wentwood labradoodles puppy farm
Like many small dog breeds, Pugs reach their full size faster than medium to large-sized dogs. Pugs reach their adult size around nine months of age but may continue to put on a small amount of muscle until they are a year old. Image Source: Pexels How big should a 6-month-old Pug be? A six-month-old Pug will weigh between 7 and 12 pounds on average and will be close to their full adult height, which is typically around 10 to 13 inches tall. Pugs are highly prone to putting on excess weight and their food intake needs to be monitored closely. Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on health, puppy-proofing practices, training, winter and summer safety, and more! How much bigger will my Pug get? Pugs reach their full size around nine months of age but may continue filling out until they are a year old. If your Pug is younger than nine months old, they are definitely still growing! If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, they are likely still growing. This is a classic puppy feature that indicates that more growth is needed. A puppy will rarely grow to be larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you an idea of their maximum size. What is the size of a full-grown Pug? According to the American Kennel Club Official Pug Standards , you can expect a full-grown Pug to weigh between 14 and 18 pounds and stand 10 to 13 inches tall. A full-grown Pug will appear compact and solid, rather than lean and leggy. If your Pug continues to put on weight past 18 pounds, reach out to your veterinarian to assess whether your Pug is putting on excessive weight. If your Pug weighs more than 18 pounds, consult with your veterinary professional to ensure that they are at their healthiest weight. Pugs are especially prone to heatstroke due to their compromised breathing. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to lessening the side effects of brachycephalic syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct narrow nostrils or elongated soft palettes. Many veterinary treatments and procedures cost thousands of dollars. When surveyed, Only .This is a crucial factor in why pet insurance is so valuable to pet parents. Pet insurance reimburses you a percentage of your out of pocket expenditure for veterinary bills. Not only can pet insurance provide you peace of mind should surgery or treatments be needed, but available wellness plans can significantly reduce the cost of routine veterinary exams or maintenance, like dog teeth cleaning or x-rays. Your veterinarian is your greatest resource in keeping your pup happy and healthy. Continue making healthy lifestyle choices, like daily exercise and a nutritious diet, for your Pug to keep them active and living their best life! Unfortunately, Pugs are prone to a larger number of health issues due to their brachycephalic syndrome and other genetic predispositions. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Punk and Star Photo courtesy of The Kuney's If you have had your Pug for a while, it may be hard to believe that your 12 year old dog is the equivalent age of 59 human years; however this is a guideline that refers to the breakdown of the body's ability to fend off disease, level of exercise a dog is able to handle and so forth. An owner can have a Pug in this teens that still loves to run around the park! Let's look at the milestones that a Pug will enter from birth until the senior years. Birth to 8 Weeks - Many owners do not see this stage, however newborn Pug puppies double and triple their weight very quickly. Newborns will sleep up to 22 hours per day. Those at the 8 week mark will sleep up to .Growth is going to be rapid. It will last several months. Females will have their first heat if not spayed. Males will have viable sperm. Though technically a female can become pregnant at this young age, breeding is recommended at the age of 1 year old or older. Males should be at least 9 months old. Some Pug puppies will stop growing by the age of 9 months. For others, just a few pounds will be gained from now until the 12 month mark. By the time, full height is usually reached. The adult Pug will fill out in width, most noticeable in the chest area. The dog is muscular and will not grow any larger. Extra weight gain at this point may be deemed unhealthy. Pugs that gain a significant amount of weight after the age of 18 months should be checked out by the veterinarian. The Pug dog is muscular and in his or her prime. Most vets will classify a dog as a senior by age 7 or 8. Even if this is not officially done, 9 years would be the limit that one could hold off on dubbing the Pug a senior. Pug Weight and Growth Chart This chart will give you a guideline for what to expect in how fast your Pug grows and how quickly he will gain weight. An 8 week old Pug puppy will weight between 2 and 4 pounds. Though the AKC breed standard gives us a final full size of pounds 5. It's a funny thing because the changes happen gradually and owners usually do not notice.And then, one day it reaches a certain point and the owner will say, "When did my dog get old!? Your dog may show a bit of difficulty when rising from a down position. He or she may walk slower up a staircase. A quality canine mattress is recommended for any age, however during the senior years an orthopedic canine bed is more important than ever. Expect an older Pug dog to take more naps and retreat more often due to a lower tolerance for noise levels. When your dog reaches the age of 8 or 9, it will be time to give a bit more attention to certain grooming techniques. Skin looses its elasticity and cleaning wrinkles will be more important than ever. An older Pug will be more susceptible to infections. Take extra time to clean the folds and keep them dry. Your Pug's veterinarian should be performing more thorough tests, especially for sugar levels. Eye exams are very important, as well. Just as with humans, an older Pug may be more susceptible to developing diabetes, arthritis , have problems with joints and their bones may be more brittle. The pounds that they have been carrying around and the body structure that they have short legs especially have been taking its toll. At this age, excess weight be a problem. It is recommended to make a gradual change in the diet, to ensure that meals have a higher count of nutrients specifically for aging pets. If you previously gave no-so-healthy snacks, make an effort to change over to a solid, healthy meal and snack plan. It will be time to make a change in regard to a vitamin and mineral supplement, switching to a senior formula. Additional supplements can be helpful depending on a Pug's specific needs. Most often, this breed does best with supplements to aid in joint health. Omega 3 can help to keep the skin and coat healthy and combat drying issues. The intensity of exercise should be scaled back a bit for seniors ; though daily duration of activity should remain as normal if the older Pug can handle it. It is still important go for walks so that a dog's heart stays healthy; movement is very necessary. However, once your Pug dog is a senior, you do not want to overdo activities as an older heart will not be able to handle what a younger heart was able to. It is during this time that you want to make the household as quite and peaceful as possible. Unless you absolutely must, do not move your furniture or make any changes that could cause stress or confusion. Creatures of habit, dogs know where things are and it can be disturbing if the environment is changed. The ability to hold elimination may weaken as bladder and bowel muscle loose some strength. At this time, you may want to start using doggie diapers. As odd as they may look, this will help your Pug and your home stay sanitary. If your senior does have accidents, never scold or punish. This is a normal process of aging. A loving owner, will of course, want to spend every moment that is left by showing compassion and care. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Overview When you have a dog from the age of a young pup, this gives you a wonderful opportunity. It offers you a chance to bond with your dog from the very beginning. This also gives you an advantage because you will be able to train and teach your pup what they need to know before they learn any bad behavior from elsewhere. This section will discuss how to care for a Pug puppy, starting at 8 weeks old and up until he or she is an adult, at the age of 1 year. Transition to a New Home Things will run much smoother if you plan ahead and have most, if not all, of your puppy care items already in your home. Here are the most important items to have: A crate — One with an adjustable size is best to fit the needs of a growing Pug puppy. Crating is a good night time method to use until a pup is housebroken. Gates or a playpen — Choosing an area to gate off or using a canine playpen are good options for when you must leave your Pug puppy home alone or for when you cannot be right at his side. This keeps the pup in a controlled space which helps in regard to bathroom needs and keeping a puppy in one area when he or she has strong chewing urges. Puppy food — This should be obtained before the puppy is brought home. Owners will not always agree with the food that a puppy has been being fed, however any change should be done gradually. Have the food that the Pug has been used to eating on hand, as well as your new choice. Details regarding making this change can be found here: Feeding a Pug. You'll also want them to be sized appropriately and at floor level. Honey — Puppies are prone to the condition of hypoglycemia, which is a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Stress, among other things, can bring this on and while going to a new home is a happy event, it can also be stressful for a little pup that is leaving all that he knew and no longer has the companionship and friendship of his litter-mates. Treatment can be provided at home as plans are being made to bring the puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinarian. A small dab of honey is rubbed onto the gums and then the puppy should receive professional treatment, sometimes an IV to restore sugar levels back to normal. Leash, collar and harness — Pugs are prone to conditions that involve breathing problems. The body structure of this breed confines breathing passages into a small space and Pugs can have smaller than normal nasal passages and openings stenotic nares. For this reason, using a harness can help a Pug breathe easier when on leash. A short 6 foot leash works best for both potty training and heeling. Read more : Choosing the Best Collar and Harness for a Pug Grooming supplies — The thick coat of a Pug sheds heavily and brushing it well and offering baths on a regular basis can help control shedding. Starting dental care at a young age can help a puppy become used to this grooming element and set up a foundation for a life time of good dental hygiene practices. Keeping the wrinkles, eyes and ears clean are important part of caring for a Pug puppy. Read more: Shedding - Expect your Pug to shed a lot and be prepared by having the right tools. Dental care - Taking care of your Pug's teeth should be high on your priority list. Ears - Expected shapes and proper care. Wrinkles - Keeping the wrinkles dry and clean. Sleeping supplies - Some owners prefer to have their puppy sleep in the bed with them and while this is not always a bad thing, an owner should think about how that will play out as the pup matures into a much larger adult dog. Having a pup get used to his own canine bed from the beginning, set up in a quiet corner of a room, may work out best. Do keep in mind that Pugs crave human companionship and do not like to feel isolated. Setting up the bed in a quiet corner of a well-used room allows a Pug to have a nice area to retreat to for rest and sleep while allowing him to be close to his human family. It will be normal for a little one to sleep anywhere from 16 to 18 hours a day.This included both night time sleep and naps that will be taken throughout the day. Chew Toys — Teething will begin around the age of 3 or 4 months old and can last up until a Pug puppy is 8 months old. Having a good supply of toys on hand for a puppy to chew on is important. Puppy Proofing Before bringing a puppy home and on a regular basis at least weekly owners are encouraged to go over all floors to remove any small objects that could be accidentally swallowed. All items that could be chewed on such as pocket books and shoes should be placed up high until the Pug has matured. Whining It is normal for very young puppies to cry when first brought to a new home, this usually only lasts for a week or so as the pup becomes used to his new family and environment. This can also be a sign of needing to go to the bathroom, so following house training guidelines, be sure to take your Pug puppy outside on a regular basis. Vaccinations for the Pug Puppy An important part of caring for your puppy will be to make sure he or she is up-to-date for all needed vaccinations. An 8-week-old should already have received his shots, as well as a de-worming. Veterinarians will have varying schedules, however this is a general guideline: 5 weeks Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk of exposure to parvo, some veterinarians recommend vaccinating at 5 weeks. Dogs at high risk are those that live in areas where wild life raccoon, skunk, deer, etc. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred. You will want to talk to your veterinarian about this. Reactions to Vaccines Immunizations are intended to stimulate the immune system to then protect a dog against a specific infectious disease. It is very important to have your Pug receive all needed vaccinations. Your Pug may react to immunizations in ways that range from soreness at the site of injection to mild fever to allergic reactions. The allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild- Mild reactions include fever, sluggishness, and loss of appetite. Mild reactions usually resolve without any treatment needed. This is called Urticaria. This happens when there is a reaction of the skin and shows as hives or bumps. It is usually extremely itchy. Urticaria may progress to anaphylaxis, which is considered life-threatening. However, Urticaria is the most common reaction in dogs if a reaction is to happen. Severe - The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis. This is a very fast, sudden, severe allergic response that causes breathing difficulties, collapse and possible death. This is very rare. Urticaria the moderate and most common reaction, if one is to occur happens soon after vaccination, often even before the puppy is brought home. It can happen in the car while you are driving back to your house. Your veterinarian will recommend immediate return to the hospital for treatment. Urticaria is usually treated successfully with injectable corticosteroids like dexamethasone or prednisone. Antihistamines do little to help with acute allergic reactions but may be given by injection to help prevent recurrence of symptoms after steroids wear off. Mild vaccination reactions usually require no treatment. However, if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. Growth Rate A Pug puppy grows quickly and this can happen gradually or with spurts and stops. Many Pug puppies have a growth spurt near the 3 to 5 month mark. As the pup nears the 1 year mark, growth will slow down. Once a Pug reaches his or her full height, there may still be some growth in the width of the Pug, as the chest widens and fills out. How a Pug ages and his growth is rapid, yet can be staggered during the first year. Getting Your Puppy Comfortable One of the most important parts of bringing a puppy home is allowing him or her to become used to their new surroundings. Allow your pup to roam around and check out his new environment. Be sure to keep a puppy's water in one designed spot so that the pup can know that it can always be found. The drinking and feeding area should be in a quite corner of a room, without much foot traffic or noise, since small puppies can feel vulnerable while eating. The absolute longest that a 2 month old pup can hold their needs is 2 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles are not yet fully developed. As they grow older, this time will increase as they have more control over their body. Usually it will increase by 1 hour for each month that goes by. Therefore, a 3 month old can hold on for about 3 hours, a 4 month old for about 4 hours and so on.With 8 hours being the maximum time for any age. Informational Note: When your 2 month old needs to go outside at least every 2 hours, be sure to not get stuck into that habit.It is important to slowly increase the time intervals. Your 3 month old can wait about 3 hours, but only if you allow the pup to use his bowel and bladder muscles to work and grow stronger. If an owner always brought their Pug outside every 2 hours, the dog would never learn to hold their needs for a longer period of time. Keep reading about the best way to house train a Pug puppy. All puppy vaccinations should be given before you take him or her out to the park, to pet supply stores or any other area in which there may have been or could be other animals. Many new owners already have another dog in the household. As your puppy grows older and is receiving the needed vaccinations, you can slowly begin introducing your new puppy to other dogs and allow normal socialization to begin. The Necessities of Care To have a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into a happy and healthy adult dog, make sure to always provide the essentials: A proper diet. You will need to decide if you want to offer manufacture food, home cooked food or a combination of both. Pugs are very sensitive to their human's emotions. A hug goes a long way! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. As newborns they are deaf, bind, and largely immobile. They rely on their mom, or their breeder for food, warmth, and care. A Pug is Born! Unfortunately, the birthing process of Pugs is a difficult one. Flat-faced breeds, such as the Pug, are more likely to experience complications when giving birth. The Pug is also more likely to experience Dystocia, which is simply a term that means difficult or abnormal birth. Such situations put both the mother and her pups at risk. More often than not, the mother will require her pups to be delivered by a C-section. This is due to the fact that unborn Pugs have large and broad heads, whilst their mom has a very narrow pelvis. This awkward combination makes natural birth difficult. If the birth is successful, Pugs commonly have litters containing puppies, with 4 pups being the average. If your baby Pug is born naturally, their mother will next turn to chewing off the umbilical cord and cleaning them up. This is an important part of the bonding experience for mother dogs. The newborn Pugs will often nurse from their mother. When they are not nursing, they will spend the majority of their time sleeping. Newborn Pugs Pug pups begin their life fully reliant on their mother. They are born blind, deaf, and without teeth. A coat should be present, with the color being commonly either fawn or black. Fawn pups may experience their coat color lightening or darkening in shade as they mature. Their eyes and ears will be closed at birth and will remain this way for a while yet. Unable to support their own body weight, they will crawl on their stomach to get around. Baby Pugs are also not able to regulate their temperature, meaning that it is very important to stay warm. They will commonly clump together in piles, sharing body heat. Finally, the mother will also have to help her pups urinate and defecate as they are unable to do so by themselves. She does this by licking the anal and genital areas. One Week Old Baby Pug During the first week of life, baby Pug pups will either be nursing off their mother or sleeping. As they are still blind and deaf at this stage, they will not bother exploring or moving around more than necessary, spending most of their time lying close to their littermates and mother. Their weight should steadily increase every day. At the end of their first week of life, they should have doubled their birth weight, or at least come close. The owners of the pups will need to keep an eye on their breathing as brachycephalic breeds, such as the Pug, commonly have breathing issues. Two Week Old Baby Pug As we hit two weeks of age, we see a key development in the puppies growth; their eyes will open for the very first time! To begin with, their eye color will be blue, but will likely transition into a dark brown as they mature. Owners need to check over their eyes to ensure there are no issues, as this breed can be susceptible to ocular problems. At this stage, they may be a little more curious about their surroundings due to their newfound eyesight. However, they will still primarily be focused on sleeping and nursing. Their weight should continue to rise steadily over the coming weeks. By this time, the ears of the baby Pug pups will have opened. They will be able to hear for the first time and will begin reacting to more sounds. Their eyesight will also have developed significantly, with them being able to recognize their mother, littermates, and objects placed in their den. Along with their newfound perception of the world, they should now be able to support their own body weight and stand up. They may be able to walk, albeit with an unsteady gait. With all the interesting sights and sounds around them, they will likely be a lot more inquisitive of their surroundings. They may explore the den as much as their wobbly legs will carry them. The Pug puppies will also start teething, with their baby teeth coming through for the first time. This may start a passing interest in solid food. Gaining Independence On top of all this, they should now be able to urinate and defecate on their own, without any stimulation from their mother. We can also expect to see the start of the early socialization period. The puppies will begin developing behaviors and social skills for the first time, taking part in play with their littermates. Owners of the puppies should take advantage of this period to help them get used to human touch and presence. They will be establishing relationships with their mother, den mates, and people. Training can begin at this early stage. Despite the fact that their brains still have a lot of developing to do, a start can still be made on teaching them basic crate and potty training. They will also likely be much more mobile on their feet. Little adventures will be common and the puppies will play together often. Soft, easy to eat puppy food can be given. They will continue to rise in weight and keep learning social skills, with more complex behaviors being shown. While they seem a lot more independent at this stage, they will still require plenty of time with their mother and den mates before they are ready to be moved to a new home. Six Week Old Baby Pug At six weeks old, the Pug puppies are fast approaching the age where they reach full independence. By now, they should be fully weaned off their mother and placed onto solid food only. This is a big step. There is still much to learn. Up until now, the Pug puppies have been very curious and interested in completely new things. But they have always been safe under the watchful eye of their mom, too. Now, as they finally gain independence, the puppies learn to be cautious and careful; traits that keep them alive in the wild. Eight Week Old Baby Pug At eight weeks old, the Pug pups are developed enough to be able to leave their mother and littermates behind. They can be sold and moved into a new loving home. They should weigh around pounds. Training and Raising a Pug Resources Keep in mind that they still have a lot of developing to do; both physically and mentally! Remember, they are still within their fear period! Things learned here will make a big impact.
Check Price on Amazon! Why We Love It Does your pup have sensitive skin? If your dog is scratching more than normal, has red or inflamed skin, or is losing hair, they may have sensitive skin. While there are many possible causes of sensitive skin in dogs, including allergies and infections, often the culprit is a reaction to shampoo or other grooming products. If you're looking for a shampoo that will be gentle on your pup's sensitive skin, Natural Dog Company's Sensitive Skin Shampoo is a great option. This extra-gentle formula uses only natural ingredients to cleanse and soothe your dog's skin. The shampoo is also free of fragrances, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. So, give your pup a bath with Natural Dog Company's Sensitive Skin Shampoo to help relieve their itchiness and discomfort. Your pup will thank you for it! What You Should Know This special formula contains manuka honey, aloe vera, chamomile extract, and colloidal oatmeal, which moisturizes and nourishes the skin and coat while gently relieving itchiness. This nourishing shampoo is safe for all dog breeds, sizes, and ages and will help maintain a clean, shiny coat and moisturized skin. Its soothing formula is free of sulfates, parabens, alcohols, toxins, and artificial fragrances to help balance your dogs skin. Manuka honey is a natural antiseptic that helps to heal cuts and wounds. Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to soothe itchiness and irritation. Chamomile extract helps to calm and relaxed dry, itchy skin. Colloidal oatmeal helps to moisturize and protect the skin. This shampoo is gentle enough for frequent use and will leave your dog feeling refreshed and looking great. Not only do you have to worry about getting them clean, but you also have to make sure that you're using the right products and techniques or you could end up hurting them. A lot of people are afraid to bathe their Goldendoodle because they don't know how to properly do it without hurting them. They might use the wrong shampoo, or not rinse well enough, and end up with a mess on their hands. At Goldendoodle Bath, we want to make sure that every dog owner has access to high-quality bathing supplies and information. We provide everything you need to get your Goldendoodle clean and healthy, from shampoo and conditioner to tips and tricks for a successful bath time. What should I wash my Goldendoodle with? There are a few things to consider when it comes to washing your Goldendoodle. As with any breed of dog, you want to be sure to use a dog-specific shampoo that is pH balanced and gentle enough for your pup's delicate skin. You also don't want to use human shampoo as it can be too harsh and drying for dogs. Be sure to rinse him thoroughly afterwards so that he doesn't get soap build-up in his coat which can lead to skin irritation. And always towel dry him thoroughly, especially if you're going to let him air dry. What type of shampoo is best for Goldendoodles? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best type of shampoo for Goldendoodles will vary depending on the dog's individual coat and skin type. However, there are a few general tips that can help you choose the right shampoo for your Goldendoodle: Look for a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs with sensitive skin. Goldendoodles often have sensitive skin, so it's important to find a shampoo that won't dry out their coat or irritate their skin. Be sure to avoid shampoos that contain harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances, as these can be irritating to the dog's skin and may cause excessive shedding. Choose a gentler formula. Many shampoos designed for people are too harsh for dogs, so it's important to find a gentle formula that won't strip away natural oils that keep your dog's skin and coat healthy. How often should a Goldendoodle be bathed? A good rule of thumb is to bath them once a month. However, if your Goldendoodle gets dirty or starts to smell bad, you can always give them a quick bath in between their regular baths. How often can I bathe my Goldendoodle puppy? Goldendoodle puppies should be bathed about once a week. Over-bathing can strip the puppy's coat of essential oils and leave it dry, itchy, and prone to skin problems. In general, bathing your dog too often is not good for its skin - just like over-bathing yourself is bad for your skin. It's best to bathe your dog when it really needs it, when it's dirty or smells bad. In between baths, you can groom your dog by brushing its coat and wiping down its body with a damp cloth. Do Goldendoodles need conditioner? Goldendoodles do not need conditioner as they have a coat that is meant to repel water and keep them dry. However, if you feel like your Goldendoodle needs some extra conditioning, you can use a light conditioner that is made for dogs. Why do Goldendoodles stink? There a few reasons why Goldendoodles might stink more than other types of dogs. First, they have extremely dense fur coats, which means that they tend to trap a lot of dirt and debris. Secondly, they have a very active metabolism, which causes them to produce more natural oils than other dogs. Lastly, Goldendoodles are often bred with poodles, which are known for having an objectionable odor. However, there are a few things you can do to help minimize the stink. First, make sure you brush your Goldendoodle frequently to remove any dirt and debris from their fur coat. Secondly, give them regular baths with a dog shampoo that is designed to minimize greasiness and odors. Last but not least, feed your Goldendoodle a high-quality diet, and use a dryer sheet between baths to reduce the amount of dog smell in your home. How do I keep my Goldendoodle hair shiny? Your Goldendoodle's hair can become shiny and lustrous with some easy grooming tips. First, avoid over-washing your dog as this can strip away natural oils that contribute to shine. When you do wash, use a quality pet shampoo designed to promote Shine. Gentle brushing with a boar's head brush or similar can also help distribute natural oils from the skin throughout the coat for added luster. Finally, consider using a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray after baths and brushings to keep your Goldendoodle's hair soft, manageable, and healthy-looking. Should dogs be bathed in warm or cold water? Whether you have a large or small dog, it's important to use warm water when bathing. This will make your pet compliance with the wash and happy in their new home! Cold-water simply does not work as well for cleaning purposes; don't try using hot either--that could be dangerous. How do you keep a Goldendoodle fluffy? It is important to groom your Goldendoodle regularly to maintain their fluffy coat. Here are a few tips: Brush the coat daily with a Slicker brush to remove any tangles or mats. Trim the hair around the feet and eyes to keep them clean and free of debris. Bathe your dog every weeks using a dog shampoo made specifically for golden retrievers or other similar coats. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Once monthly, use an Furminator deShedding tool to remove any excess fur. How do I keep my Goldendoodles face clean? Goldendoodles are a breed of dog that is known for its long, thick coat of hair. As a result, they can be prone to developing skin problems, including acne. To help keep your Goldendoodle's face clean, you should bath it regularly with a gentle dog shampoo. You should also brush its hair regularly to help remove any dirt and debris that may have built up. Additionally, you can use a damp cloth to wipe down your dog's face regularly. Do dogs feel better after a bath? It's impossible to know exactly what goes on in a dog's mind, but it seems likely that they enjoy the physical sensation of being clean and free of dirt and pests. In addition, the add elevated levels of serotonin produced during bathing can help to improve a dog's mood and make them feel more relaxed. So, while we can't say for sure that dogs love baths, it seems that they at least appreciate the benefits! Best Shampoo For Goldendoodle It can be hard to find the best shampoo for your individual needs. Check out one of our top picks for the best shampoo for moisturizing, deodorizing, gentle cleansing, or cleaning your dog sensitive skin. Soothing Agents: Aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E gently clean the hair and lock in moisturizer Cleansing Shampoo for Dogs: Provides a fresh, soft, and shiny coat while strengthening and repairing hair Doggie Odor Control: Has a long-lasting classic fresh scent that clings to hair for up to 2 weeks Ready-To-Use Formula: Keep pets smelling fresh and clean between baths or trips to the groomer with this shampoo Check Price on Amazon We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. If you have a really smelly Goldendoodle, This shampoo might be for you. It is a strong and effective option for a particularly smelly Goldendoodle. Not all puppies and dogs love bathtime. Here are a few little tips and tricks that owners and groomers find help make Goldendoodles enjoy bath time more. Use warm water to wash your Goldendooodle. This seems a little like a no-brainer but it pays to be kind and use warm water when bathing your dog. A little touch of luxury can come about by warming a towel for your dog. You can use the dryer for a few minutes or even a towel warmer. If you need to groom or brush your Goldendoodle, do this before bathing the dog. It is much more difficult to get out knots and tangles once the dog is wet — even while drying. Make life more comfortable for your Goldendoodle by getting this out of the way before the water is switched on. Use shampoos that are soothing to the skin for your dog. Pick one of the shamoos from our list or alternatively test your dog shampoo on your own skin before applying it to the puppy Remember to pat the shampoo onto the Goldendoodle rather than rubbing it. The gentler you are, the less tangles later. Less tangles also means a happier dog when it comes to brushing time. Consider switching to showering your Goldendoodle instead. This of course only works in large showers or open plan bathrooms. Be careful as wet tiles are slippery for both you and the dog. If you live somewhere warm enough you can let your Goldendoodle dry with a simple towel dry and time. You will need to brush once the coat is completely dry. Either way be careful when using a towel not to tangle the Groodle fur. White Goldendoodles: Whitening Shampoos: These are specially formulated to brighten and enhance white and light-colored coats. They can help eliminate yellowing and stains, giving the fur a pure, white appearance. Mild Shampoos: Light-coated dogs can sometimes have more sensitive skin. Moisturizing and Conditioning: White coats can sometimes appear dull. Using a moisturizing or conditioning shampoo can bring out the shine and ensure that the coat is soft and healthy. Stain Removal: White coats can show dirt, tear, and saliva stains more prominently. Consider a tear-stain remover or specialized cleaners for specific areas, along with regular grooming to keep the coat looking its best. Black Goldendoodles: Color-Enhancing Shampoos: Just as there are whitening shampoos for white dogs, there are color-enhancing or brightening shampoos for dark and black-coated dogs. These shampoos can deepen the black hue and make the coat shine. Selecting a shampoo with natural oils or a formula that promotes shine will help maintain that glossy appearance. Protection from Fading: The sun can sometimes lighten or change the hue of a black coat. While no shampoo can provide full sun protection, some are formulated to reduce the fading effect of sunlight on the fur. Frequently Asked Questions How often to bathe a Goldendoodle Unless there is a heap of dirt of matting, you can get by washing your Goldendoodle once every three to six weeks. A great smelling Goldendoodle is important, but not over-washing your dog is just as important. The natural oils in the coat need to be protected to give the luxurious Goldendoodle coat experience. Use a high-quality shampoo with appropriate pH and a good smell. How often to wash a Goldendoodle Puppy Bath your Goldendoodle puppy whenever it gets dirty. This includes messes from house training. Other messes include dirt or bacteria. If the puppy remains clean wash every weeks using the best Goldendoodle puppy shampoo. How can I make my Goldendoodle Smell better? There are plenty of different reasons that Goldendoodles can smell. Ensure appropriate ear care, coat care, and paw care. All of these areas contribute to a stinky Goldendoodle. Identify the causes of the smell, all of which can be improved or solved with simple at-home grooming. When picking the best shampoo for Mini Goldendoodles you should be looking at a puppy-appropriate shampoo. Selecting appropriate pH, skin-friendly, and deep cleaning shampoo is a must. There are plenty of good shampoos out there, but you need one that can clean the dense and luxurious Mini Goldendoodle coat. Look to brands like Nootie or Wahl for your Mini Groodle. We reviewed the top 6 best shampoos for Goldendoodles as recommended by owners and groomers — and each of these is appropriate for a Miniature Goldendoodle. Conclusion All of the Goldendoodle shampoos that we have discussed today are excellent. We tested many to decide which are the very best. All seven are very unlikely to disappoint. All seven reviewed shampoos have great smells, and excellent deep cleansing properties. We only considered shampoos and conditioners for Goldendoodles that gave value for money AND excellent results. Each of the products listed will help you care for your Goldendoodle at home, and get a groomer quality result. Would love to know if you own a Goldendoodle and have a favorite Goldendoodle shampoo. Please comment below if this is the case! My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Wading your way through all those fancy words and impossible-to-understand ingredients can be a serious challenge. Click on the links to find out where you can get them. For more details on exactly what each product does, keep scrolling to see our in-depth reviews. Silk-infused proteins and enriching vitamins are combined in this excellent detangling blend that cleans, hydrates, protects, and restores shine for a beautifully soft coat. Types of Dog Shampoo: A Quick Overview When it comes to picking out your own shampoo, you likely opt for one that best meets your needs — long hair, deep conditioning, frizz control, dealing with dandruff. There really is something for everyone. The same is true when it comes to dog shampoo, too. While every dog is an individual, some breed commonalities can point you towards the best product for your pup. Here are some of the different types of shampoos that Goldendoodle owners often recommend. This makes them better for regular use. This is especially important for Doodles as they often inherit the Poodle propensity towards allergies , intolerances, and just general all-around sensitivity to harsher ingredients. These contain various usually natural ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe vera, and tea tree oil that are known to both hydrate and actively relieve inflamed, itchy skin. These products make use of essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and mint that are particularly well known for their calming effects. Best of all, it can help the washer to destress almost as much as the washee! Medicated Shampoos Unfortunately, some dogs can suffer from coat problems that are just a little more severe than some dandruff or a bit of irritation. For instance, parasites such as ticks and fleas can be a real problem, as can bacterial and fungal skin imbalances. These can all lead to dry, red, inflamed, and itchy skin that will drive your pal around the bend. If symptoms are on the less severe side, you can simply pick up a medicated shampoo designed to deal with the specific problem your pup is having given that you know just what that is. This is where 2-in-1 shampoo plus conditioners shine. No muss, no fuss. Many canine coat products these days are designed just like this. However, if your pup has particularly thick, long, or curly hair, then you may find that these blends simply do not offer enough conditioning action to keep tangles at bay. Goldendoodles, like most other Doodles, can inherit one of three types of coat: A thick, straight often double coat A curly, coarse single coat Or a wavy mix of the two The latter is by far the most common, especially in first-generation dogs. When it comes to the thick, straight double coat from the Golden Retriever side of the equation , the biggest issue you will likely be dealing with is shedding. However, if your pup has the low-shed Poodle curly coat, knots, tangles, and matting are going to have you pulling your own hair out unless you learn how to deal with them! Look for products that mention hydration, nourishing, and silk proteins. Finally, that gorgeous teddy bear-like wavy coat…this is likely to be the lowest maintenance of the three. You should be able to get by with a regular 2-in-1 shampoo plus conditioner. Just pay special attention to whether your pal requires any help with other issues like odor. That wet dog smell is common in breeds with longer hair. Opt for a shampoo that does more than mask foul odors with strong perfumes. The 2-in-1 formula conditions as it cleans, and the coconut, aloe vera, chamomile, and tea tree oil soothe dry, itchy skin. Moreover, the added wheat protein extract acts as a natural deodorizing agent, while the lavender and mint are great for soothing an anxious bath time dog. Can you use human shampoo on your dog? According to my research, there are several reasons why dog shampoo is best for dogs and human shampoo is best left for the humans. Dogs have different pH balances and fewer layers of skin cells. So dogs have more sensitive skin than humans. That means human shampoo is a no-go for dogs. I checked out several sources to confirm this. Reasons to avoid using human shampoos on dogs According to PreventiveVet. How I found the best shampoo for our Goldendoodle pack While attending the Westminster dog show, I stopped at the Chris Christensen booth. This brand had been on my radar and seeing it used widely among breeds during the competitions reassured me that it was a quality product. So I also checked in with Goldendoodle grooming Facebook communities. Like many brands, Chris Christensen offers a variety of products with different features. After some research, I landed on Ice on Ice for its detangling properties. Initially, I questioned the price. Would it be worth it? However, if I was going to groom and bathe my Goldendoodles myself, I decided I needed the best tools for the job. And my Goldendoodles deserved to feel like it was a day at the spa. For dog bathing tips, check out my article, How To Bathe a Goldendoodle. One question that many Doodle owners have is, what is the best Goldendoodle shampoo? After all, dog shampoo is all made the same, right? But, all shampoo is not the same. If you research some of the largest shampoo brands, you will also find countless lawsuits to follow. Today we will talk about what to look for in your dog shampoo and a few recommendations. What Makes A Shampoo Good? When choosing a shampoo for your Goldendoodle, you will want to choose one with quality ingredients. Goldendoodles have sensitive skin and can be more prone to things like hot spots and allergies. Some owners have to sample a few brands to see which brands work best for their dogs. But ideally, dog shampoos should avoid harsh ingredients and be nourishing. But, some chemicals will do your Goldendoodle more harm than good. The artificial fragrance has many origins. Dogs that suffer from skin allergies and sensitivities are more likely to react to these because of their unknown source. Should you notice that your dog seems to break out a lot after a bath, you might want to check your shampoo labels. If artificial fragrance is high on the list, you might want to discontinue use. Formaldehyde We all know all the harmful side effects of formaldehyde. But many pet companies still add it to their products under a new name. Look for labels like: Phenol-Formaldehyde Methylaldehyde Quaternium-7 or Oxomethane Formalin Diazolidinyl urea These ingredients are labeled as a preservative, so they are lower on the list. They can cause skin irritations and estrogen-induced cancer. It is best to avoid these if at all possible. These ingredients are known to cause irritation, redness, and blisters in severe cases. These cheap preservers might not cause an issue at first, but they build-up on the skin over time and create a reaction. Isopropyl Alcohol 40 This ingredient is a quick evaporating ingredient meant to speed up drying time. But, in the evaporating process, it is also drying out the hair shaft from all moisture. Your Goldendoodle will feel dry and might develop dandruff. Sulfates Sulfates are harsh cleaning agents. These cleaners are great for dogs that are very dirty and greasy, but they are also harmful. They can create dry, damaged hair and dandruff as well. If your dog suffers from any skin allergies, sulfates will make them even worse. Using a sulfate-free shampoo is best for most Goldendoodles. Best Goldendoodle Shampoo Now that we have talked about ingredients in your shampoo, we can now make some great recommendations. Below are the top dog shampoos that will solve every problem that you could run into. This shampoo is for conditioning, as well as deep cleaning. It contains a sulfate derived from coconut oil that is more nourishing than synthetic sulfates. It also has a pleasant smell and cleaner ingredients than most on the market. We also love that this shampoo is very concentrated, so a little can go a long way. Owners rave that this shampoo smells amazing and relieves the itchiest of skin. It is also fantastic at preventing itchy skin and dandruff thanks to the calming effects of oatmeal and aloe. Your dog will thank you for this shampoo. This shampoo has extra conditioning powers and yet is powerful enough to cut through any grime that your dog has gotten into. It smells incredible and will make your Doodle pleasant to be around again. You can use this to freshen up every week or as a spot cleaner. TropiClean Whitening Shampoo Sometimes white Doodles need a little extra help getting their fur bright white. For this, we recommend TropiClean Whitening Shampoo. Not only does it smell delicious, but it also has naturally derived ingredients. The unique formula will help your white dog look her best again. This formula is extra gentle for the pup, who is still learning about grooming himself. And since this is a 2-in-1 shampoo, it will leave your puppy feeling soft and easily brushed. They seem impossible to get rid of, and you might feel bad about all the chemicals you are using on and around your Doodle. This shampoo uses essential oils to kill fleas, larvae, and eggs. This shampoo is highly effective, and you will generally see results after the first wash. But, a word of caution with this shampoo. It is very drying to the skin, so you will need to follow it with an excellent conditioner to prevent dry skin and dandruff. Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner An even greater conditioner should follow the best Goldendoodle shampoo. This conditioner will help detangle your Doodle and leave their hair silky. It can also be a great way to treat and prevent dandruff and itchy skin. We also love the natural ingredients of the company and the fantastic smell. This answer to this question much depends on your lifestyle and dog. Doodles are known to have very delicate skin. They are not washed as often as other dogs because they naturally produce oils to protect their skin. Overwashing your Doodle could lead to dull, lifeless hair and even balding patches. But by no means are you not to wash your dog if they are filthy. If your Goldendoodle is very active, they may need more baths than others. Most groomers will tell you to bathe your dog as needed. And only you will know when it is time that your Goldendoodle absolutely needs a bath. Your nose will lead the way here! The general rule of thumb for Doodles is to bathe them at least every three months. Most of the shampoos on this list are very gentle. So if your dog rolls in the mud every week, you should be fine washing each time. Should you notice that your dog is getting dry skin, that is the sign that you are washing them too much. Now You Know Now you know all there is to know about the best Goldendoodle shampoo. Which brand is your favorite, and why? Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. Sharing is caring! Table: Top Features to Look for in a Goldendoodle Shampoo Best Shampoos for Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are a popular breed of dog that are known for their beautiful, wavy coats. However, maintaining their fur can be a challenge. Our formulator has over 40 years of experience. It has my absolute favorite scent of any shampoo on the market. The sweet pea vanilla scent is delicious and will get rid of any wet dog smell. Some customers have received damaged bottles or defective items, so be sure to check your purchase carefully. Overall, if you want a high-quality shampoo for your Goldendoodle, Nootie Shampoo is a great choice. A little bit of shampoo goes a long way and provides a.Allergy Friendly - Our dog icon, Rocket, was designed in the image of our family dog Cooper — a golden doodle, who has severe allergies. This is the only shampoo we have found safe and effective. The Brand Used by Professionals - Wahl has been serving professional vets and groomers for over 50 years. We are a company of animal lovers that.We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The shampoo is made in the USA, so you can buy with confidence. All shampoos made in federally regulated manufacturing facilities. Excellent customer service and return policy. Cons The bottle may bulge out at the bottom, which can make it difficult to sit upright and may cause it to leak. Some customers have reported that the shampoo is watery and may not be as effective as previous versions. The scent of the lime may not be appealing to all Goldendoodles. However, the bottle may bulge out at the bottom, and the scent of vanilla may not be appealing to all dogs. Additionally, some customers have reported that the shampoo is watery and may not be as effective as previous versions. Overall, this shampoo is a good choice for pet owners who want a gentle, effective shampoo for their Goldendoodle. A simple way to get your dog used to grooming with a pleasant bath experience. Pros Formulated with baking soda and coat shampoos, this serves as the perfect all-purpose cleansing, deodorizing and conditioning shampoo! With ingredients of baking soda, gentle oat and wheat proteins, and aloe leaf juice, this product is a non-irritating, hypoallergenic shampoo which is ideal for dry or normal skin and coats. Let your dog play outside knowing you will clean them up leaving them smelling fresh with their coat lustrous, soft, supple and tangle-free. Cons Some users found the scent to be too strong. May not work as well on extremely dirty or smelly dogs. Some users found the bottle to be difficult to open. The Mighty Petz 2-in-1 Shampoo contains natural baking soda to cleanse and deodorize the skin and coat. It is an excellent all-purpose cleansing and deodorizing shampoo that can be used on dry or normal skin and coats. This non-irritation, non-drying, hypoallergenic formulation leaves the coat lustrous, soft, supple, and tangle-free. It is pH adjusted with coat shampoos added. The shampoo can be used at full strength or diluted up to .Made in the USA, you can buy with confidence. All shampoos are made in federally regulated manufacturing facilities. Overall, Mighty Petz 2-in-1 Shampoo is a great choice for keeping your Goldendoodle smelling and looking fresh and clean. However, it may not work as well on extremely dirty or smelly dogs, and some users may find the scent to be too strong. Shampoo for dogs should be as unique as their coats. Additionally, the shampoo contains fruit extracts and quinoa protein for a silky sheen. Additionally, the shampoo may not work as well on dogs with very thick, heavy coats. With their thick curls, Goldendoodles are prone to picking up all sorts of dirt, debris, and pests like fleas and ticks. Few shampoos are made with a specific breed in mind. Many focus on fur type or shedding. This can make it more difficult to find a brand suitable for your Goldendoodle. To make sure you choose the right one, here are a few suggestions. Unfortunately, while frequent baths can leave dogs smelling fresher for longer, they can also strip the natural oils from their fur. Due to this, Goldendoodles are prone to dry skin. Hypoallergenic shampoos are also less likely to contain allergens that your dog can react to. All these baths could dry out their skin, leaving itchy redness and unpleasant cracks. Sensitive skin shampoos are good to help promote healing, but on their own, they might not be good enough to combat dried flakiness. Coconut oil is another good one. When it comes to sensitive skin, for both our dogs and ourselves, these ingredients can soothe, nourish, and moisturize damaged skin. While a big fluffy coat can look adorable, it also requires more care. You will need a brush large enough to handle the bulk, and the strength of their shampoo matters too. Sensitive skin shampoos are designed to be gentle. For your Goldendoodle, you want to find an option that is strong enough to clean their fur and moisturize their skin without causing further damage. It might get misplaced, shoved into the back of a cupboard, or forgotten about, including when you need it. For this reason, it can be easy to reach for the human shampoo sitting in your shower. Unfortunately, humans and dogs have different requirements when it comes to shampoo. Some of the ingredients could cause allergic reactions. For most dog breeds, bathing should be limited to when they need it. If your Goldendoodle tends to stay relatively clean, you might not have to bathe them often at all, especially if you groom them regularly. Too many baths in a short period can irritate their sensitive skin. Even if you have a great moisturizing shampoo, your Goldendoodle will still suffer from dry flakiness. While it can be recommended to seek professional help for particular haircuts, daily brushing sessions can be handled at home. We hope that these reviews helped you to find the best shampoo for your sensitive Goldendoodle. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
Their personalities are easy to love; they have a confident demeanor and are known for their almost clown-like antics when excited, making them an excellent family companion. This breed is quite family-oriented but may be distant with strangers at first. Their characteristic aloofness to outsiders helps make them great guard dogs. With consistent training and established rules and boundaries, this powerful pup can learn with the best of them. As a working breed, they were known for their wild pig and cattle catching abilities, making them indispensable on southern ranches in the US. Grooming Hurray for easy care! Make sure your vet gives your pup a professional cleaning every year, too. Be sure to put nail trimming every couple of weeks and ear cleaning monthly is usually enough on the grooming menu, too. And as for baths, plan on a bath about once a month or so. You may be able to just use your nose. If you detect an unpleasant odor eww! Training When it comes to training, an American Bulldog puppy needs a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement to teach various skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called. Start training your American Bulldog puppy early to get them used to the ropes. Once you understand what works for them, training becomes easy. Remember: American Bulldogs are smart. These social interactions give your dog a chance to explore a variety of environments and social situations. Feed your puppy large-breed puppy kibble for their first 14 months to support slow but consistent growth. Skip food or supplements with calcium until your pooch is fully grown and eating an adult diet. The added calcium could disrupt healthy bone development. Treats are an essential part of training and a great way to show your pup you love them. However, too many treats can lead to a tubby pup, so check with your vet if you need help figuring out a proper treat-to-mealtime ratio. Exercise Even though they have a moderate energy level, an American Bulldog needs a lot of exercise. And exercise is important to keep your dog out of trouble. If they have unused energy, an American Bulldog will resort to destructive behaviors to release that energy, like chewing on your favorite pair of shoes. This athletic dog benefits greatly from structured walks and play to work the mind and their muscular build. As a puppy parent, strive to offer non-impact movement such as hiding balls in the yard or offering a puzzle toy, as these games lower the risk of joint and bone damage early on. Get out of the house twice a day or more if your young dog is up for it for playtime and walks that last between 20 and 30 minutes. Trainers often suggest skipping the dog park because structured play is more difficult in this setting. Instead, get creative with activities. Think: fetch, tug-of-war with a rope toy or a chewy option filled with something delicious. You may even try lower-impact dog sports like agility or nose work. Both are an excellent way to keep your pup mentally and physically engaged. Remember, a happy dog is a tired dog! Ideal Environment Both city and country homes will suit the American Bulldog as long as you can offer lots of exercise and playtime. Still, families with kids are a good match for this protective and intelligent breed. A structured day with regular walks and chances to play with a variety of toys is the best environment for the American Bulldog. Staving off boredom is paramount, and, of course, no animal likes to be home alone for a long time. When considering the American Bulldog as a pet, bear in mind that training is the key to their success, especially when adding this breed to a home with kids or other dogs. Pup parents need to be aware of some of these issues so they can help their dog live the healthiest life possible. Joint Dysplasia: This joint abnormality is seen in the hips and elbows, and a dog with dysplasia may run, jump and climb less than usual. Most often, the issue is a rupture or partial tear. Cherry Eye: Did you know dogs have a third eyelid? Bone Cancer: Often found in the long bones arms, legs , the cause for this condition is unknown, though vets feel it may have a genetic or environmental component. Deafness: Deafness, which can occur in one or both ears, may be acquired via drug exposure or infection. But deafness could also be hereditary and is linked to dogs with light coats and eyes. Acquired deafness is usually permanent but may improve over time without intervention. A special diet may be the treatment or medications, depending on the cause. Spinal Issues: Degenerative myelopathy DM is often genetic in nature and affects the spinal cord, leading to weakness and hind limb paralysis. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis: NCL is an inherited, progressive and rare neurological disorder that starts showing up between 1 and 2 years of age. The most obvious symptom is behavioral changes in the dog, and the pup will usually lose coordination and eyesight. It can be discovered through a DNA test, and at this time, there are no treatments. This proud pup carries an imported pedigree, having been brought over from across the pond as a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was originally bred for bull baiting. Thankfully, this horrific sport was outlawed in England in .Back in the 17th century, early settlers packed these working dogs with them for service on farms and ranches. The American Bulldog became a utility player, stepping in to accomplish many tasks, such as guarding livestock and catching cattle and feral pigs. In fact, were it not for their success as an excellent catch dog in the southern states, we might not know the breed today. John D. Johnson and Alan Scott were able to breed the last few native American Bulldogs in the southern US, resulting in two types the Scott type and the Johnson type that thrive today. These breeds differ in appearance; the Johnson American Bulldog sports a bigger, stronger build, a larger head and short muzzle, and the Scott American Bulldog has more lithe features, such as an athletic, small-boned frame and a longer muzzle. Are you looking to add an American Bulldog as a family member? Check out the AKC puppy finder to find a reputable breeder. You can also seek out local American Bulldog rescues to find a worthy, loving dog to call your own, or keep an eye out for the breed at your local shelter. FAQs Do American bulldogs shed? Yes, American Bulldogs shed, albeit lightly and seasonally. Are American Bulldogs Pitbulls? Are American Bulldogs aggressive? American Bulldogs may be aggressive toward other dogs, particularly unfamiliar ones of the same sex, in part because of their protective and somewhat dominant nature. But with consistent training and early socialization, this breed is considered a loving family dog that does well with kids and other pets. How long do American Bulldogs live? American Bulldogs can have a generous life span, often living between 10 and 12 years. Providing your dog with the proper diet and exercise can help your pup live a full life. What are the most popular American Bulldog names? Get more dog names here. What are the most common American Bulldog mixes? Families of all kinds admire this agile, athletic breed and count themselves lucky to own such a loving, loyal pet. Female Names. Monte Carlo the American Bulldog puppy at 6 weeks Monte Carlo the American Bulldog puppy at 6 weeks "Marilyn is a beautiful three-year-old, pound American Bulldog with a heart of gold. Named after the "greatest female star of all time" Marilyn Monroe, she has a larger than life personality that fits her wonderfully. Marilyn is everything you could ever want out of an American Bulldog—well socialized, protective, obedient, great with children and all animals!!! She is a 7-month-old female American Bulldog who is about 45 lbs. From what I can see she appears to be from the "Scott" or performance line of American Bulls. She is very gentle and learns extremely quickly. I have never raised my voice at her to get her to obey or learn anything; she is very food and praise motivated. Roxy loves to play and run outside but she is relatively inactive and cuddly once indoors. Roxy is a wonderful dog and I am lucky to have her. I would recommend this breed to anyone who can give it the exercise and structured environment it needs to be the best it can. He likes staying very close by me. Very well socialized around people and other dogs. It was very easy to train him on several commands. He was 9 weeks old in this picture and already weighed 25 lbs.!! He has a very outgoing temperament. He already takes on the full-grown Dobermans at the dog park in tug-of-war! He is inactive in the house, but is so playful outside and around other dogs. He hates the vacuum, lol. He actually gets about 2 hours of exercise a day at 10 weeks old but he sleeps for the rest of the night following that. He loves his three brothers, a Great Dane , Chihuahua , and Poodle ; in fact the only thing he loves more is children!! He is able to have fun and run around when we go out, but when we are at home he is able to lay back and relax and chew on toys. At this young age he is already learning commands. I purchased the leashes , etc. The leash truly helps in keep the dogs walking correctly. I tried out his food, and I take the bottled water by Cesar Millan to the dog park so they don't drink the communal water. I always use his techniques, and I train myself before the dog!! Her tail can clear a coffee table in two seconds flat and she snores like the proverbial freight train, but the look of love is so clear in her eyes that all you can do is laugh. I've always had small to medium dogs, but I truly don't think there will ever be another breed for me! His biggest dislikes are the rain and very small dogs. His two best friends are yellow Labs named Bruschi and Molly. How can you not love that face???? This beautiful American Bulldog is named Roxy. Life Span Did You Know? The American Bulldog is a descendant of a generic bulldog type of dog breed brought into the region that is now the Southern United States by working-class immigrants many years ago. These were all-around working dogs used by small farmers and ranchers for several tasks around the farm. They were often found working as catch dogs, stock dogs, and overall farm guardians. When feral pigs were introduced to the New World, they had no natural predators and the population quickly grew out of control. In addition to their farm duties, the settlers found the bulldog-type dog to be the best solution they had for dealing with it. So, the bulldog continued to thrive, especially in the South. Johnson and Alan Scott that we have what we know today as the American Bulldog. Modern American Bulldogs can still be found working as all-around utility dogs, farm dogs, catch dogs, cattle drovers, and more. They can also be found competing in dog sports, working as a guardian, police, or military dog, and are also popular as a family pet. This dog breed is a sweetheart with a gentle, fun-loving nature. The American Bulldog is affectionate and adores their families. They also love children and tend to be good with other animals. American Bulldogs can have a high prey drive, so you will want to make sure you introduce and socialize them properly with other small animals in the household. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers and strange dogs, especially when they are younger. Early socialization can help them be more comfortable navigating their guardian instincts. Overall, this dog breed tends to be confident, social, and are most at ease and relaxed when they are with the people they love. American Bulldogs are an emotional dog breed and thrives on human attention and affection, so they tend to bond strongly with their owners and may come across as clingy sometimes. They will also often convince themselves that they are lap dogs regardless of their size, so make sure you are ready for a lot of love and cuddles with your American Bulldog, drool and all! The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are strong, high-energy working dogs that love being around their favorite humans. This makes them better suited to larger homes with space for them to run. They are not generally a good fit for apartment living, but they can adapt as long as they get more than enough exercise and attention. Because they do tend to bond strongly with their owners and want to be near them, they do not tend to do well with long periods of time alone. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, but can adapt to well to most climates. There are some health issues that can be found in specific genetic lines and are not common to the breed overall, but these can be ruled out with genetic tests. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in general with the American Bulldog include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, bone cancer, and eye-related issues like ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. Talking to the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns. American Bulldogs are highly trainable and eager to please, so they are a good fit for owners of any experience level, including first-time dog owners. They can have a stubborn streak, so a first-time dog owner may want to consider enrolling in puppy training classes. As with any dog breed, early and ongoing training and socialization are important for your American Bulldog puppy to grow into a well-rounded, and a well-behaved, dog. This dog breed has a short coat that is generally smooth. Common coat colors are white and predominately white with patches of brindle, black, or red. More coat color patterns are emerging and becoming more common like all shades of brindle, fawn, brown, red, and more. The American Bulldog is relatively low maintenance and easy to groom and they are light to moderate shedders. They only require a bath as needed. But, you will need to be prepared to deal with some extra drool! Floppy ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to ear infections. The ideal dental care for dogs is using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day. Dental hygiene chews or treats, a specially-formulated dental care diet, and more can be used to supplement your dental care efforts. The American Bulldog is an athletic and high-energy dog breed. They love daily walks and plenty of playtime outside. They may even enjoy plenty of other activities with you like swimming, hiking , and more. With their working dog background, this dog breed does need a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to be a good candidate for dog sports like obedience, weight pulling, the Iron Dog competition, and more. A fully-grown American Bulldog usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. An American Bulldog generally lives for years. Chance, one of the canine stars from the Homeward Bound films, was an American Bulldog. Featured American Bulldog Article.
Do not need too much exercise Low-maintenance grooming needs Boxer French Bulldogs are excellent family dogs. With proper socialization, they are extroverts who can prove charming and irresistible to your friends. They enjoy children and do not often play for excessively long periods. Not being the most exercise-tolerant creatures, Boxer French bulldog mixes do not require hours of exercise like other working breeds. With their short coats, brushing needs are minimal. You can use a horsehair brush or grooming mitt once or twice a week to stimulate circulation to the follicles and distribute the coat's natural oils. These dogs are good for novice owners because they are low-maintenance, enjoy cuddling, and are not too big. They may not be the top choice for someone who wants a highly responsive and obedient dog or has a highly active lifestyle. You can easily get by brushing your dog once a week, mostly to removed loose hair and minor soiling. Most of the time, dirt does not adhere to the short hair. The best tools for brushing are a rubber curry, a short slicker brush, or a grooming mitt. You can polish your dog's coat with a soft-bristled brush. Bathing occasionally will remove excess dirt that may cause itching. Generally, you will trim your dog's nails every six to eight weeks. You should introduce dental hygiene to your puppy at an early age so you can incorporate tooth brushing every few days into your grooming routine. Make sure to also check your dog's ears every couple of days. Boxer French Bulldog Health Concerns French Bulloxers can have health problems that may afflict either of the parent breeds. Boxer French Bulldog Mix Minor Health Issues Gastric torsion or GDV twisted stomach secondary to bloat Hypothyroidism Colitis — Chronic or periodic inflammation of the colon causes diarrhea and fresh blood in the stool Juvenile cataracts Retinal dysplasia Tumors Although some of these problems may seem serious, they are considered minor because they occur with low frequency in the mixed breed compared to one of the purebred parents. Bloat is a life-threatening problem but carries a low risk in this mix. Hypothyroidism, or low activity of the thyroid gland, is easy to treat with supplementation. It most commonly causes a dull hair coat, weight gain, and low activity. Boxers frequently suffer from colitis or inflammation of the colon. Affected dogs may strain a lot and may have diarrhea with fresh blood and mucus. While Boxers are prone to fatty tumors and lymphoma, the French Bulloxer is less susceptible. Eye problems, like improper retinal development, are also less prevalent in the hybrid. It involves one or more physical abnormalities that include a greatly shortened snout, narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, small trachea, and everted laryngeal saccules. These physical barriers contribute to a cycle of loud and labored breathing. Dogs with brachycephalic traits are susceptible to cold temperatures and to heatstroke. The greater the exaggeration of characters, the more severe the breathing problem. Degenerative myelopathy is a devastating neuromuscular disease that eventually leads to paralysis. It is not painful. It stands to reason it might show up in the mix. Hemivertebrae can be a mother cause of paralysis, linked to the breeding of corkscrew tails into the French Bulldog. Dilated cardiomyopathy, quite prevalent in the Doberman, is also a problem in Boxers. The heart becomes enlarged because weakened muscles fail to pump blood out of the heart effectively. Affected dogs can suffer from congestive heart failure. Other heart problems of the French Bulloxer involve abnormal narrowing of major vessels from the heart such as pulmonic stenosis. The mix can also suffer orthopedic problems like hip and elbow dysplasia and luxating patellas. How to Feed Your French Bulldog Boxer Mix Nutrition is always crucial as preventative maintenance against health problems and for the growth and maintenance of bones, muscles, and vital organs. Dogs, including your mix, have evolved to eat a diet high in meat. Premium diets focus on high-quality proteins and fats. Proteins should mostly come from animal sources, while fats may stem from fish, olives, coconuts, or flaxseed. Much controversy surrounds the use of grains, as some dogs benefit from the extra nutrition while others are sensitive. Alternative ingredients may come in the form of novel proteins such as potatoes and peas. The role of non-prey ingredients continues to undergo investigation for its beneficial and potentially harmful effects in pet canids. Scientists still struggle with appropriate carbohydrate concentrations for pet dogs whose digestive systems have evolved a bit from that of wolves. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian about customizing a dietary plan for your dog. There is a wealth of options for your Boxer mix from kibble to canned to fresh homemade to commercial raw diets. Depending on your dog's size, she will need to calories a day or two to four cups of kibble. Puppies require 60 to 90 calories per pound during their fast growth cycles. Puppies under the age of six months eat three to four times a day. However, your adult dog should eat at least two meals a day to eliminate gorging, a potential cause of bloat. Exercising Your Boxer French Bulldog Mix Depending on the dog, your mix will need about 25 to 45 minutes of exercise daily. Mental stimulation during the day with interaction, puzzles, and games, is as important as physical running and playing. French Bulloxers are happy to be as lazy as you allow them but remember they can be prone to obesity. With young dogs, part of your daily exercises should focus on training and socializing your pet. The Boxer side gives the best option for working intelligence and obedience and is 90th in these skills on Stanley Coren's rating of breeds. What your dog lacks in willingness to please and ability to learn and follow a spoken command he will make up for in intuition and emotional intelligence. French Bulloxers have a remarkable memory and once they learn something, it stays with them. Your patience and willingness to stick with consistent repetitions will eventually get through to your dog. You should dedicate 15 to 20 minutes a day to training your Frenchie mix. Puppies may only be able to handle five minutes in a session. Sometimes meeting a breeder in person can give you a feel for how conscientious they are. However, your main objective is to assess the cleanliness of the environment and the condition of the puppies. Puppies that are fearful may indicate minimal human handling. Believe it or not, if breeders have no interaction with their litters in the early days, the puppies can present behavioral challenges to any potential new owners like you. Puppies should be active with bright eyes and no ocular or nasal discharge. Avoid pups that seem overly aggressive or cower in the corner. Solicitous breeders often try to help you find the best match for your personality and lifestyle. Designer breeds do not always have the benefit of screening tests, although they should. See if you can get a background, at least, about any issues with heart disease, hip dysplasia, or eye problems. Long-term breeders may be more forthcoming and knowledgeable about this information than newer or more casual sellers. The purchase price for a Boxer French Bulldog can vary considerably. Prices are often lower with a shelter or rescue. Going with a reputable breeder you trust is vital because you will not be able to tell if your dog is a true Boxer French Bulldog mix until months later. However, several registries do, giving you the potential to participate in fun club activities with your dog. Friendly and playful, the mix gets along with other dogs and easily learns how to live with other pets. This is a breed that requires minimal grooming and only moderate exercise. In fact, too much exercise is not advisable, with the breed being highly vulnerable to the effects of heat exhaustion. One drawback is the potentially heartbreaking struggle with health issues. Breathing difficulties will occur in a large percentage of these dogs and some may suffer from heart problems. Both issues can shorten and decrease the quality of the pet's life. Boxer French Bulldog mixes make excellent watchdogs, but once the warning has been issued, they are wonderful hosts for your guests. They are a little big for toddlers but otherwise get along famously with children. Video Example This video shows a mix with both the Boxer and French Bulldog visible in the face with a longer snout than the Frenchie but the Frenchie's eyes and stop. Note the bat ears of the Frenchie but the long-tapered tail of a Boxer's if it was not docked. This dog is a beautiful shade of red with white. Notice how this dog is active and does not appear to struggle to breathe but is fighting a weight problem. Shannon Cutts As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to this site. They are loyal, courageous, affectionate, intelligent, and have a great work ethic. Males stand 23 to 25 inches tall and females range in size from .Males weigh 65lbs to 85lbs with females weighing about 15lbs less. Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years of age. Our oldest boxer lived to age 16 years old. After over 25 years of getting to know the breed I would say the average sized boxers live longer than the lines on the larger side and as in humans females outlive males on average. A well-made Boxer in peak condition is an awesome sight. The dark brown eyes and wrinkled forehead give the face an alert, curious look. The coat can be fawn, white or brindle, with white markings. Boxers move like the athletes they are named for smooth and graceful, with a powerful forward thrust. Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children. They take the jobs of watchdog and family guardian seriously and will meet threats fearlessly. After raising a family with 3 children in the county I can honestly say there is no other breed I would trust more with my Grandchildren. Boxers do best when exposed to a lot of people and other animals in early puppyhood. They do have a tendency to have separation anxiety from their people. This can be avoided and is a discussion that should take place with your breeder before getting a boxer. Crate training and early socialization by the breeder is a must to bring out the best in this breed. French Bulldogs French Bulldogs stand inches and if fit should not way more than 28lbs. They live from 10 to 12 years. They make great family dogs and are wonderful with children, cats and other dogs provided the breeder takes the time and care to well socialize them as young puppies. The Frenchie is playful, alert, adaptable and completely irresistible. The head is large and square, with heavy wrinkles rolled above the extremely short nose. The body beneath the smooth, brilliant, low shedding coat is compact and muscular. They do not require much exercise but will keep up with our boxers. French Bulldogs can be stubborn but make up for it with their loving personalities. Health can be a major issue with this breed. At Morgan Hill, we do health test all our breeding adults but you can have a throw back in the lines and end up with issues no matter how careful you are. I suggest anyone buying a French Bulldog carry Pet Insurance. We strive to breed only quality, healthy and well-socialized puppies. The oldest French Bulldog in our lines lived to be 16 years old! Available Litters. COM French Boxer dog coat colors and types Boxer and French Bulldog Mix have short, single-layer coats that lie close and flat to the body with a fine texture. Boxers typically have fawn shades that range from light tan to reddish-brown. Brindle patterns can be sparse or clearly defined with white markings distributed around the face and chest. Coat colors of the French Bulldog, on the other hand, are cream, white, black, and fawn. Markings could be piebald, brindle, and black or white shadings. You may be interested in: Blue Merle French Bulldog Complete Guide The resulting French Bulloxer offspring typically has a fawn color with white markings on the face, chest, and legs. The piebald pattern is also possible with a predominantly white coat and spots of a darker color. Other coat shades could be red and cream, and rarely, blue and black. Brindle French Bulldog Boxers have a fawn base coat with black striping. White markings around the chest, face, and paws can be present. Frenchie Boxer Mix temperament Boxer and French Bulldog have an independent and stubborn streak just like their purebred parents. They have a reputation for being unruly or rambunctious but not overly aggressive. Do Boxer Frenchie Mix make great family pets? Yes, the Boxer Frenchie Mix does make great family pets. In fact, the Boxer Mix French Bulldog is very loyal and friendly. Adult supervision is needed however when in the company of small children. Their playful nature combined with their strength can easily cause minor accidents. This Boxer Frenchie Mix can also get along with other dogs and other small animals as long as they are socialized early. Check out: French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Complete Guide to find out if this mixed dog breed would be a good canine companion for you and your family. Is Boxer and French Bulldog Mix affectionate dogs? Yes, both the Boxer and the Frenchie are affectionate, and the same applies to their Boxer Mix French Bulldog offsprings. They love human company and it is not uncommon for them to follow you around wherever you go. In some cases, they can be clingy and in-your-face wanting to be cuddled and jumping onto your lap to express their affection. The French Bulldog and Boxer Mix has a tendency to be stubborn and can be difficult to train if you start late. Patience and consistency are the keys together with positive reinforcements to make them follow your commands. A good rule of thumb is to start with 5 minutes a day when training a puppy and gradually increase it to 15 to 20 minutes as they mature. They are more comfortable sitting on your lap or lying around the house. A leisurely walk around the neighborhood for 30 to 45 minutes daily would be good plus a good dose of interactive games like hide-and-seek will keep your French Bulloxer physically and mentally fit. However, make sure your backyard is fully fenced to keep your Boxer Frenchie Mix safe. Some town or county has zoning laws that prohibit physical fences. If that is the case, you can install a wireless dog fence instead so your pups can still roam freely in the backyard while staying safe. Before you get a wireless dog fence, make sure to have an electronic dog door installed, especially if you let your canine companions leave and enter the house on their own. Electronic doggy door saves dog owners from the hassle of opening and closing the door every time their furry friends need to head out or come back in. Whether you work from home or at the office, the automatic doggy door will be a life saver. Plus, you can customize it and set curfew hours which will allow your dogs to enjoy the backyard during the day while staying safe indoors at night. French Bulloxer living conditions Boxer Mixed with French Bulldog can adapt to any living conditions whether in a small apartment or a spacious house. Special care should be given during times when the temperature gets too hot or too cold which might trigger difficulty in breathing due to their brachycephalic face. Removing excess fur with a slicker brush several times a week is all that is needed.
Tom Thorpe Blog The golden dog is a common addition to many American households. Not surprisingly, golden retriever puppies are also used on many calendars, greeting cards, and posters as the perfect sign of canine sweetness. In this article, you will know about taking care of a golden retriever puppy. Golden retrievers have not been found there as often as they are celebrated in the US. In the mids, they were bred and raised by game-keepers in the estate owned by Lord Tweedmouth what a name! This new golden retriever was trained to hunt outdoors. Golden retrievers are so popular. They were owned by two presidents of the United States while in office. Size Golden retrievers weigh between 55 and 65 pounds for females and between 65 and 75 pounds for males. They hit heights between .Characteristics Of Breed Active and solid, golden retrievers are not clumsy. They have a dense, long golden coat and a robust frame associated with the American dream dog. Their coat is normally golden or red; the English cream golden retrievers are creamy white, as their name indicates. Disposition Golden retrievers love to play the game. Goldens make a great family pet, and they are very loyal to their owners. Their coats are water repellent, so they only need a bath sometimes. Golden retrievers are usually healthy, but owners should check their ears for signs of infection and brush their teeth daily. The National Breed Club suggests that your gold be given the following: hip assessment, elbow assessment, cardiac examination, and ophthalmologist assessment. Unfortunately, golden retrievers are more susceptible to cancer than other dog breeds—so be sure to have a balanced diet and get regular vet checkups. Training Between seven weeks and four months, the golden retriever puppy should be exposed to all kinds of people and circumstances to acquire outstanding social skills. They are very eager to please, so reward-based training is successful. Playing fetch is a perfect way to teach your new golden retriever to adapt to your cues. The Level Of Exercise Since they are a sporting breed, the goldens need a lot of exercises. Golden retrievers love to ride, hike, or even ride a bike. Be sure to do a few trials runs before taking them out on longer excursions like hiking or hunting trips. Golden retrievers are a tried-and-tested family breed. They love to swim even with their humans! Also, they are very social, so a large and involved family household fits well for them. They like a lot of attention and snuggles, too. They love to play fetch because of their hunting heritage! Golden retrievers do their best with a lot of companionships, and so, considering their level of activity, they always do very well with pensioners who can devote a lot of time to them. Luckily, there are many options out there to help you locate a rescue or breeder that provides safe, ethically sourced golden retriever puppies. If you find a responsible breeder or decide to adopt it, it is up to you to be prepared for an enthusiastic and welcoming addition to your household. Taking Care Of A Golden Retriever Puppy: Adopting Most breed rescuers claim that most of their rescue dogs come from individual owner surrender, with the most common factors being a lifestyle shift or a breed not being a good match. This means that there might be many dogs and kittens out there looking for a new home forever. The biggest difference between the breeder and the rescue team is that the rescue does not always have young puppies to choose from. This means that you may end up with a dog that has already been housebroken, and you do not need these standard medical procedures. You could even find a golden retriever mix that has all the characteristics you expect from the breed, along with a little extra. Finding a golden rescue retriever can be as easy as searching the internet. Taking Care Of A Golden Retriever Puppy: Diet And Consumption Of Water Wild dogs would hunt and scavenge, consume a wide range of different foods, take care of their diet, and ensure that they get all the nutrients they need. Modern dogs no longer search and scavenge and rely on their owners to provide them with all they need. You need to study, find, and have a good scientifically formulated diet to satisfy their unique nutritional requirements. You should remember that a puppy has different dietary requirements than an active adult dog, which is again different from a very old dog that might have slowed down a little. One thing that you do need to look out for with Golden Retrievers is over-feeding. And the Golden One will never say no. They just love to eat! So please be aware of their consumption of food and monitor their weight. No dog is expected to be overweight. It can lead to common conditions that lead to mobility problems and diseases of their internal organs that can potentially shorten their lives. As well as good food, every day, your Golden needs access to a good, safe, and fresh supply of water. Dehydration is a major concern, as is over-hydration in some dogs. And any major shifts in their intake usually include an underlying health issue, and you should seek advice from your vet. You will need to give them plenty of structured exercise opportunities to keep them fit and safe and occupy their minds. So a 4-month-old puppy requires just 20 minutes, a 5-month-old puppy needs 25 minutes, etc. So please take it easy with a puppy. A dog who listens and responds to only a few well-trained commands can be kept infinitely safer than an untrained dog. And their quality of life is so much higher as they are educated that they are allowed more freedoms and more space to be monitored and trusted not to cause trouble. Try to do it every six months, but at least once a year. Go on a normal schedule anyway. This will make it easier for your vet to get acquainted with your dog, making it easier for them to see improvements. As always, prevention is better than cure and if there is ever a problem, then finding it as soon as possible is essential for more successful care and less pain and distress for your pet. Daily visits to the vet make this early discovery possible. There are many illnesses, even deadly, the course of vaccines can easily avoid that. Distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis and notorious rabies, can all be kept at bay with vaccines. A puppy will need shots beginning at six weeks, with different shots taking up to 18 weeks. The rabies shot is given at around six months of age, and after that, your Golden will only need an annual supplement to maintain protection. They are medium to large dogs that weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. Apart from their friendly personalities, the golden retrievers are also loyal and reasonably quick to train. Unfortunately, as with many other known breeds, the golden retrievers have their share of genetic weaknesses, and their maintenance can be high. Exercise, interaction, and frequent veterinary appointments are all important to keep your dog safe and happy. Phase 1 Golden retrievers are a sociable, human-loving breed that makes perfect pets for families with young children. Slowly acclimate the golden retriever to his new life when you carry him home. Feed your dog with the same kind of food he ate before you started taking care of him. If you want to switch food brands, slowly combine the new brand with the old one, increasing the amount of new food per day. Phase 2 Golden retrievers are a sociable, human-loving breed that makes perfect pets for families with young children. Track the actions of your dog for the first few weeks after you add it to the household. Both puppies and adults may have a disease or medical condition that is not yet evident, so it is necessary to look for signs of discomfort, lethargy, loss of appetite, and aggression. Consult your veterinarian if you find odd or suspicious activity. According to the Golden Retriever Club of America, the four most important places to track for golden retrievers are their hips, knees, eyes, and heart. The breed has a genetic predisposition to medical problems in these fields. Phase 3 Golden retrievers are a friendly, human-loving breed that makes perfect pets for families with young children. Exercise your gold retriever every day. The breed is known for its enthusiasm and playfulness, and the goldens need some vigorous exercise to get the excitement out of their system. Throw a ball or stick for your dog to take about 20 minutes twice a day or make it easier for your pet to do the same exercise. Phase 4 Golden retrievers are a friendly, human-loving breed that makes perfect pets for families with young children. Take your dog to the vet for a checkup at least once a year. Golden retrievers have several hereditary weaknesses that lead them to various diseases, including cancer and bleeding disorders. They are also vulnerable to joint dysplasia on both their front and hind legs. One of the most critical aspects of a golden retriever is the evaluation of his heart. Phase 5 Golden retrievers are a sociable, human-loving breed that makes perfect pets for families with young children. Bath your dog in a bathtub with room temperature water and canine shampoo as appropriate. Phase 6 Golden retrievers are a friendly, human-loving breed that makes perfect pets for families with young children. Wash your hands thoroughly or wear plastic gloves before touching the mouth of your dog. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has an exceptionally bad breath for a prolonged period or if his teeth begin to discolor. Just use a toothpaste made for dogs, although you can use a regular toothbrush. Feed your dog with hard treats instead of soft ones to minimize tartar buildup and bad breath. Final Words We agree that the number one thing any dog owner should do is show a lot of love for their dog! In particular, the Golden Retriever needs a lot of affection and care to be content. They enjoy the time spent with you, and every dog owner knows that the time spent with their precious Golden Retriever is never enough. A Golden Retriever will easily steal your heart and become your best friend. Their elegance, both inside and outside, is addicting to the fact that most owners of this exquisite breed typically own more than one. Keep in mind that if you let the Golden be the Golden, by making them do what they enjoy, such as meeting new people and swimming, you will be rewarded with a happy dog. As long as they are socialised well as a puppy, Golden Retrievers can happily fit into family life. They are gentle but need to be treated with respect by all members of the family, including young children, as like any dog their patience will eventually run out. Common health problems in Golden Retrievers Like any purebred dog, Golden Retrievers may encounter some breed-related health problems throughout their lives. Often, Breed Clubs will also be able to provide advice on what tests your breed may need and where to get these done. Make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by these upsetting conditions. For Golden Retrievers, this is because they can have short legs in proportion to their body and a tendency to become overweight. Eye problems — screening tests are available and dogs should be screened on a yearly basis, especially if intended for breeding. Multifocal retinal dysplasia - abnormal development and growth of the back of the eye retina which can lead to blindness. Generalised progressive retinal atrophy GPRA — slowly leads to progressive blindness over months or years. Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy RPED, or central progressive retinal atrophy — a genetic problem which causes issues in the back of the eye retina and loss of vision. Glaucoma — high pressure within the eye causing pain and loss of vision. Ichthyosis — a skin disease that causes thickening of the footpads and makes other areas of skin rough and covered with thick, greasy flakes that stick to the hair. Caring for your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are usually real big softies and can make a great addition to a home. How much noise they make will be down to the individual dog. Training and socialisation Golden Retrievers thrive off training and are very intelligent dogs. They love nothing more than to be given tasks to do to keep them occupied and have fairly good problem-solving skills — for a dog! As long as your Retriever is properly socialised from a young age , they should be confident around new people and situations. Retrievers also like their chill out time but will be more than happy to show you plenty of affection on their own terms. Exercise Golden Retrievers are very active dogs and need plenty of opportunities to exercise , play and get rid of excess energy. Your Golden Retriever will need a minimum of two hours of good exercise per day. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together. Because they are intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers can get bored easily so make sure you keep their brains active as well as their bodies. As their name suggests, retrieving is what they were bred for, so nearly all Golden Retrievers love a good game of fetch! Grooming Golden Retrievers have medium to long coats and generally do shed a lot. They are not a dog to take on if you hate hoovering! Ideally, they should be brushed or combed three times a week at a minimum. Where necessary you can trim their coat with the right tools, but seek advice from a professional dog groomer or vet first. You may also find that your Retriever loves water including any and all muddy puddles and swimming. Make sure they stay safe around the water and if they get mucky, use a dog safe shampoo. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate Golden Retrievers and children If you have a young family then Golden Retrievers can be fantastic with children. If socialised properly from a young age, Retrievers can be quite calm and tolerant. Always supervise children and vulnerable adults with your Golden Retriever and make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and play with dogs with care and kindness, to prevent any issues. Golden Retrievers and other pets Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too. Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time. Obesity can cause other health problems for your Golden Retriever, so keeping them in shape is extra important. Make sure to monitor their weight and keep an eye out for any sneaky snacking. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. If you give your dog an occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily food allowance. Use healthy treats in moderation instead. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave a gap before exercising and after eating. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. If you want to buy a pedigree puppy, we recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they have to do extra health tests and meet higher standards. Set-up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. PDSA Pet Insurance Fun facts As they were bred to fetch game, they have a naturally gentle grip, called a 'soft mouth', so they don't damage the birds they carry back in their mouths. Golden Retrievers have an amazing sense of smell and are often used as search and rescue dogs in other parts of the world. They absolutely love water well, most of them do. Most Retrievers will take any opportunity to have a swim. Luckily, their coats are thick to keep out water and keep them warm. Golden Retrievers make really good assistance dogs and are often a top choice for training to be Guide Dogs for the Blind. Make sure you have the knowledge and dedication to give to these sweet natured dogs to keep them happy and the time and space to exercise them. While they make great family pets, make sure you are absolutely ready to take on the commitment of getting a dog first. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a Golden Retriever. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in Golden Retrievers are out there too. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy a Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. Not sure if the Golden Retriever is the right pet for you? January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! Golden Retrievers were first bred in the early s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens also excel at many other activities, including search and rescue jobs and guide work. They require ample exercise—swimming in particular is a great outlet for their endless energy, and most Goldens love it! Their beautiful coats require brushing and in some climates a summer trim may be in order. Goldens are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their families. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Golden. By knowing about health concerns specific to Golden Retrievers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Golden Retrievers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Golden Retrievers. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Golden looking and feeling her best. Unfortunately, your Golden is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Golden Retrievers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Golden Retrievers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Golden is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Golden Retrievers Cancer Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Your Golden will likely live longer than many other breeds and therefore is more prone to get cancer in his golden years. Many cancers are curable by surgical removal, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical! Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Golden Retrievers at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Golden Retrievers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Because white blood cells can be found throughout the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often be found with a blood test, so we may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Golden Retrievers than other breeds. The sooner these tumors are surgically removed, the better. Unfortunately, mast cell tumors often look very similar to other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, many of which are not harmful. Therefore, all suspicious lumps should be tested and surgically removed as soon as possible. Many cancers are cured by surgical removal , so early detection is critical. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Golden is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as half an hour. Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes up , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Golden Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is also sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Goldens. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Golden Retrievers and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes. Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Golden is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Allergies In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for these conditions. Allergies, swimming, overgrowth of hair in the ear canals, and accumulation of earwax can all predispose your dog to ear infections, which are painful and annoying. Goldens are very often afflicted by allergies, which can cause itching and inflammation in the ears and elsewhere. The earlier we diagnose and treat these ailments, the less discomfort and pain your pet will suffer. Be sure to call us if you notice him scratching or shaking his head, a foul odor from the ears, or if his ears seem painful to the touch. By monitoring for ear infections and treating them early, we also reduce the likelihood of eardrum damage that can lead to deafness. Most ear infections tend to recur until we work together to control the underlying cause. Epilepsy There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Golden Retrievers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, episodes will usually begin between six months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. Note the length of the seizure, and call us at or call an emergency hospital. Heart Disease Some Golden Retrievers inherit a heart condition known as aortic stenosis. This disease causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow leaving the heart, which means the heart must work harder to pump enough blood to the body. If the condition is severe, your dog may faint or seem to run out of energy during exercise. He may also have difficulty breathing, cough frequently, or have stunted growth. Golden Retrievers are also especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Any breed can be affected, but Goldens have an above average incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections. Diabetes is a serious condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. If he shows signs, we will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with you. Treatment requires a serious commitment of time and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Bleeding Disorders Your Golden Retriever is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test as we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually as simple as replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Taking Care of Your Golden Retriever at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Golden live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time. Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week! Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She excels at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience events. She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Golden Retriever needs help. Read the full disclosure here. They rely on you for everything and their health and well-being is well and truly in your hands. In order for your Golden to live as long and as healthy and fit a life as possible, you need to first educate yourself on how to care for them properly and build this knowledge into actions and routines. A balanced and nutritious diet, regular exercise , grooming and regular veterinary health checks are all essential parts of maintaining good health and quality of life. All of these are under your control. By taking steps to do the best for your Goldens health and monitoring their well-being regularly, you can prevent illnesses happening, avoiding pain and discomfort for your Golden and vets bills and heartache for you. At first, being a caring and responsible owner can seem a daunting and herculean task, but breaking it down into little manageable routines really does make it easy. Health Care Routines For Your Golden Retriever You should keep a diary and set up daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly routines to make sure every need is met and your Golden is well looked after. Example routines would be: Daily: Provision of nutritious food and clean water, regular and sufficient exercise, general health check via bodily inspections. Weekly: Inspection of ears, eyes and oral health and hygiene. Comprehensive grooming and nail care. Quarterly: Bath your Golden. In the past, any more often than this was bad for their coat quality and skin. Scheduled visits to a veterinarian and canine dentist, perhaps alternating every 3 months so two visits to each per year. Yearly: Vaccination top-ups. Following is a brief discussion of areas you need to pay attention to in order to care for your Golden well. Particularly during their puppy years they can get themselves into all sorts of trouble around your home and garden so you have to undertake a certain amount of puppy-proofing your home : Fence off swimming pools or ponds in your yard as they will get in there but being so small they may not be able to swim well and could find it impossible to get out unaided. Research the plants and flowers you have in your home and garden as there are in excess of one hundred plants known to be toxic to dogs and Goldens love a good chew! Remove or make safe any sharp items in your home that your Golden may play with, rub against or walk over in their playing. Hide away any electrical cables because a dogs sharp teeth and electricity are a particularly dangerous combination. Goldens can learn to open simple storage units and household chemicals therein are extremely dangerous to your dog. For now, just pretend you are an inquisitive dog, tour your home and garden and imagine just how they could get themselves into trouble in any of the areas they have access to. Then take steps to make those areas safe. Diet, Nutrition and Water Intake Dogs in the wild would hunt and scavenge, eating a wide variety of different foods, taking care of their own diet and ensuring they get all the nutrients they need. Modern dogs no longer hunt and scavenge and instead rely on their owners to provide them everything they need. You need to research, find and provide a good scientifically formulated diet to match their very particular nutritional requirements. You should note that a puppy has different nutritional requirements to an active adult dog, that is again different to a very senior dog who may have somewhat slowed down. There are dog foods balanced to meet a dogs different needs for each stage of their lives and activity levels. One thing you really need to watch out for with Golden Retrievers is over-feeding. And a Golden will never say no, they just love to eat! So please be mindful of their food intake and monitor their weight. No dog should be overweight. It can lead to joint problems, which leads to mobility problems, as well as diseases of their internal organs which can really shorten their lives. As well as good food, your Golden needs access to a good, clean and fresh supply of water every day. Dehydration is a real problem, as is over-hydrating in some dogs. And any drastic changes in their intake usually signifies an underlying health problem and you should seek the advice of your vet. Exercise Golden Retrievers are a sporting breed, bred for working and hence considered a high energy breed. To keep them fit and healthy and to occupy their minds you will need to provide them with lots of opportunity for structured exercise. Notice I said structured exercise! This means you cannot simply let them out into your yard and hope they take care of exercise themselves. They will walk around a bit and mostly just spend their time begging to be let back in with you. You have to plan structured exercise such as running, playing fetch or swimming. You have to take them out for a minimum of 45 minutes of exercise per day on top of their normal walks, and preferably with a good 2 hour bout of longer exercise at least once per week. The five minute rule is that a puppy needs no more than 5 minutes structured exercise per day for every month they have been alive. So a 4 month old puppy needs just 20 minutes, a 5 month old puppy 25 minutes etc. So take it easy with a puppy. Training Just how important training is for your Goldens quality of life cannot be overstated. A dog that listens to and responds to just a few well-trained commands can be kept infinitely safer than an untrained dog. So you should provide your Golden with a decent firm yet soft bed and a nice comfortable lining for their crate if you use one. If you have a yard and your Golden will be expected to spend any length of time outside you should provide a form of shelter so they can keep off the cold wet floor in winter and get out of the sun in summer. There are many options for suitable kennels and many of them are reasonably priced. If you fail to keep up a regular schedule of brushing, their coats very quickly become knotted and then matted and these are all but impossible to remove without the help of a pair of scissors. Regular brushing also helps to keep your Goldens coat clean and removes dead hair. When it comes to bathing, Golden Retrievers have a double coat and natural oils that help waterproof them so bathing too often is actually bad for their coats…at least it always used to be. Just be sure if you do wish to bathe them often that you research the shampoo used and pick one suited to regular bathing for Goldens. Human shampoo will never do as it will strip their oils and is too acidic for their skin and will irritate them. And cheap dog shampoos will strip the oils too. You kinda get what you pay for. To keep their coat healthy and prevent irritation you need to remove all the soap. Note: Click here for a selection of the best dog brushes suitable for your golden Nail Care Depending on how often your golden walks on hard abrasive surfaces, they will probably need their nails trimmed every 10 or 12 weeks. But if your golden is constantly walking pavements and roads, they may never need a trim due to concrete and tarmacs abrasive, nail-file like effect. Anyway, you should regularly check your dogs paws. This can be very uncomfortable for your dog and if it gets out of control even painful. You can quite easily trim your dogs nails at home , or you can take them to the vet where they will do the procedure for you. If you do wish to do it at home, I recommend taking your dog to the vet first and asking for advice on how to do it, being shown and learning from the pros rather than risking it alone from a book. Better safe than sorry! Look inside to make sure they are a healthy looking color, not bright red and inflamed. Also check for lots of small little grainy looking brown dots. These are the droppings of ear mites and a sign of a parasitic infection which should be treated ASAP. Dental Care Dental hygiene is an often overlooked area of dog care by many people but is very important. Much like us, dogs can suffer with tooth decay, cracked teeth, gum disease and a build up of plaque and tartar. Not only does this detract from the overall good looks of your dog, it can be quiet uncomfortable, sometimes painful and can lead to more severe problems if left untreated. So you should regularly check their teeth and gums yourself, make use of available chews that help to clean their teeth and take your dog to a canine dentist every 6 to 12 months. Try to treat your dogs teeth as good as you would treat your own. Parasitic problems Fleas, ticks and other parasites can be a real problem for dogs, leading to many problems ranging from mild skin irritation, to extreme sores and infections, and in the most extreme cases dramatic weight loss, tape worms and Lyme disease. So you should regularly check for parasites in your Golden which is very easy to do if you are sticking to a regular schedule of brushing their coats. Simply spend an extra minute to inspect closer to their skin looking for ticks, fleas or small dots droppings in their fur which would indicate the presence of parasites. Treatment for fleas and ticks can be administered at home as there are many treatments for this available over the counter. Try to make it every 6 months, but once per year as a minimum. This will allow your vet to become familiar with your dog which makes spotting changes easier for them. And it gives them a chance to spot problems early that you without an untrained eye may not pick up on. As always, prevention is better than cure and if there is ever a problem then catching it as early as possible is vital for more effective treatment and minimal pain and discomfort for your pet. Regular visits to the vet allow this early discovery. You will also need to see your vet to have your puppy vaccinated. There are many diseases, some fatal, that can be prevented easily with a course of vaccinations. Distemper, parvovirus and hepatitis as well as the infamous rabies can all be kept at bay with vaccines. A puppy will require shots starting at 6 weeks with a course of various shots taking them up to 18 weeks or so. The rabies shot is administered at about 6 months of age and after this your Golden will require just a yearly top up to maintain protection. Highly Recommended Training Course For a detailed program to follow in the form of a video library, including a step-by-step roadmap for raising a puppy from 8 weeks old all the way to a confident, well-trained and happy adult dog, you could do a lot worse than checking out The Online Dog Trainer. This program contains over follow along videos of an NZ SPCA endorsed professional dog trainer, covering all aspects of dog training, solving behavior problems in real life scenarios, explaining the theory, giving practical advice and more. You can see him getting real results in real-life consultations with his clients, so if you ever have a behavior problem you need to solve, you can follow along for almost guaranteed results. Of course, we are developing a fantastic training resource here at TotallyGoldens. Click here to learn more at TheOnlineDogTrainer. Caring For Your Golden Retriever Final Thoughts Regular grooming will keep your Golden retriever not only looking at their absolute best, but also with your help and intervention it keeps them healthy and disease free too. You May Also Like. My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. If you also have brought a newborn golden retriever puppy to your home, you need to be extra careful in handling him. It is significant to note that newborn golden retrievers should not be handled like human babies. In this article, I will suggest you 10 tips that will definitely help you to take care of a newborn golden retriever effectively. Before owning golden retriever, it is necessary to know about his temperament— Know everything about golden retriever temperament Ideally, it is better to allow the mother of golden retriever puppy to take its care and responsibility. The puppy must be allowed to stay with his mother and the litter for the first few days. The puppy owner must take care of the puppy as well as its mother and ensure that they are totally comfortable and at ease. Mother as well as the puppy must be fed properly and their nutritional demands must be met properly. A newborn golden retriever puppy may have a lot of needs and its mother can take better care of its growing needs. Since, initially, the puppy is non-explorative, it requires more attention as far its safety is concerned. Mother as well as the dog owner must take care of the highly vulnerable puppy. Proper diet and clean water must be provided to the mother, especially if she is nursing her baby. It is important to ensure that high quality ingredients are available in the food being provided to the mother and the kid so that their nutritional requirements are met in the most effective manner. I have listed some good commercial foods that are must have for the mother of new born puppy:. They are superb with kids and very much compatible with other pets in the house. They are big and their tail is strong, so keep your breakable belongings away from the reach of that helicopter wag. They are great personalities for a pet but maintaining them is no joke. Bookmark this page which lists down cool tips to take care of a Golden Retriever. To prevent it from matting and to reduce the shedding, you must brush it daily. If you do this from an early age, they get used to it and they actually look forward to it. Not only that. While you brush them, watch out for scabs, cysts, scratches and bumps and if it does not go in a day or two, visit the vet. Wrap some wet cotton gauze around your finger and then wipe the inside of your puppy's ears and ear flap. Do it every alternate day and if you notice wax buildup or discharge or foul smell, take it to the vet, do not delay. When their nails start clicking the ground, it is a sign that your boy or girl needs trimming. Active dogs need fewer trims as per vets. It can bleed and it is very painful too. Also, do not cut the nail in one go. Go slow and if you see a circle on the trimmed surface, stop there and then because that is the quick. Never use a human toothpaste because they are very toxic for dogs. Make sure that your fur-child goes on a brisk walk, plays around at least for 30 minutes twice a day. Play fetch, take it for a swim if he loves water. They must have a place to retreat if they feel low or nervous. But never make it an area of punishment as that will stress them out. Teach them basic commands. Nowadays, we also have pet friendly cafes, so take them there. Not just pets, dogs should also know other humans besides you. They must know that people wearing attires unlike yours are also humans they need to be civil with. Do take them to crowded places to take away that fear and so that they get accustomed to loud noises as well. Fast cars and bikes, all these things scare them if they are not used to it. It is the same as human babies.
Share 0 Shares The Golden Retriever is a great companion for many active individuals out there, and they also tend to behave very well around children and other pets. This also makes the Golden Retriever a popular choice for many families. However, it is still always important that prospective Golden Retriever breeders do their research about the breeder before they bring a Golden Retriever puppy home. Looking up some basic facts about the Golden Retriever before obtaining one is always a good idea. There are some other things such as what gender and coat color you would like your Golden Retriever puppy to have. However, the most important thing to consider when getting a Golden Retriever puppy is whether or not a breeder is reputable. Here we have compiled a list of some of our favorite Golden Retriever breeders that are perfect for those who are looking for Golden Retriever puppies in South Carolina. Of course, it is still important that you look into these breeders yourself in order to ensure that they will make a good fit for you and your family. Trinity Golden Retrievers Trinity Golden Retrievers South Carolina These Golden Retriever breeders are dedicated to bettering the Golden Retriever breed by carefully breeding their dogs to ensure that they have great temperaments and genetic health. In order to prove their lines this breeder enters their dogs into AKC-run conformation events. All of their dogs also come from established pedigrees, many of them being championship-winning. Additionally, this breeder also gets their dogs OFA health testing for the hips, elbows, eyes, and heart as is recommended for the Golden Retriever breed. Many of their dogs have also received genetic testing for the conditions that can affect Golden Retrievers. This prevents harmful genetic conditions from being passed onto their puppies. Puppies are also kept in good health with up-to-date vaccinations, deworming, and vet visits. Name of Owner. We strive to produce dogs with correct breed conformation, sound genetics, and an amazing temperament. Our dogs have their OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hips, elbows, heart and eye clearances as well as a DNA panel specific to genetic diseases prevalent to our breed. Our Retrievers are not only perfect indoor companions, but love to be out in the show ring, retrieving on land and dock diving. Deciding to bring a dog into your home is a big and life changing decision! We look forward to talking with you about our wonderful breed and guiding you through life with a golden! Join The Family What Others Say We absolutely love staying in touch with our families and following along as our babies grow. Here are some words from our families! I found adventuresoftrinitypups on instagram and every day I looked forward to watching the videos and pictures of the most beautiful looking and well-behaved Golden Retrievers I have ever seen! After watching them for almost a year I decided to message the person behind the account to inquire about finally adopting my own Golden Retriever because my heart was set on wanting one from Trinity Retrievers! My husband and I drove all the way to South Carolina from New York to pick up the cutest little golden ever, whom we named Toby. The rest is history! He is the best and most well-behaved Golden Retriever, and we are constantly receiving compliments about Toby's temperament and appearance whenever we are in public because he is a perfectly bred Golden Retriever. He has even traveled with us on a handful of vacations! It was well worth the drive and I would only recommend her, and already have in the past, to anyone interested in adding a Golden Retriever to their family! We also hope to get Toby a sibling sometime soon and have kept in touch with Kristin so without a doubt will be getting one from Trinity Retrievers to add to our family! Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for South Carolina Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in South Carolina? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in South Carolina? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Welcome to Carolina Gilded Retrievers! We are a family-owned and operated breeder of American Kennel Club-registered golden retrievers. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Travelers Rest, SC, our state of the art kennel is situated on a 6 acre plot of land with plenty of room for our puppies to grow and develop. At Carolina Gilded Retrievers we believe that a hands-on approach to our dogs and puppies is key, and as such we built our kennel just a stone's throw away from our own house. Our dogs are our pets first and foremost. They are treated as family members and it is important that each of them receive their dedicated time with us, go on adventures, car rides, and trips. We enjoy finding each dog's desired activity whether that be agility, therapy work, or hunting. Our Values What We Breed For At Carolina Gilded Retrievers we breed our puppies for three main criteria: health, demeanor, and structure beauty , making them ideal for companionship, therapy, and service. The naturally loving temperament of the golden retriever breed is further magnified in our puppies by the hands-on love, care, and attention they are given from day one. For the first three weeks of their life they are under hour supervision. Females are all assisted during their delivery, and carefully watched prior to their delivery date. Beginning at 3 days of age, we begin our puppy curriculum which lasts until take home day. We believe it is important to set our puppies and families up for success from the beginning. Beginning at 3 days of age and continuing until 16 days of age, we engage our puppies in Early Neurological Stimulation exercises. We follow the Empowered Breeder puppy curriculum which begins at 3 weeks of age, as well as, the potty training process. From week we begin to have various novelty and exposure activities in the whelping pen. From weeks , the puppies have their own dedicated "puppy bowl" room and astro turf play area, where we offer the puppies a wide variety of exposure activities, objects and textures. Think wagon and stroller rides, to ball pit and tunnel fun, to a variety of toys that are different shapes and sizes. In addition, we begin sound desensitizing and the puppies are exposed to a wide variety of sounds such as fireworks, train noises, clapping etc. At 7 weeks of age we perform the Volhard Aptitude test. Our Commitment To You Carolina Gilded Retrievers is committed first and foremost to the health and well-being of our dogs and puppies, but we also take great joy in helping our clients find the perfect puppy for their needs. We go above and beyond for our puppies and their new families at every turn. Our extended puppy family is ever-expanding, and for us this business is a genuine labor of love.
If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our list of the highest rated Labradoodle Breeders in New York features ethical facilities whose main focus is producing healthy Labradoodle pups. More breeders are taking on the huge responsibility of breeding Labradoodle puppies in New York, which is naturally a great thing. However, the high demand has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. See Also: Click the image Although Doodle scammers will leave you empty-handed with no money or puppy, puppy mills are a different story. Namely, their lower prices are used to attract unknowing buyers while selling them unhealthy puppies from overbred parents. Oftentimes, the kennels are in horrible conditions, the dogs are malnourished, and come with a wide set of health problems. You can always ask the breeder for proof of health testing, as reputable breeders have no problems providing you with the documentation. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Another great indicator is that a breeder is recommended by Gooddog. All of these organizations require their certified breeders to follow high standards of health and genetic testing. In addition to that, the breeders have to follow ethical breeding practices and provide a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for the breeding dogs and puppies. See Also:. We ensured that none of the Labradoodle breeders mentioned here has a bad reputation and that no breeders with unethical procedures or puppy mills were listed. Secondly, PuppySpot offers a range of resources and services to make the process of bringing your new Labradoodle home as easy as possible. Lastly, PuppySpot is committed to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. They have a strict policy against working with puppy mills or substandard breeders and partner with animal welfare organizations to support their mission. They make the process easy, and their commitment to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare is something to be proud of! You can trust this breeder, who has been breeding Australian multigenerational miniature and standard-sized Labradoodles since , to do everything she can to raise healthy and happy puppies. All puppies have been vaccinated, microchipped, and checked their health. You can also request health and genetic tests from this breeder. Hips, eyes, and other joints are among the most common health examinations. Furthermore, genetic testing guarantees that your dog will be free of inherited disorders. You will get a Labradoodle puppy that will share your home for the rest of its life. Each breeding parent has undergone extensive health checks and genetic testing. Before you can be approved as a breeder, both organizations need you to undergo health tests on your dogs. This breeder spends time exposing puppies to various stimuli and lifelong conditions such as nail trimming and bathing. Most Labradoodle breeders in New York will not provide their puppies with this additional training and stimulation. All puppies are vet-checked, given their first set of immunizations, dewormed, and come with a health guarantee. Parent dogs are health-tested and genetically checked, providing you peace of mind when choosing a Labradoodle puppy. This breeder is known for its multigeneration medium-sized Labradoodles. All pups come with a health guarantee of 2-years, up-to-date immunizations, microchipping, and free pet insurance for an initial period of 30 days. All breeding parents are entirely healthy and have had their eyes, hearts, knees, elbows, and hips examined by the OFA. This breeder is known for its multigenerational medium and standard-size Labradoodles. They only have a limited amount of certified therapy and service dogs available each year, so talk to them if you want your Labradoodle to be more than just a family pet or a companion dog. In New York, Guardianship initiatives are an excellent method to receive a low-cost Labradoodle pup. Within one week of the buyer receiving the puppy, a veterinarian will inspect the puppy. They breed F2B standard-sized Labradoodle puppies. At 6 weeks of age, the puppies will get their first checkup and vaccinations with the Country Side doctor. We usually suggest contacting each breeder individually and asking them a range of questions. Choose a breeder willing to address your issues and choose the best dog on the basis of temperament rather than appearance. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink.
By sharing knowledge and working together with other members of the ALAA, we can advance the health of the Australian Labradoodle. Membership in a professional organization ensures that you are working with a breeder who is invested in the breed, who abides by a Code of Ethics, and who will be here when you have questions or need support. We love what we do, and we want to do an exceptional job! We invest our time and resources into education, for us and for you! We continue to learn about health issues, breakthroughs in testing, puppy development, and socialization. We pass that information on to you. We are passionate about educating and helping new families become successful puppy parents. We look forward to partnering with you as you select your new family member! This keeps the health of the breed the top priority. There are different levels of health testing. Make sure you select a breeder who does all of the appropriate testing, not just some of it. She temperament tests all our puppies. There are 2 boys and 6 girls, and are apricot. Puppies will be mediums and are expected to weigh 30 to 35 lbs. Puppies will be going home the weekend of August 26 and .Order of list is in order of deposits received. We have regular open days for people to come visit us and meet our dogs. We also arrange puppy meet ups in local areas. Once puppies are born they are allocated in order of list. Puppy pick day is held when puppies are around 6 weeks old, we find this is the best time for you to make an informed decision, their personalities are developed by this time. Puppy pick is done in reserve list order. We temperament test the puppies beforehand to help you in making your decision. Puppies go home at 8 weeks, vaccinated, microchipped and with a full puppy pack which includes, food, scent toy, shampoo and a comprehensive guide to help you through the first few weeks. We also offer a lifetime of support. We sell our Australian Labradoodles for a pet price, this price is for an Australian Labradoodle that has been permanently neutered or spayed before reaching 12 months of age. Intact or un-neutered and un-spayed dogs reaching over 12 months of age cost more. We are planning quite far out and once a place has been reserved we do not accept deposits from elsewhere. The commitment is on both sides. However I do understand that circumstances change therefore you may choose to switch litters up to two years away for a maximum of 2 litters. However, if my prices have risen in the meantime, your deposit will be deducted from the higher price.
We love these playful, intelligent, yet even-keeled dogs who are known to make wonderful family pets. So, great choice! Your next step will be to choose the right place to acquire the new addition to your family. Where to buy a Goldendoodle puppy? The most popular ways to get a Goldendoodle puppy are through a breeder or an adoption organization. However, even within those two choices, there are multiple ways to approach finding your new furry friend. Breeders Families who are looking to bring a puppy into their home usually utilize a breeder. The pedigree and temperament of its parents, its family history of illness, and other facts can help you understand and care for your new pet well. However, not all breeders are equal. There are a few different types, and there can be good and bad apples in each. Certified Breeders Two super small brown or chocolate Goldendoodles If you are looking to purchase from a breeder, then a certified breeder is often a great place to look. Because certified dog breeders must participate in audits for Canine Care Certification and take courses on best practices, certified breeders are generally a safe place to purchase a healthy and humanely bred pup. We would recommend choosing a trustworthy and certified breeder to ensure that you have a great experience. Especially for those choosing to buy a Goldendoodle pup as first-time pet parents, there are several essential things to consider about a breeder before making your decision. Consider these questions and more when making your final choice of certified breeder. See our detailed breakdown of how much a Goldendoodle costs over the first year. While an amateur breeder may offer added convenience, you will have to be much more vigilant in vetting them for yourself. In a best-case scenario, the perfect amateur breeder would be an already-close family friend or neighbor whose practices you are well-familiar with and who you know can be trusted. These sorts of encounters can often be a scam , leaving you out several hundred dollars with nothing to show for it. Of course, not all Facebook advertising breeders are looking to trap you. Adoption Unfortunately, there are so many unwanted and discarded dogs who need a second chance at a loving family. Fortunately, this is where you can come in! We recommend continuously checking shelters and adoption organizations before deciding to utilize a breeder. This is a valid desire for families with children or with plenty of extra time to spend raising a dog. However, puppies are often available to adopt if you look in the right places! Local Humane Societies and Shelters Regardless of where you live, you likely have a Humane Society or shelter in your local area. If you are close enough, you can visit to see what kind of dogs are available. Shelters are also very meticulous about health standards, so you can be sure that your new friend is vaccinated when adopting. Pets are also often microchipped and spayed or neutered if not already. As an added plus, adoption is often far less expensive than purchasing from a breeder. If you are open to adopting an adult dog, shelters are a perfect place to begin your search. You can never be certain of what kind of dogs will be abandoned or given up at no fault of their own. Designer dogs, like puppies, are in high demand and move through shelters quickly. See the best Goldendoodle rescues in North America A Mini Goldendoodle sitting on a park bench However, many breed-specific rescue groups can make your search for where to buy a Goldendoodle much easier! These groups specialize in re-homing specific breeds. Because of this, they are often run by breed enthusiasts who are knowledgeable and experienced at not only working with Goldendoodles but helping you find one with the right temperament to fit your family. Another bonus is that many breed-specific rescue groups, because of their specificity, employ a vast network of volunteers to make transportation easier. If you are not in the vicinity of the rescue itself, transportation options are often available. Most other countries have Poodle mix rescues. Make sure to ask upfront or research transport, specifically if the rescue is not in your local area. Even if you are willing to travel to collect your new furry friend, some rescues might have rules about the radius in which they are willing to adopt out. There are also website databases designed to help you search across multiple rescues and shelters for precisely the kind of dog you want. This is the perfect resource if you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of searching out a specific rescue. You will always have the issue of not knowing the parent dogs, so there is risk of temperament issues, or hereditary health problems like hip dysplasia. But you are saving a life and most resuces are fanatical about protecting and ensuring a healthy puppy. Goldendoodles will require regular grooming and upkeep. Final Thoughts Adding a Goldendoodle to your family is a great choice that you are sure to be happy with for years to come! When deciding where to buy a Goldendoodle , always check your local shelters and rescues first. There are so many dogs waiting for a second chance at a fur-ever home who can bring you a lifetime of joy and fulfillment. If you decide to go with a breeder, make sure to vet them and examine their credentials thoroughly. We recommend never purchasing from a pet store or a puppy mill, even though these may sometimes masquerade as backyard breeders. Doing your pet owner homework beforehand, whether you choose to adopt or buy, will ensure that you end up with a happy, well-adjusted Goldendoodle who will be a perfect fit for your family. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Guardian home opportunity - female Hypoallergenic puppies We carefully breed Goldendoodles who have Golden Retriever, Poodle, and a pinch of Labrador Retriever in their heritage. Poodles have non-shedding coats, characterised by furnishings long hair on face and tight curls. To do this, we carry out leading-edge DNA testing, and carefully match mother and father to ensure puppies carry the right mix of genes. She put us at ease that our puppy would be health checked and bred responsibly and socialised as well as possible before we collected her. The whole process was exciting and stress free as Becky made everything straight forward. What personalities do their parents have? His temperament is so loving and trusting. He already loves training and learning behavior cues. He already has solid a sit, down, stand and a 5 second wait using hand signals. About me After many years living and working in the South East, our family made a long-dreamt-of escape to the country - we made our home in beautiful, rural Somerset. After much careful planning, our first litter of Goldendoodle puppies was born in our farmhouse kitchen, and forever captured my heart. Read hundreds of reviews on Google and Facebook Sandy Peters and her family are a truly unique and amazing experience.We have had a fabulous experience choosing a puppy from Sandy. We were looking for a family dog but also, as a physical therapist, I really wanted a dog with a therapy dog temperament. She does an outstanding job breeding and nurturing these puppies!! The early neurological stimulation and service dog protocols make a huge difference for these pups. Her attention to detail and her patience with me were above and beyond. An amazing experience from start to finish.Working with Sandy and her family has been an amazing experience from start to finish. She is so responsive, knowledgeable and accessible. We got to be a part of the entire process and felt we really knew our pup before we even met her. I learned so many tips watching the live stream videos, was provided a puppy schedule and product recommendations, and any questions I had were quickly answered. I know for a fact very few breeders are as thorough and experienced as Sandy. I literally cannot find accurate words to describe how amazing Sandy.I literally cannot find accurate words to describe how amazing Sandy, her family, and her puppies are. We brought our beautiful Scarlett home today and she is relaxed, has eaten, toileted and slept like a champ. Sandy breeds these puppies with integrity, decades of obvious experience, kindness and a true love for what she does. There were 25 puppies to choose from and it was hard to choose because all of them had amazing personalities and temperaments. The fact that Scarlett came home crate trained was an unbelievable bonus for us and hard to find with breeders! If you are considering purchasing a Goldendoodle and are concerned about finding a top of the line breeder, your search is over. Put your deposit down today! Featured photos. Standard Goldendoodles can weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. Personality The place where the Goldendoodle puppy really excels is its personality. Its breed is known for being simultaneously intelligent and adoring. A Goldendoodle puppy is very sociable, which makes them perfect animals for households with children and other animals or pets, even cats. Just like the Labradoodle, this breed requires correct socialization to ensure they get used to different sights, sounds and smells during puppyhood. This means taking your Goldendoodle to plenty of doggy-friendly parks so they can meet canine friends and introducing them to other people. Our Goldendoodle puppies for sale are fully trained Doodles, so you can focus on the fun bits, like bonding, eating food and playing. These dogs prefer to live in a house with a gated backyard where they can get regular exercise breaks. Do They Like to Play? Goldendoodle Puppy Training These clever dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners because Goldendoodles love to please and take great pride in learning new skills. Are Goldendoodles Intelligent? Both of its poodle and golden retriever parent breeds are known for their intelligence and trainability, and Goldendoodles have inherited this breed trait. This means the person training a Goldendoodle needs to be strong-willed, firm and consistent — but never harsh or aggressive. Much like a poodle, Doodles are sensitive dogs, and positive reinforcement is a must to bring out the best in them. How Obedient Are They? Goldendoodle pups adore human company, and making their pet parents happy brings them genuine satisfaction. As such, correct puppy training produces a highly obedient and loyal adult Goldendoodle. Older adults, people with disabilities and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders can benefit significantly from the warmth and sweetness of these adorable Goldendoodle pups. Are They Easy to Train? Doodle puppies can be mischievous and cheeky, but aggression is practically unheard of. So as long as you treat them with the same gentle respect they offer, a Goldendoodle is one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Goldendoodles have loads of energy and require regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and calm temperament. A Goldendoodle need a moderately high level of outdoor activity — usually a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally one hour, of moderate to vigorous exercise per day will keep Goldendoodle puppies at their best. Unlike puppy mills, all good puppy and dog breeders provide a certificate that shows health clearances. At Pride and Prejudoodles, our tests cover common health conditions. As such, you have peace of mind when purchasing your new puppy from us. How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Goldendoodles live for between 10 and 15 years. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Goldendoodle puppies for adoption.
wentwood labradoodles puppy farm - Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. If you find it cute that your little German Shepherd puppy is biting your hand, think again! GSDs grow-up to become strong and muscular dogs. However, once a GSD pup grows , its biting habits are not cute at all. Trust me on this one. Little pups that bite on hands or chew on toys are doing so because they are developing teeth. Recently, we got a new addition to our GSD family, a cute male named Bobby, and surely Bobbly likes to bite everything. We did order a set of tug ropes for him and it is working. Here is the model that we ordered from Chewy. They chew on toys because their gums feel irritated and to make the pain go away, they bite and chew on things. This behavior during the teething period is very normal and not much of a problem. Another reason that GSDs bite a lot is that they did not receive proper training as pups. When people start to appreciate or encourage GS biting or nipping, they are making it develop this into a habit. Your dog will start to bite at visitors and household items. This is a problem that needs to be controlled right away or else someone will end up getting hurt. If you let your GSD bite and nip, you are letting it take over. Biting and nipping is also a play game for GSD pups. They like to bite other pups in the litter, and this is usually harmless. However, when a pup gets hurt unintentionally, it makes a loud sound. This sound is an indication for the pup that it is hurt, and it is time to stop. There are several ways you can train your pup not to bite or nip. If your pup is biting because of teething, it is not a problem. The first step is to tell your dog that biting is not acceptable. You will do this with the help of voice commands , body language, and hand signals. When you stop playing with your pup the moment it bites, it will associate no play with biting. Repeat this practice whenever your GSD bites or nips. It will help your GSD learn that biting and nipping is not appreciated. Put your other finger lightly beneath its chin. Your pup will not be able to bite you and in this uncomfortable situation, it will try to get your fingers out of its mouth. This is an effective technique that will make the puppy feel uncomfortable and it will avoid biting you. Remember, you will have to repeat this technique several times until your pup completely hates taking your hand in its mouth. Pull your hand backward and pinch your pup in the neck. Do not pinch too tightly. This will make the pup associate pinching with No, and it will soon stop biting you. Be Consistent in what You Teach If you are trying to train your dog to behave and stop biting and nipping, make sure you are doing it with consistency and repetition. While training a GSD, you will need to repeat your technique several times until it starts to learn. Your GSD needs to know that biting and nipping is not acceptable and will upset you. You will also need to become the leader of your dog, not a friend of the same level. When the dog accepts you as a leader, it starts to follow the rules you set and the commands you give. Do not let your puppy bite on your hands during the training process. Reward Good Behavior If your dog is doing well and following your orders, do not forget to offer it a treat. Food treats are a kind of reward that you offer your dog only when it learns something. Make sure you have enough treats with you when you are training your pup. This way your GSD will learn that no biting means a yummy treat. You can also sign-up for our newsletter to get an expert opinion on GSD behaviors. Check Price on Amazon 4. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement means giving something pleasant to your German Shepherd when they perform what you want them to do so that they learn to associate the correct behavior with the reward. The more this is repeated, they will remember and do it more often. The reward is a reinforcing motivation. In the above example of redirecting your GSDs biting to a chew toy, once he accepts the toy and starts to chew or play with it, you then offer lots of enthusiastic verbal praise and reward with a treat. Again, timing is important, and this must be done instantly so that your German Shepherd will recognize or associate his behavior with the correct action. You can give other rewards, but these may be more suited to older pups, adolescent dogs, or adults. Alternatives could be giving them a special toy, playing their favorite game, such as fetch, or taking them on their favorite walk. Always use lots of verbal praise in parallel to the reward you choose. You will, no doubt, soon get to learn where your dog prefers to be pet. Go here for more guidance on where to pet your German Shepherd. This is also useful when your German Shepherd starts to put his mouth around your possessions or furniture, ready to have a good gnaw! Using a time-out can effectively discipline a German Shepherd for biting and other undesirable behaviors. A great way to do this is to grab their collar, push their bum down, and make them sit. The idea is that your German Shepherd will quickly learn to associate that the fun stops when his nipping starts! As always, timing is critical, so your pup learns what he has done wrong at the precise moment. For very young puppies, you should only put them in time-out for a few seconds, between 7 and 10, and no longer than 30 seconds. At the end of the time-out, redirect your pup back to play and use lots of verbal praise or offer a training treat for good onward behavior. You must time the click at the exact moment your pet is doing what you want to reinforce. If you quickly reward your dog with a positive experience such as a treat, he will soon learn to associate the noise of the click with great things. The idea is that you condition your German Shepherd so that when he hears the sound of the clicker, he knows he has done something to please you. In the case of puppy biting, we are simply rewarding the puppy for choosing not to bite. You can achieve this by using the distraction technique described above. When the puppy makes the right choice and starts to bite on his chew toy, he hears the click and gets his treat. Look out for other symptoms such as drooling more than usual, bad breath, loss of appetite, or sneezing. If you are consistent and patient with your methods, you will achieve great results. Be firm but fair, which also helps to strengthen the loving bond between you and your dog. It leads to fear, avoidance, hurt feelings, guilt, stress, anxiety, and lack of trust. Owners should use positive reinforcement methods as much as possible. In another year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, researchers found that using confrontational or aversive methods to teach aggressive dogs did not work. The dogs continued to be aggressive until the training methods were changed. The same study found that punishing techniques and dominance-based training, such as hitting or kicking, growling, or yelling at your dog, can cause aggression, as stated by Meghan E. An even more recent study in companion dogs suggests that using even mild punishments like yelling and leash-jerking can stress dogs out more than dogs taught using reward-based training. This stress causes negative consequences and poorer welfare. Alpha rolling is a controversial and outdated technique that physically puts your dog on his back or side in a submissive position to show that you are dominant or the Alpha. This old-fashioned technique is a form of positive punishment and was often used to house-train pups. Many people will have used this method decades ago without success, but at the time, they believed it was the right thing to do. For a positive punishment to work, the problem is that it has to be administered during or immediately after the act within 2 -3 seconds ; otherwise, the dog will not make the connection. Sometimes puppies naturally get over-excited and overtired. When this happens, instead of using the crate as a punishment, lure him into the crate with a treat offering lots of praise and letting him go down for a nap. If you feel sorry for your German Shepherd after disciplining him, you must never reward him out of guilt. Again, this only confuses your dog. Remember to be firm but fair. While a muzzle can prevent your dog from biting, it is not a solution to the underlying behavior issue. Muzzling your German Shepherd without addressing the root cause of their biting can lead to further behavioral problems and may even make the situation worse. Is it ever too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting? It is never too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting, but it may take more time and effort to modify their behavior if the biting has become a habit. Start with identifying the root cause and then take the guidance of an expert to set boundaries and train better to eradicate unwanted behavior. Final Thoughts Puppy biting is natural in all dogs. However, you now know the importance of disciplining your German Shepherd as soon as he starts to exhibit biting, nipping, and chewing behavior and how to do it. This is especially important with the German Shepherd breed as they quickly grow into big strong dogs. That could end in disaster for all concerned. No matter what you are teaching your German Shepherd, try to train him when young; 8 weeks old is a great time to start. Make sure you properly socialize him and give him lots of exercise and training will be much easier. Related Posts You May Like:. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! An aggressive pound dog pouncing on you can get quite ugly fast. Think broken bones, damaged muscles, deep lacerations, bruises, scars, and expensive medical bills. German Shepherds have a bite force of PSI pound-force per square inch, or the measure of strength that a bite inflicts on the victim , compared to humans with a bite force of PSI. In fact, the American Animal Hospital Association lists the German Shepherd as one of the six breeds with the most dangerous bites, based on a US study. Therefore, training your GSD to inhibit her bite is mandatory as it not only rewards you with a well-behaved dog, but also ensures your safety as well as the safety of the people around you. A crucial step towards correcting this nasty behavior is to first understand why German Shepherd puppies bite. Nipping or biting stems from various reasons. Understanding the root of the behavior will equip you with the proper corresponding countermeasures to correct it. German Shepherds Have a High Prey Drive One of the primary and distinct characteristics thatmake a German Shepherd a popular choice for police and military work is their high prey drive, coupled with their intelligence and high trainability. Take a look at the video below showing what GSDs were originally bred for. GSDs also have a natural inclination to chase almost everything that moves in their surroundings. They Are Teething As early as two weeks old, the baby teeth of pups start to come out. Puppies use their mouth to explore their environment, so nipping is to be expected. This behavior, called teething, can last until the puppy is six months old when all her adult teeth have started showing. Teething is very uncomfortable for puppies and can lead to sore gums, so puppies turn to anything to chew to soothe the discomfort. Unfortunately, this can include biting you! They May Be Taken From the Litter Too Early Young puppies learn to naturally inhibit their biting through socialization with their mother and their siblings. A puppy does not quite understand yet the force of her own bite unless she bites too hard and the recipient reacts by yelping out of pain. Taking a puppy away from her mother prematurely will therefore deprive her the chance to learn important socialization skills. As a rule of thumb, the American Kennel Club AKC recommends that you take home a puppy that is no less than eight weeks old. By this time, the puppy should have had ample time to interact with her playmates and learn bite inhibition. We concur that you should never take home a puppy that is less than 8 weeks old. In fact, more than half of the states in the U. This does not mean, however, that your puppy will completely stop nipping. As the new parent, it is your job to continue training the dog so that any subsequent bites should be gentler. For more on selecting the right German Shepherd puppy from a litter, including additional information on the proper age, what to look for in a puppy, and what to expect from ethical breeders, be sure to check out the 2 articles linked below: How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide The Puppy Might Be Overstimulated, Fearful, or Anxious Sometimes puppies lose control of their bite because of overstimulation. Overstimulation can happen during playtime, or when your puppy has become cranky due to teasing. Your GSD puppy may also bite out of fear. Your puppy has but 2 defenses — to run away or to bite. If your puppy feels cornered, then biting is the defense that she will most often resort to. Because biting is normal canine behavior and GSDs are a breed that is more prone to it, the goal here is to inhibit the bite, not completely stop it. Do Start Training Early We keep mentioning throughout this site that training and socializing your GSD as soon as you get her home is crucial. Although training older dogs is not impossible, it is true that it is easier to train younger puppies, when habits are still new and can be easily corrected. If left untrained, adult German Shepherds can be prone to aggression towards other animals and humans, which can result in tragic situations. To get a better understanding of what is involved with these necessary steps, be sure to read these 2 excellent articles: German Shepherd Training Guide: All You Need to Know Do Use Toys as Alternative Items to Chew Puppies will nib on your hands or your feet especially during the teething stage. Train this behavior away by offering the puppy a toy whenever she starts biting your hand or your ankles. This teaches her what is acceptable to bite and which is not. It is good practice to always keep a chew toy nearby in anticipation of the biting behavior. She needs to understand that biting ends playtime and that it does not give her anything in return. In the Alpha Roll , the human pins down the dog on the floor on his side or back and holds that position to exert dominance. Besides, it has also been proven in many studies that dogs have very different behavior from wolves. Pinning your dog will cause him to freeze out of fear, which can also turn into aggression. It also teaches your dog that physical touch is something to be feared. Nobody wants to be punished by hand, not humans and certainly not dogs either. Do Reward Good Behavior Dog trainers and experts agree that positive reinforcement using rewards are highly effective in forming and keeping desirable behaviors as a puppy matures into an adult dog. If her nose touches your fingers without biting them, give her a treat and praise generously. Hold off the treat if she bites. Do this repeatedly until she associates the treat the reward with not biting your hand the good behavior. In fact, most dog bite cases in children occurred because of teasing! Instead, teach your child to be gentle with your pet , as even unintentional rough play can result in unwanted events. Dogs get cranky too, especially when they get hurt or feel that their privacy is being invaded. Never leave your child alone with your puppy unattended. Supervise their interactions at all times. Studies show that parents trust their dog around their kids too much that they overlook the signs that the dog is in distress. For tug games, keep in mind, however, that your dog must be calm and not overstimulated before playing. Otherwise, your puppy may get too serious and hold on to the rope too much. The AKC recommends that for breeds that are prone to aggression such as German Shepherds, tug-of-war can be safely carried out if the puppy knows you are in control and follows your commands. Once this has been established, a game of tugging can be used both as an exercise and as a reward for your dog. When playing, always remember to be gentle with tugging as your puppy still has baby teeth! By doing this, you are also socializing your puppy with other animals — an essential skill to learn for a well-rounded behavior. That being said, do not completely write off playing with your puppy! Playtime is still an excellent opportunity to bond with your dog, but make sure to keep it safe and fun by establishing boundaries. This method, however, is a matter of trial and error. Some puppies respond to this positively. On the other hand, many puppies get aroused by this and become even more aggressive. If you yelp and she stops biting without expressing any signs of aggression, the method has perhaps worked. You are then free to continue doing so until the puppy learns to stop biting hard. On the other hand, temper tantrums, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , are characterized by a stiff body, lips pulled back to show teeth, and growling. Biting will be more forceful and painful, since the behavior is typically caused by fear or anger. A German Shepherd puppy may be more prone to displaying this behavior, especially around unruly children. Bite inhibition is crucial especially among German Shepherds, a breed that is widely reported to be the culprit of many dog bites in America. Bite inhibition is simply one of the many important skills that your GSD must learn during her training. It can spell the difference between gentle playing and aggressive biting that leads to serious injuries. Always remember that dogs have feelings, too. They are not perfect little angels that never get angry. Even the most well-mannered dog in the world will snap out of irritation.
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Learn about how much it costs to own and keep a poodle here. We wish you the best of luck as you are about to embark on the beautiful journey of owning a Poodle! Sign up to our email list to stay informed of future expected litters. Detailed Information Time to meet the standard poodle puppies! The puppies are up to the breed standard of 15 inches at the shoulder. This litter of cream and apricots, have the hard to find green eyes. This female standard poodle puppy will have her traveling shoes on by the end of September. As much as we love to show off our dogs and the puppies for sale, we do offer shipping to those who cannot drive here. The dogs can fly on direct Delta flights out of Minneapolis, MN. We also offer a two year guarantee if you order Life's Abundance on the auto ship program. Life's Abundance is the best dog food for the standards. You can order it at this link www. How about a lifetime guarantee? Does this mean when your dog gets old and dies, it's covered? 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