labradoodle puppies and cats

Everyone wanted one and I will not lie, I too considered getting one of these adorable little buddies. So what is it about them that makes them so unique? A white pug can obtain this coloring in one of three main ways. The first is leucism, where the melanin production is lower than normal. The second is albinism, where there is no melanin produced at all. Finally, it could be due to mixed breeding with breeds that have white coloring genes, in which case it is technically not a pure pug. In the sections below, we shall take a look at the difference between the two main causes of white coloring in pugs which are albinism and leucism. That way if you decide to get one you know exactly what to expect. However, they are fundamentally different in terms of everything from the cause to the manifestation. Albinism In Pugs Albinism in pugs is a result of genetic mutation in the genes responsible for producing melanin. The result is an albino pug with an absolute lack of melanin. This covers everything from the fur and eyes to blood vessels. With albinism, the fur on the pug will be completely white in color but maintains the other coat features of the parent. Other surfaces like the paw pads, nose, and rim around the eyes take on more of a pale pink hue. Finally, the lack of pigmentation results in blue or even translucent eyes. This trait is recessive in nature. This means that both parents need to either be albinos or carriers of the gene for it to manifest in the pug. For this reason, albino pugs are incredibly rare. Leucism In Pugs A leucistic pug on the other hand gets its white coloring from a different genetic mutation affecting pigmentation. This affects melanin formation at a DNA level. Unlike albinism which causes total lack of pigmentation, a leucistic pug will have melanin on their irises, paw pads, noses, and even blood vessels. They will appear a darker shade of blue or even brown for the eyes and dark pink for the rest of the surfaces. However, the fur, much like in albinism, is completely lacking in melanin and results in white coloring all over the body from the root to the shaft. Are White Pugs Healthy? Image from Instagram: paula. If it is as a result of leucism, then the pug will only have the regular health issues that other pugs suffer. However, if the white fur is due to albinism, there are some issues associated with the total lack of melanin. Let us take a closer look at all of these. It is unfortunately incurable with most affected doggies having to be put down. Stenotic Nares This is a condition characterized by blockage of nasal airways. It is a result of the brachycephalic facial structure that the dog has and often results in major difficulties breathing. Obesity Pugs have a really big appetite. They are also extremely lazy. This is not a good combination and if you do not watch what you feed the doggie, they may end up being obese. Allergies Pugs are prone to a number of allergies. These include allergic dermatitis from things like dust mites, pollen, and even grass. They also often suffer from food allergies ranging from gluten intolerance to meat allergies. It is, therefore, best to minimize outdoor time with albino pugs. Skin Cancer White dogs are generally at a greater risk of developing skin cancer but none are as vulnerable as those with albinism. As with sunburns, one of the best ways to protect your white pug is by minimizing their exposure by any means necessary. Pugs in general need a lot of tender loving care. However, with their additional special needs it is safe to say that white pugs need a little extra attention and effort. Here are 4 key ways you could give your pretty pooch a happy home and a chance to live out their life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Minimize Direct Sun Exposure As earlier stated, white pugs are prone to a lot of sun-related issues from skin cancer to photophobia. Part of raising one of these beauties is keeping them out of the sun as much as possible. And if you must go out in them, invest in doggy clothes that offer some degree of protection through coverage. Invest In Regular Pet Visits A lot of the terminal health issues faced by white pugs may be dealt with better if they are caught early. Therefore, find and stick to a vet visit schedule so you do not find out something important when it is too late. Feed The Doggy The Right Food White pugs are very likely to become overweight so what and how much you feed them is very important. For the former, we recommend the Pet Plate fresh food subscription service. Find Fun, But Simple Exercises White pugs not only do not like to exercise but are also put at risk whenever they go out. It is therefore up to you to find fun ways to keep them physically and mentally stimulated for their own sake. Do White Pugs Shed? Grooming Tips for Leucistic Vs Albino Pugs There is a common misconception about white pugs that paints them as heavier shedders than regular pugs. This is simply not the case. What happens is that their fur, being light-colored and medium length, is easier to spot on surfaces. There is also no difference between shedding patterns for leucistic and albino pugs as long as the coat is healthy. However, there is no denying the fact that white pugs, like any other pug, do shed. You will therefore have to go out of your way to minimize this. In this case, brushing is the most important grooming habit. This helps by deshedding the already loose fur and therefore prevents it from falling off all over your home. Another crucial grooming practice when raising a white pug is regular washing. Due to their white fur, they tend to show dirt and grime very easily. However, this does not mean you wash them too often as their skin and fur need the natural oils on them for protection. It is, therefore, best to simply go with a one to two monthly washing schedule. In the meantime, you could use doggy wipes to get rid of any stains or messes on their fur. Temperament Of White Pugs Image from Instagram: matildaemilyheidi3pugs There are subtle differences between the temperament of a regular pug and a white one but they are very similar for the most part. For some perspective, here are the most important personality traits you may encounter. Strong-Willed This is just a really nice way of saying that white pugs are stubborn. If they are not trained early, they have very little inclination towards obedience and just love getting into mischief. Clingy White pugs have what is affectionately referred to as Velcro personalities. They will identify a member of the family and form what can only be described as an obsessive bond. Eager To Please This is particularly the case when they are younger and it definitely makes life a lot easier when it comes to training. You just need an effective way to show your approval. Clever White pugs are also very smart dogs. They are also very intuitively caring which makes them ideal for families with children. Playful These doggies are predominantly calm and just like to either sleep or sit back and watch the world go by. However, they have a silly and playful side that is very fun to watch. Lazy White pugs love nothing more than sleeping and relaxing in general. They only ever get bursts of energy for exercise when they are in their playful moods. Even Tempered They are very docile and hardly ever cause trouble whether it is with another dog, a child, or even strangers in your home. If your pug is white due to albinism, you also have to factor in special care needs and additional health bills that come with the mutation. How Much Are Albino Pugs? Typically, it depends on where you get the pug. If you go for shelter adoptions, you may not have to pay as much. The problem is that this is a game of chance and you might not get an albino pug very easily. Do Pugs Have Blue Eyes? A pug can have blue eyes as a result of low levels of melanin. This makes them more prone to issues like photophobia due to inadequate protection of inner eye structures from UV rays from the sun. These lovable pups are wildly popular and the perfect match for many families. They come in a wide variety of colors and coats, including all white—which is relatively rare. Here are just a few white Pugs whose humans share their lives on Instagram. Sometimes, he gets both! Sugar Sugar is a five-year-old white Pug who has an all-black Pug sister named Pepper! Why the Controversy? White Pugs are usually the result of a genetic mutation, but some breeders have attempted to produce white Pugs through selectively breeding dogs with genetic predispositions for albinism and leucism. Albinism is an inherited disorder that affects melanin production. Pugs with albinism produce zero melanin, and will have fully white fur, pale pink skin, and pale pinkish eyes. Leucism reduces but does not fully eliminate melanin production, and leucistic Pugs will typically have white or cream fur and light blue or brown eyes. Albinism and in some cases, leucism can cause vision impairments and blindness, sun sensitivity, and increased susceptibility to certain cancers. When breeders pair dogs that carry the genetic markers for albinism, they risk producing puppies with serious health issues and special needs that require additional care both financially and physically from their families. The controversy is based purely on the fact that it is unethical to purposefully produce dogs that are likely to have physical disabilities and health risks. Breeders eager to make profits prey on unsuspecting dog lovers and use the power of scarcity and exoticism to sell white Pugs. Unfortunately, many of these pugs find themselves in homes that are not prepared to support their special needs, putting them at risk of abandonment and neglect. White Pug Basic Info White Pugs are purebred Pugs displaying a specific phenotype of a genetic mutation, and will share all the same general characteristics of typical fawn and black Pugs. Here are some of the basics about this breed. In truth, white Pugs are typically albino or leucistic, though some may be mixed breed dogs whose parentage includes breeds known to typically have white coats. But as the breed was bred, these were seen as desirable characteristics and so they were brought forward to what the modern day Pug looks like. White Pugs can be bred, and their coloration is always a genetic mutation. White purebred Pugs are always albino or leucistic, and there is no evidence to suggest that any reputable breeders have managed to produce white Pugs without the albino or leucistic gene. Pugs are outgoing, goofy, stubborn, and sensitive. White Pugs, who are prone to vision problems may have additional needs due to their special needs. White Pug Size Purebred Pugs are typically inches tall, and should weigh between pounds. White Pug Health Pugs are brachycephalic, meaning they have short, squashed faces. The squashed-face look is a purposeful aesthetic choice developed over decades of careful selective breeding. Keeping their coats clean White Pug Genetics There are a small handful of special genetic recipes which can cause dogs to have white coats. One is the white spotting series of genes. The white spotting genes cause patches of white — which can be small, or so large they cover the entire body. None of the white spotting genes naturally occur in the Pug breed. But they can be introduced by outcrossing with other breeds. Another gene which causes white fur is the recessive gene for albinism. Different genes cause albinism in different breeds. The gene which causes albinism in Pugs is recessive. White Pug Temperament The temperament of a white coated Pug will depend upon how they came to be white. A purebred Pug with a very pale fawn coat is likely to be the closest match to these qualities. However, breeding for color can have pitfalls. Prioritising color over temperament means that character flaws might be passed on, as a trade off for achieving a paler coat. For example, a breeder might overlook a history of severe separation anxiety. What About Albinos and Mixes? A purebred albino Pug should, in theory, also have a very typically Pug-like personality. Finally, Pug-mix dogs with white spotting genes will have a personality that combines elements of the Pug, and other dogs in their family tree. White Pug Health Sadly, the Pug breed is notable for its overall poor health. A white Pug will share these issues. In the region of two thirds have painful hip deformities caused by either hip dysplasia or Legg-Perthes disease. About two thirds of Pugs also suffer from elbow dysplasia. The extreme flattening of their face puts them at high risk of breathing difficulties and damage to their corneas. Their screw tail is linked to spinal deformities and spina bifida type diseases. Further complications of being white If a breeder prioritises choosing a sire and dam by their colors, and compromises on their health in order to achieve light colored puppies, then the overall health of the puppies can decline even further. Albinism, meanwhile, is linked to increased light sensitivity, and higher risk of skin cancer. Which can make them partially or completely blind. This can have a knock-on effect on their temperament, which might be more cautious or easily startled. The health of Pug crosses will depend on both the overall health of their Pug parent, and the health of their other ancestors. For example, creating white dogs by deliberately introducing the Extreme White gene from the white spotting series is linked to increased hereditary deafness and hearing loss too. However, crossing Pugs with dogs breeds that have a healthier body structure may also result in a puppy which is healthier overall than a purebred Pug. White Pug Grooming All Pugs need careful daily attention to their grooming , and the palest colored Pugs even more so. Pugs are very prone to trouble with their anal glands. So to avoid leakages, or explosive squirting of anal fluids when you least expect it, you may need to pay your vet to empty them every few weeks. Or learn how to do it yourself. The wrinkles on their faces create warm, humid creases which are an ideal breeding ground for fungal and bacterial infections. So they need to be gently cleaned every day. In white Pugs this makes their face more prone to tear staining as well. Tear stains are reddish brown marks around the eyes caused by porphyrin in the tears. Your White Pug White Pugs are an unusual color that falls outside of the breed standard. Sadly, due to the many health problems affecting Pugs, which seriously compromise their welfare, we cannot recommend them as pets. When white Pugs are created by selective breeding for pale fawn coats, these health problems are likely to be made even worse. Albino Pugs have extra health problems caused by their albinism. White Pugs created by crossing with other breeds may not have the same temperament as purebred Pugs. But they are the most likely to be healthier. Conclusion Origin and Physical Appearance The white-colored pug is a result of selective breeding. The American Kennel Club mentions only two varieties that is black and fawn and does not certify white one, as it is crossbred. These are often confused with the albino pug due to their coat color. These have a pure white coat with a dark muzzle on their neck. Breeders tend to charge more for designer dogs and continue to crossbreed due to their demand because it is a distinct color not possessed by all. Rarity These are extremely rare, and I am sure you must have spotted one in pictures only if you have ever seen them. A Controversial Breed? Yes, you heard it right. This is a controversial breed due to its origin. Interesting Fact There is a famous white pug, named Marshmallow, you can find him all over the internet. It looks so adorable and angelic that I am sure you will be mesmerized just by one look. Conclusion Despite being a controversial variety, these are still in demand, so breeders continue breeding. Post navigation. They originated in China, where, in ancient times, small, flat-faced dogs were held in high esteem by the imperial family. They spent their lives in the lap of luxury as companion dogs, but some lived in monasteries with Tibetan monks. Pugs were only found in Japan and Russia until the 16th century when they were first imported into Europe by Dutch traders. In Europe, they remained as popular with the royals as they had been in Asia. How White Pugs Gained Popularity White Pugs are pretty uncommon and have seemingly been popularized mostly in recent times, controversially, by unethical breeders who sometimes capitalize on breeding albinos and marketing them as rare. However, Pugs as a breed have been popular for a very long time, beginning when they were lapdogs for Chinese royalty. From there, they headed over to Japan and Russia, then Europe, where more royals fell in love with them! Monarchs who have kept Pugs include Queen Victoria and Prince William the Silent, the latter being responsible for making the breed popular in Britain when he visited with his Pug collection. In , the Pug became the mascot for a Freemason society named—wait for it—the Order of the Pug thanks to their steadfast devotion and loyalty. The AKC recognized the Pug in , but only two colors are recognized as standard—fawn and black. Moreover, the AKC lists only black mask as a standard marking. Pure-bred Pugs can certainly be white, but this is considered a non-standard color, like the coat coloring pattern brindle. Albino Pugs Have Pink Pigmentation One way to tell the difference between a truly white Pug and an albino is to check for pink pigmentation around—not in—the eyes. An albino will have this pink pigmentation, whereas a white Pug will not. Albino dogs are typically blue-eyed, contrary to popular belief that their eyes are pink. Image Credit: Murilo Mazzo, Shutterstock 3. Josephine Bonaparte Had Pet Pugs When the wife of Napolean was imprisoned, she communicated with her family via secret messages her pet Pug at the time would deliver. All Pugs make great pets thanks to their typically affectionate, easygoing, and cheerful nature. They adapt very well to apartment life and only require a moderate amount of daily exercise to keep them happy, and only need to be brushed weekly as a rule because their coats are easy to maintain. This makes Pugs a good fit for many kinds of owners with various living arrangements. One thing to be aware of is that Pugs are susceptible to certain health issues—particularly breathing issues—because they are brachycephalic dogs. For this reason, they quickly become uncomfortable in hot weather, as this exacerbates their breathing difficulties. The breeding of Pugs is a subject of controversy because of the discomfort they can suffer due to breathing problems and their wrinkly skin, which is vulnerable to skinfold dermatitis. If you have an albino Pug, they may also be prone to sunburn and skin cancer. Conclusion To recap, truly white Pugs , which come about as a result of leucism, are very rare and are distinct from albino Pugs, whose bodies do not produce melanin.

A pup removed too early from the litter is likely to develop behavioral problems in the latter phase. Ticks and fleas are comman problems for puppy of that age. Don't bath him unless he completes his basic vaccination. Puppies complete their basic vaccination after 3 months. Until then, give dry bath to him. You can try to methods: Simply remove the ticks off his coat using a plucker. This requires patience and time. I would use this method at the time when he was sleeping or when busy chewing his raw hide. At the end of the day, I would collect ticks in a container and then simply distroying them off. The pros is that's it's more safer way as you're not subjecting the pup to harmful chemicals. Cons is you need time and patience but using plucker actually makes the job easy as it can remove ticks that are sucking the blood inside the skin. B Use an anti-tick powder. Apply the powder all over the body including tail and paws and then brush the coat off well Brushing is important because puppy may accidently lick the power. Good luck. All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Fourth meal 5 pm You should follow this type of feeding schedule until your Lab puppy is 14 weeks old, after which you can adopt a two meal per day plan. However, keep in mind that Labs are especially prone to overeating and obesity, so if you use treats, ensure you give them sparingly. In fact, a study in the UK listed Labrador Retrievers among the eight breeds most prone to being overweight. So your food-loving Lab puppy requires a bit of control. One way to keep them from overeating treats is to portion out their food for the day and use that as their reward. In most cases, the puppy will respond just as enthusiastically to kibble. Place a bowl of water in a location accessible to your puppy and supervise him to ensure he drinks enough but not too much. Puppies at this age should drink between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. So if your eight-week-old Lab is 12 lbs 5. This is an essential part of puppy care. As mentioned, if you get your puppy from a reliable breeder which should always be the case , the pup should have already started with his vaccinations, and the breeder should provide the vaccination records. Then, make an appointment with the vet for any vaccination follow-up. Also, ensure your pup stays on worm preventative medication as puppies are more prone than adult dogs to worm infection. Sometimes puppies are also born with certain types of worms from an infected mother, especially roundworms and hookworms, where mother-to-puppy transmission is a significant mode of spreading. Be especially sure that your Lab puppy gets the heartworm vaccination. Heartworm is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease, and once your dog is infected, the cure is expensive and extremely harsh on your dog. A trained dog will learn how to behave in and outside the home and around other humans and pets. I have a full beginner guide on how to train an 8 week old Labrador puppy , but in a nutshell, there are three training areas you should focus on in terms of pet training: housebreaking, obedience, and socialization. Housebreak Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Housebreaking means training your puppy to eliminate outdoors or at a designated location inside the home instead of doing it anywhere and at any time. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks because their system is not yet mature enough to hold it for long. Luckily you can take advantage of that to teach your dog to always use the same spot. Pay attention to the signs your puppy gives when they need to ease themselves, like circling, whining, or sniffing their groin. Puppies naturally need to eliminate at these times: First thing after waking up in the morning. Last thing before retiring at night. After every meal. After drinking plenty of water. Upon waking up from a nap. During or after play or exercise. When they wake up during the night. Their brain, at this point, is like a sponge that will easily absorb new info. Also, teaching these commands early will make living with you easier for your dog as he will know what is expected of him. Teach your Lab puppy to sit, lay down, stay, leave, and other basic commands that are foundational for more advanced training later. Remember to use only positive reinforcement training approaches and reward your puppy with verbal praise, positive gesture cues, and treats. Exposure to these realities will help your Lab puppy adjust fast and nurture proper social behavior. In addition, exposure will preempt signs of poor puppy socialization, like aggression and fear around people and other animals. In general, your eight-week-old Labrador puppy should have two minute sessions of exercise daily. In addition, keep the following in mind: Keep exercise sessions short in the beginning and allow your puppy to adapt gradually. Playtime counts as exercise, so be careful not to over-exercise your Lab puppy. This is the harness I use. Allow your pup spontaneous rest moments between play. When exercising your puppy , avoid taking him for walks during the coldest or hottest times of the day. There are several ways to ensure your eight-week-old Labrador puppy is always safe, including ample supervision and choosing the right kind of toy. They might also try to get away on an exploratory walk if the door is left open. To avoid these dangers, puppy-proofing your home before getting your eight-week-old Lab puppy is vital. Read more here, What Foods are Poisonous to Labradors? Unplug power cords and put them away when not in use, as your puppy could try chewing on them. Remember that your puppy is young and still learning. It is also a legal requirement in some countries, such as the UK, and it may be required when traveling. While name tags are an excellent way to identify a dog, they can be easily removed or get lost, which means you are better off microchipping your Lab puppy, or even better, do both. Choose Safe Play Toys for Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Like us, eight-week-old puppies still have their baby teeth which they gradually lose to make room for their adult teeth. So, expect a lot of chewing and nipping during this time. Like humans, teething can be uncomfortable, and chewing is their only way to relieve some of that pain. To that end, ensure your Lab puppy has the right chewing toys to avoid damaging teeth or accidentally swallowing toy pieces. This toy is great for teething pups, doubles as a fetch toy, and is also a treat-dispensing toy where you can stuff it with peanut butter or other goodies. If proper toys are not provided, your Lab puppy will chew any available object in the house, such as table legs, shoes, remotes, or your hands. As such, they need proper resources for resting and sleeping. That includes the time to do so and a place where they will feel safe in. This synthetic dog bed has an ultra-soft feel and provides maximum comfort for your Lab. You can use it in the crate or as a stand-alone bed, and it comes in a few different styles and sizes. I like this bed due to its 3. Ensure the bed is in a location with no draft and where your puppy does not get any disturbance when resting. If you put your puppy straight into the crate without helping them adjust, it may react poorly. When buying a kennel, the best approach is to buy one that your pup can use as an adult dog, which for a Lab would be around 42 inches .Just be sure to get a crate with dividers so you can make the space smaller for your puppy. An 8-week-old Lab puppy can only walk for approximately minutes at a time. In most cases, young puppies will not walk but rather jump around and play. Still, keep in mind that they do not need long exercise sessions. Instead, keep playtimes short and allow for lots of rest. Remember that puppies should only walk about five minutes for every month of age, twice a day. At three months, you can stretch it to 15 minutes. Overwalking your Lab puppy can cause joint and bone issues and should be avoided. As such, a dog from a larger breed will need more food as a puppy than a smaller breed. An 8-week-old Lab puppy should be fed three to four meals of no more than cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy will depend on his size and weight. For example, if your puppy is between lbs 4. These measurements can vary with each dog food product, as different manufacturers have varying ingredients, so ensure you check the packaging first. Eight week old Lab puppies sleep for approximately 18 to 20 hours a day. An 8 week old Lab should pee as soon as they wake up, after eating and drinking, after waking up from a nap, during or after a session of play or exercise, just before going to bed at night, and when they awake during the night. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. Although I am not a veterinarian myself, I have been a lab owner for 11 years and been in the pet food industry for the last 6 years. However, if this is not the case for your pupper, no need to worry. Be sure not to feed normal cerelac or cow milk as that will result in loose motion as well as stunted growth. At this tender age, you need to feed your lab pup via feeding bottle like you would feed a human baby of age 2 months. Milk is the only food apart from purified water which your dog is gonna need till 1. After this age, till 3 months you have two options. You can either continue with milk or look at starter food options like Royal Canin Maxi starter , Drools starter, Farmina Puppy Starter, Canine Creek Starter , Orijen puppy and plenty of other brands which are available in the market. The kibble for starter food is small and most probably, your puppy will be able to chew it. Certain dry food can be extremely hard to chew, so depending on the toughness of the kibble you might have to break i. Puppies of age 1. You should be following this diet of starter food till 3 months age at least. Also, make sure you are vaccinating as well as deworming your pup at the right intervals. So, a proper nutritious diet is essential to achieve good growth. You can either go for Royal Canin Maxi Junior or Royal Canin Labrador Junior or puppy variants of other brands like drools, canine creek, Orijen Puppy and Junior Recommended , Acana large breed puppy, pedigree not recommended at this age. If you are giving a good diet like Royal Canin, farmina or even home-made food, growth should be good. For those who can extend their budget, you can go for something even more premium like Acana, Orijen, Arden Grange and the likes. No need to add additional supplements. If you are feeding home-made food like boiled chicken which itself is a very good food option, consider adding some fish oils like Beaphar Salmon Oil. However, a good diet is recommended to ensure a good life span above 12 years and muscle development. Homemade food can be a healthy option as well. Feeding guide amount to feed in grams depends on dog weight and varies from brand to brand. You will find the recommended portion for your brand based on the calories it carries on the packet you will buy. At other times, you can give chews or treats but whole meal should be fed not more than twice a day. Do not keep food available in front of the dog except during his eating time. However, you can keep water available in a bowl all the time. Sticking to schedule regularly is recommended. Wait, till now we have been speaking about commercial dry food. Yes, this happens to many dogs. While some dogs like pugs are voracious eaters, labs or goldens can be extremely choosy. They will eat whatever liquid you put in the feeding bottle at this age. However, once puppies mature and learn to eat themselves, they may not like dry food, rarely touch it. In these cases, the best option is to first add a home-made additive with the dry food. You may add many things dog like in small quantities of chicken stalk, chicken pieces boneless for puppies , curd, egg and others to the dry food. Changing or trying out another brand helps as well. I have seen many dogs who hate Drools but like Canine Creek although they are manufactured by same company. Every dog has a mind of his own. Most common diseases of Indian bred dogs like canine hyp dysplasia, ear infections, bent hind legs can happen to any dog. Take your dog to a registered veterinary practitioner in case such situations arise. Lack of appetite is also observed during this age at times. For not-so-severe cases, you may administer Himalaya Liv52 syrup or tabs or other appetite stimulants of various brands twice a day for days. In case, your dog has gastrointestinal disorders, referring to a prescription diet under the guidance of a veterinarian can be immensely helpful. This entry was posted in Pet Blog. Bookmark the permalink.

This name exudes toughness and confidence, ideal for a bold and fearless Frenchie. Zephyr Derived from the Greek god of the west wind, symbolizing power and strength, suitable for a swift and dynamic French Bulldog. A French Bulldog with a strong and muscular appearance would be a great fit for this name. A French Bulldog with a protective and loyal personality would be a great fit for this name. Suited for: A French Bulldog with lots of wrinkles, known for their playful and mischievous personality. Frenchie McSnoresalot French Bulldogs are known for their snoring, and this name emphasizes that charming trait. Suited for: A French Bulldog who loves to snore and enjoys a good nap. Monsieur Snorty Pants French Bulldogs often make cute snorting noises, and this name captures that endearing characteristic. Suited for: A French Bulldog with a penchant for snorting and amusing everyone with their adorable noises. Madame Droolington French Bulldogs can be droolers, and this name embraces that characteristic with a humorous twist. Suited for: A French Bulldog who has a tendency to drool and loves to slobber. Sir Barks-a-Lot French Bulldogs may have a loud bark despite their small size, making this name a humorous choice. Suited for: A French Bulldog who loves to vocalize and enthusiastically express themselves through barking. Lady Flatulence French Bulldogs are known for their gas-related antics, and this name brings some lightheartedness to that trait. Suited for: A French Bulldog with a slightly gassy disposition, adding a touch of humor to their character. Captain Wigglebutt French Bulldogs have adorable wiggly bums, and this name celebrates their energetic and joyful nature. Suited for: A French Bulldog who wiggles their butt in excitement and is always ready for a fun adventure. Count Snugglepaws French Bulldogs are notorious for their love of snuggling, and this name captures their cuddly nature. Suited for: A French Bulldog who is a champion snuggler and craves constant affection. Duchess Fartlek French Bulldogs can be quite active, and this name combines their energy with a humorous touch. Suited for: A French Bulldog who enjoys bursts of playful and energetic activities, while also having the occasional gas. Baron Von Burpsalot French Bulldogs are known for their comical burping sounds, and this name adds a fun twist to that characteristic. Suited for: A French Bulldog who has mastered the art of burping and never fails to make you chuckle with their unique talent. Are there any specific French names suitable for French Bulldogs? What are some badass boy names for French Bulldogs? Any suggestions? Can you provide some girl dog names specifically for French Bulldogs? What are some cute names for girl French Bulldogs? Do you have any suggestions for boy names for French Bulldogs? Can you recommend some cool and unique names for female French Bulldogs? What are some exotic names for French Bulldogs, both male and female? Whether you prefer a name with French origins, a strong and badass moniker, or an exotic and unique choice, the options are plentiful. Remember, the name you choose will be a lifelong representation of your beloved companion, so choose wisely and embrace the joy that comes with naming your French Bulldog. Related Articles. If you've recently purchased or are about to get a new French bulldog, it's likely that you're still looking for a suitable name for your adorable pup. So, let us discuss all the best Frenchie names for girls. Female French Bulldogs are available in various colors, and the color of their body typically determines their names. Female French bulldog pups have hundreds of wonderful names to pick from, and we have hundreds of terrific names to choose from. But first, let's discuss French Bulldogs and why it's crucial to give your new puppy a unique name. There are several different sorts of French bulldogs to choose from, and each little one is as charming as the next. French bulldogs are often considered to be calm and amiable canines that are also vibrant, bright, and athletic in their appearance. Here are some simple criteria that can assist you in selecting a name for your dog that will be easy for him to remember. Prefer short names Only one or two syllables should be used. Check to make sure it isn't the same as another member of the family. Avoid using a term that sounds similar to any command, such as 'sit' or 'heel. Make use of lengthy vowel sounds while choosing a name. If you are thinking of adopting a Frenchie for your family, we urge that you do so rather than acquire a puppy. If you decide to have a Frenchie puppy, search for a breeder who utilizes purebred Frenchie parents who are larger in stature than traditional Frenchies. These considerations are critical in order to reduce the risk of respiratory and sweating issues that are so common with these adorable, cuddly dogs. What Really is in a Name? Name is all that matters! Despite their small size, Frenchies have a large fanbase, with many achieving celebrity status on social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. These canines are extremely popular among celebrities throughout the world, with everyone from Lady Gaga to Hugh Jackman professing their affection for the French Bulldog or Frenchie. Take a look at the names these celebrities have given to their dogs for some ideas. Even better, the dogs have their own Instagram profile! Pepper is the name given to a dog owned by Reese Witherspoon, whereas Hugh Jackman also has a French bulldog named Dali. Similarly, Chrissy Teigen is yet another celebrity that shares her home with a French bulldog who goes by the name of Pippa. Image Title Buy.

Thank you for your message! I will contact you shortly. Pam is such an expert at what she does, and is very passionate about breeding the healthiest and happiest pups possible. Our vet says Schone is one of the healthiest French Bulldogs she's seen! We're so grateful we found Imperial Kennels and would love another puppy in the future! I recommend Imperial Kennels to anyone! We love our little boy from Imperial Kennels! Shannon Heigel I've had my sweet baby Olive for almost 3 months now and she brings me so much joy! She is sassy, feisty, so funny and loveable. I've wanted a Frenchie for almost 10 years as long as I've had my Boston, Mila and the timing and circumstances finally fell into alignment when I found Imperial French Bulldogs. Pam is experienced, knowledgeable, and was always there to answer my questions. I did a lot of research before making my decision and even waited to write a review. So thank you, Pam and Pam's grandkids, haha! You have made a happy home happier and it is greatly appreciated. Health, disposition, socialization and conformation are extremely important to us. We offer a one year health guarantee and ongoing support. Our babies are vet checked and current on all vaccinations. All puppies are raise in our home and receive the best of care. We are happy to provide references from former buyers and also from our vet. Visitors are always welcome! I have one female French bulldog left looking for her forever home. She is the sweetest most loving girl she loves to cuddle and play. She was born November 30th and will be ready to go to her forever home February 1st. She is priced at .Please give me a call or text me for more information. My wife is a traveling nurse and we are on the road a lot. Having our mowgli has been hard since we like to go and it can be hard with him. Her temperament is amazing she is so calm and sweet! View Detail 5 month old crate trained French bulldog. Always dreamed of having a frenchie. Selling for a lot less than what we paid. Just looking for a great home that will give him the love and support he needs. From our loving home where the mother redides. Mother is petite size with short legs. Puppies are ready to go to a loving home. View Detail Toy frenchie Female fawn and male brindal frenchies looking for a good home. Papers available! He is able to be registered. All of his vaccinations and wormings will be up-to-date. He will come with a 2-year health guarantee. Have had all their shots and worming. Email only "xxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. All puppies. Raised in house. Puppies will be up to date on age appropriate vaccinations and a health certificate will be included at the time of sale. She got vaccinated and dewormed up to date. She is registered with AKC. Her father is lilac merle tri French Bulldog and her mother is black tri blue carrier French Bulldog. Flow has beautiful blue eyes and has very unique pattern of blue merle coat with faint tan points. She has adorable face with very loving, playful personality. Comes with 1 year written health guarantee. View Detail Email me at xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. This pups will make you a wonderful family pet. Has a very nice personalities and is a super friendly, outgoing pup. Very playful and loves having your attention! This pups can't wait to meet your children. You are sure to fall in love at first sight! Mum is trentdale fleur De lis and dad is dreaming the dream. All carry the blue gene. Raised in the family home with children and other pets. Kc registered and wormed to date. Vet checked and had 1st vaccination and will be microchipped at 2nd vaccination. Raised on royal canin and nearly paper trained. Will leave home with an extensive puppy pack including food. These girls are the perfect package. Have a great personality as they are all good with kids and other home raised pets as well. Fill free to call or sent a text at xxxxxxxxxx for further discussion. Has had all Deworming and first set of booster shots! Last one out of a litter of 7. Mom and Dad are both full blooded and AKC registered! For pictures email xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx. She is kc registered and comes with 5 generations certificate. She is fleas and wormed to date and will have 1st injection and microchip done before she leaves us. Questions about French Bulldog puppies for sale in South Carolina? We have answers. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in South Carolina work? Our mission is to make it as easy as possible for you to find your perfect South Carolina French Bulldog for sale. All you need to do is message them for more details when you see the puppy of your dreams. What kind of dog is a French Bulldog? A French Bulldog South Carolina will grow up to be an affectionate dog with just enough goofiness to always make you smile. Compared to other breeds, they need relatively little exercise. Why are French Bulldogs really expensive? French Bulldog breeders in South Carolina have a few additional expenses compared to many other dog breeds. French Bulldogs have extremely narrow hips so they need to be artificially inseminated as well as deliver their pups by C-section rather than naturally. We are totally pro-shelter, and shelter dogs make a wonderful choice for many families. How can I check that my puppy will be healthy? We only work with companies offering South Carolina French Bulldog puppies for sale who place a priority on the health of their pups. Each of these companies will make sure every pup has a full veterinarian check-up before they travel to their new homes. Can I just walk my Frenchie or do they need more exercise? But they do need plenty of playtime and mental stimulation to keep them happy and content. Do you suggest a specific brand of food for French Bulldogs? How does Uptown deal with transparency of puppy breeders? We only ever partner with businesses who meet our high standards, and that includes providing all the details about each pup. Can Frenchies make good apartment dogs? South Carolina French Bulldogs for sale are a fabulous choice for an apartment dog. Frenchies are perfectly happy to lie under the AC for a nap rather than head out for a super long hike! Are French Bulldogs easy to train? These little pups are eager to please and love getting praised when they do something right. Positive reinforcement training is a great choice for these fun little dogs, as are puppy training classes so you can learn how to get the best from your new pup. Fill out an application if you wish to meet her! If you meet the above qualifications and you think you can be my perfect home, please continue readingDo not send an e-mail unless you have read all the way to the bottom of this Page 1. Go to our web site and fill out an application. Nothing will move forward until you do. We will give you a call within 7 Days after receiving a complete application, please do not serial e-mail us, we will work your application in the order it was received. We also work these applications between our paying jobs, taking care of our animals and families. Patience is the key! Once we speak to you and feel you are a good fit, we will set up a meet and greet 4. Once we meet and do a home visit we can then and only then finalize an adoption. Every member of your household must be present for this meeting 5. We do adopt out of state and will do a home visit out of state as well 6. We will not put our dogs on mass transport or hand off transport to get to your home. We will make every effort to meet you part of the way but that is not always possible. Unless you have outside working dogs we will not adopt to a home with outside dogs 9. Fence is required for me. Must be 25 or above to adopt exceptions may be made case by case If you have any additional questions please e-mail adopt carolina-loving-hound-rescue. To see more adoptable French Bulldogs in Greenville, South Carolina, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria!

Ironically, tail is not just an insignificant part for animals. It is a functional part of their body. Some animals use their tails for holding onto tree branches, while some use their tail to shoo away insects. For German Shepherds, they use it not only for balancing but also for expressing their feelings. Introduction A standard German Shepherd tail length should be long enough that the tail end should reach the hock joint. It should be hanging with a slight curve like a cavalry sword when GSD is at rest. The curve should be emphasized, and tail should be raised when the dog is moving. Up and down tail positions show how much energy they have. For example, A German Shepherd wagging tail more towards the left side almost touching their bodies means they are nervous. How high they hold their tails, shows the mood they are in. So, the higher, the more motionless their tail is, the more they are feeling stressed and can be very unpredictable. Here are some tail positions, movements and what they mean. If a GSD wags its tail widely like mad, it means it is very happy. They usually do this to save energy. A GSD wagging its tail slowly is a sign of confusion. Just like a scared child hiding under the table, a scared GSD will hide its tail between its legs. Another meaning would be a plea not to be hurt. A tail positioned stiffly straight out of its body means the dog is ready to fight. A more aggressive GSD will move its tail high up and over its back to initiate a fight with another dog. Whenever A GSD will hang its tail low horizontally away from its body, it can be a sign of a calmness. They can be seen as if observing the surroundings. The higher the tail position of a GSD is, the more it asserts confidence as if telling the world it is the boss. Sometimes the tail can be seen curled. A GSD that holds its tail upright and stiff means they are the pack leader. They can be heard barking all the time, alerting their owners even on little things. It is amusing to see puppies or adult dogs chasing their tails. They try to catch their tails and even growl when they chance upon catching it. There are many factors contributing to this behavior. By simply analyzing the causes, owners can train their GSD to stop this behavior. Training them as a puppy is a good start. In adult GSDs, distraction can help. Lack of exercise and activity will cause them to chase their tails wider in circles and sometimes in eights. Genetics can also cause this behavior. The behavior might have been passed down by their parents to them. Stress and anxiety will make them chase their tail until they injure themselves. So it is very important to check for stress and anxiety triggers. Another inherited genetic fault that GSDs suffer from is the curled tail. A German Shepherd curled tail meaning it has a gay tail. Characterized by a tail that is carried higher than the horizontal level of the back, curling upwards, gay tail is a genetic fault. Since it is a genetic fault, chances of fixing it is next to nothing. Sadly, some owners and breeders will do anything for fame and money, so they will opt for surgery. Fortunately, not all German Shepherd puppy tail curls. For some it is just a mannerism that can be eliminated by training. Clicker training method can be used to train GSD show dogs to hold their tails in a particular position when standing. This method will need time and patience from the owner. It can also be hounded by a number of health-related issues, since they are genetically predisposed. Anal Furunculosis A chronic inflammatory disease of the skin under the tail and around the anus, it is usually caused by the inefficient response of the immune system and genetics. But how GSDs carry their tail and the thick coat around the anus may be partly responsible. To avoid such disease being passed down, breeding should only be between unaffected GSDs. German Shepherd hair loss tail, Itching and chewing are caused by allergies which may eventually become infected if left untreated. Cuts and scrapes or even dog bites on the tail are all possible reasons for infection, too. Topical antibiotics look enticing for GSDs that they will keep on licking their wounds. Oral antibiotics administered in proper dosage will be the best option. It is usually caused by overwork, injuries or spending too much time playing in cold water. Tail muscles become swollen and painful within 24 hours following exposure to freezing cold water. Long term confinement in cramped spaces may also trigger this syndrome. Prognosis for Limber Tail Syndrome is good as it will go away on its own. It serves as a tool of communication to their owners, helps stabilize them in water and balances them when walking. Owners may encounter some German Shepherd tail problems, some may be genetic and some may be acquired. Regular visits to the vet will ensure GSD tail health in check. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. It is big, bushy, long and sometimes curly. But it is there for more than just looks. It helps them balance, move around, and communicate with other animals and people. You can tell a lot about a GSD just from the position of their tail. From the happy wag to the embarrassed tail between the legs, it is a great way to tell how your dog is feeling. So what are the different German Shepherd tail types and what do they all mean? German Shepherd Tail Types: Similar to German Shepherd coat types , there can be three German Shepherd tail types depending on the length of their coat. It can be anywhere from inches depending on the specific dog and their genetics. According to show standards, the length should at least make it to the hock joint or ankle of the dog. It is bushy and has a sable-shape with a slow curve that is similar to the sword. This type of tail should not exceed the top of the back. Yes, a purebred German Shepherd can have a curly tail. Though it is considered a fault according to the breed standards , it is not uncommon for a GSD to have a tailpiece that curls more than the standard sabre-shape. If the German Shepherd is purebred, the curly tail could be the result of domestication over thousands of years. This is known as juvenilization or neoteny. As dogs were domesticated over the years, more resources became available which meant less competition. Because aggression was decreased, certain physical features became neotenized resulting in floppy ears and curly tails. It could have a hint of DNA from another dog breed such as an Akita. A DNA test is the only way to rule out the latter. For example, scientists have found that dogs wagging their tailpiece to the right are happy or excited and dogs wagging their tailpiece to the left are anxious or nervous. Additionally, they have more recently found that other dogs can recognize their tail wag and can tell what type of mood they are in just based on the tail wag alone. Aside from their right and left tail wag, there are several other positions to look for. Here are some common positions and what they mean. Between the legs: This means the GSD is afraid or scared. They could also be ashamed because they did something wrong and got into trouble. For example, if they peed in the house or rummaged through the trash while their owner was out. Down: This means they are feeling sad or unhappy, especially if their head is down as well. They may also submitting to you as the pack leader. Pointing straight up: The GSD is most likely mad or upset and possibly aggressive. The higher up the tail, the more assertive they are. They may be close to reacting to whatever they feel threatened by. Relaxed and out: This means that they are happy and content with their surroundings. This is a good sign that the dog is feeling at home and loves the people he is with. Straight out: This is a sign that the German Shepherd is apprehensive or worried about something close by. Wagging broad and fast: This means the GSD is happy and excited to see you. He may be full of energy and ready to play. This dog shows us the definition of happy tail wagging after finally recognizing his owner who had lost a significant amount of weight. Wagging slowly: This means that the German Shepherd is assessing the situation and is unsure yet whether or not things are safe. If a dog is holding its tailpiece in any of the positions that could signal he is aggressive, anxious or nervous around someone, grab on to his leash until he calms down. One of them is almost solely associated with GSDs. The repeated blows can cause the wound to worsen over time. It can become very painful for your dog should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the tail. Usually, a bandage will be wrapped around the tail to allow healing but antibiotics or medication may be necessary. In the worst case scenario, part of the tail may have to be amputated to avoid chronic pain and a continued infection. Hot Spots: Hot spots, also called moist dermatitis, are infected areas on the body or tail that result in bald spots or hair loss. They usually begin from allergies such as insect bites. Once the area becomes inflamed, the dog will attempt to lick and chew the infected area. This causes them to lose the hair surrounding that area. They can start off small and progressively get bigger and bigger the more the dog licks and chews the area. To treat at home, you can carefully clip the fur surrounding the infected area and then clean with a gentle and safe solution. A follow up with the local vet can help determine what allergy is causing the reaction. Often times a short-acting corticosteroid, like prednisone, is given through injection for treatment. Limber Tail Syndrome: Limber tail syndrome is a muscle disorder that causes most of the tailpiece to go limp. It is most common in sporting dogs but can be found in working dogs as well. The majority of the time it is caused from a dog swimming in water that is too cold. However, occasionally it can happen to a dog from water that is too warm. At the moment there is no known cause, but one theory is that the cold water causes the area surrounding the spinal cord to shrink limiting mobility in the tail. A GSD with this syndrome will have a tailpiece that is horizontal for approximately 4 inches and then goes straight down. It is painful around the base of the tail. It can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and dogs usually recover within a couple of days of rest. Masses or Tumors: Certain types of masses can grow on the body or tail. They can include several different kinds of growths from harmless cysts to life-threatening tumors. The first of these possibilities is an abscess. It usually forms when a wound becomes infected. The result is a soft, warm lump that is swollen and painful to the touch. Occasionally they will rupture and drain leaving a red bump that is raised above the skin. They can be treated with a warm compress to improve the blood flow but they must be drained by a vet to completely heal. The second possibility is a cyst. A sebaceous cyst is pretty common in dogs. It is a small benign growth that is painless and non life-threatening. This fluid filled sac is filled with sebum which is an oily secretion that keeps dogs skin moist and waterproof. This type of growth normally looks like a small volcano on the surface of the skin. Often times it will resolve on its own but it could also wall off or rupture. If it ruptures above the skin, the area should be cleaned and disinfected several times a day. If it ruptures below the skin, a vet should be seen to assess the situation. Last but not least, the growth could be a tumor. It could be either benign or malignant depending on the cause. Parasites: Certain parasites can cause issues with the tail, specifically heart worms, hook worms, round worms, tape worms, and whip worms. Similar to hot spots, you may notice bald spots or hair loss around the base of the tail. The worms can irritate and inflame the area around the anus causing the dog to lick or chew his rear end area or tailpiece. Aside from vaccinations, there are several things you can do to help avoid those pesky parasites. Perianal Fistula: Perianal fistula, also known as anal furunculosis, is a nasty medical condition that is common in German Shepherds. It is characterized by tunnel-like lesions, sometimes puss filled, surrounding the anal area. It is very discomforting for a GSD and causes a lot of pain around the anal region, especially when they are defecating. Along with the pain of going potty, they may have chronic diarrhea. There are several symptoms including carrying his tail real low, a foul odor, blood in the stools, struggling to defecate, crying out during potty, and excessive biting and licking of the tail. The exact cause is unknown but the theory is that it starts with the oil and sweat glands being inflamed and then progresses from there. This condition is serious and painful and a vet should be seen immediately to diagnose the issue. They will most likely perform a physical and rectal exam to determine the cause. They will most likely do a biopsy of the cells surrounding the anal area. Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 times, this condition recurs so treatment is absolutely necessary. There are several treatments including antibiotics, diet enhancements, and oral medications like cyclosporine and ketoconazole. Treatment usually lasts around 2 months with a major chance for recurrence in most dogs. In Closing: The German Shepherd definitely has one of the coolest tail types of any dog breed. The sabre-like sword shape only adds to the appeal of their already beautiful and majestic look. You can learn a lot from their tail as far as health and communication. Learn how to read their mood using body language and your bond will grow stronger. If you notice any of the aforementioned tail problems, make sure to contact your local vet! Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! What is your favorite tail type on a dog? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal experience! Share this:. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. Basically, this is a "picture" in text only of what the "ideal" German Shepherd Dog should be. Keep this in mind when observing your German Shepherd puppy and comparing it to the GSD Breed Standard - younger dogs obviously will not show the same level of maturity and perfection as their older, mature dog counterparts. Even so, keep in mind that the GSD Standard is merely a written guideline. Your German Shepherd Dog may not have the perfect ear set or the perfect gait but if your German Shepherd Dog is your favorite companion, then who is to say anything more. Tail carriage , coat color , ear size and all the other outer qualities have no impact on the German Shepherd Dogs working ability as detailed in the GSD standard. GSD's are well balanced, with harmonious development of the forequarter and hindquarter. Also, per the GSD Standard, the German Shepherd Dog breed is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles. The German Shepherd looks substantial and not spindly, giving the impression, both at rest and in motion, of muscular fitness and nimbleness without any look of clumsiness or soft living. The ideal German Shepherd is stamped with a look of quality and nobility difficult to define, but unmistakable when present. Secondary sex characteristics of the German Shepherd breed are strongly marked, and every animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity, according to its sex as outlined in the GSD Standard. German Shepherd Size, Proportion, Substance The desired height for German Shepherd males, in the GSD Standard, at the top of the highest point of the shoulder blade, is 24 to 26 inches; and for German Shepherd bitches, 22 to 24 inches. The GSD standard length is measured from the point of the prosternum or breastbone to the rear edge of the pelvis, the ischial tuberosity. The German Shepherd's desirable long proportion is not derived from a long back, but from overall length with relation to height, which is achieved by length of forequarter and length of withers and hindquarter, viewed from the side. The German Shepherd Dog breed expression is keen, intelligent and composed. Eyes of medium size, almond shaped, set a little obliquely and not protruding. The German Shepherd Dog color is as dark as possible. German Shepherd Dog ears are moderately pointed, in proportion to the skull, open toward the front, and carried erect when at attention, the ideal carriage being one in which the center lines of the ears, viewed from the front, are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. Seen from the front the German Shepherd forehead is only moderately arched, and the skull slopes into the long, wedge-shaped muzzle without abrupt stop. The German Shepherd muzzle is long and strong, and the GSD topline is parallel to the topline of the skull. Per the standard, the nose must be black. A German Shepherd Dog with a nose that is not predominantly black must be disqualified. The lips are firmly fitted. German Shepherd's jaws are strongly developed. Teeth in number upper and 22 lower-are strongly developed and meet in a scissors bite in which part of the inner surface of the upper incisors meet and engage part of the outer surface of the lower incisors. An overshot jaw or a level bite is undesirable. An undershot jaw is a breed disqualifying fault. Any missing teeth other than first premolars is a serious fault. German Shepherd Neck, Topline, Body The German Shepherd's neck is strong and muscular, clean-cut and relatively long, proportionate in size to the head and without loose folds of skin. When the German Shepherd is at attention or excited, the dog's head is raised and the neck carried high; otherwise typical carriage of the GSDs head is forward rather than up and but little higher than the top of the shoulders, particularly in motion. The back is straight, very strongly developed without sag or roach, and relatively short. The whole structure of the German Shepherd Dog's body gives an impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness. Chest commencing at the prosternum, it is well filled and carried well down between the dog's legs. The GSD standard further states that the chest is deep and capacious, never shallow, with ample room for the dog's lungs and heart, carried well forward, with the prosternum showing ahead of the shoulder in profile. German Shepherd Dog Ribs Well sprung and long, neither barrel-shaped nor too flat, and carried down to a sternum which reaches to the elbows. Correct ribbing allows the dogs elbows to move back freely when the German Shepherd is at a trot. Too round causes interference and throws the elbows out; too flat or short causes pinched elbows. Ribbing is carried well back so that the German Shepherds loin is relatively short. Abdomen-firmly held and not paunchy. The bottom line is only moderately tucked up in the loin. GSD Loin Viewed from the top, broad and strong. Undue length between the last rib and the thigh, when viewed from the side, is undesirable. German Shepherd Tail Bushy, with the last vertebra extended at least to the hock joint. It is set smoothly into the croup and low rather than high. At rest, the German Shepherd's tail hangs in a slight curve like a saber. A slight hook- sometimes carried to one side is faulty only to the extent that it mars general appearance. When the German Shepherd Dog is excited or in motion, the curve is accentuated and the dogs tail raised, but it should never be curled forward beyond a vertical line. German Shepherd Dog's tails that are too short, or with clumpy ends due to ankylosis, are serious faults. German Shepherd Forequarters The German Shepherd's shoulder blades are long and obliquely angled, laid on flat and not placed forward. The upper arm joins the shoulder blade at about a right angle. Both the upper arm and the shoulder blade are well muscled on the German Shepherd. The dog's forelegs, viewed from all sides, are straight and the bone oval rather than round. The German Shepherd's pasterns are strong and springy and angulated at approximately a degree angle from the vertical. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed, but are normally left on. The GSD's feet are short, compact with toes well arched, pads thick and firm, nails short and dark. German Shepherd Hindquarters The whole German Shepherd assembly of the thigh, viewed from the side, is broad, with both upper and lower thigh well muscled, forming as nearly as possible a right angle. The upper thigh bone parallels the shoulder blade while the lower thigh bone parallels the upper arm. The metatarsus the unit between the hock joint and the foot is short, strong and tightly articulated. The dogs dewclaws, if any, should be removed from the hind legs. Feet as in front. The dog's outer coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. A slightly wavy outer coat, often of wiry texture, on the German Shepherd is permissible. The GSD head, including the inner ear and foreface, and the legs and paws are covered with short hair, and the neck with longer and thicker hair. The rear of the dog's forelegs and hind legs has somewhat longer hair extending to the pastern and hock, respectively. Faults in the German Shepherd's coat per the GSD Standard include soft, silky, too long outer coat, woolly, curly, and open coat. Strong rich colors are preferred. Pale, washed-out colors and blues or livers are serious faults in the German Shepherd. A white German Shepherd dog must be disqualified. German Shepherd Gait A German Shepherd Dog is a trotting dog, and its structure has been developed to meet the requirements of its work. General Impression of a German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd breeds gait is outreaching, elastic, seemingly without effort, smooth and rhythmic, covering the maximum amount of ground with the minimum number of steps. At a walk a German Shepherd Dog covers a great deal of ground, with long stride of both hind legs and forelegs. At a trot the German Shepherd covers still more ground with even longer stride, and moves powerfully but easily, with coordination and balance so that the gait appears to be the steady motion of a well-lubricated machine. The GSD's feet travel close to the ground on both forward reach and backward push. In order to achieve ideal movement of this kind, there must be good muscular development and ligamentation in the German Shepherd Dog. The hindquarters deliver, through the back, a powerful forward thrust which slightly lifts the whole animal and drives the body forward. Reaching far under, and passing the imprint left by the front foot, the hind foot takes hold of the ground; then hock, stifle and upper thigh come into play and sweep back, the stroke of the hind leg finishing with the foot still close to the ground in a smooth follow-through. The overreach of the hindquarter usually necessitates one hind foot passing outside and the other hind foot passing inside the track of the forefeet, and such action is not faulty unless the locomotion is crabwise with the German Shepherd's body sideways out of the normal straight line. Transmission The typical smooth, flowing German Shepherd Dog gait is maintained with great strength and firmness of back. The whole effort of the GSD's hindquarter is transmitted to the forequarter through the loin, back and withers. At full trot, the German Shepherd's back must remain firm and level without sway, roll, whip or roach. Unlevel topline with withers lower than the hip is a breed fault. To compensate for the forward motion imparted by the hindquarters, the shoulder should open to its full extent. The GSD Standard states that the German Shepherd Dog's forelegs should reach out close to the ground in a long stride in harmony with that of the hindquarters. The GSD does not track on widely separated parallel lines, but brings the feet inward toward the middle line of the body when trotting, in order to maintain balance. The feet track closely but do not strike or cross over. Viewed from the front, the front legs function from the shoulder joint to the pad in a straight line. Viewed from the rear, the German Shepherd hind legs function from the hip joint to the pad in a straight line. Faults of gait, whether from front, rear or side, are to be considered very serious faults according to the GSD Standard. German Shepherd Dog Temperament The German Shepherd breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. According to the GSD Standard, the dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. The German Shepherd is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. The GSD must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Any of the above deficiencies in character which indicate shyness must be penalized as very serious faults per the GSD Standard- and any German Shepherd exhibiting pronounced indications of these must be excused from the ring. It must be possible for the judge to observe the teeth and to determine that both testicles are descended. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes the dog's primary purpose. German Shepherd's with noses not predominantly black. Undershot jaw. Docked tail. White dogs. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge. 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" -- Unknown Sign up for promotions, news, discounts, and the chance to win prizes for you and your German Shepherd E-mail Address. Unlike some breeds, they carry it low naturally, and an agitated, swishing tail is not ideal. If it curls under the dog, instead of being held out naturally straight from the body, the dog may be anxious and nervous. Long-coated Shepherds will have a fluffy plume, whereas short-coated dogs will have a sleeker tail. They will be between 18 and 36 months old before you can truly judge their tail type. While the dog is still developing, it can have a longer or shorter tail. Here are some common ones to look out for. High tails: usually a sign of alertness and excitement Hanging tails: troubled or submissive feelings Straighter than normal: exploring, but a little cautious Semi-raised and slowly wagging: usually happy Low and slow wagging: usually means unhappiness or concern Raised and fast wagging: Excitement Low and slow wagging: lack of enthusiasm, but responsive Very broad wagging: enthusiastic Short, curtailed wagging: can be a sign of anxiety Neutral: the dog is simply relaxed, alert, and happy Wiggly and loose: a happy puppy! It can be a sign of a mixed breed dog or a dog with a gene fault at the tail. Can Tails Get Sore? As an expressive part of the dog, tails can get sore or injured. However, these are some more severe problems to watch out for: Anal Furunculosis: This is a fancy term for an inflammatory skin disease around the tail and bum. Skin Infections: Like the rest of the body, the skin here can get infected. Because the skin is tight over the tailbone, it can be tough to treat too. Noted issues include chewing, allergy scratching, and itching. Dog bites can get infected too. Always treat skin issues at the tail seriously. The tail swells and is painful, it comes on about a day after exposure to freezing surfaces. Why do Dogs Chase Their Tails? Is It Bad? Pups and adult dogs alike may chase their tails simply for fun. But sometimes, it can turn into obsessive behavior. Luckily, training can help, especially with distraction and refocusing on toys or activities. What are the bad reasons for tail chasing? Small Spaces: The German Shepherd is a big dog, so narrow spaces can upset them. Stimulation: If your dog is under-exercised and stimulated, they can obsessively tail chase from boredom. Genetics: They may have the habit in their blood, or have learned it from parents. Stress: Anxiety can cause very dangerous tail chasing that often ends in injury, and you need to get to the root cause of the issue. It can cue you into their moods, and help you to avoid issues before they start. Likewise, knowing more about the breed standard for their expressive tail can help you identify potential issues with your dog and understand more about what makes them tick—or should we say, wag! Apart from having tail problems, the German Shepherds also develop other hereditary conditions. Some of the ailments are listed below. Dog Bites German Shepherds are playful and very energetic. They can quickly get hurt, and the tail is one part of the body that gets bitten readily. Dog bites should be cleaned and treated instantly. Megaesophagus Megaesophagus is a congenital disease characterized by an enlarged esophagus in dogs. It affects the esophageal motility that carries the food from mouth to stomach. Symptoms include vomiting, weight loss , anorexia, and bad breath. Tail-Wagging Related Injuries Generally, German Shepherds are tail-waggers, and if they get overjoyed, they may bang their tails on furniture or the wall. This can cause injuries like bruises, cuts, and even more seriously fractured tailbones. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disorder, specifically the part of the cord that carries information to the brain regarding the hind legs. The disease progresses to a case where the dog cannot walk. There is no cure most of the time, and the dog is put to rest. However, in a few rare cases, the condition is related to a lack of vitamin E or B.If this is the case, vitamin supplements might uphold the situation. Multifunctional Supplements for Dogs Buy at Amazon Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is a pancreatic genetic disease in which the cells that produce digestive enzymes are damaged. As a result, the dog cannot digest and consume food. The first signs are gas, weight loss, loss of appetite, and change in stools. Next, the dog becomes lean and very hungry. With proper medication and guidance, most dogs recover. Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs Buy at Amazon Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus Commonly called bloat, a life-threatening disease that affects large, deep-chested dogs like German Shepherds, especially if fed one large meal a day, eat fast, drink large volumes of water after meal, and exercise vigorously after eating. Bloat occurs when the stomach is swollen due to pressure with gas or air and then twists. The dog cannot vomit to get rid of the excessive air in its stomach, and the average remit of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure falls, and the dog goes into shock. Without prompt medical attention, the dog can expire. Suspect bloat if your dog has a swollen abdomen, is drooling excessively, and is retching without throwing up. They also may be restless, lethargic, depressed , and weak with a rapid heart rate. Getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible is crucial. Elbow Dysplasia This is a heritable disease common to large-sized dog breeds. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend medication to control the pain or even surgery to correct the problem. Elbow Hygroma An elbow hygroma is a fluid-filled usually yellow to red swelling occurring over the elbow joint. This problem is commonly seen in short-haired, large breed dogs such as German shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, and Great Danes. They can grow about two inches in diameter. Regardless of size, hygroma is generally non-painful. However, your dog may experience pain and discomfort if allowed to become large enough to prevent ulceration and abscessing. Your dog will probably not show any signs of illness or distress unless the hygroma becomes infected. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint where the socket portion does not entirely fit the ball portion, resulting in an ascending risk for joint dislocation. Hip dysplasia may occur at birth or in early life. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Some dogs exhibit discomfort and lameness on one or both rear legs. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia should not be bred. Allergies Few German Shepherds suffer from various allergies, including contact and food allergies. Allergies in dogs are similar to those in humans. If your German Shepherd dog is scratching, licking at their paws, or rubbing their face, suspect that they have an allergy and take them to the vet. Bleeding Disorders The German Shepherd is prone to a bleeding disorder. After several diagnostic tests, the surgery is performed depending on the type. Hyperadrenocorticism This is caused by the malfunction of adrenal glands that produce excessive steroid hormones. The condition develops gradually and may be ignored, but one should be aware of the symptoms to prevent necessary damage. Symptoms include increased appetite, drinking, and urinating than usual. Cancer The German Shepherd has a higher life expectancy than the other breed, so they are prone to cancer as they grow older. Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. However, it is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier. Anal Gland Problems The area around the anus becomes inflamed or develops sores. The German Shepherd is more prone to this long-term disease. Symptoms include constipation, bleeding, licking of the area, straining or apparent pain when defecating, and smelly discharge around the rectum. Treatment includes lifelong medications and surgery. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a common disease among dogs. The German Shepherd has a higher vulnerability than other breeds. In diabetes, the dogs cannot metabolize blood sugar, causing increased drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. Treatment includes medication and insulin injections. Cataracts It is a common cause of blindness in older German Shepherds. The lens of the eyes becomes cloudy and opaque. Treatment might require surgery for good results. Pannus Pannus is a disease in which the inflammatory cells penetrate the cornea the clear part of the eye and darken when exposed to ultraviolet rays, causing blindness. Epilepsy It is of three types—reactive, secondary, and primary or idiopathic epilepsy. Secondary attacks are due to a brain tumor, trauma, or stroke. If the above condition is not present, the disease is primary or idiopathic epilepsy. The signs of seizures begin as early as six months and three years of age. It causes tartar build-up on the teeth, infection of the gums and roots, and in extreme cases, loss of teeth and damage to the kidneys. Infections The German Shepherds are prone to certain bacterial and viral illnesses such as rabies, parvo, and distemper. Parasites The German Shepherds can be infested with worms , bugs, fleas, and ticks that can get into their systems through unclean water, contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. It can also be transmitted to you and your family. Symptoms include discomfort, pain, and even death. Obesity It is a significant health condition in German Shepherds. Excess weight can cause joint problems, back pain, digestive disorders, and heart disease. A healthy diet and regular exercise are the best ways to prevent this lifestyle disease. Spay or Neuter In spay , the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It is done to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decrease the likelihood of certain types of cancer. Yes, they can have curly tails. Another genetic defect that the German Shepherds suffer from is the curled tail. It is carried higher, curving upwards. Since it is an inherited defect, it cannot be fixed right. Some pet owners may opt for surgeries. However, not all puppies have tail curls. It is just a mannerism that can be eliminated by training for some dogs. However, the owner may need patience and perseverance to train them. Suppose your German Shepherd has a curled tail. In that case, it depends on the gene play. Depending on the curve, it varies. If your pet has a highly curved tail reaching its back, it can be a mixed breed dog. This can sometimes be controversial. It is a process that must only be done on working dogs to protect them from injury. Since German Shepherds are often working dogs, many may doubt whether to dock their GSDs tail, but it is not needed. Some breeds that have their tails docked are Australian Shepherds and Corgis. This is done to safeguard their tails when working with livestock such as oxen and cows. However, German Shepherds work with sheep, ducks, goats, and geese. So there is only a negligible risk of injury to their tails. Generally, German Shepherds may chase their tails for fun; however, some reasons are listed below: Since German Shepherds are very active dogs, they may need mental stimulation. They may get anxious and chase their tails when they are not physically or mentally stimulated. Sometimes keeping German Shepherds in narrow spaces can cause uneasiness leading them to chase their tails. It can be an inherited trait from their parents in some cases. Keeping your dog away from stress is vital to avoid any undesirable behavior. German Shepherds love moving round and round by chasing their tails, and they growl in joy when they catch. However, it can result from their anxiousness, and they can hurt themselves while obsessively chasing their tails. German Shepherds are famous for their tails, apart from their fluffy stature. If your German Shepherd crosses this age and still has a less fluffy coat, that can probably be due to their bloodlines. A typical German Shepherd can take 18 — 36 months to complete their growth and fully mature. The tail will grow until your German Shepherd is two years old. However, it will start to change in eight weeks. Dog owners who would like to show off their German Shepherds at Dog Shows or Confirmation Competitions may be disqualified if they do not meet each performance guideline of their dog breed standard. There are many reasons why your German Shepherds bite their tails. Lots of different breeds do this at varying stages of their lives. They may bite their tail while playing or chasing their tails. If your German Shepherd has fleas or suffers from some allergy, they may bite. This is because many enthusiasts and dog experts have tried decoding the tail positions. It is anything from negative to positive feelings of the dog. So while next time you find any of them, please observe and note the new position that your dog does, which may be unfamiliar to you. Related Posts:. German shepherd tail positions April 11, "I wish my German Shepherd could speak to me; I would tell them how much I love them," say dog lovers, around the globe. Dog lovers also wish to understand their GSD's thoughts and emotions. This article explores German shepherd tail positions. German Shepherds' tails are essential to their communication system, conveying a wide range of emotions and responses. From excitement to anxiety, the position and movement of their tail can provide valuable insights into their mood and feelings. So even though they can't talk back, they can still communicate their love and affection uniquely. The tale of tails: Here's everything you need to know about GSD tails: German Shepherd Tail Description Let's start with a general description of the tail of a German Shepherd, which is long and bushy, with a slight curve towards the end. It is carried low when relaxed and raised when alert. The tail serves several functions, including balance, communication, and as a means of expressing emotion. German Shepherd Tail Length The length of a German Shepherd's tail can vary, but it typically ranges from about 12 inches to 18 inches. Some breeders may dock puppy tails for cosmetic reasons or even for utility and safety, but this practice is controversial and banned in many countries. This is often seen in dogs that are scared, anxious, or unsure of their surroundings. If your German Shepherd's tail is down, you must approach them calmly and reassure them. Tail lowered. A lowered tail usually means the dog is relaxed, but it's important to note that the tail is not between the legs in this position. Tail lowered between the legs. A lowered tail between the legs signifies fear, upset, or embarrassment, as the dog tries to make itself as small as possible. In some cases, it may be a sign of excitement or happiness. However, if the tail is tightly curled and held high, it could also be a sign of aggressiveness. It's essential to pay attention to the dog's body language and other cues to determine the context of every situation. A relaxed curled tail indicates a relaxed and happy dog, while a tightly curled tail indicates tension or anxiety. Sometimes, a German Shepherd may also curl its tail to protect its genital area when it feels threatened. If your dog is wagging its tail fast and wide, it usually indicates excitement, happiness, and energy, such as when a German Shepherd Dog greets their owner after a separation. The faster the wag, the more excited the dog is. Note that the tail is loose in this position. A stiff and fast wagging tail held horizontally is an aggressive stance, indicating agitation or a threat. The dog is ready to defend itself if necessary. A high, straight tail suggests confidence and control of a situation, indicating that the dog feels good. This high, stiff tail with a fast wagging tip generally means the pup is alert and aroused. Your puppy is feeling confident and enthusiastic and strutting its stuff. A loose and horizontal tail shows that the dog is not ready to challenge a person or thing but is not afraid either. A slow wag is a neutral position; your dog is feeling neither dominant nor submissive. In conclusion, understanding the different tail positions of German Shepherds is a critical aspect of communicating with and caring for these loyal and intelligent dogs. Please observe the dog's tail, body language, and other cues to determine its mood and needs. In doing so, we can develop a stronger bond with our furry companions and provide them the care they deserve. Here is a quick German Shepherd tail positions cheat sheet for you Tail Position. Why is the bushy tail important for the German Shepherd Dog breed? The German Shepherd Dog has a well-groomed, natural appearance. The correct tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers and it should be thick and tapering. It rests low and is never curled over the back nor excitedly switching side to side. The tail is carried low and straightened, but never tightly curled over the back, more like a plume than a buggy whip. A dog with a correctly functioning tail will hold it straight out or to the side when he is working or moving and will curl it between his legs when he is nervous or unsure of himself. German shepherd tail types GSDs will have mainly 2 types of tails based on the coat type, there is single coat german shepherd which will have a normal tail and whereas double-coated dogs or long-haired german shepherds will have a bushy tail. German shepherd tail length GSDs tail length is not too short, or too long. A standard GSD tail length should be long enough that the tail end should reach the hock joint. It should be hanging with a slight curve like a cavalry sword when GSD is at rest. The curve should be emphasized, and the tail should be raised when the dog is moving. German Shepherd Tail Positions and their Meaning: 13 signs and their inner behavior explanation Tail Position Meaning Raised high and curved over the back This can indicate uncertainty or a cautious approach. The dog may be assessing the situation or feeling uncertain. Horizontal and straight Indicates a neutral or relaxed state. It shows that the dog is calm and content. Slightly raised and wagging A confident and alert posture, is often seen when the dog is excited, confident, or on high alert. Low and tucked between hind legs Indicates fear, anxiety, or submission. The dog may feel threatened or uncomfortable in its current environment. Slow wagging Can indicate uncertainty or a cautious approach. Rapid wagging Shows excitement and happiness. The dog may be thrilled or anticipating something enjoyable. Stiff and straight up A sign of alertness and heightened awareness. The dog may be assessing potential threats in its surroundings. The tail held to one side Can indicate indecision or curiosity. The dog may be observing or evaluating something of interest. Tail held straight down Usually a sign of relaxation or calmness. The dog may be in a neutral state or feeling at ease. Tail held loosely and relaxed Generally indicates a relaxed and comfortable state. The dog is at ease and not currently on high alert. Tail wagging in a circle An extremely happy and enthusiastic expression. The dog may be showing great joy and excitement. Tail vibrating or quivering Typically a sign of high arousal, intense excitement, or anticipation. The dog may be highly stimulated. Tail held high and wagging Indicates a friendly and confident demeanor. The dog is likely happy and open to social interaction. Tail tucked and wagging Can be a conflicting or mixed signal. It may suggest submission or fear, combined with a desire to appease or seek reassurance. German shepherd tail positions The tail is usually carried in a curve when the dog is at rest. When the dog is excited or in an emotional state, the tail will sometimes be carried up in a curve or in an even higher position, like a plume. The tail may be carried between the legs when the dog is nervous or is anticipating trouble. German shepherd tail problems and diseases GSD tails are not the only measure of their current sensibilities. Because it is genetically predisposed, it can also be preyed upon by many health-related problems. Anal Furunculosis Chronic inflammatory disease of the skin under the tail and around the anus, which is usually caused by an inefficient response of the immune system and genetics. But how GSDs carry their tail and thick coat around the anus is somewhat responsible. To prevent such a disease, fertility should only be between non-affected GSDs. Skin infection GSD is very difficult to treat for skin diseases on the tail. The tails usually do not have that much skin, so this area is prone to infection. German Shepherd Hair loss is caused by allergies to the tail, itching, and chewing, which can eventually lead to infection if left untreated. Incisions and scratches or even a dog bite on the tail are all causes of infection. Topical antibiotics look lovely for GSDs as they keep their wounds smiling. Oral antibiotics that provide the right dose are the best choice. This is usually due to overwork, injuries, or spending too much time playing in cold water. The tail muscles become swollen and painful within 24 hours after exposure to freezing cold water. Chronic confinement in narrow spaces can also trigger this syndrome. The prognosis for the limber tail syndrome is good because it goes away on its own. Using a warm compress can reduce swelling and pain, but some veterinarians may prescribe painkillers. Puppies or adult dogs chasing their tails can be fun. They try to catch their tails and scream when they catch it. There are many factors that contribute to this behavior. By simply analyzing the causes, employers can train their GSD to stop this behavior. Training them as a puppy is a good start. In adult GSDs, distraction can help. GSDs are large dogs so keeping them in a narrow space can cause them anxiety, causing the tail to chase. Due to lack of exercise and activity they chase their tails in circles and sometimes eight widths. Genetics may also be responsible for this behavior. This behavior may have been passed down to them by their parents. Stress and anxiety cause them to chase their tail until they injure themselves. So it is important to check for stress and anxiety triggers. Do German shepherds have curly tails? The short answer is yes, it is possible for GSDs to have curly tails. However, the fact that not all GSDs have curly tails leads to the question of whether or not German shepherds are capable of producing curly tails. A German Shepherd may have a tightly wound tail that wraps over the backside. You can check out the official standard here. The normal German shepherd could take somewhere between 18 to 36 months to complete their growth and become fully mature. The tail will continue to develop until the animal is two years old. However, the tail will start to change in appearance at around eight weeks. Dogs communicate through a combination of body postures, facial expressions, vocalizations, and tail movements. The dog may be thrilled or anticipating something enjoyable, such as playtime or seeing a familiar person. The dog may be assessing the situation or feeling unsure about how to respond. Slow tail wagging is often associated with a more reserved or tentative emotional state, where the dog may be evaluating the environment or displaying a milder form of engagement compared to rapid wagging. The tail is so important that the German Shepherd, registered with the American Kennel Club AKC , appears prominently on the official breed standard performance and confirmation guidelines. Here are the main points described in the racial standard: The tail should be bushy. The tail should extend to the hawk joint kept away from the body parallel to the ankle joint. The tail should not be short or docked cut. Dog owners who want to show off their German shepherd at dog shows or confirmation competitions run the risk of being disqualified or points deducted if they do not meet each performance guideline of their dog breed standard.

Please be patient. We get hundreds of applications and can't respond to everyone. Your donations pay for expenses to foster doodles, buy pet food, cover veterinary costs, and transportation. We adopt doodles to families that will keep them as inside pets and treat them as family members. We do not adopt to families who are specifically looking for a doodle to train as a service dog. Since the majority of rescue dogs do not meet service dog requirements, this is an unfair expectation of our doodles. We also do not adopt doodles to be given as gifts. We do not permit commercial transport of our dogs, and all adopters are required to personally take their new family member home. If you adopt a doodle from us, it is important to note that rescue dogs typically require leash and other training. Your doodle may keep you up nights, have potty accidents, and other inconveniences for the first couple of weeks. We can't possibly know everything about the health or behavior of any dog in our care. You bear the responsibility of choosing to adopt your dog. If for any reason you are unable to keep your doodle, you are required to contact the California Doodle Rescue. If you are found to be a possible match for one of our doodles, you will be contacted directly by someone from California Doodle Rescue. If contacted, please be prepared for a required phone interview, contacting your references, and or veterinarian checks. Part of our adoption process requires an in-person meet and greet between the doodle and the entire household, including pets of the potential adopting family. If a home visit is not possible, you may be asked to send photos of your home and yard. Adopt a Goldendoodle! At the time, they rescued and put up for adoption 24 Goldendoodles that were rescued from a breeding center that needed to be shut down. In addition to Goldendoodles, Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue also rescues and puts up labradoodles for adoption. Delaware Rescue has strict guidelines that must be followed. This is one of the largest doodle rescue and adoption centers in the world. IDOG Rescue is a non-profit organization that is headquartered in Houston, Texas, but they receive calls and entertain inquiries from around the country. They mostly rehome and set up retired Goldendoodle adults for adoption. Some pups are rescued, but they are extremely rare. Wavy coat F1b Goldendoodles are typically non-shedding while still maintaining that teddy bear look. If you want to adopt a Goldendoodle, then Doodle Dandy Rescue is a great option. They have strict guidelines for adoption that must be met. The entire adoption process is quite long and rigid so it can take some time for your adoption request to get approved. What are the best Goldendoodle rescues in the US? Norcal Poodle Rescue Adoption is a certified non-profit organization made up of people who specialize in rescuing and looking after poodle breeds like the Goldendoodle. They are currently based out of North Carolina and cater to humane societies, pet owners who have given up their poodles, and shelters. In addition to adoption applications, they also accept shelter volunteers. They have saved close to 4, doodles. They primarily focus on rescuing and nurturing labradoodles and Goldendoodles. Although they are based in California, they have over volunteers from all over the country who help rescue and get Goldendoodles adopted. They rarely have Goldendoodle puppies for adoption, but when they do, they provide transport and help the puppies find a new home. As the name suggests, the center primarily focuses on the rescue and adoption of golden retrievers and its mixes. GRIN is a non-profit organization that operates with over volunteers. Rather, they are a group of people and homes scattered all over Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio. They advise you to apply for a younger dog in advance through their website. They have rigid guidelines for adoption that must be met and their acceptance period takes anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks. They have become increasingly popular, which means finding one for adoption can be a bit of a challenge. Goldendoodle puppy plays with a toy actively outdoors. You can also reach out to your local animal shelters and rescue organizations to inquire about Goldendoodles in need of a loving home. By expressing your interest, you can be among the first to know when a Goldendoodle becomes available for adoption. Another option is to join social media groups and forums dedicated to Goldendoodle enthusiasts. These communities often share information about Goldendoodles in need of homes, upcoming adoption events, and more. Being part of such groups can increase your chances of finding a Goldendoodle that needs a loving family. Keep in mind that the adoption process may take some time, as these organizations want to ensure that the dogs are placed in the best possible homes. You may need to complete an application, provide references, and even have a home visit. Another thing to consider is offering your home as a residence for a family dog that is part of a breeders program. Many breeders offer free or very discounted dogs as long as you are okay with them having a litter or two throughout their life. It never hurts to reach out or ask the question in a local Facebook group for the Goldendoodle breed! They require a lot of attention. If you leave them alone for more than a few hours, they can be difficult to manage. A lot of people are initially enthusiastic before adopting a Goldendoodle but very quickly realize how much time they have to spend with these little canines. Goldendoodles thrive in environments where people are at home at all times. Like other smaller dogs, Goldendoodles bark as a defense mechanism. If you adopt a Goldendoodle that barks a lot, take the time to get your dog trained. We might get sick or move, and sometimes we may need to find a new job. If you know that these factors could potentially hamper the time you devote to your dog, you may have to put your dog up for adoption. Why Is Adopting a Goldendoodle Rare? Although this is a list of some of the best Goldendoodle rescue shelters and networks in the United States, most of them may not have Goldendoodles up for adoption when you check. Some adoption facilities have never received any Goldendoodles at all despite being open for their rescue. There are a couple of reasons for this. A Goldendoodle puppy needs enough sleep for best health. If these dogs get on any adoption websites or similar websites, they will likely be gone within the first day. This can lead to a puppy mill or dodgy breeder scenario where the popularity makes the breeder chase litter after litter without caring for the dog. A dog owner who adopts from a breeder must take appropriate steps to ensure it is not a puppy mill, and is in fact an ethical and reputable breeder. They form strong bonds with their owners. If owners face any problems with their dogs, they would rather find ways to work through these problems than give them up for adoption. However, Goldendoodles are one of the friendliest and most social dogs out there. Desirable Goldendoodle Personality Goldendoodles are extremely adventurous. Generally, these cute canines are outgoing, friendly, and happy dogs. They love meeting new people and dogs. One thing to remember about these dogs is that they do well in open spaces like spacious yards or country homes. Their affection, intelligence, and bubbly personalities make them great therapy and working dogs. They enjoy mentally stimulating activities. For example, Goldendoodles are known to be able to smell peanuts in foods for people suffering from nut allergies. To satiate their need for activity, you will have to take them out for walks and runs daily. Goldendoodles are also known for enjoying swimming and playing in the water. They Are Good with Children If you have children at home, then adopting a Goldendoodle is a great choice. These dogs play well with kids. They are gentle, loving, and patient around young kids which is one of the reasons they make great family dogs. You should still exercise caution and check on their behavior. You must also teach your children how to behave around dogs. Prevent your child from agitating your Goldendoodle with ear or tail pulling and other rough activities. Like any other animal, dogs are protective of their food and can become aggressive if they perceive a threat. This may not be true for all Goldendoodles, but you should still take precautions to protect your kids. These dogs are social animals and love interacting with other dogs. Wavy coat Goldendoodles are typically low shedding. However, they still need a certain amount of grooming. To prevent them from shedding, some people cut their hair short. It will take some time for the rescue dog to get comfortable around you and you may have to deal with issues like separation anxiety. Goldendoodles require a few hours of activity every day. You will have to spend time walking and playing with them daily. Active play, a visit to a dog park, or fetch are appropraite activities. Grooming Is Imperative Though your new doodle puppy will likely shed lightly, you will still need to groom their coats or have a pet groomer take care of their grooming once a month. Just remember to do your research before adopting a dog. We match families with the puppy that we feel will be the best fit for them. From the time you fill out your puppy application to when you take your puppy home, we are with you every step of the way. After your puppy goes home, we provide a variety of resources for you to keep in touch, including our Owners Facebook Page. We invite all of our puppy owners to our Annual Doodle Romp each year, and of course we are always available to answer questions along the way. To assist you in filling out the application, we recommend browsing through the "Our Puppies" section of our website to understand the Goldendoodle breed in general, and the different colors , generations , and sizes of puppies we offer. Be sure to check out the McDifference page to see what sets us apart. Phone Interview Upon receipt of your application, we will call you to discuss your preferences and our upcoming litters. We do our best to give you an approximate timeframe. We talk about your needs as far as temperament, look, and any allergies in-depth so that we have an idea how to steer you in the right direction when it comes to selecting a puppy. We take notes during this interview so that we have them to refer back to throughout the process. Deposits can be made on our Pricing and Deposits page. The balance is due when your puppy is 4 weeks old. It is not our policy to refund deposits. Waiting List After your deposit is received, you are placed on our waiting list. As litters are bred or if we have extra spots after a litter is born, we contact the next families on the list that match the litter preferences. If the timing does not work for you or you cannot take a puppy from this litter, your name goes back on the top of the list, and you will be contacted for the next or future litter. After the Puppies are Born Puppy Collars The first thing we do after the puppies are born is to place a collar on them. The puppies wear different color collars, and this is how we track their weights two times a day, how our Vet keeps track of them and how you can track them from week to week in the pictures. Puppy Announcement and Weekly Updates After the puppies are born, we send a birth announcement via email to each family on the list with the litter specifics and pictures. We send pictures and updates every week, so you can watch them grow. Matching Puppies with Families Matching puppies with families is an integral part of our process, and we feel is one of the most significant things that sets us apart. Many breeders allow families to select their puppy in order of deposit, but we feel that we are serving each family and each puppy much better by selecting based on "best fit. Choose Your Favorites The first step in our selection process is to get your opinion based purely on the look of the puppies. After we send the 6-week pictures, we ask everyone on the list for their favorites, based solely on the look of the puppies. This test uses a scoring system and consists of ten individual tests. Each test is scored separately, and interpreted on its own merits. The scores are not averaged, and there are no winners or losers. The entire purpose is to select the right puppy for the right home. For more information on this test, visit the volhard. Our Recommendation Using the results of the Volhard Test, along with your puppy application, phone interview, and your favorites, we match you with the puppy that we feel is the best fit for your family and lifestyle. Your New Family Member! Once the testing is complete, we call everyone on the waiting list to go over their scores and discuss our recommendation of which of your favorites we think is the best fit. After this conversation, you have a puppy to call your own! Visiting Your New Puppy After the selection process is complete, you are welcome to visit your new puppy. The puppies are 6 weeks old by this time, and will have had their first set of vaccinations. When visiting your puppy, we request that you do not visit any other kennels, pet stores, breeders, or places where there could be unvaccinated dogs during the same day. We will ask that you take your shoes off at the door and use hand sanitizer. We will also ask that all kids sit on the floor when holding and playing with the puppies. Taking Home Your Puppy At eight weeks, you will be invited to take your puppy home. We will assign a time for your pickup so that we can spend some uninterupted time with you going over things we think you should know and answering any questions you may have. The drive home When you pick up your puppy, we recommend bringing someone with you who can hold the puppy on their lap for the drive home. Your puppy will be unfamiliar in his new surroundings, and without his siblings. Holding the puppy on your lap on an old bath towel will keep your puppy feeling safe and happy and start him off in the best possible way to his new life. Avoid High Traffic Areas On the way home, please remember that your puppy is vulnerable because he has not yet completed his vaccines. Avoid stopping at "high traffic" dog areas, like rest stops, on your journey home. Instead try stopping at restaurants, where people with dogs in the car are less likely to stop. By avoiding areas where other dogs have been walked, you greatly reduce the chances of your puppy picking up any germs left behind. If you have to stop at a rest area, please carry your puppy to a more secluded spot, and you might even want to put your puppy on a puppy pad rather than on the grass - or for the most secure solution, simply put them in a crate lined with a puppy pad. In general, your puppy should be able to make at least a two hour trip without stopping. Visiting the Vet When you go to your Vet, carry your puppy in and place it on the table; don't let it walk across the floor where a sick dog could have been. Until your puppy has had its last set of puppy vaccines, 16 weeks, you need to treat it like it has no immune system and avoid high risk situations such as parks and pet stores. Preparing for Your New Puppy Shopping Essentials Before your puppy comes home, we recommend that you purchase several items. We've created a shopping list that we think is a great start. Please also check out our "Shop" section of our website for recommendations on Food , Vitamins , Crates , Books , Logo Merchandise and other great products assembled by Moss Creek puppy owners Chomp Products. Puppy Care Bringing a new puppy home can be a daunting task if you're not prepared. Training If you're looking for external board and train assistance, our McDoodle Boot Camp , developed exclusively for 8-week old Moss Creek Goldendoodle puppies, may be perfect. We've also included some basic training tips on our website, including Crate Training and developmental stages to help you every step of the way. Many of our puppies go on to become service and therapy dogs. Visit our Service and Therapy page to find out more information. We will work with you to select a puppy that is suitable for this, if that is your intent. Moss Creek Doodles and their owners come from all over the country to attend, and a good time is had by all at our Friday night "Yappy Hour" and Saturday aftenoon "Doodle Romp". Check out our Doodle Romp page for more information. Moss Creek Goldendoodles. Standard Goldendoodles can weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. Personality The place where the Goldendoodle puppy really excels is its personality. Its breed is known for being simultaneously intelligent and adoring. A Goldendoodle puppy is very sociable, which makes them perfect animals for households with children and other animals or pets, even cats. Just like the Labradoodle, this breed requires correct socialization to ensure they get used to different sights, sounds and smells during puppyhood. This means taking your Goldendoodle to plenty of doggy-friendly parks so they can meet canine friends and introducing them to other people. Our Goldendoodle puppies for sale are fully trained Doodles, so you can focus on the fun bits, like bonding, eating food and playing. These dogs prefer to live in a house with a gated backyard where they can get regular exercise breaks. Do They Like to Play? Goldendoodle Puppy Training These clever dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners because Goldendoodles love to please and take great pride in learning new skills. Are Goldendoodles Intelligent? Both of its poodle and golden retriever parent breeds are known for their intelligence and trainability, and Goldendoodles have inherited this breed trait. This means the person training a Goldendoodle needs to be strong-willed, firm and consistent — but never harsh or aggressive. Much like a poodle, Doodles are sensitive dogs, and positive reinforcement is a must to bring out the best in them. How Obedient Are They? Goldendoodle pups adore human company, and making their pet parents happy brings them genuine satisfaction. As such, correct puppy training produces a highly obedient and loyal adult Goldendoodle. Older adults, people with disabilities and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders can benefit significantly from the warmth and sweetness of these adorable Goldendoodle pups. Are They Easy to Train? Doodle puppies can be mischievous and cheeky, but aggression is practically unheard of. So as long as you treat them with the same gentle respect they offer, a Goldendoodle is one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Goldendoodles have loads of energy and require regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and calm temperament. A Goldendoodle need a moderately high level of outdoor activity — usually a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally one hour, of moderate to vigorous exercise per day will keep Goldendoodle puppies at their best. Unlike puppy mills, all good puppy and dog breeders provide a certificate that shows health clearances. At Pride and Prejudoodles, our tests cover common health conditions. As such, you have peace of mind when purchasing your new puppy from us. How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Goldendoodles live for between 10 and 15 years. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Goldendoodle puppies for adoption. Vocality level 2 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament As a crossbreed, it is hard to say for sure which behavioral and personality traits each Doodle will possess. Overall, pet parents report that Goldendoodles are friendly family dogs who do well with children and other pets. Good puppy socialization is key to their development as a well-rounded adult dog. They have an average to high energy level and require roughly minutes of exercise daily. Due to their loyal, people-pleasing nature, Goldendoodles can be easy to train, and if done properly with positive reinforcement, can be extremely obedient pets. They prefer room to run around, so would thrive with a fenced yard. They may not be the greatest choice for apartment dwellers, unless you are big on daily outdoor exercise. Upkeep With an average-to-high energy level, Goldendoodles do best with more active families who can dedicate time to playing games with them. They thrive on socialization and playtime with other dogs to help to burn their energy. Mental stimulation in the form of agility or ongoing training will help keep their adventurous spirit content. If not properly occupied, they can sometimes become destructive -- another reason why they might not be the best match for a small apartment. Goldendoodles have a double coated fur that can be quite dense. Some have fur that can be left in its natural state but you should still expect to brush it out roughly once per week. Others may have fur that will require more upkeep, including professional grooming every weeks the more dense the fur, the more it will trap dirt. Otherwise, bathe your Goldendoodle as needed, brush teeth regularly, and trim nails times per month. Be sure to check and clean their ears to remove any buildup and avoid infections! The mix of the two did not appear in America until the s, but has been gaining popularity as people value a type of dog that could possess the low dander levels of a Poodle and the intelligence and happy personality of a Golden Retriever. The Goldendoodle was originally offered as a larger alternative to the Cockapoo, one of the early intentional crossbreeds. Because Goldendoodles are so popular, they certainly can be found for adoption in animal shelters and Doodle-specific rescues. If sharing your home with a Doodle is your dream, be sure to consider adoption! Related Content.

She has a loose curly fleece coat and will be 50lbs full grown. Marion has a medium energy level. Marion is a sweet girl that loves people and toys. She has completed her Preschool Training and now knows how to sit, walk on a loose leash, and go to her bed on command. She has also been well socialized and is doing well on her house-training schedule. She has a wavy fleece coat and will be around 50lbs full grown. Jolie has a playful medium energy level. She loves to play, be with her people, and cuddle! She has completed her Preschool Training and now knows how to sit, walk on a loose leash and go in her bed on command. She has also been well socialized and is doing well on her house training schedule. She has a wavy fleece coat and will be around lbs full grown. Lily has a playful energy level. She absolutely loves toys and is very confident. She has completed her Preschool Training and now knows how to sit, walk on a loose leash, and go in her bed on command. He has a wavy fleece coat and will be around lbs full grown. He has completed his Preschool Training and now knows how to sit, walk on a loose leash, and go in his bed on command. He has also been well socialized and is doing well on his house-training schedule. Molly has a playful medium energy and loves to explore. She is fun, loves treats, and is a good worker. She has a curly fleece coat and will be around lbs full grown. Olive has a medium energy and is very confident. She is explorative, loves people, and sweet. He has a curly fleece coat and will be around lbs full grown. Dude has a medium-lower energy. He is a pleasing boy that loves toys, to cuddle, and is very sweet. Gus has a medium energy. He is very playful, loves treats and toys. Posie has a medium, playful energy. She is playful, fun, and a best friend type of puppy. Reese has a medium, playful energy. She is a sporty girl that absolutely loves toys. Pebbles has a medium energy. She is gentle, sweet, and loves people. Charm has a medium energy. She loves to cuddle and be in your lap. She would make an excellent emotional support puppy. Cheerio has a playful medium energy. She is sporty, outgoing, and playful. Raisin has a playful medium energy. She is a good worker, gentle, sweet, and loves to cuddle. Froot has a medium energy. She is a good worker, gentle, loving, and loves toys. Toast has a medium energy. He is a cuddly, loves people, and loves toys. Graham has a medium energy. He is very sweet, gentle, and would make a great emotional support puppy. Their adorable curly fur and expressive faces make you want to cuddle them — and these little guys love nothing more than a good squish. All this and more makes our labradoodle puppies for sale one the most in-demand in our center. Activity-loving families adore these dogs for their propensity towards sports, and anyone who prefers low-shedding pooch benefits from their wooly or fleecy fur. Labradoodle puppies for sale are so cute and come in such a wide range of colors that it makes choosing your new best friend super-hard! While spearheading the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia breeding program, he conducted the crossbreeding of a standard poodle and Labrador retriever in view of it being a hypoallergenic guide dog for blind people. The first example of this type of dog, called Sultan, went to live with a lady in Hawaii, where other breeders saw him as an inspiration and this is how Australian Labradoodle puppies started. Both the International Australian Labradoodles Association and the Australian Labradoodles Association of America are working hard to incorporate more intergenerational breeding so these dog breeders can register this type of dog as a purebred dog. Its gentle, obedient and intelligent personality combined with a hypoallergenic coat make it ideal for family members with allergies, but it also makes an excellent service or therapy dog. Labradoodle Puppies Lifespan When properly taken care of, healthy dogs tend to live anywhere from 10 to 13 years. The lifespan of our Labradoodle puppies for sale is slightly above average at 12 to 14 years. Here are the life stages of multigenerational Australian Labradoodles: Puppyhood: First five months Adolescence: Between five months and two years Adulthood: Between two and three years Middle age: Between seven years and 10 years Senior: Over 10 years Labradoodles need the most attention and care in the first and last stages of their life. During puppyhood, their minds are highly impressionable, which is ideal for training. During their senior years, Labradoodles are more susceptible to health problems, which means owners need to keep a watchful eye. Labradoodle Size The size of labradoodle puppies for sale directly relates to the size of their parents and which generation of breed Labradoodle breeders chose. The larger the puppies, the larger the adult dog will be, and the faster their growth will be coming out of the puppy stage. A standard labradoodle puppy will weigh from pounds by the time it reaches two months of age. By a year old, it will have grown dramatically to up to 80 pounds, depending on the size of its parents. Medium Labradoodles occupy a spectrum of sizes between standard and mini Labradoodles, with the specifics depending heavily on the details of the breeding pair that birthed them and the breeding program they come from. Labradoodle Puppies Temperament While Labradoodle breeders originally bred the Australian Labradoodles as therapy dogs, their fun, friendly personalities made them popular pets. Now you can find these sociable dogs in homes across the globe. Here are some of the top personality traits of our Labradoodle puppies for sale. They tend to do best in active households where they can work off all that pent-up energy. You can fulfill their needs through the following activities: Walks or jogs: Labradoodles make great walking companions and can even keep up with you during a jog. Playing in the yard: Enjoy a game of fetch with your furry friend in the yard or just let it loose on its own. Dog sports: If you stay active through sports, consider making your labradoodle a part of your routine. Bring it on bike rides, go for a run together or kick a ball around in the yard. Obstacle courses: Set up an obstacle course for your dog using household items. Scavenger hunt: Creating a scavenger hunt for your canine is a great way to exercise its body and brain. In general, Labradoodles need anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. You can also enroll them later at a Labradoodle puppy alumni school for proper training. Friendliness What makes Labradoodles the perfect puppy compare to other dog breeds is their ability to get along with just about anyone. They inherit this trait from their Labrador retriever parent, a breed also known for its outgoing nature. You can trust your labradoodle to form friendships with everyone, from children and older adults to strangers and other puppies. Thanks to their affectionate, sociable personalities, Labradoodles make great pets for first-time owners, families, or anyone looking for a companion. Intelligence Thanks to their poodle parent breeds, Labradoodles are incredibly intelligent dogs. Because Labradoodles are intelligent, they often crave mental stimulation. Labradoodle Puppies Grooming Our Labradoodle puppies for sale have a variety of coat textures that dog owners enjoy, but in general, their low shedding coat needs brushing at least twice a week. Not only does this keep them tangle-free but it also removes excess debris from their coat, keeping them fresh and hygienic. Regularly trim the hair around their eyes and in between their paws to prevent these problem areas from causing irritation. Pooches with fleece coats tend to have longer fur and benefit the most from going to a professional groomer — although every dog loves getting pampered once in a while. At Pride and Prejudoodles, we send a can and a bag of the foods we use for free with your hand-delivered bundle of joy. If you need to change it for any reason, it must be done gradually to avoid stomach upsets. Just bear in mind that a diet is such a crucial aspect of wellness that feeding them good quality food will add years to their lives compared to opting for low-quality feed. Pride and Prejudoodles is here to help. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Labradoodle puppies for adoption. Life Span Did You Know? A Labradoodle is a popular designer dog breed. It is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. This designer dog breed originated in Australia around .The main goal of the Labradoodle was to create a hypoallergenic guide dog for people living with disabilities who were also allergic to dog fur and dander. Now, they are still a popular choice for service, guide, and therapy dogs and are also a popular companion dog. Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are both friendly, gentle, intelligent, and affectionate dog breeds. The Labradoodle tends to be similar. They are open and friendly and crave human attention and affection. They are happiest when they are with people. Labradoodles also tend to have an energetic and playful personality. They get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and strangers. They are alert enough to bark or let you know when someone is at the door, but they are not generally good watchdogs or guard dogs as they are more interested in making friends. A Labradoodle is a highly adaptable dog breed. They do very well in homes with space to run and they can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They also do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold. Because they enjoy being around people, they do not generally like to be left alone for long periods of time. They can also become bored if not given enough attention, exercise, or mental stimulation, which can result in destructive behavior. This dog breed is generally healthy, but they do have the chance of inheriting common health conditions from both of the parent breeds. Some health conditions to be aware of include elbow and hip dysplasia, ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy. Good breeding practices can reduce the likelihood of passing on many of these health issues. Be sure to talk with the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and ask to see any health clearances; this can help allay potential health concerns. A Labradoodle tends to be eager to please and highly intelligent, which makes them highly trainable. They are a good fit for dog owners of any experience level. As with most dog breeds, Labradoodles respond best to training that is consistent and uses positive reinforcement. There are some grooming tasks that are common to every dog breed. When it comes to coat care, it can vary with a Labradoodle. Poodles have a low-shedding coat that is also high maintenance in terms of brushing, trimming, and professional grooming. Labs tend to have a higher shedding coat that needs minimal brushing and grooming. For the most part, a Labradoodle will have a low or non-shedding coat that will need to be brushed a few times a week. But, they can have a higher shedding coat should they take after their Labrador parent. You may also need a few professional grooming sessions throughout the year. Nail trimming once a month is usually enough to keep movement comfortable and prevent longer nails from snagging on things. Proper dental care for your dog will help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Drop-down ears are more prone to infection because floppy ears are more likely to trap moisture, dirt, and debris. This will make grooming throughout their life a much more enjoyable process for both you and your dog. It can even become a bonding time for you both as well. Labradoodles tend to be high-energy dogs. They require a few daily walks plus some time to run and play in order to stay happy and healthy. They certainly love to play and you may tire out before they do sometimes. They may calm down a little as they get to be a couple of years old, but they tend to be quite energetic as puppies. Going swimming with your dog , taking a hike with them, going on a trip to the dog park, playing a game of fetch, and more are all great supplemental activities to ensure your Labradoodle gets plenty of exercise. You can even train them to compete in dog sports like dock diving, flyball, agility, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Labradoodle will usually stand between 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Labradoodles generally live 12 — 14 years. However, it did not become popular until when the mix was specifically bred to create hypoallergenic guide dogs. Featured Labradoodle Article. Many times we have adults that we are thinking of retiring, to increase your chance of adopting one of our dogs please complete our adult application online FIRST and then send an e-mail. Please be specific about your interest in an adult. Provide as much information as possible about your lifestyle and family. Please specify why you feel an adult is best for your family vs a puppy. When these dogs retire from our programs they stay with these families. It is very rare for a dog to be returned to be re -homed, I have personally had only 2 in 17 years. When our dogs that live with us retire from our program they will be fully tested and in an age range of years old. They are priced based on age, training and health testing. We would almost never have any dogs available that would be 6 mo -3 years of age. Watch our website we will post adults in advance of being available so that we can make the best possible match. With a reservation we will keep a puppy for additional training, and taylor the training to your specific situation. Additional fees will apply. Typically Labradoodles are exceptional family pets as they are quick to love their people and are exciting playmates for older children. Be extra alert, however, when the Labradoodle is sharing space with a toddler. A simple swish of their tail could soon send a little person toppling. Labradoodle puppies love a good friend and enjoy time spent with family. As Labradoodles mature into adulthood, be sure to keep clear who the pack leader is. Begin training early and utilize frequent praise. Always be positive with your Labradoodle and keep training fun by tossing in delicious puppy treats and favorite doggy toys. Furthermore, be proactive in socializing your Labradoodle to new sounds, smells and sights. Visit dog parks and explore the outdoors together. Or invite guests into your home to further socialize your growing pet. In addition, Labradoodles require lots of exercise. So be sure to take your growing buddy on several walks throughout each day to keep your Labradoodle healthy and in shape. Intersperse exercise with games of Frisbee in the back yard, a hike in the woods, or a run through the park. Look for a Labradoodle with parents of good personality as well as one who has been well socialized from early days. Plus, they need lots of exercise and health problems are an issue. Why you should consider Labradoodle puppies for sale: They are apartment friendly and get along well with children and other dogs. Plus, they are smart and trainable. So go ahead, grab one of these Labradoodle puppies for sale and say hello to years of exciting doggy moments. Related searches:.

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Upright and relaxed This is a good sign and indicates a happy dog. Relaxed ears mean they are comfortable in their environment. However, ears back is a sign of a very uncomfortable dog. Submissive dogs will also flatten their ears a lot. Pricked or forward Ears forward means something is catching their attention. This is usually just curiosity. However, this ear position can also indicate unease and can escalate to aggression quickly. Use other body clues to help you, especially bared teeth. Flip-flopped Ears pointing in different directions floppy ears look adorable, but also tell you something about their mood. It usually means they have two focal points of interest, such as keeping an ear on you while tracking something moving behind them. Flicking It means that your dog is feeling unsettled. Rapid changes in ear position mean they might be feeling overwhelmed. A lot is going on in their head, and again, you need to pay attention and manage the situation as an owner. It could be that a lot of noise or stimulus is worrying them. They can also flick their ears if flies or bugs are bothering them or if there are other dogs nearby. This is a bit of an ambiguous description and can refer to two types of ear movement in German Shepherds. Your dog needs immediate reassurance or problems could follow. And if your dog is normally confident, or leans toward aggression, it needs immediate owner attention to reassure the dog, diffuse the situation, and take control. How to Calm an Anxious Dog? If your dog gives clear alarm signals, it may warn you of a danger ahead. You may need to break their intense focus. Distract them—turn and walk the other way a few paces—or start a new activity. Remember to teach your German Shepherd how to interact positively with other people and dogs. Start by soothing the dog with a calm, controlled voice. Reassure them. If your dog is naturally aggressive, you need to address this over time through positive reinforcement and dog training. Likewise, you may want to work with positive confidence-building techniques to give a naturally submissive dog more confidence in situations. Good socialization is always helpful for this. A confident and friendly dog feels secure. A submissive and fearful one is scared and can act unpredictably. However, pinned and flat ears are certainly a cause for concern. Should this happen, a responsive and responsible pet owner must immediately act. In the long-term, you should work on any fear or aggression in your dog and help them channel it in healthier ways. Well, there are a few different possible explanations. Causes can vary from age-related to genetic and medical issues. All puppies are born with soft, floppy ears. This is because the cartilage and muscles in their ears have not developed yet. Although some breeds, like Spaniels and Poodles, always have floppy ears, others, like most Shepherd breeds , almost always have pointy, pricked, upright ones. In such breeds, their ears should start to stand up between weeks of age as the bones and muscles in their bodies develop and strengthen. Are they both floppy — or is only one of them drooping whilst the other stands up normally? Teething Several young puppies experience floppy ears during teething. Teething is a period that all infant mammals go through, in which their baby or milk teeth fall out and their adult teeth grow in. It starts at around three weeks old and ends at months of age, although it can take longer. So, their bodies may draw calcium out of other areas, such as the ears, weakening their skeletal structure and making them flop. You may even notice that their ears look different every day during this period. They might be up-right one day, then floppy the next, or even change throughout the day depending on their mood. Their ears will return back to their original shape as soon as their hormones calm down. Although most German Shepherds have up-right ears, some can have floppy or semi-pricked ones. Judges of dog shows and competitions also often look for large ears in the breed. Poor nutrition during puppyhood As mentioned above, calcium is needed to develop and strengthen the cartilage in the ears in order for them to stand up. Vitamin D is also needed to keep bones healthy and strong. This is especially common in rescue dogs that come from puppy farms, homelessness, and neglectful backgrounds. Always buy from reputable breeders! Other symptoms of calcium and vitamin D deficiencies include muscle spasms and joint issues. If severe, nutrient deficiencies can be deadly. Both conditions require urgent veterinary attention, and treatments will likely include special diets and supplements. Similar to malnutrition, this is common in dogs that come from a background of neglect or homelessness. A build-up of wax, debris, or dirt can make the ears heavy and cause them to droop. Poor hygiene As we mentioned above, poor ear hygiene can lead to drooping of the ears. It can also lead to smelliness and infection. All dogs have self-cleaning mechanisms in their ears. However, allergies and hormone imbalances can cause disruptions to the mechanisms, meaning they require some extra care. Dogs can be allergic to environmental allergens like pollen, household cleaning products, and foods like wheat and dairy. Other symptoms of allergies can include skin irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny noses and eyes, and stomach upsets. Each has different symptoms, but they often include drastic changes in energy, coat, thirst, appetite, and weight. German Shepherds are also particularly prone to experiencing hormonal disorders. Ear mites Another cause of ear drooping in German Shepherds is ear mites. Ear mites can be picked up outdoors, or from coming into contact with another animal with the condition. The inflammation from the infestation can cause droopiness in the affected ear. Other symptoms include excessive itchiness, and redness, bleeding, and swelling from the constant scratching. If left untreated, the infestation can cause disease, which can lead to hearing loss and balance issues. Infection Ear infections can be bacterial or fungal, and they can affect both the inner or outer ear. They are most often picked up after exposure to water, and the inflammation can cause the affected ear to droop. Other symptoms can include redness, swelling, irritation, discharge, and excessive head shaking or scratching at the ear. Vets can treat ear infections with antibacterial or antifungal medications, but they need to be treated quickly before they spread or cause permanent damage. Trauma Physical trauma to the ears can also cause them to droop. The most common trauma that causes changes to the shape of the ears in German Shepherds are bites from fighting with other dogs. If your dog has a visible injury to their ear, you should take them to see their vet to check it over and dress any wounds to prevent infection. Make sure to brush your GSD regularly, also around the head and ears — these dogs shed heavily! You can get these over-the-counter at your vet, online, or in a pet store. You can also use a few drops of olive oil for wax build-up, but not too much. To administer, get a towel and ask your dog to lie down in a comfortable place in the home. Then, massage the mase of their ears for around 30 seconds to help it loosen any wax or dirt. Finally, allow your dog to shake their head and use the towel to catch what comes out. That said, if they have particularly problem ears, you should ask your vet and do it however often they suggest, which could be weekly or monthly. However, this is very controversial. It is not yet illegal in the USA, but it is also not something that we would recommend outside of medical necessity, as it can be unnecessarily stressful and painful for dogs. The method known as taping is done by placing something, usually tape, inside the ear to make it stand up straight and grow into that position permanently. It can be effective when done during puppyhood and usually takes weeks to work. As we mentioned above, nutritional deficiencies can cause the ears to flop. Puppies should eat nutritionally complete and balanced food that is enriched with calcium, vitamin D, and DHA for healthy bone and brain development, as well as high-quality protein sources like chicken and fish for strong muscles, and tasty, fiber-rich fruits and veggies. All puppies should have a handful of strong, hardy chew toys to avoid being destroyed during teething, but they can also help the ears to stand up. This is because the ears are connected to the jaw. So, strong jaw muscles means stronger ears, too! Finally, you should avoid playing too rough with your pup and interacting with boisterous dogs to prevent accidents and traumas, which, as we mentioned above, could damage or change the shape of their ears. Dogs communicate with us owners in many ways; they bark, they growl, and they use their bodies. Body language is a key part of understanding how your dog is feeling. Dogs use their entire bodies to communicate; including their tails, their eyes, and their ears! This often happens when a suspicious stranger or an unknown or unfriendly dog is approaching, or when there is a strange noise inside the home. When their ears go back or downwards, it could simply mean that they are listening, or it could indicate either excitement or anxiety. Excited dogs may whine, wag their tails very quickly, and run towards what they are excited about. This happens a lot when dogs are greeting a loved one. An anxious dog, on the other hand, may lower their head and cower their bodies away from what is causing their anxiety. If they are frightened, they may also tremble and whine, and if they are feeling angry or threatened, they may show their teeth and growl. This can happen when a dog is exposed to a phobia or an aggressive dog. It can be difficult to determine exactly how a mixed dog will look. Different pups from the same litter can also present with different traits from their siblings. That said, certain traits, like short hair, for example, are genetically dominant and therefore will be passed on over others, like long hair, which is genetically recessive. Dominant traits are those that require only one copy of a specific gene for the trait to be passed down to a pup. Recessive traits, on the other hand, need two copies; one from each parent. So, which is dominant; pricked or floppy ears? The answer is — floppy ears! Floppy ears are genetically dominant to pricked ears in dogs. That said, different ear shapes in dogs does tend to reflect their original working purpose. For example, the Spaniel, a gun dog, has floppy ears that gather and hold scent particles. This helped them track down what they were looking for much faster back in the day. German Shepherds, on the other hand, along with other wolf-like breeds, such as the Siberian Husky , have pricked, pointed ears. This is thought to aid their hearing during guard work, keep their body temperature under control during strenuous hunts, and give them an alert look to ward off predators. This may be why people are statistically more likely to perceive dogs with pricked ears as more threatening, according to research conducted by James Madison University, USA, in .This is not necessarily true, however, as any dog lover will know. It is likely down to something old and instinctual, as they also discovered that people perceived coat colors differently, too. The type of ears that a dog has can affect their hearing. Whether a dog has pricked ears or floppy ears, they have 18 different muscles that control them to funnel sounds from all different directions. A healthy-hearing dog of any kind can still hear from 40 to 60, hertz, which is more than double what human ears can hear! Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

Only interact with dogs that are safe and you know for sure will have positive reactions to your new German Shepherd. Forcing them will only make them develop stress and anxiety in new situations and with animals. Think quality, not quantity, when socializing your German Shepherd. There are tons of new things your dog needs to get comfortable with. Use treats and positive encouragement when they investigate a new situation with confidence. Train daily. Make it fun. Punishment will only cause your dog to fear you and increase anxiety. Crouch down to offer them a gentle scratch and pet. This connects their name to paying attention to you and marks you as a positive leader, which is important for obedience training and living with their new family. Always work on rewarding good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior. The goal is to build trust in the first few weeks and months that you have your new dog to create a bond. And dogs are actually happier when they are trained rspca. Keep the sessions short, but have multiple training sessions throughout the day. Never end training on a bad note. For example, give them a command they know for sure so they finish with success. Read this guide to learn all about the basics of proper German Shepherd obedience training , including a helpful training schedule and the foundation commands. Be prepared for chewing by offering the right options. Biting and chewing are natural instincts for dogs and puppies. These actions provide them with opportunities to investigate the different amounts of pressure to use in relation to the purpose of their biting. Your job as their new owner is to help your pup understand and educate them on what is appropriate to bite, nip, and chew. This teaches them your signal and cue. They should let go or look a bit startled. Follow their release with praise or a tasty treat when your dog stops the unwanted behavior. Do NOT physically punish your dog! Instead, redirect them to a proper chew toy. Sometimes puppies teethe and their gums are sore and need something to chew. Other times adult German Shepherds have a desire and natural urge to bite for relaxation and to reduce anxiety. Only use safe, non-toxic chew toys, which are found listed here, in the best strong chew toys for German Shepherds to avoid boredom. Avoid accidents by managing the home environment. Create a set routine and schedule and stick to it to avoid accidents and train your puppy faster. Say hello to your new sloppy family member… They not only shed everywhere but also dump water out when drinking, spill their food, and… Have total disrespect for your carpets! You must have them in a secure area or watch them all the time to avoid any accidents. No matter what you will clean up some kind of bodily function when owning a German Shepherd. So, do yourself a favor and stock up on pet stain and odor remover! Use food-dispensing toys and slow feeders to keep them at a healthy weight. This is a food toy called a Kong Wobbler. Keep to a schedule so that you can control their food intake and watch their weight. Instead, use rubber toys in which you place part of their food to help control their voracious eating. I like to use a Kong Wobbler for both puppies and adults. Even better? Puppies are more responsive to the Ignore method of training. As a new German Shepherd owner, you might think you need to appease your dog all the time or give in to their excessive attention-seeking. In my experience, this is one of the most effective training methods that you can use when owning a German Shepherd. Put simply, here are the basics to use the Ignore method of training: You ignore the behavior that you want to stop or reduce. On the flip side, you give attention to the behavior you want to encourage. The hard bit is ignoring a very intelligent German Shepherd who is persistent! Give your German Shepherd a job at home so they stay entertained. This represents big challenges as a German Shepherd owner. You must be smarter than your dog! But the jobs can be as easy or difficult as you have the time and energy to train. This is not a mentally lazy dog, but a breed with extremely high intelligence and a huge breadth of application for that intelligence. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. There is nothing cuter than a fluffy bundle of German Shepherd goodness. Quickly, however, reality sets in. German shepherd puppies are a lot of work! From housetraining, chewed up household items, and establishing a routine, the very first day your adorable puppy enters your home, there are sure to be challenges as well as heart melting rewards. To help you and your puppy start off on the right paw, you need to set your puppy up for success. To get started, there are numerous books on puppy training that you can buy, free training advice online, and many opinions on the best way to raise a German Shepherd dog. You can also learn a lot from the mistakes that other German Shepherd owners have made and most are more than happy to share their experiences. Some of the most common mistakes that people make when raising a German shepherd puppy are: Getting a puppy that is too young According to the American Kennel Club, the best time for a puppy to leave its mom and littermates is at eight to twelve weeks old. Puppies develop many life skills from their mom and littermates. When placed in their new home too soon, they can develop anxiety, lack confidence, suffer from health issues, and have many more behavior problems. If a confident, healthy, well socialized dog is your goal, the wait is worth it. Trying to channel the energy of a true working line dog into the average pet home is unfair to the dog and often results in destructive behavior by the dog. There have been many frustrated owners who have ended up trying to rehome a dog with behavior problems or worse, dump them at a shelter. Before you choose a puppy, talk to breeders, rescues, and other experts to find the perfect fit for your home. Not puppy proofing the home German shepherd puppies are smart, full of curiosity, and love to chew. Left to their own devices, they will inspect every inch of your home and chew anything that catches their eye. Not being prepared for the pupping biting Like all puppies, German Shepherds like to chew. But given that they are herding dogs, they are mouthier than most breeds. Many first-time German Shepherd owners have been caught off guard by just how much their adorable puppy likes to bite and how razor sharp their teeth are. Although a small puppy nipping fingers and ankles can be cute, German Shepherds quickly start teething and soon grow into rowdy adolescents who may learn that biting is a fun game. This behavior can easily escalate and hurt someone. Chew toys can be used to redirect biting onto something acceptable. They also need plenty of chew toys to offer to teething puppies. Allowing resource guarding behavior German Shepherds are naturally protective and easily given to resource guarding. Owners should never allow their puppy to guard anything including their food, space, or favorite toy. Some signs of resource guarding include protecting an item, hard stare, laying on an item, growling, lunging, air snapping, chasing, and biting. This behavior could be as simple as a look, head turn, or slight baring of the teeth. Some ideas on how to prevent resource guarding include hand feeding and treating your puppy from their food bowl while holding it in your lap, trading up their toys and treats for higher value items, teaching them to allow you to take it, drop it and leave it, teach them to place, and letting them enjoy high value chews in peace. Failing to socialize Young German Shepherds not only need to learn the house rules, but they also need to be exposed to people and places outside the home so they grow up to be a confident dog. This should be done in a safe way, so they have good experiences and are not forced into fearful situations or hurt by other animals and people. Before your dog has its shots, you can start socializing by having people come to your home, taking your pup on car rides, drive throughs, and vet visits. Once your puppy has its shots, you can expose your puppy to all sorts of people and situations, such as people of different genders, colors, races, ages, sizes, disabled wheelchairs, crutches, etc. Not keeping to a schedule Puppies do best when they are kept on a schedule. When a puppy has regular mealtimes, potty breaks, walks, play time, and bedtime, it makes all training much easier and sets the puppy up for success. Conversely, lack of a schedule or an unpredictable environment can cause your German Shepherd puppy to develop behavior problems, cause training setbacks, and potty-training accidents. By sticking to a realistic routine, your dog will be calmer, happier, and grow up to be a confident dog. From the day you bring your dog home, commit to schedule that includes predictable mealtimes, potty breaks, training time, naps, play time, and bedtime. Avoid unrealistic schedules, such as expecting a young puppy to not have frequent potty breaks or to skip meals and drinking water. Not starting training immediately German Shepherd puppies love to learn to please their owners. Puppy training should begin the day the move into your home. By starting training early, you will help your puppy develop and grow into the amazing dog they were born to be. Young puppies can easily learn basic commands such as sit, down, wait, come, and more. We hope you enjoy this article. As always, please feel free to share with your friends. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in. German Shepherds are powerful guard dogs that make great pets. However, raising a German shepherd puppy is not an easy task. Make sure you purchase more than enough food a few days before your puppy arrives and create a space for storing them in your home. Puppy-Proof Your Home German Shepherd puppies are curious creatures that love putting their nose in everything around the house. So, the first thing you should do to keep your pup safe is puppy-proof your home. Puppy proofing your home can help you keep your new pet out of certain rooms in the house. You can use baby gates to keep your dog confined in a particular part of the house. You can also cover or replace all the electrical cords in the home. Puppy proofing the house can make it easy for you to train your new pup. Build a Feeding Stand Dogs are possessive creatures; therefore, your new pup cannot feed or drink water using just any bowl in the house. So, make sure you get some high-quality bowls for the new addition to your family. The bowls should be big enough to feed your dog for several years. And instead of putting the bowls on the floor, you can even build a feeding stand for your new pup. A food stand can help you prevent food spillage and save you some cash in the end. It can even stress it out. Make sure you pick a place in the house with less traffic; after all, no pet loves eating in a high traffic place. Create More Space in Your Home for the Dog Adopting a pet means creating room for an extra member of your family in the house. Finding it when your pup is itching for its walk can be quite tedious. So, find out which house plants and flowers can affect your German Shepherd pup. And if the ones in your home are poisonous, you can replace them before your new pup arrives. One of the best ways to keep them from danger is by ensuring your backyard has a high fence. A high fence can help you keep your pet out of danger by keeping it from wandering out of your compound. If you plan on giving your pet free reign, then make sure your fence is high enough. Most pet parents already have other animals in their home. Therefore, you should prepare a safe space for introducing your current pets to the new addition to your home. After all, cats are territorial creatures that need their own space. Create a Dog Potty Area A dog potty area can come in handy, especially when potty training your new pup. Look for a nice place in your compound with less traffic and build a potty area for your new dog. It can be a particular corner in your backyard. A pet door can allow your dog to enter and leave the house at any time. Plus, if the potty region is in your backyard, a pet door can help you prevent your pup from soiling itself in the house. Conclusion Other than protecting us, a German Shepherd pup can bring joy into your life. Make sure you pet-proof your home and create space for your new pup in the house before it arrives. Preparing your home before the pup arrives can make it easy for it to adjust to its new home. Guest Post by:.