fit a German Shepherd nicely. This bed has a washable cover and a thick memory foam mattress. Final Thoughts Although it might be mutually beneficial, you should not let your German Shepherd sleep with you. Your dog will disrupt your sleep occasionally, and the drawbacks will outweigh the benefits in the long run. You should consider adding a dog bed to your bedroom to offer your dog the next best thing. Reasons that letting your German Shepherd sleep with you might not be a good idea It might contribute to separation anxiety If your German Shepherd has separation anxiety then letting it sleep with you might not be a good idea right now. Separation anxiety is where your dog does not like being left without you and being left without you causes it to become anxious. If yours has it then sleeping with you could contribute to its separation anxiety. If it does have separation anxiety, then it would help to work on getting rid of its separation anxiety before letting it sleep with you. It might make it harder for you to sleep Another thing to consider is that letting your German Shepherd sleep with you might make it more difficult to sleep for you. When you will be trying to fall asleep your German Shepherd will be moving around and possibly trying to get attention from you, especially on the initial nights. With that being said, it would always be an option to stop letting it sleep with you if you find that it does not work out so well. It can aggravate your own allergies and transmit diseases It is possible that letting your German Shepherd sleep with you will aggravate allergies and there is a risk of transmitted diseases. However, this is a very rare occurrence source but it is something to be aware of. It might increase resource guarding If your German Shepherd has issues with resource guarding then letting it sleep with you might make them worse. For example, you might find that it will start trying to protect its spot on its bed. As with separation anxiety, it would help to work on stopping its resource guarding before letting it sleep with you. It might be difficult to get it to stop if you change your mind One more possible issue with letting it sleep with you could be that it will be hard to get it to stop if you change your mind. This is because your GSD will get used to sleeping around you and suddenly stopping it from doing so could be met with some resistance. Reasons why it is not such a bad idea It improves feelings of companionship A positive of letting your GSD sleep with you is that it will improve feelings of companionship between you and your dog. German Shepherds were bred to work alongside their owners and they are usually a lot more comfortable when they can be around their owner as and when they please. It might make you feel safer German Shepherds are highly protective dogs and they are often used as guard dogs for this reason. Letting your GSD sleep with you could help to make you feel more secure at night. This could help you to fall asleep more easily after the initial nights where it might be trying to find its best spot. However, recent research has concluded that the pros can outweigh the cons when letting your GSD sleep with you. It also found that there is not a significant issue with doing it if your relationship with your GSD is a healthy one. Things to consider Before deciding on whether or not you should let your German Shepherd sleep with you, there are some particularly important things to consider that I will mention below. Whether or not it has behavioral issues If your German Shepherd has behavioral issues such as separation anxiety, resource guarding or aggression then letting it sleep with you could make them worse. If you do decide that you want to let your GSD sleep with you then it would help to work on the issues before doing so. On the other hand, if your German Shepherd does not have any behavioral issues and your relationship with it is a healthy one then the research shows that this would not come with significant issues when letting it sleep with you. How old it is Another thing to consider is how old your GSD is. If it is a puppy still then it might pee in the bed and it could contribute to it getting separation anxiety later on. If you do notice that it starts getting anxious when you leave then it would be very important to immediately start working on getting rid of the anxiety so that it does not become a more significant issue. You could get it to sleep on the floor beside the bed instead One way to reduce some of the negatives would be to let it sleep with you but on the floor beside your bed. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link.

Breeds Puppies The link has been copied! German Shepherds are medium to large working dogs that were bred in Germany to be used as a herding dog for sheep. Today, they are common household dogs that are loved around the world. These dogs tend to be loyal, stubborn, confident, intelligent, curious, brave, obedient, and protective. They have many positive attributes that make them very popular as pets. Size and Appearance of a 4 Month Old German Shepherd Once a German Shepherd reaches four months of age, it can be one foot tall and will weigh about half of the total adult weight. Male German Shepherds will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds, while females will weigh between 31 and 35 pounds. Between months three and four of life, a German Shepherd will gain around 10 pounds of body weight, and this will cause a difference in the dog's size and appearance. At this age, German Shepherds will be growing quickly, and you will be able to notice differences in the dog's size month-by-month. A four-month-old German Shepherd will no longer look like a puppy, and it will more closely resemble an adult by this age. Once the dog reaches four months old, the coat will be different from that of a puppy, and the dog will shed much more. The coat will become thicker and glossier, and the exact texture might depend on what foods the dog is eating. German Shepherds come in a variety of colors that include black, white, gray, black and tan, black and red, black and silver, and sable. The coloring of your dog will depend on the breeding and parents. Additionally, the dog is teething at this age. The German Shepherd will be teething until about seven to eight months, and during this time, the milk teeth will be replaced with larger adult teeth. German Shepherd puppies tend to have ears that lay flatter, while the adult's ears will be perky and stand straight up. At four months, the process of ear perking will begin, although the cartilage will not strengthen for another month or two. This means that the ears can perk up, then flatten, then perk up again until they become permanently lifted in adulthood. The dog's ears can remain flat if they live somewhere with consistently loud sounds, as they will try to avoid damage to their hearing by listening to these noises. To allow the dog's ears to perk properly, it is important to keep your dog away from loud, abrupt noises that can negatively affect their hearing. Activity and Behavior Four month old German Shepherds are very active puppies that must be stimulated physically as well as mentally. Some great activities to do with a dog include playing outside, playing with toys, going on walks or jogs, dog sports, and attending obedience training. A four-month German Shepherd will enjoy going on walks for about a mile at a time, and it is preferable to go on several shorter walks throughout the day rather than going on one very long walk. About two hours of active playtime per day is important for your puppy. Playtime is when they are both physically and intellectually enriched, and it is vital for development going into adulthood. For the first four months of life, there are many new experiences and adventures that your dog will learn from, so it is important. Sleeping Needs Sleep is extremely important for a young German Shepherd, and if the dog is not getting enough sleep , it might start to misbehave. If you notice this, it is important to discuss working out a proper daily schedule with your veterinarian, as it will often be a fix that you can make yourself by changing your routine, walk schedule, eating times, or play times. At the age of four months, a German Shepherd will sleep for around 18 hours a day. They need the energy to grow, which is why they sleep for most of the day, but in the hours when they are awake, German Shepherds tend to be very active. Dogs that exercise a lot will also sleep more to recuperate the energy lost during the day. If there are many new things to explore, the dog will sleep for fewer hours during the day. Some four months later, German Shepherds will also take 15 to minute naps during the day, and then they will wake up to play, eat, or use the bathroom. Health and Care Each time you take your dog to the vet, you should weigh and measure your German Shepherd to make sure that they are growing at the proper rate. If your dog is healthy, it should be growing quickly, and the veterinarian can confirm that everything looks good. At the age of four months, you should get a third set of vaccines, including DHPP and rabies, to protect your dog against these diseases. This can be done through a veterinarian. Vaccines are important to complete on time to boost your dog's immune system and keep them as healthy and up-to-date as possible. It is important to take your dog to the vet if you notice extreme changes in behavior, sleeping patterns, coughing or sneezing , runny noses or overly watery eyes, any form of weight loss, lack of appetite, heavy breathing, excessive urination, irritated gums, vomiting, or diarrhea. These can be signs that your dog is sick and needs medical care. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can cause the natural oils that a dog needs to keep its skin protected to dry up, so it is important not to over-bathe your puppy. However, it is important to keep your dog's bed, bowls, and toys clean to avoid fleas or other insects that might negatively affect your pet. As your four-month-old German Shepherd's coat is transitioning into an adult coat, it is important to brush the fur every day. This is to prevent excessive shedding, which can irritate your dog and create a mess inside the house. It is important to always be gentle with your dog and not brush him too roughly. Feeding Your 4 Month Old German Shepherd A German Shepherd is a big dog, and at the age of four months, it is still a puppy that is actively growing and will therefore require a large amount of food. Four-month German Shepherds should be fed three times a day, and they should eat one to two cups of kibble at each feeding time. This kibble should be specifically meant for puppies of this age, as it will have the proper nutrients and ingredients for your puppy to grow into a healthy adult. At the end of the fourth month, you can begin to feed your dog twice a day, but they should still be eating kibble meant for puppies until they reach six months of age and they are no longer growing as rapidly. Treats are also a good addition to kibble, but you should not exceed three to five small treats per day. These treats should be exclusively for dogs , as feeding your German Shepherd adult food can cause many health issues. It is important to monitor how much you are feeding your dog, as overeating can cause obesity and lead to severe health issues. Additionally, if you decide to use a raw diet rather than kibble, it is important to be mindful of the quality and nutrition of the food to keep your German Shepherd healthy and energized. Training A four-month German Shepherd will be easy to train because the puppy's main goal will be to please their owner, and they are very intelligent and loyal dogs that will be eager to learn from their owner. One of the reasons why German Shepherds are such a popular breed is because of their trainability. A German Shepherd's instinct is to protect, as the breed was originally bred to herd and protect sheep. This can lead to a puppy barking often as a means to protect its family, and this can be a misbehavior that the owner hopes to correct. Training can help reduce unnecessary barking in your German Shepherd puppy. Another potential behavioral issue is using the bathroom inside the home, which is common at four months old. The owner must train their dog to go outside to use the bathroom, and patience is required for this process. The most efficient strategy for potty training is to be encouraging when the puppy correctly uses the bathroom outside and to avoid any anger when they have an accident, as this will only make training go slower. German Shepherd puppies might also bite and nip people to try to get attention or play. They will understand that they should not repeat this behavior and will learn quickly. While your German Shepherd is teething, it might bite furniture, which can cause damage. The best way to avoid this is to buy many chew toys to help your dog with the process of teething, as well as move any valuables out of the dog's reach. This behavior will reduce once the dog's adult teeth have all come in. Socialization with people and other animals can help your German Shepherd behave better, and it is important to expose them to new situations to help them learn. They are very curious animals who will enjoy having new experiences and trying new things. A German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog, and by the age of four months, the puppy will already be much larger than it was at birth. At four months, a male German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 11 and 14 inches. A female German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 10 and 12 inches. A male German Shepherd at four months old should weigh 35 to 40 pounds. A female should weigh 31 to 35 pounds. The dog should be rapidly growing, but it is important not to let them overeat because obesity can be a real health issue for your dog. Measuring the weight of your dog regularly can help you keep track of its growth, and if there are any concerning patterns, you should discuss it with your veterinarian. At the age of four months, it is not unusual for your dog to grow up to two pounds in a single week, and it is a time of great change and growth. At the age of four months, your German Shepherd should eat three meals a day. These meals should consist of one to two cups of kibble. This means that the total amount of kibble eaten per day should be three to six. You should base how much you feed your German Shepherd on their size, activity level, and how hungry they are. If you are unsure about how much to feed the puppy, you should consult your veterinarian for help. Treats can be used in moderation to train your young puppy and motivate them to partake in good behavior , or they can just be used as a snack throughout the day. A 4-month-old German Shepherd can walk for about one mile at a time before they become tired. Going for a thirty-minute walk twice a day will be sufficient exercise for your puppy to keep them nice and strong without overworking them. Fi smart dog collars make it easier than ever. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are great dogs to keep as pets. They have many positive traits that make them brilliant, loyal, and protective companions that will stay by your side no matter what. They are great work dogs as well as great pets, including for families. German Shepherds are easy to train, and they are very obedient animals that can learn all kinds of tricks. When your German Shepherd is still a puppy, it is the best time to teach them obedience, potty train them, and teach them to play. German Shepherds will be growing rapidly at four months, and it is important to take proper care of them so that they can grow into strong, healthy adults. Making sure that they have enough intellectual stimulation through walks, exploring new people and places, and toys can ensure that your dog is getting the attention that they need. Additionally, they should be fed enough to fuel their growing bodies. They should be taken to the veterinarian regularly to make sure that they are growing at a proper rate and that there are no health problems that need the attention of a professional. German Shepherds grow up fast , and when they are four months old, you will notice many changes in their size, mannerisms, and behavior. By four months, they will have developed a unique personality, and they will be your best friend! Taking care of your best friend will bring joy to both you and your pet, and it is an exciting journey to take together. For additional pet-parenting tips, head over to TryFi. And don't forget to check out TryFi's innovative Fi Dog Collar , which offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts to keep your furry friend safe. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. From their diet and exercise requirements to how they play and interact with other people and animals. German Shepherds are very intelligent and high-energy dogs, so be prepared to provide lots of mental and physical exercises for them every day! These include: obedience training to learn commands like sit , jogging or walking with you through your neighborhood, playing in your backyard, and teaching them tricks like rolling over. Their coat is very easy to keep. All you need to do is brush or comb them a few times per week! And because of their high energy level, they shed A LOT! So if you have kids or other dogs in your home, be prepared for this german shepherd dog to become a great guard dog that will protect them at all costs. Just remember not to use any harsh discipline because even at four months old, they can be easily hurt. What time does the dog need to be let outside in the morning? German shepherd puppies can typically hold their bladders for one hour per month of age. How far can a 4 month old german shepherd walk? A four-month old pup should be able to walk about a mile. It is unbelievable how much these pups can walk at this age! Thankfully, they are always ready to be taken outside. They will still need multiple walks a day until their first birthday. How much does a four-month old german shepherd weigh? A four-month old GSD pup should weigh about 36 pounds. You can keep your four-month old german shepherd in optimal weight by feeding him a measured amount of quality food and taking him for daily walks. How much should 4 month old german shepherd eat? A four-month old german shepherd puppy should eat three times a day, and their diet should be split into three different meals. During this time, they will eat anywhere from one to two cups of food per meal. At the end of four months, German Shepherd puppies usually start eating twice daily. Once your german shepherd is six months old, you can switch to an adult dog food that contains less protein than puppy food. As for treats, you can give your German Shepherd puppy three to five small snacks a day if they are eating the right amount of dog food at each meal. You should never overfeed them or feed them human food because it will make their joints weaker and cause obesity problems as well as other health issues later in life! How much do 4 month old german shepherds sleep? Four month old german shepherds can sleep up to 18 hours a day, but this will depend on their environment. Generally speaking if your four-month old shepherd is getting plenty of exercise at playtime, they should be fine sleeping for many hours during the night as well. Some owners have mentioned that their dogs preferred more frequent naps of minutes during the day, but others have said their four-month old german shepherd sleeps for a long stretch at night without waking. If this happens, you should contact your local veterinarian to discuss options on how to help your four-month old shepherd get the rest they need. How much exercise does a 4 month old german shepherd need? A four-month old shepherd is still quite young, and most of the time, they will be running around with their siblings. This means that they need to get a lot of exercise in order for them not to go stir crazy! At this stage, it is recommended that they get at least two hours of exercise each day. This will give you more control over them when they are doing anything that involves their mouth, including biting and chewing on toys or objects. You can also try using a spray bottle to stop them from biting. And finally, make sure you are giving your dog enough attention when they are doing what is right. If he wants to play or chew on something but gets no reaction from you, then his behavior will only continue to get worse. These are some effective ways that you can train your four-month old shepherd to stop biting. Follow these tips and tricks, and they should be able to break the habit in no time! This time period can be described as an adventure, where the pup will learn many new things from his human family. As exciting as this experience may seem for both owner and dog, it can also be challenging at times to handle your pet during these stages. He may suddenly begin to exhibit temper tantrums or other undesirable behaviors that are hard to control, especially if you have never raised one before. This can be particularly true for those who raise German shepherds, which are known to be one of the hardest breeds to train. Potty accidents in your house are a common four-month old german shepherd behaviour problem that many pet owners often experience. However, this issue should not cause too much a concern. Most dogs will eventually learn the proper way to go potty outdoors, as long as their owners are patient and persistent enough. Potty training your four-month old german shepherd may not be easy at first, but most pet parents agree that it becomes progressively easier with time. Just make sure you never show anger towards your dog and always be very encouraging when he does something right. This can become a habit that will prove difficult to control once it becomes an issue for your pet. Most young German shepherds may nip and bite hands and feet while playing at an early age four months old. This can be a frustrating issue for new pet owners as they have never been around dogs before. But do not worry, this is no reason to give up on your four-month old german shepherd just yet! In fact, there are a few things you can do to help correct this behaviour. First of all, never scream or shout at your pet when he bites or nips you while playing. This may cause him some fear and will only make the problem worse in time. Instead, show your four-month old german shepherd that biting hands is not acceptable by simply ignoring him for a few seconds. This will let your pet know that biting hands is not something to be proud of. Problem 03 — Chewing on Furniture or Other Objects Chewing furniture or other objects can become another frustrating issue with four-month old german shepherds. This can occur when your pet becomes teething, which is a common problem for German shepherd pups before they reach five months of age. Four month old german shepherds often chew on furniture or other objects to ease the pain from their developing teeth. Chewing also helps them remove excess baby teeth that may still be in their mouths. However, you should not let this become a habit as it can cause serious damage to your home and belongings over time. This will help discourage him from chewing on anything he is not supposed to. You can also give him toys that are designed for chewing, such as a rubber ball or bone-shaped chew toy. This is another common problem many pet parents have to deal with from time to time. Inappropriate barking at strange objects can become a serious problem for your four-month old german shepherd, as it will only get worse over time if you do not correct him right away. You should never allow him to bark excessively, or he may develop the habit of doing so whenever something unfamiliar enters his sight. Your pet may bark excessively when he sees something new because it is natural for them to be suspicious of things they are not familiar with. This should not be mistaken as aggression, just a sign that your four-month old german shepherd needs more training and socialization. Keep in mind that barking can also become habitual if you do nothing about this particular issue. It is important to train your four-month old german shepherd right away that excessive barking at strange objects will not be tolerated. Conclusion: If you are having any of these common four month old German Shepherd behaviour problems, try using some of the tips mentioned above and make sure to properly socialize him with other pets and strangers on a regular basis. This will help him become a well-mannered adult dog in no time! Please refer to our german shepherd growth chart here for a more detailed explanation. A four-month old german shepherd female is usually very active and needs to do lots of exercises each day. She will also need training early on in her life, but it does not have to be formal. A guide on housetraining is a great place to start and can be very useful. The cartilage in their ears will strengthen around five to six months old, and they should start standing tall after that time frame passes. This can also happen if you leave your german shepherd in an environment with loud sounds for too long. Loud noises can cause the ear to flatten out because their ears are sensitive and they become overwhelmed by all of the noise around them. If you notice this behavior, make sure that you do not play any music or expose them to loud noises until their ears start to perk up. You can also try to feed them during this stage as it gives their ears something else that they need to focus on, instead of the noise around them. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. A 4 month old German Shepherd has braved the waters of puppy hood and made its way into the juvenile stage of growth. They are still super cute but starting to outgrow some of those adorable puppy dog looks. They have grown massively since day 1, surpassing the foot mark at the shoulder and almost reaching half of their full adult weight. A 4 month old German Shepherd is two months in to the juvenile stage and may act out daily with some unwanted behavior. Similar to the 3 month mark, you will need some serious patience to endure these little buggers for the next few months. Luckily, the 6 month mark and the end of the juvenile stage is right around the corner. At this age they are looking more and more like an adult and less like that precious little pup they were just a few months earlier. That being said their behavior will still be puppy like and they will most likely still be biting, chewing and jumping on anyone or anything they can get their little paws on. As we discussed in the previous month, you can used different techniques for preventing them from biting you. That being said, this behavior is a normal part of their development. This is a common way for them to release all of that pent up puppy energy. Along with this playful disposition comes some roughhousing with their siblings or people. This is a great time to take advantage of that energy and play some tug-o-war with their favorite toy. Hang in there, the biting should subside when they are done teething at 6 months. However, you may sustain some damage along the way in the form of scratches. You may even lose a few pair of pants due to rips and tears. This is a critical stage in their behavioral development. Make sure you are consistently training them in obedience and bite inhibition. Contact a local trainer for help if you cannot do it on your own. Physical Development: At month 4, they are still growing at a pretty rapid pace. Males will be in the range of 11 to 14 inches at the shoulder. Females will be maybe an inch behind and in the range of 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder. They have probably packed on another 10 pounds in weight, growing another pound every 3 days. Females will be close behind, weighing in the range of 31 to 35 pounds. They will continue to teeth as their adult teeth begin to replace their puppy teeth. This will continue for approximately 4 more months. Their ears should be perking up and their adult hair should be replacing their puppy coat. You may notice a lot more shedding during this time. Not to fret, this is part of the natural process. Make sure you give them a nice brushing once a day during this extra shedding. Nutrition: A German Shepherd this young is growing fast and needs a consistent diet of high-quality puppy kibble or homemade food to sustain their caloric intake and provide them the necessary energy. If you can, we recommend feeding them an all-natural raw diet of healthy meats, fruits and vegetables. Just make sure you are feeding them the right foods. Stay away from any toxic foods and avoid giving them too many fatty treats. GSDs are already prone to health conditions from their size. Obesity can increase their chances of developing other diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and even cancer. This can decrease their lifespan and reduce their quality of life overall. For standard puppy kibble, feed them two cups of food, three times daily. Make sure you stay on a consistent schedule. Health: A young German Shepherd at this age should be healthy and growing quickly. Document their size month to month , to make sure they are in line with their height and weight for their age. They should have already had their first two sets of vaccines. Provided you are feeding them a nice lean healthy diet and they are staying active, they should be very healthy at this point. There is no need to worry about any significant diseases this young. If you do want to take a preventative approach, you can get a DNA test which can possibly predict certain conditions such as degenerative myelopathy. You can also look at their history and bloodline for any predictors of possible health issues. Even if they are healthy, you always want to stay on the lookout for any possible sickness that may arise. There are lost of possible symptoms that reveal sickness in your GSD puppy. Here are some things to look for: Change in their normal sleeping patterns Coughing, gagging or sneezing excessively Decreased appetite. Final Thoughts It is important to know that a 4 month old German Shepherd differs from a puppy of an earlier age. Here, we want to tell you about these differences, about the changes in diet, exercise, and interaction with people and other animals. These doggies are very cute but they do not look like young puppies anymore. They are pretty massive animals that overgrow one foot of height. It is about pounds kg for males and pounds .It means that a puppy gained another 10 pounds during the last month. The puppy grows rapidly. Your boy can be inches cm and the girl inches cm at the shoulder. The coat has changed. They start shedding a lot like an adult dog, too. So, it is very important to brush them regularly — everyday brushing is necessary during this period. The skin is rather sensitive, so loose hair can cause allergies when it contacts the skin and the air. Teething continues. Adult teeth are replacing the milk ones. That is the process lasting for more months. The ears start perking up. Though, they are not stably erect at this age. The ears also can perk up and then fall and lay flat. It is a norm. Puppies at this age do not have strong cartilage. It will strengthen at the age of 5- 6 months. However, if your puppy lives in an environment with very loud sounds, its ears can flatten out because the noise does not allow them to perk up. You should do obedience training, a lot of walking and jogging, playing in the backyard, and other activities. Your puppy already knows that it should be protective of the members of your family. However, it can bark a lot because it is time to develop its vocal cords. Teach it not to do this so much. It is very easy to train a 16 week old German Shepherd puppy because it has a strong desire to please you. Remember that you need strict discipline because your pet can display signs of disobedience at this age as any teenager does. Your 4 month old GSD sleeps about 18 hours per day. Though, the number of hours can depend on the environment because it does not sleep so much if it has many things around to explore. Nevertheless, some puppies prefer short naps in the daytime too. In any case, let your pet have a good rest. Discuss these changes with your veterinarian to pick out the most appropriate daily schedule for better rest. Your puppy can walk effortlessly for about a mile 1. It is always ready to go outside and accompany you wherever you may go. Though, do not overload it with walking. Several walks during the day are a better option. It should get about 2 hours of active playing every day. The puppy learns a lot during its first four months. Everything seems an adventure to it. It is an exciting experience for both your doggy and you. Though, its behavior can be a bit unpredictable at times. So, you need to control it. In general, your 4 month old GSD puppy is entirely healthy, and it continues growing quickly. You need to weigh and measure your pet every time you come to the vet, or you can do it yourself at home. You may also need to get a DNA test to know what health issues to expect from your doggy when it is over 5 years old. This age is the proper time for having the third set of vaccines because they have had the first two already. The third set includes DHPP and rabies. Even if your puppy is healthy and active, you need to continuously watch out for possible disorders. You need to show your puppy to the vet, if you notice such things as changes in behavioral and sleeping patterns, sneezing and coughing, runny eyes or nose, losing weight, decrease in appetite, and other digestion issues, such as diarrhea or vomiting, red and swollen gums, heavy breathing, and excessive urination. Keep your doggy clean and protected. You do not need to bathe it very often — it can be harmful to the production of the natural oils that protect the skin. Brush your puppy every day now because of its excessive shedding. This is connected with the change of the coat from the puppy to an adult one. Grooming and brushing are very important parts of the care. You may also need the help of special grooming salons. Feeding Your 4 month old GSD is a good eater because it grows a lot. It should be fed not fewer than 3 times a day. It should take cups of kibble of natural food per meal. At the end of the fourth month, you can start the transition to two feedings per day. Do not rush to switch your pet to adult food. You can do it only when it is 6-month-old when its growth slows down a bit. You can also offer your GS puppy some treats. Never give your puppy human food or human treats — the latter is rather dangerous and can cause severe health issues. Avoid overfeeding, too. Your dog should not suffer from obesity when it is an adult because there are bad health conditions caused by it. If you decide to feed your puppy a natural raw diet, be careful about its nutritious value and high quality. It can consist of meats, vegetables, and fruits, but nothing fatty and toxic like junk food. Training There are several behavioral problems that you need to handle. The first of them is, of course, potty accidents in the home. Unfortunately, such accidents are pretty common at this age. You need to train your pet to do all its business outdoors. Since German Shepherds are very clever, it will understand very soon what you want from it. You need to be patient and persistent, though. Never show irritation or anger when an accident happens. You need to be encouraging if your puppy does everything correctly during its potty walks, but never punish it if something has gone wrong. One more unpleasant thing at this age is biting and nipping your hands or feet. You need to control it while playing to prevent the formation of a biting habit. Never scream or shout at your pet when it bites you. Your little one can be frightened, and the problem may become worse over months. It will let your puppy know that it is doing something wrong. Chewing furniture or things around can also be frustrating. Your puppy is teething, so it is a common thing now. Chewing helps it remove the milk teeth easily. Keep most things in your house out of its reach. Buy some chew toys, for example, a rubber bone or ball to discourage chewing things. A 4 month old German Shepherd puppy can bark excessively at all unknown or suspicious objects. Barking all the time can become a serious issue for you and your pet over time. Teach your doggy not to bark at something unfamiliar. It only means that your pet needs more training and socialization. Your Shepherd dog at this age does not look like that cute fluffy toy-like cub you once saw and liked. It begins to shape as an adult dog. Now, it continues to grow rapidly. So, the males can be inches cm and the females grow as tall as inches cm at the shoulder. How much should a 4 month old German Shepherd weight? Follow the weight of your pet by measuring it regularly. The puppies at this age grow very fast, so they tend to overeat. You should give your pet so much food to let it grow healthily and free from obesity. You can see that your doggy has gained about 10 pounds since the previous month. How much should a 4 month old German Shepherd eat? Your puppy should eat cups of kibble per one meal three times per day. It grows very fast, so it needs a lot of nutrients and minerals for its ears, teeth, and coat. If you feed it natural food, you can add some supplements for puppies to its meals. How far can a 4 month old German Shepherd walk? However, it does not mean that you need to walk it for such a distance every time. Consider two walks of half an hour per day if you want your puppy to grow healthy and strong, and develop all its perfect physical characteristics. Final Thoughts You can see that raising a 4 month old German Shepherd puppy and taking care of it is a responsible and complicated task. You need to know all the peculiarities of this age, so we hope that this article will help you. You should be very patient and persistent to train your dog, do a lot of exercises with your pet, socialize it, and make friends with it. In a while, you will obtain the most loyal, intelligent, and protective friend for your family and yourself. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Soft treats Hard treats like bones. At four months old, your GSD puppy has a full set of teeth and may have built a chewing obsession. He may be chewing anything and everything. When serving him chew bones , trim any fats or meat to avoid choking hazards. The chew bones help clean their teeth as they chew on the bone! Avoid feeding 4-month-old German Shepherds chocolate since it contains methylxanthines , which can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large amounts How to groom a 4-month-old German shepherd Grooming at 4 months is an important part of parenting. A German shepherd should be groomed on average every two to four weeks, more if they get muddy or swim often. The best way to start grooming your puppy with no hair yet is by rubbing them down with a towel. You should be gentle because they are a little sensitive at this age. In the next few months, your German shepherd puppy will be all grown, and the level of grooming required will change. If anything, they are awake for much longer A healthy 4-month-old German shepherd will sleep about 13 hours a day. This is less than many other breeds because they are usually awake and play for an hour or two before going to bed again. As he sleeps, you can cuddle, groom, or do light exercises to help them sleep comfortably. How tall do 4-month-old German shepherds get? They may be taller or shorter depending on their genes! They are generally very energetic and playful with their family. They can be a little shy at first, but as they get used to you they will become more loving. A 4-month-old German shepherd will need exercise every day. A good idea is to start your pup out with short walks and playtime, gradually adding more intense activity as he gets older. Also, every 4-month-old German Shepherd puppy needs a safe, enclosed space in which to play. If your backyard is well-enclosed, you can play with your puppy or let him run and explore without hurting himself or getting himself into mischief. Supplies to Buy for a 4-Month-Old German Shepherd Some of the supplies you should buy for your 4-month-old puppy include food, bowls for food and water, a bed, a crate, toys to chew on and play with, and grooming supplies such as a brush and comb. You will also need to buy puppy equipment such as strollers, leash and harness, collar, and harness. Check out these supplies that you can buy for your puppy:. Female German Shepherds may be slightly smaller, averaging 10 to 12 inches in height and 31 to 35 pounds in weight. However, there is some variation between individual dogs, so these numbers should be used as a general guide, not a hard-and-fast rule. German Shepherds are a large breed of dog, and they continue to grow and fill out until they reach maturity and become adult German Shepherds at around the month mark. During this time, they may gain an additional inch or two in height and 20 to 30 pounds. After they reach adulthood, their size will remain relatively stable. It means they have high energy needs and require a diet rich in protein and calories. The amount of food will vary depending on the age and activity level of the dog. Feed your puppies three times daily and adult dogs twice daily. For example, a highly active German Shepherd may need up to 2, calories daily, while a less active dog may only need 1, calories daily. A rule of thumb is that for each pound the dog weighs, this requires about calories daily. Regardless of the caloric intake, all German Shepherds should have a diet rich in protein and low in fat. Physical and Behavioral Changes At four months old, German Shepherds are just beginning to enter their teenage years. Here are some physical and behavioral changes you may see in your four-month-old German Shepherd. First, their energy levels will start to increase. Ensure you provide plenty of opportunities for exercise, such as walks, runs, and interactive games. Second, their coats will begin to change. German Shepherds have two coats — a dense undercoat and a softer outer coat. This process can take several months, so be patient while your pup grows into its new look. German Shepherds are known for being loyal and obedient dogs, but they may start testing boundaries at four months old. Finally, their behavior may become more independent. Be consistent with puppy training and rewards; your pup will quickly learn what you expect from them. Positive Reward-Based Obedience Training Reward-based training is an effective way to teach your dog obedience commands. It is especially well suited for puppies, who are often motivated by food. For a 4-month-old German Shepherd puppy, you can start by teaching basic commands such as sit, down, and stay. Once your puppy has mastered these commands, you can begin to add more advanced tricks to their repertoire. As your puppy learns new tricks, be sure to offer them plenty of rewards in the form of treats, praise, or both. Your puppy will soon respond to your commands with patience and consistent practice like a pro. Fur Care One of the most distinctive features of a German Shepherd is its lush, thick fur. Fluffy fur is cute but requires special care to ensure that it stays healthy and looks its best. For example, German Shepherds should be brushed frequently, at least once weekly. It helps to remove tangles and knots and can also help to distribute natural oils throughout the coat. However, avoid over-bathing, as this can strip away protective oils and leave the coat dull and dry. Nail Care Another essential part of grooming is nail care. German Shepherds have relatively quick-growing nails, so trim them regularly. If left untrimmed, the nails can become overgrown and uncomfortable for your pup. In extreme cases, they may even start to curl under and grow into the pads of the feet. You can do this at home using a dog nail trimmer or take them to a professional groomer. Either way, avoid cutting the nails too short, as this can be painful for your pup. Dental Care Another important aspect of grooming is dental care. German Shepherds are prone to dental problems, such as plaque buildup and gum disease. In addition, you can give them special dog treats designed to clean their teeth and promote oral health. It can be done at home using a dog ear cleaner and cotton balls. Apply the cleaner to the inside of the ear, and then use the cotton ball to wipe away any dirt or debris. If you notice any of these symptoms, take them to the vet for further treatment. Chew Toys for Your 4-Month-Old German Shepherd At four months old, a German Shepherd is still in the teething stage and will need to chew toys to help relieve the pain and discomfort of growing new teeth. The best chew toys for 4-month-old German Shepherds are those made of durable material that can withstand a lot of chewing. Nylon and rubber are two good options. You should also look for chew toys specifically designed for teething puppies. These toys often have ridges or nubs that help to massage the gums and promote healthy teeth growth. In addition to helping with teething pain, chew toys can also help prevent boredom and destructive chewing behavior. Be sure to provide your pup with plenty of chew toys to keep them happy and healthy. For example, a German Shepherd is susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia , which can cause joint pain and mobility issues. They are also at risk for bloat, a severe condition that can occur when the stomach twists or fills with gas. German Shepherds are also susceptible to skin allergies and ear infections. Luckily, there are ways that owners can take to help prevent these health problems. For example, feeding your German Shepherd a high-quality diet and providing plenty of exercises can help reduce the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia. Keeping their stomachs empty before vigorous exercise can help prevent bloat. And regular grooming can help reduce the risk of skin allergies and ear infections. They will be able to provide you with more information and answer any questions you may have. Most of this sleep will be during the day, with short naps between play periods. It is usual for puppies as they are growing rapidly and their bodies need lots of rest. At night, four-month-old German Shepherds will typically sleep for several hours. If your puppy is sleeping more or less than this, it is best to consult with your local veterinarian to rule out any health problems. Puppies need short bursts of energetic play several times daily, while adults can handle more prolonged periods of moderate activity. Your German Shepherd should be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day at four months old. It can be through walks, runs, or interactive games. If possible, try to break up their training into two or three shorter sessions throughout the day. As they get older and more confident, you can gradually increase the amount and intensity of their exercise. Just make sure not to overdo it, as this can lead to joint problems later in life. Also read:. From its behavior training and grooming to its specific health demands with nutrition and exercise. Also Read about: 2 month old German Shepherd puppy 1. How much to walk? Even during their puppy days, a GSD will require a lot of exercise. Generally, a GS pup would need 2 hours of exercise a day. You may change these hours on different days depending on the mood and weather but on most days it should remain the same. Importance of exercise This is important for the development of their muscles and bones which are stress-dependent for their growth. Have a routine Make a routine and stick to it. A GSD pup that exercises regularly would have a stronger build and will tolerate the external environment more than the one that is too pampered at home. Alternate between exercises You can also alternate different exercises. Instead of walks, you may choose to play fetch or have an obstacle course. You can also let your pooch engage in group sports with other dogs under your supervision. Nutrition Where exercise is important for the physical development of a dog, nutrition helps it grow mentally. Also, good exercise is aided by good nutrition that allows the body to grow in size. How many times a day? A 4-month-old GS pup should eat 3 times a day. These meals should be placed at regular intervals and should follow a definite menu. As a dog grows, these meals may become less frequent and 2 meals a day would be sufficient. How much food per meal? General diet contents The diet should consist of more proteins than adults and it should be recommended by a dog nutritionist. Growing pups need more proteins and essential nutrients than adults as their dynamic bodies are in demand of these foods. Snacking In between the meals, you can surprise your pooch with snacks. However, never overfeed your dog as it can lead to indigestion in the short term. Over the long run, it may lead to obesity and deteriorate cardiovascular and joint health. As a pup grows, its sleeping pattern goes through changes until it becomes that of an adult. This means the total sleeping hours for a GSD puppy would vary across different months as it grows. This sleep would be divided into multiple naps and you should be quick enough to utilize the intermittent hours of wakefulness for feeding and exercise. Make a sleeping schedule Have your pup sleep at the same time at night. Most pups have long stretches of sleep at night while napping during the daytime. A regular sleeping schedule allows for better and undisrupted sleep. The naps, however, might be random and less predictable during the day. Allow for a comfortable sleep Make a comfortable sleeping crib for your dog and place it near you. This will allow you to keep an eye on the dog during unconscious hours. Also, the dog will get used to your scent which would strengthen your bond with the dog. Tire out the dog during the day Dogs sleep better when they are tired. Exercise during the day will tire them out and help them sleep better. Behavior Training Before the puppy adopts the more constant temperament of an adult dog, it would show many phases of different behaviors throughout its puppyhood. Tantrums Your pup may start throwing tantrums and become fussy. This could be due to a lack of sleep or the mere fact that it is hungry. At times your pup will be upset by your certain behaviors and will start misbehaving. Laziness At times, for the same reasons of lack of sleep and feeling hungry, a pup may be overly lazy. As with tantrums, try to know the reason and fix it rather than forcing your dog to be active. You would need to train your German Shepherd not to bite through positive reinforcement where you associate the accepted behavior with rewards like food treats and the unwanted behavior is made to abolish through commands. Pooping around Puppies that are not potty trained tend to get involved in potty accidents around the house. During this age of around 4 months, you would need to potty train your dog and supervise it most of the time, otherwise, accidents are bound to happen. Here, positive reinforcement would again play a key role, reward your dog each time it defecates in the desired place and this behavior would stick with the dog, hopefully forever. Barking Pups that are not exposed to environmental stimuli are overly sensitive and would bark when exposed. This includes strange noises, sights, and people. You would need to desensitize your pooch gradually so that it gets accustomed to external stimuli. Related: Do German Shepherds bark a lot? Growth monitoring Puppies go through growth spurts during their initial years of development. Making sure they are reaching their growth milestones is crucial for their health. This helps in understanding when medical intervention would be needed. Vaccination is very crucial in protecting your dog from many preventable diseases that you may also contract. Regular check-ups It is important to have your pup take regular visits to the vet. Many diseases that are picked on routine visits can be easily missed at home. Inherited disease profiling Some dogs suffer from inherited diseases that may not be apparent at birth and can come later on. You do a DNA profiling for your dog when you suspect such a lineage. This would be however expensive and may not be covered by your dog insurance. Grooming German Shepherds are one of the most easily groomed dog breeds owing to their minimal maintenance and their ability to learn self-care. But that said, you would still need to take care of certain aspects of their grooming. Brushing You should start brushing your GS pup regularly around the age of weeks. You need to be gentle in brushing the pup and do it regularly. Related: Can you shave a German Shepherd? Bathing Till the age of 3 months, clean your pup with a wet towel or any other soft cloth. After that, you should start bathing it. Use a shampoo that is organic in nature and non-irritant, be careful around the eyes and dry the dog properly before letting it out in the open. Nail Clipping Overly grown nails can trap dirt and bacteria. These can easily get spread to everywhere the pup goes and everyone it meets. Make sure you clip the nails regularly and clean them when they are short. You can ideally leave a mm length off when cutting them. How much should my 4 month old German Shepherd puppy weigh? At the age of 4 months, your pup should weigh between 28 to 39 pounds. You should have a growth chart for your dog and keep assessing the month-wise milestones. This way it becomes easier to detect any growth abnormalities that may require medical intervention. A German Shepherd is born with its ears facing down. It is not until months that they become erect. Some pups may have their ears erect earlier. During stressful situations, a german shepherd would also lower its ears and that should be remembered. This needs to be remembered when dealing with puppies as they are more sensitive to any neglect in care. This includes tantrums, laziness, and biting habits. They are exposed to constant threats of malnourishment and infections. Moreover, their sleeping cycles are very crucial yet delicate. All these features make them susceptible to dysregularities and diseases. You would need a proper routine to take care of their exercise and sleeping needs. Their meals need to be regular 3 times a day and follow their dietary requirements. Furthermore, you need to understand their age-appropriate grooming needs and fulfill them. Finally, utmost care needs to be taken for their health. Ensure their timely vaccination and regular checkups. Any inherited illness needs to be identified early on and dealt with before its clinical manifestation. About the author Scott Hi, my name is Scott.

Our 'Puppy Quickstart Program' makes bringing a new puppy into your home easier! Do you want a german shepherd puppy.We offer shipping to select states and countries around the world for these trained puppies. Please note: availability for this year is extremely limited. The answer all depends. .From weeks your puppy is in its first fear stage, which is critical for expose to scenarios they will encounter in their future adult life. During this stage, puppies should be exposed to new people and other healthy dogs, as well as differing terrain and environment. These experiences provide the foundation for the adult dog they will eventually become, but first it's important for them to become a trained puppy. It is vital to keep all activities and real-world exposure extremely positive, safe and monitored as you train your puppy. This time period is critical for their future temperament and personality. If you work a normal job, putting the necessary hours into training your puppy during it's first month at home ages weeks may not be entirely possible. And leaving your young un-crate trained puppy alone in his or her crate for an entire day is sure to have detrimental affects down the road. Training a German Shepherd puppy is hard enough. When you leave the pup in their crate all day, this "ball of energy" becomes even harder to train and house-break. Introducing, the Puppy Quickstart program.The long-requested "trained puppy program" is finally here at Hayes Haus. Here's how it works: From ages weeks of your puppy's life, he or she will remain at Hayes Haus and partake in an extremely regimented training program. During this program, your new puppy will be monitored round-the-clock to ensure proper training and development, which includes but is not limited to socialization with strangers including well-behaved children as well as safe cats and dogs. In order for your puppy to be obey you around other pets, it's important to begin training them at an early age to do so. What goes into a "Trained Puppy Program"? On any particular day at Hayes Haus, your puppy will be going through any number of proven-safe scenarios for puppies. We take short rides in the car to some of our neighborhood parks and trails to use some of the natural obstacles; we teach puppies to pleasantly accept grooming and expose them to bathing; we instill good habits such as keeping your paws on the floor and eliminating on leash; we also use puppy games to teach important life commands. Here's a more in-depth breakdown for you: Training begins at 3 weeks of age, teaching the puppy to make eye contact The puppies are monitored around the clock and follow a very regimented schedule will send exact training schedule to the email address you enter above Socialization exercises are conducted daily All trained german shepherd puppies are available for pickup at 14 weeks of age. At this time, your puppy will know his or her name and be used to the schedule you provide us, which helps with easier integration into your home. When your puppy comes home, they'll be crate-trained, and have the groundwork extensive exposure to training for the following commands: Sit. Ready for new homes: August 11, .Ready for new homes: September .Ready for new homes: October .Ready for new homes: November .Ready for new homes: December .Ready for new homes: June .GSDs are a versatile and highly intelligent breed capable of mastering complex obedience commands. Their intelligent versatility is just one of many unique factors that put GSDs head and shoulders above most other breeds in the canine world. The average GSD can grow to a shoulder height as high as 26 inches and are capable of equal parts grace and power. Because of this incredible mixture of intelligence, grace, and strength, they are the favorite breed of security experts from local K-9 police departments to every branch of the military across many different nations. GSDs are also capable of mastering the highest levels of show dog training making them among the most popular breeds of championship show dog organizations. There are plenty of reasons why German Shepherds have long been thought of as canine royalty. Select your new pup from one of our available litters and make your reservation with us. No problem. You can contact us at or or email us at vomragnar gmail. Our trainers can also train your pup for basic obedience, advanced obedience, and protection or security work. Your puppy will learn excellent manners and communication skills that will provide you with many years of a rich, full relationship with your German Shepherd. Design Please beware of scams and frauds! There are scams out there who use our brand. Their website may look exact the same since they duplicate our website or their domains look similar. Our website is vomragnar. Our brand name is patented. We are licensed breeders in Illinois. Please do not trust scammers and beware. Want to see our puppies available for sale? Write a Review vitali P 2 weeks ago Thank you affinity! We are very happy with our work together! A very special thank you to Jessie. Our new puppy sends you much love! Anastasiya Karovina 2 weeks ago Thank you guys for the beautiful baby. She's gorgeous! Brought joy to the house for the whole family. Excellent work, service, responsible attitude. I recommend it! Hagen 3 weeks ago My journey with my German Shepherd began with the expert guidance of the breeder at I Guard International and was beautifully complemented by the training prowess Jessi, Cody and Nick at K9 Country Club. Together, they've shaped a truly remarkable experience for me and my family. At I Guard International, I found not just a breeder but a passionate caretaker for these noble animals. The attention to detail, the commitment to quality, and the profound understanding of the German Shepherd breed were evident from our first meeting. Our pup was not merely a product but a living testament to their dedication to excellence Cody, working in unison with Nick, brought a whole new dimension to our German Shepherd's training. Their collaboration, with unique insights and methodologies, created a synergy that was reflected in the outstanding development of our pet. Cody's patient approach, his investment in understanding our dog's unique needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with Nick, resulted in a well-rounded and perfectly trained companion. But it wasn't just about the training; it was about the relationships that were forged. Jessi, Cody and Nick became more than trainers; they became mentors and friends to our family. They shared their wisdom, their love for dogs, and their unwavering commitment to providing the best care and training possible. Our German Shepherd's growth under their combined guidance has been a joy to watch. His character, discipline, and happiness are direct reflections of their hard work and heartfelt investment. If you're considering a breeder who truly understands the essence of the German Shepherd breed and trainers who will not just train your dog but celebrate its unique personality and potential, I wholeheartedly recommend I Guard International for breeding and training. In a world filled with choices, choosing them was one of the best decisions we've made for our family and our beloved pet. Their combined expertise and genuine love for what they do have created a lifelong bond and a truly happy, well-trained German Shepherd. Thank you, I Guard International, Cody,Jessi, and Nick, for being more than professionals in your field; thank you for being partners in our family's journey. Tom Jones 2 months ago.Hans Hauge 3 months ago We wanted two dogs that could both defend our home and still be a part of the family. We got it with these two. When someone comes to the door they let us know, and then they just chill out. Megan Mathews 6 months ago.As I was looking for breeders in the Spokane area. I came across I-Guard and gave them a call and spoke with Jessi. We set up a meeting to talk about their German Sheppards and she introduced us to Nick. He listened to our story about our Mal and he matched us up with the perfect German Sheppard for our family, Ace. I was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism that both Jessi and Nick gave to me and my family and feel very fortunate that I made the phone call to I-Guard for our next addition to our family. Since July Nick has reached out to ensure that all is going well on top of training Ace 1 on 1 to help out with my autistic son. Thank you Jessi and Nick for all you have done for my family. Zach Phelps 8 months ago Love these guys! Jessi was super helpful in answering any questions. They breed great tempered dogs for any environment. They took the time to talk and match the right dog to my crazy lifestyle. I will absolutely be coming back to expand my pack in a year or two. Chris Destro 2 year ago We searched and spoke with many German Shepherd breeders. Once we connected with Jessie, we felt super comfortable as she did not rush our decision at all, in fact, she was extremely patient and helpful as we made our final choice. So glad we went with I-Guard and her! He is amazing with kids and has a friendly disposition. We love him very much. Thank you again, Jessie.Koda is the best! We look at every German shepherd puppy as a special member of our family—and a future member of yours. Think of it like skipping the baby stage and the sleepless nights. Puppies range from two to 10 months old depending on your preference. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article. Sound in mind and body, strong, functional, intelligent, trainable, courageous, and resilient. These are the natural qualities that can only be realized through the incredible genetics of purebred German Shepherds. We only import the best-of-the-best. Certified champions straight from Germany! Due to his home being burglarized in , Wayne decided to train dogs in tracking, obedience, and protection. His untrained Staffordshire Bullterrier was unable to protect his home and he then decided to obtain a Rottweiler for protection. Wayne continued to train Rottweilers up until the early 90s where he purchased his first German Shepherd. He was raised along side German Shepherds which had a huge impact toward his love and respect for the breed. At Kraftwerk K9, we honor the history of the German Shepherd. We here at Kraftwerk K9 care for and teach these world-class dogs to live up to their full potential. Our ethical breeding facility sits on 25 gorgeous acres of Washington soil and is available for touring before purchase. Take a look at our facility Learn more about our certified German Shepherds by calling today at or visiting our Available Dog page!

May 04, Free feeding, or leaving food out for a dog at all times, can be a convenient way to keep a dog fed without much effort. Some owners prefer to feed their dogs this way because it simplifies life. There are some drawbacks to this feeding style, however. Arguably, some dogs do fine eating their meals this way but there are many benefits to feeding a dog on a schedule. There are two basic styles of free feeding that we will cover here, unlimited food and rationed food. Although they sound similar, they are actually very different with rationed portions being much more controlled than unlimited food. Unlimited food: Unlimited food is exactly what is sounds like. It means that the food dish is kept full at all times by adding more when it starts to get low. This means the dog basically eats as much as they want, when they want. Of these two styles, rationed food is by far the most desirable way to free feed, if you were to do it. By monitoring the fed daily ration, an owner would have some idea if the dog was getting the proper daily nutrition, not skipping meals, or gorging themselves. When feeding unlimited food, there is just no way to monitor caloric intake and it makes it much more difficult to identify changes in eating behavior. Health problems could easily go unnoticed for a time, especially if there is more than one dog in the home. Free feeding puppies makes potty training near impossible, too. Scheduled feedings create healthy habits Dogs do great on a schedule. When a dog is fed about the same time every day, they establish a routine that they look forward to, which makes training and bathroom breaks easier. When the dog eats at a certain time, that also means they do their business at a certain time. This makes housetraining and potty breaks much easier to manage. A consistent routine lessons anxiety Dogs are habitual and when they have a consistent routine, life is less stressful. When they know when they will eat, go outside, have playtime, spend time alone, and go to bed, they are more comfortable, which helps prevent anxious behavior. What could be more anxiety producing than being trapped inside while having to poop after eating a giant breakfast out of boredom? Prevents food guarding Free feeding does not prevent food guarding, as some people believe. It can actually trigger food guarding because the dog is hyper aware that there is uneaten food in their dish. In multi dog households, it can also lead to dog bullying or dog fights over food. Makes monitoring intake easy When a dog is fed at set mealtimes, it makes it easy to monitor their intake. It is very obvious if they begin to skip meals, eat less, or want more food. Scheduled feeding can help identify health problems. In multi dog households, it makes it easier to know that each dog is getting the right amount of food on the daily. Prevents pests Scheduled feeding helps prevent bugs and vermin from scavenging on food sitting around all day and makes it easier to keep feeding areas and dishes clean. Weight gain and loss There is no way to know why a dog is losing or gaining weight if they are free fed unlimited food or free fed in multi-dog households. Overeating, undereating, and health concerns are hard to identify in dogs fed this way. Some medications, like pain pills and antibiotics, can be very hard on the stomach and are best given with a meal. Makes emergencies easier to manage In an emergency, such as emergency surgery or need for anesthesia, it is much easier to track when a dog ate last when they are fed on a regular schedule. Helps prevent bloat In breeds prone to bloat, such as German shepherds, they should not exercise right before or after eating. Free feeding makes it impossible to know when they might have eaten last during play or exercise times. It can also encourage them to gorge all their food for the day at one time. Limits food to dry diet Free feeding limits what a dog can be fed because fresh, wet, or raw food spoils when left out. These are just some reasons to feed your dog at regular mealtimes. We hope these tips are helpful as you decide how to feed your dog. As always, please feel free to share with your friends. The puppies are now 10 weeks old and have had their first set of shots. All of our puppies are registered, I would love to adopt them. How old are they now Ajmair Khan August 26, , am Are the puppies available or its just for fun???????? Connie Pinto September 28, , am I have a 5 year old male GSD, i want to give him to a loving home who has a female GSD with them, kindly inbox me if interested. Thank you Simon Raj November 25, , pm hi there friends if anyone have german shepherd for free adoptions please do let me know my number is and my name is Simon please do contact me if anyone looking for a home where his or her pet can be taken good care with alots of love thanks will be waiting to hear from you guys. Mere bhatijo ko German shepherd chahye they literally want it really bad. I wanna give them a puppy as a gift I can not buy kindly if someone willing to give can contact me we really love pets would love to have one at our house. Capt Aakash Hussain May 25, , am Aoa I need a german shepherd puppy for adoption, i have to travel alot so I'll be having a partner. If anyone willing to give puppy , kindly contact Name.

Boredom German Shepherds were bred to work with their owners on a daily basis doing intensive tasks. This means that they need a lot of exercise to be properly stimulated. If that is the case then it might start to look for ways to stimulate itself and one of those ways could involve eating grass. If you think that your German Shepherd might not be getting enough exercise then you should make sure that it does. You can look in the section below to see some ways that you can do so. Nutrition Some think that the reason German Shepherds and other dogs eat grass could be to improve digestion due to the high fiber content in grass or to fulfill some other nutritional deficiency. It likes how it tastes It could just be that your German Shepherd likes the taste of grass. This leads some people to think that they eat grass due to having a stomach upset that they want to alleviate by throwing up. Below I will mention a number of them. Exercise By giving your German Shepherd lots of exercise you will be able to wear it out and reduce its curiosity in the taste of grass. There are a number of ways to exercise your German Shepherd. Walk it Walking your German Shepherd is probably the most obvious way to give it exercise. You could also walk it with other dogs since it will wear itself out more by playing with the other dogs. Play fetch with it Teaching your German Shepherd to play fetch is a good way to give it a lot of exercise. It will wear it out quickly since it will have your German Shepherd do a lot of sprinting without much rest in between. I have written about how to teach it to your German Shepherd in the past here. Teach it to swim Teaching your German Shepherd to swim would be another good way to give it a lot of exercise. When they swim they need to move their legs around a lot which can wear them out quickly. It also helps to keep them cool in the summer. There are apps that you can download now that let you book a local dog walker directly through the app. Diet in high fiber Since some people think that dogs eat grass to get more fiber you could try giving it foods that are higher in fiber. Most dog foods will have a decent amount of fiber but you can see what other fiber foods you can feed your German Shepherd here. If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. Give it other things to chew on Another option you have is to divert its attention away from chewing on grass. You can do this by giving it lots of toys that it can chew on. This will be especially helpful if your German Shepherd is in the teething phase where it naturally will want to chew on things. Train it to come to you In order to reduce how much grass your German Shepherd is able to eat you will need it to stop eating grass when you tell it to. To do this do as follows: Get some treats that it likes and a long lead if you have one Tell it to sit then reward it with a treat. You then repeat the process each time getting it to keep its attention a little longer. Then you tell it to stay then walk a few steps back then if it stays you walk back and reward it. Continue to do that each time walking back a bit further and, when it gets good, wait for a few seconds before walking back to it. If you would like some more tips on how to train your German Shepherd take a look at the German Shepherd training book on Amazon. As long as it goes back to normal then it should be ok. You can try saying no and teaching it to come to you when you call it instead. Related Questions Why does my German Shepherd eat dirt? There are a number of reasons why this could possibly be the case. Why does my German Shepherd eat stones? The possible reasons for this are the same as above. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. Have you ever chewed on something because the texture was oddly satisfying? Some people chew straw straws or toothpicks habitually. Other people mangle wooden ice cream sticks as a bonus treat when the ice cream is finished. We do this for the mouth feel, as there is no nutrition in these objects. Similarly, to a German Shepherd, grass may feel pleasing in the mouth. Or maybe they like the feeling of ripping thick blades of grass from the ground. Alternatively, they might like the taste of dewy, tender, and freshly sprouted spring grass it can look good enough to eat sometimes. As mentioned, we cannot be sure of the exact reason for grass-eating in German Shepherds. While grass-eating is not likely to become an obsession like tail-chasing, it can become a habit, and your German Shepherd may graze whenever they happen to be near a patch of grass. German Shepherds Eat Grass Because They Are Bored Veterinarians and other canine professionals have suggested that grass eating in dogs is a form of pica. Pica is a medical condition with which humans can also suffer. It is characterized by the consumption of non-nutritive substances, and it can develop in response to boredom. When humans are bored, we can do some really random things — ripping up a straw wrapper while waiting for your food at a restaurant, chewing your nails, etc. If you suspect your German Shepherd is eating grass from a lack of mental stimulation, one solution is to try and increase the amount of exercise that your dog is getting. Exercise in dogs, just as in humans, is good for their state of mind. Just like a person, consistent exercise will improve mood and relieve boredom. Another great way to relieve a bored German Shepherd is with an interactive puzzle toy. German Shepherds are prone to boredom more so than most other breeds simply due to their high intelligence. We find that this is one of the most popular toys ordered by German Shepherd owners, and for good reason. See for yourself! In German Shepherds, it may indicate a dietary deficiency. Despite their classification into the taxonomic order of Carnivora , domestic dogs are actually omnivores, not carnivores. Now, grass is not very nutritious; that is why ruminants like sheep have to graze all day, every day, to meet their caloric intake requirements. If they are munching down on your lawn, they are unlikely to be missing protein. No, what they are probably missing is some of the vitamins and minerals, which can be provided more successfully by vegetables, and fiber. Carrots, celery, cucumber, green beans, and zucchini chopped into bite-sized pieces can make healthy and crunchy alternatives to treats and training rewards. They will also provide your German Shepherd with fiber, minerals, and vitamins. It is theorized that the innate desire to eat grass developed from this behavior in early canines. A person who sees their German Shepherd grazing might rightfully assume their dog has a sore tummy or is feeling nauseous. You may find that your German Shepherd will eat large quantities of grass in a shorts space of time, forgoing extensive chewing. The reason for this, when your dog has an upset stomach, is that large mouthfuls of un-masticated grass irritate the lining of the stomach and trigger emesis vomiting. Just as in humans, vomiting has the effect of providing your German Shepherd with a measure of relief. If your German Shepherd is frantically scratching at the door to go out, and once outside, they head straight for the grass and start ripping up great clumps to eat, this is a positive indication that they are not feeling well, and they are trying to purge the contents of their stomach. While this behavior seems like it requires a fair amount of reasoning to pull off, it is likely more instinct and learned behavior that triggers it, as opposed to logic. If instead of just eating a little grass, your German Shepherd is off her food, showing signs of pain looking and whimpering at its side, pacing, panting, etc. Is your dog grazing every now and then, or is she eating grass on a daily basis? Every now and then is unlikely to be a problem; every day can indicate boredom, stomach issues, or dietary insufficiency. Is your German Shepherd vomiting after consuming the grass, or are they displaying other signs of physical distress? If so, grass-eating can indicate a medical issue, and you should not hesitate to reach out to your vet or even schedule an appointment. You should not let your German Shepherd eat grass just anywhere either. Intestinal parasites are excreted from infested animals in feces. The feces then sits on the grass, and your German Shepherd may pick up parasites by eating grass in, say, the dog park, where lots of different dogs poop. Other areas to pay attention to are roadsides. Eating grass on the side of the road will expose your German Shepherd to petrochemicals and other exhaust-borne substances. Also be aware of any areas that may have been treated with pesticides or herbicides, which can be toxic for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Watching your German Shepherd eat grass seems like it would be a clear indication that something is desperately wrong. After all, dogs are meat-eaters, right? German Shepherds, like all other domesticated dogs, are omnivores, so eating greens is not abnormal. Your German Shepherd may be eating grass because they like the taste and texture, or they may just be bored. Alternatively, your German Shepherd may have a stomach ache or other digestive issues. Regardless of the reason for your German Shepherd eating grass, it is important that you keep a close on on this behavior at all times. Be sure that grass consumption is not done on grass that may be contaminated by parasites or chemicals, Most importantly, if you notice your German Shepherd eating grass as a frequent behavior, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms, then you should not hesitate to out to your veterinarian right away. There is no one single reason why German Shepherds eat grass. In fact, some German Shepherds may not eat grass often or ever, while other GSDs will eat grass all the time. Over the years, many theories have arisen. Most of these theories came about as dog owners watched their dogs eating grass, observed what happened next, took notes, compared those notes with other dog owners, and then developed theories. But even canine veterinarians and researchers are still not exactly sure why dogs in general and German Shepherds specifically eat grass. However, even though canine veterinarians cannot give their customers a single clear answer as to why a German Shepherd might eat grass, they can offer up a lot of different theories that might explain the behavior. Your German Shepherd is trying to vomit As Pet Check Urgent Care reports, the most popular theory for why German Shepherds eat grass is because they are trying to vomit. Why would your German Shepherd want to vomit? Vomiting might relieve gas or bloat. It could be a way to ease digestive upset. Or it might provide a pathway to get rid of toxins or poisons. In this way, grass might be the canine equivalent of antacids for people. After all, the grass is pretty much pure fiber, and fiber is what the digestive tract needs to work properly. However, there is a problem with this theory. The problem is that many dog owners have observed their dogs eating grass and NOT throwing up afterward. Your German Shepherd is channeling their inner wolf As Fetch by WebMD explains, many wild canids, including wolves and coyotes, have been seen to eat grass. In the same article, WebMD points out that 79 percent of pet dogs have been observed to eat grass at some point in time. So it could be that eating grass does provide some type of nutrient benefit even if we are not sure what it is. Pica is a condition that is characterized by the animal eating non-food objects. The weird part about this theory is that pica is generally considered to be a condition based around nutritional deficiency. The animal starts eating strange things or non-food things because their body is having cravings for missing nutrients. So here, it is possible that grass does provide some missing nutrients to your dog. This could be especially plausible if your German Shepherd eats grass but does not vomit it back up afterward. But what if you are already feeding your GSD a complete and balanced dog food? The important thing to remember here is that consumer research into dog foods has often shown that the nutrient levels stated on the manufacturer label do not always match what is actually in the food. As the Truth About Pet Food highlights, sometimes pet food can be imbalanced because it contains more than the daily allotment of certain nutrients. In many ways, too much is just as bad as too little. This is a huge topic in itself and deserves a separate post to deal with. But suffice it to say for our purposes here that your German Shepherd may have a nutrient deficiency even if the food you offer claims to be complete and balanced. And if this is the case, your GSD may have cravings that express as pica through grass eating. Your German Shepherd is anxious, bored, or lonely Do you stress-eat or know someone who does? While it is easy to assume that only people would eat for reasons other than hunger, dogs have evolved to live very closely with people over many millennia. So a dog that gets lonely, for example, might cope by finding something to do to distract itself, such as chewing on grass. An anxious German Shepherd might resort to grass-eating because the act of chewing is calming. And a German Shepherd that is bored could find an outlet in ripping grass out of the lawn and then eating it. These are all possibilities. If your German Shepherd is calm , engaged in fulfilling activities, and always in your company and the grass eating disappears, this could be why. But if the grass eating remains, one of the other theories might be a better fit. Your German Shepherd likes grass! Many cats have a well-known preference for catnip, a special type of grass that often produces hyperactivity or sleepiness in pet felines. But there is no known equivalent to catnip for canines — at least not yet. However, it is possible that your dog simply likes the way grass tastes, as weird as that might sound. Another possible explanation is that the grass your German Shepherd is chewing on has been peed or pooped on by another dog or a cat or some other animal. German Shepherds and all dogs have a well-documented affinity for rolling in things no human would ever want to roll in. We are not sure exactly why they do this, although here again there are lots of theories. But you can test out whether this theory might be the explanation by watching where your German Shepherd goes to eat grass. Does your dog always seem to nip at grass in the same location? Did you see your cat pee on the grass right near where your dog is going to town? It could be that your German Shepherd is simply engaging in full-sensory immersion in all the other scents and flavors that that particular patch of grass is offering up. As Canine Journal reports, there may be some times when you absolutely need your dog to stop eating grass. If your grass has been chemically treated with fertilizers, pesticides, or rodenticides, then eating that grass could kill your German Shepherd. You should also immediately stop your dog from eating grass if you are noticing that they are repeatedly eating grass and vomiting. This is an indication your dog needs to go to the veterinarian for a checkup right away. The hands-down best way to prevent your German Shepherd from eating grass is to remove access to the grass. This is definitely a time-intensive method, but it works. Walking your GSD on a leash will allow you to retract the leash when your dog tries to eat grass. You will also need to go outside with your dog when it is time to potty and then bring your dog right back inside so there is no time to eat grass. Listen to a Scientist Decode Grass Eating in Canines In this YouTube video, a scientist talks about why modern domestic dogs might have evolved to eat grass. As you will learn, there are more theories than there are hard, quantifiable facts.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. With a bit of patience, it can be fairly simple to train your Lab to accept handling. Just remember that the training process will be easier if you start when your Labrador is still a puppy if possible. If working with an adult rescue, then extra patience, time and rewards will be needed. Safety With Children Young children tend to play fairly rough with their dogs, pulling on them or even just hugging them constantly. Safety With Tactile, Touchy Strangers Accepting handling will also allow strangers to pet your dog when you take them for a walk and help them cope if they are brushed against when walking on a crowded street. This goes for bathing, rubbing in shampoo and conditioner , after they swim or roll in something nasty too. This will further stress your pet and put both them and the vet at risk for injury. In extreme cases, if your Labrador fiercely rejects being handled, they may even need to be anesthetized for these simple tasks. That will add a significant amount of money to your vet bill and put your dog at risk. Having a well-adjusted dog is a pleasure and easy to take with you to the park, family picnics and other fun outings. Things You Should Be Able To Do and Why When training your Labrador puppy to accept handling, you want to make sure they calmly accept you touching them in specific ways. Each of these serves a particular purpose, from making trips to the vet easier to letting you perform regular grooming and allowing strangers to approach or pet your dog. These are the most commonly petted areas, so accepting handling there is the minimum for a good companion. These areas are also checked by your vet at every visit, and important for grooming. This means if your pooch can accept hands running on their back, tummy, or head, they should be okay with a basic examination at the vet. Also, aim to get your dog comfortable with scratching through their fur. This will help with grooming and let you or the vet check for injuries. Searching through the fur is essential for removing undercoat during grooming in addition to ticks or fleas. You want to be able to feel down the legs and between the toes, as you will need to when grooming or when checking for injuries. This will also be useful when trips outside take them through muddy areas so you can remove mud or thorns. Furthermore, being comfortable with touches to their nails is also crucial so the groomer can easily trim them. Your puppy or dog should also accept having their legs lifted one at a time as this is useful for grooming, training or checking for injuries. They need to be fine with having their mouth opened to look at their teeth and with having the gums pressed. This is necessary for brushing their teeth at home, giving them medications, and removing anything that may get stuck between their teeth. You need to be able to touch their ears to clean them , as well as look into their eyes and touch the surrounding area in case they need eye drops or to clean tear stains. Have every member of the family do this and encourage guests to touch them as well. Many people will focus on the most-commonly petted areas, such as the back, tummy, or head. Pay attention to areas such as the ears, paws and tail as they are often missed and very important for health checks and grooming. During the training process, try using food as a treat or reward in addition to giving them praise. Take a handful of their normal kibble and use as a treat or use specific training treats. Simply touch or examine an area and when they are good, give them a reward. Step By Step Guide For New Puppies The general steps for training a new puppy to be handled require repetition, reward and consistency. Again, it is important to remember the least touched areas. These include the collar area, paws, ears, mouth, and tail. Gently touch the given area. Praise your puppy right away and give them a treat. Repeat this process several times. Follow the above steps, but holding the areas for a longer amount of time. Massage gently so your pet enjoys it and keep the conditioning positive. If your pup squirms while being touched, such as while holding their ear, maintain your grip until they calm down and then reward them. For each area, start by getting your pup used to handling on the exterior before working on the inside. Example: Have them get used to you touching the outside of their mouth, then the side, then lifting their lips to expose teeth, and finally to touching teeth. Extra Considerations For Older Dogs It can be much more challenging to train an adult Labrador to accept handling, especially a rescue who may have been abused. The most important thing to remember is to be patient and not to force anything. Then work with them to expand the areas they accept being handled, going at their pace and not forcing things. For instance, start at the base of the ear where they are accustomed to being touched and work your way out to the tips. Keep training sessions short and upbeat. Overcoming Common Problems Perhaps the most common problem when training a Labrador to accept handling is having them struggle and resist. Keep them there until they calm down, then praise and release them. Give them a bit of room and then wait for them to come up to you and try the training exercise again, with the help of some treats. They will help you get over the major hurdles until your Labrador is at a point where you can safely continue training them yourself. Conclusion As discussed, you will need to train your Labrador puppy or dog to accept handling. This is essential for them to live a normal life and it allows you to groom them and take them for trips to the vet. Follow the basic steps in this guide and be sure to work on every part of your pup. You want them to be comfortable being touched on every part of their body in case the need arises in an emergency and to help with general grooming. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. 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. When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the toilet at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialisation Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the garden Besides the gnomes and questionable garden furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own garden is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and garden to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favourite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. How to pet a Labrador Retriever Labs Have Unique Personalities Before getting into the details of what Labradors like or do not like when getting pet, it is essential to remember that all dogs are different. Just like people, Labs have unique personalities. Some dogs love to be in the middle of the action and get all the attention. Other dogs prefer to remain at a distance with minimal interaction. One dog may love to get hugged and snuggle on the sofa, while another dog may only tolerate a gentle pat on the head. Where do Labs Like to be Pet? With that said, there are some places where virtually all Labs love to get a pet or scratch. These include the upper chest, tail base, shoulders, and behind the ears. So, they appreciate a scratch from a helpful hand. Gently and slowly test them out on your dog while watching for the reaction. If you get a positive one, then keep going! If you get a negative one, then move on to somewhere else. You can try giving their head a rub or scratch. Some Labradors love to have their ears gently stroked or rubbed. Other dogs hate it. If your pup moves its head away, they are not a fan of this type of petting. Similarly, some dogs like a gentle chin rub, while others prefer that you not. Getting a chin rub requires the dog to raise its head and lose sight of you. What About Belly Rubs? If you have a relationship with your Lab and they are accustomed to belly rubs, they may roll over on their back and ask for a belly rub. In contrast, the rollover may mean something different if you have just met the dog or are in a public place. It is probably best to avoid a belly rub in this situation. Places to Avoid It is best to avoid the places on a dog where most Labs do not want a petting. These are places like the tail, paws, and legs. You petting it or holding on to it effectively mutes the dog. You petting them can make them feel insecure or vulnerable. While every dog has preferences, many Labradors love to cuddle and lounge on the sofa. Consider this bonding time for your lab. They want to spend time with pack members and show their love. Some dogs are happy to lay next to you and rest their head on your lap. Others want more and are pleased to accept full hugs. Finally, there are the ones you see on social media that act like humans! They cuddle up and spoon on the sofa or in bed with their human owners. Instead, come in from the side. This is a much less threatening approach. When petting your dog, use a soft and gentle touch. Move your hand in the direction that the hair grows. Long gentle strokes with the palm of your hand or fingertips work well. Avoid repeated patting, similar to what you see toddlers or small children do. Dogs universally do not appreciate this type of petting. Some tolerate it better than others. Never slap a dog. While you may think this is fun roughhousing, your Lab may feel like it is getting hit, not pet. Finally, keep your energy calm. This helps your pup stay calm and enjoy the experience. Aggressive, hard, and fast petting can overstimulate the dog. Where Do Labs Like to be Pet? A Summary With my tips in mind, it is time for the best part, petting a Lab! Start slow and introduce yourself to the dog. Then move your hand to the most commonly-preferred spots and give the dog a gentle rub. Learning More About Your Labrador.

Small bulldogs were popular pets with the local laceworkers, keeping them company and ridding their workrooms of rats. After the industrial revolution, lacemaking became mechanized and many of the laceworkers lost their jobs. Some of them moved to France, where their skills were in demand, and of course they took their beloved dogs with them. The dogs were equally popular with French shopkeepers and eventually took on the name of their new country. In the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, the dogs became popular with members of the Paris bohemian class: ladies of the night, artists, writers such as the novelist Colette, and wealthy Americans doing the Grand Tour. Today, the breed ranks 21st among the breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, up from 71 st in , a testament to his qualities as a companion. Connor is 8 months old now and he is a beautiful new addition to our family. .He has brought so much joy to us since the first day we brought him home. .Connor is happy, healthy, full of energy and has an excellent temperament. .My children absolutely adore him. .We are very thankful for having him! Hank came in as the 4th dog in our home, he was friendly and well socialized! At our home we have a dog door, and Hank already knew how to use it because of the kennel he was raised in at Rocky Springs Bulldogs! He is healthy and wonderful and we just love him so much! Thank you Chris for raising such wonderful puppies! Kitt Family Libby Winter joined our family this Friday and our family is in love. Robyn was very helpful answering our questions and Chris was very nice when visiting. ET Updated p. ET Two North Carolina men accused of taking five French bulldog puppies in a brazen gunpoint robbery from a family of breeders in Lancaster County will face charges in Pennsylvania, federal authorities announced Wednesday. Prosecutors say Christopher Lamont Stimpson Jr. According to court filings in their case, Stimpson first contacted the breeders in mid-October, claiming to be a puppy broker coming from North Carolina and agreed to meet the family in their West Cocalico Township home to complete the transaction. The breeder and his family presented the pups in a white laundry basket in their living room when Stimpson and Artis arrived at their house Oct. Advertisement The breeder and his wife grabbed Stimpson around the waist in an attempt to stop him, spilling the cash. It was then, prosecutors say, that he pulled a gun and threatened to shoot them if they tried to impede his escape. FBI agents and local police later traced it back to a rental car agency in Greensboro. Later, as the breeder shared his story with potential customers, one of them mentioned seeing a photo of five French bulldogs in a white laundry basket in an Instagram post from a poster in North Carolina offering the puppies for sale. All five puppies were recovered and returned to the breeder. Stimpson and Artis were released on house arrest during videoconference hearings by a federal court in Pennsylvania this week. They face up to 30 years in prison on charges of robbery and trafficking interstate in stolen goods. Huff, said Wednesday. Hoey, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement About Us. Life Span Did You Know? The loving and gentle English Bulldog is one of the most well-liked companion dog breeds around the world. A breed of English origins, the Bulldog was first recognized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club in .The original use of this breed was Bull baiting, which was eventually outlawed with the establishment of the Cruelty to Animals Act of .This legislative act made the act of Bull and Bear baiting both illegal. The current role most suitable for the English Bulldog would be as a companion or family pet, given their sweet demeanor. The English Bulldog is relatively easy to train but definitely takes some work for more complicated commands. If you are looking for a breed to sit, stay, and play dead for treats, this is the breed for you. While they may not be the sharpest tool in the shed compared to some of the other highly intelligent breeds, they are easy going and apt to please their owner. Training this breed will be accomplished with less difficulty if you make the training reward based. Can you say Sweetheart? While this dog breed makes an above average watchdog because of their courage, this breed is a loving companion at heart. The Bulldog is excellent with kids when socialized and should be very agreeable with guests of the house. The English Bulldog breed as a whole is heralded as one of the most well liked companion breeds in the world. The Bulldog should do well with other family pets as long as properly introduced and socialized. They need to be socialized early and often to curb any negative feelings towards strange dogs. This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. Although they are well liked and very popular, one must be aware of the potential health pitfalls with this breed. Some of the potential issues you can see with the English Bulldog is Cherry Eye, Entropion, or dysplasia. This breed also has a high risk for weight gain, so this should be monitored. An average Bulldog life span is between 8 and 12 years. You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature. The English Bulldog is an average shedder, so brushing him twice a week with a firm brush will be a good idea. Also, they can have a tendency to drool, so making sure you wipe their face off everyday can help ensure they do not suffer irritation on their faces and between their wrinkles. Because of the amount of wrinkles they have, it is recommended that you clean between the wrinkles fairly often to avoid irritations. The English Bulldog is a generally low energy breed. They do not require a lot of exercise, but when they do play, they play hard! Because they can be intense when they do have an energy burst, an owner must be aware of overexertion. They can be very playful, but do tend to tire out quickly. The English Bulldog is a short, stocky breed that should weigh between pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs. Featured English Bulldog Article.

Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Florida? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Florida. The price of poodles varies depending on which breeder or breeding company you go through. Factors that influence pricing include the pedigree of the poodle, the coat type or color and the experience of the breeder or breeding company. By using the Uptown Puppies network, you can set your preferences to reflect your budget and your dream puppy! Do your breeders arrange travel for Florida Poodles out of state? Most of the breeders and breeding companies on our database are skilled in arranging puppy transportation and offer this service as part of the package. If you fall in love with a puppy on the other side of the country, you can request for a puppy delivery and simply pick up your new pooch from the nearest major airport near you! How do you screen Miniature Poodle breeders in Florida? Uptown Puppies has a strict screening policy and takes every precaution to ensure that only the most humane and skilled breeders, or breeding companies, make the cut. We check up on healthcare practices, living conditions, and general breeding practices too. Once a breeder or breeding company has been approved as ethical, they are then required to uphold our documents to ensure continued high standards. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Florida? Uptown Puppies offers a digital service in the form of a database that links screened breeders to loving homes around the country. In addition to ensuring the highest ethical standards, our matching process takes into account your budget, breed and aesthetic preferences too. The network we provide cuts down on research time and presents a wide selection of puppies all at your fingertips. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Florida? Puppy mills are terrible and inhumane breeding grounds where puppies are kept in unethical living conditions and not given proper healthcare or love. Puppies raised in a puppy mill often cause a whole lot of problems later down the line, including heartbreaking behavioral issues and expensive healthcare needs. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Florida for sale now? If by any chance there is a shortage of miniature poodles at this time, you can simply set your preferences to span the entire country so that you can find the poodle of your dreams! What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Florida? Poodles are intelligent and fast learners, excelling in activities that test their agility and tricks. Due to their highly trainable natures, poodles are often featured in the circus and also as assistance dogs. These gorgeous little dogs are super friendly, playful and fun to be around. With their shed-free coats, poodles are a low-maintenance choice for busy homes that prefer to be fur-free. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Florida? With so many puppy mills posing as ethical breeding companies, not to mention the scams that are going around, you are probably wondering if Uptown Puppies is too good to be true. For peace of mind, you can take a look at our excellent unbiased reviews and puppy alumni, and rest assured that our reputable organization upholds the highest of ethical standards and professional services. Need help finding toy Poodle breeders Florida? We can help! How much do Poodle puppies cost? Poodle breeders Florida consider a number of factors when pricing their puppies like gender, size, coat color, and pedigree. For instance, some toy Poodle puppies for sale Florida are pricier than a standard Poodle for sale Florida. Does your network of breeders arrange travel for Poodles out of Florida? Our network extends to the Lower 48 and our partner breeders can easily arrange to have your new puppy transported to a major airport near you. How do you screen Poodle breeders? We have a strict screening process in place for breeders and businesses who want to join our network. Our team takes a close look at their experience, knowledge, breeding practices, and facilities to ensure that they can uphold the values stated in our Breeder Pledge. Why is Florida Puppies different from other puppy finders? We are more than just a website for finding Poodle puppies for sale Florida. We are a community of standard, toy, and miniature Poodle breeders Florida that strictly follow ethical breeding practices. Our goal is to make it easy for people like you who are looking for a Poodle for sale in Florida, to avoid puppy mills and scams. Are puppy mills really that bad? Puppies from mills are often born sick or develop genetic health issues early in life or even die in puppyhood. Avoid puppy mills at all costs when looking for a Poodle for sale Florida. Are there any available puppies in Florida right now? Whether you are searching for a standard Poodle for sale in Florida or a toy poodle for sale Florida, we can connect you with the best breeders in your area. What kind of dog is a Poodle? The Poodle is a dog breed that has three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. It is the second most intelligent dog breed so it can be trained for a variety of purposes like sports, obedience, tracking, performing, and even assistance. Best of all, this is a loyal and loving breed that makes a wonderful companion to people of all ages. How do I know I can trust the breeders on your network? We hate scams and animal abuse as much as you do, which is why we created Florida Puppies. We are selective about who joins us and we screen them beforehand. We are proud of the community that we have built -- you can read about the happy families and the breeders who helped them on our Reviews page. How does Florida Puppies work? When you find the puppy that you like, contact the breeder to discuss the details. The next step is bringing home your new puppy! Are poodles good apartment dogs? Poodles, no matter their size, are great apartment dogs! What a dream, right? Like most dogs, they will thrive better when walked daily. For smaller apartments, a miniature or toy Poodle is a better fit, of course. Search our network for a toy Poodle for sale in Florida today to find your perfect apartment pooch! Poodles Available!

You've come to the right place. Here, at Premier Pups, our Mini Bernedoodles are happy, healthy, and ready to embark on a life-long journey with their new families. These puppies are raised with love and cared for by the best in the business. We align ourselves only with the best breeders that meet our high standards. All our Mini Bernedoodles come with a year health guarantee that backs up our Premier Promise. Nationwide delivery is available for all out-of-state customers looking to adopt a Mini Bernedoodle. The beautiful Mini Bernedoodles are a blend of fluffy looks and darling personalities. They can be small or medium depending on their generation, but regardless of their size, they are simply adorable. Mini Bernedoodles are designed to be loyal and loving companions for equally loving owners. They thrive in a setting where attention and fun are plentiful. We partner with the best dog breeders in the nation to offer you healthy, happy Mini Bernedoodle puppies. Find your dream Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle mix puppy today! A few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups. Welcome to the Plain, Ohio city page on TrustedPuppies. Known for its quiet neighborhoods, scenic parks, and family-friendly atmosphere, Plain is a fantastic place to find and raise your new Mini Bernedoodle companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Mini Bernedoodle breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in Plain, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. Enjoy quality time with your pup at popular dog parks such as the Oakwood Dog Park or nearby Price Park, ideal for a scenic walk. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Ohio Valley Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of Mini Bernedoodle canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Mini Bernedoodle breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Plain. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Mini Bernedoodle puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Mini Bernedoodle puppy on TrustedPuppies. View Our Available Puppies! You should not confuse Mini Bernedoodles with Standard Bernedoodles. Our adorable Mini Bernedoodle are of the F1 variety. All the doodle moms are purebred Genetic Tested Bernese Mountain dog females. Our mini Bernedoodle pups usually end up weighing pounds and around inches tall when full grown. Most Mini bernedoodles live to be around years old. Mini Bernedoodles have become really popular because they shed very little after they shed their puppy coat, they are very hypoallergenic. We have specialized in breeding Mini Bernedoodles as well as a few other breeds for many years. They are a big part of our family and farm. We have also partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini bernedoodle pups that meet our very strict criteria and genetic testing. We usually have a good selection of very high quality doodle puppies. So if you live near Canton Ohio and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Bernedoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are a few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups! View Our Available Bernedoodle Puppies! Standard Bernedoodles are bigger than Mini Bernedoodles reaching weights of pounds. They average inches in height at the shoulders when fully grown. Our Standard Bernedoodle puppies are all 1st generation-F1 variety puppies. They have purebred Bernese Mountain dogs for moms and the dads are Standard poodles. Their Standard Bernedoodles life expectancy is years old. Blue Diamond Bernedoodles have a loving, easy-going, and calm temperament. Bernedoodles are very loyal and social and love to spend time with their parents. Standard Bernedoodles need regular grooming because of their curly and thick coats. Shedding is very minimal after their first haircut and grooming. This breed is known to be a hypoallergenic choice. Here at Blue Diamond Family Kennels, we specialize in breeding Standard Bernedoodles along with a few other great breeds. We have teamed up with a few other reputable Bernedoodle breeders that breed and raise Bernedoodle pups that meet our very strict criteria and genetic testing. On our Standard Bernedoodle puppies page you will see all of our available puppies for sale.