best chew toys for goldendoodle puppies

But have you ever come across a pug dressed for an occasion? Pugs are generally comical, but getting them dressed will be even more pleasurable. Your pug will be super cute and super cool. Dog clothes have lately become very popular with dog owners. They have an inclination to this area than other areas of dog ownership, well apart from the well-being of their lovely dogs. Pugs are known to be fairly obliging when it comes to dressing up and will almost try anything. While not all pugs will wear clothes and accessories, most of them will be just fine putting on something nice. The best approach is to ensure that you go for pug clothes and accessories that are designed to go on easily on him. For instance, the best bet is to go for clothing that you can put on your pug the way you put on a harness. You already know that your pug is a brachycephalic breed. His flat face and head structure make his respiratory system less efficient. As such, you should go for clothes and accessories that fit well but do not cut off his circulation. This is because they can trip you pug or they can become tangled in the clothes, which may, in turn, cause serious injuries. That being said, there are lots of benefits of dressing up your pug. What are some of the Benefits for Dressing up Your Pug? So is there any appropriate reason for dressing up your pug? Cold Weather — Of course, there are benefits of dressing up your pug and cold weather is obviously one of them. Cold climates can have adverse effects on the well-being of your pug. Dogs, by nature, are made for the cold. How about some Little Boots? You can imagine how your pug feels when you take him out for a walk in freezing cold weather. You should, therefore, go for some little nice boots if you always take him on regular walks on icy and salted pathways. But what can you do if you want to keep your pug cooler during extremely hot summers? Well, the best thing to do is to get your pug loose fit clothes and accessories that can protect him from scorching heat. For this reason, you can get your pug a cooling vest that can help regulate his temperature at normal levels, which is basically crucial for his well-being. You can also get him some cool eye shades or even sunscreen to protect him from getting sunburned. Dealing with Anxiety in Your Pugs In addition to keeping your pug warm during winter and cooler during summer, clothes and accessories can help your pug deal with anxiety. You can help your pug deal with anxiety by getting him a snug-fitting vest. A snug-fitting vest is basically made to make your pug feel safe and comfortable. So is it Cruel to Dress up Your Pug? For instance, cotton is breathable but can take longer to dry, especially during winter. Again, wool can bring warmth, but it can sometimes become itchy. The bottom line is to go for something depending on the weather and what you want to achieve with the clothing. Just remember not to choose something that will make your pug uncomfortable or hinder his air flow. For this reason, go for something that perfectly combines washable wool, acrylic, and cotton. So go for something that will last longer and remain comfortable for your pug. For example, your pug will be much happier if he can relieve himself without a struggle whilst dressed up. Keep in mind that the measurements do not have to be exact to the dot. Instead, go for something with a cm margin to afford you some leeway. So you can get someone to help you measure him. There are actually no written rules as to how you should dress your pug. However, the general rule is to ensure that your pug is very comfortable in any attire that you choose for him. You should, therefore, get him clothes and accessories that not only accentuate his already cute features but ensures his safety at all times. This will protect him from freezing. On the contrary, go for fresh, open, and loose fitting clothes during hot climates. Avoid Clothes and Accessories that are made with Zippers or Any Other Shiny Thing You should avoid buying clothes and accessories that are made with zippers. This is because the zipper can get stuck in the fur and can cause pain or injuries to your pug. For this reason, go for something that can be easily washed. In other words, go for something that can withstand lots of repeated washing. Do not exceed Your Budget just to Buy Your Pug Clothes and Accessories Keep in mind that pugs clothes and accessories do not come on the cheap and can leave big holes in your financial pockets. The best way to avoid this is by setting a budget that prevents you from going beyond your financial means. In short, choose wisely and remain within your means. Try to Avoid Pants Needless to say, you should avoid buying your pug pants. Instead go for coats, sweaters, t-shirts, vests and, accessories such as hats and shades. Avoiding pants is essential since it allows your pug to relieve himself with ease. If you, however, have to buy him pants, then go for pants that give him the freedom to relieve himself whenever he wants and with ease. Pug clothes and accessories, will not only enhance his already cute looks but will make him fashionable. Better still, clothes and accessories can help you protect him from adverse weather conditions. But even with all these benefits, there are lots of things that you should take into consideration when dressing up your pug. The most important factors are his safety and comfort. Therefore, go for clothes that will make your pug safe and comfortable. Bottom line? Do not force clothes and accessories on him. Start early in his life and it might not take him long before he claims a seat among the best-dressed dogs on Instagram or in town! An empty outlined icon indicating the option to save an item Save Article svetikd When it comes to planning your family Halloween costume , don't forget about your dogs! Of course, you'll want to incorporate Halloween costumes for kids , but nothing is more fun than getting your pet involved in the holiday. Whether you choose a punny Halloween costume or one from pop culture , you're sure to win the neighborhood contest when your dog is involved. You can't go wrong with a funny family costume that involves Fido and we've included more than one here. Looking for something a little more classic? We would never dream of leaving off our go-to witches costume of this round up. Even if your pup hates wearing outfits, we've found a few costumes that we're pretty positive you can convince them to wear long enough for a picture, with a few treats as a bargaining chip, of course. Just be sure the costume doesn't interfere with your pet's sight, hearing, breathing, or mouth and you're good to go, per the American Veterinary Medical Association. And, of course, never leave your dog unattended while they are in costume or when there's candy accessible to them. Looking for more Halloween costume inspiration? Check out these awesome ideas! An empty outlined icon indicating the option to save an item Save Article play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play Craving a snuggle buddy? More of an indoorsy type? Sucker for a baby face and tiny feet? A toy dog might just be the perfect match for you. The smallest of the bunch measure between 4 and 6 pounds , so you can scoop one up with just one hand. So go ahead and train them to do cool tricks or play hide and seek—the kids will go wild for it. But with a cute, wrinkled mug like that, they can get away with a lot. Aside from keeping them active and entertained, these handsome, sturdy dogs are mostly low-maintenance. No worries, that plush white coat is low shedding, though it will require a good amount of grooming. Expect lots of laughs and kisses in equal measure. To qualify as the latter, pups need to weigh less than 11 pounds , but both possess the same friendly, spunky personality worthy of a best friend. Well, with a name like that, what did you expect? One of the larger toy breeds, these floppy-eared lap warmers were descended from sporting dogs, so they enjoy a good game of frolic and chase just as much as a snuggle on the couch. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Brussels Griffon Getty Images Known for their distinctive beards, smooshy faces and human-like eyes, Brussels Griffons are bound to win your heart and practically everyone they meet. They crave attention and are sure to follow you wherever you go. Since they can be quite sensitive, they do best with grown-ups and older kids. These outgoing pooches will hit it off with just about anyone yes, even the family cat. These dogs also have noble origins, getting their name from their home in the Imperial Palace in Peking later named Beijing. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Chinese Crested Getty Images Slim and elegant Chinese crested dogs can either have long, silky hair or be hairless except for their funky hairdos, furry Ugg-boot feet, and feather-duster tails. Either way, they make for exceptionally affectionate lap dogs. These pointy-eared fellas are overzealous ball-chasers with an oversized personality to match. Yolanda Wikiel Freelance Writer and Editor Yolanda Wikiel is a freelance writer and editor based in New Jersey, where she lives with her husband, overly energetic toddler and supremely lazy calico. She has covered everything from home, food, and life skills to fashion, travel, and consumer goods for over a decade. Thankfully, it is very preventable with proper vaccination. This virus was discovered in the s and rapidly became a serious threat to canine health. This is primarily because the virus is hard to kill, can live for a long time in the environment, is shed in large quantities by infected dogs, is highly contagious, and is often fatal without appropriate treatment. This is why the parvo vaccine is considered a core vaccine for puppies and dogs. While the highly effective parvovirus vaccine has decreased the risk to properly vaccinated dogs, this disease is still widely prevalent, especially in puppies and poorly-vaccinated adolescent dogs. Parvo is an infectious DNA virus that commonly causes severe illness in young and unvaccinated dogs. Heart muscle cells of very young puppies can also be damaged by parvovirus. Although parvovirus is most common in puppies and adolescent dogs, it can also affect adult or senior dogs, especially if they are unvaccinated. Symptoms of Parvo in Dogs A dog infected with canine parvovirus will usually start to show parvo symptoms within days of infection. An infected puppy will often show lethargy as the first sign, and they may not want to eat. They will also often have a fever. As the virus progresses, your dog will begin to suffer from abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be severe. Very sick puppies may collapse and have a high heart rate , difficulty breathing, and hypothermia due to the degree of dehydration and infection. Causes of Parvo in Dogs Parvovirus is an incredibly contagious disease that spreads quickly and efficiently. While canine parvovirus is not airborne, it can be found on many surfaces. However, it is susceptible to diluted bleach and some specialized cleaners commonly used in veterinary hospitals. Can Humans Get Parvo? Parvovirus is species-specific, so humans have their own version of the virus. This means that humans cannot get parvovirus from dogs, and dogs cannot get parvovirus from people. Cats also have a type of parvovirus that causes severe disease, known as feline panleukopenia. While dogs cannot get feline parvovirus from cats, cats can become infected with canine parvovirus. They most often have much more mild clinical signs than dogs do, but there is a strain of canine parvovirus that can cause severe illness in cats. The feline parvovirus vaccine, which is part of the core FVRCP vaccine , may offer some cross-protection against canine parvovirus. How Is Parvovirus Diagnosed in Dogs? Are There Parvo Tests? Fecal ELISA tests enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are the most common way of diagnosing a dog with parvovirus in a clinical setting. The test requires a fecal swab and takes about 10 minutes. While this test is accurate, a negative result does not necessarily rule out parvovirus in a symptomatic dog, as they may not be shedding the viral antigen at the time of testing. Further testing may be needed in these cases. Stages of Parvo The stages of canine parvovirus are the same as most viral infections. Infection The puppy or adult dog is exposed to parvo via fecal material from an infected dog. Incubation There is an incubation period usually days in which the dog is infected with parvovirus but not yet showing symptoms. During this period, the virus specifically seeks out the most rapidly dividing cells in the body—typically, it starts attacking the tonsils or lymph nodes in the throat. Once it has multiplied and entered the bloodstream, the virus will seek out other sources of rapidly diving cells. The most hard-hit areas are: Bone marrow Cells that line the walls of the small intestines In very young puppies, parvovirus can also infect the heart, which causes inflammation of the heart muscle, poor heart function, and arrhythmias. Illness When the virus infects the bone marrow, it attacks the young immune cells, which leads a drop in protective white blood cells. This is where the worst damage happens. Canine parvovirus Canine parvovirus Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects. Tank, a parvovirus survivor. Signs of parvovirus Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature hypothermia ; vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. Diagnosis and treatment Parvovirus infection is often suspected based on the dog's history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Fecal testing can confirm the diagnosis. No specific drug is available that will kill the virus in infected dogs, and treatment is intended to support the dog's body systems until the dog's immune system can fight off the viral infection. Treatment should be started immediately and consists primarily of intensive care efforts to combat dehydration by replacing electrolyte, protein and fluid losses, controlling vomiting and diarrhea, and preventing secondary infections. Sick dogs should be kept warm and receive good nursing care. When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes. Since parvovirus is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection. Proper cleaning and disinfection of contaminated kennels and other areas where infected dogs are or have been housed is essential to control the spread of parvovirus. The virus is not easily killed, so consult your veterinarian for specific guidance on cleaning and disinfecting agents. Preventing parvovirus Vaccination and good hygiene are critical components of prevention. Young puppies are very susceptible to infection, particularly because the natural immunity provided in their mothers' milk may wear off before the puppies' own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. If a puppy is exposed to canine parvovirus during this gap in protection, it may become ill. An additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother's milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means even vaccinated puppies may occasionally be infected by parvovirus and develop disease. To reduce gaps in protection and provide the best protection against parvovirus during the first few months of life, a series of puppy vaccinations are administered. Puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection. To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog's parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date. There are titers available that measure the dog's level of antibodies against the canine parvovirus, but the antibody level may not directly translate to protection if the dog is exposed to the virus. Ask your veterinarian about a recommended prevention program for your dog. Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet owners should use caution when bringing their pet to places where young puppies congregate e. Reputable establishments and training programs reduce exposure risk by requiring vaccinations, health examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of ill puppies and dogs. Contact with known infected dogs and their premises should always be avoided. In spite of proper vaccination, a small percentage of dogs do not develop protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection. Finally, do not let your puppy or adult dog to come into contact with the fecal waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors. Prompt and proper disposal of waste material is always advisable as a way to limit spread of canine parvovirus infection as well as other diseases that can infect humans and animals. Dogs with vomiting or diarrhea or other dogs which have been exposed to ill dogs should not be taken to kennels, show grounds, dog parks, or other areas where they will come into contact with other dogs. Similarly, unvaccinated dogs should not be exposed to ill dogs or those with unknown vaccination histories. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so. Related resource The content on this page is a condensed version of our brochure, Canine Parvovirus, available in English and Spanish. Client Brochure Use the client information brochure Canine Parvovirus to educate your clients. Available in both English and Spanish Parvovirus Canino.

View All Articles in Surviving Puppyhood Now, this is not to say that gentle mouthing as a form of play is totally out of the question. But any hard biting or overly enthusiastic play should be discouraged. Your goal as the owner is to make it so play biting is never initiated by your puppy, and that you are able to stop the biting on command. They are meant to cause pain to the victim, which provides feedback to the puppy to help him learn to soften his bite. For example, every now and then an infant puppy might bite his littermate too hard. The victim will yelp and usually stop playing after a painful bite. The biter is taken aback by the yelp and also stops playing for a moment. This is how puppies naturally learn to control the intensity of their bites so no one gets hurt and the game can continue. However, this training must continue with you, the owner. This is to say that if a puppy can learn how to be gentle with other puppies, he can learn the same lesson from you. As such, the first and most important goal is to help your puppy understand that people have very sensitive skin, so he must be very gentle when using his mouth. The first step in how to stop a puppy from biting is teaching bite inhibition. As a result, he may unknowingly bite too hard. This is another reason why it is extremely important to teach bite inhibition. Bite Inhibition Procedure Here are some steps to take to properly teach bite inhibition: When your puppy is calm, begin playing with him and let him put your hand in his mouth. Praise him when he bites softly or gently. The yelp should startle your puppy and cause him to stop biting you. Praise your puppy for stopping or for licking you. Resume playing. If your puppy bites you hard again, yelp again. Repeat these steps no more than three times within a minute period. Time-outs are often very effective in helping him understand gentle play, and thus very effective in how to stop a puppy from biting. Time-Out Procedure When your puppy bites too hard, yelp loudly. When he startles and releases the bite, remove your hand. Ignore him for 10 to 20 seconds. Or, if he starts biting you again, get up and walk away for 10 to 20 seconds. After this short time-out, encourage your puppy to play with you again. Play with your puppy until he bites hard again. When he does, repeat the procedure above. Alternatively: No Yelp Procedure Puppies put everything into their mouths the way that young babies do. But many professional dog trainers say that the worst thing you can do is to draw attention to this instinctive behavior by reacting to it in any way whatsoever. The way I teach bite inhibition is to instruct puppy owners to withdraw attention when the puppy bites too hard. Effective punishment, by definition, inhibits the behavior that is punished. Yelping to imitate littermates may actually stimulate some puppies and is not recommended by veterinary behavior experts. You can do this in the following ways: When your puppy tries to bite you, redirect his attention to a toy, bone, or chew toy. If petting your puppy triggers him to bite, distract him from biting by giving him treats from your other hand. This will help your puppy get used to being touched without biting. Encourage play in the form of games such as fetch and tug-of-war, instead of wrestling and rough play with your hands. Once your puppy understands these games, keep a tug rope or similar toy with you. If he starts to bite you, you can immediately substitute your hand with the toy. Over time, your puppy will start seeking toys when he feels like biting. Recommended Puppy Tug Toys and Chews Antlers, bully sticks, and rawhides are not recommended for young puppies as they can cause choking. Antlers in particular are also quite hard and can cause tooth damage, and can split into sharp shards and cause serious issues. Here are some safe highly-rated tug and chew toys we recommend for puppies: Best Chews for Puppies Another great option is to give your puppy a frozen wet rag, frozen carrots, or frozen bananas. The cold helps tremendously with teething pain, which is typically the cause of puppy biting and chewing. If your puppy bites at your feet and ankles, the same Redirect procedure applies. Carry his favorite tug toy with you at all times. Whenever he starts going for your feet, immediately stop walking or moving your feet. Once he stops, immediately praise him and get a toy to reward him. When he grabs the toy, you can start moving again. Repeat these steps until your puppy becomes used to your movements, and until he stops going for your feet or ankles. Lean toward him, make eye contact, and be dramatic. Say it loud enough to make him back away, but try not to frighten him. Repeat these steps, gradually increasing the time your puppy has to wait for his treat. Once he learns to back away from food by voice command, add in a hand gesture so he can begin to associate that with the command. Eventually, you will want to practice using only the hand gesture. You will also want to eventually repeat the exercise when your puppy is in a more excited mood. Work toward the goal of your puppy not taking food or touching your hand. Practice this exercise with your puppy every day to achieve this goal. Here are some methods to get him to that goal. But instead of yelping at just the hard bites, yelp and stop playing in response to moderately hard bites. Eventually, the moderately hard bites will stop, and then you can repeat the procedure for his next-hardest bites, and so on. Keep repeating this procedure until your puppy can play with your hands very gently, and can consciously control his bite force so that you feel little to no pressure. Further Your Time-Out Training Instead of giving your puppy time-outs for hard biting, start giving him time-outs every time his teeth touch you. Immediately walk away and ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds. If he follows you or continues to bite you, leave the room for 30 to 60 seconds. After the time-out, return to the room calmly and resume playing with your puppy. Before interacting with your puppy, spray the anti-chew spray on areas of your body that he likes to bite. You may spray it on clothing, as well. If he starts mouthing or biting you, stop moving and wait for him to react to the bad taste of the spray. Praise him when he releases his mouth from you. Apply the anti-chew spray to your body consistently for at least two weeks. He should quickly learn to stop biting you altogether after suffering the bitter taste every time he mouths you. Play builds a strong bond between a dog and his humans. The goal is to teach your puppy to play gently rather than not at all. Tip 2: Frequently provide your puppy with plenty of new and interesting toys. These will allow him to focus on those instead of focusing on his urge to bite you. Tip 3: Likewise, make sure your puppy has plenty of opportunities to play and socialize with other puppies and dogs. Tip 4: Always reward the desirable behavior. Tip 6: Avoid games like tug-of-war if your puppy becomes too excited, aggressive, or out of control. These types of games should only be allowed when you have initiated them, and when you can quickly stop the game on command. Tip 7: Avoid jerking your hands or feet away from your puppy when he bites. This will entice him to lunge and bite at you even more. Tip 8: If your puppy is constantly using biting as a demand for attention, or if he is becoming overly enthusiastic while he plays, then he is probably not getting enough stimulation. Consider giving him extra time to play, train, and exercise. Also give him more outlets for chewing. These will increase his stimulation and lessen his desire to bite for attention. Biting can be immediately stopped with a quick, gentle tug on the leash, with tension being released as soon as he settles down. Tip Hitting puppies for playful biting can have an opposite affect and can cause them to play and bite more aggressively. Physical punishment can also make your puppy afraid of you, and it can cause real, serious aggression. Tip Be patient and understanding. Playful biting is normal behavior for puppies. By the time puppies are around eight months old, they should have all of their adult teeth. At this time, teething should stop, although some dogs will continue to chew and bite until they are one year old. If you draw attention to it, the puppy becomes aware of it and it becomes a habit and a technique the puppy can use to get your attention — because even negative attention is better than none at all. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help , to locate one of these professionals in your area. Both adult and puppy Bernedoodles are known to be chewers, and chew up lots of different items. Because Bernedoodles are very smart however, it can be possible to identify the cause of the Bernedoodle chewing and redirect the behaviour. It just takes a little patience! Bernedoodles have a strong set of teeth and are incredibly intelligent. They also have a tendency to be a little strong willed and even stubborn. If a situation arises where a Bernedoodle develops a liking for chewing — it can be difficult to get them to stop. At what age will Bernedoodles chew? Bernedoodles are most likely to chew when they are a puppy. Specially around the time of teething. A Bernedoodle will have 28 puppy teeth that will fall out and be replaced with 42 adult dog teeth. During the teething time we need to be particularly careful about how much our Bernedoodle chews. Puppies that are teething are known to enjoy marathon chew sessions, and engage in fairly destructive chewing behaviours. The typical age for a Bernedoodle to lose its puppy teeth and likely develop a fondness for chewing is around month of age. Most puppy teeth are completely gone by the 7 month mark. If any baby teeth have NOT fallen out by then — it can be what is known as a retained tooth. The baby tooth will stay there and can trap food and risks fracturing. Many Bernedoodle owners who notice a retained puppy tooth have their Veterinarian extract the tooth to prevent problems. Tips for reducing destructive Bernedoodle chewing during teething It can be difficult almost impossible to eliminate chewing during Bernedoodle puppy teething. The puppy is young — and the process is uncomfortable! Giving a dog some appropriately sized frozen carrot , or an IceCube to chew on is a great solution A frozen treat like a Kong treat packed Kong-tail cocktail! A Kong or heavy duty chew is better than a rope toy or cheap chewing stick. Are Adult Bernedoodles Chewers? Yes, adult Bernedoodles are sometimes known for a fair tendency to chew things. All dogs chew, and much the time there are simple things we can do to stop the problem from becoming significant. Dogs use their mouths as a way to explore the world. They sniff, they lick, and they chew. The key to stopping an adult Bernedoodle from chewing everything is to correctly identify which causes are the trigger of the chew. They inherit the love for the cold form the Bernese Mountain Dog — a breed originating in the Swiss mountains. Photo Bernedoodle Dog [ CC BY-SA ] The most common core reasons that a Bernedoodle will chew are They are quite simply bored They are hungry There is separation anxiety They want attention They were not taught as a puppy what is okay to chew and what chewing is bad There are two extra chewing reasons to consider too — chewing as an expression of a medical problem, and chewing just because. Chewing due to a medical condition Sometimes a dog will chew to distract itself from pain or discomfort. The medical condition could manifest with sore teeth like gum disease or some kidney conditions or it could be a whole body illness. Dogs can chew aggressively when they feel unwell. They are trying to distract themselves! This is why any rapid onset of chewing behaviour that is very intense and has no other obvious cause — needs a trip to the Veterinarian. Better to be safe than sorry. Grooming a Bernedoodle? Check out the best brushes for the epic tri-color Bernedoodle coat. A bored Bernedoodle will chew Bernedoodles are both intelligent and also energetic. Sure some Bernedoodles like to lounge around and many sleep a great deal — but there will be bursts of activity from these dogs. It is important to exercise both the body AND mind of a Bernedoodle to help reduce the risk of them engaging in destructive behaviours. Problem barking in Bernedoodles is also commonly caused by the same situation. Too much extra mental or physical energy converting into furniture and clothing torn to shreds. Go up in small increment even as little as 5 minutes until you see a reduction in the destructive chewing behavior. The other tack to consider is that of entailing enriching and tiring the mind of your Bernedoodle. These dogs are whip smart and have plenty of mental energy. Giving them a challenge, puzzle or interaction helps tire them out. Simple brain games like a muffin tin game or scent work can burn a great deal of mental energy. The more tired the dog, the happier the dog and the less likely that destructive chewing will occur. Simple nosework or scent training tired dogs of all sizes out. And the get treats! Here is a list of 35 indoor dog games and activitie s that you could consider to help train the brain and tire your active Bernedoodle. Chewing due to hunger Sometimes a Bernedoodle will get hungry and chew. It will chew things that are not food, it will chew… pretty much anything it can get its hands on! We need to control the total daily intake of calories. Pet obesity carries significant health risks with it. A simple way around is to use a slow feeder, or freeze a stuffed Kong. Our favourite dry kibble slow feeder is below, or you could check out out list of the best stuffed frozen Kong recipes to drive your dog bonkers with excitement. Our Fun Feeder Slo Bowls both challenge and engage your dog during mealtime.These bowls are great for dry, wet, or raw food diets. Less work for you means more pup playtime after! We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Simple reducing the types of things a dog will chew and destroy in its environment is a no brainer. Bernedoodle chews towels? Bernedoodle chew cords! Very dangerous, cover them with tape or a heavy mat Bernedoodle chews socks? Put the washing away! I know this is very simple and sounds condescending — but we just gotta live simple and clean around a Bernedoodle. No Bernedoodle review is complete without paying homage to the beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog parent breed. When you are home — we use short sharp LOUD noises to reprimand chewing in these areas. UH UH! The problem is… we are not always home. When we are away from home the only options we have are to isolate the Bernedoodle from the item they are destroying — OR coat it in a distasteful solution that makes them want to chew less. Some people use a vinegar or lemon juice solution — but many owners find their Bernedoodle develops almost a fondness for the taste. Not ideal! The majority of dogs will be less enthusiastic or even stop chewing completely when encountering the sour taste of bitter apple spray. Puppy Teething Explained Have you recently welcomed a new puppy into your home, or do you plan to include a furry addition in your family? But do puppies have baby teeth and adult teeth like humans do? When do puppies start to lose their teeth, and what should you know about their teething process? But one thing remains consistent across almost every dog: They have 28 baby teeth that eventually get replaced by 42 adult teeth. Which means the time it takes for puppies to stop teething can vary. For the first few weeks of life, a newborn puppy suckles milk from the mother or is fed by a bottle or a syringe. The incisors the front teeth used for cutting are usually the first teeth to appear, followed by the canine teeth the longer, fang-like teeth near the front of the mouth and premolars. Your dog will still be nursing at this stage. The permanent teeth start appearing as soon as the baby teeth start to fall out. Typically, the canines are the last to fall out, but this happens around six months of age. The adult teeth appear in the same order as the baby teeth — the incisors first, then the canine teeth, then the premolars, then the molars at the back of the mouth. Again, your adult dog should have 42 teeth in total. That pesky baby tooth might need to be removed before it causes trouble in the mouth. Caring for Your Teething Puppy The teething process is very natural and generally happens without you or your fur baby stepping in. As long as you let your veterinarian know if your puppy seems in pain or if you see something amiss in the mouth, your pup should get through this stage just fine. Make sure to: Provide Appropriate Chew Toys This lets your dog teethe on safe toys to relieve some of the discomfort associated with teething. Use caution, because a nipping puppy can hurt you with the remaining baby teeth. If you see an adult tooth coming in at the same spot as a baby tooth but not pushing the baby tooth out, tell your veterinarian. The teeth have long roots leading into the gums, and you could break those roots, causing bleeding and potential infection. Let the process happen naturally, and talk to your vet if you have concerns. Regular tooth brushing will help their teeth avoid plaque and tartar build-up, and it can prevent periodontal disease and other serious oral health problems. First, pick up a pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste. A toothpaste made for humans is unsafe for Fido, because it may be made with xylitol and lead to vomiting, diarrhea , and other serious problems if your dog swallows too much. Allow your dog to get used to the taste and smell of the paste, and then dab a bit on your brush. Work your way around the entire mouth in stages, offering your dog treats as you go to keep them interested. You can also give your dog dental treats or dental chews designed to help your dog work away plaque and tartar on the tooth surfaces while chewing on them. Your puppy starts to lose those baby teeth around 12 to 16 weeks of age as the permanent teeth grow in and replace them. By the time your dog is about 6 months old, he or she should have all 48 adult teeth. Provide plenty of chew toys during the teething process, keep an eye on their mouth, and let your vet know if anything seems off. Are Bernedoodles Aggressive? Why do Dogs Chew? Dogs explore the world around them by using their mouths and this is an in-built instinct. Sometimes this instinct turns into something more destructive though. Puppies will chew to ease their teething pains, this may be on their own toys but they may also find other objects which help their teeth. A bored dog is likely to turn to chewing as a form of entertainment. Or it may be that you have an anxious dog, who struggles to be home alone. It may even be an indication of their diet lacking balance. Chewing often comes about as a reaction to their environment and certain triggers. It is very common for Poodle puppies to chew and mouth on any objects they can find. As puppies, the Bernese Mountain Dog will chew to help with the pain as their teeth come through. This breed of dog is renowned for its sociable nature so it is possible they will resort to chewing objects if left alone much. Bernedoodles and Teething Your Bernedoodle is very likely to chew as a young puppy, both as they explore the big world around them and as they begin teething. There are ways you can support your puppy through this stage making it a more positive and less stressful experience. Leave out accessible, age-appropriate teething toys for your puppy and remove anything you do not want to be used as one! You could freeze some carrots for your puppy — they will relish the coolness on their sore gums. Take away anything that could be harmful to your puppy while they are in this stage of development. Some foods are not safe for your Bernedoodle to chew. Apple seeds, avocados, garlic, grapes, and onions are just a few examples of food items that are poisonous to dogs. It is really important to make sure any food you give your dog is safe to do so. If you come home and worry your dog has eaten something harmful you need to ring your vets for advice immediately. Tips for your teething puppy Will Bernedoodles Chew as Adults? Bernedoodles are an active breed so if they do not get as much exercise as they need then they may turn to more destructive traits such as chewing. They also prefer to be in the company of others and may chew out of loneliness or anxiety when left alone. It may also be indicative of their food missing an important nutrient and this is well worth exploring further. Firstly, check your dog is on the right daily quantity of food for their weight and also choose a decent brand of dog food that contains all the nutrients they need to grow. It is important to research how much exercise your dog can have from puppyhood through to adult-hood. As well as physical exercise, mental exercise can be just as valuable. With a body and mind that is well stimulated your dog will not feel the urge to chew. Mental stimulation could include teaching them new tricks or learning new rules. For instance, take some plastic cups and place some cheese cubes under a few of them. Watch your dog sniff each one and learn to find what is underneath. Edible chews can be useful, but these should be supervised. Giving your dog household objects to play with will confuse them. It may be tempting to let them play with your old slipper, but then how do they know they cannot play with the newer ones? Dogs like humans need good clear rules to help them understand what is acceptable behavior. Confusing and mixed messages will lead to your dog not being clear on the rules and as a result breaking them. Exercise is so important Training at Home and Obedience Classes Every animal needs its safe space — a place that is theirs and provides them with reassurance. Bernedoodles can be anxious when they are left in the house on their own. Crate training your Bernedoodle from when they are a puppy can be so beneficial. When a dog grows up with a crate they will recognize this as theirs. During the teething stage, puppies can be put in these for short periods of time along with their chew toys so that they associate their crate with the chewing behavior. As they grow, their need for their safe space will intensify as they develop fears and anxieties. Obedience training classes can offer a more specialized approach to deterring chewing behavior in the home. Just a few lessons may be enough to give you the tools and confidence you need to tackle any chewing problems. When your dog is chewing successfully on the chew toy, give them lots of praise and affection. From this point on whenever you notice your Bernedoode choosing a chew toy, you should offer them praise. Moving forwards this will help them make better chewing choices. Anti Chew Products Available on the Market You can buy spray deterrents that are aimed at dogs that chew. I would always err on the side of caution in buying shop-bought products. Instead, why not use a homemade deterrent — that way you know exactly what it contains. A few products that are popular include vinegar, citrus smells, hot or spicy smells. It is important to ask your vet before using any deterrents and they may be able to recommend some. Both the Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dogs are high energy so it is highly probable your Bernedoodle will be too. There will be varying degrees of energy levels that depend on the size of your Bernedoodle. Bernedoodles are not aggressive dogs but as always their temperament will depend on their environment. They are loyal, clever and sociable dogs and are great in a family environment. They are a popular choice of dog due to their loveable personalities. Milk teeth Puppy teeth Their first set of teeth includes twenty-eight teeth while their more permanent adult set of teeth will contain forty-two. All dogs are born without any visible teeth in their mouth. Around three weeks of age, most Bernedoodle puppies will start to show their first signs of teething with these puppy teeth erupting through the gums. By six weeks, all of the primary teeth should be fully erupted. In humans, adult teeth do not start erupting for several years. Puppies, on the other hand, go through the teething process relatively quickly. Three to four months into their life, most puppies will start to lose their baby teeth. The incisors are often the first ones to go and to be replaced with their permanent counterparts. Your puppy should have lost all of its deciduous teeth by the time it is six to seven months old. At this stage, your puppy is already developing the buds for its permanent teeth within the jaw. These developing buds press against the baby teeth and cause them to resorb into the jaw. This allows the crown of the tooth to fall out. Most of the time, your puppy will swallow them which is perfectly normal and okay. Because most puppies are bound to swallow their baby teeth, how will you know when they are teething? The good news is that there are a few telltale signs that your dog is going through this phase of his development. Unfortunately, they are not great side effects for you as a pet owner. The first symptom of teething is relatively benign. Your puppy may begin to drool more frequently or regularly as their adult teeth are coming in. If this is your only indicator that your puppy is teething, then you are quite lucky! Another sign that they may be experiencing some discomfort is if they decline to eat. They may still eat their meals, but they could take it slower than usual. If your dog typically inhales his food, a slower pace could be a sign that he is experiencing some pain in his gums. They may even be more irritable with you as a result of their discomfort. A happy-go-lucky dog may seem a bit off kilter when those adult teeth are coming through the gums. However, most people recognize that their puppy is teething based on the amount of chewing that they are doing. Most dogs who are teething will want to chew on hard objects for a long period of time. They will chew just about anything that you set in front of them, so it is essential that you give them something appropriate to chew on. Never allow them to chew on things that you will deem unacceptable later on such as shoes, clothing, towels, or furniture items. It can be confusing to your puppy if they are allowed to chew on something now but are forbidden from doing so in the future. Every puppy has their deciduous teeth, but some dogs have a hard time losing these primary teeth. If you see a permanent adult tooth growing in the same spot as a baby tooth, it might be time to have it evaluated by a veterinarian. At this point, it is known as a persistent tooth and it can cause major problems. If the baby tooth does not come out, it is taking the place where the adult tooth should be. This forces the permanent adult tooth to come in somewhere abnormal. This can lead to crowding issues as well as an irregular bite. Other issues include: Trapped food and debris between teeth Accumulation of food debris and plaque Tartar deposits Periodontitis Pain or infection Persistent puppy teeth are most commonly found in the upper canines and lower canines followed by the incisors. However, any deciduous teeth can indeed become persistent teeth that refuse to move out of the way for permanent teeth. Notify your veterinarian right away if you suspect that your Bernedoodle might have a persistent tooth. It will likely require extraction so that the adult tooth can move into its proper location in the mouth. If it is taken care of quickly, the adult tooth can still come in as usual, and many of the secondary problems can be resolved. Many new dog owners prefer to wait for the extraction until they decide to spay or neuter their pet. It is best to get this taken care of as quickly as possible. How to Reduce Destructive Chewing The truth is that your puppy is going to lose its baby teeth eventually. The best thing you can do as a dutiful owner is to prepare for this stage adequately. Understand that your new Bernedoodle is going to want something to chew on with those razor-sharp baby teeth. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to reduce the amount of destructive chewing that your dog engages in. Once you have accepted that this is just a normal stage of development, you can move on to more practical solutions. Finding appropriate things for your dog to chew on is of the utmost importance. You might have appropriate things that can help around your house already. Frozen treats are a great way to let your new puppy wear out those jaws. You can give them ice cubes straight from the freezer or frozen treats like carrots. Keep in mind that ice cubes can cause damage to the teeth, so these should be given sparingly. It is better to use some of the other types of toys available. If you have a Kong ball, you can pack it full of goodies and then pop it in the freezer for later. Toys like this are great to give your dog when you need them to have some independent time. They can be great to leave with your dog when they are home alone so that they have fewer temptations to chew up your furniture, shoes, and other personal items. Keep in mind that you want to give them treats that are going to stand up to their puppy teeth. Look for heavy duty items like those made by Kong. Alternatively, you can also look for heavy duty chews instead of the cheaper rawhides. Remember that feeding your dog bones is never a good idea. Even if they are cooked, it can lead to other major health issues. Chewing on bones can damage the teeth, but it can also be bad for their health. If they ingest the broken pieces as many puppies will do , bone shards can also cause intestinal damage. Related Questions When do Bernedoodles stop biting? Biting is a common behavior seen among puppies, particularly those who are teething. Most biting behavior calms down around the one-year mark for puppies. This is the time where your dog may start to settle down some and stop playing so roughly. At what age do Bernedoodles stop growing? Most dogs will lose their puppy teeth around the seven-month mark, but they are not done growing just yet. You can anticipate that your Bernedoodle will continue to grow until they are about one to two years old. They often reach their full height within a year, but it can take an additional year for them to fill out to reach their ideal adult weight. May 26, Table of Contents So you decided on a Bernedoodle for your family. They are really good dogs and amazing companions that like nothing more than to spend time with their family — whether it is being active or cuddling. As you are preparing for your Bernedoodle moving in, you should make sure to get enough chew articles though, because as you will find out before long: They can be rather destructive! Are Bernedoodles bad chewers? Yes, they are. Like all Doodle breeds, Bernedoodles high an extremely high chewing desire. There is nothing you can do to change this — the best and only! Chewing as a natural need Chewing is a natural, inborn need for all dogs. How badly a dog chews will depend on their breed and age. Some breeds, especially lap dogs, have a less intense chewing desire than others. Any kind of retrievers have a very high chewing urge. This includes Goldendoodles , Sheepadoodles , and — as a Poodle cross — also Bernedoodles. They were bred to work with their mouth. Any kind of chewing, retrieving or grabbing things feels inherently rewarding to them. This is a characteristic of your dog that you will not be able to change — just like his coat color! The only way to handle the chewing desire is to provide plenty of chewing options for your pup. Chewing serves as a way to release tension and pent-up energy, especially for puppies. Many Bernedoodles are heavy chewers for their whole life. Giving your dog enough to chew will be an integral part of your life with him — just like brushing or walking him. He will likely not stop chewing any time soon. Many owners make the mistake to think that once their dog has passed his first birthday, he is not a puppy anymore and chewing is no longer a problem. This is not true! Your Bernedoodle will most likely not reduce his chewing much if at all at this age. When your dog is stressed or upset, chances are he will need to chew even more than usual. Chewing will also help you keep your adult dog calm after surgeries, such as when you neuter or spay your Bernedoodle. Most dogs slow down on their chewing as they enter their senior years — before then, daily chewing is a must for Bernedooodles. Are Bernedoodles destructive? If you are not able to give your Bernedoodle enough chew items then yes — he will be very destructive. Bernedoodles are large dogs with powerful jaws. If they are bored, they will do some damage to your home. From my own dog training clients, here is a list of some of the items I have seen Bernedoodles destroy: an iPhone several pairs of prescription glasses rugs down parka quilt Needless to say, the owners are upset and frustrated when this happens. It is absolutely crucial that you provide your Bernedoodle with plenty of chew items. What should Bernedoodles chew? Sounds a lot? It is! It is extremely important that you do not allow your Bernedoodle to tear up and ingest stuffed animals or rubber toys. This could lead to dangerous bowel obstruction, which can be fatal. I highly recommend to get some kind of rubber chew toys that you can refill for your Bernedoodle. Here are some to try out: Soaked kibble.

Creative and Unique Bulldog Names For Your New Puppy Last Updated on April 20, Bulldogs are an adorably bashful dog breed characterized by their short legs, wide face, wrinkles, and broad shoulders. As a firm favorite amongst dog lovers, every Bulldog deserves a name that is just as unique as it is. But choosing the perfect name for your pup is often easier said than done. A Bulldog laying outside smiling What should I name my Bulldog? When choosing a name for your Bulldog, you want to pick something that matches the physical attributes and spirit of the breed. Names that start with S, T, and R are most comfortable for dogs to pick up on. Also, as dogs understand brief commands, names that are one or two syllables work best. You also want to avoid names that sound like or rhyme with common commands like sit or stay, which could confuse your pup. If you want the perfect name for your Bulldog puppy, try letting your dog choose. Another way to get your dog to choose his name is by scattering random cards with names around the room and let your dog decide which one he wants. Finally, you could also attach names to trees in your garden, and whichever one your dog pees on first determines his name! Famous Bulldog names A fun way to choose a name for your fido is to take inspiration from famous Bulldogs from TV shows, movies, books, or even history. Here are a few famous Bulldogs to get you going: Angus — the character from the movie Mr. This dog was played by four Bulldogs — three female and one male. Butch — a Bulldog that first appeared in the Pluto cartoon in the s Colossus — the loveable dog character in the movie Van Wilder Hector — the famous Bulldog in the Tweety and Sylvester comic Spike — the giant bulldog features in Tom and Jerry Max — the dog of the main character in the Jake and the Fatman TV series that ran from to Mr. Beefy — a talking Bulldog from the movie Little Nicky Curly — The name of the team mascot in the movie Leatherheads Several universities also have Bulldogs as their mascots. Love a particular celeb? By Emily Schroeder Emily Schroeder has been an animal-lover since…well, forever! She spent the early part of her career at Time Inc. And prior to landing her much-loved role as a staff writer for Daily Paws, she spent several years as a communications consultant. When Emily is not writing about our favorite four-legged friends, you can find her spending time with her husband and three adorable kiddos. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on April 16, The days of naming your dog Sparky, Rover, and Fido have given way to more imaginative times—and pup parents thinking outside of the box. Nowadays, dog owners are letting their creative juices flow, taking cues from categories like pop culture, what's trending, popular baby names—even the Royal Family. For the instantly recognizable bulldog, some of the best names embody qualities of their tough breed. Despite their rugged exterior, bulldogs are sweet and great with kids when socialized early, and their low energy level and generally calm demeanor makes them great for pet parents who live in apartments or condos. If you've recently become a proud bulldog parent congrats! And one that you won't mind shouting at the dog park. Scouring the web for ideas can be time consuming, so leave it to us to help. Below is a list of our favorite English, French, and American bulldog names—from cute and classy to wildly waggish, you're sure to find one that fits! Girl Bulldog Names Female bulldogs may have faces only a dog mom could love, but we still think they're beautiful inside and out. English Bulldogs, as we know them today, are different from the original bulldogs used for bull-fighting. Today's Bulldogs are less aggressive, in fact, they make excellent family pets. Famous Bulldogs and Celebrity Bulldog Owners There are not as many famous bulldogs as other breeds, but here is a list of the ones that have starred in TV shows and movies, are known sports mascots or have become celebrities online! You will also find a list of celebrities that own bulldogs and their names to inspire you. He had a pup named Tike. Want to train your bulldog the right way? Use positive methods! It was a detective series and the main character, a prosecutor, had an English Bulldog named Max. Their names were: Lili, Cissy, Lazania and Billy. The role of Mr. Beefy is actually played by 3 Bulldogs named Roo, Harvey and Harley. The role is played by one dog named Taker. Curly is the team mascot and is played by a dog named Rocky. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. It was adopted in and you can see how the breed characteristics have changed since then. 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. These well-muscled, stocky dogs are certainly one of the most unique dog breeds. While they have a somewhat imposing appearance, they are also gentle and kind and ideal for families. Read on for our comprehensive list of names for Bulldogs, including Bulldog names for girls, boys, and English Bulldogs too! There are a ton of good bulldog names out there, and some may resonate with you and your dog more than others. Naming your Bulldog after a popular figure in pop culture has become a popular practice nowadays and this is certainly a fun idea. That said, you also want a name that captures the spirit of the breed too, whether it be an American, Frenchie , or English Bulldog — all dogs with notably different characters! Female Bulldog Names Image Credit: thka, Shutterstock Female Bulldogs have all the size and muscle of male Bulldogs but with a more docile and affectionate temperament. The perfect name for your female should celebrate both her power and her femininity, with a nod toward her unique personality too!

I am about 2 years old and I love follow my foster mum around. She tells me I am her shadow. My foster potty trained me in a day and she said I am very very smart and I have to agree with that. I also learned new commands like sit, down, and off. We are working on the stay but I have a hard time sitting still because I have lots to keep an eye on inside. She walks me always on her right side and I became very well behaved in our leash walking training. I do like to be right by my foster brother Logan, so sometimes I will pull to be with him. I have an another foster brother and he is smaller and furry and he meows for food all the time when he is not sleeping. I love him and he give me sand kisses. We went to a coffee shop other day and all these people want to pet me and take pics of me. I felt like a movie star! On the walks I get overly excited when I see other dogs and I am very vocal about it. Sometimes the dogs get scared of me, but I assure you, I am awesome and not aggressive at all. I just want to say hi to ALL the dogs! But I warm up to everyone very quickly. I am getting a lot of love and attention right now and it will be ideal for me to not be left alone for too long. They are also popular choices for families with allergies, as they do not shed as much as other breeds. Poodle Mixes come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, making them one of the most popular hybrid dog breeds. While all Poodle Mixes share some common features, their individual personalities can vary widely. Some Poodle Mixes are confident and outgoing, while others are more reserved and shy. Some breeds tend to be independent thinkers, while others are more eager to please. The best way to determine what personality type is right for you is to meet with a local breeder or rescue organization that specializes in Poodle Mixes. Poodle Mix Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Poodle Mixes for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Poodle Mix puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Of course, not all Poodle Mixes will develop these conditions, but it is important to be aware of them. Finding a Poodle Mix puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. Regardless of the type of Poodle Mix you have, there are a few things you need to know about coat care. First, regular brushing is essential to prevent mats and tangles. Finally, Poodle Mixes need to be groomed every weeks by a professional groomer. This includes a bath, brush out, trimming of the coat, and nail clipping. By following these simple coat care tips, you can help your Poodle Mix look and feel his best. Meet Poodle Mix Puppies for Sale. This year-old tiny Yorkie-Chihuahua weighs 4 lbs. With a face that will always make you smile, Wolf is looking for his forever home with his bestest pal and brother, Jinx. General Behavior: Wolf while as sweet as can be, is a bit more independent than his brother Jinx, but will cautiously come for love on his own terms. He is still a total sweetheart once he gets to know and trust you. Jinx is a very sweet boy who loves his people and his brother Wolf. He is very affectionate, outgoing, and adventurous! He makes for a great snuggle buddy! Jolly Jinx enjoys burrowing under comfy blankets and playing with tennis balls and toys. He is at his happiest when close to his humans. Training: Both Jinx and Wolf are working on their housetraining skills. They will need an adopter, committed to keeping them on a regular potty schedule. They both have great leash-walking skills and good basic manners. They both like to eat by themselves so they must be separated at mealtime. Both boys are great passengers on car rides! Medical: Jinx and Wolf are healthy boys and will just require their monthly heartworm and flea preventative, just like any other Florida dogs. Wolf requires a wet food diet due to him no longer having any teeth, he doesn't have any problems devouring it though! Other Animals: This dynamic duo prefers to be the only act of the show. They aren't a fan of other dogs and cats. Home: These adorable boys will require a family that is home more often than not, and a single-family home with no directly connected neighbors. Both Jinx and Wolf love their people very much and when their people leave the home, they bark to show their dissatisfaction. Their ideal forever home would be with either a retired or work-from-home love-filled family who can give these boys the home of their dreams. Grooming: These Chihuahua boys will not require any elaborate grooming, other than the regular bath and nail trim. Overall: Jinx and Wolf are a special pair of charming little boys that are sure to steal your heart with their love for snuggles and pets. Is this perfect pair the one for you? Adopt Jinx and Wolf! Visit our website www. They are up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, microchipped, and neutered, and Jinx has just had his teeth cleaned.

Quickly place your dog in their designated potty area. Praise them when they urinate or mess in the correct area. You must always watch them when they are loose in the house, or else they will have an accident. Follow this guide on potty training your German Shepherd , step-by-step, for a stress-free experience. Enjoy Gentle Daily Exercise German Shepherd puppies have lots of energy but still need gentle exercise. Your breed is highly active and loves the challenge of new activities! But these activities must consider their age. Start with a shorter walking session and work on building up the time and distance as your dog matures. Increase distance very slowly to avoid injuries to your dog. Begin with only 5 minutes of slow walking for every month your pup is old. An 8-week-old pup can walk 10 minutes at a time. A week-old pup can handle 15 minutes of walking at a leisurely pace. Your large-breed pup needs time to let its bone fully fuse and to gain an increase in strength. Here are a few more safe, healthy German Shepherd puppy exercise for steady growth. This is the same program I used for my GSD and she now jogs a 10k routinely. Mental Exercise and Training are Essentials Without proper mental exercise, your dog becomes bored. Boredom leads to destructive and annoying behaviors such as: excessive barking biting and nipping you and your guests mouthing your hands or digging up your yard Brain games mentally stimulate your dog. These games require your dog to figure out a small task to receive a reward. Mental activity is shown to help keep dogs more engaged in their environments and prevent boredom. They help control unwanted behaviors from boredom. I started my German Shepherd with this activity flip board dog brain puzzle. As your dog becomes proficient in a game, you make the game more challenging. There is no end to how easy or hard you can make these games! Learn the Joys of Grooming Start puppies out with grooming gloves, which are gentle and easier on their skin. GSDs need a brushing routine that keeps them and your house free from excessive loose hair and helps their skin stay healthy. Use these grooming gloves on your puppy while in a quiet area. They are soft and gentle and create a positive association with future grooming. Offer tasty treats to keep the grooming upbeat. Use a soothing voice and tell them how good they are. Above all, help make grooming and brushing positive experiences from the very start to save yourself and your dog stress later. A baby German Shepherd that tolerates and even enjoys a daily brushing is a dog that is easier to keep in better health and experiences less frustration when you bring out the grooming tools. While a puppy gets immunity through nursing in the first weeks of life, the immunity wears off shortly. Therefore puppies get a series of shots during their initial vaccination schedule. Vaccines prevent illness and keep your pet safe from disease. Your breeder should give your pup their first vaccination series before you bring them home. Bring this vaccination history with you to your vet on your first visit. Your Priority of Care What to Do 1. Make your house puppy ready for your new dog Prepare their sleep area, have the right supplies on hand, and make sure any hazards are put away out of reach. Communicate the essentials Have a list of words printed out so that you and your family know what to say to help your puppy learn what you want and what he needs to know. Meet their daily needs Your puppy has a lot to do each day for their basic care, so understand what routine you must develop for them to thrive. Set sleep routines Having a sleep routine in place keeps your puppy from becoming too unruly. Teach potty training Start from day 1 to teach potty and house training by using a structured schedule. Daily gentle exercise German Shepherd puppies need gentle exercise so avoid running, jumping, or jogging with them until around 18 months or so to prevent joint issues later. Brain training and mental stimulation Your smart breed needs to keep their mind occupied by using a training program to brain train their obedience skills and include mental stimulation with fun games and puzzles. Early introduction to grooming A grooming glove is your best friend for a safe, easy introduction to later brushing and coat maintenance. German Shepherd Puppy Care for Life While there are many aspects to puppies, this guide is a great start on learning how to take care of a German Shepherd puppy so you feel confident with your new puppy. These early encounters set the pattern of his future relationship with you. Use these ideas to make your German Shepherd love you and give them plenty of love and affection throughout the day. With proper care and attention, you and your GSD will enjoy a long, happy life together. Want more help with your German Shepherd puppy care for even smoother sailing? Are you prepared for any unusual and surprising behavior changes? Do you know what training your dog needs and when? She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? The transition period can be a little intimidating once you get over the cuteness overload and realize that your new puppy has no training whatsoever and it's up to you how things will progress from there. We'll try to make it easier for you with this short list of things to do the first 2 weeks after bringing your new puppy home. Your puppy is in a brand new place and it's their first time being away from their mom and siblings. I know you want to bring the puppy with you everywhere, play all day and show him or her off to all of your friends and family. But take it slow at first so that your new puppy can get settled and relax. Hang out at home. Become a professional treat dispenser. And begin the foundation of building your bond with your pup. Crate training is the best way to house train. Introduce your puppy to the crate early on by making it a positive experience. Toss a high value treat inside and let them explore and go inside on their own volition. Place a chew toy that can hold treats into the crate and close the door. Make sure the puppy sees you do this. When the puppy tries to paw and get inside the crate, open the door and let them in. When they start chewing on the toy, close the door for a few seconds before opening. And remember to reward your puppy when it's playing quietly inside the crate and to ignore any whining. Also remember the rules of potty training using the crate. If the pup just ate or drank, let them outside. If the pup is coming out of the crate for any extended time, let them outside. If your pup is so much as sniffing the ground a little too much, you guessed it, let them outside. The fewer accidents inside the house, the less likely it is for the puppy to get into the habit of going inside the house. Start immediately with potty training and socialization. Puppies aren't fully protected until their final vaccination at weeks, so openly socializing in public isn't the best idea. But you can have friends and family come over to meet your puppy, as well as their fully vaccinated, well behaved dogs and puppies. You can also begin the foundation of basic obedience commands. All that's necessary later on is getting consistency and working around distractions. Unless of course you want to compete in obedience or a sport that requires obedience. Competition makes things a little more complicated than that. This step is often overlooked and it's arguably the most important step for a new puppy. Puppies love a routine. It's comforting knowing what's going to happen. Wake up in the morning, outside to potty. A little training with treats, breakfast, outside to potty again. A little play time etc. If you have to go to work, make sure you have a friend, relative, dog walker or dog sitter to let the puppy outside if you can't make it home during your break to let the puppy use the potty. They have a tiny bladder and can't hold it for a full workday. When you have a routine that works, things will go smoothly. If you stray from that routine or never establish one, you'll have more accidents, a confused puppy, and quite possibly a headache. Consistency is key, and make sure you throw in several short training sessions. Most places require these. It may sound silly that you're probably legally required to get a license for your dog, but.But rules are rules. Better safe than fined! A vet who has fair prices for your area, yet is also professional and competent is a must. You will see your vet often enough that they will eventually know your name without having to check the paperwork. So your best bet is to find a good one! Routine checkups, vaccinations, and minor or even major health issues will happen. So build a relationship with a local vet as soon as possible. Also, if you have a German Shepherd or any other large breed and ever intend to breed, you should try to find either an orthopedic vet or a vet who is experienced in taking and sending in hip and elbow x-rays to the OFA to be graded. This may not be your primary veterinarian, but it's good to plan ahead. Even if you don't intend to breed, most breeders state in their contract that they will cover hips and elbows, but only if you get preliminary x-rays or have x-rays graded within a certain amount of time usually 2 years. As a bonus, taking hip and elbow x-rays at 2 years old can help extend the quality of life for your dog if they do end up having dysplasia. You'll know to dial down exercise that is hard on the joints, and that can mean the difference between a dog with pain at 5, and a dog who lives its whole life without pain. It'll also give you a head start on a medication and treatment plan. There are dogs with moderate hip dysplasia that live a very comfortable, long life without the need for surgery thanks to their owner taking that extra step of getting x-rays done. The advanced notice gives their owner a head start on supplements and getting into therapy programs, like swimming, to strengthen the muscle around the joint before they're ever in pain. So this may not be a necessary step if you don't care about your breeder's guarantee, but it can help ease your mind or give you a heads up before a problem even surfaces. But it'll be much less stressful if you have a plan in advance and stick with these 6 tips. If you have any other tips or tricks, leave them down in the comments below and be sure to leave a like and share! Chew Toys. Once those are taken care of, keep in mind that you'll still need to purchase grooming tools , training collars , training treats and toys , such as a ball on a rope and tugs , tags or getting microchipping done etc. Making sure your new puppy will be happy, healthy, comfortable, mentally stimulated, and well trained definitely costs a few dollars and requires enough gear to fill up a medium-sized tote or better. Prep your home. You're bringing in a small terror ball of destruction inside of your home. Keep cords safely out of the way. Anything that's expensive and breakable, chewable, or anything less than immortal should be put up high, or in a room the puppy has no access to. Research the plants in your home to make sure they're not poisonous to dogs. Keep your medications stored away safely. Keep all dangerous chemicals locked up, or up high out of reach. Try to close off an area of your home where you spend the most time so your puppy can spend time with you and the family without being able to wander freely and get into trouble. Look for home care. If you can take a week or two off, that's phenomenal. It'll help you bond with your puppy and give you a head start on potty training. But, if you work, even if you take time off, you'll have to return to work eventually. Make sure you have arrangements put in place to help when you're not home. If you have family members or friends who can help with letting your new puppy outside to use the bathroom, that's great. If not, you'll need to look into dog walkers, pet sitters, doggy daycares etc. If someone will be coming to your home to help out, make sure you get a key made for them. Find a good trainer. All trainers are good trainers in their own minds, so look for ones who compete in obedience or protection sports preferably. They don't just talk about training, they do it, and compete against their peers. Such a trainer will almost always be better and more knowledgeable than a trainer who got a certificate in weeks but has never competed. Competition helps trainers understand where they are weak, and there's usually someone around willing to help them strengthen their weaknesses. These are the people you want to employ to help you. Once you've found a good trainer, stick with them. If you're doing classes, finish the classes. If you did boarding and training, make sure you bring the dog back to that trainer for issues. Half a program, or passing a dog from trainer to trainer is just going to cause a lot of regret later. That said, if your trainer isn't knowledgeable enough to tackle specific issues, or isn't as good as you thought, it's perfectly okay to seek help elsewhere. A good trainer knows their limitations and what they excel at. You shouldn't expect an obedience trainer to be able to teach your dog to compete in protection sports down the line if they don't have experience in that arena. Pick a reputable breeder. This is the most important part of the list. You always hear that you need to go to a reputable breeder, but what does that truly mean? What makes someone a reputable breeder? A reputable breeder always gets his breeding stock's hips and elbows x-rayed and certified by PennHip, OFA, or the organization of the dog's home country if they're from Europe or elsewhere. Reputable breeders have a purpose to breed. They have a goal they want realized that is more than making a quick buck. Good working line breeders put an emphasis on health, strong nerves, working ability and drive, so they can produce solid working dogs. Good show line breeders breed with the same ideals, but there's a bit less focus on drive and working ability. There are also some breeders who specifically focus on producing good family pets that they describe as medium to low drive, healthy and medium of character neither hard, nor soft of temperament. It's up to you which you pick, but all should have health testing done and be stable dogs who aren't fearful or outwardly aggressive. Reputable breeders are obsessed with cleanliness and health. They keep their whelping quarters tidy and their pup's health and well-being are their 1 priority above all else. Your puppy should've received a "Well Puppy" checkup prior to coming home and should have a vaccination history. Puppies may also come microchipped or tattooed for identification, although ear tattoos are becoming more and more rare. Reputable breeders only breed dogs that are registered or registerable in your country. Ask a few, short questions about a breeders lines and what you can expect from a puppy that they produce. Breeders have lives and jobs. They will not be able to talk to you for hours on end to answer questions. So keep everything short and simple. Ask questions like "What are you expecting from this litter? An answer like "Well, my lines have great drive and working aptitude, but their sire tends to throw puppies that are on the lower side of the standard in size" is an honest answer. The dogs are still in standard, they still fit what the breeder wants, and their only complaint is that they get smaller pups than they'd like every now and then. No dog, no line, and no breeder is perfect. Being honest about those things says a lot about the person you trust to give your money to, and trust for them to give you a healthy, stable puppy in return. We also want to emphasize that you won't have a breeder to call with questions down the line. You'll know nothing about the pup's health history. If you choose adoption, you don't know what issues may arise down the road, so you need to be prepared for vet costs and insure you have the best trainer available in your area. We hope this helps any prospective puppy buyers or rescuers. These are some steps you can take before ever bringing a puppy home. Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments! Thank you, and please leave a like and share. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold her bladder for approximately one hour for every month old they are. Most puppies find their way to a new home at months old, so they should go for a toilet break every hours to start. How often should my puppy poop a day? Typically, most pups will go once or twice a day — although some may go four or more times! How many hours should a German Shepherd puppy sleep? On average, a German Shepherd puppy will sleep for 18 hours a day. Some pups sleep longer than others but they usually sleep between 15 and 20 hours in a hour period. As puppies get older, they sleep less. The average 4-month-old puppy sleeps a little over 11 hours a day. Should I sleep with my German Shepherd puppy? You should not sleep with your German Shepherd puppy during the first few months home. Yet you can let your pup sleep beside you in a crate or a dog bed. Until they are completely up, they flop around, go up and down. You can help your puppy to strengthen her ear muscle by whistling and making funny noises that perk up her ears. When do German Shepherds start teething? Starting at 4 months old, German Shepherds will begin to lose their puppy teeth. But some puppies start losing their teeth earlier or later. You may discover a discarded tooth on the floor. Or you may see a few drops of blood on her chew toy. And it is not uncommon for a puppy to swallow her tooth, which is perfectly normal. When do German Shepherds get all their adult teeth? An adult German Shepherd should have 42 adult teeth. The small incisors in front usually come in first, followed by the big canines, the premolars and the molars. All adult teeth should be in place around months old. Puppies use their mouth to explore their environment, so nipping is very common. This behavior, called teething, can last until the puppy is 6 months old when all her adult teeth have started showing. German Shepherds grew into their full size between 18 months to 2 years old. But they are not considered adult dogs until they reach the age of 3 years old. If your pup is still young, one of the most effective ways to calm her down is to give her regular mental and physical exercise. The rule of thumb is that you should give a puppy 5 minutes of exercise for every month old they are. For example, a 4-month-old puppy would need 20 minutes of exercise. When do German Shepherds get their full coat? She will start the coat change on her face first. Then her fluffy puppy coat will be replaced by the smoother adult coat down her back, towards to trail and gradually down her sides. When do German Shepherds start shedding? While their shedding is especially intense during the spring and fall, they lose their undercoat during the rest of the year. Other Than Vacuuming When should I bring my puppy for the first vet visit? You should bring your new puppy to see a veterinarian no later than 2 days after coming home. Some breeders require this within 48 hours as included in their sales contract. It is very important for your vet to examine your puppy to look for signs of disease. When should a German Shepherd puppy get her vaccination? Your German Shepherd puppy is recommended to get her first vaccination distemper and parvovirus between weeks of age. Here are the recommended vaccinations from AKC for your reference: Some dogs do not need every vaccine. You should always discuss it with your vet. When should my German Shepherd puppy be wormed? A German Shepherd puppy should be wormed for the first time at 2 weeks of age, then at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks old fortnightly until 12 weeks of age. After this, they can be wormed monthly until they are 12 months old. When do female German Shepherds go into the first heat? Female German Shepherds started their first heat as early as 7 months old, but this may vary from dog to dog. During that time, they may begin mounting other dogs or could become touchy or grumpy. There will be discharge and many owners use feminine pads and a diaper-type arrangement to keep the house clean. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior AVSAB recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies on walks and public outings as early as one week after their first round of vaccinations, at about 7 weeks old. Instead of going for a marathon for the first time, it is advised to build up the distance with your GSD with time. Remember dogs cannot sweat like humans to reduce their body temperature. When can I walk my German Shepherd without a leash? Never let your dog go off-leash where there might be traffic or where he could injure himself. PART V German Shepherd puppy socialization guide Socialization helps them learn what to expect from the world around them and gives them the tools they need to navigate it as they get older. This includes new people, dogs, and animals, learning how to interact with new environments, and being exposed to a wide variety of sounds, smells, and sights. Socialization is especially important in German Shepherds starting from as early as 8 weeks old. This is because this breed is hard-wired to be protective of their owners as well as their property. Failing to socialize can make the dog become aloof to strangers. Other common signs of unsocialized in dogs include: Fearfulness or skittishness around unfamiliar people or animals Aggression towards other dogs or people Lack of confidence in new or unfamiliar situations Difficulty with basic training commands Inability to handle being handled or touched Puppies that are well-socialized are more likely to be healthy, obedient pets that make great additions to any household. They are intelligent dogs that can be challenging to train for first-time owners. However, with the right mindset, you can train your German Shepherd to become an obedient and well-behaved canine citizen in no time. At what age should I begin training my puppy? What should I teach my puppy first? Is it ok to crate my pup overnight? What are the basic commands every puppy must learn? How to motivate my puppy? Last but not least, we have compiled an easy-to-follow training guide. This training guide is our best effort in compiling a collection of training resources for any new GSD owner to kick-start training a new puppy — without wasting your time searching forever online. Each part is only one page long with at least one video for a demonstration. Checklist Dog Crate Getting a crate for your German Shepherd puppy is quite crucial for the following reasons: Allows the puppy to feel secure Speeds up potty training Keeps the puppy safe by controlling his environment Conditions your dog should you need to travel and use a travel crate Some people erroneously feel guilty for crating their pup. However, dogs need structure, especially when bred from work-driven breeds like German Shepherds. A dog crate provides a sense of security by reducing the space around the pet. A room might be small enough for us, but placing the puppy in it will make him feel like he is in a large vacant warehouse. The necessity of getting a dog crate brings up the question of size. What size crate is best for a new GSD puppy? Read my post on the recommended German Shepherd crate size to find out the best size to buy and why. Opt for the size inch variety. You can move the divider to make more room as your puppy grows. I draped a dark-colored blanket over the top to make it more den-like. She was around three years old when I finally got rid of it, but some dogs enjoy them for life. As German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia, arthritis, and other joint issues, you should invest in a good crate pad. Dog Bed You might think getting a crate is the same as getting a bed. Some crates come with a matt or pad disguised as a puppy bed. Since German Shepherds are big dogs and do not take much time to grow to their full size, you will need an orthopedic dog bed to support their weight and protect their joints. My post on the best orthopedic dog beds for German Shepherds elaborates on the pros and cons of different dog beds. The gist is that you need a bed to prevent joint pain that bigger dogs experience. German Shepherds are prone to arthritis, and though a genetic element plays a role, bad crating practices can accelerate such problems. I chose the Big Barker because of the scientific evidence that it improves joint pain and stiffness in arthritic dogs, enhancing their quality of life. This means a lot to me as my German Shepherd was diagnosed with spinal osteoarthritis at only six years old, but it helps knowing she sleeps comfortably. I have to admit — I was also attracted to their year no-flatten guarantee. You can check out my full review of the Big Barker here. Novice dog masters also make things difficult through a combination of poor choices. Then they make the situation worse by opting for a collar and using tugging as a means of discipline. This is cruel to the dog and teaches him nothing. It is a front-clip harness, meaning you lead your pup from the front, which gives greater control and steering, making it impossible for your dog to pull. A fellow dog owner designed it, and it has all the love and care one would expect from an owner who is solving a problem he has previously faced — a dog that pulled. You can also learn more about my pick of the best no-pull harnesses for German Shepherds in this article. Toys German Shepherds are full of energy, which means they have to be surrounded by things that can exhaust their excess vitality, such as a range of chew toys, tug toys, and puzzle toys. These will stimulate his teeth, muscles, and mind, respectively. Toys help your new German Shepherd develop and stay entertained. You can also use toys to train a German Shepherd to find things and track, but that comes later. For now, you must make sure you get him a large selection of puppy toys. Your new best friend needs different exercise routines and changes in the environment, both of which can be normalized via travel. A car restraint allows you to secure your German Shepherd puppy in a car seat safely. Using a dog crate as recommended above will make it easy to communicate that car rides are okay. I like the Petmate Vari Dog Kennel because it comes in various sizes, and for the first few months, you might prefer a smaller crate. This model is made from premium plastic, does not require any tools to set it up, and has lots of vents to keep your pup well-ventilated. Poo Bags Your new German Shepherd puppy is going to be the cutest thing on earth up until he has to poop. At that time, how much you like having a GSD will be strongly correlated with how close you are to a poo bag. Regardless of whether you buy a pack of poop bags or accumulate enough disposable bags to cover a month of dog poop, you need to have something to carry dog waste. Remember, a puppy poops two to four times a day. Amazon Basics Unscented Dog Poop Bags are among the most affordable products in the category, with the bags supply being the most economical. These bags are 9 inches x 13 inches, which is a much more efficient size than the standard disposable bag. You might not need this size at first, but trust me; they are the best for an adult German Shepherd. Dog Shampoo You must get dry shampoo for your dog because German Shepherds do not need to bathe more than a few times a year. In other words, your new puppy is half a dozen baths away from adulthood. In the meantime, something is required to keep him clean, right? Tropiclean Waterless Shampoo for Pets is a high-quality, low-priced option made from natural ingredients like plum, oatmeal, and cucumber. It is backed by a market leader in natural wellness and has accumulated over 4, positive reviews and ratings on Amazon. Dog Food Food, water, and shelter are some of the basic needs of all mammals. Dogs are no exception, especially when they are bred under human supervision. Therefore, getting dog food is one of the most important prerequisites for bringing home a new German Shepherd. After that, just ensure you choose a large breed food. Bringing home a new pet is a joyful experience. You might find yourself constantly staring at the beautiful yet timid puppy, and it will take a couple of weeks for the puppy to feel at home. Until then, the dog will be open to cuddles and start interacting with the person who feeds him and plays with him. Make sure he spends time inside the crate as well as outside it. The dog may seem shy and aloof for the bulk of the first week, with the first day being his most seemingly introverted one. The dog will miss his pack and call out for them with whining or whimpering sounds or even barking. You should make sure he feels safe and secure and only comfort him through the night when you take him for a toilet break. Your German Shepherd puppy will need comfort, and you can do a few things to help him feel better. Comfort the pup to make him feel secure. Feed the puppy and make sure he is warm. Turn the lights off and make sure he gets enough sleep. Your new German Shepherd needs to get used to a schedule, work on independence, and see you as the leading figure. One of the differences you will notice when your puppy is freshly released from the breeder is his excessive appetite for sleep. Some might want the puppy to wake up to cuddle. Others will wonder if it is healthy for the puppy to sleep so much. In general, a German Shepherd puppy should sleep 8 hours at night and hours during the day. Though, the dog should not be forced to fit a schedule and must be left to determine how he divides his hours of sleep in the first few weeks of adoption. Final Thoughts The arrival of a new German Shepherd puppy can be an exciting time, but excitement can also inspire nervousness. The puppy will feel less overwhelmed and scared after the first 3 days and will further settle during the first 3 weeks. This is the time to have a good German Shepherd puppy training schedule so you know what to teach and when. Related Posts You May Like:. German Shepherds are powerful guard dogs that make great pets. However, raising a German shepherd puppy is not an easy task. Make sure you purchase more than enough food a few days before your puppy arrives and create a space for storing them in your home. Puppy-Proof Your Home German Shepherd puppies are curious creatures that love putting their nose in everything around the house. So, the first thing you should do to keep your pup safe is puppy-proof your home. Puppy proofing your home can help you keep your new pet out of certain rooms in the house. You can use baby gates to keep your dog confined in a particular part of the house. You can also cover or replace all the electrical cords in the home. Puppy proofing the house can make it easy for you to train your new pup. Build a Feeding Stand Dogs are possessive creatures; therefore, your new pup cannot feed or drink water using just any bowl in the house. So, make sure you get some high-quality bowls for the new addition to your family. The bowls should be big enough to feed your dog for several years. And instead of putting the bowls on the floor, you can even build a feeding stand for your new pup. A food stand can help you prevent food spillage and save you some cash in the end. It can even stress it out. Make sure you pick a place in the house with less traffic; after all, no pet loves eating in a high traffic place. Create More Space in Your Home for the Dog Adopting a pet means creating room for an extra member of your family in the house. Finding it when your pup is itching for its walk can be quite tedious. So, find out which house plants and flowers can affect your German Shepherd pup. And if the ones in your home are poisonous, you can replace them before your new pup arrives. One of the best ways to keep them from danger is by ensuring your backyard has a high fence. A high fence can help you keep your pet out of danger by keeping it from wandering out of your compound. If you plan on giving your pet free reign, then make sure your fence is high enough. Most pet parents already have other animals in their home. Therefore, you should prepare a safe space for introducing your current pets to the new addition to your home. After all, cats are territorial creatures that need their own space. Create a Dog Potty Area A dog potty area can come in handy, especially when potty training your new pup. Look for a nice place in your compound with less traffic and build a potty area for your new dog. It can be a particular corner in your backyard. A pet door can allow your dog to enter and leave the house at any time. Plus, if the potty region is in your backyard, a pet door can help you prevent your pup from soiling itself in the house. Conclusion Other than protecting us, a German Shepherd pup can bring joy into your life. Make sure you pet-proof your home and create space for your new pup in the house before it arrives. Preparing your home before the pup arrives can make it easy for it to adjust to its new home. Guest Post by:.

Or, you may be wondering if you can adopt an AKC Goldendoodle. Spoiler alert: None of these three scenarios is the case. But they are a-dood-able! However, it is worth saying that there is plenty of confusion in Cyberspace about Goldendoodles. But I digress. The AKC is the largest not-for-profit registry of dog breeds in the U. Wondering why? AKC registration is only for dogs who come from a long history of purebred dogs. Purebred dogs include breeds like the Poodle, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever, just to name a few. Since the Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, the Goldendoodle is not a purebred dog. Breeding two purebred dogs of different breeds results in a crossbred dog. This is true for other Doodle dogs , too, such as Labradoodles and Aussiedoodles. A purebred dog is bred from parents of the same breed. Over may generations of breeding, there is no mixture of any other breed. This consistency of breeding brings conformation in size, shape, abilities, and temperament. Source: Deposit Photo Rather, because the parents are two different breeds, they are cross breeds or hybrids. For example, a Goldendoodle may have a purebred Poodle as one parent and a purebred Golden Retriever as the other parent, or some combination of these two specific breeds. I liken it to a box of assorted chocolates. The Golden Retriever was originally a crossbreed, a cross between the Retriever and the Water Spaniel. According to my research, crossing the Water Spaniel and the Retriever began around .I mention this because Goldendoodles are often described as mutts and designer dogs, too. Even then, a crossbreed may go through the process and not ever receive AKC status. If you come across claims like these, I suggest you question the source. Best case, the people making these claims are misinformed. Worst case, these types of claims are intentional and a way to scam unknowing future pet parents. Doodle Rescue Collective and iDog Rescue are two. Are there other ways your Goldendoodle can be part of the AKC? The primary benefit of joining the AKC Partners program is participation in AKC-sponsored sporting events such as agility, dock diving, and nose work competitions. Sound interesting? Learn more or enroll on the AKC Partners program page. For me, it does not. Are Goldendoodles AKC? It also allows them to participate in AKC events. This will allow you or breeders to have the information necessary to make responsible breeding decisions. In addition to knowing the background of your dog, the AKC Canine Partner program has additional benefits. What is a Purebred Dog? The AKC recognized breeds of purebred dogs. Owners of these dogs have documented pedigree and have often already registered their pets with kennel clubs. The organization specifies that the purebred breeds they acknowledge are modern dog breeds. They make this distinction because many dogs on the list, such as Golden Retrievers , were crossbred centuries ago. As dogs like Golden Retrievers grew more mainstream and popular, they became considered purebreds. This means that organizations such as the AKC might eventually categorize Goldendoodles as purebreds in time. Because people hold purebred dogs to such high standards, they are more expensive than mixed-breed dogs. When you adopt a purebred dog , you will pay for a DNA test and get written documentation that your dog is indeed purebred. A study from the Institute of Canine Biology showed that genetic disorders were just as common in mixed-breed dogs as in purebreds. As you know, a Goldendoodle is categorized as a mixed-breed dog. If you adopt a Goldendoodle from a shelter or rescue , you might have trouble discerning its background. Some rescues will have information about the dog if the owners contacted them to purposely rehome their dog. If someone brought the dog to the shelter with no information about its owners, you might want to do a DNA test to determine how to register your Goldendoodle. This Black Goldendoodle puppy is having a rest! What is the AKC? It offers resources to help purebred dog owners with the care and breeding of their pets. It is a nonprofit, though you must pay to register your dog through the organization. The AKC website has valuable resources on how to find reputable breeders, how to care for your purebred dog, and allows registration of accepted breeds. They do their own DNA testing and keep detailed records to ensure breeders are compliant with their standards. Because of this, people like to continue registering their purebreds with the organization to have access to the information. Some dog owners think AKC registration is a deterrent because of the legacy aspect of the organization. Apparently the AKC will register any puppy whose parents have been registered without actually checking the health and status of the involved dogs. And even then, AKC registered dogs can still have health problems, either related to the breed or not. There are a lot of steps to take to register your dog with the organization. The best foods for a dog to gain weight? Registering your dog with any organization is worth the investment because you can get discounts on vet care and pet insurance , among other perks. It is the first and only breed club focused on Goldendoodles. All of the information, tips, and advice that comes from the organization is Goldendoodle-centric. Coat Color does not matter to them — the heritage of the doodle dog is all they care for. Like AKC, you have to meet certain requirements. This means your dog must come from GANA-registered parents. You can find a list of reputable, registered breeders on their site. Every parent dog is registered which means any purebred Poodle and Golden Retriever will be up to scratch. If you already bought a Goldendoodle and it does not have GANA-registered parents, you can register your dog with the Goldendoodle Registry. At the very least find a local Doodle puppy club so you can familiarise yourself with the quirks of owning a mixed breed dog. If you are yet to buy or adopt your Goldendoodle, these clubs can offer advice on how to find a reputable goldendoodle breeder who is ethical and not running a two-bit puppy mill. The dog breeding business is full of interesting types and doodle breeders are no exception. Luckily the community bands together to promote ethics and ensuring every single puppy in every single Goldendoodle litter is homed and cared for. 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. Goldendoodles I. The predictability of a breed comes from selection for traits that are desirable and away from traits that are undesirable. When a breed standard or type is set, the animals within that breed have less heterozygosity than do animals in a random population. The Goldendoodle is nothing more than an expensive mongrel. Because the genetic makeup is diverse from the Poodle genes and the Golden Retriever genes, the resultant first generation F1 offspring is a complete genetic gamble. The dog may be any size, color, coat texture and temperament. Indeed Goldendoodles do shed. Their coat may be wiry or silky and may mat. Body shape varies with parentage but tends to be lanky and narrow. Behavior varies with the dog and within a litter with some puppies poodle-like in attitude and others somewhat like the Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever Club of America is opposed to cross-breeding of dogs and is particularly opposed to the deliberate crossing of Golden Retrievers with any other breed. These crossbreds are a deliberate attempt to mislead the public with the idea that there is an advantage to these designer dogs. The crossbred dogs are prone to all of the genetic disease of both breeds and offer none of the advantages that owning a purebred dog has to offer. Smith DVM, Ph. LRC, Inc. We breed these dogs with every caution and 2 years of research and have had wonderful results. In my opinion your bias and negative comments are uncalled for, perhaps you should purchase one and find out for yourself before you make such bold statements. We are dedicated to the preservation of the Golden Retriever breed as defined by our standard, which is published on our Website. You state that you have two years of research behind your breeding program. The history of the Golden Retriever is carefully preserved and documented. You do not delineate what you mean by research. What we do in the way of research is fund many bona-fide grants designed to help identify and eliminate canine hereditary disease — diseases that are, by the way, passed on to your Golden-doodles. Are you aware of these diseases? In addition we request that all our members do the basic genetic testing for hips, eyes, hearts and elbows. We request that additional information be given to those who purchase Golden Retrievers about the overall health and longevity of the breed. We expect every breeder to support genetic research not only in doing the four major clearances but also by contributing to a DNA databank available to researchers. The Golden Retriever Club of America is responsible for collecting DNA on over of our current dogs along with a detailed health profile. There is no such pool of available information on cross bred animals. You mention wonderful results. That is a rather broad statement. Golden Retrievers excel in multiple venues — field, obedience, conformation, agility, companionship, service, detection, comfort and search and rescue. We have a long history of stable temperaments, trainability and bidability carefully preserved and monitored by conscientious breeders. These breeders have the full resources of our club, our foundation and our membership at their disposal. We have never seen a grant application for the health of the Golden-doodle. We have never seen a donation by any Doodle organization to the betterment of canine health, only undocumented claims that their dogs have no health problems. We have never seen anyone breeding doodles of any kind talk about the basic genetic testing for both the Golden and the Poodle. Instead we only hear of these dogs showing up in rescue because the promises of lack of shedding and allergies and stable temperament remain unfulfilled. The Golden Retriever Club of America also has an extensive rescue network and is among the first to arrive on the scene during natural disasters to provide shelter and assistance to the Golden. Where were the Doodle people during Hurricane Katrina? We do not condone actions such as the deliberate production of litters from two different AKC recognized breeds of dogs, which does not maintain the separate purpose and integrity of each breed. We speak for the Golden Retriever. We expect our breeders to demonstrate honesty, integrity, and fairness in dealing with other owners, breeders, purchasers of puppies and the general public. The Golden Retriever, as a purebred dog, comes from generations and generations of breeding dogs with a common gene pool and a characteristic appearance, temperament and function. If you are offended by our website, imagine how we feel about the proliferation of boutique dogs taking advantage of the public and misusing the careful and selectively bred Golden Retriever. More Information. Trails or discounts on pet insurance Certificates of recognition for the Goldendoodle Eligibility to compete in individual events, such as agility and obedience competitions Eligibility to receive titles One thing that must be noted when registering a Goldendoodle with the AKC is that they must be spayed or neutered to compete. The only exceptions made are for puppies, but they too must be spayed or neutered by the age their veterinarian recommends to compete. Some Goldendoodle owners have no wish to show their dog but are looking for an organization to participate in the community AKC events are a lot of fun! The internet can be a valuable resource for locating big and small Goldendoodle organizations to register in. Taking the time to investigate each group or organization will provide the owner with what they seek. This investigation can include correspondence with staff or volunteers to gain information and make an informed decision. The process should be fun and enjoyable for the Goldendoodle owner, just like their teddy bear doggie! What are the steps to registering a Goldendoodle? The registration process will vary from one organization to another. This registration can usually be done online or via mail, and the required information varies. Generally, they will ask for basic information of name, address, phone, and email. Next, they will want to know about the dog, background, name, date of birth, and gender. Other information can include micro-chipping number, physical color and markings, date acquired, and any additional information the individual organization may find important. Certain organizations and groups may be more formal or informal than others, finding the right place for the Goldendoodle and their owner should be a rewarding part of the process. Yes, there are many organizations with which to register a Goldendoodle. These organizations work hard to verify that the background of the Goldendoodle is true and correct. They trace and verify the background of original AKC breeds, vital for this dog breed. This tracking of the Goldendoodle pedigree is necessary to set the standard and protect this crossbreed in the hopes that one day they will be recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breed of a dog instead of being placed in a group for mixed and hybrid dogs. One such organization is the Goldendoodle Association of North America. They have an application that can be filled out and is often given to new adopters when they take their cute and adorable Goldendoodle puppy home. What can I do to ensure that I can register my Goldendoodle with the organization of my choice? The best thing for new Goldendoodle owners is to keep all the information they receive from the breeder. These are the documents that show your Goldendoodle is a Goldendoodle. This information can make it easier for organizations to trace their background and verify their pedigree. Having a good relationship with a reputable breeder is also a good idea. This should start the moment a potential adopter decides to adopt a Goldendoodle puppy from a litter. Dog breeders can be very supportive of those who adopt their puppies. They can help pick the right dog for you from their Goldendoodle litter and provide tips for success in every area of a Goldendoodles life. Not all dog breeders are created equal. Verifying the breeder before adopting is of the utmost importance to protect the Goldendoodle breed and ensure that what you are getting is a Goldendoodle. Getting a breeder that follows best breeding practices and adheres to the highest standards of hygiene and care is the best way to help support responsible dog breeding and ownershipo. Can I still register my Goldendoodle if I got them from a rescue? This question can be hard to answer because rescue facilities, even those that specialize in certain dog breeds, can have a hard time knowing that the dog is a purebred animal. Their background and history are usually unidentifiable when they are taken into a rescue facility. When an animal is taken into a rescue facility, regardless of their background, they are taken in for various reasons. These reasons can include that they were lost , abandoned, abused, or neglected. This mistreatment can mean that locating paperwork and their breeder is not possible. It merely means that it is hard for those who manage these facilities to locate this information. They may not know how many owners the dog has had or where the dog has lived. Therefore breeding and background are irrelevant, taking a backseat to health and wellness. Despite this situation, a rescued Goldendoodle can still be registered for specific organizations and groups that are a bit more flowing in their guidelines. In Conclusion Registering a Goldendoodle helps support the breed as a whole in recognition. In our not-so-distant past, crossbred, mixed breed, and hybrid dogs were often not recognized no matter how perfect they were. Such qualities as character, skills, beauty, and uniqueness are equally and sometimes more important than heritage! Thankfully the Goldendoodle is a breed that is so adorable that no one will be able to refuse! Registering a Goldendoodle with AKC or other organizations can provide several benefits, including community support, discounts for veterinary care, subscriptions to magazines, trails or discounts on pet insurance, certificates of recognition for the Goldendoodle, eligibility to compete in individual events, and eligibility to receive titles. Goldendoodle owners can register their dog online or via mail, and the registration process may vary from one organization to another. A registry database has been created to document lineage. Membership is limited to breeders that provide proof of health clearances achieved on all their breeding dogs and that have agreed to a Code of Ethics regarding their breeding practices and the care of their dogs. Without careful consideration and proper use of the records, the future of the Goldendoodle could be compromised. A Code of Ethics and Accredited Breeder Rules and Requirements have been created to assure that the common goal of the betterment of the breed is followed by all member breeders. Protecting the integrity of the Goldendoodle is in the best interest of all of us as we are the beneficiaries of this wonderful breed. Imagine the sweet, loyal temperament of a Golden Retriever; the intelligence and affection of a Standard Poodle; all combined into a package that personifies the best the dog world has to offer. The Goldendoodle is not only a wonderful companion dog, but is a versatile breed you will find filling many different roles including therapy and service. For all other questions: Email: admin goldendoodleassociation. Your membership helps to fund research and development regarding health, genetics, puppy development, and more. Member Application.

Daisy and Brock are a beautiful mother and son pair who love to snuggle together and cuddle. They are both sweet, happy, and friendly. They adore getting attention from anyone they meet during their walks and easily draw people in with their sunny personalities and soft silky coats. They have settled into an easy routine in their foster home and relish their walks every day and visits to the dog park. During their walks Brock clocks roughly twice the mileage of foster mom and Daisy with his side-to-side walking style. Neither is true! These pups love to live it up at the dog park where they show off their speed as Brock sprints and dives after his Kong frisbee, often grabbing it taco style, while Daisy relishes fetching an orange Chuck-It ball before eventually resting to chew on it. Brock is also a master at tug-of-war who has learned to drop it sometimes after repeated requests so it can be thrown again. Brock is extra special because he was born without a tail, which causes him to be incontinent. Inside the house he wears diapers and a belly band, and his incontinence is easily managed. When coming inside from a walk, Brock waits patiently for his diaper to be put on. Daisy and Brock took time to smell the roses and ponder life. While happy to be in a foster home, they would love to find their forever home. Please open your mind and your heart to considering adopting these two gorgeous pups. You will never regret your decision. We invite you to explore our website to get an insight into the high drive Labrador Retrievers we raise at our Mississippi Southern Flight Retriever kennels. We are a small dedicated kennel located in Macon, Mississippi only a couple of hours from the Mississippi River Delta, the heart of the Southern Flyway. We may be a small kennel but that gives us advantage to give our adult dogs and each puppy we raise the special attention and time they deserve. We know you have a lot of options when we it comes to purchasing a Lab puppy. Southern Flight Retrievers would love to earn your trust, business and establish a lasting relationship. This means we are very careful with bloodlines and genetics. Our goal is to produce top dogs with strong lineage pedigrees that will be trainable, highly athletic, lots of endurance for tough working conditions, strong natural retrieving drive and muscular body conformations. Our dogs make beautiful family companions. All puppies go to their new homes with Hip, Elbow, Eye, and Health guarantees. We interact multiple times daily with the puppies to help encourage social and neurological stimulations for their young and maturing minds. It is said that a puppy's brain is fully developed at the age of 49 days, they are only lacking experience. The puppies are introduced to bird wings at around 6 weeks of age. Also in the warm season we like to take the puppies to the shallow waters of the pond for early introduction to water. We like to see our puppies be outgoing with strong temperaments when they leave at 7 to 8 weeks of age ready for their new homes. Our facilities allow us to keep our dogs and puppies in a clean, sanitary conditions with plenty of space. Labs need lots of exercise, we let them out to romp and play in the open grassy areas morning and evening. They usually take advantage of the ample room to run and go for a swim in the pond. Our family cattle ranch is close by, a quick 5 mile drive away which offers us additional wide open prairie pasture land and ponds for the dogs to explore. Request More Information Featured Products Our puppies and dogs are important to us and we want them to have the best, especially after they go to their new homes! It's important to use quality products to make sure your puppy will grow to be a happy and healthy member of your family. Whether you are looking for a quality trainer, a comfy dog bed, or nutritious food for your new pet we have a lot of experience in this industry and some great recommendations for quality products. Labrador Retrievers will make a great addition to any family because they are known to be loyal, even-tempered, and very trainable. All Labradors from Southern Flight Retrievers have great potential with outstanding pedigrees. Learn more about adding a top-tier Labrador to your family. We are located in Macon, Mississippi. Although we are located in Mississippi, we have sent our puppies all around the country. If you are not a local of MS, we assure you that your puppy is coming from the best Labrador Retriever Breeder.

Prices: For information on the prices of our puppies, please visit our Purchase a Puppy page by clicking on the "purchase a puppy page" icon. You may also use the bars cell phone or page names website at the top to go to our other pages on our website. Red Collar available for adoption. Blue collar Male available for adoption. Our puppies' new homes. We will update this map soon! These are our foundation dogs - Mady, Dayna, and Kaiser Check out this great video of our foundation dogs. About Us! We love our German Shepherds! They aren't just our pets, they are an important part of our family. Our dogs have calm temperaments, intelligence, loyalty, are healthy, and loving. Schutzhaus pronounced "Shoots-House" German Shepherds is a small breeding facility striving to maintain the old-fashioned lines of the German Shepherds. We are located in Southwest Missouri where we live on a small farm. Old-fashioned German Shepherds are taller, have straight backs, large bone structure, a longer life span, big heads, and generally are larger in weight than the German Shepherds of today's standards. Our dogs are tested! Since we are dedicated to a healthy legacy for our puppies, we test our dogs on various health tests seeking to produce the healthiest puppies. Please see our current litters page. We are taking deposits on our future litters! Please see our upcoming litters page. Our babies are adopted quickly, so reach out to reserve your furever friend or to ask any questions. Schutzhaus German Shepherds. My name is Mitzi Michelle Brooks. I have had dogs all my life and German Shepherds most of that time. I have tried different breeds, but always come back to what I know and love. The German Shepherd Dog is the right fit for me. I breed large, old-fashioned, straight-backed, German Shepherds with a special focus on health and temperament. I am a very small breeder, all my dogs live with me, in the house. They are first, and foremost, my beloved pets. In my litters, I concentrate on the things that matter most to me: Health and Temperament. My dogs are all larger than the breed standard but with no compromise to their health. All my dogs are medium to low energy, making them easy to train and ideally suited for families. I do not breed: dogs that are hyper, dogs that show any signs of aggression, working dogs, high drive dogs, or dogs with excessive angulation. Puppies are born and raised in my home! That means your puppy goes home with you already socialized with other dogs, with cats, and familiar with all the sights and sounds of a normal home. All puppies are also current on vaccinations and on a set deworming schedule. The puppies bred here are sold as companions and pets. Just as working dogs are bred to work, my puppies are bred to live in and be a part of a family. With their low to low-medium drive, my pups are very easy for their new parents to train and still possess that famous German Shepherd instinct to protect their home and their family. These soft temperaments mean that my dogs are happy to go out and play, but just as happy to come in, lay at your feet, and interact with their family. It gives an estimate of the risk for painful osteoarthritis OA of canine hip dysplasia CHD later in life. With this information, preventive and palliative strategies can be recommended by the PennHIP-trained veterinarian. It has been extremely helpful to me as a breeder to OFA-certify my dogs. If the breeders have been breeding a long time you should see lots of names.You are supporting puppy mills if you buy a dog with these registries as they are mainly for puppy mill breeders, You know what you get with AKC because of record inspections and DNA. All Buyers should beware! Both are breeding females that are not German Shepherds they looked like husky crosses but are registering them as German Shepherds and the registry does not care. I have personally seen it and so have many others. Are you looking for size? Here are some pointers! Most breeders of large german shepherds exaggerate by 50 lbs and several inches or more! Vet certified weight means nothing if you can't call the vet! Size means little if temper , health and longevity are not there! We are a family-owned, professional German shepherd breeder located in beautiful Larkspur, Colorado. Our dogs in our breeding program come with clear-in-the head character, safe nature, and stable nerves. We welcome your visit to our kennels in Douglas County, Colorado. We believe in our German shepherd puppies breeding program, you should too! Our kennels in Larkspur, Colorado, we breed German Shepherd Puppies with world-class parents, top working, show line pedigrees. Confident, self-assured puppies bred for families. We are confident in our purebred German Shepherd puppies; you will be too. Click Here Working line German Shepherds Our working German Shepherds with full working titles are bred with focus and the ability to work, eagerness to learn and accomplish the given role they were originally bred for. Clear in the head, safe nature, and stable nerves to function in any environment with courage, intelligent and stability to exceed your expectations. The most sought after world-class and world champion pedigrees in the world! This is the best puppies you can get, unmatched in every aspect of the top working show line German Shepherds. Click Here Trained German shepherds Our trained puppies include potty and crate training, socialization skills within a family home environment including other animals, cats and dogs. Object orientation in building confident, self-assurd puppies with motivation to perform. Our puppies live with our families, our children, interacting daily in our homes. Click Here German Shepherds Buying an older puppy or a young adult trained German Shepherds can be risky and could end with disastrous results. You can pay by bank card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency. Reprinting of information and photos of the site is prohibited! Manage Cookie Consent We use cookies. Not consenting, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Functional Functional Always active The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Preferences Preferences The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Statistics Statistics The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Marketing Marketing The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.

It is not recommended to take it from its mother and littermates because it starts its socialization and gets the first experience of biting inhibition from them. When you take your doggy home, follow the advice of your breeder and veterinarian. In addition, you need to measure and weigh your pup to be able to follow its growth. You should also think about crate training your dog from the first days of staying at your home. Start potty training as soon as possible. However, be very careful about the first walks. The immune system of a little German Shepherd is too unstable and vulnerable to many infections. It has already received all the nutrients it needed during its first month. You can opt for high-quality puppy kibble or homemade food. However, you should avoid poor-quality products and cheap kibble that is full of chemicals. If you are planning to feed your pet with kibble, it is recommended to moisten it with goat milk or fresh water if this milk is unavailable. Giving it cow milk is not recommended. Give your puppy 1. Try to formulate a consistent feeding schedule with the same hours for feeding. You should have two bowls for your German Shepherd. One is for food and the other for water. Your puppy needs a lot of water, so you can leave the water in the bowl to let it drink whenever it wants. As for food, do not leave the leftovers in the bowl. Your puppy cannot control how much it wants to eat, and it can lead to overfeeding if it eats something every time it sees its bowl. You need to make the feeding schedule work. However, do not feed the puppy two times per day. It is too young for that, so it can overeat too and have severe digestion problems. You should teach it to recognize the connections between commands and responses or responses and consequences. Foremost, you need to set primary anchors. It means that you should develop certain reactions to your actions to teach the puppy to follow you, eat food or receive treats, and sit. Your clapping hands, whistling, or a specific word can be such anchors. Avoid setting anchors that your puppy will feel as similar. The next training step is establishing authority. Your puppy should understand that you are its guide, and it will help you when you start training more complex commands. Your little pet should understand that you are its pack leader. So, the first thing to teach is to follow you. Praise the puppy if it does everything correctly, and never punish it if it does not understand you. Early socialization training is also very important. However, early exposure of your pet to many people and unfamiliar things may lead to psychological problems. That is why start socializing your puppy gradually. You can take it on short visits to your family or friends. Keep socializing your doggy every day but in small portions of positive experiences. Start potty training as soon as you bring your GS puppy home. Show it where you want it to do its business, in the backyard or garden. Ensure that this area is quiet and fenced. It has to be something soft like grass or mat. Establish an exact schedule for going potty. Taking the puppy outside is the first thing you need to do after it wakes up in the morning. Then, follow the schedule after each meal, playing, and before going to bed. Keep the puppy out of biting and nipping. You should not beat or punish it anyway. Though, teach the puppy to avoid severe bites on the hands and legs. You can arrange timeouts for it if it bites too harshly. For example, if it bites your hand while taking a treat, withhold the next treat until it understands how to take it gently. Reward it with a treat when you see that the little one understands what you want of it and denies biting at all. German Shepherds are very clever, so they understand the explanations very quickly. Be patient while training your little dog. It will be trained enough to understand how to control itself by the 10th week. Therefore, your boy will grow as tall as inches cm , while the little girl will be inches cm tall. How much does a 2 month old German Shepherd weight? GS puppies gain weight at this age very quickly. They tend to double it in comparison to the first month. Your male doggy will approximately weigh pounds kg. If you have a female puppy, its weight will be smaller — pounds .How much to feed a 2 month old German Shepherd puppy? You can give your puppy .How often should I feed my 2 month old German Shepherd? You should feed your pup times per day. Never make a feeding schedule of 2 times per day because your doggy can overeat and have digestive problems. How much exercise does a 2 month old German Shepherd puppy need? Little GS puppies are very energetic, so they need a lot of exercises. However, they are too young for hard exercise and training. The sessions can be very short about minutes or less and not too intensive. Can I walk my 2 month old German Shepherd? Yes, you can walk your puppy in the backyard or any other fenced space after it is vaccinated. Though remember that your little doggy cannot go on long walks yet, so never make its walks too long. Another thing to consider is that it cannot follow you yet, so try to avoid going for walks in the open spaces and streets, or your pup can get lost. Learn a lot about the breed before you decide to adopt this dog. You also need to know that your pup will have enough space for its activity and energetic behavior. You also need to consider your budget. Get prepared that your doggy will bark, whale, bite and chew everything around. However, you will also get a lot of joy, playing, laughing, and loyalty. German Shepherds are very intelligent, and you will get the best friend for many years if you are patient and consistent enough during its first days at your home. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy!