golden retriever puppy food chart

Download Article There are several other dog breeds that have similarities in appearance to a Pug. However, if you are aware of the differences between the breeds, you can obtain a better understanding of whether or not a dog is a Pug. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. A Pekingese can seem exactly like a Pug, especially if it has a short coat. Most Pekingese, however, have quite long fur. Both breeds have wrinkles and flat muzzles, but a Pekingese's tail won't be curled like a Pug's - instead, it hangs over the dog's back. Pekingese can also come in different coat colors than Pugs, though both can be seen in fawn and black. Despite having longer fur, Pekingese don't shed as much as Pugs, but still a moderate amount. French Bulldogs are another popular breed with wrinkles and a flat muzzle. They are slightly bigger than Pugs and therefore not a member of the toy group and have short, stubby tails. Their ears are perked, rather than the pug's folded ears. A solid black or tan and black Frenchie may have white markings on the chest or stomach, differentiating it from a Pug. Two stubborn, flat-faced breeds, Pugs and English Bulldogs have a lot in common. For example, both have faces coated with wrinkles. However, Bulldogs have short, stumpy tails, while pugs have longer, curled tails. Bulldogs can come in many more color varieties, such as brown or brown with white markings. Pugs are smaller than Bulldogs, as Bulldogs are members of the non-sporting group. Bulldogs also have different ears than Pugs. These two breeds are roughly equal in size and body structure. However, Boston Terriers usually have perked up ears and stubby tails, and they tend to be black and white, while black Pugs aren't seen with white markings. They also have completely different origins - Boston terriers originate in the United States, while Pugs date back to Ancient China. Boxers are medium-sized dogs and larger than Pugs, but the two both tend to have flat, black muzzles. A Boxer can have either cropped or uncropped ears, along with a natural or docked tail. A Boxer's natural tail is longer than a pug's and isn't curled, while the docked tail is very short. Boxers are usually brown or black in color, but also are seen in white, brindle, and more color variants. Pugs aren't typically seen in a brown coat. Pugs and Bullmastiffs may look a little similar in appearance, but Bullmastiffs are much larger dogs. Pugs are small dogs generally lap dogs , while Bullmastiffs are large dogs sometimes used for guarding. Bullmastiffs have long tails that don't curl over their backs. Both dogs have wrinkles, but Bullmastiffs have usually larger muzzles. Life Span Did You Know? The Pug, or Pug Dog, is famous for its flat-faced appearance and large, soulful eyes. They are an ancient dog breed that originated in China over 2, years ago. They were originally developed as a refined pet of Chinese royalty along with the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. During this time, the Pug was considered a national treasure that outsiders could only access if one was gifted to them. Dutch traders from the s can be credited with bringing the Pug onto the world stage when they brought some back to Europe with them. The Pug made its way to the United States in the s. Now, the Pug is a popular dog breed worldwide. They are a popular companion that provides their owners with plenty of love and laughter from their comedic and playful antics. The Pug is a playful and outgoing dog breed with a charming personality. They tend to be very loving towards children and also get along well with other pets and dogs. They are a companion breed at heart known for their gentle nature and sociable personality. They love to give love and receive it in return. Their sensitive nature makes them intuitive as well and Pugs will often sense the moods of their owners and react accordingly. They crave attention and affection from their owners and are big fans of napping. This dog breed is often described as an ideal house dog and they are moderately adaptable. They will do well in homes of any size, including apartments. The Pug also adapts well to city or country life and are a good fit for singles or families of any size. Although they are highly adaptable to various living situations, they are less adaptable to climates. Pugs are very sensitive to the heat and overexertion, so they are best-suited to moderate climates. They also love to be with their families and will not be happy if left alone for a long time. As with any dog breed, the Pug has some health conditions to be aware of. In particular, corneal ulcers and dry eye are some potential eye problems that can occur. Additionally, Pugs can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and encephalitis. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see health clearances can help allay concerns for some of these health issues. Pugs are also big foodies. They love to eat! Their love for food means this dog breed is prone to obesity. As a brachycephalic dog, their large head and short snout often cause respiratory problems, which can limit their exercise at times and contribute to weight gain. This will cause them to quickly gasp and snort, which can sound relatively alarming. These episodes are usually not harmful as your Pug is just clearing their palate and throat. The Pug tends to be easy to train and is a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are eager to please their owners and tend to pick up on commands quickly. They are sensitive souls and their feelings can be hurt easily, so they will not respond well to harsh corrections. This dog breed responds best to consistent training that focuses on positive rewards and will benefit from participation in puppy training classes. Pugs have a smooth, glossy, and short coat. Their fur is fine and soft. Although their coat is generally low-maintenance, it will shed throughout the year. Aside from brushing, Pugs only need occasional baths on an as-needed basis. Because Pugs have ears that drop down, they can be susceptible to moisture, dirt, or debris. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning as needed helps to keep them healthy and comfortable. The same goes for their iconic face wrinkles. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your Pug is not allowing you to do that, a few times a week should be sufficient. Getting your Pug used to these grooming tasks as a puppy will help make it a positive bonding experience and a much easier process throughout their life. This dog breed has a low to moderate energy level. Generally, daily walks and some play sessions are enough exercise for this dog breed. They may have short bursts of energy as they have a very playful nature, but they will tire easily. Some Pugs can handle a little more activity and even compete in some dogs sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Make sure you check with your vet first before jumping into dog sports with your dog. A full-grown Pug will usually stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. The Pug was a popular pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Featured Pug Article.

Now in Indianapolis area, Indiana! We have Top European bloodline German Shepherd puppies from titled and health tested parents raised in our home to yours! We breed West German showlines and West German working lines. Phone: Email: [email protected] Our fall litter is here! Ready to go home in October we have 3 beautiful males available! Training dogs professionally since and breeding German shepherd puppies since , we have relocated to give an even better life for our beloved dog family and to be closer to our training club to better title our dogs! Located in the Indianapolis Indiana metropolitan area we are nestled on a beautiful plot of 10 acres in the quiet country. The dogs absolutely love it here and so do we! Here at Aus Gerstbrei German shepherds, our dogs happiness and well being is very important to us and we love beautiful, healthy, stable temperament dogs. We only breed from health tested and titled parents to ensure that our families get the absolute best puppies we can provide for them. We also keep from our own program and train ourselves so we know what we are breeding and what their strengths and weaknesses are so we can choose appropriate mating partners to make our dogs even better. Improving the breed is very important to us. .We fly all over the world to the best studs that we may find the best suitable partners for our girls. We breed black and red West German Showlines and sometimes will use some West German working lines in our program. I grew up with dogs and was always fascinated with things you could teach them and how much love an animal could offer to a human. In my adult life I originally started working with rescue dogs out of college, and helping foster and rehabilitating them which was a very rewarding experience and taught me a lot, especially patience! As I worked my career as an artist I also became fascinated with the sport of IGP to bring a dog to its highest point of drive and have control and such a trusting obedience relationship with them. I had started hunting for my first IGP dog and had a very hard time coming up with dogs with good health and good temperament from breeders. I had a dog but he lacked the qualities to get beyond a BH which we worked hard for and developed many health issues. I had then decided to get exactly what I wanted in a dog I would pursue breeding my own and start my own bloodline. Families are my biggest client so the need for a stable dog that can settle is very important when breeding future generations. I am still a huge supporter of rescue and I do still accept board and train clients from time to time when we are not preparing for trials or raising a litter. Our prices reflect on the hard work, training, and expensive titling and health testing we do. If you can not pay for a well bred dog from tested and titled parents we highly recommend checking out your local reputable German Shepherd rescue. Some great dogs can sometimes find their way into rescue at no fault of their own. We are located about one hour from Indianapolis, Indiana and also about two hours from Louisville, Kentucky. Please call or email to inquire about trained dogs, German shepherd puppy litters, or about our board and train program. We are German Shepherd breeders and trainers in Indiana. Regular and Long Coats available. Our pups always have their 1st vaccines, are de- wormed, and are very well socialized. Fed high quality diet. Over 35 years experience with German Shepherds. We are a smaller kennel with high quality dogs thoughtfully bred. Also Therapy Dog International Testing and nursing home visits. My focus has been to breed beautiful, healthy, and easily trained dogs. German Shepherds are naturally protective and make excellent family guardians, but do require that you take the time to train them well. I am a Registered Vet Tech, and RN, and as such I have a thorough background knowledge of many potential health issues. The German Shepherd breed has many health and temperament problems, and there are no perfect dogs — but I try hard to avoid and weed out the issues I find. It brings me great satisfaction when I get pictures and stories of my pups that turned out well. Micro chipping is also available. I will assist you via phone or email with continuing questions and concerns regarding the pups and training, and of course love to hear brags. Carla Eikelberg R. We Are Dedicated! We simply love German Shepherds! As one of the premier reputable German Shepherd breeders indiana has, we focus on healthy GSD puppies for sale that are exceptional quality. From their amazing working dog traits to their loving and compassionate companion dog personality, we love German Shepherds and have dedicated our lives to the betterment of the breed. Full blooded, sable, solid black, silver, no matter what we love this breed! We are also passionate about training in a variety of working areas including obedience, puppy training and basic training. You have many choices when it comes to who you adopt your new German Shepherd puppy from! We are honored to know that so many people choose us because we believe in healthy, happy and beautiful GSD puppies. From our health clearances to our excellent pedigrees, we take pride to knowing our German Shepherds are top of the line! So no matter if you are searching for a German Shepherd Breeder in Indiana, Michigan or Ohio, we hope to earn your business through honesty, integrity and ethical breeding practices! Puppy Links. We provide exceptional working-class dogs, training and equipment while impacting lives beyond today. Why our puppies are better.Training, Genetics, Nutrition. Training: Our training sets our puppies apart to become the elite of the elite GSD's. From birth, we treat every puppy as if they will one day go on to serve a community as a police K-9 and our training reflects this expectation. A portion of the puppies we raise will one day serve as police K-9's and others will be sold as extreme-quality pets. From 3 days old, our puppies lifes are molded and crafted to ensure the best possible adult dogs with correct drives, sociability and skill. From days our puppies undergo BioSensor training, developed by the Military Working Dog Program to create "super dogs. As the puppies begin to perfect their walking ability, we introduce them to small obstacles around 3 weeks of age. These small obstacles normalize them to various surfaces, heights and physical challenges, making them more confident in unique situations. Throughout our puppies time at Impact Dogs, they are socialized with numerous people of varying ages and genders and taken into a plethora of locations and environments. All of this time and consideration ensures each puppy becomes familiar with the world they have just been brought into. We then begin to train puppies in areas which they may someday use as a police K.Between weeks, we begin prey drive exercises using soft toys. Once the puppies are fully weaned, around weeks we begin to test and develop each dog's prey drive through basic bite work using rag materials. These exercises are best thought of as a very thought-through game of fetch paired with tug-of-war and do NOT result in aggression but rather a very energetic and excited puppy. We also begin teaching proper grip at this stage. Once the puppies are weeks, we begin to develop their hunt and ball drive through hide-and-seek exercises. Throughout this entire training process, each puppy is again well socialized with people of various ages and genders and is constantly physically handled to ensure the greatest possible sociability. Trained puppies are developed until at least 16 weeks old. During their extended stay at Impact Dogs, we teach them to sit, down, stay at least 50 ft. The foundation of a left-side heel is also began. Furthermore, each trained puppy is potty trained to go outside in the grass. Each puppy will also be familiarized with traveling in vehicles and staying overnight in a puppy crate. As the puppies grow past 8 weeks, we further develop their prey drive, hunt drive, ball drive, grip, targeting skills, overall confidence, environmental soundness, sociability and obedience. As certain puppies excel in their development and drives, they will be further trained in advanced obedience, narcotics detection, tracking, building search, area search and article search as prospective police K-9's. We only breed working bloodlines with males and females that demonstrate the proper drives, temperament, and health. Nutrition: Our German Shepherds are provided high quality foods that we change with their needs; performance, nursing, maintenance, growth, etc. Our dam's are provided for throughout the pregnancy process with high-nutrient foods, proteins and proper calcium ratios. As our dam's whelp their pups, her nutritional needs are continually met through foods and supplements during the various stages of whelping and weaning. This ensures each puppy has the best possible start in their development. Our puppies are then weaned using high-quality food with proper calcium, protein, and fat levels for proper growth and development to promote life-long health. Jackie Sparks.

We have the answers! What is the price range for a Boxer? The price range for Boxer puppies for sale Florida can be pretty wide. Breeders consider a number of factors when putting a price tag on their precious puppies including gender, coat color, and pedigree. Browse our featured Boxer breeders Florida to get started. Will I meet only local Boxer breeders? When looking for a Boxer for sale in Florida, your initial top choices will be breeders in your city or state. Your chosen breeder can then arrange to have your puppy safely transported to an airport near you. Our vetting process is designed to keep inexperienced breeders and puppy mills out of our network. Breeders and businesses who wish to join us undergo a strict screening process where their breeding knowledge, practices, and facilities are examined. How is Florida Puppies different from other puppy websites? They are good at marketing though! What is a puppy mill like? Puppy mills are dishonest breeders who mistreat their animals and forego essential newborn puppy care to make a bigger profit. Are there any Boxer puppies available in Florida right now? We can help you find out! You can also let us know if you have a specific Boxer puppy in mind! Where are Boxer dogs originally from? Boxers have quite an interesting history that dates back to the late s. It is still up for speculation which specific breeds were crossed to create the Boxer but the list includes the German Bullenbeisser and the Bulldog. The Boxer was created to be a guard dog, a role that it took upon with great success. Today, Boxers do police work but are also popular family dogs. What can I expect from the average Boxer? Boxers are energetic, alert, even-tempered, loyal, loving, and goofy. Boxers are smart and can be trained to do almost anything but keep in mind that they mature slowly -- they are basically puppies until the age of three! As a family dog, Boxers will do anything to protect their family and they are also known to be gentle with kids. How big do Boxers get? Boxers are medium-sized working dogs that can reach a weight of 70 pounds. Male Boxers usually stand at inches at the shoulder while female boxers can reach up to .They are muscular, sturdy, and quite quick. How does Florida Puppies work? Florida Puppies is a network of ethical breeders and businesses and your best source for finding Boxer puppies in Florida. Boxers's Available! Their tails are docked and their dew claws are removed however I never guaranteed dewclaws some do come back. Their tails are docked, and their dew claws are removed however I never guaranteed dewclaws some do come back. We have 4 puppies left. I am available to show puppies at any time. Contact Barb xxx-xxx-xxxx View Detail Pit pull female puppy Female pitbull, one years old, very friendly, needs a new home to live our landlord says no Pitbulls allowed here, willing to bargain with price View Detail Boxer :nori Recently just brought her she is 10 week very lovable. Tank was Born July 29, .Tank was one of 11 pups. All pups were born healthy and ready for there forever homes. Tank is sweet,smart,playful, great with kids and loves to swim and dive. Yet most important he is a ladies man. Tank has a beautiful, shinny, very light, unique fawn color. At a little over a year Tank weighs in at 65 pounds. He has a big head, thick neck, tall yet stocky build. Per his vet Tank is ready to be a stud. Please contact me if your interested in using Tank as your stud. Has his shots and good with kids. He loves dog parks and playing. He is not destructive and is house trained. He is a great family dog for a couple. We have small children who get in his face while he eats and this is the only time he has shown aggression for this reason because we can not properly train our children we are looking to rehome. Honestly, we truly love this dog. Tyson knows commands such as sit, stay, lay down, high five, give me your paw and stay. We are looking for a good home for Tyson, you will love him, he is such a sweet boy. They spend most of their time with our 2 little kids and the cat too and they are such a company. Its such a pitty we have to give them out cos we're moving out. They've been vet checked and have had vaccination. Fully wormed from 2 weeks old. View Detail Adorable boxer puppies Adorable boxer puppies Beautiful chunky boxer pups ready december. Rescued, and still Counting! Ready to Help a Boxer in Need? When taking a dog into the program, they sometimes need a temporary home while in search of their perfect "FURever" home. Fostering a Boxer helps give a dog a healthy start and a new leash on life. Old Dogs, New Tricks.Everyone loves puppies but older dogs deserve attention too. Our silver Boxers don't let a little gray hair get in the way of loving life and are fabulous loyal companions. Consider adding a senior to your family! Seeking a New Best Friend? One who is goofy, playful and makes you laugh? One who is loyal and happy just being with you? One who will love you unconditionally and provide comfort when needed? With so many dogs in need of homes, you're bound to find the perfect Boxer. See Our Available Dogs! Florida Boxer Rescue is always in need of volunteers. Are you thinking about fostering a Boxer in need? Fostering is the most rewarding experience you can imagine. The number of dogs we save is limited by the number of foster homes we have - please help us to save all that we can

With a name inspired by fighters in the ring, some people expect a Boxer to be aggressive or unfriendly. As is the case with many guard dog breeds , the owner must establish dominance early or their pup may try to take charge instead. For example, Boxer dogs need to be socialized and trained early to prevent aggression towards strangers or people they see as threats. It is advised to discipline gently but firmly and consistently. When it comes to their physical demands, Boxer puppies, as well as adults, are high-energy dogs that need some vigorous outdoor exercise every day. Lastly, Boxers are also jumpers, so you may need training to curb their instincts to leap up on you, your family, or your guests. The average lifespan for Boxer dogs ranges from 10 to 12 years. While this tends to be a healthy line, especially when you work with a trusted Boxer breeder, there are some special considerations. At Keystone Puppies, we only represent the best Boxer breeders. Our breeders not only offer a health guarantee but also provide exceptional homes for Boxer puppies that lead to healthy adult lives. As always, owners should keep their canine companions up-to-date on vaccinations and bring their pups in for regular checkups with their veterinarians. Caring for Boxer Coats The short, shiny coat is easy to maintain. Brush once a week to reduce shedding and to keep their coats bright. Before you buy a Boxer puppy, get familiar with their grooming routine. Their short coats are easy to maintain and look fantastic when you do. We recommend that owners generally brush their coats once per week to reduce shedding and to keep their coats attractive and healthy. In addition to that, cleaning out their ears once per week with a clean, damp cloth will reduce the risk of ear infections. We recommend you wipe out the wrinkles once a week to reduce the chance of skin infections. Meet Boxer Puppies for Sale. Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Message sent. We have litters available now. We are located in Boise, Idaho. We are a family partnership raising highly socialized, health tested, in-home quality puppies. We are not a puppy mill. We raise only litters a year in Idaho. We partner with our parents in Pittsburgh, PA who breed litters a year to diversify our lines. We import our foundation lines from Europe, and partner with each other to produce the quality we are looking for. If you choose one of our local puppies, or our puppies in Pittsburgh, PA, we can usually in-cabin hand-deliver to you. Why Us Only a short few years ago, English Cream Golden Retrievers in America were rarely entrusted to breeders when European breeders thoroughly trained and mentored them. American Golden Retriever standards are still maintained in America, and that only by a handful of breeders truly breeding to the standard. Unfortuately, like the American Goldens, The English Cream Golden Retiever lines have recently fallen into the hands of breeders that are not even remotely interested in breeding to standard. Have you ever known someone that decided to breed their dog because they thought their dog was so great, that his lines needed to be passed on. Of course, that is no reason to breed a dog. There are many health tests, pedigree analytics and breed standards to meet. English Creams in recent years have been bred to small backyard gene pools or even regional gene pools that have produced weaker genetics, non-standard coat types, colors and temperaments not to the standard. We have put years of know-how, investment and careful consideration to make sure you get a breed-standard English Cream Golden Retriever. Our family works together as a team. We have a large family where everyone uses their talents in our family business. Dad is the glue that holds us all together. Mom keeps all the wheels running in the breeding business and the kids all use their specific talents, and have become experts at their "golden" puppy jobs over many years. Our Story We had a young family and had a dog bite happen to our then youngest son. After that happened, we found the English Golden Retrievers to be the perfect family dog. We absolutely love them and know that you will enjoy them as well. How to Reach Us We know that your puppy will be your family member for life. The greatest part of our job is the magical moments that you first get to hold your English Golden Retriever puppy. It often brings tears to everyone's eyes. If you are interested in one of the puppies, please reach out. We are diligent to follow up with every inquiry. We look forward to hearing from you. Here is a great article from our friends at Canine Weekly with some simple answers. May 28, Check Out Our Blogs! In fact, we have one dam our personal pet , and the first time we bred her was in .But that is great news for you! Our puppies are born and raised in our house. When they are not sleeping or eating, they are roaming our house or our back yard with a family member watching them of course! We want you to have the best puppy possible, so in addition to all the health screenings that we do prior to breeding, we try to train your puppy as much as possible, as early as possible. If you are interested, we are always happy to talk more about our dogs and our goals in breeding and raising great puppies. Contact us any time! About Us Simply the best! We love English Golden Retrievers and would like to see more healthy examples of this breed in homes for everyone to enjoy! Our Dogs Amicus Ami is our old man: the first English Golden Retriever we purchased and who made us fall in love with the breed. He is gentle, happy, always patient with a small child poking in his mouth or ears. He loves toys with squeakers, and always finds a way to get them out! More About Ami Zoe Zoe is our sweet mama dog, always wanting someone to love and look over. You will usually find her with her head on your lap and paw gently nudging you to pet her. She loves to run especially fetching balls! Steps to owning a Boise Golden! This is an overview. See our Adoption Process page for a full description. Step 1: Application If you are interested in learning more about our dogs or reserving a puppy for an upcoming litter, please first fill out our Puppy Application. When can I pick up my puppy? That will be posted on the specific litter page. We try to have our puppy families come get them as close to 8 weeks of age as possible. Pick up day is scheduled out a week or two in advance in order of deposit received. For example, first male would come at AM, second male at AM, and so on. The schedule will also be posted to the specific litter page. Do you deliver? Delivering puppies is not a service we regularly offer. On occasion, if the situation is right, we will do our best to accommodate. This would be at the cost of the buyer which would include, but not limited to: mileage, food, and lodging reimbursements. We do deliver puppies to the Boise, Idaho airport at no cost to the buyer. Do you offer full breeding rights? All puppies go home with AKC limited registration. If the time comes where a buyer has ran the proper health screenings on the dog that was purchased through our program hips, elbows, heart, genetics and agrees to the FULL AKC contract provided by SBG, then full breeding rights will be granted. Yes, we will ship to anywhere in the United States except Hawaii. Ground shipping or air shipping, completely at the expense of the buyer. Other options to highly consider: Flight nanny - We can give you recommendations for great flight nanny services they fly in cabin with pup. Meeting you personally at the Boise, ID airport to fly in cabin with pup. Yes, we offer stud services. We have studs in every color, in multiple places throughout the Treasure Valley. We will also highly consider pick of the litter instead of stud fees.

A golden retriever puzzle comes in handy when you are dealing with a golden retriever that is very energetic and constantly needs a distraction in order not to be destructive. Dementia is fairly common in senior dogs, and while most golden retriever owners will notice a change in their canine behavior, they do not associate it with this condition. Continuous games with mentally stimulating toys will help you identify the early symptoms, like learning and memory problems. This can help you get your furry friend the help he needs much sooner. Keeps Your Dog Fit Another great reason for a puzzle toy is to keep your doggie pal fit. Food puzzle toys, in particular, involve the golden retriever running after the puzzle and opening it to retrieve the treat inside. This provides exercise for the pooch and enhances its problem-solving skills while helping it retain its hunting instinct. These toys can be used during a game of fetch with a reward at the end. Elimination of Destructive behavior The best dog puzzles also help your pooch eliminate destructive behavior as they stay focused on their toy, which revolves around interactive play. To get the best results for your dog, you should get involved in the play as well. Play releases happy hormones in dogs. They are able to better deal with your absence when they have these toys because they are mentally and physically occupied. For very energetic dogs, this is an excellent way to help release their pent-up energy so they and you can rest better. Please note that dogs that suffer from conditions like arthritis are not ideal candidates for puzzle toys. Always consult your vet in case you have such suffering from serious health conditions before investing in a puzzle toy. Animals that eat too fast and end up bloated need food puzzles to help them slow down their eating process. Retrieving the food from the puzzle slows them down thereby training them to eat at a much slower pace. A picky eater may just need the thrill of the hunt offered by the puzzle to pique their appetite. If your dog is an energetic type that is on the move constantly, a mentally stimulating toy is exactly what they need. Normally, energetic dogs thrive on problem solving and exercise. Examples of such dogs include service dogs, herders, guard dogs, among other outdoor oriented breeds. For dog owners who are training their dogs to sleep in their crate den or kennel, these puzzle toys can be the motivator for her to stay put in their space. Use the toys to keep the golden retriever occupied so they do not feel confined in the space. Smaller breeds, on the other hand, need appropriately-sized small to medium toys depending on how tenacious they are. So, consider what type of chewer your small dog is to ensure the toy remains safe. To learn more about this, check out the video below by TopDogTips showing how to choose the right size dog toys: Adjustability Start your golden retriever off with the basics then work your way to the advanced levels of the puzzles with training and rewards. Most interactive puzzles always have adjustability so that the toy not only captures the intelligence level of the dog but also leaves room for growth. Cleaning And Safety Your golden retriever needs a clean toy to keep it healthy. Choose an easy-to-clean option that can be washed to remove traces of the food treats. This is important as it means you have no moldy and stale food that can harm your pooch. Make sure the materials used on the toy are non-toxic and well-constructed. The last thing you want is a toy that breaks into pieces that cut or choke your dog. Your golden retriever will love burying its face in the burrow as it tries to get to the chipmunks hidden in the log, which is a pretty good challenge for them. You can keep stuffing the burrow with the chipmunks to keep the game going. The burrow comes with three holes for each of the critters. You can opt for your critters to be hedgehogs or birds. The toy has been designed to be ideal for medium to large dogs that are not aggressive chewers. Click Here For Price Your search for an excellent learning tool that can help keep your pup mentally-challenged ends with this toy. Nina Ottoson , the creator of this toy, recently received an award as a Pet Age Icon for developing treat puzzle toys that help keep dogs healthy through mental stimulation. Not only is it fun and colorful, it also has nooks and crannies where you can hide food treats and let your dog learn to retrieve them. Making the adjustability level less complicated makes it easier for your pup to find the treats under the blocks that are placed on the nooks. To make it safer, the blocks have been made large enough so as not to be a choking hazard. Any dog owner will find this toy easy and fun to use as it allows excellent interaction with your furry pal. It works well for fast and picky eaters although any dog will enjoy having this as part of their playtime repertoire. Click Here For Price Squirrels and dogs are an excellent combination as far as play is concerned. That is no different from how your canine will behave when you unpack this toy. The squirrels stuffed in the tree will quickly become a favorite pastime for your golden retriever as he retrieves them and you stuff them back again. In the process, he will hone his problem-solving skills and have lots of fun. This game of hide and seek features a plush tree trunk and six squirrels in the ginormous set. The squirrels are large enough to fit in the mouth without posing a hazard. There are other options as well, including junior, large, and jumbo each of which includes three squirrels. Whereas the ginormous trunk features five holes, the junior and jumbo have three and two holes, respectively. Also, the squirrels are squeaky, which appeals to the hunter instinct in the dog. Another thing you are sure to love about this puzzle toys is the variation of animals available. This could also be the perfect puzzle toy when you are crate-training your dog as you can spend time playing with her or leave her with the toy. Unfortunately, if your dog is a chewer, they can end up with bits of this in their mouth. It requires your dog to open various treat compartments, allowing it to learn to forage for treats and food. The flip board features knobs and slide disks which the golden retriever maneuvers to retrieve the treats you have placed underneath. A unique aspect of its design is the cones, which have been designed in a way that they cannot be knocked over by your golden retriever during play. The toy also takes pride in being an excellent mental stimulant that is easy to clean and maintain. This is crucial because of the element of food. Dogs of all sizes can enjoy playing with this dog treat toy puzzle owing to its accommodative dimensions. Fast and picky eaters will enjoy it the most. Click Here For Price Balls always do well with dogs because they allow the dog to engage their mind and body at the same time. Combining playtime with a treat is a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically challenge while buying yourself a few hours of playtime as well. This treat ball is easy to fill up and the golden retriever gets to enjoy the treats it leaves behind as it rolls. The concept of the ball is easy to understand for just about any dog. It comes in small, medium, and large varieties with a sizeable opening from where the treats fall out. The dogs can go for at least half an hour trying to get the treats to fall out. What I found interesting about these toys is that dog owners have used them for years with their little pals without having to order a replacement. Fast feeders and energetic dogs are sure to enjoy it the most. Conclusion Doggy ancestors never had to think about toys to keep them sharp because their survival depended on their ability to learn and think fast. Modern day pets do not have to worry about surviving because their parents can take care of that. Even the most obedient dogs will benefit from the best golden retriever puzzles as they can stimulate their mind, whether they are bored or not, and these also come in handy in case they ever have to forage for themselves. You May Also Like. Conclusion The Top 10 Best Puzzle Toys for Your Golden Retriever Puzzle toys keep your dog occupied for hours and contain treats within them which keeps them interested. You dog needs to use his cognitive capabilities to unlock the puzzle and enjoy his treat. There are various different puzzle toys available to buy on the market to cater to all needs. Hide-A-Squirrel Hide and squeak by Outward Hound is a simple plush puzzle game in which you stuff the tiny squeaky squirrels into a tree trunk. Your Golden retriever has to pull each of the squirrels out one by one. You just have to keep stuffing them back in and watch your dog enjoy this game! You can fill this bouncy rubber toy up with treats that your Golden retriever loves, like doggy safe beef jerky, biscuits, etc. The toy is available in various sizes for seniors, puppies, etc. IQ Treat Ball You can fill this IQ Treat Ball up with treats for healthy feeding and determine an opening based on the level of difficulty that you may want to set. If you wish to keep your Golden retriever entertained for all day, you can tighten the opening. This one size fits all puzzle is an excellent choice for all dogs. This ball looks like a regular ball but with tricky-to-find treats. All you have to do is to simply load the ball up and watch as your dog pushes it around the house trying to get out his favorite snack. Tug-A-Jug This sustained play interactive toy provides your furry friend with multi-sensory stimulation which helps in keeping your Golden retriever engaged for a long time. The toy is made from durable non-toxic materials and can holds up to an entire meal worth of kibble. This is best suited for larger breeds. The toy comes with a large bottom chamber that you can fill up up to 3 cups of food while the adjustable openings at the top and the bottom allow you to adjust the level of difficulty. The toy comes with a weighted anti-slip bottom which makes the toy wobble erratically and entices your dog to play. This toy can keep your Golden retriever engaged for a long time and is fun to play with. Hide-and-Slide Puzzle This clever puzzle will keep your dog mentally stimulated as it provides your Golden retriever with actions to retrieve treat rewards in different way and is great for dogs that enjoy treat games. Dog Twister This is an advanced dog puzzle that features a wheel of compartments to be filled with hidden treats. These treats are revealed only after the Golden retriever moves one block after another in a circle. You can even lock some of the blocks with a bone shaped peg for added difficulty. Each flap, knob, and cone must be operated in some way to get the treat. Mad Scientist Puzzle This game will make you think that your dog is extremely smart. The weighted base can of course be set on the floor, but the puzzle can also be suspended in the air. Conclusion These puzzle toys are designed to keep your Golden retriever happy and engaged for a long time. The puzzle toys mentioned above are safe and effective. They help curb bad behavior which is necessary for Golden Retrievers and are an excellent investment. Which one did you like the best for your Golden retriever? Let us know in the comments! More Sport and Canine Activities.

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. Print Preparing for the teething stage If you have been following my puppy training program since the beginning, you will have some down time for the next month or so. This is not to mean that you will not be working with your puppy at all, but only means that you will not be adding any new training. For the next month or two, you should continue working on basic obedience. I will discuss this more later in the post but Here is the training for your 4-month-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post eight of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Bubba Training and socialization for four-month-old Labrador puppy Here are the things we worked on during the past two weeks while training Bubba. Working on self-control and restraint If you have ever been pushed out of the way as your large dog rushes to get outside or inside ahead of you, you know how that feels. It can be downright dangerous, and there is no reason to allow it. You can start eliminating these future problems by spending time now, teaching your 4-month-old puppy to have self-control and restraint. There is a vast array of situations that you can use to teach your puppy self-control. The first and easiest one to teach is sitting before eating. Simply do not give your puppy their food until they SIT calmly. Here are some other opportunities. Sitting before getting a leash on and off Sitting by door, waiting to go outside or inside, until released from SIT Staying in crate or kennel until released, even with door open All these training opportunities work toward the same thing — self-control. There are probably many more situations that would also apply, use your imagination, and teach your puppy to listen and exert restraint in all situations. Bubba has learned all these lessons well. She understands that she must wait for a release command and that if she SITS very still the release comes sooner. Obedience training your 4-month-old puppy We continue to work on obedience training using a chain collar and heeling stick. Bubba has come a long way regarding heeling. She is not perfect, but she does understand the command. However, remote SIT is not going well. Bubba really struggles to SIT still, even for a few seconds. I had to be reminded that Bubba is a chocolate lab. Chocolate labs tend to mature much slower than blacks or yellows, and Bubba is proving that to be true. Given this, Bubba will probably need some more maturity before I can expect too much from her on obedience. Well, let me rephase. Bubba knows the HERE command but still struggles to respond to it consistently. This is a huge source of contention for me, but again, Bubba is a chocolate and is very immature. A halt on retrieving Up until now we have been doing retrieving daily with Bubba, but as she enters the fourth month, we are increasing aware that she will be teething very soon. Because of this, we will be stopping retrieving until we can confirm that all her adult teeth are in. This concerns a lot of owners; they are concerned that their puppy will forget how to retrieve or will stop wanting to retrieve. We have never had this happen. Final thoughts on training for your 4-month-old Labrador puppy As your puppy approaches four months of age, it is good to take a moment to reflect on all the progress you have made in terms of training. These are important steps that will lead your puppy down a path of becoming a happy, healthy family dog and hunting companion. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Training your 4-month-old Labrador puppy? When do labs Stop Growing? Labs need to fill out more than smaller breeds as they are medium to large-sized dogs. Usually, an average Lab will be at full height and weight by their first birthday. Is Your Labrador Retriever Healthy? Labrador Retrievers are the perfect family pet. Not only are Labs wonderful companions, but their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and love for life make them ideal members of any household. The best way to guarantee that happiness? Preventative care! This condition can cause pain and make it difficult for your pup to move freely. Due to CHD, they may also develop arthritis in the hip area as they age. Some dogs with CHD have normal hips as puppies, but they can develop joint instability later in life. Unfortunately, CHD affects medium to large dog breeds, with the Lab amongst those dogs with a higher chance of developing this condition. Recognizing the early signs of this progressive disease will help you get treatment for your dog so he has an active life filled with joy instead of pain or discomfort. An old Labrador Retriever is especially prone to developing this disease. Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease DJD , is a progressive inflammation of the joints caused by deterioration and breakdown in cartilage. This action leads to an increase in friction, which causes significant pain for dogs. In cases of osteoarthritis, this cartilage cushion begins to break down because of factors such as age or injury. If a dog has canine atopic dermatitis, the immune system reacts too strongly to common environmental allergens absorbed through the skin, such as mold spores and grass. A dog with atopic dermatitis will typically show signs and symptoms between 3 months to 6 years of age. Labrador Retrievers are amongst the most common dog breeds to develop food and skin allergies. Gastric Distention and Volvulus Bloat Canine bloat , or gastric distention and volvulus GDV , is a condition where the stomach swells abnormally. Bloat is a serious condition that requires immediate emergency care. Dogs of all shapes and sizes can bloat, but some breeds are more susceptible than others. Unfortunately, Labradors are at the top of the list for susceptibility to this condition. The causes of bloat in Labs and other dogs are unknown, but there is likely a genetic element. Dogs who recover from bloating should never be used as breeding stock again. Got a Lab? Get Pet Insurance Coverage You love your dog like a child, but you cannot control what your puppy is dealt with in the genetics department. Health struggles can affect your Labrador Retriever, and his genes will determine what medical conditions or diseases he develops. What if cancer happens? What else might go wrong with your dog in an emergency that will require immediate attention? As a dog owner, you want to make sure that your Lab pup has the best chance possible at living a healthy and happy life. A pet insurance policy will handle any medical issue or expense which may come your way, which is a significant help, especially with how expensive veterinary bills can get. Get insurance quotes today and see for yourself how much better life will be with this coverage. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. Puppy training development after 6 months It is very tempting to get carried away with puppy training. Your young do is so willing to please and such fun to be around. It is important to go at a happy pace for you both. Positive reinforcement training is the right choice for your puppy because there are no negative consequences to getting something wrong. But you can still both suffer from burnout and frustration if you try to reach the later puppy training stages without totally aceing the earlier developments. Your Puppy Training Schedule This may not be exactly the same for each puppy, especially with retrieving which is more Labrador specific. However, it gives you a rough idea. Constantly changing direction. Stopping frequently for cuddles and rewards. This means I blow the recall whistle whenever the puppy runs towards me, no compulsion, and no whistle unless the recall is already underway. Socialisation: Lots almost daily of outings to different places rural and urban carried Visits to family and friends. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow mouthing. Working with food: Learning how to take food gently without snatching or grabbing at the treat pot. I still give the puppy lots of encouragement by running away as soon as I blow the whistle. Socialisation: More socialisation, at least twice a week to busy public places. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow gentle mouthing. Retrieving: Encourage chase and pick up retrieve drive. Hand touch: I teach all new puppies to touch my hand with their noses. This is a great foundation for other skills. Recall: Puppy recall continues, reduce my run to a walk, avoid any distractions. Still frequently blow the recall whenever the pup runs towards me of her own free will. Socialisation: From ground level after vaccination. No other leash walking at all Bite inhibition: No biting, gentle mouthing allowed. Retrieving: Continue to build drive. Positions: I introduce three positions — sit, stand, down. What to expect from your 3 month old puppy Most three month old puppies will be sleeping through the night. And will be having less potty training accidents in the house. There are a few potty training problems that arise at this age, and they are all covered in 15 potty training problems solved. Biting is a big shock and a big problem for many new Lab puppy parents so do check out our complete guide to biting , and join the forum for help and support. Help encourage your puppy to stay in their bed while you are eating. I have a pot of dog treats on our kitchen table, and whenever we sit down to a meal, the puppy gets a treat each time she steps into her basket. Just a treat for stepping in there. What to expect from your 4 month old puppy Your 4 month old puppy will be pretty much potty trained, but accidents still happen if they are left alone too long. Biting is usually starting to subside now, and many four month old puppies will be able to mouth at your hand without hurting you. At this point I start to discourage all mouthing. I teach every puppy to let me touch her face or approach her with my hand, food, a leash etc while holding eye contact and not grabbing at me, or at what is in my hand. This is the age at which people often start to push forward with training. Your 4 month old puppy is capable of quite a lot. There is nothing wrong with teaching your puppy different cues and even some tricks. I recommend you still avoid long duration activities at this point as they are a common stumbling point with puppies young enough to have a short attention span. A ten second sit is ample. Add mild distractions Recall: Fade additional cues. Begin to whistle the pup and stand still. Add mild distractions. Clicker train to polish this in more mouthy puppies. No commands are needed for this. Gradual introduction of distractions. Advanced puppy training begins in earnest This is where I start a programme of sporting training with my Labs. You can begin raising your standards and expectations, asking for longer and more complex behaviors. Teaching your puppy to walk to heel nicely for longer distance and past all kinds of distractions and temptations. Or teaching your puppy to sit and stay for longer periods of time, and even while you go out of sight or while other dogs play nearby. What to expect from your six month old puppy Six months is a common time for people to have a lot of questions and to be struggling with a few challenges. This is now a very bouncy, quite powerful and rapidly maturing young dog. And you may need to patch up a few holes in his training or manners. We have a great article for owners of six month old Lab puppies. Save to Pinterest The Stages of Puppy Growth and Development Month by Month The following are the stages of puppy growth and development, starting at birth and ending when your dog reaches adulthood. The Neonatal Stage 0 to 2 weeks This is the newborn puppy growth stage that lasts until two weeks of age. At this developmental stage, puppies are blind and deaf. Expect puppies at this point to sleep almost constantly and their mother will take care of everything, keeping them warm, feeding them, and keeping them clean. The Transitional Stage 2 to 4 weeks At this puppy growth stage , they will start to open up their eyes and respond to sounds, light, and movement around them. You will also notice a puppy at this point starting to get more mobile, although they will still tend to crawl instead of walking. They do, however, have enough strength to stand up, but will stumble a lot. A puppy in this developmental stage will just be starting to recognize their siblings and mother. Lab puppies open their eyes at about two weeks old. By this time, Labrador puppies will have their eyes fully open and most will be at least partly open. Ears open at this point too and your puppy will begin to hear. Period of Awakening of Senses 3 to 4 weeks At this period , a puppy develops various senses rapidly. They start to get fully alert and aware of their environment and may recognize you and other humans that are frequently around. The Socialization Period 4 to 7 Weeks Once a puppy is around four weeks old, they start to learn the most important things in life-related to social development. They will learn to not bite all the time and how to interact with their siblings. Interactions with humans are especially important between five and seven weeks. This is also the time they will start to understand discipline thanks to their mother. She will start weaning her puppies and teaching them manners, like acknowledging she is in charge. As the owner, you can start introducing food to your puppy when they are around four weeks old. Start small and begin to give them more food as the mother continues to wean them. You should also continue handling the puppy every day. However, be sure not to separate them from their siblings or mother for over ten minutes each day, since this can lead to issues with training and socialization. Dogs who are separated too soon may also be nervous and more likely to bark and bite. During this period, let the mother dog take care of discipline; you should not correct the dog for mouthing or housebreaking mistakes until later in life. To help ease them through this process, avoid traumatic events, loud voices, or harsh discipline. You should also make sure your pooch has plenty of human contact during this stage. If you want, you can start leash training and even teach simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. In terms of development, you will notice that your puppy can sleep through the whole night and starts to develop better control of its bowels and bladder. Most vets suggest that new outings should wait until they are fully vaccinated. We rub the Calmeroos Puppy Toy on littermates and mom to get their scent. When we get home the Calmeroos Puppy Toy helps our puppy feel comfortable and adjust more quickly to his new environment. Many puppies will go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We recently put together a blog post on our sister site detailing what you can expect from an 8-week-old puppy. The Juvenile Stage 3 to 4 Months At this point in development, a puppy can be compared to a juvenile. They will be more independent and may ignore the basic commands that they know very well. If this happens, firmly and gently reinforce the commands and other training. You may also notice your pup starting to test your authority by play biting or similar actions. You can also redirect your dog to a toy that they can bite. Either can end up teaching your pooch that it is okay to fight with you and challenge your authority. The Ranking Period 3 to 6 Months When your puppy is between four and six months old, you should expect them to be somewhat bratty, showing more willfulness and independence. They are more likely to test your limits and may try to show dominance over children or other family members. If they fail to listen to you or come when called, it can be dangerous as it puts them at risk of injury when in public. It can also hurt future responses to you, making them less likely to listen. This is also when your dog will be teething, so give them toys like frozen dog Kong toys to relieve pressure and pain. Chewing behaviors will also start growing at this point so look for some safe chew toys to keep your dog entertained. This is when hormonal changes start to occur and is the ideal time to spay or neuter your pup. UC Davis published a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Adolescence 6 to 18 Months After six months, your pup is already in the final stage of puppy development but is still young. This is a fun and exciting time for your pooch since they will be learning, full of energy, and exuberant. During this time, it is important to remember that even if your puppy now looks like a grown-up dog, they are still a puppy, at least in its mental capacity and emotional maturity. Work to slowly increase training and other activities. You can even work on advanced training such as agility or herding. Another option is to simply keep training them to ensure they interact in a non-aggressive and non-threatening way with other animals. It is also possible that your dog will go through another fearful period of time at some point after they reach six months. You can speed up the process with counter-conditioning and desensitization. It fits very well and is quite apt! Final Thoughts With the knowledge of how and when your new puppy will develop, you are better able to meet their needs. Provide socialization at the appropriate times and be sure to give your puppy plenty of social interactions with their siblings as well as humans and any other pets in your home. Your dog should reach maturity at some point between one and two years old with plenty of variation based on breed, Labradors are considered mature at between 2 and 2. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Because of this, Teacup Pugs can reach high prices. Some breeders work to produce smaller and smaller puppies, which is done by breeding with toy breeds or breeding the runts. Unfortunately, this means breeders are selecting for size rather than health or temperament, so you could have a puppy that grows into an adult with behavioral or health issues. This unofficial term is more of a cute buzzword that highlights the novelty of these tiny dogs, which can often literally fit within a teacup. A toy breed, on the other hand, is an official term for small versions of standard breeds. Image Credit: kikkian, Shutterstock 3. They were favored as the impish companion of Chinese emperors and became the beloved mascot of the royal House of Orange in Holland. They make excellent companions and enjoy playing with their owners, including young children. Be sure to always supervise interactions, however, particularly if you have large dogs that can easily injure a miniature pup like a Teacup Pug. Puppies should be on high-quality puppy food for the first year. Then they can transition onto a quality adult formula. Small, stocky dogs like a Pug can suffer from health problems if they become obese. Still, Pugs are playful and lively, so they will engage in some exercise to stay fit. Short-faced breeds like Teacup Pugs and standard Pugs often struggle to cool themselves in hot and humid weather, however, so be sure to limit exercise in the heat. Early socialization is important for keeping Pugs friendly and tolerant of other pets and people. Regular brushing will remove loose hair and prevent shed hair from building up. They also benefit from occasional baths, and their nails should be trimmed regularly. Allowing the nails to grow too much could cause discomfort and, in severe cases, arthritis. Because these dogs are sometimes selected for their small size rather than good health, they can be more susceptible to common Pug health issues. Eye problems often occur, as well as ear issues, skin allergies, mange, and skinfold infections. Like other short-faced breeds, Pugs struggle with breathing conditions. Minor Conditions. Silver Brindle Some of the most common colors on these small dogs include black and fawn, which is a light greyish brown. Just like their cousins, they have a double-layered coat, which means that this small pooch sheds a lot. Yup, these small canines are still heavily wrinkled. They have the large round head, big dark eyes with a wrinkled brow. A full-grown adult will weigh no more than 5 pounds and will fit comfortably inside of a teacup. Their weight classification is less than the Toy group of dogs. Unfortunately, these canines are in high demand and this is what causes breeders to breed these pups and charge insanely high prices. Just like the full-grown breed, these small dogs have the common black face masks, velvety soft ears, short black muzzles and the small teeth that produce the common under bite trait they are known for. Temperament This small pooch has a happy-go-lucky attitude. Pet owners will love the loyal, loving and affectionate attitude they display. What you will not like is the strong mind they possess which can make them challenging to train. However, with consistent training and patience, you can teach them to behave properly. Pugs are sensitive to the tone of your voice and want to please their owners. These dogs get along well with cats , dogs, adults, humans, and babies. Excessive Barking Unfortunately, this pooch tends to love the sound of their own voice and barks a little too much. We trained Mindy our black Pug to stop barking so much. Eventually, instead of barking, she would make a dove sound to let us know about something or if she got too excited. Adaptability This dog will be happy living in an apartment in town or a house out in the country. Their small stature makes it easy to provide them a loving environment regardless of where you love. Like their full-grown cousins, they require at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Make sure you have the proper harness to keep them from running off and getting hurt. Health Issues of The Teacup This tiny package comes with their own health issues that every pet owner should understand. They are classified as a brachycephalic breed, which means that they are going to struggle with certain health issues. Since they are crossbred with teacup Chihuahuas, they can inherit the health issues that affect Chihuahuas. When you start cross-breeding these pooches, there are even more issues they can face. Brachycephaly in Micro Pugs The common characteristics of this breed, short muzzles, bulging eyes, and wrinkled skin is are the conditions that are associated with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome. What is a teacup dog? How are teacup dogs made? Teacup versions of already small dog breeds include Pugs, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, and Chihuahuas, amongst others. Puppies are often photographed sitting inside of teacups, to showcase their small size. But how are these teacup versions made? There are a few ways. Teacup dogs are usually produced by breeding runts together to create the smallest version of the dog possible. Unfortunately the small dogs chosen to breed are sometimes also not the healthiest. They may be small because of a birth defect or other medical condition, and that can then be passed on to their offspring. Health risks for tiny versions of dogs can be significant, and breeders often take these risks because they want to rake in the big bucks. Another way a teacup dog might be bred is by mixing smaller breeds. For example, a teacup pug might have a small amount of chihuahua in them, to ensure a smaller size. What is a Teacup Pug, or a Toy Pug? What is the pug breed standard? Glad you asked. What is a very small pug called? In the United States and Canada, the pug breed standard only has one classification — standard. However, people do use certain words to describe purebred pugs that happen to be on the small side. They often just have one goal: to breed smaller and smaller dogs. Common health risks that come with breeding small versions of dogs include: Hydrocephalus: also known as water on the brain, hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the brain. Hypoglycemia: a condition where the blood sugar glucose level is lower than normal. Collapsing Trachea: Tracheal collapse is when rings of cartilage in the trachea begin to flatten out, making it difficult for air to get to the lungs. Patella Luxation: or sliding kneecap, is a condition where the knee cap rides outside the femoral groove when the knee is flexed. They can also be prone to seizures, respiratory issues, and liver shunts. These health issues and complications result in higher vet bills, and dogs with shorter life spans. Share your comments below. Pin for later!

Suffice to say that the dog has come a long way from its herding roots. Part of that perfect picture we have of these pups is the erect position of their ears. It gives them the qualities we associate with the breed, such as intelligence and confidence. Floppy ears strike us as a disconnect. These dogs have a dense coat that puts a lot of weight on their ears, relatively speaking. Also, large breeds like the German Shepherd mature more slowly than smaller dogs. It could just be a matter of time. That fact will come into play with the availability and price of the dog. It may have a disqualifying trait , such as floppy ears. This characteristic has a genetic component. Injury or Trauma Damaged the Cartilage Puppies sometimes play rough. They bite at each other, and sometimes the ears get the brunt of it. That often translates into slower healing times. Some manufactures produce tailor-made foods for specific breeds , such as the German Shepherd. That can go a long way to helping your dog recovering from an injury. It can interfere with air circulation in the ear canals, setting up the perfect storm for infections or mites. These conditions are horribly uncomfortable for your pup. Left untreated, it can cause a hematoma or swelling. This condition requires veterinary treatment. Several options exist, from aspirating or draining it to surgery. The best prevention is avoiding the conditions that caused the ear discomfort in the first place. All German Shepherds have floppy ears as puppies. The difference depends on when they start to change and stand up into their adult position. It can take several months. However, the number of adult dogs with floppy ears is about one in five. That may get its ears standing upright quicker. Taping the ears is usually part of the healing process when dogs get their ears cropped. The other concern is doing the procedure correctly. That could lead to ear trauma or a bowel obstruction if it swallows the materials. We suggest that you have your veterinarian do the job if you want to go this route. Final Thoughts The upright ears are an essential feature of the striking pose of the German Shepherd. Nature often has her plan for when that will happen in a puppy. Sometimes, it takes longer in pups with thicker fur or large ears. Healthy nutritional support will help the cartilage develop stronger and quicker. In the meantime, patience is the key. See also:. Bright eyes, strong profiles, and of course, those perky, attentive ears! When you first bring your German Shepherd puppy home, its ears will probably be floppy and droopy — at times, those ears may try to make a stand, only to fall back down again. What gives!? As your German Shepherd grows and gets the right nutrition among other things , the cartilage gets stronger and stronger. And voila — straight, pointy German Shepherd ears! But is it really that simple? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. German Shepherd puppy ears can be unpredictable! The key is to be patient and give those ears time to develop on their own before stepping in. Those ears should perk back up after teething is over. If you want to learn more about the timing of teething and what to look for, check out this article on German Shepherd puppy teething. When went to visit my German Shepherd, Allie pictured above at 7 weeks old , her ears were floppy and undeniably precious. I brought Allie home at 8 weeks, and those ears still had their ups and downs, but by 10 weeks old, her ears were up permanently. So, the key is to catch it in time. This flip-floppy stage is completely normal. Genetics can also come into play when some breeders try to breed specifically for German Shepherds with larger ears. As a result, those big, oversized, heavy ears may be too much to stand up. If pointy, perky ears are important to you, then choose your breeder and puppy carefully. Make sure to check out the parents — how do their ears look? Any significant trauma to the ears during this time can cause permanent damage — which may also cause droopy ears. Try to have everyone keep their hands off those adorable ears as much as possible. Parasites: Yuck. Puppies need chew toys, as it exercises their jaw and their head and neck muscles. Those muscles are important for perky puppy ears. So, let your puppy chew, chew, and chew on the right things of course. If you need some ideas for durable dog toys that can withstand those chomping jaws, then check out this article for my picks of the best tough German Shepherd chew toys. Stick to a high-quality, natural diet instead. Cottage cheese and yogurt both have plenty of calcium without overdoing it , and chicken feet are a natural source of glucosamine, which helps strengthen cartilage. Give those ears time to develop on their own before you resort to taping. At the end of the article are some sources that go over common methods of taping. Note: There are several options that you can use for this — there are even foam dog ear forms. Thin, white surgical tape that tears easily. A 2-inch wide tape works well, and you can also get this at Walmart, CVS, or somewhere similar. Note: Do NOT use duct tape or electrical tape — these will do way more harm than good! An unsharpened pencil or popsicle stick. Adhesive — either skin bond adhesive or eyelash glue are good choices. Give those ears plenty of time to develop and get stronger before taking action. How old was your German Shepherd puppy when its ears finally stood up? Let me know below! I get a lot of emails about taping German Shepherd puppy ears. The majority of these emails come from people who are jumping the gun and worrying too much. By that, I mean their pups are 3 or 4 months old and they are starting to panic because their puppy's ears are not standing. I tell these people that they need patience, they need to wait until their pup has finished teething. I caution these people not to jump the gun and tape the dog's ears too early or in the wrong way. I know people who have screwed their dog's ears up for life by doing this. I have had puppy customers who go ballistic on me and panic. So I issue a word of caution here. With that said, the other side of the spectrum of taping ears is something that many people do not take seriously until it's too late. When ears are taped at 7 and 8 months, there is very little chance of it working. This is an unfortunate fact of life. German Shepherd puppy ears can come up between 8 weeks and 6 months. If they are not up when the dog is through teething this varies from dog to dog but in general between 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age , I tell my puppy customers to get very interested in their ears. While it's not time to panic, it is time to sit up and take notice. The first thing to do is make sure that your puppy is in good health. This means no intestinal parasites. Take a stool sample to your vet to have it analyzed. It's also important to make sure the pup is getting good quality food. We feed and recommend a raw diet but if you do feed a commercial diet, I strongly recommend researching all the options available and feeding the highest-quality food you can afford. View our list of all-natural kibble alternatives. In fact, a lot of times, a pup will have both ears up and all of a sudden, they will come back down when the pup starts to teeth. Many owners panic when this happens. But not to worry, I have never seen a pup whose ears did not go back up when this happens. If a pup does not have his ears up by 5 months, I strongly recommend that you get involved with taping your dog's ears. Use the thin white surgical tape the kind that's paper-thin and tears easily. The 3M Micropore tape, 2" wide, works well. I like to use women's hair rollers. Take the plastic out of them and just use the foam. Wrap the ear around the foam and tape them into a tight roll. In a vertical position. Take a popsicle stick and attach it to the top part of both ears. In a horizontal position. The pup is going to tear the tape or stick off the ears several times. The key is to continue to re-tape the ears. Sooner or later, the pup will forget the tape and ignore it. About once a week, take the tape off and see if the ears will stand on their own. Continue to re-tape until the ears stand. If the ears are not up by 7 or 8 months, they are not going to come up. The ears should look like this once taped. The same dog with ears now up. I have seen ears that did not stand, which in my opinion would have stood had they been taped. So this process is not something to take lightly. I also need to say that many ears will be a little weak right after taping but with time, they will strengthen. So when an ear does not stand perfectly after taping don't panic. Just have patience and see what happens. You will really not have an idea exactly what you have until the pup is 12 months old. When ears do not stand, there are ear implants that can be surgically added. I have no experience with this and do not know anything about them. If you are unlucky enough to have a dog whose ears will not stand, I would point you toward a vet that has some experience in this area. I don't think it's something that normal small animal vets know how to do well. In my opinion, too young to tape. The material to use to tape German Shepherd Ears The pup with its ears taped I prefer taping German Shepherd Dogs ears after the dog has finished teething. This usually means the dog is older than 4 - 6 months. Maybe waiting another month would have been a better idea for this puppy.