black and silver german shepherd puppies for sale in california

History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.

They are bouncy, tail wagging, cuddle bugs, the cutest things ever! Uncle Al lives in our "apartment", the walkout basement downstairs. We help Uncle Al with his Pugs. They are wonderful caring moms! When our moms retire we have them spayed and offer them to pet only homes for about half the cost of a puppy. They will be on the retired parent page at that time. Diva will be available this late winter or spring .See the other pages: "About our puppies," "what comes with your puppy", and " is a puppy really right for you. Or maybe adopt a rescued adult Pug. Rescue is always the best! Do your homework, since a rescued dog needs a home appropriate for their needs as much as a puppy! A puppy is a very serious decision. Please do not get a puppy or a dog if you have any hesitation about long term responsibility of a furry best friend. We love our puppies and dogs and only want them in a home where they will be a part of the family! If interested in a puppy please email or call. Remainder due on pick up. Pugs are heat and cold sensitive. Not at all a 'hiking in all weather' type of dog. Some are amazingly agile, fast, and athletic and do tolerate a wider range of temperature. Others are at risk of collapsing if overheated when simply out on a warm day and playing. Many make terrific therapy dogs. They are very tolerant of children. Puppies available now! All puppies are kept current on vaccinations, dewormed several times, microchipped, and well socialized. Puppies are microchipped and current on vaccinations. Nikki black and Boris fawn had puppies 1 white female available, updated .Photos taken , at 4. They have grown so much but look the same, update, they are 14 week old. All dogs and pups are raised in the home where they are handled daily alongside other pets. Abunaks are never caged or kenneled. Lily Lou Pugs even has their own TikTok account. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time. Questions about Pug puppies for sale in Chicago IL? We have answers. How much are Pug puppies for sale in Chicago IL? As a matter of fact, Pugs will thrive in any kind of home -- small homes included. These dogs are adaptable, easygoing, and are not big barkers. They like to nap all day, too which makes them popular with people with busy schedules. Just remember that Pugs gain weight quite easily so they need some exercise to stay healthy. Can I only pick from local breeders? When you search Uptown for Chicago Pug puppies for sale, you will initially be connected with Chicago Pug breeders. We are quite selective about who we work with. Our team evaluates all the breeders and businesses that wish to join our network, taking a close look at their experiences, practices, and facilities. Only those that meet our standards in ethical breeding and animal care which are clearly stated in our Breeder Pledge are approved. What is the cost of Pugs for sale in Chicago? The price of Pugs for sale Chicago depends on a number of factors including gender, coat color, and pedigree. This is why a rare brindle Pug for sale in Chicago costs more than other Pug puppies. How is Uptown Puppies different from other websites with Chicago Pugs for sale? Uptown Puppies is more than just a listing of Pug puppies for sale in Chicago. We are a network of true dog lovers -- the breeders and businesses here are committed to producing healthy and happy puppies! Instead, you can focus on finding the right dog for you! This results in puppies that run a high risk of developing debilitating health issues or problematic behavior. You might end up spending more later on vet bills. Are there any mixed Pug puppies near me? Pug mixes are absolutely adorable! These designer dogs come in a variety of sizes, colors, and temperaments to suit any lifestyle. No wonder they are so popular. What kind of dog is a Pug? The Pug is a toy dog breed that originates from China where it was bred to be a companion dog. Sweet, loyal, docile, and playful, the Pug was favored by royals from Asia all the way to Europe. Do Pugs shed? The short answer is yes. What are some of the health problems common to Pugs? Pugs are sturdy dogs that often live up to the age of years. Like most dogs their size, they are prone to health issues like hip dysplasia, and obesity. Some health issues specific to the breed exist like the Pug Dog Encephalitis. A properly bred Pug runs a low risk of developing these health problems. Puppy Breeds The Pugs have been the top choice for royal families in the Netherlands and England at some point in time. Discover more about our Pug puppies for sale below! These traits make them effortlessly loved by their owners. The pug stands out physically; with bulky muscles, a wrinkly face, a curled tail, and a fine coat. Despite their physique, the pugs are categorized as toy dogs, this buttresses their intimacy with humans. Breed History The pug has origins majorly from China and Netherland. The Modern pugs are imported from China; the earliest breeds have also been known to originate from there. However, the pugs have a history with royal families in the Netherlands and England. The Modern style pugs were brought in to Britain in from China. The pugs were tended by the ruling families in China. The imperial court kept pugs because they were treasured by the Emperors who assigned guards to protect them while they the pugs lived in extravagance. Keeping pugs in Europe started at the House of Orange in the Netherlands. The pug became the official pug of the house after it saved the Prince of Orange from Assassins. Although these pugs were said to have been brought from China, the pugs from Europe at that time, as seen in pictures depict longer legs and nose. The pugs became prominent in the United States in the nineteenth century. They easily became family companions and show dogs. They became recognized by the American Kennel Club in .This occurred in , it was the first time a pug would be winning the show since it began. Temperament The pug would do anything to please its owners this is what makes them suitable to keep in many homes. Their loyalty is unwavering, they do well with children their calmness and sturdy physique allows them to tolerate children easily. Their Alertness makes them good security dogs but they are not predominantly used for security purposes. Pugs are stubborn, but this does not transform into aggressive manners. Environment The pug thrives indoors. It is usually kept close to families that own it. It is classified by most Kennel Clubs as a toy dog. Despite their adaptation to heat, pugs cannot thrive well outdoors in hot and humid regions Exercise Pugs do not require high-intensity exercises; however moderate exercising will be sufficient. A reserved and reasonable amount of space for the dog to move around is ideal. Grooming The pugs have a fine coat that is sufficient to protect them from heat and cold. Maintaining a pug has low requirements. However, wrinkles and eyes have to be cleaned daily. Our Pugs puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our Pugs puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Pugs puppies. Yes, pugs have a shallow eye socket. Therefore, excess force around the eyes can lead to the eyes falling out. This condition is called ocular proptosis. It is also common to other dogs that have shallow eyes sockets and big bulging eyes; Bulldogs, Pekingese and Chihuahuas. Do Pugs snore? The pug is a brachycephalic dog breed; having a short muzzle and a flat face. This makes breathing difficult and leads to the pug snoring. The pug is more likely to develop eyesight problems that could cause blindness. Their bulging eyes also make them susceptible to eye injuries. What are the foods I should avoid feeding my Pug with? Avoid mushrooms, onions, garlic, and avocados. Green tomatoes and Raw potatoes are also harmful. Do not give any alcohol and caffeine-containing food. Is the Pug good with family? Yes, the pug regardless of its physical outlook is very friendly and playful. Its history of intimacy with humans makes it suitable for the family. Can Pugs be left alone? However, it is okay to leave your dog alone for about 8 hours. Note that pugs are companion dogs and want to be with their owners all the time. Why are Pugs hyperactive? Pugs have been bred for a very long time as companion dogs. They naturally get excited about seeing their owners and this leads to a series of hyperactive displays. Would a Pug ever calm down? Pugs generally become less hyperactive as they grow older. A pug might reach about 2 years of age before showing signs of calmness. However, a calmer adult pug will occasionally go into a hyperactive mode when exited. Keep your dog from situations that will result in a fight. Maintain healthy conditions for your pug and yourself; avoid smoking, it can be harmful to your dog Do Pugs drool? All dogs drool to a certain extent. However, your pug might drool more given the architecture of its mouth. Its loose and large lips contribute to some drooling, especially when engaged in any physical activity. The pug Is a very playful dog, alert and even-tempered dog. Good with family and children especially. Clingy and popular dubbed as a shadow, this loving dog will follow you everywhere you go. Name Required.

We have the answers! What is the price range for a Boxer? The price range for Boxer puppies for sale Florida can be pretty wide. Breeders consider a number of factors when putting a price tag on their precious puppies including gender, coat color, and pedigree. Browse our featured Boxer breeders Florida to get started. Will I meet only local Boxer breeders? When looking for a Boxer for sale in Florida, your initial top choices will be breeders in your city or state. Your chosen breeder can then arrange to have your puppy safely transported to an airport near you. Our vetting process is designed to keep inexperienced breeders and puppy mills out of our network. Breeders and businesses who wish to join us undergo a strict screening process where their breeding knowledge, practices, and facilities are examined. How is Florida Puppies different from other puppy websites? They are good at marketing though! What is a puppy mill like? Puppy mills are dishonest breeders who mistreat their animals and forego essential newborn puppy care to make a bigger profit. Are there any Boxer puppies available in Florida right now? We can help you find out! You can also let us know if you have a specific Boxer puppy in mind! Where are Boxer dogs originally from? Boxers have quite an interesting history that dates back to the late s. It is still up for speculation which specific breeds were crossed to create the Boxer but the list includes the German Bullenbeisser and the Bulldog. The Boxer was created to be a guard dog, a role that it took upon with great success. Today, Boxers do police work but are also popular family dogs. What can I expect from the average Boxer? Boxers are energetic, alert, even-tempered, loyal, loving, and goofy. Boxers are smart and can be trained to do almost anything but keep in mind that they mature slowly -- they are basically puppies until the age of three! As a family dog, Boxers will do anything to protect their family and they are also known to be gentle with kids. How big do Boxers get? Boxers are medium-sized working dogs that can reach a weight of 70 pounds. Male Boxers usually stand at inches at the shoulder while female boxers can reach up to .They are muscular, sturdy, and quite quick. How does Florida Puppies work? Florida Puppies is a network of ethical breeders and businesses and your best source for finding Boxer puppies in Florida. Boxers's Available! Their tails are docked and their dew claws are removed however I never guaranteed dewclaws some do come back. Their tails are docked, and their dew claws are removed however I never guaranteed dewclaws some do come back. We have 4 puppies left. I am available to show puppies at any time. Contact Barb xxx-xxx-xxxx View Detail Pit pull female puppy Female pitbull, one years old, very friendly, needs a new home to live our landlord says no Pitbulls allowed here, willing to bargain with price View Detail Boxer :nori Recently just brought her she is 10 week very lovable. Tank was Born July 29, .Tank was one of 11 pups. All pups were born healthy and ready for there forever homes. Tank is sweet,smart,playful, great with kids and loves to swim and dive. Yet most important he is a ladies man. Tank has a beautiful, shinny, very light, unique fawn color. At a little over a year Tank weighs in at 65 pounds. He has a big head, thick neck, tall yet stocky build. Per his vet Tank is ready to be a stud. Please contact me if your interested in using Tank as your stud. Has his shots and good with kids. He loves dog parks and playing. He is not destructive and is house trained. He is a great family dog for a couple. We have small children who get in his face while he eats and this is the only time he has shown aggression for this reason because we can not properly train our children we are looking to rehome. Honestly, we truly love this dog. Tyson knows commands such as sit, stay, lay down, high five, give me your paw and stay. We are looking for a good home for Tyson, you will love him, he is such a sweet boy. They spend most of their time with our 2 little kids and the cat too and they are such a company. Its such a pitty we have to give them out cos we're moving out. They've been vet checked and have had vaccination. Fully wormed from 2 weeks old. View Detail Adorable boxer puppies Adorable boxer puppies Beautiful chunky boxer pups ready december. Rescued, and still Counting! Ready to Help a Boxer in Need? When taking a dog into the program, they sometimes need a temporary home while in search of their perfect "FURever" home. Fostering a Boxer helps give a dog a healthy start and a new leash on life. Old Dogs, New Tricks.Everyone loves puppies but older dogs deserve attention too. Our silver Boxers don't let a little gray hair get in the way of loving life and are fabulous loyal companions. Consider adding a senior to your family! Seeking a New Best Friend? One who is goofy, playful and makes you laugh? One who is loyal and happy just being with you? One who will love you unconditionally and provide comfort when needed? With so many dogs in need of homes, you're bound to find the perfect Boxer. See Our Available Dogs! Florida Boxer Rescue is always in need of volunteers. Are you thinking about fostering a Boxer in need? Fostering is the most rewarding experience you can imagine. The number of dogs we save is limited by the number of foster homes we have - please help us to save all that we can

Not too far from the beaches, we spend most of the year playing in the sand or swimming in our pool. In , we gave our 5 year old little girl a puppy for Christmas. She instantly fell in love with the little girl puppy, and wasted no time picking out a name for the pure white, English Cream Golden Retriever. So when we imported a boy puppy the following year, we all decided to stick with the snow theme for a name. Snow Ball was now officially part of the family. With Snow Flake and Snow Ball being the best of friends, we knew it wouldn't be long before the Snow Pups would arrive. Happy, Healthy Bloodline We take great pride in knowing that we offer some of the healthiest and best pedigreed golden retrievers in the state of Florida. Our sire was imported from one of the top kennels in Europe. Big, blocky, and white as snow, he is truly a once in a lifetime dog. With a pedigree full of world champions, and a slate full of health clearances, Clumbret Lucky One, aka Snow Ball, represents the breed standard perfectly. Plus, he's super sweet and is best friends with a mini pig! We are very proud of the health clearances and genetic testing that our dogs have undergone. And we are pleased to provide any hard copies of any testing done upon request. All of our puppies come with an AKC registration number, health certificate from a licensed veterinarian, dewormed, and first round of vaccinations. Also, each of our puppies has a 1 year guarantee against any congenital defect. A Furever Friend As the years have gone by, we have continued to add to our breeding program, while continuing to maintain our high level of excellence. Each of our new additions are also imported from the top European kennels. We even have an Italian girl that can only speak her native tongue! More than being breeders, we are ultimately dog lovers. We love all of our dogs, puppies or not, and are quite proud of our crazy little dog family that we lovingly call, "The Gaggle. FL These Maximus's puppies are absolutely stunning All families receiving one or more puppies were taught a comprehensive cancer and disease prevention program to keep their Golden healthy for life! We have a .I teach all new owners Longevity! Their approach to caring for their puppies is beyond any breeder I have found. I was amazed at the information that is provided on his website. The owner offers a wealth of knowledge online and personally. I was impressed by his screening of potential buyers for his pups. They keep you informed as the process progresses. They provide you with links to read , recommends a book to read that will support your knowledge with the Holistic approach in raising a healthy puppy thru adulthood. The owner was generous with his knowledge in helping me with my 13 year old Golden Dewlee by recommending certain products, which made a huge difference in his overall health. They are dedicated breeders and invest countless hours in the puppies well being. When we arrived to pick out our puppy, we found the pups to be stunning in looks and their demeanor was outstanding. The puppies are well socialized and next to impossible to pick! I was impressed at their schedule for viewing the puppies, with time for the puppies to nap before the next viewing. This demonstrates, that his puppies well being are his only concern. Throughout the entire process, being responsive to each and every question you may have if the Holistic approach is new to you. He advises you on what to expect on your first Veterinarian visit, answers any questions you may have. The owners are dedicated breeders, they will welcome you into their home when it comes time to pick out your puppy and assist you in picking from the most flawless litter of puppies I have ever had the opportunity to choose from. I have had the joy of owning 5 English Golden's, this by far has been the most educational, interactive and amazing journey. Bozlee will arrive this week, and I am confident that I will be assisted with any questions I will have along the way. We focus on temperament and health above all in our puppies. We have an extreme love for the golden retriever breed and believe the English cream golden retriever to be the perfect dog for anyone. They are fun loving, loyal, intelligent, calm natured dogs. Reserve your puppy! Golden Cellars Cash Wonderboy winning his international champion title! Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Michelle of Golden Cellars. The love and training she puts into her puppies is amazing. Our little girl is housebroken, sitting on command and sleeping through the night. Michelle did a great job starting her off just right. Would absolutely recommend her as a breeder. Very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process. He is the sweetest, most gorgeous puppy I have ever seen. He brings so much happiness and joy to our lives every single day. Thank you Michelle! Kelly We just got our puppy from Golden Cellars and we are so in love. Bogey is just 8 weeks old and already sits and goes potty outside. We highly recommend Michelle and Golden Cellars for giving us the smartest, cutest pup ever! Welcome to TrustedPuppies. Known as the Sunshine State for its warm weather and abundant sunshine, Florida is located in the Southeastern United States. It is a fantastic destination for dog lovers and their furry companions. Our main objective is to connect you with the best Golden Retriever — English Cream breeders and puppies for sale throughout Florida. Our website has a wide variety of reputable breeders that specialize in raising healthy puppies. Our breeders are committed to only raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations, veterinary checkups, and care to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide additional support and advice after the sale to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new puppy. With an estimated population of just over 5 million dogs, Florida ranks number three among other states in terms of dog ownership. Florida boasts a vibrant dog community, offering numerous dog-friendly restaurants, parks, and events you and your four-legged friend can enjoy together. Dine alongside your pup at popular locations like The Dog Bar in St. Petersburg or the Jupiter Off-Leash Dog Beach, all provide ideal play, exercise, and socialization areas. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our trusted breeders offer safe and affordable flight delivery, with a dedicated flight nanny accompanying your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring a pleasant and safe trip as they make their way to their new home in the sunny state of Florida. In addition to flight delivery, most breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option guarantees your puppy is safely transported to your doorstep by a professional who understands the unique needs of pet travel.

Temperament: The husky very friendly to people , very smart, not a great guard dog, non-aggressive. The worst he's done is just bark at people he doesn't know that enter the backyard. Does well with other small dogs like my chi-poodle I introduced to the family when the husky was 8 years old so quick learner. The German Shepherd female is a very loyal and well tempered dog and never shown any signs of aggressiveness , but I did train her to be comfortable around other dogs and people at the dog park at a early age a must for this breed and the husky. Does well with small animals raised the chi-poodle and her together. Very smart and normally like to stay near the owners Puppies: I got 5 males and 4 females. Currently the puppies are only 5 weeks old will turn 6 on , I normally don't like to separate them until they are weeks due to research showing they grow up to be a better dogs and have less separation anxiety as they grow so you don't have to worry about them howling and crying if you place them outside or leave them home when you work. I think i only have pictures of of the puppies i got more i didn't take pictures of because they look very similar to the ones listed. Isabella HAD to be put down at 30 months due to severe hip dyplasia. After having to fight for and refusing to take a replacement runt we took home beautiful Babychica in July .To our amazement and grief, Chica was also diagnosed with severe hip dyplasia last month when we had her examined for the OFA certification required by reputable breeders before they allow us to use their stud. We have the OFA diagnosis in writing to anyone who would care to review. Terry Gimple, owner of Vollkommen's, refuses any kind of restitution since she would not give any kind of guarantee on replacement pups. Our Vet says back to back defective pups indicates very bad breeding knowledge. Larry McCutcheon. Terry is not at all a BYB, and she has a lot of breeding knowledge. If everybody would care about dogs as she does, the dogworld would be much better. Nutrition also plays a large factor in HD. I think it is odd you got 2 HD puppies in a row. Not at all a breeder I would get a dog from, but they do seem from the few dogs I looked at, to have all health tested stock. Yes, I am aware dogs with excellent orthopedics can still produce poor orthopedics. I also find it odd they wouldn't do a guarantee on the replacement pup. I assume the pup would have been sold with one anyway? We got no pup replaced or Money back yet. Three vets involved. We r waiting. Our vet is his vet too n very upset that breeder has not done as vet suggested. But our pups breeder is not well known but is knowledgeae n should have quit breeding that pair but didn't Every breeder has ruled with guarantees When you are well known it helps to make a difference hopefully this will be forth coming Terry n her husband are honest people by hexe on 08 September - I'm sorry that you've had not just one, but two dysplastic pups in a row; I know how painful the experience had to be for you, and do not wish such sorrow on anyone. That said, any person believing they can really get ironclad certainty that their pup will not develop hip or elbow dysplasia, by virtue of both a warranty from the breeder and the breeder's efforts to avoid producing such a pup, seriously must rethink their decision to have a GSD in their lives, just as anyone who chooses to have a Bulldog should accept that regardless of the due diligence, knowledge and experience of the breeder, there is no way one can be assured their Bulldog puppy won't suffer from an elongated soft palate which can lead to the death of their dog, even if surgery is done to try and correct the condition. Hip and elbow dysplasia, among other conditions, are one reason I have no interest in or use for a warranty when I purchase a pup, and also why I will never, ever pay a small fortune for a pup, no matter how well bred he or she is.How very heartbreaking for you.I think that it is a very unlucky to have the roll of the dice you have had.However, they can guarantee that dogs who produce serious health problems will be taken out of production. I would consider severe HD a serious problem. I also find the breeder's decision not to provide any refund or replacement on the second dog to be deplorable. In all honesty, I would have given a refund as what buyer in their right mind would want a third dog from the same breeder who has given them, not one but two, dogs with severe HD. However, if environmental issues are found, than that is out of the breeder's hands.Again, whatever the circumstance, you must be devastated over the news. So sorry.

Your Lab Husky should also visit the vet regularly. You can then wean if off that brand slowly and introduce new food while steadily increasing the ratio. To ensure your Lab Husky mix cub gets all they need to grow up big and strong, try one of the best puppy food brands or some of the best dry dog food for small dogs. A Husky crossed with Lab pup should be fed three to four times daily. Once it hits six months, feeding can be dropped to just two times a day. Keep feeding your dog with puppy dog food until it turns a year old. This is because this feed is designed to have more protein, something that a growing puppy needs. Once your pet turns a year old, it should then be fed about 2. That is when you can switch to the best dry dog food that undoubtedly all adult doggos enjoy. It contains ocean fish meal, salmon, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peas. Give this to your dog if you want it to have a shinier coat. Nutro Max Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food: One of the best makers of dog food today, Nutro Max uses fewer ingredients in its feed to reduce the number of digestive issues a dog might develop. It uses real chicken as its main source of protein. Once your pooch reaches a certain age, their bones and overall health become more frail, and they need food that can give them all the necessary nutrients. We have ample suggestions of the best senior dry dog food brands that you could offer your aged pooch. They will also benefit from additional vitamins and minerals, so we suggest including the Nutra Thrive dog food supplement in their diet as well. Your Lab Husky mix will need regular exercise to stay fit and burn off excess energy. This dog needs a long walk twice a day. It also enjoys running around the park and playing Frisbee. This crossbreed has a natural affinity to water and loves to swim. Its webbed paws make it a natural in this activity. Any interactive game will suit this dog perfectly. Families with an active lifestyle and those who love the outdoors will be good matches for the Husky Lab mix. You can even take it hiking or camping. Labs have a particular gene that has been linked to weight increase. This hybrid dog will thrive in homes with a yard where it can run freely. It also loves digging holes so you might have to rearrange your garden. Keep your dog engaged and entertain with these toys — KONG Extreme: Kong toys never fail, and this extreme version of a beloved toy will keep your Lab Husky mix happy for hours. Fill it up with treats, stand back and watch your dog chew on it for hours. Nina Ottoson Dog Tornado: This interactive toy is a bit pricey but well worth the expense. Trixie Dog Activity Chess: This toy will reward your dog with snacks in exchange for its smarts. Hide treats within the movable pieces to keep your pet busy. Your dog will have a great time knocking the ball around or playing fetch with it. It also squeaks, so the more auditory-inclined canines will be interested. Mammoth Flossy Chews: Your Husky Lab hybrid will love tugging and playing this cotton blend, three-knot toy. It comes in different sizes, including an extra large one for massive and strong dogs. Husky Lab Mix Training Obedience training is a must with a Husky Lab mix, and it should start as soon as you bring your dog home. This training will help you develop a positive relationship with your pet while also enabling you to remain in control. A Husky Lab is a very intelligent canine, and a responsible and patient owner can train their Huskadors themselves. This will go easier if the lessons are done at an early age. Fortunately, this stubborn streak can be tempered with heaps of positive reinforcement and repetition. Socialization training is also crucial for this dog. Make sure you start socializing your puppy as soon as you bring it home. Invite your friends over or take your pet to different places. The idea is to let it interact with various people and animals. To make training easier, consider the following tips: Positive reinforcement is best. This is a better strategy with this breed. Do not punish your dog for not obeying your commands or forgetting its training. Set up regular playdates. Playing with others do is a way to keep them entertained, socialized, and mentally engaged. Invest in puzzle toys. Make sure you have lots of engaging toys and puzzles on hand. Labrador Husky Mix and Families A Lab Husky mix is a great family dog, as long as everyone is on-board with the proper way of handling and training it. Consistency is key to ensure this dog is trained and socialized properly. This dog suits all types of owners, from single households to families with small children. But you have to make sure you have the time and energy for this dog. You should ask yourself if you have the patience and dedication needed to provide it with the best possible life before getting one. This magnificent dog is not the pet for busy employees or those who are away from home for long hours. The Husky Lab mix is a unique dog and a fantastic companion. It needs someone who will love it back; someone who will dedicate the time and effort to ensure its physical and mental requirements are met. However, husky lab mixes likely existed naturally before this time. The Chukchi people bred this breed to serve as sled dogs and companions. This dog breed is best known for its wolf-like appearance, distinctive markings, and thick, double coat. Huskies are outgoing and energetic. These dogs like to interact and spend time with their owners. Although intelligent, this breed has an independent streak and tends to be stubborn. This personality makes training the dogs challenging for novice owners. Parent Breed: Labrador Retriever The Labrador retriever is a medium-sized retriever gun dog and a member of the sporting group. The breed is originally from Newfoundland, where the dog helped fishermen haul nets and catch fish. Labradors were developed and perfected as a breed in the United Kingdom. Labs have double water-resistant coats and come in three colors — yellow, chocolate, or black. Eager to please, friendly, and affectionate, they make excellent family pets and service dogs. The breed typically serves as search and rescue dogs and bomb detection dogs, among other working roles. Lifespan The husky lab is a generally healthy mixed breed dog with an average lifespan of 11 to 13 years. Although this crossbreed may inherit health issues from either parent breed, many husky lab mixes reach old age without any health problems. Husky Lab Mix Appearance A husky lab mix can take on the appearance of a Labrador retriever, a Siberian husky, or inherit traits from both parent breeds. The dog has an athletic build. Depending on which parent breed it takes after, the dog may have erect or floppy ears, and brown, blue, or different-colored eyes. Height and Weight Husky lab mixes are considered medium-sized dogs with a height of 20 to 25 inches at the withers and a weight of 40 to 60 pounds. Some Labrador huskies weigh more, depending on the size and weight of the Labrador retriever parent. Colors Husky lab mixes are typically white, grey, black, yellow, brown, red, or a mix of colors. Coat Husky lab mixes have a thick double coat. Regardless of the length, the coat is soft and silky. Like its husky parent, this mix prefers cooler temperatures over hot and humid conditions. These dogs are heavy shedders. The soft double coat sheds moderately throughout the year and sheds heavily during the spring and fall. Personality and Temperament The husky lab is loyal, affectionate, craves human companionship, and enjoys being around its family. This intelligent, playful, and energetic dog is always in the mood to play and enjoys being physically and mentally challenged. Barking Husky labs are typically vocal dogs that take after their husky parents by howling to communicate. Use positive reinforcement training to teach a husky lab not to bark or howl as much. Husky Lab Mix Care Husky labs are high-maintenance, requiring a lot of exercise, mental stimulation, and grooming. Food Needs The ideal diet for the husky lab includes kibble formulated for a medium-sized breed with high energy. Choose dog foods that contain high protein levels, moderate fat, easily digestible carbs, and essential vitamins and minerals. Feed the adult husky lab two to three small meals per day, and offer three to four daily meals to puppies. Grooming Needs Brush the husky lab mix three to five times per week during the spring and fall shedding seasons, and twice per week during the off-season. Brushing will remove loose hair, prevent mats from forming, and keep the coat clean. Bathe this breed once every two or three months, or more often if the dog gets dirty or develops a strong smell. Clean the ears as necessary using an ear cleaning solution for dogs. Exercise Needs The highly energetic husky lab needs at least 60 minutes of intense activity every day to stay happy and in good shape. Any type of cardiovascular activity, such as running, swimming, or hiking, will physically challenge this mix and help it release pent-up energy. Besides regular exercise, aim for two to three long walks per day with your dog, plus two minute play sessions to prevent the dog from getting bored. An excited dog can accidentally knock over a small child. Mental Needs Husky lab mixes should be given a lot of mental stimulation, or they quickly become bored and destructive. Owners can also provide stimulation by teaching the dog new commands and tricks. Spend at least 30 minutes per day playing fetch, hide and seek, or tug-of-war with this breed. Common Health Concerns Husky lab mixes are generally healthy dogs, but they are predisposed to the same health issues that affect Labrador retrievers and Siberian huskies. The husky lab can inherit eye conditions that lead to blindness, including cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and corneal dystrophy. Husky labs are also prone to hip dysplasia, arthritis, allergies, bloat, and cancer. Take the lab husky mix to the vet for a complete check-up as soon as you bring it home from the breeder or shelter. Training Husky lab mixes are highly trainable dogs, but they can be stubborn. Use reward-based training instead of using punishment and domination to teach the dog commands. This breed loves to please its owners and finds positive reinforcement training motivating. Although friendly by nature, these dogs benefit from early socialization, especially with children. Expose the dog to different smells, sounds, situations, places, and people, including kids, from puppyhood to help the dog grow into an amicable pet. Husky Lab Mix Price Husky lab mixes are affordable, given that most designer dog breeds are more expensive than their purebred parents. Buying a husky lab puppy costs more than adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Buying a husky lab from a reputable breeder is more expensive than adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Is a Huskador Right for You? The husky lab mix makes an excellent pet for outdoorsy families, as the dog gets along well with kids and enjoys being a part of a busy household. Husky lab mixes are suitable for active people who want a dog to accompany them on adventures. This mix is also a good fit for dynamic families with children who can interact and play with the dog. Spacious homes near the woods, parks, or with fenced yards offer ideal living conditions for husky labs. These social dogs crave human companionship and quickly become bored and destructive when left home alone. Check out these other hybrid dog breeds: Siberian Husky Mixes. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Labsky Highlights The Labsky is a mixed breed dog. They are not purebreds like their Labrador Retriever or Siberian Husky parents. Labskies were first bred intentionally in the s. The Labsky is a medium- to large-sized dog with high energy. Labskies tend to love people and human contact. They are usually very friendly. The Labsky has a double coat that requires daily brushing. Their fur can come in white, black, yellow, brown, red and grey, and many times the coat will be a mix of colors. Labskies can have a high prey drive and might be best suited to homes with pets of the same size. The mixed breed dates back to the s, although their original country of origin has not been established. The Siberian Husky has existed for over years, and originated in the cold climes of Alaska and Canada. The Labrador Retriever has a history as a gun dog and was first developed in Newfoundland in the 19th century. These days, the Labrador Retriever has become recognized as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and frequently ranks as the most popular dog breed of all, according to the American Kennel Club. Even though the Labsky looks like a fancy, high-end designer dog, many of them end up in shelters so consider adoption if you decide this is the breed for you! Most weigh in at 40 to 60 pounds and range in height from inches. Labsky Personality Many Labsky lovers like to describe their dogs as very loyal and exceptionally active. With high energy levels, the Labsky thrives on long walks and will always be interested in physical play sessions. If you have access to lots of outdoor space near to your home, the Labsky will prosper and approach life with much vigor. At home, Labskies are seen as loving and loyal dogs who seek out company and enjoy being around people. A Labsky enjoys mental stimulation, and interactive toys can help keep the dog interested and alert. These dogs very much enjoy being around family and prosper in an environment with a lot of human contact. Labsky Health Labskies are generally farily healthy. The Labsky breed is predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Siberian Husky and Labrador Retriever also face. It is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Some of the more common health problems Labskies suffer from include: Eye conditions. Labusky Description The Siberian Retriever is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Siberian Husky and the Labrador Retriever. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. This is not the same dog as the purebred Labrador Husky. His name is Carmine and he is such a goofy soul! Only one of her brothers was also born with those striking blue eyes. Rhea is a very smart puppy. After just a week she was already obeying basic commands! I started with the common treat training ie. I have had her two weeks now and she is obeying without the use of treats. She understands that jumping on people is not how to get attention, so she sits, sometimes pawing the air, and whimpers a little. She is even learning to sit up in a begging position and roll over! Rhea is very sweet. Babies, children, and other animals included. She's pretty laid back for a puppy, but she's teething , so keeping everything up aside from her toys is very important. She listens to "No" well, so if she gets into anything she isn't supposed to, it isn't hard to stop the bad behavior. Rhea loves to play, but she stays mostly relaxed indoors. As soon as we get out in the yard, though, she runs and jumps all over the place, barking. She's been doing well with about 30 minutes of play time twice a day. She also goes out for frequent potty breaks to avoid accidents in the house. To sum it all up, Rhea is a very smart, willing, and friendly dog. As long as she gets time outside to run and play, I think she could do great in any living environment and she is definitely a wonderful family pet, as she gets along with anyone and anything! Note the blue eye merle gene. His namesake is heterochromatic human, Max Scherzer, baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals. But likes to eat all my shoes; a troublemaker, but how can you get mad at that face? He has such personality it's unbelievable; he's always able to make you laugh. He's extremely energetic, loves playing in any type of water the creek is his favorite and gives the best kisses! We got him off Craigslist and took him home at 6 weeks a little early, but it worked out okay. He loves to chase cats, but has never hurt ours. They mostly ignore each other. He loves other dogs, though! We take him to the dog park at least 3 times a week. He has a blast playing with the bigger dogs in the creek behind the park. We do have to watch him closely around smaller dogs, as he tends to play a little rough. Garrus is extremely intelligent and learned "sit" his first week with us. He just hit 4 months this week and is weighing in at a little over 30 lbs.!! We can't wait to see how big he'll get. He's really turning into a fine young man.

Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. They crave human attention and affection, the more the better! Often, they will sit by your feet and lean into you or will paw at you to keep petting them. Leaving your Golden alone too long might make him depressed, or could cause unwanted behaviours such as chewing, excessive barking, and other destructive behaviour. But, keep in mind that you are everything to your Golden Retriever and they want to spend their time with you. A high-quality diet is a must for these dogs, as they can easily develop skin problems such as allergies, and they can easily become overweight. Goldens love food, and will eat anything!! It is important to keep control and monitor their food intake so that they do not become overweight. It is certainly not an easy thing to do when they look at you with their sad puppy dog eyes begging for food every time you eat. The biggest mistake you can make is feeding them from the table. I can attest to this because I used to do it! My dog became slightly overweight, and it was a struggle to shed the pounds off of her. Give Them Space Goldens are labelled as a medium to large-sized breed. Breed standards state that adult Goldens will typically weigh between lbs female , and lbs male. Some adults can weigh more or less depending on genetics. Because of their large size, they need room to move. Goldens are not meant to be outside dogs all the time, they would rather spend time with their humans inside than be outside by themselves. Having a yard for them to run and play is beneficial, but when given enough exercise and outdoor time, Goldens can also do well in apartment living. Just make sure that your house or apartment is large enough to accommodate them. Keep Them Beautiful One thing is for certain of this breed, and that is they shed!!! Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful long coat, which is actually a double-coat. Meaning it consists of a thick soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. The undercoat is what sheds heavily in the spring and fall, and there is moderate shedding throughout the rest of the year. A Goldens double-coat offers protection from the elements, keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Regular brushing is a must to keep their coat looking healthy and shiny, and to minimize shedding. Bathing should be done regularly as well, and since Goldens love water it should be easier to do. Because of their floppy ears, Goldens are prone to getting ear infections. Weekly ear cleaning is recommended to keep their ears free of dirt and debris and to prevent infections. Golden Retrievers are beautiful, and they know it and love to show it off. It is up to their owners to keep them beautiful. Grooming a Golden Retriever does not have to be difficult, you can easily learn to groom them yourself at home to save some money. Socialize Them Golden Retrievers are naturally social. They love nothing more than being taken for a walk and meeting new people and other dogs. Known for their friendly and gentle nature, Goldens will get along with all animals and all people. Now as an adult she continues this with the people that she knows. She will also go up to strangers and sit on their feet and wait to be petted. She loves the attention that she gets. After meeting someone, or another dog she usually gets very happy and excited. I would suggest taking your Golden everywhere with you, take them to the park, for car rides, let them meet new people and dogs. Let them experience new things and you will have a happy dog. Take Them Swimming Natural born swimmers, to say that Goldens love water is an understatement! Especially on a hot summer day, Goldens will love to go in any water source they can find. Some owners have Golden Retrievers that enjoy rolling around and getting dirty in mud puddles, I am lucky enough to not be one of those owners. Swimming is a great form of exercise for your Golden Retriever, so take them with you to a dog-friendly beach or other water spot and have a game of fetch in the water. Provide Mental Stimulation Because they are such intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers are easy to train. They are eager to please their owner, especially when a treat is involved for being a good dog. In order to keep them from getting bored, and becoming destructive, they should be given plenty of mental stimulation. Golden Retrievers are happier and healthier, and more behaved when they are given mental stimulation on a daily basis. This can be done by teaching your dog basic commands and tricks, playing games with them, and providing enough exercise. An example of mental stimulation right now for my dog Ellie is when we are out walking she loves to go into the creek at several spots along the trail and hunt for frogs. She is so excited when she sees one and tries to catch it. They are basically big teddy bears. Craving human attention and affection is what they do and if that means jumping onto your lap and snuggling up with you, then that is what they will do. I remember when Ellie was a puppy I did not want her on the couch. I even tried to put tinfoil on the couch to deter her away from it. How long do you think that lasted?? Maybe a week or less. She would take a running leap and jump onto the couch and realize how comfortable it was, and just stay there. Nothing I could do about it, it was just easier to give in. Now I share a couch with her. She has her side, I have mine. Some Goldens live longer than the average, with many of them living up to 14 or 15 years. Genetics, lifestyle, environment, nutrition and spay or neuter status can all contribute to the health of your Golden. In order to keep them healthy and to ensure a long life with your devoted best friend, there are things you need to do such as: Provide a nutritious high-quality diet. Provide plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. Keep your Golden at an ideal weight and watch food intake to prevent obesity. Look for any signs of illness and medical problems, and get regular vet check-ups. Play with them, and show them plenty of love. Provide regular grooming to keep them clean and healthy. They may bark at a stranger at the door, but will soon wag their tail and flash their friendly smile at them. They love people way too much to be effective as a guard dog. If someone were to break into their home, a Golden would rather lick them to death than show any form of aggression. The Golden Retriever especially needs a lot of love and attention in order to be happy. They value the time spent with you, and any dog owner knows that the time spent with their beloved Golden Retriever is never enough. A Golden Retriever quickly steals your heart and becomes your best friend. Their beauty both inside and out becomes addicting that most owners of this beautiful breed usually own more than one. Keep in mind that if you let a Golden be a Golden, by letting them do what they love such as meeting new people and going swimming, then you will be rewarded with a happy dog. How do you take care of your Golden Retriever to ensure their happiness? Share your thoughts and comments below. I would love to hear from you. Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. Golden Retrievers were first bred in the early s in Scotland as hunting dogs. Although they are still used for hunting, Goldens also excel at many other activities, including search and rescue jobs and guide work. They require ample exercise—swimming in particular is a great outlet for their endless energy, and most Goldens love it! Their beautiful coats require brushing and in some climates a summer trim may be in order. Goldens are intelligent, understanding, and eager to please their families. The Golden Retriever is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Golden. By knowing about health concerns specific to Golden Retrievers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Golden Retrievers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Golden Retrievers. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Golden looking and feeling her best. Unfortunately, your Golden is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Golden Retrievers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Golden Retrievers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Golden is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Golden Retrievers Cancer Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Your Golden will likely live longer than many other breeds and therefore is more prone to get cancer in his golden years. Many cancers are curable by surgical removal, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Early detection is critical! Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Golden Retrievers at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Golden Retrievers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Because white blood cells can be found throughout the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often be found with a blood test, so we may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Golden Retrievers than other breeds. The sooner these tumors are surgically removed, the better. Unfortunately, mast cell tumors often look very similar to other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, many of which are not harmful. Therefore, all suspicious lumps should be tested and surgically removed as soon as possible. Many cancers are cured by surgical removal , so early detection is critical. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Golden is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as half an hour. Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes up , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Golden Retrievers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is also sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. And keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Goldens. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Golden Retrievers and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes. Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Golden is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Allergies In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for these conditions. Allergies, swimming, overgrowth of hair in the ear canals, and accumulation of earwax can all predispose your dog to ear infections, which are painful and annoying. Goldens are very often afflicted by allergies, which can cause itching and inflammation in the ears and elsewhere. The earlier we diagnose and treat these ailments, the less discomfort and pain your pet will suffer. Be sure to call us if you notice him scratching or shaking his head, a foul odor from the ears, or if his ears seem painful to the touch. By monitoring for ear infections and treating them early, we also reduce the likelihood of eardrum damage that can lead to deafness. Most ear infections tend to recur until we work together to control the underlying cause. Epilepsy There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Golden Retrievers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, episodes will usually begin between six months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. Note the length of the seizure, and call us at or call an emergency hospital. Heart Disease Some Golden Retrievers inherit a heart condition known as aortic stenosis. This disease causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow leaving the heart, which means the heart must work harder to pump enough blood to the body. If the condition is severe, your dog may faint or seem to run out of energy during exercise. He may also have difficulty breathing, cough frequently, or have stunted growth. Golden Retrievers are also especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Any breed can be affected, but Goldens have an above average incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections. Diabetes is a serious condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. If he shows signs, we will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with you. Treatment requires a serious commitment of time and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Bleeding Disorders Your Golden Retriever is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test as we may not otherwise know whether your pet has hemophilia until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually as simple as replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Taking Care of Your Golden Retriever at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Golden live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She needs a thorough brushing at least weekly most of the year. Twice a year she blows her coat and loses crazy amounts of hair; daily brushing is recommended during this time. Golden Retrievers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week! Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She excels at dog sports like flyball, agility, dock diving, and obedience events. She has a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise for this water retriever. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Golden Retriever needs help. As long as they are socialised well as a puppy, Golden Retrievers can happily fit into family life. They are gentle but need to be treated with respect by all members of the family, including young children, as like any dog their patience will eventually run out. Common health problems in Golden Retrievers Like any purebred dog, Golden Retrievers may encounter some breed-related health problems throughout their lives. Often, Breed Clubs will also be able to provide advice on what tests your breed may need and where to get these done. Make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by these upsetting conditions. For Golden Retrievers, this is because they can have short legs in proportion to their body and a tendency to become overweight. Eye problems — screening tests are available and dogs should be screened on a yearly basis, especially if intended for breeding. Multifocal retinal dysplasia - abnormal development and growth of the back of the eye retina which can lead to blindness. Generalised progressive retinal atrophy GPRA — slowly leads to progressive blindness over months or years. Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy RPED, or central progressive retinal atrophy — a genetic problem which causes issues in the back of the eye retina and loss of vision. Glaucoma — high pressure within the eye causing pain and loss of vision. Ichthyosis — a skin disease that causes thickening of the footpads and makes other areas of skin rough and covered with thick, greasy flakes that stick to the hair. Caring for your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are usually real big softies and can make a great addition to a home. How much noise they make will be down to the individual dog. Training and socialisation Golden Retrievers thrive off training and are very intelligent dogs. They love nothing more than to be given tasks to do to keep them occupied and have fairly good problem-solving skills — for a dog! As long as your Retriever is properly socialised from a young age , they should be confident around new people and situations. Retrievers also like their chill out time but will be more than happy to show you plenty of affection on their own terms. Exercise Golden Retrievers are very active dogs and need plenty of opportunities to exercise , play and get rid of excess energy. Your Golden Retriever will need a minimum of two hours of good exercise per day. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together. Because they are intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers can get bored easily so make sure you keep their brains active as well as their bodies. As their name suggests, retrieving is what they were bred for, so nearly all Golden Retrievers love a good game of fetch! Grooming Golden Retrievers have medium to long coats and generally do shed a lot. They are not a dog to take on if you hate hoovering! Ideally, they should be brushed or combed three times a week at a minimum. Where necessary you can trim their coat with the right tools, but seek advice from a professional dog groomer or vet first. You may also find that your Retriever loves water including any and all muddy puddles and swimming. Make sure they stay safe around the water and if they get mucky, use a dog safe shampoo. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate Golden Retrievers and children If you have a young family then Golden Retrievers can be fantastic with children. If socialised properly from a young age, Retrievers can be quite calm and tolerant. Always supervise children and vulnerable adults with your Golden Retriever and make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and play with dogs with care and kindness, to prevent any issues. Golden Retrievers and other pets Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too. Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time. Obesity can cause other health problems for your Golden Retriever, so keeping them in shape is extra important. Make sure to monitor their weight and keep an eye out for any sneaky snacking. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. If you give your dog an occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily food allowance. Use healthy treats in moderation instead. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave a gap before exercising and after eating. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. If you want to buy a pedigree puppy, we recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they have to do extra health tests and meet higher standards. Set-up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. PDSA Pet Insurance Fun facts As they were bred to fetch game, they have a naturally gentle grip, called a 'soft mouth', so they don't damage the birds they carry back in their mouths. Golden Retrievers have an amazing sense of smell and are often used as search and rescue dogs in other parts of the world. They absolutely love water well, most of them do. Most Retrievers will take any opportunity to have a swim. Luckily, their coats are thick to keep out water and keep them warm. Golden Retrievers make really good assistance dogs and are often a top choice for training to be Guide Dogs for the Blind. Make sure you have the knowledge and dedication to give to these sweet natured dogs to keep them happy and the time and space to exercise them. While they make great family pets, make sure you are absolutely ready to take on the commitment of getting a dog first. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a Golden Retriever. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in Golden Retrievers are out there too. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy a Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. Not sure if the Golden Retriever is the right pet for you? January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. If you also have brought a newborn golden retriever puppy to your home, you need to be extra careful in handling him. It is significant to note that newborn golden retrievers should not be handled like human babies. In this article, I will suggest you 10 tips that will definitely help you to take care of a newborn golden retriever effectively. Before owning golden retriever, it is necessary to know about his temperament— Know everything about golden retriever temperament Ideally, it is better to allow the mother of golden retriever puppy to take its care and responsibility. The puppy must be allowed to stay with his mother and the litter for the first few days. The puppy owner must take care of the puppy as well as its mother and ensure that they are totally comfortable and at ease. Mother as well as the puppy must be fed properly and their nutritional demands must be met properly. A newborn golden retriever puppy may have a lot of needs and its mother can take better care of its growing needs. Since, initially, the puppy is non-explorative, it requires more attention as far its safety is concerned. Mother as well as the dog owner must take care of the highly vulnerable puppy. Proper diet and clean water must be provided to the mother, especially if she is nursing her baby. It is important to ensure that high quality ingredients are available in the food being provided to the mother and the kid so that their nutritional requirements are met in the most effective manner. I have listed some good commercial foods that are must have for the mother of new born puppy:.

If you click on a link and choose to make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. However, when I got my Golden Retriever puppy, I was surprised at how crazy he was. Golden Retrievers are a highly active and playful dog breed. As puppies, these qualities are intensified due to their fast metabolisms, youthful exuberance, and curiosity about the world around them. As a result, their boundless energy can border on hyperactivity, making them seem crazy to us. As a breed, the Golden Retriever is part of the sporting group of dogs, and they require a high level of activity. While there are differences among dogs they are individuals, of course , a high activity level is a common trait in the Golden Retriever breed. In puppies, that activity level is on steroids. In other words, they can and probably will act crazy. This article will look at why that is, how long it lasts, and why it seems to get significantly worse at night or what I call the witching hour. If I was a mad scientist in a lab and I had to make a crazy puppy, I would go about it in this way. I would make a highly active dog that requires a lot of physical exercise. The dog would be eager to please and learn, enjoy being with its owners, and bond closely with them. I would give it a high level of intelligence, requiring the dog to need a lot of mental stimulation. Of course, the dog would also be eager to please and learn and require a lot of attention. As sporting dogs, they would require lots of endurance to assist their human companions for hours on end, retrieving and chasing game birds. Tada, that puppy already exists. It is the Golden Retriever puppy, and it is why their dizzying hyperactivity is often seen as crazy! So, in essence, the qualities of the Golden Retriever puppy are the same qualities they have in adulthood, just magnified, which is not all that surprising. Comparatively speaking, a dog bred to be active as an adult will be more active as a puppy. It is very proportionate. Why is this? As a whole most puppies are generally more active than when they are adults — this is because puppies, as growing dogs, have faster metabolisms. And a fast metabolism means you get alternating bouts of insane energy and hyperactivity that abruptly stops, followed by a nap to recuperate. This puppyhood is not unlike a young and growing human child. So, as the owner of a Golden Retriever puppy, you have accepted that craziness is part of their puppyhood. However, after months of crazy hyperactivity, you may naturally wonder I did , how long are Golden Retriever puppies crazy for? The crazy period for Golden Retriever puppies, defined by a hyper level of activity, playfulness, and mischievousness, lasts approximately two to three years. After that time, they typically calm down somewhat. However, most will retain a high level of activity and playfulness well into adulthood. So, it can be good news and bad news for many pet owners. The good news is this peak crazy period lasts only two to three years, then moderates after that. Now, two to three years can be a long time for many pet owners, and as far as dog breeds go, that is a long puppyhood. Longer than most dog breeds. But, while the craziness of puppyhood may moderate after two to three years, most Golden Retrievers retain a high level of puppyhood well into adulthood, much more so than most breeds of dogs. As well, Golden Retrievers were bred to be highly active dogs. Their sporting dogs, after all. And that means even in adulthood; the Golden Retriever will still require a high level of physical activity. They are also one of the most intelligent dogs, requiring a high level of mental stimulation throughout their lives. What does all of this mean, then? Now the bad. Suppose you are ill-equipped or prepared to give your Golden Retriever adequate amounts of physical exercise and mental stimulation. In that case, you may have a crazy Golden Retriever puppy and adult on your hands for many years. Golden Retrievers need high activity and mental stimulation to satisfy their physical and mental needs, whether puppies or adults. Not doing so will typically cause a bored dog to direct that excess mental and physical energy into undesirable behaviors. So the key takeaway is this, it is critical always to ensure that the dog you get fits your lifestyle, especially with active dogs like the Golden Retriever. To this day, my 1. That time is the early evening or night, and during this time, his energy peaks, and he often goes crazy. It is something to behold, and many guests have asked me why Golden Retriever puppies go crazy at night. Golden Retriever puppies often go crazy at night because dogs are naturally most active during the morning and early evening. Lack of physical and mental stimulation during the day may intensify this excess evening energy. Either way, the puppy is expending its energy reserves before settling down for the night. Most Golden Retriever puppies will have an additional burst of energy during the early evening from about pm to pm. Outside or inside , the puppy may get infected with the zoomies and sprint at top speed, with his ears down, and do circles around the yard or house. If you have other pets, such as a cat, this may be the time it also pesters it to play. If the puppy is teething, be prepared to have your hands chewed on, or it may attack your furniture. Sometimes they will find makeshift toys and drop them in our laps, trying to elicit a game of tug. And, the cause of this often hilarious, often exhausting, crazy energy? A few reasons. The first reason we discussed earlier. Golden Retrievers were bred to be highly active dogs. As sporting dogs, they would assist hunters for hours by retrieving downed waterfowl. Additionally, dogs are more active in puppyhood. They have faster metabolisms, youthful exuberance, and are curious. If a dog was bred to be active as an adult, as in the case of the Golden Retriever, then expect them to be even more active as puppies. Golden Retriever adults are very active. So, as puppies, they are insanely vibrant. Dogs are naturally more active in the morning and early evenings. So, the night and afternoons are usually sleep and nap times, and the puppy wakes with plenty of energy — this is normal. Next is a common reason and probably the biggest reason for their craziness at night — not enough play, exercise, and training throughout the day. Yup, if not exercised and stimulated enough during the day, your Golden Retriever puppy will still have massive energy reserves. To make matters worse, if the puppy napped a lot during the day because you were gone, it may be rested, bored, lonely, and even more full of zest come evening. Before settling down to sleep at night, it needs to rid itself of that energy. So cue the zoomies and craziness. Lastly, your Golden Retriever puppy may want attention. Of course, seeking your attention is expected if you work all day because your little furball missed you. Suppose you have a crazy Golden Retriever puppy. In that case, I guarantee the next question will be, what can I do to make my Golden Retriever puppy less crazy? To make a Golden Retriever puppy less crazy and calmer, you need to burn off its excess energy and mentally stimulate the puppy. This can be done through physical exercise, playing games with the puppy, and short but formal training sessions. Because Golden Retrievers, by nature and breeding, are highly active, super-intelligent, and very playful, they need their minds and bodies stimulated. Golden Retrievers were also bred to work closely with people, so they are social animals. Physical exercise, play, training, and mental stimulation help satisfy those needs. Physical Exercise Golden Retriever puppies need to be exercised daily. Walking is an excellent exercise, and training them to walk politely on a leash can never start too young. If your puppy has not had its final vaccinations yet, you can still walk it in the backyard or house. So, how much exercise should your Golden Retriever puppy have daily? It should be five minutes x its age in months x twice per day. However, beware that it may be on the low side, and your Golden Retriever may need more. At three months of age, 30 minutes of exercise was not nearly enough for our Golden Retriever Bailey. Typically, 60 minutes is what he needed, plus multiple play sessions, training, and mental games. As a result, play is an excellent form of mental stimulation for your puppy and provides a bonding opportunity. Remember, Golden Retrievers are social dogs, and play helps give them the attention they need from their owners. For Golden Retriever puppies, fetch and tug of war are great games. It is what they were born to do. Bailey loves fetch and tug of war Tug of war is also a great game and provides the dog with physical and mental stimulation. Chase is fun for your puppy, as is hide and seek. Or you can start training your puppy to use its nose for tracking. Training Training your Golden Retriever puppy can start early. In fact, it should. Training provides mental stimulation, attention, and social interaction. Training also lays the foundation for impulse control and good manners. Training is like a formal education for your puppy. Similar to how studying can tax your brain and tire you out, the same is true for puppies. Training requires your puppy to problem solve and work on impulse control. Those mental feats take mental energy. And invoking that mental energy through training helps expel more energy. Or when you are engaged in activities that require it to be calm and out of the way, such as cooking. Bailey is working on his down-stay skill at distance and duration. Golden Retrievers love training. They enjoy interacting and pleasing you, it is fun for them, and they want to earn rewards. And, training does not need to take up a big part of your day. Two five-minute sessions will work wonders. Mental Stimulation While training is mentally stimulating to your Golden Retriever, you should also include activities that are specifically geared towards brainwork. Brainwork can consist of games such as puzzles, scent work, or teaching your dog tricks. Although some of these activities require training, their purpose is to stimulate the dog mentally. Whereas training is usually done to get the desired action from our dogs to make them well-behaved canine citizens, mental activities are meant to make them problem solve and use the grey matter between their floppy ears. Include some scent work for your dog. The more intelligent the dog, the more mental stimulation it needs for it to tire. To learn more about the fantastic scent work abilities of the Golden Retriever check out these posts:. When you find yourself yelling or texting your bestie - "my dog is driving me crazy" - know there are things you can do! Here are 3 things to do when your puppy is stressing you out: Get some space Do something fun with your dog Make a plan Let's look at each one below. Anger and frustration really can cloud our judgment and lead to us doing things we'll regret. If your pup is starting to make you feel overly stressed and you can feel your patience running thin, take a break. Get yourself some physical distance between yourself and your pup and regroup. This can be done by don't use it as a punishment though , in another room, or using a playpen or baby gate. If you need to leave the home for a few minutes, do that. Taking a few moments away from your dog can help you reassess the situation and calm down. You know your dog best, so do something that you know both you and your pup will enjoy. It could be playing tug, throwing a ball, or even some fun not structured trick training. For many of us as pup parents, we originally chose to get a dog because we envisioned the fun moments and memories that come with being a pup parent. So, finding a way to reconnect with that "goal" can be a great way to gain your sanity back with your dog. Plus, taking part in a fun activity with your pup will help both your mood and outlook on the situation. You have to make a plan on how you will improve the behaviors that are driving you up a wall. If, for example, you get frustrated whenever you go on walks because your at other dogs then you can make a plan to combat that. When will you train that behavior? What resources will you use? How often will you practice that training? How long will you practice when you do the training? The challenge with many "annoying" dog behaviors is that we often only think about them when they happen. But the truth is, you're not going to train out a problem behavior in the heat of the moment. Instead, you need to practice the situations that lead to problem behaviors before it's really happening. So if your dog always barks when people come to the door, don't think you can train that when a stranger knocks on the door. Instead, practice having someone a neighbor, friend, etc. If you're feeling stuck as to what your plan should be, then you should sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup. Sign up for free here! So when this happens, take the time to get some space, re-engage with something fun, and then make a plan to help overcome the problem behaviors causing you stress! Again, don't miss out on 30 Day Perfect Pup! It's a guided video course that can serve as a perfect plan for how to handle challenging behaviors. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Golden retrievers are such great family dogs. And they tend to have some behavior problems because of their great characteristics. Most goldens want to be near their people. And they love to be petted and get attention. They may jump, grab our hand or arm, or engage in some destructive behaviors. Many of these are normal dog behaviors that can be modified through training and exercise. Normal Dog Behaviors Versus Abnormal Behaviors Dogs naturally dig, bark, express fear in certain situations, mark territory, chase small animals, and jump. They may steal food. Or want to be with us all the time. Goldens were bred to be sociable, high-energy dogs. My rescued golden Spencer almost always had to carry something in his mouth. So I made sure there were safe toys for him to happily tote around. Unfortunately, many dogs are given up to shelters because of behaviors that can be modified. To have a great companion takes a lot of work, patience, and time. And to meet those needs. These should be dealt with by behavior specialists who can evaluate the individual dog and determine the best behavior modification plan. These abnormal behaviors include aggression to those around the dog, obsessive-compulsive disorders, shutting down, and severe separation anxiety. Why Behavior Problems Develop There is no one reason why some behavior problems occur. Unfortunately, goldens are so popular—the third-popular breed ranked by the American Kennel Club—they are often poorly bred. There are too many back-yard and puppy mill dogs who are more likely to not be the examples of what the breed should be. Jumping on People Golden retrievers usually love everyone and never met a stranger. Goldens are the greeting committee of the dog world. Many dogs want to jump on people when greeting them. The golden can, of course, unintentionally injure someone, knocking them over in his exuberant greeting. Engaging in Destructive Behavior In addition to friendliness, goldens were bred to hunt. They have energy to spare. And they were bred to retrieve and have something in their mouths. They may dig up the garden. Or chew up our furniture. Or they may steal the food on the counter. And the food they eat may be toxic, such as chocolate or raisins. Or they may get a blockage from ingesting a towel or sock. A bored, under-exercised golden can get very creative in meeting his needs. They often need to have something in their mouths. That is, he may constantly try to hold our clothes, arm, or hand in his mouth. Biting is a natural canine behavior. But puppies should be taught bite-inhibition. And it can be dangerous. Someone can be badly bruised or even pulled down. Pulling on the Leash Goldens love to go places and greet all their new admirers. But they want to get there sooner rather than later. Many dogs pull on a leash, but not all are as friendly as goldens are known to be. And they can be lazer-focused on getting where they want to go. Being a rather large dog, a golden pulling on a leash can injure someone. An owner can be pulled down and get injured. Or the dog himself can get free and get lost or injured—or worse. Demanding Attention Because of their natural friendliness, goldens may want to be the center of attention. They are so family-oriented, they love to be with us. Some goldens may bark at you for attention. They may nudge you and grab your arm to be recognized. Some may even engage in unwanted behaviors like taking something off the table. Even negative attention is attention. Hyperactivity Some goldens seemingly bounce off the walls. They are like a hurricane passing through the living room. Tables are cleared of bric a brac. Pillows are shredded and on the floor. But your happy golden is furiously wagging his tail, looking for the next item he can use to help expel his excess energy. Separation Anxiety Because of their innate friendly, family-oriented behavior, goldens may suffer from separation anxiety at a higher rate than some other breeds. Their need to be with us can lead to some unwanted behaviors. Dogs with mild separation anxiety may drool, pace, whine, and generally behave in a distressed manner. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may become very destructive. They may try to get out of doors and windows, feverishly digging at door and window frames. They may even severely harm themselves in their attempts to get free. Dogs with separation anxiety may need professional behavioral help. We owe it to our goldens to do all that we can do to meet their natural needs. A bored, untrained, under-exercised, unsupervised golden is going to develop some problem behaviors. Some of the tips below will even help your golden from developing any of the potential problems cited above. I wrote the ways to help fix a problem separately from the problems because it will probably take more than one item to successfully change an unwanted behavior. All of the favorable interactions we have with our goldens also help further our bond with them. Physical Exercise Goldens were bred to hunt. They are highly-energetic dogs. Walks, fetching, jogging, agility, and swimming can all be great ways to physically exercise your golden. A vet check-up is advisable prior to starting any exercise program. Physical exercise can help decrease or eliminate the above-named problems. Of course, you want to exercise your dog enough but not over-tire them. Dogs who have been sufficiently exercised are less likely to jump or engage in destructive activities such as digging or chewing. Also, dogs who are exercised and calm before we leave are less likely to develop separation anxiety. Obedience Training Obedience training helps us communicate with our dogs and informs them what behaviors are desired. So we can teach them to sit before they receive attention. Or to lie down next to us and settle. And we can show him what toys he can put in his mouth rather than destroying items or turning us into his chew toy. Redirection works. And we can teach them to not pull on a leash and to walk on a loose leash. Part of the training should include how to leave your dog alone. This will help prevent separation anxiety from developing. Start with short sessions. Make leaving a happy opportunity—when great things appear. Leave a frozen, stuffed Extreme Kong with him as you leave. If your dog has already shown signs of separation distress, get the help of a qualified behavior specialists. As far as your golden inappropriately seeking attention is concerned, you can ignore your dog. Turn away or get up and leave. But do give him the attention he needs on your terms by calling him over to you occasionally. Pet him. Have him do a command or trick. Praise, pet, and treat. You should also play games with him. Teach him to tug a toy like a rope or long fleece to and give. You can have him play fetch. You can play hide-and-seek where you go and hide and call him to you. Make a big deal when he reaches you YES! Good boy! And not at all with a dog who has separation anxiety. But, to goldens, this is what they often enjoy most. Everyone is a potential friend. Goldens will thrive if they are fed the same times each day, are exercised as needed routinely, and receive attention from their people every day. No dog should be just put aside like a statue. Goldens especially need attention through positive daily interactions—play, training, exercise. If ignored, their sweet, golden personality will wilt. Final Thoughts Golden retrievers are such happy, affable, family dogs. But they are prone more than some breeds to certain problem behaviors because of their genetic purpose to retrieve and their desire to be with people. By doing so, their lives—as well as ours—will be full and happy. Does your golden engage in any unwanted behaviors? How have you handled them? Please tell us about it in the comment section below. Related Article:. Dog owners want their dogs to stop driving them crazy. Dog trainers talk about building drive, channeling drive, switching drive, engaging drive, all sorts of things that simply determine what the dog is internally motivated by when he engages in an act. Although understanding drives might be important to trainers, what pet dog owners usually want is to suppress or inhibit drive. Most owners want dogs that are mirror reflections of themselves. Most dog owners are not professional trainers either. I mean, how can a trainer be without a dog? A lot of inexperienced, newer trainers tend to have gotten into training because they owned a dog that drove them crazy. They figured that since they started with a drivey dog, they can train any dog. Every dog is nuanced and requires that we not only understand them, but that we know enough about instinctual drives to be able to help them. Experienced trainers deliberately get high drive dogs because they wish to pursue a sport or activity where that kind of dog is desirable. Drive is defined largely by instinctual or internal motivators. Defensive drive, prey drive and social drive are the 3 basic drives that facilitate survival. The ability to look for and locate game and to chase and kill game would be prey drive. An animal willing to fight in pursuit of a meal, a mate or territory, could be classified as defensive drive, and the desire to seek a mate, procreate, and hunt cooperatively with a group would be considered social drive. The only drive most dog owners actually want in their dog is social drive. The companionship a dog offers by his mere presence is what most humans seek. They may admire dogs that display strengths in the other three drives, but most owners are inadequately prepared to control them effectively without professional intervention. Having a dog with a lot of drive can be a blessing or a curse to an owner. As I age, I am less inclined to own dogs with a lot of prey, hunt or defensive drive, because although easy to motivate and fun to train, they can be difficult to challenge meaningfully over time and even more difficult to exhaust, mentally. A highly social dog can present his own problems, but he is largely content to just be with his owners. Life happens! Priorities change! That cute little yellow lab you bought down the shore was bred to hunt. Are you prepared to give that dog a meaningful job for the next 8 to 10 years? That Shepherd needs a job. High drive dogs are demanding. When their needs are not adequately met, they become obnoxious. Some can even become dangerous. Everybody loves the romance surrounding the dogs they see in movies and on TV. That can be construed as UNdirected drive. Dog starts lighting up on guests, becoming defensive around food or space. That would be called MISdirected drive. If the owner is smart, they contact the breeder for advice. If the breeder is respectable, they will give it or tell you where to look for it. They get them from alternative sources like Craigslist. Petfinder is another, or as I have heard it referred to, Tinder for Pets. Their behavior became intolerable to their previous owners, who ultimately became frustrated with them and gave up. Dog ended up stuck in a crate, in a back yard, sequestered away when company comes. As his life becomes even more unfulfilled, he becomes a nuisance and potentially a genuine risk. Predictably, dogs with a lot of un-directed drive tend to get dumped first. Usually the owners discover their mistake too late that the Husky they had to have because Game of Thrones was their favorite show is a nightmare screamer who is destroying their landscaping because their only criterion for consideration was the dog would be a nice ornament to their lifestyle. People buy dogs for a variety of reasons, most of which are reasonable. They want dogs that look the part, not actually act the part. They never realize that a dog with a lot of drive requires a lot of effort. Being able to retreat on command is useful. If I were a consumer of dog training, I would look for the trainer with the dogs I want mine to be like. Every trainer involved with dogs has a different training philosophy, a lot of which is an unclear understanding of drives and how to manipulate them. Aaaaand, no. It can, but the average owner should not be expected to demand that sort of focus from himself, let alone his dog. Yes, heel does mean heel, but expecting an average owner to be able to understand and maintain that level of focus from their dog is unrealistic. Owners want dogs to ignore distractions. The reason most people call trainers is because they either own or are quickly creating adrenaline junkie dogs and need help learning how to correct that. Learning how to manipulate drives are what most successful dog training is all about. If you are ready for results, feel free to contact us at or reach out via email! Training www. My dog is driving me crazy…he jumps on me all the time. He gets into trouble. He mouths me. He runs through the house. My dog never calms down. Probably not. True canine ADHD, called hyperkinesis in dogs, is extremely rare and can be diagnosed by your veterinarian. According to Debra F. Horwitz DVM, DACVB, in her manual Canine and Feline Behavior, a true case of canine hyperkinesis is exhibited by a rapid heartbeat that does not slow down in rest, abnormally rapid breathing, excessive salivation, reduced amounts of urine, underweight, and a failure to calm down with external stimulation. Other possible health reasons for frantic or hyper behavior can be anxiety, hyperthyroidism, metabolic disease or food allergies. For example, you ignore your dog when he is quietly resting, but when he speeds around the house or jumps on you, he gets your attention. Fetch is a good way to do that. If you have a loud, active family, your dog may respond in kind. Dogs can get overly excited when interacting with small children and have erratic motions. Working line breeds such as Labradors, retrievers, the herding breeds, or even mixes such as Labradoodles or Goldendoodles tend to be more active than others. Working line breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers, and herding dogs are often very active and need constructive outlets for their energy and instincts. If a dog is kept outside because he is active and subjected to social isolation, he cannot learn to be calm in the home. The situation becomes a cycle in which the dog is prevented from learning to be calm in the home. If you have one of these dogs, bite the bullet and bring him inside. Manage the frantic, active behavior with the use of barriers, tethering, or crating to maintain your sanity. However, management is no substitute for training, exercise, and appropriate interactions. When a dog acts crazy, active, and frantic, what can you do to change it? First, take a deep breath and collect all your patience. Consider changing his food to a good quality one that does not have food coloring or poor-quality fillers. Check the percentage of protein in the food. Unless your dog is a working dog, such as one that hunts regularly with you, a lower protein diet is all they need and can process. Try to keep the protein level at about 26 percent or less. Do you have a wild and crazy dog? Chances are it is not hyperactivity, just part of his breeding or personality. Sarah Hickman photography Increase his physical exercise and mental enrichment. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Remember how tired you would feel after taking an exam? Play Find It games with food and treats. Invest in some dog puzzles. Train him! Training not only helps you manage your dog, but force free training is fun for you and your dog and provides valuable mental exercise. Keep your dog in thinking mode and instill good manners by having him sit for everything he wants. Have him sit to put on his leash, sit to go out the door, sit to throw his ball, sit to get his meals or food dispensing toy, sit to be petted or sit for anything else he wants. Focus on impulse control cues such as attention, stays, downs, and leave it. Have a force free trainer help you teach your dog to relax on a mat, in which your dog not only learns to go to a mat on cue but chooses to go to the mat and learns to calm himself. If your dog gets too excited or aroused around other dogs, consider private obedience training. Enroll your active dog in a fun dog sport such as agility, disc dog, flyball or lure coursing. Or involve your dog in an activity that he was bred to do, such as hunting or herding. This is Emily-Rose Allred and Yeti. Increase his exercise. Appropriate play with similarly active dogs is great exercise. Throw a ball. Take him running with you. Participate in one of many fun active dog sports such as flyball, disc dog, agility or lure coursing. If you catch him lying down or sitting politely, praise him in a calm voice and stroke him calmly. Play with dogs of similar size and activity levels is great exercise. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Do you ever wonder what your dog would say if he could talk? Here are five bad habits you need to stop before they wreck your relationship. But will that confuse him? Guess what? When you speak to a dog you must speak from the inside, from your mind, your heart, and your body. Otherwise he will be scratching his head with his paw, trying to figure why he can see your lips moving with strange noises coming out. The ones with the framed pictures of Twinkles all over the walls. Her name is embroidered on all of her pillows and emblazoned on toys of every kind, scattered from kitchen to bedroom to bath. You can see how the human starts to get confused sometimes and starts thinking that Twinkles is a child—but of course Twinkles is under no illusions at all. She is a dog, and she wants to behave like a dog—that is in her DNA. And like all dogs, she wants to run, she loves to chase things, and she wants to use her nose to track. There is nothing wrong with showing your dog love, but remember: first exercise, then discipline, and finally affection. And so often the answer is the same: Your dog is getting bored—he wants something to do. In the wild—from the time they are babies—dogs have to work for their food. They have to hunt it down or go hungry. Dogs have been bred over the centuries for different jobs—from rounding up cattle to hunting to hauling. When their natural instinct is denied, they become frustrated, and that is when they start to show signs of aggressive behavior. So do what your dog asks and give him a job. Put a pack on his back when you go for walks or create obstacle courses so he can put his scent-tracking abilities to good use. The next thing you know, you and your dog are racing around the back yard with a ball and all the rules have changed. At least the rules have changed in your mind—until you are ready to call it quits and go inside for dinner. How is your dog supposed to understand what has happened? You gave up on being pack leader to race into playing with her instead of making it clear that play begins only when she is calm and responsive. Your dog is always looking for consistency and structure, and without it she is going to become confused about when she is supposed to follow your directions and when you two are just buddies. You hate it when she comes to visit—you know she is checking out your home, and you can see the critical disdain in her face. That is why they need calm, assertive energy to relax. Remember: Dogs are predators in the wild, so if they become nervous, their fight-or-flight response is almost always more likely to be fight. Nervousness in dogs will soon come out as aggression. It is how they deal with a problem. Listen to your dogs. Listen to them carefully, for they are trying to tell you what they want. Their needs are really very simple, and if you satisfy those, you will have a happy and harmonious relationship. That is the kind of bond I have with Junior, as you can see from the photos on these pages. And I hope it will be the relationship you have with your dog.

Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan! Raising dogs for you and your family. Call or text .Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential White German Shepherd breed info to find out everything about the White German Shepherd. How to find White German Shepherd puppies for sale? When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their White German Shepherd pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the White German Shepherd kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers.