german shepherd puppy diet

german shepherd puppy diet

Over the years, I have fallen in love with english bulldogs as many have. A lot of knowledge, time, and expense has gone into raising each and every one of our English bulldog litters. You hear the term "hand raised" a lot, what that means here at Arrowhead Bulldogs is all of our bulldogs are literally hand raised in our home with our family and children. We work together as a family every step of the way in raising our bully babies. What does this do? As a result, they are extremely well-socialized with children, adults, and other bulldogs and helps insure a smooth transition into your home for your family to love. All puppies are AKC registered and come with a one year health guarantee, several vet checks, worming, and a new puppy starter kit to give you, the owner a great start! Arrowhead Bulldogs are some of the most healthy and friendly bulldogs you will find. Our rare color E. Bs are blue, black, chocolate, and lilac bulldogs truly are "show stoppers"! The colors really stand out in a crowd. It is hard to walk down the street without getting stopped by curious people admiring these unique colored bulldogs. Regardless of color, our number one priority is the health of the bulldog, to do what we can to continue keeping health bulldogs around for generation. Once you have an English Bulldog, you will never want anything else! You could say, they are addict-a-bull ;. We use years of experience and love of the breed to produce healthy, well socialized puppies and a lifetime of support for all of our new bulldog owners! Don't hesitate to get in touch with us and ask any questions! Thank you for taking the time to read this and we hope we get to work with you soon and help you bring your own bully baby home! AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Dan Smith. Over the years, I have fallen in love with english bulldogs as many have. A lot of knowledge, time, and expense has gone into raising each and every one of our English bulldog litters. You hear the term "hand raised" a lot, what that means here at Arrowhead Bulldogs is all of our bulldogs are literally hand raised in our home with our family and children. We work together as a family every step of the way in raising our bully babies. What does this do? As a result, they are extremely well-socialized with children, adults, and other bulldogs and helps insure a smooth transition into your home for your family to love. All puppies are AKC registered and come with a one year health guarantee, several vet checks, worming, and a new puppy starter kit to give you, the owner a great start! Arrowhead Bulldogs are some of the most healthy and friendly bulldogs you will find. Our rare color E. Bs are blue, black, chocolate, and lilac bulldogs truly are "show stoppers"! The colors really stand out in a crowd. It is hard to walk down the street without getting stopped by curious people admiring these unique colored bulldogs. Regardless of color, our number one priority is the health of the bulldog, to do what we can to continue keeping health bulldogs around for generation. Once you have an English Bulldog, you will never want anything else! You could say, they are addict-a-bull ;. We use years of experience and love of the breed to produce healthy, well socialized puppies and a lifetime of support for all of our new bulldog owners! Don't hesitate to get in touch with us and ask any questions! Thank you for taking the time to read this and we hope we get to work with you soon and help you bring your own bully baby home! AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Dan Smith. Over Bulldogs strong with our family Owners!!! From last year Reunion. The grandparents and parents have great bloodlines, and our Dams can be free whelpers. All of our puppies are social, hand raised with friendship, and are a part of our family. They have very lovable temperaments, are very laid back, and are great with people of all ages from small children to adults. We do not breed closely related bloodlines. This is best for pets, breeding health and quality. We have over satisfied customers. We offer a full and limited registration on all of our puppies ensuring that they are breeding quality with a health check from our Vet. All of our pups come to you with a 7 DAY look over to your Vet. Go home with total information package shots and pictures of parents. We like to stay in contact with all of our Bull Dog children. If you want one of our Gorgeous puppies, we want you to come visit us and get to know us first. We can take your information on a waiting list. Our Females are breed Once year about total of 4 times. Then female Spayed at last litter and some Rehomed. Used here and other people use our Studs too. Our rare color groups. Our dogs range in size from pounds. We also have true Mini English Bulldogs which weight 50 pounds and under. Our French Bulldogs are small parents both 26lbs and stocky. To learn more about us, click on the links pages of this website. You may also contact us by phone at , or E-mail at: skelliott7 embarqmail. However, with Cheappuppiesforsale. Our user-friendly website allows you to filter your search based on location, price, and other preferences, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. When it comes to purchasing a puppy, we understand that cost is a significant factor for many individuals. We work closely with a network of trustworthy breeders who prioritize the well-being and health of their puppies. Rest assured, our breeders comply with ethical breeding practices and provide a nurturing environment for their dogs. Understanding the origins and characteristics of this beloved breed can provide valuable insights for prospective English Bulldog owners. Originating in England, the English Bulldog has a lineage that traces back to the ancient Mastiffs. Bulldogs were originally bred for bull-baiting, a popular sport during the 13th century. Temperament of english bulldogs Despite their intimidating appearance, English Bulldogs have evolved into gentle and affectionate companions. They are known for their patience, loyalty, and love for their families. The temperament of English Bulldogs is characterized by their calm and easygoing nature. They tend to be docile and get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Bulldogs have a reputation for being dependable, protective, and fiercely loyal to their loved ones. While Bulldogs are generally laid-back, they also have a stubborn streak. This means that consistent and patient training is necessary to establish good behavior and ensure About Ranger Well, hello there! I can assure you that I am the one you have been looking for. How do I know? My coat is shiny and soft, and I have been told that my face is too cute for words. I am also fun if I do say so myself. I have been known to catch a ball or two, long walks tickle my fancy, and fetch is just about my favorite pastime. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Scroll down to see pictures of our available English Bulldog Puppies located in Ohio. Reading our " Health Guarantee " page is a requirement before purchasing a puppy. Don't forget to read our "Puppy Check List" at the bottom of the page before your new puppy comes home! Thank you. Plus sales tax and to a pet home. She is a tri merle.Plus sales tax and to a pet home She's gorgeous. This boy is a beautiful chocolate tri! What a cutie! He's the runt! Plus sales tax and to a pet-home She is Precious! He is a beautiful tri merle! She is a beautiful lilac tri english bulldog puppy! This cute girl is 8 weeks old.He is a beautiful english bulldog puppy. They help lower blood pressure, lessen anxiety, and also boost immunity. She's very sweet! Deposits are non-refundable for any reason at all whatsoever. Just as we do not do cash refunds at all Please read our guarantee before placing a deposit. When you have made a selection, or have additional questions, simply email Melissa at minibulldogs yahoo. Thank you! This is so you can train your puppy to have a place indoors to go as taking your new puppy out in bad weather cold, wet is dangerous to your sweet baby's health. Before puppy comes home you will need to find a reputable veterinarian, knowledgeable about English Bulldogs. Please note, if you order on "auto shipment" you will get a discounted price! My favorite products are the "porky puffs" and "kiwi and mango, fresh bath mist". After Puppy Arrives This is the time to measure for a collar, and pick up a collar and leash for your bully, start using it now so he, or she, gets used to it. Always have fresh water available for your puppy, even when crated! Make sure not to leave puppy in the crate for too long, and make sure you get the largest crate available! Make your vet appointment within 3 working days of your new baby's arrival! Make sure you take the shot record with you to the vet! Have your puppy wormed at your initial visit, and one more time two weeks later. Do not take your puppy around other dogs, until the vaccinations are completed at 15 weeks. By this time, you will need to increase to the 13 lb. Life's abundance dog food, as your puppy is now eating much more. Bulldogs can over-heat in the summertime, so we recommend getting a kiddie pool, the turtle sandbox works great! If your bully ever is out playing and shows signs of labored breathing called roaring you will need to get cool water and a fan blowing on him immediately, even getting him under a garden hose, or in the bathtub immediately, this can be a life or death situation. We are always available if you have any questions after you purchase your puppy!! Call or email us anytime! Happy Customers.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Black Labrador Puppies Black is beautiful, and black Labrador puppies are magnificent, and are the number one request we receive regarding puppy inquiries. Of the officially recognized three colors for Labradors by the A. In our breeding program, we breed for all three colors. History of Black Labradors Black Labradors have an amazing history dating back centuries. They were bred from the water dogs that are now extinct. Initially, Labradors were hunting or fishing dogs and shooting companions. Up until the year , many believed that all Labradors were black. It wasn't until the mid-century that breeders ventured out and bred for chocolate and yellow Labradors as well. Even now, many people both in the U. The Best Qualities of Black Labradors Buying black Labrador puppies is most preferred by customers but not without reason. They have an amazing history of being bred for centuries as the most favorable human companions! The black Labrador puppies are magical to watch as their striking black color exemplifies the shine of the thick double coat They have an unrivaled temperament known for their devotion and reliability to their owners Categorized as sport dogs by A. Available by phone:. As my website states, I am not like other breeders in many ways. First, I want to explain how the average Labrador breeder raises their pups the first few weeks of their life. They expect these tiny pups without their senses fully developed to find their way to a nipple without being smothered. I understand that this is what dogs do in the wild, but this is also why many puppies die in the wild. .Then, on top of that they hope that each of the pups will get enough milk on it's own to make it through the 1st week of life. They expect the Lab mom to do all the work, so they don't have to lose a wink of sleep. This is all very sad to say but it's true. I, on the other hand, care about each individual pup's life, I care that each and every one of them survive so that they can live a full and happy life. So, I make sure that each individual pup is given outstanding care. How do I do this? I began with hand raising each one of my pups the first 3 weeks of its life. What do I mean by hand raise my pup? It means I personally make sure each individual pup is fed every 2 hours- 24 hours a day, the first 2 weeks of its life. At feeding time, I make sure each puppy gets on a nipple so they don't have to struggle to find one. I make sure that each puppy gets an adequate amount of milk. Then, once I see that they have been well fed. I pick up one pup at a time and have the mom lick it to go potty. And then I put them in their little crib to ensure they are safe and not smooth by the mother until the next feeding 2 hours later. At three weeks, we feed the pups every 4 hours. But at this point, even though the pups eyes and ears are open. I still supervise the feeding to ensure that each pup is adequately fed and again not smothered by it's mother. I believe in giving these pups outstanding care. Even if that means that I lose a lot of sleep, and even if it ends up just saving one pups life. That one pup could be the next Labrador that I get a testimony about how it brought so much joy into one person's life! So, in the end, all the work and lack of sleep is worth it. I am up now about to give my pups their 3 am feeding. Hope this helps you all understand what is put into each litter. She is from our breeding between Cash and Bella, both parents are health certified. Sugar is overnight crate trained and has some other training. She has the sweetest disposition; we absolutely love her! However, we have had a family emergency that has come up that may cause us to have to put Sugar up for sale. If you would be interested in Sugar, please email us and let us know about yourself, and the lifestyle that you would be able to give Sugar. We will be reviewing potential families who would be interested in Sugar and pick the best family for her, and make a decision later this month. They are given constant positive attention their whole time with us. We have a big game room that we call the "Labby Room" This room is designated for our labs and their lab puppies. The puppies get a lot of interaction with all our kids in this room. They also become well adjusted to all the sounds of the home life, like the sound of a vacuum. When the pups are born, I will contact you and inform you on how many pups were born. We will post up pictures of each litter soon after they are born. And try to post weekly picture updates so you can watch the puppies grow. We will also post video on our face book page. When the pups are 6 to 7 weeks of age, I will contact you to set up an appointment for you choose and pick up your pup at 8 weeks of age. If you had first deposit in for a male pup you will have first choice of all the males available. If you have second deposit in, you will have the next appointment to choose from the males that are left and so forth. This order of reserving pups would also apply to the females as well. We honor all reservations on a puppy by not selling the puppy to anyone else. So if you are interested in a litter and don't want to make a reservation until "you see the litter". An appointment can be made to view the left-over puppies when they are 10 weeks old, and no sooner. No appointments will be allowed at a younger age, except for the families that made a prior reservation. We will not allow our baby puppies to be exposed to potential life threatening viruses from people that are just "shopping". We wait until all puppies that have been reserved are safely home, before we show any left-over puppies. Any left-over pups will be at least 10 weeks of age before any viewings are allowed, to insure they have at least had 2 sets of shots in. The only other accommodation that we can offer is a zoom call, so you can see the pups before you make a reservation. Most of our sweet puppies are sold before they are even born. Reserve your puppy today!

Rosco Workman; Photo courtesy of owner: Janean Workman A touch of funny before we get into a serious topic.While there are few dogs that enjoy being by themselves for long periods of time, when a Boxer has separation anxiety, this goes way beyond simply missing his owner. This can be a serious condition that causes both mental stress and is physically wearing on the body. We know how hard it is to leave the house when you know how rough your Boxer is going to have it. While there will always be times that you have to leave your Boxer home alone and there'll never be times that your dog will be happy to see you leave, there are definitely some things that you can do to make the situation better and to ease your dog's stress level. Signs and symptoms that Boxers Display when Having Separation Anxiety Signs of separation anxiety can begin long before an owner even leaves the house; as soon as a Boxer hears the car keys jingle or even sees that an owner is preparing to leave, his nerves can begin to get rattled. Many of the signs will begin after the owner leaves, and is not there to see it however it can often be heard from outside of the house… or neighbors may relay the disturbance. The most common signs include: Excessive barking - This can often be super intense. A dog may bark until he wears himself out; he'll rest and then start up again. Whether a puppy or adult, a Boxer can literally bark for hours until he is hoarse. Panic - The thing about separation anxiety is that the stress that a dog feels builds and builds as the time ticks by. While a dog may have slight anxiety at first, as the day goes by he can get worked up into a frenzy. This can make a Boxer literally bounce off the walls. A dog may repeatedly bash his body into walls, claw at the gates and try to escape his confines. Destructive chewing - This sort of behavior has nothing to do with chewing due to boredom; this will be uncontrolled chewing of anything that the dog can mouth. Items are often ripped apart and nothing is off limits; essentially anything that is within reach may be chomped to pieces. Urination and defecating - Despite the level of house training that a dog has, when overwhelming feelings of panic and stress develop when home alone, the Boxer may urinate and defecate with seemingly no control. In addition to this, it can go a step further where the dog then eats his feces Coprophagia which has several causes, but separation anxiety is one of them. Lasting depression - When a Boxer is totally worn out by a full day of anxiety, it have lasting effects. Some owners think that maybe their dog is mad at them for leaving them alone.A Boxer may not want to eat, exercise or play. He may have trouble relaxing and even sleeping. What Causes Separation Anxiety with Boxers This happens to both genders at the same rate and is not related to how a puppy or dog is treated when with his owners; i. The age that a Boxer develops separation anxiety is broad reaching; it can begin at any age at all even if the environment or duration of time left alone is unchanged. In some cases, a Boxer puppy will do just fine but then grow into this. The reason for this is typically because a puppy lives in the moment and his mind often jumps from one thought to the next; cognitive recognition is not fully developed when at a young age. As he matures, he becomes much more aware of time and is better able to realize when he is by himself. Older senior dogs can develop separation anxiety as well. This is often due to health issues that cause the Boxer to feel vulnerable and is coupled by the fact that an older dog often depends more on his owners for care than his younger counterparts. Another factor is that vision and hearing loss, which is common with senior dogs, can make a Boxer feel antsy; being alone only amplifies those feelings. Continued below How to Help a Boxer with Separation Anxiety There are several things that you can do to make a Boxer puppy or dog cope better when left home alone. Doing just one of these elements will not often make much of a difference, however when most or all of these are implemented, improvement can be seen within just days. This is really crucial. If the area that a Boxer is kept in is too small, this can make a Boxer feel confined and this is already a breed that is prone to claustrophobia. However if the area is too large, this is counterproductive as well. When a dog is left alone to roam a large empty house, he often does much worse than when placed in a smaller, safe area that has all his belongings and needs in one space. Young Boxer puppies do well in canine portable indoor playpens. Most adult Boxers do well if they are placed in a gated off room such as the kitchen; however do be sure to 'puppy-proof' the room no matter the age of the Boxer. All cabinets must have child-proof locks, trash must be secured, etc. Do keep in mind that Boxers do best with natural light coming into the room and when in an area that is very familiar; using a basement or other area that is dark or that the dog is not typically in will make things much worse. As stated above, dogs do best when they are in a room that is well-lit by natural sunlight as this can combat feelings of isolation when home alone, however it is always helpful to leave on a lamp or overhead light as well. Even if you normally return home well before the sun sets, if it happens to rain or even if a storm is close by and the sky becomes cloudy, this can make a house very dark. Dogs that have separation anxiety are often sensitive to light changes; each will have a tipping point…. This is another great tip that can really help dogs with separation anxiety. While you won't be able to trick a Boxer into thinking that he's not alone, hearing pleasant music or voices can have a calming effect. Be careful about which station or channel you choose to make sure that it has appropriate programming all throughout the day; what may be a nice talk show in the morning could turn into a screaming match on Jerry Springer by the afternoon and dogs can relax or tense up simply by the vibe of the noises that they are hearing. Some owners skip this one because their Boxer normally does not show any interest. However, once that same dog is home alone, he will focus on what's around him and a good sized Kong filled with kibble and peanut butter can keep a lonely dog occupied for quite a while. To encourage the use of treat-release toys any meal that would be left out in a bowl for consumption can be replaced with the same amount stuffed into these types of toys. Some dogs do best when able to look at the outside world; it can draw their attention to something new and can offer a feeling that they are not as confined as they really are. However, for others, this may be a situation where every single thing that passes by is a trigger for barking. If your Boxer doesn't do well with windows, you may want to close the shades and curtains. If he does do better with a view, having his area near windows or even sliders can help quite a bit. What do all living creatures have in common? A heartbeat. Just hearing this can offer comfort to a dog that is by himself. And you don't have to bring in another dog to offer this. There are toys that are essentially large stuffed animals that emit a soothing heartbeat. Many young puppies will take comfort and look at this as a protector; adults and seniors may 'mother' the toy regardless of gender. Don't be surprised if this becomes your Boxer's new best friend. Some dogs do just fine during the first few hours, but as the day wears on, the stress builds until it becomes unbearable. Any unpleasant situation seems worse as the time ticks by… and when a dog has separation anxiety, even a tiny break can give him a 'reset' button. If you can't break away and go home for lunch, you may need to reach out for some help. Some options are to have a friend, family member, neighbor or even a hired dog walker offer a 30 minute break about halfway through the day. During this time, your Boxer can be taken outside for bathroom needs and then be exercised which allows a healthy release of pent-up energy. While your Boxer probably has a zillion toys already, do take note of how many he actually plays with and if enough of them are the right type for when he's home alone. Toys to help with separation anxiety must do 1 or all of these 3 things: Draw in his focus, offer textures and durability that will satisfy chewing urges or be interactive. There are 3 types of training that should be done: 1- Train your Boxer to not pick up on cues that you're leaving. Canines are remarkably smart. Just about anything that is part of your morning routine before leaving for work is a trigger that can make a Boxer start to feel stressed. This can include making your morning coffee, looking for your keys, putting on your coat, reading the paper while eating breakfast, etc. Most dogs quickly figure out that when these things happen, they are in for a long day alone. This can be reversed. When you are home, at random times you'll want to grab your keys or do any other task that is normally done in the morning… but then either do not leave or leave for a very short amount of time. When you do leave for these 'practice' runs, vary the amount of time that you're gone… 10 minutes one day, 20 the next. When you leave, do this in a very casual way. Far too many owners anticipate a Boxer's anxiety and try to soothe the dog before leaving with all sorts of attention and petting. It's best leave in a calm, matter-of-fact way. Coming home should be a calm event as well. Many owners will rush over to their Boxer and this can cause a burst of confused emotion and well as confirm that the dog was correct in being upset that the owner was away. It's best to enter and take a few minutes to check the mail or get a drink and then approach and release the Boxer. The only exception, of course, would be in the puppy or dog had an urgent bathroom need. Finally, don't place your Boxer in his spot right before leaving; this is particularly applicable for Boxer puppies that are placed in playpens. It's better to have him there a good 20 minutes before you actually go so that he does not develop negative association with the area. When you are home, have the pup spend some time there so that he sees that it does not always mean that you will be gone. Ideally, you'll want to allow for at least 30 minute each morning to walk your Boxer , allow for bathroom needs and have quality interaction before leaving. This is easier said than done and most people rush around to get ready for work; however if you can wake up a bit earlier this can go a long way. Should You Get Another Dog? In most cases, when a Boxer has another dog with him, this does eliminate the issue of separation anxiety. We would never advise someone to take on the huge responsibility of having more than one Boxer for this reason alone. Supplements and Medications There are some canine calming supplements that have been shown to work to some degree. These will do very little on their own if other methods are not implemented. Calming collars with lavender have been found to be of some help, when used in conjunction with toys and other aides. In some cases of very severe separation anxiety in which nothing helps and the dog is suffering overwhelming stress, it may necessitate medication. Benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants may help a Boxer that does not respond to the changes and methods listed above. Things to do now.Become a Member - Receive reminders when we add new pages of information to the site and you can suggest something for us to write about. His guardian set up a dog behavior training session to address his possible separation anxiety and the triggers that get him worked up when his guardian prepares to leave the house. Boxers usually have big personalities and a get in your face way of greeting you so I was caught a little off guard when Ryker kept his distance and remained so far away to start the session. After suggesting some changes that will help Ryker feel more confident in the leadership of his guardian, I was ready to address his fear of the kennel with some basic kennel training. Many people fail to even consider that they may need to help their dog practice being inside the kennel. But its a confined space and for some dogs, the kennel becomes associated with the human leaving as that is the only time the dog is asked to go into the kennel. By practicing having Ryker in the kennel for progressively longer periods of time while she is home and the door is open, his guardian can help him learn the crate is a safe place to relax in. I want a dog to think of the kennel as their own room. A location they seek out when overwhelmed or need to get away. This kind of positive dog training goes a long way when crate training a dog. Any good dog behaviorist will tell you this is pretty much a panic attack for dogs. In many cases, this starts long before the human actually puts the dog into the kennel or leaves the home. We call these triggers and identifying them is an important element to identify when treating a dog who suffers from Separation Anxiety. I handed my camera over to his guardian so I could go over an exercise to help her learn how to desensitize Ryker to these triggers. You can watch this dog training exercise in the video below. Desensitizing a dog is a very effective way to help it using positive dog training, however it requires a lot of repetition. Ideally in short minute practice sessions between naps the dog takes. Once Ryker has these down, his guardian can put him into a stay and go get a drink of water, use the bathroom, etc. As Ryker develops his stay skill-set, his guardian can use it to help him practice being alone in another room, while she is still in the house. You can check it out and get some free dog training tips by watching the video below. Share this:. Gift ideas for your Boxer! By Boxer Blvd. Want a surprise gift for your favorite canine companion? Look no further! Here are some gift ideas for your furry friend. A Smart Bone Toy produced by Wickedbone is a cool toy that works like arobot dog toy. It can hop and jump away from your Boxer. The first notable Boxer pup was inMunich in .The breeders came up with a guide for future breedingand took the Boxer puppy to a local dog show… The post The origins of the Boxer Breed first appeared on Boxer Blvd. .Common Boxer breed health problems to watch out for! Knowing the symptoms and earlydetection are the best forms of defense to giving your Boxer a long andhealthy life. One of the most important health conditions as… The post Common Boxer breed health problems to watch out for! Over the course of a year, this can be raised —start at smaller increments of thirty minutes. Boxer puppies should notexceed one exercise per day and not more than twenty minutes in theirfirst year. Well, there actually can be quite a few issues that can occur while babies and dogs interact. When bringing home a newborn to meet your dog, there are lots of precautions that you can and should take. Dogs teeth are obviously an especially important part of their body, and while dogs might have tough mouths, even they can get toothaches and cavities. Part Two By Boxer Blvd. Part Two first appeared on Boxer Blvd. .Part One By Boxer Blvd. Part 1 Yes, all dogs are subject to the possibility of suffering from depression, and Boxers are no exception. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recognizes this reality and its symptoms are very similar those experienced by their human counterparts. Part One first appeared on Boxer Blvd. .In fact, according to the American Kennel Club statistics, it is the seventh most popular breed in the United States, a spot it has held for four years. Or you already have one, and you would like to know more about his or her behavior? Separation anxiety is probably the hardest condition to overcome once developed. Hire a dog sitter or ask friends and family At the end of the day, the only true way to keep your Boxer from experiencing any of the dreaded health issues from being left alone… is to not be left alone! This will break up the time he spends alone and will prevent him from stressing out. Dog sitting is really growing in popularity and a simple Google search will probably bring up many results for your local area. Most dog sitting services will have reviews of each dog sitter and will be fully vetted. Boxers are one of the most highly energetic breeds there is. They need a minimum of 2 hours of exercise per day and without it, will likely be destructive, bored, under-stimulated, or disobedient. Exercise will leave him feeling calm, tired, and anxiety-free… exactly the state that you should leave him in before taking off to work. Exercise is a powerful preventative measure and antidote to stress and anxiety in energetic dogs. Create a dedicated space for your Boxer Creating a dedicated space for your Boxer is an easy way to help him feel safe, secure, and comfortable when left alone. This space should be as far away from external noise as possible. Outside noises, building works, cars driving past and people walking by will keep your Boxer on high alert and prevent him from relaxing. The dedicated space can include his crate, water, comfort blanket, and interactive toys. If your Boxer has an issue with ripping up his toys then you should choose an appropriate toy. A good tip to get your Boxer accustomed to a certain space is to play with him often in that spot only. Leave the radio on, TV or play a recording of your voice Keeping background noise like the TV or radio will help to drown out external noises such as people, cars, and other animals. It will help to turn the radio or TV on well before you leave the house, that way your Boxer will get used to the sound while you are in. If you have the equipment to record your own voice and play it back on a loop. Record yourself having a random conversation to yourself and play it back on a loop when you leave the house. As silly as it may sound, this will eventually lead your Boxer to believe you are still in the house, even though you are out. Provide interactive toys Interactive toys or otherwise known as puzzle toys, are awesome at keeping dogs entertained and mentally stimulated for prolonged periods of time. The small adjustable door allows you to make it easy or hard for the treats to fall out. Interactive toys also provide valuable mental stimulation which plays a key part in preventing boredom and frustration. Something that Boxers are known to develop quickly. Trending article: How much do boxer puppies cost? So there is that benefit to having more than one dog in the house, but when it comes to leaving them alone, nothing takes your place. The reality is that a second dog will not replace you, so before long, all you will have is two dogs that are longing for their owner to come back. Your problem has just doubled! Getting a second dog is a huge responsibility and deserves as much time, care, and attention as the first dog. FAQs Can boxers be left alone? Yes, boxer dogs can be left home alone, but just keep in mind how long you are gone. Boxers are highly social and many negative effects can result from spending too much time alone. How long can boxers be left alone? Most boxers will be okay for hours alone, and some even longer. Keep in mind, however, all boxers are different and some may not tolerate this long. Always consider how your own boxer handles spending time alone. Boxer dogs are highly social and crave having company, without it, they can become stressed, anxious, destructive, and develop many kinds of behavioral issues that are usually hard to resolve. Can boxers be left home all day while I work? The average workday with the commute is around hours if not longer, which is way too long for any dog to be on its own. How can I keep my boxer happy when alone? Exercising your boxer before you leave is a good way to expend some of their energy. In addition to this, providing puzzle toys, leaving the radio on, and making them as comfortable as possible are all good ways to keep them calm while alone. Final Thoughts So there you have it! They have strong social needs and crave human and canine interaction. The Puppy Mag makes an active effort to search for plagiarized content using plagiarism detection software. If plagiarized content is found, action will be taken.

Replacement costs of these types of goodies will range based on how quickly your Bulldog destroys their current supply. You can also order subscription packs from many reputable companies that give your dog new exploratory items every month. Since these dogs are at risk for many health complications, save as much as you can—erring on the side of caution. The best time for obedience lessons is between 6 months to a year, but every trainer varies in preference. Depending on the treatment, you could spend thousands of dollars in one swoop. Pet sitting is more personalized care but can rack up extra fees. If you want to save as much as possible while still giving your Bulldog the care they need, look at these money-saving tips. They mainly offer spay and neuter surgeries at reduced costs, but they can also provide basic care. You can make anything from dog toys to intricate beds. Many things you can make may not even require going to the store for materials—you can simply make them from existing items at home. Auto-Ship Dog Food If you buy your dog food from certain websites, many companies offer discounted prices if you place an automatic, recurring order. Of course, you can always save on English Bulldog costs by using low-cost services and making tons of at-home projects and toys for your pooch. Less - The English Bulldog is a wide, medium-sized, compact dog with short legs. The body and head are massive with extra skin on both the skull and forehead falling in folds. The cheeks extend to the sides of the eyes. The muzzle is wide, short and pug with a broad, deep stop. The black nose is broad with large nostrils. The dark eyes are deep set. The rose ears are small, thin and set high on the head. The jaws are massive, very broad, and square with hanging upper lips. The teeth should have an under bite. The tail is either straight or screwed and carried low. The short, flat coat is straight, smooth and glossy. Coat colors include red brindle and other shades of brindle, solid white, solid red, fawn, fallow, piebald, pale yellow or washed-out red or white or a combination of these colors. Despite its "sourmug," the bulldog is jovial, comical and amiable, among the most docile and mellow of dogs. It is willing to please, although it retains a stubborn streak. It is very good with children. Most are moderately friendly toward strangers. Although some can be aggressive with strange dogs, the breed is quite good with other pets. These dogs were bred for sheer fighting capacity, and they were famed for latching onto their prey with an iron jaw which they refused to release—they could even suffocate opponents this way. English Bulldogs are simultaneously a symbol of British tenacity and an immensely popular American pet.

German Shepherd dogs are incredible animals. They are among the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They have incredible focus and learning potential, and they are some of the most physically impressive and capable dogs. Though all dogs of all breeds are unique and individual, German Shepherd Dogs have many great common personality traits such as loyalty and protectiveness. German Shepherd Rescue Texas organizations save as many of these amazing animals as possible from neglect, abuse, and abandonment, and try to offer them a new happy life with loving families. German Shepherds are not low maintenance animals. Between food, vet care, and grooming, they can be a larger investment than other pets. This breed needs loving positive reinforcement. When adopting a rescue pup, you may be dealing with previously set behavioral elements. Our rescue pups are all assessed carefully and often the rescue process involves behavioral rehabilitation and counseling. This is only a start however and you will need to be prepared to take over any rehabilitation necessary within your puppy training. These dogs mature very quickly and this quick growth requires careful monitoring and adjustment of diet. GSDs have many genetic predispositions to various health conditions. This can include dietary problems, eye degeneration, and very debilitating hip and joint issues. Be aware that there are many potential health complications you may have to accommodate with your new friend. These can include abandoned litters due to lay of spaying and neutering, or simply owners abandoning young dogs of around the 6 month age when they begin to lose their adorable puppy look and move into gankly teenage doghood. Without rescue these dogs are often left to the elements and can die of hunger or exposure. Our German Shepherd rescue Texas organization gives these dogs the chance at the new and fulfilling life they so deserve. Dogs are selected as viable adoption candidates based on temperament and condition. When you meet a bunch of German Shepherd puppies, your first reaction will likely be just a sheer cuteness overload. But there are a few signs to look out for when predicting how these cute lovable bundles may act in your home and interact with your family or other pets. Abuse and neglect need to be considered and fully prepared for. It is great to have this local resource serving the areas surrounding our location in New Braunfels, including the greater San Antonio area. Follow up care and working together with new owners can help ensure that these puppies fit in and thrive in their new homes. Pet ownership of any kind requires a good deal of thought and consideration, and when you factor in the responsibilities of raising a rescue dog, this only becomes more complex. On top of that, German Shepherds are amazing yet complex animals. Though they can definitely be a handful, they can also be the most loyal and loving animal companion you ever find. Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite New Braunfels location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Dog Training Elite New Braunfels recommends starting dog training as early as possible, soon after a puppy is ready to leave its mother. Puppies are capable of learning basic commands, and smart German Shepherd puppies do great with early training. Dog Training Elite New Braunfels has adult dog training programs as well. A complete puppy training typically takes a few months. Adult dog training can take longer or shorter, depending on whether a dog needs to unlearn bad habits in addition to being trained. Working with a German Shepherd and the owner directly in the home allows dog trainers to create personalized training plans for individual dogs, as well as address any unique needs or issues. Once a dog has completed in-home training, they can take group classes for more in-depth training - Dog Training Elite New Braunfels offers both puppy and adult dog group classes. Beginning training in the home also helps owners bond with their dogs so when the dog trainer leaves, no progress is lost. This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form after proper conditioning , when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter. Empowering Owners We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. Personalized We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. Environment Specific We train wherever issues tend to arise i. Supportive We support owners in the off-hours when training is "not in session". Involved We work with all members of the household. Satisfaction Ratings Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors. Also, be consistent about rules - establish at the beginning, for example, whether or not your dog is allowed on the couch. An energetic dog with little to no exercise can become a destructive, disobedient dog. Training is a great way to give German Shepherds the mental and physical stimulation they need. Dog Training Elite New Braunfels has developed training programs for puppies and adult dogs alike based on positive reinforcement. German Shepherd training with our in-home option is entirely possible. All Sizes. All Ages. The Dog Training Elite Difference Dog Training Elite New Braunfels uses modern training methods focused on positive reinforcement and bonding between dog and dog owner. Dog Training Elite New Braunfels never resorts to the use of punishment to help dogs unlearn bad behavior. The difference becomes clear when comparing a dog that is trained out of anxiety and intimidation vs a dog who truly desires to please from the inside out. The Dog Training Elite New Braunfels training theory is mostly based around classical conditioning, also known as the Pavlovian method or respondent conditioning. In its simplest form after proper conditioning , when an owner says "sit," their dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. Other dog trainers use harsh static collars or spray collars which have been shown to be less effective. Ready to turn your dog into a loyal and loving companion? Find a German Shepherd trainer near you today! We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call! This place deserves a solid 5-star rating for the exceptional service they provide. Thanks to the amazing guidance and expertise of the trainers at Dog Training Elite, Loki recently passed his public access test with flying colors, even in the midst of a crowded mall! It's incredible to see how much progress he has made under their guidance. From the very beginning, the assessment process with the owner, Whitley, was incredibly smooth and efficient. She was knowledgeable, professional, and truly understood our needs and goals for Loki's training. I cannot express enough praise and gratitude for trainers Geneva and Adakias. Their passion, patience, and dedication to their craft are truly remarkable. They have an incredible ability to connect with dogs and create a positive and nurturing environment for learning. Loki absolutely adores them, and it's evident that they genuinely care about his progress and well-being. I would also like to acknowledge trainers Wolf and Mckimmie for their contributions to Loki's training journey. Their expertise and support have been invaluable, and their passion for dog training shines through in every session. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to their clients and their dogs are truly commendable. If you're looking for a top-notch dog training facility with exceptional trainers, look no further. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite without any hesitation! Thank you, Dog Training Elite, for everything you have done for Loki and our family. You have made a significant impact on our lives, and we are forever grateful. I am training my puppy to be a therapy dog and in just a few months of working with them, he can stay, sit, come, walk perfectly on leash, settle, and many more commands. The trainers have been patient and professional. They first show you how to work with your dog and then offer feedback as they observe how you work with your dog.

American Bulldog Puppies for Sale Expected Budget in Learn what to expect when researching the price of American Bulldog puppies for sale near me. How much do American Bulldog puppies for sale cost? The cost for an American Bulldog puppy for sale varies greatly and depends on many factors such as the breeders' location, reputation, litter size, lineage of the puppy, breed popularity supply and demand , training, socialization efforts, breed lines and much more. Before searching "American Bulldog puppies for sale near me", review their average cost below. This is the price you can expect to budget for an American Bulldog with papers but without breeding rights nor show quality. Expect to pay less for a American Bulldog puppy for sale without papers, however, we do not recommend buying a puppy without papers. Looking for an American Bulldog puppy with a superior lineage? Are you trying to determine how much an American Bulldog with breeding rights and papers would cost? You should expect to pay a premium for an American Bulldog puppy with breeding rights or even American Bulldogs for sale advertised as show quality with papers. What can I expect to pay for a American Bulldog puppy near me? Annual cost of owning an American Bulldog puppy for sale When googling "American Bulldog puppy for sale near me" it is important to understand the associated costs of owning a dog. The annual cost or "upkeep" is often overlooked when determining an American Bulldogs true ownership cost. American Bulldogs are a popular and beloved breed, known for their strength, loyalty, and friendly nature. Think an American Bulldog is right for you? These puppies would probably be very in-line with the American Bulldog Breed Standard. They usually will also invest more into the dogs with stuff such as genetic testing, high quality food , and only breeding the best dogs. Location and availability — Depending on where you live, there might not be enough American Bulldog breeders for the local demand. Areas like this tend to be rural and you might find yourself paying more when there are only a few breeders near you. Age of the dog — Puppies generally cost more than older dogs. Not only will the puppy itself cost more, but the cost of ownership is generally more when you first get the dog with all the vet bills, shots, new puppy stuff, etc. Some of these rare colors are: Blue, Lilac, and Merle. Lineage and Pedigree The lineage and pedigree of an American Bulldog can greatly impact the price. Dogs with champion bloodlines or those from well-regarded breeding lines may come with a higher price tag. Breeder Reputation Reputable breeders who consistently produce healthy and well-tempered dogs often charge more for their puppies. This is because they invest time, money, and resources into ensuring the health and well-being of their breeding dogs and puppies. Location and Availability The cost of an American Bulldog can vary depending on where you live and the availability of puppies. In areas with a higher demand for the breed, prices may be higher. Age of the Dog Puppies are typically more expensive than adult dogs. Older dogs may have lower prices due to decreased demand or because they are retired from breeding or showing. Coat Color and Markings Some coat colors and markings are rarer and more sought after, which may increase the price of a puppy or adult dog. Rare American Bulldog Colors Blue: This coat color is a diluted form of black, resulting in a bluish-gray hue. Black: Although not officially recognized by some breed standards, pure black American Bulldogs are quite rare. Lilac: A combination of blue and chocolate, lilac American Bulldogs have a unique, pale, silvery-gray coat color. Chocolate: A rich, dark brown coat color, which is less common in American Bulldogs. Black and Tan: A combination of black and tan markings, similar to the pattern seen in Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers. Merle: A unique pattern with patches of diluted color against a darker background. Merle is uncommon in American Bulldogs and is often associated with potential health issues, such as deafness and vision problems. These rare colors usually will cost more than your average American Bulldog color. But for most American Bulldogs, you should expect to pay somewhere in that price range. Some of these costs include: Initial Expenses Supplies crate, bed, leash, collar, toys, etc. Tips for Finding a Reputable Breeder To ensure you are purchasing a healthy, well-bred American Bulldog, it is important to find a reputable breeder. Consider the following tips when searching for the right breeder: Research and referrals: Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or veterinarians. You can also search online forums or social media groups dedicated to American Bulldogs for breeder suggestions. Online resources: The American Bulldog Club of America ABCA and other breed-specific organizations may have breeder directories or listings to help you find a reputable breeder in your area. Checking breeder credentials: Look for breeders who are members of reputable breed clubs or organizations, have a history of producing healthy dogs, and adhere to ethical breeding practices. Reputable breeders will welcome such visits and be transparent about their breeding practices. Ensuring health and temperament: A responsible breeder will provide health clearances for both the puppy and its parents, as well as information on any genetic health issues common to the breed. Adopting an American Bulldog Adopting an American Bulldog from a rescue organization or shelter is an alternative to purchasing one from a breeder. There are several benefits to adoption: Lower cost: Adoption fees are generally much lower than purchasing a dog from a breeder. Saving a life: By adopting a dog, you are providing a loving home to an animal in need and making room for other dogs in the shelter or rescue organization. Adult dog benefits: Adopting an adult dog can be advantageous for those who prefer a dog with an established temperament and personality or who want to avoid the challenges of puppyhood. Contact your local animal shelters or rescue organizations to inquire about any American Bulldogs in their care. Reach out to breed-specific rescue organizations, which often focus on rescuing and rehoming American Bulldogs. Before adopting, be prepared for the adoption process, which may involve filling out an application, providing references, and participating in a home visit. How many dogs are living at the kennel? If the dogs have an outside area, is there a fence around it? Where are the dogs kept during the day? Where do the dogs sleep? Conclusion The cost of an American Bulldog can vary significantly based on factors such as lineage, breeder reputation, location, and coat color. In addition to considering the purchase price, potential owners should also take into account the ongoing costs of caring for their pet. By researching reputable breeders or considering adoption, you can ensure that you are bringing a healthy, well-tempered American Bulldog into your home. Remember that responsible pet ownership involves not only financial commitment but also dedication to providing a loving and nurturing environment for your new companion. Posted on. Farmers may have brought up American bulldogs in earlier times. As for now, it is not easy to maintain an American Bulldog protecting its uniqueness and health conditions. The truth is that American bulldogs are less expensive than those American Bullies. The above price range is for standard American bulldogs. Each difference makes variations in the price of the dog. Out of all the dogs, choosing an American Bulldog is a wise decision. It also depends on the requirements of the buyer. Health Guarantee The first thing you must confirm when buying an American Bulldog is its health. For a healthy American bulldog puppy, a genuine breeder gives a warranty regarding its fitness for at least two years. The health guarantee is one of the primary key factors that affect the price of an American Bulldog since it also includes the veterinarian bills while caring for the puppy from its birth. Well-Known Breeders In the current era, you can find many scammers, even the sellers of innocent pets. Knowing that an American Bulldog is expensive and in high demand among dog lovers, some people breed American Bulldogs without proper knowledge and without providing good care to the parent dogs. It is always wise to buy an American Bulldog from a well-reputed breeder. Having high demand for the puppies and earning a good name, a well-known breeder rates the puppy a little more. Anyways an American Bulldog is expensive, as you know. But approaching a well-known breeder to buy one reduces cruelty on pet dogs. Bloodline An American Bulldog with a superior bloodline costs more than a standard one. The American Bulldogs are descendants of English Dogs. Before being recognized as American Bulldogs, the breed had different names in different parts of the continent. A purebred American Bulldog has the exact qualities of its ancestors, acting as a guardian against invaders. An American Bulldog with pure bloodline costs more for its unique attributes. The price of each type of American Bulldog varies. So what are the types of American Bulldogs available? These are larger dogs with 23 to 27 inches in height. Their distinctive Bulldog appearance results from their traditional underbite and boxy skulls. As home pets, these are exceedingly generous and protective. Due to their strength, Scott American Bulldogs are recognized as the standard type of American Bulldogs. This type of breed is 22 to 27 inches taller. These dogs are bred for working purposes. This breed was developed in the s, mainly by a person called Joe Painter. This type of American Bulldog is bulkier but trainable. Old Southern White American Bulldog White English The genetics that gave rise to the modern breed of American bulldogs is thought to have originated from the original southern white American Bulldogs. Hybrid American Bulldog Genuinely, the many available American bulldogs are thought to be hybrid lines. For different purposes, the breeders try to cross-breed the American Bulldogs to get the resultant puppy satisfying the expectations. This method only guarantees a partial percent result. As a dog lover, I would never recommend this method to process. Breed Information Before buying an American bulldog, you better know the information on the breed. I have simplified the information for you. Continue reading! Appearance and Size An American bulldog has a unique stiff look. It has round or almond-shaped eyes, dark brown, medium-sized ears that can be cropped, a wider nose, an average-sized tail, and a short coat. The American bulldogs can be found in white, black, gray, brindle, fawn, and red. A male American bulldog is commonly 20 to 28 inches taller, whereas a female American bulldog is 20 to 26 inches taller. Regarding weight, Female American Bulldogs weigh around 50 to lbs, whereas Male American Bulldogs usually weigh within the 70 to lbs range. Life Span The average lifespan of an American bulldog is 10 to 16 years. Additionally, health concerns and genetic issues can affect the lifespan of an American Bulldog. The good news regarding American bulldogs is that the breed kind is recognized to have a high lifetime compared to other dog types. They challenge premature death by maintaining their body weight by doing physical workouts. Temper American Bulldogs are affectionate, smart, and protective. They are alert, active, and stiff. As mentioned earlier, different types of American Bulldogs show different levels of aggressiveness toward strangers. You heard me right! American Bulldogs are aggressive to strangers. That is why they are protective of their own family members. As the American Bulldogs are very active, they love to play. They are very loyal to the owners and tend to stand up for them no matter what. Known to be rough and stiff, they are really friendly and silly sometimes. You have to see an American Bulldog when it gets happy. American Bulldogs are great companions that act as clowns to make their owners happier. Commonly, American Bulldogs are family dogs lovable with a confident attitude. Health American Bulldogs are usually healthier and do not get sick that easily. The owners should follow a plan for check-ups and immunizations on a scheduled basis. As active players, American Bulldogs tend to have issues with their hips and joints. The owner of the dog should be informed of this issue and do the required check-ups regularly. An American bulldog with a good bloodline is fine. Hence they can show genetic health problems related to their parent dogs. This is why it is crucial to approach a reputed breeder when buying an American Bulldog. The elbow and hip joints may get misplaced during some physical activities. Dysplasia-related rubbing can eventually lead to problems, including pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis NCL This genetic condition of the neurological system impairs how the body breaks down particular kinds of fats or proteins in the cells. Hence, getting a puppy from a good place is highly advisable. Back then, ancestors of American Bulldogs were brought up by farmers to help them with farming and protect the chickens and pigs from the wild. The genetic influence is still being printed in every American Bulldog. This makes American Bulldogs train excessively for their well-being. If you bring up an American Bulldog with a protection sense, you will have to approach a relative training method. There are people who bring up American Bulldogs just to let them fight and participate in such competitions for money and fame. For this, a different training method should be followed. Socializing training should be provided at the very young age of an American Bulldog. Training in Obedience is one of the essential training methods for an American Bulldog. Messing with this step can make the owner regret it a little later. Train the puppy with voice and hand commands. Use positive reinforcement training methods to get good results in training an American Bulldog. Consulting a professional trainer before training an American Bulldog is much advisable. Training tools dog owners must have for their dogs:. Nonetheless, routine vet care should be prioritized as your dog ages and becomes more vulnerable to certain diseases. Aside from this, pet insurance should be on your list if you want to prevent unplanned expenses from unexpected medical problems. To prevent going bankrupt, you must equip yourself with knowledge of what these expenses might be. For owners of American Bulldogs, here are the other potential expenses you should also anticipate: Pet Daycare: If you plan to have a trip without your American Bulldog, you can take your dog to pet daycare. This facility will give plenty of attention to your American Bulldog and provide your pup with activities based on their specific needs and temperament. Pet Sitter Fee: A pet sitter will greatly help you if you want to leave your American Bulldog at home rather than sending it to a pet daycare. Your American Bulldog may acquire mild to severe health conditions that might require immediate medical attention. Grooming Services: Although you can groom your American Bulldog at home, hiring a professional pet groomer will spare you the hassle of bathing and grooming it yourself. Kennel Club Registration: If you intend to participate in dog shows and competitions, you should have your purebred American Bulldog puppy registered. Take note that these costs are only optional except for emergency medical costs. Since emergencies and accidents are unpredictable, you should prepare and plan for such situations. Therefore, it is wise to get pet insurance to avoid high medical costs. Sadly, not all breeders are credible and trustworthy. You should stay away from breeders and puppy mills that sell unhealthy puppies. As you look for your American Bulldog puppy, read through our comprehensive puppy buying guide to prevent being scammed online. This breeder focuses on Bulldog-type dogs, often known as Johnson American Bulldogs. Even so, they occasionally breed outstanding American Bulldogs of the standard and hybrid varieties. Venomline — Venomline is one of the well-known breeders of American Bulldog puppies and dogs in the world. For additional options, you can also scan our recommended American Bulldog breeders. Rest assured that they can offer you the best deal you deserve! This organization has given homes to over a thousand rescued Bulldogs, including American Bulldogs. Peaches Bulldog Rescue — Peaches Bulldog Rescue is a foster-based organization located in Ohio that helps abandoned and surrendered Bulldog breed dogs. Aside from rescuing and adopting, this organization also dedicates its efforts to community education, microchipping, spaying and neutering, and encouraging responsible ownership of Bulldog breeds. If you want to ace your application in any of these rescues, you should read our ultimate guide to dog adoption for tips. Also, you might also want to read our article on how to find free pups in your neighborhood. Money-Saving Tips for American Bulldog Owners American Bulldogs will cost you more than you imagine, especially if you plan to spoil them. To reduce your overall expenses, you can always make some changes. All you have to do is start looking for alternatives with more diligence and creativity. Here are some money-saving tips for American Bulldog owners: Invest in high-quality items. Although high-quality items are initially more expensive, their sturdiness will prove worthy in the long run. Hence, if you are purchasing items for your American Bulldog, such as collars and food bowls, it is best to buy the quality ones. Purchase dog food in bulk. Buying dog foods in bulk is generally wiser because businesses nowadays often offer discounts on items bought in bulk. Purchasing in bulk is also more practical for pet owners since you save a few bucks from your transportation expenses with fewer visits to stores. Make DIY dog toys. Dog toys are often expensive and sometimes not sturdy enough. Fortunately, there are easy DIY dog toys you can make with whatever items you have at home. Making DIY toys is a good alternative if you want to save money from buying new toys. American Bulldogs are easy to train. So instead of spending money on training fees, you can train them yourself. With this money-saving tip, you get to save money and bond with your dog. Keep your dog healthy. Keeping your American Bulldog in good shape is the key to avoiding these unexpected expenses. The bulleted items are just a few of the many ways you can save money as an owner of an American Bulldog. Final Thoughts The American Bulldog is such a fantastic dog. But before getting one, it is important that you should assess yourself first if you are capable of providing this dog with all its needs. You should also keep in mind that these are large dogs that demand more maintenance and care. Although you can train them not to become spoiled, you should always provide them with great love, care, and attention. After discussing the cost of an American Bulldog and its related expenses, we hope that you learn something from us. If so, share your expense-budgeting strategy for your American Bulldog in the comment section below. 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. Leave a Comment. The price of American Bulldogs up or down depending on quality. High quality of these aspects will always fetch a higher price. So always do your research to make your purchase worthwhile. When it comes to breeding dogs, professional breeders prioritize quality above anything else—even profit. Reputable breeders invest their resources in making sure that the litter is healthy. Training and Socialization Training and socialization are extremely crucial aspects of raising pups. So, premium breeders would go the extra mile to give the litter the necessary training. And when they do train the pups , it becomes a factor that drives the American Bulldog price up. Breeders would either hire a dog trainer , which they would pass this cost to the buyers. If they know how to train dogs themselves, they can train the dogs and charge the buyers for it. Alternatively, you may want to get the breeds at rescue centers and shelters. These facilities train their rescue dogs well to make sure that they are ready for rehoming. And the best thing about it? Training the dogs is free of charge! Location and Demand The demand and supply for the breed can thrust the American Bulldog price up or shove it down. American Bulldog puppies are well-sought-after breeds, not just in the US but worldwide. But if you live in a more rural area in the country, there might not be many breeders in your area. They can take advantage of the scarcity and charge you more for the breed that you requested. Medical History It only makes sense for the healthiness of the pup to be a factor that makes the American Bulldog price high. To do that, breeders match two suitable and healthy dogs to be the parents of the litter. When the pups are born, breeders take them to multiple vet visits to have their health condition checked. Reputable breeders also deworm and vaccinate their dogs to protect them from infections and infestations. Their personalities are easy to love; they have a confident demeanor and are known for their almost clown-like antics when excited, making them an excellent family companion. This breed is quite family-oriented but may be distant with strangers at first. Their characteristic aloofness to outsiders helps make them great guard dogs. With consistent training and established rules and boundaries, this powerful pup can learn with the best of them. As a working breed, they were known for their wild pig and cattle catching abilities, making them indispensable on southern ranches in the US. Grooming Hurray for easy care! Make sure your vet gives your pup a professional cleaning every year, too. Be sure to put nail trimming every couple of weeks and ear cleaning monthly is usually enough on the grooming menu, too. And as for baths, plan on a bath about once a month or so. You may be able to just use your nose. If you detect an unpleasant odor eww! Training When it comes to training, an American Bulldog puppy needs a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement to teach various skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called. Start training your American Bulldog puppy early to get them used to the ropes. Once you understand what works for them, training becomes easy. Remember: American Bulldogs are smart. These social interactions give your dog a chance to explore a variety of environments and social situations. Feed your puppy large-breed puppy kibble for their first 14 months to support slow but consistent growth. Skip food or supplements with calcium until your pooch is fully grown and eating an adult diet. The added calcium could disrupt healthy bone development. Treats are an essential part of training and a great way to show your pup you love them. However, too many treats can lead to a tubby pup, so check with your vet if you need help figuring out a proper treat-to-mealtime ratio. Exercise Even though they have a moderate energy level, an American Bulldog needs a lot of exercise. And exercise is important to keep your dog out of trouble. If they have unused energy, an American Bulldog will resort to destructive behaviors to release that energy, like chewing on your favorite pair of shoes. This athletic dog benefits greatly from structured walks and play to work the mind and their muscular build. As a puppy parent, strive to offer non-impact movement such as hiding balls in the yard or offering a puzzle toy, as these games lower the risk of joint and bone damage early on. Get out of the house twice a day or more if your young dog is up for it for playtime and walks that last between 20 and 30 minutes. Trainers often suggest skipping the dog park because structured play is more difficult in this setting. Instead, get creative with activities. Think: fetch, tug-of-war with a rope toy or a chewy option filled with something delicious. You may even try lower-impact dog sports like agility or nose work. Both are an excellent way to keep your pup mentally and physically engaged. Remember, a happy dog is a tired dog! Ideal Environment Both city and country homes will suit the American Bulldog as long as you can offer lots of exercise and playtime. Still, families with kids are a good match for this protective and intelligent breed. A structured day with regular walks and chances to play with a variety of toys is the best environment for the American Bulldog. Staving off boredom is paramount, and, of course, no animal likes to be home alone for a long time. When considering the American Bulldog as a pet, bear in mind that training is the key to their success, especially when adding this breed to a home with kids or other dogs. Pup parents need to be aware of some of these issues so they can help their dog live the healthiest life possible. Joint Dysplasia: This joint abnormality is seen in the hips and elbows, and a dog with dysplasia may run, jump and climb less than usual. Most often, the issue is a rupture or partial tear. Cherry Eye: Did you know dogs have a third eyelid? Bone Cancer: Often found in the long bones arms, legs , the cause for this condition is unknown, though vets feel it may have a genetic or environmental component. Deafness: Deafness, which can occur in one or both ears, may be acquired via drug exposure or infection. But deafness could also be hereditary and is linked to dogs with light coats and eyes. Acquired deafness is usually permanent but may improve over time without intervention. A special diet may be the treatment or medications, depending on the cause. Spinal Issues: Degenerative myelopathy DM is often genetic in nature and affects the spinal cord, leading to weakness and hind limb paralysis. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis: NCL is an inherited, progressive and rare neurological disorder that starts showing up between 1 and 2 years of age. The most obvious symptom is behavioral changes in the dog, and the pup will usually lose coordination and eyesight. It can be discovered through a DNA test, and at this time, there are no treatments. This proud pup carries an imported pedigree, having been brought over from across the pond as a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was originally bred for bull baiting. Thankfully, this horrific sport was outlawed in England in .Back in the 17th century, early settlers packed these working dogs with them for service on farms and ranches. The American Bulldog became a utility player, stepping in to accomplish many tasks, such as guarding livestock and catching cattle and feral pigs. In fact, were it not for their success as an excellent catch dog in the southern states, we might not know the breed today. John D. Johnson and Alan Scott were able to breed the last few native American Bulldogs in the southern US, resulting in two types the Scott type and the Johnson type that thrive today. These breeds differ in appearance; the Johnson American Bulldog sports a bigger, stronger build, a larger head and short muzzle, and the Scott American Bulldog has more lithe features, such as an athletic, small-boned frame and a longer muzzle. Are you looking to add an American Bulldog as a family member? Check out the AKC puppy finder to find a reputable breeder. You can also seek out local American Bulldog rescues to find a worthy, loving dog to call your own, or keep an eye out for the breed at your local shelter. FAQs Do American bulldogs shed? Yes, American Bulldogs shed, albeit lightly and seasonally. Are American Bulldogs Pitbulls? Are American Bulldogs aggressive? American Bulldogs may be aggressive toward other dogs, particularly unfamiliar ones of the same sex, in part because of their protective and somewhat dominant nature. But with consistent training and early socialization, this breed is considered a loving family dog that does well with kids and other pets. How long do American Bulldogs live? American Bulldogs can have a generous life span, often living between 10 and 12 years. Providing your dog with the proper diet and exercise can help your pup live a full life. What are the most popular American Bulldog names? Get more dog names here. What are the most common American Bulldog mixes? Families of all kinds admire this agile, athletic breed and count themselves lucky to own such a loving, loyal pet. Female Names. Less - The American Bulldog is a powerful, athletic short-coated dog, strongly muscled, and well boned. The body is just slightly longer than tall. The head is large and broad, with a wide muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be drop, semi-prick, rose, or cropped. The tail may be docked or natural. The American Bulldog comes in solid colors, white with colored patches, and brindle. Gender differences are well expressed in this breed, with males typically larger and more muscular than females. Honorable scars resulting from field work are not to be penalized. The essential characteristics of the American Bulldog are those which enable it to work as a hog and cattle catching dog, and a protector of personal property. These tasks require a powerful, agile, confident dog with a large head and powerful jaws. The American Bulldog is a gentle, loving family companion who is fearless enough to face an angry bull or a human intruder. Note: It is common for young American Bulldogs to be somewhat standoffish with strangers, and judges should not penalize this. All over the world, they are used variously as "hog dogs" catching escaped pigs or hunting razorbacks , as cattle drovers and as working or sport K-9s. American Bulldogs also successfully compete in several dog sports such as dog obedience, Schutzhund, French Ring, Mondio Ring, Iron Dog competition and weight pulling. American Bulldogs are widely considered to be the closest living relative to the Old English Bulldog brought to the United States in the s. They were originally used in England for bull-baiting but took on new opponents such as bears and buffaloes when introduced to the American frontier. While the original Old English Bulldog bloodline was being heavily mixed with other breeds back in England during this time, the breed that was imported to the New World was mostly kept preserved in the deep South. Bulldogs were trained to catch wild boar and cattle and were excellent hunters of vermin that destroyed farms and crops. They do well as loyal and confident guard dogs. If you have a soft spot in your heart for these wonderful dogs and would like to rescue one, the American Bulldog Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding homes for lost Bulldogs. American Bulldogs are top picks for several dog sports such as weight pulling, obedience, and the Iron Dog competition. In order to participate in these competitions, your Bulldog needs to be registered with a kennel club. A proper crate is also a necessity. Vaccines are necessary to counter the many strains of viruses that plague domesticated dogs such as Rabies, Canine Distemper, and Bordetella. Bulldogs love to explore, so make sure your yard has a fence high enough feet to prevent them from going on adventures outside. This breed is also prone to a variety of health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, skin and allergy problems, and inherited deafness. You must be financially secure if you expect to properly raise a Bulldog. It also tends to have a protein-heavy diet — so be prepared to stock up on kibble, canned food, and treats. Physical activities should be restricted to short walks, games, and playing. This is primarily because of their large size. They are simply more expensive to breed because they require more room and eat quite a bit. The purpose of an American Bulldog will determine its pricing. Table of Contents How much is an American Bulldog? These dogs range widely in price. Where you decide to adopt your dog makes a significant difference in the price. However, these dogs are rarely health tested and are more prone to health problems. On the other hand, purchasing from an AKC-registered breeder helps ensure that the proper health tests were run. However, they are also the most expensive option. In the end, it is typically better to purchase from a professional breeder. Both of these factors help ensure that the puppy is healthy. Getting a puppy from Craigslist Purchasing a puppy from craigslist is often cheap. However, there is no way to ensure the health of puppies sold solely through this medium. Often, these puppies are from unprofessional breeders who breed their pet dogs in their backyard. Some puppies may have underlying health problems that have not yet been diagnosed due to the lack of vet care. Backyard breeders often do not produce purebred dogs, but cross their American Bulldogs with e. Dogo Argentinos. Some backyard breeders have done their proper research and take good care of their puppies. Others end up with accidental litters and have no idea how to take care of puppies. It is impossible to tell if the puppy has health problems since many are not seen by a vet. You may end up with a puppy with genetic problems since health testing was likely not performed on the parents. Getting a puppy from a rescue Most puppies in rescues were accidents. A professional breeder would never send their puppy to a rescue. After all, they breed their dogs partially for profit. Furthermore, professional breeders often have an adoption contract that states unwanted puppies should be returned to them — not taken to a shelter. Therefore, most puppies in rescues are not bred by professional breeders. For this reason, the parents do not undergo health testing before breeding. The puppies are already born when the rescue has them or the mother is already pregnant, at least. However, rescues do get their puppies properly health tested and vaccinated. This helps ensure that the puppy is healthy once you adopt it. Plus, adopting from a rescue is relatively cheap. These prices usually cover the veterinary care that your dog needs and any other care the puppy needs. Getting a puppy from a breeder This is the most expensive option. However, professional breeders know how to breed and care for puppies properly. They usually get the parents health-tested, take the puppies to multiple vet visits, and adequately socialize the puppies to be ready for their new home. Of course, not all breeders are made equal. Those registered with national breed organizations or the AKC usually have to follow strict guidelines for breeding, which means that no corners are cut when it comes to your new puppy. Cost of health tests The Bulldog Club of America recommends several health tests for dogs before they are bred. At the bare minimum, they require a genetic cardiac test, patellar luxation test, and tracheal hypoplasia test. This covers common genetic diseases in the breed and will help ensure that the resulting puppies are healthy. These dogs are prone to various hip and elbow problems, which do have a genetic component. By checking parents for these problems, you can prevent passing on problematic genes to the future population. Vet Expenses Most puppies will need significant care in their first year. They need more vaccinations and checkups because they are growing. After the first year, you will likely pay less unless your dog develops a serious health condition. Some health problems like hip dysplasia will require ongoing and considerable treatment. Food and Toy Costs The cost of the food depends mainly on what food you choose. We recommend high-quality food for your pup, as these can help prevent health problems. A varied diet is often best for your puppy, so you should switch between a few different foods. American Bulldogs grow rapidly in their first year of life and need a nutritious diet to support their growth! Puppies will usually eat less since they are smaller. You may spend less on their food. These dogs will need quite a few toys. Training Costs Training is essential for all dogs. Having professional work with your dog is likely less expensive than you would consider. Puppy classes are highly recommended. Factors influencing the price The most significant factor influencing the price of this breed is their bloodline. Show dogs are costly, but those that are pet-quality typically are not. Price considerations You should be very careful to budget for a dog before adopting them. Plan on having an emergency fund for the vet, just in case something serious happens. Often, affording the dog itself is the least of your worries. The best option is to adopt a puppy from a breeder after ensuring that it has undergone proper health testing. We recommend you avoid choosing the cheapest breeder out there, mainly if they do not perform the proper health testing on their breeding dogs and puppies. Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

What Is A Mini Labradoodle? The difference is that the Labradoodle is mixed with a standard-sized Poodle, not a mini one. Some puppies will have more Lab in them, others will have more Poodle. A distinctive feature of multi-generational puppies is their ringlet coat, which happens to be super soft and almost rug-like. The Mini Labradoodle comes with many coats, either white, tan, black, apricot, caramel, chocolate, red, silver, cream, and grey. It almost sounded like we were naming off desserts for a while. When it comes to Miniature Labradoodles, the options are endless. When compared to its parent breed, the Mini Labradoodle has a heavier body than the Poodle with more muscular forelimbs. It has a more narrow snout and muzzle than the Labrador. As mentioned in the first paragraph the average lifespan of a Mini Labradoodle is 12 — 14 years. More research needs to be done on the distinct illnesses or diseases that could affect this dog. The Labrador, for example, is prone of hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, eye disorders, and cruciate ligament injuries. Poodles, on the other hand, have their set of issues, including patellar luxation a knee injury of sorts , cataracts, sebaceous adenitis, and other skin problems. Mini Labradoodles are the America or, actually, it was the Caribbean islands of dog breeds. This breed can be found in a lot of pop culture memorabilia. Labradoodle Monopoly token Even some of the biggest celebrities in the world have Mini Labradoodles at home. The Prince and Princess of Norway are big fans of this breed. As mentioned above the smallest version of a Mini Labradoodle ranks between 14 — 16 inches 35 — 40cm at the shoulders. But what if a Miniature Labradoodle takes after its Labrador mom or dad? Mini Labradoodles can get as big as 21 — 24 inches 53 — 60cm if there are a lot of Labrador genes mixed in. One size does not fit all. In terms of weight, a smaller Mini Labradoodle will be between 15 — 25 pounds 6 — 11kg. A lager Mini Labradoodle will weigh between 50 — 65 pounds 22 — 29kg. This breed is full of surprises. Is The Mini Labradoodle Hypoallergenic? Want to know a secret? There is no such thing as a non-shedding dog. All dogs shed to some extent. This breed is considered allergy-friendly and hypoallergenic. That being said, we can never promise that you or someone you know will never get a reaction. It could be its saliva or dander. Because their parents are so different in size, temperament, and appearance characteristics, your life as an owner becomes a box of chocolates. The general temperament of a Miniature Labradoodle is silly, playful, and fun. These dogs are a safe choice because they tend to be friendly to everyone. Strange people, strange dogs, cats, babies, toddlers — you name it, they love it. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule. And it all depends on genetics. If your Mini Labradoodle is more Labrador, it may be wary of strangers. Poodles are more aloof. Labradors are prone to boredom but more playful and sweet. They like to run around and swim. Poodles are smarter and more relaxed around the house. Less active and need less exercise. In China, for example, the first gene-edited dogs from were reported to have muscle enhancements and better running ability, making it optimal for hunting or police applications. They were two Beagles named Hercules and Tiangou. Here are other Poodle and Labrador mixes that qualify as designer dogs. Also called Miniature Labrapoos, Labradoodles, and Labradorpoos, the Miniature Labradoodle is a well-known hybrid breed in a smaller package. They are sweet-natured and smart, and they love to spend time with their people. They are affectionate with their family. They are also tolerant and compassionate, and they tend to be well-behaved around people of all ages and other pets. Labradoodles are generally healthy and should live to be 10 to 14 years old. These qualities make Miniature Labradoodles an ideal family dog that does well with other pets and children. Even the most inexperienced dog parents find this breed to be easy to train and eager to please. They are too gentle and sweet to make a good guard dog, but they can be useful watchdogs. They are small and fluffy, square and athletic. Long, furry ears are set on the top and back of their heads. Their muzzles can be medium to long. The Miniature Labradoodle coat varies a great deal, ranging from straight to loose curls, and usually kept about 4 to 6 inches in length. The coat may be one of three textures. They could have hair similar to fur in shedding dogs, they could have a more dense and non-shedding wool, or they could have more of a silky fleece. They come in a variety of colors: Gold. We are happy to refund deposits any time for any reason. We will clearly announce the pricing for each mini Labradoodle litter in a litter announcement. Apply Now If you are interested in a miniature Labradoodle puppy please consider filling out the application. Years ago, we'd announce litters to nearly people on an email waiting list. Within the first minute or two, the entire litter would be spoken for, and families who received a doodle puppy felt like they'd won the lottery. Since then, we've developed a thorough application process, seeking the very best mini Labradoodle forever homes. Please do not place a mini Labradoodle deposit unless your doodle application is accepted. We seek to fairly and thoroughly evaluate each miniature Labradoodle application within business days at which point we let you know the answer for your mini Labradoodle application: "yes," "no," or "wait. Your mini Labradoodle application does NOT obligate you to give a deposit or adopt a mini Labradoodle puppy. The mini Labradoodle application is simply your first step to express a level of interest in getting a mini Labradoodle puppy. After giving a deposit, your family would receive mini Labradoodle litter announcements in an effort to match you with the perfect miniature Labradoodle. Each adopting family has the option to pass on as many Labradoodle litters as they want until finding the perfect doodle puppy. Seeking to be the best mini Labradoodle breeders, we refund doodle deposits any time for any reason. It doesn't make sense to us why nearly every other mini Labradoodle breeder requires non-refundable deposits. We have FAR more demand than supply for our mini Labradoodles. Your application helps us determine if your family would make an excellent forever home to one of our precious mini Labradoodle puppies. We have no desire to keep a family's mini Labradoodle deposit if they've located a mini doodle with another breeder or if they've chosen not to get a mini Labradoodle at all. January 23, 0 Comments WorldAnimalFoundation. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. These cute little designer dogs can be great family pets and good companions for work-at-home people. They were bred for those who loved the standard Labradoodle but wanted something smaller. This crossbreed is a popular choice for both experienced and new dog owners because of their calm temperament. They get along with other people and dogs and are easy to train. They can be stubborn, but they are very reward-driven. Even someone with allergies can potentially keep this dog. The idea originally started when breeders bred purebred Labrador Retrievers and standard Poodles to make more hypoallergenic dog breeds with Labrador friendliness and intelligence, creating the standard Labradoodle. But as wonderful as Labradoodles are, they can get pretty huge. Both the Labrador and the standard-sized Poodle are pretty big. So reputable breeders started breeding the purebred Labrador Retriever with the purebred Miniature Poodle to make a smaller version: the Mini Labradoodle. These cute little dogs are known for having big personalities despite their smaller bodies. They love their humans and can sometimes be protective of them. They also love running around and playing. Mini Labradoodles are highly intelligent, like their parents, and are very easy to train. They combine the loyalty, intelligence, and easy trainability of the Labrador with the low-shedding, more allergy-friendly coat of the Standard Poodle and Mini Poodle. Vital Statistics Height: inches, highly dependent on parents Weight: pounds, highly dependent on parents Average lifespan: years Energy level: High energy and needs lots of exercise Trainability: Highly intelligent dogs and easily trainable Shedding: Low shedder, high grooming needs History of the Mini Labradoodle Miniature Labradoodles are a relatively new crossbreed. They are believed to have been bred in Australia in the s when a breeder made the first successful cross of a Labrador Retriever and a Mini Poodle. And so, a reputable breeder wanted to mix the Labrador Retriever with a breed having a non-shedding coat. The standard Poodle was the perfect candidate. Both standard Labradoodles and Miniature Labradoodles came along from this need. First, the standard Labradoodle came along. Standard Labradoodles were popular but much too big for some people. So then the Lab was mixed with the Mini Poodle to make a smaller pup. Generally needs .You should have a good decade or so before you have to worry about health problems related to aging. Some dogs may live longer or shorter lives depending on how healthy they are. Lifestyle management can help maximize the time you have with your dog. Be on the lookout for health issues potentially passed down from the parents. Size Miniature Labradoodles are meant to be smaller versions of the Labradoodle. The designer dog mixes the traits of Labrador Retrievers and Toy Poodles to make a smaller dog. Smaller individuals may be around 14 inches tall. That said, the exact size may depend on the characteristics of the parents. These dogs still come from a fairly big breed. Larger individuals may be closer to 24 inches tall. It can be difficult to determine how big a Mini Labradoodle puppy will get until they grow. Weight Smaller Mini Labradoodles may weigh around 10 pounds or more. Again, they may be bigger and heavier depending on the genes inherited from their Lab and Mini Poodle parents. Larger individuals may weigh up to 30 pounds. Coat The Mini Labradoodle is meant to have the Poodle coat, a low-shedding coat that is allergy-friendly. The coat type and color can vary from individual to individual based on the genes of the Poodle parent or Labrador parent. Some coats may have a wool texture, coming from their Poodle genes. These coats require a lot of grooming. Other coats may be a soft, fleece texture. It may be wavy or curly. Some individuals may also have a hairy, straight coat closer to that of Labrador Retrievers rather than a Poodle coat. Color Mini Labradoodles can come in many colors. They may also be single-colored or multi-colored. It depends on the genes they inherit from their very different-looking parents. Mini Labradoodle Temperament and Personality Mini Labradoodles are believed to be the perfect family pet and companion because of their family-friendly characteristics. They are great with kids and other animals and are all-around easy to get along with. That said, they can also be protective of their family. Miniature Labradoodles can get lonely easily, and they do not like being left alone for too long. Leaving them alone for eight hours or more a day may lead to depression, separation anxiety, and the destruction of your furniture. As adorable and friendly as they are, they may not be the best for families that are out of the house all day. As tempting as it can be, avoid overfeeding your Mini Labradoodle with high-fat treats, no matter how much they beg. Like their parent breed, the Labrador, they can get overweight if overfed. Also, keep their age in mind; puppies and senior dogs need different kibbles. Mini Labradoodles and any breed should be kept on a puppy-based kibble until they are a year old to ensure they get the nutrients needed to grow properly. Seniors, meanwhile, may need senior food that helps them get the most nutrients out of their food. As they age, some dogs have trouble getting the nutrients they need from normal kibble and lose weight at an alarming rate. Family Compatibility Mini Labradoodles are great family dogs because of their friendliness. They can get along great with families and other pets. These dogs are also very playful and love family interaction. You can potentially take your Mini Labradoodle on hikes, trips, or errands without too much trouble. Children should also be taught not to be too rough with them, no matter how easygoing they are. No jumping on them, pulling their tails or ears, or chewing on them. Even the gentlest dogs have limits. Mini Labradoodles can get lonely easily and even depressed if left alone for too long. That said, they can suffer from some health conditions passed down from their parent breeds. Some health concerns these dogs may be at risk of are hip dysplasia, obesity, and bloat. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip develops incorrectly as a puppy, causing problems later on. It can cause pain and dysfunction as the dog grows. Over time it can cause problems like arthritis and mobility issues. Obesity is a common problem among Labradors that can be passed down to their Mini Labradoodle children. Therefore, avoiding high-calorie treats and overfeeding them too much is best. Obesity can cause a range of other health problems in the future, like arthritis or joint pain. This is a hereditary disease passed down from Labradoodle parents. Mini Labradoodle puppies are more susceptible if their parents had it. Do not breed your Mini Labradoodle for Mini Labradoodle puppies if they have this disease. Exercise-induced collapse occurs when a dog overexerts itself while exercising. This particular problem is more common among Mini Labradoodles, so keep an eye on them when running around. This can be life-threatening. While your Miniature Labradoodle is running around and exercising, watch for symptoms like a lack of coordination, muscle weakness, or other signs of exhaustion. Make sure they stop and take a break if they seem to be tiring themselves out. Owners should also be careful of diseases like hypothyroidism. In addition, you should clean their ears periodically to avoid ear infections. Mini Labradoodles need consistent grooming and coat care to keep their fur from matting and getting messy. They need to be groomed multiple times a week, at the least. Daily brushing is recommended if possible. These dogs are incredibly active, coming from two very active breeds. They need a good minutes of exercise a day. They enjoy running and need to be able to burn off all that energy. Mini Labradoodle Training The Miniature Labradoodle is considered very easy to train, even for new dog owners. When all else fails, you can pull out a bag of dog treats to get their attention. You should start training early to avoid behavior problems later on. Keep a bag of low-calorie treats handy during the early days of training. Praise good behavior with a treat as soon as it shows desirable behavior. If your Miniature Labradoodle does something wrong, do not lash out at them, as it may worsen things. Punishments like hitting may lead to fear or aggression that would not have existed without it. Instead, redirect them to the right behavior and then reward them. These little guys can be stubborn and set in their ways if you wait too long. They love their humans, but they can also be a bit protective of them. Teaching your Mini Labradoodle puppy early on that other people and animals are safe is a good way to avoid any future problems like growling or lashing out at strangers. Trust me; you do not want to wait until your dog starts getting nervous about new people and animals to start socializing them. Once they start getting antisocial, it gets harder to mingle them. So go ahead and start taking them out and letting strangers give them treats and pets. Do Mini Labradoodles Bark a Lot? Miniature Labradoodles are not known for barking a lot. Depending on the individual, they may occasionally bark at the door or bark while playing. This breed is generally seen as a moderate barker. Any excessive barking can usually be addressed through positive training by rewarding quiet behavior. They may get into trouble and chew things up out of frustration or just get depressed to the point of illness. Never leave a young Mini Labradoodle puppy alone. They may get into something and get themselves hurt. Is the Mini Labradoodle Hypoallergenic? The non-shedding coat of the Miniature Labradoodle is more allergy-friendly than most. They can also be a good choice for those with concerns about allergies. These small to medium designer dogs are intelligent, loyal, and love pleasing their humans, much like their parent breeds. Mini Labradoodles also require consistent attention and will get lonely if you leave them alone for too long. Make sure you have the means to care for any dog you decide to get. Kelly Smeby Kelly Smeby is a freelance writer specializing in pets and animals. She has written several articles about pet health, training, and behavior. Kelly has lived with many types of animals since early childhood. Kelly has also lived with multiple cats, birds, and fish. Kelly currently lives in Florida with a two-year-old Pekingese and a cat and continues to learn new things from them every day. She enjoys learning even more about animal health and behavior and sharing that knowledge with others through writing. She has a strong background in research, business, and writing from her time in college. Kelly hopes to use her experience to help other pet owners who need help understanding their dogs, cats, or other pets. She hopes her work will help promote better understanding between humans and animals. Leave a comment Your email address will not be published. Post Comment. Active and needs lots of exercises History Of The Breed The labradoodle has been around since the s as a mix of the Labrador retriever and a full-size poodle. This breed was developed to create dogs with the loyalty, intelligence, and trainability of the Labrador retriever, with the low shedding coat of the poodle. The loyalty and high intelligence of poodles made them a great personality match for a Lab as well. Despite being bred as companion dogs, standard poodles are actually pretty big. They are at least 15 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 45 to 70 pounds. When you combine that with a Labrador, which is inches tall and can weigh 70 pounds, you get a pretty big dog. They tend to be around inches tall and can weigh pounds. They are dogs that take up quite a bit of space! Of course, you can get a smaller labradoodle by breeding a Lab with a miniature or a toy poodle. This is not as easy to do as there can be a huge size difference between the pure-bred parents, but some breeders have been working for several generations to gradually reduce the size of their labradoodle pups. Mini Labradoodle Appearance There is still quite a bit of size difference between the miniature Labradoodles that you can get from a breeder; they can weigh anything from 15 to 30 pounds, and most will measure somewhere between 14 and 16 inches tall. The appearance of miniature Labradoodles can be more predictable than that of standard Labradoodles as they are usually bred from two labradoodle parents, rather than directly from the parent breeds. They will almost certainly have the low-shedding coat of a poodle since this is one of the principal traits that is controlled for. They could have a wool coat that needs daily brushing to release hair that gets caught up in the wiry texture or a fleece coat that is wavy. These may shed slightly more, but this coat is easy to care for. They can vary significantly in color since poodles come in a variety of colors, unlike Labradors which are yellow, black, or chocolate. They can be apricot, black, blue, brown, cream, gray, red, silver, silver-beige, or white. They may also be bicolor, though this is relatively rare. Temperament Labradoodles are highly intelligent dogs. Both Labradors and poodles are considered among the most intelligent breeds and can learn a new command with as few as five repetitions. Their offspring will certainly inherit this intelligence. Labradors are also highly trainable because they are eager to please and love having something to do! They are also reward-driven. This means that mini Labradoodles will be highly trainable as well. Both parent breeds love people and tend to form tight attachments with their families quickly. They are also pretty relaxed with strangers and are more likely to want to make friends than raise the alarm when someone shows up at the door. This is one of the reasons that they make excellent guide dogs or other working dogs. You should always pay attention when your miniature labradoodle starts barking. They can be a bit more standoffish with other pets, but socialization from a young age can teach them to make friends. You should take the time to introduce new pets into the home and let them get to know each other from a distance first when dealing with these dogs. Because both parent breeds love being around people, so do their miniature Lab children. They can become highly stressed and even develop depression. It is also common for them to become destructive when they feel frustrated. Since they are highly intelligent pups, they need a lot of mental stimulation. Teaching them tricks can be a great way to activate their minds, and puzzle toys can keep them distracted for a while, though they tend to figure things out pretty quickly. Be warned that they are also excellent escape artists, so all escape routes from the house need to be secured. Labradoodles love children and instinctively know how to be careful and protective of them. Of course, you should never leave children unattended with any dog for the safety of both, but a miniature labradoodle will love playing with kids, and the two high-energy forces can work to wear one another out. Activity Levels Despite their smaller size, miniature Labradoodles need almost as much exercise as their larger labradoodle cousins. They need at least an hour of active exercise each day, preferably split into two 30 minute periods. In addition to formal exercise, they do best when they have some outdoor space at home that they can potter around in and use to let off a bit of energy throughout the day. Nothing will make these dogs happier than accompanying the family on hikes and other adventures. Thanks to their Lab parent they also love the water and tend to be excellent swimmers. Health Concerns A miniature labradoodle may live as little as 10 or as long as 18 years, which can be very difficult to predict, but you should expect your canine companion to be with you for quite some time. While they are generally healthy dogs, they can be predisposed to a few health conditions that pet parents should be aware of. The first is gastric dilation, which is basically bloating. Gaining weight can be an immediate sign of this, but it wreaks havoc with many of their systems. This is another good reason to watch what you feed them, and consult your vet about relevant medication. These collapses can be life-threatening, so it is important to monitor your dog during exercise and rein them in if they show any sign of muscle weakness or lack of coordination. Consult your vet for long-term treatment. This can also be a sign of centronuclear myopathy, which is not unknown in this breed. Hip dysplasia can be another common issue, which is exacerbated if you overexercise your dog as a puppy. Restrict exercise until they are fully grown to ensure against abnormal growth. Eye conditions including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy are also pretty common, but most breeders should be screening for this. How To Find A Mini Labradoodle Puppy Labradoodles are a popular breed, so there are many active breeders, but finding one who specializes in miniature Labradoodles can be more challenging. Thankfully, there is a big community that loves this type of dog so there are many forums where you can ask around and get advice. Having read our guide to the miniature labradoodle, are you considering whether you should adopt one? Consider the following to make your final decision. This can lead to destructive frustration and serious depression. They do best in households when there is nearly always someone about, or when they can go to work with you. Their good behavior and low shedding mean that they are good dogs to take with you to other places. You also need to take the time to train these dogs, as they need lots of mental stimulation to keep them entertained. Are you willing to commit the time to their development? Despite their small size, these are high-energy dogs. As well as formal exercise, they will love joining you on weekend adventures and would rather be on the trail than sitting in front of the TV watching Netflix with you. Do you have the type of lifestyle that your dog will enjoy? Do You Have Kids? Miniature labradoodles are great with kids and they know how to both be protective and play gently. The key is to teach children how to treat dogs gently as well. They might not be the best fit for very young families just because they have lots of energy and need lots of attention. It can be a challenge to juggle the needs of young children and an energetic young pup at the same time. There are, however, lots of things to look out for to make sure these pups stay healthy and happy. They will bark during play or if they want to get your attention, but excessive barking is uncommon and is normally something that you should pay attention to. Do labradoodles chew furniture? Find our recommendations for the best puppy chew toys here. Can mini labradoodles be left alone? These dogs should not be left at home repeatedly for long workdays, though. These dogs do best when they have company for most of the day. Do labradoodles bond with one person? All dogs have a tendency to bond more strongly with one person than everyone else. This is usually their principal caregiver, but they have big hearts with room for everyone in the family, plus most of the strangers they meet. The miniature labradoodle is a smaller version of the original labradoodle that can do better in smaller family homes; however, they still have the same high energy and need at least some outdoor space to call their own. If you have always wanted a labradoodle, but resisted adopting one because of its size, the miniature labradoodle might be exactly the dog you are looking for. Do you have experience with miniature Labradoodles? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Listed below are answers to the most common questions I receive as you are preparing to take your puppy home: 1. What is my puppy eating? We are feeding your puppy PawTree. They have a multitude of other flavors you can try out after your puppy comes home too. You can buy this food by clicking the PawTree picture at the bottom of any page on our website. You can find out more information at www. We also encourage you to set your order to their EZship so you never run out. They also offer personalized food by filling out a pet profile so we encourage all families to head over to fill out their pet profile for personalized food plan as well as personalized bags of dog food when they arrive. How many times per day should my puppy be fed? We feed puppies, weeks old 3 x per day. We try to keep them on a schedule such as: a. Once the puppy reaches 12 weeks, we cut them back to eating 2 x per day, eliminating the noon feeding. Increase the amount you feed based on the recommendations you will find on the dog food bag as suggested by weight of the puppy. We do not recommend free feeding — give your puppy about 20 minutes to eat, then pick it up and put it away. Water should be provided at all times, except during the night. Wet the food for about 30 minutes prior to giving it to the puppy so it softens to aid in digestion. However, if you see loose stools it is almost assuredly overfeeding so back it off until the stool is firm and then slowly add back in. When can I start training my puppy? We like to see training start as soon as you pick up your puppy from my home, or your puppy arrives via car or airplane. We recommend transporting your puppy home in a crate that is lined with a bath towel. Feeding time is a fantastic opportunity to train as you can spend a few minutes several times per day with teaching the basic commands of sit, stay and come. We provide a helpful training booklet with detailed information on training on our Puppy Tips page. What size crate should I buy for my puppy? Most puppies that will mature to a medium size will need a large crate once they have reached maturity. Plastic crates are an option as well. If you have any questions please ask us. What type of collar and leash do I need and what size is best for my puppy? We like to buy the less expensive, adjustable-type of collars and a nylon leash. We do not care for the expandable leashes that allow the puppy to walk way out in front or way off to the side of you. The smallest setting for the collar would be about 8 inches and expanding out from there. We use small carabiners to attach the stretched chain between the collar and the leash. This will prevent your puppy from chewing your new leash. If you are reserving a small size pup then I would suggest an XS collar. Another option while they are very young is a slip leash style. Some families like to train in harnesses. This is also a tool you can use. Sizes will vary from company to company, but most go off of weight. Ask us the estimated weight of your future puppy at the time they will go home so you will have a rough idea of what to purchase. It is never a bad idea to weight to buy until you can size your puppy in person though as each harness will fit differently. You can play the radio softly if your puppy is in a different room from you as this is how they were raised with us. You have to find a system that works for you. However, keeping consistent for the first few nights will build a sleep pattern in your dog you will enjoy for its entire life. How many times per night will my puppy need to go out to go potty? We suggest you feed your puppy dinner no later than p. Make sure that you see puppy go potty and poop before putting him to bed for the night. If your bedtime is p. Then only if puppy is whining, let him out very methodically to potty no playing and put him right back to bed. How many times per day should my puppy need to go potty? Puppies will always go potty right away after they wake up and after they eat. If you take puppy out right after eating, see him go potty, then allow about 30 minutes of some free time in your home before making his world small using a temporary fence or leash. On average they can typically hold their bladders for 2-hours, but every puppy will react differently to stimuli in your home. Should my puppy have contact with other vaccinated dogs? We like to make sure other dogs have not only been vaccinated, but are also free of parasites. Worms of all sorts can live in feces and it just take a quick second for your puppy to ingest enough to get a parasite. This product should be alternated every 6 months. There are countless natural remedies as well as chemical based options you can find at your vet. We always prefer natural options first, but in some cases the chemical based products are needed. Check with your vet or trainer for their recommendations in your area. We strongly suggest topical or collar options only. How often should I give my puppy a bath and what should I use? We do not bathe our puppies unless they are dirty and we use baby shampoo or something gentle. We usually suggest people decide what they like in the look of their Labradoodle. Do you like the longer, shaggy look, or do you like the shorter, more manicured coat? If you leave the coat longer, you will need to keep it combed out and mat free. Do you have recommendations for where to stay when we pick up our puppy? We are located only 20 mins from Lebanon, Oregon. There are numerous hotel options in Albany, Springfield, or Eugene that you can explore. The difficult part is deciding which one will have the greatest positive impact on their well-being. The following are some of the top options for dog foods for your Labradoodle: Dry Food: Due to its affordability and accessibility, dry dog food is a preferred option for Labradoodles. The nutrients in high-quality dry food are appropriate for a different life stage of your Labradoodle. Dry food has the greatest shelf life when compared to other types of dog foods. Wet Food: Wet food or canned food is another option for owners. Labradoodles enjoy the variety of flavors in canned food that come in interesting shapes like other meaty foods. Owners may combine wet food with dried food because wet food alone is typically more expensive than dry food. While it can be costly, doing so guarantees that their pups receive high-quality food. If you only give the same food to your Labradoodles, they could develop picky eating habits. Hence, it makes sense to follow the advice of the majority of veterinarians to combine kibble and wet food with a ratio of 20 to .Make sure the food you choose is sustainable and highly recommended by experts. Ensure that it will suit your needs, those of your dog, your financial situation, and your way of life. The average price of a Labradoodle is already costly. Hence, it is important to choose the kind of diet that will also suit your budget. Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Labradoodle Dog owners must be aware of the foods that can be harmful, poisonous, or trigger an allergic reaction in their Labradoodles. The following is a list of some harmful or poisonous foods that you must never give your pet Labradoodle: Alcohol: There is no enzyme that can digest alcohol in Labradoodles. Hypoglycemia , metabolic acidosis , respiratory difficulties, or central nervous system CNS impairment could result from ingestion. Avocado: Avocados contain the fungicidal toxin persin , which has been linked to the death of many dog breeds, including Labradoodles. It can cause vomiting, loose stool, and heart damage when taken in large doses. Chocolate: The major alkaloid in cocoa and chocolates, theobromine , cannot be broken down by an enzyme found in the stomachs of Labradoodles. As a result, even small quantities of chocolate can cause toxicity. Additionally, they could become uncontrollable, have convulsions, throw up, and have diarrhea. Grapes and raisins: As a result of the tartaric acid found in grapes and raisins, Labradoodles experience diarrhea , vomiting, dehydration , and kidney failure. Unfortunately, even one full grape can cause fatal injuries and irreversible harm to Labradoodles. Onion, garlic, leeks, and chives: All of these vegetables contain N-propyl disulfide , which robs red blood cells of their ability to carry oxygen. Consuming these veggies over time may cause hemolytic anemia. It is frequently present in toothpaste, gum, candies, and syrups. Listed below are foods that may seem harmless but are actually hazardous for Labradoodles: Cooked bones: Cooked bones are prone to shatter into shards. They can hurt your Labradoodle as well as obstruct its mouth, throat, and stomach. High-sugar foods: Your Labradoodle is more likely to develop health issues, including diabetes, obesity, and teeth damage, if it consumes too much sugar from other dog foods. Avoid cheap dog food, which usually contains too much salt. Consuming too much salt can result in seizures, renal failure, diarrhea, and vomiting. If ignored, this results in gastrointestinal blockage and death. Bring your Labradoodle to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately if you think they have accidentally ingested any of the aforementioned foods. A smart technique to make sure that their nutritional demands are being satisfied is to switch to a new food. If you want to gradually introduce a new food to your Labradoodle pup, make sure to introduce it in little amounts every day. The timeline provided below will help you introduce a new food to your Labradoodle: Days. From left to right here are some examples of faucet lixits, an adapter to allow for a Lixit to always be on a faucet without need for removal, and then indoor or traveling Lixits. Over the years, with many conversations with Vets, that I respect, I've learned that puppy food is essentially a marketing ploy. In fact, when we first found Life's Abundance they didn't even have puppy food. It was redundant for them to carry puppy food. However, after pressure from so many customers that had decades of "Puppy Chow" commercials engrained in their heads, Life's Abundance decided to include a puppy food. If you prefer to feed the puppy food for the first couple of months we understand and feel is your decision to make and we do support you. We just ask that you stay with Life's Abundance as it's the best dog food and it's what your puppy has been consuming it's entire life, as well as, it's mother's entire pregnancy and life. This video is a great video to explain how to compare dog foods. First, I have strong opinions about most things, it's just my personality. I'm a Momma Bear type with my doodles. Some of my insanity I was just born with and the other sixty percent was gained by enduring some tragedies I don't ever want any of my families, including you, going through. In case you don't know, Life's Abundance, the company that makes all our food, supplements, treats, grooming products, and cleaning products are all delivered right to your front door for a very affordable amount. Life's Abundance food is very affordable and I will include a video at the bottom for you to watch. The dog food is made fresh every two to four weeks then immediately shipped out so your doodle's food isn't sitting on some shelf, on some semi-truck, in some warehouse, who knows where , and for who knows how long. Instead, we know where the food is being made and it's then on our front door step. Why does this matter? Well, your doodle can't say to you, "Hey, my food tastes moldy and I think it's why my liver and kidneys are hurting me but you won't know until I have bloody urine or I'm really sick. Do you think you could get me some fresh food? Many years ago I had a lab mix that was getting really sick and after being diagnosed with terminal liver problems did we realize the food was moldy. Next, one of our doodles many years ago got into a bag of China made chicken treats and ate more than the recommended serving and within four days she was dead. It was the worst tragedy that even writing about it now makes my stomach ache and my eyes tear up. My doodle was a normal, happy, fun loving doodle then suddenly the next morning she was so severely ill we had to go straight to the vet. Our doodle had no appetite, didn't want to move, was non-stop vomiting, with increased diarrhea with blood in it, she kept drinking water despite her belly looking so full, and she was constantly peeing and it was text book for poisoning from these treats. Telling this story has done me in for the night and I'm going to continue with my site later. I only explained this to help you from experiencing the heartbreak our family endured. From our experiences we searched long and far for a USA made dog food that never had a recall. When we did this search we found Life's Abundance. I checked and double checked this company. We learned it was started by a Vetrinarian which really impressed me from the beginning. Our doodles tested the food and loved it. We tried all the products and loved them. I searched all the dog food review websites and found rave reviews with an average of 4. I love that it was made fresh and never sat in a warehouse or on a store shelf for months, in most cases. I've heard of some big box companies buying tons of food from different companies to get discounts and most of the food sits and waits, in some random warehouse that isn't temperature controlled, for the food to sell so it to can make in onto a shelf at your local store to then be purchased by you. The question remains, how long has that food sat from when it was first made? With Life's Abundance, I know the answer, it was made fresh then shipped to you and I. Without a doubt, I will continue to find good products for our doodles and I will passionately share them with you, our doodle families. If for some reason Life's Abundance changes their quality or their product goes downhill or there is a better product then I will change our website and I will tell you why. I take being a "Full Service Breeder" seriously. I believe that my job begins once you adopt one of our doodles. When you adopt your doodle and take it home you are also gaining a doodle friend and confidant that you can call and get support from for life. I'm here to help you so you can just enjoy your doodle and come to one place for sound, honest advice. As my mother used to say, sometimes I'm too honest so be careful what you ask : lol. Dog owners often get bombarded with endless choices as well as countless adverts from the dog food companies, who all claim that theirs is the best. When it comes to dog food, the simple answer is no one food is best for all dogs. But the question is: which diet is the best for your Labradoodle? Luckily, there are many different options when it comes to dog food. The most popular manufactured foods include a complete diet dry , with or without a biscuit mixer and semi-moist. Some dog foods contain only natural ingredients. Then there is the option of feeding your dog a home-made diet. Some owners swear by a raw diet while others feed their Labradoodles vegetarian food. Within the manufactured options, there are many different qualities of food. Usually, you get what you pay for. Expensive ones are more likely to provide better nutrition for your doodle in terms of minerals, nutrients, and high-quality meat, whereas the cheap ones will most likely contain a lot of grain. Dried food also called kibble in the USA tend to be less expensive than other dog foods. They have improved a lot over the last few years, and some of the more expensive ones are now an excellent choice for a healthy, complete diet. Dried foods also contain the least fat and the most preservatives. Often semi-moist foods contain a lot of sugar and artificial substances, which is why some dogs seem to love them. Choosing the right food for your Labradoodle is very important. The diet influences his health, coat, and even temperament. It can have an effect on his health, coat , skin, energy levels, and temperament. There are several different types of food that you can feed your labradoodle — dry, semi-moist, canned, frozen, or freeze-dried are just some of the options. You can also feed him a home-made or raw diet. Many owners of labradoodle with allergies or skin conditions are now considering this option. Dry Dog Food for Labradoodles Dry food is a popular choice for Labradoodles, especially for large dogs who get through a lot of food. It is also less expensive than other dog foods. It is worth paying for a high-quality dry food as cheaper ones may contain a lot of cereal. It also means that you have to feed larger quantities to ensure your dog gets sufficient nutrients. Canned Dog Food for Labradoodles Canned food is another popular choice. Dogs also love them. They love the taste, and it generally comes in a variety of flavors. Canned food is often great mixed with dry kibble. If your labradoodle has lost interest in food and on a dry food diet, then you can add a small amount of canned food. Canned food tends to be more expensive than dried food. Many owners do not like the mess that it makes. If you store a part-opened tin in the fridge, then it can have an overpowering smell when you open the fridge door. Semi-Moist Dog Food for Labradoodles These are the commercial dog foods shaped like pork chops, salamis, burgers, or other meaty foods. They are the least nutritional of all dog foods. They are full of sugars, artificial flavorings, and coloring. You may give your doodle one as an occasional treat, but they do not provide the nutrition that your labradoodle needs. Freeze-Dried Dog Food for Labradoodles The frozen food manufacturers often make this for dog owners who like the convenience of it. You can store them for six months to a year. They do it to make sure that their pets are getting the right nutrition they need. Feeding your doodle a home-cooked diet can be time consuming and expensive. The tricky part is sticking to it once you have started with the best intentions. Raw food for Labradoodles If your doodle is not doing well on commercially prepared dog food then you might need to consider a raw diet. There is evidence that they are becoming increasingly popular among the Labradoodle owners. Raw food diets emulate the way dogs ate before the existence of commercial dog foods. After all, dry, canned, or other styles of cooked food for dogs were mainly created as a means of convenience. However, raw diets are not without controversy. Supporters of the raw food diet argue that a carefully planned raw diet gives the dog numerous health benefits, including a healthier coat, more energy, cleaner teeth, and get rid of bad breath and doggy odor. But the critics say that the risks of nutritional imbalance, intestinal problems, and food-borne illness caused by handling and feeding raw meat outweigh any benefits. Scientifically, the jury is still out. This is one of the most frequent questions that all the Labradoodle owners ask. But there is no easy answer. The correct amount of food for your labradoodle depends on several factors such as: Breed. Is kibble, cans, raw or homemade food better? Swapping Puppy Food Brands Moving into his or her new home is a challenging and exciting time for your Labradoodle puppy. Keep feeding what your pup is used to for at least two weeks. Then, slowly start mixing in the new food you have chosen for your pup. Labradoodle Puppy Diets Puppies have lots of growing to do. This means that they need more of certain minerals and nutrients for example calcium and phosphorus for bone growth. Your labradoodle pup will also need a higher amount of good quality protein. This is definitely not the case, though. This—among other things—can cause joint problems, such as hip dysplasia. Labradoodles are a cross between two breeds that are both already at high risk of developing hip dysplasia. The most important thing of all is to avoid overfeeding a Labradoodle puppy, as we will see later in this article. This is called hypoglycemia. Generally, a feeding schedule for your Labradoodle pup can look like this: 2 — 4 months: 4 meals daily 4 — 6 months: 3 meals daily 6 — 8 months: 2 — 3 meals daily Older than 8 months: 2 meals daily. Just make sure to divide the total daily amount onto multiple feedings. You can make slight adjustments to these amounts if your pup is looking a little slim or chunky. The number of calories your pup needs will also change as he or she gets older and heavier. There are a couple of different options out there. Commercial dog foods offer complete and balanced nutrition for your growing pup — this means that they have all the right nutrients in all the right amounts and ratios. If a puppy is fed an inappropriate diet, this could lead to long-lasting growth defects or other malnutrition diseases. Feeding a Labradoodle Puppy Kibble Kibble is the most popular type of dog food out there. There are only two things you need to pay attention to when choosing kibble: It should be designed specifically for puppies, and it should be high-quality. Research shows that higher-priced dog foods tend to have higher nutrient digestibility than lower-priced kibble — so it might be worth spending a bit more. Choose a kibble that contains a meat protein source as the first ingredient, and steer clear of ingredients like corn, soy, and cereals. Due to its high water content, the aromas and taste of the meat unfold better, making wet food the most palatable food there is. This comes at a bit of a cost, though: Wet food tends to be more expensive than kibble, and of course it spoils more easily. To get the best of both worlds of commercial dog foods, you can combine or alternate between kibble and wet food. The BARF diet consists of lots of raw meat and bones, as well as some veg and fruit. Supporters of raw feeding think that it will make your dog healthier, although there is no solid evidence for this yet. Raw meats are often contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter. These bacteria could potentially cause diseases in your pup. However, this is extremely rare, as the digestive tract most dogs can handle these bugs just fine. This means that there is a lot less danger of bacterial infections from raw meats. Keep in mind that cooking for a dog is not the same as cooking for yourself. Avoid spices, onions, garlic, cooking oils, and too much salt. These are dogs that will always want more food and are prone to obesity. It can help to space out meals or add one or two feedings a day if your dog is constantly hungry. Another option is to make your dog work for small amounts of food throughout the day — be it with puppy training, food balls, or puzzles. The possibilities are endless. As they grow you will move from four meals per day at 8 weeks old, to just one or two in adulthood. And you will want to use as much of their daily kibble as you can in training. Helping to strengthen the bond between you, as well as to teaching them which behaviors you want to see in your home. Feeding a Labradoodle Puppy When it comes to feeding your new Labradoodle puppy there are plenty of options to choose between and a number of things to consider. Puppies grow up fast. The first thing to keep in mind is that puppies have different dietary needs to adult dogs. Getting too much of some nutrients, and not enough of others can lead to developmental problems. Growing pups digest food and absorb nutrients differently than adult dogs too. Their gastrointestinal system also works much faster than that of an adult dog. Puppy Nutrient Requirements Puppies need more calories than adult dogs, relative to their size. In fact, they need about twice as many calories in relation to their body weight compared to that of a full grown Labradoodle. Compared to mature dogs, puppies also need: more protein to support growing muscle more fat to fuel growth and a different mineral balance to aid in the rapid development of their bones. For example, one study showed that puppies fed a low phosphorus diet suffer from impaired appetite and growth, diminished skin and fur quality, and a disturbed musculoskeletal system. Too much calcium can also negatively affect bone development, by accelerating it. This is a serious joint condition that leads to painful arthritis and lameness. The smaller and younger your puppy is, the more often they need to eat, since their stomachs are too small for big portions. Labradoodle puppies that are 4 months or younger should have their food split into 4 meals a day. When they reach 4 and 6 months old this can be reduced to 3 meals. Knowing how much to feed your Labradoodle puppy can be tricky. So the feeding charts on the packaging are a good place to start. This basic pet calorie calculator can help determine how many calories a puppy needs. Overfeeding Labradoodle Puppies Canine obesity is a big problem for many dogs and the Labradoodle is no exception. Some Labrador Retrievers are known to have a genetic mutation that causes them to have an insatiable appetite. But there are plenty of genetically normal dogs who will always want more food. If your puppy is constantly hungry you can try giving him smaller, more frequent meals. In fact, for training purposes we recommend using as much of each of the meals rations as you can as training treats between meals. These days there are a lot of brands vying for space in the dog food market. So deciding what to feed your Labradoodle puppy might be the most difficult question of them all. Puppies that are 8 to 12 weeks old should continue eating the same food they were eating at the breeders. If you want to change their food, wait until they are fully settled at home. Then transition gradually to a different diet to avoid causing an upset tummy. You can do it over the course of a week, like this: Feed 1 part new food to 3 parts old food on the first two days. Equal parts old food and new food on days three and four. And three parts new food to one part old food for two more days after that. Feeding a Labradoodle Puppy Dry Food Most puppy parents choose one of the many commercial dry puppy foods available. There are many reasons why these diets also known as kibbles are so popular. They are.

Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article. Please learn a bit more about our Boxers on our "Meet Our Boxers" page where you can see pictures, video, and information about them. We are a homeschooling family; therefore we are home everyday and able to provide our puppies with lots of attention and family interaction. Our emphasis here at Box Elder Creek is on doing our very best to provide families and individuals with a quality puppy; one that is healthy, well socialized, has an outstanding well-rounded disposition and has the look of a true quality Boxer. We do not have puppies all the time, as we chose to only have a few litters per year; in doing so we are able to dedicate a lot of time, care, love, and attention to each and every one of our puppies. We know that we have a very limited amount of time before our puppies will be leaving us and joining their new families; we feel it is our responsibility to get our puppies off on a great start in life while they are here with us, this helps ensure they will be ready and able to become a valued and much loved member of their new family. Boxers make wonderful family pets, they are great with kids and have excellent temperaments, but they are not for everyone. They love to be a part of the family and enjoy any activity that involves interaction with people, be that hiking, jogging, agility, games that make them think, lounging, babysitting, learning try clicker training , patrol duty, stealing children's toys to get everyone to chase after them, they are prone to collect shoes into piles they seem to think this is an important job , re-arranging the laundry is a favorite past time Boxers are always very helpful!! Life with a Boxer is never dull!!! They are silly and very much a jokester. Please make sure a Boxer is for you before purchasing one as they will test your patience at times. If you are looking for a dog that is independent, a Boxer is not for you as their family is very important to them and they tend to want to follow you around all day long. Boxers adore their family and it is very important that they be apart of it. I also highly recommend before purchasing a Boxer that you make sure you will have the time for proper training, as lack of training is the 1 reason Boxers end up in Boxer Rescue. We are delighted to welcome you to our website and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you into our Boxer family! All Rights Reserved. The contractual agreement between you and the breeder Agreement made to not breed the dog in the future Agreement made to not enter it into competitions No restrictions on the Boxer puppy Read on to see why these factors affect the price of Boxer puppies. Reputation Of The Breeder Breeders spend a lot of time and money to build up their reputation as trustworthy Boxer breeders. The more renowned a breeder is, the more they are able to charge for their dogs. However, some puppy mills and backyard breeders will shoot up their prices to appear to be reputable breeders. Therefore, you should go through a trusted association to find a reputable breeder. Do not be fooled by good advertising. The individual Boxer puppy you want to purchase must have its own papers that document its registration with the American Kennel Club. These papers cost money and will increase the price of your Boxer puppy slightly. This is important because pedigree changes the price of the Boxer puppy; I will discuss this next! Pedigree is important when it comes to determining what your Boxer puppy will look like, its temperament, and the chance of it developing genetic issues in the future as it grows up. Determining who the dam and sire of your Boxer puppy are is important in determining price. If your Boxer puppy has a champion sire or dam, then the price of the puppy will increase significantly. Champion heritage drives the price of the Boxer puppy up because the buyer is almost guaranteed to get a perfect specimen of what a Boxer should be and has a better chance at winning competitions with their Boxer puppy when it grows up. The breed, unfortunately, suffers from hip dysplasia, cardiovascular myopathy, severe arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, several cancers, and aortic valve disease. The American Kennel Club recommends that all of these tests, including thyroid screening, elbow evaluations, and certain DNA tests are all done to produce a long-term prognosis so effective preventative care can be carried out from day one. If a Boxer puppy has any health concerns, then their price will decrease, and they will often be sold for a couple of hundred dollars or so depending on the specific health issues they have. As medium-sized dogs, Boxers can leave their mothers safely at eight weeks. Many people who want to compete with their boxers will wait until the Boxer puppy is six to eight months old before purchasing them. During this time, the breeder will invest in behavioral training. When the Boxer puppy is six to eight months old, the breeder will also be able to give you a better idea of their temperament and their adult markings and ultimate size. As a result, these puppies will be much more expensive than the younger ones. Boxers will stand at 23 to 25 inches tall if they are male and .They have tall, regal-looking shoulders that slope down gently to a smaller set of hips. Their heads are quite square and are characterized by their wrinkles that make them appear confused but curious! Boxers that meet the breed standard are a fawn or brindle color with white markings on their chests, bellies, inner legs, and faces. However, the white markings may not be more than a third of their entire body. If your Boxer puppy meets the breed standard, then their price will increase because they can be used for competitions. However, if they do not meet the breed standard, then their price will be decreased, as this is seen as undesirable from a competition standpoint. The first agreement will prevent you from further breeding your Boxer puppy. The second agreement will prevent you from entering your Boxer puppy into any competitions. Both contacts will decrease the price of your Boxer puppy, as they place restrictions on what you can and cannot do with your puppy as it grows up. There are many other costs associated with owning a Boxer! One-Time Bring Home Costs There are a number of things you will need to purchase before you even pick up your Boxer puppy to make them feel more comfortable and happy in their new home! Fortunately, a lot of these items only need to be purchased once or twice, like food bowls and crates, for example. Here is a list of some of the vital things you need:.

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german shepherd puppy diet - Rachael Ray Nutrish is another brand I love for Labrador Retriever puppies as it is packed with DHA for healthy brain and eye development and specially formulated for young, growing dogs. You can also select different sizes and recipes. My favorite is chicken and brown rice. Bedding And Toys Lab puppies need quality bedding and toys for teething. Labrador puppies grow quickly and have sharp claws and teeth. Puppies also go through a teething phase and will need special teething toys to help soothe their sore mouths and help keep your furniture safe. As far as bedding, the best bedding for a Labrador puppy is going to be made of high quality material that is soft and plush while also being sturdy enough to keep them off the floor and support their growing bodies. KONG toys are wonderful tools to use during crate training , but they also help with separation anxiety , boredom, and the teething stage that all puppies go through. Enter the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack. These flavored chew toys come both textured and regular to help get your pup and your furniture through the teething stage safely. Cuddly toys like the Smart PetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy above can help your new Labrador puppy adjust to sleeping on his own, assist in crate training, and may even help alleviate anxieties including noise phobias and separation anxiety. Puppy blankets are a must and can be used for multiple purposes in your home for your pup. My favorite puppy blankets are blankets that are specially made for dogs, like the Luciphia fleece blankets above. While you can use any blankets on hand, blankets that are specially made for dogs are usually a bit more durable, easier to wash, and have been made with quality and safe material for your pooch. Puppy blankets just make it easy to always a comfy place for your puppy to rest his head no matter where you are. Ultra Squeaker Ball is an absolute favorite in my house and with my clients. I especially love using this toy for puppies who are just getting the hang of playing fetch. For puppies, picking up on how to play fetch can be tough. Balls that squeak or make noise when thrown help to make the game more exciting and help encourage young pups to chase whatever is making that high pitched sound! Leashes, Harnesses, and Collars Collars, leashes, and harnesses are important tools to help socialize your puppy. Getting your puppy used to wearing a leash, harness, and collar is an important step towards socializing them. So even though your Labrador puppy will outgrow his harness and collar quickly, I still suggest investing in these items. Here are five of my favorite leash, harness, and collar products for Labrador Retriever puppies. As I mentioned above, puppies are especially fragile so steer clear of attaching a leash to their collar and try to help them adjust to wearing a harness that is comfortable. What I like about this harness is that it is adjustable so you can use it a bit longer as your puppy grows. Best of all it is the perfect length five feet for puppy training and is a leash your Lab puppy can take with him into adulthood. It is built like a standard leash, but it offers you control over how far away your puppy can get. This is excellent for puppy parents who live in busy neighborhoods or who are working with a puppy who likes to wander. Large breed puppies like Labrador Retrievers require crates that grow with them. This is why I love crates that come with dividers so that they can grow with your Lab puppy. I also recommend playpens, as Labrador puppies are notorious for being very active and energetic. Lab puppies are also incredibly curious and tend to chew a lot in their first few months, which is why indoor dog gates will also be an important part of puppy proofing your home. Take a look at some of my favorite puppy-proofing products below. Nobody likes cleaning up potty accidents. Of course, no one wants a big, bulky pen that takes up half of their home either! I also love that the pen is big enough for puppies to grow into and allows them to learn how to explore a space larger than their crate while keeping them and your home safe from their curiosity. And since crate training is such an important part of puppyhood and actually helps your puppy adjust to being alone and feeling secure, we recommend investing in a good, high quality crate you can use for years. It has two separate doors for entrance and exit and it comes with a divider so it can be adjusted to the size of your dog as he grows. Just remember to leave your pup inside his crate with a KONG and some bedding so he is comfortable, and remember that puppies who are younger than six months old should not stay in their crates for longer than four hours. For those of you who plan to leave your puppy out and about while you are gone and after he is trained, of course , then a crate that folds may be your best bet. The MidWest Foldable Dog Crate posted above is one such crate that is not only made well, but also stores well. Like most crates ideal for Labrador puppies, this crate also comes with a divider so it can grow with your dog. Along with crates and puppy playpens, you also might consider getting a gate to keep your puppy from entering places in your home that may pose a risk to him. Many of my clients keep gates up in their kitchen entryway, or gate their living rooms where puppies are tempted to chew on wood furniture. Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate Sale Buy on Amazon For those of you worried about installing something or accidentally damaging walls or paint, there are always free-standing gate options, like the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate. I do like the way these gates look and the simplicity of them, however, they are not always the most secure and may not stand up to a strong and curious puppy. These gates are also not ideal for leaving puppies unsupervised as they can sometimes find ways to knock them down. Grooming your Labrador puppy early on not only helps to socialize him and prepare him for a life of vet visits, groomer visits, and physical contact with people, but it also helps to keep him clean and healthy. Like babies, puppies are more sensitive to certain products and require products that are specifically designed to be gentle on their sensitive skin and fur. Be selective of the shampoos, dog brushes , and other grooming products you pick for your Labrador puppy and make sure you always use high-quality products. Some of the products I recommend most for grooming a Labrador puppy are listed below. Pet Care Sciences Puppy Shampoo. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? Vet bedding fleece on a roll is ideal puppy bedding. You can line both his bed and his car crate with this. Buy several pieces so that you can pop one in the washing machine when it gets dirty or if he has an accident. There are lots of lovely beds you can get to go around the house, but in those first days veterinary bedding is an essential alternative to keep his crate cosy and clean. Puppy Toys For Labradors Puppy toys need to be sturdy. Many puppies destroy soft toys quite quickly though they are so adorable, you may not be able to resist buying one or two. Kongs and rope toys are very tough and seem to survive the onslaught of puppy teeth. A Radio If you intend your puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen from the first night, you may find it helpful to leave a radio next to his crate. Just a simple, cheap Portable Radio with the volume turned down low can serve the same role as some human company. It just helps him feel less along during those first few nights when he may be feeling very homesick. Puppy Harness There is no rush for this, but once your puppy is too heavy to carry, and going out and about on the ground, he needs some kind of safety restraint. These days I usually recommend a harness as they avoid pulling on the puppies neck. The kind where the lead attaches at the front and on the back are ideal. You can find an expert review of the big brands of harnesses, from a professional trainer here. When he is older and has learned to walk next to you, you can buy him a collar. To let your puppy know when he has done something you like. It is a really useful tool to help you teach your puppy to be quiet, and to learn simple skills. It will make training your puppy much quicker, easier and a lot more fun. Getting a recall to whistle established at an early age gets your puppy training off to a great start. I recommend the Acme Dog Whistle. There is plenty of information on the use and choice of dog whistles in this article: Should you buy a dog whistle .It will help to get you off to a great start with your new puppy. This is the guide I wish I had when choosing the best puppy supplies for our Labrador Retriever, Kona. The dog you grew up with was much different from this one because your parents did most of the raising. It sure would have been nice to have had more honest and relevant guidance when determining what supplies I should get for my new puppy. It seems like everyone I know has recently become a dog parent and is raising a new puppy. I realized I know a thing or two about this topic after going through it all myself with our Labrador Retriever, Kona. I love sharing my experience with other dog parents and decided I may as well start sharing it here. Hopefully, others find my advice useful, regardless of whether you are the new owner of a Labrador Retriever or some other breed! I am all about being cost-effective when it comes to purchasing dog and puppy supplies. So, most of the products I recommend below are within that category, all are great quality and very reasonably priced. There are countless options when it comes to purchasing puppy supplies, so Kona and I rounded up a list of our favorite Labrador Retriever puppy products and explain them each below! Kona is a Labrador Retriever, and as a result, many of these recommendations are based on the experience with that dog breed. Yet much of this advice is relevant to any large breed puppies. So, getting him on the right food for a Labrador was a task I did not anticipate. We did 2-month dog food subscriptions on both of these products in lb bags and it made our lives so much easier compared to going out and purchasing the food at a physical location. The heavy bags of dog food were always delivered right to our door! They are not grazers like some dogs. I kept hearing about these special dog bowls that help Labradors eat slower and digest better, so decided to try one out. THIS feeder bowl is amazing! I bought the teal style and size small. We also never had to upgrade to the bigger size because the small still works for him as an adult. Food Mat While the bowl has some sticky rubber on the bottom that prevents the bowl from moving around while Kona eats, the floor around the bowl still gets dirty. It can get especially messy around the water bowl, so I used to put a kitchen towel underneath both bowls to limit the grime. I wish I had purchased it sooner because it would have saved me a bunch of time cleaning! Dog Crate Getting a dog crate was the smartest decision we made. They are actually a positive safe space for your puppy and it also does wonders for potty training. Kona took to his crate right away, and now almost 2 years old, he still loves it! We find that he tends to get the best rest if he sleeps in his crate at night. I did a lot of research on what crate to buy. Crates come in so many different shapes, sizes, and styles and finding the right one for your dog and your home is key. With a large breed dog, you should be looking at a big crate. But while it may seem oversized and ugly right now, this crate will be their home, so you want it to be comfortable for them. Getting a large crate now, that will grow with your puppy will make your life so much easier in the long run, and much easier for a puppy to adapt to. We got the inch double door with divider. We did this to help make it more private and cozy for him, and he absolutely loved it. It was also a great way to prevent him from waking us up super early or if we wanted to sleep in because the crate stayed dark for him. However, Kona would also goof around with the blanket cover in and out of his crate. He also loved climbing on top of it from the couch… This was all a bit frustrating, yet all a part of the silly puppy age. But let me tell you, this crate cover is a thousand times better than a blanket! I really wish I had purchased one earlier because this thing is totally worth it. The cover fits the crate perfectly and the best part is that it has flap openings for all areas include both door openings, a mesh window, and the top. It has zippers and velcro and is super durable. Dog Crate Pad When Kona was a young puppy we had no idea what we should put on the bottom of his crate to make it comfortable. We also knew that it was possible he could have accidents, so it was necessary to have something easy to wash. Initially, we tried a large soft folded blanket, but it ended up being too big and awkward. We decided to hold out from buying any bed or pad for a while. Instead, we folded a towel or blanket and placed it in the crate for him. Usually, Kona would nest it up on his own to make it comfy. This worked just fine for him, especially with the divider panel in the crate, which would have made fitting a full-size bed in there difficult. Kona voluntarily sleeping in his large dog crate as a young puppy. He loves this plush material and now cozies up with anything similar to it. The pad is totally washable and maintains shape well. It has an anti-slip bottom so it stays in place better than most dog beds. I hardly ever have to get down and adjust the mat myself. Looking back, I wish I had gotten one of these sooner because I think Kona would have loved it as a little guy and been even more comfortable! I will note, however, that Kona used to enjoy taking his bed out of the crate, prancing around with it, and laying on it outside the crate. Dog Bed When Kona was a young puppy, I purchased a separate dog bed that he could lay on in our living room. This was a bad idea because Kona saw the bed as something to play with and he actually relieved himself on it more than once. We go for a value pack so we never worry about running out. But rather than them chewing the wrong things and destroying your home, you can get them to chew the right things! Also, he preferred peanut butter and bacon flavors. We got the Medium size version when he was a puppy so it would last as he grew into it. Often, dog chew toys will have tiny flecks or pieces that come off but then pass through just fine if ingested. We tried our best to avoid those, and never experienced that with these particular bones. Better to play it safe in my opinion. These dog chew toys kept Kona entertained for some time, and he still enjoys them as an adult! Getting a hollow bone gave me the flexibility to fill it on my own or leave it empty. Tip: the pumpkin can spill out, so I recommend giving it to your puppy outside or on a towel or something. I think the bone holds onto some flavors. Initially, I boiled this bone with some chicken broth and let it cool. I think this gave it some extra long-lasting flavor. Believe it or not, they are also very inexpensive. Often, I give him healthy bits and treats that he loves like banana, greek yogurt, kale, and other vegetable pieces. But on occasion, I will give Kona one of these goodies called Bully Sticks. THESE are the best ones by far! I waited until he was about 3 or 4 months old to give him these. I honestly only give them to him maybe a couple of times a month now. However, being new dog parents, we got Kona one before realizing this. As a puppy, there was a plush toy that Kona especially liked, and it held up for a good while. THIS moose toy was his absolute favorite! He loved sneaking up, pouncing on, and shaking it as a little pup. Moose had soft insides and a squeaker. Kona loved Moose while he lasted. We originally got the toy in size Medium. Kona and his Kong Cozie, Marvin the Moose, a plush dog toy. I read early on that one way to help break bad habits with accidents was to use a good cleaner as a training aid. Using a safe and effective cleaner is the key to avoid this issue, as well as any other organic stains and odors. Not to mention, it will help keep your house smelling nice. It smells nice gets rid of that funk smell completely rather than just covering the scent. I think it even works as a good normal house cleaner. The spray bottle is the easiest to use, but when we run out we just order THIS pour version and fill up the original spray bottle. Kona enjoyed ripping apart and trying to eat the puppy pee pads. He liked laying on them, but I was also shocked to learn that he also associated those with a good place to have an accident. I would much rather he had an accident on one of those towels than anywhere else in the house because it made it much easier to clean up and launder. He totally destroyed that thing, all just from normal daily use. Kona loved chewing his leash on walks and it was a really tough habit to break. But always buying a new leash that would soon be chewed seemed like such a waste. We love the honu sea turtle print on it, especially being in Hawaii. They also have many other prints and designs to choose from! Dog Name Tag While Kona was microchipped, we also wanted him to have a name tag on his collar. If he got lost, the tag would have his name and our contact info. I got him THIS simple tag in the bone shape. This tag has had all kinds of action, it gets wet with saltwater and sandy at the beach all the time, yet it still looks great! There you have it, those are our best product recommendations for raising a Labrador Retriever puppy!