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Ethical breeders only breed new litters from carefully health screened parent pups. This helps detect any genetic defects , which might be carried onto the puppies. This will give you some added peace of mind, but make sure that the health guarantee comes in written form with your adoption documents. Although it might seem like an unnecessary step, being affiliated with any of these organizations means that a breeder has to follow their strict health testing standards and ethical breeding practices. Moreover, if you know anyone who has adopted a Labradoodle puppy in Washington, reach out to them and ask about their own personal experiences with Doodle breeders in the state. Our article on How To Choose A Responsible Breeder has tons of more tips on this topic, so make sure you check it out. They specialize in breeding Medium, Mini, and Micro Mini Australian Labradoodle puppies in a variety of beautiful coat colors, including chocolate, red-apricot, caramel, and phantom patterns. In addition to breeding Labradoodle pups, they also raise purebred Golden Retrievers. At Moonlit Acres, their main focus is on breeding healthy and happy puppies with wonderful temperaments. In fact, many of their puppies have gone on to become registered service dogs for families and individuals who need that special canine support only Doods can provide. All of their puppies are born and raised in their very own home so that they all receive round-the-clock care and nurture that they deserve. Their puppies are all well-socialized with young children, adults, and also with other dogs. They start potty training at 3 weeks of age, crate training at 4 weeks of age, and also utilize the Early Neurological Stimulation ENS training. Moreover, they teach their puppies basic commands and even take them on car rides! What Makes This Breeder Unique? Waitlist: Yes. Our dogs are smart, calm, intuitive, and beautiful. We only breed one litter at a time. Together we discover that there is nothing more rewarding than making people happy with healthy, social and gorgeous puppies. They have soft coats and wonderful temperaments. We breed carefully with low inbreeding and provide you with a pedigree. Our breeding dogs pass many tests to qualify for our breeding program. Tests on breeding dogs include hip and elbow xrays, cardiac screening, healthy eye certification, and DNA tests for common diseases in the breed. We take special care of all our dogs and puppies. We love our Australian Labradoodle puppies from start to finish! We do not breed with anxious, aggressive, nervous dogs, but we select our breeding dogs with good temperaments. They have a gentle, calm, happy character with just enough spirit to be playful and fun. We raise our breeding dogs in our own home or in foster families called guardian homes. All dogs deserve to live with a family. We are not a kennel operation. Because the puppies grow up in our home, they are socialized and love people and other dogs. They are introduced to people, children, and other dogs at a very early age. Training with commands such as come and sit start at 5 weeks of age. We introduce them to their crates at the same time. Our labradoodles keep us laughing with their clownlike antics. We have a lot of experience and knowledge raising and training dogs and we promise a lifetime of support. We distinguish ourselves by having the healthiest, friendliest dogs with wonderful temperaments. They are mostly hypoallergenic dogs. They are very intelligent and easy to train, so Australian Labradoodles are used for emotional support and service. Our whelping boxes and pens are cleaned and sanitized every day. The puppies start pottying on grass outside at about 5 weeks old. They are introduced to crates at 5 weeks old but will not be fully crate trained. We want them to love their crates. We send one home with you. Reserve early as most puppies are sold before they are born! Responsible Breeding Early Socialization and Positive Training Starts at Birth Responsible Breeding Inbreeding analysis before breeding any dogs to be sure there are no close relatives for generations. Pedigrees, and health tests posted. Our breeding dogs do not shed. Tests on breeding dogs include hip and elbow xrays, cardiac screening, healthy eye certification, DNA tests for Common diseases in the breed. We socialize with many people and other dogs. We introduce crate training at 5 weeks in a manner that they will love their crates. Love and handling starts at birth. Most puppies come and sit before they go home. Olympic Peninsula:. Puppies need to get to the furever homes and start bonding and training. There will be no tax if you live in another state. Litters fill up fast as the breeding dates approach. Application Additional Information To purchase a labradoodle puppy, please fill out one of our applications and submit. We will contact you and send you a deposit form, contract and a copy of our health warranty. You can pay by check, cash, or Zelle. If you use Venmo, Paypal, or a credit card, there will be a 3. This deposit is non- refundable but can be transfered to a later litter. It is fully refundable if we can't provide the size and sex requested within 18 months of placing your deposit. Our goal is that you get the puppy that you want. We understand circumstances can change and you may need to postpone getting a puppy. Payment of the deposit is what will secure your spot on the master wait list. When puppies are born, you will be offered a puppy if we have one available. The offers are in the order of the date of deposit. Breeder choices come before choices for pets. We usually only keep 1 or 2 for breeders. The balance needs to be paid when the puppies are 4 weeks old. We have each family choose their own puppy but as I breeder it is my responsibility to tell you the temperament of each puppy as I watch them grow. Sometimes you can choose right away if we know which puppy the earlier buyers have chosen, but usually they are chosen in the order we received the deposits after any breeding dogs are evaluated and picked at 7 weeks of age. We will work with you to help you choose the puppy which will most closely fulfill all your desired color, coat, and temperament. Once the puppies are born, a bi-weekly photos will be posted on this website. After the puppies are 2 weeks old, we turn on a webcam for you to watch. Puppies may go home around 8 or 9 weeks. This date will appear in the emails you receive. You will need to arrange to be to our home in Sequim Washington on that day for pick up. We will schedule a time when it gets close. The pickup date is the same for all puppies in a litter. We cannot keep puppies a few days or even one day because it is very stressful for the puppies to have their litter mates gone. Apricot Tuxedo Australian labradoodle. Breeders ofMulti-generational Australian Labradoodles Australian Labradoodles are such a wonderful, versatile breed. They are adaptable, affectionate, eager to please, friendly, intelligent, sensitive and very trainable. They are good for the laid back person to the active family, as long as they are with their people they are happy and content. They have non-shedding coats that are allergy friendly! Our objective is to breed healthy, well-tempered, and beautiful Australian Labradoodles. To achieve our objectives, we subject our breeding dogs to rigorous health and temperament testing, we expose our pups to enriching experiences appropriate to their age. We use temperament testing to match pups to families to support the best fit of pup to lifestyle. Our breeding dogs are loved family pets and our pups are raised in our home or with one of our amazing guardian families. We are not a kennel! We are a registered breeder with the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association WALA and operate in a manner that respects the highest ethical and professional standards. Contact Home Australian Labradoodles Bayside Australian Labradoodles is an established Mom and Daughters' family business, dedicated to providing the highest quality and most loved puppies. We are have been so blessed by the joys of raising our puppies and meeting the most wonderful adopted families, since .Over 20 years ago, I fell in love with Labradoodles. However, I learned that simply breeding a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle did not create consistency of desired characteristics. I have been in love with Australian Labradoodles ever since. Australian Labradoodles are intelligent, have lush coats, are low to non-shedding, allergy friendly, have good temperaments, and are great with children. They are also beautiful and come in different colors and sizes. Additionally, their personality is a wonderful mix of laid back living and an exuberant love of their people. Bayside Labradoodles is dedicated to breeding the highest quality pets by carefully researching and selecting the finest dogs for our breeding program. At this time we are breeding medium and miniatures. We are Blessed to have been breeding Australian Labradoodles for wonderful families across the country for more that 5 years. We are proud to be a member of the Australian Labradoodles Club of America, due to their high standards of breeding and unwavering quality of leadership!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Looking for the best brushes for your golden retriever? This is an important question since not all brushes are created equal. Some brushes are great for golden retriever coats, some are ineffective on their coats, and some are potentially damaging to their coats. This is because why you need to brush your golden determines what type of brush to get them. There are three reasons you need to brush your golden: Brushing prevents and removes mats Brushing gets rid of loose fur and debris Brushing elps you have less loose fur around the house Preventing and removing mats is the most important reason for brushing your golden. Mats are clumps of tangled fur that can be painful and lead to skin problems. It would be like trying to brush out a piece of gum stuck in your hair. Sounds pretty awful, right? Well, the good news is that regular and proper brushing can prevent mats, or at least remove them before they get too bad. The next reason you need to brush your golden retriever is to get rid of loose fur and debris. My golden, Oliver, loves to roll around outside, but when he comes in he brings all sorts of things with him. Leaves, sticks, dirt, and sticky plant seeds cling to him and either get buried in his undercoat which can lead to mats or get deposited on the floor. Brushing gets this stuff out of his fur. And finally, brushing your golden retriever will get loose fur off of them and onto the brush, rather than off of them and onto your floors. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! If you only brush the top coat, then you could be missing out on harmful mats in the undercoat. Slicker brushes are made up of fine wire angled teeth that get out tangles, mats, and dead fur. Our favorite slicker brush is this self-cleaning slicker brush because it does a good job at brushing your golden, has gentle teeth, and cleans itself by getting all the fur out of the brush with the push of a button. You can get this slicker brush from Amazon here. Undercoat rakes are a little tougher on mats and tangles than slicker brushes, and are great at getting out dead fur from the undercoat. You can get this undercoat rake from Amazon here. Other Brushes For Golden Retrievers Although most people will be fine with just a slicker brush and an undercoat rake, there are other types of brushes for your golden. Many brushes are 2-in-1 combos of both pin brushes and bristle brushes like this Wahl dog brush. Combs are another option for brushing your dog. They do a similar job as undercoat rakes and are useful for getting mats out. This Andis Pet steel comb is good because it has teeth that are spaced out for when you first start working on a mat, as well as teeth that are closer together to help you finish it off. Remember the gum analogy earlier? Most people opt to just use a slicker brush and an undercoat rake since those do a good enough job. However, some people do love their deshedding tools and use them on their golden retrievers. What are your thoughts on deshedders? Let me know down in the comments! How Often To Brush Your Golden Retriever Since goldens have long, thick coats and shed like maniacs, you need to brush them times per week. Some goldens have longer, thicker coats than others, and need to be brushed everyday, while others like field golden retrievers have shorter coats and need to be brushed just a few times per week. Another factor that goes into how often to brush your golden retriever is the season. Of course, with all the extra dead fur, you may have to brush them more often then. And here are two pro tips if you want a clean house: Tip 1: Brush them outside When you brush your golden hair is going to be flying everywhere. Unless you want it to fall on your floors, brush them outside. Tip 2: Rub them down after you brush them Once you brush them, there will be a lot of leftover fur still laying on them. Rub them down with your hands in the same direction the fur lies to get it all off before you go inside. This will spare your vacuum from having to suck up a little extra fur later. The answer: as soon as you get them! However, you do want to brush them early and often to get them used to being brushed. Give them a lot of treats and keep the brushing sessions short and fun so that they learn to like being brushed. Conclusion The best brush for golden retrievers is a slicker brush. Some goldens will also need an undercoat rake if they have thick coats or get mats often. Have any questions about golden retriever brushes? Related articles:. The bristles are sharp and could hurt some dogs with delicate hair. It also has a good grip. However, its bristles are slightly sharp, and its price is a bit higher compared to similar products. It has gained popularity among pet owners for its exceptional shedding control capabilities. This removes the most shed hair. They effectively detangle and smooth the fur without pulling. FURminator also has anti-microbial plastic surfaces that keep germs to a minimum. Pros Innovative design for superior shedding control Detangles without pulling the hair Crafted with high-quality, long-lasting materials Comfortable grip Suitable for different coat types Cons Very hard to clean and could hurt your fingers. Use the 9-teeth side of this dog and cat brush for smooth dematting, and the teeth side for quick coat thinning and deshedding. Skin Safe: Pamper your pet - pain-free! The teeth on this dog brush for shedding are rounded to make sure your furry friend's skin is protected. This deshedding brush is perfect for cats and dogs with thick, long fur - but it's great for coats of all kinds! Long lasting and durable pet comb that works great even on horses. Easy Grip Handle: Get even the nastiest knots out with ease! Our dog and cat brush for shedding has a non-slip handle to give you a firm and comfortable grip. The tool has nine teeth on one side and 17 teeth on the other. Next, use the side with 17 teeth to thin the fur and remove the shed hair. Pros Dual-sided rake allows faster grooming Versatile and multipurpose grooming tool No-slip handle The bristles are sharp and tend to pull the hair out of heavily matted dogs. Its double-sided functionality, wide head, and comfortable design make it a go-to brush for faster grooming. Its price is reasonable as well. Built to last through multiple grooming sessions. It also promotes blood circulation and massages the skin for better pet health. It's suitable for all short- and long-haired dogs, cats, and other pets. Constructed with durable stainless-steel teeth, this comb effortlessly glides through thick double coats, gently removing tangles and mats without causing any discomfort. The high-quality stainless-steel material is corrosion-resistant and also prevents static buildup. It prevents hand fatigue during longer grooming sessions and also provides a comfortable grip, ensuring precise control and ease of use. Gentle and effective on tangles Easy to hold and comfortable grip Stainless steel pins on one side and soft nylon bristles on the other What We Don't Like Nylon bristle side is difficult to clean The Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush is effective, versatile, and suitable for a variety of dog coats. One side has stainless steel pins that can help untangle knots and collect loose hair, particularly for dogs with long, curly, or wiry fur. On the flip side, the brush head has soft nylon bristles for fluffing and for short coats. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is gentle against the skin, and the nylon bristles are very soft so most dogs don't seem to notice when they are being groomed with that side. We tested the Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush on dogs with a variety of coats, including long, fine hair and long, matted hair—the brush performed exceptionally well with both. It worked best on our border collie test subject. One tester even noted that it worked well on her dog's thick butt hair. The Hartz brush was less effective for dogs with short hair and also isn't the right tool if you're looking to tame your dog's undercoat. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is particularly gentle. For humans, the brush has a soft rubber handle that makes it comfortable to hold. The pin side is somewhat easier to clean than the bristle side, and we recommend clearing out all the hair you collect after each brushing session to prevent build-up. The firm metal bristles easily brush through the thick coat of a Golden Retriever without harming their skin or causing discomfort. The bristles have a massaging effect on your dog and I find even when applying a good amount of pressure, my Golden enjoys it. This brush has an ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip to ensure a comfortable and safe brushing experience. A steel-tipped pin brush is great for everyday brushing to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris, and to smooth the coat. Pin brushes are gentle and safe to use without causing any discomfort to your dog. Steel Tipped Bristles. Smooths The Coat. Pros: A great brush to use for daily brushing to remove light tangles, and smooth the coat. This brush is lightweight and comfortable to hold. Stimulates the skin and distributes natural oils promoting a healthy shiny coat. Suitable for various coat types, making it a great option for Golden Retrievers with wavy, straight, or thick coats. Well made brush at a great price point. Cons: Not suitable for removing heavy mats or severe tangles. May not effectively remove loose hair from the dense undercoat. Tips For Brushing Golden Retrievers In a perfect world, your Golden Retriever would just sit still and let you brush his coat without a fuss. By following these helpful tips below, you can transform the brushing experience into something positive and enjoyable for both you and your Golden. We discussed 3 different types of essential brushes for Golden Retrievers, each with a different purpose. A slicker brush for removing tangles and mats, and loose hair, an undercoat rake for managing the dense undercoat, and a pin brush for daily brushing. I would suggest starting off with a pin brush as this is the type of brush that is the most gentle and comfortable for your dog. When your dog enjoys the brush you are using, it will make the brushing experience more enjoyable. Keep the brushing sessions short, use treats and praise, and be consistent. Establish A Routine Dogs love having a routine, it makes them feel safe and secure. Use Gentle Brushing Techniques Always be gentle when brushing your Golden Retriever by using light pressure and brushing with the hair growth. It is especially important to apply light pressure when using certain types of brushes such as a slicker brush and grooming rake, to avoid any skin irritation or discomfort. This short video demonstrates how to use a slicker brush properly: Brush One Section At A Time You may find that your Golden has a hard time sitting, standing, or laying in one spot for any amount of time, making it difficult to get the entire coat brushed. This also allows you to focus on any problem areas such as behind the ears where matting can occur, or behind the legs, or the tail which can easily become tangled. Brush Outside Brushing your Golden outside will eliminate the amount of hair inside your home. I always make a point of brushing my Golden Retriever outside, it allows her to lay in the grass or snow and chew her favourite stick. Make It A Positive Experience If you make brushing positive for your Golden Retriever, they will enjoy and look forward to being brushed. How can you make brushing enjoyable? Use treats and praise after a successful brushing session. Keep brushing sessions short and gradually increase the time. Be gentle and use the appropriate brush. Schedule brushing before a walk or playtime, that way your dog is rewarded after with a fun activity. The razor-sharp teeth cut the protective topcoat and make it appear frizzy and damaged. It really does more harm than good. There really is no need to use a Furminator on a Golden Retriever , especially when there are much safer and gentler options such as a slicker brush, or an undercoat rake. FAQs The following are the most frequently asked questions that Golden Retriever owners have about brushing. If you have any other questions please leave them in the comments below. Overall, the best type of brush for a Golden Retriever is a slicker brush, as it effectively brushes and removes loose hair from the double coat, keeping it smooth and tangle free. However, most Golden Retriever owners will use a slicker brush in combination with an undercoat rake to manage the dense undercoat and a pin brush for everyday brushing and smoothing the coat. Yes, Golden Retrievers need to be brushed in order to keep their thick double coats free of dirt, debris, tangles, and mats. Brushing helps to remove any loose dead hair and reduces shedding. It also distributes natural oils through the coat to keep it healthy and shiny. You should be brushing your Golden Retriever at least once or twice a week to maintain a healthy coat and keep it free from any tangles or mats. Daily brushing is really best to reduce the amount of hair in your home, and brushing your Golden Retriever daily only takes about 10 minutes. The best detangler brush for Golden Retrievers is a slicker brush with fine, gentle bristles. The best tool to deshed a Golden Retriever is an undercoat rake. Undercoat rakes are designed specifically to reach and remove loose hair from the dense undercoat. By using an undercoat rake regularly once a week , you can minimize shedding and maintain a cleaner home environment. Overall, if you have to pick just one brush that would be best for Golden Retrievers, it would be a slicker brush. However, incorporating an undercoat rake once a week, or even during the heavy shedding seasons, will really help cut down on the amount of hair in your home. For everyday brushing and removing light tangles, a pin brush is a great option. Do you have a favourite brush to use on your Golden Retriever? What is your experience with using these brushes? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you! Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. Other Key Features to Consider in Brushes for Golden Retrievers Ergonomic design for easy handling and reduced strain on hands and wrists during grooming. Retractable buttons or self-cleaning features to make hair removal quick and convenient. High-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting for regular use. Specialized brushes for specific grooming needs, such as deshedding, massaging, or removing loose hair. Gentle bristles or teeth to prevent discomfort or skin irritation during grooming sessions. Non-slip grips for better control while brushing your active Golden Retriever. Versatility to use the brush on both wet and dry fur. Recommended and approved by professional groomers or veterinarians for reliable performance. A healthy coat will feel soft to the touch and not excessively oily or have an unpleasant smell, which might indicate yeast build-up or bacterial issues. A dusty appearance or frequent balls of undercoat fur shedding may signal allergies, hormonal imbalances, infections, or other concerns. For heavy shedders, a slicker brush is effective in tackling matting and removing loose, dead hairs. Alternatively, a gentle pin brush works well for regular coat maintenance, but it may struggle with severe matting. Dogs with long coats, like Golden Retrievers, often require more frequent brushing to manage tangling and matting. Many Golden Retriever owners prefer combining a slicker brush with a metal comb to achieve comprehensive grooming results. If you prefer simplicity and efficiency, opting for a slicker brush could be the best choice, as it efficiently removes matting and loose undercoat hair, streamlining your grooming routine. Every other day brushing for moderate shedders and regular coat maintenance. Weekly brushing for light shedders and short-haired Golden Retrievers. Wrapping Up Finding the best brush for your Golden Retriever is a crucial step towards maintaining their luscious coat and overall well-being. With their unique double coat, Golden Retrievers require specialized grooming tools that effectively address their shedding and matting needs. Embrace the tips and recommendations shared here to make grooming sessions a positive and rewarding experience for both you and your furry companion. Invest in the best brush for your Golden Retriever and witness the remarkable transformation in their health, beauty, and happiness. Happy grooming! How often should I shampoo my Golden Retriever? Shampooing a Golden Retriever should generally be done once a month, or as needed if the dog gets particularly dirty. Over-shampooing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Can you wash a Golden Retriever every week? Washing a Golden Retriever every week can be excessive and might dry out their skin and coat. Can I use baby wipes on my dog? Baby wipes can be used on a dog for a quick clean-up, but make sure they are fragrance-free and alcohol-free. How do you clean Golden Retriever ears? Gently wipe the inside of the ear, but avoid inserting anything into the ear canal, as this could cause injury. Regular check-ups with a vet can ensure proper ear health. Can I shave my Golden Retriever to prevent shedding? No, shaving a Golden Retriever is generally not advised as it can actually cause more problems. Their double coat provides insulation and protects their skin from sun and environmental damage. Regular brushing and grooming are the best ways to manage shedding. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Brushing any dog is important , as it helps to keep their skin and coat healthy by removing and preventing mats, circulating natural oils, and getting rid of dirt and debris. However, regular grooming of a golden retriever is even more important than it is for dogs with shorter coats, and pet parents should ideally aim to brush their dog for at least a few minutes every day with the best dog brush for a golden retriever. This can result in their coats getting tangled and muddy after walks, as well as occasionally seeming to bring back half the outside foliage embedded in their coats. Therefore, a regular grooming routine is essential to keep them clean and comfy. Regular Handling Helps To Socialize Your Dog Getting into a good routine of grooming can also make your life much easier when taking your pup to the vet or even to a professional groomer, as they will be used to staying still to be handled. Pin Brush These brushes have long, wide-spaced wire pins. They can come with rubber-tipped pins for added comfort. Bristle Brush Bristle brushes do a similar job to pin brushes, but they are more multipurpose, suiting short-coated dogs as well as longer-coated breeds. They come with different bristle lengths and spacings for different types of coats — longer, wider spaced varieties are best for goldens. They also help to stimulate the skin and remove stubborn dirt. These can be a good everyday kind of tool for a quick brush in between more thorough grooming sessions. Slicker Brush Slicker brushes are great for removing loose hair and dirt. They consist of rows of fine wire pins, which are perfect for detangling longer hair. Each pin has a slightly angled end which helps to remove any loose fur. They come in a range of different sizes, so you can pick one that suits your dog. They should be used with caution, as they can cause discomfort if too much pressure is used. Undercoat Rake The purpose of an undercoat rake is to help remove the undercoat during shedding and also generally detangle the undercoat. They come in different lengths, so be sure to pick one suitable for a golden retriever. A Guide To Buying The Best Brush For Golden Retrievers By now, you already know which brush type to go for, but there are still lots of factors you do not want to ignore when shopping for the best dog brush for your golden retriever. Some come with shorter handles, and others have bigger handles. A handle that does not fit well in your hands will strain your wrist and arm and generally be uncomfortable to use. For golden retrievers specifically, the ideal brush has to be suitable for double-coated breeds. You will also run into some that are versatile enough to cater to different coats. Pin Design Top-grade dog brushes mostly feature either flexible, soft, rounded, or bendable pins. Stay away from extremely cheap brushes, as most of them have stiff, sharp pins that are more likely to harm your dog than properly groom them. As a rule, most golden retriever owners will find they need the following brushes to various degrees: a wire pin brush, a bristle brush, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake. Most golden retriever owners will use at least one of the following brushes to various degrees: a wire pin brush, a bristle brush, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake. All of the brushes on our list are ideal to use on a golden retriever. You only have to figure out the purpose for which you need the brush for. This will help you narrow your selection to the best brush for your golden retriever in the four categories we looked at above. How much brushing does a golden retriever need? Golden retrievers should be groomed once to twice a week to avoid instances such as painful matting and excess shedding. Remember to use either a pin or bristle brush for regular shedding for regular brushing. But when their hair is too tangled, it would be better to first spray it with water or an appropriate conditioner before brushing it. A slicker brush is the perfect option for this purpose. How do you use a slicker brush on a golden retriever? Earlier on, I briefly mentioned that slicker brushes should be used with caution because they tend to cause a bit of discomfort, especially when you use excess pressure. Instead, use short, gentle strokes to avoid causing irritation. When should I start brushing my golden retriever? Most vets recommend that you start brushing golden retrievers while they are still puppies or around months old. Take it slow at first to allow your pup to become familiar with the grooming process. Remember to use the appropriate brush for the appropriate purpose. Most manufacturers have various options designed for grooming puppies and adult dogs. Last Word On The Best Brushes For Golden Retrievers For first-time owners of golden retrievers, it can seem like a minefield picking out the best brush for your golden retriever. But even long-time lovers of goldens can find themselves confused, too! You May Also Like.

Ashford Manor offers important services that benefit you, your puppy, and your family! Puppy Bootcamp Your puppy is already socialized and prepared for family life, but this takes it a step further. For an additional fee and in four weeks, your puppy will begin to know basic commands. Grooming Services Australian Labradoodles are groomed in a special way. Many groomers do not this, but we do. Try us out! It takes time to search for the best products for your dog. We understand that. She is amazing, wonderful, and adorable. Nothing seems bothers her: not the noise, car horns, police sirens, fire engines, or motorcycles. You should hear all the comments I get from people who stop me to ask what breed she is and tell me how cute and beautiful she is. He is totally crate trained, and has very rarely had an accident inside. He slept the first night and every night from 11pm-6AM better than any of my 4 kids! People with dogs say that we are very lucky and have such a great dog! She is always the smartest one in the class as she is such a quick learner! Izzy is pretty much completely potty trained — she regularly rings the bells — though she has figured out that ringing the bells get her the attention she likes, so she does that for fun sometimes too. He is just a doll and the grand kids love him. Kids absolutely adore her — thank you for such a wonderful puppy. Our breeding program includes Labradoodles from Tegan Park and Rutland Manor, the originators of this clever breed. We are dedicated to preserving the Australian Labradoodle, by insuring sound breeding practices, excellence and the highest standard of ethics. Our dogs and puppies live in our home as loved pets. They are well socialized and used to children and other animals. Proper socialization is important to the puppy you will adopt so much attention is given to your new puppy. While in our home we take the utmost care of your new puppy. Your little prince or princess will be treated like royalty. You can be assured that the best care and attention is given to all aspects of breeding, and that we are devoted to advancing and preserving this unique breed. Only sound Labradoodles are allowed to participate in our breeding program. Our adherence to these policies backs up our guarantee in providing only the best Australian Labradoodles. It is my goal to produce the finest companion for your family and am honored that so many families come to me for their puppy. Australian Labradoodles. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Indiana? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Indiana. Soft, Cuddly, Cute Australian Labradoodles are famous for being cute, but just wait until you see our puppies! Extremely Intelligent Aussie Labradoodles mix the smarts of the Poodle with the trainability of breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, combining to create one super-smart puppy. The Uptown Family Bringing home one of our Labradoodles automatically makes you a part of our family. Perfect Family Pet Adaptable and laid-back, Australian Labradoodles can fit right in with almost any family—from those with lots of kids and pets, to solo globetrotters, to retirees looking for a quiet companion. Labradoodles just love people, no doubt about it. Highest Indiana Labradoodle Breeder Standards We enforce strict standards to keep both our parent Doodles and puppies in tip-top shape. That means making sure our mommy dogs live in awesome guardian homes, that our pups enjoy the best conditions possible, and that we have breeding age and litter limits for our mommy dogs. We do that by focusing on the traits that make Labradoodles so awesome, while attempting to minimize and eliminate genetic diseases. We also offer older trained pet puppies!!! The hard part is already done for you! She is already crate trained sleep through the night and is doing excellent on potty training with no accidents in over a week!!! She is learning to walk on a leash and getting well socialized. For more info on this sweet girl call Pat at .See our facebook page for more pictures and updates! Uriel loves her humans! She likes to be a shadow and be right by anyone in the house! She enjoys car rides and snuggles! She loves to run and play outside and then cool off on the air conditioning vent! She would do best with older children and adults. Her very favorite activity is laying on the bed next to her human and snuggling in for a long nap! For more info call Pat at .This little girl is just so much fun! Ursula is a fun loving, spunky, playful girl, that would thrive in an active family. She would also love a family that has another dog for a playmate. Ursula loves car rides and loves to play with her toys and retrieve them for you! She is doing well with crate training, and potty training and learning to walk on a leash. For more info on making this fun loving girl a part of your family call Pat at .Possibility of all colors solid and parti. Call Pat at to reserve a puppy. We take calls 7 days a week from 9am-9pm. We are on Eastern time. Puppies expected winter See our facebook page for more pictures and updates! We reserve the right to retain potential breeding stock puppies from any litter. We reserve the right to deny anyone one of our puppies. We also reserve the right to change mating pairs based on circumstances.

English Bulldog Puppies For Sale Near Me Victor laguna Akc registered 10 weeks chocolate tri and lilac try Buy Now English bulldog This beautiful female 14week old english bulldog is looking for a forever loving family.Sid will come with akc papers, microchipped, dewormed, and will be up to date on vaccinations. Feel free to contact me with more info. My name is Joe and contact number is xxxxxxxxxx. Neo will come with akc papers, microchipped, dewormed, and will be up to date on vaccinations. Thor will come with akc papers, microchipped, dewormed, and will be up to date on vaccinations. Triple carriers. Huge paws ,big heads Will come with there first set of vaccines and vet check. Contact me if interested at xxxxxxxxxxx xxx. Charlie this beautiful AKC male is available will come up to date with current shots and deworming. He is a triple carrier able to produce chocolate blue and lilac pups. Puppy is current 7 weeks old will be ready for his forever home in 1 more week. Will come with 1 year health guarantee. Puppy is stunning heavy bone and thick rope. Penelope Grace will be sure to come home to you happy, healthy, and full of kisses just for you. Text us at xxx xxx-xxx3 OR email at xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. They are friendly with kids and other house pets.Great health!!!! They are 12 weeks old.They have all their shots current up to date with deworming.They will be going with akc or as home pet.Microchiped with dog collar number are included.Vet shots and records in hand.For more information or any concerns please call or text me xxx-xxxx.Thanks puppies are excited to meet their new families.She was born she will be up to date on shots also wormed and vet checked. Pictures of parents are post as well as pedigrees puppy will come with her akc registration with full rights. Dam has Russian blood very rare and amazing looking bulldogs sire is a black tri all out crossed with no common blood lines great to add to your program. The pup is very playful has been around dogs and kids xxx xxx-xxx5 View Detail cute puppies available for adoption cute puppies available for adoption will make a perfect fit to ur home. They really are a credit to their breed. Perfect straight tails, open nostrils and lovely clear dark eyes. Puppies are ready for their new homes. Best of Breed Puppies have over 20 champions in their pedigree. Puppies are vaccimated, de wormed , fully vet checked. Puppies have been raised in a family home with 2 children. View Detail Cute Lovely English Bull dogs They are Male and Females English Bull Dogs xxx xxx-xxxx text for more information and get recent pics they are also akc Registered have all shots and also will come with all papers. View Detail E. Each one has microchip, vaccinated,vet checked,declawed. Contact us today! If interested please give me a text or call at xxx xxx-xxx6. View Detail English bulldog Bruno 4month old male vaccines are up to date. Rehoming please call for more info. Our dogs and puppies are cuddled, fed, and handled with only LOVE. Check us out instagram and Facebook. View Detail English bulldog This beautiful female 14week old english bulldog is looking for a forever loving family.Sid will come with akc papers, microchipped, dewormed, and will be up to date on vaccinations. Feel free to contact me with more info. My name is Joe and contact number is xxxxxxxxxx. Neo will come with akc papers, microchipped, dewormed, and will be up to date on vaccinations. Thor will come with akc papers, microchipped, dewormed, and will be up to date on vaccinations. Triple carriers. Huge paws ,big heads Will come with there first set of vaccines and vet check. Contact me if interested at xxxxxxxxxxx xxx. Nike has his favorite toys and can play all day. Nike will have a complete nose to tail vet check and arrive fully up to date on all vaccinations. I am silly and sweet as can be, and I am sure that I will make that perfect addition to your loving family. My favorite things to do are giving kisses, napping, and of course being a great friend. I am a very happy puppy as you can tell. If you are looking for a puppy that will make you laugh and smile, then look no further. I am the best at making people smile. Charlie this beautiful AKC male is available will come up to date with current shots and deworming. He is a triple carrier able to produce chocolate blue and lilac pups. Puppy is current 7 weeks old will be ready for his forever home in 1 more week. Will come with 1 year health guarantee. Puppy is stunning heavy bone and thick rope. Up to date on shots and wormer and will come with year health guarantee. He is great with kids and do awesome with other pets too. Has a great personality, and is all ready for his new, loving home.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. Height: 26 inches Ratio: .This should give you their height. For example, 26 inches times 0. Using the other example, .Since each dog is going to be different, you need to look at their overall body condition rather than a weight range. Fortunately, there are body conditioning charts that you can use to figure out if your German Shepherd is at their ideal weight. Just look at them from the side and from above, feeling for ribs and pelvic bones when necessary. Younger dogs will also typically be on the thin side before they fully fill out as adults. Years of line breeding has produced several distinct types of Shepherds. Show dogs are known for a sloped back in which the back legs are shorter than the front. This unnatural formation can cause back and hip problems along with an abnormal gait. German Shepherds bred for show will also be thinner than their hardworking cousins. As you can see in this picture, this is a show-bred German Shepherd with an obvious curved back and short back legs. Working dogs, on the other hand, are bred for a sturdy, straight back so they can work long hours without getting sore. They tend to be thicker than show dogs and will, therefore, weigh more, even at the same height. As you can see in this picture, this dog has a straighter back and longer back legs, so it has been bred for working. Something else I wanted to mention here is that, according to some sources, Black German Shepherds are larger than their bi-colored cousins, despite being otherwise the same. So, if you have one of these rare and beautiful creatures, you can follow the same charts that were listed above. If your German Shepherd is diagnosed by a veterinarian as underweight or overweight for their age, then the first thing you should do is ask him or her to help you figure out the underlying cause of the problem. This will determine what should be done next. Do you have a giant German Shepherd? What about a tiny one? Comment below to tell us more about it! About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. American German shepherds have straighter backs then German shepherds. If you have a german shepherd and their lineages are close to their German roots they will have that arch in their back. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Since German shepherds are large, active dogs and are known to have hips that give out, it's important to make sure they have good nutrition throughout their lives. Make sure to buy healthy food that is not full of filler ingredients. For example, make sure you are feeding a quality food that contains animal protein and doesn't use corn for protein. You can feed your German shepherd dry or wet food, or a combination of both. If you choose to feed your German shepherd homemade meals, it's important to talk to your veterinarian about what they need to include. This will help ensure that the dog will get a balanced diet. Try to resist giving your dog table scraps, especially if it is begging for them. People food can be unhealthy for the dog and can impact its interest in its healthy food. As your dog ages, it will have different nutritional needs. Feed your dog a food that is designed for its specific age, such as a puppy food when it very young, an adult food when it is in middle age, and senior food when it is in old age. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source There are also specific formulas you may need to consider at some point, for example, special foods for large breeds or weight control food for overweight dogs. Talk to your vet about what food will work best for your dog. Because your vet will understand your specific dog's health issues, they may want it to get specific nutritional needs met. Instead, mix the foods together, gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old food over the course of several weeks. Look at the packaging of the food to determine the suggested serving size. This should be based on the size and age of your dog. You can also talk to your veterinarian about how much they think your dog should be eating. It is best to divide your German shepherd's daily food into 2 or more smaller meals. Giving smaller meals helps to minimize the risk of bloat, which is a life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. Go to source When you feed your dog several times a day, your dog will need to relieve themselves shortly after each meal. Never exercise a German shepherd right after they eat since this could increase the risk of bloating. In addition to feeding it healthy food, the snacks you feed your German shepherd can have an impact on its health. Pick low calorie treats that are satisfying for dogs, including crunchy vegetables and kibble in a feeding toy that slows the dog's consumption down. Dogs can drink a lot of water every day and it's important that they do to prevent dehydration. Fill up its bowl with clean water every day and leave it where your dog has access to it. Also, check up on the bowl throughout the day, if possible, to make sure there is plenty of water available. However, German shepherds should drink small amounts of water throughout the day, instead of drinking a large amount at one time. Gradually hydrating throughout the day will ensure that the dog doesn't get bloat. Dehydration can be a threat to your dog's health. Signs that it might be dehydrated and needs more water include excessive panting, loss of appetite, and dry nose or gums. If you see these symptoms, give your dog water immediately. Go to source Advertisement. German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold her bladder for approximately one hour for every month old they are. Most puppies find their way to a new home at months old, so they should go for a toilet break every hours to start. How often should my puppy poop a day? Typically, most pups will go once or twice a day — although some may go four or more times! How many hours should a German Shepherd puppy sleep? On average, a German Shepherd puppy will sleep for 18 hours a day. Some pups sleep longer than others but they usually sleep between 15 and 20 hours in a hour period. As puppies get older, they sleep less. The average 4-month-old puppy sleeps a little over 11 hours a day. 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. Until they are completely up, they flop around, go up and down. You can help your puppy to strengthen her ear muscle by whistling and making funny noises that perk up her ears. When do German Shepherds start teething? Starting at 4 months old, German Shepherds will begin to lose their puppy teeth. But some puppies start losing their teeth earlier or later. You may discover a discarded tooth on the floor. Or you may see a few drops of blood on her chew toy. And it is not uncommon for a puppy to swallow her tooth, which is perfectly normal. When do German Shepherds get all their adult teeth? An adult German Shepherd should have 42 adult teeth. The small incisors in front usually come in first, followed by the big canines, the premolars and the molars. All adult teeth should be in place around months old. Puppies use their mouth to explore their environment, so nipping is very common. This behavior, called teething, can last until the puppy is 6 months old when all her adult teeth have started showing. German Shepherds grew into their full size between 18 months to 2 years old. But they are not considered adult dogs until they reach the age of 3 years old. If your pup is still young, one of the most effective ways to calm her down is to give her regular mental and physical exercise. The rule of thumb is that you should give a puppy 5 minutes of exercise for every month old they are. For example, a 4-month-old puppy would need 20 minutes of exercise. When do German Shepherds get their full coat? She will start the coat change on her face first. Then her fluffy puppy coat will be replaced by the smoother adult coat down her back, towards to trail and gradually down her sides. When do German Shepherds start shedding? While their shedding is especially intense during the spring and fall, they lose their undercoat during the rest of the year. Other Than Vacuuming When should I bring my puppy for the first vet visit? You should bring your new puppy to see a veterinarian no later than 2 days after coming home. Some breeders require this within 48 hours as included in their sales contract. It is very important for your vet to examine your puppy to look for signs of disease. When should a German Shepherd puppy get her vaccination? Your German Shepherd puppy is recommended to get her first vaccination distemper and parvovirus between weeks of age. Here are the recommended vaccinations from AKC for your reference: Some dogs do not need every vaccine. You should always discuss it with your vet. When should my German Shepherd puppy be wormed? A German Shepherd puppy should be wormed for the first time at 2 weeks of age, then at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks old fortnightly until 12 weeks of age. After this, they can be wormed monthly until they are 12 months old. When do female German Shepherds go into the first heat? Female German Shepherds started their first heat as early as 7 months old, but this may vary from dog to dog. During that time, they may begin mounting other dogs or could become touchy or grumpy. There will be discharge and many owners use feminine pads and a diaper-type arrangement to keep the house clean. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior AVSAB recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies on walks and public outings as early as one week after their first round of vaccinations, at about 7 weeks old. Instead of going for a marathon for the first time, it is advised to build up the distance with your GSD with time. Remember dogs cannot sweat like humans to reduce their body temperature. When can I walk my German Shepherd without a leash? Never let your dog go off-leash where there might be traffic or where he could injure himself. PART V German Shepherd puppy socialization guide Socialization helps them learn what to expect from the world around them and gives them the tools they need to navigate it as they get older. This includes new people, dogs, and animals, learning how to interact with new environments, and being exposed to a wide variety of sounds, smells, and sights. Socialization is especially important in German Shepherds starting from as early as 8 weeks old. This is because this breed is hard-wired to be protective of their owners as well as their property. Failing to socialize can make the dog become aloof to strangers. Other common signs of unsocialized in dogs include: Fearfulness or skittishness around unfamiliar people or animals Aggression towards other dogs or people Lack of confidence in new or unfamiliar situations Difficulty with basic training commands Inability to handle being handled or touched Puppies that are well-socialized are more likely to be healthy, obedient pets that make great additions to any household. They are intelligent dogs that can be challenging to train for first-time owners. However, with the right mindset, you can train your German Shepherd to become an obedient and well-behaved canine citizen in no time. At what age should I begin training my puppy? What should I teach my puppy first? Is it ok to crate my pup overnight? What are the basic commands every puppy must learn? How to motivate my puppy? Last but not least, we have compiled an easy-to-follow training guide. This training guide is our best effort in compiling a collection of training resources for any new GSD owner to kick-start training a new puppy — without wasting your time searching forever online. Each part is only one page long with at least one video for a demonstration. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Checklist Dog Crate Getting a crate for your German Shepherd puppy is quite crucial for the following reasons: Allows the puppy to feel secure Speeds up potty training Keeps the puppy safe by controlling his environment Conditions your dog should you need to travel and use a travel crate Some people erroneously feel guilty for crating their pup. However, dogs need structure, especially when bred from work-driven breeds like German Shepherds. A dog crate provides a sense of security by reducing the space around the pet. A room might be small enough for us, but placing the puppy in it will make him feel like he is in a large vacant warehouse. The necessity of getting a dog crate brings up the question of size. What size crate is best for a new GSD puppy? Read my post on the recommended German Shepherd crate size to find out the best size to buy and why. Opt for the size inch variety. You can move the divider to make more room as your puppy grows. I draped a dark-colored blanket over the top to make it more den-like. She was around three years old when I finally got rid of it, but some dogs enjoy them for life. As German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia, arthritis, and other joint issues, you should invest in a good crate pad. Dog Bed You might think getting a crate is the same as getting a bed. Some crates come with a matt or pad disguised as a puppy bed. Since German Shepherds are big dogs and do not take much time to grow to their full size, you will need an orthopedic dog bed to support their weight and protect their joints. My post on the best orthopedic dog beds for German Shepherds elaborates on the pros and cons of different dog beds. The gist is that you need a bed to prevent joint pain that bigger dogs experience. German Shepherds are prone to arthritis, and though a genetic element plays a role, bad crating practices can accelerate such problems. I chose the Big Barker because of the scientific evidence that it improves joint pain and stiffness in arthritic dogs, enhancing their quality of life. This means a lot to me as my German Shepherd was diagnosed with spinal osteoarthritis at only six years old, but it helps knowing she sleeps comfortably. I have to admit — I was also attracted to their year no-flatten guarantee. You can check out my full review of the Big Barker here. Novice dog masters also make things difficult through a combination of poor choices. Then they make the situation worse by opting for a collar and using tugging as a means of discipline. This is cruel to the dog and teaches him nothing. It is a front-clip harness, meaning you lead your pup from the front, which gives greater control and steering, making it impossible for your dog to pull. A fellow dog owner designed it, and it has all the love and care one would expect from an owner who is solving a problem he has previously faced — a dog that pulled. You can also learn more about my pick of the best no-pull harnesses for German Shepherds in this article. Toys German Shepherds are full of energy, which means they have to be surrounded by things that can exhaust their excess vitality, such as a range of chew toys, tug toys, and puzzle toys. These will stimulate his teeth, muscles, and mind, respectively. Toys help your new German Shepherd develop and stay entertained. You can also use toys to train a German Shepherd to find things and track, but that comes later. For now, you must make sure you get him a large selection of puppy toys. Your new best friend needs different exercise routines and changes in the environment, both of which can be normalized via travel. A car restraint allows you to secure your German Shepherd puppy in a car seat safely. Using a dog crate as recommended above will make it easy to communicate that car rides are okay. I like the Petmate Vari Dog Kennel because it comes in various sizes, and for the first few months, you might prefer a smaller crate. This model is made from premium plastic, does not require any tools to set it up, and has lots of vents to keep your pup well-ventilated. Poo Bags Your new German Shepherd puppy is going to be the cutest thing on earth up until he has to poop. At that time, how much you like having a GSD will be strongly correlated with how close you are to a poo bag. Regardless of whether you buy a pack of poop bags or accumulate enough disposable bags to cover a month of dog poop, you need to have something to carry dog waste. Remember, a puppy poops two to four times a day. Amazon Basics Unscented Dog Poop Bags are among the most affordable products in the category, with the bags supply being the most economical. These bags are 9 inches x 13 inches, which is a much more efficient size than the standard disposable bag. You might not need this size at first, but trust me; they are the best for an adult German Shepherd. Dog Shampoo You must get dry shampoo for your dog because German Shepherds do not need to bathe more than a few times a year. In other words, your new puppy is half a dozen baths away from adulthood. In the meantime, something is required to keep him clean, right? Tropiclean Waterless Shampoo for Pets is a high-quality, low-priced option made from natural ingredients like plum, oatmeal, and cucumber. It is backed by a market leader in natural wellness and has accumulated over 4, positive reviews and ratings on Amazon. Dog Food Food, water, and shelter are some of the basic needs of all mammals. Dogs are no exception, especially when they are bred under human supervision. Therefore, getting dog food is one of the most important prerequisites for bringing home a new German Shepherd. After that, just ensure you choose a large breed food. Bringing home a new pet is a joyful experience. You might find yourself constantly staring at the beautiful yet timid puppy, and it will take a couple of weeks for the puppy to feel at home. Until then, the dog will be open to cuddles and start interacting with the person who feeds him and plays with him. Make sure he spends time inside the crate as well as outside it. The dog may seem shy and aloof for the bulk of the first week, with the first day being his most seemingly introverted one. The dog will miss his pack and call out for them with whining or whimpering sounds or even barking. You should make sure he feels safe and secure and only comfort him through the night when you take him for a toilet break. Your German Shepherd puppy will need comfort, and you can do a few things to help him feel better. Comfort the pup to make him feel secure. Feed the puppy and make sure he is warm. Turn the lights off and make sure he gets enough sleep. Your new German Shepherd needs to get used to a schedule, work on independence, and see you as the leading figure. One of the differences you will notice when your puppy is freshly released from the breeder is his excessive appetite for sleep. Some might want the puppy to wake up to cuddle. Others will wonder if it is healthy for the puppy to sleep so much. In general, a German Shepherd puppy should sleep 8 hours at night and hours during the day. Though, the dog should not be forced to fit a schedule and must be left to determine how he divides his hours of sleep in the first few weeks of adoption. Final Thoughts The arrival of a new German Shepherd puppy can be an exciting time, but excitement can also inspire nervousness. The puppy will feel less overwhelmed and scared after the first 3 days and will further settle during the first 3 weeks. This is the time to have a good German Shepherd puppy training schedule so you know what to teach and when. Related Posts You May Like:. It is also a vital element for brain and eye development. Fresh chicken meat in the diet provides protein with high biological value. Natural Prebiotics to boost the overall digestive process. The benefits of Orijen Puppy Large: A calorie limited diet to promote a healthy weight and to put less pressure on joints. Rich in protein for making German Shepherd pups healthy and strong. Highly delicious chicken and turkey liver tempt the pickiest of eaters. The crusty and crunchy kibble texture of this food promotes good periodontal health and helps in curbing problems like Tartar and Plaque buildup. An essential fatty acid like Omega 3 has been added in the diet for boosting the overall skin health of the dogs. A natural antioxidant like Vitamin E fortifies the natural immunity of the pups, keeping them strong and healthy. You can feed your adult German Shepherd 2 times a day. You should avoid feeding them synthetic preservatives. High in Fibres: Natural fibres maintain superior digestive health and also an ideal body weight. Vitamin C: Vitamin C keeps the joints healthy, preventing problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis. Natural fibres promote excellent digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. The benefits of Fidele Adult Large Breed: Contains a substantial amount of protein for enhancing strength and endurance in grown up German Shepherds. Omega fatty acids boost skin health and also maintain good eyesight. It consists of Real Chicken meat as the main constituent which is favourite for German Shepherds. It has a good combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that significantly improves the skin health of the dogs. They do not contain any fillers or preservatives which makes this diet completely safe for German Shepherds to savour. Breed Specified Recipe specially made for German Shepherds Real Chicken meat offers good protein content for supporting strong muscle mass Excellent blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids endow the dogs with good skin health. This dog food has a rich protein content that fortifies the muscle mass in the dogs. Moreover, the crusty texture of this food helps in removing Tartar and Plaque build-up. Ideal dog food for a large breed like German Shepherd Consists of Calcium and Phosphorus that boosts bone density Glucosamine and Chondroitin provides anti-inflammatory effect to the dogs Beet Pulp and FOS prebiotics boosts overall digestive health of the dogs Crusty kibble texture of the food eliminates Tartar and Plaque build-up 5 Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog A highly nourishing meal that has Chicken and Barley as its primary constituents, the Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed is an easy-to-digest meal offering a nutritional profile that suits an adult German Shepherd. Omega 6 and Vitamin E promote beautiful skin and coat in German Shepherds. Ample amounts of protein maintain lean muscle mass and endurance. They need foods that are low in protein and fat content while richer in fibres. However, an overall moderate diet with all the components is also considered healthy, provided your dog trains and exercises regularly. A senior German Shepherd consumes around calories daily. They can be fed 2 times a day. Fish Oil Omega 3 : Fish oil is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids that provides a good anti-inflammatory effect to senior dogs. Fewer Carbs: As elderly German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to obesity and diabetes, a diet that has a low glycemic index is most preferred to them. A combination of Vitamin E and C, builds a stronger immune system. Devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. Fresh meat and freeze-dried liver make the meal highly delectable. A biologically appropriate diet that nurtures your older German Shepherds according to their biological and evolutionary needs. Thus, when you adopt a German shepherd pup, make sure that you provide it with a fully nutrition loaded diet and maintain a lifestyle with lots of physical activities. A comprehensive diet including all the above parameters will lead to a healthy and long life span of your little beasts. An avid nature and animal lover, Akhil likes to read and watch anything related to wildlife. He also has a great interest in athletics, mainly track and field events and is a big Masala Dosa fan. More like this.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Queen City Doodles is a professional family breeder with a passion to provide home raised and home loved puppies for companionship and pets. We are located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Our dogs live in our home or in their carefully selected Guardian homes nearby and are part of our families. Our puppies are well socialized and have a strong foundation to become a well adjusted family companion. We feel you can not do better than one of our Queen City Doodles puppies! I am grateful for the opportunity to provide the perfect puppy for you. This was Belle as a puppy. As you can see, Cleo makes beautiful puppies who have gentle dispositions, are extremely intelligent and are able to adapt well in all situations. We have a very active lifestyle and Belle enjoys all of our adventures with us. We also have a special needs child and the loyalty and companionship Belle provides for our child is beyond anything we could have hoped and prayed for. Amy G. I did a lot of research before purchasing our pup and I am so pleased we went with Queen City Doodles. He is the sweetest and goofiest fluff ball ever! Not to mention he is so smart and picks up everything very quickly. Amanda was great to work with. She answered all my questions and kept us in the loop the whole time. I would not hesitate to purchase another pup from Queen City Doodles or to recommend them to anyone! Heather N. We added a lovely and sweet Queen City Goldendoodle to our family this summer. Amanda was great to work with! She answered questions quickly and sent pictures often. I would highly recommend using Queen City Doodles. Grooming is still highly recommended every weeks to keep their fur tangle-free and stylish! In order to gain this level of recognition, our dogs are undergoing extensive health and genetic testing to ensure the highest and healthiest dogs are available to you and your family. Hillsview Farm also is required by GANA to adhere to the Associations strict Code of Ethics and Breeder Policies further ensuring that when you purchase one of our Goldendoodle puppies, you and your family are assured of a healthy, happy dog. Why a Goldendoodle? Goldendoodles are extremely social, outgoing, non-aggressive dogs that thrive on human companionship. They have a great desire to please and to learn. Each individual breed the Poodle and the Golden Retriever score in the top 4 of the smartest dog breeds. They are incredibly intelligent and always eager to please. Coupled with the low to non-shedding coats, this temperament has proven to make Goldendoodles perfect candidates for service work as well as family pets. Hybrid vigor the increased health benefits of crossing two completely unrelated breeds gives the Goldendoodle the health and vitality that makes them, on average, outlive either one of their parent breeds. It should be stressed, however, that the general health and vitality is enhanced dramatically when parents have been genetically tested for the inherited diseases that both parent breeds share in common. Having owned and bred dachshunds, bassets and bulldogs, we could not have imaged that a dog could be so intelligent, so loving and so obedient until we met Maggie. We fell in love and decided to share our experience and love of Goldendoodles with others. We anticipate that Nacho will have a life-long love affair with our girl Maggie and quite frankly, if Sabrina Nacho's owner would let us adopt him as our own, we would! Take Home a Goldendoodle! Our typical litters have between Goldendoodle puppies and our most recent litter arrived July 23rd! Puppies are now available and will be ready to take home on September 10th! Check out our process by clicking the button below for more information how you can take home a Goldendoodle from Hillsview Farm. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Tea South Dakota and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted!

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More For any dog owner, staying on top of their new puppy vaccine schedule is an important task. This is an especially big concern for puppy owners, as young dogs are more susceptible to diseases and at an increased risk of catching viruses. Why should you vaccinate your dog? How many sets of shots do puppies need? And so much more. See Also: Click the image Essential Puppy Vaccine Schedule Chart: Introduction Adopting a puppy is all fun and games until you realize that your new fur baby requires your utmost care from the day you bring them home. We know the feeling of wanting to show off your new little pup to every single person you know, taking them to the dog park to meet new friends, and whatnot. However, you should vaccinate your puppy before they step into the large world and meet new people and dogs. One of the most important reasons for vaccinating your puppy is to boost their immunity and protect them from harmful diseases. Of course, you could keep your puppy in the house up until their first birthday. Socializing your puppy is essential for them to learn crucial life skills and help them grow into a well-behaved and well-rounded adult. What Vaccines Do Puppies Need? Dogs need a wide range of puppy shots over the course of several months. So, what vaccines do puppies need? It affects both puppies and adult dogs. It can also be transmitted by shared water and food bowls, chew toys, and other equipment or surfaces. However, it can be prevented with proper immunizations. Many vets refer to the most important puppy shots as DHPP. This actually includes immunization for canine distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus, and canine parainfluenza. Some vets administer DHLPPC shots, which include all of the diseases we mentioned above and the additional leptospirosis and coronavirus vaccines. Canine Hepatitis The infectious canine hepatitis or adenovirus is an acute contagious disease. It affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes. In severe cases, it can lead to liver failure and ultimately death. Most common symptoms of canine hepatitis are fever, excess thirst, vomiting, jaundice, loss of appetite, enlarged stomach, or liver pain. The most common symptoms of canine parainfluenza are dry or moist coughs, low fever, nasal discharge, lethargy and lack of energy, and loss of appetite. Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria. Most commonly, pups are infected from drinking water from lakes and rivers that are contaminated with infected urine, coming in contact with infected wildlife or farm animals, or from contact with rodents or other dogs. Common symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs include fever, stiffness and pain in muscles and joints, shivering, weakness, depression, loss of appetite, excessive thirst and urination, extreme dehydration, jaundice, difficulty breathing, or kidney failure. Parvovirus Parvovirus is one of the most dangerous, highly infectious diseases that often affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. Parvo causes gastrointestinal complications like lethargy and depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever or hypothermia, severe weight loss, weakness, stomach pain, and rapid heartbeat. All of these symptoms lead to severe dehydration and affect the immune system. Canine coronavirus CCoV has been around for ages. The most common symptoms of canine coronavirus include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Bordetella Bronchiseptica Bordetella bronchiseptica is the leading cause of kennel cough. It can also be transmitted between dogs and cats. Lyme Disease Just like humans, dogs are at a risk of contracting Lyme disease through infected tick bites. The most common symptoms of Lyme disease are loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, lameness of limbs, swelling of joints, or overall stiffness, discomfort, and pain. It can also lead to kidney failure, or severe cardiac or neurological problems, which can prove to be fatal. Rabies Rabies is one of the most dangerous viral diseases. This disease attacks the brain and spinal cord, and if not treated quickly, it typically leads to death. The most common symptoms of rabies in dogs are anxiety, aggression, becoming restless and irritable, sometimes becoming overly excited or very uninterested, fever, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, stumbling, seizures, or paralysis. Puppies usually receive their first rabies shots around 3 months old, and they should be boosted as required by the law in your state. Heartworm Puppies and dogs can contract heartworm even just from a single mosquito bite. Heartworm spreads worms in the heart and pulmonary arteries, sometimes even to the liver and kidneys. As these worms can grow as long as 14 inches, they can block the arteries and injure the organs. However, your dog might start showing symptoms like lethargy, coughing, loss of appetite, or difficulty breathing at later stages. When Should You Start Puppy Vaccinations Typically, puppies go to their forever homes with at least some vaccines that have already been administered at the shelter or kennel. Now your job is to continue with the puppy vaccine schedule. Whether you adopt your pup from a shelter or a breeder, you can usually count on their previous caretaker having administered at least some age-appropriate vaccinations. Typically, puppies receive their first puppy shots around 6 to 8 weeks of age. Always ask from the breeder or shelter about all the vaccines your pup has received and take this information to your vet. This way you can schedule the next shots in a timely manner. But how many sets of shots do puppies need? During their first weeks, puppies should receive 3 to 4 sets of shots, each of them around weeks apart. New Puppy Vaccination Schedule Chart So, as you can see, there are many vaccines that puppies should receive within their first year. March 01, by Providence Labradoodles Not All Vaccinations Are Necessary It used to be that you took your new puppy to your veterinarian and got all the recommended shots. They came in a series of three, plus rabies and often vaccines for Lyme disease, Bordetella kennel cough and Giardia, to name a few. We never questioned these vaccines and just trusted that our puppies needed to have them. This was just how it was done and how the field of veterinary medicine worked. And not all vaccines are proven effective. For example, many veterinarians use to recommend the Giardia vaccine which was released in .Did you know that you should only give your dog the Bordetella shot approximately three days prior to boarding them at a kennel, and it only protects them against two of the possible eight types of kennel coughs currently out there? Kennel coughs are like the human cold. When you get your new puppy, a good breeder will have already given your puppy the DAPPv series which prevents against Distemper, Adenovirus Type 1 Hepatitis , Adenovirus Type 2 respiratory disease , Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. The breeder will also provide you with a detailed list of recommended follow-up vaccines and when they should receive them. These tests can tell whether or not your dog already has the antibodies it needs against certain diseases and therefore does not need a specific vaccine at that time. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends having a titer test done on your dog every three years. Some dogs may never need certain vaccines again. There are some vaccines that many in the veterinary medical field are warning against using on your dogs. Jean Dodds' Recommended Vaccination Schedule A great deal of research is currently underway on unproven vaccines that have been on the market and used by veterinarians and low-cost clinics for decades with either questionable or no concrete studies to prove their potential benefits. There you will find news and information on concerns, changes, regulations, etc. We have included it in your Puppy Packet. We have included a blanket and toy as well. They will afford some comfort and security for the first few days, so keep them close, especially at night. Family Labradoodles — Music to Calm Puppies is a well thought out selection of music designed to calm your pets. The compositions maintain a soothing yet varied dynamic. Your puppy has been listening to this CD since birth and will be a good tool when you are away or at bedtime. We have included a copy in your packet. Limit Exposure First and Foremost: Until your puppy has received all three sets of vaccinations, use caution and good sense in limiting exposure to the very real diseases that await new puppies. I cannot emphasize this enough. Make no Mistake: Parvo, Distemper and other infectious diseases can threaten the life of your puppy. They are deadly and they ARE out there. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, I strongly discourage Puppy Parks, Pet Stores or open public places where other dogs may have defecated. During a veterinary visit, do not allow your puppy on the floor. Keep him on your lap or in a carrier until he is put on the examining table. Your puppy will need to be vaccinated at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. His vaccination program will continue with your veterinarian. Rabies inoculation is a single dose, usually at four months of age or older, with a repeat vaccination every one to three years. Check with your veterinary facility. Socialization is so important at this time- actually most critical between 4 and 16 weeks- but ongoing for the first year. Pay special attention to this time frame- this is when your puppy learns to grow to be a confident friendly adult. Careful, positive exposure now to all those things he will encounter in his adult life, from car rides to children of all ages to individuals outside of his family, and walks and cats too, and other unfamiliar dogs is essential for a happy well-adjusted dog. I want to mention that at 12 weeks of age, your puppy will experience an ultra-sensitive shy stage. Try not to introduce too much at this time- especially things that could be perceived as fearful, aggressive or over stimulating. You will be walking a fine line between proper socialization and health concerns. Stay vigilant and use good common sense when exposing your puppy to the world. Never, never use pet rest areas; Dog Parks and pet stores are a big no until all immunizations are complete. A darling little girl from a previous litter, Ivy, died 3 weeks after being with her new family. They were anxious for her to go to a dog park with friends despite the warnings and contracted Parvo. She died 36 hours later. So, please, take care while sharing your world — enjoy all the new learning experiences with your puppy while sensibly protecting him. Crate Training I encourage all new puppy owners to use a crate for their puppy. Buy a crate that will accommodate your puppy when he is fully grown. Choose one that has a divider to limit his space initially. This will help with housebreaking. I particularly like the wire crates that have 2 doors; one on the side and front for more placement options. Any time you cannot keep an eye on your puppy, putting him in his crate will keep him safe. Make going in the crate fun! I always give my dogs and puppies a small treat when entering their crate. Never use the crate as a form of punishment Whining: your puppy may or may not whine initially while in his crate. He has been exposed to a crate for several weeks and is familiar with going in and out at will. Do not give in; stay strong- they will learn that being in their crate is a part of everyday life and never a bad thing. Crating, both at night and when you are unable to supervise, is the safest option for your lively and inquisitive puppy. It will also protect your home, woodwork, rugs, table legs, chair rungs, sofa corners, tennis shoes, homework, book bags and anything else that your puppy is convinced is a toy and needs a good chew. Tip: Bitter Apple spray will help deter your puppy from choosing sprayed surfaces as chew toys. Housebreaking This is where your crate becomes an invaluable tool. No animal willingly soils his environment crate. Limiting his space helps to train your puppy to hold his business for longer periods of time. Your puppy will not know how to tell you he needs to go outside so I suggest taking him out every hour or so until he is older and able to go for longer periods of time. Key times to encourage your puppy to potty outside are: When he wakes up-in the morning and after a nap- after playing for an hour, after eating, and of course, hurry when you see him running in circles! Try to take him to the same spot each time and shower praises on your clever puppy when he goes. Remember, he will not know to go outside exclusively for many months. Positive praise for the job well done works. Punishment for accidents, and there will be accidents, may make your puppy fearful and confused with the whole process causing setbacks in the progress he has made. Note: Please remember to give this little puppy time to understand what it is that you expect from him. But most of all, kindness and patience should always temper all parts of the training process. Feeding 4 times a day until they are 4 months of age 3 times a day until they are 6 months of age 2 times a day after 6 months, even as an adult dog Your puppy has been eating Paw Tree chicken and oatmeal formulation. Paw Tree has several very good flavors for puppies. He should continue with this dry food for the first 12 months. At that time his long bone growth is complete. If you wish to change brands at this time, choose a good quality food mixing it in slowly with the Paw Tree until he is acclimated to his new food. Remember that any change in food and your puppy will have gastrointestinal upset which will interfere in housebreaking progress. Otherwise, puppies need to be fed times a day. Plenty of fresh water should be available all day, especially during meals. They are at risk and most prone to drowning. Many pups will leap before they look or simply fall in. Their inexperience, curiosity and fearlessness prompt them to explore but are usually unable to climb out of even small bodies of water. The steep sides of pools and hot tubs are especially dangerous. Your Doodle comes from two breeds that adore a swim and the water is just about the best thing there is, but until they are old enough to find their way out of it, supervision is a must. You will have to teach them where the pool steps or exits are located and help them learn how to navigate their way to safety. Biting When puppies play with one another and explore, they use their mouths; they naturally do the same when they interact with people. Biting in puppies is absolutely normal and therefore a challenge to convince your new pup that it is not acceptable behavior to treat his human as he would his littermate. Do not forget when teaching your pup not to bite, that nipping and mouthing is simply common puppy behavior and that the worst thing you can do is physically punish a pup for something that is natural for him. Discouraging this natural behavior can be trying at times however take solace in the fact that once puppies acquire their adult teeth this behavior disappears. Most normal puppy biting just goes away on its own. Labradoodles are not known for being mouthy dogs so keep in mind that this stage does have an end. Meanwhile, the best approach to this problem is the use of positive distraction and the encouragement and praise of acceptable behavior. Have a favorite toy at the ready and get those teeth into something other than your hand, toe or shoe. Blowing in their face will distract them as well. Building a good relationship on trust rather than fear will create a bond with your puppy that will last his entire lifetime. Your puppy only has you. Be Responsible: When walking your puppy in public places…. Take Time to Read the Book: Even if you have experience with puppies and are sure there is nothing new about raising and loving a puppy. Read the book. You will learn a new trick or two! Enjoy Patricia McConnell- her sensible, charming and good humored approach to training is refreshing. If you leave here with it, it will always be mine. Family Labradoodles. Veterinary Care Use the back button to navigate through the Puppy Homecoming Prep section of the website. Just as we would not over vaccinate humans, the same is true for our pets. For years dogs have been over vaccinated in direct correlation to the incidences of cancers and other diseases. As well, flea and tick medications have affected many dogs adversely to the point of extreme illness requiring hospitalization as well as death. At Legendary Labradoodles, we take a holistic approach, as much as possible, in raising and caring for our dogs and puppies. It is super important to realize that while we want to stress how important it is to socialize your puppy during their first 16 weeks of life, it is also equally important to learn about doing this safely so that your puppy is not exposed to the harmful pathogens that can cause them to become very sick, like parvo. Parvo is notorious for killing puppies and it sadly can be found in places like PetSmart, Petco, dog parks, vet offices and the pound. They will get the first round here before you pick them up. You will take them for the second round at weeks old and the third and final vaccine will be administered at weeks old. Review the vaccination guideline attached below from Dr. We discourage the leptospirosis vaccine strongly and want you to know that if this is administered, the health warranty on your puppy will be in jeopardy. We also encourage you to separate the rabies vaccine by 3 weeks from all other vaccines. The third and final DPv or DAPPv given weeks after the second, so that it is received when your puppy is 18 weeks old minimum. We strongly advise against giving the Leptospirosis and Lymes Disease vaccines as these diseases are rare and the vaccinations cause side effects often worse than actually contracting the disease. Vaccines are administered in series NOT because your puppy needs the quantity, but because we are guessing at the window of opportunity of reception - the time when momma's antibodies wear off but before the puppy is exposed to the full disease. In the United States each state requires rabies vaccinations and registration when your puppy turns 6 months old. A one year booster is required 6 months later and then another "3 year" rabies at 18 months unless your state will accept a titer report. The rabies vaccine is very hard on puppies and dogs and can make them very ill. If administered in conjunction with any other treatment there is a high risk of causing Strangles - an auto-immune disorder response. No other vaccinations, surgeries, deworming, etc should be given within 4 weeks of your puppy receiving a rabies vaccination. We strongly recommend advocating for a titer report for both the "3 year" rabies vaccination and for DAPPv "yearly booster" vaccinations after the first set have been completed. You may need to talk with your veterinarian and advocate for your pet! You will need a blood draw by your vet technician and this form: Canine Serum Submission Form For excellent information please read Dr. Dodd's vaccine protocol and recommendations. Dr Dodd is a highly respected veterinarian and researcher. Should you decide you prefer your puppy to NOT have a vaccination at 8 weeks three days before coming home just let us know! We allocate puppies at 7 weeks and give vaccinations five days later - three days before 8 weeks of age. Studies show that antibody titer levels are now so high in momma dogs, they are taking longer to wear off in puppies. Vaccinations are ineffective if a puppy receives them before his momma's antibodies have dissipated. This is especially true of the Parvovirus antibody, which is why Dr Dodd recommends giving the last Parvovirus vaccine after the puppy has reached 18 weeks. Click here for a printable pdf form of Dr. Dodd's vaccine schedule. In fact the benefits are many! Hormonal cancers such as testicular and ovarian cancer are wiped out, urinary tract infections are reduced, and unwanted behaviors related to sexual maturity are avoided. Australian Labradoodle males are capable of reproducing at months and some females can reproduce by 10 months. We do not breed our dogs until they are older and physically and mentally mature, but they are capable earlier! Rabies vaccines should be given alone, not in conjunction with any other vaccine, medicine nor treatment. This record will include all medical information your veterinarian will need to know about your puppy's care with us. All puppies receive a full professional veterinary exam and report. Many products have been developed to be given orally to dogs and cats which, upon ingestion are lethal to fleas and ticks. These products are certainly convenient and easy for us as pet owners; however they are not just lethal to fleas and ticks, they are also poisonous to the animals that we feed them to; our pets. We have witnessed the unnecessary, sad and life changing effects of oral and topical medications and we have listed the administration of all products in the isoxazoline class Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica, Credelio, Trifexis and Revolution Plus as a void to our puppy health guarantee. This is stated on our Health Guarantee contract. There is no reason to give your pup these products. Your puppy relies on you for his safety and well being so please do your research! Larry Siegler Most Dog guardians have never been told the truth about vaccinations. The evidence against vaccinating, however, is overwhelming. Vaccinations represent a major stress to the immune system. They can not only cause side-effects and allergic reactions, they also contribute significantly to long term chronic disease. Chronic health problems frequently appear following vaccination including skin allergies, arthritis, leukemia, upper respiratory infections, irritable bowel syndromes, neurological conditions including aggressive behavior and epilepsy, auto-immune diseases and cancer. I have been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years and I see sicker animals at a younger age now than when I began. It is more and more common to see cancer in dogs and cats under 5 years of age. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise as well. Our companions are suffering from generations of over-vaccination, which combined with inadequate nutrition, poor breeding practices and environmental stresses are leaving each generation more susceptible to congenital disorders and chronic disease. Vaccinations do help prevent serious illnesses, but they should be used with restraint. Before vaccinating, consider the risk. If your cat is indoor only and will never be exposed to unvaccinated animals, the risk of infection is low. The decision about vaccinations is very individual and should be guided by your own research on the subject before you go to the veterinarian. Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated until at least 12 weeks of age. Their developing immune systems are especially vulnerable to the stress of vaccines. Request individual vaccines and vaccinate at least three weeks apart if possible. Until 12 weeks of age keep your companion safe by avoiding exposure to public areas such as parks and pet stores. Keep them close to home and only expose them to animals you know are healthy. For puppies consider parvovirus and distemper at weeks, and not until after 6 months of age for rabies. Again, if available, give the vaccine components separately spaced three to four weeks apart. Feline leukemia and FIP vaccines may not be necessary for your cat. IF your cats go outside and you have rabies in your area, give a rabies vaccine at six months of age. Legal requirements vary from state to state. Studies have shown that a single vaccination for parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia results in long-term protection from disease. Next time your veterinarian suggests a booster shot, request the blood test first. Rabies may be required by law every three years. Check the regulations in your state. I do not recommend vaccinations for Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic locally or at a specific kennel. The currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today, so it is generally not a useful vaccine. Homeopathic Nosodes are an alternative some guardians are using when choosing not to vaccinate. They can also be used before three months of age if an animal is at risk. Some nosodes seem to work more effectively than others. Homeopathic nosodes are not vaccinations. They do not produce titers against these diseases like a vaccination. Never vaccinate a sick or weakened animal. If your puppy or kitten is showing signs of allergies or skin problems, WAIT. Vaccinating an already compromised immune system is almost sure to compound the problem! Educate yourself. Your veterinarian cannot make this decision for you, nor should they. It is your responsibility to give them the best care you can by researching and carefully weighing your decisions about their healthcare. See lots of fun photos and videos of our GorgeousDoodles families on our Pics and Vids page , and on our YouTube and Facebook accounts!

Hooch Names To Avoid Whilst no one can tell you what to call your puppy, there are a few things to take into account when you make your decision. Joke names, rude names and especially offensive names are probably best avoided. Whilst they are funny now, will they be funny in five years time? Will they make your Grandma blush or your get your toddler into trouble at nursery when she repeats it? The other names to avoid are those which are very similar to any command word you might want to teach your dog. This will be an amalgamation of the breeders official name and a word chosen by the breeder. Some breeders do it alphabetically, or by genre or category. The only purpose of this Kennel Club name is to register your dog, and it will only be relevant on paperwork if you show or compete with your pup later in life. Their actual name is yours alone to chose. If you are adopting an older Labrador, then they will quite possibly already have a name. Either given by the previous owner or by the rescue organisation who were looking after them. You can keep the name that your Labrador was assigned by someone else if you like it, but there are several reasons you might want to change it. You may already have another dog or family member with the same name. It might be a word you find it hard to say, a bit of a mouthful or just totally not to your taste. You could even feel that with a fresh start your dog needs a fresh name. If you want to use your dogs name as a recall command or a way of getting their attention, you want the name to be a command that they respond to. Getting a dog to learn to respond to a new word is far easier than getting them to respond to one which has already been diluted by inappropriate use in the past. It can also make you feel like you are truly giving your rescue dog a fresh start and a new beginning. More names for Labrador dogs How to choose names for Labrador Retrievers As with any dog breed, choosing the right name will depend on the character and personality of the individual dog. However, we can look at some of the characteristics particular to Labrador Retrievers which can help us to decide on a Lab name. Labrador Retrievers need a medium amount of physical exercise , but they can be either quite laidback or energetic. They usually get more calm as they age. In terms of personality, you can't get a more relaxed and happy dog. Their easygoing nature is one of the main reasons they are such as popular dog and perfect for almost any type of family. For many people, they are the epitome of a domestic dog in terms of character and behavior. They are also one of the best dog breeds for families with children. Most Labrador Retrievers tend to be very friendly, but they won't be overly demanding of attention. This doesn't mean you can't ignore giving them attention. If we do this with any dog breed, even a Labrador Retriever, it will lead to behavioral problems and an unhappy dog. Just because they are sweet and loyal, doesn't mean they are not intelligent. They are a very smart dog breed who love to be trained and will respond well to commands. Now we know something about Labrador Retrievers, we can think about choosing a suitable name which reflects their personality. This is especially true for Labrador Retriever puppies who love to play and are very excitable. They are very cute, so choosing a cute Labrador Retriever name might be a good idea. They are also very happy dogs, so choosing a funny Labrador name might be the best option for your dog. Labrador Retriever name tips A name for a Labrador Retriever shouldn't be too short monosyllabic or too long not more than three syllables. Moreover, the pronunciation of the name should not be easily confused with any training basic orders. Nor should it be confused with a word which we commonly use in the house such as another family member's name. For example, don't call your dog Fran if you already have a Frank in the house. Keeping such considerations in mind, here are a few tips that will allow you to choose a suitable name for your Labrador Retriever: Choose a name that refers to the physical characteristics or personality of your dog. Choose a name that's completely opposite to the physical or behavioral characteristics of your dog. Choose a name which reflects your interests. For example, if you are a big sci-fi fan, choosing a Star Wars name for Labrador Retrievers might be for you. Although you can choose a funny Labrador Retriever name, it shouldn't be something you will get bored of. Neither should it be something offensive as you will need to call it when in public. Names for female Labrador Retrievers You will see that some of these female Labrador names are also unisex, but the idea is to get inspiration. This way you can see our list and choose the right name for your Labrador Retriever: Akita. You'll be calling your dog this name for many years to come, so be sure to pick something you love. But where to begin? The loving and gregarious Labrador Retriever has maintained the top spot as the most popular dog breed in the United States for three decades, and it comes as no surprise to Lab lovers. Labrador Retrievers are a Canadian breed. They were developed in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, a coastal region on the Eastern side of Canada. Here, Labrador Retrievers were used to retrieve ducks for hunters and to assist fisherman. Labs today are still invaluable retrievers of waterfowl, as well as ideal pets. Labrador Retrievers appear in solid colors of yellow, black or chocolate, with no markings. With its coal-black, glossy coat, the black Lab is especially striking and elegant. Gentle with children, easily trained, and a friend to all, Labrador Retrievers are famous for being excellent family dogs. They love to run and play and are always up for an adventure. They get along with other animals and humans alike. If you think Labrador Retrievers are top dog among all breeds, hundreds of thousands of dog lovers around the world agree with you. You can go in many different ways when choosing a name. Popular dog names are always a good choice, as are more unusual choices. Top Black Lab Names Let's take a look at some favorite black Lab names pulled from different categories. Some of the best names for black Labs include: Captain. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. They are ideal family pooches and revered as such, but they are also used for work, such as hunting companions and service animals. With all these remarkable traits, naming your Labrador puppy can be an overwhelming task indeed! How to Name Your Labrador Retriever Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock Naming a new puppy can be difficult, and with a dog like a Labrador that is so full of personality, looks, and energy, there are a ton of potentially perfect names. Gender may be a large factor in naming your pooch , along with their appearance, but in any case, a Lab deserves a more unique name than Spot! A name with one or two syllables is best, especially for training, but more elaborate names can easily be shortened to cute nicknames! Female Labrador Names Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock If you are lucky enough to be the proud new parent of a female Lab, you want a name that not only honors her femininity but also her unique character and sweet, gentle temperament. You can find more name suggestions based on popular dog names here. While there are no specific, set-in-stone rules, some of this advice might help you narrow down your choices and settle on the right name for your pup. Rather than understanding specific words and phrases, dogs learn to associate sounds with things. This means they will learn to associate the sound of their name with them! You can make this easier on your dog by keeping their name short—no more than one or two syllables. This will make it easier for them to recognize their name and distinguish it from all the rest of the background noise in life. Consider Using Nicknames If you want to give your dog a longer, quirkier name, consider how you are going to abbreviate it. It is best to consider this from the beginning. They will also need to learn important commands such as sit, stay, leave it, and fetch. So, when choosing a name, try to avoid names that sound too much like these important commands so that your dog never gets confused. Dogs find it easier to distinguish sibilant or blend consonants, such as S or SH, or something hard and commanding like K or C. For example, names like Carl, Simon, or Shelly are all good choices, as they start with consonants that are easy to differentiate from background noise. While it might seem funny at the time, you may come to regret it later. Now, imagine your kid, or a young dog walker, having to do the same. The process of teaching a dog their name is the same as teaching them other commands. However, you are teaching them that the response that you want from their name is their attention rather than a specific gesture or action. Use the same process of positive reinforcement to teach them to stop what they are doing and look at you when you say their name. Avoid using any kind of punishment when training your dog, especially when you are teaching them to recognize their name. This can result in negative associations, and that is the last thing you want them to have when it comes to their own name. Start with short micro training sessions daily just 5 to 10 minutes or so during which you have your dog in an attentive situation, and then say their name. When they respond to you, give them a treat. Take them out on the leash even if it is only into the backyard , and let them explore. Then, while walking your dog, call their name. When they do turn towards you, you can say their name again and then reward them for their response. With this kind of reward-based training, your dog will quickly learn to associate their name with good things, and they will always want to give you their attention. While it can be confusing for dogs to have their name changed, there is nothing wrong with renaming a dog when you bring them home. While older dogs will take longer to grow accustomed to the change, a new name can actually help them bond with you, especially if they came from an unhappy living situation. Can you give dogs human names? Some trainers recommend not giving dogs human names. This is because it contributes to our tendency to anthropomorphize dogs. However, this is more a problem with owner attitudes than dog names, and there is no reason not to give your dog a human name as long as you raise them with the right outlook. The Verdict Choosing the perfect name for your dog is a big responsibility, and it can be hard to settle on one that suits your dog just right. Hopefully, you have found some inspiration on this list. While there are no particular rules for choosing a name, there are some principles of good practice to follow. Do you have any suggestions for great yellow Lab names? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.

It commonly occurs anywhere from eight weeks to six months. So, any German Shepherd parent would know that these adorable dogs have floppy ears when they are just puppies. However, stronger cartilage will be developed as you give them the proper nutrients. It might mostly occur as a response to your call or noise in the surrounding area. It can be a result of poor nutrition or slow development. Your German Shepherd needs abundant vitamin D, calcium, and protein. Lacking these nutrients in their diet will result in weak cartilage. Switch to better food or visit the vet for a checkup. They are still incredibly cute, anyway! If you want to ensure that you have a pooch with perky ears, make sure to look for parents with standing ears. Do all German Shepherd ears stand up? Even if you have already, you can know whether your pooch will have floppy or perky ears when it grows. It can compromise their health and adversely affect their growth, including strengthening the cartilage. Regular checkups and fecal exams can help prevent or abate that problem. Your vet can give your dog deworming medicines to see that your growing furry friend is free from parasites. Any traumatic injury to the ears can cause permanent damage and prevent the ears from growing strong enough to stand. It can be caused by a child pulling its ears and rough play among its littermates. Regularly monitor your pup and keep anyone from playing with its ears when they are in its developmental stage. But there are things you can do to help it get strong and healthy ears. These steps will also protect the ears from possible damage. Get high-quality food for your puppy to boost their development. Cheap foods usually have more fillers that contain negligible nutrients. Keep the puppy away and safe from other puppies that play bite with their ears. Educate your children and everyone else at home on how to handle the puppy carefully and gently. Giving your puppy chew toys will give their head, jaw, and surrounding muscles some exercise. It can lead to better ear development. Make sure to buy durable ones, as German Shepherd pups are stronger than you think! Clean their ears gently if you notice dirt. Keep your dog happy! A happy dog is a healthy dog. It will have fewer or no health problems if you keep the dog fit. Using the tape too early or during its growing stage can harm its natural development. However, the 7th to 8th month might be a little too late. But that may not be true for all, as some German Shepherds are just built differently. Their looks come second when you experience how good of a companion they can make. But the young ones carry cute floppy ears that eventually stand up. Some take longer. Remember that floppy ears do not affect their health negatively. 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. Aug 18, Share German Shepherds have a distinctive look that includes alert, erect ears. For most pups, the ear cartilage begins to harden around week 20, or when the pup is finished teething. At that point, it can take up to 20 weeks for the ears to stand up fully. This can vary by the individual, however. Like human ears, dog ears are made of cartilage. As they grow and gain nutrition, German Shepherds develop stronger and stronger cartilage to support those ears. Typically, puppies at weeks will have floppy ears that occasionally stand up but quickly fall back down. Around week 20, or 5 months, your pup is done teething and its ears will begin to harden and stand. Your vet may have some suggestions to help the process along. If your pup reaches 8 months and still has floppy ears, the chance of them standing on their own is slim. Some breeders try to breed for larger ears, leading to ears that are too heavy to stand up. If strong, alert ears are important to you, be sure to look for a pup with parents that have erect ears. If the ears sustain trauma during that time, it can cause permanent damage to the cartilage. If your puppy gets parasites, it can impact healthy development, which includes the hardening of its ear cartilage. Be sure to take your puppy to the vet regularly and have routine fecal exams to check for worms and other parasites. Your vet can recommend an appropriate deworming protocol for your growing puppy and treat parasites if they occur. However, if you want your puppy to have strong, alert ears, you can help the process along in a number of ways. In an effort to move ear development along, some owners will add supplements like calcium. Chew toys are also good for teething and keeping your puppy occupied. German Shepherds are strong, even as pups, so be sure to choose solid, durable chew toys that are safe and appropriate for your puppy. It should only be used as a last resort, however. If you use tape too early, it can hinder natural development. That said, if you wait until the seventh or eighth month, it may be too late to help. Glue the ends of the popsicle stick to the tape on both ears, horizontally. Once a week, remove the popsicle stick, foam, and tape. If the ears stand on their own, leave them. Related Reads:. Especially during the first six months, be extra careful not to aggressively clean their ears. They will be more prone to lesions in the ear cartilage at this time. Yet it would be understandable if you are reading this and feel dismay or even horror. How can that possibly be a good thing? But understand we are not talking about doing anything harmful or invasive. The techniques you are about to read about will not harm or hurt your German Shepherd puppy at all. They will simply support the ears to grow into the upright position without having to work so hard to get there — or stay there. You want to give your pup enough time to try to do this naturally. But you also want to intervene before the cartilage in the ears starts to harden usually around seven to eight months old , leaving the ear flaps in the wrong position. You will need the following supplies: Some type of surgical tape NOT duct tape or any super-adhesive tape. Foam roller inserts or foam pipe insulation cut to size. Two plain popsicle sticks or unsharpened pencils. Wrap the surgical tape around the outside of the ear to hold the insert in place. Be prepared for your puppy to find a way to paw off this strange contraption several times before they finally get used to it and forget about it. You want to leave this in place for a week and then remove it to check the ear position. You may notice the ears start to stand a little straighter week by week. But if you see them flop over again, you need to re-tape them until they are strong enough to stand up on their own. Ear gluing Another option you can try is puppy ear gluing. This is actually not nearly as awful as it sounds and is far easier to do than the ear taping method. Another perk of puppy ear gluing over taping is that you are not going to cut off any air circulation to the inner ear canal. The key is to pick some kind of fabric glue do NOT use super glue or super-bonding glue that may not come off. What you need to do for this method is to add a dab of glue to the outside of the inner ear flap about two-thirds of the way down from the ear tip point. Then press the two ear flaps together for 30 seconds to allow the glue to set. Wherever possible, if you have multiple dogs in your household, try to keep your German Shepherd puppy from playing rough games with the other dogs. Rowdy playtime can easily cause the ears to separate. The glue will wear off on its own after a while and you can observe if the ears are able to remain upright and erect when this occurs. If you need to, keep reapplying the glue until the ears are strong and stable to remain in the correct position without glue. It may take a few weeks or longer for this to occur. Do not worry if the ears are not in a perfect position. As long as they stay upright, the inner muscles and tissues will naturally self-correct over time. Surgery Certain situations may even require surgical implants, like when ear cartilage damage occurs. Massage the Ears Massaging the ears helps by increasing blood flow to the ears, helping your form strong ear: Muscles Cartilage Chew Toys Chew toys are not only great for keeping your pup occupied, but they can also be great sources of collagen. This will help build strong ear cartilage capable of holding the ears in the upright position. Chew toys also work the ear muscles. This will strengthen the surrounding tissues. This is especially true for dogs prone to health issues, like German Shepherds. Foods rich in nutrients like calcium and glucosamine will help your dog form strong and healthy ears. These nutrients are vital for developing sturdy ear cartilage. Stimulation Dogs communicate a lot with their ears. Just think of German Shepherds that are alert and focused on something, like an odd noise they heard outside. Chances are, their ears will be standing erectly. Stimulation like this encourages the use of the ear muscles. There are two areas where you will definitely want to pay closer attention. Bath time and during playtime with other dogs. Keeping water out of the ears will reduce infections and head shaking. Using a headband is an easy way to do this, and can also prevent injuries when playing with other dogs. What causes German Shepherds to have floppy ears? The most common ones include breeding issues, teething, cartilage development issues, trauma, and poor nutrition or hygiene. Breeding Pointy German Shepherd ears are among the top distinct features of the breed. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to improper breeding practices. Teething Floppy ears are a common occurrence when the dog is teething. Developing cartilage German Shepherd puppies are born with floppy ears. As their bodies develop, their ear cartilage and muscles also develop up to the point that they are able to support the weight of the ears, keeping them upright. German Shepherd ears typically start to perk up when the dog is about 6 to 10 weeks old. They can also sometimes flop back down while the dog is teething only to stand up again. Trauma Trauma is a common reason for floppy ears in German Shepherds. Physical trauma caused by an accident or injury to the ears can cause one or both of them to drop. If you suspect trauma, visit your vet to address any wounds and prevent infection. However, their ears need to be kept clean in order to prevent infections that could cause their ears to drop. Dogs not getting enough calcium and vitamin D during puppyhood may have trouble keeping their ears up as their skeletal support structure is not developed properly. They should be well-aligned, symmetrical namely just as wide as they are tall , and carried upright. However, not all dogs will have perfectly standard ears and some may have ears that are too large, too small, too high, too low, or just ears that point in the wrong direction. In fact, there are at least 12 different German Shepherd ear shapes , each with their own distinct characteristics. German Shepherd ears will usually stand up at around 4 months of age. But this can happen as early as the 1-month mark, or as late as the 6-month mark when teething finishes. But more than anything, they tell you how the dog is feeling at any given time. The ears really are the window to the soul for not just GSDs, but all dogs. During this time, more calcium is being directed to the growing teeth, and away from the ear cartilage. When teething is over, and more calcium can be directed back to the ears, they will most likely stand back up again. This is especially true if your pup has sustained an ear injury in the past, and broke the ear cartilage as a result. German Shepherd puppies are especially prone to this during the first 6 to 8 months, since their ears are still developing. These injuries can occur during rowdy play with other dogs and people, or from excessive scratching. This will help their ears develop faster and stronger, and will help prevent ear injuries in the future. But in most cases, if you act fast enough, even the floppiest German Shepherd ears are capable of being corrected. Ear development can vary from puppy to puppy. If they stand up when the puppy is scared or excited or when they bark, you can expect to see fully erect years by the time they are six months old. Will my German Shepherd mix ears stand up? Depending on the genes they inherited, your German Shepherd mix may have erect ears or not. You can support their ear development by giving them chew toys, massaging the base of their ears, and giving them calcium and vitamin D supplements. The ear flap is the outermost ear and is often called the pinna plural is pinnae. A dog has two pinna — one for each ear. Each pinna can work independently of the other, which is part of what gives dogs such keen hearing. This is the same reason all German Shepherd puppies are born with their ears down and floppy. It takes time for the cartilage to form, thicken and then harden into the characteristic erect ear position of the German Shepherd. The ears might pop up as early as four weeks old only to flop back down around four months old. Not only is the cartilage in the outer ears still forming and hardening, but the many muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissues that help the ears move and function are still getting coordinated as well. This is why it is wise not to get concerned about ear position or stability until after your German Shepherd puppy has finished teething. There is just too much growing going on to expect your little puppy to look like a full-grown adult dog yet. This video gives you some unique tips to help their ears get stronger and stand up without human assistance like some of the tips you read about in this article. I get a lot of emails about taping German Shepherd puppy ears. The majority of these emails come from people who are jumping the gun and worrying too much. By that, I mean their pups are 3 or 4 months old and they are starting to panic because their puppy's ears are not standing. I tell these people that they need patience, they need to wait until their pup has finished teething. I caution these people not to jump the gun and tape the dog's ears too early or in the wrong way. I know people who have screwed their dog's ears up for life by doing this. I have had puppy customers who go ballistic on me and panic. So I issue a word of caution here. With that said, the other side of the spectrum of taping ears is something that many people do not take seriously until it's too late. When ears are taped at 7 and 8 months, there is very little chance of it working. This is an unfortunate fact of life. German Shepherd puppy ears can come up between 8 weeks and 6 months. If they are not up when the dog is through teething this varies from dog to dog but in general between 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age , I tell my puppy customers to get very interested in their ears. While it's not time to panic, it is time to sit up and take notice. The first thing to do is make sure that your puppy is in good health. This means no intestinal parasites. Take a stool sample to your vet to have it analyzed. It's also important to make sure the pup is getting good quality food. We feed and recommend a raw diet but if you do feed a commercial diet, I strongly recommend researching all the options available and feeding the highest-quality food you can afford. View our list of all-natural kibble alternatives. In fact, a lot of times, a pup will have both ears up and all of a sudden, they will come back down when the pup starts to teeth. Many owners panic when this happens. But not to worry, I have never seen a pup whose ears did not go back up when this happens. If a pup does not have his ears up by 5 months, I strongly recommend that you get involved with taping your dog's ears. Use the thin white surgical tape the kind that's paper-thin and tears easily. The 3M Micropore tape, 2" wide, works well. I like to use women's hair rollers. Take the plastic out of them and just use the foam. Wrap the ear around the foam and tape them into a tight roll. In a vertical position. Take a popsicle stick and attach it to the top part of both ears. In a horizontal position. The pup is going to tear the tape or stick off the ears several times. The key is to continue to re-tape the ears. Sooner or later, the pup will forget the tape and ignore it. About once a week, take the tape off and see if the ears will stand on their own. Continue to re-tape until the ears stand. If the ears are not up by 7 or 8 months, they are not going to come up. The ears should look like this once taped. The same dog with ears now up. I have seen ears that did not stand, which in my opinion would have stood had they been taped. So this process is not something to take lightly. I also need to say that many ears will be a little weak right after taping but with time, they will strengthen. So when an ear does not stand perfectly after taping don't panic. Just have patience and see what happens. You will really not have an idea exactly what you have until the pup is 12 months old. When ears do not stand, there are ear implants that can be surgically added. I have no experience with this and do not know anything about them. If you are unlucky enough to have a dog whose ears will not stand, I would point you toward a vet that has some experience in this area. I don't think it's something that normal small animal vets know how to do well. In my opinion, too young to tape. The material to use to tape German Shepherd Ears The pup with its ears taped I prefer taping German Shepherd Dogs ears after the dog has finished teething. This usually means the dog is older than 4 - 6 months. Maybe waiting another month would have been a better idea for this puppy.