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August 12, If you are on the search for a French Bulldog breeder in North Carolina this article is for you. French Bulldogs have a big personality, are playful, and are energetic to name a few of their best qualities. They are great companion dogs making them one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. On top of all that, they are absolutely adorable which makes them very desirable. When searching for a NC Frenchie breeder there are some important things to look for and the hand-curated list below of the best French Bulldog breeders in NC should help you in your search. French Bulldog Puppies for Sale in North Carolina If you are looking for a French Bulldog to buy, we advise you to do research on the breeder before making a final decision. The article I linked to above helps you choose a reputable breeder and make certain you are working with a quality French Bulldog breeder. Some puppy mills and backyard breeders selling French Bulldogs may have unhealthy puppies that are ticking time bombs of potential health issues. I did my best to vet these breeders out but you should always do your homework to make as certain as possible you are making a great decision. The personality and physical beauty of their French Bulldogs are exceptional. This is because they choose the top line to enter the breeding program. They focus on breeding dogs with superior structure and color carefully curated by their genetic line. Adding to their beauty and superiority, temperament is crucial; therefore, the puppies are surrounded with love and warmth since they are born. Reach out to them for more information on their upcoming litters. They strive to produce quality dogs that are an excellent companion in their families. Health screening is done on all dogs to ensure they have perfect health. One of their unique qualities is ensuring all their puppies are placed in approved homes where they will be adequately taken care of and loved unconditionally. Their litters are well planned; thus, they have few litters of French Bulldogs per year. This helps breed healthy, athletic puppies with excellent temperaments for companion homes and select shows. They offer a one-year health guarantee after purchasing their dogs. Their dogs are taken to a veterinarian for a health exam and first vaccines and are microchipped with AKC Reunite before they are taken to their new home. New owners receive a gift box with their new puppy to help them get started. Buying their puppies comes with a one-year health guarantee against genetic diseases. Their puppies receive excellent vet care and proper nutrition for healthy growth. The puppies stay with their mothers for at least eight weeks to ensure they are friendly and intelligent. They are always there for their customers when they need them. Their motivation for opening this breeding program was the frustration that usually involves finding a responsible breeder. They take great measures to guarantee healthy French Bulldog Puppies before listing them for sale. They socialize the puppies as early as possible to ensure they are fit for your family. All puppies bought from them contribute to helping neglected and abandoned pets. The Bulldogs are raised surrounded by family and socialized with children and other bulldogs. All of their puppies are pure bled, and you can pay a deposit so that they can hold a puppy for you. All puppies are dewormed, vaccinated and have a one-year health guarantee. The puppies are microchipped, and they offer puppy delivery services. They have companion puppies that are available for approved homes. You can contact them through their email for more information about their puppies. They love this breed because they are playful, affectionate, smart, and easygoing. Their puppies get a lot of love and socialization from a young age since they live with them. They focus on breeding top-quality French Bulldogs that will find a loving home. The puppies and their mother are fed the finest organic food and raised at home with tender loving care. To promote maximum health and development, the puppies are natured in an air-conditioned environment. Their puppies are excellent in temperament and socialization since they all get individual love and care from birth. Their dogs get a lot of playtimes, exercise and outdoor activities. When purchasing, the dogs will have been checked by a licensed veterinarian, health tested, vaccinated, and groomed. They offer unconditional love and care and devote their lives to caring for their dogs. When purchasing a puppy from them, you are assured the pup will come with an FCI and AKC registration, health certification, up-to-date vaccination, a microchip and a puppy pack. They focus on breeding companion dogs that make a perfect addition to your family. After purchasing a puppy, the owner gets documentation proving that the puppy is vaccinated and dewormed. Address: Britt Rd. She offers top-quality AKC French Bulldogs bred to the highest standards and undergo genetic testing. To buy a puppy from them, apply through their website, and they will get back to you with all the information regarding available puppies. Their pups are checked by certified vets and receive appropriate shots and deworming before they are released into their new homes. After purchasing, they provide health guarantees and hour customer service to ensure the new owner knows how to take care of their puppy. The puppies are brought up in a loving, responsible and healthy matter, and the owner receives a ten-year health guarantee after purchasing a puppy. Their main goal is to find the perfect homes for their puppies; therefore, they ensure the health and welfare of their puppies are their top priority. The families are licensed and inspected to ensure that the puppies are raised in an environment full of care and affection. When purchasing a puppy from them, you are assured that the puppies are raised with hands-on care, licensed and inspected, and have a lifetime health guarantee. She works hard to ensure that the puppies are the healthiest, happiest, and best-looking on the market. You are assured that the puppies will bring you pure love and companionship as a dog lover. Having the breeder you get your dog from is a great asset as you can get support from them in the future if the need arises, especially during the first few weeks after purchasing. We hope this article has helped you choose a breeder with the best French bulldog puppies for sale in NC. Enjoy your new Frenchie! All their puppies get individual love and care, which makes them excellent in temperament and socialization. Their dogs come as health tested, vaccinated, groomed, and carefully checked by a licensed veterinarian. They get a lot of exercise, playtime, and outdoor activities. For more information about their puppies, or if you want to schedule an appointment to meet the available ones, give them a call. Bentonville Pets Bentonville Pets is a small, home-based kennel whose desire is to breed healthy and socialized puppies at reasonable prices. All puppies are vaccinated and dewormed before they are sold, and every owner gets documentation proving this. They are focused on breeding only companion dogs, which will make perfect family members. Also, check their email daily, so you will for sure be answered. She loves dogs, and she makes sure that all of them are raised in her home and treated as family members. In order to ensure healthy and long-living puppies, they breed up to the highest standards, and undergo all genetic testing. How do you get a puppy? Well, if you are interested in their puppies, you can apply through their website. You will be asked to say something about yourself, your home, and what you want from the breeder, so they can find the perfect match for you and your family. Once you apply, Kim will get back to you with all the information regarding the available puppies, pricing, and everything else that is important. In the last two decades, French Bulldogs have become extremely popular among dog breeds. Their price depends on the age, color, breeder , location, and bloodline, of course. However, the price can vary based on popularity and availability in certain states. If you are unable to pay this much for a puppy, you can always check local shelters. Because of their popularity, it is very likely that you will find one. Finding a reputable breeder can sometimes be really difficult. It is important to have one that you can call anytime if you need some help, especially in the first couple of weeks. French Bulldogs, like any other breed, can have some health issues, so it is important for breeders to always breed healthy male and female Frenchies in order to prevent genetic diseases from happening. Also, vaccination , deworming, and other health tests are equally important. If our list of the best French Bulldog Breeders in North Carolina has helped you and made your process of getting a Frenchie a little bit easier, we are extremely happy and proud to have been able to help. You are more than welcome! Related Content:. For the complete list please see our French Bulldog Breeders page. However, prices can vary depending on the breeder. Some breeders charge more while others may charge less. That said, there are plenty of responsible French Bulldog breeders in North Carolina who would be happy to provide a home for a Frenchie pup. Just be sure to do your research before selecting a breeder, as not all breeders are created equal. French Bulldogs can be a bit stubborn at times and are not always easy to train. However, with patience and consistency, most dogs can be trained using positive reinforcement techniques. Some of the commands that French Bulldogs typically learn include sit, stay, come, down, and leave it. You may also want to teach them how to walk on a leash properly. This will make taking them for walks much easier. You can also find obedience classes in your area. French Bulldogs only need a moderate amount of exercise. A minute walk each day should be sufficient. However, french bulldogs love to play and will enjoy playing fetch or going for a run with you. Make sure to provide them with plenty of toys to keep them occupied as well. Are French Bulldogs Good with Kids? Here are a few things to look for: First and foremost, make sure the breeder is reputable. The breeder should provide you with a health guarantee for the dog. They should also have proof of all health clearances for the parents of the French Bulldog puppy. This includes tests for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and congenital heart disease. The puppies should be well socialized and healthy. The breeder should allow you to visit their home to see the puppies and their parents. They should also provide you with a list of references from previous buyers. The breeder should provide you with a health guarantee for your puppy. They should also be able to provide you with proof of immunizations and deworming. If you are looking for a French Bulldog breeder in North Carolina, be sure to check out our directory of responsible breeders. Reputable breeders will have all of the health clearances for their puppies and will be registered with the American Kennel Club AKC. They should also have a good reputation in the community. The breeder should have a clean home and well-socialized puppies. Visiting your breeder in person will allow you to see the parents of the puppies and will give you a chance to ask questions. You will be able to see the facilities where the puppies were raised and should be provided with a health guarantee for your puppy. A good breeder will have plenty of information on their website about the breed and the puppies they are selling. This will help you to ensure that you are getting a quality puppy from a reputable source. This will give you peace of mind that your new furry friend is coming from a healthy and safe environment. If you have any questions about the breed or the breeding process, be sure to ask the breeder. A reputable breeder will be more than happy to answer all of your questions. References can provide detailed information on the breeder that you are considering, including their breeding practices and the health of their puppies. Good breeders will offer a guarantee on the health of their puppies and will take them back at any time if the buyer is unable to keep them. Another important question to ask your breeder is what veterinarian they use. A good relationship with a veterinarian is also important in the event that your French Bulldog puppy develops a health issue. Good breeders will be more than happy to help you find the best possible treatment for your dog and will work with you to ensure that he receives the best possible care. There are plenty of reputable breeders out there who will be more than happy to help you find the perfect French Bulldog puppy for your family. A good breeder will want to make sure that their puppies go to loving homes where they will be well taken care of. Here are a few tips: Be sure that your home is puppy-proofed. This means removing any small objects that the puppy could choke on and making sure that all electrical cords are hidden or out of reach. Make sure that you have a comfortable place for the puppy to sleep. A crate is a good option, as it will provide him with a sense of security. Create a designated area for him to potty. Be prepared to give your puppy plenty of love and attention. French Bulldogs are known for being affectionate dogs and will want to spend plenty of time with their family. Get ready to have some fun. French Bulldog puppies are a lot of fun and will keep you entertained for years to come. This can be a challenging process, but with patience and consistency, it can be done. The best way to potty train a puppy is to create a designated area for him to go potty and to praise him whenever he goes in that area. Be sure to give your puppy plenty of opportunities to go potty and also keep an eye on him so you can catch him when he does something wrong. With a little bit of effort, your new French Bulldog puppy will be potty trained in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Start your search for the perfect French Bulldog puppy today. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Limiting water in the evening will help limit your pups need to toilet in the night. However, if a crate is not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. Never use the crate as a punishment. Puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time except at night. They can't control their bladders and bowels for that long. Normal Puppy Behaviours Your puppy is a baby. Jumping, nipping or biting, chewing, toileting accidents, limited attention span, grabbing objects and running off, not listening, etc. It is our job to teach our puppies how to live in our world, according to our rules, in a gentle and positive way. If you and your pup are struggling with some of these behaviours, please check out some of the resources noted below for tips on how to address them. Behavioural Issues Obedience issues and behavioural issues are not the same thing. Sometimes our pups need more one-on-one focused effort to address behavioural issues. Often the best way to deal with behavioural issues is to hire a trainer or behaviourist to come to your home for a one-on-one consult. We recommend trainers that use positive training methods. As an intelligent, trainable breed, Labradoodles do not respond well to strong aversive training. Positive reinforcement and clicker training are far more successful and fun for Labradoodles. Formal Training To best teach your pup how to live in our world, through socialization and training, it is important to understand the developmental phases of puppies. Their reaction to similar stimuli will be different depending on their stage of development. Socialization is the first step in creating a well-behaved dog. Once the pup has had a negative experience, you need to work harder to turn it into a positive experience. Present them in a way that your pup can draw confidence from you, without coddling them. Once your pup has had its second set of vaccines DAP , it can attend puppy socialization classes. It lists the situations to expose your dog to for optimal socialization. They also provide an opportunity for your dog to interact with other dogs in a controlled and supervised environment. You can find information at this link below:. Labradoodle Training And Kids Our labradoodle puppy arrives and we are all so excited to see fluffy for the first time. Here are some helpful labradoodle training hints for kids. There are children who were born on a farm and who rise at 5 am to milk the cows and feed the horses without a word of complaint. See puppy care as a bonding time with your kids as well as the dog. Feed the puppy, train the puppy, clean up the occasional accident and walk the puppy together. A puppy does take time and attention. When you add a puppy to the family what you want is more wags and fewer barks. To make sure your new puppy and the kids get off on the right paw together we have a few helpful thoughts. Children And Your Labradoodle Puppy A young child makes a great playmate but not always the best baby sitter. Driven by their natural curiosity even the sweetest of children can poke or prod a puppy into an eventual episode of fear and growly behavior. Young children and puppies should be supervised. When puppy jumps up we usually react in a big way by yelling and flapping our arms about. Puppy is thrilled. She has humans who really know how to have a good time. When puppies jump all over the kids have them be very still like trees. Kids are very good at this. They ignore the puppy, put their hands at their sides and stare at the ceiling. How boring for the poor pup who was having such a good time only a moment ago. As soon as the puppy settles we like to give puppy a kibble first as she sits quietly and then the game can begin The game should be one the children enjoy as much as the puppy like chasing a ball or running as fast as they can. When your child wants to begin interacting with the puppy have him call puppy and then give him a kibble. We taught puppies to sit for their kibble and if children continue the game puppy will sit nicely rather than jumping all over the child and scaring him. Ouch That really hurt!! The Nipping Puppy Puppies nip. A good thing about staying with mum for a long period of time is that mum teaches puppy that no means no. At that stage she is a better teacher than we are. Nipping is initially a good thing because it teaches bite inhibition. The puppy who has never nipped and had a response has no idea how hard he is biting. Puppy will learn nipping is painful to those wimpy humans and the game stops. Children like to play with puppies. Have them use a tug toy instead of their clothes or fingers. Your Labradoodle Puppy at Meal Time All of us have heard people warn to stay away from Fluffy when she is eating or heard a dog growl a warning when you get close to his dish. This is a rather anti-social behaviour and can be dangerous if a two year old stumbles by when Rex is eating his kibble and liver. Ian Dunbar, dog behaviourist, had an excellent suggestion for we puppy families. Try your best to find a child. Give the child tiny bits of steak or chicken or some other delicious food. Give Rex his dinner and let the child sit beside him. Have the child pop a bit of the delicious morsel into his dish every once and a while. Rex will soon begin to view dinner interruptions as a wonderful thing. When the puppy is young interrupt meal time often with something really good and puppy will be very relaxed around humans when he eats. Many dog training schools have classes designed for kids and puppies, others have classes for everybody but welcome kids. Register puppy as soon as you can. The family should love the classes. It is what you do from the minute puppy comes home that will largely determine the temperament of the puppy. A good dog class teacher is a great resource for you and your family. Supervised puppy play is lovely for Erika and for the puppies A private trainer is lovely but no substitute for a class where puppy must fit in with a group of other puppies and people. Ian Dunbar. We believe that his approach to dog training is the right approach for the Australian Labradoodle. You can have access to a world of wonderful puppy information at Dr. But in the early days, we recommend keeping them close to you at night. It will help them feel safe and cared for — leaving their litter is quite a big step, after all. Your puppy may be unsettled and will most likely need at least one bathroom break through the night. It will all be okay in a few weeks time, though. The crate should be a cozy warm den for your puppy. Soft blankets and a cuddly toy should do the trick to help them settle. It is also a good idea to cover over the sides but keep the front uncovered so your pup can still see out. Just before bed, take your pup out for one last potty stop. With that beautiful voice of yours, gently reassure them and rest your hand in the crate so they know you are there. When your puppy wakes up in the night they definitely will at some point , listen to see if they are settling back down. Expect to be out at or am to take them straight to the loo. They will be bursting! That just about covers the first steps of Labradoodle sleep training. Very tired. But early mornings, late nights and disturbed sleep are all part of owning a puppy. As they mature emotionally and settle into their new home they will be happy in other parts of the house, and even outside of their crate. Having them in your room does not cause separation anxiety later on. Stick to a routine! Consistency is everything. It will backfire on you. Check out our guide on how to get a puppy to sleep through the night for more tips. Alone Training Labradoodles are very sociable. That can mean two things — they will always be happy to see you and that being alone can be challenging for them. This will help them feel at ease without you and also help them love their crate a little bit more too. While they are eating, go and do something close by. No need to go completely out of sight, but try not to focus on your puppy either. Labradoodles love to eat, so use this time wisely to distract them away from you. Just a few seconds is good enough in the early stages. Repeat: Practice makes perfect! Do this exercise at least once a day to build up alone time, and check out our guide to puppy separation anxiety. We expand on our little secret in our puppy potty training article. Every 30 minutes, after eating, sleeping or playing. Socialization Exercises to do This Week Early socialization is important for all puppies. It gives them confidence and teaches them to view the world in an optimistic way. Here are some puppy socialization exercises to do with your Labradoodle. Let your Labradoodle Puppy Explore the Yard The yard is a great way to introduce your puppy to the great outdoors. They will also get used to walking on different types of surfaces such as your tiled, wet lawn or open flower beds. To get them there, here is a quick exercise you can run through: Exploring different surfaces exercise Have plenty of treats ready. Only use safe surfaces, nothing too slippery. Gather surfaces such as: A piece of carpet A large tray with a thin layer of water A large piece of tin foil or cardboard, something that makes a noise. Put the surfaces out on the floor and let your puppy investigate. Let them take their time and go at their own pace. In our experience Labradoodles are quite food motivated, and you can probably use a low or medium value treat for this. You can even try to use their kibble as many will be delighted to work for their food. For more info on what rewards to use check out our article on rewards and treats. Teach your puppy their name One of the first things your puppy will learn from you is their name. Fortunately, teaching a Labradoodle puppy their name is rather simple. Pretty easy, right? Practice this a few times everyday until they start flipping their head at you every time you call their name. Make sure everyone in the family uses the same name too! Teach your puppy to sit Labradoodle training is often started by teaching them how to sit. We call this a marker word. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow with a tasty treat. Bits of smelly sausage or cheese will definitely do the trick. If this happens, try to keep it simple at first and just use their own kibble if they are motivated to work for it. Save the big guns in treat terms for when you really need it! How to do it Always begin training at home. The outside world is far too exciting at the moment, and your puppy will probably not focus on you. Stand in front of your pup with a treat in your hand and place the treat on their nose, then bring it up to your waist. Recall — How to teach your Labradoodle puppy to come back when called Your puppy should have a good grasp of their name by now, which should make recall training pretty straightforward. Pun intended. How to do it You will need plenty of those high value treats and your best cheery voice. Call your puppy only once! This is super important as you want them to learn that their name only has to be called once for them to react to it. How to do it Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Once they are interested in the toy, throw it a short distance away from you. With that lovely singing voice of yours, encourage them to bring it back to you. When they do, swap the toy in their mouth for another identical toy. Repeat about 5 times and practice everyday. Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Prevention of Resource Guarding This part of Labradoodle training is important — it will prevent resource guarding by teaching your puppy how to give up items willingly. Resource guarding is this thing that happens when dogs are unwilling to give up items back, or when they get protective over something from humans or other dogs. From the training tips above, preventing resource guarding always comes down to a good swapping. Resource guarding starts when we force our dogs as puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. To avoid that, resist your temptation to reach deep inside their mouths to get whatever it is they have. Ultimately, we want our puppies to be willing to give things up when we need them to. What we really mean is care, handling, health and grooming. Start by just showing them the brush and running it over them with the apartment side so they get used to the sensation minus the bristles. Hand Touch and Handling If you handle your puppy too roughly or grab at them, not only are they going to have a bit of a fright, but it could make them feel scared about being touched in the future. Use plenty of treats, and remember to stop if they walk away. Touch should be a pleasant thing not forced. Week 2 — Training your Labradoodle puppy Week 2 already! Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Fireworks — Watch the world go by outside your house — Play dress up. Contact Puppy Training The pages within the Homecoming Prep segment of our website are private and can only be accessed through the link provided through email and through the link on the Prepare For Puppy page. The button on this page is titled Homecoming Prep. Once you are in the Homecoming Prep section of the website you will need to use your back button to navigate the pages and return to this Homecoming Prep home page. Group Classes verses Private Trainer We recommend that you plan to have a professional dog trainer work with you in group classes and-or private lessons. Sometimes both are necessary, depending on your situation. Families with young children need to plan on having a private trainer working with individual dynamics in your home. To find a great trainer near you, go to our Facebook Owners Group for Legendary Labradoodles Families to find great options. Attached is a listing of good trainers in and around Texas. Loads of videos and one on one sessions through a Facetime platform are included in the fee. This will help you prepare for your puppy's arrival and get you started on the right foot. Please be sure you, your children and all family members understand the signals your puppy is giving you. The puppy is not a toy and not meant to be held at will. Set limits on how many times a day no more than 4 that your child can hold the puppy. Children should only be allowed to hold the puppy if they are seated. Too much handling can physically hurt the puppy as well as begin the process of the puppy not tolerating your child. No walking around carrying the puppy. This is true for all children under 8. Puppies will chew on and sometimes ingest toys. If ingested, the pieces can lodge and cause your puppy to have to undergo surgery that is not always successful. Puppies generally do NOT like to be hugged. Puppies will jump up on people. There are two primary responses that most dogs will respond to. The first is to cross your arms, hiding your hands, and turn around showing the dog your backside and being very still. If your dog continues to jump on you they are not responding to this method and you should not continue trying it. Instead, step right into the space where there front paws are on the ground, being careful not to step on their feet. Repeat this behavior each time your dog jumps and instruct all people who your dog interacts with to do this same thing. Puppies and dogs in general will feed off of the people around them. Those who are very exciteable and talk in high pitched tones will create a dog who responds to seeing people by becoming super amped up and difficult to follow simple commands. Try to limit this. It's not in the puppies best interest to repeatedly be encouraged to escalate the excitement level to this high level. This is when the dog will become less focused and less able to follow your guidance. Keep in mind that your dog will feed off of you, your tone and your energy level. Once you get to this site, click on Puppies, then development stages. Use your back button to return to this page. This is usually the first place pictures and video show up. We also have a private Facebook page for owners of our puppies. At this time, you can join this group by answering a few short questions. It is titled Legendary Labradoodles Owners Group. There is info about grooming, vet care, training and all sorts of topics. There are links in the footer of this page to our main Facebook page, not the owners group and our instagram account. If you click on the icon it will take you to our pages. About The Breed Training Your Labradoodle Australian Labradoodles are incredibly intelligent animals, but that doesn't mean that they don't need to be trained! The good news though, is that they are incredibly trainable and are always top of the class at puppy training classes. Training your puppy properly at an early age will pay dividends in the long run. A well-trained dog is a happy dog. We Set Our Puppies Up For Success When you collect your puppy from Lomond Hills, he will not have received any training as such virtually impossible with a whole litter of young puppies , but we do employ particular protocols and utilise some smart methods to set your puppy up for success. A couple of examples: 1. When we are feeding, playing or doing something else that is a fun or positive experience from puppy's perspective, we call them to come to us. When we are going to worm them, clip their toenails or do something similarly neutral or negative from puppy's perspective, we don't call them — we just go and pick them up. This helps them to learn that when they get called, good things happen. It is amazing the difference this makes when it comes to you training your dog to come back to you when he has been off-lead. When our puppies are young and only nursing with mum, they stay in one warm cosy room and mum cleans up after them. When they start eating solids and pooping more, we open up the doggy door and they have access to an indoor toileting area where we use paper bedding. This area is fully drained and is disinfected regularly, so it is a clean and safe environment for our puppies, but is realistic and really gives them a head-start on toilet training. They very quickly learn to follow their mum through the doggy door when they need to go to the toilet! It is amazing the difference this will make when you take puppy home — you will have him toilet-trained in no time! It is important that every member of the household follows these consistently. Consistency trains dogs. Training must start the very second that your puppy arrives in his new home. The younger he is, the faster he will learn. That means that humans should walk through doors before he does and humans should eat their meal before he eats his. The youngest children or smallest human in the house need to be able to exert authority over him — an easy one for children is for them to be involved in controlling the supply of food, under adult supervision of course. It so happens that ignoring your Australian Labradoodle is just about the most effective punishment since they are such people-focused dogs. You have just rewarded undesirable behaviour. This way, he learns that jumping up your leg achieves nothing. When you spot him sitting on the floor looking up at you angelically, make a point of going over to him, speaking to him, giving him a cuddle and lots of attention. This way, he learns that polite, desirable behaviour earns the reward he wants. When puppy is in his crate and is barking because he wants to be let out, ignore him and do not make eye contact with him. If you give him what he wants and let him out now, he will learn that when he barks, he gets what he wants and you will have encouraged him to display undesirable behaviour. Instead, wait for him to stop barking before you let him out. If this is not possible due to his persistence, grab your 30 second opportunity if need be, but the former is better! This way, you have taught him that quiet, polite, desirable behaviour gets rewarded. You can extrapolate this method across all aspects of his behaviour management and training. He must display desirable behaviour to get what he wants. Undesirable behaviour gets ignored. It's really simple — just get inside his head and think from his perspective. Read More Mouthing Puppies love putting things in their mouths and this usually includes human fingers. You need to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on mouthing, right from the very beginning. If he nibbles at your fingers, squeal like a puppy and he should stop. If need be, remove them from his mouth and distract him with a toy or something that he is allowed to chew on. Make a fist so that he cannot physically get your fingers into his mouth. If he remains determined to nibble your fingers, end play time with him, ignore him, stop making eye contact. This way, he learns that nibbling fingers is not allowed and you will ignore him if he persists. Puppies love putting things in their mouths and this usually includes human fingers. There is a little game you can play to encourage him to stop mouthing in a positive way. Warning: this should only be undertaken by adults with a reasonably high pain threshold! Take a little piece of cooked sausage, chicken or something else equally tasty. Place it in the palm of your hand and make a fist around it. Go and sit on the floor next to puppy, presenting the closed fist to him. He will nibble and mouth at your fist to try and get the treat. Grin and bear it. As soon as he does this, open up your fist and present the treat to him on the palm of your hand. This way, he learns that mouthing your hand achieves nothing, sitting looking up at you politely does! Instead, what we have found works best quickest and most efficient is to take your puppy outside into your garden at frequent, specific times. The final time of the day that you should take him out to the toilet is last thing before bed. Stay with him and watch what he is doing. As soon as he has done the toilet, go over to him and make a big fuss of him, praise him to the hilt. Then take five minutes or so just to play with him before returning inside. Providing you follow this procedure religiously, there is little reason why it should take you any longer than a week to have him house trained. Overnight is slightly different.Go to the crate, pick him up and pop him outside. Use your chosen phrase e. Once he's finished, praise him and bring him back to the crate. Say goodnight but don't make too much of a fuss or play with him, then go back to bed yourself. You want him to know that he has to toilet outside and not have accidents in his crate, but you don't want him to think that if he cries in the middle of the night that he gets playtime. If you are consistent with this routine then after a couple of weeks he shouldn't need to go to the toilet in the middle of the night as he will have learned to hold it. Read More Crate training The best way to introduce your puppy to his crate is to feed him in it. Pop his bowl of food in the crate, guide him towards it and if necessary, pick him up and put him inside. Ask your puppy to 'sit' and then serve him the food. Whilst he is busy eating, gently close the door so that he gets used to the feeling of being enclosed. It is important that the crate is a very positive place for your puppy to be, and the food really helps to fix the association. The crate should never be used as a place of punishment.The best way to introduce your puppy to his crate is to feed him in it. He will notice the food straight away and start eating. The crate should never be used as a place of punishment… ever! Just before you go to bed, pop him inside his crate and close the door whilst speaking to him in a positive, but calm and soothing voice. When you wake up in the morning, go back to his crate, open up the door and take him outside to the toilet. You will find that he will likely have done the toilet on the paper in his crate overnight. This is absolutely normal and to be fully expected. The frequency of this occurring will decrease as time goes on and as he learns what time you go and let him out every morning. A consistent time helps a lot! On each occasion that he has a clean and dry night, give him lots of praise first thing in the morning before taking him outside. Eventually, he will be clean and dry overnight, every night, and it is at this stage that you can remove the newspaper and cover the entire floor area with a nice soft blanket or bed. Read More Training to sit This element of training should be started from the very moment you bring your puppy home. The best time to conduct this training is at meal times. Prepare the bowl of food as you usually would and approach your puppy holding the bowl in one hand. Bend over keeping the bowl high enough that your puppy cannot get his nose into it! Remember to say 'sit' while you are doing this. Once he is in the sitting position reward him with his food and lots of praise. This element of training should be started from the very moment you bring your puppy home. Read More Lead training your puppy Best way to start off — train your puppy to walk by your side, without a lead. Introducing the lead before he is trained to walk by your side can be disastrous, as he will try to resist the lead, pull against you and try to slip out of it — a negative experience for everyone. So, start off in your back garden, just you, your puppy and some tasty treats. Best way to start off — train your puppy to walk by your side, without a lead. He will follow the treat and after a few paces, stop, ask him to sit and let him have the treat. Give him lots of praise. Then take out another treat and repeat the process. Each time you repeat, try to walk a few extra steps before letting him have his treat. Only spend about 5 minutes doing this at a time, as puppies have quite a short attention span. It is a good idea to do this about 3 — 4 times per day though, especially when you are starting out. This way he will remember the previous time and will know exactly what he has to do in order to get the treat. Do this for about a week. Once you have reached this stage, it is time to introduce the lead. Start off by using a very lightweight collar and lead — the little canvas puppy collar and lead sets are great. Clip on his lead, and then repeat the process of walking a few steps and giving a treat, just as you have done previously, but with the lead on. You have trained him to walk beside you, to heel. The lead is there as a back-up in case he sees something he wants to chase. The best place to practise this is in the back garden so that you have enough space, but are in a safe and enclosed area. Firstly, ask him to sit, using the verbal command and hand signal as described above. If he starts to follow, you need to start again by asking him to sit. Initially, just take three or four steps back before stopping, bending down and calling him by his name in an encouraging tone, e. Repeat the process several times; increasing the number of backward steps you take each time. Just as with the lead training, little and often is the key to achieving this. To make the transition from on lead to off lead, it is a good idea to practise the recall in a wide-open space, but using an extension lead. This allows you to ask him to stay and walk quite a distance away before calling for him to come to you. Once this is well established, the next step is to let him off the lead but it is very important that you call him back to you nice and often to make sure that he is listening to you and paying attention. It is worth carrying some treats initially to reward him every time he comes back to you when asked. If for whatever reason, you struggle to get him back to you, do not lose patience and get angry with him as this will only make matters worse. Read More Dealing with scary situations If you take your puppy to a new place or embark on a new activity, there is the potential for him to be nervous or scared of something. In order to prevent this from happening, or to overcome a particular thing he is frightened of there are a two things you need to do. You need to be a cool, calm and confident pack leader that is scared of nothing. You cannot show fear or distress in new situations and you cannot make a big deal about them. If you take your puppy to a new place or embark on a new activity, there is the potential for him to be nervous or scared of something. You must behave as if everything is normal, mundane and boring. If you show negative emotion, you are reinforcing his belief that there is something to be scared of — if the pack leader is scared, everyone should be! If you repeatedly show negative emotion such as fear or distress in situations such as this, he might start to think that the role of pack leader is vacant since you are not behaving as a pack leader should. If he thinks that role is vacant, you are in for trouble — he will try to fill it! If you avoid the experiences he is scared of, he will be scared of these for life. You need to get him comfortable with the things he is scared of by repeatedly doing them over and over again in a short space of time, whilst he is young. This will help in your efforts to create a happy, relaxed dog that is a pleasure to take everywhere with you and join in with all of your family activities. Training is never finished or complete, it is ongoing and requires regular reinforcement. The hard work is at the start, but if you want it to last, you need to be willing to refresh his training on a regular basis. Popular Links. However you must teach your puppy all of your expectations, gently and firmly from day one. Decide the rules you want for your puppy, and teach them those rules right from the beginning, such as: not getting on furniture, not jumping up on people. If you allow that in the beginning, it will be very difficult to break the habit. Getting Prepared for A New Puppy! Puppy Chewing The more things you have for your puppy to chew, the less likely they are to chew up your things. The need to chew will go on for at least 18 months, although they may always love having things to chew and toys. You will also need a premium puppy food of your choice. We use an All Life Stages dog food made primarily of chicken and rice. Dogs originally were den animals, they burrowed holes underground, where they were safe from predators and nice and warm. They instinctively do not go to the bathroom in their dens. A crate is a safe haven for your puppy. Never take your puppy out of the crate until they are quiet, just sit patiently, without speaking, until they are quiet for a few seconds, and you will teach them to be quiet in the cage. Every time you take your puppy out of the crate, take them immediately outside to the place you want them to go to the bathroom. Puppies find places to go to the bathroom with their feet. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet and it becomes part of their potty que or trigger. If you allow your puppy to have accidents on your rugs or hardwood floors even by accident then that can quickly become their potty texture preference. Same goes for potty pads. Using potty pads only teaches your puppy that going potty on absorbent material is Ok. Not a great idea. Try to avoid accidents at all costs. This way, you will teach your dog to go to the bathroom on command. This can be very convenient if you are traveling or leaving the house. Stay away from the puppy until they are done with their business, keep other animals, children and any other distraction away from them. As soon as your puppy is done, immediately give them a dog treat and praise, and praise and praise. Then, stand back and see if there is more forthcoming and repeat the process. Your Puppy At Night. .If your puppy cries in the middle of the night, get up, sit by the cage until they are quiet for a minute or two, then and only then, take them outside to their spot, give the potty command to go, and stand quietly ignoring them until they are done, do not instigate play or talk in an excited voice. When their bladder gets mature, this nighttime potty break should stop. Read my post about how to stop puppy whining and crying in the crate! Then after that every hour for a couple of days, 2 hours for a few days. When they finish going to the bathroom, praise and treats. Never hit or yell harshly at your puppy, or they will be afraid of you, and will develop fear of you, rather than trust. It may take months before your dog is completely housetrained, be patient, it is all worth it! When you feed your puppy, stroke their back and head, and tell them how good they are. You want them to be used to having someone touch them when they eat. When you sit down to eat, ignore the puppy, or put them in the crate. When you have to leave make sure to crate your puppy or put them in a x-pen setup, when you get home, even after a short absence, calmly take your puppy outside, talk gently to them, let them go to the bathroom, take them back inside and talk to them calmly, pet them slowly and try to be as calm as you can. If you come back and get them excited, they will try to recreate that excited feeling when you are gone, because that means you will be home soon. Puppies are like any baby, they need lots of attention, a dog that does not get attention, will get anxious and nervous and may chew and chew furniture, rugs, shoes, cords, anything to get rid of the anxiety. Read my post on crate and x-pen setups for potty training puppies! Taking your Puppy to Class Take your puppy to obedience school. An untrained puppy can be a nuisance instead of a pleasure. Another important benefit, perhaps the most important, is puppies will meet many new people and dogs in puppy class, which will greatly help socialize them, and make them more people and dog friendly. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet. When they get to your home, your puppy will be used to the surface that you want them to use. This teaches them that talking to you actually works. Going Potty Outside Step by Step — Take your puppy outside on leash, take them to their designated spot, put them down, and give the potty command, stand back without touching them, and wait a bit for them to go to the bathroom. When you know your puppy is done going to the bathroom, praise them, give them a treat or a snuggle and then take them immediately back into the house, unless you are going to play with them outside. Our Main Menu. The Basics First, although it will seem obvious, reward good behaviour, especially when training. Reward can be praise given in a loving tone, reward can be a food treat, but your puppy will learn quicker if it is promptly made obvious what puppy is doing that is getting it all these good things! Dogs understand glowers, growls, nips, shaking the scruff of the neck. Striking is what bears, cats and humans do and is not appropriate discipline for a dog! It will make them hand-shy as they will not be certain if you are lifting a hand to their head to pet them or to hit them. You want them to perk their ears when they hear their name and associate it with good things like belly rubs and treats! Most of us buy the best dog food we can, hypo-allergenic, no GMO, no grains known to cause allergies… and then we give them treats loaded with all this junk. Please choose treats that your dog is not allergic to! Establishing Pack Order The most effective training methods use the instincts that your dog is born with to train with. How to discipline, when to discipline and how much to discipline are all important. But I guarantee you that your family will be happier if the dog is not at the top of the order! Puppy should always be fed last and you and your family eat first. In the wild, the pack leader eats first, followed by the others in order of dominance in the pack. Your puppy needs to know that ALL members of your family outrank it or the puppy will feel that it is right for it to establish dominance over family members kids by nipping, growling and other doggy dominance behaviors. If you have young children, teach your puppy that it must be invited to eat when you put the food down. After it has learned that with you, your children can take turns feeding it so it learns to mind your children also. Your children with your supervision should not only practice giving the puppy treats where it takes them gently, but they should also take treats or toys away and the puppy must not be allowed to growl or nip. Your puppy should not be allowed to nip or bite. It is not teething, it is establishing dominance. Pinch the upper or lower jaw of the puppy with your fingers and thumb. The object is to make it uncomfortable but not painful. In order of increasing seriousness, the mother will discipline as follows: 1. Glower and walk away 2. Growl 3. Growl and nip pinching can imitate this 4. Grab bite the scruff of the neck and shake the scruff. Grab bite the scruff of the neck and hold the offending puppy to the ground until it stops struggling, often growling while doing so. If you do use 5, it is important that it not be done for minor naughtiness, as it is a serious action. If you use an overly severe discipline, you are being a bully. Also, once you choose to use 5, do not release the scruff and let the puppy up UNTIL it stops struggling, even if it scratches, cries, struggles,etc. Using 5 or any of these disciplines does not hurt the puppy, but it does teach it that it is not the pack leader. After all, you do not want your puppy soon to be an adult disciplining growling at, biting your children! Australian labradoodles are a much less dominant breed than some others they are not dobermans or pit bulls after all! When puppy wakes up after an hour or two, it goes immediately outside for a potty. Puppy is awake for a while, goes out every half hour for a potty. I eat lunch and feed the puppy. Puppy goes outside for a potty after a meal, gets rewarded and then goes for a nap in the crate. After it wakes up, it goes outside for a potty, gets rewarded, and comes back inside to play for a while… you get the idea! Puppies will circle and squat just before peeing, so if you are watching, you can catch it just before it starts to pee or just as it begins, and quickly take it outside with your treat too! Girl puppies are more succeptible to bladder infections than boys, but boys can get them too! In later stages of a bladder infection, you will see blood in the pee, sometimes LOTS of it. If you can catch it in the early stages, it is much better for the puppy… If you are familiar with homeopathics, they can often be used successfully to treat bladder infections. If you are having training issues with your puppy, regardless of what breed it is or who you got it from, we recommend that you have a dog trainer come to your home and offer suggestions or coaching. Copper Canyon Australian Labradoodles is a premium rated labradoodle breeder. All our labradoodles are fully health tested and our labradoodle puppies come with a 2 year genetic guarantee against genetic health issues. Come fall in love with a labradoodle!

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Welcome to the Sergeant's Boxers website! Thank you for stopping by! We are Cassie and Luke! First off, Boxers are the absolute best family members imaginable. Luke and I gained our first boxer family member in .From the very beginning, we were hooked! We then gained our newest addition, Diva and boy does her name fit her well! We were overjoyed with our family fur-members and wanted to provide joy to other families. That is when we decided we wanted to breed Boxers and bring love and happiness to other families, just as our Boxers brought love and happiness into ours. Our family continued to grow, as did our happiness and joy! We now have 8 boxers and one spayed boxer mix. All are our fur-kids come first and foremost! Diva and Sergeant had their first litter in .Since then, we have learned so much about the breed and about producing healthy puppies. A lot of thought and research goes into each and every breeding. In the early part of , we started showing. This was such a new experience for us, but we enjoyed it so very much! Bailey was our first girl to show and she had a blast! Her face would light up when trotting around the ring. She obtained her International and National Champion Title that weekend and we were so very proud of her! Remington and Diva were a little hesitant at first, but ended up doing very well by the end of the weekend. By the 4th run, they were so excited to get out there and perform! They ran their hearts out and smiled while doing so. It also helped that daddy was there the second day and waiting at the finish line for them : Captain and Benelli went to their first show in June of .Benelli was just 3 months old and competed in the baby class. She did so very well! She gained great ratings that first day and caught the eyes of everyone there! Captain also did very well! He strutted around the ring and smiled the entire time! It was not hard to see that this was something he enjoyed so very much! We couldn't wait to get them back out there for the next show! In September of , we went to 2 shows! The first show was a UKC show. Captain and Bailey competed and had a blast. Captain obtained his UKC Champion. Bailey obtained all of the points needed and is now only waiting for her competition wins. We cant wait to call her a UKC Champion too! Captain gained his National, International and Honors Ch. At only 3 months old, Dawn made it to Best of Show during this show! It is the best feeling in the world to see the smiles on their faces and their eyes lighting up! They all had a blast! Captain obtained his Honors Bronze Champion Title. Both girls did well. They both won first in each of their classes and Dawn won Reserve Best of Breed in all four shows. We were unable to attend due to puppies being at home, but didnt want the girls to miss out on a great weekend of showing! Dawn got first in class for all three shows. Benelli got first in class all three shows. Benelli also got Reserve Best Female in two show and Best female in one show. For being at a show without mama and dad, the girls did so good! Im so proud of them and a special thanks to Angie for talking the girls! We look forward to the upcoming shows and we are so very excited!! Benelli gained another competition win and many points to add towards obtaining her UKC Champion Title! I have no doubt she will obtain the rest of the needed points and competition win needed to obtain her title soon! The girls did great, even with the judges all wearing masks! We can not wait until the next show!! This was Sergeant's first show and he surprised us all!! We had a blast! Results will be posted in each of their files. Sergeant, Harley, Captain and Dawn participated and did very well! Captain even made it to the Best of Show on Sunday! Dawn and Remi did absolutely wonderful! Harley struggled a bit. She wanted to catch the line instead of the lure! Anyways, they all had a great time and we will certainly be back for more! Harley and Captain got to attend the Norman show! Harley won Reserve Ch x3 shows. Captain and our friend Junior handler Alicia Hood won x1 best Junior class! They both did great! Can't wait until the next show! Remi also came out to the show for her very first time! Dawn and Harley also attended and both did well. Captain, of course, tagged along too! Results will be posted once they are posted on UKC site, as I completely forgot to write down results while at the show! Such an exciting sport. Watching them be so excited to chase the lure is absolutely fun times!! We traveled all of the way there to be a part of this amazing show! We earned a total of 9 titles in both Dock Jumping and Precision Coursing! Harley showed in a couple of shows there, but did not place she was too busy worrying about diving and Captain got to strut around in the TOP 10 Boxer ring! Huge Congratulations to these girls!! Information to come! This means that for every litter, Sergeants Boxers will go down the list and offer puppies to the families in order of deposits received. The family may choose a puppy from the current litter or may pass to wait for a later litter. Even if the family initially expressed the desire for a puppy from a future litter early in the conversation, they will still be asked if they would like to select a puppy when the current litter selections start. Selections start at each litter's 6 weeks of age mark. This allows the families to not only pick from color, but also from personality. Please know that these can change at any time and are only listed for reference. This is non-negotiable. I grew up with boxers as my grandmother was an avid lover of the breed and had a lucrative breeding and showing program. While she is no longer with us, I continue her legacy and continue to use her kennel name MerBar Boxers. Each one of my puppies is raised in my home with my children and other pets. I make sure each puppy is loved and has great social skills. I like to give each baby an abundance of attention! All of my dogs are health tested to ensure you get a puppy that will be with you for years to come. I am happy to explain our health tests, what they mean, and why they are important. I will make myself available for any questions or concerns. If you are considering a breeding program I will mentor you on all the appropriate health testing, as well as making sure I fit you with the right puppy. If I do not have what you're looking for I am happy to refer you to my network of breeder friends to ensure you get the right puppy. I know that sometimes situations arise that are out of your control. Rest assured that you have options and I will work with you to resolve any issues. For the complete list please see our Breeder Listings page. The price of a Boxer puppy varies depending on the breeder and where you are located. Boxer puppies usually go fast because this is such a popular breed of dog, so make sure you act quickly once you find one that interests you. The price of Boxer puppies in Texas might vary because of where you live and the reputation of the breeder. There are certain things you should consider when looking for a breeder like their location, reputation, and costs. The best way to research your breeder is by asking around for recommendations from other pet owners in the area. Word of mouth is often the most effective way to find a good breeder. Make sure you ask about costs and any guarantees or warranties that they offer. Visit Your Texas Boxer Breeder in Person Whether you physically searched for a Boxer puppy in Texas or found a breeder online, once you find one that interests you, the most important thing to do is visit them in person. It will also let you see their facilities first hand which can give you a better idea of what your puppy will be like. If possible, ask if they can let your future pup run around with other young boxers while you wait. This dog-to-dog interaction will help socialize him and make sure he grows up healthy and happy. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Texas If you feel comfortable with your boxer breeder in Texas, ask to see references from other people who have purchased their puppies. If they are reluctant to give you any names or contact details of other customers, this might be a sign that there is something fishy going on. If previous customers had any issues with the company or their puppies, you should probably find another breeder. These people could also give you lots of helpful advice about your specific dog and what kind of personality he might have based on his parents and genetics. Meeting past customers will also give you the chance to ask them questions about their experience with your breeder. If they had any problems, this is your chance to find out all about it. Remember, even one bad review should be enough for you to walk away from a breeder. Even if your Texas Boxer Breeder has nothing to hide, they should still have a good veterinarian that they use regularly. The best way for you to find out is to ask them what type of veterinary care their dogs receive and who your puppy will be seeing. The general rule of thumb is that the longer the warranty period, the better the policy will be for you and your pet. The minimum amount of time usually given by breeders is 1 year but reputable breeders like those listed here at PuppySpot offer 2 to 3 years. Some lifetime warranties against certain genetic diseases. First of all, if the prices seem too good to be true…they probably are. Often times they just want your cash without caring about whether or not their breeding practices result in healthy, happy pets which could lead to expensive health problems down the road. Unethical breeders will also try to make you feel like they are doing you a favor by selling you their puppies, but this is just another tactic used to put pressure on the consumer. Finally, if the breeder says that only cash is accepted as payment…move on. Any refusal of credit cards should be an immediate red flag. Most reputable breeders will be honest with you and tell you if there are any issues or history of disease in either the parents or other relatives. The truth is that no one is perfect and every dog has some sort of health concern or another. Reputable breeders will know about these issues before they sell their puppies to you which means they will provide documentation for proof. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy Before you actually bring your new boxer home, the first thing that you should do is make sure to set up a safe and comfortable area for them. First of all, you will need to find a way to confine your boxer while you are away at work or school. The good news is that there are many different options available for everyone whether they live in an apartment or have acres of land. You also want to make sure that the bathroom has been properly puppy-proofed before your boxer comes home. This will typically involve covering up anything sharp, electrical or poisonous items that could pose a problem for your new pet. Finally, if you have any valuable items on hand such as a TV or laptop, make sure to put them out of reach. In addition, whenever you bring them back inside from playing around in the backyard make sure to immediately put them on a leash so that you can quickly grab them if they need to go to the bathroom. Once again, this will be a lot easier if you have a fenced-in area for outdoor playtime but it can still be accomplished using an electronic fence if necessary. Boxers are incredibly intelligent dogs which means that most of them pick up on things very quickly. In fact, many boxer puppies learn how to properly eliminate outside all on their own within just a few days of being home with you. If they have any accidents inside, never scold them because this will only lead to confusion and mistrust. Instead, always use positive reinforcement by either praising them when they do something good or by giving them a treat whenever they go potty out in the yard. Continue doing this until they understand that going outside is the only acceptable place to have a bowel movement. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Address: Montgomery, Houston, Texas 4. DS Boxers, Texas. According to the owner, everything started about 20 years ago when she and her son got their first Boxer pet. She has been in love with this dog breed ever since, and she claims that she has the same amount of love for these doggies even today! Although this is more of a hobby breeder, the kennel provides the future pet owner with all documentation and health certificates. However, the owner claims that most doggies are already spoiled because of all the love and cuddling they receive. When it comes to the price, most pups cost differently according to the bloodline, coat color, and registration. The cost of transportation will be added to the overall price you pay for your future pet. If you possess a female Boxer and would like her to have her own puppies, you can use the stud services at this kennel. All you have to do is contact them and make an agreement. Breeder details: Telephone number: Address: Kempner, Texas 5. Black Champion Boxers. With more than 30 years of experience in Boxer breeding, the owners of this kennel, Ron and Debbie, are still loving every aspect of their jobs. They pass their love for Boxers onto their grandchildren as well! After spending time in Arizona, the couple decided to come to Texas and continue their family business, which has been going strong for the last 19 years in Decatur. A acre field is the perfect place to breed these wonderful animals. All puppies from this kennel have been tested for various diseases and conditions, had their dew claws done, and are vaccinated. However, like most Boxers, they do have high energy levels, which is why these dogs are more suitable for homes with bigger back yards. Breeder details:. Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Boxer Puppies for Sale.

They are extremely kind, affectionate and intelligent puppies. They are like teddy bears and love their cuddles like their mom Heidi and dad Duke. They are bred to a very high standard and their pedigree is available. This is the first litter from our gorgeous family dog, Heidi, who is an excellent family pet. We have one male and one female cream puppy available, they are in perfect health and displaying a friendly temperament, much like their mother. Our puppies have been raised and played with by my nine grandchildren since they were born, so they are well accustomed to being handled regularly. They were also born the same time our cat had kittens so they are well used to and quite affectionate with our cats and kittens. Each puppy is IKC registered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped. We would be more than happy for you to visit and meet the puppies before making any commitments. It is very important to us that the puppies go to suitable homes that will provide love and affection aswell as proper looking after. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It does not store any personal data. Functional Functional Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Performance Performance Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Analytics Analytics Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Others Others Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Welcome to Quivira Goldens Contact us to place a deposit on our upcoming litter The rolling plains of Kansas are where we call home, and we are excited to be able to bring some of the best and brightest of the Golden Retriever breed to our families. We are certain you will fall in love with our Goldens just as we have done. Our health tested parents are a perfect blend of American bloodlines as well as some imported lines from our sires. We have been working at developing a unique blend of healthy, intelligent easy to train Golden Retrievers for nearly 20 years and can't wait to talk with you about our upcoming litters. Many of our Goldens are training or functioning as service dogs or emotional support dogs with veterans, law enforcement and in schools and nursing homes. The easiest way to join the Quivira Golden Family is to complete a puppy reservation form and place a deposit. We encourage all families to call or email prior to completing the form. Puppy spots are held based on the order deposits are received. Now taking deposits for our January litter. Ready to go to new homesin March sometime. Call Soon to reserve your pup. Our never kenneled, well loved puppies make the perfect family dog! We are located in the Kansas City area however our puppies are adopted all over the United States. Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were: Improved cardio vascular performance heart rate Stronger heart beats More tolerance to stress Greater resistance to disease At three weeks old we start potty training our pups. We first designate a place in their whelping pen for them to do their business and as they are able to walk farther we gradually move their spot farther away. They are using a dog door to "go" outside between weeks old. Also at three weeks old we start beginning Manners training. That involves learning to sit and be patient before getting to go eat puppy food. The pups are also starting to spend time in an open crate and will graduate to closed crate time as they get older. Sometimes we keep our favorite pups longer to use for our breeding program or to offer a higher level of training for our clients. These pups depending on their age, know sit, stay can hold a stay while I go outside out of sight for at least 2 minutes come and sit at my feet, down, leave it, and on your bed. They are crate trained and also good on a leash. If you are interested in one of our pups in training give us a call. We have one 8 month old male available. Join our wait list Champion blood lines from a trusted breeder There are many options when looking for a Golden Retriever puppy. At Simply Golden Puppies We believe that Golden Retriever puppies and their mommas deserve a lot of love and attention. If you have ever had a Golden, you know that they are happiest when they are with their people. For this reason we keep our breeding program small. Our goldens are pets first. They are never kept in a kennel and spend a lot of time by our sides. We believe that if our momma's are happy the babies are happy too. The litters of Greta and Kate mark our sixth generation of puppies. We know very well how our puppies turn out. Our puppies have championship blood lines from 6 separate countries. That makes their gene pool phenomenal! You can expect a beautiful, healthy, very smart dog with therapy soft fur and blocky heads. They are devoted and loyal with fun personalities! While environmental factors play a big part in the health of your golden retriever you can be sure that we have done our best to ensure your puppy gets the best possible start in life. All of our personal adult goldens have lived past 12 years old with several living to be 16 years old. Our Puppies are vet checked healthy and vaccinated before going to their new homes and are sold as family companions with limited pet AKC registration. Why a Golden Retriever is the Perfect First Dog A golden retriever puppy is an excellent choice for those who are looking to get their first dog. The golden retriever is even-tempered, intelligent and affectionate. Golden retrievers are playful, yet gentle with children, and they tend to get along well with other pets and strangers. If you are consistent you can teach them very precise things like staying off of the carpet unless they are invited on it, waiting at an open door until they are invited in, not to bark unless there is something important to bark about.Because they are so smart, they can also learn to "work " the system so praise and being consistent is key. Goldens are eager to please and like to work which explains why they respond so well to Positive reinforcement training and are such popular service dogs. Many of our puppies have gone on to be service and therapy dogs. Our Golden Retriever Puppies are loyal — Golden retrievers are extremely loyal dogs. They were born to please you which makes them the best companion dog and another reason that they can be wonderful therapy or emotional support dogs. Our Golden Retriever Puppies are great with kids — Golden retrievers are great with children! They seem to instinctually know how to interact with them. One of our last customers had a one year old who tripped and fell in the grass. Our 12 week old puppy went carefully up to him, bent his head down to his face as if to ask if he was all right. It melted all of our hearts! Long ago my Daughter learned how to walk by pulling up on our first Golden Retriever. Our Golden Retriever Puppies are funny - They have the best personalities! They are loving, loyal, goofy, playful, gentle, and bring so much joy to our golden families! They are bird dogs at heart, so they love a good game of fetch or a swim. If exercise is provided daily, golden retriever puppies can adapt to any type of home, even if it is a city apartment. History: In , the golden retriever was the second most popular AKC breed. This ranking is no surprise, because the dog has many qualities that make for a perfect family pet. The golden retriever's roots are in the fields and waterways of Great Britain. The golden retriever was bred to be a bird dog, particularly for hunting water fowl, and the breed resulted from crossing a number of other breeds thought to include spaniels, setters, and the Newfoundland but not the Newfoundland we know today , and perhaps even a bloodhound. The combination created a hardy, strong swimming dog that could withstand cold water, track wounded game and deal with crippled birds. Today, golden retrievers are not only good bird dogs and family pets; they also are popular as service dogs for the blind and disabled, and as search and rescue dogs and contraband detection dogs. Few dogs can claim this breed's versatility.

This comes at no extra cost to you. At three months of age, Golden Retriever puppies get a little more confident, mischievous, and, of course, bigger! As a puppy parent, you might have lots of questions about your three-month-old Golden. Is this normal? Am I handling this the right way? Should I be doing something differently? At three months old, a puppy is feeling more settled in their new home. They are experts at identifying patterns and routines, and are understanding how things work around the house. You may notice increased confidence and curiosity around the house, as exploration can be fun for sixteen-week-old Golden Retrievers. This confidence boost may also come with more antics, like shredding the toilet paper in the bathroom and pulling down your nice throw pillows to wrestle with. You might observe that your three-month-old puppy has more energy than they did last month, as well. At this age, they also have better control of their bodies and are more coordinated, as opposed to when they were a two-month-old puppy. You may notice that they are running faster, jumping higher, and tackling obstacles like stairs. At three months old, a pup is still in the critical socialization window. What your puppy learns and experiences between three and sixteen weeks of age helps set a precedent for the rest of their life. Providing them with positive educational experiences with the sights, sounds, and experiences they will encounter as an adult dog is extremely important during this time. Avoid scary and stressful experiences with a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy , as those can leave lasting negative associations resulting in a fearful or anxious dog. Remember that a pup at this age is still so young and needs lots of patient guidance as they grow into their adult self. Three-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Size Most three-month-old Goldens will weigh between 15 and 35 pounds, but each puppy is a unique individual so there could be some that fall outside that range. Female puppies tend to be smaller than males, but there are exceptions to that rule. They will be growing a lot this month, so you may notice those legs getting longer by the day! Their cute little snout may also get a little longer as they develop. Golden Retrievers can have a variety of builds and sizes, so your vet can help you make sure that your puppy is at an appropriate weight if you have any concerns. With all that growing comes the need for a lot of sleep. Sixteen-week-old Golden Retrievers need about 18 hours of sleep a day. As much as possible, let your puppy sleep as much as they choose. At this age, they may not always be the best at settling themselves down for a nap even though they really need rest. Sometimes puppies can get overly tired and become super wild and bitey — puppy tornado mode! This is when your puppy needs you to step in and help them get the sleep they need. Utilizing a crate or pen is super helpful for this as it limits their options and promotes settling in for a nap. Set up the crate or pen so it has a comfy place for them to snooze. You can also offer them something like a bully stick or a stuffed kong to work on while they drift off to sleep. Many three-month-old puppies do well when the crate is covered, which cuts down on visual stimulation. You can also drape an old bed sheet over the panels of a pen to give the same effect. If your puppy struggles to settle, you can sit near their crate or pen, as your presence is a comfort to them. If you notice your pup curling up for a nap, you can pick them up and put them in their pen or crate. Behavior issues like excessive chewing , biting , barking and just general hyperactivity can come from lack of sleep. Ensuring that your puppy gets enough uninterrupted sleep is very important for their physical, mental, and behavioral wellbeing. If you got your puppy when they were two months of age, you may now notice that your three-month-old Golden seems to have more energy. With all that puppy energy, you might think that you need to wear your puppy out with exercise. While puppies certainly do need exercise, be careful not to overdo it. Exercise should be guided by the puppy. That means letting them set the pace and duration of exercise. Three-month-old Golden Retrievers do not yet have the physical and mental stamina for structured exercise like long leashed walks. Instead, short, easygoing walks are great at this stage. Think of walks more as adventures! Instead of trying to walk a certain route or distance, set an amount of time for the walk. Ten to twenty minutes is probably sufficient at this age. Free play is also a great outlet for exercise for three-month-old Golden Retrievers. Indoor playtime with toys is also a fun way for active pups to burn some of that puppy energy. Avoid long games of fetch, as the repetitive nature of the game can be hard on their growing bodies. Finally, getting your puppy out in nature is a great way to get them some exercise while also providing lots of mental stimulation. Historically, Golden Retrievers were bred to spend a lot of time outdoors in the fields with their owners. Our modern-day Goldens still absolutely adore getting outside in nature, and puppies are no exception. I recommend putting your puppy on a well-fitting, non-restrictive harness , and a fifteen or twenty feet biothane long line. This longer leash allows your puppy to explore more freely and makes pulling the leash less likely. Keep these outings short, and let your puppy take breaks as needed. It sounds a bit silly, but it can be easy to forget that a puppy is not a human! Keeping this in mind helps you stay patient as you teach your new best friend the ways of the world. One of the most important things for a puppy to learn is how to be alone. Even if you work from home, you have to run errands, hang out with friends and family, and go to doctor appointments. Using a crate or pen, or gating off a small space, is invaluable, as leaving a three-month-old Golden Retriever loose in your house would likely be a disaster! This e-book walks you through all the steps to teach your puppy how to be comfortable with confinement and being left home alone. Potty training will also be an ongoing process, so keep at it with your puppy this month. Just a few minutes every day is enough to start building some great skills with your puppy. You may also notice that some days your puppy has more energy, and on other days they are more relaxed. With their growing bodies comes a bigger appetite! Most three-month-old Golden Retrievers eat about two cups of food a day, split over three meals. As always, each puppy is a unique individual and so some puppies may eat more or less than that amount each day. Some days your puppy may eat all their food, and some days they may leave a little in the bowl, though Goldens are known to be chowhounds so your puppy might scarf down each and every meal. It can be really fun for both you and your puppy to feed meals in more creative ways. There are lots of toys available that make mealtime more mentally and physically enriching. You have to feed your puppy, so why not burn some puppy energy in the process! Here are some favorites:. Share 0 Shares At three months old, Golden Retriever puppies have experienced a lot of the world and their surroundings, which makes them more confident and can make them little rascals. By now, three-month-old puppies should be acquainted with their new homes, having been there for several weeks. Parents of these rambunctious, quickly-developing puppies are full of concerns. Training a 3-month-old Golden Retriever Feeding a 3-month-old Golden Retriever How to curb 3-month-old Golden Retriever biting Owning and caring for a week-old puppy is so rewarding, but taking care of the needs of these babies constantly can be a lot to deal with. Golden puppies at this age have become acquainted with their home. Unfortunately, that confidence borders on cockiness, and your sweet little puppy will sometimes seem like an agent of chaos and mischief. Your puppy will also be more vocal during this time period and bark more often. This is your puppy experimenting with its voice and learning about its capabilities. Three- months- old also marks a very important milestone for socialization. The socialization skills they learn during this time will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Try to avoid exposing your three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy to scary situations. Just as scary events can leave lifelong impressions on children, they can traumatize your puppy, as well. This can result in giving your dog permanent fears, phobias, and anxiety. Three months is still quite young for any sort of baby, so you need to remember that your role is that of a parent and a nurturer. How big a 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever will get? How much should a three-month-old Golden Retriever weigh? A three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy will typically weigh somewhere between lbs. Each pup is different and their health and size will be as unique as they are! Three-month-old Golden Retriever puppies are typically around 10 — 20 inches tall. Of course, there are several varieties of Golden Retrievers and they all have different sizes and builds. Your Golden Retriever puppy will need somewhere around 18 hours of sleep a day. Some days your puppy will sleep more. Whatever the case, your pup needs the extra zzzs. If puppies get overly tired they get cranky and start getting wild and bitey. Chewing is comforting to them. Another great way to help your pup wind down and get to sleep is by covering their crate with a blanket. This shuts out light and other stimuli so the puppy can focus on sleep without getting distracted. Again, this is much like children. When you see your puppy laying down and getting comfortable, you should put them in their pen or crate so they can take a nap. A lot of behavioral issues and hyperactivity at this age stem from a lack of sleep, so you can save yourself a lot of trouble if you start working to ensure your pup gets enough sleep. Like most pet owners, you likely got your puppy when it was two months old. This month, your puppy has a lot more energy! Most Golden Retriever owners assume that since puppies have this excess energy they need to exercise to burn it off. Your puppy will be able to instinctively know how much exercise they need. When they want to stop, let them. Your puppy may plop down to rest in the middle of your walk. This is pretty normal at this age. Instead, give them a few minutes to rest and see if they catch a second wind and start walking again. You should set your walk not in terms of distance, but in terms of minutes. Your pup will likely be tired after 20 minutes of walking. Another form of exercise that three-month-old puppies love is free play. You can let your puppy have free play outside if you have a fenced-in yard. Whether you have a fenced-in yard or not, your puppy will benefit from indoor playtime, as well. Golden puppies love a good romp with their favorite toys! You can play fetch with your Golden. Get your puppy outside and let them play. Golden Retrievers love the outdoors! They were originally bred to be hunting and field dogs, and although they have a variety of purposes today, they still love the great outdoors. Your pup will enjoy playing around outside and going for short nature walks. If you choose a longer leash, your puppy can explore independently without the dangers of being unleashed. For more information about the exercise needs of golden retrievers, check out our article about how much exercise golden retrievers need. How to Train a 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Training is an important part of raising any puppy and ensuring they grow into a well-mannered adult. You need to train your puppy to be comfortable with being alone early on. You can teach your puppy to be okay with being alone by using a crate or gates. Golden Retrievers are easily trained with positive reinforcement and treats! For more information about puppy training, check out our article about golden retriever puppy training. In general, you should feed a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy around 2 cups of puppy food per day spread out over the course of three meals. Again, there are no set- in- stone rules for how much to feed a three-month-old Golden Retriever. Some will eat more than others, and some will eat less. For this reason, you can give your puppies toys with food in them to slow them down a bit and give them a bit of mental stimulation during the process. You can put some puppy food on a towel or blanket, then roll it up and let your puppy find their food. You can also toss some kibble on the ground outside and let your pup follow their nose to their food. When it rolls, the kibble will come out of the hole. Using toys while feeding your puppy can help with their insane energy levels, too! Biting Puppies will bite, chew and nip. Biting and chewing are just how puppies play. The problem is that they have little needle-sharp teeth that hurt! But you need to stay calm so that you can teach them to stop. Instead, give them a toy to chew on. Another thing that helps is setting up a baby gate. When they bite and play too rough, you can put them on one side of the gate and yourself on the other side. Just let them stay in there long enough to calm down. When you do this, stay calm. Some people worry that puppies biting during this stage indicates aggression, but three-month-old Golden Retriever puppies rarely exhibit aggression this early on. One toy suggestion for puppies that are biting is a flirt pole toy. This is a stick with a toy attached with a string that you can pull around on the ground or floor. The puppy can burn off some energy chasing the toy, and then bite and chew on the toy once they catch it. Move the toy away from the puppy, and the second they drop the toy start moving it again. Excessive play and exercise can damage their developing joints and muscles. Conclusion Three-month-old Golden Retriever puppies are so much fun! During this month you should be doing lots of training, socialization, and bonding with your fur baby. With the right amount of nurturing and support, your puppy will grow into a well-behaved, emotionally- mature adult in no time! Check out our other posts about the development of Golden Retriever puppies:. What are some signs of illness in a Golden Retriever puppy that is 12 weeks of age? We remember this time with our Golden Retriever Glee well. Before she was a large breed Golden Retriever, she was a tiny little Golden Retriever puppy who needed our help to provide the foundation for a good life. At this age, your pup is still in the critical socialization period, where they are learning about their environment and how to interact with other dogs and humans. So, what can you expect with a three month old puppy? Your Golden Retriever pup is likely to be more confident and curious about their surroundings, but still in need of plenty of guidance and attention from their human family. They may be losing their baby teeth, which can cause some discomfort and make them even more prone to nipping and chewing. Note that this is a dense and long-read, full of useful information. Golden Retriever Mom is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Setting up your home for a Golden Retriever puppy Golden Retriever puppies, both males and females, are curious and active, and they require a safe and stimulating environment to thrive. Here are some tips for setting up your home for your new furry family member: 1. Essential puppy supplies Before you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Here are some steps you can take to puppy-proof your home: Secure all hazardous items, such as cleaning supplies and medications, in cabinets or drawers. Keep small objects, such as coins and paper clips, out of reach. Use baby gates to block off areas of your home that are off-limits to your puppy. Cover electrical cords and secure them to baseboards to prevent chewing. Put away shoes, clothing, and other items your puppy may be tempted to chew. Crate training Crate training is an essential part of raising a Golden Retriever puppy. A crate, like the Diggs Revol Crate which we love, provides a safe and comfortable space for your puppy that will ultimately grow to be a large breed dog right before your eyes to rest and sleep, and it can also help with potty training and reducing destructive behavior. Here are some tips for crate training: Introduce your puppy to the crate slowly and gradually, using positive reinforcement. Make the crate comfortable with bedding and toys. Never use the crate as punishment. Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate, starting with short periods and working up to longer periods. Never leave your puppy in the crate for longer than they can hold their bladder. Here are some tips for potty training: Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Choose a designated potty area in your yard and take your puppy there consistently. Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they go potty outside. If your puppy has an accident inside, clean it up thoroughly to remove any odor that might attract them back to the same spot. By following these tips, you can help your Golden Retriever puppy feel safe, comfortable, and loved in their new home while also setting them up for success with crate training and potty training. Feeding your Golden Retriever puppy One of the most important aspects of raising a healthy and happy Golden Retriever puppy is feeding them a balanced and nutritious diet. Here are some tips on how to choose the right food for your pup, create a feeding schedule, and incorporate treats and chews. Choosing the right food When it comes to selecting food for your Golden Retriever puppy, you want to ensure that you choose a high-quality, balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. Learn more here. Avoid foods that contain fillers, by-products, or artificial preservatives, and opt for foods with real meat as the first ingredient. Most Golden Retriever puppies should be fed three times a day until they are about six months old, then you can gradually reduce to two meals a day. Also, be mindful of the calorie content of treats, as overfeeding can lead to weight gain. We love Nylabone both for puppies and large breed dogs like Goldens. Other good options include rawhide chews, dental chews, and antlers. By choosing the right food, creating a feeding schedule, and incorporating healthy treats and chews, you can help your Golden Retriever puppy grow up strong and healthy. Exercise and Playtime Exercise and playtime are important for the development and health of your Golden Retriever puppy. Regular exercise also helps your pup build strong muscles and bones, maintain a healthy weight, and improve their overall mood. A Golden Retriever puppy needs about minutes of exercise a day. However, this exercise should be spread out throughout the day as puppies have a lot of energy and can get restless quickly. Safe exercises for puppies include short walks, playing fetch, and supervised play with other puppies or dogs. Overexerting your puppy can lead to joint problems, injuries, and other health issues. Playtime is also essential for your Golden Retriever puppy. It provides an opportunity for bonding and socialization, and it helps your puppy develop cognitive and social skills. Interactive toys such as balls, chew toys, and puzzles can help keep your puppy entertained and engaged during playtime. In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important for your Golden Retriever puppy. Mental stimulation can help prevent destructive behavior and keep your pup engaged. Activities such as training, teaching new tricks, and puzzle games can provide mental stimulation for your puppy. Training your Golden Retriever puppy Training your puppy is an essential aspect of their growth and development as they grow from a puppy into an adult Golden Retriever. It not only teaches them good behavior but also helps build a strong bond between you and your pup. Here are some important areas to focus on: 1. These commands can be taught through positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise. Socialization Socialization is an important aspect of raising a Golden Retriever puppy. It involves exposing your pup to different people, animals, and environments to help them develop into a well-adjusted adult dog. Socialization can be achieved through puppy classes, dog parks, and walks in different locations. House Rules Establishing house rules is crucial in helping your Golden Retriever puppy understand boundaries and acceptable behavior. This can include rules around where they are allowed to go in the house, what objects they are allowed to play with, and what behaviors are not acceptable. By focusing on these areas, you can help your Golden Retriever puppy develop into a well-behaved and happy adult dog. Additionally, if you would like a more fulsome training regime, consider an online dog training course. Grooming your Golden Retriever puppy Grooming your Golden Retriever puppy is an essential aspect of taking care of your pet. Here are some grooming tips to keep your Golden Retriever puppy healthy and happy: Bathing: How often you should bathe your Golden Retriever puppy depends on their activity level, coat type, and lifestyle. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your puppy once every two to three months. After the bath, towel dry your puppy and let them air dry completely before brushing. For more information read The Ultimate 7 Step Guide to Giving a Golden Retriever a Bath Brushing: Golden Retrievers have a dense, double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Brush your puppy at least once a week using a slicker brush or a pin brush. Start brushing at the head and work your way down to the tail. Trim the nails every two to three weeks using a sharp dog nail clipper. Important note! Be careful not to cut the quick, which is the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. By following these grooming tips, you can keep your Golden Retriever puppy looking and feeling their best. Regular grooming also provides an opportunity to bond with your pet and strengthen your relationship. This includes regular check-ups, dental care, and parasite prevention. It is also important to be aware of any signs of illness in your puppy. These may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, or changes in behavior. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your veterinarian right away to ensure that your puppy receives the necessary treatment. Here are some external links to Amazon products that will help you get started: Puppy Supplies:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun!

When I was adopting my puppy, I specifically wanted a female because male dogs like to pee on objects and mark their territory. I knew for myself, I only wanted a female dog. Maybe they want to adopt a Labrador that should match their lifestyle and nature. If you want a lab to get trained easily and in a quick manner, then a female Labrador is the right choice. While on the other hand, if you want a goofy, playful, and highly social companion, go ahead with a male Labrador. Picking up a specific dog breed is easy but selecting between the sexes is something very tricky. Knowing about the pros and cons of both gender will make it easier for you to decide between them. Labrador Male vs Female: Pros and Cons Despite their similarities, one gender may have some advantages over the other. Pros and cons of male Labrador Before adopting a male Labrador, you must know about all of the disadvantages and advantages. Pros Giving love and attention to his owner is their priority. More protective in nature and they love to take responsibility for the territory. Male Labrador is safe to adopt when you have kids at home. He always behaves well with female dogs. Cons Male Labrador gives you a tough time in training sessions. If you want to adopt a guarding dog , then a male Labrador is not the right one. Due to its social and friendly nature, it never alarms you if strangers are entering your home. Pros and cons of female Labrador Knowing about the pros and cons of gender is highly recommended by dog experts. You can analyze whether the lab suits your lifestyle or not. Pros Female Labrador is active and loves to play around you. Relatively easy to train because of its energetic and observing nature. More protective than male Labradors and becomes easily suspicious of strangers. She is independent, which is loved by dog parents. She needs less maintenance. Female Labrador is less social. She does not show much affection and love to dog parents. She never puts effort into pleasing the owner. More caution is needed when she is around kids. Can have a high-pitched bark in most situations. Labrador may act stubborn and less motivated for food. If you want a great companion who is showering unconditional love on you, then you must go ahead with a male Labrador. However, if you are willing to adopt a guarding dog with a moody and independent nature, never asking for love, you must select a female Labrador. Differences between Male and Female Labradors 1. Size Size is a significant difference between male and female labs. Nothing new, male labs are slightly larger as compared to female dogs. If you want a giant and bossy Labrador , then adopt a male one. While on the other hand, if you want a normal-sized, independent, and self-caring pup, go ahead with a female Labrador. Gender is the only factor that directly affects the size of labs. Features Due to hormonal differences, gender shows changes in features. Male dogs are somehow rough when compared to female Labradors. Trainability Most experts say that female puppies are easy to train compared to male Labradors. In addition, female Labradors are more attentive so they learn each new behavior fast. People who are willing to raise a guarding dog are more biased toward female Labradors. Behavior Despite their cool and calm nature, male labs are aggressive when compared to female Labradors. As mentioned above, female labs are independent, and they are more independent. While on the other hand, male Labradors love to please their parents more than they care about themselves. Male Labradors keep demanding the lap of their owners while female Labradors never mind playing alone without asking for attention. So, by keeping all the behavioral facts in mind, select your Labrador accordingly. Reproduction behavior Last but not least, reproduction and the heat cycle behavior is another significant difference in male and female Labradors. As a result, both genders behave differently in their breeding season. Most female Labradors are attracted to male dogs when they are in the heat cycle. Female Lab secretes a liquid, which becomes the source to attract mates , and in the case of the indoor dog, she may feel pain. While on the other hand, the males run behind the female dogs and chase them whenever they want. Even some male labs do not wait for the breeding season to get attracted to the lady lab. Males and females both show aggression toward the other dogs soon after getting neutered. Proper training can make your lab behave well in this situation. Showing affection Male dogs are highly expressive and like to show their love and care for their parents. While on the other hand, the female lab likes to be left alone. Female Labrador loves their parents as males do, but females are less expressive than male labs. Similarities Between a Male Labrador and a Female Labrador Some of the biggest similarities between male and female Labrador retrievers are listed below. Lifespan — Compared to other dog breeds, Labrador retrievers have a long lifetime. They live an average of 12 years. In unusual situations, labs can survive for almost twenty years. Temperament — Labrador Retrievers are friendly, active, and outgoing either male or female. Both like affection and care. Shedding — There will undoubtedly be a fair quantity of hair in your house, on your sofa, in your car, and pretty much anywhere else your Lab travels, no matter male or female. Because Labrador retrievers usually shed their hair. What is Better about a Male Labrador? Males tend to be more fun and goofier, more attention-seeking, and more sociable with humans and other animals. Some guys could be more driven to win over their masters. Males are more likely to defend their families or their territories. What is Better about a Female Labrador? However, females may be less overt in their shows of affection, and they may assert their authority by pushing or prodding others. While female Labs are normally calm and gentle, they occasionally bite, especially when the other females are young and little. They are easy to train and mature faster than males. Who Should Get a Male Labrador? Males tend to be beefier and heavier, and because of this, their features and muscles are more attractive. People who like competing in dog shows might choose a male if the dog meets the qualifications. But be aware that they are hard to come by. The greatest dogs for first-time dog owners are male Labradors that live in homes with yards. They should always be able to engage with someone due to their ongoing desire for attention and assurance. Males require a lot of space to roam around since they often have larger bodies and a silly, enthusiastic disposition. Who Should Get a Female Labrador? Females are better for guardianship responsibilities and single people, but they also make wonderful family members. They can manage to live in a space as tiny as an apartment as long as they receive lots of daily walks and exercise. Additionally, their delicate features and modest build perform well in dog show contests. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. Treat you as if you should earn her love. Tend to show less affection. Will be happy for her human to come to her. More cautious around kids. Gets along well with male dogs. Tends to be less playful all the time. Slightly less food motivated except when pregnant. The male Labrador Retrievers tend to be more energetic and affectionate to their humans. They are slightly more dependent on their owners in comparison to their female counterparts. Male Labs are easier to please as they seem to be content just having family members around them. Meanwhile, the female Lab is deemed more independent and is less attached to their human owners. This is not to say that female Labs are not affectionate. If they are smothered with love, they will definitely reciprocate. Females, however, have a slight advantage when it comes to intelligence and trainability. Some studies show that female Labs mature earlier than male Labs and can be trained as early as seven months. Affection Scale All dogs, regardless of their breed, are capable of showing affection and attention to their humans. No one in the world who can welcome you home at the end of the day, the way a dog would. With that said, Labrador Retrievers are known to be extremely mushy when it comes to showing their love. Males The Male Labrador is typically considered more affectionate than the females. However, the difference can be so subtle that owners might not even notice. The males tend to cling to their owners for affection and will likely display their exuberance when rewarded with treats. They just show their love a little differently. Since females tend to be more independent, some people might mistake it as being aloof. But in reality, they are more than happy to have their humans near them. Aggressiveness and Dominance One of the many reasons why Labrador Retrievers are a favorite among other breeds of dogs is because of their gentle demeanor. They also never show any sign of dominance. In some cases, your Lab might accidentally push past you through the door or take up space on the couch. This can be mistaken as a sign of dominance by first time Lab owners. However, these are associated with behavioral issues and have nothing to do with them being dominant. In some very rare instances, your Lab might show some signs of aggression or dominance, but this has more to do with their upbringing and environment. The male Lab might show signs of aggressiveness when he is protective of their things, such as his toys, bed, food, and owners. Meanwhile, if a male Lab is feeling dominant, he will likely hold his tail stiff, wagging back and forth. He will make a bold stance, his ears will be up, and his neck will appear bigger. Females Like their male counterparts, female Labs are not usually aggressive or dominant; however, they will only show their aggressiveness toward other female dogs. Because of this trait, they are often picked to become hunting, service, guide, and K-9 dogs. Males Because of their big and jolly personality, the male Lab can be more challenging to train in comparison to female Labs. They are easily distracted, especially during mating season when a female dog is around. They tend to hump, mark, and chase female dogs, resulting in a slower training pace. Females This is where the female Labs get the spotlight. Females mature faster during the puppy stage, which makes them learn tricks quicker. But also bear in mind that regardless of what breed of dog you choose to own, they will not learn on their own. Pet parents need to have the patience and dedication to teach their dogs how to behave properly. Male vs. Are Labrador Retrievers too friendly by nature to become guard dogs? The majority of Labs fail at being guard dogs because of their warm and happy personalities. But for those who are wondering, can they be trained to be guard dogs? Generally speaking, any dog, if trained properly, could. Guard dogs do more than just bark. Sometimes it comes naturally depending on the breed, but oftentimes, dogs have to be trained to become one. Their purpose is to protect properties or their owners in case a threat presents itself. Guard dogs will be ready to attack and bite when necessary. Meanwhile, watchdogs are simply dogs that watch. A good watchdog keeps an eye out for any intruders around. Sometimes, all you really need is a loud bark from a large dog to scare an intruder away. But in the end, will the male Lab be better at the job? Or will the female ace it? Males Males have a natural tendency to protect their territory, which means they will make good watchdogs. However, they have lesser control over their aggression. The challenge will be to train the male Lab to stop barking on command. Females The female Lab is protective by nature due to their maternal instinct. She will have no problem watching over those who are important to her. The advantage of the female Lab when it comes to being watchdogs is their level of trainability. As mentioned earlier, female Labs are easier to train than males. They are more manageable to control and would calm down easily when they are told. This means your male or female dog will be infertile. But if you want your dog to have offspring, then leave them intact. There are a few differences between an intact and a neutered dog. But when it comes to male and female Labs, will these differences matter? Males The process of neutering among male dogs is called castration, which is the process of removing its testicles. Some people believe that neutering their male Labs will fix behavioral issues like humping and marking. However, some studies show that neutering male Labs pose more problems than keeping them intact. Regarding physical effects, the difference in intact and neutered male Labs is quite apparent. Your neutered Labrador will have no testicles. Those who are neutered before they reach sexual maturity will look more feminine because of their smaller head. An intact male Lab will also be a little taller compared to ones that have been neutered. Females When it comes to female Labrador Retrievers, owners often decide to spay them because of convenience and health reasons. Spaying female dogs require major abdominal surgery wherein their reproductive organs are removed. It takes about two weeks for your dog to recover from this traditional procedure fully. A less invasive option is the laparoscopic spay. During this procedure, a small incision is made to remove only the ovaries. Similar to males, female intact Labs are taller compared to those that have been spayed. Some owners spay their females, especially if they have male dogs around the house. Others do it for health reasons. Studies have shown that spaying your female Lab decreases the risk of developing diseases in the future like mammary cancer and pyometra. In doing so, this will give you a better perspective on how to care for them and make sure they are in tip-top shape. Just like other breeds, Labrador Retrievers have specific health risks they might be prone to. For instance, they could develop hip problems if left unfit and inactive because of their large build. While these are general health problems specific to the breed, some health issues are only particular to males and females. Males The male Labrador Retriever is prone to perineal tumor and hernia, especially in old age. Females Female Labradors are vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections because of how they urinate. They tend to crouch down lower, which puts them at risk of contracting bacteria found on the ground. It is advisable to walk your Lab for at least one hour every day to avoid muscle degeneration, obesity, and joint problems. Hormonal Differences It takes years for humans to reach their adolescent years while it only takes a couple of months for dogs before they begin to flirt around other dogs. Most dog breeds reach sexual maturity around 6 to 7 months, which is usually when owners decide to spay or neuter them. When it comes to Labs, females are also ahead in this category as they reach hormonal maturity faster than the males. Males There are some important things to consider before deciding to neuter your male Labrador. Most experts recommend waiting until they are two years of age since premature neutering can lead to certain physical and hormonal implications. Male Labs tend to reach their fertility peak between their 12th and 15th month. They can also be sexually charged all year round. Some telltale signs that your male Lab is in heat is when they start marking properties and start humping furniture and toys. Owners also need to be informed about the difference between vasectomies and castration. Vasectomies do not stop the male hormones that cause some undesirable behaviors. During the surgery, the dog will be under anesthesia. You may notice that his attraction to females, his humping, and mounting will be lessened. Females Similar to the male Labrador, spaying your female Lab should ideally wait until she reaches two years old. However, this can be a little tricky since they first start entering heat between 7 and 12 months. This becomes harder when you have an unneutered male around the house. A female dog in heat will be moody and needy. Her nipples will be swollen, and she might be sensitive to touch. Some people believe that spaying their female dogs will eliminate negative behavioral issues. While this breed is friendly by nature, there are still some differences between how a male and a female Lab will interact when exposed to other animals. Males The male Lab will likely be competitive when it comes to their food and territory. Their interaction with cats and other types of animals is a different story. However, they might get too excited about playing and cause a ruckus or injure smaller animals. Females As mentioned earlier, the female Lab can have a hard time getting along with other female dogs. They are generally aggressive towards other female dogs due to their competitive nature, and because of this, they tend to take ownership of their food, their owners, and their territory against other females. Experts advise getting female dogs as puppies if you intend to have them live together. This way, they can grow up and be familiar with each other. While they are aggressive towards females, they can tolerate other animals like cats. This is due to their nurturing and protective instincts. With Children This is what most families want to know when they are getting ready to introduce a dog to their home. The good news is that Labrador Retrievers are great with children. But the same question remains, who gets along with children better? Males The male Lab is an ultimate attention seeker. They will love the attention given to them by children. However, parents still need to keep a close watch and be cautious when they start playing. Similar to what was said earlier, smaller children may get hurt when male Labs get too excited playing. This is the reason why female Labradors are preferred for families with small kids. Also, if you want your Lab to have stronger features, then you might want to get a male. But if you want your dog to have softer features, then you should choose the female. Labs do get along with most breeds but bear in mind that females tend to dislike female dogs if they did not grow up together. Lifestyle: Do you leave the house a lot? Do you have the time and patience to clean up her mess that will probably last two or more weeks? The male Lab is a lot less work regarding this particular subject. Children: Do you have children? How old are they? They tend to be more patient and tolerable towards toddlers. Meanwhile, the male Lab will see children as playmates. In order to avoid accidents while playing, male Labs should be paired with children much older and bigger so that they can handle them better. Some Fun Facts About the Labrador Retriever Regardless of their gender, Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular breeds known to most people worldwide. There are also some fun facts behind Labs that you might not be familiar with until now. Fishing Dogs: Labrador Retrievers were originally meant to be the perfect water dogs. Fishermen used them to pull ropes, recover fishes, and bring nets. Their webbed toes also make them speedy swimmers. Labs are fit and athletic dogs if exercised regularly. Perfect Partners: A Lab Retriever is the most commonly picked choice for guide dogs. Get All Three: If you want all colors from the Lab spectrum, the good news is that you can get all three from one litter. Male Labrador Retrievers will also get along well with older kids who can run and play with them. Meanwhile, if you want an independent but equally loving furry companion, then the female Lab would be a perfect choice. In fact, they might even prefer it. Regardless of their gender, the fact remains that Labrador Retrievers are the friendliest of dogs and having them in your home is a priceless experience you and your family ought to enjoy. Your decision will eventually boil down to the little differences they possess and whether one fits better with your lifestyle. And remember, when you give them love, they reciprocate that affection tenfold. So, whether you have chosen a male or a female Lab, show them all the love that they so rightfully deserve! My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. We recently acquired a yellow Lab that was found abandoned and given to us by some friends. She has been spayed and chipped. She seems more aggressive when it comes to strangers than our previous male Lab. She seems very protective. Is it because of her maternal instincts? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Male vs Female Dog? Which one is right for you? There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a new dog for you and your home. What size dog should you get? What breed? What gender? Is a male or a female dog better for you? There are almost no differences between male and female dogs of the same breed that have been neutered. In dogs that have not been neutered, gender differences are pretty much limited exclusively to sexual behavior. Male dogs of the breed tend to be slightly bigger than female dogs of the same breed. So, if you are hoping for a pooch at the smaller end of the breed spectrum, you may be better off with a girl. Gender is only one of several factors that influence the size of a dog. The best thing you can actually do is look at the size of the parents to predict the size of the pup. Features Because of hormonal differences, male dogs do tend to have rougher, more masculine features than their female counterparts. But if you are looking for a masculine looking version of your preferred dog breed, bear in mind that neutering puppies before maturity may also mean that they never develop these rougher features. Trainability Common wisdom suggests that female puppies mature faster than male puppies, and therefore, they have better attention spans and are easier to train. However, it seems highly likely that this is a human projection, projecting this characteristic that we see in human children onto dogs. Research conducted by Patricia McConnell by speaking to hundreds of dog trainers actually suggests that there is no difference. About half of all the trainers she spoke to suggested that male dogs were easier to train, and the other half female dogs. The one thing that they all agreed on was that it made little difference. Behavior Another study on genetics and the social behavior of dogs found that male dogs were six times more likely to bite than their female counterparts. But the conclusion of this study was not that male dogs were naturally more aggressive than female dogs, but rather that owners treat and train male and female dogs differently, resulting in different behavior. This is another example of human projection, this time causing a difference between male and female pups. What do you imagine is the effect of being called Butch versus being called Cupcake? Not on the dog itself, for whom their name is just a recognizable sound, but on how they are treated by their owners and families. If you are planning on breeding your dog, you need to know whether you want a male or a female. The sexual behavior of non-neutered dogs is also different. Female dogs generally only go into heat twice a year, and it is at this time that they will be searching around for a mate. She will secrete a liquid that is designed to attract a mate and this can also be a pain to clean up if they are indoor dogs, so that is something to consider. Taking them out for walks during this period can also be challenging, as they will attract significant attention from any non-neutered male dogs that are passing. Male dogs that have not been neutered are sexually active throughout the year. This means that they will be those dogs that are sniffing around female dogs out on the street during their heat cycle. They can also have a tendency to mount people and inanimate objects in order to satisfy their need to reproduce. Intact male dogs are also significantly more likely to indulge in marking activities, peeing on everything so that other dogs can scent their territory. Having to deal with the different sexual behaviors of male and female dogs that have not been neutered is certainly a consideration, but once a dog has been neutered, these behaviors pretty much disappear, again rendering the gender difference between dogs negligible. However, it is worth noting that female dogs tend to be a bit more expensive to neuter than male dogs. One of the few significant behavioral differences that has been noted between male and female dogs is that all dogs tend to get on better with dogs of the opposite gender. So, male dogs seem to get on better with female dogs and vice versa. This can be worth considering if you already have a dog at home. Difference Between Intact And Neutered Dogs Neutering is when the sexual organs of a dog are removed, preventing their ability to reproduce, and cutting off the hormones that can cause certain behaviors such as those listed above. In female dogs, the process is called an ovariohysterectomy and involves abdominal surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus. For male dogs, the process involves removing the testes. After being neutered, male dogs are less likely to hump people, other dogs, and inanimate objects, but if they have already picked up this behavior, it can continue. They are also less likely to urinate in order to mark their territory. Both males and females are less likely to display aggression towards other dogs after being neutered, as they do not have the same instinct to compete to reproduce. But training plays a more important role in limiting this behavior than neutering. Both genders also tend to be a little bit lazier and have less energy after they have been neutered, though this is not always the case. It is important that owners keep a closer eye on the diets of neutered dogs, as their appetites increase and they can have a tendency to develop weight problems. While our overall verdict is that gender is a fairly insignificant factor when it comes to choosing a new pup, when you are down to the line and need to choose between a girl and a boy pup, what are the most important things? Existing Family Dogs. One of the few behavioral differences that can be noted between male and female dogs is that both tend to get on better with the opposite gender. So, if you already have a dog at home, it is worth making sure your next pooch is of the opposite gender. Male dogs tend to have rougher features, and female dogs lighter features. If particular features of a breed appeal to you, this can be a factor. But if you choose a male dog, remember that neutering can also affect their look. Mating Behavior. In non-neutered dogs, female heat cycles can be on the messy side, and it may require keeping your femme fatale under house arrest for a few weeks to avoid her getting impregnated. It is a matter of choosing which of these behaviors you find most manageable. Other than this, you may have personal preferences. Perhaps if you are looking at a Maltese, you are keen on a female puppy that you can dress up in cute outfits and spend hours brushing their hair. If you have an eye on a Rottweiler, perhaps you have a male in mind, so that you can give them a spiky collar and call them Butch. They are human cultural constructs that we project onto our animals as we anthropomorphize them as a member of the family. This is down to training and treatment. As you might have thought mostly Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. In our experience we love both genders and have noticed individually every dog is different. For example Charlie ended up being one of the smallest from his litter and never lifted his leg to mark. The gender of a dog makes relatively little difference to their behavior and temperament. It is then how they are trained and treated that will determine their important personality traits. If you are planning on having your dog neutered, you can pretty much choose any puppy from the litter and it will make little difference. If you plan to keep your new pooch intact, just look out for the different sexual behaviors of female and male dogs. Save to Pinterest Male vs Female Dogs? Which one is better for you? Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. In a word, yes. Males tend to keep their playfulness for longer and will act like puppies. All those raging hormones can divert energy into undesirable behavior, such as humping other dogs, pets, your best cushions, plush toys, or your leg! His energy will be poured into playing and giving you unconditional love. Female dogs can act up during their heat cycle, but this is more likely to be displayed as aggression. Again, spaying is a common solution as it removes the natural urges and hormone-driven actions. For the sake of our exploration into male vs. Are Male Labs More Aggressive? There is a tendency to assume that male dogs are more aggressive, but there is no real foundation for this belief. When it comes to dog aggression, there are just too many variables to consider. First of all, there are different interpretations of what denotes aggression. A dog that growls at a stranger or another dog, especially when on a leash, may simply be trying to show dominance or protective behavior. Most Labs have a deep bark that acts as an effective deterrent, but few will actually attack unless in extreme circumstances. Some studies suggest that neutered males display less aggressive behavior than intact dogs. However, similar studies state that there is no real difference between the two! Females can be very moody and aggressive during their heat cycle and have been known to be very protective of their pups. One surprising fact is that female dogs are statistically more likely to inflict more damage in a fight with other female dogs! Confused yet? The key to identifying and dealing with dog aggression lies firstly in finding a good breeder. This is one of the reasons Labs are great for first-time dog owners and are widely regarded as one of the best family dogs you can get. They will respect this and should let you meet the puppy parents to see for yourself how friendly they are. Male Vs. Does this mean that they are less active? Well, probably not. Although these dogs are mostly kept as companions these days, they are descended from the working dog breeds of Newfoundland. As a working dog, the Labrador Retriever was used historically for hunting and tracking, which required a lot of stamina and energy. Some breeders still produce dogs that are geared towards these pastimes, with leaner, lighter, stronger animals. Even so, dogs bred for the show ring or as pets still have high energy levels that need an outlet, regardless of their sex. They need at least a couple of hours of exercise every day to keep them physically and mentally fit. Without this, they risk becoming obese and bored, which can lead to behavioral problems. Some Lab owners and dog experts suggest that neutered males become less energetic, but this is far from being a proven fact. You must commit to ensuring that they have adequate exercise each day. This is a difficult one, as they are both very affectionate! Pet owners who have kept Labs generally say that males are more affectionate, but the reality is that they show affection in different ways. Male Labs are more direct and will always be willing to shower you with kisses. Females tend to wait for you to show them affection. They will give you love but will expect something in return. Female Labs are affectionate, but they might show it in a different way. They are the less needy of the two and tend to be more independent. When it comes to trainability, female Labs are said to be better. Also, as is often seen in nature, females mature faster than males so they will learn quicker. Overall, the Labrador breed is very intelligent, often compared with the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd! Ranked as the seventh smartest dog in terms of obedience training and working intelligence, they really do stand out above many other breeds. So, in terms of smartness, males and females are equal. But for the sake of our male vs. Experts, including Labrador breeders, say that there are differences, but these are subtle. The main difference is in how they display affection. In general, male Labs tend to be more actively and openly affectionate, while females will often show a more independent streak. In the end, it comes down to the individual dog, as each one has its own distinct character. Generally speaking, females are smaller than males across all dog breeds. Female Labrador Overview Whether chocolate, black, or yellow, Labradors have a friendly and loving nature that makes them a popular choice for families. Is one better than the other? Is there any significant difference? The differences between a male and female Lab may be minor, but they could have a big influence on your decision. Find out what you should consider when choosing the sex of your Labrador. The breed originated in the UK and was developed from Canadian fishing dogs as a gundog, meaning that it was bred to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game. These medium-to-large dogs are gentle giants with a dense, hard coat that can be a deep black, rich chocolate, or vibrant yellow. One of the best features of the Lab is its eyes, however, which radiate calmness and intelligence. Labs tend to get along with all family members—human and animal alike—and enjoy energetic activities like swimming, fetch, and hunting. Of the few differences in the sexes, males are usually more playful and goofier, more attention-seeking, and more social with people and other pets. Some males may have a higher drive to please their owners. Males tend to be more protective of the family or the territory. Training Labs are easy to train compared to other breeds, but male Labs get distracted easily and may be harder to train than females. Males also need more maintenance and consistency in reinforcing training behaviors. Males may also experience perianal tumors and hernias in old age. Be sure to speak to your vet about the best time to neuter your Lab to reduce the risk of these conditions. At that time, the male may relentlessly seek a female for mating, which may include humping furniture, toys, and people. Intact males may also display sexually-based aggression or marking behaviors to establish and protect their territory. Also, be aware that both male and female dogs can undergo a significant change in temperament after being neutered or spayed. Male Labs The Positives: Fun-loving: Male dogs often see humans, and especially children, as playmates. Less Sensitive: Being less sensitive can sound like a negative, but it comes in handy when training, since you can usually correct them without getting their feelings hurt. Neutering: Interestingly, once a male dog is neutered, most or all of the negative characteristics disappear. Neutering a male is also less invasive and less costly than spaying a female. The Negatives: Wandering: Some male dogs are wanderers. This is more true of intact males, since their sense of smell leads them to seek out females in heat. Aggressive: Male Labs can be outgoing, assertive and demanding of attention in an unintentionally clumsy manner. This seems to be fine for most adult human companions, but could be seen as a negative around children, because a larger male dog can accidentally knock over small children. Thankfully, neutering can greatly reduce this habit. Female Labs The Positives: Gentle: Females often want to be in closer contact with their owner and seek his or her approval. Nurturing: Almost any dog can be a loving companion for a child. Nevertheless, some believe female dogs make a better choice for children because they may be more naturally nurturing and protective of young ones, even if they are from another species. They can also be better in agility and stronger in stamina, making them a great choice for a hunting dog in the upland field. We often find that women or especially gentle, patient men train female dogs more easily. Many owners prefer this, because they want a more compact dog that will fit into cars, offices, or smaller homes. Female Labs also tend to have narrower heads, smaller chests, and longer, slimmer noses. They also tend to be more hostile toward other females at any time, depending on their mood, but especially when they are protecting their pups or competing for food. Some female dogs can be more cranky than males for no apparent reason, but it is usually due to hormonal fluctuations. Touchy: Some females are more physically sensitive and environmentally aware than males. This is especially true of unspayed females during breeding, when they are not ready or willing to be with a mate. They have been known to bite and growl at any male dog that comes near them. Humans should beware during these times, as they can be the brunt of cranky growls and bared teeth. Females can also be very easily angered when they are caring for or guarding their pups. Growls and barks are not uncommon, and some have even been known to bite. Many female dogs cannot withstand loud noises or a raised voice. In some cases, too much of an angry voice in disciplining a female dog can damage her feelings long-term and make her far more difficult to train. When in need of correction, female dogs often require a soft, gentle voice. Impatient dog owners might be tempted to give up and quit training or they indulge their dog too much, giving in to her desires instead of maintaining the fact that they are the trainer and in charge. Consequently, when a female urinates on a lawn, it creates unsightly brown, burned-looking spots. Spaying: Spaying a female also tends to neutralize most negative behaviors, causing her to be less moody, cranky and touchy. It also seems to make her less aggressive which is usually only with other female dogs. However, spaying a female is more invasive and more costly than neutering a male. When it comes to buying a dog, Pete always says to choose the dog that best fits the type of trainer you are. That said, he has some male dogs that are more sensitive, so he has to lighten up with them and be a little more sympathetic. On the other hand, he trains some female dogs that are just as hard-charging and hard-headed as some males. So, that about sums it up. Male and female dogs are different in ways that can be strikingly similar to humans. Bear in mind that there can also be temperamental differences that have nothing to do with gender. One dog may be more independent and not enjoy being pet, where another dog will crumple and roll over on his belly the second you pet him. One dog may be very people-focused; another may be more excited about retrieving and hunting. One dog may be high in energy; another may be more calm and laid back. And feel free to ask us questions. Just like humans, our canine daughters tend to resemble their mothers in appearance; the sons tend to resemble their fathers. Marble Mountain Kennels.

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. The first few days of having your Golden Retriever puppy home are so important. And what you do before you bring them home will either make life a lot easier, or a lot harder for you. Here are seven steps you can take now to prepare for your new Golden Retriever puppy: Puppy-proof your home Puppies are baby animals with small bladders and needle-sharp teeth. And this means that unless you puppy-proof your home, they can cause a lot of damage with potty accidents and destructive chewing. Puppy proofing helps set your puppy up for success by making those unwanted behaviors much less likely. To puppy-proof your home, start by removing things that your puppy might be able to easily access such as shoes, books, medications, house plants, and power cords. Anything that your puppy could get to on the floors, on counters and on furniture is better off out of reach for now. Your pup could have some potty accidents on them, and young puppies often find rug corners and fringe very fun to chew. Consider putting up baby gates to keep your puppy out of spaces you prefer they not be in, as well as to block stairs. Toilet paper can be a puppy magnet, so make sure you keep those bathroom doors closed! Some good options are using play pens or snow fencing to block off landscaping or unmovable items that you want to keep safe from them. Puppy proofing can help keep your home and your puppy safe. Some vets are very experienced with Golden Retrievers, and it may be helpful to work with a vet who is well-versed in issues that can affect this breed. They can also tell you about which human foods you can avoid, but if you want to get a headstart on that, you can watch this video about which human foods are dangerous for Golden Retrievers. Before your puppy comes to you, they spend all day with their mother and littermates, so it would be a massive change for them to suddenly be home alone for long hours. If you work, you might want to take a week or so off from your job to help your puppy transition into their new home and routine. Perhaps you can adjust your schedule so you can visit your puppy at lunch, or maybe a friend is able to stop by to give your pup a break. As your puppy matures, they can usually handle being home alone for longer periods. But ensuring that your puppy has good care throughout the day can help prevent challenging issues like separation anxiety and potty training trouble. The most important thing to have ready is puppy food! Find out what kind of food your puppy is eating so you can have the same brand ready for them. An enzymatic cleaner is best, as it breaks down the odor, rather than masking it. A bed and crate are also very useful to have, so you can start working on crate training right away. You can see our favorite collars and leashes here. Of course your Golden Retriever pup will also need some toys and things to chew. Try to get a variety of shapes, textures, and flavors, so you always have something that will interest your pup. There are literally thousands of puppy products on the market, so feel free to have some fun with your shopping. Again, this will make the first day of having your puppy home so much easier. Want to potty train your puppy fast? Download the Potty Training Cheat Sheet here! Enroll your puppy in puppy school Early training is so important for puppies. It can help you prevent common behavior problems and establish good habits with your new pup. Golden Retrievers that receive early training are much more enjoyable to live with. Both group puppy classes and one-on-one training with a professional trainer are excellent options. A lot of puppy training is actually training you as the owner to understand how to communicate with your puppy, so look for training that involves you, rather than sending your puppy away for someone else to train. There are even some great virtual puppy training options, so no matter where you live or what kind of schedule you have, you can find something that works for you. If you want a week-by-week game plan for raising your puppy, get the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook here. Related articles:. Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. Golden Retriever puppies can be quite stealthy and adorably mischievous. You need to puppy proof your home to prevent unintentional mishaps and accidents. Puppies love to explore, and just like human toddlers, they will take anything in their mouth. Golden puppies early on are uncoordinated and find navigating stairs difficult — especially coming down. Best to close doors or use gates to prevent accidents. Supervising your puppy is the easiest and cheapest option. You can also keep your puppy confined to a playpen or crate when you cannot supervise him. Cats If you have a cat, you will need to prepare it for the new puppy. The cat should have someplace to escape when needed and its own area to be comfortable and secure. After the puppy and cat learn to get along hopefully , then you may be able to allow for more freedoms. Initially, however, give your cat a means to feel safe and getaway if needed. Many dogs will eat cat feces and cat litter. No dogs allowed! It pays to have a handyman brother. The cat appreciates it too. Some swallowed items have the potential for intestinal and choking issues. Be especially mindful of the laundry room and ensure clothes are in a hamper. Floor Food Puppies are like furry little Dyson vacuum cleaners, and if there is food on the floor, they will pick it up. Many items are toxic to dogs — onions, grapes, chocolate, garlic, macadamia nuts, to name but a few — do some research on the internet for a list of toxic foods and make sure your pup never has access to those. While not a food item, dental floss, if eaten, can also cause intestinal issues and may require surgery if it gets wrapped around or caught somewhere it should not. Kitchen Spilling boiling water or dropping knives while a puppy is underfoot may not only result in an injured puppy, but it may require a visit to the emergency room for you as well. Your puppy should not be allowed in the kitchen when you are preparing food. Put the puppy in a confined space playpen or crate while cooking or until you have trained your puppy to lay and wait in a safe spot. Cords Puppies like to chew. Electrical cords have electricity. Keep them away from each other. In addition to preventing an electric shock to your puppy, it may also save your house from burning down from a frayed electrical cord. Cords hanging from blinds can also be an issue. If your puppy gets entangled, he may not be able to free himself and could choke or become injured. Also, make sure that cords from blinds are well out of jumping reach for your pup. Golden Retrievers are quite resourceful and intelligent. Keep cabinets with chemicals and cleaning supplies latched or up high and out of the way. You can buy plastic baby proof latches that work well or use a very thick elastic band in a pinch to wrap around the handles to secure. Laundry detergent, especially pods, and fabric softener sheets should all be up and out of the way where the puppy cannot reach them. Be mindful of medications and supplements. Pain relievers and even certain supplements e. Toilets Toilet water can have toxic chemicals in them or other gross stuff. Toilet bowls can be a drowning hazard if your puppy falls in them. Keep the toilet lids closed to be safe. And gentlemen, any ladies in your home will be happier too. Backyard If your backyard is fenced, then look for holes or escape routes and plug those. If your backyard is not fenced, then consider enclosing your backyard to not only keep your pup in but other animals out. Secure or put away any chemicals such as fertilizer, insecticides, or pesticides. Many flowers, shrubs, and foliage can be harmful to your dog, so be aware and investigate potential risks again, the internet can be your friend here. Pick up poop to ensure your pup does not eat it yes, that can happen. Bailey investigating the frozen dirt in the garden boxes. Many of these items can be dealt with after you get your puppy. However, I have found that researching these items ahead of time will ensure you are well prepared and not rushing around after the fact. Ask other dog owners for recommendations and check to see if there are reviews online. Drop-in or book a short appointment with the vet candidates for a meet and greet to check out the facilities and ask some questions. Once you find a veterinarian that meets your needs, you can book your first appointment to have your puppy checked out and any remaining shots. Trust your gut. Health Costs Vet bills can be high. When you finally settle on a veterinarian, I suggest talking to your vet and researching different pet insurance coverage options and costs. If insurance is not affordable, ask your vet for an average amount of expenses to expect for your first year and beyond. Then allocate an amount each month to a designated savings account for ongoing and future pet bills. Then set aside that amount in case of emergencies. Microchipping Your dog will need tags, and you should consider microchipping your dog. If your puppy or dog ever gets lost or stolen, it makes identification much more straightforward. Ensure that your contact information is kept up to date, especially if moving or changing phone numbers. If you have concerns regarding microchipping, talk to your vet about any questions regarding safety and effectiveness. Obedience Classes It would be best if you availed yourself of a puppy class and basic training. It allows for socialization with other dogs and people and helps reinforce good basic obedience and manners. Check your area for classes and make sure the trainer only utilizes positive training methods. Science-based trainers avoid dominance-based techniques and rightfully so. However, they still prevail with many trainers, so be mindful of that. If there are no training classes in the area, you may need to look into online self-instruction. Some recommendations can be found on my site at Gold Bar Products and Gear. Due to the pandemic, our area has been in lockdown since getting our Golden puppy, so we had to avail ourselves of the best resources at our disposal. It fell upon us to ensure our Golden puppy learned his manners. If You Work When getting a new Golden puppy, a step that is often not considered is what to do if you have to work and leave your puppy alone. I cannot stress how important it is to think about this in the pre-planning stage. There is nothing worse than realizing that you now have a new 8-week old puppy at home, and you have not made preparations for someone to be available to watch your pup if you work all day. If you have the flexibility in your job, it is good to take some time off work. Leaving an 8-week old puppy alone the next day or so after bringing it home is not ideal. You and your puppy will need time to develop a bond and for the puppy to start trusting you. Your puppy is similar to a toddler, and it needs lots of attention and supervision. Your Golden puppy needs to adjust to its new home and environment. Owners should spend their first week getting the puppy used to being away from them and for potty training. Doing so will make going back to work a bit easier. Plus, this is a crucial time for bonding, and the more time you spend with your Golden puppy early on, the stronger that bond will be. If you cannot be at home, then have a family member or friend come in to take your Golden puppy out and to feed it if necessary. Or find a puppy daycare, sitter, or a dog walker. If you cover those three steps, then you and your Golden Retriever puppy will be off to a smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable start. January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! Food bowl There are endless options of food and water bowls. In addition, the bowl can prevent gagging, choking, vomiting, indigestion, bloat, GDV, and malabsorption. If you already have a dog bowl, you can simply add a slow feeder insert. Water bowl Ellie has an 8-cup YETI water bow l to keep her water cold for more extended periods and a 4-cup bowl for food. YETI allows you to customize each bowl with a name, initials, or image. Great as a gift! They help prevent your puppy from getting tangled up in the leash and provide better control. Make sure you check out their sizing guide for the appropriate fit. We added a crate pad for noise reduction and comfort. Crate training can be a lifesaver, and most dogs fall in love with having their own space. It is essential that the dog crate is never used as punishment — the crate must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat. Gates Puppies are curious creatures that often need boundaries. Use a gate to limit access to certain areas of your home and reduce unwanted chewing or house soiling. Introduce your dog to small sections of the house at a time. We prefer the walk-through gate for easy mobility through the house. Toys and Chews All dogs have slightly different preferences in toys, so I would start with various items to see what interests your puppy most. However, the last inch of a bully stick can be a choking hazard if swallowed. This safety device allows your pup to enjoy the benefits of long-term chews while reducing the risks of choking. I typically give it to her for 20 minutes, rinse it off, and store it in the refrigerator until the next day, which prevents bacteria growth. Note you probably want to keep it separate from your food. My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped! Read the full disclosure here. This comprehensive list covers all the essentials, plus some added extras. Food: Every dog needs food! See our puppy food guide for recommendations. Bowls: Your puppy is going to need something to eat that food from. Something to think about. Bedding: Your pup will need a comfortable bed to call their own. You can decide whether to choose a puppy-sized one or one that they can grown into. To avoid buying more than one crate, you can get one big enough to fit your adult golden and make it puppy-sized using dividers. Brushes: Get your puppy some brushes suitable for a longer-coated dog. The sooner you get pup used to being brushed, the easier it will be in the future. Toothbrush and toothpaste: These are daily essentials in your grooming routine. Be sure to choose a dog-specific toothpaste as the human stuff can be dangerous to canines. Treats: Essential for training. Pick high-value treats for when you really want to motivate your pup. Chew toys are essential to help direct chewing away from your belongings. Tug toys, balls to play fetch and treat-dispensing toys are also nice to have. Travel harness or dog guard: To keep your dog safe in the car. These are the main things you need to think about when puppy proofing your home. Put them up high or away in their proper place. Not only will it leave you out of pocket if your pup chews something expensive, many such items are also choking hazards. Be careful of plants: Make sure you remove any plants that are poisonous to dogs , both in your house and your garden. Common offenders include foxglove, wisteria and yew. Secure medicines and cleaning products: Both medicines and cleaning products can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Hide electrical cords: If a puppy sinks their teeth into an electrical cord, it can prove fatal. Try not to have electrical cords running across the room or out in the open where your puppy can get to them. If needs be, you can get cord concealers, cord wraps or even pvc pipes to secure them. Planning Appropriate Puppy Socialization Socialization, with both humans and other dogs plus other animals, if your new puppy is going to be around them , is one of the most important things to think about with your new puppy. A well-socialized puppy should turn into an adult dog who interacts well with all dogs and people, which makes your life so much easier as a dog-owner. It might sound a bit over the top, but it will stop your pup from getting confused or overstimulated and it sets some ground rules for the humans involved, too. Pick out regular meal times for your puppy and try to stick to them as closely as possible. Also take your puppy out into the garden on a schedule, as this will really help with toilet training. You can also schedule in training sessions, play sessions and, when your puppy is old enough, their daily walks. Learning How To Train Your Puppy You might think that training your new dog will be intuitive when you get them home, but dog training is a skill you learn, not one you just pick up as you go along. Once your puppy is old enough, group puppy training classes are an excellent idea. Not only will you learn more about training your pup, your dog will also get to socialize with other young canines. The ideal option is to have the puppy in the back seat in a car harness and have a passenger sit next to them, who can hold, pet and comfort them on the journey home. Some people forgo the harness altogether and have a passenger simply hold the puppy, wrapped in a blanket or towel. However, before you even get your puppy into the car, you should try to get them to relieve themself first , to avoid any toilet-based accidents on the journey home. Once you get your precious pup home, all that effort and preparation will have been worth it to give your new four-legged friend the best start in life. You May Also Like.

A post shared by badgalriri badgalriri Throwing fans a bone: 'Update: me listening to R9 by myself and refusing to release it, ' the singer wrote in the caption of a video that featured House Of Pain's Jump Around Just last month, Rihanna got some of her fans in a frenzy when she may have hinted at the name of her upcoming record in an Instagram post. In an interview with T magazine , the Fenty Beauty founder revealed she didn't have title just yet, before joking that she was considering calling it K9. Cheeky: The singer had gotten some fans in a frenzy when they thought she hinted that her new album would be called Balance in a post in November Also in November, the Barbados-born star responded on Instagram to her stylist and Fenty's junior creative director Jahleel Weaver, who asked, 'Where's the album heaux?!!! Rihanna's last album Anti came out in and went double-platinum Read more: Share or comment on this article: Rihanna teases fans awaiting her ninth studio album with video of puppy dancing to Jump Around. Papyrus when called from the Piano Puzzle room. The Annoying Dog appears after completing the Piano Puzzle. Playing the right notes opens a secret door to the Artifact Room. Once the protagonist enters the room, the Annoying Dog appears in their inventory. While trying to grab the artifact with the Annoying Dog in the inventory , a message appears saying "You're carrying too many dogs. Shortly after, the Annoying Dog runs out through the walls out of the frame. Dog Residue is then left in the inventory. Calling Toriel 's phone when the Annoying Dog is in the inventory results in Toriel's phone ringing in the protagonist's inventory. It is impossible to put the Annoying Dog into a box, as trying to use a Dimensional Box through the cell phone displays the text "The box is aclog with the hair of a dog. Though normally the dog can only be in the inventory in the Artifact Room and Piano Room, editing file0 allows the protagonist to have it in their inventory. If added to the inventory through file manipulation, the protagonist can sell the Annoying Dog at the Tem Shop for G and, if the Temmie Shopkeeper denies the sale, she negotiates the prices of G. After negotiation, the Annoying Dog is the most valuable item in the game. Nothing happens if the protagonist uses or drops the Annoying Dog outside of the Artifact Room. When it speaks, its text moves in place with a wave effect. After its dialogue, the game restarts. It does not appear if the Genocide Route had previously been completed. Minor Encounters[ ] In fights with most of the Snowdin Canine Unit , the Annoying Dog may appear during the enemy's turn to represent the monsters themselves. Doggo however, does not use the Annoying Dog in battle. The Annoying Dog appears in the Joystick Config with an object atop its head related to the season except Summer , along with the Uwa!! When the protagonist slides past a thick row of trees after the last puzzle before Snowdin, a snow sculpture appears on their head. This sculpture sometimes resembles the Annoying Dog. The Annoying Dog sitting in the top right on Gyftrot. Gyftrot is sometimes decorated with an Annoying Dog. The protagonist sees The Annoying Dog's silhouette on the radar that shows up during the date with Papyrus. A framed picture in the Tem Shop portrays the Annoying Dog. The Annoying Dog hides in the bone drawer in Undyne's House. The protagonist can occasionally see the Dog's face on the front of the River Person 's boat. Calling Papyrus near the L2 Elevator in Hotland causes him to mention a certain dog stealing his lasagna. When the protagonist is at Mettaton 's colored-tile puzzle, repeatedly triggering the piranhas makes the dog appear in the water for a short moment. Putting a Hot Cat in front of the door causes the dog to growl at it and does not accept it. Calling Papyrus in this area also causes the Annoying Dog to bark behind the door, provoking a surprised reaction from Papyrus upon calling him again. If the protagonist kills all the major bosses Toriel, Papyrus, Undyne , and Mettaton during a Neutral Route and has killed nobody else, during his phone call, Sans tells them that a small, white dog became the president of the Underground and that this seems to be the best life for everyone. The protagonist can see the Dog in the trash tornado in Sans's room on rare occasions. The dog at the dump during Alphys's date The protagonist can see the Annoying Dog on the left side of the Garbage Dump during Alphys 's date. Gallery[ Artwork from Undertale's 5th anniversary. In the game files, some sprites of the Annoying Dog contain the word "tobydog. This is likely why Toriel does not pick up the phone until the epilogue. If Papyrus is called in the Artifact Room, he notes there is something annoying about the room but cannot identify what, referring to the Annoying Dog. Through save file manipulation, it is possible to deploy multiple Annoying Dogs in the Artifact Room. Even if the artifact is not present, they approach the podium and the message saying that they absorbed the artifact displays. It is most likely this dog was actually the Annoying Dog. While his breed hasn't been confirmed yet, the Annoying Dog strongly resembles a Samoyed , with pointed ears, white fur, and a perpetual 'smile. Originally, if the player beat the game fast enough, the Annoying Dog wearing a bikini would appear at the ending screen. However, it didn't make it into the final game. In the end credits, a top hat-wearing and heavily stylized Annoying Dog jumps around a trash can who in it can be seen an illustrated Bani-Chan and a flower most likely representing Itoki Hana and then falls over, smiling and wagging its tail. You hear a distant voice. Stop, please! I pet it for like an hour!!