australian labradoodle puppies for sale uk

Using these methods will not be as effective without a schedule. A Labradoodle requires quite a bit of exercise , and too little will cause them to be restless. Adult Labradoodles need about 60 minutes of exercise a day. And puppies need around 90 minutes per day. Any pet would go mad and get extremely restless if they are locked up for too long. Doodles love to run and play Training Training is the best thing you can do for your furry friend. If not, it will take longer, or perhaps you will never succeed. There are plenty of ways to train your Labradoodle. You can be economical and watch free training videos on YouTube, spend some money to get someone to train your dog, or you can pay for dog training lessons where you can tag along with your Doodle. Here is a site that could help you to get started with the training process. You might be asking how can training help to how calm my Labradoodle? This seems like such a weird take to me as even humans need some guidelines to live by. We practice and hone our skills to be disciplined in many different areas. This is something that helps us find purpose and satisfaction in our lives. Dogs are by nature extremely loyal, and training really brings out their personality and skills to a point that allows them to be the best version of themselves. Playtime and Attention Generally playing and giving plenty of attention to your dog is a great preventative method to help a Labradoodle calm down. This scheduled time should be catered towards loving your pet and giving it plenty of quality time. Make sure that you have a specific set of things your furry friend loves to do. As an example, my brother-in-law gives his Labradoodle massage every other day. Dogs notice when something is different. This is why if something happens to you or someone else near them, they will know because things change and they can sense that. What if your dog is overly energetic? You have to really read your pet and get to their level. Dogs are living, breathing creatures, after all, so you must treat them as such. What is the effect of spaying or neutering your Labradoodle? There is also the option to spay or neuter your Labradoodle. Most dogs, and other animals in general, will typically calm down after getting fixed. Some things that you should do consistently when raising your Labradoodle to help decrease their energy level can be: Setting and maintaining a good diet Exercising your Labradoodle properly Spending time with your Labradoodle and introducing him or her to new people and animals Rewarding desirable behavior Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. 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. Labradoodles have a great personality, they are gentle around children, and they are generally an excellent family dog. The Labradoodle is a real personality and will be an energetic member of your family. Company is guaranteed when you adopt a Doodle — they will be glued beside you when they can unless they notice something including food nearby. They love to chill out and cuddle with you once they have used some of their energy. Their love and devotion is plentiful and never pauses. There are methods to calm a Labradoodle so that you remain in control of the dog, and it is worth the effort to follow the steps. It is important that you are always in control of your dog. If things start getting out of hand, you will have to step in and calm down your dog promptly. When they get too excited, they tend to lose control of themselves which can frighten a young pup, and they will need your help to get themselves under control again. Put your dog in a training harness so that you can swiftly attach a leash and start walking your dog in a calm and refreshing manner. This method will help your dog relax and will calm them when they are being overly goofy. Change the way you behave around your dog. Excited greetings, high pitched noises or rewarding your dog when they jump all over the place will only intensify their excitement. Beware of rough play as it may over-stimulate your dog and you risk it getting out of hand and your dog might start to bite or snarl. Provide many different activities for your doodle — they need to feel busy so take them hi k ing , let them fool around in a pile of leaves, or allow them to paddle at the beach or swim in a lake. Show your dog how to relax. The perfect time to slow things right down is during grooming and using a soothing brushing of their thick coat. Being Calm Can Defuse an Overexcited Dog A dog will usually follow your lead, so if you are overly excited, noisy and bouncing all over the place, they will copy you. And this also applies the other way round, so if you can remain calm they will typically follow your lead. Here are some Doodle-calming techniques: When your Doodle is excited and being rowdy, avoid any physical play. This will only excite them even more. Instead, you should back off, remain calm and talk quietly. Reward them when they are calm and quiet. A lot of owners tend to overlook this point but it can prove a powerful tool when raising a Labradoodle. When they sit obediently at your side and patiently waiting for your attention, reward them with some kind of treat for their effort. Is a Labradoodle the Right Dog for You? They are a highly intelligent dog, kind-spirited, good-natured, and very eager to please. The Labradoodle puppy will grow into a rather large and solid dog and they do require training. Blessed with a loyal, affectionate nature and patience, especially around children, makes the Doodle an ideal family friend. But as with all youngsters, they can prove to be quite a handful and you will have to be their guide and watch them through their puppy years. What to Remember When Choosing a Labradoodle Although they are rowdy and extremely energetic as puppies, with enough patience and training they will become reliable and loving companions, and they are also a top choice for a service dog, as they love human leadership and interaction. Other noteworthy points to consider: Your cute and fuzzy puppy will grow into a large dog. Doodles are active dogs, they require exercise, especially when young. Training is crucial for this energetic dog — they must know who the boss is. Expect them to get into trouble in their puppy years as they are fearless and will try anything. A perfect dog for a family with children, as the Labradoodle forms a strong bond with their family. This dog will have to be a vital part of the family or you will end up with a barker on your hands. The Labradoodle loves food and eating in general, make sure you control their diet or they will eat almost anything. The Doodle is easy to train, you can teach them pretty much trick you can think of. Cuddly and soft, this breed is patient, affectionate and full of personality. The Doodle can adapt to both town and country living if they have a fenced yard to explore they will absolutely thrive. A larger dog typically takes longer to mature than a smaller dog. The popularity of the Labradoodle breed is growing every year, and this achievement is proof of their wonderful nature and personality. Final Words Most Labradoodles are sociable dogs and their tails will start wagging like crazy the moment they meet anyone. They adore any attention and cuddling. Training and keeping them occupied are the secrets to a perfect Labradoodle. Give them a job, and they will be the happiest dog on the block. But remember to not overfeed them or they will easily become overweight. 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. The chocolate labradoodle is composed of two different breeds, the Labrador retriever and the Poodle. The breed ranges from medium to large depending on whether its parents are larger or smaller-sized dogs. While this Labradoodle puppy is an ideal pet for those who want to own a hypoallergenic dog, it should be noted that this poodle mix is not entirely non-shedding as its coat can range from curly and wiry to fluffy and soft. The chocolate Labradoodle has two possible gene makeups, which can be either brown or black. If bred to a "true" Labradoodle puppy with a recessive gene, the puppy will never turn cream in color like other dogs of its breed; instead, it'll always have darker shades such as dark browns and blacks! The chocolate Labradoodle is known for being one of the most intelligent dogs you can own. It's beneficial to train them to carry out specific commands and tasks that their owner or caretaker is asked to perform. However, this also means that it is essential to be consistent with training; if you slack off, they will too. Additionally, there are two primary pigments of the chocolate Labradoodles the black and liver pigment. Black pigment Labradoodles are distinguished by their dark brown eyes, black noses, and black toenails. At the same time, the liver pigment has medium to light brown noses and eyes. They can live up to years on average but are commonly found afflicted by Addison's disease , hip dysplasia, thyroid issues, or even progressive retinal atrophy. Some other conditions include bloat epilepsy hypoglycemia. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and, as such, have developed a keen sense of what it means when humans appear stressed. It will exacerbate their anxiety as dogs are social animals who crave human contact and comfort from their owners. Understanding your pup's body language is essential to know when they need some help staying low-key. Here are specific things you can do to help your labradoodle puppy stay calm. For a chocolate Labradoodle to stay calm, it needs patience, affection, and reassurance. If you're angry, upset, or stressed, it's important not to show this to your chocolate labradoodle dog because they'll pick up on it immediately. It can also have the opposite effect in that if you are joyous, excited, or happy, your canine friend will take note of this too. Here are the following ways to keep your chocolate labradoodle calm: Situation Avoidance Avoid circumstances that trigger your dog's anxiety. If your dog is afraid of large groups of dogs, such as dog packs, you should avoid them. Avoidance does not suggest that you have to put your life on pause; rather, it might assist you and your dog in dealing with stress. Leashes, body harnesses, and, sometimes, basket muzzles can be used to avert dangerous circumstances if the cause of the anxiety cannot be avoided. Once you understand your dog's triggers, you can prepare for these situations ahead of time. Physical Contact Physical contact with your Labradoodle puppy can affect his behavior when he's feeling overly anxious. To help your dog remain calm, be sure to give him a quick pat-down along his back and the underside of his tail. It will reassure him that you are there to help and pay attention to their needs. According to the New York Times, physical contact and touch with humans or animals can cause the body to produce oxytocin. This hormone lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Exercise and Training Exercise and training help keep a chocolate labradoodle calm. They need to get plenty of exercise each day. Playing fetch in the backyard is an excellent way to burn off energy while ensuring that boredom isn't causing anxiety later on in the day when you're not home. When training your Labradoodle puppy, it is essential if they become overly stressed to take a break. If you've been working on training for many hours without much progress, it's time to call it quits for the day. Dogs don't always understand that they are making mistakes, but you know what they are doing is wrong and can help them correct their behavior. Training your Labradoodle puppy can be very effective in keeping them calm if you're consistent with how you train them. It is perfect for training them when there is no cause for stress or anxiety because dogs don't like doing things that make them nervous. A Labradoodle puppy becomes so frightened in particular situations that no calming, complimenting, or rewarding help. It needs to know that it's okay if they hide out for a while; this is a way to let them know what it means when humans become anxious. Good Routine Keep the chocolate Labradoodle on a good routine to stay calm. It helps it know what to expect each day of its life. Your Labradoodle puppy is a delightful companion who is sweet, intuitive, and bright—establishing a mealtime, potty training, sleep, and playtime routine is things that Labradoodles appreciate. You will reap the advantages for years to come if you take the effort to establish your loving authority early on. Playtime and Attention Playing and giving a lot of attention to your Labradoodle puppy is a great way to help them remain calm. But, your dog may begin to expect this behavior constantly and become upset if they don't get the attention they feel like they deserve. You can even suggest doing something fun together or taking a walk when you're beginning to feel anxious so that the chocolate Labradoodle can sense your mood and try to help you out too. With patience, understanding, love, and plenty of exercise, the chocolate Labradoodle will remain calm throughout their lives. Being aware of what is causing stress in their lives is also very important because it's easy for them to pick up on human emotions very quickly. Mental Stimulation Mental stimulation helps your chocolate labradoodle not to become bored. Chewing on items like calming zen chews is also an excellent way for a Labradoodle puppy to remain calm because it gives its jaws and teeth something to do besides eating all day long. Make sure, though, that whatever is chewing on isn't dangerous or harmful in some way. You can even play games or even use toys with your dog to help get rid of excess energy and let him know when he does something right. It builds the bond between the owner and the dog. Mental stimulation is as vital as physical stimulation. Impulse Control helps your dog to resist the urge and do whatever it wants instead. It's a learned behavior that can be taught through rewards or punishments and incentives such as playtime with toys that are withheld until given an "out" command. Signs Your Chocolate Labradoodle Is Anxious It would be best as a dog owner to recognize the signs of chocolate labradoodle anxiety. The good news is they're not too hard to spot. A Labradoodle puppy has become very popular in recent years because of its cute appearance, great personality, and low-shed coats. However, this type of dog has some drawbacks as well. People sometimes encounter anxiousness on the part of their labradoodle puppy or adult dog. It can be a big problem if not identified quickly. The signs are: Tucked Tail A Chocolate labradoodle tucks his tail between his legs because he is anxious. The dog may be hesitant when the tail is held just below the topline. The dog determines the degree to which the tail is tucked, whether the body language signal is reinforced or punished. When afraid, some dogs will not tuck their tails. Pacing in Circles Labradoodle puppy anxiety symptoms also sometimes include the dog pacing in circles repeatedly. At first glance, this might appear like your labradoodle puppy is just trying to get from one side of his pen or living area to another, but he probably isn't since you know that much about canine body language by now. Pacing in circles means your chocolate labradoodle is especially stressed about something. He may pace several times before suddenly stopping still only to repeat the process over again, later on, each time starting at the same spot he finished up earlier on. Avoiding Certain People or Locations Chocolate Labradoodle anxiety can also be indicated by your dog avoiding certain people or locations. If your dog is usually friendly with strangers, yet he snubs someone who usually gets along great with him, it can be a sign of him being anxious over something. Also, when your Labradoodle puppy avoids going outdoors, perhaps cowering to avoid stepping on the front porch or patio. You will need to make an effort to find out what sparked this behavior in your beloved pet. When you notice these symptoms or others that are the canine equivalent of chocolate Labradoodle anxiety, it's a good idea to comfort your pet as best you can. Perhaps do some research on the topic and figure out just what is going on with him. Maybe he's dealing with a new neighbor doing something that bothers him. Or it could be that the family cat is just a little too active for him right now. If you have guests over often who seem to cause your labradoodle puppy discomfort, keep this in mind when making plans for having people over again later on. It may mean you need more time to get your dog accustomed to new faces gradually, so he isn't feeling anxious. Whining and Whimpering Whining and whimpering is another chocolate labradoodle anxiety symptom. If your ordinarily energetic dog suddenly starts whining for no apparent reason, it's a good bet he's anxious about something too. Whining can usually be reduced or controlled using specific training methods, although some dogs can easily train for this behavior problem. Eliminating in House Training House soiling is an indication of anxiety in chocolate Labradoodle. If your dog starts eliminating in the house when previously perfectly well potty trained , this could be one of several anxiety symptoms. This behavior often goes hand-in-hand with a lack of focus, among others listed here. Excessive licking can also be another stress indicator - usually accompanied by other symptoms listed here. Increased sniffing may also accompany this sign for some dogs and increased pacing around the home often along walls. A sense of panic can lead to some dogs drooling excessively - especially if they are otherwise unable to flee the situation. Dogs, like people, suffer from anxiety. It is a normal and healthy emotion, even though it is unpleasant. Dog anxiety affects all breeds, although it manifests differently in each one. Although all dogs experience anxiety on occasion, if excessive worry is not handled, a dog may develop an anxiety disorder. No one knows for sure what exactly is responsible for your dog's anxiety, but there are some potential reasons: Separation Anxiety If you've recently undergone a significant life change or have left your dog for an extended time, your labradoodle puppy could be experiencing separation anxiety. It is more common in puppies and older dogs. A single traumatic event such as a loud firework or vacuum cleaner accident could also cause this. It often stems from a lack of socialization as a puppy or experiences that have taught your chocolate labradoodle to be nervous when left alone. Your dog might experience separation anxiety if he has been attacked by another animal while separated from you. If your chocolate Labradoodle shows signs of being anxious in situations where he has not been adequately trained or socialized, he might be feeling insecure. Also, If your chocolate labradoodle is often around strangers but nervous in the presence of other dogs or animals, this could indicate separation anxiety. Car Sickness Car sickness is linked to chocolate Labradoodle's sense of balance, just like it is in people. It is most commonly seen in a Labradoodle puppy, just as it is in early childhood. That's because the balance-related structures in the inner ear haven't fully formed yet. Some dogs, like people, never grow out of nausea and vomiting brought on by motion sickness. Car anxiety in dogs is also a possibility. If your dog's first few car journeys resulted in her becoming car sick and vomiting, she might begin to link the car with sickness. Alternatively, a dog may equate being in the car with negative or traumatic experiences, such as a trip to the veterinarian or being separated from her litter. She might blame the car for her anxiety and nausea. Changes in the Nervous System As you might know, dogs are very similar to humans in terms of their nervous systems. And just like humans, a labradoodle puppy can suffer from several diseases and disorders that affect the brain and the rest of the central nervous system. When the central nervous system is affected, the chocolate labradoodle becomes anxious, and this may cause excessive barking, among other issues. Fear or Past Trauma Separation anxiety is common in dogs. Usually, this anxiety is caused by something in the past that has made them feel unsafe or that has made them think that they need to protect themselves. Sometimes, dogs will become afraid of being home alone simply because their owner leaves for long periods. Each dog's experience is different, which means that each dog will act differently. Conclusion The labradoodle puppy is often said to be man's best friend. If you have a dog, they need to remain calm and healthy at all times. It can be difficult if your labradoodle puppy has an anxiety disorder or other behavioral problems that makes him nervous in certain situations. To help your pup stay happy and well-adjusted, try calming products like calming spray or the cuddle bed. A calm life for your labradoodle puppy will soon be a reality! Is your Labradoodle chewing on the brand new sofa set? Labradoodles are fluffballs of energy and can seem overwhelming to control. They are naturally known to have an optimistic and passionate outlook towards life. In their early stages as a puppy and adolescence, their energies are the most heightened and at their peak. A Labradoodle is not considered fully grown until around there years of age, and this is when you can expect them to calm down. But, when they begin to grow up, mainly between the ages of two and three, and enter adulthood, they tend to calm down and become relatively in control of themselves. However, if their erratic and crazy behavior is not looked into, they might continue being active and overly excited into their mature, senior years. Puppyhood The first five months of your Labradoodle are their puppyhood phase. This is probably the most adorable stage of their life when they are still getting used to all the attention and affection. They begin to form strong associations with people and objects, which is a prime reason why you might often find them active and hopping around in glee. This is also the best time to expose your babies to new experiences, train them through positive reinforcement, and bond with them. Adolescence Do you remember your adolescent years when you were either sleeping on the couch or were caught making mischief? The period of adolescence for a Labradoodle lasts for about two years, usually starting when the dogs are about 5 to 6 months of age. At this stage, your Labradoodle is either bored and sleeping or hyperactive — there is no in-between. And, because this is the time when their hormones kick in, they are always jumping around, chewing everything that comes in their contact, and basically having the time of their lives. A Labradoodle running on the beach 3. Adulthood Your dogs are finally fully grown and mature when they enter adulthood. This stage usually begins when the dog hits three years of age. At this stage, the most crucial aspect to look into is their diet and weight. If not correctly taken care of, your Labradoodle can become fat and unhealthy in no time. If you trained your friend adequately during the first two stages of their life, you would start to observe a noticeable change in their behavior. Because they grow both mentally and physically, they are likely to become more calm and composed. Middle Age You should expect your dog to enter into the middle-age phase when they are about seven years old. Your dog will have both active and inactive days. They have transitioned into a mature stage of their life, so a drop in their excitement level is to be expected. As a pet parent, you must ensure to start taking care of their health and well-being a little more cautiously. They will become prone to developing common ailments and will require extra care and warmth. Senior Age When your dog hits the ripe old age of 10 to 12 years, they will enter the last, most crucial stage of their lives — old age. You will observe that your dog will considerably slow down and will develop habits that will be challenging to take care of. However, this is also the stage when they need your most attention. This is the time for you to return all the years of unconditional love they have given you, and more. Do you have a standard, miniature, or toy cross? The smaller breeds will mature quickly but live longer. And the older breeds will live a relatively shorter period. Puppies of any breed are expected to act crazy and excited. They have a lot of pent-up energy and excitement inside them, and they are always finding ways to release that. Labradoodles are considered more intelligent than most other dog breeds. They are very sharp and have excellent hunting abilities. This is one primary reason why they seek to learn and discover new things right from a very early stage. They are curious creatures that love being out in open spaces. Now, if they are to be suddenly confined within the four walls of your house, they will obviously look for ways to release their energies inside the home. This often tends to make them more hyperactive and agitated than usual. If your labradoodle is a rescue dog, it is likely for them to be coping with past traumas or because they have been conditioned or bred to behave in this manner by their previous owners. Labradoodles tend to jump around in excitement when they are trying to grab your attention. The issue of hyperactivity in Labradoodles can stem from a lack of proper stimulation. If your dog gets bored of their daily routine and has nothing new and exciting to look forward to, they can become hyperactive and often display destructive behaviors. Lack of social interaction with other dogs and people around them can also make Labradoodles hyperactive. They might suffer from hyperkinesis or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD. Signs Of Hyperactivity In Labradoodles If you want to hit the dog-parent jackpot, it is crucial that you keep your eye open to the following signs of hyper activeness in your furry friend before they turn into more serious implications: Even in familiar situations, you will find your dog overly excited and unable to relax. They will have a short attention span and will be unable to pay attention or concentrate on the smallest of things. They will display bouts of impulsiveness in their behavior. They will lack the ability to socialize with other people and pets around them. They will frantically move or fidget around. This includes running madly in circles, trying to catch their own tail. And an excellent way to display your love for them is by dealing with them with care when they are hyper and a little more excited and naughty than usual. Here are several tips that you can follow to control your dog when they engage in uncontrollable behaviors. This is where exercising comes into play. Walking You cannot keep your dog locked in the house the entire day. One walk per day is the least they require. You can take them to a nearby park or for mountain hikes; they will equally enjoy both. Swimming Labradoodles are water babies. They are bred from Poodles and Labradors, and both these breeds are excellent swimmers. Therefore, Labradoodles leave no chance to enjoy and play around in pools. Play a game of fetch, a nose-work game, or the old and classic hide and seek — outdoor games add the element of fun to exercising, something your dog will be excited for every day. Many of these collars are packed with essential oils that help to calm a dog down when they are anxious. Plush toys The motive of plush toys is to eliminate the risk of separation anxiety that tends to develop in a dog. They are the ultimate cuddling buddies for your pets that provide comfort, aid, and keep them calm. Calming beds Lack of sleep tends to make dogs anxious and hyperactive. If you want to create a soothing environment for your Labradoodle where they can relax and calm themselves down, a calming bed would be a great choice. These beds are specially designed to provide your pet with a sense of security and safety. Training Training a dog is no joke. It is the best way to instill good behavior in your Labradoodle, both physically and mentally. Teach your dog to carry themselves well and be in control of their emotions through reward-based training. Discourage their hyperactive behavior, but never punish them for the same. Understand that being hyperactive is a part of growing up. If you punish them and instill fear in them, they may never bond with you or emote themselves properly. Whenever you feel your dog is calmer than usual, make sure you encourage their behavior. Reinforce calmness in them by showing them affection and love. Reward them with their favorite treat every time they show good behavior. Some Additional Tips: Maintain a set routine for your dog. Having a specific time set aside for eating, walking, or playing will help limit their energy to certain times of the day. Before you try to calm your labradoodle, make sure you manage yourself. Never yell, shout, scream, or show any anger or aggression toward your Labradoodle. This type of negative behavior will only make the situation worse. A rich Apricot coat Labradoodle at the groomer. So Why Choose A Labradoodle? Even though handling a Labradoodle may feel like a lot of work, there are so many reasons why I believe Labradoodles are one of the best dogs to have. The joy of being a Labradoodle parent is unexplainable, and you can only know it by experience. Labradoodles are incredibly friendly and social dogs; they even love swimming, making them great outdoor buddies! Labradoodles are also an excellent choice for those allergic to dogs as they are hypoallergenic and do not shed fur. Not only that, Labradoodles make excellent therapy dogs for people who have autism, depression, or other mental or physical disparities. The sociable, loving, and empathetic traits make them one of the best candidates for therapy dogs. Final Words A calmer pet means a more relaxed you. It is just a phase, and it too shall pass. I hope you now have more clarity on what age Labradoodles calm down. Everything is paw-sibble with a bit of love and warmth. Happy dog-parenting! 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. Golden doodles are a very popular new breed due to their coat not shedding. However, they come from Labradors who are some of the most energetic and rambunctious puppies around. If properly socialized as a puppy through puppy socialization classes, they usually learn that certain behaviors mouthing, biting, etc are unwanted and stop engaging in them. But because Hank has not participated in puppy socialization classes, he was more ornery than the norm. As you can see from the way Hank greeted me when I arrived for the session, he is sorely in need of more exercise. An average puppy needs 45 minutes of good exercise a day. But higher energy dogs can need much more. It only took a few minutes to understand that Hank and his guardians would benefit from some additional exercise activities. I have found a great way to burn excess energy is through the fetch; something most Labs will do until they drop. The fetch taps into their pursuit mode and they end up releasing a lot of energy with that adrenaline release. I suggested that they practice the fetch before taking Hank for a jog or walk waiting a few minutes after for the dog to recover as well as any time that the dog starts to get ornery. I also suggested that they chart the number of fetches along with the result on the dog and its behavior. Before we started with the fetching regimen, she went through a few couches, remote controls, dog beds, etc. But once I found that if I fetch her 41 times each day Takes about 13 minutes , her energy and behavior are fine, i made that a part of our daily routine. Im guessing for Hank, it will be a few fetching sessions each day. The morning one should be the longest and then the guardians can supplement it with shorter minute fetch sessions after that on a as-needed basis. By charting the number of fetches and resulting behavior for a week or so, they will be able to determine exactly how much exercise Hank needs to deplete his excess energy. Once inside Hank was still hyped up and unruly so I pulled out a leash and used it to give him a doggy time out to disagree with his over excited behavior. While the leash settled down Hank quite a bit, you can see that he is still breathing pretty heavily, something his guardian said was the norm. One of my favorite activities to showing a client how to claim the door from their dog. This over excited, barking and jumping behavior is usually developed when the humans in the home give the dog attention and affection as soon as they get home or on demand. But when we pet a dog or give it attention when its in an excited or unbalanced state, we are actually reinforcing that behavior. By petting the dog upon arrival, the humans were inadvertantly training the dog to jump up or get excited as a way of asking for attention. I suggested that they refrain from giving the dog attention or affection unless he is in a calm frame of mind. If they do this consistently, he will learn he needs to settle down and remain calm in order to get attention from the humans. In reviewing myself in the door answering footage, I identified a few mistakes I made. The primary error was not stopping and waiting for the dog to stop, sit or calm down more before I moved backward towards the door. If a dog is moving forward and we back up, we are inviting the dog to come forward. For this reason, its important that the dog is in a calm and stationary position before we back away to the door. Usually this exercise only needs to be practiced times before a dog adopts a new behavior and sits calmly past the boundary near the door. I was frustrated by how the door claiming exercise had gone as this was the first time I had not been able to achieve the end result I wanted. I showed the guardian how to black Hank from exiting the kennel until he was completely calm, then coached her through the technique until she got the same result. Practicing this kennel release exercise will go a long way towards the dog developing the ability to control himself for longer periods of time. Dogs are reactive creatures who literally leap before they consider all the options. I have had great success in adding in structure to activities the dog is very excited about like going for walks, feeding time, fetch, etc. By stopping and waiting for the dog to return to a completely calm state before starting the walk, getting permission to eat or throwing the ball again — we can help the dog learn that he needs to be calm in order to continue. After going outside to practice some of the fetch, I showed the guardian how to make a simple exercise out of going in or out of the door to the back yard. While asking the dog to wait and calm down seems like a minor deal, when its done in actions and activities the dog engages in often, the cumulative results have a major impact on the dog. These are the little things we can do that help the dog learn the behavior we expect from it. By the end of the session, Hank was calmer and showing more respect for his guardian, but there is still a ways to go. If they increase his daily exercise and go to the fetch when the dog gets into trouble or gets over excited, they should notice an immediate improvement in the quality of life. Its going to take a few days of trying different amounts of fetching to come up with the right cocktail. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Usually, a Labradoodle will start to settle down when it reaches adulthood, between years old. Are Labradoodles Hyper? Labradoodles can be high-energy. They love to run and play, and they need plenty of exercise. Depending on the size of your pup, daily walks or runs can help keep them active and healthy. Image Credit: Chedko, Shutterstock Understanding the Breeding As a hybrid breed a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard or Miniature Poodle, Labradoodles can exhibit a variety of personality traits that depend on their genetics. Typically, a Labradoodle will start to settle down when it reaches adulthood — typically between 1 to 3 years old. During this period, you may notice your pup become less active and more relaxed. Depending on the individual dog, this stage can last for several months, up to a year or more. Consistency and patience are key to helping your Labradoodle learn how to manage their energy in a positive way. Taking your Labradoodle puppy to puppy classes, dog parks, and other socialization opportunities can help them burn off energy in a constructive way and learn how to positively interact with other dogs and people. Additionally, providing plenty of opportunities for physical exercise, such as walking, running, or playing ball, can help your Labradoodle stay healthy and happy — and may even tire them out enough to calm down in the evening. As an added bonus, the procedure also helps with population control and can even improve their lifespan. The Adult Years Eventually, your Labradoodle will transition into adulthood — usually around 2 years of age — and their energy level should start to settle down. Collecting cues or noticing when your dog does something desirable, like laying down peacefully or playing calmly with a toy, can help you reinforce these behaviors with praise or treats. This can create a negative association between your Labradoodle and you. While it may be frustrating to deal with a rambunctious Labradoodle, remember to be patient and consistent in your training — your dog will eventually learn how to manage their energy in a more calm and positive way. Play active games: Games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek can help burn off excess energy in a fun way. Take them swimming: Swimming is a great way to burn energy and have fun, plus it can help strengthen their muscles. Attend puppy classes: Puppy classes are an excellent way to socialize your Labradoodle and teach them basic obedience commands that can help keep them under control when they get too excited. Offer interactive toys: Toys like Kongs or puzzles can help keep your pup entertained by stimulating their mind as well as providing something for them to chew on. Give them a job: Giving your Labradoodle tasks such as carrying items in a backpack or fetching things from around the house will help keep their minds active and burn off excess energy. Provide them with plenty of playtime: Spending quality time playing with your pup is a great way to bond, plus it will help keep them happy and mentally stimulated. Make sure they get enough sleep: Just like humans, dogs need to get enough rest in order to stay healthy and happy — try setting up a regular sleeping schedule for your Labradoodle if you can! However, generally Labradoodles calm down when they reach adulthood. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help your Labradoodle transition from a rambunctious puppy to a well-behaved, happy adult dog. Remember to be patient, consistent, and loving — and your dog will learn how to calm down in their own time. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. Especially if you have children. Kids are really bad at reading the signs that a dog is starting to get worked up, or even annoyed. The best way to achieve doggy zen is through avoiding the things that wind them up. Stop interacting with them Stand up and step back Take a breath Remove yourself Stop interacting As soon as your dog starts zooming around at 90kph, or biting at your hands or clothes, the game must end. Stop playing them, touching them or trying to physically interact at all. Turn your back on the dog slowly, and if necessary hold your hands up by your shoulders to remove them as a target. Everything you do at this point, your pup will react to and feed off. Staying calm is an important part of the process of calming them down. Useful tools for managing these situations include baby gates, a dog crate and a puppy playpen. Somewhere you can put the dog where you know they will be safe, but also unable to access anything that might increase their excitement. It works really well, and is definitely worth playing with your dog. Whenever your Labradoodle settles down near to you on the floor, laying or sitting calmly, you need to catch that chilled out behavior. Ever so quickly, place a treat between their front paws. Practice alone beforehand even if you feel a little silly if you are unsure about what to do. Imagine your dog is laying down beside you. Subtly pick up a few bits of kibble from the little pot beside you, and quickly put them down on the floor. Catching the relax encourages your dog to relax, because they quickly learn that when they chill out they get a tasty treat. Which is great. But they are also quite easy to get excited. To calm down a Labradoodle you need to stop interacting with them, stand up and turn away and separate yourselves. All while staying calm. You can encourage them to stay more calm in future by rewarding them when they are relaxed. And remember, most puppies are more excitable than adult dogs. Even lovely Labradoodles are likely to calm down considerably as the months turn into years. The odds are good that you will have a lovely companion to share your home with as long as you manage them well in the meantime. Post navigation. Labradoodles, are one of the most popular crossbreeds in America. All young puppies experience a period of hyperactivity. Labradoodles should calm down by around three years old. Table of Contents What age do Labradoodles calm down? Most Labradoodles reach adolescence at months old and grow to their full adult size by 12 months of age, although they can take as long as 18 months to develop fully. They take a little longer to mature mentally, and may not be emotionally mature until 3 years old. At that point they are a lot better at regulating their energy levels. That said, Doodles should remain relatively high-energy dogs as adults, well into their old age. However, being too hyper can cause problems. Signs of hyperactivity in Labradoodles Signs of hyperactivity in Doodles include fidgety movements, a short attention span, impulsiveness, attention-seeking behaviors, unprovoked snapping, aggression, and not being able to socialize well with other dogs. Why is my Labradoodles so hyper? Labradoodles are naturally high-energy, playful dogs. They are part Labrador Retriever, a very energetic breed, and part Poodle, one of the most intelligent breeds on the planet. The more intelligent a dog is, the more mental stimulation they tend to need to avoid getting bored. So, naturally, Labradoodles need a lot of exercise and play. This can result in pent-up energy and hyperactivity. It can also lead to anxious and destructive behaviors, such as pacing, panting, excessive barking, and destroying personal and household items. How much exercise does a Labradoodle need? A healthy adult Labradoodle needs around an hour of exercise every day, preferably split into two walks. Doodles enjoy walking, running, hiking, and swimming, so try to vary the location and do different activities on your walks to keep them stimulated. Labradoodle pups need to build up their exercise routine, with 5 minutes of exercise per month of their life twice a day. What do Labradoodles like to play? Dogs love playing games that exercise their natural instincts. Historically, Labradors and Poodles were both bred to hunt, and primarily in water. So, Labradoodles love games like fetch and chase, and anything involving water. Paddling pools are a good idea! Some other popular games for bright dogs include hide and seek, treasure hunt, and the cup game. To play hide and seek, ask your Labradoodle to sit and stay while you hide somewhere in your home. Then, call them to come and find you. To play the cup game, place two empty cups face down on the floor in front of your Doodle, and put a treat underneath one of them. Switch the cups around and ask your dog to find them. Toys that stimulate the senses are great, too, especially for younger Doodles. The importance of socialization Socialization is very important for dogs of all kinds, but especially super-social breeds like Labradoodles. Not only is it essential for their well-being, but it is also very stimulating and will burn up a lot of their daily energy. Try to involve your dog in your family life as much as possible, and interact with lots of friendly people and dogs on walks. This will also prevent aggressive behavior and snapping during periods of hyperactivity. Ideally your breeder will have already started some socialization and exposure with the puppy such as to different sounds and surfaces before you bring him or her home. Training a hyper Labradoodle Hyperactivity can make training a dog difficult, but not impossible. The key is to harness their energy and playfulness, rather than try to suppress it or punish them for it. Start training your Labradoodle as early on in their life as possible and try to keep your training sessions concise, consistent, regular, and fun to avoid stubbornness. How to calm down a Labradoodle? If your dog behaves badly, ignoring them by crossing your arms and turning away from them is the best response. Once they calm down, you should reward them for their calm behavior, so that they understand that this is what you want. They use naturally soothing ingredients like CBD and lavender to bring down stress levels and relax the body and mind. There are also calming collars and beds that emit calming scents and provide a sense of security. Do Labradoodles make good family dogs? Their high-energy, playful nature makes them ideal for large families, active families, and families that love to have fun and explore. However, because of their training and exercise needs, they are not ideal dogs for first-time dog owners. Is separation anxiety common in Labradoodles? Separation anxiety is fairly common in Labradoodles, especially those that are also experiencing hyperactivity. This is because the most common cause of hyperactivity in dogs also causes separation anxiety. You can do this by leaving your Doodle alone for short periods of time, and gradually building up the time that you are apart. This will create trust and understanding with your dog that you will always come back. This lets them know that there is something to look forward to the next time you leave. You can also relieve some anticipatory anxiety by doing some of the things you commonly do before leaving the house, such as grabbing your keys or turning off the TV, and then not leaving to remove the association. If your dog is destructive at first, try putting them in a crate or confining them to a safe area of the home with a dog gate. Can Labradoodles be low-energy? Labradoodles are generally high-energy dogs. Several health conditions can cause low energy in dogs, including infections, diseases, allergies, and hormonal disorders. As long as you can meet their needs, the lovely Labradoodle makes a wonderful companion and a great family pet! Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. Save to Pinterest The Stages of Puppy Growth and Development Month by Month The following are the stages of puppy growth and development, starting at birth and ending when your dog reaches adulthood. The Neonatal Stage 0 to 2 weeks This is the newborn puppy growth stage that lasts until two weeks of age. At this developmental stage, puppies are blind and deaf. Expect puppies at this point to sleep almost constantly and their mother will take care of everything, keeping them warm, feeding them, and keeping them clean. The Transitional Stage 2 to 4 weeks At this puppy growth stage , they will start to open up their eyes and respond to sounds, light, and movement around them. You will also notice a puppy at this point starting to get more mobile, although they will still tend to crawl instead of walking. They do, however, have enough strength to stand up, but will stumble a lot. A puppy in this developmental stage will just be starting to recognize their siblings and mother. Lab puppies open their eyes at about two weeks old. By this time, Labrador puppies will have their eyes fully open and most will be at least partly open. Ears open at this point too and your puppy will begin to hear. Period of Awakening of Senses 3 to 4 weeks At this period , a puppy develops various senses rapidly. They start to get fully alert and aware of their environment and may recognize you and other humans that are frequently around. The Socialization Period 4 to 7 Weeks Once a puppy is around four weeks old, they start to learn the most important things in life-related to social development. They will learn to not bite all the time and how to interact with their siblings. Interactions with humans are especially important between five and seven weeks. This is also the time they will start to understand discipline thanks to their mother. She will start weaning her puppies and teaching them manners, like acknowledging she is in charge. As the owner, you can start introducing food to your puppy when they are around four weeks old. Start small and begin to give them more food as the mother continues to wean them. You should also continue handling the puppy every day. However, be sure not to separate them from their siblings or mother for over ten minutes each day, since this can lead to issues with training and socialization. Dogs who are separated too soon may also be nervous and more likely to bark and bite. During this period, let the mother dog take care of discipline; you should not correct the dog for mouthing or housebreaking mistakes until later in life. To help ease them through this process, avoid traumatic events, loud voices, or harsh discipline. You should also make sure your pooch has plenty of human contact during this stage. If you want, you can start leash training and even teach simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. In terms of development, you will notice that your puppy can sleep through the whole night and starts to develop better control of its bowels and bladder. Most vets suggest that new outings should wait until they are fully vaccinated. We rub the Calmeroos Puppy Toy on littermates and mom to get their scent. When we get home the Calmeroos Puppy Toy helps our puppy feel comfortable and adjust more quickly to his new environment. Many puppies will go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We recently put together a blog post on our sister site detailing what you can expect from an 8-week-old puppy. The Juvenile Stage 3 to 4 Months At this point in development, a puppy can be compared to a juvenile. They will be more independent and may ignore the basic commands that they know very well. If this happens, firmly and gently reinforce the commands and other training. You may also notice your pup starting to test your authority by play biting or similar actions. You can also redirect your dog to a toy that they can bite. Either can end up teaching your pooch that it is okay to fight with you and challenge your authority. The Ranking Period 3 to 6 Months When your puppy is between four and six months old, you should expect them to be somewhat bratty, showing more willfulness and independence. They are more likely to test your limits and may try to show dominance over children or other family members. If they fail to listen to you or come when called, it can be dangerous as it puts them at risk of injury when in public. It can also hurt future responses to you, making them less likely to listen. This is also when your dog will be teething, so give them toys like frozen dog Kong toys to relieve pressure and pain. Chewing behaviors will also start growing at this point so look for some safe chew toys to keep your dog entertained. This is when hormonal changes start to occur and is the ideal time to spay or neuter your pup. UC Davis published a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Adolescence 6 to 18 Months After six months, your pup is already in the final stage of puppy development but is still young. This is a fun and exciting time for your pooch since they will be learning, full of energy, and exuberant. During this time, it is important to remember that even if your puppy now looks like a grown-up dog, they are still a puppy, at least in its mental capacity and emotional maturity. Work to slowly increase training and other activities. You can even work on advanced training such as agility or herding. Another option is to simply keep training them to ensure they interact in a non-aggressive and non-threatening way with other animals. It is also possible that your dog will go through another fearful period of time at some point after they reach six months. You can speed up the process with counter-conditioning and desensitization. It fits very well and is quite apt! Final Thoughts With the knowledge of how and when your new puppy will develop, you are better able to meet their needs. Provide socialization at the appropriate times and be sure to give your puppy plenty of social interactions with their siblings as well as humans and any other pets in your home. Your dog should reach maturity at some point between one and two years old with plenty of variation based on breed, Labradors are considered mature at between 2 and 2. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

We are happy to refund deposits any time for any reason. We will clearly announce the pricing for each mini Labradoodle litter in a litter announcement. Apply Now If you are interested in a miniature Labradoodle puppy please consider filling out the application. Years ago, we'd announce litters to nearly people on an email waiting list. Within the first minute or two, the entire litter would be spoken for, and families who received a doodle puppy felt like they'd won the lottery. Since then, we've developed a thorough application process, seeking the very best mini Labradoodle forever homes. Please do not place a mini Labradoodle deposit unless your doodle application is accepted. We seek to fairly and thoroughly evaluate each miniature Labradoodle application within business days at which point we let you know the answer for your mini Labradoodle application: "yes," "no," or "wait. Your mini Labradoodle application does NOT obligate you to give a deposit or adopt a mini Labradoodle puppy. The mini Labradoodle application is simply your first step to express a level of interest in getting a mini Labradoodle puppy. After giving a deposit, your family would receive mini Labradoodle litter announcements in an effort to match you with the perfect miniature Labradoodle. Each adopting family has the option to pass on as many Labradoodle litters as they want until finding the perfect doodle puppy. Seeking to be the best mini Labradoodle breeders, we refund doodle deposits any time for any reason. It doesn't make sense to us why nearly every other mini Labradoodle breeder requires non-refundable deposits. We have FAR more demand than supply for our mini Labradoodles. Your application helps us determine if your family would make an excellent forever home to one of our precious mini Labradoodle puppies. We have no desire to keep a family's mini Labradoodle deposit if they've located a mini doodle with another breeder or if they've chosen not to get a mini Labradoodle at all. View fullsize Both our chocolate Labradoodle and our Poodle are beautiful dogs with excellent temperaments. They are our family pets. Because we begin with a Labradoodle and a Poodle, rather than a Lab and a Poodle, our puppies are much more likely to have the non-shedding Poodle coat. A F1b Labradoodle has been back-crossed to a poodle in an effort to insure a non-shedding coat. Even though most f1b Labradoodles shed very little or not all, it is impossible to guarantee that any dog even doodles or purebred poodles will not shed at all. Hypo- means less hypothermia is having a lower than normal body temperature. No dog can be said to be completely non-allergenic. Studies have shown that doodles are less likely to cause allergies, particularly f1b doodles. The ideal is to keep as much of the Lab head shape and super-friendly personality as possible while getting the non-shedding Poodle coat as well as the dignified, less vocal characteristics of the Poodle. Our Labradoodle methodology is quite simple. First, we get quality dogs. This is why we wanted to have pick of the litter for our Labradoodle and our Poodle and why we only obtained puppies from reputable breeders that we knew we could trust. Second, we try to treat our dogs Labradoodle and Poodle well. We feed our Labradoodle and Poodle high quality food with plenty of protein, and give them wonderful socialization and opportunities for exercise. We have 12 acres along the Enoree River with trails, additional property next to a Greenville state park, and property on Lake Hartwell giving us the opportunity to take the dogs kayaking. We recognize the importance of socializing young Labradoodle puppies so they will not be fearful as they mature. Our Labradoodle puppies have lots of opportunities to play with our children, and water games are definitely on top of the list. Labradoodles love the water and so do my kids, as you can see below. Third, we try to find appropriate families for our Chocolate Labradoodle puppies. To learn more about our process, check out this resource that gives a step-by-step guide between the application to receiving your puppy! A Chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle is not for everyone, and a puppy is not for everyone. If your family is not prepared for a Labradoodle puppy financially, time investment, etc. When can you get your puppy? Because we have only one Labradoodle mother and a couple guardian homes , puppies are available only occasionally. Contact us nathan crockettdoodles. We have a flexible waiting list and offer your deposit back if we do not have the ideal Labradoodle puppy for you within a certain window of time. Sometimes with mini Labradoodles we prefer to wait until they are a little older than 8 weeks because accidents tend to happen more easily with really small puppies. We will take several pictures of you with your Labradoodle puppy. We will send you the pictures for free place them on a USB thumb drive for you , and you will have full copyright privileges to all of the pictures to use at your discretion. You have the option of whether or not the photos appear here on the ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Although we never ship puppies, we will sometimes personally deliver puppies for a reasonable fee. Why should you consider getting a Chocolate Labradoodle from us? If a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy is right for your family, and if you are within driving distance of Greenville, SC, you may want to consider getting a chocolate Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle from us. If you read our Labradoodle puppy methodology and like what you read, you should consider adopting one of our puppies. We have a three-year health guarantee on each of our puppies if the forever home continues to feed TLC one year health guarantee on all others. How can you get a Chocolate Labradoodle or Labradoodle mini from us? If you think your family would be a good match for one of our Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppies, then start the conversation by emailing us at nathan crockettdoodles. You will have full access to all pictures and hold the copyright to make as many pictures as you desire. You keep all the pictures. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality collar. We give your Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy a quality leash. We give you a bag of high quality dog food. We believe that you should give your new Labradoodle puppy or mini Labradoodle puppy the best food. Instructional materials about crate training and house training. Our goal is to do everything we can to assist in the house training and crate training process. A Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle puppy or any puppy cannot be completely reliable in the house until the puppy is about 6 months old. The simple point is that no matter what some breeders tell you you will be partially involved in the house training process unless you buy an older Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle , but we want to help you with that process. A one-year health guarantee; extended to three years for all who continue to feed TLC. We are concerned with finding really good homes for our Labradoodle and mini Labradoodle puppies. Labradoodle Color To see a list of available colors, check out this page. At ChocolateLabradoodlePuppies. Ultimately we cannot completely control the color of puppies. Even though chocolate is the most desirable color, we sometimes have puppies of other colors even occasional merles. These puppies, will of course, also make excellent pets. These non-chocolate Labradoodle puppies are also available to great families, but we know that Chocolate Labradoodles are the most desirable. The Labrador Retriever has a short coat that sheds. By breeding the F1 Labradoodle back to an unrelated Poodle, the chances of getting the highly desirable non-shedding Poodle coat increase exponentially. Some F1B Labradoodles are bred back another time to a Poodle in an effort to guarantee a Poodle coat. If high quality dogs are chosen to breed that have the head shape of a Labrador Retriever it is possible to get a puppy that is very similar in many ways to a Labrador, but has the beautiful non-shedding Poodle coat. Both Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, helping Labradoodles excel in smarts, train-ability, and a general desire to always please their owner. If you desire a family-friendly, kid loving, medium energy dog that is comfortable inside or outside, that loves the water and the land, you should definitely consider a Labradoodle or mini Labradoodle. For more info about Labradoodle puppies or mini Labradoodle puppies, please email nathan crockettdoodles. Check out our sister site miniLabradoodlePuppies. We specialize in Chocolate Labradoodles and mini Labradoodles, but often we have other colors as well. Occasionally someone travels from Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh-Durham or Knoxville, but our proximity to North Carolina and the popularity of Labradoodles in North Carolina make Charlotte and Asheville our most serviced locations. We also have some who are interested from distant states, but we primarily serve the Southeast U. Life Span Did You Know? Second-generation crosses could include a Labradoodle and a Mini Poodle or two Mini Labradoodles as parents. This hybrid dog breed was originally developed to create smaller potential service dogs that might be a good fit for people with allergies to dog fur. With a mixed breed, you can end up with any combination of traits from the parent breeds. Often, Mini Labradoodles are smart, friendly, and sociable dogs that are highly trainable. They are often found working as service dogs and therapy dogs and living as beloved family companions. Although they are not recognized by the AKC, the Mini Labradoodle is recognized by other canine registries. A Mini Labradoodle is a combination of two friendly dog breeds that crave human affection and are always happy to have company. These dogs also tend to have playful, energetic personalities and low prey drives. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Due to their smaller size, these dogs can be injured by accidental rough play or accidental falls, so any interactions between young kids and puppies should be closely supervised. Miniature Labradoodles will usually bark to alert you when someone is at the door, but generally are not prone to nuisance barking unless they have been trained into it. It may not be a bad idea to train your dog to stop barking early on. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles may be initially wary of strangers, but tend to warm up quickly and will often be happy to make a new friend. Miniature Labradoodles are highly adaptable. Provided they get enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation, they can adapt well to apartments as well as larger homes. They tend to do best in moderate climates, but can tolerate warmer or colder climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Although they tend to have a fluffier coat, they are also smaller and may need to bundle up in some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks in the cold. Mini Labradoodles are also very much companion breeds. They bond closely with their families and thrive on being near them, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The health of the parents and good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of Mini Labradoodle puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done to help allay any concerns you may have. Miniature Labradoodles tend to be highly intelligent and eager to please. This generally makes them easy to train and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. In fact, their parent breeds are considered some of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. These dogs respond best to consistent training and positive reinforcement. Puppy training classes can ensure that owners of any experience level learn the latest training techniques and start building a strong bond with their puppy. Grooming requirements with a Mini Labradoodle can vary. On the Poodle side, you have a low-shedding, but high-maintenance, coat that needs daily brushing along with trimming and grooming every weeks. On the Lab side, you have a higher shedding coat that is more low-maintenance, requiring some weekly brushing or brushing a few times a week and intermittent bathing. Overall, Mini Labradoodles range from having a non- to low-shedding coat. They can have one coat type or the other, or a combination of both of them. So, you will want to be prepared for brushing a coat a few times a week and the possibility of more grooming needs. Regardless of coat type, there are some other general grooming tasks you can count on. Regular dental care for your dog will help prevent serious dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay later in life. This is especially important for dog breeds with floppy ears as they are more prone to developing ear infections. Miniature Labradoodles can be high-energy dogs. In general, they require daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity to be happy and healthy. Since they love to be around their family and can have an exuberant and outgoing personality, they will likely be up for more playtime if you are. This little dog may get tired more easily at times and could push themselves too far in their excitement. On the other hand, they may just keep going and going with no signs of slowing down. What is most important is making sure your Miniature Labradoodle gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. Fully-grown Mini Labradoodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Miniature Labradoodles generally live for years on average. Featured Mini Labradoodle Article.

Most dogs will chew on your hands, legs, arms, or clothing when they want to play or interact with you. If someone gets bitten by an adult dog, they are more likely to suffer a severe injury than if a baby dog were to bite them. Most people try a variety of things to prevent their dogs from biting other people. This can be pretty difficult to do if you are dealing with a dog that has reached its adult age. Adult dogs can be harder to control and are often able to resist any attempt of suppression from their owners. Also, they are more prominent, and that can make it harder to manage them. If you own an adult French bulldog that bites people too often, it is probably because it was not taught when it was younger. If it has a different owner before it became an adult, that person didn't show them how to take that playful or aggressive energy and put it towards its toys. Purina suggests that dog biting is often just an innocent form of social play. Most of the time, dogs start mouthing because they are excited and want to play. This is normal behavior for most dogs. Some dogs will bite people because they are afraid or frustrated about something. If you see that this type of biting is happening, it can be a sign that your french bulldog is aggressive. It can be difficult for people to find the difference between aggressive mouthing and playful mouthing. Most dogs that participate in playful mouthing will keep both the body and face relaxed. There may be tension in the mouth area, but everything else will be soft and calm. When a dog is playful, it usually won't bite that hard if it gets a hold of someone's hand or limb. If a dog is aggressively mouthing, it will make its body stiff. The muzzle will look wrinkled, and it will continuously expose its teeth to whoever it's trying to intimidate. If it bites someone, it will do it quickly. If you notice that your french bulldog's mouthing is more aggressive than playful most of the time, you should immediately consult a professional animal behaviorist or a veterinarian that is educated in animal behavior. Make sure either professional is qualified or board-certified before you go to them for help. If you cannot find one in your area, seek out a certified dog trainer. Again, make sure that you check for their credentials before they advise you. Checking for credentials is essential because if an amateur tries to give you advice on how to deal with a dangerous animal, that can create a situation that is more dangerous for the environment than ever before. Professional dog trainers don't have to be educated in animal aggression to get their certificates, so that is why it is essential to inquire about this before you talk to one. Most dogs spend a lot of time playing and finding things to chew or investigate during the day. Sometimes, toys aren't enough, and they want to play with people and interact with them. Puppies often want to play more than older dogs. Seeing your french bulldog chew and bite people seem cute at first. It can be tempting to let it play around and enjoy itself. But once it becomes an adult, this behavior won't be so cute to people that are continually getting attacked. You must catch this behavior while your french bulldog is at a young age. There are many ways that you can do this without punishing or disciplining the dog. Remember that discipline and punishment can either encourage the dog to play more or make it attack to defend itself from you. This term refers to the way that your dog controls the amount of pressure that it uses when it bites while playing. Puppies that haven't learned this from their owners are not aware of the fact that human skin is sensitive and rips easily. This is why they get so rough and bite too hard while they play. WikiHow suggests that you start at an early age and keep the dog close to its mother for as long as you can. Some behaviorists and trainers may be able to help you teach your french bulldog when to use force and when it isn't appropriate. This will help your dog learn the difference between someone trying to play and someone that is trying to attack it. The Next Thing to Do: Prevent the Dog From Roughly Biting Human Skin Once your french bulldog has learned to be gentle with its mouth during playtime, you can start with the next thing you need to teach it. According to Mikkel Becker , you should see every playtime as a learning time for the dog. You need to teach your dog how to avoid biting at people for any reason completely. Take a look at these tips: 1- Give you french bulldog a chew toy or chewing bone if it attempts to bite at anyone's fingers or toes. If you notice that your french bulldog is becoming aggressive when you try to pet it, distract it by giving it food with your other hand. Doing this will eventually help your dog learn not to bite when it is touched. You can try getting it to fetch something or seeing if it can pull something out of your grip. If you are playing a tug-of-war type of game, keep in mind that this triggers the aggressive behavior in a dog. To keep that game safe, you will have to be more stern with your dog. Once you get it to play the game the safe way finally, start keeping treats or toys on you so that you can reward the dog. If it starts to try to bite you, immediately send it back to the tug-of-war game. This will help your dog start to look for toys or bones to chew when it wants to get aggressive. If it is seeking out other ways to take out its aggression, it will look past biting a human hand or foot. Such exercises or commands can include sit, stop, wait, leave it, and many others. When the dog notices and stops biting, reward it with a toy or treat. Dogs can get bored with things too, just like humans can. If you can't afford to get a vast variety, try adding a new toy to the collection every month. Sohpia Yin recommends that you also keep dog treats ready and available to distract your french bulldog from any strangers that it might be afraid of. There's nothing worse than an isolated and antisocial pet. Always give it plenty of opportunities to socialize with other dogs so that it can play the way it wants to play. Give the dog time-out session every time it tries to use its teeth against your skin. The American Kennel Club recommends that if the dog is playing with you and you feel its teeth, pretend that you have been hurt. Walk into the next room and ignore the dog for about a minute. If you don't want to do that, you can also keep the dog on a leash while you're around, so it is better to supervise it. When it bites you, take it to another room that is safe for dogs and attach the leash to a heavy item so that it says there. Keep it there for a few minutes until you see that it understands that biting will lead to a time-out. This will make it let go of your hand and submit to the taste of the spray. Once it stops, you can reward it for stopping. Some people don't feel comfortable doing this because it seems to be a bit aggressive. Only do this if you genuinely believe there is no other way to get your dog to stop biting. Do not rely on friends or other dog-owners for advice because it may backfire on both you and your dog since it is not professional advice. Keep These Things in Mind If you want your french bulldog to play, make sure that you never put your hands or fingers in its face or mouth to get it to start playing with you. This will only make your dog want to bite and be rough with you even more. It won't remember the difference between aggression and playfulness. Restrict the dog from biting you and using its teeth but don't make it feel like it can't ever play with you at all. Playing with your french bulldog strengthens the bond and increases its trust. Just make sure that you are teaching it to be gentle instead of making it feel like every form of play will get it in trouble. When your dog starts to mouth at you, try not to react so quickly and suddenly. Flinching or jerking your body away will make the dog mistake it for playful gestures. Keep your body calm and stiff so that the dog knows that you aren't going to react to anything it's doing. The biggest priority is making sure that you aren't acting violently towards the dog when it bites you or mouths at you. This can be a natural reflex for some people if the dog bites them very hard at random. You might have it under control, but maybe the other people in your household don't. Make sure you let them know that acting violent to get the dog to stop will cause it to get scared and fearful of everyone in the home. Make sure you let friends know as well as extended family. Until your french bulldog has learned how to play gently, try to keep it separate from other people in the house. This is most important when guests come over. Conclusion Remember to take caution if you are someone with little patience. Most people that have little patience cannot handle animals that are slow to learn specific commands and discipline techniques. A dog is very similar to a human child in that it is only doing what nature intends for it to do. That means that it will take time for it to adapt to your ways and teachings. You might get frustrated one day because it seems like nothing you do is working. Your french bulldog is still biting people, biting you, destroying furniture, and many other things that most dog-owners detest. But taking your anger out on the animal can have permanent consequences. It only takes one act of violence or misdemeanor to break the bond and trust between you and your french bulldog. Always get the help of a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist before you even get close to the point where you start to lose hope in improving the behavior. Also, make sure that you take a look at this YouTube video to learn more about how you can prevent your french bulldog from biting so much. 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. As a breed they have a great temperament. However, it can still happen, and French Bulldog puppy biting problems are one of the most challenging issues I am asked about on social media. Speaking from real-life experience, our Frenchie Claude has never bitten anybody aggressively. However, he was very nippy as a puppy, and in truth, a lot of that was my fault due to the way I would play with him. I soon learned fast that I was going to get nipped! Our next door neighbour also has a French Bulldog puppy who was constantly biting. I worked with them to try and stop the biting problem and had great success. It was particularly important as they have young kids to consider. Please read down and take everything in. I believe this is the most comprehensive guide to stopping a French Bulldog biting that you will find anywhere online. Make a drink, sit back, and I will teach you how to stop the keep biting problem, starting off with why it happens. Why French Bulldog Bite? But this can start off with something as normalised as barking. If you decide to not heed the warning, the barking can then progress to a growling and showing of the teeth. If you continue to approach and invade their space, the bite is the next natural step. However, with a more aggressive Frenchie this bite can be very painful as they have very strong jaws. For parents this will be of particular concern if a French Bulldog bites your child. Do French Bulldogs bite a lot? As puppies, yes, Frenchies can bite and nip as part of teething and play. As a general rule of thumb, they will get over this behaviour. Generally speaking though, Frenchies are a non-aggressive breed. Most of it will be down to how the owner has trained and raised the dog. Why French Bulldog puppies bite Sometimes the puppies will start to bite for fun, others will bite during the teething phase read more about teething here. Frenchies use their mouths to explore, and small nips here and there can be explained away by their age. Other will bite and act aggressive out of fear, and others will bite too enthusiastically during play. Another reason why Frenchie puppies bite can also be to try to show that they are the ones who are in charge of your relationship. If this is the case with your puppy, it must be stopped immediately as if you have a puppy that believes it is dominant, its nibbling will be just the beginning of your troubles. Whichever scenario you face, biting is a behavior that needs to be nipped no pun intended in the bud as soon as possible when the dog is younger. This will help to prevent bigger problems as the Frenchie gets older. But there is a fine line between biting and playing. Our own Frenchie Claude is a classic example. As a puppy I would play with him probably a little too enthusiastically, and he would go for my hands as a result — thankfully he grew out of it, and yours probably will too. Adult Frenchies that bite are a problem However, French Bulldogs that bite into adulthood are problematic, especially if the biting suddenly starts with no previous form. In this case, please take the dog to the vet immediately to rule out any illness or injury that could be causing the biting problems. In cases such as this, vets will often recommend a dog behaviour specialist. How to stop your French Bulldog puppy from biting If your Frenchie puppy starts to show aggressive behaviour and biting it does need to be stopped as soon as it can. Otherwise it could continue into adulthood and become a bigger problem that is behavioural rather than playful. Squeal like a puppy bite inhibition When puppies play together, they will squeal when bitten by another pup. In the litter you will see this happening, and the squeal results in the biting puppy backing away. As humans we can mimic this behaviour. This is a hugely popular method used by dog trainers as it makes your puppy believe that he hurts you every time he gives you a bite. You might find that your puppy takes this telling off to heart. When we tried it with our puppy he would get all submissive and run to my wife for reassurance. The key is to not comfort them at this point, as this could lead to more biting. By shunning the puppy momentarily, you will get the best results. It sounds harsh, but if you really do want your French Bulldog to stop biting, you need to stick firm. The sooner you start doing this, the sooner your puppy will learn that biting is not ok. It really does work very well. By doing so, you are encouraging the bad behaviour. This is one of the most important tips, and to not do so will only prolong the period you have to try to stop the bad attitude. Then place another finger under the chin. Hold this position for 10 seconds, but not too hard. Your puppy will feel uncomfortable it will train him to not keep biting you. A dog trainer gave me this tip and swears by it. It involves wearing a pair of gloves with something on it that tastes bad. My trainer recommended a bitter spray see it on Amazon. After a few bites, your Frenchie will soon learn that if it bites you, it will not taste good! If you see the puppy starting to come towards your hands or fingers, move them out the way and use a chew toy instead. By focusing on the toy instead, the puppy will learn that hands are not for biting and will associate a chew toy with biting instead. The toys we found worked best for biting and chewing were the Kong on Amazon view prices. You can also see some other recommendations in my chew toy page. Frenchie puppies love to chase feet and bite at shoes, and yes, it is fun, but curb it sooner rather than later. Puppies love biting feet, shoes, and shoelaces as part of play. Use the same preventative methods listed in points 1 and 2 to discourage feet nipping. From talking to animal behaviouralists and vets, they say that a physical punishment will only exacerbate the biting problem and create more fear and aggression in your French Bulldog. Fear is the root of so many biting problems and will only make your puppy feel scared of you and be more inclined to deliver a nasty nip. But you still need to teach your Frenchie puppy to be accepting when your hands do go near the mouth. As puppies, you will need to fish things out of their mouth, and into adulthood check their teeth and administer medicines. You need to train them to not bite your hands when your fingers need to go into the mouth area. Do this by giving them a small treat and then quickly taking it out of their mouth. Train your Frenchie puppy to not bite over food Another flashpoint will be food. Puppies are very protective of their food bowl and will wolf it down in seconds to stop anybody else from eating it. But this behaviour that was learned from a young age, will also result in biting problems around their food dish. Food aggression is a problem even with the most well-behaved Frenchie so your aim here is to train the puppy that you can take food away from it with no aggressive response. Keep repeating the lesson until your French Bulldog puppy learns that you, the master, have control over food and can give or take it away at will. If you have kids, then also get them to practice this as the dog should never have dominance over any member of your household. If you can stop your French Bulldog puppy biting over food, then your almost there with having a perfectly well adjusted and non-aggressive pet. However, you might still experience it in other scenarios such as them being jealous of another pet, child, or visitor. It can also occur when you try to get your dog to get down off a couch or bed to make way for you. This is there way of exerting dominance over you so nip it in the bud by reinforcing good behaviour. Socialise your puppy with other dogs Make sure that your puppy has opportunities to play with other dogs. Puppies learn from each other and particularly older dogs. You can help stop a French bulldog puppy biting by wearing them out and learning from adult dogs. Not only do they learn from each other, but they will also wear each other out. Expose your puppy to loud noises and fearful situations Now obviously I am not suggesting that you go out of your way to scare your young dog, but it is important to expose them to situations that could spark fear, aggression,and biting. Think of things such as loud noises from traffic passing by, children shouting, or noisy public environments. The sooner you can get your Frenchie trained to be calm in these situations, the more chance you stand of them not reacting badly and reacting with a fearful or aggressive bite. Always supervise young children with a puppy A French Bulldog that bites a child is a hugely serious issue. Supervise your dog at all times when around young children to avoid bites and aggression. Whilst French Bulldogs are great with children , you should never leave them alone. When to seek professional help If even after using all these training methods, you still have a French Bulldog that bites, then please talk to your vet immediately. An expert will be able to tell you whether the mouthing of your puppy is normal behaviour or something that requires a treatment plan. There are also specialist animal behaviourists who can help with biting and fear aggression in French Bulldogs. The dangers of a dog bite Adult dogs that bite can be serious problem. People die every year from bites, and more frequently can develop serious infections when a wound goes septic. The result is an open, jagged wound. If the wound becomes infected, it is often severe. The No. You may need hospitalization and require intravenous antibiotics. Compress the wound gently by pressing on it. This will squeeze some blood out which can help to flush out as much of the bacteria as possible. Clean the bite wound with clean water and a mild soap. Press a clean cloth onto the bite to slow the bleeding down. Apply antibiotic cream to the bite wound. Dress the bite wound with a sterile bandage. Consult with a medical professional as soon as you can. Conclusion The general rule to stopping a French Bulldog from biting is to always encourage acceptable behavior and to discourage unacceptable behavior. This rule is fundamental in the training of any dog. Use chew toys and games and not your hands. This means that you or any other person who comes into contact with your puppy must keep in mind the strategy chosen each time your puppy begins to chew. If you have visitors and other family members, communicate with them to adopt the same strategy as you. The bottom line is this; if you do not communicate clearly with your French Bulldog, he will not understand that what he is doing is not good. Do not just expect the puppy to know it for himself. You need to take the role of the pack leader. You might also be interested in: If you enjoyed this guide on how to stop your French Bulldog puppy biting, you might also like these related posts:. Why Is My French bulldog Biting? This can be possible that your French bulldog never bites, but you have to train them from the day you get them home. Biting behavior can also be seen in French Bulldogs. I also had achieved success in making a French bulldog not to bite who was known for his biting behavior. Here I have briefly discussed the French bulldog biting behavior, the reasons, tips, and preventions to eliminate this unwanted behavior. I hope that this will help you make your dog a good and happy pet for you so you both can live happily together. Like all other dogs, aggression and fear in this breed are normal. You can take the aggression of your dog as normal as his barking. In this way, the French bulldog is actually reminding you to keep your own distance. If your dog is barking at you, it means he wants you to stay away for a moment. If still, you are invading his space, then naturally, the next step taken by your French bulldog will be biting. Mostly, that kind of biting will be like a bit of nip, but it can be hard. Because that French bulldog got strong jaws, so if you have kids in your house, be concerned. Do French Bulldogs bite a lot? But with time, they will get over this behavior. Generally, French Bulldogs are not bred as an aggressive breed of dog; most of them show the behaviors that are trained by their owners. Why do French Bulldog puppies bite? French Bulldog puppies bite for several reasons, like in the teething phase, in aggressiveness, just for fun, or enthusiastically during play. If this is the reason, then immediately solve this issue because if now he is just nipping to show his dominance, he is going to create big problems for you in the future. But if he grows up with biting behavior, it is really a thing you have to worry about. Although there is a fine and clear line between playing and biting, you have to overcome this issue. Little puppies will bite your hand while playing with you, but they can be trained not to repeat that act with training. Adult Frenchies Bite is a Problem Once your French bulldog grows up, never allow him to bite you even if he is playing because such Frenchie can be problematic. If your French bulldog who has no record of biting suddenly starts biting, then immediately contact a vet to rule out any injury or illness that is causing your canine friend to bite. Simply provide him with chew toys made up of rubber and silicone. In many chew toys, there is a pin-like structure on their exterior that massages the gums of your canine friend. Some toys that work best preventing the French bulldog biting are Suction Frenchie Tugtoy and Teeth cleaning toy. Then use a bitter spray on them. It will keep your dog away from those items and make your dog understand what is prohibited from being chewed. If your dog is not getting over their behavior of biting your hand, you have to wear gloves containing some bad-tasting substance like bitter spray. The bad taste will make your French bulldog stay away from your hands. Never allow your dog to use your feet as a chewing toy. You have to understand that when your dog is anxious, he can show unwanted behaviors like destructive chewing and biting. French bulldogs are more likely to get separation anxiety; they handle such situations easily by training them from childhood. For this purpose, leave them alone for some time, make them busy playing with toys alone. After some practices, increase the time of leaving them alone. This will help them control their anxiety if they get alone in any situation. Although chewing toys are helpful in making your dog not bite. You can also use interactive French bulldog toys that will not only seek his attention but also boost his intelligence. Conclusion You should also know that French bulldog puppies can be aggressive and nippy. Which is why they need to be socialized early. He can advise some tips and tricks for your dog. Technique No. It is important to understand why they result into biting so that you can better train them to control their urge. This is why owners should just control what their Frenchie chews on rather than completely preventing them from biting or chewing. It is in the Frenchie puppies nature to bite or chew as they also try to protect themselves. Frenchies also bite as a way to defend themselves against people or things that they think put them in danger. Biting As A Form Of Play French bulldog puppies are naturally playful and one way to show their playfulness is through biting. It is a form of socialization and a bit of rough play. A Frenchie puppy learns to control the intensity of its bite when it plays with other puppies. When it bites too hard and causes pain on another Frenchie, the other puppy will cry loudly to let the Frenchie know. This is a natural way on how Frenchies learn to control their bite. Some may consider them as just a phase that they can outgrow as they mature into adults. Biting usually occurs when Frenchies are puppies because they are still in their teething stage. Like babies who like to chew on different things while they are teething, Frenchie puppies also like to bite and chew on things while they are teething. The process of chewing relieves their gums of the discomfort that they may be feeling because of their erupting teeth. Giving them items that they can chew will help them feel more comfortable as they pass through this stage of their lives. After teething, it is possible for Frenchies to lessen their frequency in biting or chewing. You should establish that you have authority over your Frenchie so that it follows you. With whatever you are training your puppy for, you should be consistent. Make sure the rules are always followed and no exceptions so that your Frenchie learns faster. By yelping out loud and startling your Frenchie puppy every time they bite you, your cute Frenchie will learn that biting is hurtful to you and should not be done. Frenchies also bite as a form of defense. When they feel that they are in danger because of your violence, they are more likely to be aggressive and react with violence too. It helps them with the discomfort that they feel in their gums. To prevent your Frenchie from biting you, you can provide them with alternative chew toys or chew items instead. Giving them iced treats or rags soaked in cold water will help numb their gums and make them feel more comfortable. It is possible that your Frenchie is suffering from anxiety and using biting as an outlet. Finding a way to overcome their anxiety will eventually lead them to stop biting. Our boutique About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups.

Reasons why your German Shepherd is not eating As pet parents, we all want our four-legged family members to get the best nutrition to keep them strong and healthy, so it can be worrying if their appetite changes. Your dog is stressed or anxious Stress hormones can suppress the appetite. Dental problems Gum recession, tooth root abscesses, fractured teeth, or teething can all cause pain in the mouth that might mean chewing is uncomfortable for your dog. Dogs with dental disease might drop their food, throw it around their mouth, or struggle with dried kibble. If their food is causing some vomiting or diarrhea regularly due to allergies, your dog might not be keen to eat it if they know it makes them feel poorly. Your dog will pick up on this change and might not be hungry at the new feeding time or might be feeling stressed. German Shepherds need around 2 hours a day for adults. Less than this and they might only want a small portion of food to avoid overeating and weight gain. How can I get my German Shepherd eating again? Getting your pup to eat again after a period of inappetence can be challenging, and you want to be sure you are offering your dog the right food to get them back to their usual selves. Here are our top tips to help get your German Shepherd eating again: Switch their food Dogs like variety, so switching up their food by mixing wet and dry or adding some water, or even changing brands every few months can keep them interested. Feed at a specific time each day and stick to a routine Dogs are creatures of routine, and German Shepherds are very sensitive to change. Establish a routine when your dog is a puppy and introduce changes gradually. Your dog will learn to expect and want their food around a certain time, and they may not be hungry outside of it. A behaviorist can help you here, and some simple training techniques will help. Make mealtimes fun Games, interactive feeders, and slow feeding bowls can make mealtime more interesting for your dog, stimulate their senses and make them more enthusiastic about their food. When to see the vet A lack of appetite can be worrying for any pet parent. The vet will examine your dog and might want to do tests to find out what the problem is and get your dog the treatment they need. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are highly intelligent and sensitive dogs, so they can go off their food for reasons as simple as a change in routine or environment, or stress such as separation anxiety. Most adult dogs can go a day or two without food. Puppies cannot go as long without food. When should I worry about my dog not eating? If your dog is not eating for 24 hours or more, or it is a long-term problem then get them checked at the vet. Why does my dog suddenly not want to eat? Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Sep 1, Share Determining the causes of a loss of appetite in your German Shepherd is often tricky. The symptom is non-diagnostic and can point to so many reasons. It can indicate minor things or something more serious. Is there nausea or vomiting? Is your pet experiencing GI distress? You should be aware of anything unusual. When symptoms appear together, it can give your veterinarian a shortlist of things to check. Just saying that my German Shepherd is too skinny is vague. It can make learning the root of the problem more difficult. Remember that canines have a keen sense of smell with over 16 times the sensory receptors and 40 times the brain capacity. That means dogs are often more sensitive to different foods. Image Credit: Angeleses, Pixabay 2. You probably know about chocolate. However, there are also several obscure ones, such as avocados and macadamia nuts. Eating Is Painful Dental problems are often a culprit that can turn your pup off its food. Severe cases might make it too painful for your dog to eat. That makes regular dental care imperative. Image Credit: PixieMe, Shutterstock 4. Common types include chemotherapy drugs, pain meds, and some antibiotics. Luckily, the symptoms resolve quickly after your pet goes off the things causing the problems. Fortunately, many are specific to the condition, which makes diagnosis easier. Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss occurs with several of them, including stomach worms, roundworms , and threadworms. They also resolve quickly once they are identified. It can have a similar effect on your canine friend as it does on humans. Think of how you feel in a tense situation. Probably the last thing you want to do is eat. Your body—and that of your German Shepherd—allocate its resources to escaping the threat instead of passive ones like eating. They sometimes experience separation anxiety if they are kept alone for long stretches. It can manifest in many ways, including a loss of appetite. Counterconditioning therapy can help your pup cope better with your absences. Image Credit: DanaTentis, Pixabay 8. Veterinarians can tell you a plethora of stories about the things dogs have swallowed, from socks to rocks to Super Balls. A loss of appetite, vomiting, and pain are the telltale symptoms. The list includes a broad range of conditions, from liver disease to bacterial problems to urinary tract infections. Your vet will likely begin with a complete blood profile. Image Credit: Goran Horvat, Pixabay .Your Pup Has Cancer Cancer often causes a decrease in appetite, too. It can result from the disease or its treatment. The difference is that it can often result in a dramatic weight loss that is visible quickly and noticeably. Keeping your German Shepherd will give your pup its best defense against this disease. Final Thoughts Dogs differ from cats in that they often wear their symptoms on their proverbial sleeves. Related Read:. Check Price on Amazon 5. If you give treats just to entice your German Shepherd to eat, you are turning him into a fussy eater! So, are German Shepherds fussy eaters? Now and again, a little healthy treat is just fine. You can also try some fruits or vegetables , especially if the treat cupboard is bare. Your German Shepherd may have also eaten something poisonous while roaming in the garden or fields. Dogs are known for eating anything they can find left lying around or even getting into the garbage! Take care with foods like chocolate or grapes , and never leave these lying around where your dog can get at them, as they can be highly toxic. If your German Shepherd has had his recent vaccinations, sometimes these can cause adverse reactions, including loss of appetite. The good news is this should only be brief — just ensure your dog is drinking plenty of water and keeping himself hydrated. If nothing else seems to be working and you are worried, you should schedule a visit with the veterinarian as soon as you can. He likes to eat at certain times of the day Just like you might not like to eat breakfast at 6 a. Though this can be concerning at first, you should be keeping track of how much food in total your German Shepherd is eating throughout the day. If he still eats about the same amount, he simply might prefer to eat at specific times of the day! On a similar note, your dog may prefer to eat little and often. My German Shepherd used to eat one meal in the morning and one in the evening. However, now that she is older, she prefers to eat both meals in the evening. Take your dog on a long walk before feeding — so he works up an appetite. Give him lots of praise when he eats from his bowl. Make feeding time fun — try putting a lid on his food, so he must remove it first. It gets over , top reviews! If your dog refuses his meal, take his bowl away after 15 minutes and then only put it down again a few hours later. Limit treats to training times only. If he senses that you are stressed and anxious about his loss of appetite, he may also become stressed and not eat at all! A sudden lack of appetite and resulting weight loss can signify other issues going on. Switch His Food If your dog slowly lost interest in food over a few weeks, he might no longer like his current food. Here are some ways to target his diet and boost his loss of appetite. Choose a more fragrant food. Try picking food that smells more like meat and has a more intense aroma. Add wet food or soak his food in warm water. I feed her cold-pressed dog food, which she just adores and continues to thrive on. Hopefully, these steps will fix the situation and return your dog to regular eating habits. Take Him to the Vet Vet visits can be costly, but so are the treatment methods for the condition or disease your dog might currently be experiencing. I would always recommend having a decent pet insurance policy in place, as this will always give you peace of mind. A healthy German Shepherd can go up to five to seven days without eating as long as they are still drinking water. However, if your German Shepherd refuses to drink water for 48 hours, it is time to bring your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic. If your German Shepherd is eating only once a day, it may be due to a routine that has been established over time. However, feeding your dog only once a day can lead to health problems such as gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV. Add variety to the diet and check the consumption. German Shepherd Not Eating and Diarrhea. If your German Shepherd is not eating and has diarrhea, it could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a change in diet, stress, anxiety, or a gastrointestinal infection. When your German Shepherd stops eating, you need to take the necessary steps to figure out the source of the problem and how to address it. Add wet food or warm water to boost his appetite and make his food more palatable and fragrant. Keep an eye on his other behaviors to see how his mood and movements have changed. Call the vet and schedule an appointment to have him checked over. Related Posts You May Like:. After covering each one in full detail, you may realize that one of the causes sounds familiar to your situation. The next section will provide the best solutions. There are several reasons why German shepherds stop eating their food. These include disagreeing with their kibble, inactivity, lack of feeding schedule, receiving too many treats, boredom, environmental issues, and underlying health issues. More will be explained about the correct diet and brands in the next section. Recommended Read: Why does my German Shepherd have diarrhea? German Shepherds ideally need around 2 hours or more of exercise per day. Appetite is just one of many things closely linked to exercise. Having routines helps them understand their day and allows them to become comfortable in their environment. Most adult GSDs are fed just twice a day. For puppies, this varies. Day grazing should not be something you engage in with your German Shepherd. By sticking to certain times you are training your German Shepherd to become hungry at those times. Yep, it really does work like that! But it could be the case… If your GSD has been eating the same food for a while, he may just be bored of it. Boredom will not make your GSD sick, so if you do see signs of sickness or being unwell, you can rule boredom out. This may be table scrabs or other forms of food. A change in the environment could be a new neighbor, a new pet, a new person in the household, a loss of someone in the house, or maybe you moved house entirely, the list is quite extensive. Think about your close surroundings and if something has changed. This changes when health issues are present. This is original content produced and published by The Puppy Mag www. There are many common allergens in dog food that may be causing the issues. The biggest culprit being chicken. Yep, chicken, as well as beef, pork, and lamb, are all common allergens, despite being used all the time! Try opting for a premium dog food brand that uses either duck, salmon, or turkey as the main protein source. These digest easily and usually cause fewer issues than chicken. Wet dog food is considerably tastier, juicier, has a higher protein content with fewer preservatives and additives. Adding a small amount to every mealtime will be irresistible for your German Shepherd. This working breed needs this kind of physical activity in order to develop a healthy appetite. Consider his environment Have you recently changed where you put the food bowl? On the flip side, you can try moving his bowl to a different spot to see if that has an effect. If you have young children, allow your GSD to eat in peace. Popular German Shepherd Articles:. Health It is not totally uncommon for a German Shepherd will refuse to eat once in a while. Although this is not totally uncommon, it is always a worrying experience for their humans. This article will help you realize some common reasons why GSDs may have a change in appetite to help you know whether or not to be concerned. So, when they refuse to eat, you know that something might be wrong. Sometimes, this might be because of the sensitive gut the breed is known for. But in many cases, it could be a sign that they are sick or in pain. Additionally, this could also be a sign of other conditions like oral problems or parasites. However, there are fussy GSDs that prefer variety. This issue is most common for dogs that are given access to table food or are fed a wide variety of dog food. They might also lose their appetite when they are depressed. In other cases, medicines can cause nausea or digestive upset, which will also keep your dog from eating. If your dog is refusing to eat because of new medications, make sure to bring it up with your vet. Older dogs become less active and have fewer opportunities to work up an appetite. Sometimes, German Shepherds stop eating the dry kibble that they normally eat. Or, they might ditch the kibble entirely in preference of wet dog food. Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog could be refusing to eat dry food: They have dental issues When oral problems get bad enough, your GSD might refuse to eat due to the pain it causes. This could be caused by cavities, a broken tooth, or swollen gums. In this case, a rotation between kibble brands and variants will help. They just prefer another food Dogs might refuse their regular food in hopes that they will be given another that they have tasted and loved. This might be table scraps or another kind of dog food. In cool weather, German Shepherds use up more energy to keep themselves warm. But in the hot summer months, they prefer to lounge around and keep cool. After some exercise, give them time to cool down completely before giving any food. Dogs can survive up to five days without food as long as they keep drinking water. Fasting for this long may have long-term consequences. More critically, it might be a sign of an underlying illness. If they suddenly have no appetite but they normally eat voraciously and never miss a meal, it should definitely be a cause of concern. Just make sure you observe them for any other warning signs. You might also observe changes in their stool consistency or a lack of enthusiasm for their regular activities. Whether or not they have a good reason for refusing food, here are some things you can do to encourage your German Shepherd to eat: Cut down on treats. Your dog can lose their appetite for their regular food when they have plenty of better-tasting treats throughout the day. Make feeding enjoyable. GSDs are always eager to please. Teach them to wait for their food and take it only on command. Then, praise them for finishing their food. Make food more appetizing. Try topping kibble with different types of food that might whet their appetite. Sometimes, a little bit of boiled chicken or beef broth will do the trick. They might not like the print, the ability to see their reflection, or the feeling on their tongue. Using another feeding bowl might help. Give them plenty of exercise. The energetic German Shepherd may need to tire themselves out to work up an appetite. Give your dog the daily exercise they need and then wait at least half an hour after any physical activity before giving them their meals. However, when your dog refuses to eat, you should also keep an eye out for other signs that could be a cause for concern. While many types of food might help jumpstart their appetite, there are several that might do more harm than good. Even if these foods might get them to eat, the effects might be more harmful. Instead, you can first try to give them some wet dog food for German Shepherds or mix in some plain rice and chicken with their kibble. You know what is normal for your dog! If their change in appetite veers too much from their norm it is best to make an appointment with the vet just to be safe. Final thoughts Why is my German shepherd puppy not eating? Food is a huge part of raising a dog: ensuring they have a proper diet, portion size and get all the nutrients they need. So when your puppy stops eating, it is natural to worry! But there are many different reasons to explain a decrease in appetite, and most of them can be solved relatively easily with nothing more than a quick Google or a trip to the vet. Typically, it can be due to intestinal distress or a temporary illness. However, a more serious condition could be occurring. Check for other signs of distress, such as avoiding people and general sluggishness. If possible, see your vet for a check-up if your dog still refuses food after a few days. Medicine or treatment will clear up the issue or reveal a long-term problem. This can make picking the right food tricky but not impossible. Digestion or strange eating habits can come from simple genetics, eating too fast, or even unknown allergies. If your puppy often throws up after eating, they might be eating too fast for their stomach and need to slow down. A specialty bowl or smaller portion sizes given out more frequently can cure this issue. In addition, if your German Shepherd puppy avoids some foods but not others, check for any ingredients that might be causing the avoidance. You can also get them tested for any allergies that might be causing their stomach issues. Changes in routine such as a move, the introduction of a new family member or dog, or even picking up on the nerves of their owner can cause a loyal German Shepherd to feel stress. Stress commonly manifests in stomach problems or reduced appetite. If you feel your puppy could be stressed out, try to figure out what changes in pattern or behavior could have led to it. Perhaps rottweilers have separation anxiety, and more close attention could help. If a change in routine is causing stress, work to make your dog used to the change. Consider asking your vet for ways to help your dog calm down and return to normal appetite levels. Dental pain or toothaches are also common symptoms of not eating simply because it hurts the puppy. They might have pain when they eat, a missing or broken tooth, or another oral issue interrupting their eating habits. Dental issues are commonly shown through signs such as sudden bad breath, bleeding gums, or an increase in drooling. If you notice an issue, schedule an appointment with your vet at once to solve the dental problem and return their appetite to normal. This is particularly noticeable if your dog refuses their usual food but eagerly eats treats and snacks without issue. Pain or illness do not stop them from eating, but they refuse their current food. This points to boredom instead of a more serious problem. Try dressing up their food with meat broth, rice, or treats to make it more appealing. If possible, use a mix of wet and dry food to make the overall meal easier. Seek out another type of food with a different texture or different ingredients while still being nutritious. This should help their boredom issues and get their appetite back to normal! What should I do if my German shepherd puppy is not eating? Once you notice that your puppy has a decreased appetite, it is time to figure out why. However, determining the exact issue can take time, and getting some food into your puppy to keep them healthy should be a top priority. So, here are a few things to try to increase the chances of getting your German Shepherd puppy to eat! Put their food into an interactive toy or game. Making eating fun is a great way to bypass a decreased appetite. Use canned food or flavored meat broth. Personally encourage your dog! Using treats, affection, and personal attention, there is a chance you will be able to help your dog eat more. If the issue is stress or anxiety rather than illness, personal encouragement can help solve the problem. These are some of the options you have. However, remember to consult a vet as soon as possible to find a more permanent solution! How much food should a German Shepherd puppy eat? Feeding a puppy can be tricky, but keep in mind that you want them to eat enough to grow strong without getting fat. From two to three months old, vary between cups with an average of about 1. Double that to about 3 cups once they are six months, transitioning to about 3. What should I feed my eight-week-old German Shepherd puppy? Going by this same math, a four-month or eight-week-old puppy should be eating no more than 2 cups a day. Ensure they get at least 1. How long can a German Shepherd go without eating? Unlike adult dogs, puppies do not have reserves of fat. They need to grow! Older dogs can last a few hours longer, but puppies need careful attention to grow. How many times a day should a German Shepherd puppy eat? Puppies need to eat more frequently, so it is recommended that you feed your puppy at least three or four times a day for their first four months. After this, you can switch to two large meals a day. Are German Shepherds picky eaters? German shepherds are not generally fussy eaters if you do not overindulge them. Too many treats or specialty meals can make them picky, but ordinarily, you will not have an issue getting them to eat. What do German Shepherds like to eat? German Shepherds will gravitate towards high-protein items containing beef, lamb, chicken, and other meats like most big and athletic dogs. Non-meat items like vegetables and grains should also be included. How do I get my German Shepherd puppy to eat more? Some dogs have smaller appetites but treats like broth and canned food encourage them to eat more. Switch to new food and make mealtime more personal and entertaining to ensure that your dog eats more! Final thoughts Feeding your puppy usually is easy, so any issues can be upsetting. Your German Shepherd puppy will eat like normal in no time! Doing this will make it easier to find out the exact cause of their loss of appetite, and will provide valuable information to you and your vet when needed. To check your german shepherd do the following. Check Their Body Over The first thing you should do is check them over. You should especially look for any problems in their mouth or with their teeth that could be causing them not to eat. As well as that, give their body a once over as well. You should be looking for parasites, injuries and lumps or bumps that could be causing them discomfort. But also look for other things, do they still seem as energetic and active as usual, or are they lethargic? Are they going to the toilet normally or is there a problem? All of these are indicators that something could be wrong with your pup! And look at anything else in your house your german shepherd can get too which they may have eaten. Bearing that in mind, here are some of the most common reasons your german shepherd may not be eating. As well as solutions that can often help the problem and eliminate it altogether! Illness And Disease One reason your german shepherd may have stopped eating could be due to illness and disease. As well as a lack of appetite you should look for other signs of illness or disease such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Solutions As previously mentioned, if you think that your german shepherd is sick then the first thing you should do is take them to the vets. Make the meal more appealing to them by pouring warm water over it or meat broths that are going to give it more flavor. For example, if they often eat dry food give them wet food, and if they eat wet food give them dry food. Try feeding them food by hand to make them feel more comfortable. Looked for cracked, loose or broken teeth which are quite common in bigger dogs. As well as this, you should also make sure you check them mouths for any cuts or objects which have pierced their gums, tongue or roof of their mouth. Lastly, you should look for lumps which could signify cancer. Find out some of the common reasons your german shepherd might have bad breath. Fortunately, in a lot of cases, not much will need to be done. If your german shepherd has an upset stomach then they may simply not feel like eating. As well as a loss of appetite, you may also notice that your german shepherd is vomiting as well as having diarrhea, flatulence and appearing nauseous. Find out why your german shepherd is so skinny and what to do or what to do with an overweight german shepherd. Some medicine will make your german shepherd feel nauseous whereas other medications may cause their stomach to hurt. If you think that your german shepherd has lost their appetite longer then you should have then consult your vet. However, apart from that you just have to wait it out. In more severe cases, you not being around can even cause anxiety which is known as separation anxiety. However, if you think they have separation anxiety then you should work on fixing the problem. Not only will it reduce the chances of you coming home to a destroyed house, but it will also make your german shepherd a lot happier as well! In most cases, your best bet is to talk to a behavior specialist who can teach you how to solve their separation anxiety effectively! One great way to stop your dog from feeling anxious is to use an Adaptil Pheremone Diffuser designed to keep dogs calm. The Time Of Day Sometimes your dog may not like eating at certain times of the day. What To Do The simplest way to fix this is to feed them at a different time in the day. If they learn to graze instead of eating two big meals, then they may become fussy eaters. Their Food Has Spoiled In some cases, your german shepherd may not want to eat because their food has spoiled. While most dog food has a long shelf life, in some cases, it may have passed its expiration date. Stress And Emotional Issues Your pup may also be suffering from stress or emotional issues. There can be so many causes behind this as well. Whatever the case they may be, it could stop them from eating. Just like humans, emotional distress can either cause them to stop eating altogether, or start eating a lot more. But it could also include giving them more attention during the day and playing with them Stress and emotional issues caused by new changes should clear up fairly quickly. It could be something to do with the environment around them, for example, they may not like eating near other dogs that can be aggressive or try to take their food. Or it can be something even simpler. Maybe they struggle to eat from the bowl this is especially common in older dogs. What To Do If your german shepherd is a picky eater then there are a few things you can do to help them get their appetite back. First of all, stop feeding them treats. You can also try feeding them at the same time every day. If you have been giving the same food for a long time then you may also want to change it up for them. For example, you could heat it up, add dry or wet food, add other healthy snacks find out which ones here , heating their food up, or adding water to it as well. Here are the reasons, they may have lost their appetite. Here are some great things you can do to help your soothe your puppies teething, as well as some of the best chew toys. You could also try putting food in the fridge, as cooler food will soothe their gums. Here are some more things you can try! As a rule of thumb, you should be walking them for 5 minutes per month old they are. For example, a 4-month-old could walk for 20 minutes. This means if you have any chicken leftover after eating, for example, you throw it away instead of giving it to them. So sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. If your german shepherd is eating but not drinking, then it can often be the sign of a more serious condition such as diabetes or a kidney problem. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here , to learn exactly what the course has to offer! Recap As you can see, there is a whole range of reasons that your german shepherd may not be eating. But fortunately a lot of solutions as well! If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website. Otherwise have a great day!

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More The transition from a puppy coat to an adult one can come as a bit of a shock to novice owners and newbie pet parents. Some breeders choose not to mention it for fear of putting off prospective buyers. However, here we will let you know exactly what to expect when your Goldendoodle puppy coat transition happens. Types of Goldendoodle Coats All dogs are born with a soft, single-layer puppy coat, whether they later go on to develop a double-layered one or not. Goldendoodles are no exception. This smooth, silky hair then gives way to something that can be altogether trickier to manage. Knots, tangles, mats, and shedding can become real problems with some dogs. As you probably know by now, with a mixed breed, there are no certainties. Especially when the parent animals are so different. One half of the Goldendoodle equation, the Golden Retriever, has a dense, straight, water-resistant double coat. In contrast, the other half, the Poodle, has a curly, coarse, low-shedding single one. Depending on which parent they favor, Goldendoodles can inherit either of these coats or a wavy, fleecy, long one that sits somewhere in between the two. This is generally the most common and the most popular of the three. For more on Goldendoodle coats and the right tools for caring for them, take a look at The Absolute Best Brushes for Goldendoodles. Nature can be a bit of a lottery. We can, however, make a few best guesses based on the parents and what usually happens. One thing we do know for sure is that whichever adult coat your pup is destined to have, it will be altogether stiffer and denser than their puppy one. It could even be a different color, thanks to the Poodle Fading Gene. Breeders, however, do highlight a few telltale traits that could give you an early idea of what to expect: Check The Snout An excess of hair at the top of the snout known as a mustache indicates that your pup is likely to end up with a coat on the curlier end of the spectrum. Straighter, shaggier, beard-like hair suggests a wavier coat. If your dog has short hair here and an overall neat and tidy-looking muzzle, they will probably inherit a straight coat. Pay Attention to the Generation The generation of the dog can also provide a strong indication of what to expect. See Also: Click the image Goldendoodle Puppy Coat Transition Phases When it comes to changing from the puppy to the adult coat, there are no clear-cut transition phases. When and how pups blow their puppy coat varies from dog to dog. With most dogs, it tends to happen at around six months, and it can be either sudden or gradual. Some owners barely even notice — it all depends on the final hair type. However, you may start to notice a little more hair in the brush or a few more tangles around the armpits, tail, and ears. If your Goldie is getting more of a curly coat, you will need to be extra vigilant at this time. Shedding puppy hair can all too easily get caught up in tight curls leading on to painful knots and mats that are all but impossible to remove with a brush. A good rule of thumb with dogs is that with a low-shedding coat, you have to spend more time on brushing; with a high shedding one that time will be spent cleaning hair up off the floor or your clothes. Which Goldendoodles Get Puppy Coats? Pretty much every variety of Goldendoodle from Standard to Mini experiences some sort of coat change as they transition from puppy to adult. The switch from puppy to adult coat is also less noticeable with active dogs and particularly ones that spend a lot of time swimming. The water washes away the old hair as it is replaced with the new. It is not left about the house as it otherwise would be. This change could be pretty dramatic or quite subtle depending on the type of adult coat your pup has inherited. They will shed their puppy coat somewhere between four and eight months, and their stiffer, denser adult one will start to come in at this time. Do Goldendoodle puppies change color? While your pup is unlikely to completely change color on you, many Goldies get lighter as their adult coat comes in. This is known as fading. How do you tell if a Goldendoodle puppy will have furnishings? Furnishings refer to the hair features about the face. The best way to know if your Goldie will have furnishings is to pay attention to their generation. F1 Goldendoodles are most likely to be missing them. F1B dogs are the most likely to have them. If a puppy lacks furnishings, they are unlikely to develop them in adulthood. With or without, though, all Doodles are still undeniably cute. When adopting a puppy, there are many things you need to be prepared for. Many people choose to adopt one of these darling dogs for their hypoallergenic properties. The best way to anticipate precisely what kind of hair your Goldendoodle will have when they are done blowing their coat is to speak to the breeder. Checking out the parent dogs is also recommended for later generations. However, this is no exact science, and you should really be prepared for anything. We are sure, though, that no matter how your Goldie ends up looking as they develop, you will love them just the same. How could you not? Just look at that face! Learn How to Upkeep Your Doodle! All Goldendoodles can smell, regardless of coat type. There are seven common causes of Goldendoodles smelling — find out more here. There are three types of Goldendoodle fur coats Wavy Curly Straight The three Goldendoodle coats have differing degrees of curliness. Different genes inherited from the parent dogs will determine the coat type. They are also referred to as fleece coats. Wavy coat Goldendoodles are typically low shedding. A wavy coat does require grooming to prevent deep knots from forming. A wavy coat will grow to around cm 4 to 7 inches in left untrimmed The hair will typically be shorter around the face Wavy coats are low shedding Wavy or fleece coats are less dense than a curly coat Wavy coat Goldendoodles are low allergy Wavy coat Goldendoodles need brushing at least once per week. The coat will stay healthy and clean with little effort. If left to develop, sometimes the knots need shaving, which can cause discomfort. Brush well before shampooing your Goldendoodle with the best breed appropriate shampoo Curly Coat Goldendoodles Curly Goldendoodle coats feature the densest curls of any Groodle coat type. The curly coat is also most like that of the purebred Poodle. If the coat is curly, you can look for a few early signs to help tell the coat type of your Goldendoodle. Curly coats will eventually stop growing if left. The hair will typically be shorter around the face — but not always. Curly coat Goldendoodles are very allergy friendly. They are typically non-shedding. The curly coat is similar but not identical to a Poodle coat. Many owners and breeders report little to no Goldendoodle smell with this coat. Some owners only cut their Curly Coat Goldendoodles fur two or three times a year. They will need to brush once or twice a week to avoid knotting and give the best appearance. Straight Coat Goldendoodles Sometimes the straight coat Goldendoodle is called a hair coat or loose coat. These Goldendoodles share the most coat characteristics with a Golden Retriever. Straight coat Goldendoodles can resemble a Golden Retriever. They are the easiest to groom but do shed a little. Use the best-reviewed Goldendoodle shampoo to keep the coat soft. The straight coat can be extremely low maintenance These dogs are shedders This type of Goldendoodle is the most likely to cause trouble for allergy sufferers. Test individually as many allergy sufferers cope well with lots of different types of Poodle Mix breeds. Even though this coat is typically the least amount of maintenance — you may still need to brush. And more often than you think. If there is a dense undercoat it will be necessary to brush at least once per week to avoid knotting. Regardless of coat type, all Goldendoodles can end up with ear wax build-up or infections. Our guide on how to clean Labradoodle ears can be applied to Goldendoodles as well. If your dog wears a collar or harness frequently you will need to brush these areas irrespective of which coat type is present. The change from puppy coat can be sudden. It can also be gradual and take months to switch to an adult coat. Toy and teacup Goldendoodles will experience a puppy coat change too. Several breeders say that it is common for Goldendoodle puppy owners not to notice the coat change. The breeders said this is because either The coat change was gradual from 6 months of age with no sudden change Or some adult coats for Godlendoodles are super soft and indistinguishable from the puppy coat How To Tell What Coat Your Goldendoodle Will Have Genetics will determine the variables of the coat. Cross-breeding dogs can give unpredictable results. Goldendoodle puppies can be more like one parent than the other, Breeders and owners have noted some tricks and tips to help determine the future coat of a Goldendoodle puppy. The usual reminder that a Groodle is the same thing as a Goldendoodle. So if you are looking to find out how to tell what type of coat a Groodle will have — you are in the right place. From early puppyhood through to one year of age, the Goldendoodle coat is in a constant state of development. Knowing exactly the type of coat that a puppy will have as an adult is not possible. There are however some early signs that give you an indication of what the adult coat will be. We asked owners and breeders how to tell what coat your Goldendoodle will have. How to tell what coat your Goldendoodle puppy will have: Check the snout. By comparing the coats of the parent dogs you will get a generally good idea of the range of possibilities. If both parents are Goldendoodle with fleece, a wavy coat is most likely. If both have loose straight hair — be prepared for shedding. Nature and genetics will have the final say. These coat prediction methods give best indication of future coat type. There can always be surprises. Naming inspiration from a galaxy far, far away. The hypoallergenic, non-shedding Poodle coat is a highly desired feature. This significantly increases the likelihood of a Curly coat or Wavy coat. F1b Goldendoodles are less likely to have a significant coat change from puppyhood to adulthood. It is common for the fur density and coarseness to increase. These Goldendoodles do not have teddy bear features. English Goldendoodles are more likely than American Goldendoodles to have a boxy teddy bear appearance. Both types can look very teddy-bear-like with the correct furnishings. We call the Goldendoodle teddy bear face features furnishings. Dogs with any of the three coat types can also be missing furnishings. As a result, they can look much more like a Poodle or a Golden Retriever. Bernedoodles experience something similar with their tri-colour coats. F1 Goldendoodles are the most likely to be missing furnishings. A puppy without furnishings is unlikely to develop them when the coat changes to the adult Goldendoodle coat. Flat coats are quite commonly seen in F2 Goldendoodles. These coats are easy to maintain when compared with curlier coated types. However, if you want a Goldendoodle that has the traditional teddy bear look, a flat-coated dog is not for you. Also, these dogs are moderate to high shedders and are, therefore, not recommended for a family with allergies. However, unlike flat-coated Doodles, the straight coat type does have furnishings and the fur tends to be fluffier in texture. Straight coat Goldendoodles are also referred to as loose coats or hair coats, and these pups have coats that are most like a Golden retriever. Also, these dogs do tend to shed quite heavily, making them unsuitable for those with pet allergies. So, if you take on one of these Goldendoodles, you must also be prepared to vacuum your carpets daily! Wavy Coat Image Source: Instagram. A wavy or shaggy coat is the most common type of Goldendoodle coat type, and they are also sometimes called fleece coats. In fact, the wavy coat occurs in all the most popular generations of Goldendoodles, including F1, F1b, and multigenerational dogs. Wavy Goldendoodles can be minimal shedders, although F1 and F2 dogs tend to be moderate to heavy shedders. So, to be certain as to whether your puppy will shed or not, always choose a reputable breeder that has had all their breeding dogs DNA tested. Curly Coat Curly coats are created when the puppy inherits a curl gene from each parent. These dogs have very dense, fleece-like coat characteristics that most closely resemble the coat of the Poodle parent. You will most commonly find curly coats in an F1B Goldendoodle or some of the multigenerational Goldendoodles. However, most owners prefer to have their dogs shaved or clipped. Curly Goldendoodles are minimal to non-shedding coats, which makes these dogs extremely sought after by people with pet allergies. If you leave the coat to grow without having your dog clipped, the curls will become very dense, making it difficult to gauge their length simply by looking at the coat. That said, eventually, the hair will stop growing. To make matters even more confusing, Goldendoodles commonly change color as they mature. Generally, if the puppy has a smooth face without furnishings, he will most likely have an improper or flat coat. Goldendoodle Coat Stages As previously mentioned, Goldendoodle puppies begin shedding their puppy coats once they reach around six months of age. By the time your puppy is eight months old or more, he will have his final adult coat. The final coat is usually not as soft and fluffy as the puppy coat. The coat change can be gradual or sudden, taking a matter of weeks or several months. Also, some super-soft adult Goldendoodle coats are virtually indistinguishable from the puppy coat. Until recently, crossbreeding dogs generally gave unpredictable results with the puppies taking more after one parent than the other. Now, DNA testing is commonly used by good breeders to determine what kind of coat their puppies will have. However, there are a few tried and tested methods of determining what kind of coat the puppy will have as an adult. That can be a good indicator for the coat type your dog will have as an adult. Generally, a prominent mustache is a clear indicator that the puppy will have a curly coat. Dogs that will go on to develop wavy coats tend to grow a shaggy beard around the muzzle. Straight-coated Goldendoodles usually have short, neat hair around their snout. If the puppy is anything other than an F1, first-generation pup, look at both the parent dogs. Generally, puppies take after one parent dog. However, genetics always have the final say when it comes to coat types. Inspiration For Names! One of the fun things about owning a Goldendoodle is choosing a name for your dog. For a few more ideas on what names you can choose for your Doodle puppy, check out this guide! Most people think of the Goldendoodle as having those classic teddy bear looks that everyone finds so adorable. However, not all puppies go on to develop that wavy or curly coat and furnishings that are so desirable. And, of all the generations, the F1B Goldendoodles are much less likely to have a significant coat change as they mature, although the coat coarseness and density are quite likely to increase. Interestingly, English Goldendoodles are more likely to have that boxy teddy bear features than American Goldendoodles. However, both kinds can develop the teddy bear appearance with the correct furnishings. Dogs with any of the three types of Goldendoodle coats can be with or without furnishings. F1 Goldendoodles are most likely to be without furnishings. That involvement entails providing access to the very latest research and expert guidance on canine reproduction, breed development, and puppy development. However, through the careful selection of mates, a good breeder can produce that adorable Teddy Bear look that people love so much. Shedding intensity can also be predicted through careful DNA research and careful breeding. The S gene that gives the dog a short coat is dominant. Doodle coats can be curly, straight, or wavy, depending on the number of curl genes that they take from their parents. What Are Furnishings? Commonly known as the F gene, the gene, RSP02 is responsible for those furnishings. Improper Coat A coat that has no furnishings is known as an improper coat or IC. Goldendoodles that have Ff or F IC or one copy of the furnishings gene tend to be lighter shedders than dogs that do have furnishings. I hope you enjoyed this guide! What kind of coat did you think your puppy would grow, and how did it actually turn out? Tell us in the comments box below. Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment. Related Content You May Find Interesting Mother Nature always has the final say Nature work can work in mysterious ways, and there are really no guarantees when it comes to predicting what coat types your dog will have. Even understanding whether Goldendoodles have hair or fur or whether they are hypoallergenic can be challenging. There are some subtle hints that you can follow to help guess the coat type of your new Goldendoodle. So, you cannot always go by what you see when your Goldendoodle is a puppy, as this may change as your dog ages. There are 3 different steps you can do to help you determine what coat type your Goldendoodle will have. Look at the fur around its mouth. When trying to determine the different hair coats that your Goldendoodle puppy may have, first start by looking at the hair around the muzzle and face. This will help tell you what kind of hair your dog may have. Curly coated dogs will often have lots of curls on their mustache and beard. Shaggy and wavy hair coats will have straight hair on the muzzle and have what you would think of as a beard on a dog. Goldendoodles who have straight hair will have short hair on their muzzle and no beard. Sarah Ochoa, DVM When your puppy is firstborn, and as they are growing, it can be very hard to tell what coat type your puppy may have. At first, they may all be very similar. Usually, the facial hair can clue you into what type of coat your puppy will have. Consider How your dog was Bred. Genetics plays a big factor in the hair type and hair color of all dogs. When trying to get a certain coat type for your Goldendoodle, look at their parents, and even grandparents coat types. The genes that are expressed their will help indicate what type of coat yours will have. Their offspring are Goldendoodles. These Goldendoodles can then be bred to make more Goldendoodles. Also, a Goldendoodle can be mixed with another poodle or Golden Retriever. Depending on what mix you use will cause varying differences in their hair coats. No matter what mix you can usually make three different coat types. Coat length, furnishings, and non-curl gene that results in a flat coat all depend on the poodle parent and golden retriever parent and what kind of coat genes they had. How to Breed a Goldendoodle to Get the Hair coat you want When looking for a specific coat type, you can look at how your Goldendoodle was bred. When trying to understand the breeding of a Goldendoodle, you may think that you will need to take a little lesson in genetics to help you. This is very easily explained below. By understanding these different ways of breeding, can help you understand what will cause your Goldendoodles to have a certain hair type. These are the common crosses used to make Goldendoodles. This makes an F1. These dogs tend to have wavy or curly hair. After you complete this first cross, there are many different options for producing more Goldendoodles. This may be the most popular type of Goldendoodle. This means that your dog will have a split between the traits of these two dogs. These different crosses are known as F2 or second-generation crosses. These are considered second-generation Goldendoodles or F2. These are called F1B. This is done to bring out more of the poodle traits in the Goldendoodle. If you want a Goldendoodle with a coat very similar to a poodle, this is a great breeding that you will want to look for. These dogs are also very low to non-shedding and usually allergy-free. This dog will be more like a Golden Retriever with less curly hair. Since this dog will have more of the traits of a Golden Retriever, they will also shed more. This cross is not ideal if you have pet-related allergies. This is not a very popular cross as the reasons most people buy a Goldendoodle is for the non-shedding and low allergen dog. Get An Older Goldendoodle While most people want to get their Goldendoodle when they are younger, there are many older Goldendoodles that also need a great loving home. Many breeders will offer older dogs at a discount too. This is the easiest way to get the coat type that you want since they have already lost their puppy coats and have developed the adult coat. Your Goldendoodle can be up to 8 months old before their true coat type is shown. Most Goldendoodles, you can get a good guess at around 4 months, but these pups are growing and changing that even their hair type can change. Most of these dogs will have their adult hair coat between 6 to 8 months, and then you can for sure be able to tell what type of adult coat your dog will have. Most people get their dogs around 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes before then. While the coat type that they have then will be very close to what their hair will look like as an adult, it can always change as they grow. What are the different types of Coats that My Goldendoodle may have? Your Golden doodle can have 3 different coat type or any mixture of the three. Some dogs can actually have all 3 coat types. These are a description of the 3 common coat types seen in Goldendoodles: Shaggy or wavy hair Shaggy or Wavy coat is the most common hair type, and most popular hair type wanted in Goldendoodles. This coat is a mixture of the two parents. The curly Poodle mixed with a straight Golden Retriever makes a soft wavy or shaggy appearance in Goldendoodle puppies. This hair type is known as a teddy bear coat since they resemble a teddy bear. This hair type will require regular brushing to keep them clean and tangle-free. The great thing about this hair coat is that it is usually little to no shedding making it great for people who have pet allergies. These dogs are usually groomed, so they always resemble a teddy bear. This can take some time and patients for your dog to learn to tolerate their grooming. Curly Hair Tight curly hair is very similar to the curly coats of Poodles. Multigenerational goldendoodles are more likely to have this coat. It is closest to non shedding. Some poodles will have curls that are very tight and close to the skin, but some will have loose barrel ringlets. If your Goldendoodle puppy has curls they will need regular grooming to keep them from becoming matted and their hair from taking over. Some pet owners will have their Goldendoodle trimmed short to help avoid matting. This hair type is the second most popular but is very popular with people who have pet allergies. This hair sheds the least and is the most hypoallergenic of the three coat types. Many people who never could have a dog because of their allergies have found it possible to have Goldendoodles with curly coats. Curly Goldendoodles are the most sought after, but they take multiple goldendoodle generations to achieve. If shedding matters to you, choose a reputable breeder. Hypoallergenic Goldendoodles are developed with extensive commitment to breeding dogs, including DNA testing, monitoring what genes each litter is liekly to inherit, and looking for just the right curly coats to breed to produce the curl people want without sacrificing temperament. This hair type is probably the easiest coat to maintain and is a great choice for people who have very little time for the daily brushing the other two types require. The downside to the straight coat is that they will shed. They are also not able to achieve the famous teddy bear look. The teddy bear look is the reason that most of the dogs are sought after. Although many people consider it an improper coat, the short coat with eyebrows can be very cute, and while there may be more dander, there will also be fewer knots. The one thing that makes these dogs look very different than the other two hair types is that these coats usually do not grow a beard around their muzzle. They will have a muzzle very similar to Goldens. Mixed Hair Types Some Goldendoodles can even have a mixed hair type. They may have tight curls around their face and long feathered hair on their legs. Their bodies or ears may have wavy hair. They often have a wavy or shaggy coat overall. These types can require lots of upkeep, as each section will need a different type of grooming to keep them looking great. On the other hand, these three coat types and the variations can create wavy or shaggy coats that are very cute. The smooth face paired with a curly coat collar is a lot of fun. Most people think that this is very easy to determine that their dog will be the same color that they are when they are born. As your puppy is growing and hair type possibly changing, so can their coat color. Your chocolate Goldendoodle puppy may fade to a Parchment color as they get older. There are many different colors that your Goldendoodle may come in. These are the 10 different colors seen in Goldendoodles: Chalk white. In short, no. These coat variations are less like to come up in searches as they may not have the instantly recognizable Doodle-like appearance. How can you tell if a Goldendoodle Puppy will be Curly? Effectively the genetic die has been rolled as soon as your little puppy has been conceived. As they grow inside their mother their DNA is forming that has the recipe for everything from gender to coat type and color. Many new or prospective owners may be selecting a Goldendoodle primarily for their potential to have a curly therefore lower shedding coat but just to make like interesting Goldendoodle are not actually born with their adult coat. Instead, they are born with a fluffy straighter puppy coat and their full adult coat may be different and not fully realized until they are around one year old. Clues that your Goldendoodle May Grow up Curly Many breeders and Goldendoodle owners have suggested that there are some characteristics that can be looked at that often hint at the type of adult coat a Goldendoodle may have. Wavy Adult Coat Puppies may have waved hair around their nose and a general shaggier appearance to the hair around their nose and muzzle. Straight Adult Coat Puppies may have notably straight hair around their nose and generally shorter hair over their muzzle giving a smoother appearance While many breeders may swear by this approach, it is worth remembering this is no exact science and Mother Nature has always been known to throw a curveball now and then. A Little Genetic Help While there is nothing anyone can do to change a coat type once a puppy is born, one way of increasing the chances of having a curly-coated Goldendoodle is to think about the parent mix. In simple terms, breeders can sway the proportion of Poodle genes to increase the chance of Poodle-ish curly coats by breeding a first generation Goldendoodle back with a Poodle. That being said, in a litter of these puppies there can still be wavy and flat coats but likely in lesser numbers. When do Goldendoodles Shed their Puppy Coat? Already mentioned in this article is the fact that Goldendoodles, just like most dogs, are not born in their final coat. They come out, soft, silky, and impossibly cute and have to put some serious work into growing strong and healthy before their adult coat will start to develop. Typically, many Goldendoodles will begin to shed their puppy coats anywhere from six to seven months onwards. The process is very gradual, so gradual in fact that many Goldendoodle owners may not recognize it has started. As puppy coats are generally shorter and less dense than adult coats there is not a large volume of hair to shed as the adult coat comes through. It is important to keep up a regular grooming schedule to avoid the shorter puppy hair getting caught in the denser adult coat coming through which could result in tangles or matting. Do Goldendoodles Coats Change? Goldendoodles are no different from the vast majority of dogs in that their coat will go through some natural and unavoidable changes over their lifetime. The most notable as discussed above is the changing of their puppy coat to their adult hair type. Interestingly though this is not a quick process and while most Goldendoodles will have their adult coat firmly in place by around one year, some can continue to experience changes until around two years. Most owners will know to expect their Goldendoodles adult coat to transition to a bit longer, a bit denser, and generally a bit coarser than their light puppy coat but they may be unprepared to see that color and pattern changes can also occur in their dog from six months right up to around that two-year mark. Often adult coats may be visibly lighter in color than puppy coats which may cause some marking patterns of lighter hair seen on a puppy to blend in and disappear. Alternatively, some Goldendoodle puppies that appeared solid color may develop some mixed color patches or fade in areas such as the face, tail, or body. Most adult Goldendoodles coats have settled by around 2 years and will be fairly fixed until they head into their senior or twilight years. Just like humans, they may experience graying or loss of color pigment. Just as humans will go grey on their head, senior Goldendoodles will often show lightening or loss of color completely around the face and muzzle Personally I love a senior doggo with a white face, I think they look like wise old boys and girls. In addition to color change in your senior Goldendoodle, the texture and density of their coat may change with some evidence of thinning. It is important to note these changes should be gradual. Anyone who encounters sudden or dramatic changes of hair loss in their dog should always seek veterinary advice as it could be an indicator of an underlying health condition or injury. Why is my Goldendoodle not Curly? The curly-coated and wavy coated Goldendoodle is certainly more common overall but what about if your little Goldendoodle ends up the more unique flat coat style? The good news is while they may pass convincingly for a Golden Retriever, they still will be a Doodle mix underneath and have the temperament favored by so many. If you are still struggling to get your head around how the Poodle curls fully skipped your pup there is a handy article already on our site that will tell you all you need to know about the flat coat Goldendoodle. However, life is not always super simple, and some will have a combination of coat types. This most commonly presents as curly over the body and softer waves around the face. These coats are notably curled. The actual curls themselves can vary between barrel-type individual curls or have a tighter, kinky curl appearance. The density of the curls makes this type the least prone to shedding as any hair that does break off gets caught in the coat generally. This means regular, daily, brushing is a must to prevent tangles and mats from occurring. Not only would this be unsightly, left untreated, but hair matting can also be painful and cause underlying skin conditions. Many curly Goldendoodle owners will incorporate 6-toweek grooming sessions to clip the coat to a manageable length to make brushing less arduous. Wavy Coats Wavy-coated Goldendoodles will generally appear longer in hair length than their curly companions and exhibit a more silken softer hair type. This will still need regular brushing however may be easier to get a brush through. Grooming trips are also needed but may not be required as frequently. Think smooth short fur on the face and silky long hair over the body. Think sticks, twigs, and unfortunately mud! Coat Comparisons Post updated I have had many inquires from families wondering what coat type the puppies will have as they mature. When dealing with a Hybrid it is very difficult to predict with certainty what their Adult coat will eventuality end up like. Puppies go through multiple coat changes before their adult coat finally comes in. All newborn goldendoodle puppies look like Golden Retrievers. It is not until around 6 — 7 weeks when we can determine if it will be a Flat Coat goldendoodle — no facial furnishings. We have produced flat coats with both straight hair and with some curls. Below are some of our previous puppies. There are three pictures of each puppy. Notice the progression of the puppy: the first picture is newborn, the next picture is puppy at eight weeks old and the last picture the puppy as an adult. My puppies are lucky to have joined such wonderful, loving families. It makes my day when I get an email from one of our previous puppy families giving me an update and sharing pics of their dog. Thank you! They are fluffy all over including the face. They come in three types — Straight, Wavy, and Curly. Grooming requirements are brushing daily to prevent matting and a trip to the groomers every eight weeks or so. Again, this depends on their parents. But most commonly, they have wavy hair. Those with curly hair resemble their Poodle ancestry. Those with a straight look appear more like Golden Retrievers. The latter is far easier to groom. Speaking of grooming… Length After your dogs latest trip to the groomer, how long should you wait before scheduling their next visit? Mark it on your calendar, every six weeks about does the trick. Most Goldendoodles will have regrown everything in about three to four months. Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers have longer coats. While Labradoodles could have a shorter coat, this is uncommon in Goldendoodles, if even present. All in all, a Goldendoodle is a great pet for owners with allergies. While there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, Doodle breeds shed far less than most and are quite allergy friendly. Many Goldendoodle parents may note that their puppy's coat quickly fills with fluffy clumps as a result of this. This is a definite indication that the shift has begun for your dog! Your Goldendoodle puppy's fur is thickest at three months old. It's possible that your puppy's coat has grown to its full potential and is very well-colored at this time. Your Goldendoodle could start to lose its puppy fur and develop an adult coat between the ages of 4 and 8 months. Depending on the exact kind of fur, this process may be slow and scarcely perceptible, rapid and evident, or protracted and difficult. The color and texture of their pelt can also vary. Don't get too depressed if your puppy's fur lasts past the age of 12 months; some Doodles may continue to shed puppy fur. We mentioned earlier about grooming. While most breeds you can take to the groomer at about 12 weeks, you probably want to wait until this six-month mark to shuffle them to the stylist. This will allow most of their puppy fur to be shed. When a puppy is 6 to 10 months old, the silky puppy coat often begins to shed gradually. Your Goldendoodle will continue its gradual transformation from puppy to adult coat by the age of one. Any shedding should be minimized, and if a suitable grooming routine isn't put in place at this time, you can have issues with knots. First, the adult coat becomes stiffer and more curly. Over time, you will notice that the coat is not as soft as it used to be. Most of the time, the color will usually lighten as the dog ages. They will grey just like we will. There are a handful of reasons for changes at this age or, sometimes, younger. If your dog is one that loves daytime romps, the sun could bleach its fur over time. This is natural. Diet and nutrition can affect their coats as well. A lack of vitamins could cause them to shed and matt. You might be allergic to dogs, but your dog could also be allergic to you. Or other things too. If they do have allergies this can affect the color, texture and volume of your puppy's coat. See your vet for best practices about how to assist your dog in these instances. Inherited or communicated diseases can also affect your dog's coat. Again, your trusted vet is best suited to formulate a plan of action for managing the situation. The same goes for grooming your senior pup. Older dogs need to be treated with a bit of finesse. Have that same respect for your dog. Especially those over the age of about ten years or so. If they have arthritis, for example, be aware of those areas on their body. But what happens during the time in between hair care visits? You can even take things step by step and demonstrate how easy it can be. Keep things light. Keep things fun. Shampoo and conditioner of high quality are viable options for special treatment. There are other, less expensive options as well. When they are true puppies, you want to only wash them when they start to smell. What will really help is brushing your puppy on a regular basis. Popping out the brush once a day or every other day is recommended. Brushing their hair less than once a week will almost definitely spell disaster. You can trim things up here and there as well. Where are some trouble spots that will need to be considered when grooming your pup? These might be found at the base of their tail, beneath their ears, and in the area just above their armpits. Don't forget about the back of their haunches and elbows. The best way to learn is with hands-on experience. Ready to get your Goldendoodle today? Have more questions about anything and everything Goldendoodle related? We have the answers , and for all things Doodles, stay tuned to our exciting and educational blog.

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. They help you find the information you need right now. You might also want to check out our sections on Labrador Puppy Training. Do let us know what you would like to see added to the site. We are always happy to have your comments and suggestions. When To Collect Your Puppy We highly recommend that puppies are not removed from their breeder until they are 8 weeks old. There are lots of good reasons for this. It helps puppies develop good bite moderation skills before they are adopted into a family, ensures that they are ready to adapt quickly to their new life. And it helps to reduce the sad numbers of puppies bred for a quick profit. Puppies sold under seven weeks old often have health problems and need special care, and extra veterinary attention. Check out the following articles for further information: When can puppies leave their mother Your first puppy Your first puppy is a huge adventure. You have so much fun ahead. Labradors are generally very friendly dogs, but they can also be very distractible. So do start daily training games, using plenty of food. You can get regular training tips from Pippa by email, using the box below. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!

You can use the information on dog.Show more How much grooming does a German Shepherd need? German Shepherds have thick coats so they shed a lot. You'll typically need to brush your short or long-haired German Shepherd a few times a week. German Shepherds may also need professional grooming. To hel.What size crate do you need for a German Shepherd? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more about potential health i.Are German Shepherds easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own likes and dislikes and learn to respond to.Show more Are German Shepherds good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. You are not purchasing a dog, you will be giving a donation to GSDR that will provide kenneling or veterinary care for the many dogs that need our help. Please be honest with your answers and don't put what you think we want to hear. Our rehoming volunteer will then telephone you to discuss adoption and to organise a home check. Rescue or adopt a German Shepherd Dog When GSDR considers placing a dog in a new home, care is taken to ensure that there is a good match between the dog, its new owner and the new home environment in which it will be living. Not every dog will be right for a given environment and not all potential owners will be right for a given dog. Sometimes we get requests from individuals who attempt to give us a detailed description possibly highly unrealistic of a dog they would like us to provide them with and whilst we do try to find a dog that fits in with the wishes of the prospective new owner, dogs do not "come to order", they are all individual and have their own personalities. Both the dog and its new owners will have much learn from each other and will require time to adjust, but if approached with a practical and realistic attitude, adopting a German Shepherd can be a deeply rewarding experience. First, we will discuss with you over the phone your specific situation, i. We, in turn, can then advise you of a dog that may be suitable for you. If there is not a dog available at that time, we will contact you when there is. If you decide to adopt a German Shepherd after talking it through with us that this is what you want, we will arrange a convenient time for a home visit. Please do bear in mind that as we are all volunteers and many of us have day jobs so we cannot always arrange an immediate visit. We will, however, do our best to meet with you as soon as possible. If all goes well and we are able to place a dog with you, we will contact you again to arrange a meeting with a volunteer on a suitable day, time and place for you to pick up your new companion. On accepting your new dog you will be asked to fill in and sign an adoption form which sets out the legal conditions for adoption from German Shepherd Rescue. In order to help you through the initial stages when you apply to adopt a German Shepherd, we will keep in touch to see how your new dog is settling in and how you are managing. During this period we will do our best to ensure you get any support and guidance you need. Telephone support is available, so there is no need to worry about being left to cope with any problems alone. Most placements do succeed well and some of our adopters even come back for more! We do try to treat every application individually but below are some general rules. In general, we do not re-home in the following conditions: where a dog is going to be left longer than hours on a daily basis, as this is very unfair to the dogs. Communal gardens and stairways are not ideal for GSD's because of their protective and territorial nature. A large breed dog like a GSD needs space and a garden where they can let off steam or chill out. One of the saddest sights is a German Shepherd confined to a yard or tethered on the end of a chain where it is never walked or given any attention. These days, thieves will have no qualms about harming a dog so get a good burglar alarm instead. You will be asked to provide evidence that the procedure has been carried out. Some dogs will have already been neutered or spayed by their previous owner. Anyone who breeds in the current economic climate is in our opinion, irresponsible. Following adoption we ask that all new owners insure their new dog as soon as possible - Vet fees can be very expensive! A GSD makes a wonderful friend and family pet but If you haven't had one before it is important to understand that this is a working breed and they can be 'difficult' to the uninitiated. A GSD needs a lot of exercise, some good basic training and companionship - they like to be with you. They can be very vocal and they are naturally protective towards their new family and property so you will need to think how you can manage this so as not to upset friends and neighbours. A bored and lonely GSD can be very destructive. Insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. We also accept Paypal payments - just click on the Paypal button below. Please help support the rescue Please help us by making a donation so that we can help re home more unwanted German Shepherd Dogs. Thank you. Adopt a new best friend. By choosing to adopt, you participate in a statewide effort to provide homes for deserving and loyal German Shepherds. We cover all vet expenses and will purchase all needed supplies for your foster dog while they are in your care. Adopt a Dog Help us help future dogs. Donate your time. Campaign for fundraising. Transport dogs to their destinations. Make a difference in the German Shepherd community. Apply to volunteer with us and provide care for German Shepherds that truly need it. Apply to Volunteer We have found homes for hundreds of happy German Shepherds. Below is a list of German Shepherds that have successfully found a new home. German Shepherd adoption has changed our lives, and it can change yours, too. Bodie A friendly German Shepherd with a lovely black coat. Bodie was a lovely, personable German Shepherd that was finally adopted by a loving family after a long battle with homelessness. She also loves engaging in friendly play with cats! Jill Adopted in , Jill became a playful and positive addition to her family. Jill had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Now, she enjoys daily walks to local parks. Mesaba Once abandoned by his previous owner, Mesaba found a loving family in Georgia, who named him Mesaba after their Minnesotan roots. Mesaba now enjoys walks in the park, play time with friends, and a loving family. Giroux After previous domestic issues with cats, Giroux found a home with one of our volunteers. He now enjoys cheering up his new owner, who has previously lost a German Shepherd to age-related difficulties. Abbie After a history of neglect, Abbie was able to recover from her past trauma and find a loving and accepting home in .She now enjoys playing hide-and-find with new toys, playing in the local pond, and being part of her new family. Fletcher After abandonment from his previous owners, Fletcher was finally able to join his new and supportive family. He now enjoys long walks, lots of attention and plenty of space for personal recreation. Matilda Matilda was shy before reaching out shelter - but after some training, she was finally able to come out of her shell! She now spends time with her new family, receiving more love than she could ever imagine! Queen Adopted in , Queen is a playful and positive addition to any family. Queen had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Ike Ike is the life of the party. We are pleased to announced that after years of neglect, Ike was finally able to join a family of his own. Now, Ike enjoys playing with his new owners and enjoying a life of abundant love and affection. She was once abandoned by her previous owners, but with some care and rehabilitation, Lady was able to relocate to a loving family of her own! Schatzi Talk about playful! Schahtzi is a lovely German Shepherd that was able to join a loving family after a past of neglect. Now, she enjoys lots of exercise and good memories with his new family. See More Alumni Give in memoriam. To us, a dog is family. Every pet has a story, how they were rescued and what they meant to us. Tell us your story. Final Thoughts 1. Deciding to Adopt a German Shepherd Dog Adoption comes second after purchasing among the methods of owning dogs. But why do dog owners seek to adopt rather than buy? The most obvious reason is that people seeking to adopt a dog are concerned about animal rights and their need for a caring and safe home. It is a fact that the number of dogs in rescue shelters and needing a home is decreasing. According to an article in Animals journal, this downward trend is linked to responsible dog ownership, spaying and neutering practices, the increased cases of adoption, and lost dogs being reunited with their owners. Despite this decrease, a substantial number of dogs in public and private rescue shelters still look out of their cage mesh every day, hoping that someone will turn up and decide to take them home. Another significant number is at risk of being euthanized because they are aged and sick and cannot find someone to adopt them. This is a decline from 3. Around 1. This is also a decline from 2. About 3. Dogs account for 1. Approximately , pets from shelters are reunited with their owners every year in the US. Six hundred twenty thousand of these are dogs. From more recent data, the March report by PetPoint , a cloud-based application that gauges the demand for dog and cat adoption among pet owners each month records a decline in both the number of dogs taken into shelters and those adopted from these shelters. A decline was also recorded in the number of dogs euthanized in the same month. See the details in the table below. Total dogs taken into shelters in March Total dogs adopted from shelters in March Total dogs euthanized in March Total dogs reunited with owner in March 65, .Wanting to give these dogs a safe and caring home is the primary reason why you may choose to adopt a German Shepherd as listed here in these three key reasons for adopting a GSD: Adopting a German Shepherd reduces the number of dogs waiting to find a safe and loving home. Like all other dogs, German Shepherds impounded in public shelters risk being euthanized in days, according to most state holding laws. Every German Shepherd that is adopted leaves room for another dog that needs shelter, and the adoption cost helps in the care of other dogs in the shelter. In fact, GSDs are often listed among the ten most common dog breeds in rescue shelters. This reason alone would be good enough to choose a German Shepherd for adoption. Nevertheless, there are also breed-related reasons upon which you can decide on adopting a German Shepherd. Consider these two: German Shepherds are intelligent dogs, and even though you usually adopt them as adults, they can still adapt and learn new skills. German Shepherds are loving and loyal. As soon as they realize that you are their new companion, they will bond and be devoted to you. When researching how to adopt a German Shepherd, and subsequently deciding to adopt, you should also assess your suitability for the same — onto step 2. Assessing Your Suitability for Adopting a German Shepherd A survey by the AKC rescue network indicated that the three top reasons people surrender their dogs are because they discover that the breed is not the right one for them, they lack time to dedicate to the dog or have changed their lifestyle. These reasons underscore why it is important to understand if you will be a good parent to your adoptive GSD before proceeding with the adoption process. One way to assess your suitability for a German Shepherd is to understand the key breed traits and needs and your readiness to adapt and meet these needs. For a quick overview, here are 5 GSD traits that can help you gauge if you are a good fit for the breed. High-Energy Dog As a high-energy dog, the German Shepherd needs an average of 2 hours of exercise daily. Lack of exercise can cause them to become destructive. Would you consider signing your GSD for agility classes? Leash walking alone will not be enough for your German Shepherd. You will need to vary his exercise needs with off-leash running and play, frisbee, fetch, flyball, or agility. Intelligent As a smart dog, the German Shepherd needs constant mental stimulation. Ask yourself: How much time and patience would you devote to teaching your adoptive dog new commands, games, and tricks daily, considering that the dog may already have learned different behaviors in the shelter or with a previous owner? Are you willing to hire a professional to help with training if you find yourself unable to accomplish the same? Would you enroll your adoptive GSD in dog sports or obedience classes? Costly to Own German Shepherds can be costly to own. If you have a medium energy, smaller sized GSD with a weight of around 66lb 30kg and you choose to give a top-quality food like Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food, the suggested daily amount is around 4 cups a day given in two servings. Each cup is 0. The key question to ask here is: How much are you willing to spend to own a German Shepherd? Food costs are only the start as you will need to consider veterinary fees, vaccination costs, deworming and flea treatments, toys, beds, pet insurance, and other equipment. For the full costs of owning a German Shepherd, I have an in-depth article here that will give you a far better idea of what you will be looking to pay. Health Conditions Even though German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, they can be prone to some health conditions such as hip dysplasia and Degenerative Myelopathy. For example, a study found that German Shepherds were 4. Ask yourself the following questions: Are you ready to offer the best health care for your German Shepherd dog by ensuring regular vet visits and the recommended nutrition for better health? Can you afford to take out a suitable dog insurance policy? This is highly recommended for both your budgeting and peace of mind. Would you still be dedicated to caring for your German Shepherd if he developed a health condition? Heavy Shedding The German Shepherd is a heavy shedder who molts all year round. Their level of shedding is also higher in spring and fall in preparation for the heat in summer and the cold in winter. The questions you should assess yourself on are: Do you have time for regular grooming your German Shepherd, especially in the spring and fall, when they shed more than in other months? I like this tool, as you can see from the photo of my GSD below! It reaches through her outer coat safely and removes all the loose fur underneath. You can now find a reliable rescue or shelter. You can also talk directly to GSD owners who have adopted pets. You can use this to judge if the German Shepherd you identify is the right one for you. I give you an overview of these options. You can contact all these rescue centers and seek information regarding the possibility and terms of adoption. Instead, volunteers house the German Shepherds in their homes or foster homes. They may also board them with kennels or dog sitters until someone can adopt and take them home. Greater California German Shepherd Rescue is a public charity non-profit and all-volunteer rescue that works to rescue dogs from risky situations and find them a loving and safe home. They are not a shelter but instead keep the GSDs in foster homes. This rescue initiative does not take in stray dogs and will only take GSDs surrendered by their legal owners. BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue is another all-volunteer non-profit organization working to save German Shepherd Dogs by caring for them or finding them foster care until they can be adopted. The rescue shelter is based in Rochester, New York. They receive dogs from shelters or owners who can no longer care for their dogs and place them in foster homes. They also study the GSDs for some time before making them available for adoption. They welcome stray dogs and receive those transferred from other organizations and those from shelters and owners who surrender their dogs. Search Pet Adoption Websites Apart from the rescue groups listed in breed club networks, you can also search adoption sites, filtering your search to focus on the German Shepherd breed. Here are three examples of adoption sites you can target: Petfinder is an online directory of adoption organizations and animal shelters across the US, Mexico, and Canada and a database of animals in need of a home. Adopt a Pet is a non-profit adoption advertising charity site with headquarters in Indian Hill Blvd. The site helps homeless pets in shelters to find a new owner and home. You can search the site by specifying the breed, location, and distance you are looking for the pet, sex, and age. Dogtime has its headquarters in Los Angeles and has a long history of rescuing pets, among other initiatives. Adopt Through Animal Welfare Societies Animal welfare societies are non-profit organizations working for the welfare of animals in the light of animal rights and ethics. With a shelter or rescue where you can adopt a German Shepherd identified, you can now proceed to step 4 — making contact by phone and visit. Contact and Visit the Chosen Shelter or Rescue Center Your search for the right place to find your adoptive German Shepherd will probably conclude with a phone call and a visit. This should be geared at determining if it is the right place to adopt from and if a German Shepherd you have identified through your search is the right dog for you. When you visit, you should be keen to notice signs of unreliable rescues or shelters. Here are a few indicators to look for when determining if a rescue or shelter is reliable. Legal Registration As entities interested in the welfare of homeless dogs, reliable and genuine dog rescues and shelters should be legally registered as a C 3 organization. This means that, by the US International Revenue Code, these organizations are exempt from federal tax. A Long History of German Shepherd Rescue Without implying that new shelters and rescue centers cannot be reliable and reputable, one with many years of existence has made valuable experiences about adoption and separated the best adoption practices from not too good ones. For example: A shelter with years of experience may want to visit your home and ensure the German Shepherd will have a safe and loving home before letting you complete the adoption process. These questions may cover issues such as: Whether the dog was a stray or surrendered by its legal owner and why. If the dog has undergone all the recommended vaccines and tests. If the dog has any health and behavioral issues. As such, they will require you to follow certain procedures and sign an adoption contract. Reliable shelters and rescue centers: Will not allow you to adopt a dog without any written contract. Giving you a German Shepherd without a written contract should be a clear red flag. Will not require you to commit to a certain dog before you have visited or expressed your willingness to commit to it. Instead, some may grant you a trial period and require you to return the GSD should you be unable to take care of it. Adoption Cost German Shepherds can be costly to buy , but not so with adopting. Usually, animal welfare societies, shelters, and rescues cover all the costs of caring for the dog, even though some will ask you for a minimum adoption fee. Any rescue or shelter asking you for an adoption fee equivalent to a buying price would be breaching its non-profit status. The March Petpoint report also referenced earlier suggests that older dogs are adopted for less than younger ones. This implies that you may pay a little more if you adopt a puppy and less if you adopt an adult GSD. Some rescues may ask for a little more in adoption fees. Your move to contact or visit a shelter or rescue will presumably conclude with identifying a GSD for adoption. This means that you can now proceed to step 5 — completing your adoption application. Completing the Adoption Procedures In this adoption step, the animal welfare society, rescue, or shelter where you intend to adopt your German Shepherd Dog will require you to complete the following final adoption procedures. Make an Application An application is a written expression of your intention to adopt a German Shepherd. Most organizations will ask you to fill out an application form online or otherwise with details related to the following areas: Personal and contact details names, sex, age, address, home, work phone numbers, email, etc. Reasons for adoption Plans for training your German Shepherd Nature of family and lifestyle Previous pet ownership The declaration of having a certificate of good conduct Your occupation Your knowledge and involvement with dogs and dog clubs may be specific to the breed Your willingness to sign and be bound by an adoption contract See the BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue and the Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue application forms as examples. Visit the Center Visiting a center with dogs for adoption may already be done during the previous searching step. But some centers will only allow you to visit once the application has been made. This is the case with the Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue, where you first apply, wait for a response from the rescue, then proceed to identify a dog on their website before contacting the adoption counselor. Meeting with the prospective adoptive GSD is only arranged after that. In whichever step you visit the center, the expectation is that you will identify your future dog. Introducing the Dog to Your Family Introducing your adoptive German Shepherd to the family including other pets you may already have can be done in two ways. Some shelters will just proceed with a home visit. Once this is done and they are sure that the GSD and you are a good fit, then signing the adoption contract follows. Adoption contracts may have clauses requiring you to return the dog to the shelter if, for any reason, you are unable to take care of it. At last, you can now move to the final exciting step — bringing your dog home! Make sure you have purchased everything you will need, such as a comfy bed or crate, toys, leash, collar, harness, bowls, food, and treats. You can head over to this page for my personal recommendations on gear that I use. This will create a solid basis for a loving, loyal, and long-lasting bond between you and your new friend. However, if you have decided to adopt and you are suited to the breed, at least you now know how to go about it. If you still have doubts, you can also consider adopting a miniature German Shepherd. You can now proceed to find a shelter or rescue center with GSDs for adoption, visit the center, and eventually complete the adoption process by making an application and signing the contract. I hope this article has helped you understand exactly how to adopt a German Shepherd step by step. Before you know it, your new gorgeous companion will be ready to come home. Good luck! Related Posts You May Like:. We cannot support long distance adoptions. Homes with children under the age of 7 years, whether the children live in the home or are regular visitors. Applicants that rent their place of residence. If any of the above apply to your situation and you would still like to talk with someone on our Adoption Hotline Team about your situation. Please leave your name and phone number, along with a convenient time to return your call. We try to return all calls within 48 hours. NOTE: If you do not receive a callback within 48 hours, please call back. When the volunteer calls back, they will go over our requirements for adoption as well as answer any questions you might have. Click here to go to our Requirements for Adoption page for additional details. After you have spoken to an Adoption Hotline Volunteer, they will send you an application if you meet the requirements for adoption. Read every bit of the Adoption Application packet that you receive. This packet is complete with information about both GSDs in general and about adoption and how that works. Usually we can get this visit done within a few weeks of your application approval. This volunteer will sit down and meet with you, and check the safety of your property, etc. This is great time to ask questions, voice concerns, discuss what you love in a dog, what you would rather avoid, etc. Completion of the adoption application and home visit interview begins the adoption process and helps us determine which dog in our program matches best with you and your family. We reserve the right to refuse an application if the home situation or environment is deemed incompatible with the needs of our rescue German Shepherd dog. Our requirements have been set through years of experience placing and rehoming rescue dogs. Meet the Dog! Because GSRNE has all of our dogs living in nice foster homes, not in kennels, we do not have a facility for you to visit. GSDs do NOT do well in shelter situations, so we make sure that they are placed in a foster home until we can find a matched approved adopter for them. This is the best way to meet a new dog. You will see how the dog lives and behaves in a home environment. You can ask whatever questions you want about the dog from the foster home that has lived with this rescue dog for over a month. Your visit can be a relaxed and pleasant experience where you and the rescue dog are the focus. Visitations to meet a dog may be set up right away, or can take some time, depending on the availability of dog s that match your needs and lifestyle. If there is a connection, the actual adoption begins. Because we take great care to find a dog that will match your lifestyle and preferences, it rarely takes meeting more than one, possibly two dogs, to find that ultimate new family member! Our organization is comprised wholly of hard-working volunteers whose only reward is seeing these wonderful German Shepherd dogs in loving homes, given another chance for a happy life. We will try to match you with a devoted, loving, loyal companion. Thank you for your interest! Please Remember We are all volunteers, most of whom work full-time day jobs, have our own dogs and families, and are doing this out of a desire to make a difference in the lives of needy German Shepherds. We appreciate your patience while we work through the Adoption process. If you are from outside New England, you may want to search elsewhere for information on other GSD rescue groups throughout North America. Click here to see our Requirements for Adoption section for additional details. Please remember, we are all volunteers, most of whom work full-time day jobs, have our own dogs and families, and are volunteering out of a desire to make a difference in the lives of needy German Shepherds. 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