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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. This is especially true with dogs like German Shepherds because they have a strong prey drive, but this nipping and biting can also quickly get out of hand. This often comes out as biting and nipping, but puppies will also bite when they are teething and to taste the world around them. This can, of course, quickly get out of hand if not taken care of swiftly. In this article, we look at the reasons behind German Shepherd puppies biting and seven steps to help stop the behavior. Training The first and most important step in stopping your puppy from biting is early and focused training. Beginning training at an early age is vital for powerful dogs like GSDs, as without it, they can easily develop problematic behaviors and even become aggressive. An important part of training is socialization, and getting your GSD to interact with other dogs will help teach them boundaries, as any biting too hard will have instant consequences for them. Image Credit: AnjaGh, Pixabay 2. Toys Toys are ideal for your GSD puppy to exercise their teething. There is a massive variety of suitable chew toys available, and whenever you notice your pooch getting the urge to chew, you can gently offer them a chew toy instead. Commands Basic and simple commands should be taught to your GSD from a young age. Whenever they get overexcited and bite down too hard, you can then simply issue a verbal command that catches their attention. After you issue the commands, leave your puppy alone for a few minutes so they learn that this behavior is unacceptable. Image Credit: Jim Sluder, Pixabay 4. Redirection Redirection is a useful tool in training and can work well with biting too. This method is simple and works by keeping your pup from unwanted behavior and offering them appropriate behavior instead. Whenever your pooch bites or nips, try to offer them a chew toy of some kind instead, and this will gradually lead them to chew toys as opposed to your hands. Squeak toys are great for this type of redirection, as the noise is enticing to most puppies and dogs. Reward good behavior Positive reinforcement training methods are best for leading your puppy toward desired behaviors and away from unwanted ones. These methods involve no scolding or harsh treatment, so they are ideal for cementing the bond between you and your pup. When you offer your dog a chew toy instead of biting and they take it or you issue a command that they instantly follow, you simply reward that behavior with either a treat or praise. You ignore any bad behavior. They will swiftly associate treats with good behavior and stop the bad behavior that gets them no attention. Image Credit: Happy monkey, Shutterstock 6. Games Since GSDs are such powerful and athletic animals, they need to be mentally and physically stimulated through games and interactive play. Games are also the best time to engage and enforce training techniques and get your GSD accustomed to them before biting gets out of hand. Stick to simple games like fetch or frisbee, where you can train your pooch to give the ball back when you tell them to. Harsh treatments like hitting or shouting are highly unlikely to solve the problem and will probably just make it worse, as your dog will simply become nervous and wary of you. With a powerful dog like German Shepherds, trust is vital. They are highly intelligent and aware animals, and the smallest of sounds or movements are enough to set them off. There are several reasons for this, including: GSD puppies will begin teething as early as 2 weeks old, and this can be uncomfortable and even painful for them. This behavior can go on until your puppy is 6 months old, and they will chew on almost anything that they can find — including your hand — in an attempt to try and soothe their discomfort. Separated too young. The first 2 months of your GSDs life is vital to their socialization and learning, and if they are taken away from their mother and litter too young, this may cause a lack of understanding of boundaries. Puppies will play and learn with the rest of their littermates, where they learn to control the force of their bite. GSDs should be at least 8 weeks old before they are re-homed. Fear or overstimulation. Fear, anxiety, and overstimulation are common reasons for puppies to lose control of their bite because this can cause them to become irritable or defensive and lead them into the habit of biting. Conclusion Since German Shepherds are such powerful dogs, proper training is vital, and bite inhibition is an essential part of that training. Proper training is the vital first step and will set the tone for all other methods. With time, consistency, patience, and gentle leadership, your German Shepherd puppy should kick the biting habit in no time. German Shepherd puppies , like all puppies, go through a teething phase, and their biting behavior can continue until they are around 4 to 6 months old when their adult teeth have fully grown in. But how do you get German Shepherd puppies to stop biting, and when should you seek out more help? We dive into everything that you need to know here. German Shepherds are herding dogs, and as such, they love to go after anything that moves. This could be cats, kids, hands, fingers, or just about anything else. The more they get away with it, the more acceptable the behavior seems in the future. Addressing the problem early and consistently is vital. Just like babies need something to chew on when their new teeth are coming in, your German Shepherd needs something too! First, it stops when they get their adult teeth. Second, if you try to redirect them to something that they can chew on, most German Shepherd puppies are receptive. At this time, they should have all their adult teeth, which means no more teething to worry about. But at least you know the root of the problem and can start implementing the necessary strategies to address it. Instead, get them a few chew toys, bones, and other acceptable things to chew on as they teethe. You can also throw a few of these toys in the fridge or freezer to cool them down, and this will offer even more relief for your pup when they need it! While there are plenty of techniques to try, we recommend redirection and positive reinforcement. The method is simple. If and when they start chewing on the toy or other appropriate object, give them praise. German Shepherds love to please their owners, so this is typically an effective way to train your puppy. Therefore, you should have levels of concern. If they are still chewing and nipping at the 9-month mark, you should seek obedience training or talk to a vet to see what you can do. So, get on it early and often, and stick with it! Because with just a little work and dedication you can get your German Shepherd puppy to stop biting in no time. Check Price on Amazon 4. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement means giving something pleasant to your German Shepherd when they perform what you want them to do so that they learn to associate the correct behavior with the reward. The more this is repeated, they will remember and do it more often. The reward is a reinforcing motivation. In the above example of redirecting your GSDs biting to a chew toy, once he accepts the toy and starts to chew or play with it, you then offer lots of enthusiastic verbal praise and reward with a treat. Again, timing is important, and this must be done instantly so that your German Shepherd will recognize or associate his behavior with the correct action. You can give other rewards, but these may be more suited to older pups, adolescent dogs, or adults. Alternatives could be giving them a special toy, playing their favorite game, such as fetch, or taking them on their favorite walk. Always use lots of verbal praise in parallel to the reward you choose. You will, no doubt, soon get to learn where your dog prefers to be pet. Go here for more guidance on where to pet your German Shepherd. This is also useful when your German Shepherd starts to put his mouth around your possessions or furniture, ready to have a good gnaw! Using a time-out can effectively discipline a German Shepherd for biting and other undesirable behaviors. A great way to do this is to grab their collar, push their bum down, and make them sit. The idea is that your German Shepherd will quickly learn to associate that the fun stops when his nipping starts! As always, timing is critical, so your pup learns what he has done wrong at the precise moment. For very young puppies, you should only put them in time-out for a few seconds, between 7 and 10, and no longer than 30 seconds. At the end of the time-out, redirect your pup back to play and use lots of verbal praise or offer a training treat for good onward behavior. You must time the click at the exact moment your pet is doing what you want to reinforce. If you quickly reward your dog with a positive experience such as a treat, he will soon learn to associate the noise of the click with great things. The idea is that you condition your German Shepherd so that when he hears the sound of the clicker, he knows he has done something to please you. In the case of puppy biting, we are simply rewarding the puppy for choosing not to bite. You can achieve this by using the distraction technique described above. When the puppy makes the right choice and starts to bite on his chew toy, he hears the click and gets his treat. Look out for other symptoms such as drooling more than usual, bad breath, loss of appetite, or sneezing. If you are consistent and patient with your methods, you will achieve great results. Be firm but fair, which also helps to strengthen the loving bond between you and your dog. It leads to fear, avoidance, hurt feelings, guilt, stress, anxiety, and lack of trust. Owners should use positive reinforcement methods as much as possible. In another year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, researchers found that using confrontational or aversive methods to teach aggressive dogs did not work. The dogs continued to be aggressive until the training methods were changed. The same study found that punishing techniques and dominance-based training, such as hitting or kicking, growling, or yelling at your dog, can cause aggression, as stated by Meghan E. An even more recent study in companion dogs suggests that using even mild punishments like yelling and leash-jerking can stress dogs out more than dogs taught using reward-based training. This stress causes negative consequences and poorer welfare. Alpha rolling is a controversial and outdated technique that physically puts your dog on his back or side in a submissive position to show that you are dominant or the Alpha. This old-fashioned technique is a form of positive punishment and was often used to house-train pups. Many people will have used this method decades ago without success, but at the time, they believed it was the right thing to do. For a positive punishment to work, the problem is that it has to be administered during or immediately after the act within 2 -3 seconds ; otherwise, the dog will not make the connection. Sometimes puppies naturally get over-excited and overtired. When this happens, instead of using the crate as a punishment, lure him into the crate with a treat offering lots of praise and letting him go down for a nap. If you feel sorry for your German Shepherd after disciplining him, you must never reward him out of guilt. Again, this only confuses your dog. Remember to be firm but fair. While a muzzle can prevent your dog from biting, it is not a solution to the underlying behavior issue. Muzzling your German Shepherd without addressing the root cause of their biting can lead to further behavioral problems and may even make the situation worse. Is it ever too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting? It is never too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting, but it may take more time and effort to modify their behavior if the biting has become a habit. Start with identifying the root cause and then take the guidance of an expert to set boundaries and train better to eradicate unwanted behavior. Final Thoughts Puppy biting is natural in all dogs. However, you now know the importance of disciplining your German Shepherd as soon as he starts to exhibit biting, nipping, and chewing behavior and how to do it. This is especially important with the German Shepherd breed as they quickly grow into big strong dogs. That could end in disaster for all concerned. No matter what you are teaching your German Shepherd, try to train him when young; 8 weeks old is a great time to start. Make sure you properly socialize him and give him lots of exercise and training will be much easier. Related Posts You May Like:. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! Hopefully, we will have the answers to all of your questions in this guide. But, all that cuteness quickly disappears when the biting phase starts. Puppy biting is normal in all breeds, including the German Shepherd. And, luckily, we have some great tips and tricks to minimize the painful biting period. In fact, it could have a number of causes. Here are a few of the most common reasons, in a little more detail. Teething One reason why puppies of all breeds may bite is teething. This stage often starts at around 3 or 4 months of age — only a few weeks after your puppy will arrive at their new home. Luckily, it only takes a few months for your puppy to have their full set of adult teeth. So, biting from teething is not permanent. If your puppy is biting or chewing because of teething, you may notice other symptoms like drooling, irritability, and going off their food. Boredom or Getting Attention Bored puppies may learn that biting gets some fun responses from you! Just like barking can. If your puppy has learnt that they can get some attention from you when they bite, they may do it to alleviate boredom. This can explain why puppies concentrate most of their biting on one family member — the person who gives the most fun response. Natural Play Biting is a natural part of puppy play — as much as some owners might not want to hear it! German Shepherd puppies, just like any other breed, will bite whilst they are playing with you or with other dogs. If this behavior continues into adulthood, the biting can be more problematic. Responding to Rough Play Some people like to play with German Shepherd puppies in quite a rough manner. This can include pushing them, or rolling them over. Behaviors like this can make puppies very excitable, and encourage biting during play. Encourage calm play between your family members or friends and your puppy. Herding Instincts The German Shepherd breed has a history as a herding dog. The creator of the breed, Captain Max von Stephanitz, bred the German Shepherd in an attempt to create the ultimate all-round herding breed. This was all the way back in the late s. Although the history of the breed has changed over time, from herding to working dog, their origins remain the same. Many herding dogs are prone to natural chase instincts. They may chase small children or other animals — particularly those that are making lots of noise. And, these herding behaviors can include nipping at heels. Once again, your behavior can minimize biting from this cause. Exploration Another common explanation for young German Shepherd biting is their natural curiosity. And, they may do this partly with their mouths. What you really want to know is, when will it stop? However, you can minimize the period by making a few easy changes to your behavior when biting occurs. The best ways to stop puppy biting and minimize the biting period are training and prevention. This means training your puppy to be gentle with you and other people, and taking away opportunities for your excited puppy to bite humans. You may need to go as far as to completely separate your GSD puppy from small children and people who insist on rough play with puppies. We know that this can only encourage biting. Remove Yourself Calmly If your puppy starts to bite you, during play or any other time, the best solution is to calmly and quietly remove yourself. You can use tools like baby gates to keep your German Shepherd in a puppy-safe room. In fact — your puppy will learn that biting during play or cuddles only results in you leaving, and them ending up on their own! Not only will this help to show your puppy that biting is not an acceptable part of playtime, but it can also help your own sanity to remove yourself from those sharp teeth occasionally. Think About Clothing You should also think about the type of clothing you wear around your puppy. Loose, hanging clothing can be appealing to your puppy, and provide something easy to grip on with their sharp teeth. Wear tight fitting clothing to minimize the number of things your puppy can bite at. Use Distractions If you, or young children in your household, are keen to pet your puppy without being bitten, you should make the most of distractions like treats or toys. You can hold a chew for your puppy to keep their attention and mouth distracted whilst someone pets them! Often, puppy owners only think about biting whilst their puppy is actively gnawing on them. One method is to reward them with treats when you are petting them and they are not biting you. Another is to reward them for calm behavior around the house. This way they learn that acting calmly and letting you touch them without biting will earn them good things! One popular method to stop puppy biting is to squeal, squeak, growl, or make another loud noise. Some people claim that this method replicates natural puppy play and tells your GSD when they are being too rough. For some owners, this may work. If this is the case, making a noise when your puppy bites will act as a reward, and encourage your German Shepherd puppy to bite you even more. This is one reason why puppies biting children is so common. Many children will make lots of noise, especially if a puppy bites them, which can lead to further nipping. This is similar to the method above, if used alone. This is why training has to be done in small stages — first you must teach the puppy what action you want, and then you can give the action a name, or command. Punishment Methods The best methods to stop your puppy from biting involve positive rewards for the behaviors you want. Studies on dog training and behavior have shown that punishment based methods are often associated with an increase of problematic behaviors. Punishing your puppy for biting can lead to distrust and fear from your puppy. The causes of puppy biting that we looked at earlier in this guide apply to all GSD puppies. In fact, they apply to all puppies of any breed. Biting and chewing is a normal puppy behavior, and a normal part of play. As long as you react to this behavior in the right way, it is a period that will pass. The biggest fear for most German Shepherd puppy owners is that their puppy is aggressive when it bites. German Shepherd puppy biting can be accompanied by ferocious growls or snarls. It can even draw blood. So are behaviors like snarling and growling. And, if your puppy is biting hard enough to injure you, they may not have learnt proper bite inhibition yet. This is the process where your puppy learns to be gentle with his teeth on your skin. The positive reward methods we discussed earlier in this guide are the best way to teach your puppy bite inhibition. Remove yourself calmly and quietly whenever your puppy bites. And make sure to reward any calm behavior — including when your puppy lets you pet it without biting. Speak to a Behaviorist If you think your puppy is exhibiting aggressive behaviors, such as guarding their resources, you may want to speak to a behaviorist. They will be able to look at your puppy as an individual case, and analyse their behavior properly. Do Adult German Shepherds Bite? The German Shepherd breed is known for being aggressive in some circumstances — they make popular guard dogs, and are number one candidates for working dog roles in the police and military. Since puppies lack the dexterity that you and I have, they use their mouths to explore the world around them. By understanding the behavior of biting itself, you can begin to see just how normal biting is in German Shepherd puppies. Just because biting is a normal behavior in a puppy does not mean we should tolerate it or promote it. Since biting is a form of communication for German Shepherd puppies, there are many things our puppies could be trying to say! So why do Shepherd pups bite? Puppies often communicate with their siblings through biting and pawing, especially when they are trying to incite a play session. Your pup may gnaw on your hand as if it were a chew toy, especially when you are a moving target. Puppies play and bite their siblings from the moment they are old enough to do so. This is why the behavior is so common, and why our Shepherd pupswill need to learn how to transition to playing with appropriate chewing options. Not only are our hands and feet tempting enough, but even more so when a puppy has a high prey drive. A prey drive is an ingrained need to chase after moving objects, whether it is appropriate or not. A swinging hand as we walk by can be extremely tempting for a growing pup, causing them to jump up and nip. If it seems like your Shepherd puppy is always biting you when you are in motion, it may be due to their high prey drive! They Are Curious As we mentioned above, German Shepherd puppies use their mouth to explore the world around them. Biting can help them examine and understand an object, and our hands and feet can fall into that category as well! If you catch your puppy gnawing on everything around your home, it may be their curiosity getting the best of them! A dog quickly learns what behavior gets a reaction, causing them to do it over and over again. Even if their bites result in a negative reaction from you, it still counts as attention. They Are Teething Similar to teething babies, a German Shepherd puppy experiences teething pain as well. If your Shepherd pup seems to find relief when chewing on objects, they may be biting you due to teething discomfort. They Are Herding You If your German Shepherd puppy is constantly biting at your ankles, they may be displaying some herding behaviors. German Shepherds are ingrained with a need to work, especially in dogs with a working bloodline. If your German Shepherd is always nipping at your feet, running to your side when you are moving, or showing signs of anxiety or frustration when you are moving around your home; it may be herding behavior. So how can you stop this normal puppy behavior? Redirect The Behavior One of the most effective ways to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting is by redirecting the behavior. An effective distraction is a wonderful way to end the behavior without punishment, and show them how much fun the alternative to biting can be. The next time your Shepherd pup is displaying undesirable nipping, try to pull out their favorite toy. Since this will need to be a toy that your dog enjoys, be sure to offer them the option that they find most exciting. This can be a Kong toy , rope, bone, or any other chewing option that your dog loves. By doing this each time your Shepherd puppy begins to bite you, they will begin to understand that they would much rather play with an acceptable chew option. Having a variety of chew toys can alleviate their need to bite our hands and feet, and offer them the relief they seek in this uncomfortable transition. There are so many toys created for teething puppies, that it should be easy to fill your home with plenty of appropriate options. One of our favorite chew toys is the Kong Teething Binkie. Any attention can validate the behavior, causing them to make it a habit. This shows them that the behavior is unacceptable, and does not involve any harmful negative reinforcement. Our attention is important to a puppy, and they do not want to be ignored. By showing them that biting will only result in us pulling away, they will learn to ditch the undesirable behavior. Interrupt The Behavior Sometimes a Shepherd puppy needs a sharp and sudden sound to pull them out of a bad habit. By giving a quick interrupter cue ouch, yip, eek , you can pull your puppy away from the action and gain their attention. Because of this, it is so important to offer plenty of mental and physical activities throughout your home. For example, if your puppy nips at strangers each time they walk in the door, it may be best to limit their time around the guest and send them to a separate play area. Once they begin to understand that biting is unacceptable, you can refrain from using their separate play area as often. Similar to what we discussed above about being proactive, a separate play area can help them calm down and collect themselves. Once your German Shepherd puppy begins to mature and understand that biting is unacceptable, they should require less time away. Just as there are effective methods in canine training, there are counterproductive actions as well. Do Not Hit Or Yell Since biting is a normal behavior that puppies must learn to grow out of, it is not productive to hit or yell at your puppy when they bite. Doing this can show them from a young age that interaction with you results in something negative, and can hinder your training process. By using other distractions and training methods when they bite, you can turn every bite into a learning experience for your pup! This can seem like a fun game to your pup, and can actually encourage the behavior. Try your best to go limp when they bite you, and pull your attention away from the pup. By doing this, you show them that this behavior does not offer them any extra fun. Extra attention can validate their undesirable behavior, making it challenging to break. Try your best to refrain from reacting to a bite outside of your interrupter cue, and pull your attention away from your furry friend afterward. Biting is a normal behavior in puppies of all kinds. Puppies begin to bite their siblings from the moment they can move, and will continue this behavior until they learn otherwise. A biting German Shepherd puppy is to be expected, and should not result in any discouragement on your part. As long as you are following the tips we mentioned above, your puppy should shy away from this behavior in no time! Biting in puppies is not usually a sign of aggression. Mild biting is usually a form of play, and should be easily corrected. However, there are some rare cases where biting in German Shepherd puppies is a sign of something more. If your pup is displaying any snarling, growling, ears pinned back, stiff posture, or any other signs of canine aggression, your pup may be biting in reaction to fear or pain. If you are unable to make any progress within a month of implementing the tips we discussed above, it may be time to contact a dog trainer. A trainer can not only help your pup refrain from biting, but offer other obedience training as well. Final Thoughts As you can see, biting is a normal behavior for our beloved German Shepherd puppies. Be sure to review the tips we discussed above on proper canine training, and you can banish puppy biting for good! An aggressive pound dog pouncing on you can get quite ugly fast. Think broken bones, damaged muscles, deep lacerations, bruises, scars, and expensive medical bills. German Shepherds have a bite force of PSI pound-force per square inch, or the measure of strength that a bite inflicts on the victim , compared to humans with a bite force of PSI. In fact, the American Animal Hospital Association lists the German Shepherd as one of the six breeds with the most dangerous bites, based on a US study. Therefore, training your GSD to inhibit her bite is mandatory as it not only rewards you with a well-behaved dog, but also ensures your safety as well as the safety of the people around you. A crucial step towards correcting this nasty behavior is to first understand why German Shepherd puppies bite. Nipping or biting stems from various reasons. Understanding the root of the behavior will equip you with the proper corresponding countermeasures to correct it. German Shepherds Have a High Prey Drive One of the primary and distinct characteristics thatmake a German Shepherd a popular choice for police and military work is their high prey drive, coupled with their intelligence and high trainability. Take a look at the video below showing what GSDs were originally bred for. GSDs also have a natural inclination to chase almost everything that moves in their surroundings. They Are Teething As early as two weeks old, the baby teeth of pups start to come out. Puppies use their mouth to explore their environment, so nipping is to be expected. This behavior, called teething, can last until the puppy is six months old when all her adult teeth have started showing. Teething is very uncomfortable for puppies and can lead to sore gums, so puppies turn to anything to chew to soothe the discomfort. Unfortunately, this can include biting you! They May Be Taken From the Litter Too Early Young puppies learn to naturally inhibit their biting through socialization with their mother and their siblings. A puppy does not quite understand yet the force of her own bite unless she bites too hard and the recipient reacts by yelping out of pain. Taking a puppy away from her mother prematurely will therefore deprive her the chance to learn important socialization skills. As a rule of thumb, the American Kennel Club AKC recommends that you take home a puppy that is no less than eight weeks old. By this time, the puppy should have had ample time to interact with her playmates and learn bite inhibition. We concur that you should never take home a puppy that is less than 8 weeks old. In fact, more than half of the states in the U. This does not mean, however, that your puppy will completely stop nipping. As the new parent, it is your job to continue training the dog so that any subsequent bites should be gentler. For more on selecting the right German Shepherd puppy from a litter, including additional information on the proper age, what to look for in a puppy, and what to expect from ethical breeders, be sure to check out the 2 articles linked below: How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide The Puppy Might Be Overstimulated, Fearful, or Anxious Sometimes puppies lose control of their bite because of overstimulation. Overstimulation can happen during playtime, or when your puppy has become cranky due to teasing. Your GSD puppy may also bite out of fear. Your puppy has but 2 defenses — to run away or to bite. If your puppy feels cornered, then biting is the defense that she will most often resort to. Because biting is normal canine behavior and GSDs are a breed that is more prone to it, the goal here is to inhibit the bite, not completely stop it. Do Start Training Early We keep mentioning throughout this site that training and socializing your GSD as soon as you get her home is crucial. Although training older dogs is not impossible, it is true that it is easier to train younger puppies, when habits are still new and can be easily corrected. If left untrained, adult German Shepherds can be prone to aggression towards other animals and humans, which can result in tragic situations. To get a better understanding of what is involved with these necessary steps, be sure to read these 2 excellent articles: German Shepherd Training Guide: All You Need to Know Do Use Toys as Alternative Items to Chew Puppies will nib on your hands or your feet especially during the teething stage. Train this behavior away by offering the puppy a toy whenever she starts biting your hand or your ankles. This teaches her what is acceptable to bite and which is not. It is good practice to always keep a chew toy nearby in anticipation of the biting behavior. She needs to understand that biting ends playtime and that it does not give her anything in return. In the Alpha Roll , the human pins down the dog on the floor on his side or back and holds that position to exert dominance. Besides, it has also been proven in many studies that dogs have very different behavior from wolves. Pinning your dog will cause him to freeze out of fear, which can also turn into aggression. It also teaches your dog that physical touch is something to be feared. Nobody wants to be punished by hand, not humans and certainly not dogs either. Do Reward Good Behavior Dog trainers and experts agree that positive reinforcement using rewards are highly effective in forming and keeping desirable behaviors as a puppy matures into an adult dog. If her nose touches your fingers without biting them, give her a treat and praise generously. Hold off the treat if she bites. Do this repeatedly until she associates the treat the reward with not biting your hand the good behavior. In fact, most dog bite cases in children occurred because of teasing! Instead, teach your child to be gentle with your pet , as even unintentional rough play can result in unwanted events. Dogs get cranky too, especially when they get hurt or feel that their privacy is being invaded. Never leave your child alone with your puppy unattended. Supervise their interactions at all times. Studies show that parents trust their dog around their kids too much that they overlook the signs that the dog is in distress. For tug games, keep in mind, however, that your dog must be calm and not overstimulated before playing. Otherwise, your puppy may get too serious and hold on to the rope too much. The AKC recommends that for breeds that are prone to aggression such as German Shepherds, tug-of-war can be safely carried out if the puppy knows you are in control and follows your commands. Once this has been established, a game of tugging can be used both as an exercise and as a reward for your dog. When playing, always remember to be gentle with tugging as your puppy still has baby teeth! By doing this, you are also socializing your puppy with other animals — an essential skill to learn for a well-rounded behavior. That being said, do not completely write off playing with your puppy! Playtime is still an excellent opportunity to bond with your dog, but make sure to keep it safe and fun by establishing boundaries. This method, however, is a matter of trial and error. Some puppies respond to this positively. On the other hand, many puppies get aroused by this and become even more aggressive. If you yelp and she stops biting without expressing any signs of aggression, the method has perhaps worked. You are then free to continue doing so until the puppy learns to stop biting hard. On the other hand, temper tantrums, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , are characterized by a stiff body, lips pulled back to show teeth, and growling. Biting will be more forceful and painful, since the behavior is typically caused by fear or anger. A German Shepherd puppy may be more prone to displaying this behavior, especially around unruly children. Bite inhibition is crucial especially among German Shepherds, a breed that is widely reported to be the culprit of many dog bites in America. Bite inhibition is simply one of the many important skills that your GSD must learn during her training. It can spell the difference between gentle playing and aggressive biting that leads to serious injuries. Always remember that dogs have feelings, too. They are not perfect little angels that never get angry. Even the most well-mannered dog in the world will snap out of irritation.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Do you want to know how to fatten up a German Shepherd to make them gain weight in a healthy way? Are you worried that your German Shepherd is thin and underweight and want to know how to bulk up a German Shepherd for safe weight-gain? Is Your German Shepherd Underweight? Your dog should have a trim, athletic appearance. They are large breed dogs with fast metabolisms that are active and energetic in their daily lives. Fit German Shepherds may at first seem slightly underweight. They are lean, athletic dogs with a strong, firm figure and you should avoid learning how to make a German Shepherd fat. Instead, you want to bulk-up your German Shepherd to make them fit. But if you see their ribs protruding or their hip bones raised and easily felt when petting, this is a sign of being underweight. You should first check with your vet for possible medical issues. You want to know if they are gaining weight, losing weight, or remaining the same. This helps you to decide if your weight gain plan is working — or if you need to adjust your plan. If your dog continues losing weight or if you see a lack of progress, take your dog back to your veterinarian. You need to see this as a long term plan and not an overnight fix to get your German Shepherd fat and by fat, I mean bulk-up not obese or overweight. Look for foods that have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food. Adults and seniors should eat about 20 to 25 percent of their daily calories from protein and 25 to 50 percent from fats. The rest of the calories should come from carbohydrates. This is anywhere from 8 months to a year or longer. Change to Puppy or High-Performance Food If you have an adult dog, switch them to a puppy or high-performance dog food to help them gain healthy weight. Both puppy and high-performance also known as a working breed food is higher in calories to support complex energy needs and sustained growth. Puppy foods generally have added nutrients to support puppy growth which can help your underweight German Shepherd gain weight and fatten up in a controlled manner — which is what you want. Mixing regular adult and puppy or high-performance food helps your GSD gain weight and fat in a regulated manner. For More Calories Feed Dry Kibble Dry kibble dog food generally has more calories if you want your dog to gain weight. Dry kibble is denser and contains more calories than wet food because the moisture has been removed from dry foods. Therefore, dry food has up to 4 times the number of calories as the same amount of wet food — dry kibble is a weight gaining powerhouse! If your dog is currently eating wet meals, then try mixing in some dry food with their wet food to help stimulate weight gain. Wet foods may taste better to your dog, so mixing in the dry foods with the wet still encourages your dog to eat in order to not lose more weight. Look for dry food with higher protein and fats to encourage weight gain in a healthy manner and go with one of the foods mentioned above for fat gain that is healthy. Begin by feeding your dog a bit more of their current food spread out over one more meal per day. Add a quarter to half a cup of extra food per meal. You can also take their regular feeding and the additional food and increase their feeding schedule to four times per day, splitting the food equally at each feeding. If your German Shepherd is picky about when they eat, then it may help to leave food out for them all the time. This is called free feeding. Dogs who can free feed tend to gain more weight than dogs fed on a schedule. Free feeding allows your dog the chance to eat a little whenever they are hungry or bored. This type of feeding may help them eat more overall. But only use free feeding with dry food, since wet foods spoil when left out for more than a couple hours. They may follow you around rather than eat when you offer their food bowl — this may be especially true of Shepherds since they tend to get fixated on their caretaker. But, just keeping your dog company while they eat may stimulate their appetite. Find a comfortable spot to sit and wait on your dog while they eat. Bring a book or do a quiet activity while they eat close to you. Simply sit with them and enjoy your time together while they eat. Keep the treats handy and offer them to help get extra calories into your dog. Adding these foods into their regular kibble may also entice them to eat more of their dry dog food, which can help an underweight puppy or adult. They also add extra calories which are healthy and nutritious. To get your dog more interested in their food, try sprinkling on a topping to their usual meals. You can even buy healthy toppers that are easy to add. Seniors, adults, and puppies all have various nutritional concerns. Most commercial and pre-made dog foods specify their intended age range on the packaging and state what groups the food is aimed at feeding. Underfeeding a German Shepherd puts your dog at a serious health risk. You need to make sure they get enough food for their age and energy needs. Puppies generally eat almost double the number of calories an adult dog needs, so be sure to check out this post on what amount to feed a German Shepherd puppy to keep them healthy. While a senior GSD may eat significantly fewer calories, if they are losing weight or underweight and a vet has been consulted, they may need extra feedings or food to help them gain the weight back. German Shepherds thrive on consistent physical activity. Walking and swimming are activities that build muscle and are lower impact and less intense on their joints and bones. They can be done every day to keep your dog active and help them to maintain their muscle mass. But these two exercises can be performed at a lower intensity so that even older dogs and puppies can enjoy their benefits make sure your puppy can swim first. Keeping muscle mass is important to prevent wasting and help maintain their health and mobility, as well as their athletic appearance. Try walking up hills to improve muscle growth or a gentle game of tug using a spring pole in which your dog can start and stop on their own. Some of the herbs used to increase human appetite are also safe for use in dogs. Dandelion is available in this for-1 multivitamin , along with other herbal supplements to make your GSD gain weight. B vitamins are natural appetite stimulants and are readily available over the counter and online. Visit Your Vet Regularly Always see your vet regularly. Regular vet appointments are especially important for your underweight German Shepherd. Your vet will use your notes to help make medical adjustments, as necessary, and to give you the right tips and advice. Helping Your German Shepherd Gain Weight Knowing how to fatten up a German Shepherd can help you and your dog achieve their ideal weight and maintain this healthy condition. There are many reasons why your dog or puppy may not be gaining weight. But there are also ways to help your dog at home to become healthier and have more energy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. If you normally feed your dog once in the morning and once in the evening, add in one more meal right before bed. Start by feeding them the same amount spread out over more meals. If this does not help them gain weight, you may need to give them more food, adding a quarter to half a cup per meal. This type of feeding schedule allows your dog to nibble a little whenever they are hungry or bored, which may help them eat more overall. Keep in mind that free-feeding may not work for your dog. For some dogs, the excitement of getting their food at certain times during the day makes them eat more than if it was available to them all the time. Treats should not be a primary calorie source for your dog. Giving them a few extra treats throughout the day, though, can help your German Shepherd gain some weight. Some dogs find treats from your fridge to be more appealing than treats from a bag. Give your German Shepherd small amounts of cooked chicken mixed with rice, a spoonful of peanut butter, a scrambled egg, or some apple slices every day in addition to their normal food. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. A sprinkle of rice, a couple heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin, a bit of wet food, or a big spoonful of peanut butter mixed in with dry food could intrigue your dog into eating. Coconut oil has a lot of calories, and it's easy for dogs to digest. Some dogs are picky eaters, and others may be suffering from a medical condition. For a finicky dog, it might just be a matter of finding a brand that your dog enjoys and sticking with it. A medical condition is more serious and will likely require the advice of a veterinarian. In many cases, they will prescribe food, and you should follow their instructions. Dog Food Calories The best way to put weight on your German Shepherd is to increase its calorie intake. We recommend using brands that use high-quality ingredients and are naturally higher in calories instead of doubling portions or feeding your pet more frequently. Wet versus Dry Dog Food Most of the food on our list is dry kibble, but there are wet food options as well. We recommend dry food when possible because the crunching helps to scrape away tartar, slowing the progression of dental disease. Dry food is easy to store, lightweight, and is usually less expensive. Wet food is extremely rich, and most dogs prefer it. It can quickly cause your German Shepherd to gain weight, but there are problems. In fact, the food can stick, causing any dental disease to progress faster. Dog Food Ingredients When choosing dog food for a German Shepherd to gain weight, we highly recommend a brand with real meat like chicken or turkey listed as the first ingredient. Real fruits and vegetables are also good, as are probiotics and omega fats. Omega fats will help with brain and eye development, and they help create a shiny coat. Another reason to feed your dog omega fats is that they help reduce swelling, which can be especially helpful as your dog ages and gets arthritis. Chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT are also bad and can cause significant health problems for your pet over the long term. We usually recommend avoiding corn as well because it is mostly empty calories, but if your dog needs to gain weight fast, corn products can help. Just remember to eliminate them when your dog is at a healthy size. Final Thoughts When choosing a food to increase the weight of your German Shepherd , we highly recommend our pick as the best overall. Crave High Protein Chicken Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has chicken as its first ingredient and is naturally high in calories without resorting to corn or other low-quality ingredients. Another great choice is our pick as the best value. Purina Pro Plan Sport comes in a large bag and features chicken as its first ingredient. It also has omega fats and plenty of vitamins and minerals that will help keep your pet healthy. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this list and found a few brands you would like to try out. If we have helped you get your dog back to its ideal size, please share this guide to the best foods for a German Shepherd to gain weight on Facebook and Twitter. Monitor Progress Increase meal frequency Increasing meal frequency involves splitting your German Shepherd's daily food intake into smaller, more frequent meals. This method allows for better digestion and absorption of nutrients, aiding healthy weight gain. Furthering the topic, by distributing the food intake throughout the day, we reduce the risk of bloating , a serious condition common in large breed dogs like German Shepherds. Also, frequent meals can keep your dog's metabolism active, promoting better energy levels and overall health. It's a practical strategy, especially for dogs with poor appetites, as smaller meals can seem less daunting and more palatable. Upgrade their diet Upgrading your German Shepherd's diet means choosing high-quality, nutrient-rich foods. These foods should be high in protein and contain the right balance of carbohydrates and fats to promote healthy weight gain. Proteins are the building blocks for your dog's muscles, whereas carbohydrates and fats provide the energy required for daily activities. It's important to select premium dog food brands that use high-quality ingredients and provide complete and balanced nutrition. Avoid foods with fillers or by-products, which provide fewer nutrients and can lead to malnutrition. Always check the food label to ensure it meets your German Shepherd's nutritional requirements. Include healthy fats Including healthy fats in your German Shepherd's diet is essential as they're high in calories and can promote weight gain. Sources of healthy fats include fish oil, flaxseeds, and certain meats. Delving deeper, healthy fats also support numerous bodily functions, including absorbing certain vitamins and producing hormones. Moreover, they enhance skin and coat health and aid brain development and function. For optimal results, consider supplementing your dog's diet with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which offer significant health benefits. Use weight-gain dog food Weight-gain dog foods are specially formulated with higher calorie content and nutrient density to support weight gain. These foods often contain quality protein and fat sources that can help your German Shepherd gain weight. Going deeper, weight-gain dog foods are typically rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that can enhance your pet's overall health, apart from just facilitating weight gain. While choosing these foods, it's important to ensure they contain high-quality ingredients and avoid those with fillers or artificial additives. Consult your vet to find the most suitable brand for your German Shepherd. Incorporate nutritious treats Incorporating nutritious treats into your German Shepherd's diet can provide additional calories and nutrients. These can act as supplements to their meals, helping promote weight gain without compromising health. Expanding on this, choosing treats high in protein and healthy fats but low in sugar and artificial additives is vital. Treats should also serve a dual purpose—rewarding good behavior and contributing to their nutritional intake. Exercise regularly Regular exercise for your German Shepherd is crucial as it helps stimulate their appetite and build muscle mass, which can contribute significantly to healthy weight gain. Further exploring this, structured exercises such as walks, playtime, and agility training help your dog burn energy, tone their muscles, and improve their overall health. Exercise encourages better digestion and nutrient absorption, promoting cardiovascular health, mental stimulation, and a stronger immune system. Always balance exercise with adequate rest and nutrition for best results. Regular Vet Check-ups Regular vet check-ups are essential to monitor your German Shepherd's progress and detect any underlying health issues hindering weight gain and overall health. Going deeper, routine veterinary visits can help establish a healthy baseline for your dog, allowing for early detection and treatment of potential problems. These visits also provide an opportunity to discuss dietary adjustments, suitable exercise plans, and any concerns you may have about your German Shepherd's weight gain journey. Regular health screenings ensure a comprehensive, proactive approach to your pet's well-being. Worming Worming, or deworming, is vital as intestinal parasites can impede your German Shepherd's ability to absorb nutrients effectively, thus preventing healthy weight gain. Expounding further, parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms can cause significant health issues if left untreated, including malnourishment and weight loss. As your vet advises, regular deworming can help ensure these parasites aren't hampering your German Shepherd's weight gain efforts. This is especially crucial in puppies more vulnerable to worm infestations, but adult dogs also need regular deworming. Hydration Hydration is key to your German Shepherd's overall health and weight gain. Water aids digestion and nutrient absorption, ensuring your pet gets the most from their meals. Further examining this, water is essential for all the body's metabolic processes. It aids digestion, helps transport nutrients where needed, and regulates the body temperature. A well-hydrated dog is also more likely to have a healthier appetite. Ensure clean, fresh water is always available to your German Shepherd, and encourage them to drink regularly for optimal health. Monitor Progress Monitoring your German Shepherd's progress is essential to adjust strategies as needed, ensuring effective weight gain. Regular weight checks and overall health assessments can guide your approach. Digging deeper, by closely monitoring your German Shepherd's weight, you can make necessary adjustments to their diet, exercise routine, and overall care plan. Consistent monitoring allows you to observe patterns, identify problems, and celebrate successes. It's a proactive way to ensure your weight gain strategies yield the desired results and keep your dog's health in optimal condition. What can I feed my German Shepherd to gain weight? To help your German Shepherd gain weight, feed them a high-quality, protein-rich diet. Include healthy fats like fish oil, supplement with weight-gain dog food, and nutritious treats for added calories. A quality diet for your German Shepherd should comprise lean meats, such as chicken, beef, and fish, which are excellent protein sources. Complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or brown rice can provide the energy your dog needs, while fruits and vegetables offer essential vitamins and minerals. Healthy fats are another key element. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fish oil and flaxseed, not only support weight gain but also promote a shiny coat, healthy skin, and overall well-being. You could consider weight-gain dog foods specially designed for weight increase, but make sure they're made from quality ingredients. And don't forget about nutritious treats. They can supplement your German Shepherd's diet, providing extra calories while rewarding them. Top 10 dog food brands for German Shepherds and weight gain As you navigate your German Shepherd's weight gain journey, finding the right dog food plays a crucial role. The brands listed below have been chosen for their high-quality, nutrient-rich formulations that promote healthy weight gain, muscle development, and overall well-being. They are crafted with the optimal balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, vital for your German Shepherd's growth and energy. Furthermore, many of these brands offer specific formulas for large breeds or German Shepherds, ensuring a more tailored nutritional approach. Let's dive into the top 10 dog food brands that can support your German Shepherd's healthy weight gain. Diving deeper, this dog food mirrors the diet of wild wolves, a close relative of domestic dogs. It's grain-free, packed with the proteins your dog loves and none of the grains they don't need. The primary ingredient is real chicken, a superb source of lean protein that supports muscle development and repair. Sweet potatoes and peas provide the healthy, complex carbohydrates your German Shepherd needs for sustained energy. Furthermore, Blue Buffalo includes exclusive "LifeSource Bits"—a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance. With Blue Buffalo, you're promoting weight gain and ensuring overall health and well-being. Average rate: 4. Of course, some German Shepherds may fall outside of these ranges but this is a good guide to start with. If you have any concerns about your German Shepherd being underweight, talk to your vet to be certain. Reasons Why Your German Shepherd May Need to Gain Weight If your dog is underweight, your veterinarian should be able to help you determine the root cause and address it. In most cases, it is only a matter of dietary adjustments. Sometimes, dental problems also lead to being underweight. GSDs can also be underweight for a variety of other reasons. For example, stress caused by a change in their environment could affect not only their appetite but also their digestive system. Issues Associated With Underweight German Shepherds Some GSD parents are partial to leaner dogs because they simply prefer the appearance or because lighter dogs are more agile. If they do, they might suffer from serious health issues associated with being chronically underweight. Also, their wounds will heal more slowly, which further increases their risk of infections. A chronically underweight dog is also susceptible to muscle loss. For example, proper hormonal balance is required for water regulation, which affects every organ in the body. Overall, malnutrition leads to a shortened life expectancy and possibly inferior quality of life. More specifically, they should be given food that will help them gain weight. After calories, the most important thing you need to consider is the protein content. A high protein diet gives your dog access to the amino acids essential to maintaining healthy muscles, tissues, skin, and hair. Carbohydrates should be an excellent source of energy and dietary fiber needed for a healthy digestive system. Top 5 Dog Food Choices for German Shepherds to Gain Weight The best dog food for your German Shepherd to gain weight will depend on the above factors, their nutritional needs and taste preferences. Here are the top 5 you should consider: 1 Crave — Adult Dog Food Chicken Crave is a premium dog food brand that prides itself in its recipes that most closely resemble the diet dogs would have had in the wild. It boasts a formulation that lists real beef as its first ingredient. Instead, it uses carbohydrate sources like peas and potatoes. This formula was created by veterinarians based on scientific nutritional evidence and is designed for easy digestion. The formula does not include any artificial colors, ingredients, or preservatives. However, this formula has less protein and fat than some others, so your German Shepherd may require more of it to meet their daily nutritional needs as they gain weight. Pros Made with real chicken and whole grains No artificial colors or flavors Cons Contains less protein and fat than some other options Kibble pieces may be too large for puppies Conclusion Choosing quality food for your German Shepherd is the most important step that you can take when trying to help your pooch gain weight. The quality of the nutrients is just as important as the calories that are necessary for weight gain. We highly recommend our first pick, Taste of the Wild Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food , because it is full of quality antioxidants and contains no fillers. It is designed to provide sustained energy throughout the day. Which of the commercial food options on our reviews list interests you the most? Let us know about your favorite picks in our comments section. Related read:. When should you consult a Veterinarian? How do I put weight on my German Shepherd? Great Food for German Shepherd Weight Gain Some owners only provide their animals with the best natural ingredients they can. Some even opt for raw diets as they believe this is the closest a pet can be to the natural food he eats in the wild. Some prefer sticking to the kibble diet, which is generally the most convenient option. Since there are various kinds of kibbles that can be fed to the dog, it may be hard to figure out which one is good for your dog or which one will help him to gain weight. What type of dog food you decide to feed your German Shepherd dog to help his weight gain will depend on your training and raising principles. A low-fat, high-protein diet is ideal for helping your dog maintain its weight and provides him with the nutrition he requires to feel energized and increase his muscle mass. There should be plenty of protein in your diet. However, you do not need to feed him only protein. What is the best kind of food to give a German Shepherd pup? Glucosamine , as well as chondroitin, create the digestive process smooth and easy. Additionally, antioxidants ensure that the immune system is up and running. In the end, Royal Canin ranks at the top of the top diets to feed German Shepherd puppies. Are there ways to increase weight gain in dogs? High-protein and fat food items are excellent for dogs that need to increase their weight. You can feed the dog a diet that is higher in protein and fats is a great way to aid in gaining weight slowly over time. Diets rich in protein and fat will allow your dog to gain weight in a steady manner, and you will see a change in weight within a few weeks. Are there size-specific dog foods? How do I get my German Shepherd to eat more? Select foods that have a higher protein and fat content. Change to Puppy or High-Performance Food. Why is my German Shepherd not gaining weight? The average weight of German Shepherd puppies at birth is around grams 0. A baby German Shepherd can weigh anywhere between 0. Will giving a German Shepherd dog coconut oil make them gain weight? Coconut oil could cause an increase in cholesterol levels, the thickening of the arteries, and weight increase in certain dogs. If you think your pet is susceptible to any of the above conditions, discuss it with a veterinarian before using it. What is the best food for my German Shepherd to gain weight? The most effective diet for German Shepherds that will aid in weight growth includes Taste of the Wild Prairie grain-free dog food. This formula contains Bison and venison roasted as the major protein sources. These are believed to aid in maintaining the health of bones and create strong and lean muscles. Is dry dog food safe for my dog? Dry food, also known as kibble, contains ingredients that differ by brand. However, all are necessary to meet the requirements of balanced nutrition and satisfy the nutritional requirements of dogs. What should I look for when buying dog treats at the store? Ingredients of lower quality, such as by-products from meat. Avoid any food that contains additional syrups, salt or Molasses. Dog owners who have pets who are allergic to wheat should stay clear of as well as soy and corn. How often should I feed my German Shepherd? Feeding German Shepherds 2. Will my German Shepherd gain weight if I give them treats in addition to their regular food? However, certain treats contain extra calories and nutritious ingredients that could assist the German Shepherd gain weight. Can German Shepherds get fat? Inactivity, a poor diet, including excessive treats, and illnesses like thyroid issues could lead your Shepherd to gain weight. Veterinarians recommend annual checkups twice a year for older pets. If required, your pet will be vaccinated and undergo an extensive physical examination and tests to follow any concerns. If you are concerned about your Shepherd being underweight, it may be worthwhile consulting your vet if the above tips are not working for you. Tweet We get a lot of questions from German Shepherd owners about how to keep weight on their pups. Chronically skinny, underweight Shepherds can be heartbreaking for an owner who is desperate to put weight on them. What do I do? Schnauzers can have this problem too. So what is it? Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or EPI is a condition in which the pancreas is not able to produce adequate enzymes to digest and absorb food properly. To determine if this is the case with your shepherd, make an appointment with your veterinarian and request some blood testing. Shepherds are also susceptible to pancreatitis so it's important that you think preventatively! So what can you do if your shepherd has EPI? Your first line of defense as a pet owner is choosing the type of food and supplements you put into your shepherd. Try the following: Provide as many dietary enzymes as possible. Our recommendation is by feeding a raw diet. Raw meat, bones, organs, and juiced veggies combined will contain all the necessary enzymes for better digestive function. By relieving the pancreas of having to produce additional enzymes you can prevent pancreatic inflammation Pancreatitis. Shepherds that are fed only processed or cooked diets are often missing these vital nutrients. Suggestion: A rotation of our 3P veggies 1 and 4 is a great way to give natural-source vitamins and minerals as well as metabolic support for a dog suffering from a pancreatic disease. This may be a bit gross for some, but excellent for your pup! Add a good portion of raw, green tripe to the diet. Green tripe, an animal stomach that smells horrible, but it works! If fed raw not canned it contains the highest levels of digestive enzymes available in a natural form. Wild canines eat the stomach of their prey first because of this fact. Your shepherd will benefit too. Us it as a supplement on top of regular food portions. Ensure you are purchasing freshly frozen, grass-fed tripe. Provide a canine-specific digestive enzyme supplement that includes ox bile and a variety of other digestive enzymes. This will also provide some extra digestive support. Start slowly and build up to a full dosage if your shepherd is experiencing regular diarrhea. Keeping the gut flora in good working order will help your dog to absorb as many nutrients as possible. Good bacteria in the gut will also help with enzyme production, so don't leave the good bacteria out! Look for canine-specific, high potency, multi-strain probiotics with a pre-biotic added. Feed a lean, low-fat raw diet. High-fat diets can overwork the pancreas and the liver and are not recommended for shepherds with EPI or other pancreatic dysfunction. High-quality lean protein will help pack on the pounds for shepherds having difficulty gaining weight. Steer clear of lamb, duck, and other naturally high-fat meats. Cook yams or squash to add as low-glycemic carbohydrates. Cooked yams and squash are more nutritious and easier to digest than other forms of carbohydrate, such as rice or oatmeal. Also yams and squash pair better with the digestibility of raw foods. Remove the skin, unless vegetables are organic then you can keep the skins on. Make all dietary changes slowly and add one thing at a time.

A Christmas present for our son, the present that continues to give through the joy her offspring has brought to our family and many others. Nikka produced six Champions and became a DOM, she was our foundation. Please go to our Wall of Fame and see some of the awards our dogs and Kennel have received. WE are proud to excel in confirmation, agility, obedience and not only producing show dogs, but wonderful health tested companion dogs. We thank those friends who have taken these puppies we loved and given them great homes. In I decided to get my own kennel name, after breeding four DOM under the Denbar name, honoring where our foundation came from, I decided to change. I had been operating under Denbar of Utah, I never planned to really take it on as a hobby, but Twenty three years later I'm still enjoying watching the four legged kids perform! Thank you to Bill and Marie Hargreaves, their guidance and friendship is one of the gifts that continues today from our first girl Nikka. We hope you enjoy looking at our web site and our beautiful family of Boxers. We look forward to many more great memories yet to be made. All dogs in our breeding program are holtered and dopplered and tested for DM. Test results are available on request. Find more Boxer puppies for sale in closest states: Nevada , Idaho , Colorado , California , Montana , Wyoming If you have never owned a Boxer before, or are interested in reading more information, check out our Boxer Dog Breed Information page. Latest Dog Articles Tips novice dog breeder A complete and accurate answer for you, no one can give, because it all depends on many factors, the life of a breeder. By and large it all depends on the purpose for which purchased the dog, who will care for her, where you'll have it, and where and by w Methods of teaching a puppy Establish a connection with a young puppy can by feeding him from his earliest days. The puppy should pnyat you for it - the power supply. She should realize this and get used to you as an owner. The same way you can teach your puppy to respond to his nic When we get a dog, immediately the question arises as to accustom the puppy home "walk" in the toilet. In fact, it is not difficult. As a rule, the need arises after active play, sleep or eat. Surely, you know that pets, on the paws have pads with scent glands. So they scrape the ground and the front and hind legs, thus mark, so to speak, its own territory. Paws they scrape after urination, and also after a bowel movement. Dogs in general are b How to properly care for the puppy Many readers ask the question, when you can take the puppy home? Typically, the pups can already take vtoroi after vaccination, the first at six - the eighth week, the second - after 2 weeks after the first vaccine. At this point, you can already walk the If you like a little dog with a character, you may want to consider the candidacy of the Yorkshire terrier. These dogs are so sure of themselves that are not afraid of dogs, even in spite of the pocket size. Boxer puppies for sale Provo, Utah Boxer puppies for sale Provo, Utah Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Provo Utah? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Provo for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery.

Christina Tuesday 18th of April You say to expect to pay a lot for a well bred merle Frenchie from a reputable breeder but there is no such thing. If a breeder breeds Merle frenchies then that proves they are nor a reputable breeder, and it's not a well bred dog. It's not even a frenchie. The only way to get a Merle is to cross breed with a breed that naturally carries Merle Claire Johnson Sunday 28th of May Christina, these is no such thing as a well bred merle Frenchie. The terms are mutually exclusive. There are numerous health issues associated with this color. Do your research. This article even says that there's more health problems associated with Merle. So how is it a lie? Also please don't dilute the term gaslight. If you don't know what it means please don't use it. A purpose bred mutt is one thing. But cross breeding with a breed that already has substantial health issues to get a not naturally occurring colour associated with even more health issues does NOTHING to benefit the breed. It is irresponsible, has a hugely negative impact on the breeds longevity, and dilutes the breed so preservation is more of an issue. Buying Merle frenchies is is just paying way too much for a mutt, that's likely gonna have a rough life, and it supports backyard breeding which should be made illegal at this point. If you want a Merle dog, get a breed where Merle is naturally occurring. Christina Tuesday 18th of April Renee, if it's Merle, it's not a frenchie. Frenchies can't be Merle without crossbreeding. You esentially have a backyard bred mutt. There's no such thing as a well bred Merle frenchie. And no reputable breeder will breed designer colours not naturally occurring in the breed. I own 2 beautiful French Bulldog merles and they are healthy and sweet. I wasn't looking for a merle but based on their disposition and excellent health I couldn't go home with one. I am not breeding or showing but only loving them crazy. FrenchieWiki Community. Color variations Blue merle French Bulldog Blue merle French Bulldogs are one of our most sought-after puppies of all the colors. They got their name after the blue patches on their light-colored coat, which are essentially grey with a bluish shine in the light. The shade of the grey parts may vary from very light to almost black, while their base color also ranges from a yellowish cream color to light grey. Lilac merle French Bulldog Lilac merle French Bulldogs are often mistaken for blue merle Frenchies, but they are much more unique and harder to come by. Lilac merle Frenchies have very light, almost ashy or silver colored patches on their light coat. To produce this rare and beautiful color, the parents have to carry the blue, chocolate and merle gene. Lilac merle French Bulldogs usually have light-colored eyes which are glowing red. Chocolate merle French Bulldog Chocolate merle French Bulldogs have dark brown mottled patches all over their light-colored bodies. Choco merle pups also have unique genetics so they are quite rare and hard to come by. Similarly to lilac Frenchies, they are the combination of blue and chocolate but their grey shade is more of a champagne color. Breeders have managed to mix in the merle gene as well producing the Isabella merle French Bulldog, but these dogs are extremely rare. Black merle French Bulldog Black merle French Bulldogs have black mottled patches often covering most of their bodies. Their base coat is also slightly darker than in other merle Frenchies, ranging from light grey to light brown. Fawn merle French Bulldog There are a number of different variations of fawn merle French Bulldogs, like blue fawn merle, lilac fawn merle or chocolate fawn merle. The dark patches these Frenchies have are less distinct looking than in other merles, as they are only a bit darker than their light fawn base color. One of these rare traits is their sparkling blue eyes. Since the merle gene affects the skin pigment as well, when a merle patch crosses the eye area the Frenchie will have bright forever blue eyes. Sometimes only one of the eyes will remain blue, which is a phenomenon called heterochromia. Because of how dominant the merle gene is, merle Frenchies should only be bred to a dog with a solid coat color. They are insanely affectionate making them the perfect companion dogs, they just want to spend every minute of their time with their owners. They are extremely friendly with kids and other animals too; they love basically anyone they meet! Thanks to their easy-going nature, a Merle Frenchie will adapt to your lifestyle very quickly no matter where you live. As you might expect, colors that are considered common for the breed have the lowest prices, while colors which are more unique and harder to produce are more expensive as well. When it comes to Merle French Bulldogs, they are already in a higher price range, but depending on the color variation their prices may further vary a lot. Permanent blue eyes also push the prices up a bit: we charge USD per blue eye.

Nov 19, German shepherds are very beautiful dogs that are also very expressive. One behavior that is adorable to watch them do is a head tilt. Many German shepherds start tilting their head as a young puppy. Even before their fuzzy ears are up, they will rock their little heads back and forth in the most amusing way. As their ears grow, their head tilts just keep getting more adorable. As they tilt their head, they will often sport many different facial expressions that makes them look as though they are thinking hard or asking a question. As a German shepherd owner, you may have learned some of the things that will trigger your shepherd to tilt their head and be able to anticipate when the tilt is coming. You might even be able to trigger them to do it for you. Often a certain sound, such as a particular voice you speak in, a noise, or even when they are concentrating on something will cause them to tilt their head. Have you ever wondered why German shepherds tilt their head more than some other breeds? It is believed that German shepherds tilt their head to capture and decipher more sound. They Tilt Their Head to Pin Point Sound German shepherds were built for hearing and their ears are in the perfect upright position to maximize the reception of sound. IG ragnar. IG penny. Dogs can also detect softer sounds than people can. The loudness or intensity of a sound is measured in decibels and some sounds too quiet for people to hear. Those sounds are given a negative decibel rating. IG lex. But they will also tilt their head at sounds people can hear, too. At times, German shepherds may also tilt their head for reasons other than capturing sound. Often, they will tilt if they have a medical problem, such as a stroke, ear infection, or dirt or debris in their ear. So, if you see them tiling their head at odd times or walking with their head tilted, you should check with your vet. Some owners believe that German shepherds will also tilt their head for other reasons other than capturing sound. These may include: Paying attention to their owner Looking past their muzzle When they are trying to decipher meaning Trying to communicate IG hello. We hope you enjoy this article, please feel free to pass it along to your friends. And we all know that German shepherd head tilt is one of the cutest gestures they can do. But have you ever wondered why dogs tilt their heads? For all we know, there might be disturbing facts about German shepherd head tilt. After all, German shepherds tilt their heads more often than with other breeds. There are actually many people that made theories behind this behavior. Some involve hearing, while others are concerned with vision. So read this blog post and learn about the possible reasons behind German shepherd head tilts so you can be sure of what to do when you encounter the behavior again. Because German shepherds have a particularly better sense of hearing than most breeds. Not only that, but they can also pinpoint the source of a certain sound. When German shepherds concentrate on locating the source of the sound, they tend to tilt their heads. Just like with radios of sorts, they need to adjust the position of their ears so they can perfectly hear the sound. Contrary to common belief, German shepherds try to understand what you say despite having different languages. A prime example of these gestures is hand signals. As previously said, German shepherds are intelligent. One of the ways to communicate with their owners is head tilting. Take note, however, that German shepherd head tilts can mean different things depending on the situation. A recent study discovered that those with flat faces and big mouths are the ones that often do head tilts. Presence of Ear Problems This might be the most serious case of German shepherd head tilts. It is known that head tilting is one of the signs of ear problems or infections. This complicates things since you may find it difficult to separate German shepherd head tilts involved with ear problems and those that are not. You can distinguish between the two with these following signs: Tilting their head repeatedly in an abnormal rate have a high likelihood of having ear problems. Head tilts without communicating with you or without any strange sounds can also mean your German shepherd has ear problems. You were shown six possible reasons behind head tilts. You even learned about the issue with ear problems. But look at the bright side, it may also be just a simple habit of your dog. The bottom line is, you are now aware of the reasons why dogs tilt their heads. 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. There can be a number of reasons why dogs do the head tilt, but the most likely reason is that you are reinforcing the behavior in your dog. But their regal heads and tall, cocked ears definitely make the head tilt look more pronounced and deliberate. We will talk much more about this and other reasons in this article. Watch a German Shepherd Do the Head Tilt Just in case you are brand new to German Shepherds and you are not quite sure what all the fuss is about, you can watch this YouTube video of two adorable German Shepherds tilting their heads. These reasons are not mutually exclusive. Your dog may actually tilt their head for all kinds of different reasons depending on what is going on at that time. Reason 1: You think it is cute and respond positively How do you react when you see your German Shepherd doing the head tilt? Do you run to get your camera to take a picture or video? Do you drop whatever you were just doing and devote your full attention to your dog? If you were your German Shepherd, all of these behaviors would likely be good enough reasons to do the head tilt again and again. They could be having trouble because of a medical issue as we will talk about in the next few sections here. Or they could simply be evaluating your body language , tone, facial expression, or other cues from every different angle. While this period of evaluation might look to you like your cute dog is just tilting their adorable head, your dog may be using their senses to pick up extra cues to take their direction on what to do next from you. Reason 3: Your dog has an ear infection One commonly overlooked possible reason for why a dog might tilt their head is because they have an ear infection or ear mites. While you are more likely to see your dog tilt their head to rub their ears on something because they itch, you may also see the head tilt happen if there is fluid build-up or infection in the ear causing swelling in the ear canal and trouble hearing. Reason 4: Your dog is having trouble hearing well Speaking of trouble hearing, sometimes a German Shepherd may cock their head to one side to pick up frequencies or to gather more information about what they may be hearing. Dogs can hear very well and use their hearing not just to detect the source of a sound but also its location, distance, and threat potential. When your German Shepherd cocks their head, this may help the ears communicate a lot more information about what they are hearing from you or around you. Reason 5: Your dog is having trouble seeing clearly Still, another frequently overlooked reason why some German Shepherds may cock or tilt their head is due to vision needs. One canine biologist hypothesized in Psychology Today that dogs with longer muzzles, like the German Shepherd for instance, may do more head tilt behaviors because they are trying to see without having their own muzzle blocking what they see. In this study, the biologist noted that more owners with long muzzle-type dog breeds said their dogs frequently tilted their heads. This is another possible reason why it might be important for your German Shepherd to tilt their head to try to get the best and clearest view of what they are looking at. So when your German Shepherd tilts their head and makes those mournful puppy dog eyes at you, it is likely not a coincidence. But it all gets a lot more interesting when you start to look at why your particular dog tilts their head at you. Now that you have a deeper understanding of the current theories about why dogs tilt their heads at their people, you can start to take a closer look at when your German Shepherd does this and what it might be linked to. Does your dog want treats? Is it almost time for dinner or their evening walk? Is your dog trying to work out a particular tone in your voice or a look on your face? Do you have something yummy that smells delicious and your dog wants to try it? Could it be your dog is frustrated because you are patting the family cat? These are all interesting questions to ponder as you and your dog continue to get to know each other better. You may even want to jot down what happened just before you looked up to see your dog tilting their head at you to start to connect the dots. When to Have Your Dog Checked By Your Veterinarian Earlier here we mentioned that sometimes the head tilt behavior may actually be due to medical issues with vision, hearing, or discomforts such as infection. This can be particularly important to know about if your German Shepherd is in their senior years of life, a time when eye cataracts, skin and ear infection or hearing loss can be more common for many dog breeds. Dogs may not have human language abilities — although it sure would be wonderful if they did! The more you can learn about all the different reasons your dog may do the head tilt, the better you and your dog can talk to each other about what you each want and need. His gait exhibits diagonal movement, i. The limbs, therefore, must be so similarly proportioned to one another, i. Every tendency toward over-angulation of the rear quarters diminishes soundness and endurance. The correct proportions of height to length and corresponding length of the leg bones results in a ground-eating gait that is low to the ground and imparts an impression of effortless progression. With his head thrust forward and a slightly raised tail, a balanced and even trotter will have a topline that falls in moderate curves from the tip of the ears over the neck and level back through the tip of the tail. Temperament, Character and Abilities Sound nerves, alertness, self-confidence, trainability, watchfulness, loyalty and incorruptibility, as well as courage, fighting drive and hardness, are the outstanding characteristics of a purebred German Shepherd Dog. They make his suitable to be a superior working dog in general, and in particular to be a guard, companion, protection and herding dog. His ample scenting abilities, added to his conformation as a trotter, make it possible for him to quietly and surely work out a track without bodily strain and with his nose close to the ground. This makes him highly useful as a multipurpose track and search dog. In general appearance, it should be dry with moderate breadth between the ears. The forehead when viewed from the front or side is only slightly arched. It should be without a center furrow or with only a slightly defined furrow. The cheeks form a gentle curve laterally without protrusion toward the front. The width of the skull should correspond approximately to the length of the skull. Also, a slight oversize in the case of males or undersize in the case of females is not objectionable. The muzzle is strong; the lips are firm and dry and close tightly. The bridge of the nose is straight and runs nearly parallel with the plane of the forehead. Dentition Dentition must be healthy, strong and complete 42 teeth, 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. The German Shepherd Dog has a scissors bite, e. An undershot or overshot bite if faulty, as are large gaps between the teeth. A level bite is faulty, as the incisors close on a straight line. The jaws must be strongly developed so that the teeth may be deeply rooted. Ears The ears are of medium size, wide at the base and set high. They taper to a point and are carried facing forward and vertically the tips not inclined toward each other. Tipped, cropped and hanging ears are rejected. Ears drawn toward each other greatly impair the general appearance. The ears of puppies and young dogs sometiems drop or pull toward each other during the teething period, which can last until six months of age and sometimes longer. Many dogs draw their ears back during motion or at rest. This is not faulty. Eyes The eyes are of medium size, almond shaped, somewhat slanting and not protruding. The color of the eyes should blend with the color of the coat. They should be as dark as possible. They should have a lively, intelligent and self-confident expression. Neck The neck should be strong with well-developed muscles and without looseness of the throat skin dewlaps. The neck is carried at an angle of about 45 degrees to the horizontal. It is carried higher when excited and lower when trotting. Body The body length of the german shepherd should exceed the height at the withers. Dogs with a short, square or tall build are undesirable. The underchest should be as long as possible and pronounced. The ribs should be well formed and long, neither barrel shaped nor too flat. They should reach the sternum, which is at the same level as the elbows. A correctly formed rib cage allows the elbows freedom of movement when the dogs trots. A too round rib cage disrupts the motion of the elbows and causes them to turn out. A too flat rib cage draws the elbows in toward one another. The rib cage extends far back so that the loins are relatively short. The abdomen is moderately tucked up. The back, including the loins, is straight and strongly developed yet not too long between the withers and the croup. The withers must be long and high, sloping slightly from front to rear, defined against the back into which it gently blends without breaking the topline. The loins must be wide, strong and well muscled. The croup is long and slightly angled approximately 23 degrees. The ileum and the sacrum are the foundation bones of the croup. Short, steep or flat croups are undesirable. Tail The tail is bushy and should reach at least to the hock joint but not beyond the middle of the hocks. Sometimes the tail forms a hook to one side at its end, though this is undesirable. At rest the tail is carried in a gentle downward curve, but when the dog is excited or in motion, it is curved more and carried higher. The tail should never be raised past the vertical. The tail, therefore, should not be carried straight or curled over the back. Docked tails are inadmissible. Forequarters The shoulder blade should be long with an oblique placement the angle at 45 degrees and lying flat against the body. The upper arm joins the shoulder blade in an approximate right angle. The upper arm as well as the shoulder must be strong and well muscled. The forearm must be straight when viewed from all sides. The bones of the uppper arm and forearm are more oval than round. The pasterns should be firm but neither too steep nor too down in pastern Approximately 20 degrees. The elbows must be neither turned in nor turned out. Hindquarters The thigh is broad and well muscled. The upper thigh bone when viewed from the side joins the only slightly longer lower thigh bone at an angle of approximately degrees. The angulation corresponds roughly to the forequarter angulation without being overangulated. The hock joint is strong and firm. The hock is strong and forms a firm joint with the lower thigh. The entire hindquarters must be strong and well muscled to be capable of carrying the body effortlessly forward during motion. Feet The feet are relatively round, short, tightly formed and arched. The pads are very hard, but not chapped. The nails are short, strong and of a dark color. Dewclaws sometime appear on the hind legs and should be removed within the first few days of birth. Color The color of a german shepherd should be black with regular markings in brown, tan to light gray, also with a black saddle, dark sable black cover on a gray or light brown case with corresponding lighter marks , black, uniform gray or with light or brown markings. Small white markings on the forechest or a very light color on the insides of the legs are permissible though not desired. The nose must be black with all coat colors. Dogs with little or no masks, yellow or strikingly light eyes, light markings on the chest and insides of the legs, white nails and a red tip of the tail or washed out weak colors are considered lacking in pigment. The undercoat or base hair is always light gray, with the exception of that on black dogs. The individual hairs are straight, coarse and lying flat against the body. The coat is short on the head inclusive of the ears, the front of the legs, the feet and the toes but longer and thicker on the neck. The hair grows longer on the back of the fore- and hind legs as far down as the pastern and the hock joint, forming moderate breeching on the thighs. A too short or molelike coat is faulty. The long smooth coated German Shepherd Dog The individual hairs are longer, not always straight and above all not lying close to the body. The coat is considerably longer inside and behind the ears, on the back of the forearm and usually in the loin area. The breeching along the thigh is long and thick. The tail is bushy with slight feathering underneath. With the long smooth coated German Shepherd Dog, a narrow chest and narrow overstretched muzzle are frequently found. The long coated German Shepherd Dog The coat is considerably longer than that of the long-smooth-coat. It is generally very soft and forms a parting along the back. The undercoat will be found in the region of the loins or will not be present at all. A long coat is greatly diminished in weatherproofing and utility and therefore is undesirable. Faults Faults include anything that impairs working versatility, endurance and working competency, especially lack of sex characteristics and temperament traits contrary to the German Shepherd Dog such as apathy, weak nerves or overexcitability, shyness; lack of vitality or willingness to work; monorchids and cryptorchids and testicles too small; a soft or flabby constitution and a lack of substance; fading pigment; blues, albinos with complete lack of pigmentation, e.

About Us Compassionate Breeders I am passionate that puppies born and raised in a home are happier, better socialized and transition into a loving family with ease. I love my dogs as a part of my family. They are well cared for and loved dearly. They live in my home and sleep in our beds. Our puppies are born in my house and also live inside our home where they receive daily love and attention. We absolutely love our sweet little Goldendoodles and we are convinced that they are the best dogs in the world. I am confident once you learn about them, you will love them just as much as we do. Happy, Healthy Bloodline Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are friendly towards children, other dogs, and pets and comfortable with strangers. They are everybody's friend, and they are devoted to their family. They are social dogs, happiest when they are with people. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning makes them very easy to train. Goldendoodles combine the wonderful nature of a Golden Retriever with the non-shedding coat of a Poodle to make what I consider to be the world's best dog! Now you can find quality Goldendoodle Puppies for sale in The Woodlands. My Goldendoodles My adult dogs are standard size F1 first generation English Goldendoodles and when breed together they create F2 second generation. They come from English Golden Retrievers, thought to be the healthiest variety, and white standard Poodles. This produces a variety of coats from soft wavy to very curly. The curliest of coats shed the least to none at all and the soft wavy coats shed a little bit but not nearly as much as a regular Golden Retriever. For quicker response please call or text Gracie's Goldendoodles of The Woodlands. We do not have Mini Goldendoodle. Our family-raised Goldendoodle puppies mean you get a socialized puppy raised by us. Dacus Doodles is a responsible breeder located northwest of Houston in Montgomery, Texas. We are in love with these allergy-friendly, non-shedding, and highly intelligent dogs that make them a perfect family pet! Each puppy lives as a member of our family, sharing in our main living areas. We are not a kennel! All of our Goldendoodle puppies are pampered and loved. Starting from the time they are 3 days old, our daily to-do's begin. This involves ENS Early Neurological Stimulation from days , emotional resilience exercises, daily socialization tasks, working on potty and crate training and so much more! Our high-quality puppies are properly socialized by the whole family and are familiar with the normal sights and sounds of everyday life. We begin basic training with our dogs before they leave for their new forever homes. As part of our breeding program, we do temperament testing when the puppies are 7 weeks old. While the overall temperament of doodles is lovely, this helps you have more insight into selecting your future family member, whether your perfect puppy is going to be a family companion or therapy dog, emotional support, or service dog. All of our Goldendoodle breeding pairs are genetically clear and health tested. You may see more about our health requirements on GANA's website under the blue ribbon section. Are you in the Houston, Texas area and are looking for a reputable goldendoodle breeder that offers puppies for sale? If you have been searching Google for "Goldendoodle puppies for sale near me", then you are in the right place! Are you interested in having a perfect family pet? If the answer is yes, you have found a great resource to take care of all your puppy needs. We offer the best Goldendoodle puppies in Houston, TX, and surrounding areas. It has a population of about 2,, residents. The most interesting places to check out in Houston are:. Kennel Conditions A good breeder will be happy for you to visit their kennels. The facilities should be clean, and the parent dogs and puppies should all appear happy, well-fed, and groomed. The dogs and puppies should have regular vet checkups, and all their vaccinations should be up to date. Health Screening Good breeders test their breeding dogs for genetic conditions that could be passed onto the puppies. The breeder should be able to show you that: Both parent dogs are hip certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals O. Both parent dogs have O. The website provides more information on breeder registration requirements, including health screening. Pro Tip Note that if you buy a puppy from a G. Check the stipulations in the warranty carefully. For all you know, the breeder might previously have sold many puppies with serious genetic health problems. Personal Experience Top Tip One of the first things you must do when you get your Goldendoodle puppy is to start teaching him about the grooming process. Grooming means much more than simply combing and brushing that fluffy, curly coat! Just like human teeth, dog teeth can accumulate bacteria that form plaque. Over time, that plaque hardens into tartar, which your vet can remove as part of a routine dental procedure. Human cosmetics and drugs contain chemicals that are harmful or even toxic to dogs, and you could even poison your pup. In addition, dog toothpaste is flavored with chicken, cheese, and other yummy tastes that dogs love, which is far more appealing to them than peppermint! Red Flags There are quite a few red flags to watch out for when choosing a breeder: The deposit you pay should be a few hundred dollars. Breeders who ask for very large deposits often make money by keeping the deposit when the customer realizes the breeder is shady and tries to change their mind. Do not pay for the puppy in full before the collection date, especially if the contract states that all money paid is non-refundable in any circumstances. Steer clear of breeders that buy the. Check that the registry is actually owned by the breeder. That arrangement screams puppy mill! Goldendoodles can be F1, F2, or variations thereof. So, what does that mean? Basically, those letters and numbers are a way of showing you how the breeder bred their puppies. F1 Goldendoodles are produced by crossing a purebred Golden Retriever with a Poodle. Usually, several generations of dogs are backcrossed to a Standard Poodle, creating an F3 Goldendoodle. In Conclusion I hope you enjoyed our list of the best Goldendoodle breeders in the Houston area. If you want to find the perfect puppy, you need to find a reputable breeder. Did you buy a puppy from a Goldendoodle breeder? Tell us your story in the comments box below, and please share this list if you loved it! Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. With all the closures and cancellations, now is the perfect time to adopt your puppy. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Houston Texas and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! Questions about Goldendoodle puppies for sale in Houston TX? We have answers. What is an overview of Goldendoodle puppies for sale in Houston TX. Goldendoodles are designer dogs. Goldendoodles were created to bring together all of the best traits of their parent breeds—without the downsides. How much are mini Goldendoodles for sale Houston? For example, a micro or miniature parti-pattern Goldendoodle will cost more than a standard chocolate or cream Goldendoodle. Will you only connect me with local mini Goldendoodle breeders Houston? How do you screen mini Goldendoodle breeders in Houston? Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with mini Goldendoodles Houston? Before, you could buy a puppy without worrying that your dog was ethically raised. Now, puppy mills and scams are rampant. We wanted to create a place that brings trust back to the dog breeding industry—giving honest breeders a place to meet loving families like yours, and to make finding the perfect dog fast, easy and fun. What is a puppy mill for mini Goldendoodle puppies Houston? Mill dogs are more likely to need expensive veterinary intervention for debilitating genetic diseases, and may even face a shorter life expectancy to puppies raised by honest, ethical breeders or businesses. Are there any mini Goldendoodle puppies in Houston available now? What is the MatchMaker process like for miniature Goldendoodle Houston? MatchMaker is your shortcut to finding the perfect puppy. In short, MatchMaker makes your puppy search fast, easy and fun. Polly is a standard goldendoodle, so will probably max out at about pounds. How to Adopt Polly If you'd like to adopt Polly, Aren't they beautiful? I love how different each of them looks. The artist captures their individual expressions.If you'd like more information on our goldendoodle puppies for sale, contact me at laurie rainfieldgoldendoodles. While we normally have all our goldendoodle puppies spoken for by the.Are you wondering about therapy dog training for goldendoodles? Anyone with a goldendoodle in their life knows that they have an amazing ability to connect with people. As such, we've had quite a few of our sweet Rainfield.Appreciation of Service Dogs by rainfield Jul 28, News 0 Comments Remembering Valorie and Her Loving Appreciation of Service Dogs I was thinking about my sweet grandaughter, Valorie, who left this world 4 years ago and thought I would do a post in her memrory and in appreciation of service dogs. For 18 years, my husband and I were.We have a male goldendoodle puppy and 2 females ready to go now. They are doing well on their potty training and crate training and are pretty much house trained with crate training. They are learning manners and.Little Archie is a three month old F1b goldendoodle puppy. I spent a few.Take those goldendoodles on vacation with you and encourage them to be one of those beach loving goldendoodles! Sweet Noelle had her first trip to the beach last week. We have got a beautiful male and female goldendoodle puppy for sale and ready to go home now. Both are apricot in color. The male has a curlier coat and the female a shaggier, wavy coat. Both are expected to.Seeing Goldendoodles Everywhere! I passed by this sewing machine busily.Are you looking for a handsome male goldendoodle pup ready now? Meet Archie, a charming male goldendoodle puppy. Archie has his first shots and is doing well on his crate and potty trainng. He's on a good schedule and is a good eater.We have some beautiful medium goldendoodle puppies ready to go in early May. These F1b pups will likely range in size from pounds full grown. We have three girls as of the posting of this blog post, one

An Apricot Mini Labradoodle my puppy Max! Fried chicken is a hue of brown, so the dogs on our list have that coat color. Usually, those are your reddish brown dogs, which one might also refer to as apricot. Light brown and curly Goldendoodle puppy sitting in a basket. Tight curls work best because they look like ridges from afar. Fried Chicken or Puppy? Without further ado, here are our top five dog breeds that look like fried chicken: 1. Poodle It only makes sense to start with the breed that makes it possible—the Poodle. These dogs have curly coats that often look fluffy, and they come in various sizes as well. Labradoodle Starting with the breed that makes it possible, we now arrive at the dog that looks most like fried chicken—the Labradoodle. It is a mix of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Their curls are so defined that it looks just like you took them from a bucket of extra crispy chicken from your favorite restaurant. Irish Doodle The Irish Doodle is another breed that looks like a piece of fried chicken. Irish Setter and Poodle are the parent dog breeds of an Irish Doodle. Irish Setters are breeds endowed with red coats, a perfect color for fried chicken. Consequently, you end up with a pup with a thick coat of curly ringlets that can be cream, red, brown, or apricot. Remember that their coats can be curly or wavy, but the tighter the curls, the better. Interestingly, the Poochon inherits the curly hair trait from both parent dogs. Consequently, Poochons have a great chance of looking like fried chicken. Poochon stands on the grass at the park. This Poodle mix typically makes puppies cream, tan, and apricot in color. However, since the fur color of a Bichon Frise is white, your Poochon depends on the Poodle parent tremendously for their color. To maximize your chances of your pup looking like fried chicken, search for a puppy whose parent Poodle is a darker color. Cockapoo Another dog that looks like a crispy piece of fried chicken is the Cockapoo —a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix. Two happy Cockapoos running! The Cockapoo has an assortment of colors , including black, chocolate, apricot, red, white, and golden. Additionally, there are other patterns such as phantom, parti, tricolor, and merle. For example, your Labradoodle simply lying or sitting on the couch or floor may not take the shape of fried chicken, so you may have to improvise. It may give people the impression of fried chicken cooking on a grill at first glance. Or, you might try purchasing a round white blanket and placing all your newborn pups strategically. The common traits among these breeds are their curly and reddish-brown fur. Lastly, the Poodle lineage is the final component that these breeds have in common. Because Poodles pass that curly hair trait, they make up the bulk of fried chicken dog breeds. When you combine this curly trait with the distinct coloring of the other dog breeds , you create a litter of puppies that look just like fried chicken. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Posted across Twitter and Reddit multiple times in recent days, the picture is believed to have originated from the Facebook page of a pet store in Pingtung, Taiwan. In the picture, four adorable puppies are seen inside a cage. With one fluffy white dog and three orange fluffy puppies that viewers have likened to fried chicken. Referencing all four puppies in the picture, one Twitter user said: "I will take the 3 'lil chickens and the fluffy mashed potatoes, to go, please. A resurfaced viral picture of puppies that look amazingly like fried nuggets has delighted the internet. One user wrote: "When I saw the picture, I honestly thought the title was gonna say: this fried chicken looks like puppies. I thought this was fried chicken pic. The Doodle was created by an Australian veterinarian who wanted to create a dog that could assist humans with allergies. Particularly popular for this reason, their curly coats make them more allergen-friendly thanks to minimal shedding. Whether Labradoodle —Poodle and Labrador or Goldendoodle—Poodle and Golden Retriever, the dogs have soared in popularity in recent years. But it is important to remember that no dogs can be truly hypoallergenic. This is because allergens are carried in dander, saliva, and urine and so are impossible to escape. It is always advised to spend time around the breed before deciding to bring one into your home. Another commenter on the viral puppy picture said: "Forbidden chicken," while another wrote: "I actually thought these were stuffies made to look like chicken. Now I'm hungry.

Although she stands no more than 10 inches tall and weighs between 4—6 pounds, the Toy Poodle has a big, playful personality that can fill up a room. While frequently associated with France, Standard Poodles were first developed in Germany, where they were used in duck hunting. They have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Poodles of all sizes have curly coats with extensive grooming needs. Their coat grows continuously, calling for a trim every four to six weeks. However, there is no such thing as a completely "hypoallergenic" dog. People with allergies should spend time with the breed before officially bringing home a Toy Poodle puppy. But during this long life , they are predisposed to a few health issues that may require care. Pet parents may benefit from investing in pet insurance early in life. Progressive Retinal Atrophy Progressive retinal atrophy PRA is a group of diseases that cause a breakdown of the photoreceptor cells rods and cones on the retina. Initially, the dog may have difficulty seeing in the dark, but the condition can cause blindness over time. PRA is an inherited disease and there are currently no effective treatments available. Patellar Luxation The patella kneecap is a small bone that normally sits in a groove within the femur at the knee. In dogs with patellar luxation, the patella moves luxates outside of its assigned groove when the knee is flexed. This movement can cause discomfort and may eventually lead to arthritis. Many pets will skip or run on three legs when the patella is out of place. While some cases will correct themselves, in more severe cases the patella remains out of place. In mild cases, joint supplements such as fish oils and glucosamine or anti-inflammatory medications are used to control pain and prevent arthritis. In more severely affected dogs, surgery may be recommended. This causes pain and limping occur as the bone breaks down. In some cases, pain can be controlled with medications. In severe cases, surgery to remove the head of the femur may be recommended. Symptoms include visible debris, redness, odor, head shaking, and scratching. If any of these signs are noted, take your dog to the veterinarian for an exam. In most cases, ear infections can be resolved by cleaning the ear and with topical medications. Toy Poodles develop ear infections more often than most other breeds. This may be partly due to Poodles having long ear canals with excess curly hair to trap in moisture and debris. Trimming not plucking the hair from the ear may help reduce the incidence of ear infections. Dogs with chronic or recurring ear infections frequently have allergies that should be addressed. Dental Disease Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in dogs as they age, especially in small breeds like the Toy Poodle. Dental disease occurs when bacterial tartar and plaque build up, leading to inflammation of the tissues around the teeth—and eventually to tooth and bone decay. Daily tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste is the best way to prevent dental disease, though some diets, treats, and chew toys also help prevent plaque and tartar. Tracheal Collapse Tracheal collapse occurs when the trachea commonly called the windpipe flattens. This happens due to weak cartilage rings or the sagging of a membrane along the trachea. Most cases are treated using medications, but in severe cases where breathing is impeded, surgery may be necessary. Toy poodles are likely genetically predisposed to tracheal collapse. When on walks, use a harness instead of a collar, as pressure on the trachea can cause further damage. The condition causes a deficiency in a protein called the von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for platelets to stick together and form a clot. In dogs that are deficient in this protein, the blood may have difficulty clotting, which can lead to bleeding from the nose, vulva, bladder, or gums. Additionally, dogs with this condition may bleed for a long time after trauma or surgery. If there is concern about VWD, a screening test may be performed. This test measures how long it takes for a small cut in the mouth to stop bleeding. If the time is longer than usual, additional testing is needed to confirm VWD. Because some dogs with VWD do not have notably prolonged bleeding until later in adulthood, blood levels of von Willebrand factor can be measured to help with diagnosis. Most veterinarians recommend testing for VWD prior to any planned surgery, including spays, neuters, and dewclaw removals. Puppies should be fed a diet formulated specifically for puppies or designated for all life stages. For Toy Poodle adults, dental-focused diets may be recommended by your veterinarian to help prevent dental disease. Toy poodle puppies, however, should eat three to four small meals per day on a consistent schedule to help maintain their blood sugar. Additionally, the feeding guide labels on the dog food provides valuable information for pet parents. Just remember: In small breeds like the Toy Poodle, calories in treats add up quickly. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in skin and joint supplements , fish oil, and even in some specially formulated dog foods. These fatty acids act as natural anti-inflammatories that help support the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart. They are playful and self-confident when socialized at a young age. While relatively calm, Toy Poodles enjoy playtime and exercise with the family. The breed is gentle with children and other pets, though all interactions between dogs and kids should be supervised. Because these pups are so tiny, they can accidentally be hurt during playtime. Toy Poodles have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Toy Poodle Behavior Toy Poodles bond closely to their families and may develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. They can also be sensitive to stress, and sudden changes in the home environment may lead to gastrointestinal upset. Additionally, because Poodles are so smart, they need mental stimulation to keep themselves entertained—and out of trouble. Bored dogs are more likely to bark, jump, be destructive, or misbehave. Toy Poodle Training Toy poodles want to please their owners. Paired with their smarts, this makes them an easy breed to train. As always, training is most successful when based on positive reinforcement with praise and tasty treats. Fun Activities for Toy Poodle Obedience training. Life Span Did You Know? The Poodle is one of the oldest dog breeds and was originally developed in Germany to hunt waterfowl. The Poodle may have originated in Germany, but they are much-loved by the French. So much so that the Poodle is the national dog of France. The Miniature Poodle is slightly more recent. This Mini version likely originated in France. The Mini Poodle has all of the same characteristics as a Standard Poodle; they just come in a smaller package. The Miniature Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds. On top of their intelligence, they are also known to have a cheerful disposition and a sensitive nature. They get along great with children. Due to their small size, they can be easily injured by rough play or accidental falls that can happen with younger children. Because of this, they may be better suited to a home with older children. Younger children should be fine as long as they are taught how to properly interact with a small dog and interactions between young kids and puppies are closely supervised. Although they are considered part of the Non-Sporting Group, some facts about Miniature Poodles are that they are versatile and athletic dogs that are also quite playful. Provided they are well-socialized, they get along well with other dogs and tend to do well with strangers. They do tend to be protective of their home and can be suspicious of strangers coming up on the property. They are known to bark to alert you of strangers coming to the house. This makes them a good watchdog, but overall, they are more interested in making friends. This dog breed is highly adaptable. The Miniature Poodle does well in any type of home, including apartments, and fits in with just about any family type. They do well in most climates, but, as with many dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because Mini Poodles are people-oriented, they do not like being left alone and will not handle being left alone for long periods of time very well. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Miniature Poodles are highly intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please, which makes them a good fit for owners of any experience level and one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are a people-oriented breed and are sensitive to moods and tones of voice. They do not respond well to harsh training methods or harsh tones as they take it personally, get their feelings hurt, and lose respect for you. A Mini Poodle tends to respond best to consistent training that is fun and focused on positive rewards. A Mini Poodle is one of the fluffiest dog breeds and will have a curly or corded coat that can come in just about any color. Although this dog breed has a low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, their coat still needs a lot of grooming. They need to be brushed daily to prevent tangles and matting. They should also be professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coat healthy. Miniature Poodles are high-energy dogs that require a good amount of exercise each day. Daily walks plus some playtime and other activities are usually enough for them. When puppies finish growing and developing, they often enjoy games of fetch and other activities like swimming, hiking, or jogging with their favorite human. Mini Poodles also tend to be great candidates for several dog sports, like agility, tracking, obedience, retriever hunt tests, and more. Just make sure to visit the vet and get your dog cleared for these activities before you jump in. Fully-grown Miniature Poodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Mini Poodles generally live for years on average. The Miniature Poodle was very popular among the French nobility. Featured Miniature Poodle Article. My body is yelling at me and I am now paying attention. New shoulder, new knee, new wrist thumb joint, and a few others. What this means is that I will be reducing the prices on ALL of the puppies that are here after they turn 8 weeks of age and can go home. Every few days I will randomly pick one or more puppies and take several hundred dollars off the price of those puppies. Cast or no, surgery or no, sling, whatever. So, check back often to see the new price on YOUR puppy. Only ONE left! Ritzy is not for sale at this time. Check back soon! Richard Wheeler, has examined each puppy and found them to be very healthy. Ritzy is a very sweet, shy and non-brave at all puppy. She is not outgoing as were her siblings and therefore — still here. I have discouraged many people from taking this puppy because they liked the color of the puppy a lot — and who can blame them? Ritzy needs a quieter home with or without children if children present they would need to be very gentle, quieter, kids. Another, sweet. There are too many things going on here and too many dogs for to focus on instead of people so being in a less chaotic environment should help us unlock the needs and interests of this very beautiful and sweet dog. So — Ritzy is not for sale at this time but I will keep her up here until she is sold. They will make wonderful low-key and undemanding companions to any family wanting a less-active, quiet and easy family dog. Kids, especially quieter kids, will be just fine. All of these puppies present as being very tolerant and toddler-friendly. They have all turned 8 weeks-old on August 1st. Maturing up to 70 pounds or so for the largest puppies, these are big, sturdy companions that will be easy to live with and train because of their super-chill personalities. Let Terry know if you are interested in bringing one of these very sweet puppies into your life. You will not be sorry! Puppy Born April 8th. She is dark apricot with white markings. Call Terry at if interested in one of these beautiful and willing standard poodle puppies. They can go home now as they turned 8 weeks old on Sunday, June 4th. Read their Personality Profiles, below. Jelly Bean Female.

Optimal feeding amounts may vary according to your pet's temperament, activity level and environment. If you have any questions regarding your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Transition Instructions We recommend at least a 7 day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively. All of our dry diets are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract. Our canned diets are naturally preserved and sterilized during the cooking and canning process. Where do the ingredients in Royal Canin diets come from? Royal Canin is making strides towards sustainability by attempting to obtain sources of raw materials as close to each manufacturing facility as possible. In some cases, we use international suppliers, because only those suppliers can offer raw materials that comply with our quality and food safety standards. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain by-products? Royal Canin chooses ingredients because they deliver high-quality nutrients that support our customized pet food formulas. Using chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal for example will allow Royal Canin to maintain its highly customized nutrient standards while achieving a more secure and sustainable supply. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain grains? As always, we focus on the nutrients each ingredient provides and grains can provide many important nutrients. How do you ensure Royal Canin diets are safe for my pet? Our Quality and Food Safety systems are state-of-the-art and we continue to invest heavily in new technology to make sure they remain that way. We monitor every load delivered to our plants to verify the safety and quality of the ingredients we use to make pet food. We perform tests on finished pet foods before they are shipped to our customers. How do I know which Royal Canin diet is right for my pet? Based on size, age, lifestyle, and breed, each cat or dog has unique nutritional needs. For healthy pets, use our Product Selector to find the right diet for your cat or dog. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please refer to your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian will consider multiple factors when recommending an appropriate diet. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Home Delivery Select a variant to view product availability Royal Canin knows what makes your Golden Retriever puppy magnificent is in the details. Golden puppies are lovable, large breed pups prized for their playful personalities, trainability, and soft, gorgeous coats. They can benefit from the right growth formula to help provide immune system support, maintain a healthy skin and coat, and aid digestion as they take on puppyhood. Royal Canin Golden Retriever dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your pure breed Golden Retriever puppy. This exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your Golden Retriever puppy with specific nutrients to help them thrive. An exclusive mix of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune system and keeps their body growing strong. Nutrients reinforce the skin barrier to protect skin and maintain a beautiful golden, long coat. Once your Golden puppy is over 15 months old, transition them to Royal Canin Golden Retriever Adult dog food for precise nutrition into the adult years. Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods.