how to tame a german shepherd puppy

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Lab puppies are incredibly cute, but their teeth really hurt when they are puncturing your skin every time you try to play. No one likes to be bitten, so how can you get a lab puppy to stop biting? The best way to stop a Lab puppy from biting is through a combination of proper exercise, training, redirection, and the use of positive affirmation. Most owners attempt at least one of these methods, but it is the combination and use of all of them that will effectively curb unwanted biting. Keep in mind that before you can stop it effectively, you should know why Labrador puppies bite so much. Additionally, know when they tend to naturally stop biting. Only then can you effectively begin to work on preventing them from biting. Lab puppies use their mouths to explore their environment and gather important information. When puppies are growing their adult teeth, they will often chew to soothe the ache along their gums. Labs may also bite to play or out of fear and aggression. Biting for Sensory Information When a puppy bites something, they learn how hard they can bite it, what it tastes like, how it feels, and if they can bite it again. All of this information is stored in a mental catalog your dog looks back on when encountering a similar object. This learning process is very important for puppies to become well-socialized dogs. When a puppy bites another puppy too hard they will lose their playmate. Biting too hard can have negative repercussions! Biting for sensory information is a totally normal behavior for puppies and even adult dogs. Since they don't have hands to explore with, their mouths are the only option. However, if you don't want your dog's mouth on you or your belongings, there are ways to stop this biting but we'll get to that later! Biting for Teething As your Lab matures, their mouths will start to change. Once their adult teeth begin to push up through their gums, the teeth they were born with begin to fall out one by one. It is the same process humans go through when their baby teeth come in and are later replaced with adult teeth. Just like with humans, this process is somewhat painful and incredibly uncomfortable. To help quicken the process, puppies will chew on things to wear down the gum between the new tooth and their mouth. This practice is also very soothing for puppies, especially if they chew on something cold. Biting for Play vs Biting for Aggression In the wild, dogs and wolves play by wrestling around and biting one another. Since your dog sees you as a member of its pack, they will try to play with you in a similar way. Of course, this biting still isn't ideal, but it's important to know the difference between play and real aggression. When a dog bites out of aggression, it is because they are scared, or you are asking them to do something they really don't want to do. Biting out of aggression is important to watch and fix at a young age so you don't end up with an aggressive dog. The most significant indicator of aggressive biting is body language. When a puppy is being playful, their body and facial muscles are relaxed. When a puppy is biting out of aggression, their body will be stiff or frozen, their face will have a lot of tension in it, and their lips may be pulled back in a snarl or growl. If you are seeing a lot of aggression in your puppy, you should contact your Veterinarian to make sure they are not in pain. When a dog suddenly becomes aggressive, they may have an unseen condition that is causing them to lash out. If you get a clear bill of health, you should seek the help of a professional trainer to help you. As we said earlier, as your Labrador matures, they will start to develop adult teeth. This change usually occurs around 12 to 16 weeks of age; the process will reach its end at about 7 months. Therefore, if your Lab is biting to soothe its gums, then the biting should end around the same time their teeth have fully grown in. If your puppy is biting for sensory information and play, it will lessen as your Lab matures and begins to slow down. While there is no magic number that says when your Lab will calm down , it usually happens between the ages of 2 and 4. First, don't hit your puppy as punishment. They aren't doing anything wrong in their mind because biting is natural. You also can't decide when it is and isn't okay to bite. Doing so can cause great confusion. When trying to prevent your Lab from biting, a few tips can help you. Exercise, training, redirecting, and positive affirmations are your secret weapons against those adorable, tiny, sharp teeth. Exercise Exercising your Lab daily will cause them to be too exhausted to do anything but sleep, let alone bite you. You can exercise your Lab by playing fetch, going on walks, or using enrichment toys. Training First, I recommend formal fundamental training before attempting anything specialized. Training your Lab not to bite sounds complicated, but it can be as easy as slapping some butter and seasoning on. If your Lab is biting YOU, put some butter on your arms and clothes wear they like to bite you. Show the butter to your Lab, and when they lick at it, say "yes, kisses, yes. This associates the word "kisses" with the act of licking and the yummy taste your dog gets. The next time your Lab tries to bite you, say "kisses," they should start to lick you instead as they try for the yummy taste. If your Lab is biting furniture or shoes, there is another approach. Grab a spicy seasoning, like paprika or taco seasoning, and sprinkle it on the places your Lab chews. Then, the next time they go to chew it, they will get a nasty taste in their mouth and leave the thing alone! Redirecting Redirecting your dog to things they are allowed to chew on when playing is another way to avoid being bitten. Have some good chew toys handy whenever you are playing with your Lab. When your Lab starts to bite you, show them a chew toy and try directing the bite towards it. After a while, your puppy should go after its toys instead of you. This type of training takes time , but is proven to be very effective. Positive Affirmation When your dog does what you want, whether it's licking or going for a proper toy, make sure you give them lots of praise. Tell them how good they are and even provide them with a treat or two! Final Thoughts Biting is a natural part of a Lab's life, but it is crucial to decipher playful nips and aggressive ones. Playful body language is loose and relaxed Aggressive body language is stiff and snarling If you are seeing a lot of aggressive body language in your Lab, make sure they are healthy and contact a trainer A Lab will probably stop biting after they stop teething If your Lab doesn't stop biting after teething, they should stop upon reaching maturity between 2 and 4 years of age Exercise, training, redirecting, and positive affirmation are the best ways to stop biting NEVER hit your dog to stop biting. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You turn your attention back to your computer screen and suddenly feel little teeth grabbing at your sock! You look down. Your once-angelic puppy is now having a full on game of tug-of-war with your pant leg! This cute baby is now more like a furry little monster. You get up and try to walk away, but the fur alligator is still attached, munching away at your trousers and having the best time! If this sounds like your life, read on to learn how to stop a puppy from biting. Why Do Puppies Bite? Believe it or not, this scenario is actually very common! Biting is one of the most natural things in the world to a young pup; and they do it for many reasons. You would be left with your feet and mouth to interact, taste and feel your environment. Now, what if you had puppy paws — incapable of grasping anything? That leaves you with one final way to interact — your mouth. For good measure, add in the incredible curiosity of a child. How many times do you see a baby grab things with their hands and pop them into the mouth? Puppies have that same mindset. Your mouth strength and play bite helped you communicate and determine your rank in society. Your mouthy mojo gave you respect in canine culture. Puppies interact with their surroundings largely through their mouths. Labradors, like most sporting breeds, have the drive to chase after prey, put it in their mouths, and bring it back to you. This translates into a strong need to chew. They will try this same tactic with their human pack members. If ignored, one bite on the toe is often enough to get the focus back on them. Remember, to a puppy even negative attention is still attention. Terrible Teething When you add teething into the mix, you have the recipe for a furry gator. Most pups will have an increased need to chew while teething , which can begin at 6 weeks and last to 8 months of age. Unlike teething, there is no magical age that puppies grow out of a learned mouthing behavior. Thankfully, with positive training, most dogs eventually lose interest in chewing on their owners. Types of Biting: Aggression or Play? Puppies use their teeth in many ways. However, this is actually just very intense play. Play biting can be accompanied with growling and snarling. This is just part of the fun to a young pup. Instead, we will look into how we can prevent playful mouthing. However, it is important to recognize the signs of aggression. Pay attention to the timing of the biting as well. If so, the motive behind the bite may be more aggressive. Could it be Resource Guarding? Some dogs also aggressively bite when they are guarding a toy or food item, commonly called resource guarding. With resource guarding, you will see the same behavior as aggressive biting, but they will also stand over an object and defend it from any perceived threat. If you think your puppy is behaving aggressively, seek professional help to learn how to actively manage this issue. In contrast to this, playing puppies will be relaxed and have a wiggly body. They will be bouncy, easily roll onto their backs and often be panting with open mouths. Even if they are growling, a relaxed face and body mean a happy puppy. What Can Trigger Biting? Do you really want your pound Labrador to target your hands as a toy later? Children Little kids tend to excite puppies more than adults. Children move erratically, run around, make strange sounds and have a lot more energy. Puppies can easily associate them with toys. Ankle Biters Puppies target fast moving objects that excite their prey drive. Your feet moving by at their eye level can be irresistible. After all, what self-respecting puppy would snub shoes with those floppy laces that are perfect for playing tug? How do we do this? Redirection with Hands When training your puppy, always have a toy to offer. Remember, puppies are like babies. Your job is to redirect them to fun toys instead of human skin. You must do everything possible to make toys extremely attractive so the puppy chooses them over your clothing, hands or feet. Redirection with Kids You can also use redirection around children. First, teach your puppy to use interactive toys and then show your child how to play with the puppy correctly. In the event that your dog forgets, teach your kids to be a tree when their puppy begins to bite them or their clothes. This position makes them less interactive to the puppy. They look boring and the puppy will lose interest. Most bites occur because the child is running or moving erratically. Remember, dogs have the same prey triggers as wolves. If something is running away, it looks like prey. Your job, therefore, is to have an even more amazing toy than your feet. You can take a toy, tie it to a rope, and then tie the rope to your belt so that you are dragging the toy whenever your pup is out. If your puppy is coming for your feet, stop moving them and wave the toy around excitedly instead. Once the pup is attached to the toy, you can start walking again. This way, they will pounce on the toy instead of you! Bite inhibition simply means that the puppy learns not to apply too much force behind their teeth. They apply gentle, but firm, pressure to their greeting. Puppies also learn to limit this pressure with their mouths by feedback from pack members. When puppies are little, they learn bite inhibition through play with their siblings. If two pups are tussling, and one bites down too hard, the other puppy yelps loudly. This startling sound usually causes the offending party to let go. The play stops for a few minutes, as the first pup nurses his wounded ego. Play then resumes, but with less brutality. Instead, let the puppy release your hand and then simply get up and and move away from your pup while ignoring them. Your job is to teach them when they bite down on you, the fun stops. Ignore them for about a minute, then return and resume the play and praise them when they focus on the toy. If they bite you too hard again, repeat this process. You can either step over a puppy barrier or go into another room and shut the door. Just make sure they are in a puppy-proof area, as they may take out their frustration on inappropriate household items. You can also keep the puppy on a leash while playing with them. If they bite you, you can calmly tether them to something and then walk out of their reach. Your goal is to correct the puppy only by taking away your fun presence. You should not be threatening or angry. Give them the appropriate time out from the fun interaction to settle down, and then come back with a toy to redirect their energy. Once they understand they have to be gentle, you can then start to ask more of them by ending the game with lighter and lighter pressure on your skin. Finally, you can take the game to the highest standard — no teeth on human skin at all. If you slowly progress to this over weeks, you teach your pup to have a soft mouth. If they do feel the need to put their teeth on a human, they know not to put much pressure into their bite. You need to teach your puppy that human skin is fragile and requires a softer touch than a canine interaction. Your goal for this exercise should be to help your puppy understand that the play and fun things continue as long as they keep their teeth on their toy and not on you! More Ways to Stop Your Puppy Biting While the yelp and time-out method works for most pups, there are additional ways to reinforce good behavior. When your puppy bites your hand, they get a terrible taste. You can use anti-chewing sprays like Bitter Apple to make your hands less appealing. When your puppy bites you, be still and wait for them to react to the bitter taste. When they let go, praise them and redirect them onto a treat or toy. You want the crate to always be associated with only good things. Crates also should be in the middle of the household, with the rest of the pack — not isolated. This is the same way other canine pack members would isolate them. A laundry room or puppy pen works well for this exercise. Make sure the room is comfortable and safe for your puppy. When the puppy is too stimulated, calmly put him in the room with some teething toys and leave. Teaching them interactive games like fetch or bringing you a toy to tug helps show them that they can have even more fun when they play by your rules. Positive play helps develop a bond with your dog. You never want to avoid it, you just want to show them how to play without biting you. Teaching puppies to retrieve objects helps to tire them out, gives them something positive to chase, and focuses their bite on an appropriate item. Plus, most Labradors are pretty good at retrieving! Remember, anytime we ask a puppy to stop a behavior, it should be because they are rewarded in an even more exciting and positive way for doing something else and things our way. The following video shows how. Video: How to Stop a Puppy from Biting This video shows how to use clicker training to stimulate a puppy in situations where they normally would bite; and then reward them when they choose a closed mouth and calm interaction. Dominant Puppies Dogs are individuals. However, as puppies mature, there may be the rare pup that uses biting as a way to take charge. Dominant puppies may bite to show you that they want to be the boss as they mature. This happens naturally among littermates, as all packs have a pecking order. This reinforces to them that you are backing down and that they are the leader in the relationship. Always remain calm and assertive with your puppy, but end the game as soon as they begin vying for leadership instead of playing. Remember, the alternative to not training your dog is a large animal putting his mouth on people. Be patient with your puppy. Remember, mouthing and biting are normal parts of canine culture. If you stay patiently positive, train consistently, and redirect and reward good behavior, you will soon see a puppy that learns to bring you a tug toy instead of shredding your trousers. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. This awful biting time with puppies seems like it will go on for ever, but actually it only lasts a few weeks - mostly by the time the new teeth have come through, at about four to five months, the biting stops, and soon you will find you have a dog with a gentle mouth. You may not realize it, but your puppy is already being careful to some extent - if you have ever fed a puppy a raw chicken wing, for instance, you will know that he would be completely capable of biting right through your fingers, if he really wanted to. He is already pulling his punches, and now just needs your help to learn that human skin is more delicate than the thick fur of his mother and siblings. Your puppy sounds like he gets wound up and overtired the mad running around the house. This is the time a crate or quiet area can work wonders. Stay calm, keep giving him toys and chews to chomp on instead of your hands, refuse to interact with him when he bites you - even a second or two of no attention will help him to realize you really don't like it. Grabbing his cheeks and pulling him obviously doesn't work, he probably thinks it's some kind of game, and the attention you are inadvertently bestowing on him in that way seems to be making the situation worse.It will help if you teach him what you DO want, which is calm, gentle behaviour. Don't forget to praise him quietly and calmly when he is being good and quiet. I found holding one end of a chew such as a bully stick , so that we were interacting without him actually hurting me, helped. I also found that working out a routine was very helpful, so that we would go outside to play, then he would have his food, go out again to pee, then I would put him in his bed in the crate or behind a gate for a rest. Don't panic, this is very normal puppy behaviour, and I guarantee it will pass. You will get there. In a couple of months you'll be telling us what a delight he is.Calm puppy behavior. Conflicting advice on how to stop your pup biting Many articles will tell you to ignore a puppy when he bites and to offer him a toy instead. Some people will tell you to punish your biting puppy. Others will tell you that you must not stop your puppy biting too suddenly, or punish him for biting, for fear of drastic consequences later. So who is right, and who is wrong? Does ignoring stop your puppy biting? Many new puppy owners try to ignore the biting puppy initially. This failure tends to be for one or more of the following reasons. Does noise stop puppy biting? There is no doubt that a sufficiently loud squeal, followed by immediate withdrawal of attention, will cause many Labrador puppies to break off from biting. Sometimes long enough for a skilled owner to then redirect the puppy into a more appropriate activity. There is also no doubt that for some puppies, this has the reverse effect, and causes them to bite harder and more fiercely. A puppy that has spent sufficient time with his Mum, may be more likely to take heed of this verbal warning, as he will expect it to be followed by a sharp click of her teeth and a fiercer rebuke if he ignores her. But there are no guarantees here. And the fact is, squealing simply does not work as an effective anti-biting strategy, for some puppies. Punishing the puppy to stop biting I have heard, even quite experienced, breeders tell new puppy owners to punish their puppy if he bites. Either by intimidating the puppy with an angry growling voice, or even with physical punishment such as a scruff shake or slap. But there are problems with this approach. This process is called bite inhibition. And the use of punishment may curtail all biting rather than just the hardest, most painful, bites. Nowadays many people like to train dogs without punishment. And there are strong reasons for joining them — check out this article — the downside of punishing dogs. Teaching puppy to stop biting Why would we want to teach dogs to bite humans gently? Why is it not best to teach them not to bite at all, right from the start? The idea of reducing biting gradually was popularised by Ian Dunbar. The theory is that a dog which learns to inhibit his bite i. You can read more about bite inhibition here: Labrador Puppies Biting. The concept is a sound one, and most canine behaviorists agree that teaching gradual bite inhibition is a good thing. The problem for many new puppy owners, is stopping those painful bites in the first place! The first step is not a technique at all, but an adjustment in the expectations that we have of a small puppy How much do Lab puppies bite? New puppy owners tend to have false expectations of puppies. They also anticipate that stopping a puppy from biting will be a fairly quick and simple matter. None of these expectations is true. Most puppies bite hard, frequently and growl fiercely whilst they are doing it. This noise is not a sign of aggression see Help my puppy is aggressive. Stopping a puppy from biting is a process, a journey. And it can be temporarily an uncomfortable one! It is important to accept that there is no guaranteed way of stopping biting immediately. Indeed, as we have seen, bite prevention rather than inhibition may be a bad thing in any case. Supervise your puppy around children Once you have got your head around the fact that this process will take some time, that it will be a gradual thing, you need to think about how you are going to protect any children that might come into contact with the puppy. This is important because small children can, both hurt and, be hurt by small biting puppies. Calm your puppy to stop him biting The next priority is to keep your puppy calm. Overexcited puppies bite harder and more frequently than less excited puppies. This will merely start the biting up all over again. There are lots of ways to interact with puppies without physically playing with them. Check out our article on playing safely with your dog. What to do when a puppy bites When your puppy bites you really hard, take immediate action. Stand up, move away from him and completely withdraw your attention. You can try the squeal thing if you want to. This works well with some puppies. Be ready for it, and repeat your actions. If the puppy chases after you, biting at your legs and feet, step over a baby gate, or pop him in his crate for a few minutes. You can read up on this process in more detail in this article: How to cope with biting. Remember, puppies enjoy chewing , and teething puppies need to chew on something. Whilst you and your clothing are not suitable chew toys, you need to provide your puppy with alternatives, like Kong toys. How to stop your puppy biting Biting is normal Biting should be inhibited in stages Training takes time The key points to take away from this are that biting is normal, and that training a puppy not to bite takes time. Stop the painful bites first, then work on putting a stop to mouthing. If what you are doing is not working, you probably just need to be more patient and persistent. If your children are suffering, you need to separate and supervise. Work hard on keeping your puppy calm — it makes the biggest difference. But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on. How to train a puppy not to bite Is it normal for puppies to bite a lot? Yes it is! Almost all puppies bite and some bite much harder than others. How long do puppies teeth and bite? With some exceptions, puppy biting will stop by the time your puppy has his full set of grown up teeth at 7 months. Fortunately, you can stop your puppy from biting long before they have cut all their adult teeth. Do puppies grow out of biting? If you do nothing at all, to teach a puppy not to bite, the biting would likely subside over the next few months. But its very easy to do the wrong thing, and actually encourage a puppy to bite more. And in those cases, play biting can become very rough and the relationship between a young dog and their family can break down. Do All Labradors Bite? Anyone who shares their home with a 10 or 12 week old puppy will tell you that Labradors bite! And I can reassure you that this applies to all Labradors in the first few months of life. Fortunately this is a phase puppies go through and not a permanent character flaw. And most adult Labradors are indeed very good natured dogs. And also at what is normal, and what is not. If your children are in tears at being bitten every time they try to play with and cuddle their new friend, you may be wondering if your puppy is becoming aggressive. You may even worry that your children might be at risk. Fortunately I can reassure you that this is not the case. While your puppy may frighten your children with his sharp teeth and growling. The way he is behaving now does not mean he will be a threat to their safety in the future. Happily, studies have shown that behavior in small puppies is not predictive of the way that they will behave as adults! Why Do Puppies Bite Children? Some breeders will not sell puppies to homes where there are small children. This is because puppies often bite children and teenagers harder and more persistently than they bite grown-ups. It is normal for small puppies to make small children cry, but before you rush your puppy off to the local shelter, bear with me a moment, because I can help with that. Children give off conflicting signals to the puppy. Fortunately there are lots of ways to make it easier on yourself and on your kids. In short, you need to be a little patient at this point, and it helps to know that this phase does pass quite quickly. And that it is completely normal for all puppies to bite a lot, and to bite children with particular enthusiasm! It has to be said, Labradors are even more bitey than some other breeds of dog during this stage in their development. In fact, retrievers generally tend to be very bitey as puppies. As can the pain of being bitten. Puppy bites do hurt. And sometimes they leave marks. Pain, bruising, scratching, little tooth marks on your toddler, these are all part and parcel of raising a puppy. Some very enthusiastic puppies will even draw blood on occasions. All this is normal, but I will explain what you can do about it. Perhaps the most serious concern that new puppy parents have, is the fear that their puppy is becoming aggressive. What really worries people is the snarling. When puppies play, they practice being fierce. They throw themselves into the whole play acting thing with huge enthusiasm. And they are brilliant at it. And the most important part of that game is to make as much noise as possible and to sound as angry as possible. So, all puppies growl or snarl ferociously when they play, while they are biting, and sometimes when they are trying to entice their poor owners into yet another game. His little face will be all scrunched up, his lips drawn back, his teeth showing. So he has no idea that he is frightening your children or that you are wondering if he is turning into a horrible aggressive and dangerous beast. Please do be reassured, that however fierce your ten week old puppy sounds. It is just a game. He is truly just playing. Normal Puppy Play Behavior So, the hard truth is, all puppies bite. And many puppy bites are quite painful. Some Labrador puppies bite more than most, and biting a lot, and growling or snarling at the same time is normal. So is biting so hard that it makes your eyes water, and even occasionally breaks the skin. Puppies bite at hands that go to stroke them, at bare feet, and happily tug away at clothing, all the while trying to sound as fierce as they possibly can. All this is normal. And you, quite naturally, will want to know exactly when it is going to stop! When Do Puppies Stop Biting? It also happens in working dog families where the dogs may be kennelled or at least are not allowed unsupervised interaction with anyone apart from their trainer or main carer. A study carried out on Guide Dog puppies in showed that simply rejecting interaction and refusing to play was enough to stop the puppies biting their adult puppy walkers. But, and it is a big but — in most young families, this is not always what happens. In many families, especially where the puppy is a novelty, everyone plays with the puppy, and often in quite a physical way. This gets puppies very excited and tends to make biting worse. Inexperienced puppy owners also tend to inadvertently prolong the biting phase by rewarding the puppy with attention when he bites. The more excited they get, the harder they bite. Rough physical play gets puppies excited, rubbing puppies tummies, chasing puppies, grabbing at puppies. All these things get puppies bubbling with excitement Noisy behavior can get puppies excited too, so children squealing, or crying, grown ups shouting or getting cross. You might not think you are rewarding your puppy for biting, but you probably are. Labrador puppies are particularly social and love attention more than most puppies do. Any kind of contact with you, or other members of the family, including physical contact, talking, shouting, even eye contact, all reward your puppy. And if you give him these things while he is biting, this will reinforce the biting behavior and he will bite more in the future Poor bite inhibition What makes the bites hurt more, is poor bite inhibition. So the next section explains what bite inhibition is and how you can help your puppy improve his. What Is Bite Inhibition? At just eight or nine weeks old , Labrador puppies are actually capable of crushing bones the thickness of your little finger, with their jaws. Your puppy has been learning to inhibit his bite since he was tiny. His mother and brothers and sisters all helped to teach him how hard he can bite without hurting them. This is where your training will come in. You can read more about bite inhibition and bite inhibition training in this article What About Puppy Teething? We mentioned teething earlier because people tend to associate biting with teething. So, is it true that puppies bite so much because they are teething? And how long will teething go on for? In fact, most problem puppy biting is simply play. Puppies may chew or mouth at fingers to help relieve the discomfort of teething, but this is not the major cause of the biting problems we find in homes with small puppies. Most puppies have their adult teeth by the time they are 7 months old, but biting does not usually last that long. He is growing fast and by 11 or 12 weeks those bites will hurt a lot more. The time to begin taking action is now! But for the time being, you need to put this image aside. Children under five are simply not capable of playing with a puppy under four months without getting bitten. So you need to supervise every interaction between them. Do put baby gates across doorways, even if you no longer need them for your children. Baby gates allow you to separate children and puppies when you are not free to supervise. Do show children how to stroke the puppy gently whilst you hold one end of a rawhide chew and let the puppy gnaw on the other end. It will end in tears. Playful Visitors It is not just children that play inappropriately with puppies. I have known grown men grapple roughly with a tiny puppy, rolling him around the floor, making growling noises, whilst the puppy gnaws on his knuckles. You can find out how to play safely with a Labrador in this article. Saving your sanity and enjoying your puppy If you were not expecting this, it can seem like a big deal, but supervision and some separation is essential if you are to keep your sanity, and your children are to dry their tears and carry on enjoying their puppy. With older children, you need to teach them how to interact with the puppy without getting him overwrought. Labrador puppies, like toddlers, are easily over-excited. And when they are over-excited they start to be silly. Your first job at this stage, is to keep your puppy calm. Your second job is to stop giving your puppy rewards for biting. Make sure the puppy gets no reward at all when he bites someone. Especially no attention. The next stage explains how you can do that. The process whereby the puppy learns to use his mouth gently on your skin — and it takes a little while. Bite inhibition is taught in stages. The puppy learns to reduce the power of his bites gradually. What to do when your puppy bites If your puppy bites and hurts you, remove your attention immediately. This is where baby gates can be really helpful. If you are playing with your puppy and he bites you, you can step over the gate, thus effectively removing all attention from him. All of a sudden his playmate has disappeared. What about squealing You may have heard that a puppy will stop biting if you yelp or squeal. And you can try this, because it does work with some puppies. But many puppies get even more excited by the yelping, and on others it has no effect. The strongest signal you can give your puppy is the loss of your presence and attention. What about punishment? Some people try and stop puppies biting by smacking them or shouting at them. There are several problems with this. Firstly, it tends to only stop the puppy biting the person who did the yelling. Which is of course the very opposite of what you are trying to achieve! You can find out more about the potential impact of punishing your Labrador here. What if you need to move a biting puppy? If you need to move the puppy away rather than stepping away from the puppy you may find he bites at your hands when you go to pick him up or take hold of his collar. Others bite when they are stroked or petted. We are fond of wiggling our fingers at puppies, petting them and rubbing our fingers in their fur, not behaviors that dogs really understand. And many puppies see fingers and toes as something to chase and play with. Hands are a particular target for puppy bites so teach your children to interact with your puppy using toys that he can tug and bite on, rather than playing with him using their bare hands. Distracting your puppy If you want to sit and pet your puppy, or your children do, use treats or hold a rawhide chew with one hand so he can gnaw on the end. Have your puppy wear a harness and houseline so that you can pick up the end of the line and move him to where you want him to go without his grabbing at your hands. Stage Four: Train Your Puppy Not To Bite This is where we teach the puppy to let us stroke and pet him, or handle him in any way we like, without him putting his mouth around our fingers. The best way to do this is with a clicker and some dog treats. But you can also use a word like YES instead of the click. And place a treat on the floor in front of him You see where I am going with this? Build up slowly so that you can touch him anywhere on his head or body, pick up his paws etc. All without him grabbing or mouthing at you. What do I do if he mouths at me? If the puppy grabs at your hand, you got too close. Make smaller hand movements further away from him until he ignores those, then bring the movements gradually closer. Stage Five: Playing Safely As puppies grow older biting can reappear. Puppies between six and nine months of age, are extremely boisterous, and may start nipping with their teeth during play. At this age, your puppy is more than half grown, and his size and weight are a significant problem if rough play is allowed. The secret to avoiding and resolving this issue is to change the way you interact with your puppy. And to ensure that children follow your example. Boisterous and excitable puppies must not be allowed to play rough games with small people. The consequences can be very unpleasant, and it is no coincidence that this is the age at which many young dogs are abandoned or given up to rescue. Here are a few more articles that you might find helpful:. Print How to stop your puppy from biting your hands and feet — fast! Have you ever watched a litter of retriever puppies play with each other? They are all mouths and feet as they growl, bite and paw at each other. Over time, if left to it, each pup will naturally figure out their place in the pack. However, when you bring your Lab puppy home there are no longer littermates with whom to tussle. And the result is often that your Lab puppy will start biting and growling at you! The problem is that puppy teeth are sharp. Very sharp! And when your puppy bites you, even if they are playing, it hurts. So, what can you do to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand and you find yourself or someone in your family injured by your puppy? Before I go any further, I want to be clear about what we are talking about. You should seek professional help and evaluation. Why puppies bite and growl Puppy play is a kind of training for a dog as they grow and mature. It is also a way that dogs determine rank within a group. Remember, dogs are pack animals. In a pack there is only one Alpha lead dog. Every other dog is under the authority and control of that dog. No two dogs share the same rank. So, while biting and growling starts as play, it does not stay that way. All dogs, whether in a group of dogs or a human family, want to understand their place in the family. They need to know their place. It helps they be more mentally balanced and will help solve a multitude of behavioral problems. Once a puppy or dog understands where they rank in the pack, they often assume that place, at least for a while. Remember, they are dogs. They are not robots so occasionally they may challenge their position, but if the boundary remains clear, the challenge is short lived. Biting, nipping and playful growling at a human can become a challenge of dominance. If your puppy is young, you can quickly and easily end this behavior by establishing boundaries and consistently enforcing these boundaries each and every time your puppy shows this type of behavior. If you have let this behavior go on for a while, you may be in for quite a fight to take back your authority. Biting is not the same as chewing A puppy biting your hand or feet is not the same as a puppy chewing on a shoe, toy or other item. All puppies have a need to chew. As their puppy teeth grow and their adult teeth come in, it is common for dogs to chew on things to relieve the pain and help the new teeth to come in. This should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged on an appropriate item like a chew toy, nylabone or rawhide. And if this works, this is an appropriate solution. Instead, it is likely an issue of dominance. How to stop puppy from biting you Biting is just one puppy dominance behavior. There are many others such as jumping on you, putting a paw on your feet, and lifting and placing paws on your arms or legs. The behaviors I have listed are often gateway behaviors that escalate into more aggressive or troublesome behaviors like stealing food off your plate or the counter, pushing you out of the way when going through doors and pulling you around on a lead. Start by establishing firm boundaries The first step to stopping your puppy from biting or mouthing you is to set up firm boundaries for your puppy. You can set these up for not only biting but for all dominance behaviors. So, what is a boundary? Well, here are some examples. Some people we have worked with are okay with their puppy mouthing their hand as long as there is no tooth pressure. If you feel the same way, then make that a boundary. But if there is any tooth pressure, a swift and consistent correction will follow. This boundary is stronger and does not give the dog any room for confusion. In fact, they often will understand what your boundaries are but will test that standard against everyone else in the family. Each person needs to set and enforce boundaries. React with firm consistent corrections After you establish the boundary, you now need to react every time your puppy or dog crosses that boundary. Each and every time! There can be no room for confusion. Your corrections must be swift and consistent. Not all dogs react to the same level of pressure. For some dogs, this squeeze and strong words will be all it takes to stop the behavior. Especially if you are consistent in your correction. But some dogs have a stronger or more challenging personality. This will give your puppy a taste of his own medicine since his puppy teeth are sharp and will pinch into his lips or flews. You must be consistent. How long will it take to stop my puppy from biting me? If you are firm and consistent, the behavior should stop for the most part in a day or two. Some dogs require more pressure, some less. Your puppy should feel some discomfort. That is okay. The point is to show your puppy that biting hurts and that it is not an acceptable behavior. When nothing seems to work If you puppy is a bit older and has been getting away with biting and mouthing you for a while, you may struggle to end this behavior. Often the problem is a strong dominance issue that needs to be addressed. If your puppy continues to snap or bite at you even after a correction, you likely need to exert some dominance over your puppy. This is similar to what a mommy dog does to a puppy that is not behaving. Humans can do the same thing to show dominance over a rebellious puppy. I know, it sound a bit ridiculous but it really does work. Instead, remain calm and patient. Stay in control. Reacting with emotion can lead to strong reactions or punishment that you will later regret. The point is to show your dog that you are the Alpha in the relationship, and you can and will determine what behavior is acceptable. Biting is not love As a professional dog trainer, I am always surprised at what some of clients consider appropriate behavior. Some owners feel that setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries means that you do not love your dog. That you need to accept all dog behaviors otherwise you do not love your dog. This is a false and faulty mindset. We have seen clients who have been injured by their dog multiple times and they still refuse to take steps to end the behavior. That is not love. What if the next person that dog bites is a child? Would you be able to live with that? A dog that is allowed to continue harming humans is only one bite away from having to be put down. It may sound harsh, but it is the sad truth. Some people may argue that the dog is unable to understand what they are doing is wrong. This is not based on reality. Dogs are very smart. They can learn to do amazing things and become incredible hunting partners and family companions. But they rarely achieve this potential without an owner who cares enough to set boundaries and enforce them. Final thoughts on how to stop my puppy biting me all the time You can stop your puppy from biting you and others if you are willing to take the steps necessary to make your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. A firm consistent correction each and every time your puppy bites will quickly teach your puppy to stop biting. These corrections will not harm your relationship with your puppy, but will, in fact, enhance it. Your puppy will quickly learn where the boundaries are and how to operate within those boundaries. We see it time and again, once a puppy is taught that there are boundaries, they quickly adjust and become wonderful loving and obedient family members. Help, my Lab puppy keeps biting me!

You can use the information on dog.Show more How much grooming does a German Shepherd need? German Shepherds have thick coats so they shed a lot. You'll typically need to brush your short or long-haired German Shepherd a few times a week. German Shepherds may also need professional grooming. To hel.What size crate do you need for a German Shepherd? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more about potential health i.Are German Shepherds easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own likes and dislikes and learn to respond to.Show more Are German Shepherds good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. German Shepherd Dogs Dogs for Adoption - Urgent case German Shepherd Puppies and Dogs looking for homes "The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. The two breeds most at risk are GSD's and Staffies. Their crime - to be surplus to requirement. Unwanted and unloved. They have the same right to a nice home as younger dogs. She is good with children but unknown with dogs due to lack of socialisation and a no to cats. She is housetrained and travels well in the car. Our assessor found her to be a lovely and friendly dog who is sadly not being walked and therefore pulls on the lead. She is in desperate need of a new home where she will be stimulated and exercised but in return you will have a loving and affectionate dog! Zoey - Staffs This lovely girl is 4 year old Zoey who is in need of a new home. Sadly, Zoey's owner has been unable to exercise her so she is a lively girl, she will bark when people come to the home but our assessor found her to be very friendly and Zoey certainly enjoyed a belly rub or two. She is so eager to please, our assessor took her out and found she would not stray far and came back immediately, excellent obedience. She loves to play with her ball, has no food aggression, sleeps in her crate and travels well. Has previously lived with a male dog but did dominate him and currently lives with a cat but if allowed will chase it; due to her excitable nature it would be best not to rehome with younger children. She is no longer up to date with her vaccinations and has not been spayed or micro-chipped. Zoey is a very much loved dog but sadly not given the time an energetic dog like her needs, she deserves a new loving home where she will enjoy the exercise and stimulation she so desperately needs. Benson - Suffolk Benson is a 1yr old neutered male. He was rehomed by GSDR a few months ago but has returned as there have been changes within the family circumstances, and they can no longer cope with him. Benson has become over protective of his current owner and hence has issues with other dogs when out walking. He needs a firm, experienced owner who will teach him boundaries and acceptable behaviour. This young dog will blossom into a loyal friend with the right guidance. Shiloh - west mids This poor little sad girl is 3 year old Shiloh who is up to date with her vaccinations, is micro-chipped and spayed. She is a very nervous young dog and takes time to settle when visitors arrive but is exceedingly affectionate to her people. She is in desperate need of a home where the new owner will preferably not have any other pets or young children and will be able to devote the time and dedication to this very loving dog. Blue 3 year old entire handsome white German Shepherd who is currently in foster care due to previous owners lack of confidence to control and train. Unfortunately Blue suffers from fear aggression and tries to nip and frighten anyone he first meets but the foster carer can already see improvement day to day and Blue is beginning to trust humans again and be more relaxed and settled within their home. With patience and time preferably the only pet and no children Blue should make a fabulous pet for an experienced GSD home. Micro-chipped, vaccinated and medically fit. Saber Very fit and lively 10 year old, entire. Loves to play and cuddles. Unfortunately due to family constraints Saber is living in a very confined space and left for long periods of time. He has lived with a child but due to his size it would be best to place him with older ones, can live with a steady dog but a definite no to cats!! He was originally found on the streets as a stray and his previous owner spent a lot of time in training him and received a lot of certificates, he even went to work with his owner in the office. We were informed he needed careful introduction to new people he meets but he is now in kennels and has met so many people and staff and has not been an issue; in fact they all adore him. Anyone with experience, looking for a large dog, look no further, Frank is your dog!! Although he currently lives with young children it is advised due to his excitable behaviour and size he is rehomed with much older children, he has not been socialised with other dogs but our assessor said that with time, effort and the right owner he will be fine with them but a definite no to cats. He has been neutered and micro-chipped but his vaccinations are now out of date. Although he never went to puppy class he knows basic commands but gets distracted, with an experienced owner he will make a fantastic dog who is in desperate need of stimulation and exercise. Sadly, as in many of these cases, the breeder was only interested in the money and not the long term welfare of the dog; Rocky has become too much for his current family and are unable to give him the time and stimulation a fabulous dog like him requires. Can you? Tala - Notts This lovely lad is 2 year old Tala who is up to date with his vaccinations and entire. He currently lives with children but would be best placed with much older, more experienced ones, loves to play with other dogs but a definite no to cats. Tala will need firm handling and will need to know who is the leader certainly not him! He is housetrained, travels well and will make a fabulous dog in the right home where he will be stimulated and allowed the chance to have a good run out in the fields. Camy - Lou Camy Lou is a beautiful 5yr old spayed bitch. She is a calm and friendly dog in the house. She loves her walks, being outside and also likes swimming so can be a little excitable when she thinks she is about to go out. Camy Lou has had a rough start to life. Her current owners rescued her a year ago. She was in quite a sorry state but with time and patience they have got her to where she is today. She is insured and vaccinated. Camy Lou is great with people but she suffers from toy aggression. Camy Lou responds to basic commands and has a good recall unless she is distracted by a stick or toy. Her current owners love her dearly but are sadly unable to keep her as she attacked one of their other dogs, while in the home, because of a stick. This gorgeous girl has a lot of love to give and would benefit from an experienced GSD owner with no other pets and no children. Layla - Norfolk Layla is a lovely 2yr old bitch in desperate need of some love and attention. She was being kept in a run down, outside kennel with straw as her only comfort. She is quite underweight and has little muscle tone on her back end. This will improve once she is being fed and exercised more regularly. Her owner is seriously ill and has moved away to be with his family leaving Layla to be looked after by a man, who was trying to help the owner out, but who has struggled due to his own workload and other commitments. This young girl needs time, patience and most of all love to steer her back onto the road to good health. She would ideally suit an experienced owner without young children. Willow - Nuneaton Let me introduce you to the utterly gorgeous, big boy Willow. He is 4 years old 5 in Jul , entire and not vaccinated. Due to his size and strength it would be best to rehome him to a family with much older teenagers or no children at all, definitely no cats and needs to be carefully introduced to other dogs. Our assessor did find him to be a little lively but soon calmed down and Willow enjoyed a fuss and a cuddle. Willow is very large dog and has not be shown any ground rules and therefore his new owners need to work with him but in return they will have a fabulous dog! Buddy - West Mids This lovely dog is 8 years young Buddy who is entire and vaccinations are overdue. He currently lives with a family, a cat, loves to play with other dogs in the park and previously lived with dogs in a former home. The family are no longer able to keep Buddy due to his food aggression and behaviour towards various members of the family. However, our assessor found him to be a lovely, friendly dog who was energetic and this was no doubt due to not getting enough exercise or stimulation. In the right home he would make a fabulous addition and would suit an active family preferably with older children due to his excitable nature. Petra Petra is 5 and unspayed. She has never lived with children but was fine with young children she met out. Petra does not like little dogs or cats, and she will stand up for herself with larger dominating dogs. She has been living with a male GSD and her two 5 month daughters. Friendly with people who are friendly to her. Her recall is good as long as she is not distracted. Petra does have a joint problem on her right rear leg and will struggle if walked more than about 4 miles in a day. Poor Petra has had a horrible start in life. The owner used to beat his wife and no doubt at some stag Petra too. She is very nervous of lighters and matches! She will need confident and understanding owners. Current owner rehoming as mobility issues walking all of the dogs! Louie - Coventry This lovely friendly lad is 8 years young Louie. He is neutered, vaccinated and house trained. He is sadly overweight due to lack of exercise but when our assessor took him out she found he eventually walked well on the lead after initially pulling and responded well to commands but could not test his recall. A definite no to cats and dogs he will dominate them so would be best placed as an only dog and to further socialise with other dogs. Louie is a water baby, loves to swim but doesn't like to go out of his depth, travels well in the car but hates fireworks! A friendly dog who really enjoys the attention he deserves and needs a home soon! Bruno - Cambs Bruno is a longhaired 4yr old entire male. He currently lives in a barn but is chained up as he keeps escaping and has killed the neighbours prize chickens. The neighbours have threatened legal action if Bruno is not re-homed soon. While chained Bruno shows aggression and will nip, but when off the chain he is a completely different character and is very friendly. He responded to simple commands and took treats from our assessor. Bruno is good with children, other dogs and cats. We are unsure if he is house trained but he does not mess in his barn. He is not currently walked and so will need some lead training. He shows no aggression when allowed to be free and will make a great addition to the right home. This young man just needs a chance to be a pet rather than a yard dog. Bailey - Suffolk Bailey is a friendly 5yr old neutered male. He has shown some aggression issues in his current home but he is being left to his own devices for long periods and is under stimulated. Our volunteer found Bailey to be very social and saw no signs of aggression. He needs an experienced GSD owner that can spend the time needed to channel Baileys attentions in a positive direction. Can you offer Bailey the home he so urgently needs? Jake - Suffolk Jake is a 3yr old neutered male. He is currently being left alone for long periods, not walked or groomed. Despite his lack of attention Jake is a friendly boy. He needs an experienced owner who can go back to basics and teach him some manners and give him some guidance on acceptable behaviour. Jakes long coat needs a good groom. This young dog is desperate for a home where he will be loved and receive the attention and exercise that every dog deserves. Theo This beautiful boy is 4 year old Theo who will need an experienced owner to provide him with time for exercise and socialisation. He currently lives with another dog and children but would now be best placed with much older teenagers. Although he lives with another dog and gets on well with her, he does not like other dogs when out. He is fully vaccinated and neutered. He requires a home with GSD experience who will guide and stimulate him, in return you will have a fabulous loving dog. He is up to date with vaccinations, neutered and micro-chipped. He is good with children but will need to be homed as the only pet as he likes to enjoy all the fuss and tummy tickles for himself; and following an attack by another dog when he was only 15 weeks old he can no longer tolerate other dogs or any other furry creatures. He is house-trained and has good basic commands. He has unfortunately been diagnosed with hip dysplasia but thanks to his good muscle tone the vet has advised he does not require an operation; the current pet insurance is transferrable. Our assessor found him to be a friendly and pleasant dog, walked well on the lead; his current owner sadly has to give him up as she is unable to control him around other dogs and the other pets in the home. He will suit an experienced owner who will understand his behaviour and provide him with the guidance and manners he requires. Lulu - Nuneaton This beautiful little girl is 3 year old Lulu who is fully vaccinated and micro-chipped and spayed and currently in foster. She has previously lived with children and is ok with most dogs but cannot tolerate small ones and definitely no cats. She is fully house trained but will require further training as she will pull on the lead and needs to learn a few manners. She suffers with dust and food allergies and is currently on medication and a special diet for this; she is currently insured and this is transferrable. She will require a firm handler who can provide her with the guidance and socialization she requires as well as the care needed with her allergy. A lovely girl who needs a chance to enjoy another loving home. He went to attack Ash on a number of occasions, Ash soon showed him who the boss was good lad. This shows he can be ok with the correct guidance. He is a big strong boy so pulls on lead. We would recommend that no small children as he is a very big lad. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Please help support the rescue Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Thank you. Adopt a new best friend. By choosing to adopt, you participate in a statewide effort to provide homes for deserving and loyal German Shepherds. We cover all vet expenses and will purchase all needed supplies for your foster dog while they are in your care. Adopt a Dog Help us help future dogs. Donate your time. Campaign for fundraising. Transport dogs to their destinations. Make a difference in the German Shepherd community. Apply to volunteer with us and provide care for German Shepherds that truly need it. Apply to Volunteer We have found homes for hundreds of happy German Shepherds. Below is a list of German Shepherds that have successfully found a new home. German Shepherd adoption has changed our lives, and it can change yours, too. Bodie A friendly German Shepherd with a lovely black coat. Bodie was a lovely, personable German Shepherd that was finally adopted by a loving family after a long battle with homelessness. She also loves engaging in friendly play with cats! Jill Adopted in , Jill became a playful and positive addition to her family. Jill had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Now, she enjoys daily walks to local parks. Mesaba Once abandoned by his previous owner, Mesaba found a loving family in Georgia, who named him Mesaba after their Minnesotan roots. Mesaba now enjoys walks in the park, play time with friends, and a loving family. Giroux After previous domestic issues with cats, Giroux found a home with one of our volunteers. He now enjoys cheering up his new owner, who has previously lost a German Shepherd to age-related difficulties. Abbie After a history of neglect, Abbie was able to recover from her past trauma and find a loving and accepting home in .She now enjoys playing hide-and-find with new toys, playing in the local pond, and being part of her new family. Fletcher After abandonment from his previous owners, Fletcher was finally able to join his new and supportive family. He now enjoys long walks, lots of attention and plenty of space for personal recreation. Matilda Matilda was shy before reaching out shelter - but after some training, she was finally able to come out of her shell! She now spends time with her new family, receiving more love than she could ever imagine! Queen Adopted in , Queen is a playful and positive addition to any family. Queen had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Ike Ike is the life of the party. We are pleased to announced that after years of neglect, Ike was finally able to join a family of his own. Now, Ike enjoys playing with his new owners and enjoying a life of abundant love and affection. She was once abandoned by her previous owners, but with some care and rehabilitation, Lady was able to relocate to a loving family of her own! Schatzi Talk about playful! Schahtzi is a lovely German Shepherd that was able to join a loving family after a past of neglect. Now, she enjoys lots of exercise and good memories with his new family. See More Alumni Give in memoriam. To us, a dog is family. Every pet has a story, how they were rescued and what they meant to us. Tell us your story. History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. We are always looking for new volunteers — providing temporary foster homes for these dogs is the big need, but there are many more opportunities to help. Please consider joining our efforts. We also help owners who, due to unforeseen circumstances, find themselves unable to keep their dogs. Adopting Your New Canine Family Member All of the Front Range adoptable dogs are home fostered, or in cases where no foster home is available, some may even be boarded. Approved Applicants will receive detailed info on how to meet select dogs. Our entire adoption process typically takes no more than weeks from your submitting the application until you have a dog in your home. We rely solely on volunteers to place our dogs. Our volunteers have busy lives with their own families, jobs, school, pets, etc. We DO NOT discuss individual dogs with applicants until the adoption process has been completed because there is often more than one applicant interested in a particular dog, and we do not want to promise the same dog to more than one applicant. You can take home a shelter dog the same day. The first step is to submit a completed application. Your application does not obligate you to adopt, nor does accepting an application represent approval of that application. You do not apply to adopt a particular dog. The more open you are to gender, color and age, the more likely you are to find a dog with us. Next, we call your vet and your references. We are looking for people with a history of good pet care. Ideal applicants have lots of experience working with GSDs or large breed dogs. We want homes that accept that they are rescuing a dog and are willing to work with the dog to make him a good citizen. Yes, you will have to do some work. We will schedule a home visit. Once you have been approved to adopt from us we will contact you about suitable dogs and put you in contact with the foster parents. Since the foster parents know the dog the best, they are a key part of the process in determining which home and family is best suited for their foster dog. We get dogs into rescue on a regular basis and they are placed with previously approved adopters who have been waiting for their forever dog. It is best not to focus on any specific dog until you have been approved. We welcome your interest in a dog that may steal your heart but please remember that the dogs posted on our site today will most likely go to homes of applicants that applied weeks ago. Once dogs are available, we work with our current, approved applications until we find the right family for the dog. Once you are ready to adopt, we will give you all the information we have on the dogs for which you may be a good match.

There can also be a lot of unknowns about them due to the variations in appearance and temperament. Look at what your mama gave you: And your papa, for that matter. What sort of appearance and temperament do their mom and dad have? A responsible breeder will be able to tell you what to expect. Great for families and new owners: This mix creates a perfect dog for new owners, families! They are small, loyal, and affectionate dogs, and basic obedience training goes a long way to preventing any behavioral issues. And while the Dachshund tends to be a vocal watchdog, the Pug is more laid back and balances that out. The class clown: These guys are total goofballs and love to please their people! They are quirky and clever, so they are bound to keep you entertained with their antics. History and Original Purpose of Pug Dachshund Mix The Pug Dachshund mix is a very new designer breed of dog that was created sometime in the 20th century — most likely in the s or s. The Pug was around prior to the 16th century as a lap dog to Chinese emperors. They were considered to be rare treasured pets to the imperial court along with the Pekingese and Shih Tzu. The rest, as they say, is history. Dachshunds , on the other hand, originated in Germany as hunting dogs to repel pests, like badgers, by getting into their burrows and forcing them out — hence their unique body shape. Their bravery, stubbornness, and intelligence have persisted through the centuries. They make excellent companions that will have you laughing over their goofy antics. Pugsunds are incredibly devoted to their owners and love to people, please. You get the best of both worlds with Pug Dachshund mix because of the relaxed lap dog Pug side plus the tenacious and feisty Dachshund side. This leads to a creature who enjoys all the comforts of life and will happily chill out at home with you, and also one who will also happily join you on your adventures. Their people-pleasing nature can be channeled into productive training if you use the proper positive reinforcement. While they may not be suited to obedience competitions anytime soon, they are certainly capable of mastering some basic obedience. Veterinarian professionals across the globe have condemned the propagation of short-faced breeds, including mixes, because of this. Be aware that if you are getting a dog with a flat face also known as brachycephaly , you should be prepared to manage health risks and complications. As a relatively new breed, there can still be a lot of unknowns when it comes to temperament, appearance, and living requirements. A large part of this variability will depend on the parents of the specific dog you end up getting. This mix is a combination of two breeds that can have stubborn personalities. Pug Dachshund Mix Temperament The temperament of the Pug Dachshund mix can vary depending on the dominant traits of their parents. A good breeder will be able to tell you what to expect based on the parents of the litter. In general, Pug Dachshund mixes are loyal and devoted companions who love nothing more than to be by your side. The Pug side makes them a great lap dog that will lounge around with you and watch Netflix. They can be prone to separation anxiety and obsessive behaviors like chewing, licking, and barking if not properly trained. This can also mean that they will not recall when off-leash if they find something of interest to chase or sniff. All in all, Daugs have the potential to be good and friendly companions. Appropriate obedience training is necessary to channel any stubborn or aggressive energy. How long does a Pug Dachshund Mix live? The Pug Dachshund can live for 13 to 15 years! That being said, they can be prone to health problems. Size and Appearance of Pug Dachshund Mix Size and appearance can vary quite a lot with this mix because it will all depend on their lineage. Pugsund are generally around 8 to 11 inches tall and 15 to 25 lbs. Most of them also have the longer Dachshund body and the flat face of a Pug. That being said, it is possible to find Daugs with the longer Dachshund snout, which is also beneficial for the health of the animal — more on that below. Full-grown Pug Dachshund mixes can be small to medium-sized dogs. This will largely depend on how big their parents are. Pug Dachshund Mix Coat Color Coat color and texture can also be found in many different forms due to the variety of color options seen in Dachshunds. Dachshund coats can be smooth, long, or wirey and the color combinations are extensive: black, chocolate, blue, cream, red, black and tan, brindle, wild boar, chocolate and tan, piebald, black and cream, dapple, brindle piebald, double dapple, tri merle, chocolate, and cream, or piebald dapple Pugs, however, have pretty standard and recognizable coloring patterns. Most often they are apricot, fawn, or silver fawn with darker facial features. There are also black, brindle, and white pugs. Depending on the coloring and coat type of the parents, your Pug Dachshund mix could be any variety of these! However, they are most commonly smooth-coated apricot with darker facial features. The caveat here is if they have longer fluffier fur from a long-hair Dachshund parent, then they may need more regular brushing and grooming to prevent matting. Brushing once a week is sufficient for these guys with shorter coats. Bathing is another important part of their care. Dogs with skin folds can be prone to skin infections when dirt and bacteria get trapped. Wipe the ears periodically with a warm damp washcloth or special veterinary wipes to keep them clean, but never put anything inside them. With dogs that are less active, nail trimming becomes even more important. Prevent them from growing too long by trimming their nails every 4 to 6 weeks. A Dremmel tool makes an excellent nail trimming device. There are lots of videos on Youtube that demonstrate how to do this and how to avoid the quick. How much exercise does a Pug Dachshund mix need? Pug Dachshund mixes fall right in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to exercise and training needs. The Dachshund is clever and requires a moderate amount of physical activity and mental stimulation to prevent bad behaviors. Meanwhile, the Pug is a comfy lap dog who is quite happy to lounge around. Both breeds are also prone to weight gain, so getting enough physical activity is important to maintain good health. The Pug Dachshund mix needs about minutes of exercise each day. This should be broken up into a few walks throughout the day. For example, 2 to 4 walks that are 15 minutes each should do the trick! However, be mindful of the difficulty level with a brachycephalic dog because they cannot breathe very well, so the pace must be easy for them. Their small size also makes it easy to incorporate physical activity indoors. Throw around their favorite plush toy for a game of fetch, or grab a rope toy for a game of tug of war. This is especially important on hot days because flat-faced breeds will struggle in the heat. How easy is it to train a Pug Dachshund mix? The combination of the stubborn Dachshund with the people-pleaser pug creates a mix that can be moderately easy to train. Start early with socializing your Pug Dachshund mix puppy and definitely get into some puppy obedience classes to get the basics down pat. Lots of positive reinforcement in the form of praise will teach them how pleased you are and will go a long way. Pug Dachshund Mix Health Problems Pugs are prone to a number of health problems due to their flat faces. As cute as they are, they often struggle to breathe and get enough air. This flat-faced or short-faced condition is known as brachycephaly and is an inherited trait in the Pug Dachshund mix. It is known to cause breathing problems because the nasal cavity is compressed in these breeds. This in turn makes dogs with brachycephaly intolerant to heat or exercise. It can also lead to a collapse of the larynx, which is a life-threatening emergency. Brachycephalic breeds such as the Pug and the Pugsunds are also prone to spine problems, eye injuries from bulging eyes, and infections in a skin fold. Dachshunds have their own health issues. Emergencies and illnesses are virtually inevitable with a pet dog. This is where pet insurance can help! For a relatively low monthly premium, you can be protected in the event of a large vet bill. Pick a high-quality dry dog kibble and follow the instructions on the side of the bag. Those instructions will tell you how much kibble your pup needs each day based on its size and the nutritional value of the kibble. Each kibble is formulated differently, so some foods may fit in more calories into a smaller serving size i. Sort of like if we were to eat a cup of grapes vs a cup of raisins, or comparing a cup of cheese to a cup of milk. Avoid giving them table scraps or calorie-dense treats. The freeze-dried liver is a great treatment option! Is the Pugsund good with children? The short answer is: yes! The Pug Dachshund is an affectionate and playful breed. Monitor them closely with young children and be sure to provide proper introductions. Both should know to be gentle and kind to each other. No snatching treats out of little hands and no little hands grabbing onto ears or skin folds. Otherwise, they are goofy and fun-loving animals that love to bond with the whole family! Does a Pugsund get along with other pets? As with children, Pug Dachshund mixes simply require proper introductions to other pets. They are unlikely to go chasing after the resident house cat or guinea pig, as long as they have been properly introduced. This also provides the opportunity to provide gentle correction in the event that someone does behave inappropriately. How much does a Pug Dachshund Mix Cost? A reputable breeder will be registered with their local breed club and national kennel club. Puppies that come from mills or farms are often riddled with genetic health issues, which will get expensive for you in the long run. They will often be taken away from their mothers too soon, leading to behavior problems too. You can also likely find a Pug Dachshund mix for adoption through various shelters and rescue organizations! These fees are often to recoup the cost of veterinary care and fostering the animal in their care. Final Thoughts Pug Dachshund mixes can make great family dogs that are great for new owners and apartment dwellers. There is one major caveat though, and that is all of the health complications that this mix can be riddled with. The biggest one being flat-faced brachycephalic genetics. Brachycephalic breeds are largely unethical due to the health problems and breathing difficulties that accompany the face shape. They will struggle to breathe in hot climates and during most forms of activity. While they are adorable, the vast majority of vet professionals condemn the breeding of brachycephalic breeds. Other Dachshund Mixes. Most of them are deeply attached to their master and would be content in staying in their laps just like the Pug. The Dachshund Pug mix always craves for a company and would resort to destructive activities when left alone for prolonged periods. They are extremely cautious and wary when strangers are around the domain of their home, while a few might even be aggressive enough the moment they spot an unknown face like the Dachshund, a trait that makes them excel as good watchdogs. However, once they get to understand that the unfamiliar person is of no harm to their family, the Daug would display friendliness towards them. They are frequent barkers, a trait inherited from its Dachshund parent and may be quite vocal about the intrusion of an unknown person into its territory. They get along well with children also sharing a comfortable rapport with other dogs and non-canine pets, provided they have been brought up or socialized to interact with them. However, they might display a territorial nature and even an urge to chase smaller pets, thus needing supervision during their interaction. Care Exercise Though an energetic breed, they have low exercise needs and would suffice with one long walk or two short ones on a daily basis. Since they thrive well in apartments, giving them balls, soft toys and other interactive playthings would help in providing mental stimulation. Grooming Since the Pugsund is a low to moderate shedder, it has low grooming requirements, being perfect for busy owners. Combing it on a bi-weekly basis using a brush with soft bristles would be fine, though during the shedding seasons regular brushing is recommended. Clean between the areas of its wrinkles and folds to prevent bacterial built up, if your Daug has too much of it like its Pug parent. Other hygiene requirements include cleaning its eyes and ears, trimming its nails as well as brushing its teeth on a regular basis. Since most of them are not as flat-faced as the Pug, they might not suffer from severe breathing problems as the latter. Training Though they are intelligent and eager-to-please their masters, the Daug might be stubborn and obstinate at times, thus needing a firm hand to deal with it tactfully. Socializing the Daug puppies are of utmost importance so that they get to mix with different people and get acquainted with various kinds of environments from a young age, which would eventually help them to identify the good from the bad. To help them overcome their territorial nature and chasing instinct, take them to dog parks quite often, though with a leash so that they get to meet several dogs and gradually come to know them. To help it get over its urge to bark unnecessarily, teach him to bark only on command. His exposure to varied situations would gradually help him understand when to be vocal and when not to. Feeding Feed you Dachshund Pug mix a good quality dog food in combination with nutritious homemade diet to keep it healthy. A Daug will be satisfied with a little playtime inside and a short walk each day. Daugs are very distrusting of strangers and newcomers. When you have guests over, it will take a while for your Daug to warm up to them. Daugs can have Brachycephalic Syndrome. Pugs are known for their flat, wrinkly faces with protruding eyes. While not all Daugs get this characteristic look, some of them do inherit the altered bone structure. For these Daugs, brachycephalic syndrome is a possibility. This is a genetic condition that all Pugs have and might pass on to some Daugs. You can tell which ones are prone to it by looking at their face. The ones that have a look more similar to a pug with a short snout and bulging eyes are the ones that are susceptible to this syndrome. Daugs are very loyal and they bond closely with one person. If you leave a Daug alone for too long, it might start to bark and fuss. Commonly, this leads to separation anxiety in Daugs. Crate training from an early stage can help to remedy this problem. Because Daugs are very vocal to begin with, one that has separation anxiety can become a real nuisance to neighbors, barking continuously until you return home. Be sure to instill proper training early enough to avoid this potential issue with Daugs. They can be aggressive towards others if not socialized young. Daugs are not overly fond of strangers. They tend to be very wary of anyone new, person or animal. This can be mitigated if a Daug is socialized often and with many people and animals from an early age. It can lead to full-on aggression if not trained out of a Daug. They love to please their owners and are willing to work hard to do so, but they can also be very stubborn at times. Overall, these are very low-maintenance dogs that require little more than your attention. These dogs can adapt well to many different situations, making them great for a range of situations — from apartment living in the city to staying in a large home with more space. Are These Dogs Good for Families? If socialized properly from a young age, Daugs can be good with kids as well. Some of that prey drive is leftover in the Daug, so they have an instinct to chase smaller animals. This hybrid has a coat that sheds a low to a moderate amount. During the regular season, brushing them with a soft bristle brush twice a week is usually enough and increase it to daily brushing once their shedding season comes in. This helps scatter natural oils in their skin which gives them a healthier coat. When it comes to bathing, the full bath should only be given when needed to preserve their natural oil and to prevent them from developing dry skin or dandruff issues. Should your mixed breed inherits more genes from its Pug lineage, owners should be wary of wrinkles and folds and should clean them thoroughly to avoid bacterial buildup. Nail trimming must be done by someone who knows how to do nail clipping. Their ears should be regularly inspected for infection and cleaned once a week. Their teeth should be brushed at least two to three times a week especially that they are vulnerable to dental problems and gum issues. Pug crossed with Dachshund Health Problems The Pug crossed with Dachshund, on average, can live at least 12 and up to 15 years. This means that it will live as far as normal dogs do. However, their shortened legs make them more prone to injuries in the joints and back. Constant wear and tear can also result in major structural problems. To keep them safe, it is better not to allow them to run up on steep terrains or climb up and down the stairs. It would also be great to refrain them from jumping on and off different objects or furniture. Usually, hybrid dog breeds are much healthier compared to their purebred parents. Though, it can still develop the specific genetic health problems both of its parents breed experience. This condition alters the normal function of the body and too much of these steroids for prolonged periods may lead to severe complications and eventually, death. The most common symptoms are excessive appetite, increased thirst and urination, loss of hair, and a pot-bellied appearance. Cataract: This condition refers to the cloudiness in the crystalline lens of the eye which may vary from partial to total opacity. When the eye lens becomes clouded, it prevents light from passing to the retina, which can result in vision loss. Cataract is usually an inherited disease but can also be caused by injuries to the eye or diseases like diabetes mellitus. IVDD intervertebral disc disease : This is a degenerative disease that affects the spinal cord and happens when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column start to harden. This condition is usually not evident but may be worsened by a trigger such as a wrong jump or fall. The discs that have already been weakened can bring on the acute phase of the disease. Bloat: This condition, also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus GDV , happens when the stomach twists and then gets filled with air. This is an emergency condition as the bloated stomach puts pressure on the diaphragm that causes breathing problems. The force also limits or cuts off the blood flow to the heart or can rupture organs which can both lead to death. Other health issues that mostly come from a Dachshund parent and can affect this mixed breed are seizures , deafness, epilepsy, vaccination sensitivity, skin problems, allergies and yeast infections. Dachshund mixes are susceptible to these problems so remember that a visit to the vet every months is essential to rule out any condition and will ensure sound health of your hybrid. Dachshund Pug Mix Food Requirements All dogs, regardless of breed, have mostly the same nutritional requirements. They need a well-balanced diet consisting of healthy fats, carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. If that balance is disturbed, a product like Nutra Thrive dog food supplement can fix it. The Dachshund Pug Mix can also thrive on high-quality dry food as long as it is specially made for their needs, like these best dry dog food for small dogs. Opting for best large breed dry dog food might not be the right choice due to different nutritional needs of petite and grande doggos. You can also give your hybrid cooked meat or approved veggies and canned food once in a while to pamper them. Make sure not to overfeed them as they may gain weight and become obese which may cause different health issues. It is free of grains to ensure that your pup can digest the kibble with no problems at all. It has a collection of nutritious ingredients that will surely benefit this mixed breed. Thirty-six percent of the recipe is comprised by the protein which sources include turkey meal, deboned turkey, and chicken meal. To provide the complex carbohydrates requirements, the pet food also added with peas and potatoes. Plus, an ample amount of healthy fat from salmon oil. Its right blend of ingredients is formulated for overall sound health. Its primary sources of protein are a chicken meal, salmon meal and lamb meal. Other ingredients include brewers rice and brown rice. Dog For Dog Food : This kibble is instead a simple pet food that will provide the essentials. To aid with digestion, the recipe is also brimmed with a healthy amount of fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics. One edge of this kibble is that use two key ingredients — beef and avocados. Beef provides the protein needs while avocados take care of giving the healthy fats your dog needs. Actually, they have low exercise requirements. A long stretch of walk or two short ones daily is sufficient enough to meet their daily exercise needs. You can also bring them to the dog park instead where they can meet other furry friends. At home, you can provide him toys, gifts, or any equipment that can get their mind engages and stimulated. Given their clingy personality, this hybrid would surely love to play with you and your family! This plaything in non-toxic, safe and has three layers of soft yet still durable gauze. Small dogs will have an easy time gripping or carrying it, and it is designed to endure daily chewing. Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop: This is a toy that will surely be loved by this mixed breed as it dispenses goodies. It has a compartment where you can hide the treat. The hybrid will be mentally stimulated and will have prolonged hours of fun getting the goodies out. It is a floatable toy so you can use it either on land or in the water. It is S-shaped but stretches out to its total length as your dog pulls it. Playing this with your dog can consume or channels its hidden aggression in a good way. Dachshund Pug Mixed-breed Training Although this mixed breed is smart and would mostly be eager to please their owners, there are times when they can act stubborn and willfully. This makes them moderately easy but slightly slower to train and may require some of your patience. Here are some useful tips to help you train this mixed breed: Early Socialization. Socialization at their young age is critical. You need to introduce them to different people and get them familiarized with other pets, animals, and various types of environment. This will help them identify what is right and what is not. Stay consistent. You may need to be firm with your training schedule. Get a specific time of the day when you would train them. Use Positive Training Techniques. Since their progress may be gradual, you can use positive reinforcement to speed it somehow up. See it to provide them with a neck scratch, pat on the head, or give him some treats when he completed a task. Remember, when you always reward good behavior, it will be faster for your dog to learn things. It is loving, intelligent, sweet, and clingy which makes them an excellent family pet. The hybrid will also be a great playmate for your kids. But, can also act like the cute watchdog that will alert you of any intrusion of a stranger. Just make sure to provide them the same love and attention that will devote to you, you can look forward to having a great companion dog. If you want to see more Doxie mixes, though, take a look at our tables of some fabulous cross-breeds to consider. Sabian is the best-looking dog I have ever seen and owned, and he acts like he knows it, too. He's a great watchdog, loves kids and gets along well with our other dog Max, who is an English Bulldog. Just to add, this picture does not do him justice. His body is muscular and well proportioned, he is absolutely gorgeous! It is a cross between the Dachshund and the Pug. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. In this picture, he is 3 and a half years old and weighs 18 lbs. Sabian is very playful, loyal and loves to cuddle and watch TV at the same time. He is so cute; I call him my "genetic masterpiece. I got him when he was 8 weeks old. Both my husband and I fell in love with him the moment that we saw him. Astro is ruled by his tummy. He will sit, roll over, play dead, say please as he is doing in the pic, sleep, doing many little tricks for a treat as well as anything he wants. She is the smallest of the litter there were three. She is extremely curious and friendly like her mom, but loves to sleep and cuddle on laps like her dad. While they are prone to some health problems, many of these are not related to diet. Like all dogs, it is important to keep them at a healthy weight. Obesity can be particularly troublesome for this breed, as they are more prone to breathing difficulties. The extra weight can seriously cause problems. Measure the amount of food you want to feed your dog and be sure to watch their weight. These dogs are known for not being super active, so the lack of exercise can put them at an even higher risk for obesity. Some of these dogs are prone to food allergies. Therefore, you may need to be a bit careful about what you feed them. They develop after the dog eats the same protein for an extended period. Switch up their main source of protein. In fact, they may be prone to exercise-induced health problems. Many have shortened faces, which can cause breathing problems. Still, these dogs do need exercise. A short walk or two each day is required. These can be replaced by short play sessions. The key here is short. You should not force these dogs to exercise for extended periods. They should be allowed to rest often. You should go out of your way to encourage play, though. These dogs are prone to being quite lazy, which can lead to obesity. Obesity should be avoided at all costs, as these dogs are already prone to enough health problems. The addition of obesity can make them extremely unhealthy. Therefore, they are usually more difficult to train. With that said, they do need quite a bit of socialization. They need to be introduced to many different dogs, people, and situations at a young age. This will help them be friendly and accepting when they are introduced to new people as adults. Puppy classes are very good for this. They provide the opportunity for this dog to meet others in a safe and controlled environment. Often, puppy obedience classes are really about getting the dog socialized, with some extra training thrown in. They do shed quite a bit, though their shedding may be particularly bad during certain times of the year. We do recommend brushing them twice a week to reduce this fur loss. Otherwise, they can quickly cover your house with hair. These brushing sessions will also remove dirt from their coat, elongating the time they can wait between baths. This also spreads around the natural oils in their fur, which can keep their coat and skin healthier. These dogs do not need baths very much as all. We only recommend bathing them if they get physically dirty. Otherwise, they may need a bath every few months at the most. If they have wrinkles on their face, you will need to clean them regularly to prevent bacteria and moisture from building up. Dog wipes are often the best option for this. Both of their parents are prone to a variety of health problems, which this mixed breed can inherit as well. Of course, they do tend to be healthier than either of their parents. Many are still prone to a variety of health conditions, though. In particular, these dogs are prone to brachycephalic syndrome. This can make it difficult for them to breathe, as all the bones and facial muscles are shoved together. These dogs usually cannot breathe properly and have difficulty cooling themselves. This leaves them open to heat exhaustion and exercise-induced collapse. This condition is exactly why these canines are prone to snorting and coughing. Due to their bone structure, these dogs often have eye problems as well. Their eyes tend to pop out of their heads, which causes all sorts of eye problems. The Daug may be affected by extreme brachycephalic syndrome, or they could hardly have it at all. It depends on the shape and size of their muzzle. Dogs with more of a snout will typically be affected less. This condition is extremely common among Dachshunds and affects how their adrenal gland works. It makes it produce far too many hormones, which can make it seem like your dog is growing and aging too quickly. If it is caught early, this condition is treatable. Intervertebral disk disease can occur in dogs with long backs. This condition occurs when the area within the spinal column becomes swollen, cutting off the nerves going to the lower body. Typically, dogs with long backs are more likely to develop this condition. It is usually caused by an injury, jumping, or some similar physical activity. Dogs with IVD will typically experience pain in their lower legs, followed by muscle weakness. Eventually, they will become paralyzed in their lower body, including their legs and bladder. Treatment for this condition includes crate rest and the occasional surgery. Surgery can be helpful for some canines, but it is expensive and does not always work. Minor Conditions.

Things to do with your English Bulldog Indiana is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Indiana that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Go Camping Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Indiana that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Indiana, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Indiana, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Indiana, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Indiana, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Pet-Friendly Businesses Indiana has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Indiana. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Indiana is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Indiana? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. At Premier Bulldog we take pride in producing top-quality English Bulldog puppies to families and individuals wanting a healthy, well-bred English Bulldog puppy. English Bulldogs temperaments are outgoing. They are a calm, people-oriented breed that's loyal, intelligent, and also great with children. Bulldogs are devoted to their families and make excellent watchdogs because of their courageous nature. Most English Bulldogs are friendly toward strangers and get along well with other pets. Like all dogs, the Bulldog should be properly socialized during puppyhood to ensure that they grow up to be well-rounded and easygoing. Training an English Bulldog isn't difficult. Why Choose Us? We Are Family We are blessed to call our dogs family. Everyone in our home pitches in to give love and care to our pets. It truly is a family affair. Selective Breeding Our breeding dogs have to meet a high standard of genetic qualities before we consider breeding them. We seek a conformation to build upon traditions of selective practices. Visits Welcome Trust is a major factor when choosing a breeder. That is why we invite you to our home and welcome any questions you may have before or after your purchase. Travel Experience As much as we love meeting our puppy's new family we are happy to say we have had much success with our puppies traveling to their new home via air and ground pet transport. We take great pride in the temperament and health of our dogs and puppies. Personal Touch We can't wait to hear from you! Our Mission Premier Bulldogs wants to go above and beyond to be as transparent as possible with our clients. This is very important when searching for the right puppy. We provide as much as possible of the available information and detail about our adult dogs on our website because trust in the quality and health of our puppies is our top priority. We invite all of our clients to come and visit our home. This is important because we want our clients to know that their puppy was raised with love. We consider our clients like family and at any time you may call us with updates or any questions. Thanks, and we hope to fulfill your dreams with the best new companion. Travel Information We will provide transportation for your puppy if needed and have had great success with our puppies traveling. We handle all travel arrangements and details. Contact Us.

Are you worried about why your German Shepherd is so small? Especially considering this breed is known to grow large and powerful. You might even wonder how you can help your German Shepherd puppy get bigger and grow faster. Why is my German Shepherd so small? The top reasons a German Shepherd is so small are its genetic history, underlying medical illness, intestinal worms, incorrect diet for their growth, and inadequate caloric consumption for their activity levels. Closely observing your GSD will give you many clues to their health and help you understand why they are so small. Inherited Smallness Your puppy could have inherited smallness through their genes. Therefore, your dog may naturally be a smaller GSD. Larger breeds, like the German Shepherd, also tend to mature at slower rates than smaller breeds. It can take up to 18 months to 2 years for your GSD puppy to grow into its adult body. Perhaps your German Shepherd is smaller because of an underlying medical problem. There are many diseases that could impact growth and affect nutrient absorption. One of the largest studies on dog gene mutations plos. These mutations could affect the growth and size of your puppy. For example, pituitary dwarfism is an autosomal disorder that may be inherited in some German Shepherds. Pituitary dwarfism presents between weeks of age and needs a specific test from your vet. Keep in mind that this disorder is very rare. Intestinal Parasites Could your German Shepherd puppy be small because of these issues? These worms are contracted from the environment they live in or from their mother. If left untreated your puppy could have an extremely heavy worm infestation, and the worms can steal enough calories from your puppy to slow down his growth and make him appear smaller than he should. And, once your German Shepherd puppy is free of worms its body can heal and regain normal growth and development. Follow the deworming schedule set forth by your veterinarian to prevent worms. Poor Nutrition for a Large Breed Dog Large breed dogs, like your German Shepherd, need food made especially for their size and growth rate. Do not feed them small breed formula food! German Shepherd Dogs can vary considerably at different stages of their life in their nutritional requirements for energy, fat and carbohydrate. Even an adult GSD still needs the proper nutrition, especially for this athletic breed. Keep in mind that your puppy should eat food made especially for large breed dogs and without corn, wheat, or soy so that the food is easier to digest and sensitive on their stomachs. Try this Nutro Natural Choice large breed formula if you want to ensure proper growth and the right nutrition. You can feed this puppy food up to 18 months old and it offers the levels of protein, carbohydrates, and fats recommended for your GSD. German Shepherd Dogs do well on dog food that uses muscle meat as the first ingredient, such as chicken or beef, and chicken is the first muscle meat in this dog food formula. Feed the high-quality diet in smaller amounts throughout the day to provide a steady proportion of calories and to monitor their intake more easily. Too Few Calories Is your dog active? You must make sure they have the right calories for their energy needs. Your GSD puppy will go through growth spurts during the first year and there will be days when he needs to eat more due to his high puppy energy and antics of the day. But consider the activities your dog has done throughout the day and add a bit more food if he has participated in activities that took more energy, such as: been on an extra-long walk ran more than a couple of miles gone hiking or hill walking or had a full day of swimming Enjoying low-impact exercise with your GSD puppy will not stunt his growth, but if not fed enough calories to support his needs he might appear underweight. And remember that strenuous exercise could damage the growth plates of the bones and predispose your puppy to joint issues later in life. A smaller German Shepherd still needs exercise to keep them happy and their body working normally. Enjoy your daily walks even with a small GSD as long as they are healthy. Wait until your vet gives the all-clear around 18 months of age to enjoy high-impact activities like running, jogging, and jumping with your puppy. Use these safe German Shepherd Puppy Exercise Ideas instead to keep their bones and joints healthy into adulthood. There are so many overweight dogs that a fit, lean , athletic German Shepherd might look underweight to you. Instead of relying on charts and scales, use your hands to determine how small your German Shepherd really is. You should be able to feel the ribs with only a thin covering of skin. And your hands should curve in slightly when near the waist. In a short-coated German Shepherd, you should not be able to see the ribs and the bones should not stick out prominently. Many German Shepherds are lean and look smaller because they are very active, not because they need more food or are underweight. Mar 10, German shepherd dogs are an active breed. If you live with one, you know what we mean. As working dogs, they are high energy and have lots of brain power, too. And even then, as long as they have the ability, they still love to have fun and play well into their senior years. Since German shepherds were bred to work all day, they have lots of stamina. Built for herding and guarding livestock, they have plenty of energy to burn. They can easily get destructive, frustrated, develop anxieties, and even get depressed. Bored German shepherds are unfulfilled, unhappy dogs. The age a German shepherd begins to slow down is unique to the individual dog. The energy level expended in these sessions will lessen as the dog ages, their physical condition declines, or they develop orthopedic problems, etc. By the time a German shepherd reaches 8 — 10 years old, they are usually content to play, roam around the yard, go for a short walk, enjoy the outdoors, or go for a car ride. Taking them out for several short sessions several times a day is better than 1 — 2 long sessions. Some experts suggest exercising your puppy 5 minutes for each month of age several times per day. So, if your puppy is 4 months old, you would go for a minute walk several times a day rather than one power walk for an hour. Training Training your puppy will also help tire them out. You can also burn off energy by reinforcing training throughout the day. By doing things like having your puppy sit and wait for food, sit at the door before they go outside, or sit before you hand them a toy, you can work in the type of training that will also help calm them down. By exposing your puppy to new people, places, scents, noises, and animals, you will help them grow up into a confident dog that is free from fear and anxiety while burning up some of that puppy energy. Things like stuffed Kongs, puzzle toys, chew toys, snuffle mats, games, problem-solving like finding treats , scented toys, and more are all fun and help burn off steam so they can relax. Teach your Puppy to Relax or Settle Down Did you know you can also teach your puppy to relax and settle down? But, at the end of the day, your puppy can learn to chill out for a while. You can do this by marking calm behavior with a verbal command. Other tips for calming a high-energy puppy include: Crate training Confining to an exercise pen Mental games, such as sniffing and finding things Treat dispensing toys Switching out toys Calming the environment To recap, German shepherds, are working dogs that have lots of energy. They will be active from the day they come home and remain so well into their adult years years old. The age they begin to slow down depends upon the dog, their overall health, breeding, drive, etc. You can expect your adult dog to start becoming calmer around 6 years old. But even senior dogs continue to enjoy activities that they are physically able to do. After all those needs are met, you can teach your puppy how to relax and be calm. We hope you found this information helpful. As always, please feel free to share with your friends. Below, I will mention a number of reasons that your German Shepherd might be being lazy along with the signs to look for. Nature It could be the case that your German Shepherd is naturally lazy. It would also be more likely if it acts normally otherwise and it does still show some signs of excitement such as when you are about to walk it or it sees a squirrel. Age The reason that your German Shepherd is lazy could be because it is getting older. This would be more likely if it gradually became lazier, overtime, and if it has continued to act normally in other ways. Boredom The reason that your German Shepherd acts lazy might be that it is bored. Diet The reason that it is lazy could be due to something in its diet. This would be more likely if it suddenly started to become lazy when you started feeding it something different or you fed it more or less than usual. You can take a look here to see everything that you need to know about what you should be feeding your German Shepherd. If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. Illness or injury The cause could be that it is ill and it has less energy than normal because of it or it is causing it to feel less energetic. It could also be that an injury is causing it to be less active. This would be more likely if it started being less active suddenly and if it started after it ate or did something that might have caused it to get ill or injured. It would also be more likely if it has been acting differently in other ways as well such as if it has been crying or if it has become slightly snappy or aggressive. If you think that illness or injury might be causing it then it would be worthwhile for you to see what a vet has to say about it. Depression Dogs can get depression, like humans do, and it could be the reason that your German Shepherd has been acting lazy. This would be more likely if it has not always been so lazy. It would also be more likely if it suddenly became lazy after something happened such as if it lost a friend, you moved home or a family member moved away. This would be more likely if it started to act lazy when it has been hot outside and if it tends to become more active in the mornings and evenings when it is cooler. If it is hot outside then be sure to give it access to shade, water and a cool area. Not enough exercise The cause could be that a lack of exercise is making it feel less energetic and less excitement. German Shepherds were bred to be very active dogs. If they do not get much exercise then it will cause them to behave abnormally. Generally, it is recommended that you make sure that your German Shepherd get at least an hour of exercise every day. Related post: Ways to exercise your German Shepherd. Is there anything I can do to get my German Shepherd to be more active? There are a number of things that you can do to try and get your German Shepherd to be more energetic. I will mention a number of them below. Make sure that it is getting a good diet As mentioned above, if it is not getting the nutrients that it needs in its diet, it can cause it to become less energetic. If you want to get your German Shepherd to be less lazy and for it to be as healthy as possible it is important to make sure that it is eating correctly. You can look here to see what you should be feeding it. Make sure to give it exercise daily There are a number of ways that you can give your German Shepherd exercise. One way would be to just walk it for an hour daily. If you live in a hot area then try to do this when it is not so hot outside such as in the morning or evening. Another option you have is to play fetch with it. Fetch is good because it gets your German Shepherd to wear itself out quickly. If your German Shepherd does not know how to play fetch then I have written about how you can get it to play fetch here. Give it some toys to play with Another thing that you can do is to give your German Shepherd some toys to play with if there is not much for it to do where it spends most of its time. There are puzzle games that you can get and toys that you can find online that are specially designed for dogs to play with. Things to consider If it started to become lazy suddenly If your German Shepherd started to be lazy suddenly then it is important that you consider what happened at around the time that it became lazy. It would also help to consider whether or not it has been acting unusually in other ways as well. If your German Shepherd started to act lazy suddenly then it would normally be a sign that you should take it to the vet. What happened when it became lazy Considering what happened at around the time that it became lazy would also help in understanding why it has been acting lazy. Lazy is better than destructive Something else to consider is that having a German Shepherd that is lazy is much better than some of the other problems people can have with their German Shepherds such as destructive behavior. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. So, you need to get your dog to listen and focus through all this head chatter. How to Get Your Dog to Listen The easiest way to get your German Shepherd to listen to you is to make it a daily activity in an area with few or no distractions at the start. So, train your dog indoors in a quiet area first. Then, train him in a busy room in your home. Next, train in your yard. Even sticks are more interesting than you sometimes. But your adult dog or puppy probably likes fun, happy, and exciting things. Instead, leash them and offer them a reward or a game of fetch with you. Walk them around for a few minutes, then let them back off their leash. Pet them gently, talk softly to them, offer them a taste of that treat they love. Do anything but take them straight home or load them into the car to drive away from Doggy Disneyland. Start training your new dog or puppy as soon as possible using positive training techniques and begin slowly. Your German Shepherd looks bored during recall training. Keep recall training sessions short and fun 5 minutes or less. Be sure to practice your come command in your home first, before moving to your yard, and only when they return reliably when in your yard practice in public areas with little or few distractions. Use more highly-scented treats, like this flavorful freeze-dried liver training treat , or even a toy you know they love, and vary up these rewards to keep the sessions fun. Call him throughout your walk to come to you and have his leash put on him, walk him next to you for a few minutes, and then take the leash off and release him to run and play. Do this on every walk about 10 times for at least a week. Try to squat down and make yourself lower when you call your GSD so you seem more interesting to them. Remember to keep your commands clear and consistent by sticking to one word that means to come to you. Start giving your dog rewards again as long as they return. Vary the rewards with either different treats or toys they love. Wean them off again gradually of the rewards for every time they return. But always give them praise and pet them. Now, they avoid me putting their leash on. I have to chase my GSD around the park to get him to come. Yes, it is quite humiliating to chase your GSD around the park to catch them. Chasing simply becomes a game to him and drives him to do it more. Instead, try clapping your hands, offer a higher value tasty treat, and remember to take some squeaky toys they love to entice him to come. Begin your early training sessions in areas that are low in distractions. Avoid other dogs, kids, people, little furry animals, or anything else that distracts your German Shepherd. Start in quiet areas and only add in simple distractions… slowly. At 8 weeks old is a perfect time to begin training your GSD puppy, but a solid recall and come command can take months to perfect. GSD puppies are easily distracted and have short attention spans. Keep up your daily practice in short less than a few minutes distractions and stay positive. German Shepherd puppies are top of the league in intelligence and he just needs time to perfect his recall. Want more training help for your German Shepherd? Are they barking too much? Do they seem bored and get into trouble to entertain themselves? Then, you need to use an easy-to-follow system that you can start right from your own living room. Is your dog starting to stress you out? Get Brain Training to help ease your frustration. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Below, I will mention a number of reasons why it might be lazy and the signs to look for. This would be more likely if it suddenly started to become lazy when you started feeding it something different or you fed it more or less than usual. You can take a look here to see everything that you need to know about what you should be feeding your German Shepherd puppy. If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. You can find dog food specifically designed for German Shepherd puppies on Chewy here. It has depression Dogs can get depression, like humans do, and it could be the reason why your German Shepherd puppy has been acting lazy. This would be more likely if it has not always been so lazy. It would also be more likely if it suddenly became lazy after something happened such as if it lost a friend, you moved home or a family member moved away. It is naturally calm It might be the case that it is naturally a calm dog. This would be more likely if it does not act unusually in other ways as well and if it has always been calm. It would also be more likely if it does show signs of getting excited sometimes such as when it sees a squirrel. Related post: How to tell if your German Shepherd loves you Illness The cause could be that it is ill and it has less energy than normal because of it or it is causing it to feel less energetic. It could also be that an injury is causing your German Shepherd puppy to be less active. This would be more likely if it started being less active suddenly and if it started after it ate or did something that might have caused it to get ill or injured. It would also be more likely if it has been acting differently in other ways as well such as if it has been crying or if it has become slightly snappy or aggressive. If you think that illness or injury might be causing it then it would be worthwhile for you to see what a vet has to say about it. Heat Being too hot can also cause your German Shepherd puppy to start acting lazy. This would be more likely if it started to act lazy when it started getting hot outside and if it tends to become more active in the mornings and evenings when it is cooler. If it is hot outside then be sure to give it access to shade, water and a cool area. Generally, it is recommended that a German Shepherd get at least an hour of exercise per day. However, it is also recommended to limit the amount of exercise for German Shepherd puppies to 5 minutes per day for every month of age. So, a 4 month old puppy would get 20 minutes of exercise daily. This is because the exercise could damage their rapidly growing joints. However, this is a debated topic so it would help to consult with your vet on how much exercise your German Shepherd puppy is ready for. Other ways to stimulate it would be to train it or to give it toys to play with. Things to consider Before trying to get your German Shepherd puppy to be less lazy it would help to have a good understanding of what is causing it to be lazy. Some things that you can consider are mentioned below. If it has always been lazy If your German Shepherd puppy started to be lazy suddenly then it is important that you consider what happened at around the time that it became lazy. It would also help to consider whether or not it has been acting unusually in other ways as well. If your German Shepherd puppy started to act lazy suddenly then it would normally be a sign that you should take it to the vet. When it becomes less lazy It would also help to consider the timing of when it becomes lazy. If it seems to become lazier at certain times then it could be the case that there is something causing it to happen. For example, if it gets lazy shortly after dinner then it could be that there is an issue with its diet. How to get your German Shepherd puppy to be less lazy There are a number of things that you can do to get your German Shepherd puppy to be less lazy that I will mention below. Make sure its diet is right As mentioned above, if it is not getting the nutrients that it needs in its diet, it can cause it to become less energetic. If you want to get your German Shepherd puppy to be less lazy and for it to be as healthy as possible it is important to make sure that it is eating correctly. You can look here to see what you should be feeding it. Take it to a vet Since illness or injury could be the cause of your German Shepherd puppy being lazy it would help to take it to a vet. It would also help to talk to them about the diet it is getting while you are there since they will be able to give you tailored advice. Keep it cool Since heat could be contributing to it being lazy it would help to keep your German Shepherd puppy cool by giving it access to shaded areas, lots of water and allowing it to come inside whenever it needs to. Give it toys to play with Another thing that you can do is to give it things to play with such as toys or puzzle games. You can also spend more time playing with it or training it yourself to help keep it stimulated. Give it exercise As mentioned earlier a lack of exercise could be the issue. If it is not currently getting much exercise it would help to make sure that it does by walking it, playing fetch with it or letting it swim. As was also mentioned above, it is important to take its age into consideration when deciding on how much exercise to give it. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. How to exercise your German shepherd so they get enough activity What kind of exercise is best for a German shepherd? How much exercise does a German shepherd need? Remember, this is just an average! Although exercise needs vary from dog to dog, German shepherds are an athletic, high-energy breed that needs several hours of activity per day. Recommended Videos Keep in mind that your German shepherd needs both physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Puzzle toys can be a helpful tool, though more energetic pups may prefer something like agility challenges. The idea is to give him a task that helps him feel satisfied and accomplished when he finally achieves it — sometimes just a good run together can do the trick. These are some of the most common symptoms of a sedentary lifestyle: 1. Destructive behavior Coming home to a room full of torn-up papers and other destruction is understandably frustrating, but it might also be a cause for concern. If chaotic behaviors seem to increase, especially suddenly, your pup might be redirecting the excess energy that would otherwise be released through exercise, work, or play. In fact, a bored shepherd may even try to herd you! Dogs also bark when looking for a reaction from someone in their environment. They may do this when bored, restless, or trying to communicate. It could simply be one way of expressing hyperactivity — in the same ways restless people tap their foot or pace — or it could be your furry friend trying to initiate petting or play. As cute as a chubby pup might be, carrying extra pounds definitely is not healthy for them. Poor physical health can be a precursor to mental problems like depression, which leaves a pup unmotivated, unhappy, and sometimes unwilling to exercise. He may lose interest in playtime and his other favorite things, or he may even act lethargic and sleepy. Of course, you might want to take them to a vet to eliminate the possibility of illness or injury. Some of these activities check off both physical and mental needs, but your dog will appreciate having a variety of activities as well. Even training can be fun and confidence-building for your dog — so, what are you waiting for? Editors' Recommendations. Related posts: Why is my German Shepherd pup not active? Could a German Shepherd at any point be slow? Indeed, a German Shepherd can be languid. Nonetheless, in the event that a German Shepherd is reliably lethargic and latent, it could be characteristic of a medical condition or absence of activity. Why is my German Shepherd pup so lazy? One potential explanation your German Shepherd little dog is lethargic might be because of an absence of socialization and exercise. Without these two significant things, little dogs can become exhausted and anxious, which can prompt them being sluggish. Another chance is that your little dog is basically drained from every one of the developing they are doing! A few varieties, like English Bulldogs, are known for being especially lethargic. They will actually want to offer you explicit guidance for your little guy. Try to offer them a lot of chances to run and play. Absence of mental feeling: Very much like people, canines need Mental Excitement to remain sharp and stay away from weariness. Have a go at giving your German Shepherd intuitive toys or riddles to keep their psyches dynamic. Dread or Uneasiness: In the event that your German Shepherd is continually unfortunate or restless, it can prompt them being languid as they attempt to keep away from whatever might set off their apprehension or tension. Pain: On the off chance that your German Shepherd is in torment, it can prompt them not having any desire to move around a lot and seeming languid. Have your canine looked at by a veterinarian to preclude any aggravation or ailments. Obesity: In the event that your German Shepherd is corpulent, it can cause them to seem apathetic as they battle to move their additional load around. Work with your veterinarian to foster a weight reduction plan for your canine. Senior age: As canines age, they normally become less dynamic and have decreased energy levels. Make a point to open them to various individuals and creatures in a positive manner so they can figure out how to appreciate socialization. Work with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist to guarantee your canine is eating an even eating routine. Temperament: A few German Shepherds are simply normally more easygoing and quiet than others. Boredom: In the event that your German Shepherd is exhausted, they might seem apathetic as they sit around aimlessly or are not keen on their environmental elements. Take a stab at furnishing them with more toys, riddles, or action to assist with keeping their psyche invigorated. Is it typical for a little dog to be slow? Indeed, it is very typical for a little dog to be languid. This is on the grounds that they are as yet developing and their energy levels are not yet completely created. Little dogs will normally turn out to be more dynamic as they mature and become older. Why is my German Shepherd slow? Your German Shepherd might be lazy for various reasons. It very well may be because of a basic medical issue, absence of activity, or essentially on the grounds that they are progressing in years. You could likewise consider expanding their work-out daily practice or furnishing them with mental feeling through intelligent toys and games. How to prepare a German Shepherd little dog to not be slow? Quite possibly of the main thing you can do to prepare your German Shepherd little dog to not be apathetic is to mingle them right off the bat. This implies presenting them to as various individuals, creatures, and circumstances as could be expected so they figure out how to connect with their general surroundings. At last, make certain to give a lot of affection and consideration so they feel great and secure in their home climate. By following these basic hints, you can assist with guaranteeing that your German Shepherd little dog grows up to be a blissful, sound, and balanced canine. Get them used to a day to day daily practice since the beginning and stick to it as intently as could be expected. This will assist with laying out positive routines and stay away from potential issues sometime later. Take your German Shepherd doggy for customary strolls, regardless of whether they appear to be especially keen on going. This will assist with keeping their energy steps up and prevent them from becoming lethargic. Try not to overload your German Shepherd little dog as this can prompt weight, which thusly can make them drowsy and more averse to need to work out. Try not to let your German Shepherd pup become segregated from others and creatures, as this can make them become unfortunate and restless, which can prompt them becoming languid. Assuming you work extended periods, consider employing a canine walker or taking your German Shepherd pup to pup childcare a couple of times each week, so they can get the activity and socialization they need. Ensure that your German Shepherd little dog approaches a lot of toys and toys, as this will assist with keeping them mentallystimulated and prevent them from becoming exhausted. Try not to abandon your German Shepherd little dog for significant stretches of time, as this can prompt them ending up being restless and pushed, which can make them apathetic. Case preparing can be gainful for German Shepherd doggies as it gives them their own space to unwind in and can assist with keeping them from becoming disastrous when let be. Try not to involve discipline as an approach to preparing your German Shepherd little dog, as this can prompt them becoming terrified of you and less inclined to need to stand by listening to what you say. Fixing or fixing your German Shepherd doggy can assist with decreasing their general energy levels and make them less inclined to need to meander, which can prompt them becoming lethargic. Final Words It is vital to recollect that each canine will have their own character, and some might be more languid than others. On the off chance that you are experiencing difficulty preparing your German Shepherd pup not to be languid, it very well may be really smart to talk with an expert coach. With a tad of difficult work and persistence, be that as it may, you ought to have the option to get your little guy going and playing like the dynamic canine you generally cared about! How has lazyness been an issue with your GSD? Related posts:. It becomes a little surprised when your German Shepherd act like a lazy dog, their nature is to be active and energetic most of the time. Because of their active nature, they are also the best guard dog but some of them may be lazy. The main question here arises in our is why lets them be lazy. German Shepherds are not naturally lazy but there may be factors that can let them lazy more often. They may be feeling bored, suffering from depression, sickness or not getting enough exercise. There may be some vital reasons that may force your German Shepherd to be lazy. Here are some of the reasons why your German Shepherd may be lazy: 1. Age Factor The age of your German Shepherd may one of the factors for their laziness behavior. They must be becoming old which may let them not do more physical exercise. Older German Shepherds lack physical stamina and they avoid doing more exercise. In such a case, you must ensure their mental health. Be sure that they must be happy so that they can live with their beloved ones a happy life. However, you should not force them to do more exercise that may affect their health too. Rather you can make them walk for some distance as it would be good for them. Diet Plan If your German Shepherd is lazy or not active most of the time that their diet plan is the factor because which they may be being forced not to do anything. They must not be getting a nutritional diet that allows them to be active. Being an active breed German Shepherd needs a diet with sufficient calories and protein that provide them with enough energy. Boredom Your German Shepherd may be lazy because of boredom , they may not be getting fun or getting enjoyment which may result in them in boredom. Again physical activity for German Shepherd plays a very crucial role in making them active and energetic. You should take desired steps so that your German Shepherd can easily get rid of this issue. You can provide them with some toys to play with or some other instrument which they can enjoy. Fatigue Ness Your German Shepherd may be tired which may also let them act lazy more often. Fatigue ness or tiredness in German Shepherds occurs for many reasons, they may be overexercising which can also exhaust their energy and as result, they may become lazy. The important thing your can do is follow the proper routine for your German Shepherd and avoid overexercising. You should also know that they are a very active breed and do a lot of physical activities that are also treated as some type of exercise. Overexercising your German Shepherd may also affect their hits. They may get injured and as a result, they may ignore doing physical activity further and they may become lazy. Separation Anxiety Another reason your German Shepherd is lazy is because of the issue of separation anxiety. They may be living alone for a longer time and become bored which may lead them to suffer from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in German Shepherd is also popular when the dog owners do not spend enough time with them and leave them alone for a longer time. Leaving German Shepherd for a long time will also let them suffer from severe stress as there will also change in their behavior. Your dog will show initial signs like howling more often, excessive barking or whining, chewing unnecessarily, and others when they suffer from separation anxiety. When all these activities become excessive they will become frustrated and ultimately they will stop doing any physical activities which you may also consider a lazy German Shepherd. Depression Depression may be the other reason your German Shepherd is acting lazy. This type of issue again arises due to loneliness as you may not be spending enough time with them. Your German Shepherd has gone through a lot of mental trauma which may lead them to suffer from depression. German Shepherds may go through this type of mental issue if they live alone for a longer time period. When your German Shepherd suffers from depression they will show some signs like a lack of doing physical activities, loss of interest in doing the thing they enjoy earlier, excessive sleeping, licking their paws, and many more. However, it will always be important to spend most of the time with your German Shepherd as meeting your vets for better suggestions will also be helpful. Once they find their enjoyment they will be happy and will get rid of this mental issue. Health Factor German Shepherd is not naturally lazy, there may be some health factor that can force them to be lazy most of the time. They may be suffering from some type of illness or injury that may be preventing them from doing their physical activities. Sickness may force them to be less energetic. This can easily be determined if you see a sudden change in their behavior as your German Shepherd was more active earlier and they remain calm and less active suddenly then there will be the possibility of sickness or injury. Injury may also force them to be more aggressive and they will not be able to do their physical activities. Here observing the behavior is also important whenever you notice your dog is ill then you should immediately meet your vet for their treatment. Lack Of Exercise You may not be allowed to provide them with enough exercise which may also force them to be lazy most of the time. They are a very active breed and will require a lot of exercise which is also essential to exhaust their energy but again if they are able to do so they remain lazy. This issue in German Shepherds can easily be resolved as you should provide various types of exercise at regular intervals. Also exercising your German Shepherd makes their body muscular and they remain active most of the time. But again this should be done at a moderate level as excessive exercise may also affect their health. Naturally Less Active If your German Shepherds are born naturally less active then they may remain lazy most of the time. However, they are a very active breed but remaining lazy most of the time is a thing to consider. You can provide your German Shepherd for doing physical activities or exercise regularly. Feeding them a nutritional diet can also provide them the energy that will also let them be more active. However, you can also take help from your vets for better suggestions. Environmental Factors Environmental factors may be the major reason, your German Shepherd is acting lazy more often. They may be facing unfavorable environments or surrounding that may force them to express their physical experience. The only thing you should do is provide them with favorable conditions where they would enjoy their life and do a lot of ever exercises will also allow them to express their feelings as a dog owner you will also enjoy lot seeing their adorable behavior. German Shepherds are a very active breed but whenever they show less activeness there may be some issue that may be preventing them from doing their activities. An active German Shepherd is always a treat to watch and you should always be knowing to let them be more active. Earlier we discussed the laziness behavior of German Shepherds. However, you should also know the important measures that you should apply to them to make them more active. It provides them to gain all the benefits of calories, protein, fats, and carbohydrates that are essential parts to make them active. You should also keep in mind that they have muscular bodies and need a proper nutrient diet to maintain their energy. Regular Exercise German Shepherds are a highly energetic breed and they need regular exercise to maintain their energy level. Provide Enjoy full Toys German Shepherds can remain active when they get an environment with a lot of enjoyment that you can provide them by giving them toys. They will enjoy their surroundings by playing with them as it removes their stress and let them remain active most of the time. Things To Consider German Shepherds always love their beloved ones and as a good owner, you should also respect their feelings. If they are lazy then you should not feel frustrated rather you can take important measures so that they can easily get rid of such types of issues. However, you should also consider the German Shepherd which will help you a lot in maintaining their health as well as fitness level. Never Scold them Always be friendly with them Provide favorable environmental conditions Spend as much time as you can Never leave your GSD alone for a long time Provide fun activities for them Always provide a nutrient diet Monitor their behavior regularly Meet your Vets if required Related Questions: Q1. Is My German Shepherd bored? The tendency of German Shepherds to be active most of the time, they do a lot of physical activities to exhaust their energy like other dogs but if they neglect to do such types of activities or exercise they may be bored. They must not get proper attention from their owners or may live alone because of which they may be feeling bored. However, you should monitor their behavior and observe any neglection play or doing exercise then you must take important measures to prevent such type of issues in your German Shepherds. You can spend more time with them or play with them to avoid such types of issues. What do German Shepherds need to be happy? German Shepherds are happy to breed but you can also make them happy by taking some steps: Playing with them.

As a family-owned Goldendoodle breeder based in Burlington, North Carolina, we take great pride in raising our puppies right in the comfort of our own home. Our mission is to provide families with the perfect companion in the form of a healthy, happy, and well-socialized Goldendoodle puppy. Our Goldendoodles are carefully bred from health-tested parents to ensure that your new furry family member is healthy and happy. As a Goldendoodle breeder, we take pride in raising the best quality Goldendoodles with excellent health, great temperaments, and beautiful coats. Our puppies come with a lifetime health guarantee and support, and we're always here to answer any questions you may have. We provide a loving home environment for our puppies and ensure they are well-socialized with people and other pets. In addition, we are pleased to offer delivery of our Goldendoodle puppies within the United States. We understand that it can be difficult to travel long distances to pick up your new puppy, so we offer a convenient delivery service to bring your new furry family member right to your doorstep. Thank you for considering Doodles of NC for your next furry family member. We look forward to helping you find the best Goldendoodle to join your family! Why do we exclusively offer Goldendoodle puppies for sale? Their loyalty, affection and non-aggressive temperament make them great family dogs - especially families with children. With our dedication to raise the puppies in our personal home, the F-1B Goldendoodles are the perfect breed to trust around our two young daughters. What are F-1B Goldendoodles? An F-1B Goldendoodle has become very popular and is known for its friendly, loving nature paired with its hypoallergenic fur. The resulting dog has the wonderful disposition of a Golden Retriever with the almost non-existent shedding of the Poodle. 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 Greensboro North Carolina 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!

The reasons for regularly brushing your Lab are to help keep them looking nice and neat, to help circulate the natural oils they produce and to shake loose and remove dirt and debris, and to keep their coat and skin healthy. Active dogs like Labradors seem to love getting wet and muddy, so you need to make sure no small insects have made a home in their fur during their time outside. While this is more of an issue for longer haired dogs, it only takes a few tiny insects to create skin irritations for your pet, so do keep a close eye. The time spent grooming gives you the perfect opportunity to look for any lumps, bumps or changes in color so you can be confident in calling the vet if you think anything is changing. Routine is another incentive for brushing. Plus…most Labradors will love having your full attention for a few minutes every day! What Types of Dog Brushes are Available? Slicker Brush Made up of rows of wire pins to help remove any tangles. The pins are bent at the ends to help gather and collect loose hair for removal. Suitable for removing the dead undercoat on Labradors. Pins can be soft or hard to suit the needs of your dog. A wide range of sizes are available. Pin Brush The primary aim of these brushes is to remove tangles from long-haired dogs. Although this is a common and popular choice for owners of different breeds, this is not a brush type recommended for Labradors. Bristle Brush Used for shaking loose and removing debris and dirt from the coat. There are no metal pins on this type of brush. The bristles on the brush can be man-made or natural, depending on the brand you buy. These can be a good buy for everyday use, for quick brush downs after countryside adventures and for promoting a shiny coat as the final step when grooming your dog. Undercoat Rake Designed to help remove undercoat during the shedding season and for removing any tangles from the fur. There is a broad range of choices in this style of brush, including various sizes, widths and varied length of the teeth. Shedding Blades These can be used by experienced groomers to remove dead or shedding hair, but be warned; in the wrong hands, these can cause real problems for dogs. Which Brush is Right for Me? Unlike some other brands, this particular brush is self-cleaning! It includes a button to make the bristles retract, meaning you can quickly remove the dead hair from the brush without having to scrape between all the tiny pins with your fingers! Cons: One downside to this product is its size — at 10 x 5. Safari Bristle and Pin Combo Brush Pros: Value for money is a plus for this brush, as it is one of the cheaper types available, and it is a pin brush and a bristle brush in one! Not only is this useful for removing dirt, but the bristles are also perfect for distributing the natural oils over the fur and leaving your dogs coat healthy looking and shiny. Cons: The main complaint about the bristle style of brush is the time it takes to clean the brush itself. Measuring 6. Cleaning this brush is nice and easy due to the shape of it. An essential tool for Labrador owners! The Furminator is a compact product at 1. Cons: Price!! The blades on this type of brush are likely to wear down over time, but replacement blades can be hard to come by, and almost as expensive as buying a new brush itself. If you have a decent budget, having a couple of different products for different occasions will only make things easier for you and your dog in the long run. When brushes are used correctly and often, they will save you hours and hours of cleaning time around your home! This has absolutely no effect on the eventual price that you pay and we are very grateful for your support. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. I really like the way you explained how we should search the theme-based site. I learned about the brush. I liked all the brush Great tips to choose for the dog. I love that. Really thanks for sharing. Keep it up. Consider the coat type of your lab. If your dog has a double coat, you must get a brush to reach and brush the undercoat. Look at the size of the grooming brush and the bristle length. Your dog might feel comfortable with a smaller brush, while a larger brush will help control shedding. Discuss your budget and the need before finalizing the brush. You must consider the above factors before making a buying decision. No matter which brush you choose, make sure your lab is comfortable. It is flat, with all the bristles in close proximity. The slicker brush works well for labs as it penetrates their double coats. In addition, it removes any residue without any tangles. Bristle Brush Bristlebrush looks like the brushes that humans use. It is one of the best dog hair brush for labrador with moderate space. While these brushes do not work correctly for high-shedding breeds, they are suitable for quick brushing. Undercoat Rake Rakebrushes are ideal for removing dead hairs but should not be used daily. It has a T shape and pin brush that can help a lab with heavy shedding. It is the best deshedding tool for labs that can be highly beneficial. Not only can you use it for enhancing their blood circulation, but also to make their coat soft and shiny. It captures excess hair with minimal effort. First-time pet parents often think the lovely short hair on their labs will be easy to clean. But they realize the truth after a few months. Labs have a high shedding, and thus it is essential to groom them regularly to avoid mess. A labrador grooming kit is the best step forward. It ensures that their coats are healthy and soft. Moreover, it will also help avoid building up dog hair all over your house. Grooming your lab with a labrador grooming brush every three days is good practice. Labs have thick coats and thus specific brushes will work better for them. You must also ensure you get the right tools along with regular brushing. For example, with the best dog brush for shedding Labrador, the proper grooming gloves improve the process. Labs originate in Canada and are subject to harsh weather conditions. They were initially bred for work and had a strong work ethic and temperament. Labs often worked in cold weather and had to get into the water often. Thus, labs have a water-resistant coat with insulating properties that protect them. Also, their coat has natural oils and dries quickly, so grooming them regularly is essential. What is a Double Coat? Labs have two coat layers: the outer coat and the undercoat. The outer coat has strong hairs that are coarse. It protects the skin from any injury or getting dirt. Moreover, it makes the coat water-resistant. The undercoat is soft and dense and provides insulation by trapping air, keeping them cool during hot weather. However, the density of both coats can vary. Regular brushing makes your lab stay neat and clean. It helps circulate essential natural oils they produce. Labradors are active dogs who love getting into mud or water. Hence they accumulate dirt and insects in their fur. A tiny insect can start a skin infection in your lab, so you must be careful. Introducing the best pet brush for Labrador puppies early can help you later. While brushing your dog, pay close attention to understand what is normal for them. Groom to check for any changes, like lumps, bumps, etc. Brushing your dog has benefits, but the best way of brushing a lab is a mystery to many. Not brushing can lead to vacuuming a lot of hair from the floor daily. A lab has soft, loose hair; brushing them will be simple if you understand the trick. First, get the best brush for labrador retriever that will suit them. It can cause scratches and make labs uncomfortable. Next, complete the grooming sessions with a soft brush to help distribute natural oils. Use a damp towel to wipe the skin and pick up loose hair to end the session. Also, how often your pet gets muddy or wet and if their coat gets a blowout. Brushing twice a week is necessary to maintain the coat and skin of your lab. However, when your Labrador is having a blowout, opt for daily brushing to ensure all loose hair is at bay. It guarantees healthier skin while facilitating hair regrowth. Only make sure that you choose the best dog brush for Labrador. Also, as they are big, only some products will work better. Because of this, getting the best brush for labrador to brush both coats is vital. Furthermore, ensure the grooming tools are not painful for Lab. Labradors have sensitive skin, and thus, using a gentle brush is ideal. Yes, you should brush your labs regularly. You should be brushing them every three days. Getting a rubber brush will be beneficial for short-haired dogs. In contrast, brushes with long bristles are ideal for long-haired or double-coat dogs. Is Furminator The best brush for labs? Yes, Furminator is a safe choice for your pet. It is one of the best Labrador shedding solutions. It removes dead hair that you will otherwise see everywhere in your as well as the dog house. American and English labs are different as they have thicker coats. Moreover, they also have higher de-shedding and thus require frequent brushing. A slicker brush, typically a wire brush with firm bristles, can help in many ways. It is perfect for English and American labs because it removes mats, knots, and tangles from their coat. You can use a slicker brush alone or combine it with a bristle or pin brush. The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Bristle brush and Furminator de-shedding brush are some of the best self-cleaning slicker brush for dogs. As highlighted above, the FURminator deShedding Tool for Dogs is one of the best brushing tools to reduce the shedding of your Labrador retriever. Labs will never stop shedding. You can control only a bit and reduce the shedding through regular grooming and brushing. For a 1-year-old lab, it is better to use a comfortable, smooth brush that will not be uncomfortable. Labs shed naturally, and you can do only so much. While you can try to feed them fish oil every week, it will only be a bet. The best way to control this is by brushing your pet outdoors regularly with the right brush. You can make it a routine along with potty training. The color of your lab has nothing to do with their shedding abilities. The amount of shedding depends on their health and the coat. With extensive research and personal experiences, Aritra has become a Labrador expert, offering a rich resource on the breed. The site serves as a comprehensive resource, offering a wealth of up-to-date information for Labrador owners and enthusiasts alike. Gentle and effective on tangles Easy to hold and comfortable grip Stainless steel pins on one side and soft nylon bristles on the other What We Don't Like Nylon bristle side is difficult to clean The Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush is effective, versatile, and suitable for a variety of dog coats. One side has stainless steel pins that can help untangle knots and collect loose hair, particularly for dogs with long, curly, or wiry fur. On the flip side, the brush head has soft nylon bristles for fluffing and for short coats. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is gentle against the skin, and the nylon bristles are very soft so most dogs don't seem to notice when they are being groomed with that side. We tested the Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush on dogs with a variety of coats, including long, fine hair and long, matted hair—the brush performed exceptionally well with both. It worked best on our border collie test subject. One tester even noted that it worked well on her dog's thick butt hair. The Hartz brush was less effective for dogs with short hair and also isn't the right tool if you're looking to tame your dog's undercoat. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is particularly gentle. For humans, the brush has a soft rubber handle that makes it comfortable to hold. The pin side is somewhat easier to clean than the bristle side, and we recommend clearing out all the hair you collect after each brushing session to prevent build-up. Rubber bristles break off easily Difficult to remove dog hair from rubber bristles Not good at removing shedding hair 7. This makes it easy to empty the collected dog hair into the trash. The bristles are finely bent wires that pick up loose hairs easily. It has an ergonomic, extended handle that makes grooming your dog more comfortable. The sharp bristles of this brush can be uncomfortable for your dog, especially if you press too hard. Pros One-click button retracts the bristles for self-cleaning Bristles are fine bent wires Ergonomic, extended handle Transparent protective cover for when the brush is not in use Cons Hard bristles are uncomfortable for the dog Tines sometimes do not withdraw completely, making cleaning difficult Not for short-haired dogs Check Latest Price The BV Dog Brush is a two-in-one design. It can be used on all breeds and coat types. It has an anti-slip handle to make grooming easier for you. The brush also has a convenient eyelet to hang it up when not in use. The brush is difficult to clean on both sides. The pins can also break and fall out easily, especially if they get caught in tangled fur. Pros For all breeds and coat types One side is a pin brush, the other side is a bristle brush Anti-slip handle Convenient eyelet for hanging brush Cons Does not have plastic tips Difficult to clean Pins break and fall out easily 9. It has a non-slip ergonomic handle made of silicone for your comfort. The brush gently removes undercoat, tangles, knots, dander, and trapped dirt. The bristles on this brush are sharp, so you have to be careful not to injure yourself or your dog. The plastic is of poor quality and breaks easily. Pros One-touch button retracts bristles for easy cleaning Non-slip ergonomic silicone handle Gently removes undercoat, tangles, knots, dander, and trapped dirt Cons. The Furminator dog brush is the best dog brush for removing loose dead fur beneath the topcoat. For dogs that shed a lot before growing in their fur, it may be too harsh and remove too much fur, leaving behind bald patches. Remember to be cautious when first using the Furminator because it is such an effective tool for removing fur. Try brushing your doggy a little bit at a time and see how his fur responds. The Furminator comes in a long and short fur version, so you can choose the best one for your particular breed of dog. Dog Shedding Brush Is your dog shedding like crazy and you need a good dog brush to remove the fur? The handle is made of rubber to provide good grip. This tool is great for long and short-haired dogs. Slicker Brush for Dogs Slicker brushes are great for removing tangled, matted fur. It does a great job at removing loose hair, knots, tangles, and dander. It also comes in a bright, fun color and has a nicely gripped easy to hold handle. Its stainless steel pins gently remove mats, tangles, and dead hair. The brush comes in a range of sizes, so you can pick the best one for your particular pup. But best of all, the pins retract making it very easy to clean after a grooming session. Dog Brush Glove A dog brush glove is a glove with hundreds of pointy tips to help remove dog fur when you pet your dog with the glove on. It is good at removing loose fur gently and effectively. The shedding fur sticks to the glove, making it easy to remove hair. You can also use this glove while bathing your dog to give a gentle massage without hurting his skin. And it could be the best dog brush for you if what you like is the tactile use of a glove. It comes with two gloves, the left hand and right hand. Ideal for reluctant groomees! This one also comes with two gloves. It has a mm stainless steel blade and an easy to grip handle so you can effortlessly brush your Lab every day to remove loose hair. Rubber dog brush Getting a rubber dog brush is useful for short or smooth haired dogs like Labs. You hold these brushes in the same way as you do with a horse brush. Both of these brushes are good de-shedding tools. Something to note: rubber dog brushes are not very effective at removing matted or tangled fur. So we advise you use another brush, like the slicker brush, for that purpose. Pin Brush for Dogs Pin brush for dogs are the most common type of dog brushes people get. They look similar to brushes used by people. They are typically oval in shape and have wiry pins. Unfortunately they are not very useful in grooming your dog. It helps remove dead hair and stimulates healthy hair oil production. This great little dog brush is also effective to use it while bathing your dog. You brush your dog in circles, then go from head to tail to collect all the loose fur. If your Lab is still a puppy, use a smaller Kong brush to remove his excess fur. What if you could vacuum and brush at the same time? It is safe for grooming pets and great for removing unwanted hair. Bristle Brush for Dogs Bristle brush for dogs are great for use on short, smooth coats that shed frequently. The tightly packed natural bristles pick up loose hair and stimulate the skin. You can use it daily to maintain a shiny coat. Dog bath brush Looking to massage your doggy thoroughly with shampoo when bathing him? With soft rubber tips that scrub away dirt, dead skin, and loose fur making it a useful pet brush for bathing and grooming. It can be used wet or dry. It helps improve lather and helps remove dead hair. Dog Combs and Brushes Need to remove matted, tangled fur from your Lab? Using a dog comb can help remove loose hair and dirt. It should be used with minimal pressure. This rake brush will not scratch your dog because it is rounded on the outside, while sharp on the inside, so it is effective at clearing matted fur and tangles fast and easy. Best dog brush for Labs As we have seen, there are many varieties of dog brushes out there. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 49, times. Pugs may be little, but what they lack in size, they make up for in personality. They are fun loving, loyal, and affectionate dogs that love to make their owners smile. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Crate training will keep your pug protected from household hazards, help with house training, and give him a place to retreat when he's overly excited. An ideal crate size is 24 inches long x 18 inches wide x 21 inches high 61 cm x 46 cm x 53cm. Place a blanket on top of the crate so it feels like a cozy den to your pug. Leave the crate door open at all times during this part of crate training. This will allow your pug to explore the crate at his leisure, without fear of you closing the door behind him. For crate training to be effective, your pug must learn to be comfortable in the crate when its door is closed. Gradually, have your pug wait up to 10 minutes after a meal before you open the door. You may need to leave your pug crated for hours at a time during the day, and maybe overnight. Sit with him briefly, leave the room for few minutes, then return to the crate. Work up to leaving the room for 30 minutes. Reward him with a treat each time he responds to it correctly. Practice leaving the house when you crate him. Do not get your pug worked up when you leave home or return; this could build up a lot of anxiety and anticipation in your pug. A common concern with crate training is whether to respond to whining, especially with overnight crating. Just be prepared for the whining to get worse before it gets better. Pugs aim to please, but can get sidetracked by a short attention span. When your pug stays focused on your finger on your nose, immediately give him a treat. Lengthen the time he watches your finger before you reward him. When your pug learns the basic commands, he will have the proper foundation to behave well and learn even more commands. Basic commands include sit, stay, come, and heel. If his short attention span is making training difficult, consider enrolling him in a local dog obedience class. Use plenty of positive reinforcement verbal praise, treats, extra petting each time your pug correctly follows a command. The more excited and positive you are, the more your pug will try to please you and behave properly. Pugs love to chew. Teaching your pug to 'leave it' will help keep him from chewing something inappropriate e. If you cannot stay with your pug all day and take him outside frequently, gate off an area in your home for him to stay during the day. Place some pee pads in the corner of this space where he can eliminate. When your pug urinates, the urine would go through the grass into the underlying tray. Place his water bowl and bed in the gated area. Without knowing when he should eliminate, your pug may have accidents in your home more often. A consistent bathroom routine is very important for puppies, since they cannot hold their bladders for very long. If you have a pug puppy, take him out first thing in the morning, 15 to 20 minutes after eating, after naps, and before bedtime. As he gets a little older and has better bladder control, you can start leaving his water in the crate overnight. The indoor gated area lessens the need for frequent outings during the day. However, it may take longer to house train your pug if he gets used to eliminating on pee pads or in the litter box. Your pug should learn to eliminate in the same area each time you take him outside. If you have a backyard, take him out on a 6-foot 2-meter leash, stand in one area of your yard, and let him pick a specific spot within a 6-foot radius of the leash. Examples of this body language are sniffing around, looking for a private place, going to the door, and whining. Give him a treat and verbal praise when he eliminates so he makes a positive association with eliminating outside. When you reward him for eliminating, he will also be learning how to respond to your command. It can take time—up to 20 minutes—for your pug to relax enough to eliminate outside. If you become impatient, you may experience what many other dog owners have experienced: elimination as soon as the dog gets back inside. Twenty minutes can feel like an eternity, so bring something with you e. If you pug has an accident and he probably will clean it up promptly with an enzymatic cleaner that will erase the urine smell. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source If your pug smells the urine, he will likely go back to that spot to eliminate. Do not punish your pug, whether you catch him in the act or not. Doing so will make him fear you, rather than teach him not to have another accident. Your adult pug may have had some previous training, but it may not have been completed or consistently reinforced. Ask the rescue group or animal shelter from where you adopted your pug about what types of additional training he will need. Be patient with your adult pug during the training process. If your adult pug was mistreated by his previous owner, he may be extra sensitive to yelling or harsh punishment. If you have other household members, have them all train your adult pug. They will want to be with you. Have a crate or bed next to your bed for at least the first few weeks while you get them into a Puppy night-time routine. Here is how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Alone Training Teaching your Pug puppy that they can be totally fine being left alone can be done with stuffed chew toys, time and patience. Remember to do it slowly to avoid any stress! Toilet Training Training Practically every website you read may tell you that Toilet training your Pug puppy can be a challenge. As with alone training, start sooner rather than later. Of course, if they run into any birds, butterflies and hear planes flying over, it will be great for them to get acquainted already. Have fun gathering surfaces with different textures for them to explore, like synthetic grass, tiles, and soil. Use treats! Remember to use lots of treats and praise when training. They love making your tail wag! Repeat their name to them a lot in the first week, so it really starts to click. Recall — How to teach your Pug puppy to come back when called — This is important for safety. Pugs generally stay close, but they can be very friendly and want to run up to people and other dogs for a bit of a cuddle, so a good recall will always help. But they can enjoy fetch games on a smaller scale, get on the floor and interact and play with your Pug puppy to learn what they enjoy. This will help to avoid resource guarding. Husbandry Tasks Pugs love affection but should be handled with care. Be mindful to not treat them like toys. Not going to blame children to think they are toys though — the resemblance is uncanny. To do this we want to teach them that hands will do nice things to them so use plenty of treats when handling your puppy. Week 2 — Training your Pug puppy Week 2 already! Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Negative Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement First, as a general rule, remember that Pugs are dogs, not just lap pets, and need attention and daily exercise to feel content; a tired dog is far less likely to misbehave! Although Pugs are often very treat motivated see some of the best dog foods for pugs here , toys, play and affection can also be great incentives for your little snort monster, too. House training and Potty Training for Your Pug Pugs are not known for their speedy ability to learn proper toilet habits. They can often reach the age of 5 or 6 months before they truly get the hang of housetraining, and need toilet breaks overnight for a longer time than other breeds. Although this is perfectly normal, it can be very frustrating for some owners! Patience, consistency, a regular daily routine, and the use of an appropriately sized crate just big enough for your pup to stand, lay down and turn around are all excellent ways to help potty learning along. First, set an approximate routine for your Pug — they should be eating, playing, and having the opportunity to pee and poop in a designated area at roughly the same times each day. Puppies cannot be left along for long periods of time, either — most need a toilet break every two hours at least — and even adult pugs need to have the opportunity to go potty several times a day. My last adult pug was generally okay with going once in the morning and once at night. My new pug puppy at 10 weeks currently goes every hours. When you are out of the house, or otherwise not able to directly supervise your Pug, then a short rest time in their crate is a good idea to prevent house accidents — most dogs instinctively hate to soil their sleeping places. Do make sure to go out with your Pug to their toilet area during housetraining— this is so you can make a big fuss over them when they actually do toilet outside! Pugs are highly food motivated, Benji learned a host of tricks with food as a motivation! For owners of older puppies or adult Pugs who already mainly potty outside, training them to ring a bell beside the door is a great method to get them to communicate that they need to go out. For the first week or two, reward him clicker training works well here too each time he sniffs or touches the bell with his nose. I was lazy with cleaning it though, and in retrospect I would have used potty pads underneath the grass to ease the cleaning. Prong collars or choke chain leads are also a big no-no with Pugs for the same reasons. A front attaching harness most have a clip at chest level will let your pup move freely, as well as allowing you to redirect their front end and their attention back to you to prevent continued pulling. Puppia harnesses are super popular in the pug community. The best solution, though, is to teach your four-legged little friend to walk at your side. Use food or toys to reward your dog for staying at your side while walking. When they pull, stop walking and keep the leash still, then reward them for taking steps toward you or returning to your side. Soon, the two of you will make a great walking team! After doing some research, I found out that he uses this e-collar , as well as clicker training. In spite of their ability to leave chaos in their wake, however, Pugs are perfectly capable of learning appropriate doggie manners when consistent boundaries are set, and good behaviour is rewarded! There are two kinds of reinforcement that you can give to your Pug during training — either negative or positive reinforcement. Negative Reinforcement — This includes verbal or physical punishment or scolding, and the use of corrective collars like choke, prong or muzzle collars. If you punish your Pug for misbehaviour, he could inadvertently end up being afraid of you, the place where he was punished, or other people or dogs that were present while he was being corrected. Negative reinforcement training might lead to growling, biting, or other unwanted behaviours from your Pug. Positive Reinforcement — Remember how happy you were the last time someone gave you a compliment, or that time you got a work bonus for a job well done? Well, your Pug feels the same way — praise and food especially food! With this method of training, teaching your Pug obedience commands and good manners can be fun for both of you. When your dog is offering that behaviour regularly, you can add a spoken command word. Remember that all dogs, and especially Pugs, need a lot of patience during training — work in short sessions, and keep the tone fun and upbeat for success. To prevent naughty Pug antics like household destruction and counter surfing, initial dog-proofing tends to be the best prevention. You can also take the Alpha Dog approach , which Cesar Milan The Dog Whisperer uses, though controversial, it is effective because dogs, like wolves, are pack dogs. And respond to the leader of the pack the alpha. You asked super valuable questions and really listened to our concerns. You helped us to make a conscious choice about what is right for us and take the steps to determine that we were doing the right thing. Ultimately we decided we weren't ready to be a 2 dog family, and we're so glad to gain this insight before taking on a commitment to a second dog. Thank you so much for your advice and support. She has a really flexible approach to training and finds what works for you and your dog. They sent weekly reminders about the classes and would even send us a text before the class started. Tara was amazing and soooo great with buckwheat. Would happily go to another class that she was teaching. They are both incredibly knowledgable and professional in their approach, and both went out of their way to provide additional help and support. Our great dane has benefited immensely from this training and we couldn't recommend this service more highly! No more pulling! She gave me some great strategies to help with reactive behaviours and some really simple tricks which just make life so much easier. The one in one session was a great investment. Such a refreshing change from the outdated, harsh methods and so much more effective, and fun! I have been struggling with barking with my 6yr old anxious staffy for years. We felt like we had tried everything and Cassie came and it felt like she gave us those last few missing puzzle pieces. As soon as we started enacting her advice we have had a massive improvement and have not looked back since. Not only this but she arrived right on time and was super friendly and compassionate with zero judgement. I've been to a lot of people with my little one and I can happily say Cassie is by far the best trainer we have been to. We would recommend the company to anyone experiencing the need for some professional support and advice. The ongoing support has also been most helpful! Google rating score: 4.

January 20, 0 Comments WorldAnimalFoundation. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More Labrador Retriever is a quite famous breed, topping the list of great family dogs due to their friendly and social personality. Now, what colors come to your mind when you think of the Labradors? Black, yellow, and chocolate. Silver Labrador Retriever is a beautiful color variation of traditional Labradors; because of the presence of a dilute gene. Their distinct coat color has caught the attention of many; however, not without some controversy. About the Breed Silver Labrador Retrievers are one of the rarest shades of labradors. They are a hyperactive breed with a compelling sporting nature. They respond well to training, enjoy exploring nature with you, love playing water sports, and are fond of the fetch game, making them perfect for active families. These beautiful dogs are well-known for befriending every creature they see without any degree of communication. They love being the center of attention and thrive on social interaction. A little clingy at times, but they deserve all that for their service just existing. Their agreeable personality and intelligence make them one of the most charming breeds. However, according to the breed standard set by Labrador Retriever Club, true labradors are yellow, black, and chocolate in color. Many breeders believe that the other colors are due to cross-breeding Labradors with Weimaraners. They were created in Newfoundland and were first introduced by the European to Britain settlers via the ships trading between Canada and Poole. Labs were initially bred for duck retrieving, assisting in fishing adventures, and as a hunting dog. But with time, their popularity grew more as household pets, and to this date, especially in the western world. They first started appearing, according to some sources, in , while others believe it was in the s. Now, it is clear that their distinct coat colors are due to the presence of the recessive dilute gene pair that has recently appeared in the Labrador gene pool. The source of that dilute gene is what makes their exact origin vague. This is why the profile of Silver Labs remains controversial for the most part. Silver Labrador Facts Silver Labradors have blue eyes as puppies. They are more prone to developing skin problems such as Color Dilution Alopecia than other Labradors. They are outgoing and social. They are intelligent and highly trainable Silver Labrador Appearance Just look at Silver Labrador slaying in this picture, like he was born to model. Silver Labs undoubtedly possess the most distinct silverish gray color that leaves an impact on the observer. Their eyes are a beautiful shade of yellow, on which a relatively small black pupil looks striking. They have long floppy ears that rest flat on the sides. Their nose, which is always in search of something to eat or sniffing butts , tends to be brown in color. These rare gray labradors have this indescribable charm that keeps winning people over. Owners tend to be drawn to their wide skulls and muscular build. The average height range for almost all grown Silver Labs is between .WeightThe male Silver Lab tends to have a slightly bulkier build in contrast to the female Lab. On average, the weight of a fully-grown Silver Labrador falls between 55 to 80 pounds. The weight range is 45 to 70 pounds in the case of female Labs. CoatSilver Lab has a double coat to protect them against harsh cold weather. Theirinner coatis denser and thicker as compared to their outer coat, which is thinand short. Their coat is overall smooth and shiny and feels euphoric to pet. Yellow and black are the most common coat shades in Labrador Retrievers, and silver and chocolate are the least common. Silver Lab Puppies A Silver Labrador puppy is one of the most aesthetically pleasing sights to the eyes in the world. The sparkly blue eyes and the smoky grey shade make a striking contrast. As time progresses, they tend to darken. Their eyes turn yellow after the Silver pups cross the age of 6 to 8 months. Silver Labrador Temperament and Personality Talking about Silver Lab temperament, just like other Labrador Retrievers, they too have friendly, affectionate, caring personalities. They are a very intelligent breed that makes the best companion to their human family. This high-spirited breed matures physically but remains child-like at heart, lifting the mood around the house by being jolly, goofy, jumpy, and adored by absolutely everyone. The Silver Labrador retriever has an easy-going personality, which means they enjoy every activity with you. They just want to feel your touch, no matter what you do. It is because of their attachment to their owners, which is why they are prone to exhibiting signs of separation anxiety when left alone on their own for too long. Moreover, it is a social breed that thrives on attention and being around people. These sweet creatures are the best friends of kids. Silver Labs are patient and gentle toward children; they can be their playmates for hours without getting tired. One of the best qualities of These dogs is they get along really well with other dogs and pets. On the contrary, they get excited at the sight of another human, hang out with them and try to impress them with how cool they are they actually are. They also tend to chewupon objects due to anxiety. The Silver Lab is an active breed, just like the black and yellow labs. In order to keep them away from destructive behaviors, they need to stay stimulated mentally and physically. They can be a little prone to nipping, so they do require a lot of your attention. Plus, if you enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, then Silver Lab will prove to be an extraordinary companion to you. Due to being double-coated, they shed a fair amount of hair, especially the Silver Labrador, because of skin problems. Grooming Requirements Brushing As we mentioned above, labs shed quite a bit. And by this, we mean you will be able to collect an adequate amount of hair from all over the house, especially during peak season. Using coconut oil at least once a month can keep their coat neat, shiny, and soft. Gently massage the oil for about five minutes and then clean it with a towel. Bathing Bathing your Labrador Retriever once a month is adequate. Use lukewarm water and mild shampoo; it will keep their skin maintained. However, if you start noticing scratching of nails against the floor while running, walking, or jumping around, trim their nails immediately. Ear Cleaning Their adorable floppy ears need to be checked and cleaned frequently to prevent any potential infection. Always include ear cleaning in their grooming session. Health Complications in Silver Labrador Every breed is likely to face minor or major health complications. And we have listed all the possible health conditions your Labrador Breed could suffer from. When getting a Silver Labrador, always look for a reputable breeder. Life Expectancy Silver Labrador dogs typically have a lifespan between 10 to 14 years. It can vary from dog to dog based on health issues, environment, and other factors. It occurs due to the presence of a recessive gene. In this condition, your dog suffers from skin problems, including hair loss or thinning in the form of patches, itchiness, scaliness, or flaky skin. Vets give treatments to tackle secondary skin infections. Avoid using brushes with harsh bristles. The deficiency of type II muscle fibers causes muscle weakness, resulting in symptoms like stunted growth, trouble swallowing, stiff arched back, shrunken muscles, and low tolerance to exercise. They progressively get worse and are the most prominent in 5 months old puppy. Sadly, most puppies with CNM are subjected to euthanization due to their inability to function normally in life. No dog owner should ever have to go through this painful experience. This developmental issue in both joints causes difficulty or friction in climbing stairs, jumping, running, and even walking. Exercise Induced Collapse Labradors and their unending love for playing and exercise is not something hidden; their energy drive is high. EIC refers to the recessive autosomal inherited trait. Your Labrador Retriever, despite feeling weak, will still try to be active. Then after five to ten minutes, they collapse. Extreme exercise sessions are to be avoided in dogs with this condition. This results in excessive discharge from ears, inflammation, itching, foul odor, and head shaking. Otitis Externais one of the most common ear infections in Silver Labradors, characterized by ear canal inflammation. Ear infections are unpleasant and painful and cause discomfort for your dogs. Consult a local veterinarian right away if you notice any of the above symptoms. Over Eating Labrador Retrievers are quite popular for being foodies. Some scientists associate it with a genetic mutation. Sometimes, overeating might also indicate an underlying serious health issue like hypothyroidism. Silver Labrador Diet and Nutrition Your high-energy Labrador Retriever needs a high-quality, nutritious, and protein-rich diet to function healthily. The amount of dog food you feed them may vary a little with their size and weight. For example, your Silver Lab of 50 pounds will need about 2 and a half cups of good quality dog food daily. The calorie requirement for an pound Silver Labrador is a little higher; they will need about 3 and a half cups of dog food to fulfill their 1, calorie requirement each day. Consider getting dog food that has adequate calcium for better joint development. And remember, it is always best to divide the meals into 3 to 4 intervals for better digestion. These greedy creatures tend to unleash their inner ever-hungry beast at the sight of food, which causes bloating. In order to keep them physically and mentally stimulated, 60 minutes of exercise every day is essential. And if your Lab is super active, make it 1. Labs love playing fetch, running, going on fast-paced walking, and being goofy. Thus, their exercise session can include any activity; just make sure they get enough exercise every day! Dedicate one hour of your time daily to your dog, and give them all your attention and love. Apart from playing and exercising, you can keep them busy by getting them interactive and stimulating toys. Those toys also help them in providing comfort when you leave them alone for a while. They are a highly intelligent breed and can be easily trained. They are a welcome addition to most families. Positive reinforcements work well with them; their love for food makes it easier to lure them into doing literally anything you want. All you need is a favorite treat, toy, or any complimentary food, and boom; your Lab becomes the most obedient boy in the world. As puppies, they are easier to control and manage, while the adult Labs are larger in size and can be a little stubborn. Conclusion Altogether, Silver Labrador dogs have all lovable characteristics, just like the traditional Labrador. They are outgoing, energetic, sweet, intelligent, and loyal furry friends. Their friendliness towards kids, strangers and other pets makes them great dogs for families. You might face a little difficulty finding reputable silver labrador breeders when getting a Silver Labrador. Follow your heart and go for it! Related Guide:. How the dilute gene works Labrador coat color is controlled by a set of genes. You can read about the way B genes and E genes influence coat color in this article on Labrador color inheritance. However, the silver color is controlled by a different gene, the D gene. The D gene acts as a type of switch. Some would like to see silver labradors banned In simple terms, genes come in pairs. Big D produces full strength coat color. Little d produces a dilute color. This means that a Labrador needs two copies of the dilute gene in order to have dilute fur. Only the third combination would produce a silver coat. Unless little d is paired with another little d, it will have no effect. In some breeds of dog, all individuals have two little d genes. Weimaraners, for example. And the recent appearance of the double little d gene in chocolate Labradors is what has enabled the silver Lab to appear on the scene. Where do silver Labs come from? Reports of silver Labradors seem to have first appeared in the United States in the s. Culo Silver Labs was one of the early kennels to produce this new silver color. You may be interested to read this report of an interview with the owner Dean Crist giving his account of the history of the silver Lab. Exactly how this new color came to be is a question that many people are asking, and arguing about. People want to know where silver Labradors came from and how they were created. In particular, they want to know how the double dd gene got into the purebred Labrador. How did the dilute gene get into Labradors? There are a number of options that can explain the appearance of a new gene in a purebred dog mixed breeding spontaneous mutation hidden genes The first and most obvious explanation is that at some point, an outcross occurred, between a Labrador and a breed of dog that carries the dilute gene. A Weimaraner for example 1 Mixed breeding Many people believe that the first silver Labs were crossbreeds. Not only is this theory plausible, there are clear motives for dog breeders to create a new color variation in an existing breed. I will let you be the judge, as there is no evidence at this time, one way or the other. However, it is interesting to note that Silver Labradors can be traced back to two breeders. An update to her original article, however, also notes that she previously claimed that Weimaraners were also bred in those same kennels, but found out that that fact was in doubt. Those in favor of the Weimaraner outcross theory often claim silvers have a houndy look about them. To be fair, this is true of many field-bred Labradors of any color. And most silver Labradors today look pretty much the same as any other Labrador Retriever — apart from the fact that they are silver. The cross-breeding theory has been a very popular one. But recently it has lost some credibility due to genetic testing of silver Labs which has failed to show a link to Weimaraners. This is another way that a rare or unusual characteristic can appear in a family of dogs that were previously unaffected by it. Partly because the other two explanations are both so plausible. For a mutation to be identical to a gene that already exists for an unusual coat color in another breed would be something of a coincidence. Many people feel that the spontaneous appearance of this dd dilution gene in the Labrador Retriever gene pool is, to say the least, unlikely. However, it cannot be entirely ruled out. This explanation for the appearance of the silver Labrador in the s is perhaps the most valid alternative to the cross breeding theory. We know that some genes are dominant over others. And can mask or hide them. We call the masked or hidden genes recessive. Many diseases are caused by recessive genes and only appear when the unfortunate individual inherits two copies Genes carrying rare diseases can remain hidden for decades, only to appear when closely related dogs are mated together. This happens more frequently when gene pools are small, as they are in our pedigree dog populations. Colors can be dominant or recessive too The B color gene that determines whether or not a Lab is basically black or brown, and favors black dogs. Brown is recessive and a Lab needs two copies of the little b brown gene to have a brown coat. Brown labradors only became common when breeders deliberately set about mating them to one another. Some people argue that the rare dilute gene has also been present in Labradors all along, and that it only appeared, as rare diseases sometimes do, when two closely related dogs were bred. The first Labradors were not registered by the AKC until .Before then there would have been regular outcrossing with other similar breeds. Including the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, a breed that does have the dilute gene. So it is entirely plausible that the little d gene passed from Chesapeakes into one or two Labs before the Labrador pedigree registers were closed and remained hidden in the breed only to reappear in the s when the demand for Chocolates was beginning to rise. Silver Lab temperament and training Whatever the origins of the silver Lab, the silver Labradors we see today are very much Labrador in both temperament and conformation. Training a silver Lab puppy is a huge amount of fun. It takes a little time and patience as Labs can be rather bitey when small and rather bouncy as they grow into teenagers. Silver Lab Poppy makes friends easily thanks to lots of positive experiences meeting all kinds of people. Photo credit — Alison Hanks. Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they come in many colors. Silver Labrador Retrievers, or Silver Labs, are relatively new compared to the other Lab coat colors. Contrary to their Yellow, Chocolate, and Black Lab cousins, which have recorded sightings from and before, Silver Labs have only cropped up since .There was some heated debate over their authenticity, as many breeders believed the silver tint appeared from outside the breed. A diluting factor in coat color dominance traits is responsible for the silver hue — something that is also present in Charcoal and Champagne Labs as well. At any rate, Silver Labrador Retrievers are regal, loyal, and friendly Labradors that have a lot of energy and a lot of love to give! Silver Labs are curious and playful dogs. Their curiosity will often get the better of them and they may wander off in search of adventure if they are off-leash. Labrador Retrievers are known for their gentle, friendly dispositions and good natures. Well-socialized Labs tend to get along with children, other dogs, and even other pets and strangers. Because of this they make the ideal family dog and are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Despite being one of the most active dog breeds , Silver Labrador Retrievers are highly adaptable. They prefer bigger spaces to stretch their legs and explore. As one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures , they will often take an outside adventure over an inside one any day. But, they will also just be happy to be spending time with you. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Silver Labs are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are happiest when they are spending time with their favorite humans, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Silver Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, hereditary myopathy, heart disease, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. A condition called exercise-induced collapse EIC has a genetic link and can occur in young adult Labradors. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Silver Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Silver Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk for bloat. Silver Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds. They pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. Despite their energy and getting bored easily, they are still a great fit for dog owners of any experience level. Labrador Retrievers are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, water-resistant fur in two layers. Because of this dense double coat that protects them from the cold, and being one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , they may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. They shed year-round and more heavily twice a year when seasons change. Plus, your Lab will love spending the time with you. Trimming their nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Regularly checking ears and cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, is important to prevent the tartar buildup that causes painful dental diseases later in life. Silver Labrador Retrievers need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. Although they are high-energy dogs, Silver Labs will tend to mellow out a little bit as they get older. Labrador Retrievers tend to have an extended puppyhood and maintain that puppy-like energy until they are around years old. Swimming is a great low-impact activity. Once your Lab puppy is cleared for more intense activity, you can try a lot of different activities with them. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Labs are also athletic and versatile dogs that tend to be a good fit for a wide range of activities. Fully-grown Silver Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Silver Labs generally live for years on average. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also commonly found working as police or military dogs. They are even one of the best dog breeds for farms! Featured Silver Labrador Retriever Article. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. With Chocolate's at heart for the last 15 years our aim has been to improve the breed of the Labrador Retriever with the health and temperament of each Puppy produced to the highest standards being paramount to our success. We are now on our 3rd generation of extensively high standard health tested perfect Chocolates and have now built up a positive reputable presence with our clients who many have had repeat puppies from us to become everything from the cuddy home family member, medical assistance trained, therapy companionship aids or the perfect field retriever under the gun. This proved to be exceptionally difficult to be able to get puppies from well breed and trusted lines. We do not use any cheaper untrusted overseas genetics or health screening companies for testing or any that aren't endorsed by the UK Kennel Club or BVA. This selection is between our very own Power and Ghost and if all successful these Puppies will be to the highest of health tested standards available in the UK. Please contact for further info.