labrador puppy needs home

Your puppy will be born and raised in our busy household. Our passion is to produce wonderful family pets with gentle loving temperaments that will bring a lifetime of happiness. We are extremely proud that the foundation of our lines have been trained as canine partner dogs and many of our puppies are therapy dogs and visit schools regularly. We have been breeding for a number of years and over these years we have seen many clubs come and go and we have been a member of some of them. We breed authentic Australian Labradoodles with lines that have been verified. We are content to follow our own path with strong ethics. We have an excellent reputation and we adopt the highest standards so you can be assured your puppy is an authentic Australian Labradoodle with bloodlines and health testing that has been verified. We follow a socialisation programme and temperament test all of our puppies before puppy pick day so we can help you make your choice. Temperament and health is always our first priority. We purchased our first Australian Labradoodle in and have been hooked ever since. Our dogs are our much loved family pets or live with their guardian families. Please contact us via email for more information. Access to our private puppy family area. A WhatsApp group for your litter. Both parents have been fully health tested with certificates available to view. Been bred in our family home by a 5 star council licensed breeder. Temperament tested and advice provided at puppy viewing. Call us today on Health Guaranteed All our puppies leave us with a full vet health check and a 2 year genetic health guarantee. Health Tested All our breeding Australian Labradoodles are fully health tested. We give our puppies the best start by following a tried and tested programme. Ethical Breeding We have the highest welfare standards which is why we hold a 5 star council licence. We believe every dog deserves a good life and this starts with the breeder. What our customers say.We travelled far to find her, and her knowledge, expertise and love for all things ALD is exceptional. After only a few days, Willow is already a huge part of our lives and so we are very glad that we chose Judy and RIpley's. Our dogs are very much our family pets. We are not a kennel, all our Australian Labradoodles have wonderful fulfilling lives either with us or our guardian families. Our dogs are for life and not just for breeding. The health and temperament of Australian Labradoodles is our number one priority, of course we breed exceptionally lovely puppies but our puppies health and temperament will always be our first priority. The Australian Labradoodle breed originated in Australia in the 's. The focus has always been on temperament, coat and quality through good health testing and planned matings. Our Australian Labradoodles are multigenerational, meaning both parents are Australian Labradoodles. Australian Labradoodles are very people focussed, they have a strong desire to please. Australian Labradoodles come in 3 sizes, miniature, medium and standard. Within my breeding programme I concentrate on miniature and mediums. Our Australian Labradoodles are extremely clever, sociable , comical and joyful. They are energetic when free and quiet in the home. We test their hips, elbows, eyes and genetics. When you purchase a Ripley's Australian Labradoodle you can be assured we have tested everything possible. We provide a 2 year health guarantee but we ask that our puppy families not give ingestible flea and worming treatments. The Australian Labradoodle Association If the breeder that you are thinking of using is not on the list of one these associations, then ask yourself and the breeder — why not? The Labradoodle associations only list the breeders with sound credentials. Who carry out all the necessary health testings on all their breeding stock, care, and love their dogs. They breed these puppies with integrity and from Australian Labradoodles with wonderful character and temperament. How to Choose the Right Labradoodle Breeder? If you are not able to buy a puppy from one of these accredited breeders and you have never purchased a labradoodle puppy before, then how do you avoid buying one from a backstreet breeder or puppy mill? These people breed puppies for profit and sell them to the first person who turns up with the cash. These puppies can develop serious health problems due to poor breeding. Good labradoodle breeders will only breed from dogs that are carefully selected for size, temperament, health, lineage, and possibly their coat. There are some signs that can help you to identify a good Labradoodle breeder. Tips for Selecting a Good Labradoodle Breeder Good breeders keep the dogs in the home and as part of the family — not outside in kennel runs. You should also make sure that the area where they keep the puppies is clean. They have Labradoodles, which appear happy and healthy. They want your entire family to meet the puppy and are happy for you to make more than one visit. Good breeders only breed one or a maximum of two types of dogs. Like purebreds, Labradoodles can have potential genetic weaknesses. A good breeder should explain these and should have documents to prove that both parents are free from any genetic defects such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy PRA and hereditary cataracts. Responsible breeders should provide you with a contract and health guarantee and allow you plenty of time to read them. They guide you on caring and training for your puppy and are available for your assistance after you take your puppy home. Good labradoodle breeders feed their dogs with high-quality dog food. Finally, a good Labradoodle breeder will provide references from other families who have bought their puppies. Make sure you call at least one. Questions to Ask a Labradoodle Breeder Have the parents been health screened? Ask for the original copies of the hip, elbow, and eye certificates. Can you put me in touch with someone who already has one of your puppies? Follow up recommendations. Are you a member of one of the Labradoodle associations or clubs, and are you listed as a recommended breeder? How long have you been breeding Labradoodles? You are looking for someone who has a proven track record. How many litters do your females produce a year? Do you breed any other type of dog? Dog breeders who breed various types of dogs may be more interested in the income than improving the crossbreed. What is so particular about this litter of puppies? You are looking for a breeder who uses good breeding to produce healthy dogs with excellent temperaments suited to family life. You may also be looking for one which is low-shedding and more allergy-friendly. Be patient and pick the right one. What do you feed your adults and puppies? They should be feeding their dogs quality dog food. How big will my puppy grow? The answer will depend on whether your puppy is an F1 or multi-generation Labradoodle. An experienced breeder with proven stock should be able to give you a good idea of how big the adult dog will be. If there is a health or temperament issue with the puppy, what guarantee do I have that I can return him or her? Check whether you will have a verbal agreement or a written contract. The latter is always better. Summary A good labradoodle breeder will also agree to take a puppy back within a specific time frame if it does not work out for you, or if there is a health problem. Happy, healthy puppies are what everybody wants. Taking the time now to find a responsible Labradoodle breeder is time well spent. It could save you a lot of time, money, and worry in the future and help to ensure that you and your chosen puppy are happy together for many years. Related posts:. Can they be Kennel Club registered and do they have a pedigree? Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misunderstanding around what a crossbred dog is, never mind how pedigrees and Kennel Club registration work. A lot of people believe or hear that buying a puppy that is Kennel Club registered offers some form of protection or guarantee when this really is not the case. This article aims to bust some common myths and provide the facts! A few definitions to begin with… A pure breed or breed generally refers to a group of dogs from a known and registered set of ancestors within a closed stud book. A purebred dog is registered with the Kennel Club and has a pedigree proving that the dam and sire are of the same Kennel Club recognised pure breed. Crossbred dogs are intentionally bred from two or more recognised purebred dogs or different breeds. Crossbred dogs can only be registered with the Kennel Club as Companion Dogs or on the Activity Register; they cannot be Kennel Club registered in the traditional sense. A pedigree dog is any dog with recorded ancestry. This can be a purebred dog with a Kennel Club pedigree, a crossbred dog with a handwritten pedigree or anything in-between. Pedigree is often confused with purebred and this is the root cause of much misunderstanding. A mongrel is a dog which does not have known or recorded ancestry. So where does the Australian Labradoodle fall into the equation? The Australian Labradoodle is a crossbred. Australian Labradoodles can and should have a pedigree because they are from known lines and therefore should have recorded ancestry — they are not mongrels. Australian Labradoodles cannot be Kennel Club registered in the traditional sense because they are not members of a pure Kennel Club recognised breed. Concerned that your Australian Labradoodle puppy cannot be Kennel Club registered? The Kennel Club is a widely misunderstood organisation and its role is much more limited than people believe. The puppies could have been raised in poor conditions, the parents could be malnourished, and there might not even be any record keeping. We are licensed by the environment health department of our local authority — they inspect our premises, dogs, puppies and record keeping along with an independent veterinary surgeon every year. It is down to individual buyers to do their own research and select a breeder with good breeding practices. Since they do not derive from a closed stud book, the inbreeding coefficient COI is likely to be considerably lower which reduces the likelihood of recessive defects. Within some breeds, the gene pool is so small that it is virtually impossible to find an individual with a low COI. It is also worth noting here that it is possible for crossbred puppies to have a high COI if two closely-related individuals are bred together. Of course, this is a good thing, but it is not that simple. Inbreeding co-efficiencies are cumulative and should reflect as many generations as there is data available for. You can learn more about inbreeding co-efficiencies in the Institute of Canine Biology website. This is a document which details the physical traits that the breed should display — breeders who are interested in showing their dogs use it as a target or a set of goal posts and they aim to breed dogs as close to that standard as possible. The Kennel Club has been heavily criticised recently for producing breed standards which have compromised the health of many dog breeds. These health defects are all a result of breeders exaggerating the traits which the Kennel Club has deemed to be desirable within their breed standard. Breeders of crossbred puppies are not focused on winning conformation classes in the show ring. This means that they are more likely to be concentrating on producing puppies of sound health and temperament and not being distracted by physical traits which are most likely unimportant to you as a pet puppy buyer. Of course it is also entirely possible that they are focusing on nothing at all, so select your breeder carefully. Share this article:.

Prevalence: Common Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful. Males grow to about 25 inches and weigh from about 65 to 80 pounds 30 to 36 kilograms ; females grow from about 21 to 25 inches and weigh from about 50 to 65 pounds 22 to 30 kilograms. Boxers have regal, distinctly shaped square heads. Their jaw is undershot and the muzzle blunt. They have a broad, deep chest and a relatively short, strong back. Boxer's ears fold over naturally, but traditionally, their ears have been cropped to stand erect. Their tails generally are docked and carried high. Their feet are compact and the toes are arched. The boxer's coat is short and sheds moderately. Some boxers are a rich, fawn color and others are brindle. Their face or mask is usually black, but many have white face markings and white on the chest and paws. Personality: Boxers are intelligent, high-energy, playful dogs that like to stay busy. Their temperament reflects their breeding. They prefer to be in the company of their owners and are loyal pets that will fiercely guard their family and home against strangers. Few boxers bark excessively. If a boxer barks, chances are there is a good reason. Many boxers are vocal, however, and make a growling noise that's really just the dog's way of talking. Living With: The boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. If these needs are not met, boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house. Boxers are ideal for people who want a canine companion with them most of the time or for larger busy families with homes that are often occupied by someone. They can do well on a country estate or in a city apartment as long as they have the opportunity to romp and expel energy. If you live in an urban area, regular walks are necessary. Boxers are intolerant of hot weather, and care must be taken to prevent them from getting overheated. They also need protection from the cold since they are short-coated. Their coats, however, are very easy to care for and will be shiny and bright as long as they have a good diet, are bathed occasionally, and are given regular rub-downs with a grooming mitt or brushings with a rubber curry. Some boxers drool excessively, and some snort and snore. Like other larger dogs, boxers are not particularly long-lived. Their life expectancy ranges from about seven to 10 years. History: Boxers are descendants of extinct bullenbaiser breeds crossed with mastiff, bulldog and possibly Great Dane and even a terrier. They were developed in Germany in the 19th century, initially as bull baiting dogs and later as butcher's helpers, controlling cattle in slaughterhouses. Some breed historians say boxers are named from the German word boxl, their slaughterhouse designation. Other fanciers contend the name boxer comes from the characteristic way that they use their forepaws to play, sparring much like a human boxer. After the breed rose to become among the most popular in America. Boxers are considered working dogs. They were one of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs. But they are also bred to be companion and guard dogs, perhaps best known for being loyal family pets that are especially fond of children. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Boxer Overview Boxers, large, muscular, square-headed dogs, appear imposing until their mischievous and joyful eyes reveal their true nature. Boxers reach full maturity at three years, boasting intelligence, alertness, and fearlessness, while remaining friendly. Their loyalty to the family is remarkable, though they can be headstrong when faced with harsh training. With minimal grooming needs, Boxers make excellent family companions, as long as they receive ample physical exercise and mental stimulation. Their origin traces back to Germany, and their short, shiny coats are usually fawn or brindle with white markings. Docked tails and cropped ears are common, but many owners now prefer leaving them natural. Boxers are renowned for their love and loyalty, often trying to be lapdogs. Their strength and courage make them suitable for military, police, and search-and-rescue work. Proper care includes indoor living due to their sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Boxer Highlights Here are some of the highlights of the Boxer breed: Affectionate: Boxers are very affectionate dogs and love to be around their people. They are known for their wagging tails and slobbery kisses. Playful: Boxers are also very playful dogs and love to have fun. They are always up for a game of fetch or a good belly rub. Intelligent: Boxers are very intelligent dogs and can be easily trained. They are often used as working dogs, such as therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs. Trainable: Boxers are also very trainable dogs and can be taught a variety of tricks. They are eager to please their owners and love to learn new things. Loyal: Boxers are very loyal dogs and will always protect their family. They are known for their bravery and willingness to stand up to danger. The Bullenbeisser was used as a hunting dog for centuries to hunt bear, wild boar, and deer, tasked with catching and holding the prey until hunters arrived. Over time, Bullenbeissers lost their jobs on estates and began to be used by farmers and butchers to guard and drive cattle. The Boxer we know today was developed in the late 19th century when a Munich man named Georg Alt bred a brindle-colored female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown origin. Schecken was then bred to an English Bulldog named Tom to produce a dog named Flocki, who became the first Boxer to be entered in the German Stud Book after winning at a Munich show that had a special event for Boxers. One of her pups was a white female named Meta von der Passage, considered to be the mother of the Boxer breed, even though photographs of her show that she bore little resemblance to the modern Boxer. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white parti-color, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing bitch few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day. The breed became known in other parts of Europe in the late s. Around , the first Boxers were imported into the U. Lehman of New York. When Word War I broke out, Boxers were enlisted into the military, serving as messenger dogs, carrying packs and acting as attack and guard dogs. Boxers started becoming popular in the U. Through them, the breed was introduced to more people and soon became a favorite companion animal, show dog, and guard dog. In the early days, there was a lot of controversy within the club about the Boxer standard. In , the club finally approved a new standard. The latest revisions of the standard were in .Today, the Boxer ranks 7th among the breeds and varieties registered by the AKC. Boxer Size The height at the shoulder for males usually ranges from .Females typically stand 21 to .Strangers are met with wariness, but they respond politely to friendly people. They display aggression only in defense of their family and home. Temperament is influenced by factors like heredity, training , and socialization. Boxer puppies with good temperaments are curious, playful, and open to approaching and being held by people. Socialization, early exposure to diverse experiences, people, and places, is crucial to ensure they grow up as well-rounded, friendly dogs. Enrolling them in puppy kindergarten classes and regular interactions with visitors, neighbors, and various environments help develop their social skills. Boxer Health Boxers are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they have certain health conditions to be aware of. Here are some conditions to watch out for, along with precautions: Cancer : Boxers are prone to mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and brain tumors. White Boxers with excessive white markings can get sunburned and may develop skin cancer. Apply sunscreen to their ears, nose, and coat when they go outdoors. This condition can lead to fainting and sudden death. A veterinary cardiologist can diagnose it after detecting a heart murmur. Affected dogs should not be bred. Boxer cardiomyopathy BCM : An inherited condition causing an irregular heartbeat due to an electrical conduction disorder. It can result in weakness, collapse, or sudden death. Detection is challenging, leading to unexpected fatalities. Dogs showing signs of this condition should not be bred. While some dogs show signs of pain and lameness, others may not exhibit discomfort. X-ray screening helps detect hip dysplasia, and affected dogs should not be bred. Hypothyroidism : Caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone, leading to infertility, obesity, mental dullness, and lack of energy. It can be managed with daily thyroid replacement pills. Corneal Dystrophy : Non-inflammatory eye diseases inherited in Boxers, affecting one or more corneal layers, causing opaque areas in the eyes. A weakened immune system can lead to demodectic mange, resulting in localized or generalized skin issues. Gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV , also called Bloat or Torsion : A life-threatening condition more common in deep-chested dogs like Boxers. Feeding habits and exercise patterns can contribute to GDV. Immediate medical attention is crucial. Allergies : Boxers are prone to both environmental and food-related allergies. Itchy, scaly skin should be examined by a vet. Responsible breeding is essential to reduce the risk of deafness. Boxer Care Boxers are indoor dogs due to their short noses and coats, making them unsuitable for outdoor living. However, they enjoy playing in a fenced yard. Engage them in play or walk them twice daily for at least half an hour to keep their muscles toned and their energy satisfied. Activities like fetch, long walks, or dog sports like agility and flyball are great options. Adequate exercise ensures good behavior—a tired Boxer is a well-behaved Boxer. Training is crucial for Boxers, as their size and strength can inadvertently harm people. Their temperament, being happy and excitable, requires early and consistent training using firm, fair methods with positive reinforcement through praise, play, and food rewards. Be consistent to avoid pushing boundaries. Settle them down before training class with a walk or play session for better focus. Housetraining requires patience; some Boxers are trained by four months, while others take longer. Regular potty breaks and praising them outdoors are essential. Crate training is recommended for their successful training. Boxer Feeding For an ideal Boxer diet , choose high-quality food suited for medium-sized breeds with high energy. Optimize their chances for a long, healthy life by providing proper nutrition. To prevent weight gain, adhere to a regular feeding schedule with two meals per day. Limit treats and avoid leaving food out all day. Consult your vet for personalized recommendations based on factors like weight, energy levels, and overall health. Boxer Coat Color And Grooming Boxers boast a sleek, short coat with tight skin, accentuating their athletic bodies. They come in fawn or brindle colors, occasionally with white markings. Fawn ranges from light tan to mahogany, while brindle displays striking black stripes on a fawn background. White markings should not cover more than one-third of the coat, and excessive white is discouraged due to potential health issues like skin cancer and deafness. They lack the gene for a solid black coat, so black Boxers are not seen. Bathing should be done as needed. Maintaining dental hygiene and nail care are essential. Regularly brushing their teeth prevents periodontal disease, and trimming nails every few weeks keeps their feet in good condition. Starting grooming routines early in puppyhood helps them become accustomed to the process, ensuring positive veterinary exams and handling as adults. Regular grooming also provides an opportunity to check for any potential health issues, such as sores, rashes, or signs of infection, promoting early detection and care. Boxer Children And Other Pets Boxers are fond of kids and make excellent playmates for active older children. However, their rambunctious nature may be too much for toddlers, possibly causing accidental knocks during play. Never leave a dog unsupervised with a child. With proper socialization, Boxers can also get along well with other dogs and cats, particularly if raised together. Boxer Rescue Groups Boxers are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Boxers in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. Many can be found with a quick internet search. They have a great sense of humor and are quite cuddly, considering their stocky selves to be right at home on your lap—even when they reach up to 80 pounds! They love their people, they love to please, and are extremely intelligent and loyal," says breeder Marc Hatten, owner of Mountain Crest Boxers in Huson, Mont. Boxers have a short, glossy coat —usually a fawn, brindle, or white color —that's soft to the touch, often with flecks of white across the chest, face, and paws. His square head is a unique feature, lifted high above a strong back and tapered hindquarters. Most boxers have broad, black faces, also known as masks. Their ears create a floppy frame around their masks, although some dog owners have traditionally cropped the ears so they stand up. Though this is controversial; according to the American Veterinary Medical Association , cropping is almost always done for cosmetic reasons and has no proven health benefits. Don't let the downward frown of the jowls fool you—they're happy dogs! Because boxers weigh between 50—80 pounds and top off at nearly 2 feet high at the shoulder, they're considered medium- to large-sized dogs. Temperament While your boxer is a puppy, introduce him to as many adults, children, and other pets as you can so he develops strong connections and learns good manners. Boxers can be suspicious around new people and animals, so the earlier they interact with other pets and families at a dog park or in the neighborhood, the better. A boxer dog's temperament is naturally friendly and fun without being overly jumpy, barky, or excitable—once they graduate from their awkward puppy phase, that is! They reach full maturity in about three years, which is longer than other dog breeds. So positive reinforcement training is a must to help properly channel a young boxer's abundant energy. Fortunately, they're easy to train and eager to please, so they respond well to cues and leash training. Boxers dislike routine, so teaching them new tricks from time to time keeps their curious minds engaged. Hatten recommends two essential reasons for crate training boxer puppies : to curb undesirable habits caused by boredom and to provide a sense of security. This provides a safe retreat as he adjusts to new people and surroundings, also referred to as a "decompression period. Some experts recommend that the crate—with door open—be placed in an area where your new companion can easily see you and approach for reassurance whenever he needs to, reinforcing the new bond. Ask your veterinarian or a certified trainer for more tips to ease your boxer into the family. Living Needs Owning a boxer means you want a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle and be a true canine friend. They wouldn't be well-suited to an individual or family that couldn't provide these basic activities and socialization aspects. It's not unusual for boxers to need at least 30 minutes—or more—of exercise and dedicated play each day. Because of their dutiful personalities and intelligence, they've been trained to work in K9 units with police, as messengers during WWII, cattle wranglers, and guides for people with visual impairments. So with this type of energy and attention to detail, it's no wonder they thrive with people who are active in the great outdoors and enjoy running , hiking , camping , enjoying family outings in the park, working on farms, and exploring other environments that provide healthy engagement. American boxer dogs have lean, muscular bodies designed for movement and short, easy-care coats, so they're ready to go when you are. A mature boxer can also be a trusty and loyal companion for an apartment dweller or senior citizen who enjoys daily walks and has a fenced-in yard or accessible park area that allows for plenty of fetch time. Care Clean your boxer's teeth every day if possible to prevent tartar buildup. Fortunately, a specific doggie toothbrush and toothpaste makes this an easy task. Ask your veterinarian for tips. Sparkling teeth and healthy gums also help reduce drooling. Boxers don't drool as much as other breeds, but slobber can happen regularly depending on the size and shape of your dog's nose and jaw. Keep his coat sleek and shiny by brushing him a couple of times a week with a hound glove or rubber curry-brush. They don't shed a lot , but regular brushing helps control any fur that does fly. Because boxers are generally clean, they only need a bath about once a month, and that's a good time to trim their nails and clean their ears , too. Some boxer dogs have deeper facial folds than others, so you might need to wipe these clean with a damp washcloth, especially after a vigorous romp outside nosing through dirt. Health Because boxers have short coats, they often need sweaters or jackets to protect them in cold weather. They're also more sensitive to hot temperatures. They don't sweat , and their snub noses and fleshy mouths can't provide adequate cooling from panting like other dogs. So if it's warm out, time walks in the early morning or late evening when the sun isn't at its hottest. If you notice your boxer is a bit overheated , apply chilled water to his ears, belly, and genitals, where blood vessels are closer to the skin. Because they're so playful, they might also enjoy a quick cool down by frolicking in a small wading pool placed in a shady backyard spot. According to Upstate Veterinary Specialities , particular boxer health problems include cardiomyopathy—specifically, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy ARVC , which appears in some dogs 5—7 years old. This is a genetic disease that occurs in nearly 40 percent of boxers. The heart muscle is gradually replaced by fibrous, fatty tissue, and causes an irregular heartbeat. Symptoms of ARVC include fainting, shortness of breath, and difficulty exercising. Unfortunately, some dogs don't present any symptoms of ARVC at all, and may die suddenly because of it. According to the American Boxer Club ABC , other potential medical conditions include hip dysplasia , degenerative myelopathy—a progressive disease that affects the hindquarters and spinal cord— thyroid issues , and tumors. When you're looking for a boxer puppy, ask specific testing questions of your breeder. In the 19th century, German and Belgian breeders created bullenbeissers from other dogs of that line, including the mastiff and English bulldog , and used them as large game hunters and for cattle control. Further refinement of that breed revealed a sleeker type of dog—the boxer. Some canine historians believe the name boxer comes from a German reference for the bullenbeisser's role in slaughterhouses—boxl—while others say it describes how the dogs use their front paws in play. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the boxer breed in .A boxer named Sigurd was born in and sold to a California kennel when he was 5 years old, according to the ABC. He and his offspring were the first boxers in the U. Fun Facts American boxer dogs are known for their goofy personalities. They also have a special wiggle frequently referred to as a "kidney bean"—they curve into a semi-circle shape and spin around when really excited! Boxers are favorite companions of many famous folks. Actress Jennifer Aniston, who usually has at least two or three pooch pals, adopted a pit bull-boxer mix in named Sophie. Actress Jessica Biel, along with pop music sensation husband Justin Timberlake, have frequently been snapped by paparazzi while on walks with their boxers, Buckley and Brennan. Was this page helpful? Further information: Bullenbeisser Friedrich Robert and his boxer, The Boxer is a hunting mastiff developed in Germany in the late 19th century from the now extinct Bullenbeisser , a dog of English Mastiff descent, and Bulldogs brought in from Great Britain. Its task was to seize the prey and hold it until the hunters arrived. In later years, faster dogs were favored and a smaller Bullenbeisser was bred in Brabant , in northern Belgium. The Brabanter Bullenbeisser is generally accepted as being a direct ancestor of today's Boxer. The club went on to publish the first Boxer breed standard in , a detailed document that has not been changed much since. During World War I , the Boxer was co-opted for military work, acting as a valuable messenger dog, pack carrier, attack dog , and guard dog. Taken home by returning soldiers, the dog was introduced to a wider audience and soon became a favorite as a companion, a show dog, and a guard dog. Boxer early genealogy chart Flocki, the first Boxer German citizen George Alt, a Munich resident, mated a brindle-colored female dog imported from France named Flora with a local dog of unknown ancestry, known simply as "Boxer", resulting in a fawn-and-white male, named Lechner's Box after its owner. This dog was mated with his own dam, Flora, and one of his offspring was a female called Alt's Schecken. George Alt mated Schecken with a Bulldog named Dr. Flocki was the first Boxer to enter the German Stud Book after winning the aforementioned show for St. Bernards in Munich , which was the first event to have a class specific for Boxers. Blanka von Angertor, Flocki's sister, was even more influential when mated with Piccolo von Angertor Lechner's Box grandson to produce the predominantly white particolored female dog Meta von der Passage, which, even bearing little resemblance with the modern Boxer standard early photographs depict her as too long, weak-backed, and down-faced , is considered the mother of the breed. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white particolor, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing female, few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day pedigrees. Combined with Wotan and Mirzl children, they made the Boxer. Breed name[ edit ] The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from the breed's tendency to play by standing on its hind legs and " boxing " with its front paws. Brace's Pet Owner's Guide to the Boxer, this theory is the least plausible explanation. At that time, the spelling "baxer" equalled "boxer". Both the verb boxen [English "to box, to punch, to jab"] and the noun Boxer were common German words as early as the late 18th century. The term Boxl, also written Buxn or Buchsen in the Bavarian dialect, means "short leather trousers" or "underwear". The very similar-sounding term Boxerl, also from the Bavarian dialect, is an endearing term for Boxer. These dogs were the result from mixes of Bullenbeisser and other similar breeds. Bier beer probably refers to the Biergarten, the typical Munich beer garden, an open-air restaurant where people used to take their dogs along. The nickname "Deutscher Boxer" was derived from Bierboxer and Boxer could also be a corruption of the former or a contraction of the latter. This seems improbable. Any such action would likely result in a badly bitten if not broken leg. On the other hand, a German breeder of 40 years' experience states positively that the Boxer does not use his feet, except to try to extinguish a small flame such as a burning match. But a Boxer does box with his head. He will hit not bite a cat with his muzzle hard enough to knock it out and he will box a ball with his nose. Or perhaps, since the German dictionary translates Boxer as "prize-fighter", the name was bestowed in appreciation of the fighting qualities of the breed rather than its technique. Boxer is also the name of a dog owned by John Peerybingle, the main character in the best-selling book The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens , which is evidence that "Boxer" was commonly used as a dog name by the early 19th century, before the establishment of the breed by the end of that same century. A brindle Boxer with two white socks Brindle, fawn, and white Boxer puppies See also: Dog health A healthy Boxer puppy Leading health issues to which Boxers are prone include cancers , heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy the so-called " Boxer cardiomyopathy " , [35] hypothyroidism , hip dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy and epilepsy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation volvulus also known as bloat , intestinal problems, and allergies although these may be more related to diet than breed. An emerging health concern among boxers is Boxer Juvenile Kidney Disease JKD , where the kidneys do not develop normally during gestation and leads to chronic renal failure. There is strong evidence to suggest JKD is an inherited condition in boxers with research being undertaken by the University of Ohio to determine the gene mutation, as well as other work separately by the UK Boxer Breeder Council. Mortality due to infection increases significantly with increases in inbreeding. The breed is particularly predisposed to mast cell tumours, a cancer of the immune system. Because of their brachycephalic heads, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions. See also: Dog food Boxers need plenty of exercise, which means their diet should be high in quality calories. The main source of these calories should be lean animal protein, which include lean chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. They sometimes appear at dog agility or dog obedience trials and flyball events. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war. Notable Boxers[ edit ] Punch and Judy were awarded the Dickin Medal for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in a military conflict. Your browser does not support the audio tag. Description The Boxer's body is compact and powerful. The head is in proportion with the body. The muzzle is short and blunt with a distinct stop. The nose is large and black with very open nostrils. The jaw has an under bite. The eyes are dark brown. The ears are set high, either cropped or kept natural. When cropped they are trained to stand up on the head, tapering to a point. When left natural the ears are thin, falling forward, lying close to the head. The neck should be round, strong and muscular, without a dewlap. The muscular front legs are straight and parallel when viewed from the front. The back legs are well muscled. The tail is set high and usually docked. The AKC severely penalizes a natural tail, while most of Europe has outlawed this practice. Dewclaws are usually removed. The short, smooth, close-fitting coat comes in fawn, brindle, tan, mahogany and black often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat that cannot be registered with some clubs. Temperament The Boxer is happy, high-spirited, playful, curious and energetic. Highly intelligent, eager and quick to learn, the Boxer is a good dog for competitive obedience. It is constantly on the move and bonds very closely with the family. Loyal and affectionate, Boxers are known for the way they get along so well with children. A well brought-up and properly socialized Boxer will also get along with his own kind and other household pets such as cats. Animals such as rodents , ducks , chickens and other farm birds may be too tempting, however, they can be taught to "leave it" but it is still not recommended they be left alone with them. It has been said that the name Boxer came from the way the Boxer likes to use his front paws for just about everything. If you have ever watched a Boxer go about his business you may have noticed the way he paws at his toys, food bowl and you for that matter, in a very playful cat-like way. While participating the sport of Schutzhund, Boxers are known to jump up and use their front paws as if they are boxing. They are very clownish and playful. The Boxer's nature is to protect you, your family, and your home. Known visitors will be welcomed. They are always keen to work and play. Boxers need lots of human leadership. Teach the Boxer not to be boisterous and especially not to jump up at people. This breed is noted for courage and makes a great guard dogs. Boxers have a wide use in military and police work. An excellent watchdog, the Boxer will restrain an intruder in the same way a Bulldog does. They are extremely athletic, sometimes even in their old age. This dog needs to go on a daily pack walk. Daily mental and physical exercise is paramount. Without it, the Boxer will become high strung. This breed requires a dominant owner. Training should start young and be firm and consistent. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs , we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader; lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. Meek Boxer owners will find their dogs to become stubborn. If they do not take you seriously they will be sneaky, demanding, boisterous and hard to control. Teach the Boxer dominating another dog is not acceptable. Any signs of dominance need to be immediately corrected by the owners in a calm, but firm, confident way. Height, Weight Height: Males 22 - 25 inches 56 - 63 cm Females 21 - 24 inches 53 - 61 cm Weight: Males 60 - 70 pounds 27 - 32 kg Females 53 - 65 pounds 24 - 29 kg Health Problems Some major concerns are cardiomyopathy and other heart problems, sub-aortic stenosis and thyroid. Can be prone to skin and other allergies. Sometimes prone to epilepsy. From age eight on they are more likely to get tumors than other breeds. Prone to cancer. Boxers are highly prone to mast cell tumors. Prone to arthritis , hip dysplasia, back and knee issues. These dogs may drool and snore. May have excessive flatulence, especially when fed something other than their own dog food. Some white Boxers are prone to deafness. Living Conditions Boxers will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and do best with at least an average-sized yard. Boxers are temperature sensitive, getting easily overheated and chilling very quickly. Exercise An active, athletic breed, Boxers need daily work or exercise, as well as a long brisk, daily walk. They also enjoy fetching a ball or other sessions of play. Life Expectancy.

You can find your new best friend at our shelter, N. Are you looking for a winter getaway in sunny Arizona? Green Valley is the perfect destination for snowbirds looking to escape the cold and enjoy the warm desert climate. Rehoming my 2 male dogs. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. All puppies found here are from AKC-Registered parents. Silverbell Rd, Tucson, AZ .Here are some tips on how to c. One year old German Shepherd male house. Please dog owners never came. For starters, they are typically mu. Tucson, Arizona is a great place to visit for a weekend getaway or an extended stay. Renting a casita provides many advantages over staying at a traditional hotel or resort. Pets near Casa Grande, AZ .Pets near Bullhead City, AZ. Adopt Po a Black American Staffordshire. This beautiful desert oasis offers a variety of activities and attractions for snowbirds to enjoy. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 12pm-7pm. Pets near Cottonwood, AZ .FREE Beautiful male half lab half husky puppy. Yuma is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor scenery in A. When you choose to adopt from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, you get much more than just a pet. Minimum of 4 dogs earning titles Breeders of Merit are denoted by level in ascending order of: Standard, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. You get a new best friend, unconditional love, and peace of mind knowing you saved a life. Our friendly and knowledgeable adoption counselors are here to help you find the perfect pet for your home. Are you looking for a winter escape from the cold? A snowbird rental in Green Valley AZ could be the perfect solution. Are you looking for a winter getaway that will provide you with the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure? If so, a snowbird rental in Yuma, AZ is just what you need. With its close proximity to Tucson, Green Valley offers plenty of act. Arizona Republic Classifieds. Are you looking for the perfect winter getaway? This small town in Arizona offers a variety of activities and attractions that make it an ideal destination for snowbirds. Tucson, Arizona is a great place to get away and explore the beauty of the desert. The small town of Green Valley, Arizona is a popular destination for snowbirds from across the country. Tucson, Arizona is a beautiful and vibrant city with plenty of exciting attractions to explore. Are you looking for a winter getaway in Green Valley, Arizona? Are you looking for a unique and exciting vacation rental in Tucson, Arizona? Look no further than a casita rental. As our community's only open-admission shelter, we have the largest selection of adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens waiting to meet you. Also, remember that you will have to meet with some and check out the dog before you buy it. This is to ensure that you are going to be getting a good purebred dog and one that is free from disease. You need to know about the free or cheap German Shepherd puppies on craigslist. First off, you should know that if you are in the market for a new dog it is important that you do your research. Find a puppy that you like and one that fits your lifestyle. You should be able to keep the dog with you for a long time because it will cost you money in some form. Also, if you have the right environment, your dog will get a lot of attention from you, other family members, and friends. I would say that the best thing to do when looking for a puppy is to do your research before you go looking. Find a place that will accept your dog if you have one and see what they are offering. If you are willing to do some serious work. You will probably be able to find something at a price that is within your budget. Now, I am not saying that you have to buy the puppy, but you want to get it at a low price. Also, you should do your research about the free German Shepherd puppies Craigslist breeders. The breeders usually put the prices of their puppies higher than what they want you to know. So if you know anything about puppies and German Shepherd, this is something you need to be aware of. The internet makes this easier because you can do research and make comparisons between different puppies. This will help you choose the right dog for you. Most are very legitimate and they do not ask you to pay upfront fees. Or a deposit before they give you your puppies. But there are still sites that allow you to post ads and find free German Shepherd puppies on Craigslist. It is a good idea to use several websites to find puppies that fit your needs. The first site you should consider using when looking for free German Shepherd puppies on Craigslist is Petfinder. This website offers dog listings by breed, age, sex, and location. Using this website, you can find puppies from as far away as Texas and Missouri. The next site free German Shepherd puppies Craigslist that you may want to consider using is Pert Animals. This website is similar to Petfinder, except you can also search for dogs by location. This site has more extensive listings of dogs available in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Dogs of all breeds and ages are listed at Pert Animals. They also have an important difference between the two websites. While both are free to use, Pert Animals only gives you a list of registered dogs. While Petfinder gives you a list of available dogs in your area. Both websites offer free information about both dogs and their owners. You may want to use both sites to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information on a particular dog. When searching on Craigslist, it is important to read the posting carefully. And to be sure that you are posting an ad by breed and sex. Someone may find a puppy for free or advertise a dog that they do not own. You do not want to waste your time or there when you do not have the right information. Besides, you should always use the same name and email address when you post on both sites. You will not have to worry about duplicated information showing up on your posts and in your inbox. It is important to use a reputable online classified ad site when you are looking for free German Shepherd puppies Craigslist. You want to make sure that the site is well known and established. If you are not comfortable with the site, you should not be using it. Most websites are free to use, but if you decide to post free puppy ads on Craigslist. You should use caution and avoid sites that offer free items or pets. Craigslist is a free classified ad site , but you do not want to waste your time or money. When you are not sure that what you are seeing is what you are signing up for. One thing that you will need to keep in mind when you are looking for free German Shepherd puppies on Craigslist. Is that you need to carefully read the entire posting. Be sure that you are entering a free ad and that you are posting by breed and sex. You should also make sure that the person signing the ad is also legally allowed to post on Craigslist. Before you submit a posting, you should make sure that you have done all of the research necessary. To ensure that the free puppy that you are offering is a real dog and not a scam. If you take the time to read the entire posting, you will have a much better chance of being successful at finding a dog that is what you are looking for. A lot of times German Shepherd puppies can be found for free on the Internet. This is usually because the pet store where you got them from or the breeder has no need to get rid of them. As they have no use for them and will not sell them to a pet store. On the other hand, there are German Shepherd rescues who run ads offering free German Shepherd puppies for adoption. The cost of adopting a German Shepherd is generally quite low and the rescue gets some money back from advertising the dog. Now you are probably wondering what the catch is. You need to realize that you will need to have the puppy vaccinated and tested for diseases before you adopt it. You also need to supply it with all of the necessities including food and a bed. If you are not able to provide these for the dog. Then you might want to think about how you are going to pay for the dog when you adopt it through a pet store. If you do decide to adopt a German Shepherd from a pet store and pay the cost. Then you should also have the pet examined by a vet. Just to make sure that it is healthy and does not have any genetic defects. If you do not do this then you are going to end up paying the vet for the service and that is not something that most people like to do. If you are going to adopt a German Shepherd from the Internet then you are also going to have to pay the cost of adoption fees. You will find that the cost of adoption fees can range anywhere. From two to four hundred dollars depending on the particular shelter or rescue that you are using. Again, you will need to provide the dog with food and a bed. So how can you get around the cost of adoption? The first thing that you can do is look for free German Shepherd puppies for sale. When you use the Internet you are going to find that many free websites are dedicated to letting people advertise their dogs for free. You can also check out your local pet store and ask them if they are aware of any German Shepherd for sale. You may be surprised to learn that they are not in the position to offer you a dog. You are going to have to put in a lot of work to find a dog though and that is something that is not going to happen overnight. So you may be asking yourself, how are you supposed to know if it is a real dog or a toy? Well, if you know how to spot a toy then you should know that they are not free to give away. German Shepherds are very active. And if you adopt a puppy from a pet store you will never know what kind of quality that you are getting. Because that is not the way that they advertise their puppies. What you are going to have to do is make sure that you spend a considerable amount of time looking at all of the free German Shepherd for sale sites on the Internet. This is not only going to save you money but you are also going to get an opportunity to see all of the different colors and the different patterns that the German Shepherd for sale has. When you start looking at these free sites you are going to be amazed at all of the different things that you can do with these dogs. Some Breeders are willing to list their puppies for free because they know that the more dogs that are for sale the more money that they are going to make. You can check out these sites and look to see if the breeder is offering anything for free. If so, you can contact the pet store and ask them if they are interested in getting the puppies from the Adoption. You may find that this is something that they want to do just to stay in business. Remember that when you are looking to get a German Shepherd puppy for free you will have to do a little bit of research. You will have to make sure that you look at all of the German Shepherd Breeder that is free. You may think that free, German Shepherd puppies are something that you cannot qualify for. However, you will find that there are many restrictions that you must meet. Before you can take advantage of getting a puppy for free. Breeders are also well aware of the requirements and will try to make it so that you will fall into the category of people that they can breed their dogs for profit. Therefore, you will have to be very careful about looking at these free dog breeders. You may have to meet with the breeder and go through the process of signing the proper papers so that you will become the legal owner of the dog. Once this is done, the breeder will be willing to give you the puppies for free. Share this:. East texas craigslist pets. Weatherford 2 cats. Red nose brindle East texas craigslist pets. Red nose brindle pitbull. Texas Heeler puppies. Mount Pleasant. Macungie Standard poodle puppies. Click here to submit your FREE ad. Kunekune Pigs. Rehoming springer spaniel. Huntington Nigerian Goats. Saving Lives and Promoting Animal Welfare. Female Boston terrier. Jacksonville Graystone 4 slides. Female rats with … 1 - 8 of 8. Male Akita puppy. Make brindle pitbull. Two Week Old Pug Puppies. Justin,TX large dog cage with floor pan. Grapeland Free Red Heeler male. If you're looking for a free pet, or one at low cost, check out the 10 cutest dogs and cats I found on the deep east Texas Craigslist page. Delran Laying Hens, Roosters. Kittens ready for re homing! Free adoption. Free kittens. Akc lab. Tyler 1 bedroom apt. Free Female Tabby Kitten. Longview Shih Tzu. Lilac Boston terrier pups el paso pets - craigslist. Longview Akita female long coat. View pictures. Azle cane corsos. AKC American Akita. Purebred registered female MANX cat. Tyler pug puppy. Bay st louis Efficiency apt. Gilmer A Corgi Puppies. Terrell Small Black Poodle. Macungie Fancy guppies. All posts should include the location the city as a minimum last seen to east TX pets "poodle" - craigslist. Rehoming Mini - Goldendoodle!! Looking for a ball python. Foristell Rehoming. Macungie Rehoming Corn Snake. 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Meet Luna, the epic pug with a fiery spirit and a heart full of love! Lune, a pint-sized dynamo, is the embodiment of personality and charm. This little pug packs a punch and is ready to find her forever home, where she can unleash her infectious energy and fill your life with joy. No obstacle is too big for Luna - she fearlessly tackles then head-on with a wagging tail and a wagging tongue. Get ready for some serious laughter as Luna showcases her hilarious antics and leaves you in stitches. Beneath that mischievous glimmer in her eyes lies a heart of pure gold. Luna is a loyal companion who craves human affection and will shower her lucky adopters with endless love and cuddles. She adores the company of humans of all ages and gets along very well with other furry friends. A home that appreciates her spirited nature and is willing to provide consistent training and mental stimulation will be the perfect fit for this pugtastic dynamo. So, are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey with Luna? Fill out our application here. Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet. September 5, , am. Website: snugglepugs. They make sure that when they post about pug puppies in Michigan, the perfect puppy is ready to be released to their new owners. This means that they make sure the puppies are in good health, had their first shots, and are vet checked. They cater and serve to all locations in the vicinity of Michigan, Check them out for pug puppies for sale. Here is their contact information: Marshall, MI Email: sfjmercado yahoo. Breeders have a major responsibility to build from the healthiest dogs on their family pedigree. They should focus on the breeding quality not on quantity if they wish to be in business for a long time. They have to take into account the various health problems and genetic medical condition traits to ensure that the puppy lives a long life. Always do your diligent research on breeders and find those who value pet parents and dog owners who are responsible. Filter your leads to those who are more likely certified pugs for sale Michigan listers. Pug Puppies for Sale: How much does a baby pug cost in Michigan? High prices will come from popular breeders or other reputed breeders. This is the reason why one needs to check if the current finances are able to support another pet family member. Tell me the average price of Pug Puppies in Michigan? Conclusion Pug puppies are among the most adorable pups out there. They are energetic in their early years and they love to play. However, as they grow older, they tend to spend most of their sleeping in comfy spots at home. It is always the best choice to purchase pug puppies from breeders, adoption houses, rescue organizations, and other pet shops that have earned a good, solid reputation in the local community and would provide a health guarantee. You also need to consider the needs of the pugs before actually bringing them to your home. Aside from making your home puppy proof, make sure that you have the time to provide the attention they need. They also need to be constantly groomed. Keep an eye on the areas between the folds on their faces and always check its unique pug tail. Brush their coat at least once a week to control their shedding. You should try which shampoo helps with the shedding as well. Take light walks outside on the cooler parts of the day. This will help them cool down easier. Responsible Dog breeders are a gem. Here are some of the other topics we have created to help you search pugs for sale by location. Our staff are avid fans and dedicated owners of Pugs. We hope to answer all the questions you have about Pugs. Just read and enjoy. Feel free to share if you find it valuable to others! Best regards, Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. They are bouncy, tail wagging, cuddle bugs, the cutest things ever! Uncle Al lives in our "apartment", the walkout basement downstairs. We help Uncle Al with his Pugs. They are wonderful caring moms! When our moms retire we have them spayed and offer them to pet only homes for about half the cost of a puppy. They will be on the retired parent page at that time. Diva will be available this late winter or spring .See the other pages: "About our puppies," "what comes with your puppy", and " is a puppy really right for you. Or maybe adopt a rescued adult Pug. Rescue is always the best! Do your homework, since a rescued dog needs a home appropriate for their needs as much as a puppy! A puppy is a very serious decision. Please do not get a puppy or a dog if you have any hesitation about long term responsibility of a furry best friend. We love our puppies and dogs and only want them in a home where they will be a part of the family! If interested in a puppy please email or call. Remainder due on pick up. Pugs are heat and cold sensitive. Not at all a 'hiking in all weather' type of dog. Some are amazingly agile, fast, and athletic and do tolerate a wider range of temperature. Others are at risk of collapsing if overheated when simply out on a warm day and playing. Many make terrific therapy dogs. They are very tolerant of children. Puppies available now! All puppies are kept current on vaccinations, dewormed several times, microchipped, and well socialized. Puppies are microchipped and current on vaccinations. Nikki black and Boris fawn had puppies 1 white female available, updated .Photos taken , at 4. They have grown so much but look the same, update, they are 14 week old. Im around 12 years old. I'm a tiny, fat girl. I'm very petite, as they call me. I weigh about 10 pounds, but I am a little over weight for my size. I came to PugHearts after being left at a shelter with injuries to both my eyes. I had to have 1 eye removed and the other I don't see much out of. I also had to have emergency surgery because I had a prolapsed vagina. I'm feeling much better now. We are still trying to get somethings taken care of, but FoMo and FoPa both say I'm showing my sweet little demanding personality just because I really love to be held and sit with people. I don't think that it demanding. I'm currently on medical hold, while we get some other medical issues worked out, so it will be a while before I'm ready for adoption. Adopt Testimonials We had an amazing experience with Pughearts! The process was thorough which I appreciated. The volunteers and organization are extremely passionate about their rescue dogs and their well being. We are so grateful for our fur babies and for Pughearts! We live out of state and Pug Hearts went above and beyond to come and inspect our home. Every step of the way all the volunteers I worked with were kind and quick to answer all my many questions through the adoption process. When I flew to Houston to meet the pug we were hoping to adopt, my flight was significantly delayed and our pug's foster mom took the next day off just so I could come meet with her! Our pug came to us in great health, fully checked by the Pug Hearts vet team, with detailed vet records for her continued care. We continue to stay in touch with the volunteers and our Pug's foster mom sending updates and sharing stories, Not only did we add the sweetest pug girl to our family, we feel like we came away with new friends! We will always adopt from Pug Hearts from now on and highly recommend them for your family too! Everyone we spoke with and worked with was very nice and answered all of our questions quickly. Ann was awesome about coming to do the home visit for us since we live in a remote location in Colorado. Karen was awesome about giving us all the information we needed and making sure our pup was all set to travel back from Houston. We would recommend Pug Hearts for anyone looking to help find a pug a forever home! I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this rescue! Our pug had been found wandering the streets , was underweight and had severe behavioral issues. His foster mother worked with him for 4 months to get him ready to come home with us. Not only did we get a new family member but I made a great friend as well. They take in pugs of any age with any medical problem and provide them with not only the medical care they need but the love they deserve. No pug is left behind. They are extremely thorough in the application process and truly care about the well-being of every single animal that they help. The organization has a wonderful group of volunteers, donors, and Fosters. The intake coordinator and the Director are absolutely wonderful to communicate with. They are very knowledgeable and caring. I have adopted three pugs from them and anytime I have questions or concerns they are quick to reply with a solution. Hands-down the best rescue in the entire world!!

First and foremost, you want to give your dog or puppy something safe. Otherwise, it can be unhealthy for them or even worse, dangerous. If you follow the tips listed below, it should help you find something perfect for them in the end. As tempting as it may be, never give your dog bones that are cooked. When considering store-bought bones for your dog, you should check with your vet first to make sure they are the right ones after all. If you choose rawhide bones, make sure there are no additives, preservatives, gelatin, or artificial sweeteners. Make sure the bones are all-natural. Feel free to give your dogs raw bones made of chicken, lamb, turkey, or beef. You should always give your dog a bone only after a meal, and your dog should never be given pork or rib bones. Finally, always give your dog a bone that is longer than its muzzle to make extra-sure your dog is safe. These bones are perfect for German shepherds because they are durable, safe, and last a long time. They also come in a variety of flavors that will keep your dog coming back for more. Related Questions 1. Can German Shepherds Chew on Bones? Yes, and the best bones for German shepherd dogs and puppies are either natural or synthetic bone chews. Can Dogs Digest Cooked Bones? Not really. Only give dogs raw bones and not cooked because they are both easier to swallow and easier to digest. Ideally, dogs should not get more than one to two bones per week, and you should always allow a few days in between each feeding just to be extra-safe. If you have any questions or concerns, always feel free to consult with your vet before providing bones to your dog. Why Trust Us? At TrainYourGsd. Related posts:. German Shepherds love to chew on bones but there are some dangers associated with this popular canine pastime. Giving your dog the right bone will lead to many happy hours of chewing. Make sure you know the differences so you can avoid any possible mishaps. The Best Bones For German Shepherd are large uncooked beef or lamb shank bones that are bigger than their mouth so that they are unable to swallow it whole. Because of their softness, they have a tendency to splinter while your dog is chewing on them. This can cause serious injuries to the digestive tract, mouth and throat. This article will answer some common questions people have about bones, some misconceptions and of course a list of our favorite bones for your German Shepherd. We will also tell you what to do if the worst case scenario happens and your precious pup swallows a bone. Is it safe to give your German Shepherd bones? Giving your German Shepherd a bone can be safe if you take the proper precautions. However anytime you give a dog a bone there is a risk involved. Here are the risks of giving your German Shepherd a bone: Blockage Fragments of bone can become stuck in the small intestines resulting in a blockage. Surgery may be required to remove them. They can also pierce the wall of the intestine causing Peritonitis. Parts of the bone can also make there way all the way down the GI tract to the large colon. They can collect there, causing constipation and severe discomfort. The resulting trauma can cause bleeding in the rectal area. The vet may have to use an enema or manipulate the bowel to remove the fragments. Bone stuck in the stomach If a piece of bone is too large, it may be unable to make its way out of the stomach. This can result in abdominal surgery or an endoscopy to remove the bone fragment. This can cause an infection referred to as Peritonitis which can be fatal. Cracked Teeth Dogs can crack their teeth chewing on a hard bone such as a store bought cooked bone. This can lead to costly dental bills from the resulting extraction or even possible root canal needed to fix the tooth. Not to mention the pain it will cause your dog. Mouth and tongue injuries When a piece of the bone breaks off into the dogs mouth, it can be super sharp, cutting the roof of the mouth or piercing the tongue and cheek. Obstruction of the airway A bone that is too small can get lodged or stuck in the dogs esophagus causing them to choke. Pieces or shards of the bone can also get stuck in the trachea making it hard for your dog to breathe. Raw bones can be contaminated While raw bones are by far the safest choice, they can be contaminated with certain dangerous pathogens. When it gets stuck behind the lower canine teeth, it is very tough to get dislodged. Sometimes the only remedy is a trip to the Emergency Vet where your dog might need to be sedated or anesthetized to remove it. What are the benefits of giving my German Shepherd a raw bone? Although this topic is highly debated in the dog world, there are benefits to giving your dog a raw bone. You must decide for yourself if the benefits outweigh the risks. I personally think they do. Here are some of the benefits that your dog will get from a raw bone. Clean Teeth A raw bone is a great substitute for brushing your pooches toothy trains. Chewing on the bone helps stimulate the saliva enzymes and helps get rid of any food trapped in your dogs teeth. It also prevents the build up of tarter and keeps the teeth healthy and clean. This will help to avoid any trips to the vet for extractions or scaling of the teeth. Ten to twenty minutes of chewing after a meal should do the trick. Helps dog avoid bad chewing habits A nice raw bone can be a great way to distract your dog from any bad or unwanted chewing habits. Some dogs have a habit of chewing on clothing, furniture, socks. A bone will keep there attention and hopefully prevent them from any negative chewing habits. They contain calcium phosphate which can be up to four times easier for your dog to digest verses other common calcium supplements. Raw bones are excellent for larger breed dogs such as the German Shepherd. Because of their quick growth, they need the extra calcium for their large skeletal system. The best types of raw bones to give your dog: Frozen raw bones Freezing bones before giving them to your dog is a great way to slow down their chewing and digestion. Large raw bones The size of the bone will depend on the size of the dog but in general you want to give your dog large raw bones that are bigger than their head and a greater length than their muzzle. A German Shepherd for example, will require something large such as a lamb breast or a turkey neck. Meaty raw bones Raw bones with plenty of meat on them are the best for your dog. You want to have a good balance of meat to bone. Excess bone without the meat can cause constipation. If the bone is a little bare, some additional meat on the side will help even things out. Bones to avoid giving your dog: Antlers Avoid any types of antlers. They are too hard for your dog and can wreak havoc on their teeth causing injuries. Bones that are cut up into small pieces This would include knuckle bones and ox-tail bones that have been cut. Cooked bones Cooked bones that you buy from the store are the worst choice. The softness of these bones can lead to splintering which can cause injuries. Rawhide Bones Stay away from these bones as they are a choking risk. The rawhide can get soft after your dog chews on it for awhile. Because of this, your dog can easily tear off big chunks which can be swallowed if unsupervised. Small bones Smaller bones are a choking hazard. Stay away from chicken, pork or rib bones which are common but unfortunately dangerous. They are more prone to splinter causing damage to your dogs mouth. Tips for giving your dog a bone: Avoid bones that have been cut the length of the bone. Bones that have been cute the entire length of the bone are more likely to splinter and have sharp edges. Avoid giving bones with marrow to dogs with Pancreatitis. Instead try giving them an alternative. Avoid giving bones to dogs with previous dental work. Dogs that have had any teeth restored are in danger of braking those teeth. You are better off not giving them a bone. Instead give them a safe alternative. Freeze bones when they are not being used. Keep the bones in the freezer when they are not being used. It will help avoid contamination and help slow down the time it takes for your dog to chew a bone. Give your dog a bone following a meal. Let your dog finish their dinner. Then throw them their favorite bone. It should slow down the aggressiveness of their chewing lessening the chance of them swallowing part of the bone. Never leave your dog unsupervised with any bone. They can chew for too long and the bone can become small enough for your dog to swallow. They can also bite off pieces that can become stuck in their throat or pierce the inside of their mouth. Ten to twenty minutes is a sufficient amount of time for your dog to chew its bone. Throw away bones when they get old or worn down. Once a dog chews on a bone for a long period, it becomes more brittle with more chance of splintering. Throw it out and get a new bone. Bone powder as an alternative: If you are concerned about the repercussions of giving your dog a raw bone, you can grind them down into a powder and sprinkle it on their food. They will get the benefits of the minerals and nutrients without the risks we discussed earlier in the article. The calcium phosphate alone is enough to make the whole process worth it. Keep in mind, your dog will miss the benefits of chewing which can include healthier teeth and less anxiety and stress. Best coarse of action if your German Shepherd swallows a bone: Dogs love to chew and they love to eat. This can often times lead to your dog swallowing part of a bone and sometimes even the whole bone if is too small. You will definitely want to keep a close eye on your pooch when they are chewing on their favorite bone. According to Dr. Most of the time, the bone simply dissolves. He recommends staying away from large beef vertebrae especially from the butcher. Dogs have a tendency to want to swallow it since it is hard to break into smaller bits. It then can become stuck in the lower esophagus in the chest resulting in possible surgery to remove the bone. If he is and you can locate the bone in his mouth, try to safely remove the bone and clear the airway. If you cannot do this safely, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. The second step to take, if your dog swallows a bone and seems fine, is to contact your veterinarian and ask them what to do. The size of the bone swallowed will determine the best course of action. On rare occasions your vet may decide that surgery is necessary to remove the bone. Step three is to wait and monitor your dog. If your dog becomes sick after swallowing the bone and starts to vomit, call the veterinarian immediately and try to take them in as soon as possible to get checked. Symptoms to look out for: Abnormal movements Blood in their stool or diarrhea Constipation. After all, bones provide numerous benefits including providing calcium and phosphorus, help to keep teeth and jaws healthy, and are good to relieve boredom, stress, and anxiety. Check out the list below to see the common misconceptions that people have about dogs eating bones. Never feed your dog sharp, small, cooked, pork, or rib bones. Only bones from home are safe, in most cases. In any case, bones should be disposed of after a couple of days as bacteria will form. Not all dogs can chew on bones. Many German Shepherds have poor or weakened teeth. Whether they have tooth decay, exposed enamel, or gum disease, chewing on a bone can cause instant sharp pain for your dog. Rubber or plastic bones are a safe alternative for dogs to chew on. They can be equally as dangerous as splintered bones, so choose wisely. You can see below my recommendations. Now that you know what to avoid, you can find good bones that fit within the healthy parameters from the previous section. Here are the five risks of feeding cooked bones to your German Shepherd: When bones splinter, it acts like glass. Choking is another common risk of eating cooked bones. If your German Shepherd is chewing on a bone, a piece can easily break off and go down his throat. Bones are incredibly dense, which is why they can lead to blockages when consumed. If your German Shepherd manages to swallow a piece of a cooked bone, it can get lodged in their digestive tract and cause a blockage. Sometimes, the only way to remove it is to pay for surgery. Some German Shepherds are sensitive to bone marrow, which becomes easily exposed from chewing on cooked bones. If your GSD has a sensitive stomach , then ingesting too much bone marrow could cause sickness and diarrhea as it is too rich and high in fat. Loose teeth can become shattered or ripped from their roots. Raw Bones vs. Chew Toys for German Shepherds Large raw bones are typically a safe choice for your German Shepherd to chew on, as are most chew store-bought bones. If you pulled them from a large animal, most big bones are the perfect size for German Shepherds. Raw bones should be big enough to prevent your dog from swallowing them whole. On the contrary, your GSD will get a nutritional boost from the raw bone from the calcium and phosphorus. Cons of Raw Bones You have to be very precise when choosing a raw bone for your dog. Bone marrow can cause all sorts of stomach issues if your dog is prone to tummy upsets. Supervision is necessary. Pros of Chew Toys Bones Convenient and easy to find. They allow you to continue to provide bones for your dog without requiring you to buy raw meat. Plastic bones last much longer than raw bones. If you choose a heavy-duty plastic bone, such as the Nylabone mentioned above, then your German Shepherd will be able to enjoy it for quite some time, and they also come in a range of flavors. Your dog will have to enjoy the task of chewing without being able to gnaw away at delicious raw meaty bits. Choose a flavored chew bone for your dog. The Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone is a hot choice for thousands of pet owners. The wishbone shape is ideal for dogs to grip and hold. It lasts seemingly forever, and the flavor stays around, unlike some chew toys. You can choose from chicken, bacon, or peanut. They can cause cracked teeth and other dental injuries. When the rawhide becomes soft it becomes easy for your GSD to break chunks off and swallow them. Puppies have delicate teeth and jaws, so they need softer bones that are easier to chew and digest. Here are some good options for German Shepherd puppies: Raw chicken necks or wings: These bones are small, soft, and easy to chew. They also contain cartilage and connective tissue, which can be beneficial for joint health. Raw beef marrow bones: These bones are larger and harder than chicken necks or ribs, but they contain a lot of nutrients and can be a good option for teething puppies. Additionally, any bone should be given under supervision and taken away once it becomes small enough to swallow whole. In this case, you will need to monitor them and keep an eye on their stools. However, if your GSD has accidentally eaten a cooked bone such as a rib or small chicken bone and they swallow a splinter, then you should take your dog to the vet immediately. Signs of intestinal obstruction include vomiting, lethargy, a painful tummy, and having no desire to eat. The sooner you can have your vet take a look, the sooner your dog will be safe. Note: Always watch puppies when they chew bones. They might literally bite off more than they can chew, so you need to be there to remove anything sharp or too small for their mouth. Final Thoughts German Shepherds love meaty bones just as much as any dog. As long as you follow the safety suggestions found in this post you can safely let them enjoy a good chew. Choose large raw bones bigger than their muzzle. Raw beef or lamb shank bones are a good choice. Supervise your dog at all times. There are many good alternative chew bones. Related Posts You May Like:. Buy on Amazon Rawhide bones are another popular type of chew bone, and they offer several advantages over natural bone. First and foremost, rawhide is a lot cheaper. When we compare that to our winner a natural bone product , we see that it only offers 8 bones for about the same price. Thus, this product offers good value. Rawhide also tends to last a lot longer than natural bone, as it cannot be so easily crunched and swallowed. That makes it great for those times when you have to be gone for a while. These bones are not exactly edible, but they can be digested with little trouble. We like the fact that this product contains no additives or chemicals. If the advertising is to be believed, this is just pure rawhide and nothing else. Without any kind of binding agent, these rolls tend to come unrolled pretty easily. The dog can still chew them at that point, but there is a much bigger chance of choking when all those thin shreds come into the picture. Alternate Product 2: Devil Dog Antler Chew Pros Harder and stronger than ordinary bones No mess or odor Sourced from wild elk with no cruelty Perfect for aggressive chewers Rough texture helps to naturally clean teeth Cons Kind of expensive A lot of natural variation Buy on Amazon At this point, you might be wondering why we included an antler on our list. You may not know this, but antlers are made of bone. Antlers and other horns are a little different from structural bones, being harder and stronger than most. If you are dealing with a dedicated chewer who shreds normal toys in a matter of hours, this might be just the solution you need. FAQ Dog bones are not a particularly complex subject, so you should now have a good grasp of the things you need to know. Selecting the right bone is just a matter of balancing all the relevant factors and choosing the product that suits your needs. The answer to this question will depend on what you mean. If you mean a literal bone from an animal, then the answer is yes. In the wild, it is perfectly natural for canines to eat bones. It represents an important source of calcium, and the marrow provides all kinds of nourishment. None of that applies to bones made of synthetic materials like nylon or plastic. Treat bones, of course, are meant to be eaten. If you can afford to get your dog natural chew bones, that is probably the best option. While there is nothing wrong with the other choices on our list, natural bones are the safest bet. Dogs have been gnawing on these things since the dawn of time, so why try to change them now? At the same time, you should realize that natural chew bones are a lot more expensive. To be honest, all chew toys present at least some hazard of choking. If a dog swallows large pieces of rawhide, it can create an intestinal blockage that might require surgery to remove. We will discuss their pros and cons and give general recommendations about each type. Natural Bones This is the ideal choice, but a lot of people cannot afford them. On the upside, not all of them are so expensive. We might look at our best value product as an example of a low-cost natural bone. The main benefit of natural bones is the fact that they provide extra nutrition to your dog. Between the calcium in the bone itself and the nutrients in the marrow, this is almost as nourishing as a meal. Of course, there are some issues here. Natural bones are usually roasted before being put on sale, and this can make them very brittle. In some cases, this can lead to splintering as the dog chews, and that can be dangerous. Thus, we would recommend that you avoid natural bone products that seem excessively dry and brittle. Nylon Bones Nylon bones offer some definite advantages, but they do have one big problem: They are non-digestible. Because of that fact, nylon bones will always present the danger of intestinal blockage. These bones also tend to be harder than most, meaning that they are best suited for large dogs. On the upside, nylon bones will usually last a lot longer than most others. When they do break, they tend to break into large pieces. Still, we would recommend that you not allow your dog to use nylon bones unless you are there to supervise. These are generally molded from a mix of substances that dogs like. Meat by-products make up the majority of their bulk, but vegetable material is also usually present. Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not strict carnivores but are more like omnivores who prefer meat. Like all treats, these are not designed to serve as a primary food source. They are a lot richer in fat than most kibble, so they could cause your dog to gain weight after too many of them. Rawhide Bones These are probably the cheapest and most common chew bones, and there are reasons that many people prefer them. Rawhide is a relatively safe material, as dogs can eat a fairly large amount of it without issue. We have already talked about the dangers of this material, as it can cause various problems if your dog eats too big of a piece. Statistically, the chance of your dog being harmed by rawhide is pretty small. That being said, we would recommend that you stick with the small chews, just to stay on the safe side. Dog bones are generally not complicated, but we have tried our best to educate you as to the finer points of the subject. Even if you use natural bone, this risk is still present. If we have succeeded in that goal, we hope that you will leave a comment below. Recommended reading. They are filled with natural marrow with no added additives. The natural marrow bones are bacteria-free and safe to consume. The bones are handpicked and inspected, to enhance quality and consistency. They are odor-free, have a perfect texture and thickness. They keep the teeth clean and effectively remove tartar build-up and plaque. Pros They are sourced from grass-fed free-range cattle Made from one natural ingredient Effectively removes tartar build-up and plaque They have a perfect thickness Cons Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones If you are looking for grain-free bones for your German Shepherd, the Blue Buffalo wilderness wild bones are a great option. These bones are great for a German Shepherd with a sensitive stomach. They contain zero poultry by-products, and they are formulated to strengthen the canine. They are perfectly roasted for your German Shepherd to enjoy a rich meaty taste. They are natural and have no artificial ingredients or additives. The bones are gluten-free, soy-free, and wheat-free. For a large breed like a german shepherd, these bones last long and can withstand aggressive chewing. They are stuffed with beneficial ingredients to keep your dog healthy. The bones are formulated to give your dog a healthy jaw. The rich taste makes the dog want to chew throughout, therefore strengthening the jaw. Pros They have a rich beef taste They are slow-roasted to preserve the taste They are natural. Bonus points go to treats who also freshen puppy breath, have all natural ingredients, and are soft to chew. So with all of this information what are the best bones for German Shepherd puppies? These treats are all natural and contain no artificial colors or preservatives. The soft texture also ease these pains by massaging the areas when chewed on. Because of their affordability, natural ingredients, soft texture, and thin design N-Bone Puppy Teething Treats are one of the best bones for German Shepherd puppies. Like N-Bone, Nylabone also has no artificial preservatives, no artificial colors, and does not include added sugar or salt. Anything above that will be too big and increase their risk of choking, and anything to small will be eaten too quickly. Because of their affordability, long lasting formula, and the added benefits of the Omega-3 Nylabone is one of the best bones for German Shepherd puppies. These are less of a bone like treat and more of a bone shaped treat, but they contain some of the same benefits as the other bones listed on this list. This product gives your dogs the same gum and mental stimulation as a normal bone with its rubbery texture. Put treats in the middle of this bone to keep your puppy interested in the bone. If you really want to spoil your pup you can put peanut butter in the middle of the bone and stick it in the freezer until frozen. The harden texture will make chewing it more fun and satisfying for your dog and watching them lick all the peanut butter off is guaranteed to give you a good laugh and some priceless photos. Conclusion Feeding your puppy bones can be dangerous, but with proper supervision and if given the right size it can be fine. From being reusable, thin, natural, and having extra supplements like Omega-3, these products are sure to wow your German Shepherd while keeping them healthy and strong at the same time. If you decide to use some other bones for your puppy make sure you ask yourself the following questions: Can this break into sharp pieces that can cut my puppy? Is this too hard? Is this item too big? Can my puppy choke on it? With these 3 questions in mind you can rest assured that you now know how to pick the best bones for German Shepherd puppies.

However one of the kids was too small. Instead, we shopped for something nice to take home, and to have a fab meatball lunch. The older child chose Gosig, and he is just the right size for a 5 year old. Perfect travel buddy. Except Grandma wants one, too! So soft and cuddly. I really love this Dogs I bought the big one and the small one to give them to my daughter and she will always remember that I love her since the day she was born from my heart5 Cute dogDamaris A. I had one of these for our golden that passed away a couple years ago. I needed a new one for me to keep to remember all the good times she had with her baby golden plushy. I bought this puppy for my grandson. It is so cute and very soft. I'm sure he will love it when he comes to visit! Soft and good quality. Nieces love it!!! Lexi B. My daughter has had this thing forever, her big sister passed it on to her and it still holding up! But his name is chicito! She loves them both! This one is no exception. It is very soft and my son loves it. CathySo soft and very cuddly! The 5th we've purchased! ROBOh we have this toy for our dog and we've also given it to several friends for their dogs. Interestingly our dog never tears apart IKEA toys and they are very easy to machine wash. We luckily found it a few weeks later… but even a back up wont suffice at this point. This was a major setback for Children's IKEA, but it was a setback that would lead to important safety improvements. All soft toys were removed from the store as Carina tried to call her colleagues in Sweden. The fact that the eye came off despite all risk analyses and safety checks was very serious. Still, in hindsight, he still sees that it led to something really good. More personal expression The incident also led to the decision to not use plastic eyes at all. Embroidered eyes were not only safer, they also proved to give more character and personality to the toys. It's a loved friend to play with and find comfort with - and which parents can always feel secure about. We put our toys to the test — up against the toughest in the world much tougher than any two-year-old. All so you can worry less and they can play more. Function solution Soft toys to hug, again and again We know our soft toys should handle many years of love. Simple to keep clean and fresh since they can be machined washed. It's all free. Dimensions Overall : .Target does not represent or warrant that this information is accurate or complete. On occasion, manufacturers may modify their items and update their labels. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented. If you have a specific question about this item, you may consult the item's label, contact the manufacturer directly or call Target Guest Services at .Description This Golden Retriever Puppy is the best toy for your kids indoor play. High-quality plush materials, sparkling eyes, expressive face, and soft furry body are features certain to make our stuffed. Dog lovers of all ages will appreciate this luxuriously soft stuffed animal. The perfect way to show you care. Report incorrect product info. Estimated ship dimensions: 22 inches length x 21 inches width x 16 inches height Estimated ship weight: 0. This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup. See the return policy for complete information. Ask a question. My daughter bought me one for Christmas of my old dog which was on medication for his heart. His heart lasted until March 17th. Am .C Chris Had a remake done and they were very helpful and did great! I ordered a song bird replica so I am sure it's not the usual order. It first arrived with with a few missed details but I contacted customer service, talked with Marvin who was great and placed a reorder. It is much better and am very happy with the finished result. Still a little pricy but over all glad I have clone of one of my favorite birds! TBH I would have spent much more than this in bird seed over a year. Maybe next a chickadee : We are so happy to had such a great experience with our Customer Experience representative, Marvin! Thank you so much for your kind words and we are esctatic to hear that you love your plush clone! When she got it she cried because it looks exactly like her beloved baby and she loves it so much. Thank you! Hi Amber!! Thank you for your feedback, we hope the Plush Clone of Lola brings your sister so much comfort. You are an amazing sister and we appreciate your words. Cuddles clones did so well replicating it. Even my other cat was confused if it was real! Thank you cuddle clones for bringing my girl back. Hi Allie, I'm so sorry about the passing of Echo! We hope our clone can bring you some comfort and keep the sweet memories alive. We are here for you and we appreciate your wonderful feedback. Cuddle Clones Team!

Do Labradors Sleep Through the Night? There may be a lot of causes, though, if your dog sleeps more than 15 hours each day. Age, breed, amount of activity, and environmental circumstances are just a few of the multiple variables that affect how much sleep your dog needs. If your dog appears to be sleeping more than usual, analyze any environmental changes. Minor lifestyle adjustments for your dog might have a major impact on how they sleep. You might be curious as to why your Lab sleeps so much. If you have a smaller dog, it could seem like they are sleeping more or more than you are used to. The following are some reasons for changes in the sleeping pattern of your Labrador. Diet If your pooch has begun sleeping more since changing its food, nutritional variations could be the problem. Large dogs like Labradors typically sleep for 12 to 14 hours each day source. Your Labrador will probably sleep even longer if it is a puppy or an older dog. Weather It can be the case that the hot temperature has been making you feel exhausted if the weather has gotten hotter where you are. In this situation, providing it with access to shaded areas, water, and a cool room throughout the day would be beneficial. It would also be beneficial to walk it in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Aside from that, it would be beneficial to keep it out of the sun as much as possible to prevent heatstroke. Illness It may have been sleeping more recently due to a disease. That would be more likely if it had more recently started to sleep and had been displaying other symptoms of illness, such as weariness while up. It would be better to take it to the vet in this situation. Boredom Its tendency to sleep more might be because of boredom and lack of stimulation. A lot of daily activity is suggested for the breed of Labradors. It is often advised that they exercise for an hour each day. Click here to learn more. Activity Level Does your dog like frequent strolls across the park? Or does your dog prefer to sit on the couch? The American Kennel Club AKC estimates that a puppy that is highly active when awake may require up to 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day. Less active dogs, on the other hand, often sleep for just around 14 hours daily. No matter how active your dog is, the best strategy is to spread their exercise throughout the day. Dogs often want to snooze frequently to rejuvenate. Aging Puppies and senior dogs typically sleep even more. Puppies sleep more because they are quickly growing and because sleep is when their muscles are rebuilt. Older dogs sleep more because getting around takes more energy and they become weary more quickly. Click here to find out. Since they are young, being separated from their mother may make them feel lonely and afraid. Throughout the night, they could also need to feed or go outside a few times. Before assuming that the dog can sleep through the night, you will need to allow them some time to acclimate. They will eventually quit complaining and keeping you up at night so they can sleep through the night like everyone else. But you might be wondering when this is going to happen for those new pet owners who are sick of waking up in the middle of the night. When a Labrador Retriever reaches the age of around four months, pet owners may anticipate that they will begin to sleep through the night. They have reached an age where they can successfully sleep through the night and are less likely to need to get up in the middle of the night to obtain attention or for any other reason. The simpler it is to encourage the puppy to accomplish this milestone, the more of a foundation you provide for them early on. Each puppy may react differently to being in your house, and some may take a little longer to sleep through the night. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. Puppy Sleep Schedule by Age By Anastasia Efimenko on Feb 3, To keep your puppy healthy and obedient, you need to establish a daily routine, including feeding, walking, playing, and sleeping schedules. This article will discuss what a puppy sleep schedule should be and how much puppies sleep at different ages. Many people don't know how long puppies should sleep during the day. And lack of sleep negatively affects the nervous system, causing various behavioral problems. How long should puppies sleep? According to the AKC , puppies at weeks should get hours of sleep per night! Most puppies are weaned from their mother and brought to a new home at this age. This schedule persists until about 20 weeks of age. As the dogs get older, sleep time is reduced to hours. Thus, little puppies are awake for only hours. This time is divided into different short chunks of time during which the puppy has time to play, eat, and do other things. Why do puppies sleep so much? Some new dog owners mistakenly believe that their puppy sleeps too much. They purposely wake the pet during the day so that it "sleeps better at night. And I understand the desire to spend more time with your cute little puppy. But keep yourself in check. Puppies sleep so much for a reason. During puppyhood, their bodies develop at a breakneck pace. It takes a lot of energy for the bones, muscles, and brain and therefore the nervous system to develop properly. The consequences of sleep deprivation in dogs can be stress, anxiety, aggression, and other behavioral disorders. Just imagine, a dog develops in a year like a human develops in 18 years! How to set a sleep schedule for a puppy? First, we'll determine how much your puppy sleeps at night and then distribute the remaining sleep time throughout the day. Typically, dogs between weeks can sleep hours, but they still need to take a potty break at night. So if your dog wakes up at night, it means it needs to pee. Do not play or pay attention to it during this time. But there is one problem with sleeping at night. Puppies are often difficult to tuck, and they also don't want to sleep alone. So your job is to: learn to put your fluffy to bed at the same time; provide all the conditions for a peaceful sleep. To do this, you need to arrange a quiet place to sleep with a comfortable bed; we also recommend using a crate. In a crate, the puppy will be safe and also more peaceful. If you don't already know about crate training at night , then check out this helpful tool; make sure your pup uses up its energy during the day by exercising and playing. What time should the puppy go to bed? Going to bed one hour after meals and an evening potty walk is advisable. Specific times don't matter; you have to build a schedule to suit you. Although tiny puppies can't sleep as long as humans, after 16 weeks, you can train your puppy to go to bed and get up with you. Daytime sleep schedule Dogs wake up as the sun rises. So if you want to push back the wake-up time, then put the dog bed in a darker place. Usually, you don't need to take any action to get your puppy to sleep during the day. They will do it anyway. What your job is: don't disturb your pet, don't wake it up if there are kids in the house, they need to learn this too ; do not arrange training and active games before bedtime, as this makes puppies overexcited and unable to fall asleep. Although the daytime sleep schedule will be flexible, it's advisable to make sure that your puppy has several two-hour naps. Their number depends on age, as does the total amount of sleep in a hour period: puppies at 8 weeks need about 5 two-hour naps; after 12 weeks, there may be four; and after 16 weeks, three. According to all the advice in this article, let's make a rough daily schedule for a week old puppy: To summarize Puppies need hours of sleep a day for normal mental and physical development. Therefore, you should not interrupt their sleep. The second main point is to accustom the puppy to fall asleep at the same time. To do this, try crate training. Puppies up to 16 weeks can sleep hours a night, but with potty breaks. After 16 weeks, your pet probably won't bother you at night. Ensure your furbaby has a comfortable, quiet place to sleep and stick to its routine. Then everyone in the house will sleep peacefully! About the Author: Anastasia is the author of trainingyourpuppy. Anastasia has been writing useful articles for five years. She has experience in raising cats and dogs of different breeds. At the moment, Anastasia has a pug and 2 cats that she loves very much. Your Labrador puppy might be a dynamo when they are awake and then fall into a deep sleep in the middle of the action, like a magic trick. REM and Your Puppy Much like human babies, your Labrador puppy will spend between hours sleeping, and the rest causing mischief and delightful mayhem. Like people, your pup experiences REM or Rapid Eye Movement, which is essential for brain processes such as learning and processing daily experiences. Unlike humans, your labrador pup has a polyphasic sleep pattern meaning that they sleep multiple times in a 24hr cycle. Puppies that have more activity before their nighttime sleep tend to move from a drowsy state to REM quicker. Experts in this field believe that dogs use REM to consolidate their memories and need REM to retain their learned skills. This learning is also essential when teaching your labrador puppy routines such as sleeping through the night. How Long Do Labrador Puppies Sleep at Night Your Labrador puppy will initially only sleep a maximum of three hours, as their tiny bladders are not fully developed yet. Expect to be woken once or twice in the early hours for your puppy to use the bathroom. It may be an idea to set your clock for two to three-hour intervals so that you can allow your puppy to go to the bathroom without getting into the habit of walking you for bathroom needs. Your Labrador puppy should be sleeping through the night or roughly hours by the time they reach the age of 4 months. It is essential to teach your Labrador puppy to learn your sleeping routines and sleep when you do at night. However, you should be in no hurry because your puppy needs time to learn how to match their sleeping patterns to your own. Establish a routine where you put your pup to sleep at the same time and place. Some owners prefer to train their Labrador puppies to sleep in a crate when they are eight weeks. Although it makes logical sense, some may see this as a bit extreme. Labrador puppies thrive on human contact and need contact to transition from their separation from siblings and their mother. It would be best if you kept the puppy nearby in your room unless you aim to let them share your bed as adults. This way, you can be attentive to their needs and let them out to do their business. Preparing Your Labrador Puppy for a Sleep Schedule Daytime Sleep Puppies also need to sleep during the day and often drop off mid-stride after energetic play. Once they wake, they are refreshed and ready to cause mischief once more. These day naps can last anywhere from thirty minutes to a couple of hours. Daytime sleep is as essential as nighttime rest, and you should try not to disturb or move them unless it is to make them more comfortable. Keep them entertained with playtime and attention before you intend to sleep yourself. They need to learn that nighttime is not for play but for sleep. Puppies are like babies and need to learn to understand the world around them. I am a firm believer in dogs that share my life, share my bed. Dogs in the bed may be contentious, but it seems the benefits may be reciprocal as studies show that humans sleep better with a dog in their bed. Whether a crate or a bed is your preference, you should consider these tips when readying your pup to follow a nighttime sleep schedule: Designate a sleeping area. Whether you chose a puppy bed or a crate, you should try and make the sleeping area as comfortable as possible for your puppy. You should explain to children or others in your space that the puppy should not be disturbed when they are in their sleeping area. Make the area a calm and positive space. Allow your puppy to familiarize itself with the sleeping area or bed and reward your pup with treats so that they associate the area with positive experiences. Set a waking and sleeping schedule. Puppies soon learn human waking and sleeping times, and you should stick to an established time for morning waking and nighttime sleep. Encourage day naps in the sleeping area. After play and exercise, introduce your pup to the sleeping area for daytime naps, so they associate the area with quiet time. Keep the area quiet and dim. If your puppy is in your room, turn off brighter lighting and turn down your television volume if applicable. If you choose a crate, throw a light cover over it to make a safe nest for your pup. Set a routine that nighttime is not for play and Reward your pup with treats when they go into their crate or sleeping space. Even adult labradors thrive on close physical contact with their owners and love nothing better than a cuddle. Labrador puppies crave physical contact even more so and love nothing better than being close to their human parents. However cuddly they are as pups, Labradors will grow on average to 29—36 kg 65—80 lb for males and females 25—32 kg 55—70 lb. They are a medium-large breed, and I can vouch for the fact that they take up quite a bit of space on the bed. They also love anything muddy and wet and often drag soggy treats onto the pillows for fun. And noises from the other end. However, you may opt for a dog bed nearby your sleeping space as a more spacious option while staying in close contact with your dog. Conclusion It seems strange that a Labrador puppy that sleeps on average 18 hours a day can still consistently wake you in the wee hours. Your furry Labrador pup will steal your heart and possibly a month or two of unbroken sleep at the same time. Consistency is key to giving your Labrador the time to learn and develop enough to understand the need for nighttime sleep. With the right training and patience, your pup will be sleeping the same hours as you in no time at all. Related Articles. So, where should your Lab puppy sleep? A Labrador puppy should sleep in a crate or dog bed. The easiest option is a crate as you can control his environment better, and it also helps to toilet train your puppy quicker. If you choose a dog bed, partition off an area of the house using baby gates or a playpen. As a first-time dog owner, I took the sound advice of my breeder. He told me that a crate is the easiest way to train a pup to sleep well — and for faster potty training! Although I could hear my puppy cry once in a while during her first night, after that, she was fine. This is quite normal, and your dog will soon get to love his crate — he will recognize it as his special place where no one else is allowed! Here are some helpful tips to help your Labrador settle in his crate and sleep well, especially on his first night: Make sure you buy the correct size. Use a divider to partition the crate in half. As the crate will be too large at first, you can use a divider to adjust the size as your Labrador grows. I like the Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate from Amazon as it has everything you need and comes with an all-inclusive divider and wipe-clean removable tray. You can also choose either a single or double door that is handy. Cover half of the crate with a blanket. Situate the crate close to your bedroom. A quiet area for sleeping is best, not too far away from your bedroom, so you can hear your pup if he needs to go outside during the night. Or you can choose to put it right next to your bed if space allows. If you put the crate in your bedroom, you can transition to another part of the house after a few weeks. I chose to put the crate at the end of the landing as I am a light sleeper, and I hate having my sleep disturbed! Remember, dogs have different sleep cycles from humans! Check out this step-by-step guide to learn tons more on crate training, Easy Labrador Puppy Crate Training. Check out my recommendations for the Best Dog Crates for Labradors and Playpens , including soft crates, travel crates, and furniture styles. If your Labrador puppy is having a tough time sleeping through the night, you may wonder exactly when they might be able to master this new skill! Labrador puppies typically sleep through the night by 4 months old. At this age, they should sleep between hours. If you lay the foundations on the first night, your puppy may be able to achieve a night without waking up sooner. It can also help if you have a good routine and are an early riser. Here are some helpful tips to speed up the process of getting your pup to sleep through the night: Routine. Dogs thrive on routine, so ensure you establish a good bedtime routine. Potty breaks. Make sure you allow your pup to go potty right before bedtime. However, young puppies may need to go outside during the night while their tiny bladders develop. Interactive puzzle toys are also great for mental stimulation. Crate training. You can learn what to do instead in my article all about common Labrador behaviors. But are you wondering at what age your Labrador can sleep with you? This allows him to be fully potty trained and sleep through the night without having to go potty or cry for you. This interesting study compared human-canine sleeping with adult-child co-sleeping and evidenced that both shared similar benefits and drawbacks. Remember, dogs who are territorial or aggressive should not sleep in your bed. Some of the most common health benefits of sleeping with your Labrador include: An overall reduction in depression and anxiety. Increased feeling of security. Provide companionship and decrease loneliness. Reduced stress. Lowered blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. A decrease in hypertension. Cons of Sleeping with Your Labrador Of course, there can be negatives to allowing your Labrador to sleep with you in your bed. Labs are also heavy shedders, and you may find pet dander uncomfortable. Your dog can sometimes carry harmful germs. It may affect your relationship! If you sleep with a partner, allowing your dog to sleep in your bed can cause friction and disruption. Although you may suffer from disturbed sleep if you sleep with your dog, you are unlikely to be affected by his night-time antics if you are a deep sleeper. Indeed, this study from The Mayo Clinic looked at the sleep of 40 healthy humans and their dogs occupying the same bedroom to find out whether sleeping together was detrimental to sleep. Human sleep quality was lower if the dog slept on the bed rather than just in the room. Nonetheless, even if you allow your Labrador to sleep with you, only let him onto your bed when you say so. Your dog should not have free reign of your bed, which can hinder how he views the pecking order. But what about modern dogs? Do Labradors actually like sleeping with their owners? Most Labradors like to sleep with their owners as a sign of affection and closeness. Dogs are social animals and instinctively want to sleep with you as they like to be close to their pack, and you are the head of the pack! They also want to protect you and display their loyalty and trust. Some dogs might get too hot on your bed and may temporarily move onto the floor to cool down. Some might not want to sleep with you at all! Always have another place where your Labrador can sleep, such as a bed or crate nearby where he can get warm and cozy. Can a Labrador Puppy Sleep Outside? Labrador puppies grow very quickly, which leaves some pet owners wondering when would be the right time to transition their pooch to an outdoor sleeping area. But can a Labrador puppy sleep outside in the first instance? Labrador puppies can sleep outside, but not until they are between months of age. They also need to be socialized, trained, and spend time bonding with their family. The health risks around this become more precarious in extremely hot or cold temperatures. The same goes for the rarer long-haired Lab. Your Labrador is more at risk of diseases and parasites. Until your pup has received his vaccinations to keep him healthy, he is more vulnerable to illnesses and parasites. Immunizations are typically not completed until 16 weeks, so training him to sleep outside sooner than this may compromise his health. Your Lab needs to be socialized and trained. All puppies must be socialized, obedience trained, and allowed to bond with their family. Without proper socialization, you risk your Lab becoming fearful, reactive , nervous, or even aggressive. To ensure that your Labrador puppy is healthy and safe when sleeping outside, there are a few things you should always make sure he has. These items include: A doghouse. This provides your puppy with a safe space to feel safe and snuggle down. I would definitely have this Petmate Dog House from Amazon on my wish list! A bit pricey, though! Water bowl. Make sure your Lab has his favorite water bowl filled to the brink every night. Favorite toys. To make your puppy feel comfortable and relaxed, put his favorite toys wherever he sleeps outside. When all is said and done once your dog has matured, it is a matter of personal choice. Here are the key takeaways from the article: You may choose to let your new puppy sleep at your side. When he has grown, you can let him sleep on your bed. He needs to be fully house-trained and at least six months old. The benefits of sleeping with your Lab are security, bonding, and mental health. Negatives include disturbed sleep and an increase in your allergy symptoms. Most Labradors like sleeping with their owners. You can transition your dog to sleep outside between months of age. Related Posts You May Like:. Where do dogs sleep? Dog sleep patterns are fascinating things. They have what is called polyphasic sleep, where they have periods of wake and sleep that occur during both the day and the night. And help you to understand the changes that occur in different stages of their lives, including when they are unwell. How Long Do Dogs Sleep? Dogs have a sleep pattern known as polyphasic. This means that they have multiple periods of sleep scattered throughout the day and night. A feature that they share with many other mammals. Dogs have better night vision than we do. So their ancestors could hunt both by day and by night, if necessary. In fact, hunting at night may have given them some advantages. It is easier to creep up on your victim under the cover of darkness. Dog Sleep Patterns Sleeping all night had no advantage for dogs, so dogs did not evolve a natural tendency to sleep for a single long stretch of time like we do. Instead, they acquired the useful ability to get as much sleep as possible, often in short stretches, whenever there is nothing much going on. You may have noticed that your dog wakes up instantly and is ready for action right away. And living with humans means that most dogs do learn to sleep the night away without disturbing their human family. Though they may wake and move around briefly during this period of time. If your dog is not sleeping through the night and disturbing your sleep, consider whether he is getting enough daytime activity and stimulation. Dogs have retained their ability to sleep whenever life gets dull. Studies of guard dogs have shown that dogs are not disadvantaged by being woken up frequently or working in changing shifts. They simply sleep when they get the chance. But how many hours sleep does a dog need during each 24 hour period? Dogs naturally sleep for longer periods of time each day than people do. But just like humans, sleep needs vary among individual dogs. Sleep needs also vary among different dog breeds. Adult Labradors will sleep for well over half of every 24 hours, and puppies under four months old may sleep as much as 20 hours a day. The reason for all this sleeping may have to do with a special type of sleep called rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep during which dreaming takes place. Do Dogs Dream? Dogs certainly appear to dream in the same way that we do. And their brains behave in a similar way to ours during the sleep cycle. REM sleep is just one phase of the sleep cycle that both dogs and humans experience. A study published in showed that REM or dreaming sleep decreases as dogs get older. So it looks as though puppies dream more than adult dogs. Sometimes when fast asleep, your dog will make twitching and running movements with his paws, and some dogs will give little yips and barks. This is a normal part of deep REM or dreaming sleep. Studies have also shown that if the part of the brain that de-activates movement during sleep is removed from a dog, the sleeping dog will actually carry out the behaviors that he is dreaming about. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie! We know that in humans, REM sleep is important. Being deprived of REM sleep can cause unpleasant effects, and there is no reason to think that dogs are any different. It is important to allow your dog to sleep deeply when he wants to and to not interrupt his sleep when he starts dreaming. Some veterinary specialists speculate that dogs sleep more than humans because their REM sleep is often interrupted due to their ability to wake easily and quickly and be ready for action. Because of that wakefulness, dogs need more periods of sleep in which to get an adequate amount of REM sleep. If you are worried that your dog may be ill because he is sleeping so much, ask yourself what has changed. Is he sleeping a lot more than he was just last week? Or has he always slept this much? Is he bright and bouncy when he is awake? Does he have a good appetite? Or does he seem lethargic or uninterested in food? Excessive sleeping in a dog that is eating well and full of energy when awake is unlikely to have any significance. And some elderly dogs tend to sleep more than they did when they were young. Make a Special Sleeping Space Your Labrador, like all dogs, is able to awaken quickly from sleep and be ready for action, whenever an opportunity presents itself. However, constantly interrupting his sleep is not a good idea. While many confident dogs will sleep pretty much anywhere, it is important that every dog has his own sleeping space. A place where he can go and relax when he wants to. Even if your dog shares your bed at night, he should still have a bed somewhere in the house that he can call his own. It needs to be somewhere free of drafts and comfortable, preferably lined with a cozy mat or blanket. Elderly Labradors may need thicker padding to support their joints. Orthopedic dog beds can provide extra comfort. It is here, in his special space, that your dog can relax fully and sleep deeply. Dogs naturally sleep for long periods of time, and sleeping a lot is nothing to worry about in a dog that is active, enjoying his food and living life to the fullest. Just like people, dogs need deep REM sleep, and constantly interrupted sleep can be harmful. You can check out crate information here: The benefits of a dog crate.

Training and Socialization Back to Top The birth of puppies is an exciting time. It's beautiful to watch a mother care for her newborns, especially in the early stages of life. A newborn puppy is completely helpless and dependent upon its mother. The first week of a puppy's life is mainly about sleeping and eating so it will grow. Puppies should remain with their mother and littermates until about age eight to 12 weeks. However, it is most crucial to have a mother during the first few weeks of life. A puppy that has been separated from its mother will need human intervention. Raising a newborn puppy takes a lot of time and intensive care. This is not quite the same thing as caring for a young puppy. They cannot see and can hear very little, if at all. Yet they are able to make noise, which sounds like high-pitched squealing. They have no teeth at birth and are unable to walk. Newborn puppies are incapable of urinating or defecating on their own. In addition, a newborn puppy cannot regulate its own body temperature. Most newborn puppies are instinctively able to find their mother's nipples and begin nursing right after they are born, or whelped. Once cleaned up by mom or a helping human hand they will crawl towards the mother's warm belly, find the teats, and begin to suckle. Fun Fact With proper food intake and mothering care, a newborn puppy should double its weight in the first 10 days of its life. That's more than 22 hours a day, but sleep doesn't happen all at once. Pups will nap on and off throughout the day and night, keeping warm with littermates and the mother's body heat. In between naps, they spend the rest of the time eating and being groomed by mom. Newborn puppies eat about every two hours or more. Because newborn puppies cannot see, hear, or walk, they do not have much exploring to do early on. The puppy's world is all about mom, littermates, and the box they all sleep in. Health and Care During the first few weeks of a puppy's life, the mother dog spends the majority of her time providing food and care. The mother keeps her puppies clean and nurses them. She licks the anus and genitals of each puppy to stimulate urination and defecation. During this time, humans can gently hold and pet the puppies for brief periods as long as this does not seem to upset the mother dog. It's more likely for human contact to be welcomed if those humans are part of the mother dog's family. In general, it's best to let mom do her job and stick to just petting the puppies. However, there are situations where the mother is unwilling or unable to care for her pups. Or, mom might be doing a fine job, but one or more puppies are not growing properly. This is when human intervention is the only possible way to save the puppies. If you decide to care for an orphaned puppy, be prepared to spend most of your time with the puppy for the next few weeks. Warning Any time a puppy is not gaining weight well or becomes orphaned, that puppy should be taken to a vet as soon as possible to assess her health. Puppies can get very sick very quickly without proper care. When in doubt about the health of a puppy, do not delay the vet visit! If the puppy was rejected by her mother, it may be due to a health issue detected by the mother. In the meantime, you will need to do your best to provide the care her mother would have. Create a warm environment for the puppy to sleep. A small box with blankets and a heating lamp is ideal. Keep the lamp at a fair distance so the environment does not overheat. A heating pad and blankets can also work, just make sure the heating pad is well-covered to prevent burns. Bottle feed a special puppy formula every hours. You should be able to find puppy milk replacement at a pet food store or through your veterinarian. Do not feed puppies cow's milk, as it does not provide adequate nutrition and it can cause digestive issues. Use a warm cloth or cotton ball to stimulate urination and defecation immediately after each meal. The amounts of urine and feces will be very tiny. A normal stool will be yellowish and soft. Regularly massage the puppy's body and clean the puppy as needed. Massage will mimic the feeling of the mother grooming, something experts believe is an integral part of development. Food and Nutrition In general, a newborn puppy gets all the nutrition it needs from its mother's milk. The first milk made by the mother contains colostrum, a substance that contains additional antibodies to help the puppy fight infection. This can be absorbed by the puppy for the first day or two of life and provides some temporary immunity against whatever illnesses the mother has immunity against. Be aware that commercial puppy formula will not provide colostrum. Bottle-fed puppies that do not get colostrum are especially vulnerable to illness and may not thrive. A veterinarian may be able to administer serum from another dog to the puppy within the first 24 hours of its life to mimic the effects of colostrum. Newborn puppies will not have teeth for several weeks and are unable to digest puppy food. Do not introduce any kind of dog food until the puppies are ready to begin the weaning process, usually around weeks of age, unless it is otherwise recommended by a veterinarian. Training and Socialization A newborn puppy is too young to go through any kind of training, but there may be some things you can do to get her used to people and her environment. If the mother permits it, handle the puppies regularly for a short time. Take care not to keep the pup away from mom for more than a few minutes. You can use the time to cuddle and pet the puppy, acquainting her with the smell and feel of humans and the environment. June 2, Samantha Johnson Newborn Puppy Care Week by Week If you're raising puppies, it doesn't get more exciting than the moments after delivery when you finally get a chance to meet the new litter. How many puppies are there? What colors are they? How many males or females? It's a heartwarming time as the mother dog forms a bond with her new puppies. Even if you have a healthy mother dog that loves her litter, you'll still be involved with newborn puppy care week by week. Here's a rundown of some things you want to keep in mind. Raising puppies is hard work, but thankfully you don't have to do it alone! The mother dog is your partner in this task, and your role this week will be an "overseer" and someone to contribute in areas the mother can't manage, like weighing the puppies and deworming them. Are the puppies nursing? Newborn puppies receive all of their nutrition from their mother's milk, so it's very important to make sure each puppy is nursing properly. Another key factor is the colostrum the puppies receive from the milk, which contains important antibodies to protect the puppies during these early stages of life. In this instance, the mother dog will take care of deciding when to feed the puppies. In the event of a serious problem, you'll need to take over bottle feeding the puppies with the aid of a newborn puppy feeding chart. Weigh the puppies. Keep an eye on your puppies' weight gain by weighing them every day. You should see a steady increase each day and you can expect each puppy to double its birth weight by the time they are seven to 10 days old. Keep the puppies warm! Newborn puppies are still developing and aren't able to regulate their body temperatures effectively. They receive some protection from their mother's body heat, but it's possible your new mother dog doesn't spend all her time with the puppies in the whelping box. After all, she's used to life with her family, and she may not want to have her daily routine entirely disrupted by her puppies. This is fine, except the puppies may need a heat source when she isn't around. Once the puppies are older after their eyes are open and they can move around easily you can fill that need by providing the puppies with a puppy-safe heated pad designed to provide warmth without getting too hot. Heat lamps are also sometimes used to heat the general puppy area, but talk to your veterinarian first. Keep the whelping box clean. You want to regularly change the bedding and absorbent pads and frequently clean the whelping box over the next several weeks. Get a vet check. You may wish to have your veterinarian evaluate your puppies and their mother shortly after birth to ensure everyone is doing well. Keep an eye on their eyes. Puppies generally start to open their eyes at about this time. If they don't, you probably should have a veterinarian take a look and possibly help assist the puppies by manually opening their eyes. At all times, be on the lookout for any kind of eye discharge or other signs of infection. Watch their weight. Continue to weigh the puppies each day during week two to ensure everyone is steadily gaining weight. Start deworming. Under your veterinarian's guidance, the puppies should receive their first deworming treatment at about two weeks of age. By about three weeks of age, you can—and should! Once the puppies have their eyes open, you can try carefully picking them up, holding them for a bit, and placing them back in the box. It's just a tiny, early step towards socializing them with people. Watch them grow strong. Always keep an eye on the puppies' health and physical growth progression. By three weeks, they might try to explore more of their environment. Continue to monitor their weight by weighing the puppies every three to seven days. Lower the heat again. The puppies' ability to regulate their body temperature is improving. Offer water. Your three-week-old puppies might begin to show an interest in a water dish. Place a shallow, puppy-safe bowl in the whelping box and see if they experiment with it. Some experts recommend trying a mixture of water and puppy formula in the water bowl. Always keep a close eye on your litter's physical growth and behavior. Are they advancing properly? Are they starting to walk? The puppies are growing up fast; you can lower the whelping box temperature down to a normal room temperature. Bring on the solid food. Well, not too solid at first, but more substantial than their mother's milk. Introduce soft foods slowly, then transition to solid foods. Pups are really starting to be on the move now. They might start to venture a little further away from their littermates and think they're pretty independent. Introduce more solid foods. The puppies will gradually eat more solid food as the mother dog naturally slows the frequency of nursing. When your puppies are six to eight weeks old, it's time for their first vaccinations. The specific vaccines given at each visit may vary slightly depending on your region and the specifics of your puppies' lifestyle. Additional vaccinations will be needed after ten weeks and in the coming months. Register the puppies. If your puppies are purebred, now's the time to register them. They'll be so impressed with their papers! Not those papers! Wean the puppies. By this time, the weaning process that began around week four will be completed. Have a heart! You can help ease the transition away from the mother and littermates by offering each puppy a pillow that mimics the sounds of their mother's heartbeat. It's a reassuring sound that will help them feel relaxed in their new home. You can also mimic the warmth of their mother's body heat with a heated heartbeat puppy bed or give them that same warm coziness with a heated heartbeat crate pad. Say goodbye. After eight weeks, members of the litter often leave home to join their new families. The week-by-week care of newborn puppies is a lot of work, but there is a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment in the process as well. Aaron, Marc. Williams, Krista. VCA Hospitals. Jamieson, Amy. Shop All Cat Food Few things are more delightful than a litter of newborn puppies, but the prospect of caring for all of these brand new little lives can be daunting. But don't worry. Check out this guide to newborn puppy care to tell you what need to know to raise a healthy, happy litter. A Clean Environment Newborn puppies will spend their first few weeks in the box or pen in which they were born, so it's important to choose wisely when preparing for their arrival. The space should offer enough room for the mother to lie down and stretch out comfortably without crushing the puppies, and she should be able to come and go freely while keeping the puppies contained. It should also be easy to access so that you can change out the bedding each day. In these early days, Mom will clean up her pups' waste, but if it's a large litter she may need help keeping up. Around the end of the second week or the beginning of the third week, the puppies will open their eyes and become more active. Once they start to toddle about, you can move them to a larger pen with room to play, and bathroom cleanup will require more of your attention. Although the puppies will snuggle up with their mom and each other for warmth, it's best to use a heat lamp during their first month of life. The lamp should be placed high enough above the box to prevent any risk of burning the mother or her pups, and there should also be a cooler corner that the pups can crawl to if they get too warm. For the first five days, the temperature inside the pen should be kept at about 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. From days five through ten, gradually dial back the heat to 80 degrees, and then continue to reduce the heat little by little until it reaches 75 degrees by the end of their fourth week, suggests PetPlace. Nursing and Nutrition During their first few weeks, puppies rely exclusively on their mother for their nutritional needs. Although she may be less active during this time, nursing uses up a lot of the mother's energy and her daily caloric requirements will be higher than normal, says the AKC. To ensure both mother and puppies receive adequate nutrition throughout the nursing stage, the mother should be fed several servings of a quality puppy food throughout the day. Your veterinarian can recommend the type and amount of food to feed your nursing mother. It's important to keep an eye on the puppies' weight during this time. If you notice any of the puppies being underfed, you may need to keep an eye on them when it's time to nurse and make sure the smaller puppies latch onto the fullest nipples for feeding, says The Nest. Puppies who cry or whimper frequently may also be hungry and need more attention during feeding. If the smaller puppies still don't show signs of healthy growth or weight gain, talk to your vet. It might be necessary to take over and bottle-feed them. It's also important to watch the mother for signs of mastitis, says Wag! Signs of mastitis include red and swollen nipples and reluctance to nurse. The mother may even snap at the puppies when they try to eat. If you notice these signs, contact your vet right away. By the fourth or fifth week, the puppies will start getting their teeth and the weaning process will begin as the mother's milk production slows. Once you notice the puppies starting to sample Mom's food, it's time to provide them with their own dish of puppy food. Health Young puppies are susceptible to disease and infection, so you'll need to keep a close eye on them. Newborn puppy care should include regular inspections to watch for signs of infection or poor health. Report anything unusual such as vomiting, diarrhea or a puppy who won't stand or eat to your vet. Little puppies are also especially vulnerable to fleas and other parasites, says The Spruce Pets , so talk to your vet about appropriate parasite control. Although antibodies they receive from nursing will help protect them from illness in the early weeks, these antibodies wear off around six to eight weeks, which is when they will need to receive their first round of vaccinations. Make sure you and all family members thoroughly wash your hands before interacting with these puppies to help reduce the risk of getting them sick from any bacteria that might be lying in wait on your hands. Socialization By the fourth week the puppies are ready to begin socializing with humans and other dogs. Weeks four through twelve are a critical window during which puppies need to learn about the world they'll inhabit so they'll become well-adjusted, happy dogs, says The Spruce Pets. Poorly socialized puppies tend to grow into anxious dogs who may have behavioral problems, so whether you plan to keep the puppies or send them to good homes, it's important to cuddle and play with them, allow them to explore and play and expose them to as many new experiences as possible. Newborn puppy care entails a lot of work, but these first several weeks go by in a flash. If your puppies end up being adopted, you'll be saying goodbye to them in no time, an event that is often bittersweet. Enjoy the pups while you have them, and when it's time to let go, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you gave them the best possible beginning. Contributor Bio Jean Marie Bauhaus Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies. Here's what you need to know about taking care of your newborn pups after they are born. Approach the Puppies With Caution Although you may want to pet and hold the puppies constantly, it is important not to intervene too much in the first week or two of their lives, as they are very susceptible to disease, and it can be stressful for the mother and puppies. Use caution when approaching the puppies, as some mothers may show aggression to humans or other household pets if they perceive a threat. As the puppies get older and more active, your dog will want more and more time to get away and sleep, exercise, or socialize with members of the household. So give your dog space to get away from the puppies, but make sure that she is often returning to check on them. Provide A Warm Environment Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature until they are 3 to 4 weeks old. Therefore, for the first 4 weeks of their lives, you should provide a warm, clean box or bedding for the mother and puppies to share. To keep the puppies warm, position a heating lamp above it. Ensure there are unheated areas, as the puppies will need to move away from the heat source if they become too warm. Monitor the puppies' temperature. If puppies are too cold, they cannot process milk and it may curdle in their stomach. Do not use heating pads, as the puppies may be cold and stay on the heating pad too much. If it is too hot, it can cause burns. Start Socializing the Puppies If the mother dog allows it, you can get the puppies used to your presence. Socializing them early can help ensure that they fit nicely into a household. Puppies should initially be weighed twice a day for the first week or two, then daily. Puppies should never lose weight or even maintain weight—either of these is cause for supplementation and concern. If you notice that one of your puppies is smaller, not gaining weight, or has less energy than the others, consult your veterinarian. Puppies should not be taken away from their mother and sent to their new homes too quickly, as they learn important social rules and behavior from their mother and siblings. Puppies should not be separated from their mother if they are younger than 8 weeks old, and it may be illegal before this in many states. Waiting until they are 10 weeks old will give the maximum benefit of social interaction with their mother and littermates. Feeding and Weaning Newborn puppies should nurse at least every 2 hours for the first week or two of life. After this, they can stretch the feeding times to hours, as long as they are still gaining weight and doing well. Once the puppies are 3 to 4 weeks old, you can begin the weaning process by giving them access to puppy food. You can mix a high-quality commercial puppy food with water or canned puppy food to make it easier for them to eat. It is important that the food is softened at first. They should still have constant access to the mother, as she will continue to nurse them. Over the next few weeks, they will rely more and more on puppy food rather than nursing. Most dogs will wean their puppies by 5 to 6 weeks of age. Puppies have sharp teeth at this point, so nursing may be painful to the mother dog. Continue to be vigilant and monitor her for signs of mastitis. Contact Your Vet Just After the Puppies Are Born Contact your veterinarian to ask for their recommendation regarding when the puppies should first be examined. They may want to see them right away to evaluate for cleft palates , umbilical hernias , and other health concerns, or they may advise you to wait until they are a bit older. Most veterinarians recommend deworming at regular 2-week intervals starting at 2 weeks old. Lauren Jones graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in , after receiving her bachelor's degree.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? An ultra sound is inconclusive until around 30 days and a x-ray will not show anything till around 45 days when the calcium in the puppies bones solidifies. This leaves very little time to get prepared. So let's discuss some important Poodle pregnancy facts. This is Curly, who is 19 months old and 51 days pregnant. Let's first clear up some myths and look at some Poodle pregnancy facts. A female Poodle may become pregnant: Any time after her 1st heat, no matter how young she is At any age, no matter how old she is, as long as she is still entering heat.Starting at about week 2 it will become firm. By week 4 it will be noticeably swollen. Her mammary glands will become enlarged Some inverted nipples that you may not have even noticed will "pop out" She will clean herself more thoroughly than usual Nesting behavior may begin. Some dogs will gather toys and other articles from around the house, showing maternal instincts toward them. She may also drag pillows, blankets and other soft materials to a quiet corner of a room to build a 'nest'. Her appetite should increase There may be minor to moderate clear discharge. This usually begins by week 4 or 5. Litter Size The average size litter for a Toy Poodle is: 3 pups The average size litter for a Miniature Poodle is: 5 pups The average size litter for a Standard Poodle is: 6 pups Do keep in mind that these are averages. It is common for a Toy Poodle to have just 1 puppy and while it is rare, she may have up to 5. The largest Poodle litter ever recorded is.Charlie named for Charlie's Angels was in labor for 23 hours, giving birth to 10 female puppies and 6 males. And believe it or not, this was an unplanned breeding. The sire, Magnum another standard Poodle broke through 2 wooden fences to get to Charlie when she was in heat. Caring for a Pregnant Poodle Once you suspect that your Poodle may be pregnant, you will want to have this confirmed. There are several ways that the veterinarian can do this, at different stages: A blood test can test for pregnancy and will be most reliable by day .An ultrasound can pick up fetal heartbeats by day day .An x-ray should be performed to determine exactly how many fetus are growing so that you will know how many to expect. This is not done until late in the pregnancy, usually after day 45, since bones are not sufficiently calcified until this time. Moderate daily exercise should continue throughout the pregnancy while excluding any more intense activity. Walking will allow the dam to maintain muscle mass and keep her body in top shape in preparation for labor. Her appetite will increase by week 2 or 3 and by week 5 nutritional needs nearly double. While food should not be denied, the focus should be on offering a well-balanced, healthy diet. Adding an egg once per day as well as a scoop or two of cottage cheese is a good way to offer a bit more protein. Pregnant dogs should not be given any extra calcium via supplements as this can predispose a dam to the dangerous health condition of eclampsia a life-threatening drop in blood calcium levels that can happen when the dam is nursing. The home environment should be as stress free as possible and the pregnant Poodle should be allowed to retreat and rest as she pleases. You may wonder how much weight a pregnant Poodle gains. For example, a toy Poodle that was 8 lbs. A standard Poodle that was 55 lbs .While the majority of delivers are without complications, you will want to be prepared for any situation. You will need: 1. A thermometer 2. Sheets, towels or clean newspapers 3. Floss or thread 4. A whelping box - This can be a cardboard box, lined child's wading pool for standards or even a canine bed Perla beds work quite nicely 6. Heating pad 7. Having an assistant be there with you is always a good idea. How to Know it is Time All dog breeds carry the puppies on average for 63 days; however a Poodle pregnancy can last anywhere from 59 to 65 days and still be considered normal. You will know that labor is to begin in approximately 24 hours when your dog's internal body temperature drops. For this reason, at least one week before the due date, start taking your Poodle's temperature twice per day. While some digital thermometers will beep, if you are using a standard type, leave it in for 3 minutes. At this time, you should be prepared to remain with your Poodle, set her up in the whelping area and separate any males dogs in the house so that they cannot reach her. If your Poodle does not go into labor within 24 hours after her body temperature drops to below F, you will want to alert the veterinarian. Stages of Labor There are 3 main stages of canine labor. Stage 1 During the first stage of labor the cervix will dilate and contractions will begin. This element of Poodle labor can be painful and a dog may express this by: Acting restless. Their body temperature at birth is around 94 — 97 degrees. They are not able to regulate their own body temperature so they depend on their mother for warmth. They also cannot see or hear or eliminate on their own. They cannot walk. About all they can do is smell, suckle and crawl. They are totally dependent on their mother and the environment the first 2 to 3 weeks. They are mostly influenced by their mother and litter-mates during this period. We weigh the puppies everyday the first 2 to 3 weeks. Week Two: Poodle Puppies usually open their eyes around 8 to 10 days and their ears around 13 to 17 days. While sleeping all healthy and contented puppies will twitch. This is an activated sleep, characterized by muscle twitches. This is normal and healthy. Week Three: During the third week we will often see teeth start to erupt and the puppies will start to stand and walk around. Everyday is amazing to see these helpless puppies start to become independent. At this age their nervous system is more developed so that they can urinate and defecate by themselves. This is when the puppies will also start to play a little bit more with their litter-mates. This week is very important in the puppies emotional development. They will start not only the interaction with their litter-mates but also with their mother. We never start the weaning process during this week. While mother may come out of the whelping box during this week she will never be far. Week Four: At this age the puppies will be introduced to our own homemade puppy mush and their supplement which will help grow their immune systems. Puppies are born without an immune system and depends on their mother to supply this protection through her milk. Their body temperature will usually be around degree and they will be able to begin regulating their own body temperature. Every day they will eat more and more. The puppies will start to eat more food and move around more easily. They may even start to chase each other, bark, and bite. We still weigh them at least every other day if not every day. This is the time that the mother starts leaving the puppies at longer intervals of time and start to regulate their nursing. So this is a good time for us to introduce the puppies to the weaning box and start the weaning and potty box training. Week Five: Puppies start to establish some sort of dominance in the pack. Growth and development is rapid in this week. They become very aware of their surroundings and respond quickly to training. They begin to growl, play, challenge, and learn disciple from their mother. They also develop a bit of a competitive spirit. Training ability is developed and puppies are ready to begin learning. They also start to discover their toys and play with them more. Keeping them stimulated is important. Puppies can start to control their need to potty and now know they need to move away from the sleeping area. Good experience with people from week 5 — 7 will play a large roll in how they will continue to interact. Week Six: By this time it is amazing to see that little puppy wake up and walk over to the potty box to eliminate. Puppies enter their socialization period by the end of the third week. However, the most critical period — age six to eight weeks — is when puppies most easily learn to accept others as part of their family pack. The integrating of the human family is so important and will effect them for the rest of their life. The puppy brain waves look of an adult dog by about the 50th day, but he is not yet programmed — that is the job of the human trainer, and the job of his mom, siblings and other canine family members. This is when the fun begins for all humans and puppies. We know how important this time is for puppy to adjust to humans and how playtime stimulates their little brains to grow smart and wise. We introduce them to the outside. We bring in more interactive toys. We introduce them to the pool, weather permitting. If outside pool is out we use the grooming bath for water play. They also learn not to bite the human hand ever! It is at the 7th week, day 49, that we conduct the Volhard Test. This is actual one of several that will occur through its life. Instead of meeting new or familiar people and objects with curiosity puppies start to react with fearfulness. Anything that frightens them at this age may have a lasting impact. So take care that the baby is not overstimulated with to many changes or challenges at one time. This does not mean that your puppy will grow up to be a scared-y-cat; it is simply a normal part of development where puppies learn to be more cautious. Careful socialization during this period helps counter fear reactions. Because your puppy is actively working on social skills and is paying attention to both litter-mates and humans. Your puppy is learning at an extremely fast rate. This is why we will NOT hold any puppy beyond the 9th weeks. All puppies that cannot be picked up during puppy pickup week must enter their puppy into a training program. Weeks Thirteen — Sixteen: During this phase a puppy will attempt to challenge you for dominance. Here is where they test to see just how much they can get away with and test your level of tolerance. The more a puppy is allowed to get way with during this phase, may cause the dog to lose more and more respect for his owner. This may result in behavioral issues that can snowball if not corrected through training and obedience. Formal obedience should begin here. This will assist the dog in becoming the best he can be. This is the time your puppy will begin to understand and use ranking in terms of submission and dominance. Are you the owner going to be a good pack leader? Puppies will need to be taught what they can and cannot chew. Puppies need to be taught that it is never acceptable behavior to jump on a human, small or big. This is the time that the pack leader, the human in charge, especially needs to be confident, but firm with positive reinforcement. An obedient dog, a good canine citizen, is a pleasure to be with. A disobedient dog causes stress for all and can cause damage to things and other humans. What do I mean by that? The canine depends on a human, however, he is and his thinking is canine. He needs the human to communicate and set the standards for him. If the human does not then the dog will have no choice but set his own standards, doggy style. Be prepared to be a Good, very good, pack leader! Your puppy now understands that he has a pack which may consist of both humans and canine and his behavior will be most influenced by this group. You can expect your dog to challenge you more as he explores dominance and his role in the pack. Rather they are just working out what their rank is in the pack and what is expected of them in their position. Again: be a Good, very good, pack leader! Canines that are not spayed or neutered will also start exhibiting sexual behavior during this period. Be responsible and spay or neuter you canine. Some puppy owners hire a canine trainer to come to their home to teach them how to train. Some owners learn ahead of time what they need to do and immediately begin their puppy on this program. Still others have their puppy enter into our training program. We have much information on the website about training. And for our puppy buyer we are here whenever they need any coaching along the way. Be Consistent, Persistent and always have a Routine! Trim the puppies nails with some small blunt scissors. Puppy's nails can be very sharp and will scratch the Mom's Nipples. Trim their nails every week. By the end of the second week the puppies should be walking with a fair amount of stability. The sharp puppy claws may need to be blunted to avoid injure to the littermates. They are starting to notice noises and when people arrive. Handle the puppies daily and for longer periods. Pups are sure getting larger and larger now. In we have now started to use "Vet Fleece" for our pups and while extremely expensive and time consuming to wash at the coin laundry, sure keeps our pups safe, warm, comfortable, clean and happy. You will never wish to raise another litter without Vet Fleece once you use it!! At this stage it is also appropriate to worm the mom with Strongid T. We do day 14 day 15 and repeat day 25 and 26 mom and pups. Watch pups for signs of Entropion. Eye lid will turn into the eye causing irritation and this will need to be repaired by an experienced Veterinarian at 7 weeks of age or older for the less experienced vet At this time if pups are kept where there is a door opening or closing and a draft, they can get snotty noses appearing to have a cold. This will be deadly if not treated with liquid Clavamox right away!!! The ear canals begin to open. Pups are moved from the smaller whelping box into their Puppy Box. Toilet training starts using the "Bijou Method". As soon as we introduce the pups into the "Puppy Box". At this time the pups are moving around more and will want to naturally eliminate further and further from where they eat and sleep. The "Bijou Method" taps into this natural instinct by providing the room and area for the pups to accomplish this natural instinct, reliably. The "Bijou Method" is accomplished putting the food and water and play area, at one end of the "Puppy Box" and putting papers down the other far end near by the potty area Pups go further from sleeping area and closer to Potty area, eventually using only the Potty area to soil in. By weeks of age, the pups will only use the "Potty" area to toilet in. We keep our puppy box clean, this week only needing to change the potty area daily. Our diligence pays off, when our puppy people tell us that their pups are toilet trained within a few days of coming home. RARE but do keep a feel of mom's nipples to make sure none are hard During weaning. If hard and hot, this could be the beginnings of mastitis. I always have Clavaseptin and or Clavamox pills on hand because as soon as a nipple feels harden, I will pill the mom to avoid Mastitis. Never squeeze or milk that nipple, as that will only encourage milk to come in, and create more problems such as in the photo above. Pups day 14 days The puppies will tolerate changes in temperature better now. However they still need to be kept at an even temperature and away from drafts. Pups are beginning to move away from where they sleep to poo and pee. This is the first step in our process to develop clean pups that start to toilet train. Bijou Poodles feeds our mom and pups RAW. Our mom wishes to no longer nurse at this age, so she rejoins our family and pups wean right onto RAW mixed with RAW unpasteurized Goats milk 3. Our pups have limited sight, but good sense of hearing and smell. They are constantly on the move in the litter area and begin to play and socialize with each other. Now is the time to worm the puppies. Make sure to worm mom at the same time!!! For pups I use a 1cc syringe without needle Some vets will want to use Safeguard but you can't use that on pups under 6 weeks of age!!! Consult your vet when in doubt, or your mentor. Pups day 20 to day .IF you find your pups have bad Diarrhea know the difference between gummy normal puppy poops then you might be experiencing a bout of Coccidia. Giardia is also a common issue breeder's deal with and the cure for that is Safeguard or Panacur Fenbendazole READ labels before you use or consult your Vet. Puppies will start learning socialization and appropriate chewing and biting from both their littermates. Before this time, Mom will really discipline them when they bite her, by growling, holding them down with her paws and for the most stubborn pups she will do a combination of growl, hold and take in her mouth to show that she is really serious. All this happens lightening speed and sounds fierce. People should really take note of this, as when you get puppy home and puppy nips at you, this is unacceptable behaviour and you need to correct this, forcefully and quickly like what their mom did if you wish for this behaviour to stop. Also taking the time to show puppy what is desired behavior so they know what to do to please you. RAW goat's milk not pasteurized , you will find in the health food section of stores. I pour this RAW and goats milk into my metal "flying saucer" puppy dish and pour even more warm goats milk over top. Puppies soon get the 'taste' for RAW and wean fast onto it. I feed my pups that are completely weaned 3x per day starting week 3. I basically feed my pups 4 lbs for 10 puppy litter. Feeding them as much as they will eat Until they walk away full. Until the next feeding. I also leave water out in a "no tip" travel type dish so they don't play in it or tip it over. The puppies will now begin to bark, wag their tails, bit, paw and growl! The puppies should now be up on their feet they are quite wobbly! They can now urinate and defecate without the help of the bitch. The puppies need to be handled frequently after 3 weeks of age and be introduced to various sights and sounds within the household! I do not allow any visitors until puppy pick up day. However if you do, ensure that visitors do not expose the puppies to germs. When this is done right, by the time the buyer purchases the pup, puppy will already be trained to only pee and poop on newspapers and or hold it until they can get outside as they do not pee or poop where they eat or where they sleep. So believe it or not, what goes on from the time of birth to the time you buy the pup plays a big role, on the young life and what a buyer will be faced with. Pups day 28 Ear canals should have completely opened by now. The puppies should be exposed to a variety of noises now. We take "desensitizing" very seriously and we have a program in place, to rotate a variety of startling noises and vibrations, creating normally negative stimulus, following up with a pleasant experience such as play, cuddling or feeding times. Our program, combined with the bio-Sensor program has proven very successful in developing confident, well adjusted puppies. Now the pups are able to toddle about and play and learn also how much pressure they can bite each other with. They will test limits with each other. They will also be subjected to household comings and goings, which will be good for them during their socialization phase. We could not ignore that more dogs of all breeds, have been having reactions and issues on kibble. Since starting on RAW our pups have not had loose stools, healthy GI's and their bladders have been healthier as well and tartar free teeth. We can't deny all the amazing results of being on RAW. At this stage it is also appropriate to worm the bitch with a suitable product. Once the puppies are on solid food the Mom will no longer clean them. We have a separate section in the whelping box that the puppies eventually climb into and use to toilet in. This is the second step in toilet training our puppies. Pups are noisy loud piercing barking , messy because mom doesn't clean them , needing constant human touch and play for socialization , need to be cleaned with fresh papers and area washed every hours to help them develop into clean pups. They are also the cutest looking like little teddy bears. Pups day 35 Pups receive their first bath and blow dry. A Microchip the size of a grain of rice is implanted between the pup's shoulder blades, just as a vaccination is done. This " microchip " when scanned will produce a number unique to that puppy. There is no way to alter the number or remove the chip without doing surgery. This chip number can be read by any shelter's scanner and will assist you in identifying your puppy. The puppies should be completely weaned now. They should receive all their nourishment from food rather than from their mother. However it is permissible to allow the bitch to give the puppies the occasional feed should she so desire. Don't leave the softened food down permanently, this is unhygienic. Make sure you offer the puppies water to drink. As they move over to solid food and rely less on the bitch they will need water to replace the fluid they had in the form of milk. Ensure the water container is not deep or a puppy could fall in and drown The mom's job is now almost complete. We gradually start to integrate the Mom back into the family and away from her babies. She must of course have access to them, but is not forced to be with them if she doesn't want to. Pups start to really fight and play with each other, learning pain threshold bite inhibition. From this day on the breeder will have limited sleep as the pups like to play and bark early in the morning and late into the night. Pups day 49 The babies are fully weaned and eating four good sized meals a day. Stick to regular mealtimes while Toilet Training As soon as puppy is toilet trained, you must leave water down for them during the day and feed RAW 3x a day to avoid GI upset, bloat and torsion like we do. The puppies will now be very active and will be playing for a few hours a day. They will be very rough with each other and there will be lots of ear tugging! Puppies will also receive an International Health Certificate from our vet to attest to the health of your puppy. Ocassioinally we have had males with undescended Testicals which just means they may or may not be down at the time of the neuter. No big deal. Ocassionally our pups will have lower jaw be narrower than the top jaw pups are still growing and maturing and this poses no health issues. Dewclaw regrowth can also be removed, as can any retained baby teeth. Pups day 49 Bijou Puppy Play area At this stage subject to the weather! Always ensure the area is 'puppy proof' i. Also watch for birds as if they poop in a food source or water bucket, could give your pups Coccidia cure for that is tx with Baycox NEW Bijou Puppy Play area Bijou Poodles designed and had built a special puppy play area so that our pups can remain clean, and parasite free and have lots of mental and physical stimilus to help them mature and develop confidence to be FEARLESS by the time they go home. Pups receive their second bath and blow dry. Pups are also introduced to having their nails Dremelled. Up until now, they may have just heard the dremel working. If you wish to do a series of "3" vaccines then puppy will need one when they come home at 9 weeks of age and two more shots, 4 weeks apart the first year. Puppy will need a vaccination 12 months later, and then not again for 3 years. Puppy Package Pups day 49 Now is the time for us to say goodbye.Puppies being shipped will have all information emailed we are paperless , but puppy will arrive with cage, collar, leash and health certificate. Our contract does stipulate that our "Bijou" name appear first on our Red puppy's registered name and "K-Lar's" name appears first on our Brown puppy's registered name, to reflect that we bred that puppy and aid others in following our amazing lineage. If puppy has not been Altered prior to going home new owners agree to have their pet puppy altered prior to 12 months of age. Current Food information read our page. Pups day 59 The puppy will need first vaccination at 16 weeks of age providing puppy still has maternal antibodies when sent home. Review our Vaccination page for current practice. Pups Day 70 Pups day 91 The puppies are 16 weeks old now, they should have had their 1 and only CORE vaccination and they will just need a Rabies done no sooner than 6 months of age Day The puppies are 16 weeks old now, and be ready for puppy classes Rabies vaccine should not be done before 6 months of age Rabies will be due again the following year and then every 3 years legally after this. You may wish to start on Advantix Flea control or Revolution. Revolution requires blood samples prior to receiving the topical drops that also prevent flea and heart worm, if heart worm is a problem in your area. You are the paying customer the one in charge so make sure you fully understand what you are putting on your puppy. IF you require treatments then we recommend Revolution topical 1x a month treatment which prevents against heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, fleas, ticks, and even mites when used as directed. Or as we would prefer.Development of Puppy For Owners 7 to 12 weeks Puppy needs 20 to 22 hours of sleep to grow and develop his body and mind. This is the number one neglected aspect of raising our precious new friend. It is often why uninformed owners have a puppy exhibit ill temper; the aggression can be due to sleep deprivation. Now place yourself in an environment where it is difficult to communicate to another species. Oh no, they just let the neighbor kid alone with you! I believe you get the idea. Well, you take a breed or line of dogs that is strong-willed and ZAP, the puppy nips to express that it just wants to sleep! Unfortunately, many of the pets you pay with your taxes to have euthanized at the county animal shelters became "nasty" dogs because an uninformed parent used the puppy as a living "child entertainment center". Please pass this reasoning on to anyone you know who is considering a new puppy. The above warning helps you to start to see the world as a puppy. Hopefully, you have looked long and hard to find the right character in your new canine companion. His family tree is brilliant with individuals of strong breed character whom have led faithful and outstanding long lives with their owners; his sires have proved themselves as breed champions or obedience wins. You found a breeder with the attitude about breeding dogs that you found ethical and reputable. So, you met the parents of your puppy or at least the mother, and they were of the character you hope to develop in your new friend. The mother should be a nurturing jewel of a lady. You asked to see her off lead in an open area or in the house. She listened respectfully to her owner and played gently with your children and came to great and sniff you. Perhaps the mother is also a champion or obedience title holder. The most important thing is she is loving and stable. She instills her temperament in the puppies as she nurses them for six weeks. Puppy is confident and curious. He is bold, yet sensitive. He comes from a long line of outstanding "best friends" that the breeder was happy to tell you stories about as they showed you pictures and health test reports. This new little friend is very proud to be your new pet and that attitude is what you capitalize upon to help you in training. You watched his temperament testing and you know about his desires and fears. He is canine, a pack animal. You are now the pack leader. Big responsibility if this is to go without a lot of mistakes! My pups generally test with an excellent response to voice requests. It is important to talk to your puppy. Vary your tone, to the point of exaggeration, to reflect the meaning of the communication. Bark your displeasure and coo your praise. Not until dogs are much older do they understand individual words. At this age, tone is your key A special note must be made here as recommended by Dr. Dunbar, "avoid names that begin with s, sh, or hissy sounding tones. The puppy looks at you timidly as you are calling him to come, but you keep saying that sssss sound. In further training the commands to sit, stand and stay as well as the politically incorrect "shut up" will all be that much more work for your puppy to decipher from his own name. If you would like my formula for no mistakes in the house, read on. You must be fair in training your puppy. Some pups hold grudges and give you another hurdle in training. This trait is usually reported during the temperament test. Other pups take or require more instruction or correction. You will be able to tell from your results how much pressure to apply. Reward with love, and for monumental accomplishments, FOOD. Camera One Canine Actors in San Diego recommends, "Play for 5 minutes, train for 5 minutes," and keep alternating, especially when the pup is young. This sets the mood of training as a fun time with the owner. But at 7 or 8 weeks of age what the puppy has to learn are the basic house LAWS. Your pup will have no problem understanding his own area if it is strictly defined. Remember you are setting the rules that are to be followed or ignored from time to time for the next 10 to 15 years. A few slips of following the guidelines will be setting your pet up for a few slips of the laws in the future. Keeping your pup in the kitchen is fair training. You have given strict boundaries. Everyone in the house knows it. Your spouse respects the law; the children respect the law. And if no one breaks the law your pup will be content in his new home. They are the ones that take him to the outdoors for relieving himself. Remember, I said this is how we make no mistakes. Everyone likes to gather in the kitchen and kitchens usually are not carpeted. This is why I recommend this central, high use room. People do not gather in the laundry room or the spare room in the basement. That is why the kitchen is fair. Taking the pup to another room say to watch television one night and not the next is asking for a lot of howling. Taking the pup every night in to another room is asking for your first accident. The puppy is too young and you can not watch television and the bottom end of the puppy at the same time. The goal here is no mistakes. The puppy is sleeping a lot at this age and if he is wide awake perhaps you could adjust his schedule so he is going to sleep as the household winds down for the day. This is temporary and useful for about the first 6 to 8 months. Remember — no mistakes. Make certain your spouse knows this law, that the children know this law and that Aunt Matilda visiting from Canada knows this law. If the pup is shown just once this new way out you might as well fold up the spacious pen right there and then. And then training just became unfair. Second choice is the dreaded crate training method. My pups are too smart and sensitive to enjoy living in one of those things. So, make certain everyone knows the LAW. Always use the door to put pup in pen or to take him out. Have the pen set up before the puppy comes home. Also you may have his food made and waiting in the fridge. You may warm it to room temperature when he gets there. Nothing will make a pup in a new situation more comfortable than you having control over his space and showing it to him everything set up and the aroma of his food being gently warmed and served will be just what a puppy needs. Thinking like a puppy some more, make certain that half the exercise pen is covered in newspaper for his toilet and the other has a nice blanket, lots of toys, a hanging water bowl and a spot to place the food. Once he has eliminated on the papers and has become a bit calmer, give him his food near his bed. Tell him calmly how proud you are to welcome such a fine intelligent member to the pack. As a reward for "pottying" in the right spot I say, "Go potty on the papers — good puppy" give the pup his first food reward in your pack. As he is checking this food reward by licking and nibbling say some low tone encouraging words. Go ahead and cover the urine or feces with a sheet or two of paper. Knowing that all this is ok will make him comfortable and relaxed. Taking him to the back yard to "potty" may be useless these first few days. An important notion: a new area to explore is to be used as reward for understanding the laws so far. If each area is introduced slowly and only after the first room is understood, you will be well on your way to bragging "no mistakes! This has been a detail of the first 7 to 12 weeks. As you get closer to 12 weeks you will note the pup stops defecating in his exercise pen between walks outdoors. Then, the urination will be more controlled as well. Some house training manuals say to regulate the amount of water for the puppy. I believe fresh, clean purified water not conditioned by water softener or chlorinated should be available at all times. Please feed and water from stainless steel dishes. For the water I recommend a galvanized 2-qt. Catalogs that carry the pens will have these buckets available. The snap you will need to buy at the hardware store. The water being held to the fence this way prevents the bucket from spilling the water everywhere. If the pup spills his food he can eat it off the floor; if he spills his water, besides being a big mess, he is without water. Studies show that dogs prefer water cool not cold and 3 to 5 inches deep in their pail. If you have had no mistakes so far, you may start one room at a time rewarding your puppy for perfect pack behavior. Your "cave" is to be respected and a slow introduction to each room is key to maintaining respect from your adoring pup. Always take puppy out to "Go Potty" every 2 hours at the least when pup is out of his pen. Share some evenings with the puppy. All the time you should tell him that he has earned your trust. Tell him, "I trust you now in this new room — follow me. And make certain the behavior you allow him to carry out while you are watching TV or reading, etc. Remember to be fair in training to build trust. Now is a great time to introduce basic obedience. My line of poodles trains easily with food reward "initially" as young pups. I have seen this method produce problems later in life, with dogs only working for food and only when hungry. Food will work, but after the puppy knows the command switch to praise for the reward and or play as soon as you can. A good leader leads by respect. Check out our Obedience web page for some assistance and examples. A puppy kindergarten class with minor agility aspects would be nice for you to attend if you have found the best class possible in your area. Not the closest, not the cheapest, but the one that the top dog sport competitors are sponsoring or attending. This takes a bit of research and maybe some driving will be involved. It is worth the extra effort to learn from the best right from the start. You'll learn the proper footwork and body language to help train your "blank slate. Learn one command thoroughly before going to the next. It is good to take your pup along to strange places. Be cautious about letting him sniff around dirt and shrubs where other dogs may have defecated. Do not let your puppy sniff other dogs and vice versa instead distract with a. .Your puppy is most vulnerable to viruses and disease at this age. Just explain to other dog owners that you are being intelligently cautious! Pick your puppy up off the ground if another owner doesn't respect your non-contact requests. Use "happy" voice and change direction, clap your hands "over here". .Skip the puppy kindergarten "classes" where they believe that letting all the pups run together in a free for all is teaching them important manners. Some pups may need that.You were smart to locate a puppy to buy that stayed with its mother and litter through the crutial six weeks of age. Your puppy learned important lessons then. Not in the midst of a bunch of pups of questionable backgrounds all on different vaccination schedules. Investigate the course instruction. Puppies should be kept on lead, with a buckle collar with focus on their owners. Each is learning and focused, NOT sidetracked by a riot of pups running loose and out of control. Instructors should appear sharp with lots of direction offered to those that need assistance. Look for a calm, well-run class. Your pup's spirit is already high and happy. He is well adjusted, daring and enthusiastic. Your mission is to maintain that spirit and guide it under your control. Dependable obedience is achieved with a smile from your dog. Dogs love to have guidelines and boundaries. Dogs appreciate being gently guided by strong, kind hands. Instead always act the way you want your puppy to react. Fearless and confident and sounding in charge. Do not stress your pup now. Keep everything simple and give him lots of bones to chew. I do not recommend introducing new lessons. Work only on what your pup knows already. Insist only on maintaining house manners, lessons already learned and keeping the teeth on HIS playthings. Some baby teeth may grow into the gums but don't worry. The gums will make room for these baby teeth and they will soon fall out when the adults come in. A note about teeth: remember when you shed your deciduous teeth at age 6 or 7? Twisting the tooth around until it came out. Bothered by the next one coming loose or the new one coming in. Well, your pup thinks about his teeth a lot right now. You can help the proper alignment of the bite by encouraging the top incisors to come out first. If the upper permanent teeth are coming in to place well before the bottom incisors they will hold the bottom ones in better position. If they come in simultaneously, there may be a crashing of the upper and lower permanent teeth. Instead of meshing nicely the top slightly over the bottom teeth — like your own the bite could become undershot or wry. Pushing gently with your fingers is all that is necessary to help the process. Most owners don't pay that much attention to the teeth. If you have read this far you are not just another average owner! Dental problems are rare in a strong line of poodles like mine. And now I just gave you something else to fool with these weeks! At about 8 months Teenage begins. Hold on to your training once again until the "testing" of your limits by your puppy settles down -- oh, at about 14 months of age.

How do I train my 8 week old German Shepherd puppy? It is quite normal for young German shepherd dogs to be hungry but constant hunger does concern me. Ask the vet to check if the worm treatment is working. Two other potential causes are maldigestion and malabsorption. Pancreatic insufficiency is common in German shepherds. How much should a German shepherd puppy eat a day? To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the feeder, the feed manufacturer, or by your veterinarian. For example, you could expect to start feeding your puppy a total of around 3 cups a day of a high-quality kibble. Dogs and people, too need sugar for energy. Is it normal for my puppy to always be hungry? Your puppy might always be hungry because they need more daily calories. They may also have adopted bad habits caused through eating human food. Some dogs and puppies will naturally be more prone to food obsession. Do German Shepherd puppies eat a lot? Your GSD pup eats nearly double the amount of an adult in order to maintain growth rate and their higher daily energy needs. Balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. What time should I feed my German Shepherd puppy? Feed 3 times per day from 8 to 12 weeks of age and twice per day thereafter. If you want to change the food, always choose a high quality puppy food labeled for large breeds. What do I do if my puppy is always hungry? Always stick to your feeding schedule. Should I let my puppy eat as much as he wants? Puppies need to eat a lot—and not too much. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs, and they should have a visible waist when you look down at them. Why is my puppy eating so fast? They get excited to eat, they see the food, and they all rush over to the bowl. Some puppies will quickly get over that behavior, but others will keep at it until they are taught to slow down. Should puppies eat 2 or 3 times a day? Puppies need small, frequent feedings. Is my puppy hungry or greedy? If you are feeding a quality dog food and if you are following the feeding instructions properly — then it is likely that your dog is just being greedy. How do you know when your puppy has worms? What are the signs your dog has worms? How much food should a 6 week old German Shepherd eat? How much should a 6 week old German Shepherd puppy eat? How much should I feed my 8 week old German Shepherd puppy? At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. My puppy is always hungry is a sentence most veterinarians hear all the time. But what about when you have the same problem with an adult dog or even a senior one? This leaves them not just having to adjust to a new living environment, but their body might also require some time to adjust. Newborn puppies have a feeding source available right there next to them, in the shape of their mother. Suddenly, your puppy is going from a constant supply of food to eating only two to four times a day. In the wild, dogs are opportunistic eaters. They can spend days without any access to food. This is the same reason many dogs express food aggression. Many wild dogs and wolves will scavenge for food and bury any leftovers so they can have them later. Does that sound familiar? If your dog is constantly trying to dig in the trash can, he is simply following his survival instincts. Survival Mode If you have an adult dog that is always hungry, chances are you adopted him when he was older than a few months. In fact, some puppies are even born with a parasitic infection they inherit from their mothers. They will stick onto the intestinal walls and absorb all the nutrients from the food your dog eats. This can lead to an increased appetite and malnutrition. If a dog has this disease, his body will produce too much glucocorticoid, a stress-regulating hormone. Too much glucocorticoid causes your dog to be hungry all the time. Dogs with diabetes will lack insulin, which normally helps glucose get into the blood cells. This condition occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, making your dog hungry all the time. Keep in mind that young puppies have a much faster metabolism than older dogs. They can eat a lot without weight gain. However, if you notice they are becoming underweight, this is a red flag. The smartest thing would be to talk to your vet about the right amount of food your puppy requires. Most of the time, this will depend on things such as dog breed and size and his activity levels. Large breeds that are active will require more calories than small lap dogs. If you have a small puppy, be prepared to feed him about four times a day. Puppies require lots of small meals as their metabolism is faster, which is also the reason puppies will want to poop much more often than adult dogs. An older puppy should be fed 2 to 3 times a day. Adult dogs should eat no more than twice a day — unless they are working dogs with higher activity levels. Active dogs require more small meals a day as this can provide them with enough energy to go through their day. Food Needs The amount of dog food required will depend mostly on the size of your dog. This should make sense. A large dog should eat more than small breeds. However, the main indicator of how much food a puppy should eat is his weight. For example, a pound German Shepherd puppy will require 2 cups of food daily not per meal! On the other hand, a small, 5-pound Chihuahua puppy will need no more than one cup of food per day. A pound Bulldog puppy will also require 2 cups of food, just like a pound German Shepherd pup. They will require more calories and high-quality dog food without any fillers. Keep in mind that puppies should eat wet food until they are old enough to chew on a kibble. For large dogs, this is usually when they reach 10 weeks of age. Smaller dog breeds have smaller teeth, which is why they might not be prepared for dry food until they are at least 14 weeks old. Fortunately, there are ways to notice whether your puppy is underweight or overweight. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself when looking at your pup: 1. Can I easily see his ribs? Can I easily feel his ribs? When I look at my dog from above, do I see his waistline? The answers to these questions will tell you everything you need to know. Underfed puppies have a too slender waist, while overfed ones tend to not have a clear waistline at all. Most puppies, just like babies, have a little bit of tummy fat. If you think your puppy is really overweight, you might even want to take him to the vet. Of course, all puppies are different, and some dog breeds will always look chubbier than others. However, these guidelines are a general rule of thumb that can help you determine whether your dog is eating too much or too little. Bad Habits Many pet owners make mistakes when feeding their pets. They do this out of best intentions, as they simply cannot stand the thought of their beloved companion being hungry for a second. Feeding Dogs Table Scraps Giving human food and table scraps to your dog is always a terrible idea, especially if you have a growing puppy. This makes it challenging to keep track of what your dog is eating. Of course, this means your entire family has to be with you on this. Overfeeding We cannot stress this enough: overfeeding is the main reason dogs become obese. While chubby puppies might look cute, there is nothing healthy about having an obese dog. Obesity can lead to many problems, especially in large breeds prone to orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Overall, the best possible thing is to stick to your feeding schedule, no matter the event or the behaviors your dog is expressing. There are a couple of things you might want to try if you want to speed up these efforts: Give More Frequent Meals When you bring a new puppy home, you should give him many small meals. As mentioned before, four meals should be enough. This will ease his transition from breastfeeding. As time goes by and your puppy gets used to eating wet food, lower the number of daily meals. Add Water to the Kibble When a puppy starts eating dry food, he might not be used to it. This can make him eat more or less of it than he should, which will make him hungry all day long. He might even eat slower than he normally would, which will help his tummy feel full. As he grows older, reduce the amount of water until you leave him with nothing but kibbles. This is the healthiest way to ensure he is eating the right amount of food and that his transition to dry food goes well. Use Some Type of Obstacle One of the reasons your puppy might be feeling hungry all the time is that he is eating too fast. The same happens with humans. Adding a cup in the middle of the feeding bowl can be enough. Your puppy will have to eat around it, which will make him eat slower than he normally would. You can even find many specially designed food bowls made for fast eaters. These can also help prevent bloating or calm down puppies that get overly excited during mealtime. Consult Your Vet If you feel like there is something wrong with your puppy and his eating habits, you might want to consult your vet just to be on the safe side. Unfortunately, there are some medical causes behind the constant hunger some puppies feel. This can help you sleep calmly. The Final Word All puppies have unique needs. Is he too big or too small for his age? If your puppy is being annoying and constantly begging for food, the most important thing is to not give in to his begging. The sun is out and the weather is nice. Everything is going well until they pull hard on their leash all of a sudden. Then you hear a crunching sound. They resist with all their might. And now everyone is looking at you. What a relief! You often wonder: Why does this happen? Your German Shepherd may be starting to discover new things. Especially if they are still a puppy or they are in a new environment. This includes sniffing and having a taste of anything they could get their hands on. Or rather, their paws. Sometimes, they really are just eating machines! This is why they are considered as some of the most effective guard dogs. Yes, they do sniff. But they also treat themselves once in a while. Through licking and eating things. But before you give your canine some downtime, try to understand them. Why do they do these things? One word: wolves. But after some time, they learned the ways they can scavenge food from humans. And then they were able to eat without having to hunt. But the food was limited back then. So they used to stuff themselves with everything before the food ran out again. This instinct is still intact until today. Our dogs will go through our trash or would eat scraps from our table. They would eat anything we offer them. All was going well until they drove their heads right in the picnic mat. You cover your face in embarrassment. Goodness, gracious! Even if your dog just ate a minute ago, they always look for food. Why is that? The reason why they eat everything could be because you are not feeding them enough. German Shepherds are large dogs. Their average weight ranges from 49 pounds to 88 pounds 22 kg to 39 kg. With that weight, they have to be fed correctly. If not, they will look for food sources elsewhere. Your dog loves to eat grass. Wherever you go for walks, they stay in one place and gobble on some fresh greens. Then they vomit them. Especially when they also love to give you kisses afterward. This could be because they need certain nutrients. If they eat grass all the time, they could be lacking in fiber. Or they just love the taste of organic goodies. Well, unless they are eating poisonous plants. In which case, you should take them to a vet immediately. The stool may have parasitic worms that can lead to stomach problems. But if your dog eats feces, it means they may have nutritional deficiencies. You can resolve this by letting them take multivitamins. If your German Shepherd is eating non-stop, this could be because of medical reasons. They may have a parasite in their small intestine such as tapeworms that can cause them to be hungry all the time. Think of it as being pregnant. A mom could be eating for two: herself and the baby in her womb. Whereas your dog is also eating for two: for themself and the tapeworm. Taking them to the vet for some medications should do the trick. Dogs also experience this. Pica is a compulsive disorder which could be caused by behavioral reasons such as fear or stress. An example of this is when they fear punishment for destroying something. So to get rid of the evidence, they would eat it instead. Note that this behavior is dangerous. It could cause a loss of appetite, stomach problems, and choking. The endocrine system is responsible for the production of the hormone cortisol. So what exactly is cortisol and why is it important? It regulates weight, tissue, and skin conditions. In effect, your German Shepherd will be more vulnerable to disease and infections because of a weak immune system. Do German Shepherds Shed? What feeding plan you enforce from their puppyhood days should be stuck to throughout their lives. There are a few dog feeding plans, choose the best one based on what character your dog has. A full bowl of food usually dry kibble is placed out allowing your dog to eat whenever they want to. Also, if you have many dogs, they can access the food from the same bowl. They can eat whenever they are hungry and not have to wait for feeding. This feeding plan gives owners more flexibility and freedom. But, on the other hand, there are disadvantages. A greedy dog can easily eat beyond his fill, making him overweight and prone to obesity! Plus, in particular, one dog could bully the other dogs and stop them from eating their fair share of food. Do German Shepherd Like Water? Can They Swim? After this, it is taken away. So while scheduled feeding may make your dog eat fast as he is afraid you will take his food away, overeating is not a possibility. But, if your dog is a slow eater he could end up feeling hungry all day long. People even mention this as a cruel method of feeding. Portion feeding is especially good if your dog is on a diet plan. He will stay within eating limits. On the other end, portions allocated in portion feeding could be inadequate for your dog if you miscalculate! Also, this type of feeding requires you to feed your dog multiple times. Do German Shepherd Drool? Causes of Drooling 5 Anxiety Just as humans are prone to overeating due to anxiety, dogs are the same. An anxious German Shepherd can easily eat too much or eat too frequently. As his owner, it is your responsibility to observe these eating changes. But first, you must get down to the source of the problem. Why is your German Shepherd anxious? Dogs can get anxious for a number of reasons. The most common ones are insecurity and loneliness. If a person or animal has moved in, your dog could be feeling uncomfortable or unsafe. If someone your dog cares about has moved out, your dog could miss him, making him feel anxious. His peak appetite will be when he is an adult as his metabolism and energy expenditure are both high in adulthood. But, as your dog enters his senior years his body is not what it used to be. He will be unable to digest food the same way he could. This actually leads to vital nutrients and minerals not being properly absorbed by the intestine. A condition called malabsorption. As a result, your senior German Shepherd is prone to feeling hungry all the time. Fortunately, you as an owner can help to deal with this. If you have recently adopted a German Shepherd from a shelter, he is likely to feel hungry all the time. This is because of the insecurity that he feels. Perhaps he feels he may not get food again for a long time. Eventually, after he settles down this may not be his fear anymore. But, not all dogs learn to let go of this instinct. All you can do is offer up support and love and hope he feels safe and loved by you. If your dog has a dog sibling that has just joined the family recently, this instinctive eating could be seen. This is because they feel that the other dog might eat all the food and he will remain hungry. So, to assure he is fed and fit, he will definitely eat a lot! A German Shepherd can eat most meats like beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and duck. You can give your dog raw meat to provide all the required nutrients. These meats can be eaten cooked but nutrients may be lost in the process of cooking. Fruits and vegetables are essential for dogs as they are for humans. Carrots act as a crunchy snack besides being high in vitamins and a nice way to incorporate fiber into their diet. Nuts are a great energy-boosting snack but only give your German Shepherd hazelnuts or peanuts. That too, in moderation. Other foods safe for your German Shepherd are whole grains, honey, peanut butter, and quinoa. Can You Shave German Shepherd? Meats like shrimp and fish are not advisable and require monitoring. Some fish can have parasites that can affect your dog. Dogs cannot eat some fruits. This includes avocados, grapes, pears, grapes, raisins, and persimmons. Nuts have high calories and influence weight gain in your dog. Macadamia, pecans, walnuts, and pistachios are the main nuts your dog cannot eat. Other foods you should never feed your dog are chocolate cacao , caffeine, xylitol, salt, and potatoes. All human junk and fast food are not good for your pet dog. These items usually taste good but increase weight and cholesterol and sugar levels. The monthly cost of feeding a full-grown German Shepherd fluctuates. The cost of feeding a German Shepherd depends on the age of your German Shepherd, its appetite, and the food brand chosen. The total monthly cost of owning a German Shepherd is more because of other costs pertaining to vet bills, toys, and other bills. Why is my German Shepherd not eating in summer? It is very common for a German Shepherd to eat less during summer. Hence, requiring less energy. But, it is not common for them to stop eating completely! Take them to a vet as there is probably an underlying reason for this. Final thoughts 1. They sometimes treat each opportunity for food like it may be their last one. They believe deep down on a genetic level that food can very well become a scarce commodity and a limited resource. Their feeling is that they are not guaranteed a meal every day, or even every few days, and this may cause their survival instinct to kick in. If this becomes the case with your German Shepherd, then you are going to have to take control of the situation and exert your inner Alpha Leader. Then, come up with a regular feeding schedule, and above all, stick to it! Refrain from allowing anyone, family or visitors, from giving your dog any type of human table scraps or handouts. And with treats, only allow your dog to have them when it has earned them by following instructions or being calm and submissive. This is when you will remove the bowl, whether the entire meal was eaten or not. This will serve to help your dog learn the schedule of mealtime, and that they can expect to not be getting anything until the next meal. As your dog gets in tune with a schedule, it should work to remove the desire of always looking for something to eat. Psychology Another reason that your German Shepherd may always be acting like it is hungry may very well be based on psychology. Dogs are very habitual creatures, and as such any change in their mannerisms may indicate a deeper problem. If your German Shepherd has always presented as a somewhat passive eater but then seems to become more greedy in nature, then it may be time to investigate the possibility of something more than just basic instinct at work. Dogs, much like their human companions, can suffer from psychological issues. And when they do, often the first indication is a sudden and unexplained change in their personality as well as their habits. Some examples would be: Have you or your family recently moved? Has the German Shepherd recently been rehomed? Changes such as these are known to bring about feelings of insecurity and anxiety, which in turn will lead to extra added stress on your German Shepherd. In the case of a change in the pack dynamic, such as the case of the addition of a new dog to your home, you will need to supervise meals for a while. It is best to make sure that the newest member of the household is not trying to push the older member away from the bowl during feeding time. Improper Nutrition When most owners think of improper nutrition, they think of it in terms of a loss of appetite, not increasing appetite. However, the problem can have both effects on your German Shepherd. When it comes to store-bought, processed dog food, manufacturing companies pack the cans chock full of grains, starches and most of all fiber. Fiber is not as beneficial, or even beneficial in the same manner to dogs as it is to humans. Fiber, much like in humans, can aid in a dog feeling full after a meal. However, science shows that carbs from starches, as well as from fiber, are but a small percent of the daily healthy requirements for our dogs. This will then lead to food-seeking behavior. To make sure that your dog is getting a balanced and protein-rich meal, it is crucial that you feed them a nutritionally complete fresh food diet that is species-appropriate. A consultation with your vet can go a long way, as they can suggest the best feeding choices for your individual dog. If the proper food is fed during each meal, then your German Shepherd will be less likely to be seeking an additional meal later. Aging As our canine companions age, their physical systems will go through some changes. One of those changes can unfortunately be the inability of their system to properly digest, absorb, and make use of the food that they ingest. For this reason, many dogs, as they enter into their golden years, will appear to be hungry all the time. This condition, more commonly referred to as malabsorption. This is an ailment that originates in the gastrointestinal tract of a German Shepherd, resulting in the effect that no matter how much food the dog eats, it will still feel hungry almost all of the time. The treatment for malabsorption in aging dogs varies depending on what the root cause may actually be. In many instances, the German Shepherd will need to have a significant restructuring of their meals. This meal restructuring may include the prescribing of a diet that is gluten-free in an attempt to ease the feeling of hunger, which in turn may help towards managing the condition. Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth The intestines of most living creatures normally have lots of bacteria present. However, the number of intestinal bacteria can sometimes grow too quickly, and this abnormal rate of growth may sometimes become the start of the problem. With bacterial overgrowth in dogs, the area affected is that of the small intestines. The most commonly exhibited signs of small intestines bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO , are those of diarrhea and flatulence. With the idiopathic form in the German Shepherd breed, some dogs may appear overly and excessively hungry, as well as engaging in the act of pica or stool ingestion. The most commonly prescribed treatment for bacterial overgrowth is a series of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are taken orally. As a rule, the medicines most often chosen for use are those of tylosin, oxytetracycline, and metronidazole. Onset of Diabetes Dogs owners are sometimes surprised to learn that many of the illnesses that we as humans suffer from also apply to their dogs. One such malady that affects both humans and dogs alike, is diabetes. Diabetes mellitus , or uncontrolled levels of sugar in the bloodstream, is a disease that has a variety of factors that play into its development. Although it is widely thought that the German Shepherd is not genetically disposed to contracting diabetes, know that all dog breeds are susceptible. When a German Shepherd develops diabetes, and the fluctuations in blood sugar that comes with it, they may present with constant and ferocious hunger. The treatment for dogs diagnosed with diabetes is pretty much the same as with humans. Dietary changes are also commonly prescribed, which should help with the sudden spikes in blood sugar that are known to occur often. The treatment for German Shepherds diagnosed with diabetes can be long-term if not a life-long requirement. When this happens, the dog will show all the symptoms of starvation, including an ever-present hunger and appetite. At this current time, there is no cure known to work for EPI. A dog diagnosed with EPI does will not necessarily experience a shortened life span. If properly diagnosed, and the condition is treated properly, the dog can continue to enjoy as full and as active of a lifestyle as any other dog. When the enzymes are added to its food each time a dog is fed, the supplement works to help break down and aid in the digestion of the food from each meal. Hyperthyroidism This condition presents the same in dogs as it does in humans. Because the thyroid controls all of the systems in the body, there is no one system that remains unaffected by the condition. Hypothyroidism itself is brought on by the excessive production of the hormone thyroxine. This increased production is generally diagnosed as a result of aggressive thyroid cancer. The thyroxine is the very fuel that causes the increase of metabolism to occur. Although the condition may be triggered by a diet that contains high levels of hormones, the usual culprit is that of an aggressive cancer of the thyroid, resulting in a tumor. Unfortunately, more often than not, this diagnosis is terminal. Treatment is usually determined by one of multiple factors, including the size of any tumor present, and if said tumor has already metastasized to other organs or systems of the body. The medical term for the syndrome, hyperadrenocorticism, is one in which the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones. The adrenal glands are commonly located near the kidneys of the dog, and are vital to the function and sustaining of the body systems needed for life. As for treatment, that depends on which form of the syndrome that the German Shepherd is diagnosed with. Treatment could simply mean the halting of any steroids that are being given to the dog, to the possibility of surgery to remove any tumors that may be present in the adrenal or pituitary glands. Your vet may also introduce a different course of treatment, which will most often have to be followed to the letter and maintained on a regular and consistent basis. Intestinal Cancers As mentioned above, when the intestines of a German Shepherd are affected, then there is usually a problem with the absorption of nutrients. Many types of cancers that develop in our dogs are gastrointestinal in origin. The cancers usually present with tumors in either the rectum, stomach or the intestines. Both of these types of tumors are known to grow at a rapid pace. Although the current treatment is surgery, a lasting cure seldom results, as the cancer has more often than not already metastasized. Chemotherapy may be suggested but is usually found to be unsuccessful. If a dog suffers from either of these types of cancers, survival time is usually anywhere from two to ten months. In most cases, painkillers are highly advised, in an effort to lessen any pain that may be associated with the cancers. The sudden onset of increased appetite in German Shepherds may possibly be an indication of one of several other underlying conditions. Contact your veterinarian at this point for further evaluation. If you suspect that any of the above are reasons that your dog may be experiencing constant hunger, it is highly advised to consult with your veterinarian.