golden retriever puppies portland oregon for sale

Fully vaccinated and litter-box trained. Will provide her paperwork from breeder and immunization record. He is 4. Very affection and funny boy. Rare color he is toy sized. He is pad trained. Not one incident since I got him. His vaccines are paid for, for the entire year. He comes with a health guarantee. He will also have 4 months per insurance covered by me. He comes with a few things toys, bowls, carrier, etc. She has bluish greenish eyes. If u have any questions please message me. Luna comes with one used bed one new bed. A couple doggie treats some dog food her toys, two sets of bowls and blanket and other essentials including tags and vaccine Rec. View Detail Male rare Pochion Male hypoallergenic smart puppy ready for new home Text xxxxxxxxxx View Detail Bischon poodle puppies Hi I have 4 males available for loving homes please contact Kathy at xxx xxxxxx7 View Detail Bichonpoo puppies very sweet little puppies looking for a fur-ever home. They are hypoallergenic. They are very socialized and has been handled daily since birth. Feel free to email with questions. View Detail Bichon-Poodle Puppy 10 weeks old, male puppy. Very loving and intelligent cream color needs a forever home. He very playful and gets along well with other dogs but is a bit shy at first. He has not had his first set of shots which is why we are not asking much. We prefer you pay less and take him to your vet. He is the last puppy of 4 and really needs a home. He will require grooming every 2 to 3 months because he is poodle and Bichon View Detail Bichonxpoodle Puppies We have male and Female. Both have fantastic playful personalities, and love playing the the garden with their mum and dad and my other older dog! They will also leave with a blanket scented with their litter mates and a soft toy. These Bichon are perfect companion and they make a perfect addition to any family. It is a cross between a Bichon Frise and Miniature Poodle. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know that you can get any combination of the characteristics found in either xxxxx. This mix results in an intelligent, loving, and outgoing dog who enjoys being around people. They enjoy the company of both humans and other animals. They are generally good with children, although they may become overly excited if not properly socialized from an early age. Overall, Bichpoos make wonderful pets for families and individuals alike. The Bichpoo breed tends to have the best traits of both parent breeds. This makes them easy to train for tricks and obedience. They are also low-shedding, making them a good choice for people with allergies. These pups enjoy spending time with their owner and do not like being left alone for long periods of time. They make great companions for family life or individuals who are looking for an affectionate furry friend. Bichpoo Puppies Health Considerations Though generally very healthy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around 12 to 14 years — our Bichpoos for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Bichpoo puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. While these conditions can be costly to treat, the good news is that they can often be effectively managed with proper care. Finding a Bichpoo puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. The coat is hypoallergenic and does not shed, making the Bichpoo an ideal choice for people with allergies. Although the coat does not require much maintenance, it is important to brush it regularly to prevent mats and tangles from forming. In addition, the coat should be trimmed every few months to keep it looking its best. Meet Bichpoo Puppies for Sale. Poochon vs Shih Poo Comparison If you love small doodle breeds and want to add a fluffy and cute puppy to your family, we have just the right candidates. Meet the Poochon and Shih Poo designer doodles. They are among our favorite doodle puppies here at Premier Pups. The Poochon and Shih Poo dogs are smart, happy, and ready to love you to the moon and back. They enjoy games, cuddles, and attention, and they are more than happy to keep.Welcome to the exciting world of doodle puppies! If you're considering adding a new fur baby family member, you're in for a treat. Doodle puppies are simply amazing. They are friendly, loving, and playful dogs that are perfect for families with children. With so many different types of doodle breeds available, one more adorable than the next it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. But don't worry, we're here to help! They are loyal and devoted, have adoring personalities, and are always ready for a cuddle session. Poochon puppies are joyful little fluffs with bouncy paws and wiggly tails. They are lively and happy pups who love to jump around and they are excellent training students. Sturdy and small, Poochons have an average height between 9 to 15 inches and an average weight between 6 and 17 pounds. It is considered a designer dog breed. The mix originated in Australia and started appearing in the late s. The goal was to breed a low or non-shedding dog that was sturdy and active with a temperament for families with children. The Bich-Poo is charming, affectionate, highly intelligent, and eager to please. They tend to get along well with other pets and with children, which makes them a great fit for families. Bich-Poos are also alert watchdogs. They can be prone to excessive barking, but training and socialization as a puppy can curb this tendency. Although they will alert you as a watchdog, they are more interested in making friends, so will not make a good guard dog. Bich-Poos are highly adaptable. They do well in apartments or larger homes as long as they get enough exercise and fit right in with families with children, other pets, or both. They do well in most climates and, as with most dog breeds, caution should be taken with extreme heat or cold. With this first generation cross, many of the health issues associated with the parent breeds are often not a concern. However, there is always the potential for inherited issues. Some of the potential breed-related health concerns are allergies, patella luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy. Because they are a small dog breed, they are also prone to breaks and fractures if dropped. This designer dog breed tends to be highly intelligent. That, paired with their eagerness to please their owner, makes them quick learners and fairly easy to train. They tend to be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Novice owners may want to enroll in obedience and training classes to ensure training and socialization is going as it should. A professional trainer can also help you put a plan in place to eliminate any potential issues with separation anxiety or the nipping that can become a common fear or anxiety response in small dogs. A Bich-Poo will often have a soft and curly coat. If their coat takes on Poodle properties, then it will be low-shedding and hypoallergenic. Common coat colors are typically light, like white or apricot, but can appear in other colors like tan, brown, black, or gray. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks is also a good idea for a healthy coat. You will also want to trim their nails monthly and clean their eyes and ears regularly. Although small, these dogs are robust and energetic. They tend to have bouts of high energy and require regular exercise throughout the day. Although they are active dogs, moderate levels of exercise will be enough to tire them out. Regular exercise, like daily walks and active playtime, will help immensely when your pup gets a sudden spike of energy and starts racing. Some of their energy bursts can seem endless, but, due to their smaller size, they do tend to tire quickly, so these bouts of energy will likely be on the shorter side. After that, your Bich-Poo will likely be ready for a nap and some cuddles. Keeping your dog well-exercised and engaged is key. A bored dog is one that can become restless and start to whine, chew, or bark. This designer dog breed usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between pounds. A Bichpoo will generally live between years. Featured Bich-poo Article.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Puppies are a handful, and raising two of them at the same time can be a joyful yet demanding experience. This is especially true if they are sibling puppies. The question for non-breeders is whether raising two Lab puppies together is something you should set out to do? Raising two Lab puppies together is generally not a good idea. Multiple puppies tend to not bond with owners as well as single puppies. Having multiple puppies can have a negative impact on training, and create conflict leading to behavioral problems. There are other challenges related to raising two Lab puppies together that also need to be considered. However, in some circumstances an owner may not have a choice in the matter. For those situations, there are strategies you can use to reduce some of the challenges presented when raising multiple Lab puppies in the same home. For example, they get to play together and keep each other company while you are away. So why is doing so not advisable? This is especially true if they spend a lot of time together. Unfortunately, this deep bond can affect their bond with you. As a result, they may ignore you, which can be detrimental to their training. A strong bond is necessary for successful training. However, it can only happen if you have the puppy's undivided attention. Raising two puppies means that their attention gets divided between each other and you. Your only choice is to keep separating them, which brings us to the next challenge. They Might Display Littermate Syndrome Littermate Syndrome describes potential behaviors that could arise when a pair of puppies become overly dependent on each other due to their constant companionship. The puppies, usually drawn from the same litter, might exhibit certain behaviors. For instance: They are often pretty nervous, aloof, or fearful of people or other dogs. They become overly engrossed with each other, expressing little or no interest in other dogs or their human owners. They become highly distressed if separated even for a short while, making exercise, training, and vet visits difficult. This problem is not limited to puppies from the same litter, though. It could also happen to similar-aged puppies or those close in age. This is when they learn basic commands, how to live well with people, use a leash, and how not to nip. However, it's not easy to house train one puppy while the other one is distracting him or jumping all over him. Besides, puppies are generally full of mischief and require close supervision, which is an almost impossible feat when you have two. For effective training, you need to make time to train each puppy separately until such a point when the puppy can join other dogs for training. This could take months, so you need to be sure that you can commit to the time and energy it would take to train both pups. They Are Prone to Conflict Littermates tend to fight a lot. They fight over food or your attention, and this could worsen as they grow older. Same-sex puppies are often more competitive, so they might get into conflict a little more often. Also, one puppy's bad habits could rub off on the other. They Need Their Own Space It's good for each puppy to have their own space where they spend most of their time, apart from when they have scheduled play-time. Having personal space allows the pups to function independently and develop separate personalities instead of turning into half-dogs who are utterly dependent on each other. You cannot crate train two puppies together, as each puppy needs to have its own crate. This is especially so if you are not available to keep watch over them throughout the day or during night time when they are asleep. You should also walk, feed, and socialize with each pup on its own. Crate training helps keep your puppies safe, prevents damage, is handy when traveling, and is necessary for housetraining. You should continue to keep them separate until each puppy learns to pay attention to you, listen, and obey your commands. Once they do, you can gradually allow the puppies to go on walks together. Establishing a proper foundation through training is crucial as the puppies can get out of hand while outdoors if you fail to do so. You can also get someone to help you walk the pups if you prefer to take them out at the same time but use different routes. While the puppies don't have to stay separately throughout and can still spend time together, you ought to give each equal quality time and attention. Tips on How To Raise Two Lab Puppies Successfully Bringing up two pups has its advantages , but be warned, this takes time, space, money, and loads of patience. If you don't have any of these, you might be better off raising one pup till they are about one year old before getting a second pup. By then, both of you will have a strong bond. But if you are willing and up to the task, here is what you need to do: Enroll them separately in puppy training classes and make training consistent. If it's hard to separate the pups initially, consider placing the individual crates next to each other so they can see and smell each other. Then, gradually move the containers further apart. To make them used to staying apart, have the puppies engage in individual activities. Dogs are social animals, so make time for play, fun, and being together. Final Thoughts If you want to have dogs in your life, it's best to start with one puppy, unless you are experienced at this and can house a pair of pups separately. Otherwise, it can be a considerable challenge. To raise your pups into complete, confident, and well-trained individual dogs, follow the valuable tips outlined here. Jersey, Channel Islands What I'm going to say might sound really negative, but I feel that I have to say it for the benefit of the puppies.It's really not a good idea to get two puppies at once. Very occasionally, it can work out ok - but it is never optimal. Puppies need a lot of individual time and attention. IMO it simply isn't possible to give the puppy the same amount of individual time and attention they would receive in a household where they were the only puppy, if they are homed together. Puppies homed together tend to be seen as one homogenous unit - 'the puppies' or 'the girls' or 'the boys' or 'the dogs' - and not invested in, as individuals, as they would be if they were the only dog in the home. There is such a thing as 'littermate syndrome' which is quite common amongst puppies raised together - as a behaviourist, I see several cases a year of it. The last case I saw, there ended up being one confident dog and the other dog was very timid, especially when her sister wasn't with her. She had attached to her sister and didn't feel safe when she wasn't around. The owner had taken them both out together to 'socialise' them, and together she hadn't even noticed that one pup wasn't really interacting with the world and she seemed fine when her sister was with her. The reality is that her sister had received most attention and the timid pup had been able to fade into the background more and not to be 'noticed'.The case I saw before that, someone had gotten two puppies which just played together the whole time in rough play. They had taken them out to 'socialise' them, but they weren't very interested in looking at the world and learning about it - they just wanted to get to each other all the time and play. The case I saw before THAT, was two siblings which had been fine together during puppyhood but had now started to fight in adolescence. The owner returned home one day and found one puppy with a bite wound dripping blood. On adolescence, dogs enter sexual maturity and if dogs are too 'similar' in age - particularly if they are the same sex - they can start to fight because they experience each other as more of a threat. With puppies of difference sexes, it's almost going to force early neutering on you to prevent unwanted matings and puppies - not ideal. And finally, the other end of life: It is likely you will lose both dogs close together in time, because they are the same age. And if one dies before the other, the one that is left is heartbroken because their main attachment figure has gone.And so on and on and on. As a very occasional breeder, I would never place two puppies in the same home and, if anyone asked for two, that in itself would count against them because I would consider them to be a home that hadn't done their research and fully understood what is involved in raising a puppy. As a trainer, I won't take two puppies in the same household, into the same class - because they need that precious time to be alone without their sibling, to learn how to focus on their 'person', to learn how to socialise with other breeds that are not their own - and not to spend the entire class attempting to get to each other. If I manage to reach people before they have actually brought the puppies home, I am sometimes successful and they tell the breeder they only want one. If I reach people after they have the puppies, I am almost never successful because people don't want to take a puppy back after they have begun to bond, and can't choose which one to keep. But one can try.Enjoy your one pup and give them all the time and attention they deserve to get - your full quote of time and attention.Tweet on Twitter It is not unusual for people go to visit a litter of Labrador puppies to choose their pet, and come home with not one puppy but two! Two puppies usually settle in together very happily. After all, leaving home with your brother or sister is a great deal more fun than leaving home all by yourself! It may seem that bringing two Labrador puppies home together is great. That the two dogs will be good company for each other whilst you are busy, growing up to be great friends and playmates. But is this really a good idea? In this article we are going to look at the challenges involved in raising two puppies. Helping you to decide whether this is the right decision for your family. There is clearly a lot of appeal to the idea. You might disagree with your family about which puppy is best and think it will sort the argument out. You might think two are equally adorable. Or even be concerned about him feeling lonely when you need to leave the house. But there are a lot of factors you need to take into account to make the right decision. Bonding With Your Puppy Two puppies of the same or a similar age, form a terrific bond. Unfortunately this bond is often at the expense of a bond with the owner. Your littermate pups may be so besotted with each other that they will have little time for you. Why Does This Matter? It matters because building a bond between you and your dog is very important if you are to be successful in training the dog. To have a great relationship with your dog, you need to be the centre of his universe. If you have two puppies at once, this is hard to achieve without constantly separating the dogs. Littermate Syndrome Littermate syndrome is the name given to certain behaviors shown by a pair of puppies from the same litter. It is not a condition that has been extensively scientifically studied, but more one that has been born from observation in these scenarios. Littermate syndrome describes two dogs who are overly fixated on each other. They show little interest in their human family or other dogs. They will often be very nervous and insular. If allowed to bond to this degree, dogs can become very distressed at being separated even for short periods of time. This can make living with them very challenging in terms of training, exercising and when dealing with enforced separation for example veterinary visits. Littermate syndrome is not a definite result of taking on littermates, nor one which has been studied beyond anecdotal evidence. However, it does describe behaviors that can potentially occur when two puppies at allowed to become constantly dependant upon each other. Raising Two Puppies From Different Litters You might hope to avoid littermate syndrome by raising two puppies from different litters. Unfortunately, this is not a guaranteed solution to this problem. Two puppies of similar ages can become just as co-dependant as two from the same litter. Nor does it avoid the other more practical pitfalls of buying two puppies at once. Such as the trouble with training sessions. Even family pets need to learn basic commands and house manners. They need to be taught not to nip, not to jump up, to walk nicely on the leash. They will probably also need to learn to sit and stay, not to mention coming when they are called. You cannot train a dog in the early stages whilst his brother is leaping all over him or attracting his attention. Dogs have to be trained singly, away from other dogs, until the training reaches a point where they can be trained together. This happens much later, often months if not years down the line. Two puppies are an incredible distraction to each other. In order to teach even very simple skills, you will need to have one pup well out of sight and sound. You will need to ensure that you have time to train both dogs if you want to commit to bringing home a pair of puppies. Puppies are a lot of work, and two puppies can be more than twice the work of one. Your pleasure in the early weeks of having a puppy may be greatly reduced by having to divide your time between the two. Think hard about the other commitments in your life and whether you have not just the time, but the energy. Can you logistically deal with two sets of potty training? Do you have the patience to calmly work with not one but two chewing, biting, crying puppies? Walking Two Dogs At Once When considering raising two puppies, you will have to decide what to do about walking them. Walking two dogs at once can be a joyful experience when they have good recall and can walk to heel off-leash. But this will not be something you can reliably do until they are well past the proofing stage of training. Early walks are all about establishing good behavior and focussing on training. If you take on two puppies at once, they will need to be walked separately. Or at least managed by two different individuals on the walk. They might also find the sight of each other terribly distracting and need to be walked on different routes initially. My Breeder Recommends That I Take Two Puppies No reputable and experienced dog breeder will ever sell two littermates to one family, unless the buyer is an experienced dog trainer who is going to house the dogs separately. If the breeder you have chosen is recommending you buy two puppies at once, I am afraid that she is probably doing so for one of two reasons: Because she needs the money. Because she is unaware of the problems it will cause you. Either way, you may want to have another think about whether this is the right breeder for you. They might not have the ethics or experience that a good Labrador breeder requires to help a new puppy parent make the right choices. Raising Two Puppies Successfully Raising two puppies successfully will take time, patience, space and money. Unless you have a lot of free time and some experience in dog training, two puppies at a time can be a very challenging experience. Whilst the first few days might be easier, the next six months could have you tearing your hair out. So do think hard before you do it. For most families, it is far easier to wait until your puppy is over a year old before introducing another dog into the household. That way they will each have your full attention when they are small, and form a good bond with you that is more powerful than the bond they have with each other. You will also probably get a lot more enjoyment out of them in the early days too. How about you? Have you already brought home two littermates? What do you think are the pros and cons? Published in April , the Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. It will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialization and early obedience. While it sounds like a great idea, the reality is that raising multiple puppies in the same household can cause more problems than you think. This is due to a behavioral problem known as littermate syndrome. What is littermate syndrome? Littermate syndrome describes a non-scientific anecdotal term that refers to a number of different behavioral issues that occur when dogs are raised in the same household as other siblings known as littermates. What are the effects of littermate syndrome? The main issue with littermate syndrome is that the puppies begin to rely on each other a lot more than they should. In most cases, one of the puppies ends up being a little more shy and laid-back. While this can seem rather cute at first, it actually holds back their potential and makes them a lot more timid and scared to step outside of their comfort zone. Once the puppies mature, they might even start fighting each other. Can we avoid littermate syndrome? The best way to avoid your puppy developing littermate syndrome is to ensure that they are not raised or trained with another puppy in the same household. Unfortunately, training two puppies together is not the best case scenario for most people. Thankfully, there are a couple of ways that you can teach your puppies to be more independent, even if they have to live in the same household. For an online puppy training course to help you with teaching basic commands, you can sign up for our course. Here are some tips to help you out: Separate them during puppy training. Keep them well apart and rotate their training times. Make sure each puppy has their own crate to sleep in and even their own puppy toys. Let them sleep separately in their own area. You can start by putting their crate or bed close to each other, but gradually move them apart so they get more comfortable being apart. Play with each puppy alone instead of as a group. Make sure you tend to each puppy alone. Spend time alone with them to help encourage individual identity development. Take each puppy for a walk at different times. It can be time-consuming to take your puppies out several times a day. Focus on their bond with you and not themselves. This will help clear things up and give you advice on two to train two puppies. Puppies should be allowed to express themselves and develop their own personality. Dog Myths A dog will get enough exercise in the back yard. The combination of lack of exercise and lack of stimulation will result in your dog acting up inside with behaviours like destructive chewing or maybe tearing apart the new dog bed you just bought her. Is it for everyone? Click here to read about the positives and negatives of getting two puppies at once. Is getting two puppies at the same time doable? This takes some of the pressure off of you to play an hour of tug-of-war every day or however you choose to burn off that energy or be the only main source of entertainment for your puppy. Another benefit is that the cuteness factor doubles. You will have a ridiculous number of pictures and videos of your beautiful, loving dog family. Twin dogs will need to learn the skills one-on-one with you before you can incorporate the distraction of having their best buddy around. You will already be in your training mindset and have dog treats or kibble ready, so swapping out puppies during a training session might work out just fine for you! You can accomplish this by taking the pups to separate dog training classes, taking them on separate walks and then also walking them together , and by doing separate training sessions in your home. You need to ensure that each dog learns how to be apart from the other puppy, so they do not develop separation issues as a bonded pair. The dogs need to learn that life is okay even when the other pup is not around. Read this blog for tips on how to safely socialize your puppy. Having two puppies will also double the cost of regular puppy bills, which includes food, grooming, veterinary costs, toys , dog training, doggy day camp, and everything in between. She is a member of the Bobbie Lyons K9FITteam - a team of compassionate canine fitness instructors who actively teach others and continually expand their own knowledge. I am constantly asked if I think it's a good idea to buy two puppies and raise them together, or people ask what I think about getting their older dog a puppy to keep the older dog company. My answer is simple for most people: "NO! It's not a good idea! There are several reasons for this. Let me explain it a little further: It's difficult enough to raise one pup and give it the socialization that it needs. Two-puppy homes almost always end up with dogs that only get half of the amount of time they need to be properly socialized. Dogs are pack animals. This is a much stronger drive than the average pet owner understands. People think that their little puppy comes from an animal that has been socialized for thousands of years, so how could this have any negative effect on them. This means they look at the other dog as their buddy and not the human that owns it. Dogs that are raised to run together often don't develop the kind of human bond that they would have had if they had been raised in a one-dog family. These dogs are more difficult to train. Because they don't have a strong human bond, they don't have the desire to engage their owners as much as those raised alone. All dogs have a very strong pack instinct. The more dogs in a pack, the stronger the instinct becomes. Raising two dogs together means an elevated pack drive. Raising 3 dogs means an even higher pack drive. Establishing RANK can often mean dog fights. Don't kid yourself that your 5-pound little lap dog will not fight with its 5-pound littermate. This can become a big deal. This means dog fights when the dogs reach maturity 18 to 30 months of age. Read the article I wrote titled Dealing with a Dominant Dog. If you wonder what the worst-case scenario could be, read my article about a pack of 3 Rotts that killed an year-old boy. The owner is now serving 12 years in prison for murder, and I am proud of the fact that my testimony helped put her there. So elevated pack drive means that one or more of the dogs is going to become the alpha dog. This means dominance problems with the other dogs, family members, and guests. It results in dogs becoming more territorial and more aggressive. People can have more than one dog if they do it right. I currently have 10 or 12 dogs and we are raising 3 puppies. But they are all kenneled separately, and we do not allow them to play together. If you plan on raising two dogs whether it's two pups or a pup and an adult it is important they are never left together unattended. When I monitor them and see one trying to get snotty with one of the other dogs, I control the situation. Many novice pet owners too often do this. That's counterproductive to being a pack leader. Pack members expect the pack leader to control things. Pack members respect a pack leader who protects them from bullies. So if you are going to do what Cindy and I are doing raising 3 pups at the same time , you had better go out and get three dog crates and expect to spend a great deal of individual time with your puppies. Most intelligent normal people don't do what we do. Think long and hard before you try it. Adding a Third Dog to the Family I also do not recommend adding a third dog to a family, unless the people fully understand the implications of pack behavior. In other words, if your plan is to add a male pup and not keep the dog separated from the other dogs when you are not with the dogs, then do not do it. The new pup is going to be low in the pack order and the other dogs are going to remind him of this all the time. They may get along fine, but one is always going to be the alpha dog. When a third puppy is added to this pack it will always be the low dog, and the middle dog will be all too quick to remind it of that. This will continue until the pup is 18 months to 30 months old and at that point, many dogs who have lived together will start to fight. The key to adding another dog is to keep the dogs separated from the existing dogs when you are not there. I don't allow my pups to even play with older dogs until the pups are 5 to 9 months old or in some cases even older. If you do not have a home with dog runs in the backyard, you can accomplish the same thing by using dog crates. Either keep the pup crated when you are gone or when it is out of the crate, keep the other dogs crated. This does not mean that these dogs can never be allowed to play and run together. If the older dogs get down on the pup, you are there to stop it. Just as importantly, when the pup starts to mature and feel its oats around older dogs, it is your responsibility to protect the older dogs. This is especially important if the older dog is very old. If you don't control the pup from beating up on an old dog, the old dog is going to spend the rest of his life in fear and sadness. Older geriatric dogs will go into depression. So remember it's your job to teach your pup manners. Several of these people have been bitten in dog fights, have seen dogs get hurt in dog fights, and even experienced dogs themselves being killed in dog fights. Having said all this, it isn't impossible to raise multiple dogs in your home and provide a safe environment. You should also be aware of potential pack structure problems that may come up. Read a few of the emails I've received on problems caused by a lack of pack structure. Thanked: Originally Posted by moosebytes Good or bad idea? Rural country locale. We have no children or other pets in the house. Would we be biting off more than we can chew, so to speak. BTW: This is not the situation we were counting on.I run miles a week and DW is quite active as well, so physically we could probably handle it if we had to.I guess. Also, both of these "take home" dates would be about days apart. I think it is a bad idea for most average pet owners. Although some especially committed families could do it IMO. You'll be getting puppies, so no running miles per week with them until their growth plates are closed 18 months is generally discussed as the time when this happens on average , or you may produce joint issues; something to which this breed is already prone. I'm assuming the parents of these litters are already being tested for all the commonplace health issues that afflict Labs, so you certainly don't want to over-exercise the puppies and create problems. With two puppies at once, you might want to run a web search on "littermate syndrome. Having them do everything together always is a recipe for one or both to possibly develop separation anxiety from one another. I think your ability to be successful raising two puppies simultaneously is dependent upon how honestly dog-savvy you are, and how much time you are willing to put into wrangling both puppies to behave to the level that you want in a housemate for the next years.

We are accepting deposits on this and future litters due to the high demand for puppies from our gorgeous and health boxers. Please contact me with any questions or to reserve your puppy! We are breeders of Champion bloodline boxers with European lineage. We are a small breeding facility and all our puppies are raised inside our home. We offer a health guarantee, vet exam, puppy kit and gift bag with essentials. Our puppies tails are docked and dewclaws removed by a licensed veterinarian. We start house training at 5 weeks of age and socializing from birth. Our pups are socialized with children, cats, other dogs and tons of people. We welcome visitors to our facility and enjoy introducing them to our dogs and puppies. Our puppies are always up to date on shots and get frequent worming to keep them happy and healthy. We offer delivery to select areas for a fee. We would actually drive the puppy to you for the same fee in areas that driving is a feasible option. Our puppies come with full unlimited AKC registration so if you decided to breed or show your puppy you would have that option. Most breeders do not give unlimited registration with their puppies. They come from well socialized parents with excellent temperaments. Our puppies stay in our puppy house from birth with their Mom until they are placed in their new homes not in an outside kennel and are cared for by our Veterinarian medically. We have references available via phone from former customers for your convenience. Please feel free to ask any other questions or ask for more photos of our puppies. Thank you for your interest. AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Britlyn Boxers. Spayed or Neutered, Story Meet Fae, the one-of-a-kind female dog who's sure to steal your heart! With her unique appearance and a touch of aloofness, Fae is a gem waiting to be discovered. She might be unsure of how to act at times, but her default mode is to lay down and charm you. Fae's past as a stray remains a mystery, but what we do know is that she's a cuddler who can't help but make the cutest snorting noises when excited. Fae's journey at the shelter has revealed her playful side, particularly with other energetic dogs. She enjoys engaging in rough play, making her a perfect match for companions who share her lively style. While Fae occasionally jumps with enthusiasm in her kennel, she's a breeze to leash and has a mild reactivity when walking around other dogs. She's got basic commands down pat-sit, down-and takes treats gently. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times. If you're interested in learning more about Fae, please reach out to our Volunteer Matchmakers at wcac.

July 12, If you are looking for the perfect French Bulldog puppy to add to your family then this list of French Bulldog breeders in Virginia should get you started down the right path. Before contacting any Virginia Frenchie breeder I highly recommend reading these tips to find a reputable French Bulldog breeder. Below is a list of some of the Virginia French Bulldog breeders to begin your search with. You want your puppy to be healthy, happy, and safe as possible and proper breeding practices can ensure you get a great Frenchie to add to your home. Their kennels are located in Virginia, and they have a large selection of beautiful French Bulldogs that are all well-socialized, up-to-date on vaccines, and ready to go home with you. They offer various options regarding the type of French Bulldog puppy you want such as color or temperament and the gender s you wish to breed your puppy with. They also have an online store where you can purchase some items for your new puppy. Their goal is to produce healthy, happy puppies with excellent temperaments and personalities. They breed for temperament, health, and longevity. They also breed for longevity by including hip dysplasia screening on all their dogs. They have various options for their future customers: black, blue, chocolate, and white pups; males and females; short coats or long coats; short legs or longer legs; healthy hips or not; the list goes on. The Kaigan Kennels team takes its time to ensure that every puppy leaves their home with proper care instructions and socialization tips. They also offer a lifetime support program that includes training classes held every month at their house, allowing customers to come to watch puppies grow up from birth while they develop. They can help you find the perfect puppy for your lifestyle and needs. Brick House Bulldogs breed only French Bulldogs—they have no other breeds of dogs on their roster. If you want a great-looking French Bulldog that will be a joy to own, this is the breeder for you. Their focus is on quality over quantity when it comes to breeding Frenchies. They only have 15 puppies per year, so they can spend time preparing them for their future homes without sacrificing quality control or consistency. They also strive to maintain an environment that promotes healthy relationships with humans and dogs—they will only sell fully vaccinated puppies and microchipped at 8 weeks old or older depending upon what vaccine was given. They specialize in breeding Frenchies with health problems such as hip dysplasia or blindness, which makes them easy to adapt to families looking for a companion or therapy dog. They offer several options for choosing what type of puppy you want: boy or girl; black or white; short-haired or long-haired; purebred or mixed breed; Labrador Retriever mix or standard poodle mix this option is only available if you live outside VA. The McCoy family started with two dogs—a male named Mac and a female named Piper. Their first litter consisted of three puppies: One male and two females. The second litter was a bit larger, with six puppies: Two males and four females. The third litter had seven puppies total: Four males and three females. Some are females only, others both male and female; some are purebred French Bulldogs, while others are crossbreeds mixing other breeds. Throughout all this time, Jackie McCoy has always focused on finding the right mix of personality traits in her dogs so they can be loved by everyone who comes into contact with them. The owner has been breeding Frenchies for over 20 years and has no other French bulldog breeders Virginia. They have had many litters of puppies over the years but are currently only breeding one litter per year. They do not open up for tours or meet visitors as more extensive facilities might, but they let visitors see the dogs at their homes or in a local park. The dogs are all born to parents registered with the American Kennel Club since birth and have been DNA tested to ensure that they are purebreds. The dogs are raised indoors in a free-range outdoor area with fencing so they can safely roam around when outside is too cold or too hot for them. However, most people purchase them as pets right away so they can start training immediately instead of waiting months after being purchased before training begins. They are located in Virginia and currently have two litters on the ground at any time. Their current focus is on Frenchies, but they can also take in other breeds. They only use certified genetic parents who have been tested for every health condition their puppies could inherit. This includes hip dysplasia and eye conditions like patellar luxation, which can affect the quality of life for your puppy if not caught early enough. The owner, Sueann Merrick, has been breeding Frenchies for over 20 years and has been thrilled with the results. Shenandoah Valley Bulldogs is located in Virginia but serves clients from all over. The dogs they raise are always kept indoors, where they can get plenty of exercise and playtime with each other. Shenandoah Valley Bulldogs also offers puppy training classes so owners can learn how to train their new pup without having to do it themselves this helps them avoid any potential accidents at home or in public. Shiloh French Bulldogs breed healthy and happy puppies of all sizes. They focus on producing well-balanced puppies in all aspects: health, temperament, conformation, and movement. The dogs at Shiloh are all purebred French Bulldogs, meaning they all share the same genetic makeup and bloodline. The owners do not use any other breeders or kennels for their dogs; instead, they only use them for breeding purposes. Shiloh French Bulldogs offers two different types of dogs: Standard and Miniatures. Both breeds are 25 pounds or under, making them perfect for families with children or small apartments. The Standard is a medium-sized dog, while the Miniature is smaller than the Standard but more significant than its companion breed, the Toy Poodle. Proper breeding practices and care is essential in order to get the French Bulldog your heart desires. Questions about French Bulldog puppies for sale in Virginia? We have answers. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in Virginia work? You might have noticed that the prices from Virginia French Bulldog breeders tend to be a little higher than they would be with other breeds. The reason for this is that breeders of Frenchies have to spend more money to raise these dogs due to their unique skeletal structure. The females have to have C-sections in order to deliver their litters safely, leading to higher expenses for both breeders and buyers. What are some health issues associated with Frenchies? French Bulldogs for sale in Virginia can live for 14 years or more in some cases, but they are also at risk of several health issues. Their snub noses make it hard to breathe, so they can snore and wheeze quite a lot, and they often develop bone and joint issues too. Be sure to buy your Virginia French Bulldog puppy for sale from a trusted breeder to have the best chance of a happy, healthy dog. How do you vet businesses selling Frenchies? Trying to find the best French Bulldog breeders Virginia can feel like quite a challenge, and it can be hard for a typical person to tell breeders and businesses apart from one another. At Uptown, we have lots of experience when it comes to finding top tier breeders, and we've developed one of the strictest screening processes around to help our users find French Bulldog puppies Virginia from only the best sellers. How does Uptown work for finding a Frenchie pup? Ready to begin your journey to find French Bulldog puppies for sale in Virginia? It all starts here, and the first step is to browse through the various pups that are currently available from our listed breeders and businesses. Speak with the sellers to learn more about any pups that catch your eye and then make arrangements to bring one home. It's as simple as that. Can I find the cheapest Frenchies here? If you're trying to find the cheapest possible French Bulldog for sale Virginia, we urge you to reconsider. There are many scammers and bad breeders out there who sell their pups at super low prices, tricking people into buying unhealthy, socially difficult dogs and then having to spend way more money later on for vet bills and socialization training. You'll find fair, competitively priced pups on Uptown. Why shouldn't I buy my dog from a shelter instead? For example, if you're looking for a specific breed, like French Bulldogs for sale Virginia, you might not be able to find the right pup at local rescue centers. How do I know that my French Bulldog will be healthy? The vetted breeders and businesses of the Uptown Network always carry our nose-to-tail veterinary checks of their French Bulldog puppies in Virginia, providing you with full health reports and giving you all the details you need to know. This way, when you buy a Virginia French Bulldog for sale from one of our featured sellers, you won't have to worry about any hidden health problems Is it enough to walk my Frenchie, or do they need more exercise? French Bulldog puppies for sale Virginia aren't the most energetic dogs around, and they can get by with a single moderate-length walk each day, but they still need regular playtime and other forms of physical and mental stimulation in order to lead happy, fulfilling lives. If a French Bulldog for sale in Virginia doesn't get enough exercise, it might start gaining weight and developing health issues. How do I know I can trust Uptown? Looking for a French Bulldog Virginia online can feel quite intimidating, and it's hard to know which sites you can trust. At Uptown, we strive on a daily basis to be your No. What type of dog is a French Bulldog? Virginia French Bulldogs for sale are all unique, with their own little quirks and personality traits, but most Frenchies tend to be very fun, affectionate, inquisitive animals that like to spend time with people of all ages. They're super friendly and like to learn new things too, so can be quite active around the home, but also appreciate a good nap and lots of cuddles on their best friend's lap.

The protein will come from readily available sources such as chicken or beef, and not exotic or boutique sources like kangaroo or venison as you saw in second study mentioned above. According to the AKC , quality, regulated animal byproducts can be good for your dog. These byproducts can include organ meats or entrails, which often contain more nutrients than, say, plain chicken breast. Another misconception is that dogs should eat grain-free diets. As you saw in the second study mentioned above, that can actually be very harmful for your dog and cause DCM. But food labels can be a little vague and confusing, so below is an explanation of what some of these terms mean, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual and the AKC. There is one caveat though. For instance, flaked corn, ground corn, and kibbled corn could be sprinkled in an ingredient list and not be listed as the first few ingredients, but in reality, if you were to add them all up they are all corn, after all , you might find that this food is made mostly of corn. The same goes for chicken, chicken meal, and chicken byproduct. Meat vs. Meat Meal vs. The quality of these ingredients can vary widely, so be sure to talk to your vet about this and choose a reputable brand of food. Below are a few examples: Obesity. Golden Retrievers love food and they do have a tendency to become overweight if you let them. This problem can often affect these next two problems… Joint issues. Golden Retrievers are prone to joint issues and growing too fast because they eat too much can often make this problem worse more on this in the next section. Heart issues. Skin issues. Golden Retrievers are prone to hot spots and excess protein in their diets can be a factor that causes them. Many goldens suffer from food allergies. One cup of Brand X food may have calories per cup, while Brand Y has calories per cup. During a vet visit our veterinarian said he looked too small and lethargic for a puppy his age about 8 weeks at the time , and he recommended we feed him a little more. As far as how often to feed your puppy, this same rule applies. For us, we fed Oliver three times per day until he was a little over a year old. Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Get the gameplan for raising them right with the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Those two statements may sound random, but they are related. According to the Banfield Pet Hospital , overfeeding your Golden Retriever can cause them to grow too fast and increase their risk of hip dysplasia. You probably noticed that a raw diet was the fourth-most popular diet Golden Retriever owners feed their dog. Since puppies are growing and adults are just maintaining their weight, they have different dietary needs. And for fats, puppy food should have at least 8. As far as when to switch from puppy food to adult food, talk to your veterinarian. To see a list of other milestones your puppy will hit like when they lose their first teeth, or when their coat is fully grown check out this timeline of Golden Retriever puppy milestones. Like most of the other questions in this post, this is something to talk to your veterinarian about. Many foods will have the same vitamins that pills have already in them, but on the other hand, some breeders require that you give your puppy vitamins for their health guarantee to be valid. First, we unknowingly started him off on one of the brands listed in the graph above that is correlated with DCM. Then we switched to another brand that he just sort of liked. If we were to have another puppy, we would definitely start with the Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy food. How To Switch Food Brands The other day I was talking to someone who was complaining that her puppy was having lots of stomach issues. Dogs have sensitive stomachs so if you want to switch foods, you need to do it slowly. You should take about a week to transition from the old food to the new brand. Also consider how long the brand of food has been around, whether or not there have been any recalls of that brand, and if there is any research behind it. What do you feed your Golden Retriever puppy? Have any questions about what to feed them? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Royal Canin makes dry food tailored explicitly to particular breeds. Its Golden food variation uses chicken and brown rice ingredients to support digestive health, strong bones, and a healthy coat. Gorgeous coats, healthy body conditions, great activity levels- perfect puppies! With a combination of healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more, this dry dog food will encourage healthy muscle development in your Golden Retriever as well as strong teeth, a healthy heart, and improved skin and coat texture. Looking at the ingredients makes me feel that I have purchased a quality product for my guy. With ingredients like real protein, fruits, and vegetables, this dry food increases energy, strengthens bones, improves immune strength, and neutralizes free radicals. Her coat is healthier and shiny. She even trimmed down a little as her old dog food was making her fat. They produce high-quality dog food for your Golden Retriever at an affordable price. Veterinarians recommend IAMS Proactive Health because it uses ingredients like animal protein and antioxidant-rich veggies to nourish your dog and meet their complete health needs. Highly recommend it. Good for maintaining a decent weight too. Gobbles it down! With fish as the main protein, this kibble promotes a gorgeous coat and healthy skin and improves digestive issues. He eats it enthusiastically, and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals! She is a much happier dog. The Save Shredded Puppy Blend includes probiotics to help ease the digestion in growing Golden Retriever puppies with sensitive stomachs. I mix it with wet food, and he loves it. He loves the chunks of shredded chicken! I highly recommend it. This large-breed dry food can help your Golden Retriever maintain a healthy coat and great skin as well as smooth digestion. All of them love this food! Their coats are shiny and soft, and their poops are small! The exclusive formula also increases energy levels! We tried another brand, and it caused all kinds of allergic reactions. We went back to Eagle Pack, and all is right again. Great product! That may be because they have a senior Golden Retriever who is struggling with dental issues or feel that dehydrated food options are healthier. This particular food contains real protein and essential nutrients that can benefit dogs of all ages. Once we got this, she became a food-crazed puppy! This food includes a combination of freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with real pieces of freeze-dried raw meat! This variety has lots of meat sources plus several strains of probiotics. In general, your dog will benefit from puppy food from about 8 weeks of age until they are six months to a year old. Check with your vet to determine the right time to switch from a puppy food to one for adult dogs, as recommendations vary based on the size of your dog. A few days later, you can begin making it a half-and-half blend. Make sure to watch for loose stool from your pup as you transition — if you notice that your Golden is struggling with the new diet, wait for a few days before increasing the blend. When in doubt, check with your vet! Most dog foods come with specific volumes listed on the side. Overfeeding your pet can lead to a variety of health concerns. To determine what food will suit your dog the best, check out 17 of the top dog foods on the market for Golden Retrievers, no matter their age. Check with your vet to determine whether your Golden will need any special dietary considerations. Foods considered toxic to Golden Retrievers are macadamia nuts, chocolate, onions, garlic cloves, grapes, raisins, walnuts, alcohol, and any foods sweetened with xylitol. Try to avoid feeding your Golden food containing any of these ingredients. Grain is an essential component to the diet of Golden Retrievers. The absence of grain has been known to lead to a deficiency in taurine, which can potentially cause heart problems for your golden. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. They are growing quickly, so while they eat smaller quantities of food than adult dogs, they need to extract far more nutrients like protein, minerals, and vitamins, to sustain their growth and development. Different Dogs, Different Diets Nutritional needs vary from breed to breed. One only needs to look at golden retrievers to know they require a different diet than a Chihuahua! For example, joint and bone problems are much more common in big dogs than in little ones, but choosing the right puppy food can reduce the risk. Large-breed puppy food has reduced amounts of calcium and phosphorus, which helps control the rate of skeletal growth. Also, you may find puppy foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility. By consuming too much food, your puppy will have elevated levels of the very nutrients that should be limited. Additionally, overweight puppies may develop other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Good eating habits developed during puppyhood will lead to a healthy mature dog in the years to come. Nutrition For The Outside One of the most visible components of your dog is its fur. Nutrition plays a vital role in this area. A large percentage of the protein your puppy takes in goes towards maintaining its coat. Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for healthy skin and fur. Which Food Do I Choose? There will always be those who buy the cheapest brand on the market. Some will opt for the most expensive, while others will simply go with a brand name they recognize. The key is to find the right food for your particular puppy. One thing you cannot afford to ignore is the nutritional content. Because they are still growing, puppies need more protein than adults. Proteins foster muscle growth and development in puppies and lean muscle maintenance in adults, so the more of it there is in a diet, the better it is for your growing retriever. Fats, too, are important for golden puppies because they provide the energy required for everyday activities. You should be careful, however, not to feed your golden excess calories because this will result in excess weight or obesity. Eventually, your dog will end up battling joint problems. For instance, less expensive dog foods typically have lower-quality ingredients. The contents are often inexpensive, low-grade animal protein sources, like by-products and fillers. Fillers are frequently things like cornmeal, rice flour, or seed hulls. In general, thoroughly review the nutritional content of your chosen diet. Are the ingredients wholesome and natural? Does the diet have controlled calcium and phosphorous levels? Is the calorie and fat content limited to manage growth? Does the label state that the diet is complete and balanced? This can lead to obesity and will certainly cause increased defecation. The latter of these two issues will make house training more difficult than it already is. By contrast, costlier dog foods usually have higher-quality ingredients. The scales will be tipped heavily in favor of high-grade animal protein sources and fillers will be few and far between. Price is not, however, a guarantee of quality. The best dog foods for a golden retriever puppy are made with high-quality natural ingredients and have high levels of protein. Make sure the food is complete and balanced for daily feeding and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed puppies. At this point, golden retriever puppies have likely already been switched to dry puppy food and you should continue feeding your pup the same type of food the breeder used. From the day you bring them home until they are six months old, you should feed your golden retriever puppy three times a day. Ideally, your pup should have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. A grain-free diet is the default meal for golden retrievers that are sensitive to grains, but if your dog is healthy, feeding her such a meal boils down to choice. A lot has been said about grain-free diets. Reports and studies have been carried out in recent years trying to establish any connection between it and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM. That all starts with choosing the best puppy food for golden retrievers. Avoid low-cost foods that are more filler than substance, and look for better foods that are packed with nutrients to help your puppy grow. In particular, consider trying a large breed formula to meet the specific needs of your golden retriever puppy. Good nutrition is an essential part of any health regimen, and providing high-quality puppy food will lay the foundation for a long, and enjoyable life. You May Also Like. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.

Based in the Los Angeles, California metro area, Sheri has over 20 years of dog training experience and also runs a general dog training practice specializing in rehabilitating dogs through positive reinforcement training techniques. This article has been viewed 73, times. You're looking to add a gorgeous, sweet, and super friendly golden retriever to your family. How exciting! You want to make sure your dog is as healthy, good natured, and happy as possible, but how can you know for sure? Choosing a trusted breeder or hobby breeder meaning, someone passionate about goldens who breeds the dog as a hobby is the way to go. Below, we'll walk you through your decision and offer some helpful tips for determining whether or not a breeder is the right pick. Read on to discover how you can buy a golden retriever puppy. Steps Section 1 of 5: Why should I get my puppy from a trusted breeder? All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. This means that if your puppy inherits an illness, the breeder will offer a refund. Your breeder will know their litters well. They'll advise you on your choice, depending on your needs and behavioral preferences. If something were to go wrong and you could no longer keep your puppy, it would likely have a safe home with its breeder. All in all, trustworthy breeders will have taken every necessary step to ensure each puppy is happy and healthy. Advertisement Section 2 of 5: Why should I avoid puppy mills, pet shops, and online posts? Puppy mills, pet shops, and online puppy sales often posted by puppy mills are motivated by money, not a genuine passion for breeding. Because of this, you can expect that each of these sources have cut corners. They won't have followed proper procedure that ensures your golden will be healthy, well-behaved, and standard in appearance. In addition to this, puppies from these sources are typically subjected to terrible, inhumane conditions at some point in the breeding process. Section 3 of 5: How can I find a trusted breeder? When hunting for a breeder on your own, it can be difficult to differentiate between scammers, irresponsible breeders, and genuine, high-quality breeders. The Golden Retriever Club of America has locations all over the country and is made up of golden retriever enthusiasts motivated by a love of the breed. Choose the club closest to you, get in touch with a GRCA volunteer via the contact information on the their website, and speak to a volunteer about the best, ethical breeders in your area. Advertisement Section 4 of 5: What questions should you ask a breeder? The answer to all three questions should be "yes. This refers to whether or not you will be compensated if the puppy falls ill. Do they belong to a breed club? This way, you can speak to their club as you would a reference. What have they been feeding the litter? It'll be crucial that you keep the puppy on the same diet for a few days after it's brought home. Do they offer support to the new owners of their puppies? It'll be helpful to know how much assistance your breeder offers with training and health concerns as the puppy grows up. Section 5 of 5: How can I avoid bad breeders? When looking out for responsible vs. A bad breeder may have many puppies at once. When done properly, breeding is time consuming. A good breeder will have only a few puppies at a time. Often, the reason this happened is because of irresponsible breeding. To increase your chances of having a happy, healthy, good-natured dog, you want to choose a reputable breeder. But how do you find one? Keep on reading to learn how! If you have two healthy parents as well as healthy grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, previous litters from these parents, etc. Temperament is inherited. Everything that was said about health also goes for temperament. Inbreeding is a major problem with golden retrievers where dogs that are too closely related can produce unhealthy puppies. Responsible breeders will know and take steps to prevent this. If anything were to go wrong, you would want a breeder with integrity to help navigate the problems, whether that ends up in a refund, a replacement puppy, etc. For a new and inexperienced puppy buyer, it can be hard to distinguish a good breeder from an irresponsible one. For one, the mom and dad will have received OFA clearances for their hips, elbows, and heart, as well as clearances for their eyes, which is a yearly exam. To help further decide on whether or not a breeder is reputable, the next section covers a big list of questions for you to ask a breeder. What Questions To Ask A Breeder This section is broken down into questions to ask about the breeder themselves, questions to ask about the sire and dam, and questions to ask about the puppies. Questions to ask about the breeder themselves Why did you choose to breed golden retrievers? You want a breeder that truly has a passion for the golden retriever breed. How long have you been breeding golden retrievers? At what age do you start to breed your dogs? Goldens must be two years old to receive final clearances on their hips and elbows, so if a breeder tells you they start to breed their dogs before two years old, watch out. Do you provide registration papers? They should provide AKC registration papers for you. Do you participate in any dog sport or activities? Most good breeders are involved in something other than just breeding. Their dogs participate in sports, shows, or are even therapy dogs. Is there a contract when I buy the puppy? There should be a contract that covers costs, refunds, responsibilities, etc. If they do require the pups to be spayed or neutered , this will be in the contract. What happens in case something goes wrong? This is also a good time to feel them out and see if this has ever happened before. Do you have any references I can talk to? Good breeders will have previous happy customers. Are you a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America or any local golden retriever clubs? Most breeders have a specific reason they were excited to breed two dogs together. How many litters has this mom had? And how old is she? Can you provide proof of the health clearances for these two dogs? Do these dogs have any titles? Can I meet the parents? The parents should be friendly and outgoing to you and any other dogs around. Questions to ask about the puppies How do you socialize the puppies? A good breeder will be able to talk to you about this. Where are the puppies born and raised? Are they raised in the home, or out back in the shed? Will they be examined by a vet before they go home? The answer should be yes. What are the puppies bred for? This may include being bred for companions pets , or show, sport, or hunting. They may ask you: Have you owned a dog before? Do you currently have a dog? What type of lifestyle are you expecting with your new golden? Why do you want a golden retriever? Do you have children? What kind of home do you live in? How much time will you be able to spend with the puppy? Is it because the breeder is inexperienced and just trying to get started? Is it because they come from champion bloodlines? Is the breeder is experienced and takes their time to properly care for the mother, socialize and stimulate the puppies, feed them the best food, and take them to the best veterinarian? Or is it because the breeder is a good salesman and can charge a premium for their puppies? Check out this article to learn more about how much golden retrievers cost. One of the best ways is to go to a local club check out this list of them by location , email or call them, and ask them to refer you to a good breeder. Another way is to ask your friends who have golden retrievers where they got them. This is how we found our golden, Oliver. A friend from church had a golden and we went over to their house and met him. We instantly fell in love and decided we needed to get his brother. You can also find breeders on Google, Facebook, or Instagram. To find a good breeder ask about health clearances, pedigree, temperament, ask to meet the parents and try to get a referral. Have any other questions about choosing a golden retriever breeder? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. 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 New York 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 New York? 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 New York? 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. This could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills down the road. On the other hand, when you buy the animal from a licensed Golden Retriever breeder, you can pick out your future puppy with confidence. Not only will proof of his pedigree show that your breeder is certified, but it will also verify that your puppy is a true Golden Retriever. The best puppy breeders take pride in providing healthy dogs through careful genetic research. They should be so confident in their work that they offer you a health guarantee , which will tell you what to do if your puppy faces any unforeseen health issues. Since breeders are there from the day the puppies and their parents! And picking the right pet for your family starts with finding a breeder you can trust. No matter how nice they seem or how attractive their website looks, you should always do a little bit of research before choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. Here are important points that all breeders should address: Image Source Does the breeder give back to the breed? Breed preservation should be the primary goal of Golden Retriever breeders. They should participate in keeping the species alive through membership at a Golden Retriever breed dog club, a performance club, or an obedience club. What type of experience does the breeder have? Do they stay true to the pure genetic traits of the breed? Do they provide health screenings and health guarantees? Can you meet the puppies and parents in person? How many litters do the females have each year? Female Golden Retrievers can have up to two litters per year. However, breeders who follow ethical practices will only allow the females to have four to six litters in their lifetime. A female can breed between the ages of two and eight. Once you choose a breeder that seems like a good fit for you and your family, you should write up some questions to ask them. And in return, expect some questions about you, your lifestyle, and your home! One of the first things any breeder you inquire about should provide is a list of former buyers. Reviews posted online are one thing, but being able to talk with customers directly speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the breeder. When you speak with their former customers, ask questions about their buying experience and how their dog is doing years after purchase. Puppies should receive some level of preventative care that is appropriate for their age. Newborn puppies up to eight weeks old should stay with their mothers, but they will also receive their first round of core vaccines during these few weeks. They should have a yearly examination by a licensed veterinarian that will perform vaccines, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as general health checkups. A reputable, passionate breeder will be more than happy to receive updates and questions about their puppies well into adulthood. With that being said, the breeder should also provide a health guarantee. A health guarantee states that you are not financially liable for any genetic issues in the puppy, as long as the health condition is verified by a certified veterinarian. This is an essential point that you might not think twice about. A good Golden Retriever breeder will ask questions to determine if your household is a good fit for their puppy. Image Source 1 Why do you want a dog? This is a simple yet important question that you should have an answer to. Golden Retriever breeders that dedicate their livelihood to continuing the pure genetic bloodline will want to know what appeals to you about these energetic companions. Additionally, the breeder might ask who will be walking, feeding, and playing with the dog. Golden Retriever puppies require tons of attention, especially during the first two years of their lives. If the breeder asks this, they want to know how your children will be participating in the handling of the puppy. They also want to understand how you plan to introduce the puppy to other pets so they can coexist safely within the same home. No matter how nice a breeder may seem, you want to avoid accidentally contributing to backyard breeders or a puppy mill disguised as a reputable breeder. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of potential heartbreak. Here are some of the most critical and obvious warning signs of an untrustworthy breeder. Less experienced breeders will charge on the lower end, and more experienced breeders usually with generations of pure genetic proof! Additionally, some of the best breeders will only sell trained puppies to ensure their pooches are family- and forever-home ready. Therefore, you should receive standard documentation upon adopting your new Golden Retriever puppies, such as care instructions, registration papers, vaccination records, and necessary contracts. The contract may also state that you agree to surrender the puppy instead of adopting him out to a shelter or the pound. Some warranties will say that the breeder should have the right to reclaim the puppy in an unexpected situation like this. If you do ask for references, and they give you a list of written reviews instead of contact information for former clients, this is a red flag. A refusal for a tour means that the breeder knows potential clients may be turned away by the environment. If you are invited to tour a facility, learn about what a professional kennel should look and smell like first. The bottom line is, you need to do plenty of research. Buying A Golden Retriever From A Respectable, Professional Breeder Purchasing a Golden retriever Puppy from a respected, responsible professional breeder is by far the best option when it comes to getting yourself a good quality, healthy puppy given the best start in life. A responsible professional breeder: Cares greatly about the overall quality and welfare of the breed and selectively breeds for the betterment of the Golden Retriever population as a whole. Screen sire and dam for health issues in trying to breed puppies with the lowest possible chance of inherited disease. Will help you to select the right puppy for you from the many different personalities in their litter. Not all dogs are created equal! Some are more energetic, more headstrong, more confident, others less so. They will match you to the perfect puppy for your hopes and lifestyle. They handle, care for, and socialize puppies in such an expert way that the puppies have had the best possible start in life and the greatest chance of growing up a confident, happy dog of good temperament. They provide some of the best advice and support that can be given about how you should care for your new family member, from the moment you make the decision right through your Goldens entire life. So as you can see, there are many benefits to buying from a professional breeder. But surely there must be some cons you may be thinking? Well it depends how you look at it, but: A professional breeder will ask you many questions to be sure you are a good fit and have the right lifestyle that fits in with owning a Golden Retriever. You could have a long wait. Good breeders are popular and do not breed excessively, so you may have to wait a year or more before a puppy becomes available. But a benefit to this is that it weeds out the impulse buyers which cuts down on puppies that are given up after rushed decisions. Compared to some other options, you will pay quite a high price. I say a high price but what I mean is a fair price really. A fair price for a good quality, healthy puppy. But mostly backyard breeders are the unscrupulous types. You usually will not be able to see the premises on which the puppies are bred, they will not ask any questions of prospective owners and there will be no commitment or offer of help and advice for the future of the puppies they breed. This results in a poorer quality of life for the animals, and expensive vet bills for the owners. One positive of backyard breeders though is the price. Yes, they are considerably cheaper than professional breeders. And the savings you make up front are more than lost for extra vet bills down the road. So the risk is your puppy has a higher chance of inherited disease and behavior problems than the general population. There will be no true guarantee of pedigree. But if your friend has taken steps to get veterinary advice and care for the puppies, has looked after and socialized them well, maybe even knows the father of the puppies and can prove he is of good health and pedigree then this option may not be so bad. However they got into the situation, there are way too many homeless dogs in the world. Lack of space and insufficient funding inevitably means that many dogs each year are euthanized. Maybe you could give a second chance at life to such a dog? But you should also be aware that some rescued dogs will have behavioral issues, though the center staff will inform you of this. They may also have suffered some level of abuse and have psychological issues, phobias or anxieties that may not be evident until a certain situation arises. So there is some due diligence and this greatly increases the success rate of finding happy homes for dogs that suit their new human family. This is obviously a good thing for both the dogs and hopeful owners too! Buying From A Pet Store Or A Puppy Mill A large number of dogs bought from pet stores originate from puppy farms, also known as puppy mills, which are profit driven businesses that mass-produce dogs and sell through pet stores and classifieds. In puppy mills, dogs are bred in appalling conditions, kept in overcrowded small wire cages, given little exercise or socialization, enjoy no human contact and receive nothing in the way of veterinary care. The puppies are usually taken away from their mothers and litter-mates at such a young age that behavioral issues in the adult dog are extremely common. The dogs in puppy mills are no more than a commodity, a cash crop to be produced and harvested while spending as little as possible to maximize profits as far as possible. Yes, many people have been lucky enough to have purchased the most glorious of family pets from a pet store, but for each one a lot of suffering has occurred for countless more. I strongly advise that you do not support the puppy mill industry and never buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. The risks of not getting a quality, healthy dog are too high, and the ethics of the industry are shocking with many dogs suffering at their hands. Everybody should work to eradicate the entire industry and the first step is by not supporting them financially. There are many places and options available to get a Golden Retriever puppy, some good, some bad, and puppy mills and pet stores just an appalling option to be avoided. In my opinion your 2 best options are to source a puppy from a professional breeder or to adopt from a rescue center. But there are other options available and I hope this article has given you some information to help you in your decision. Please let us know about your experiences of getting a GR from any of the sources above, or even one I may have forgotten. Thank you.

All puppies start out so small and cute that it can be difficult to imagine how big your puppy will be when he is fully grown. Thankfully there are ways for you to determine how large your dog will be as an adult. The first is to use a Labradoodle puppy growth chart. This works based on averages to see where your pup is now compared to where he will be fully grown. Another way to work out how big your puppy will be is to look at his parents, if you have access. Paws that look oversized on a small puppy means that you are going to have a large dog as they are going to have to grow a lot to fill out their paws. Finally, you can use a DNA test to see what the breed makeup of your pup is and get an idea of how big he can get. When a puppy is born, his eyes will be shut. He will open them within the first couple of weeks, but will stay by his mother the entire time. At 3 weeks, your Labradoodle will still be very small and rely on his mother for nutrition. Puppies tend to begin to move around at this point, gradually exploring their world. At 12 weeks, you will have a much bigger puppy looking for trouble. Your puppy will begin to lose his teeth. If you have a larger Labradoodle you will see a high rate of growth still at this point. If you have a smaller Labradoodle, you will see a slowdown in growth during this time period. Puppies get into a lot of trouble chewing at this age as well as they combat their teething. Most Labradoodles still have some growing to do, so will not be finished growing at this point, but the speed at which they are growing will definitely slow down. Food-wise, this is a good time to drop your dog down to only two meals a day but keep him on puppy food until his first birthday. Use the Labradoodle growth chart as a guide to see when your puppy will likely reach his final height. At 12 months old, you can transition your puppy from kibble to regular dog food. Even if there is still a little bit of growing to do, puppy food is much higher in calories. Adult Labradoodles should be done growing by their first birthday, regardless of the type of Labradoodle that they are. If you have a larger Labradoodle, you should not see any more gains in height, but you will continue to see some weight gain for a while yet. Some dogs are done gaining weight at 12 months, while others may take 18 or even 24 months. Factors That Affect Labradoodle Puppy Growth Genetics Genetics is the key factor in all breeds of dog as far as what affects their growth, but Labradoodles are especially affected by this. It is because the Poodle mix in their breed can come in so many different sizes. Labrador Retrievers are more consistent and predictable, but Poodles are not. Looking at what size of Poodle has been bred with the Lab will help you know how big your pup will get and how quickly that will happen. A Labradoodle is more likely to fall in between his parents in size, since he is a mixed breed, making genetics the biggest indicator you have. Most puppies will be well taken care of, naturally, but sadly that is not always the case. Puppies who live on the street or who are neglected by their owners will not receive the proper nutrients that they need to grow healthy and strong. In this case, the growth defects are likely internal and will not appear until your dog ages. Puppies need exercise to stay fit and healthy, but a puppy that is overexerted will have too much strain put on his body and he will not grow as well as a puppy who was allowed rest. Also, puppies that are sickly cannot grow as much as healthy dogs, because their bodies are working hard on their health, leaving growth on the backburner. It has long been the standard to spay or neuter your puppy as soon as possible. It usually happens at the 6-month mark, in order to ensure that they are large enough to withstand the anaesthesia and not so mature that they have reached sexual maturity. The purpose of this was to stop a female pup from going into heat and having an unwanted pregnancy or to stop a male from reproducing. Puppies that mate too young also have their growth at risk, so the idea was to save them in the long run. Unfortunately, there is new information that has come out in recent years. Studies have shown that dogs, especially larger breeds, which are spayed or neutered before they have finished growing are more likely to have joint issues when they are older. This is because altering their bodies during their growth will affect other parts of their bodies as well. The dogs do have a lot of similarities, but the Bernedoodle is a little bit larger than a Labradoodle is. Much of their size is based on the type of Poodle that has been mixed with the Labrador or the Bernese Mountain Dog, but in all of the cases, the Bernedoodles will be bigger, weighing as much as 90 pounds. What If My Labradoodle Is Not The Right Weight If you have been following your Labradoodle growth chart and you see that your pup is not growing at a consistent weight, you might be a little concerned. Since growth spurts can be unpredictable and you will not necessarily know when they happen, sometimes a puppy will stray off of his expected weight and size. The concern is when your puppy has completely fallen off of the growth curve, whether in being too large or too small. If it was a one-time occurrence, that is one thing, but if your puppy is simply not growing at the right pace, it is best to speak with your vet to make sure there is nothing else going on. You should be weighing your puppy routinely to get a good idea about how fast he has been going and these records will help your vet immensely. Feeding your Labradoodle puppy the right amount of food can be easy as long as you stick to a schedule. Given their curly fur, the regular visual check that you can do to monitor the size of other breeds is incredibly difficult. To know how much you need to feed your Labradoodle, you will need to focus on his age. Puppies between the age of 8 and 12 weeks need about 4 equal meals a day. Between 3 and 6 months, this can be reduced to 3 meals a day, dropping to 2 meals at 6 months. The quantity of food will depend on the type of food that it is as well as the type of Labradoodle that you have and his activity level. Take your pup in for regular weight checks with the vet and ask her what food recommendations she has. How To Choose A Labradoodle Size Since there are three different types of Labradoodles, you will need to choose which type of Labradoodle is right for you. The ultimate factor to help you decide is which size is right for you. A Standard Labradoodle is between 22 and 24 inches in height for males and between 21 and 23 inches for a female. Their weights range between 50 and 65 pounds. This is the biggest size. The medium Labradoodle is between 18 and 20 inches for a male and 17 and 19 inches for a female. They weigh between 30 and 45 pounds. The smallest Labradoodle is the mini Labradoodle that stands between 14 and 16 inches for either sex and weighs between 15 and 25 pounds. Weighing your Labradoodle puppy consistently is essential to his overall health. This can help you be certain that your puppy is growing as much and as quickly as he should be. Ideally, weighing your puppy twice a month will give you a good amount of data to go with. To weigh your puppy, you can weigh yourself while holding the puppy, note the weight. Then, weigh yourself again without the puppy. If your puppy is too large to hold, you should be able to take him into the vet to have a weight checkup. Labradoodle Genetics And Common Health Problems All dog breeds are more prone to certain genetic conditions than others. One of the most common genetic conditions that Labradoodles face is hip dysplasia. This happens as the dog ages and will result in mobility issues. Labradoodles can also suffer from epilepsy, but this can typically be controlled well with the right medicine. An eye condition that Labradoodles are at risk of is progressive retinal atrophy PRA , which can ultimately result in blindness. Your vet should be able to keep tabs on your pup and screen for these possibilities. If untreated, a dog can experience trouble with the kidneys and circulatory system. Even though a Labradoodle is a mixed breed, it runs the risk of genetic conditions of both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. 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. Some of these may be genetic, while others can be environmental. Here are some factors that affect labradoodle puppy growth. Genetics No matter what breed of dog it is, genetics plays a very important role in the growth of a puppy. Labradoodles are a mix between Labrador Retriever and Poodle. These dogs share genetic traits from both parents. The size of a labradoodle depends on its Poodle parent. For example, if the Poodle parent is a toy or miniature, you will get a mini and medium-sized labradoodle. However, if the Poodle parent is standard size, you will get a standard-sized labradoodle. Nutrition Selecting a nutritious diet for your Labradoodle puppy is essential to his well-being and development. Giving him all of the nutrients he needs to flourish and grow. Puppies are in a period of rapid growth, so they require more nutrients for bone and joint development than adult dogs. Puppies who receive adequate nutrition grows to their full potential. When feeding your pup, make sure the food contains all essential nutrients as well as the right levels of fat and protein. Your veterinarian can advise you on the ideal food to provide them with. Physical Activity Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. If not given enough exercise, they could develop health issues such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease. When your puppy is young, it is best to limit their exercise as excessive physical activity can cause joint damage that will impact their development later in life. Walking and jogging are two activities that puppies enjoy doing, but these should only be done in small amounts in order to protect their joints. Health The growth of Labradoodle puppies also depends on their overall health. Labradoodles may suffer from health conditions that hinder their growth, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions make it difficult for them to walk or lead an ordinary life. So, make sure you buy a Labradoodle puppy from a reputable breeder and screen them for any health issues. It is also advisable to take them for regular vet visits. Many new pet parents often wonder what size their Labradoodle will be when they grow up. For Labradoodle puppies, puppyhood lasts from birth until about five or six months old. During this stage, you will see a massive growth spurt in Labradoodles. They will keep growing until they reach adulthood. However, this may not always be the case; some may need additional pounds to gain before reaching this milestone. Conclusion A Labradoodle is a designer hybrid dog created by crossing two breeds — Poodles and Labrador Retrievers. As such, these dogs possess high energy levels, are friendly, and are highly affectionate. If you are planning to get a Labradoodle puppy or already have one, it is essential to monitor their growth, as their size can be drastically affected by certain factors. With some simple formulas, these charts may even allow you to predict their future weights. 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. Standard and medium Labradoodles will generally stop growing at around 1 year of age, while miniature Labradoodles will stop growing at around 10 months. However, there is some deviation in this, and your Labradoodle may stop growing slightly sooner or later. If you notice your Labradoodle putting on extra weight when it is over 12 months old, it could be a sign that it is putting on too much weight. Check the height of the dog, compare it to the expected size, and make sure you are providing a balanced diet and regular exercise. Image Credit: Adam Melnyk, Shutterstock Factors Affecting the Size of Labradoodles The primary factor that determines the size of a Labradoodle is whether the first generation was bred from a standard, miniature, or toy Poodle. Beyond that, factors such as diet and exercise play a big part. Dogs that eat more will usually grow heavier, although not necessarily bigger. Exercise helps to keep weight off but it can also lead to a growth in muscle mass, which also puts extra weight on the dog. Some illnesses can cause growth to slow or speed up, and if your dog is growing more quickly or slower than expected for its age, and has any other symptoms of concern, it is worth speaking to a vet to ensure everything is OK. Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight Labradoodles should get protein from high-quality sources , typically including chicken, turkey, beef, and other meats. They can also get protein from vegetable sources as Labradoodles—like all dogs—are omnivores that benefit from a diet that consists of meat and pl1ant-based ingredients. Unless they have an allergy, Labradoodles can also eat grains and cereals. Such protein and other ingredients can come in dry kibble, via wet or canned food, or as part of a carefully constructed and safely prepared raw food diet. Owners should follow feeding guidelines, which are usually given according to the weight or target weight of the dog. Alternatively, your vet or possibly a dog groomer may have scales and measures to help take the required measurements. Conclusion The Labradoodle has become one of the most popular dog breeds around the world and is almost certainly the most popular hybrid breed. It was bred as a guide dog that was also hypoallergenic but is more often kept as a companion dog. There are different sizes, according to the size of Poodle that was originally bred, which means that the typical weight and size of the Doodle can vary. Size variations between F types This is your complete guide to Labradoodle size. The Labradoodle The Labradoodle dog is a hybrid dog breed. What this basically means is that Labradoodles have one purebred Poodle parent dog and one purebred Labrador Retriever parent dog. In the world of Labradoodle breeders, there are three adult size ranges: miniature, medium and standard. As you can imagine, the size of the Poodle parent can greatly impact adult Labradoodle size. But not always in the ways you might expect. In the case of standard Labradoodles, the Poodle parent is a standard Poodle. In the case of miniature Labradoodles, the Poodle parent is a miniature Poodle. The medium Labradoodle size can occur in either pairing, which we will talk about in greater detail here shortly. History of the Breed Labradoodles as a hybrid breed got their start in the s in Australia. A blind woman from Hawaii wrote to a man named Walter Conron. Conron was then in charge of breeding and training guide dogs for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia. The blind woman had a special problem: her husband was wildly allergic to dogs. So she was reaching out in hopes of finding a hypoallergenic dog to help her get around. Conron took on the challenge with gusto, and to make a long story short, the Labradoodle was the result. Labradoodles still make fabulous service dogs. But they are also beloved as family pets for their famously friendly, smart, intuitive personality, their adorable appearance and, in some cases, their non-shedding coats. This variance relates to the size of each parent dog. And also to what generation breeding program the puppy comes from more about that topic here later. Standard Labradoodle puppies typically weigh between 7 and 12 pounds by the time they are two months old. But in 10 more short months, they may weigh up to 80 pounds depending on the size of each parent dog. Miniature Labradoodle puppies, in contrast, may only weigh 4 to 7 pounds at the age of two months. In 10 months, they may weigh anywhere from 30 to 45 pounds. This depends on the size of each parent dog. To estimate the size of medium Labradoodle puppies, it is best to learn as much as you can about the breeding pair. Important factors include whether the Poodle parent if you choose an F1 breeder is a Standard Poodle or a Miniature Poodle. Labradoodle Growth You need to know the breed size of each parent dog and the exact weight of your little Labradoodle pup to work out how big they will grow. Or use the four fold or double up formula. The Four Fold Formula When your puppy reaches the age of two months, the number you see on the scale typically represents one-quarter of his or her estimated adult weight. The Double Up Formula When your puppy reaches the age of four months, the number you see on the scale typically represents one-half of his or her estimated adult weight. For this reason, even though using these formulas can give you a handy point of reference as your Labradoodle puppy grows up, no formula should be used to substitute frequent weigh-ins and health check-ups by a qualified canine vet. To help moderate growth neither too slow nor too fast , if your Labradoodle puppy falls into the miniature to medium size range, select a Labradoodle puppy food that is formulated for the needs of smaller breed dogs. On the other hand, if your Labradoodle puppy is projected to be a standard size in adulthood, you will want to select a puppy food formulated for the needs of medium to large breed dogs. They can help you adjust portion sizes and Labradoodle puppy foods as needed. Labradoodle size in adulthood can vary depending on gender. In general, adult males tend to outweigh adult females by 10 to 15 pounds. Of course, this is not always the case. Other factors that can influence adult weight include birth order and food type. Also feeding schedule, activity level and health in puppyhood. Hybrid dog breeding always includes genetic uncertainty. The Reason Behind This Why can Labradoodle size in adulthood be so hard to precisely predict, you might be wondering? The answer relates back to the nature of hybrid dog breeding itself. Whenever two different sets of canine genes combine, it is not possible to predict exactly how each set of genes will influence a given puppy in any litter. For example, in Labradoodle breeding programs, this means some puppies in a hybrid litter may grow up to look and act more like Labrador Retrievers while other puppies may grow up to look and act more like Poodles. Labradoodle Breeding Programs There are different types of Labradoodle breeding programs. Some programs contain a greater amount of genetic uncertainty than other programs. Here is a basic overview of the different programs in order of greatest to least genetic uncertainty: F1: This Labradoodle puppy will have one purebred Poodle parent and one purebred Labrador Retriever parent. F2: This Labradoodle puppy will have two F1 Labradoodle parents. Using This To Choose Your Labradoodle Size If it is very important for you to ensure your Labradoodle will be a certain size when fully grown, we encourage you to seek out a multi-generational Labradoodle breeder to work with. It is also very helpful to meet each parent dog to assess potential size variance in adulthood before making a commitment to a puppy. Here again, meeting each parent dog can help you assess potential coat variance in adulthood. These two examples will give you more insight into how sizing differences arise. It can even happen between Labradoodle puppies within a single litter. Here, the adult Labrador Retriever parent will typically weigh l The adult Standard Poodle parent will typically weigh between 40 and 70 pounds. A breeding pair where the Standard Poodle weighs 40 pounds will theoretically produce more size variance in a litter than a breeding pair where the Standard Poodle weighs 70 pounds. Miniature Labradoodle Size Variance In the case of miniature Labradoodle size, you will have a Labrador Retriever parent dog weighing between 65 and 80 pounds and a miniature Poodle parent weighing between 10 and 15 pounds. Here, it is easy to see how you can expect quite a bit of size variance in early F1, F1b breeding programs regardless of what each parent dog weighs. Our puppy growth chart and calculator has your answer! Size is largely determined by genetics. Size is inherited in non-linear ways in dogs and other animals. Some puppies stay much smaller than both parents, some become much bigger, and some are in the middle. While size is already hard to predict in purebred dogs, it becomes even more erratic when two breeds are crossed such as in any Doodle mix litter. Labradors are large dogs. They can have a heavy build with deep chests and a wide rib cage. Poodles on the other hand are rather dainty, even though they are tall. Especially in the first generation of a Labradoodle litter that means a generation whose parents are a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador , there will be a greater variation of size. The smallest and the tallest puppy of the litter might be as much as 20 pounds apart in weight! That being said, most Labradoodles weigh somewhere between 45 and 65 pounds and are inches tall. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club and have no breed standard that requires a certain size. At what age is a Labradoodle fully grown? As a large dog breed, Labradoodles grow past their first birthday. The smaller a dog, the sooner he is finished growing. Some very small breeds can stop growing around months. Since the Labradoodle is tall, expect him to continue growing until about months of age. At 12 months, most tall dogs are lanky teenagers! By the time your Labradoodle is 2 years old, he will definitely be done growing. How big is a 6 month old Labradoodle? At 6 months old, your Labradoodle will weigh about pounds. He is definitely not fully grown yet — expect him to become quite a bit taller and heavier in the coming months. As your Labradoodle puppy is growing up, his coat will become longer and thicker as well! Make sure you bathe and brush him regularly. Trimming his coat regularly with a good set of clippers will be very important as well! Ensuring healthy growth Here is what you can do to set your Labradoodle up for a healthy growth and solid adult weight: Nutrition and feeding Without the right nutrition, your pup cannot grow well. You need to feed your Labradoodle a high-quality food with a lot of protein. Protein is what our bodies are built of — your growing pup needs a lot in order to grow tall and strong. You can choose from a variety of different foods, such as: Dry food.

Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Orlando FL? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Orlando FL. Poodle puppies range in price depending on the experience of the breeder or breeding company. Other factors that influence the cost of poodles include the pedigree and coat type or color. If you are looking to find a poodle within a certain budget, you can simply set your preferences on Uptown Puppies to reflect the price range that works for you. Do your breeders arrange travel for Orlando Poodles out of state? Yes, the majority of breeders and breeding companies on our database offer puppy transportation as part of the package. If you match with a puppy on the other side of the country, you can simply request to have it delivered to the closest major airport near you. Depending on your preferences, you might even match with a poodle puppy right around your corner! How do you screen Miniature Poodle breeders in Orlando? Uptown Puppies upholds the highest standards when it comes to experience and ethical practices. All of the breeders and breeding companies on our database have been thoroughly vetted to ensure proper healthcare, living conditions, and breeding practices. Once a breeder or company has been approved, they are then required to sign the Breeder Pledge. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Orlando? By going through Uptown Puppies, you are guaranteed peace of mind when you match with the poodle of your dreams. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Orlando? Puppy mills are notorious for their unethical breeding practices, unkind treatment of puppies, improper living conditions and inadequate healthcare. Puppies raised in a puppy mill are often fraught with behavioral conditions that can last a lifetime, and typically have a number of health problems too. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Orlando for sale now? Why not check the current availabilities right now, by quickly choosing your preferences to search our database?! What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Orlando? Poodles are super cute and intelligent dogs, whose easily trainable natures make them a top choice for circuses and guide dogs alike. Poodles are cuddly, affectionate and playful little dogs that make great pets for the whole family. Poodles will keep you constantly entertained with their imaginative antics and fun-loving temperaments. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Orlando? Our organization is passionate about linking ethical breeders and breeding companies with loving homes around the USA. Feel free to take an in-depth look at our reviews and puppy alumni for proof of who we are and what we do!

A dog is not just a pet, but a lifelong friend and companion. English Bulldog is one such breed who is extremely loyal, friendly, brave and have a strong sense of dedication towards their owners. They will stick to you like glue throughout their lifetime. How to teach an English bulldog not to bite? Bulldogs can bite for several reasons, but mostly they bite when they feel provoked or threatened. Puppies bite because they have not yet learned how to play properly with humans. Here are step by step instructions to teach your bulldog not to bite. Sit down and play with your bulldog. Let them bite your hand. Your bulldog should be startled, release, and step back. You can spray something bitter in their mouth to further the consequence if your bulldog is not starting to understand after going through steps a few times. An English bulldog looks scary and grumpy but is very calm and amiable. Many people are afraid of the English bulldogs because of their somewhat aggressive appearance, but they are the friendliest of all breeds. They are lovers and not fighters. Bulldogs make wonderful apartment pets and are mainly low-endurance dogs. But all dogs can have the bad habit of biting. An un-socialized adult English bulldog will also nip and bite. Under these circumstances, you should keep your English bulldog away from other dogs and people. It is important to make sure your bulldog learns not to nip and bite as biting will further the stereotype that bulldogs are dangerous, when they are really not dangerous at all when they are loved, trained, and socialized. How to Teach Your English Bulldog Puppy to Not Bite Every English bulldog goes through the puppy stage and learns to interact with others by biting, nipping, and licking. Biting occurs when your puppy is growing and exploring their environment. Your English bulldog puppy may not hurt you intentionally, but as a puppy he is still capable of inflicting harm to you. If this behavior is not rectified and controlled, your puppy can carry this into adulthood. No, And Here's Why! Your puppy might grow up thinking that there is nothing wrong in biting and nipping humans. As their teeth grow and their weight also increases, the harmless biting which you once found cute can turn into rough bites and play. An English bulldog is not aggressive by nature but like other dogs can show aggression if provoked. They are ferociously protective of their owners and others in the family. If they feel their owner or loved ones are threatened, they can turn defensive and show signs of belligerence. English bulldogs are calm and gentle with their owners but are chary of other dogs and strangers. Therefore, it is imperative to socialize your bulldog properly and make them feel safe around other dogs and people. There are chances that if your English bulldog is inadequately socialized, he will react fiercely to what he sees to be a threat to your safety or their own. Your puppy bites because he does not know how to play with humans and needs to be trained to stop biting. You can hire a dog trainer to do that or can do it by yourself. You should train your dog that it is unacceptable to bite and encourage them to play games with toys. Learn more in our article Help! Bulldog Teething and Biting When your English bulldog puppy is 3 to 6 months old, there are chances that your puppy may be teething. At this time your puppy will put virtually everything in his mouth. They do this because they need something to chew on, to alleviate the pain and discomfort. You can give him ice cubes to numb his gums and mitigate the pain. When your puppy is teething, you can also give him things he can chew on. You can give him old washed rags kept in the freezer, hard rubber balls, or nylon bones. When your puppy bites you hard just yell as loudly as you can and pretend to be hurt. This will startle your puppy and ensure that he releases pressure. You must continue this until your puppy starts refraining from nipping and biting. This way your puppy will learn that biting can be a hazard to their friends and humans. They will learn that skin is sensitive and should be only pressed down lightly. Eventually your puppy will become gentler to you during their playtime. When your puppy bites you stop playing with him. Avoid petting, talking and even looking at your puppy. Never show aggression or give physical punishment to the puppy while training him. He will become defensive and grow up to be more aggressive. Remember to praise your puppy for good behavior. Socialize your English bulldog puppy to be more comfortable around strangers also. Socializing will help stop your puppy biting your feet and the feet of visitors. You can walk your puppy to dog parks and public places. You can also visit your family and friends with your English bulldog puppy to help him develop trust with them. English bulldog puppies easily get excited with movements. So, if your puppy sees you moving your feet or any sudden movement, he will swoop into attack. Stop right there and this will make your puppy settle down. When puppies see children running around, they also want to run and play with everybody else and could bite their feet. Use dog commands like Sit, Stay, and Down. Always keep treats in handy while training your puppy to motivate him. If this does not work, then simply walk away. To discipline your adult bulldog, you must leave him alone. Still, if your dog persists to bite, you can seek professional help to curb his habit of biting and nipping. Lastly, do not try to put your adult English bulldog into situations he is not very comfortable in or those which will provoke him. If you know your dog does not like other dogs, keep him away from those dogs. You can also use a spray bottle to spray something with a bitter taste into their mouth when your bulldog bites. I have seen people use lemon juice. Be aware that excessive lemon juice will cause an upset stomach and possibly diarrhea for dogs, so find something else with a bitter taste that is safe for dogs to teach them a negative consequence for biting. The bite force of the English bulldog is pounds per square inch psi. Psi shows us how much pressure is exerted on one square inch of space. This is enough to cut muscles and break bones. English bulldogs have extremely strong jaws and muscular and sturdy bodies. English bulldogs also have a very low center of gravity and can easily take you down. They were bred specially to fight the bulls. Their powerful jaws can cause a lot of damage. With appropriate training and by acting properly around your puppy, you can help him grow out of his habit of biting. Training your adult English bulldog will take some time. Training an adult English bulldog will be relatively difficult, but it is not impossible. So, be patient and try to build up this new behavior with trust and love. Persistence and hard work will go a long way. You will surely see results and all your efforts will yield a very obedient and loving companion for life. Pup pup hooray! Post Views: 2, But bulldogs are still dogs and they have the innate tendency to bite. However, if left unchecked, this seemingly cute behavior can turn into a problem when they get older as he could hurt you or the people around you when they bite. Furparents need to address their biting behavior early on so that they can grow into well-behaved adult dogs. When he accidentally bites you, you have to react accordingly. The way you respond will be crucial as it will tell your puppy if that is an acceptable or unacceptable behavior. Exaggerate if you need to. Your bulldog would stop biting you because he would be startled with your reaction. As they say, Bulldogs are lovers not fighters. Ignore him after he bites you. Wanting nothing more than to please you and get your attention, he would learn that what he did was unacceptable and he would try not to do it again. Be consistent with your response each time he does this but stay calm when training him to stop biting. The key to getting your bulldog puppy to stop biting is through ignoring him. By giving him the cold treatment when he bites you, you are promoting bite inhibition. Your pup may be feeling uncomfortable and might be in pain because of his condition. You can give him ice cubes as these will help numb his gums from the pain. Another way to teach your pup not to bite is by praising him when he stops biting. Remember, bulldogs aim to please you and will bask in your praises and affection so these are good motivators for your desired behavior. You can use the ignore method or praise method. You can also provide him with toys he can chew on to divert his biting behavior. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Pretend To Be Injured Whenever your English bulldog puppy biting and growling at you, pretend to be injured by his bites. When the puppy bites, you yell loudly and pretend like you are hurt a lot. This will shock your puppy, and he will release the hurt immediately. You can continue doing this until he retrains himself from biting you or growling at you. By repeatedly exercising, your puppy will learn that it is hazardous to bite their friends and humans. As time passes, your puppy will learn to become gentle during playtime and get to know that skin is a sensitive part and must not be pressed. Avoid Your Puppy If your puppy bites you while you are playing with him, stop playing at that very moment. When you stop playing immediately, he will realize that he has done something bad. We were playing on the couch, and he bit me. After repeating this every time he bit me, he finally understood that biting is bad. What will happen is he will suddenly become defensive and will become aggressive in the future. These small things are very important and must be kept in mind while training your puppy. Never forget to praise him for his good behavior. Socialize Your Puppy Socialization is very important for the English bulldog puppy to get comfortable with everyone. Your puppy should feel comfortable around friends and strangers. Socialization helps your English bulldog puppy biting and growling not to bite visitors. These etiquettes are necessary, especially when you take your puppy to parks and public places. Save Yourself from Puppy Attacks Puppies are very curious about everything happening around them. They get excited when they see some movements happening around them. You may have noticed your puppy walking moving around your feet whenever you walk around them. If they see any sudden movements, they will immediately attack. When this happens, stop right there and let your puppy settle down. When the puppies watch the children running around, they get very excited and start running and playing. There are chances that your puppy may bite the kids or anyone they are playing with. To avoid this, whenever you see your puppy come running towards you, give him his chewy toy to play with. Never forget to motivate your puppy by giving him his favorite treats. Always keep the treats in your hand while training. When I was training my puppy, I used to have these soft puppy treats all the time. These were his favorite treats, and due to them, he used to perform all the tasks that I gave. Everyone must follow one more important thing , all these exercises, and recommendations in the house. The puppy needs to be comfortable with everyone in the family. So everyone must spend some time with the puppy to become familiar with him. There will be times when the puppy will have to spend the whole day with other family members, and then it will be easier for both dog and the family member. These tips and recommendations are really helpful if you follow them thoroughly. Training your puppy at the correct time is the key to stopping him from doing bad behavior. Adult Bulldog Biting and Growling Sometimes adult bulldogs are also seen biting and growling at humans. I will give you some normal tips about training your adult bulldog. The tips are as follows: Teach your adult bulldog the same discipline you would teach your puppy bulldog. This will make him realize that you are hurting. Leave him alone for a while to get him in the discipline. With correct and appropriate training, you can stop your English bulldog puppy from biting and growling. It would help if you acted properly around your puppy in order to teach him. As the training will continue, he will definitely learn the difference between harming and playing. Training your adult bulldogs can be quite a difficult job but not impossible. So, have patience and train your English bulldog puppy will love and compassion. You will surely have positive results. Related Articles:. Dogs , Puppy training Alex Andes Puppy Biting: What's Normal, What's Not, and How to Curb It One of the most common issues we see poor dog training advice given for is puppy biting and mouthiness, so we're going to give you the most standardized professional advice possible for this issue. There's a reason why it's discouraged for non-professionals to give legal or medical advice to strangers on the Internet. At best, their advice could be wrong; at worst, it could it be potentially dangerous. We so wish the same rules applied to dog training advice. Puppies go through at least two fear periods in their first year of life, so when those sensitive puppy brains are involved, it's especially important to follow professional instruction! They go through an uncomfortable teething process that lasts for months. They play hard with their siblings, often using their teeth to successfully instigate play and attention. Herding breed dogs are predisposed to nip, herd, and chase small, fast-moving things. Young children often get the brunt of this behavior. Retrievers are predisposed to picking up and holding anything and everything within reach, including your hands and arms. A word on what to avoid: Above all else, avoid physical punishment when it comes to puppy biting. I have heard people given terrible albeit, well-meaning advice over the years, from squeezing your puppy's mouth shut, to pinning them on their backs, to muzzling them to stop the biting. Physical punishments like this range from silly and ineffective to cruel and downright abusive. In fact, you can create fear and aggression in your dog using these types of methods. So, what should you do about puppy biting? When you bring a puppy into your home, it's your job to create fair, consistent boundaries for unwanted behaviors, including when it comes to teeth on skin. Note: You are not putting your puppy in a time out. That involves way too much time, talking, and attention to be an effective punishment. You are either ignoring the behavior or removing yourself from it. That means play is over, fun is over, attention is over. Be as non-dramatic as possible. If the behavior is hard for you to ignore, go behind a door or baby gate where your puppy does not have access to continue nipping at you. If your puppy tries to nip at you when you return, remove yourself again. You should see a major decrease in the intensity of biting as well as the amount of biting attempts within a few days. An Important Caveat: Some puppies find the act of a person walking away reinforcing. If your puppy seems to enjoy you removing yourself as a game of chase, you can alternatively use the side of your leg not your knee, please! You may have to block them multiple times before they stop trying; don't give up! And most importantly, still avoid yelling or using your hands — bitey puppies tend to find both of these things very exciting. Remember, it's normal for young puppies to explore the world with their mouths. Things to keep in mind: Be sure to give your pup attention and praise when they are behaving nicely! All family members and guests MUST be consistent in order for this to work! Be aware that even doing everything right, this behavior may not go away entirely until months of age. Remember, this is a normal developmental period in puppies. For extra-bitey puppies, or those that are biting after months of age, this blog will help give you some additional tips and recommendations. Why Does This Work? A behavior that doesn't get reinforced will stop. Your pup will learn that we don't react to biting with play, attention, or even a negative reaction. All of these things can be fun for a puppy. Your pup will learn to self-entertain. Once they realize the nipping isn't working, they will eventually redirect themselves onto something else. Your puppy will seek out appropriate ways to get your attention, like offering a "sit" or laying at your feet. A few other suggestions: It's also important to have a management place for your puppy, such as a play pen or baby-gated bathroom. It gives you a break from your puppy, and is a calm place for your puppy to settle down if he gets too wound up. Make sure your puppy has plenty of rubbery teething toys, is getting daily exercise, and is not excessively crated. If his needs are not being met, the nipping will take longer to extinguish. Make sure your puppy is eating three meals a day. Things we may think are punishing, like pushing your puppy away, yelling at him, etc, can be considered fun, play-like behaviors for your puppy and can encourage biting. When doing the above exercise, be as quiet and calm as you can. When should you be concerned about biting in puppies? You should seek out a certified professional if your puppy: Is growling, snapping, or biting when a person comes near a resource. Food, toys, etc Stiffens and stares at the person before biting. Is consistently biting and breaking skin. Barks, growls, or nips not in play at new people entering the home. Snaps or growls at children. What if it's not getting better? Remember, we do not expect this behavior to go away entirely until at least months of age. We also need to take into consideration a dog's breed, social history, and any medical conditions that could be contributing. For example, if a puppy has an intestinal parasite that's depleting their nutritional stores, we often see an uptick in biting. For extra guidance with extremely bitey puppies, or those that are still regularly biting after 6 months of age, check out these additional tips. Need professional guidance on your puppy biting issues? We offer private and group online dog training that's accessible from anywhere in the world. More details here , or contact us.