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Possibility of high exercise requirement Might have a heavily shedding double-layer coat Submissiveness can lead to fear-based aggression Other and unknown breeds may be present in parents' blood Labrador Kelpie Breed Description The Lab x Kelpie cross is a dog that is well-known in a small region, not well-regarded where they are known, and prone to a great variety of behaviors. The two very different breeds that produce this odd dog tend to create an animal that is intelligent, useful, and loyal — but in different ways. These smart dogs might be too much so, meaning that there is a lot of Kelpie inherited. When this happens, these dogs are overly anxious, prone to barking, and ever-ready to react in a fashion to make things right as they see it. Then again, she may be a lot more Lab, which means she'll be laid-back, prone to playing, and comfortable with anything that is not an overt threat. Either way, this hybrid dog come from two hard-working breeds, so they tend to figure out things one way or another. Loyalty is not a problem, although this trait may be exhibited differently from one Lab Kelpie cross to another and even within a single litter. Some will seek to protect you from anything that moves, and others might show their loyalty by just being there, napping near you, and waiting for the next task. If there is more Kelpie in your Lab Kelpie, constant movement is the norm. If there is more Lab, then energy conservation such as napping! It all depends on whether it's just a Lab and Kelpie that were crossed or if there were other breeds or hybrids in the mix at some point. For the most part, however, the two most common colors are the black Labrador cross kelpie and any of a variety of chocolate coat colors. There are a few markings too, such as legs speckled with white and some shade or brown, or some sort of brindle-infused aspect, or the Lab-influenced white chest markings. The colors that your Labrador Kelpie might come in are: Red. Australian Kelpie Lab Mix Appearance and Size Australian kelpies are about 4 inches 10 cm shorter than labs so the cross between the two breeds will usually be somewhere between the two. The average adult Kelpador will be about 18 to 23 inches .Black and chocolate will be the most common colors of this cross with some dogs also having lighter chest or leg color markings. Walnut and more reddish colors are also possible albeit rare. The exact body type and head shape of the Kelpador can vary between characteristics of the two-parent breeds — there is no strict standard in that regard. The main thing to notice is that Keladors will typically have a lighter build than purebred Labradors as kelpies are a more lightweight breed. Aside from that, a few hours of free playtime in a well-fenced yard are strongly recommended. However, we know that labs are very social, smart, and eager-to-please family dogs and that kelpies are an exceptional herding breed that also loves being around people and is a hardworking companion. So, even though the two parent breeds have different histories — one is a gun dog and the other a herding dog — they are both very intelligent, social, and loyal. Kelpies are more of a working dog and love performing tasks and literally helping around the house when asked and trained to do so. Labs, even though they come from hunting dogs, are also selfless workers which is why they make for great therapy and guide dogs. Overall, this means that the lab kelpie mix is just a very well-rounded family dog. They can easily get along with kids, other pets, and even strangers. This canine will love to be around you and to earn your love in any way possible. Separation anxiety will be an issue, however, as it is in both purebred labs and kelpies. So — only take such a dog if you can give it the attention and human contact it needs. Of course, these dogs can still develop some health issues, they are just not as likely to as some other breeds. Getting a health certificate and a family history from the breeder is still strongly recommended, however. This makes it all the more important to ask for a health certificate. If the pup is healthy and you offer good care, your dog should easily reach 10 to 12 years of age and more. If not, you can expect to encounter some of the following conditions:. Hypothyroidism Tricuspid valve dysplasia If a Lab x Kelpie inherits the Lab appetite, he'll be a voracious eater. So, you'll need to monitor his food and give him time to digest it properly before any physical activity. Not paying attention to his diet will quickly result in an overweight dog, attracting a host of diseases. Exercise and Training As we've discussed, Labradors and Kelpies are known for their high levels of energy. This means the hybrid will need lots of daily exercises to be happy and content. Be prepared to give them at least an hour of vigorous physical activity and long walks. Since Lab x Kelpies are also highly intelligent, they'll need strenuous and interactive exercises to entertain themselves. Photo credit: nala. If you live in an apartment, it would be best to skip this breed. Coming to trainability, you won't have any problems training Lab x Kelpies. They'll learn everything very quickly, and it is recommended to teach them advanced obedience as well. They can work tirelessly for hours and can even help you with household chores. Teaching them to pick up the laundry and take it to another room will be a breeze. Overview of the Shiba Lab Mix Shiba Inu Lab mix, also known as Shibadors, are intelligent and active dogs with a friendly and playful temperament. These dogs are smart, energetic, and make for excellent family dogs. They are best suited for families that can provide them lots of mental stimulation and exercise. Shibadors make for excellent companions if you can devote the time and attention they need. They are much more common in the United States than the Labrador Kelpie mix. It would be best to acquire a Shibador puppy through a rescue. Like other hybrids, they don't have much history, and they likely came about due to accidental breeding. Appearance Shibadors may look more like one parent breed than the other. Shiba Inu and Labradors are very different in physical appearance. Labs are large and heavy, inches .In contrast, Shiba's height is between inches cm , and they weigh only up to 24 pounds .When these two breeds are crossed, the resulting hybrid can weigh up to 50 pounds .A pure bred Shiba Shiba Inu's face looks like a fox, but Shibadors tend to lose this appearance. They do, however, inherit those slanted eyes of Shiba Inu. Their ears are mostly long and floppy, but some may also have partially or fully erect ears. Overall, a typical Shibador looks more like a Labrador than a Shiba Inu. Their coat length is usually medium but can vary. These dogs are available in a few colors like brown, cream, red, black-tan, and white-tan. When it comes to shedding, the parent breeds are almost on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Labradors have a thick double-coat and shed like crazy throughout the year. In contrast, Shiba Inus have a short coat that sheds occasionally. Your hybrid can lie anywhere in-between. Personality Labradors and Shiba Inu share a few traits, but they also differ significantly. Shiba Inus were bred to hunt, while Labradors were used to retrieve fishes and ducks from water. When you combine these two, you get a dog that is highly energetic and intelligent. However, the hunting instinct may be prominent in some dogs, so you will need to introduce them to many people and animals at an early age to avoid undesirable behaviors. Like most Lab mixes, Shibadors don't like solitude. When left alone, they may resort to destructive behavior and damage goods around the house. So, be prepared to give them lots of time and attention because they love to be a part of everything you do. For the most part, Shibadors are not watchdogs. The only way they can chase a stranger off is by licking them to frustration. They are incredibly loving and loyal, which means you'll be welcomed with a wagging tail every time you come home from work. Health Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common in Labradors and Shiba Inus, so Shibadors are also prone to these diseases. They are caused by the non-uniform growth of the hip and elbow joint, affecting the dog's walking ability and perhaps even leading to paralysis later in life. Retinal dysplasia, glaucoma, cataracts, and luxating patellas are other diseases Shibadors can inherit from their parents. As is the case with Lab x Kelpies, you may want to watch out for obesity problems in Shibadors. This is because they can be voracious eaters like their parent Labrador. However, plenty of physical activity and a high-quality kibble will ensure that your pet stays in shape throughout his lifetime. You can expect Shibadors to live for 10 to 15 years on average. Puppy mills often neglect issues that come with mixing purebred dogs. Choosing a responsible breeder also plays a crucial role in making sure your puppy lives long and stays healthy. Exercise and Training Both Labradors and Shibas were bred to serve their owners. They have a lot of energy and can work tirelessly for hours. When you bring a Shibador into your home, you must give him enough exercise and playtime to keep him satisfied. Be prepared to spend at least an hour daily and take him on long walks. If you are active and have a backyard, Shibador can be an excellent companion. Shibadors are also highly intelligent and easy to train, especially if your puppy takes after his parent Lab. Shiba Inus are more independent and strong-willed, so you may face some challenges if your pup favors parent Shiba. As we've said, early socialization is necessary to help your dog curb his hunting instincts. It's a good idea to take him to doggy daycare and the park regularly to familiarize him with as many dogs and humans as possible. These dogs are friendly, energetic, and intelligent. Some of them may favor Blue Ticks and be noisy and stubborn. However, the ones favoring Labradors are laid back and always ready to play. This breed is also not very common, so not much information is available about it. However, we can make a good guess at what a Blue Tick Lab mix will behave like by looking at its parent breeds. We cannot exactly predict the physical or behavioral traits of a crossbreed. Let's briefly discuss Labradors and Blue Tick Coonhounds' physical attributes so that you can get an idea of what your Lab x Coonhound mix will look like. Labradors have a broad head, floppy ears, and soulful eyes. They have a thick but short double coat, with a thick, straight "otter tail. They can weigh pounds .Blueticks have long, floppy ears that hang down below their face. They have a spotted or "ticked" dark blue coat, and their hair is short and glossy. You'll find blue or black spots on a Bluetick's back, sides, and ears. They also have tan markings just above the eyes and on the cheeks. Lastly, they have dark-red spots on lower legs, chest, feet, and below the tail. Personality Overall, these dogs are loyal, friendly, loving, and playful. Both Labrador and Blue Tick are highly energetic, so be prepared to give the hybrid lots of exercise and attention. They will love to be occupied, and leaving them alone for long periods will lead to destructive behavior. Physical and mental stimulation is crucial for the happiness and health of this designer breed. They have strong hunting instincts, so you should monitor your hybrid around cats and other small pets. They can also be wary of strangers. These things suggest that you must socialize this hybrid at a very young age to avoid or mitigate these issues. Also, Blue Ticks are known to be quite vocal, which may or may not be passed on to the hybrid. Health Blue Tick Lab mixes are generally healthy. However, like their parent Labradors, they are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. They are also more prone to obesity than Kelpadors and Shibadors. So, you'll need to take special care regarding their diet and physical activity. Ensure that they eat only high-quality kibble that contains ideal ingredients for large dog breeds to control their weight. Also, both Labradors and Blue Ticks can be prone to bloat. It is a condition in which a dog's stomach is filled with fluid, food, or gas, making it expand. There are severe consequences like a harder time breathing, lack of blood flow to the stomach, and a tear in the stomach wall. Their coats will shed excessively in the shedding season if they favor the parent Lab, but in any case, moderate shedding throughout the year is to be expected. Grooming them doesn't take much time, though; brushing once or twice a week is enough for most dogs. Exercise and Training Like most Labrador mixes, this hybrid is highly energetic, which means the dogs will want to do something all the time. This can be a problem if you're not ready to devote that much time. Apart from doing something all the time, these dogs will need at least an hour of vigorous exercise. They are not suitable for apartments or small homes. As we've said, they are highly intelligent, and training them is usually a breeze. However, your dog may inherit some stubbornness from Blue Tick, in which case, training him won't be so easy. Make sure to not give him too many treats during training to avoid obesity issues. Pro tip: Are you tired of your dog being hyperactive even after a long walk? Let him sniff around during walks; it'll tire him out more quickly, but be sure to strike a balance between sniffing and walking. Final Thoughts Labradors have been crossbred with various other breeds over the past few decades. Let's summarize the chief points about these hybrids: All three are intelligent, energetic, and active; you'll need to give them the time and attention they need. They are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and obesity, so you'll have to monitor their diet and physical activity. They are friendly, affectionate, and extremely loyal, which means they'll love you as long as they live. Puppy guide: how to find a breeder A Kelpie Lab mix combines the protective, energetic Australian Kelpie with the friendly, affectionate Labrador Retriever. The resulting mix can vary, but generally puppies grow to be medium dogs with plenty of drive and intelligence! These dogs do best in active homes, and need daily mental stimulation to prevent destructive behaviors. What is a Kelpie Lab Mix? Breeding two purebred dogs together to create a mixed breed has become a popular trend over the past decade. And, the Labrador is a favorite for this process, thanks to their loving, family-oriented temperament. However, like all mixed breeds, the outcome of a Kelpie x Labrador can be unpredictable. And this means getting to know both parent breeds very well! When well socialized, Labs are friendly, affectionate, and loving. This temperament is partly due to generations of breeding for such a personality, but also to a history of working alongside humans in retrieving roles. The Australian Kelpie is equally energetic and intelligent. In fact, this breed is known for their ability to learn and their limitless energy. Throughout their history, Kelpies have worked as sheep-herding dogs in Australia, and many can be found in this role today. They form strong bonds with their owners, but can be reserved around strangers and other dogs when not well socialized. And, they may display herding behaviors towards young children and other pets. Importance of Socialization Socialization is an important process for all dogs. If you socialize your dog well before they reach 12 weeks of age, they will feel happier and more confident in new situations as an adult dog. Socialize your puppy to anything they might experience as an adult, like a busy school yard, people in wheelchairs, trains, busy roads, and more. Keep all experiences positive. Pairing new and potentially scary things with treats and affection is a great way to help your puppy get used to them from a distance. Over time, you can move closer. But, it can help to minimise the risk of fear-related aggression. So, be aware of the potential natural instincts in this mix before committing to one. For instance, they are both well-built, muscular dogs that suit a working lifestyle. They both also have a dense, double layered coat that sheds moderately. Both have relatively long, straight tails and a healthy muzzle that will keep them cool as they work or exercise. The Labrador comes in three colors — black, chocolate, and yellow. But the Kelpie has a wider range, including black and tan, blue, fawn, red, and red and tan. Some of these shades are dominant over others. But, modern breeders can work to increase the likelihood or certain colors. Size is another trait that can vary from one Kelpidor to the next. Adult Labradors are large dogs. Fully grown, they will stand between .Some may fall outside of this boundary, but these measurements are the most common. And, females tend to be smaller than males. Australian Kelpies, in contrast, are smaller. When fully grown, they usually stand between 17 and 20 inches tall, weighing between 35 and 50 lbs. Like Labs, females are often smaller than males. The exact size of your Kelpie Lab mix will depend on which parent it favors. Some puppies will grow to be at the upper limit of the Labrador range, but others might be as small as the smallest Kelpie. And, some might fall entirely in between, being the perfect middle ground. The best way to get an idea of potential size is to examine the parent dogs. Both dogs have a working history, and so a mix between them will be equally clever and active. Training is vital for this mix. Not only to instil good behaviors, but also to provide some mental stimulation and burn off some of that limitless energy. Multiple training sessions each day are a great idea, as is investing in some interactive toys. Positive reward training will work well for this mix. This mix will have a lot of energy. So, they are best suited to large homes with lots of safely enclosed outdoor space for them to roam in. They need energetic families that can dedicate at least an hour every day to exercise. This can include hiking, retrieving, agility, swimming, and more. If they do not get enough exercise, a Kelpie Lab mix can become bored and unhappy, which can lead to destructive and unwanted behaviors like barking, digging, chewing, and more. Kelpie Lab Mix Health Although mixed breed dogs live, on average, longer than purebred dogs, they can still be prone to the same hereditary health issues as their parents. For example, the Labrador is particularly prone to joint issues, so a Lab mix puppy may experience the same problems. Here are some of the most common problems that can impact a Kelpie x Labrador. Hip and elbow dysplasia. Personality and Temperament Since the Kelpie X Lab is not a common breed, it is a little difficult to generalize the personality and temperament of these dogs. The doggy will love to cuddle with the human owners and spend time with them. However, you have a natural instinctive dog if you have the Kelpie X Lab, which can make its own decisions and herd a group. Though it is affectionate, it likes to have space and be independent. Moreover, the doggy will demand a lot of exercise and activity to spend the pent-up energy. Another difference in traits we might observe is the amount of barking. While Labs are not the barking type unless necessary, which makes them a really bad watchdog , the Kelpie is prone to barking and mouthing due to its herding instincts. Moreover, the mixed breed pup might be hyperactive and a little too curious to wander about. Either way, training is essential when you bring a Kelpie X Labrador pup. Even then, stay alert when introducing the pup to other dogs or little kids. Look for physical signs of unease, passive aggression, or anxiousness. You can leave it with your family and kids without worrying, but only after training. Every dog needs training and time to get used to the surroundings and learn how to navigate through them. Be patient with your pup. Show your love and compassion when training instead of relying on aggression or negative reinforcements. The mixed-breed pup might act on the herding instincts if it sees smaller dogs running around, even if it has more traits of a Lab Retriever. Both parent breeds are not comfortable with dogs larger than them. The Kelpie is likely to be aggressive, while the Lab might turn anxious. Appearance The Kelpie X Labrador breed comes in different colours, with black and brown dominating the list. A rich chocolate or walnut coat is also common in the mixed breed, though reds and yellows are a bit rare. There is also the two-toned brown, brindle, tripartite, and black. The pup might either have a short, single coat that requires little grooming like the Lab or have a long coat with a shedding undercoat like the Kelpie. The Kelpies require brushing twice a week and need to be regularly groomed to keep the coat shiny and healthy. Contact a pet grooming centre to create a schedule. Since both breeds are intelligent and enjoy games that demand them to use their brain, the mixed-breed pup will also have the same tendency. Training the Kelpie X Lab doggy is not a tough task. The parent breeds are fast learners and have passed the same traits to the pups. They learn quickly and even love advanced training. While some pups grew up into healthy and robust dogs, others had a few health issues that needed attention. It is vital to get the parent dogs tested before crossbreeding them to avoid pups with genetic health conditions. Hybrid dogs tend to have health concerns as they might get the worst of both parents. Eye diseases, hypothyroidism, microphthalmia, hip dysplasia, diabetes, obesity, and tricuspid valve dysplasia are some common concerns found in Labs and Kelpies. Moreover, the mixed breed pups have more possibilities of becoming overweight. This can lead to further health issues. Even though it can stay without the owner for hours, it needs its daily dose of walking and exercise to be healthy and happy. Bored dogs cause more destruction than active dogs. Also, the Kelpie X Lab is not entirely suited for apartment living. A house with an open yard will encourage the doggy to be active and spend time with the family. We advise adopting a pet from the shelter homes or rescue centres. However, you can also contact a breeder to crossbreed a Kelpie X Labrador Retriever for you. Take time to know more about the parent dogs and do your research before adopting a mixed breed. This mix enjoys being active and spending time with its people outside. In general, and after being properly socialised, this breed is even-tempered and friendly with those they already know. However, the specific character of your puppy will depend on which side of its heritage is more dominant. If they tend to be more like the Kelpie side, your new pup will be eager to learn and have a job. In general, the intense drive in Kelpies can make the Kelpie cross Lab difficult to handle in a home setting. These pups are extremely smart and need consistent mental stimulation, preferably offered by a job. As a result, a Kelpie cross puppy might become destructive, unruly and sometimes aggressive. While Labs are also working dogs, they adapt more easily to pet life, and will be content watching the kids and going on a couple of long walks per day. Labs are very smart, but they tend to do well with fetch and retrieve games to stimulate their mind, while Kelpies loathe the repetitiveness and fetch might put their prey instinct into overdrive. Labradors enjoy meeting new people and do well with other pets of all sizes. In contrast, Kelpies tend to prefer smaller gatherings and feel easily overwhelmed in new environments. This is a herding breed, meaning they have the need to oversee any new space, and this might not be possible every time. An overwhelmed Kelpie mix can get antsy and could have a harder time following orders. Most Kelpie mixes would rather stay on the outskirts of the action and oversee the activities from afar. On the other hand, Labs and Kelpies have different ways of showing affection towards their owners. Labradors tend to be very outwardly happy dogs, wagging their tails, jumping and showing excitement. In contrast, Kelpies tend to be more reserved. While Kelpies fiercely love their owners, they show that affection by staying by your side, looking at you intensely and trying to follow commands. Of course, any puppy including the Lab Kelpie mix will need consistent socialisation from day one. Labs are one of the easiest breeds to socialise since they are naturally more people-inclined and enjoy meeting new friends. On the flip side, Australian Kelpies are naturally more reserved and need thorough socialisation to avoid unwanted behaviours. In Kelpies and their mixes, socialisation has two main goals: making them understand meeting new people can be a positive experience and curbing their strong prey drive. The latter is especially important for those Kelpie mixes that will live in a home environment and not work every day to satisfy those natural instincts. Socialising your Kelpie mix involves exposing them to positive experiences with new people, animals and environments. This means your Kelpie mix will chase and herd anything that moves, including children, cars, people and other pets. Remember the Kelpie was bred to handle the harsh Australian heat while herding cattle, so their weather tolerance is very high, and they need at least an hour of moderate exercise every day. This is non-negotiable and if you fail to provide enough physical stimulation, your puppy could become destructive and sometimes aggressive. Related: Low Energy Dog Breeds. Because of their strong chasing and herding instinct, this dog will need a fenced-in yard on top of their daily walk. The fence will keep them contained and ensure they stay safe without chasing after the first moving target they see. If you are very active and are looking for an energetic companion to take on runs, go hiking and workout with, this might be the crossbreed for you! This might not always translate into easily trainable, especially if your puppy turns out to be more like a Kelpie than a Lab. Labradors are easy-to-train dogs that aim to please, so lessons are usually fun for them and even first-time owners will do well. On the other hand, Kelpies are incredibly smart but also very independent. Positive reinforcement through praise and food is key to get good results with any Kelpie or its mixes, so bring lots of delicious treats to motivate your dog. Because of the coat type of both parents, your Kelpie x Lab will most likely have short to very short hair, with an undercoat. In general, your puppy will do well with a thorough brushing a couple of times a week, and maybe more often once shedding season starts. On the flip side, Labradors have been heavily crossbred, and they are more prone to certain issues. Related: Best Apartment Dogs. A fenced yard will give an active dog like the Kelpie Lab mix a bit more space to burn off some energy, chase birds and avoid boredom. In contrast, living in an apartment means you are the only source of entertainment and will have to focus on providing a consistent exercise schedule. If you are active yourself and plan to bring your Kelpie mix with you, then apartment living is possible if a bit tight. In all other cases, we recommend getting a bigger place before adopting this active dog. Adopting a Kelpie x Labrador Puppy Are you interested in this fluffy crossbreed? This is a rare mix, and most puppies happen by accident. There are no registered breeders, and this specific cross will be very difficult to find. Of course, you might get lucky contacting your local rescue centre to check if a litter was recently surrendered. You might also want to contact breed-specific clubs that might know about accidental litters coming soon. Here are a few useful links you might want to check:. Friendly, active, loyal, and intelligent Suitable Environment The Kelpie Cross Labrador is an active dog that thrives in large spaces. It is suited in a house with a fenced backyard where it can roam and play around. If you live in an apartment, this dog may not be the best choice for you. Other Considerations The Kelpie Cross Labrador tends to instinctively herd everything that moves, including children and other animals. It is recommended to teach your dog basic obedience while it is still a puppy. This crossbreed tends to be hyperactive and very friendly with everyone. This dog enjoys being busy and does like being alone for a long time. How can I take good care of my Kelpie Cross Labrador? Avoid feeding it onions, chocolates, raisins, and nuts. Make sure you combine a healthy diet with daily exercise. Remember to always give your dog time to digest its food before allowing it to engage in physical activity. Grooming The Kelpie Cross Labrador has a short coat like both its parents so it does not need any major grooming. Weekly brushing is recommended to get rid of loose hair and keep its coat looking good. Recommended Grooming Tips When grooming your dog, examine its body for bumps, lumps, and parasites. Exercise Both the Australian Kelpie and Labrador Retriever have high levels of energy, so you can expect their offspring to be very active, too. Because of this, the Kelpie Cross Labrador needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Give your dog at least one hour of vigorous physical activity a day. This may be in the form of a long walk, run, or play. It is suggested to keep a consistent exercise schedule as well as training time. Training This hybrid is intelligent, making it easy to train. Socialisation is recommended at a young age so your dog can quickly get familiar with different people, environments, things, and animals. Obedience training is also advised, so your crossbreed matures into a well-rounded pet. Because both its parents have histories as working dogs, the Kelpie Cross Labrador can work for hours without getting tired. You can train it to help you with household chores. Use positive reinforcement and reward or praise your hybrid for every job well done. This is basic information, and it should not be used to make adoption or purchasing decisions. The Kelpie Cross Labrador is a medium-sized dog that may take after either its Kelpie parent or Labrador parent. This means, its appearance varies. Some may have speckles, while others may have brindles. In terms of colour, this hybrid is available in various shades. These include brown, yellow, black, and red.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Deer Creek Comfort Dogs Shaping future companions for families and those in need of comfort Our family has been raising puppies for over 20 years. Our children have always had a passion for dogs which began our journey and now our grandchildren enjoy growing up with our wonderful dogs by their side. Deer Creek provides emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, service and therapy prospects, canine good citizen dogs as well as family pets. Deer Creek assists our families with puppy selection to help ensure the families get the puppy that will work well with their needs. Someone once said, "Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" and we hope you choose one of ours. If you are interested in finding your new family member, fill out our puppy application and we will be thrilled to work with you. We recognize that our dogs have the capability of changing peoples' lives on a therapeutic level. Many of our Doodles have become therapy dogs at funeral homes, children's advocacy centers, hospitals and nursing homes, and others have found homes as anxiety, PTSD and emotional support dogs. Learn more about our nonprofit organization Deer Creek Paw Prints at www. Learn More Molly, Rhys, and Beau! We are surrounded by quiet farmland with lots of woods, fields, and streams. This allows us plenty of space in which to exercise all dogs daily, an important ingredient for a happy, well-behaved companion. I earn my living as a psychotherapist. Years ago I decided to combine my passion with my profession. I certified both of my beautiful Labradors as Therapy Dogs and started taking them to nursing homes and children's hospitals. When Bella suffered a leg injury and had to have surgery, I took her to my practice daily. With no idea of how she might navigate a whole day at my office, how she would feel not being the center of attention like she usually is when wearing her therapist's cap , I took her daily with me. She interacted with clients and seemed to just know when to settle. I took her to a group for adult survivors of childhood trauma and she became the co-therapist. Initially she would go around the group and greet each person before settling in her spot which became the center of the group. Bella knew she was doing something important as does Nyala and I enjoy watching their confidence and sense of importance develop. I believe people always gain from their interactions with animals. We decided to breed Labradoodles because they are known to be highly intelligent, fun loving dogs with great temperaments. They are very much like Labradors, only they are low to non-shedding and very allergy and asthma friendly. A well-bred Labradoodle has a very athletic build and is known for its healthy hybrid vigor. We think they make the perfect family companion or assistant dog. We are dedicated to maintaining the health, temperament, and beauty of this amazing dog. We are also dedicated to promoting the importance of the animal human connection. We promote education on how to have a well-behaved companion that you may enjoy for many years. We think it is important to buy from a reputable breeder, but it is equally important for you to do your part spending quality time training your puppy. Our commitment to this wonderful dog is embodied in our statement of Ethical Guidelines. Professional Associations "You can judge the moral progress of a nation by how its animals are treated" - Mahatma Gandhi. The breeders are dedicated to raising healthy and happy puppies by using exceptional breeding practices. They also use designer dog nutrition so that the litters are healthy and well-nourished. They have been in business for more than 13 years. Their parent breeds are picked for important qualities, including a fantastic personality, adorable appearance, decent temperament, and inborn confidence. Before crossing to produce a healthy litter, they are also examined for clean genetic health panels. The best health care, home environment, and training for all of their puppies is their main value. They also breed primarily for health, temperament, and trainability, as they believe that all doodles are lovely and will look excellent when they are healthy. Their puppies undergo Early Neurological Stimulation after the third day of life to develop their inherent abilities as they grow into adulthood. The stimulation process also helps puppies cope with stress and stay focused throughout their lives. Their puppies have been thoroughly socialized so that they may readily adjust to their new environment and get along with children and other pets. When you buy a dog from them, you can be sure that it has good health, excellent temperament, and socialization skills to ensure that it will readily adjust to your environment easily. Their litters are created by AKC-recognized parents that have been healthily and genetically tested, and they are reared among family members using puppy culture methods. All puppies are given ENS early neurological stimulation to improve their coping abilities as they become older. In addition, at 6 weeks old, their Labradoodle puppies are subjected to a Volhard exam to help identify their abilities and temperaments. The Volhard test results are used to match a puppy with a good household based on its temperament. This ensures that they receive all of the essential vaccinations and deworming before being adopted. They go to great lengths to ensure that puppies are placed in families that are a good match for their temperaments. All Labradoodle puppies are vaccinated and dewormed before they go to their new homes. Their parent breeds are AKC registered and are health checked to ensure that healthy puppies are produced. Ruff-Ruff, Yo pups are spoiled with loads of love and special attention, so they work hard to find nice homes for themselves. It is critical to get a Labradoodle puppy from a reputable Labradoodle breeder to guarantee that your dog is healthy. A good breeder will also provide you with a health guarantee, health exams, and help as you adjust to a new puppy. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. When we discovered our children were allergic to not only the family dog but most animal dander and fur we were all very upset. Like most people we love the companionship of our furry family member and could not imagine life without them. We originally started searching for Labradoodles which led us to the Australian Labradoodle breed. With much anticipation we took our children to meet the Australian Labradoodle puppies prior to purchasing one to see if it was true and sure enough no adverse allergies issues whatsoever. We all fell in love with the personalities and temperaments of the dogs and decided to help other families with allergy issues and become Australian Labradoodle breeders of the line. Come see for yourself and meet our puppies. We promise you will love them as much as we do. Our Facility is also our home so we can give our Doodles the proper attention they deserve. We even have one acre of fenced in property for them to run and play as well as several rooms dedicated for our puppies and loving mothers. Our Promise We stand behind our puppies knowing they all come from the founding bloodlines in Australian and have a top quality ALAA certified pedigree. Every litter of puppies is born and raised in our loving caring home. We begin early neurological stimulation from day and we use the Volhard Puppy Aptitude test to determine the perfect puppy for your home.

You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Boxer, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Boxers". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Boxer from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon. If you can't find the perfect Boxer puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Boxers young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos! You will need A collar with the name tag and a leash. You will also need dog treats to reward a dog while training. Also, necessary things like a bed, dog food, and bowls should be bought. Schedule It is vital to take care of sleep, food, and walking early. Make a schedule to get all your work done and take care of the dog. A fixed schedule will teach your dog to maintain decorum and Stick to its routine. Working along with the schedule will help both you and your dog. It helps you maximize your productivity and teaches the dog to behave independently. Safety While welcoming a dog into your family, your primary responsibility is taking care of its safety. Brief all of your family members about how to care for a dog, foods you should not feed the dog, etc. When you bring your dog home, it is necessary to constantly keep an eye on him as their surroundings are new, and the dog can be curious to explore it, harming himself in the process. It is of utmost importance to Keep any poisonous substance out of reach. Online Boxer Breeders in Maryland MD : In case your pet store does not have a boxer breed puppy, there are very reliable online websites available from which you can buy. There is a high chance of finding a better dog online than your local pet store. You will find many options online. They have accommodated over two hundred thousand puppies in caring homes. They aim to give every puppy a happy home and improve their lives. Jor boxer puppies Jor boxer puppies specialize in breeding high-quality and healthy boxer breeds. They give assurance on the health and performance of their dogs. They offer dogs with excellent bloodlines from around the globe. Their dogs are very social and friendly. You can find a highly skilled breeder for boxer dogs. As this is an online marketplace, it has a vast network and can search for the best dog in the country. Puppies for sale today Puppies for sale today is a website that connects you with breeders Worldwide and helps you find the perfect fit. You will find anyone with a boxer puppy for sale on this website. It is a very genuine and proficient website. Adopt a pet For anyone looking for a boxer puppy on sale, adopt a pet is a reputable online website that you should check out. They offer puppies of all breeds, so you have a variety to look at before choosing a dog fit for you. Boxer breeders and boxer sellers: A highly skilled boxer breeder will keep the puppies with their parents for a minimum of seven to eight weeks. So if your breeder does not have any vaccine or health checkup documentation, do not buy a dog from him. A breeder specializing in breeding boxers alone should be preferred over the breeders who breed more than one type of dog breed. Upkeep of a dog: 1. Boxers like to look tidy. Hence you should bathe them once every 2 to 3 weeks. Boxes tend to have short hair, so brushing them once in a while will do just fine. Training Early training helps significantly in developing discipline. Socializing and exercising helps channel all the strength and energy in the right direction. Boxers need something new every time for entertainment. They are also very obedient and intelligent. Boxer breeds are also considered police dogs and assist in detecting drugs and finding missing people. Health Boxers need a moderate temperature and do not do well with acute cold or heat. They need to be considered part of the family and kept inside the house. Breeders should check for health conditions like Cardiac disorder, hip dislocation, thyroid deficiency, And the particular type of cancers. Nourishment Whether commercially produced dog food or home-cooked dog food, it should be high-quality and appropriate nutrition. It is vital to keep track of calorie consumption as some dogs are prone to weight gain. Also, treats should be given in moderation, or else they will throw tantrums at you if you give them their dog food. Giving a lot of treats can also cause obesity. Keep your veterinarian in the loop with what you are giving your dog and also ask for consultation from time to time. FAQs Which other dog breeds can be crossed with a boxer breed? Boxer and the Rottweiler cross will give you a protective and loyal pet. It will also keep the trespassers at bay. A boxer and an American pit bull are often compared, but a cross of these two breeds will give you an intelligent and faithful dog. A boxer and an American bulldog cross is muscular and looks more like a boxer. Are boxer breed dogs hostile? Boxers are aggressive and want to dominate other dogs, mainly of the same sex. However, exercises like playing fetch and taking the dog on walks helps tone down the aggression and increases energy and agility. It is also capable of causing harm to other animals if it detects any threat. Do boxers bark a lot? A boxer breed dog has high energy and playful nature. Conclusion: The Business of breeding dogs is practiced on a large scale. Large-scale breeding also raises The chances of scams; hence, getting your dog from reliable means is necessary. Vaccinations and health certificates are also necessary to look for when buying a dog. We also looked at some of the exciting crossbreeds between the boxer and other dog species. What is this article helpful? Let us know in the comment section below. Find Boxer Breeders in Other States:. Welcome to the Maryland state page on TrustedPuppies. Known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and charming coastal towns, Maryland is a fantastic place to find and raise your new Boxer companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Boxer breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our MD breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the vibrant dog-friendly scene in Maryland, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Maryland Kennel Club Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of Boxer canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. In terms of dog ownership, Maryland ranks 24th among U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Boxer breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Maryland. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Boxer puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Boxer puppy on TrustedPuppies.

Newborn Puppies At birth, puppies are blind, deaf and toothless, unable to regulate body temperature, or even urinate or defecate on their own. Normally, Puppies depend on their mother and littermates for warmth, huddling in cozy piles to conserve body temperature. A puppy that is fat and happy will be seen on it's back "sunbathing". Puppies first experience the sensation of being petted when washed by their mother's stroking tongue. The bitch licks her babies all over to keep them and the nest clean, and also to stimulate them to defecate and urinate. The dam may develop diarrhea, this is often from cleaning up puppy waste. Neonatal Period: Birth to Two Weeks From birth, puppies are able to use their sense of smell and touch, which helps them root about the nest to find their mother's scent-marked breasts. The first milk the mother produces, called colostrum, is rich in antibodies that provide passive immunity and help protect the babies from disease during these early weeks of life. The dam's discharge is usually gone by 2 weeks, but can last up to 8 weeks. After the birth, the dam's hair always falls out while she is raising a litter. It likely happens to help cool them; this is normal and it can come out in chunks. Sometimes you will not notice much hair at all come out. Some lose it gradually, some suddenly. For the first two weeks of life, puppies sleep nearly 90 percent of the time, spending their awake time nursing. The prolonged sleeping patterns of newborn puppies are there for a purpose; indeed, while those pups heavily snooze, they're actually growing. The pronounced twitching and jerking taking place during sleep is actually part of a deep form of sleep known as ''activated sleep. All their energy is funneled into growing, and birth weight doubles the first week. Newborns aren't able to support their weight, and crawl about with paddling motions of their front legs. The limited locomotion provides the exercise that develops muscles and coordination, and soon the puppies are crawling over and around each other and their mother. Ears and eyes sealed since birth begin to open during this period, ears at about two weeks and eyelids between ten to 16 days. This gives the furry babies a new sense of their world. They learn what their mother and other dogs look and sound like, and begin to expand their own vocabulary from grunts and mews to yelps, whines and barks. Puppies generally stand by day 15 and take their first wobbly walk by day .By age three weeks, puppy development advances from the neonatal period to the transitional period. This is a time of rapid physical and sensory development, during which the puppies go from total dependence on Mom to a bit of independence. They begin to play with their littermates, learn about their environment and canine society, and begin sampling food from Mom's bowl. Puppy teeth begin to erupt until all the baby teeth are in by about five to six weeks of age. Puppies can control their need to potty by this age, and begin moving away from sleeping quarters to eliminate. It is usual for us to remove the whelping pool and give the pups the entire apartment to explore between weeks of age. Socialization Period: Week Four-to-Twelve Following the transitional phase, puppies enter the socialization period at the end of the third week of life; it lasts until about week ten. It is during this socialization period that interaction with others increases. The most critical period--age six to eight weeks--is when puppies most easily learn to accept others as a part of their pack. Beginning at four weeks of age, the bitch's milk production begins to slow down just as the puppies' energy needs increase. As the mother dog slowly weans her babies from nursing, they begin sampling solid food in earnest. The environmental stimulation impacts your puppy's rate of mental development during this time. The puppy brain waves look that of an adult dog by about the 50th day, but he's not yet programmed--that's your job, and the job of his mom and siblings. Weaning typically is complete by weeks of age. Week Eight-to-Twelve Puppies often go through a "fear period" during this time. Instead of meeting new or familiar people and objects with curiosity, they react with fearfulness. Anything that frightens them at this age may have a lasting impact so take care that the baby isn't overstimulated with too many changes or challenges at one time. That doesn't mean your pup will grow up to be a scaredy-cat; it's simply a normal part of development where pups learn to be more cautious. Careful socialization during this period helps counter fear reactions. Puppies may be placed in new homes once they are eating well on their own, using their litter boxes and at least 10 weeks of age. Puppies tend to make transitions from one environment to another more easily at this age, too. Your puppy still has lots of growing to do. He won't be considered an adult until he goes through several more developmental periods and reaches one to two years of age. The Frenchie, Olive Cheese, nicknamed Ollie, was left alone for two hours while her owners attended a wedding, so they decided to check the pet camera system to make sure she was alright. Much to their amazement, Ollie had found a spot in the sun directly in front of the camera. Laying in the sun wasn't quite enough for the sun lover though, so she sat upright like a human to make the most of the heat. Ollie has become a viral sensation since the video was posted by owners sanderslosangeles on April 17, as it has already generated over 1. Ollie's owner, Kenny Sanders, told Newsweek that he and his wife Crystal assumed she would be sleeping when they checked the camera, but the Frenchie's hilarious nature often catches them by surprise. Ollie the French bulldog sunbathing. Kenny Sanders was amazed to see what his dog was up to while she was alone. Dogs can experience dehydration and sunburn, which is painful and dangerous. Hairless dogs or those with light pigmentation are more at risk of burning, so it's important for owners to be aware and prevent these risks. The American Kennel Club suggests using a dog sunscreen on the areas likely to burn, including their nose, ears and undercarriage. Sanders, from Los Angeles, explained that Ollie will often sit upright like she did in the viral video when she's begging for food. Seeing her look so content in the sun certainly gave the couple a laugh while they enjoyed the wedding celebrations. We were laughing as to why she was sitting up by herself at home. She constantly does things out of nowhere which are hilarious. Social media has loved the now viral video, which was captioned: "When you're at a wedding and you check on your dog at home alone on the dog cam. One person commented: "Dear diary, it's been eleven million days since my human left me. The sun is my only friend now. Send them to life newsweek. Read more. There's nothing like celebrating two of your nearest and dearest tying the knot, and even though it can be fun to get dressed up and have an adult night out, it's always a bit stressful when you have to leave your little one at home. And by little one, we mean your tiny adorable French Bulldog, like the one that belongs to TikTok account sanderslosangeles. Watch the following video of what happened when the owners checked the Puppy cam and get ready for your heart to shatter into a million pieces. View the original article to see embedded media. That poor precious little baby! That breaks my heart when mine does that. The sun is my only friend now. I would've stood home! The wedding's off. No amount of champagne and cake can make up for the guilt of leaving this precious ball of fur all alone. If this were our baby, we'd probably never leave the house again. Or at least decline any and all invitations that didn't read dogs welcome. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video , and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Texas Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Texas? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Texas? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Ellen is home full time where she spends most of her day with them from the moment they arrive until they day they go to their new homes. Most importantly, our puppies are center stage in the middle of family life here at Goldenwind. This offers our Texas Golden Retriever puppies optimum opportunities for both human and littermate socialization which is a necessity at this stage of their lives. When the weaning process starts, the puppies are moved to a large playpen in our living room. There they can hear and see everything around them. This includes loud televisions, stereo music, vacuums, doorbells, telephones ringing, doors opening and closing, thunder and rain sounds, kitchen pots and pans clanging, etc. When our Golden Retriever puppies are ready for their new homes at approximatley 8 weeks of age, they have been exposed to most household situations and noises that they will have with their new familes. All that means is that the animal was not quite 24 months of age when the test was performed. Therefore, you can request copies of the hip, elbow, heart and eye reports for the sire and dam of any litter or puppy that is offered for sale. A reputable Golden Retriever breeder will be able to produce the OFA certificates or reports from a board certified radiologist, board certified cardiologist and a board certified ophthalmologist. Therefore, Reputable Texas Golden Retriever puppy breeders have tested sires and dams for hips, elbows, heart and eye disease. Additionally, a Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist exams the eyes. Reputable Golden Retriever Breeders will follow the American Kennel Club Code Of Sportsmanship One would think that it should go without saying that Sportsmanship is very important in any competitive sport. Actions truly can speak louder than words. We hope that you will see that with any Golden Retriever exhibitor you may meet. We have compiled some of the best breeders in Texas to make the process easier for you. After thorough research, we can ensure that all these golden retriever breeders in Texas are verified, reliable, and strictly adhere to American Kennel Club AKC and US Department of Agriculture guidelines. Weatherby Goldens They are owned and operated by two retired U. Coast Guard officers. Their dogs are imported from Europe and belong to champion bloodlines. Weatherby Goldens breeding facility is spread across 15 acres of land, wherein their dogs and puppies can play and run all day. One of the best features of their property is an old 6-car garage that they have converted into temperature-controlled homes with plenty of room for dogs and pups to run and play. Their dogs are healthy and well-exercised. They have received their vaccinations on time, have been dewormed and declawed, and have been Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA -cleared for elbows, eyes, and heart. Their puppies are raised with love and attention and are socialized from birth within their 3-acre wooded property in Bulverde. All pups go to their forever homes with a thorough month puppy guarantee that covers congenital or hereditary defects, severe hip and joint issues, and other life-threatening and altering conditions. They have a strict sanitization policy to eliminate germs, and all pups are examined by a veterinarian before they go to their forever homes. Each puppy undergoes deworming, vaccination, Early Neurological Stimulation, tactile and noise desensitization, potty training and kennel training, area training, and microchip insertion. Address: The Colony, TX Splendor Goldens This breeder is a boutique breeder whose dogs prove to be perfect indoor and outdoor pets. Their pups run and play with their four children and accompany the breeder as the ideal hunting , ranching , and camping partners. Their English Creams belong to champion bloodlines of potent European pedigrees. These pups are well-socialized from birth to become the perfect family pets. All pups are thoroughly checked by certified and experienced veterinarians, dewormed, declawed, and vaccinated. Their pups and parent dogs are genetically sound, screened for hip and elbow dysplasia through OFA, for cataracts by a board-certified ophthalmologist, and heart defects. They are proud breeders of puppies that have competed and won in ring shows, obedience, and hunting competitions. Their puppies are well-socialized and raised with a lot of love and care. As soon as the weaning process begins, the puppies are moved to a large playpen in the living room. They are exposed to ambient noise, such as children playing, television, music, kitchen noises, and the like, to make it easier to adjust to their new homes. We work with reputable Golden retriever breeders to ensure that our puppies are healthy, well-socialized, and ready for their new homes. Our prices for standard Golden retriever puppies and teacup Golden retrievers are competitive and reflect the quality of the puppies we offer. What is the History of Golden Retriever puppies Texas? Golden Retrievers have captured the hearts of dog lovers around the world with their friendly nature and stunning appearance. But have you ever wondered about the history behind these beloved canine companions? The Golden Retriever breed was developed in the late 19th century in Scotland by the renowned Lord Tweedmouth. He sought to create a breed that excelled in retrieving game during hunting expeditions while maintaining a gentle and friendly demeanor. Lord Tweedmouth crossed various breeds, including the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, with the aim of achieving his vision. The result was the Golden Retriever we know and love today. With their innate intelligence, strong retrieving instincts, and desire to please, Golden Retrievers quickly gained popularity as hunting dogs. Over time, their exceptional temperament and loyalty made them sought-after family pets and service dogs as well. Temperament of Golden Retrievers Today, Golden retriever puppies are widely recognized for their intelligence, affectionate personality, and adaptability to various lifestyles and activities. They are often used as therapy dogs, service dogs, and search and rescue dogs, as well as beloved companions for families, couples, and singles. If you are considering getting a Golden retriever puppy, you may be wondering about their temperament and behavior. Generally, Golden retrievers are friendly, gentle, and patient dogs that love to be around people and other animals. They are known for their wagging tails, joyful expressions, and willingness to please their owners. Meet Marlie, a Golden Retriever ready to meet her forever friend. This spunky gal is sure to brighten up all your days! She is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee provided by the breeder. Her parents are Lila Golden Retriever — 70lbs. Marlie is super social and enjoy running around playing with the children she is currently being raised with. Reviews There are no reviews yet.

Quickly place your dog in their designated potty area. Praise them when they urinate or mess in the correct area. You must always watch them when they are loose in the house, or else they will have an accident. Follow this guide on potty training your German Shepherd , step-by-step, for a stress-free experience. Enjoy Gentle Daily Exercise German Shepherd puppies have lots of energy but still need gentle exercise. Your breed is highly active and loves the challenge of new activities! But these activities must consider their age. Start with a shorter walking session and work on building up the time and distance as your dog matures. Increase distance very slowly to avoid injuries to your dog. Begin with only 5 minutes of slow walking for every month your pup is old. An 8-week-old pup can walk 10 minutes at a time. A week-old pup can handle 15 minutes of walking at a leisurely pace. Your large-breed pup needs time to let its bone fully fuse and to gain an increase in strength. Here are a few more safe, healthy German Shepherd puppy exercise for steady growth. This is the same program I used for my GSD and she now jogs a 10k routinely. Mental Exercise and Training are Essentials Without proper mental exercise, your dog becomes bored. Boredom leads to destructive and annoying behaviors such as: excessive barking biting and nipping you and your guests mouthing your hands or digging up your yard Brain games mentally stimulate your dog. These games require your dog to figure out a small task to receive a reward. Mental activity is shown to help keep dogs more engaged in their environments and prevent boredom. They help control unwanted behaviors from boredom. I started my German Shepherd with this activity flip board dog brain puzzle. As your dog becomes proficient in a game, you make the game more challenging. There is no end to how easy or hard you can make these games! Learn the Joys of Grooming Start puppies out with grooming gloves, which are gentle and easier on their skin. GSDs need a brushing routine that keeps them and your house free from excessive loose hair and helps their skin stay healthy. Use these grooming gloves on your puppy while in a quiet area. They are soft and gentle and create a positive association with future grooming. Offer tasty treats to keep the grooming upbeat. Use a soothing voice and tell them how good they are. Above all, help make grooming and brushing positive experiences from the very start to save yourself and your dog stress later. A baby German Shepherd that tolerates and even enjoys a daily brushing is a dog that is easier to keep in better health and experiences less frustration when you bring out the grooming tools. While a puppy gets immunity through nursing in the first weeks of life, the immunity wears off shortly. Therefore puppies get a series of shots during their initial vaccination schedule. Vaccines prevent illness and keep your pet safe from disease. Your breeder should give your pup their first vaccination series before you bring them home. Bring this vaccination history with you to your vet on your first visit. Your Priority of Care What to Do 1. Make your house puppy ready for your new dog Prepare their sleep area, have the right supplies on hand, and make sure any hazards are put away out of reach. Communicate the essentials Have a list of words printed out so that you and your family know what to say to help your puppy learn what you want and what he needs to know. Meet their daily needs Your puppy has a lot to do each day for their basic care, so understand what routine you must develop for them to thrive. Set sleep routines Having a sleep routine in place keeps your puppy from becoming too unruly. Teach potty training Start from day 1 to teach potty and house training by using a structured schedule. Daily gentle exercise German Shepherd puppies need gentle exercise so avoid running, jumping, or jogging with them until around 18 months or so to prevent joint issues later. Brain training and mental stimulation Your smart breed needs to keep their mind occupied by using a training program to brain train their obedience skills and include mental stimulation with fun games and puzzles. Early introduction to grooming A grooming glove is your best friend for a safe, easy introduction to later brushing and coat maintenance. German Shepherd Puppy Care for Life While there are many aspects to puppies, this guide is a great start on learning how to take care of a German Shepherd puppy so you feel confident with your new puppy. These early encounters set the pattern of his future relationship with you. Use these ideas to make your German Shepherd love you and give them plenty of love and affection throughout the day. With proper care and attention, you and your GSD will enjoy a long, happy life together. Want more help with your German Shepherd puppy care for even smoother sailing? Are you prepared for any unusual and surprising behavior changes? Do you know what training your dog needs and when? She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Blankets, pillows, and towels. The mother GSD and her litter need a quiet place to stay. It should be spacious, clean, and comfortable. If money is not an issue, you may purchase a commercial whelping box and a washable vet bed. But if you want to be thrifty, you can just make use of a clean cardboard box. Just make sure that the box is big enough for your GSD to stretch out comfortably. You may also buy a heat pad. It will provide warmth to the litter. Instead, put the heat pad under the whelping box, with one end on top of the box. Cover it with a towel to avoid overheating. The whelping box should be close enough to an electrical outlet so you can easily plug in the heat pad once you need more warmth for your Litter. Make sure they stay warm by providing a heating pad and lamp. You may add blankets, pillows, towels, or even old newspapers and a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Be careful though because puppies might get entangled and suffocate if the blanket, pillows, and towels are not taut. Puppy milk replacer, baby bottle, or feeding syringe If the litter is abandoned or orphaned, ask your vet to prescribe milk formulated for German shepherd puppies. Purchase a baby bottle or syringe for feeding. If you leave newborn German shepherd puppies with their mother, give her the first two days to bond with her litter and feed them. Once you see that your GSD has accepted her litter and is feeding them, you can put the puppies in a box beside their mother. She will take care of cleaning and nurturing her pups while continuing to feed them with her milk. But if she still refuses to take care of her pups, you must take matters into your own hands. To do this, place a clean towel or a washable vet bed inside a cardboard box. Keep the box beside your GSD but make sure that she cannot get in touch with her pups. Plug the pad into an electrical outlet and adjust the heat to maintain its temperature at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The pups can get hypothermia if their body heat drops below 94 degrees Fahrenheit. See also How long should a puppy chew on a bully stick and when to take the bully stick away? Now, put your German shepherd puppies under the warmth of the heating pad at 95 degrees F and wait for them to feed. Only put three puppies per towel or one puppy per section of the vet bed for ease in feeding and monitoring. A mother GSD can produce about 4 to 5 cc of milk every hour. This means that she will need someone to feed her pups every 2 or 3 hours. To correctly use the eyedropper, put your puppy on its stomach and tickle its throat to induce swallowing. Repeat this process until you see that the pup has emptied the eyedropper. Pups will probably fall asleep after feeding. To avoid suffocation, place rolled-up newspapers in their box the pups can use them as pillows when they sleep. These are only temporary until the mother GSD starts to take care of them by licking them clean and keeping them warm with her presence. Weighing scale To make sure if the German shepherd puppies are gaining enough weight, monitor their weight by using a weighing scale at least 4 times a week. If the puppies are not gaining enough weight, they may not be getting enough milk or nourishment so consult your vet right away. Use a wet cotton ball or washcloth to massage or rub gently the anal region. A mother GSD can give birth to 4 to 9 puppies in one litter, 6 as the average. Newborn German Shepherd Puppies Newborns especially 1 to 3-day old German shepherd puppies are vulnerable so before you do anything, consult with your vet especially if you are inexperienced. Right after your GSD gives birth, check the 1-day old German shepherd puppies if they are breathing. If you notice a puppy having breathing difficulties, use a suction bulb syringe to suck out the blockage and clear its airways. Most of the time, they just sleep or eat. They usually eat every two hours during their first week of life. If the puppies are orphaned, you may wash them gently using a warm and moist cloth. Avoid over-bathing the pups because it can cause dehydration. You will notice some of them wagging their tails as well which is adorable to look at. The puppies will gradually open their eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. They will be curious so expect them to move around to inspect their surroundings. Instead of crawling, they attempt to use their legs even though their legs may shake. Check their weight to see if they are gaining well and continue keeping them warm and clean. Their ears will open so they can hear the sounds around them. Though their legs still shake when they attempt to walk, they can finally stand on their own. They will begin to socialize and explore their surroundings more so you should not separate the puppies from each other. They will start teething so they tend to bite everything. They will also be interested in eating solid food. The puppies can walk well at 4 weeks so they will continue socializing with their siblings, their mother, and their handler through playing. They can begin eating solid foods for the first time now that their teeth are fully developed. The puppies can be fully weaned when they reach 6 weeks because they become independent of their mother. They also improve their social skills by playing not only with each other but also with people. Not to worry because this is just a normal phase. This is a good time to expose the puppies to various sounds, places, and people. Teach them basic commands but focus on socialization and bite inhibition. If the puppies are not fully potty trained , train them now. At 9 weeks, the weight of male German shepherd puppies normally ranges from 9 to 10 kg while the females would be from 7 to 9 kg. Their height ranges from 12 to 15 inches. See also How to Crate Train a German Shepherd Puppy When the German shepherd puppies reach 10 weeks, their ears will become pointy but sometimes the ears are floppy. Their height and weight will continue to grow as long as they are adequately fed. By this time, your puppies should already know how to gently use their mouth in dealing with humans so you can enhance their training by teaching other basic commands. When they are done, let them play so that they learn how to do this on their own. Be patient because it takes time before they get the hang of it. If after 24 hours it still refuses to eat, use a baby bottle or feeding syringe to feed the puppy. Prepare a milk replacement formula using evaporated milk mixed with egg yolk, using two egg yolks for every half cup of milk. To avoid bacteria growth, boil the water first before mixing everything and store any leftover formula in the fridge. Gradually increase the proportion of milk replacement formula and decrease the proportion of puppy chow until you wean them off milk replacement completely. Your GSD puppy may have parasites because stools may look like pebbles or tan-colored, small balls which can be a sign that they have swallowed something in their litter box. This is particularly common when they are still with their mother because they tend to eat the feces of the other pups. Diarrhea can also be caused by stress, which is common for a newborn GSD puppy that has been removed from its mom. If this happens, make sure you give them enough attention and place your hand gently on their body to calm them down. Conclusion German shepherd puppies are truly a sight to behold from birth to adulthood. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Puppies How to Care For a Newborn German Shepherd Puppy German Shepherd puppies are the cutest pets, but can be very fragile at an earlier stage of life, making it impossible for them to fight and survive alone. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about newborn German shepherd puppy care. However, these little babies are often born blind, deaf, and toothless. Since these pups are so fragile at an earlier stage of life, it is nearly impossible for them to fight and survive alone. Unfortunately, due to lack of care, many German Shepherd puppies easily succumb to unfortunate circumstances. It is essential to know that newborn puppies generally require a lot more care and attention than adult dogs. Here, we will dive deep into the world of newborn German shepherd puppies so you know how to take care of them. Important Things to Know About German Shepherd Puppies Newborn German Shepherds are blind until they are between 8 and 14 days old and deaf until they are 5 to 8 days old. These unique-looking puppies are typically born with dark blue or grey eyes, but their physical features keep changing and evolving as they grow. If the first litter of a German Shepherd has more than four puppies, it can render the mother incapable of providing them ample care. This means that there is a potential risk of the newborns getting sick, dying, or becoming very weak until you intervene. Care for the Pups During their Birth Once your German Shepherd has given birth, you will need to check all the puppies to ensure they are breathing properly. Generally, the mother cuts the umbilical cord and cleans up her puppies by licking them gently. She typically starts with their genitals, moves on to their legs, and then finishes with the rest of their bodies. You can start by using a disinfectant to clean the cords and then rub their bodies with a clean towel until they dry. Adjust the Temperature and Humidity Before delivering, a German Shepherd mother searches for a safe and private space enough for her puppies to be born it. So, as a dog parent, it will be your responsibility to provide your pup with a big enough box to suit her and her puppies. Therefore, adjusting the temperature of the nest is a rather significant part of keeping these pups healthy. Generally, German Shepherd mothers are the primary heat source for babies. However, if, for any reason, the mother cannot be in the box, you must provide the puppies with other heat sources, such as a warm lamp or a heating pad. The best way to maintain ideal humidity levels for the puppies is to install a humidifier or keep the nest in your laundry room. Feed the Puppies A significant part of caring for your newborn German Shepherd puppies is providing them with the right amount of nourishment. The best way to do this is to allow nature to take the wheel. The puppies will be nursed by their mother immediately after the birth, even without the pups unable to see her nipples. A German Shepherd mother typically lactates for two months. However, if the mother is unable to provide her pups with this nourishment, you will have to search for other sources. Take Note of Hygiene Maintaining the hygiene of the puppies and their nest is an integral part of keeping them in good health. However, it is best to maintain a clean environment by disinfecting the nest and replacing the blanks or towels once a day. Additionally, you must only start bathing the puppies after 45 days of their birth. Wrapping Up This article only provides you with the basics of newborn German Shepherd puppy care. Discover how to create a joyful, healthy home for your pet. Subscribe to your weekly rundown of practice, real life ideas and training tips straight to your inbox. We offer practical, real life ideas and training tips for a joyful experince, with your pet. All rights reserved. The following is a brief how-to guide on taking care of newborn German Shepherd puppies before, during, and after birth. Getting Ready for Delivery 1. It is generally best practice to puppy-proof the area make sure that there are no hard, sharp objects protruding from the walls or floors , and make sure that it is in an isolated part of your house to avoid nuisance. In addition, it will be very difficult for you to move the mother during the pregnancy, so make sure that this area is ideal before she goes into labor. Prepare a Checklist of Supplies Preparing a preliminary checklist of supplies that you will need for the mother and her pups can be very helpful. Remember that this list should contain everything that you think that you may need before the puppies arrive. Here are some items to include in your preliminary checklist: 2. It is best practice to line the bottom of your nest with sheets and towels so that it can be easily removed and washed after birth. The mother will defecate most frequently when she first goes into labor we recommend having a diaper-changing razor nearby , so you want to make sure that whatever you choose to line your nest is easily removed and disposed of. You should consider using a heating pad or heat lamp in your nest area. Also, make sure that you have an extra blanket nearby because even if the heating pad is set on the proper temperature setting, it can still drop after hours of use. The extra blanket can also be used in combination with the pad if you need to increase the temperature of your nest area. The purpose of these two items is to provide a den-like environment for your mother and puppies after they have been delivered. Generally, puppies are checked over at 2 weeks after birth and are weighed then in addition to 2 weeks after that. However, you can get a baby scale to weigh the puppies as often from there on out. In addition, you will want to check the temperature outside of the nest to make sure that it is not too cold or too hot. If you are having trouble regulating the temperature inside and out, it may be a good idea to put your female GSD in an enclosed whelping box. You will want to be sure that you have a pair of gloves, sterilized scissors, and a sterile area in which to perform the procedure, as well as some thread and some antiseptic solution. Ensure the Environment is Clean and Comforting During and after the birth, you will want to ensure that the area in which your mother and babies are being kept is clean and comfortable. Here are a few tips that you can use to make the area clean and comfortable for your dogs. Make sure to clean the birth area as best you can. The easiest way to do this is by using a solution of warm water and vinegar 3 parts water, 1 part vinegar. Keep a squeaky toy around for fun and entertainment purposes only. In addition, you should keep it hidden until the puppies are old enough to enjoy playing with it at about 2 weeks. Remove unnecessary items from the area to ensure there is enough space for the mother and her pups. Disinfect this area well so that it remains sterile. Try your best to limit external stimuli for your mother while she is in labor, such as the presence of children, loud noises in the area, and anything else you can think of that might interfere with her birthing process. Watch Out for Some Warning Signs During Pregnancy If you have done everything you can to prepare for the birth of your puppies, you should be all set when it finally happens. However, just like everything in life, not everything goes according to plan! Sometimes, there are warning signs that something is amiss with your female GSD. What you need to be aware of are the following things: She appears to be in pain or otherwise uncomfortable before giving birth. She stays in the same position for several hours while giving birth to her puppies without showing any signs of labor e. She begins to bleed excessively from the vagina. She seems extremely tired and unable to get up or do much at all. This could signify that it was born prematurely and needs some extra care before being left with its mother. She has a long break that lasts more than several hours. This is when they need to rely on their mother GSD to provide everything they need to survive. Although the mother should be able to provide for the puppies most of what they need, sometimes she might need a little bit of help. Check The Newborn Puppy Right after the birth, make sure that the puppies are breathing properly. If a puppy does not appear to be breathing or if it seems like they are having trouble breathing, take them out and rub firmly across their back while covering them with a towel. If this is the case, you should keep her warm at all times by dabbing some alcohol onto her rear-end and massaging it gently until she warms up again. The puppies will be able to regulate their own temperatures at this point. At this time, they are too early in their development to drink regular mother milk, let alone puppy food and solid food. So instead of milk, a puppy must be fed a yellowish substance called colostrum during the first 12 to 24 hours of life. This substance is so critical for newborn German Shepherd puppies as it contains all the antibodies they need to help them fight off disease at an early age. In fact, most newborn puppies who have been deprived of colostrum will die within the first week. You can either find another feeding mother, or you can feed them yourself with artificial formula. Whichever you choose, make sure to consult with your vet first before doing so. Related Questions 1. A German shepherd dog can carry her puppies anywhere between 63 to 68 days. Larger breed dogs like the German shepherd tend to carry their puppies longer than smaller breeds. Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd. Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. Here is my recommendation for the best dog food for German Shepherds. Leash: A leash is a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With a good leash, you can give your dog the freedom they need while keeping them safe and under control. Here are my top picks for the best leashes for German Shepherds. A harness that is improperly fitted or used can cause serious injury to your dog. Read my review of the best harnesses for German Shepherds here. Different bowls serve different purposes, and the bowl that you need will depend on a number of factors. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here. There are a ton of different factors to consider when choosing a crate. Beds: German Shepherds need a bed that is comfortable, supportive, and durable. This breed is known for being high energy, so you need a bed that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. House: It can be tough to find the best dog house for German Shepherds. Shampoo: You want to find a shampoo that is specifically designed for German Shepherds. This breed has a lot of furs, and you need a shampoo that will be gentle on their skin and coat. Shock Collar: A shock collar is a training tool that can be used on German Shepherds. It delivers an electric shock to the dog when they exhibit certain behaviors. While some people are against the use of shock collars, I believe that they can be helpful in certain situations. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here. Vacuum: If you have a German Shepherd, you need a vacuum that is specifically designed to deal with all of the furs they shed. Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be hard to keep up with. The right vacuum will make your life much easier. Related posts:. A few things are as cute as a litter of German Shepherd puppies, but the idea of caring for all those bundles of fluff can be overwhelming. So, what do you do after your German Shepherd gives birth? After the whelping process is over, clean the mother GSD as much as possible, without disturbing her or the puppies. Instead of using soaps and disinfectants, clean your dog using warm water and a washcloth. Remove soiled bedding from the whelping box and replace it with clean towels or blankets. If your female German Shepherd is about to give birth, you need to be prepared to step in and care for her newborn puppies if necessary! Read on to find out how to take care of newborn German Shepherd puppies to raise a healthy and happy litter. It may come as a big surprise, but German Shepherds are very self-sufficient during birth. Though your GSD is more than capable of giving birth to puppies on her own, you should still be there to offer her support and help out in case of an emergency. Wrap the puppy in a towel and continue rubbing their back to stimulate them to breathe. Keep in mind, delivering the puppies is a messy business and there will be some drainage and waste in the area for the next couple of weeks. Your best bet to keeping the mom and the puppies clean and safe is to set up a designated nesting box before the delivery. Proper hygiene is the key to ensuring the health and well-being of both mom and her pups. Besides using towels and blankets you can also use a heating pad or a heat lamp inside the nesting box. If you decide to use a heating pad, choose a quality product and make sure that it is set at an appropriate temperature. Nose Suction Bulb Sometimes, puppies are born with excess fluid and mucus inside their noses and rely on you to clear their airways and help them breathe properly. As mentioned earlier, delivery is messy so make sure that the bedding inside the nesting box can be easily removed and disposed of. Remove the soiled bedding and replace it with clean sheets once a day to maintain hygiene inside the whelping box. By the end of the second and the beginning of the third week, the puppies will open their eyes and become more active. Feeding German Shepherd puppies spend their first week of life nursing and sleeping! However, you should start weaning your puppies when they are around three or four weeks old. Three weeks old German Shepherd puppies can eat wet puppy food or puppy kibble mixed with water as it is easier to chew. If this happens, have your vet prescribe you an artificial puppy formula to feed to your pups. During the first week, keep the temperature inside the room between 86 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In the second week, you can lower the room temperature to 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the puppies turn three weeks the ideal temperature for them is around 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure not to exceed 65 percent humidity, since too much moisture can cause diseases. Use a humidifier or place the nesting box in your laundry room to maintain ideal humidity levels. Weigh the Puppies Use a baby scale to weigh your puppies regularly to ensure they are gaining weight. Puppies are generally checked over and weighted two weeks after birth and then again at four weeks of age. However, you can use baby scales to weigh your GSD puppies at birth and then every other day to see if they are gaining weight and developing as expected. Once their baby teeth start to grow your puppies can start eating wet puppy food, or kibble soaked in water. By the time your puppies reach seven or eight weeks of age, they should be transitioned to solid food. Nevertheless, there is no harm in wanting to be prepared to welcome the new puppies the best way you can. Caring for a litter of newborn German Shepherd puppies can be a daunting idea, especially if you never raised puppies before. Related Articles:. The German Shepherd is a widespread breed of service dog that is popular with breeders. This breed develops into a beautiful large size body with well-developed muscles giving the dog the ability to perform well in many different environments. With proper care and competent training , an owner will get a loyal and devoted friend. Raising German Shepherd puppies is a responsible and difficult task which will require a lot of patience and love. Of course, we can easily fall for these German Shepherd newborn puppies whose photos look so cute on the Internet and in magazines but they also need competent care. Litter size The normal litter size for this breed is often of interest to novice dog breeders and this information is especially relevant for those who have their first experience with a young bitch. Amongst German Shepherd breed experts, there is consensus that the normal litter size is generally driven by genetics and the conditions or the timing of mating do not have a significant influence. A shepherd dog can give birth from 1 to as much as 15 puppies but in most cases a little less than the median of this range is more typical. Basically, you can expect a litter size of five to six puppies, which is really the optimal size. Of course, a healthy bitch is able to feed twelve babies, but it will be much more difficult for her, and the babies may not grow strong enough. Mating Experienced dog breeders recommend no more than one mating per year, otherwise it may affect the physical appearance and health of German Shepherd newborn puppies and the health of the mother herself. First two weeks of the German Shepherd newborn puppies Learning to care for the puppies during the first two weeks of their lives is particularly important. The condition of a German shepherd puppy immediately after birth, already speaks volumes to the fact that he is absolutely helpless as babies are born blind and deaf. However, despite this obstacle, their sense of smell is already quite developed and they perfectly feel the maternal scent and look for nipples of the mother by touch. Moreover, newborns instinctively know that the rear nipples contain more milk, so a struggle begins between them for the most advantageous places. Hearing in newborns starts functioning three to four days after birth. In the first hours after birth, babies are susceptible to various kinds of infections and they are especially vulnerable in cases when the health condition of the mother is not good. Real life experience shows that those who were born last have a much higher survival rate than those who came out first. If there are more than six newborns in a litter, the owners will need a lot of strength and patience to help the mother hatch and provide the conditions necessary for their survival. The litter will need to be divided into two areas and newborns fed in two steps. It is recommended to set up two box or containers to separate the group. In that case, you will need the help of a nurse dog who could take over some of the feeding responsibilities. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead in case the need comes up. There are certain criteria for selecting a nurse dog: Height at withers more than 50 cm Strength Health Milk availability It is important, to pay special attention to the weak and small puppies and place them against the rear nipples. Monitoring of German Shepherd newborn puppies You will need to closely monitor the behavior of newborns, weigh them daily and record the results in a log book. In doing so, you can track the evolution of the babies and identify those that may have development issues. In the first week, babies suckle their mother about twelve times a day, then the frequency drops to eight and in the final days it will go down to four times. At first, the mother stimulates the physiological functions of the puppies by licking them. Once the German Shepherd newborn puppies begin to eat a little solid food, the mother stops doing it. Keep in mind that from that point on you will have to take care of the cleanliness of the birthing area where the bitch lives with her puppies. If you notice that the mother does not really care for the babies, you will need to massage their abdomens. You can do so with a cotton swab dipped in sunflower oil. When the babies are five days old, the dog owner should start changing the litter in the box on a daily basis. Make sure the area where the litter is set up is warm but well ventilated and that nothing can contribute to suffocation of the puppies such as fabric, attachments, etc. On the seventh day, trim the small claws of the front legs as they can scratch the mother while feeding. If the case she has wounds, lubricate them with synthomycin liniment. In that case, wash them with a weak potassium permanganate solution, rosehip oil or sea buckthorn oil and make sure that she does not lick that area. Feeding of German Shepherd newborn puppies You can start feeding puppies once you notice a decrease in their daily growth, despite the fact that they become restless, whine and try to crawl. Appropriate timing is crucial as rushing the process is just as dangerous as delaying it. If you start feeding too early, the mother will have less milk production, which is a source of vitamins and antibodies to various infections. In fact, breast milk is the best whey that protects droppings from all sorts of infections. In general, feeding can start around the fourteenth day. In cases where the shepherd mother has problems with lactation, you can start on the twelfth day. You can give milk from a cow, sheep or goat by mixing egg yolk and powdered milk into it. A bottle with a nipple is suitable as a feeding tool and the hole should be of such a size that milk does not pour out, but drips. The frequency of feeding in case of insufficient lactation in a bitch is every three hours and three times a day with normal lactation. Learning to care for Shepherd puppies A one-month old German shepherd puppy is not much different from its younger counterparts, but it is much larger. Its weight is from two and a half to four kg and height at the withers is from 19 to 21 cm. Once the puppy starts eating solids, the diet should be optimally balanced. The young German Shepherd is growing fast and his food intake must be nutritious! Meals should be provided at regular intervals with 6 meals a day being the optimal frequency. Then, gradually increase the amount of servings and decrease the number of meals. The main principle is that each meal should provide the shepherd puppy with the necessary complex of vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and proteins. One serving of food is usually around g. Only select premium quality food for large dog breeds and make sure they contain all the necessary nutrients. Alternatives to processed food are natural products cottage cheese, porridge with meat broth, grated vegetables, boiled eggs, boiled or raw minced meat. Both approaches in their pure form have their advantages and disadvantages. Get the help of a dog nutritionist, if needed. Good luck! Related topics of interest to our readers. This is meant to be a brief overview and is by no means comprehensive. Pregnancy Dogs are pregnant for approximately 9 weeks, or 63 days. During this time, our job is to keep the mother well fed, well exercised, and relatively stress-free. The mother will visit our veterinarian at least three times—once for a prenatal health check, once for an ultrasound, and once for an x-ray. The first ultrasound is to simply confirm her pregnancy so we can begin accepting deposits and preparing to whelp. The X-Ray is for later in the pregnancy to get a more accurate count on how many puppies we are expecting. The mother is fed with proper nutrition as recommended by our veterinarian as well as prenatal and postnatal supplements. Puppies are born blind and deaf. To minimize stress, we do not remove the puppies from their mother for long periods. We do not want the puppies to associate the smell of humans with stress of any sort—rather, we want them to associate humans with safety and comfort. We desensitize the puppies to human touch while they are in the whelping box with their mom. From birth we touch their feet, ears, tails, mouths, stomach, etc. This helps the puppies to accept invasive human touch as a normal part of their lives. This will minimize any problems later on in life when your dog needs grooming, nail clipping, teeth brushing, etc because your dog is very familiar with these experiences already. ESI gets the puppies smelling novel and unique scents from birth to get the olfactory system working well and sharpen their limited senses at an early age. Gestation length according to accurate hormone measurements in dogs Please note that these values are averages and individual dogs may have slight variations. Getting Ready for Delivery Before giving birth to its babies, a female German shepherd begins exploring private and safe places for her puppies this process is called nesting. For the comfort of the mother and the safety of the puppy, keep some blankets and towels in the whelping box. She begins to spend more time in her nest. This way you will not have to distribute her puppies in hidden places. Taking Care of German shepherd Puppies Newborns cannot see or hear until 5 to 8 days of age. Puppies do not stand until at least 2 to 4 weeks of age. Same for the barking behavior. If left in the litter or orphaned, or if its mother is unable to produce enough milk, or if the suckle reflex for the puppy is poor, ask your vet for the Lactose-Free weaning milk prescribed for German Shepherd Puppies. Check if the temperature is warm enough as the puppies cannot control their temperature at this stage. You do not need to bathe them this time, because the mother GSD cleans her litter by constantly pressing. If the puppies are orphaned, you can wash them gently using a warm and damp cloth. Mothers for German shepherds , depending on her experience and the size of the litter, work an average of 6 to 18 hours, usually to deliver puppies. When new contractions begin, arrange the already-born puppies with a heating pad fitted in a small box and keep them away until the next puppy is born. Immediately after birth, check that each puppy is breathing properly. Observe closely their movements to make sure there are no faded puppies. German shepherd giving birth for the first time Usually, after birth, the mother cuts the umbilical cord and cleans the puppies by gently pressing their bodies. She starts with the genitals, then the legs complete with the rest of the body. She may not do so if she has no experience, or when she is exhausted after childbirth. This colostrum is very nutritious for babies. Hygiene Mother GSD, by licking its genital area, encourages her litter to urinate or defecate, but if left in the litter, you should stimulate them with potty cleaning essentials because new-borns cannot do this on their own till the first 2 weeks of life. Gently massage the anal area using a damp cotton ball or washcloth. Use a suction bulb syringe if something obstructs the nasal passages of the puppy. Also Read: When do German shepherd ears Stand up naturally? Track the growth and condition of each puppy. Using the Baby Scale, weigh each puppy immediately after birth and log its weight. Healthy German Shepherd puppies weight is about 0. Well-fed puppies sleep quietly, while air-swallowing puppies appear to be well-fed, but behave satisfactorily, initially crying and wandering around a lot, then, not moving enough. German Shepherd puppies are completely weaned and completely independent from their mother by 8 weeks of age, so it is best to train them to avoid behavioral problems. If puppies are not trained to be considered completely stupid, train them now. If necessary, bottle feeding with a canine milk replacement formula can be introduced, following veterinarian guidelines. Puppies should be fed every hours, including overnight. Weaning Introduce a small amount of softened puppy food to start the weaning process. Consult with a veterinarian for appropriate food and feeding guidelines. Start offering puppy food mixed with milk replacement formula, gradually reducing the formula over time. Begin to introduce the puppies to lapping from a shallow dish of water. Socialization Continue handling and gentle interactions to build trust and positive associations with humans. Introduce the puppies to new sounds, sights, and experiences in a controlled and safe manner. Allow supervised playtime with littermates to encourage socialization and development of motor skills. Veterinary Check-up Schedule a veterinary visit for a check-up, deworming, and vaccination recommendations. Hygiene and Cleanliness Clean the whelping area regularly, ensuring a warm, dry, and comfortable environment. Puppies may begin to crawl and explore, so provide a safe space with appropriate bedding. Monitor the puppies for any signs of illness or abnormalities and seek veterinary assistance if necessary. Sleep and Rest Puppies spend most of their time sleeping and should have a designated area for uninterrupted rest. Ensure the sleeping area is quiet, warm, and away from drafts or excessive noise. Provide soft bedding or blankets for comfort. Checklist of essential items for the Newborn German Shepherd Puppies and Mother Here is a list of things newborn German Shepherd puppies and their mother need: For Mom Whelping Box : A safe and comfortable place for a mother to give birth and nurse her puppies. Bedding: soft, clean bedding for the whelping box to keep mother and puppies warm and comfortable. Food and water bowls: Provide easily accessible bowls for the mother to have food and water. High-quality dog food: Provide a balanced and nutritious diet that meets the needs of the mother during pregnancy and lactation. Consult a veterinarian for specific recommendations. Freshwater: Ensure a constant supply of clean, fresh water to keep the mother hydrated. Medical Supplies — Keep a first aid kit on hand that includes items such as wound cleansers, gauze pads, and other basic medical supplies in case of emergencies or complications. For newborn puppies Help Box: A safe and warm environment for puppies to grow and develop. Bedding: Soft, clean bedding to keep pups warm and comfortable. Heat source: A heat lamp or heating pad is set to a low temperature to provide adequate warmth for puppies, since they are initially unable to regulate their body temperatures. Milk Replacement Formula — If nursing is not possible or additional supplementation is required, a high-quality canine milk replacement formula is available. Nursing bottles or syringes — can be used to provide supplementary feeding if puppies are unable to nurse from their mother or if necessary. Weight standard: Check the weight of the puppies regularly to ensure proper growth and development. Vet Contact Information — Have the contact details of a veterinarian with experience caring for puppies handy for any emergencies or questions. Identification bands: Use different colored bands or collars to help distinguish between puppies and track their progress. Socialization and nurturing toys: As puppies get older, introduce appropriate toys and objects to stimulate their senses and encourage early socialization. Remember to consult a veterinarian for personalized recommendations and guidance based on your specific situation and the needs of your German Shepherd mother and puppies. The mother should be given small, frequent meals throughout the day to support her energy requirements while feeding the puppy or during nursing. How often should newborn German Shepherd puppies be nursed? Puppies should nurse from their mother every 1 to 2 hours during the first few weeks of life. They have small stomachs and need frequent feedings to meet their nutritional needs. When should I start introducing solid food to the puppies? Solid food introduction typically begins around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Start by offering softened puppy food mixed with milk replacement formula, gradually transitioning them away from exclusive nursing. Consult with a veterinarian for specific recommendations. How do I keep the whelping area clean? Clean the whelping area regularly to maintain hygiene. Remove soiled bedding promptly, wipe down surfaces, and replace it with fresh, clean bedding. Use pet-safe disinfectants as recommended by your veterinarian. When can I start weaning the puppies from their mother? Weaning usually begins around 3 to 4 weeks of age when puppies start showing interest in solid food. Gradually introduce softened puppy food and reduce the amount of milk replacement formula or nursing sessions. Monitor their progress and consult with a veterinarian for guidance. Final Thoughts In conclusion, newborn German Shepherd puppies and their mother require special care and dedication. Here are some key points to keep in mind: Proper nutrition is very important for mother and puppies. Make sure the mother gets a balanced diet that meets her needs during pregnancy and lactation. Consult a veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations. Newborn babies depend on breast milk for nutrition. Make sure they nurse frequently, usually every 1 to 2 hours to meet their nutritional needs. Monitor their weight gain to make sure they are thriving. Provide a clean and comfortable helping area for mother and baby. Keep the area warm, dry and draft-free. Clean and replace bedding regularly to maintain cleanliness. Gradually introduce solid food to puppies at 3 to 4 weeks of age. Start with soft puppy food and gradually transition them away from exclusive nursing. Check with a veterinarian for specific feeding guidelines. Socialize puppies from an early age. Handle them carefully, expose them to different sights and sounds, and introduce positive human interactions. This helps them develop into well-adjusted and sociable dogs. Look for any illness or abnormalities in the mother or puppies. Seek veterinary help immediately if you notice anything concerning. By providing proper nutrition, a safe environment, and early socialization, you can give newborn German Shepherd puppies the best start in life and ensure the well-being of both mother and her precious offspring.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Lab puppies are energetic little learners eager to run, swim, and fetch. Although active, they also tend to overeat and gulp down their food. They can benefit from the right growth formula to provide immune system support, healthy growth, weight management, and digestive care as they take on puppyhood. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your pure breed puppy. Whether you have a Yellow Lab, Chocolate Lab, or Black Lab, this exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your Labrador Retriever puppy with specific nutrients to help them thrive. The unique donut-shaped kibble is specially designed to help your fast eater slow down and actually chew. An exclusive mix of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune system and keeps their body growing strong. Calcium and phosphorus support healthy bone structure, while a balanced energy content helps them maintain an ideal weight. Once your Lab puppy is over 15 months old, transition them to Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult dog food for precise nutrition into the adult years. Read more Promoting pet health and wellbeing Creating value for our entire ecosystem Committed to become certified carbon neutral by Cookie Settings. Made with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors how much should a lab eat? Allergies Labs can also have allergies. Some dogs may be allergic to wheat, macadamia nuts, etc. It can manifest as a runny nose, high volumes of shedding, rashes on the skin, and so on. Different dietary needs are crucial, especially if they display allergy symptoms. Avoid all types of human foods. You can give your lab puppy supplements You can get great quality adult dog food and puppy kibble from companies like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, Blue Buffalo, Canidae Grain-Free, etc. Only adult food must be given to labrador retrievers who have crossed 1. Your puppy needs 4 small meals consisting of half a cup of food per meal till he is 2 months old. From 2 to 6 months, he needs 3 meals daily consisting of 1 cup of food per meal. From 6 months onwards , you can give your puppy 2 meals daily of 2 cups of dog food per meal. Is This A Problem? Yes, this is a major problem! Fat dogs are adorable but also extremely unhealthy. An adult labrador retriever should weigh at most pounds. Labs that are fatter than this stand at the risk of obesity, arthritis , and other lifelong diseases. Refrain from feeding your labrador too many dog treats. Onions and garlic: surprisingly, anything in the onion and garlic family is incredibly toxic to dogs. Meat with bones: if not chewed properly, sharp edges can rupture the throat, stomach lining, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Other human foods and beverages to avoid giving your dog are alcohol, sugar, citric fruits, and anything with caffeine. Your labrador retriever should weigh between 55 to 70 pounds at full adulthood. Male labs are heavier than female labs, so they can fall on either side of the optimal weight spectrum. Some healthy treats for your labrador retriever are cut fruits and vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber, beetroot, apples, bananas, and berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc. Dogs also love peanut butter! Veggies dipped in peanut butter also make a great snack for your dog. This is entirely up to you as dog owners. If you have the time and patience to cook meals for your dog, go for it. Store-bought food is easier and is filled with the right nutritional requirements for your lab puppy. On the other hand, with the right recipe, home-cooked food works, too. What Should I Do? A dog growling at you when you go near his food bowl is most commonly a trauma response or a way to protect his food. We often see this with rescues. House training your lab puppy is equally important to avoid food aggression. Labrador Retrievers get piddly after their meals. Dog owners must take out their lab puppy as frequently as they eat sometimes even more often to let their energy out and adult labradors less frequently. A lab puppy needs a ton of exercise. The amount of kibble you should feed your Labrador puppy will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to start with cups of kibble daily and adjust as needed. Best Dog Food For Lab Puppies: The best dog foods for lab puppies include those that are high in protein and low in fillers. The food you should feed a black lab puppy is the same as for any other Labrador puppy. A chocolate lab puppy should be fed the same food as for any other Labrador puppy. A 2-year-old chocolate lab should eat about cups of kibble daily. You should stop feeding puppy food to your Labrador at around months of age. At this point, their growth plates will have closed, and they will no longer need the extra nutrients found in puppy food. Labradors live for years. They start to slow down around 7 and may develop some health problems in their senior years. You should also increase their exercise level. Lab breeders feed their dogs high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. A lab puppy should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. This amount may increase as they get older and more active. A labrador needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be a combination of walking, running, and playing. Golden labs live for years. Chocolate labs live for years same like labs of any color. Labradors lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months of age. You can start to transition your puppy to eating twice a day at around 6 months of age. By the time they are 1 year old, they should eat only once daily. You should stop feeding your large breed puppy food at around 18 months of age. Why Are Labs So Hungry? Labradors are a very active breed of dog, and they need a lot of calories to fuel their energy levels. They are also prone to gaining weight, so keep a close eye on their food intake About The Author Shradha Kabra Shradha is a seasoned writer at Labradorandyou. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

And, along with all the joys, you may have a few new puppy jitters too. I get it! In other words, I am over the moon for Doodle dogs. Now what? Choose your veterinarian and make a new puppy appointment. As your Goldendoodle becomes a senior, your vet may suggest twice yearly well check visits. Your veterinarian is an essential part of helping your puppy live the happiest, healthiest, and longest life possible. But how do you choose a veterinarian? For a veterinary clinic to become AAHA accredited, they are assessed on standards for veterinary care. Also, you can ask friends, family, and other dog parents for recommendations on vets, check out veterinary websites, and visit the veterinary offices. Schedule a new puppy vet visit. When we called our veterinary office, the care team asked for some basic information about the puppy so they could get her records set up. This way we could rest assured that our puppy was in good physical health, on track for vaccinations, and had the proper testing for parasites and worms. For example, our new puppy had hiccups. Finally, we could ask our vet about the proper nutrition for our puppy, how much to feed each day, and get expert answers on puppyhood — everything from tips on potty training to puppy socialization. The list of veterinary specialty services sounds much like the specialty services that we receive as humans. Why do I bring this up? With so many advanced veterinary resources available—much like humans use insurance to cover the healthcare costs—you may want to investigate pet insurance. Since there are so many insurance options to research, doing your homework ahead of time makes sense. Also, from my research, the younger your puppy is when you enroll, the lower your monthly payment will be. Alternatively, if you are unsure about insurance, you may want to consider putting money aside each month to cover unexpected emergencies or life-saving procedures that may be down the road. Start planning your new schedule. What will your schedule look like when your new puppy comes home? Who will be available to care for your puppy? Every family has different daily routines, so arranging a schedule looks different for everyone. If there is more than one family member in the household, perhaps you can flex your schedules. Prepare your home and start new habits. Dropping backpacks by the door or leaving socks on the floor is real life. Yes, many Goldendoodles—and other Doodle dogs—are notorious sock thieves. Scratch grapes and raisins off the shopping list because they are a hazard for dogs. Clear the coffee table a. Buy the lidded trash cans for the bathroom that are dog-proof. Make sure your kitchen trash cans are not where puppies can get them. In addition to preparing your home, you may want to puppy proof your car too. I know a lot of people put packs of sugarless gum in their car console. Order your new puppy supplies. Crates and puppy toys and water bowls and leashes and collars. The list of puppy supplies is long. For a complete list of new puppy supplies, please check out my new puppy check list. You can also visit our Goldendoodle Supplies store. Here you will find puppy supplies that we have used and recommend. Determine you puppy space—a designated puppy area. This one was big for us. When our new puppy first came home, we thought we had a puppy space the family room with puppy gates to block off the other rooms determined. So we MacGyvered a solution by sectioning off a smaller area of the family room using our new three-panel wooden dog gates and our L-shaped couch to make a play area. For example, we could easily observe when our puppy started to wander away from us, lost interest in toys, or started sniffing. These were all her signs that she was just about to go potty! Set up your puppy supplies. For example, if you bought a new crate, assembling it now will be easier than when you have a curious puppy helping you. Rest up! New puppies have tiny puppy bladders and need to go out at night to go potty. Choose a designated area outside for puppy potty training. Determine where your puppy will sleep. More than likely, your puppy is used to sleeping next to puppy siblings, listening to puppy sounds, and feeling the warmth of her mom and puppy brothers and sisters. Since dogs are so social, for our puppy, we wanted to provide reassurance that we were nearby. We decided that our new furry family member would be safest in a crate. But the crate would be placed next to the bed so that our puppy could feel close to us—her new pack. Plus, we could comfort her with the sound of our voices or a gentle touch. Also, we placed a Snuggle Puppy in the crate. I thought our puppy might see the Snuggle Puppy as a play toy rather than a calming toy, but no! Our puppy loved it! This is a day for heaps of love and time and attention. Here are some tips to help the day go smoothly. Before going into your home, allow your puppy the opportunity to go potty. Before you walk through the door with your new puppy in your arms, allow her a little time to explore her new puppy potty spot in your yard or green space. Even as a puppy, our week-old Goldendoodle was a little speedster, so we knew we had to keep her on leash. Start small. As mentioned earlier, rather than giving our puppy the ability to roam our home immediately, we started small. So on her first day home, we created an even smaller area using our couch and our dog gates. This allowed us to be able to sit with our new Goldendoodle puppy and also let her explore and sniff within a small space. Also, we could watch her like a hawk as well as enjoy spending time with her. We had a couple of puppy toys for her to play with and a small dog bowl of water in her improvised play area. Bond with your fur baby! Give your dog heaps of your love, attention, and time. If you take away just one tip from this article, this is the one! In fact, multiple research studies have shown that when you bond with your dog, your dog releases oxytocin—the love hormone. Our puppers are counting on us to protect them from canine diseases like parvovirus.Expect your puppy to need you. Your puppy is going to need you, want to be with you, and count on you. Puppies have years of biology telling them that being part of a pack is security. They want you. Before that big day, you can plan ahead by puppy-proofing your home, getting the puppy supplies bought, and more. I hope that even one or two of these tips will help make your day even happier. And, by being prepared, I hope any new puppy jitters quickly become new puppy joys. Things we recommend when preparing for your goldendoodle puppy Food All of our puppies are on Royal canin med size puppy food, we transition them to Royal canin med adult food at 1 year of age. Theese are a few of our favorites! Lean treats that you get from your vet. Crates We highly recommend crate training. We like the black metal crates with a front and side door. We consider the side door a must, the crate can go so many more places in the house and car. A collar puts pressure on their developing tracheas. Here are a few that we have found that are great and long lasting! Red or black Kong - not the pink or blue that says it's for puppies - they can chew them up in no time. We put peanut butter in the Kong and give it to them in their crates; they love it! Nylabones - These are great when they are really teething, and even our older dogs like to chew on them. We have found the Dinosaur one to be a favorite for both Puppies and Adults! The Just for puppies ring bone dog teething chew toy is also a puppy favorite Chuckit - for playing ball. These are awesome! If you get a medium size, any tennis ball will fit! Just don't let your puppy have the tennis ball to chew on, it will wear down their teeth. Go Dog has fun soft toys, we aways get the ones with the chew guard! Brush The Soft Slicker brush by Safari is great for puppies, as they get older and their coat gets longer the Chris Christianson slicker brush works great! The best way to make sure your Doodle isnt matted is a metal comb. You can find it on Amazon or at a farm feed store. DVD Because our puppies are raised with the puppy culture program and come to you happy, confident, and ready to learn, we ask that all our families who get one of our puppies also watch the puppy culture dvd or vod so you can follow along with what the puppies are learning and continue it after you get your puppy home. For Heartworms Your vet will have their recommendations; but if given a choice we use heartgard or sentinel. We would NOT use trifexis as it has many side affects. We also do not recommend Lepto vaccine for puppies. Find the Rest of Our Reccomendations in the link below. Preparing for a Goldendoodle Puppy Preparing for a Goldendoodle Puppy Preparing for a new puppy is an exciting endeavor, but when the breed in question is a goldendoodle, the experience becomes an extraordinary one. However, as with any new furry addition, preparation is key. From learning more about this breed to choosing a vet and puppy-proofing your home, getting everything ready for your new goldendoodle addition can make the transition easier for you and your pup. What You Need To Know About Goldendoodles A fairly newer crossbreed that emerged in the late s, these pups are hybrids of golden retrievers and poodles. Likely inspired by the successful crossbreeding of Labrador retrievers and poodles resulting in the popular labradoodle, the goldendoodle mix has also proven a resounding success. Goldendoodles come in four size variations: petite, mini, medium and standard. This is a highly intelligent, nonaggressive breed that thrives on pleasing their humans. Goldendoodle puppies can have different coat curl patterns, from tight coils to looser waves. Doodles are quiet, typically only barking when they feel threatened. Goldendoodle puppies love to swim, a trait inherited from their parental breeds. Prepare Your Home for a Goldendoodle Puppy Anytime you bring home a new goldendoodle puppy, some preparation is needed to make the transition easier for you and your furry addition. From puppy-proofing to training tips, it might seem a little overwhelming at first. When you set up your doodle den, make it as comfortable as possible. Introduce it to the crate in as positive a manner as possible to get your puppy accustomed to the idea of sleeping there. Goldendoodle Puppy Housing Training Tips Getting your doodle accustomed to certain behaviors at home will help make the transition much smoother. The key to proper home training, even outside of what you learn in a more structured training environment, is consistency. If there are certain behaviors you plan to implement from the outset of bringing your goldendoodle puppy home, make sure that you — and your family members — remain as consistent as possible. It takes puppies time to learn, so keep in mind that like a small child, your puppy is bound to make mistakes. This is one of the reasons you should enforce anything you do with a structured training protocol with your new pet. Remember to always use positive reinforcement for your new pup and take the time to learn its body language. Tips for Puppy-Proofing Puppy-proofing is as important as baby-proofing, as your new doodle may let its curiosity lead it to investigate anything and everything. The best thing you can do to combat any unwanted shoe or furniture damage is puppy-proof before your new puppy arrives. Being proactive in puppy-proofing will save both you and your new family member a great deal of stress when you bring your puppy home. Use puppy gates to block off any dangerous areas of the home. Get Family Members Ready for a New Furry Friend In addition to preparing your home for a goldendoodle puppy, you may need to prepare your family members as well. It can be challenging to give any new puppy space to acclimate, especially one as cute as a baby doodle. Kids especially may have issues respecting boundaries where your new pup is concerned. A daily schedule and plenty of conversations about not overwhelming your new family member are key to getting everyone on the same page. A daily puppy schedule will help everyone get acclimated and will set expectations in terms of crate training, meal and playtimes and potty breaks. One of the biggest adjustments you may have to make is that goldendoodles need lots of time for play and exercise. Try to allot at least 30 minutes a day to spending time outdoors, playing with toys, running around and learning new tricks. These dogs enjoy the mental stimulation as much as they do the physical activity. House training may be a slow-going process in terms of potty training and breaks, so you may have to be patient here as well. A new goldendoodle puppy is going to have accidents — this is a fact of life. If you plan to be away from home for long periods, consider hiring a dog sitter for the first few weeks. So once you get your puppy established with a vet and integrated into your household, consider daycare if you spend a lot of time away from home each day. Shop for a Few New Puppy Essentials One of the most fun parts of bringing home a new puppy is shopping for the essentials. This is true of toys, treats and even some types of collars and leashes. This goes for toys, food and even more expensive bedding options. Similar to their human counterparts, puppies develop their own likes and dislikes over time. What To Know About Caring for Your New Doodle Caring for your doodle puppy requires consistency and attentiveness to everything from the food you choose to the vet you feel most comfortable with. Choose a Veterinarian With Goldendoodle Experience Preparing for a goldendoodle puppy also means finding a veterinarian to care for your new puppy. When you start the search for a veterinarian, look for one with experience with this breed. Doing so ensures your local vet is more likely to be proactive with any health or genetic issues that may crop up down the road. New Pup Food Facts Anytime you bring home a new puppy, choosing the right dog food can be a matter of trial and error. If you do opt to transition to another brand, discuss it with your vet first. It may take time — and lots of patience — to transition your puppy to another food, so keep that in mind before you make the switch. This also applies to puppy treats. Any food or treat changes should be implemented slowly and with care. Keep in mind that puppies have sensitive tummies and may not take to a new food brand or type very well. So be prepared to go back to the food they were eating before the switch if the new option causes them stomach issues. Brush your pup daily and schedule a grooming appointment every six weeks or so. Failure to properly groom your doodle can result in matting, which is both painful and unsightly. Keep the at-home grooming to daily brushing and find a professional you can trust for the more extensive process. Doodle Training Is Crucial Like any puppy, your new doodle addition will likely require dog training at first to stop bad habits from forming. Finding a professional dog trainer is as essential as settling on the right veterinarian. Once you find the right person for the job, create a consistent training schedule to cover the basics. Decide if you want to engage in training at home or at a training facility. This allows it to associate certain behaviors with specific areas of the home. For instance, if part of the training process deals with meals and food access, initiating it around its own bowl might be more beneficial than doing so at another location entirely. Goldendoodle puppies are lovable and ideal for dog lovers of all types. They make for an ideal choice for families with small children and individuals who just want a canine companion to make a family of two. If there is a behavior your puppy exhibits that you may think is cute while your puppy is small, you need to think ahead and determine if this behavior will be acceptable from an adult dog. Consistency is the most important tool for training a puppy in their first year and beyond. Each family member needs to use the same techniques and commands so as not to confuse your puppy. It is important to remember that a puppy associates a reward or a disciplinary action with its behavior in the past 3 seconds. Waiting longer than 3 seconds to reward or discipline is very confusing to a puppy. You cannot stop this behavior, but you can certainly direct your puppy to chew upon acceptable items until this phase passes at about a year of age. The only way puppies know how to play is the typical wrestling, biting, chasing, tackling, pulling, and nipping they do with littermates. In the absence of littermates, you and your family suddenly become the littermates. Repeat this same disciplinary action a total of three times in a row. Every now and then, a particularly feisty puppy will become more excited by this disciplinary action and need a more distinct disciplinary measure. This next action needs to be initiated quickly. This will be uncomfortable for your puppy. When behavior meets with uncomfortable consequences, the behavior will stop. With all this being said, the absolute best remedy is for you to arrange daily play dates with other puppies or young dogs. The bottom line is that your puppy needs to have active playtime each day. Jumping — Your puppy will jump on you to get your attention. This may seem innocent while your puppy is small, but Grandma may not appreciate being knocked over by the full grown untrained dog. Make sure you do not reward the puppy for the act of getting down as this will enforce the behavior of jumping up only to be told to get down for a reward. This is not a sign of aggression unless you allow this to go undisciplined over time. You need to actively discourage any and all growling directed at you. If your puppy growls at you when you get close to the food bowl, immediately remove the food bowl and feed the puppy out of your hand. Do not stop brushing until the puppy accepts this without growling. Each puppy needs to learn its place in the pecking order of a family. Obviously, they need to be the lowest on the totem pole. If allowed to be boss, growling is a normal thing for a puppy to exhibit when showing its dominance. Each family member must establish they are boss. This includes young children who are timid or fearful of the puppy. Remember that any behavior you allow as a puppy is then extremely difficult to curb later in life. If you do not wish to have your adult dog on the furniture, do not sit on the sofa holding your puppy. If you do not want your grown dog to grab your pant leg, etc. Leash Training — Training your Goldendoodle puppy to walk on a leash without pulling will take some time. Be patient and read our complete guide to leash training here. Buying a Trained Puppy — You can opt to have your puppy purchased at Fox Creek Farm trained by a professional trainer. Buying a trained puppy can save you a lot of time and benefit the entire family. Please visit our board and train services page for more information. Pet Insurance — We always recommend that any dog owner have a good quality pet insurance. Choosing the best pet insurance will take you a bit of time to learn about the coverages and fees associate with the brand and your particular dog. Spend some time with our blog articles on pet insurance linked above to determine what is right for you and your furry friend. Welcome to my first puppy blog! His expected weight as an adult is between 40 and 50 pounds. Before bringing Henry home I did months of research on puppies. I wanted to make sure I knew as much as possible. I grew-up with a shih-tzu and now my parents have a havenese. My parents used potty pads with both dogs and they were difficult to house train. I researched different breeds, breeders and also considered adoption. However, most of my research was focused on crate and house training. I am not a dog expert and have no education as a dog trainer, but I thought it would be helpful to share what has worked well for us. In our home we created a designated puppy room. For about his first two weeks home he rarely left this room. He has a tiny, weak bladder and is easily confused in his new home. You can create a puppy room or space anywhere in your home, I think it just helps to do-so close by to an exterior door. It is key that this area is very close to the puppy room. Fortunately, he went potty right away on that first day. We gave him lots of verbal praise then took him inside. Each time he comes inside we wipe his paws with a wipe because he does not have all of his vaccine boosters. I have spoke with a few veterinarians on this topic and suggest everyone do the same. Taking Henry outside to go potty was the right choice for us. When Henry entered his room his crate was setup with the door open. Inside we had a crate pad and the towel he sat on in the car during his ride home. I was a bit nervous about the crate situation because neither of my family dogs took a liking to their crate. We let him explore his new room for a bit and before we knew it, he walked into his crate on his own to lay down. From that moment on, he loved his crate! I originally planned to move his crate into our bedroom next to my side of the bed. Since Henry easily went in and out of his crate on his first day home we decided not to move his crate. I totally understand that this is not the case for every pup! When we took Henry home he was about 9lbs and he started with a 24 inch crate. As most sites suggest, he had enough room to turn around, but not enough room to play. Too much extra space in the crate may cause puppies to go potty on one side and sleep on the other. The crate should only be big enough for relaxing — not relaxing AND potty. Tip 4 Stick to a schedule. Day and night. We brought Henry home on a Sunday afternoon and I was able to stay home the following two days. Starting on the first night we set alarms to wake up every two hours to take Henry outside. I know that some sites suggest not waking your puppy up, but this is the method that we chose and it worked very well for Henry. We chose this method because we wanted him to understand that night time is for sleeping and going potty — not playing. By waking him up we felt were inconveniencing him, not the other way around. For the most part, he was always sleeping when we took him out until he woke up for good around 5am. We followed the 2 hour approach for about five days then increased to 3 hours. After about another five days we increased to 4 hours. He has never had an accident in his crate and can hold it for hours at night. Henry eventually started sleeping later util about 6 and am. For the first two weeks, we also wrote down every time Henry ate, drank and went potty. During the first two days, we peed 14 times before dinner. Patience is not my strongest venture. My husband on the other hand, has the patience of a saint. Brining home a puppy is without a doubt stressful and exhausting. The first few weeks are especially tough, but hang in there! I promise it gets better. Your little guy was taken from his mama and siblings then placed in whole new world. It is going to take some time for him to learn, but he will learn. During the first two weeks Henry went nuts for food and water. Here we are 5 weeks out and he plops his little butt down when we bring his food over. The calmer you are, the calmer he will be too. Our next goal is to tackle puppy biting — check back soon! Share this:. In the first week you've probably already introduced your new little guy to the family, offered a tour around the new digs, made some key introductions with other housemates in their furrever home and maybe even said hello to a neighbor or two…but now what? Many new goldendoodle owners are often unprepared for what comes next and find that the honeymoon period is not always as glamorous as imagined. This is a HUGE transition both for you and for them! Many new owners will buy the best food money can buy or, more commonly, offer the same food the breeder has been using. It is very common for puppies to have a transitional period where eating is suppressed. Different factors can be at play here — homesickness, stress, or even intimidation by other household pets. We encourage you to be patient, supportive and just keep offering food — especially during those down times when things are quiet and pup is feeling settled. Eventually, your little guy will come around! This is the first night your pup has been away from littermates so he or she may spend a lot of time whining in the crate spare a tear for sibling bonding. This can last for several nights, but usually decreases with each passing night. At JLDD, we start all pups on crate training by the time they are just two weeks old. At JLDD we introduce a potty area at around three weeks old and encourage the pups to use puppy pads throughout their time with us. The smaller the area, the more likely your pup will be to use the puppy pad. In fact, confining them to just a room or two of your house at first is often a good idea in general to make things less overwhelming for them. Bonus points if your predesignated area is within direct eyeline to the outside door…that way your little guy can quickly get familiar with the way outside. Be prepared…young pups have to pee A LOT! This aspect of owning a new pup takes time and is sometimes a 2-steps forward, 1-step back process.At night, you can expect your pup to be able to go around hours at first without needing to potty…some of our bigger pups can go 8 hours from night one, but it just depends on the pup. Most will need a potty break at some point in the middle of the night for the first couple weeks—it can be tough, but fortunately they are usually able to stretch it out pretty quickly. To review, when raising a goldendoodle puppy, the best tools you can have in your belt are patience, a good sense of humor and consistency. Puppies thrive on schedules and predictable expectations, and lots of snuggles and chew toys! Doodles are very smart and learn fast, so you should see marked improved by the week, meaning that each progressive week is generally easier than the last. The transition in the first week with your goldendoodle is tough for them, but remember, they are learning that YOU are their new pack. This is a critical phase for bonding to humans and you are about to have a profoundly loyal best friend for life. You got this!

Conclusion What Is Crate Training? So, what even is crate training? As the name suggests, it is the process of training your pup to sleep overnight in his crate. Crate training has loads of benefits for pet parents. Traveling A crate-trained pooch is an absolute must for frequent flyers. Your dog must be crated on trains, planes, and buses, which really helps if he is crated in the car. This keeps your pup and other passengers safe. Protect Your Pup When I was renovating my kitchen, my dog was completely intrigued by the noises of the construction. Every time the jackhammer would start up, he would run toward the kitchen to investigate. So, I had to speed up my crate training process to safely crate my pooch in my room for a couple of hours a day. Crating your pup also keeps him safe from household supplies that can seriously harm him, including rat bait, mouse bait, fabric softener sheets, antifreeze, or insecticides. Protect Your Home Sometimes, even the most well-behaved pup tends to behave a little naughty. This could manifest in destructive behaviors like ripping up cushions, peeing in random corners of the house, and getting into the trash. To prevent this, teaching your dog to enter his crate all by himself is good. Potty Training Since dogs are den animals, they are naturally predisposed to keeping their toilet area separate from their sleeping area. This will foster the habit of peeing on the pad, which is invaluable for further potty training. A common question that pet parents of Goldendoodles have: Are Doodle puppies easy to crate train? Or can a Goldendoodle be crate trained? The answer is yes! Thanks to their Poodle genes , Goldendoodle puppies are extremely intelligent. Thanks to their Golden Retriever genes, they are also very eager to please. This winning combination makes most types of training a breeze! With consistency, hard work, and dedication, you will definitely be able to crate-train your Goldendoodle pooch. Crate Training Steps So, how exactly do you start crate training? Or how do you train a Goldendoodle to sleep in a crate? Start by selecting the best crate for your Doodle puppy. The crate should have enough ventilation holes if you live in a warm, humid climate. This will keep your pup more comfortable with entering the crate. Keep the crate near you in an area with a lot of foot traffic. Let your dog investigate the crate of his own volition. Do not close the door yet, even if your pup enters. Use Cues Now that your dog is used to entering the crate, you need to start associating the action of entering the kennel with a verbal command. Reinforce the Commands At this point, the most important thing is to reinforce the verbal commands you have laid the foundation for. When he does, give him tons of treats and verbal praise. Close the Door At this point, you are ready to start closing the kennel door. Once your Goldendoodle is able to enter the kennel once you say the command, you will begin to close the door after him. After a few weeks of training, you will find that crate training your Goldendoodle puppy at night is a breeze! Crate Training Schedule So, how do you schedule your crate training process? Week 1 Acclimation This first week should be all about getting your dog comfortable with the presence of the crate. A large crate can look intimidating to a teeny tiny pup. This will entice your pooch to stick his head in, and he will become more comfortable with entering the crate. If you throw in a few toys or treats, your dog is more likely to enter. Week 3 Closed-Door Training Now, each time your dog enters, shut the door behind him. Keep it closed for only a few minutes, let him out, and then reward him heavily with treats! You can also test out the verbal cues you established in the previous week. Weeks Continuing Training As your Goldendoodle starts to get comfortable with being in the crate with the door closed, you can increase the length of time he is in there. Slowly increase it by 30 seconds at a time, repeated multiple times throughout the day. Eventually, you will be able to leave him in there for hours at a time! You can even try to leave your Goldendoodle in the crate overnight, but let him out if he whines for more than 15 minutes. Do not leave your pooch in the crate for more than 6 hours. Week 6 Overnight Crating Now, you can try leaving your pup in the crate overnight. Take your dog out for a potty break, give him tons of exercise, and keep a potty pad in the crate. Lead him to the crate and gently close the door behind him. Take him out for a bathroom break at least 30 minutes before you begin training. In a few weeks, your dog will be totally comfortable with dozing off in his kennel overnight! Goldendoodles are an exceptionally smart breed that responds great to consistent training and positive reinforcement. If you have any other tips to make crate training a little easier, then leave a comment below. Thanks for reading! As she grew older, this love transformed into a love for dogs. She volunteers in a dog shelter, so she is well-versed in the care and comfort of all breeds of dogs. Leave a Comment. Use the same door every time you take your puppy out. Hang the bells see below on the door and ring them, with their foot. Once they go potty, Praise them and tell them how fabulous they are for going potty outside. The key to house training your puppy is you have to be consistent and have patience. This is all new to your puppy. They don't know what you expect from them until you teach them. Never use anything but positive reinforcement with your Goldendoodle! They will understand quickly with just the tone of your voice. Watch your puppy constantly! If you can't watch the puppy, crate it. Crating the puppy for naps and periodically during the day will teach your puppy to hold for longer period of times and get your puppy used to being calm it's crate faster. Always potty your puppy before and after crating. The rule of thumb for how long your puppy can hold it in the crate during the day is it's age in months. At 8 weeks old - 2 months, your puppy can hold it 2 hours in the crate. The Moss Creek Head Start Teaching the puppy to sleep in the crate and not soil it, is an intensive and exhaustive task. We do more than just introduce your puppy to a crate. We actually train your puppy to sleep in its own crate through the night. The early days of this process are the most difficult. We have implemented a system that slowly teaches your puppy to enjoy being in the crate without soiling it. This makes for many sleepless nights on our part. We feel this early head start to crate training makes the transition to your home less stressful for the puppy and you! Our puppy owners are worth this extra effort. We begin crate training at 3 weeks. We start by leaving a crate in with the puppies with no door. They love to pile in and sleep together. As they grow, we introduce a second crate and this time we leave the doors on. We start by closing them in for minutes at a time, before gradually working up to hours at night. We take the water away by 6 pm. The last time out is around 11 pm. You should take the puppy out, say "go potty" or any cue but be consistent, afterwards, it's directly back in the crate. Let them know that middle of the night trips are all business. No playtime, no drinking etc. Which Crate to Buy We recommend a 42" or 48" wire crate as the permanent crate for standards and the 36" for Mini's. Make sure the crate has a divider. You will want to section off a small space in the beginning, just large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around and lay down in. You can put a blanket around the crate to make it feel more like a den. Puppies, by nature, prefer to be clean and will not lay where they have had an accident. This makes the crate an invaluable training tool, as it is safer for your puppy to be crated than unsupervised. Purchase our recommended crates on our Crate Shopping Page. Trained to the Bell Poochie-Bells work! Hang them on the door you let your puppy out. Every time you take the puppy out, say 'Let's go out - Ring your bells - Go Outside' and ring the bell with one of the puppies paws. Once you get to the grass you say 'Go Potty'. We don't say 'Potty' in the house because Goldendoodles are extremely smart and learn to potty on command. For the first few months puppies should be taken out for a potty break: when they wake up. Dog crate training step 5: Slowly extend the time the door is closed Ok, now we will work on duration! Repeat step 3 but slowly increasing the time the door is closed. The first few minutes will be the most challenging, you must go as slowly as necessary to prevent whining. How you do this? The slower your work, the faster your puppy learns I promise! Here is an example for 3 sessions of 12 repetitions then break for play or petting time. Session 1: 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 1 second, 7 secs, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 6 seconds, 4 seconds, 7 seconds, 3 seconds, 8 seconds, 8 seconds. Session 2: 5 seconds, 8 seconds, 3 seconds, 7 seconds, 10 seconds, 12 seconds, 6 seconds, 15 seconds, 12 seconds, 17 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds. Session 3: 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 8 seconds, 18 seconds, 12 seconds, 20 seconds, 11 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 8 seconds, 27 seconds, 30 seconds. NOTE: this is just an example, if your puppy is struggling then repeat shorter sessions more often. Looks like a lot of work? Trust me.The first few minutes are the most challenging, once you are up to 5 minutes, you will be able to make minute jumps, instead of second jumps. Expert tips for step 5 Once you have reached minutes, you can start giving your puppy a stuffed Kong or chew toy so he can keep enjoying the time inside the crate. As soon as you open the door and ask him to go out, take the Kong and toys away. This is very important for your dog to understand that those special toys are only available when he is confined inside the crate. So, I recommend you stay near the crate, maybe on a chair or table where your puppy can see you do something else. You can even do it while cooking, as long as your puppy can see you and you are fairly close by. Dog crate training step 6: Staying in the crate with you out of sight You may have noticed that we are teaching every aspect of going inside the crate separately. That's the best way to teach a dog anything. If you try to lump together closing the door, duration and you being away, your puppy will most likely fail and start whining. To complete the training, we need to teach the puppy to stay inside the crate and be OK even if you go out of sight. Start leaving the room in very short periods and extending them progressively. There is no need to use extra food rewards during this step. The idea is that while your puppy is on the crate for 30 minutes, you will leave the room and come back many times until your puppy gets used to you doing this. I will give you here examples of 3 different sessions done during a 30 min practice. Example: At min 2, min 5, min , min 6, min , min 10, min, min 12, min , min , etc. You must repeta session 1 which is just you leaving for 1 seconds many times until you notice your puppy doesn't care anymore. The first few times you get up and leave the room your puppy may become alert or even bark or whine, you go back in, sit down and continue doing what you were doing if you are doing nothing, pretend to do something like reading a book or working on your computer. After many repetitions you may notice that your puppy may looks at you, but he is no longer alert or slightly anxious.For some puppies, maybe they will be OK doing Session 1 only one time. Other puppies may need to repeat it more times throughout a few days to feel comfortable. Just read your puppy and act accordingly. Session 2: Leave the room for seconds at random intervals during the 30 min practice. Example: At min 2 leave for 2 seconds, at min 3 leave for 4 seconds, at min leave for 1 second, etc. Again, you cannot move to session 3 unless you notice your puppy is no longer alert waiting for you to come back in. The idea is to create this random pattern of you coming in and out so many times that the puppy will get bored you doing this! Next sessions: Increase the time you leave progressively. For example: Session 3 leave for seconds, session 4 leave for seconds, etc. Work this way until you are able to leave for 30 min to 1 hour or even more. Again, after you have achieved 5 minutes out of sight, you will be able to do minute jumps instead of seconds and your puppy will learn faster and faster. Now create a puppy crate training schedule! Now you have a dog that can go in and out of the crate on command and best of all…loves to be inside it! For older or shy dogs, it might take a little longer. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. We feel better when we know what is coming next. A puppy crate training schedule is a great thing because it gives you a specific pattern of actions to follow every day. Done correctly you can have a potty trained dog in just about a week but it can take longer too! The following chart will help you remember how long can puppies hold their bladders depending on their age. You can't expect a three months old puppy to stay inside his crate for 4 hours without any accidents! Also, keep in mind that pups will potty after eating, after a play session and after a nap. Keep this is mind when working on your puppy crate training schedule. It is possible that your puppy potties more or less often and that is OK, just follow your own puppies schedule by paying attention at how often he pees. You will notice that a puppy crate training schedule has certain key parameters. Play time for minutes, feeding time for 30 minutes and crate time for hours. Follow the schedule as is, but use your human instincts too. If you think your puppy needs to play longer, do it. If you think your pooch wants to go potty, take him outside immediately. Remember, you puppy is unique. Free puppy crate training schedule download! This file also has a fillable schedule to complete with your own specific hours too! Sign up to The Yes Dog! Our newsletter name "The YES dog" was created to promote positive dog training methods say -yes- instead of punishment and the acronym also tells you what you will get into your inbox: Yeehaw with your dog find joy with fun activities Explore dog science learn about your best friend Sayings that inspire a quote to help you bond with your dog Enter Your E-mail Address Enter Your First Name optional I am at least 16 years of age. I have read and accept the privacy policy. I understand that you will use my information to send me The Yes Dog newsletter. Subscribe Remember to be patient. If your dog is not successful, then try to make things easier for him. If you follow the steps outlined above and the puppy crate training schedule, your dog will be just fine and potty trained in a few weeks but it's OK if your puppy takes longer! As your pup grows, you can start adjusting the time he spends inside the crate and also the amount of times you repeat the crate training schedule. For example, a very young puppy may need to potty every hours, but a 6 months old puppy will need to potty every hours, so you can adjust the cycles of the schedule. If you follow the training program for 2 to 4 months, you will have a month old dog that no longer potties inside the house and only plays with his own chew toys. At this point, you can start letting you puppy roam around the house supervised more and more time, leave the gate of the crate always open in case your dog wants to rest inside the crate. Eventually, your dog can live freely with you inside the house and only use the crate for rest time, a safe space for when guests are home and for travel or other needed occasion. Never leave a puppy inside a crate longer than 3 hours. Find the Best Dog Crate Before starting on a puppy crate training schedule, you need to get the right crate. With hundreds of them available, it can be a daunting task. Follow the tips below to find the right one for you and your pet. What size should a dog crate be? The crate should be big enough for your dog to fit standing and be able to turn around. Nothing more. If bigger, your dog could start using part of it as a toilet - a big no-no. If you have a puppy that will grow and do not want to buy two crates, cover part of the bigger crate with a box to prevent the puppy from using the extra-space for potty. Measure your dog standing up from hears to toes height and nose to tail length , add a couple of inches to each measurement and buy the size crate closer to those measurements! What is the best dog crate material? Fabric dog crates are lightweight and very easy to fold, making them an excellent choice for travel. Your dog must be fully crate trained and still be supervised at all times because a dog could break out of it very easily. If you are going camping, to a doggy event or on a trip, this is a great choice. However, I do not recommend crates made out of fabric for potty-training and daily unsupervised confinement. One of the best travel crates in the market, the EliteField can be folded for transport and has 3 doors which can be usefull for training dog sports. Wire dog crates are a very popular choice because they can be very secure, most can be folded for storage or travel and they tend to be cheaper than plastic ones. You can also find non-collapsible wire crates that are sturdier and prevent clever dogs from escaping. The Midwest Homes Crate is one of the most popular to potty train your dog. This crate can be folded for transportation and has 2 doors to allow you to place it at different angles. It includes a divider that is important to make the crate smaller then bigger as your puppy grows. A play pen is also a popular option to keep your puppy confined to a smaller area. The BestPet Dog Playpen is a good option and can be assembled in different ways. Keep in mind that if the area is too big, he may go potty inside! Plastic dog crates are favored because they are very strong and tough, they also block more of the view, creating a safe and secure area for your dog. Plastic dog crates are also good for your pet when traveling on an airplane. Petmate is a good brand, the dog crates are very sturdy and durable. They are not easy to transport because it's a two part crate but if your dog chews on everything, this is a good option. Decorative dog crates are available to match your furniture and create and aesthetic home environment. They are more expensive, but worth the money if you are thinking your dog will be using his crate long-term. Decorative crates are more expensive but look great in your home! It's important to teach your puppy to love this place so he will also use it to rest in the future. Some IchbingGo crates come with wheels to make them easy to move around the house. These a great feature. However, once the crate is in place make sure to lock the wheels to prevent your puppy to get scared to go inside if it moves. Learn more about raising a puppy! Puppy Clicker Training: Learn how to clicker train your puppy! It's fun, its easy.Bite inhibition: Is your puppy chewing everything.This article will teach you everything you need to know about teaching your puppy to use its mouth properly. Don't wait until it's too late. Are Goldendoodles easy to crate train? With our tips and tricks, you can train your puppy quickly. Crate training has a lot of benefits for a growing puppy. But most people give up after a few days of trying. We want to help you conquer this obstacle. Step One: The Crate Size The first step to success is to crate train a Goldendoodle puppy is choosing the right size crate. We believe the best dog crates on the market are the adjustable types. A kennel like the Midwest Homes iCrate has everything you could want. They come with a sturdy build, pan, and divider. Why his stomach is the best method. You will want training treats on hand for the first several days and special treats and busy toys when you are gone. Things like KONG chew toys , or favorite toys that your puppy only gets when you are gone are perfect. The idea is to give your puppy treats during the training process and give them something fun and new to do while you are away. If you make crate training your Goldendoodle puppy a fun experience, you will have faster results. But we will talk more about how to use these treats next. Set your crate up in a high-traffic area of the house. This can be in the living room or room where your puppy will spend most of his time. Make it homey with a few toys, but not the special ones, and a blankie or two. They might even go in and out several times to get a treat, and you should oblige. Soon all you have to do is say kennel, and he will know what to do. Step Four: Play Fetch! If your puppy is having difficulty going into the crate by himself, a game of fetch might persuade him. Start by playing a game of fetch with his favorite toy in the same room as the kennel. After a bit of back and forth, throw the toy into the crate. And when your puppy goes in to get the toy, give them a treat and praise. Soon they will overcome their fear of the big scary metal thing and go in alone. Then you can give them a treat every time they enter alone. Once you have done this for a few days, you should tell them the order, and they get into the crate before getting food. They will eagerly get inside for anything. First, you want to start slow. Start by meeting their needs first: eating, drinking , potty, and collar off. Then give your puppy the crate command. Once in the crate, give your puppy a treat and a special toy. Make your puppy think you are leaving the house by walking out the door. Once the time is up, go inside to let your puppy out and give him praise. By slowly increasing the time your puppy is alone, you teach him that you will always come home. Keep at this; your puppy will go for hours alone in the kennel by the end. A puppy can only hold their bladders for about an hour every month they are of age. So a puppy who is only four months old can only hold their pee for four hours. And it seems easy as pie. But a few things can go wrong in the first few months of training and ruin all success. Here are a few things you never want to do if you want your puppy to learn quickly. Invade Space The first mistake that people make is invading the area. Your puppy is still learning how to use this crate. And you want it to feel like a safe and quiet place to escape when needed. Think of it as their room. If your puppy is in the kennel sleeping, eating, or exploring, you should leave him be. Use It As Punishment Using it as punishment is the next thing that can ruin crate training your puppy. Using the crate as punishment will make your dog feel like he has done something terrible every time you leave the house. Instead, you should redirect your puppy. Cleaning potty messes with urine cleaners and taking them for a walk helps with potty training. And if your puppy is chewing, turn their attention to a toy that is safe for gnawing. This method keeps the crate safe and solves the issues more effectively. We are just as happy to see our puppies as they are glad to see us. But if you make too big of a deal out of leaving and coming home, you could start anxiety in your dog. Sad goodbyes tell your puppy that your leaving is a bad thing. And happy hellos give your puppy anxiety waiting for you to come home. So you will want to keep both of these times cool and collected. Give your puppy the kennel command and leave neutrally, like all you do is brush your teeth. And when you come home, take care of business first. They will be happy, but a potty break is imminent, and after, you can give them a proper hello with a friendly game. Letting Out For Whining Chances are, you will crate-train your puppy at night as well. And if you tried this, you know your puppy will try to pull the heartstrings. How do I get my puppy to stop whining in his crate? But if your puppy is young, keep track of the time spent in the kennel. Is It Simple? You might be wondering if this is for every puppy. Or are Goldendoodles high maintenance? We assure you that every puppy goes through this, no matter what breed or age you start. But with our guide on crate train a Goldendoodle puppy, you will be smooth sailing in no time. Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. Sharing is caring! If there is a behavior your puppy exhibits that you may think is cute while your puppy is small, you need to think ahead and determine if this behavior will be acceptable from an adult dog. Consistency is the most important tool for training a puppy in their first year and beyond. Each family member needs to use the same techniques and commands so as not to confuse your puppy. It is important to remember that a puppy associates a reward or a disciplinary action with its behavior in the past 3 seconds. Waiting longer than 3 seconds to reward or discipline is very confusing to a puppy. You cannot stop this behavior, but you can certainly direct your puppy to chew upon acceptable items until this phase passes at about a year of age. The only way puppies know how to play is the typical wrestling, biting, chasing, tackling, pulling, and nipping they do with littermates. In the absence of littermates, you and your family suddenly become the littermates. Repeat this same disciplinary action a total of three times in a row. Every now and then, a particularly feisty puppy will become more excited by this disciplinary action and need a more distinct disciplinary measure. This next action needs to be initiated quickly. This will be uncomfortable for your puppy. When behavior meets with uncomfortable consequences, the behavior will stop. With all this being said, the absolute best remedy is for you to arrange daily play dates with other puppies or young dogs. The bottom line is that your puppy needs to have active playtime each day. Jumping — Your puppy will jump on you to get your attention. This may seem innocent while your puppy is small, but Grandma may not appreciate being knocked over by the full grown untrained dog. Make sure you do not reward the puppy for the act of getting down as this will enforce the behavior of jumping up only to be told to get down for a reward. This is not a sign of aggression unless you allow this to go undisciplined over time. You need to actively discourage any and all growling directed at you. If your puppy growls at you when you get close to the food bowl, immediately remove the food bowl and feed the puppy out of your hand. Do not stop brushing until the puppy accepts this without growling. Each puppy needs to learn its place in the pecking order of a family. Obviously, they need to be the lowest on the totem pole. If allowed to be boss, growling is a normal thing for a puppy to exhibit when showing its dominance. Each family member must establish they are boss. This includes young children who are timid or fearful of the puppy. Remember that any behavior you allow as a puppy is then extremely difficult to curb later in life. If you do not wish to have your adult dog on the furniture, do not sit on the sofa holding your puppy. If you do not want your grown dog to grab your pant leg, etc. Leash Training — Training your Goldendoodle puppy to walk on a leash without pulling will take some time. Be patient and read our complete guide to leash training here. Buying a Trained Puppy — You can opt to have your puppy purchased at Fox Creek Farm trained by a professional trainer. Buying a trained puppy can save you a lot of time and benefit the entire family. Please visit our board and train services page for more information. Pet Insurance — We always recommend that any dog owner have a good quality pet insurance. Choosing the best pet insurance will take you a bit of time to learn about the coverages and fees associate with the brand and your particular dog. Spend some time with our blog articles on pet insurance linked above to determine what is right for you and your furry friend. So, how do you ensure that your puppy is comfortable and well adjusted to their crate? Platinum Goldendoodles is here to help you on your journey to crate training! Make sure to invest in a divider for the crate, so the space can grow with your Goldendoodle. Never force your puppy to get into the crate. Ignore the temper tantrums. Removing them at the first whimper will teach the puppy that is all it takes to regain their freedom! No yelling zone! Furthermore, never yell at a puppy while they are in the crate. A crate is supposed to be a safe place for relaxation and sleep. This will lead the Goldendoodle to associate the crate with fear! Ignore any demands from your pup and carry on with business as usual. Do not leave your puppy in the crate all day and night. Investing in a puppy is an agreement to make the 2 am wake-up call so your Goldendoodle can go potty! Make a place for puppies! A crate should be a place for your Goldendoodle to calm down, unwind, and feel at ease. Fill the crate with their favorite chew toys and comfort items. You can also use a blanket to drape over the crate, so the space is free from outside distractions. When you can, leave the door open so they can explore the crate on their own time. On that note, never use a crate as punishment. Praise, Praise, Praise! Your Goldendoodle needs to know that its crate is not a place for punishment or negativity. You can use treats to reward them once they enter their crate and always use lots of praise! One treat to entice them in and another once they have entered. Positive reinforcement is key when it comes to training any dog. Slow and Steady. It would be a shock to anyone to go from having the freedom to roam, to hours spent in a crate! When beginning crate training, start with small increments of time and slowly increase the duration. Once they are comfortable during the entire 20 minutes, you can increase the time! This will avoid fostering any feelings of fear and anxiety during crate time. Potty Breaks. Before crating your puppy, make sure they have used the bathroom! If they are whining to get out, you can eliminate the possibility that they need to go outside. But, sometimes, accidents do happen. Try not to stress and try, try again. Potty and crate training is a learning process that is developed over time. It is all a part of the journey to having a well-behaved Goldendoodle. Find the right size. As mentioned before, having the right crate for your puppy will make a huge difference. Utilize a divider to ensure they have a cozy space, and no room to create a potty corner! You can also use a small bed to sleep. All in all, crates are a fantastic tool for training and a great way to make your Goldendoodle comfortable in their new environment. How you interact with crate time will make the difference between the crate being enjoyable and a place of anxiety. Just remember, use lots of praise, avoid yelling, and enjoy your new addition to the family! Goldendoodle vs Bernedoodle vs Sheepadoodle On day one, you may simply want to feed your pup in the crate and initially let him sniff the place out without even closing the door. Once he is familiar with the crate, you can start closing him for short periods of time and always reward him with treats upon entering the crate. At the beginning, make sure your pup can still see you - this helps your doodle relax and settle sooner. On this note, we have found most puppies adapt more quickly to sleeping through the night in their crate if they are in the same room as a human. Still, you can expect the first few nights to be quite difficult. The first few days can be extremely difficult, but your consistency will pay off. Many owners find it difficult to be consistent because of their worry that their dog is miserable with crate training and, true enough, the puppies can sound really pitiful in there. But stay strong and remember that you are actually helping them in the long run for the times that they must be left alone when you go out. Keeping your puppy in a kennel while you are gone not only keeps them safe, but when utilized correctly, the crate actually feels like a safe, cozy place to your pup and will help keep him calm and rest when he must be left alone. Keeping a routine is key so your pup knows what to expect. Allow pup to settle for about five minutes before you let him or her out. The only time this does not apply is in the middle of the night. You will know you have mastered this important aspect to training when your pup voluntarily enters his crate to rest or nap without even being instructed to do so! A well crate trained pup makes grooming, boarding, and traveling much easier for you and your pup. Need help with training? Location of the crate will highly affect your efforts on how to crate train a puppy. Because dogs are social animals, an ideal location for the crate is within an area that the family visits often. This could be in the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. If you have noticed that your dog likes a particular corner or room to take a nap, or if you want your puppy to sleep in a particular location at night, then this might be the best location for the crate. Avoid putting the crate in an isolated area like the laundry or furnace room. Some fellow Doodle owners have done this with great success: Introducing the Crate, Step-by-Step Guide Here is a short step-by-step guide on introducing the crate to your puppy. Ideally, you should have the crate ready to go the day you bring your puppy home. The best first confinement session should be when the puppy is ready to take a nap and as early in the day as possible. This will likely be after a playtime, exercise, and going potty. Place a few treats, toys, or food inside the crate so that your puppy is keen on going inside on his own. If the puppy lies down elsewhere to take a nap, move him to his crate for the duration of the nap. Leave the room but remain close enough to hear your puppy. Some level of crying or whining is expected the first few times he is separated from his family members. Only release him from the crate when he wakes up, is calm, or if you need to wake your puppy up for feeding, play, or a potty break. Repeat these steps a few times before bedtime. Over a few weeks, gradually increase the amount of time that your puppy stays in the crate. Cap the max time to three or four hours until the puppy is older than five months of age. Prior to bedtime, your puppy should be exercised and secured in his crate for the night. Repeat these steps each day until he willingly and happily goes into his crate on his own. Avoid letting him out of the crate when he cries or whines. Ignore him until the crying stops. The location of the crate, as well as the techniques you use for crate training should be designed to keep the crate association positive. For example, your puppy should be encouraged to sleep, nap, or play with his toys in his little den. On the other hand, be mindful that if your dog is confined at a time when he is in need of play, attention, or to go potty, then he may try to escape the crate and experience anxiety. Likewise, never use the crate or confinement area as a punishment. This may make puppy feel trapped, anxious, and frustrated. This is the most important goal in how to crate train a puppy. A radio or TV may help to calm your dog and may help to mask environmental noises that can trigger crying or barking. Here is a good rule of thumb. Only leave a puppy in his crate in hours equal to the age in months that he is. Example: if your puppy is two months old, only leave him in the crate for up to two hours at a time. Never leave your puppy in his crate for longer than he can control himself or he may be forced to go potty in his crate. If your pup must be left for longer than he can control elimination, a larger confinement area with puppy pee pads, or access to outside through a dog door, will be necessary. Second, puppies need a certain amount of socialization. Some level of crying or whining is expected the first few times he is separated from his family members while in his crate. For some unfortunate souls, your puppy may be rather relentless with the crying for much longer than that. However, the crying might persist longer than that if certain actions are taken when he cries. For example, avoid letting him out of the crate when he cries or whines and ignore him until the crying stops. Moreover, only release him from the crate when he wakes up, is calm, or if you need to wake your puppy up for feeding, play, or a potty break. If the crying does not subside on its own, you might find that a mild interruption helps. A mild interruption could be some kind of sharp noise, like shaking a can containing a few coins. A quick squirt from a water gun may also be effective. During the interruption, you should remain out of sight, so that the puppy does not learn to associate the interruption with your presence. Though not always viewed as a favorable option, another way to discourage crying or barking is to use a bark-collar or similar device that produces an alarm or distracting spray when he barks. Avoid any interruption that causes fear or anxiety. These are not mentally healthy for your dog and could make the crying worse. They can even cause him to go potty inside the crate. Whether you cover the crate depends on your dog. Some dogs love the security provided by a darkened, enclosed space, while others can feel anxious in a confined area. A crate cover can help reduce anxiety and soothe dogs by limiting visual stimuli, which in turn can prevent excitement and barking. Source As with crate training, a gradual introduction to a cover on his crate is the best way to get him used to it. For steps on introducing your dog to a covered crate, check out this article. Well, the same way you would crate train your puppy during the daytime! The only difference is that he and you will be sleeping hopefully and that he may be able to go longer periods without needing attention. Is it Cruel to Crate a Dog at Night? No, it is definitely not cruel to crate your dog at night! The crate still provides the same benefits mentioned at the beginning of this article during the nighttime. Some crying is to be expected the first few nights your puppy is in his new home. What do you do when your puppy cries at night? If your puppy cries in the middle of the night, you have some choices on what to do. You can ignore him or use a mild interruption, as discussed above. You can comfort him by letting him know that you are present. You may also talk to him a bit if necessary, or put your hand on his crate. Another option is to sit or lay on the floor for a few minutes right when he goes into the crate if he is especially upset. Also, new Doodle puppy owners are swearing by Snuggle Puppies left and right. The Snuggle Puppy helps puppies with its pulsing heartbeat and heat pack, simulating the comfort of mama. It is perfect while crate training, as it reduces whining and barking, and it helps puppies transition to their new home. The result is a calmer puppy who feels less loneliness, fear, and separation anxiety.