black and white labrador retriever puppies

Breeding Labradoodles takes more than just mating two dogs and hoping for the best. It requires lots of research, time, and money to raise the healthiest litters possible. Unfortunately, the soaring demand for Doodles has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. The Humane Society conducts an extensive review of problematic breeders and puppy mills each year. Likewise, look for breeders who offer at least a two-year health guarantee for all their puppies. Typically, health warranties cover most or all genetic diseases that the parents have been tested for. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Additionally, many reputable breeders are also recommended by Gooddog. To become a certified breeder by any of these organizations, the breeder must follow strict health and genetic testing standards, and follow ethical breeding protocols. All puppies are handled from the day they are born. The pups are exposed to children, everyday sounds, sights, and household experiences. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Here are some qualities of a reputable and trustworthy breeder. Extensive Knowledge Make sure that you work with an experienced breeder who has a lot of knowledge about breeding programs and Labradoodles. A good breeder should be capable of answering any questions you have and be welcoming and willing to answer your questions. You can ask breeders questions about their breeding practices or the kind of care their puppies receive. A good breeder will also provide extended support after you bring one of their puppies home. For example, many reputable breeders participate in Guardian Home programs so that their breeder dogs grow up in loving families and safe homes. Responsible Labradoodle breeders will also provide early socialization for their puppies and handle and hold them daily. Look for breeders that work with a trusted veterinarian to properly vaccinate and deworm their puppies and do a complete health exam. Although most puppies from a reputable breeder are healthy, there may be rare instances where they have a significant health condition. Therefore, a good breeder should have some sort of health guarantee and return warranty. Wrap Up Labradoodles can brighten up your life and bring a lot of joy to your family. Make sure to work with a reputable breeder so that you can have an enjoyable and rewarding experience from beginning to end. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. We are dedicated to breeding healthy Labradoodles, and all our breeding dogs undergo comprehensive health tests for eyes, hips, elbows, and at least eight potential genetic conditions. Our breeding dogs live in loving guardian homes and are cherished members of wonderful families. They return to Brasken for delivering and raising their puppies. Our Guardian Home program allows our breeding dogs to stay with their families for their entire lives, ensuring they receive the love and attention they deserve. Labradoodle Puppy Care We believe in providing our puppies with the best care possible. Before coming home, our Labradoodle puppies receive their first set of vaccinations, deworming, and are microchipped. They come with a health record booklet, a familiar blanket, a bag of food, a puppy info packet, and a puppy training book to help you get started on the right foot. Frequently Asked Questions What breeding accreditations do you have? We are accredited by the AFAA, which recognizes us as one of the trusted labradoodle breeders in California. For our puppies we use the Pawprint Genetics Laboratory and ensure our breeding Labradoodles pass health tests for eyes, hips, elbows, and at least eight potential genetic conditions. Do the puppies come with a health guarantee? Yes, all our puppies come with a health guarantee. Can I visit your facility to see the conditions in which your dogs and puppies are kept? We do welcome people to come by to see our facility and the pups which you can do by scheduling an appointment. What is the puppy adoption process? Our puppy adoption process involves filling out a puppy application, reviewing our contract, and placing a deposit to reserve a puppy. Are the puppies trained and socialized before coming home? Yes, our puppies receive early socialization and handling. We start their training by introducing them to basic commands and potty training. What do your Labradoodle puppies come home with? Our Labradoodle puppies come home with their first set of vaccinations, deworming, a microchip, a health record booklet, a familiar blanket, a bag of food, a puppy info packet, and a puppy training book. What size Labradoodles do you breed? We breed miniature, medium, and standard-size Labradoodles. What generation do you breed? We breed multigenerational Australian Labradoodles for sale in California How much do your Labradoodles cost? We also have guardian labradoodles available if cost is a concern. For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly. We are excited to help you find the perfect Labradoodle puppy to join your family! We had researched breeders and liters for over a year until deciding on Brasken. We adopted our love bug a couple months ago and are beyond thrilled. Because Brandon and Kristen run a strict breeding program for health, temperament and beauty their pups are so exceptional. They will thoroughly educate you from A to Z on all things puppy to prepare you for adoption day and puppyhood. Our Frankie Grace is only 16 weeks old and listens to all our commands. I swear she is almost human. She is a dream. She loves hugs, running, playing ball, meeting new friends human and fur. Branden and Kristen were incredible to work with and provided us with all the right tools and information to bring our girl home. They are extremely knowledgable and caring to all puppies and their families. We couldn't be happier and look forward to our continued relationship with Brasken. They are amazing. They are dedicated to this breed and producing the best puppies. We were so impressed on our site visit to meet them and pick up our puppy. Our dog is wonderful, truly a part of our family. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Scroll through their website to see how awesome the dogs are they breed. You will fall in love with their puppies. Beth MacLean. The breeders are dedicated to selective breeding to ensure purebred of the mix of the Labrador and Poodles breed. The breeders breed multi-generational Labradoodles and Mini , Medium, and Standard size Labradoodles. They also specialize in breeding the top-quality breed of American and Australian Labradoodles that are calm , loving, and friendly. If nurtured and trained properly, these dogs are strong enough to accompany while jogging, swimming, and walking. Breeders at Rosebud Australian Labradoodles believe that every dog is a part of their family; hence, they give their dogs away to families with similar loving environments only. They reserve their right to deny any client for adoption if they do not find favorable environments for the Labradoodle puppies to grow in. When it comes to listing out the reasons as to why you should get Labradoodle Puppies in California, it can go long. Starting from being loyal guide dogs to extremely friendly-natured, cute, and adorable dogs, Labradoodles win the love of many families. Great Adaptability: Labradoodle puppies are adaptable to various surroundings you put them in. Labradoodles are flexible with both hot and cold weather. Friendly Temperament: The friendly nature of this breed makes them an excellent fit for families. These are also well behaved around strangers and can play around with other dogs as well. The best trait about them is they are incredibly kid-friendly. Low-shedding: Labradoodles are low on shedding and are hypoallergenic dogs, making it easier to be around them. They need minimal but proper grooming. These dogs are active and can stay away and aware of their daily amount of activity. Easy-to-train: These dogs are easy to train. If trained from an early age, these dogs grow up to be loyal, friendly, obedient, and intelligent service dogs. Final Words Labradoodle Puppies in California are popular and happily accepted by most families. These dogs make good guide dogs as well as service dogs, besides being family-friendly. Given that Labradoodle puppies are easily trained , giving them proper training would be for the best. If not, they may sometimes become destructive, which will be trouble. Sometimes, these dogs become overly exuberant around kids and may even knock them down unintentionally with their relatively larger adult size. Nevertheless, with proper training and grooming, Labradoodles make great family dogs. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. With 17 years of experience in breeding Australian Labradoodles, we pride ourselves on selecting only the best dogs for our breeding program, which in turn ensures that we are producing the best puppies imaginable. We work closely with our licensed vet to perform health testing, including hip and elbow testing; eyes, heart, skin, and patella testing; and a series of genetic tests, on all of our breeding dogs. We provide a temperature controlled, in home my master bedroom environment, with sound therapy to expose your puppy to lifes sounds from an early age. This helps desensitize your puppy to the sounds of life traffic, fireworks, outdoor machinery, crying baby, misc appliances, automobiles, etc. We start crate training at 5 weeks with a soothing heartbeat snuggle puppy to comfort them as they transition to sleeping alone and all the puppies love it and sleep better with minimal crying. We add nutrients and special additives for puppies to their drinking water. We add probiotics to their food for a healthy GI tract and immune system. We make special liver water, gruel, with puppy supplements, dog milk formula to their nutritionally dense food to support eyes, ear, bone, joint, coat and heart health. We expose your puppy to sunlight daily on the deck right outside the puppy nursery area. There is always a plush bedding for their cozy comfort in their play areas for those impromptu naps puppies love. Our puppies are held and played with while being bathed and exposed to water, in our walk-in shower, which builds a positive experience, with water, for their lifetime. Bath time is with a human sitting in this large shower allowing plenty of space for your puppy too roam around and enjoy water in a nurturing experience. The puppies love it instead of being in a sink with a dry human just washing them. Water is actual playtime while they get clean and build positive experiences with being wet. Instead we utilize Puppy Culture, Badass Breeder protocols and tons of love from humans that are passionate and dedicated to what they do. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to providing you with your fury best friend! When full grown, these health tested, Australian Labradoodle puppies will be approximately pounds with wavy fleece coats, curly fleece coats or the occasional straighter hair fleece coats. Our puppies can go home as early as 8 weeks old. We can also hold back a puppy if you are interested in training services. Sugar Pine Doodles on Facebook. Would you like to be a guardian for one of our breeding doodles? Please click for our Guardian Home Program to learn more. Find the Next Member of Your Family. Testimonials As a veterinarian I work with multiple breeders. Charl and Jerry Beauchat have been clients of mine for several years. Their dogs are always kept in great condition. Every puppy is health checked and micro-chipped prior to going to its new home. Providing healthy family members remains a priority of mine as well as theirs Jonathan CortezDVM We can not say enough about the integrity of your program. Pete and Jiffy …head and shoulders above the pack when it comes to a quality breeder…. Do yourself a favor and visit Charl and Shadow Mountain Labradoodles if you are considering a new puppy. We have made a full time commitment to our program. Three of us work full time with our dogs, puppies and families. Charl and Jerry are in Southern California, our daughter Jena, has branched out and is now carrying on our work in Oklahoma! We are also currently training 10 new Australian Labradoodle Breeders in California, Oklahoma, Washington, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Missouri and Ohio to bless families and to protect this wonderful breed! Shadow Mountain Australian Labradoodles are bred with love and care in a home environment. We work hard to place our puppies in an environment where both the families and the puppies are set up for success. Quick Links.

Moreover, in case your Labradoodle has any sensitivity, weight, allergy, or other health issues, the Purina Pro Plan product range has got you covered. So, if your Labradoodle is struggling with a food allergy, you might not have to switch to another brand altogether. Instead, you can switch the chicken formula for lamb or fish, for example. The same goes for grains. This makes it perfect for all Labradoodles weighing more than 70 pounds. Although the list is not short and has some rather tricky names listed, it does contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, and even added glucosamine, which is great for Labradoodles who are at a risk of developing joint problems like hip dysplasia. Labradoodle owners know how important a beautiful coat is! Dicalcium phosphate DCP has been linked to kidney stones and the calcification of soft tissue Contains soy, which may be difficult to digest, cause bloat and gas, and trigger allergies 2. Fromm Fromm has formulas for all stages of life, large and small breeds, for weight management, and offers grain-free and grain-inclusive variations. The main sources of protein are beef, chicken, turkey, duck, pork, salmon, tuna, lamb, goose, pheasant, quail, venison, rabbit, and whitefish. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient, but it also includes fish meal, duck, lamb, and chicken liver. This formula is grain-inclusive and uses whole grains like oat groats and barley. Likewise, other natural ingredients like flaxseed, alfalfa meal, and inulin provide additional fiber. Not only are the most important vitamins and minerals included, this dry dog food is formulated with prebiotics and probiotics. PawTree formulas are made from real ingredients and they offer a variety of different formulas, specializing in grain-free recipes, and formulas that are free from certain ingredients to minimize allergic reactions. Allergies and food sensitivities are a common concern for many Labradoodles, especially when it comes to certain proteins or even grains. Other highlights in this formula include apples, blueberries, coconut oil, salmon oil, and flaxseed. In addition to quality animal proteins and plants, this dry kibble also contains added vitamins, minerals, and even prebiotics for good tummy health. In fact, this recipe has been designed for reduced stool volume and also to keep those smelly farts at bay. Pros First ingredient listed is real duck. Packed with nutritious ingredients that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Perfect for Labradoodles who are allergic to chicken and fish. Ideal for overweight Doods. Supports good skin and coat health. Naturally occurring glucosamine helps support the joints. Designed to be easily digestible. No corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-products, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Cons None! Victor Victor Pet Food has formulas suitable for all life stages. Additionally, they offer special formulas for joint health, weight management and performance, and grain-free and high-protein formulas. For some Labradoodles, the food sensitivity, digestion, weight management, and joint support formulas might be beneficial. Royal Canin Royal Canin offers formulas that many Labradoodle owners might find useful like special food for large breeds, formulas for food sensitivities, weight management, and digestive health. All of which Labradoodles are at risk of. However, as Labradoodles tend to inherit the health issues of both Labs and Poodles, this option might work well for your Labradoodle. Diamond As with other brands, Diamond offers a variety of dog food options for different needs. Labradoodle owners might find their formulas for weight management or sensitivity issues helpful. It contains a decent amount of fiber that helps with proper digestion, as do added probiotics. The key ingredients in raw dog food diets are: muscle meats, organ meats like liver, kidney, spleen, brain, sweetbreads, whole, powdered or meaty bones, raw eggs, dog-friendly fruit and vegetables, and sometimes dairy, like yogurt. Kirkland Kirkland is another popular dog food brand that Labradoodle parents love. It offers formulas for all life stages, weight management, and also grain-free and organic options. However, they do have other formulas with different protein sources Ingredients To Avoid In Labradoodle Dog Food You already might know that there are ingredients your Labradoodle should never eat. Naturally, responsible dog food brands do not include these ingredients, anyway. Related Content. This diet prioritizes the use of excellent quality proteins in its foundation, listing venison and duck as its main ingredients. These proteins are not commonly seen in dog foods, making them ideal for dogs with allergies to more prominently utilized meats associated with allergies. Prebiotics play a starring role in this high performance food, providing needed support for ideal digestion in the Labradoodle. Sweet potatoes are the basis of the carbohydrates found in this recipe, a vegetable that is nutrient-dense and that provides a jumpstart to the immune system. Pros: This diet has been formulated to be free from the most common protein allergens. The slow roasting process for all ingredients ensures maximum nutritional value with each bite. This diet is available at a reasonable price point, providing Labradoodle owners with exceptional nutrition and value for their dog food dollar. Cons: Both whole peas and pea protein are included in this diet. The lack of grains may make digestive processing more challenging for some dogs. There are no added supplements to support joint functionality in the Labradoodle. How to Select the Best Dog Food for Labradoodles The happy and exuberant Labradoodle is a relatively new dog breed that is an immensely popular family dog today. One of the first intentionally bred mixed breeds in existence, the Labradoodle is the result of a purposeful cross breeding between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. A dog breed that thrives in the company of people, the Labradoodle is a friend to humans of all ages and also enjoys the company of dogs. The breed is a loving family companion and eagerly lavishes all of its affection upon them. The Labradoodle likes to live life in the fast lane. A breed with exceptionally high energy levels, this dog type requires vigorous exercise on a daily basis. Because of its activity requirements, the Labradoodle is unlikely to become overweight. A dog that delights in learning new skills, training the Labradoodle is lots of fun for both the pooch and its owner. Positive reinforcement techniques yield the best results with this sweet and joy-filled pooch. Because the Labradoodle is a cross breed and is very new in its development, there is a lot of inconsistency still to be found in this dog type. Size, coat type, and colour will vary dramatically from dog to dog. Owners must commit to daily brushing of this dog to prevent the coat from becoming matted. Since the Labradoodle is a hybrid of two purebred breeds, this dog type will be predisposed to developing any of the conditions that can befall its parents. Among the genetic problems that can plague the Labradoodle are ear infections, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, allergies, diabetes mellitus, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism. Diet can lay an excellent foundation for health and wellness in dogs. The best dog foods for Labradoodles include supplements to support ideal joint, skin, eye, and immune system health. The ideal diet for the Labradoodle is comprised of approximately 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Labradoodles The energetic Labradoodle is a busy dog, requiring a high performance diet based on a lean meat to thrive. Finding the correct calorie count for a dog is a process that involves some trial and error. Because the Labradoodle is an active breed, this dog type is not likely to become overweight. However, the Labradoodle can be prone to both hip and elbow dysplasia, making maintaining a healthy body weight even more important in this breed. Free feeding is strongly discouraged. To promote the optimal body condition, all food should be carefully measured and mealtimes supervised. A dog that is a vortex of swirling energy, this breed requires a diet that is well-balanced, full of high quality nutrition, and based on a lean meat to fuel its daily energy reserves. The best dog foods for Labradoodles include a whole meat or meat meal as their primary ingredient. By-products, commonly utilized inferior and inexpensive protein sources, are often the basis of commercial dog food diets and are best avoided. Plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are often used in the place of meat proteins in commercial dog foods. Likewise, foods that contain ingredients such as chemicals, additives, derivatives, fillers, artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives are best left on the shelf. From carbohydrates, the Labradoodle gains the antioxidants and dietary fibre required for optimal digestive processing and a healthy immune system. These carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or a combination of the three. Dogs that have previously expressed sensitivities to grains may do best on a grain-free diet. All diets need healthy fats in their recipe to provide the Labradoodle with the essential fatty acids needed for coat and skin health. The ideal sources for these fats are animal-based foods such as chicken fat and oily fish. Supplements added to food can help a diet to work its most effectively. The most beneficial supplements for the Labradoodle include prebiotics, probiotics, taurine, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Labradoodles In selecting the best dog food for the Labradoodle, here are some guiding principles to keep in mind: Meets APHA nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food Free from chemicals, flavours, colours, or other difficult to identify ingredients Fortified with beneficial supplements Based on lean meat proteins Comparing The Best Dog Food for Labradoodles. However, there are a few issues with Instinct Dog Food that outweigh the benefits. The first thing we noticed is a significant lack of raw freeze-dried chicken bits, which is disappointing considering how expensive this brand is compared to others. Another problem is the inconsistent quality that this recipe has faced with multiple recipe changes in the past few years. For higher quality and a better value, we recommend trying Blue Buffalo Wilderness first. Although the first Labradoodles were large-sized dogs, generations of Labradoodles have made different sizes available. Labradoodles are highly intelligent and require lots of daily exercise. They excel in areas like agility, service, and obedience competitions. Labradoodles also require grooming and clipping to keep their coats from matting and snarling. They will need diets with skin and coat support to keep them in tip-top shape. Image Credit: litthouse, Pixabay Important Things to Consider There are important factors to consider when buying dog food for your Labradoodle that will influence your decision. Here are some things to consider: Protein Sources Protein allergies can cause skin irritation and itching, as well as other serious side effects. When looking for dog food, make sure it contains a protein source your dog can have. Cost Cost is always something to keep in mind. While premium dog food brands may have all-natural ingredients, there are value-priced brands that still maintain high levels of quality. Before going out and buying the expensive stuff, think about the long-term cost of the food. Check the labels to make sure all essential daily nutrients are there for a complete and balanced diet. Lastly, double-check with your veterinarian before starting a new dog food. Conclusion After carefully reviewing each product, we found Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription to be the best overall Labradoodle dog food. Plus, they only use all-natural, whole ingredients, with real meat as the first ingredient, and the food is conveniently shipped to your door on your schedule. It also has a flavor that most dogs enjoy. Hopefully, we have made it easier to navigate through the market of dog foods that would be best for your Labradoodle. See also:. Specifically developed with puppies in mind, this recipe helps them with all the nutrition they need to grow up happy and healthy. Packed with high-quality fats and proteins it is perfectly suited for active little puppies Also offers a rich source of omega-3s, as well as using flaxseed and fish oils helps your pup develop healthy skin and long coats, reducing the possibility of itchy sore skin It lacks any ingredients to promote joint health so avoid it if your puppies have any joint problems such as hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. What we like Perfect for active puppies. Designed to help puppies promote healthy skin and avoid itchy or sore patches through the introduction of omega-3s. High antioxidant content helps promote a healthy immune system. One of the biggest dilemmas new pet owners have is providing their puppy with enough healthy food without allowing them to get fat This is why Hills offer a specialized food plan that does cost a little bit more but guarantees your puppy a balanced nutritional diet, high in both minerals and vitamins. Using specific scientific analysis this mixture has been designed for older puppies supporting their muscle and bone growth while adding E and C vitamins to improve their immune system. They make this product using smaller kibble so your puppies can easily eat and digest them. They also provide extensive feeding instructions to ensure your dog gets the right amount of food for its weight and age. If your puppy is new to a green diet you can start by feeding them a small amount of stomach to adapt. They only sell them in large quantities either in a .Some owners complain about it only coming in a 30 lb bag making it a larger investment on their behalf. What we like The grain-free recipe is a major plus for many pets and their owners. This dog food contains high-quality salmon which is an excellent source of protein as well as being packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Unfortunately, this may happen as your dog will react differently to a variety of different food types. So, a particular dog may react very differently to a particular food than others. It could be that some dogs may have some allergic reactions to some kind of foods or ingredients used in processing that food. It may cause some reactions that will not sit well with you or your Doodle. So as a heads up, brace yourself for a series of food testing if you do want to find the right food for your dog. The age of the dog and how active it can be can affect your food decision-making process. For puppies, they should be fed puppy foods as it aids their growth. Other dogs should be fed accordingly, taking into account their individuality. If you know your four-legged canine is very active, then you should get food rich in high protein. This kind of food is widely available at any pet store and they are mostly at pocket-friendly prices. Types of Dog Food Here is a list of the types of dog food, that can help you decide what food is right for your dog. Fresh Food The priciest option but also the best by quite a bit. Raw Foods This is another type of expensive dog food. Raw foods could be uncooked meat preferably beef , with some bones, and they could be commercially made either Frozen or available in freeze-dried formats. Dry Dog Foods Kibble These are usually kept in bags. Kibbles are the most common type of dog food used by most dog owners, primarily because it is cheap, easy to use and it lasts longer when compared to other food types. One of its great features is the low moisture content like shaped pellets kibble , biscuits mixers , and flaked cereals. You can also find some meat content in dry foods. Canned Foods Wet Foods As opposed to dry foods, wet foods have a high moisture content. They are not pocket friendly and are mostly seen at supermarkets, not pet stores. If you want to administer this food, you should heat them at high temperatures, to make them sterile. Homemade Foods This type of dog food is not only expensive but also very tedious and time-consuming. Semi-moist Dog Food Never should you consider this type of food as the main diet for your dogs. They are only to be used as nutritional treats and given occasionally. They are available in shapes like burgers, pork chops, or other meaty foods. Switching from one family to another is just as stressful for your dog as it is for you. So bringing in a new diet regime to the equation may not sit well with your Labradoodle and could end badly for everyone involved. Give your new furry friend a little bit of space and time to adjust and get comfortable with its new home. If you rush your Doodle with a whole new set of dietary routines, you will do more harm than good. If you become too agitated by this, you will definitely make the wrong choice. Take your time to decide and do it right. To help make your decision easier, continuously remind yourself that there are no good or bad choices when choosing quality dog food. It just depends on your dog. You should consider these factors when selecting good dog food for your Labradoodle. Most dog owners just go for these dog foods simply because they recognize the name and it is popular. This yardstick is not really ok when selecting your dog food. Besides, I suggest taking a closer look at the ingredients used in making these brands rather than the brand itself. This helps prevent further health complications for your dogs. Most of these popular dog foods are owned by multinational companies and corporations, and most times, these companies are usually more interested in the profits they make from selling their products rather than actually selling quality dog foods. You might know how to read these labels, but do you actually know what the ingredients used in making that particular dog food are? In general, Labradoodle dog foods with good quality should have a limited number of ingredients. Irrespective of what people might say the nutritional requirements of all breeds of dogs are the same. There is no doubt that bigger dogs need more food to stay healthy, but your Labradoodle will require just the same or a slightly less amount of nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and oils you will normally give any breed such as a Chihuahua or a Great Dane to stay healthy. Just as you need proteins to grow, so does your dog. These protein sources are mainly fish, lamb, chicken, or beef. Also, Labradoodles are active and high-energy breeds of dogs, so if your Labradoodle is spending a lot of this energy, then, they will most likely benefit more from these high-protein foods. One major challenge most Labradoodle owners have is managing that thin line that separates feeding your Labradoodle well from an overfed Doodle. Are Preservatives Bad For Dogs? Preservatives are added to pet food to help extend its shelf life and prevent spoilage. Some preservatives, such as vitamin E and citric acid, are considered safe for dogs to consume. Allergy-friendly dog foods are the best for dogs that have a long history of a series of allergic reactions to certain products. Such foods that are particularly helpful, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach are hypoallergenic dog foods. If by some stroke of luck, you find a food that is ideal for your Labradoodle, we strongly suggest you stick to it. You will notice certain signs that will help you know if actually, your dog is thriving on that particular food. These signs include a glossy coat, healthy and normal-looking stool, lots of energy, and a healthy weight. Supplements Sometimes, as dog owners Labradoodles to be exact , we often wonder if our dogs need supplements. In general, the answer is no. The reason is simple; if you feed your Labradoodle foods that are extremely high quality, it should provide all your dog needs supplements and all to stay healthy and active. High-quality dog foods are extremely rich in nutrients, so adding supplements to the equation will likely cause your Labradoodle more damage, even if you have good intentions. For dogs that have specific medical conditions, this no supplement rule may not necessarily apply to them. But the good thing is that these supplements that are needed by these dogs are usually prescribed by a vet. Conclusion Getting enough information on dog foods and actually studying them can help you select better foods for your dog. But, selecting an ideal food all boils down to what you feel is right for you and your furry friend. Although doing a little research is still a very good idea. But if you notice your dog keeps doing well because of a particular food and its health is nothing short of excellent, then you should definitely stick to that same food. You simply cannot please everyone. So, discard such comments and continue with that food while closely monitoring the health of your Labradoodle. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Maybe you want to make the switch to balanced, complete and fresh meals given we, as pet parents, are careful to eat a healthy diet. These dog food delivery companies usually source their fruit and vegetables from local producers, while their high-grade meat is responsibly sourced and USDA-approved. During our extensive research on dog food deliveries, we were encouraged to see that they usually employ the services of a vet or vet nutritionist to ensure their meals are properly formulated. They usually use pre-portioned packaging or customised scoopers to ensure your pup gets the right amount of food at mealtime. After all, it would be counterproductive ordering custom meals if you get the portion size incorrect. Feeding my Alaskan Klee Kai was never easier given I only had to worry about defrosting the food, ripping the pre-portioned pouch open and pouring the contents in the dog bowls. It really is as simple as that. My mini huskies have historically struggled with stomach issues due to their sensitive digestive system and pickiness at mealtime but these health problems were a thing of the past after I made the switch to a dog food delivery company. We like when these dog food companies use pre-portioned pouches. However, my dogs loved these meals, licking their bowls clean. Dog food delivery companies usually offer a flexible subscription plan so you can cancel or pause if your circumstances change. These dry food companies will only use fresh ingredients in their kibble to ensure your dog is getting all the necessary minerals and nutrients required in their diet. You can check out our top six selections via the link below. There are a lot of owners who believe in the benefits of a raw-fed diet. Our contributor Claire feeds her Samoyed Sally a raw diet. A raw dog food diet usually involves feeding your Labradoodle raw meat with some fruits and vegetables. Most raw dog food companies will provide a raw diet comprised of organ meat, muscle meat, whole ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fruit and vegetables. In doing so, you can make a fully informed decision about whether this is the right choice for you and your Labradoodle. Raw dog food companies should carry out bacteria tests on their products given bacteria in raw food can pose a threat to human health and dog health. You can read our extensive raw dog food guide via the link below. The result is a dog that is intelligent, energetic, playful and sociable. Given their active lifestyles, Labradoodles will need a balanced and complete diet to be properly fueled to ensure they remain mentally and physically stimulated. Are Labradoodles Picky Eaters? Alfie recently switched Oreo oreodoodledo onto Butternut Box after his Labradoodle became picky with kibble. I think it depends on the individual dog. .At the moment, Oreo is fussy. Semmy is not very active, I would say less than is usual. If we do not take her out she is okay with sleeping all day. Often it is the case that if the owner of the pet likes to live an active lifestyle your dog will be raised in this environment and thus like an active life as well! However, Labradoodles, just like any type of dog, can still suffer with some health issues. They could have a potential allergy or intolerance to certain types of food. If you suspect your dog make be allergic to a food source, you should contact your vet to learn more. Anything Else To Consider? Semmy the Labradoodle Photo: doodle. In our experience, owners on Instagram are more than happy to offer helpful advice. If you make a dramatic switch, it could leave to potential stomach problems. This article does not constitute expert advice and we recommend contacting your vet if you have any concerns or issues. We like that these companies only use fresh fruit and veg combined with high grade meat to ensure your dog is only getting the best ingredients in their meals. Their dog food is usually formulate by vets so Labradoodle owners can have peace of mind knowing that their precious pooch is eating meals that are balanced and complete. There is so much to decide on, starting with the quantities! The Labradoodle is a hybrid dog cross with a Labrador retriever and a poodle. But since Poodles are bred in three sizes and can weigh anywhere from 4 to 70 pounds. So you may not be sure yet how big your little Labradoodle puppy will eventually grow. Labradoodle Puppy Feeding Timeline For young puppies under 6 months old, we recommend four daily feedings spaced at equal intervals throughout the day. After this you can move to three feedings around a year old. Protein sources should occupy the first few ingredients. Organic ingredients are a plus. Avoid fillers, by-products, artificial ingredients or sweeteners. You may also want to talk with your veterinarian about starting your puppy on a grain-free diet with one of these high-quality and popular puppy foods. Added antioxidants, DHA, superfoods and probiotics nourish your growing puppy. This food is free from known allergens such as grain and corn. It also has plenty of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, including DHA for overall healthy development. This food is free from artificial ingredients, fillers and preservatives. Best Wet Puppy Food for Labradoodles The best puppy food for Labradoodles will often be a dry kibble, but it can be a good idea to keep a high-quality wet puppy food on hand as well. It is more hydrating and can be more palatable too. It is a chunk stew that is completely wheat-free. So, it makes our list of best puppy food for Labradoodles. It can also be used as as a kibble topper or treat supplement with extra DHA, vitamins and minerals. Best Dog Food for Labradoodle Puppy If you are concerned about transitioning your Labradoodle puppy to adult dog food, you may find that the best puppy food for Labradoodles is one where the manufacturer also makes an adult food. This can make transitions much easier. One of these options may be the best puppy food for Labradoodle dogs at your home. About The Breed Lomond Hills Kitchen Over the years we have tried just about every dog food available so we have learned exactly what our doodles like and dislike! We raise our puppies on this food to give them the best start possible so we are very pleased that we can now make it available to the public. You can view recipes and place an order online by going to the top right corner of our website and clicking on the orange box named 'DOG FOOD' How often should I feed my labradoodle puppy? When Lomond Hills puppies leave for their new homes, they eat 4 meals per day. The first is usually given at 8am, the second at .Obviously, you need to feed him at times which suit your schedule, but try your best to have similar time gaps between meals. If you choose to feed your puppy on another brand then make sure you look at meat content, fresh meat content, fillers and bulking agents as well as nutritional additives. We believe that a dry kibble diet is best as wet food tends to cling to the teeth which then results in constant teeth cleaning. We suggest that you feed him in his crate with the door closed so that he makes a positive association between the food and crate. We also suggest that you simultaneously train him to sit. Bring the food bowl and your puppy over to the crate, pop him inside and say 'sit' in a clear and firm voice, whilst using one hand to signal the command usually a pointed finger and the other hand the plant his bottom firmly on the ground. Keep that hand firmly on his bottom and use the other hand to put the bowl of food in front of him. Let go of his bottom and close the crate door. As time goes on, you will find you won't need to push his bottom down and he will respond to the voice and hand signal. This is a great time to achieve 'sit', because the food acts as the reward. A typical meal size would be grams in dry weight for an 8 week old puppy, but this does vary a little dependent on the size of your puppy. When your puppy has finished his meal, you will find that his tummy is noticeably bigger - this is normal. By the time the next mealtime comes around, his tummy should be back to normal size if it is not, you fed him too much on the previous meal. As he gets older, you can reduce the number of meals in the day, but increase the portion size. By 12 weeks old, you could have him down to three meals and by 6 months old that could be reduced to two meals. We feed all of our adult dogs twice per day - 8am and 5pm. This table provides a guideline for how much to feed your puppy as he grows, but there is no exact formula as there are other factors to consider such as activity levels and physical condition. Ideally, you want your puppy to be at a weight where you can feel his ribs, but his top line and hip bones are nicely covered. Australian Labradoodles do not tend to be greedy dogs, but maintaining a healthy weight is very important.

Questions about Boxer puppies for sale in Columbus OH? We have answers. How much are Boxer puppies for sale in Columbus OH? Columbus Boxer breeders will set their prices depending on the pedigree of their pups, and each pups markings and coat color. The reputation, location, and experience of each business will also play a part in how they set their prices. Can I only choose pups from Boxer breeders in Columbus? No not at all! The businesses and companies we work with are very used to helping to arrange puppy transport all across the nation. You can even pick your new pup up at any major airport! How do you screen breeders with Boxer puppies in Columbus? What makes Uptown Puppies different? We know it can be difficult to tell the difference between honest businesses and the not-so-honest scammers when searching for Columbus Boxers for sale. Instead of paying attention to marketing budgets, we use our screening process to guarantee that we only work with the best businesses, with the highest-quality pups out there. If you see a puppy with a too good to be true price, it probably comes from a puppy mill. These places force female dogs to have multiple litters per year so they can maximise their profit. Unfortunately this also means sacrificing the welfare of pups. As a result, these poor puppies are often sickly, and can have behavioral issues from lack of socialization. Can I find a Boxer for sale in Columbus today? We sure think so! The good news is that Boxers are a sought after breed so you should find lots of Boxer breeders Columbus with pups ready for new homes. We suggest taking a look through the seriously cute pups available from our partners. This breed has a rich history that originates as far back as B. The breed as we recognize it today was founded in Germany in the late s. Founding breeds used to create the Boxer include the Bulldog and German Bullenbeisser. What are Boxers like in general? Boxer puppies Columbus are slower to mature than other breeds, and continue growing until age three. Once mature, Boxers are playful and protective in equal measure. Are Boxers easy to train? Boxers are keen to please and quickly pick up new tricks. Are Boxers good family dogs? A Columbus Boxer makes a wonderful addition to an active family who spends plenty of time outdoors. A Boxer for sale Columbus will love to watch over their family and will form strong bonds. Their bouncy and energetic nature means they can be a little full-on for very young or old family members, as their enthusiasm can sometimes send things flying! For this reason, we included these online Boxer breeders for you to check as well. Thus, you can also check a Boxer breeder here. The great thing is that it has an online marketplace to search for a Boxer puppy from any of the states. Since they cover all kinds of breeds, you may find an available puppy through this website. Another thing to note is that you also need to prepare for other costs. In short, aside from the actual cost of the puppy from a breeder, you still need to spend money on other items. Like a new baby in the family, your pup needs some items and some changes. A new puppy at home is a concern for all the family members. Thus, they need to prepare for it as well. As you have your meeting, try to make a schedule of tasks and distribution of responsibilities. Prepare your home. Preparing a home for your Boxer puppy means making it a safe place to play and live. Thus, you need to secure every item that can potentially harm your pet. Moreover, you need to secure your items that your pet can damage, such as shoes, carpets, floor mats, and so on. Shop for supplies. Like all other puppies and babies, Boxer pups needs items for its daily life. The essential things it needs would be beddings, food, and food bowls. You also need to buy a leash and collar for identification. Create a schedule. Besides your pet, you also have your responsibilities. Try to schedule how your pup should do for the day and when you need to pay attention. The great thing about creating a schedule is that it will benefit both you and your pet. Choosing a Good Boxer Seller and Breeder The best Boxer puppies only come from those who take an extra mile in caring for them. Below are certain qualities that you should look for in a Boxer puppy breeder. The Boxer breeder should only breed Boxer puppies. A single breed should be the first thing to remember when searching for a reputable Boxer breeder. Every breed has a mating season to which they breed. If the Boxer breeder sells quite a lot of pups but only has a pair of parents, you can think that it forces the parents to mate so they can have puppies to sell. The Boxer breeder should train pups in their first weeks. Every reputable Boxer breeder gives all the pups around eight weeks at least to stay with their parents. In such a time, the breeder should train the pups before it moves to its new home. The Boxer breeder would continuously be in touch. Other states. For the complete list please see our Boxer Breeders List page. Prices may also vary depending on the gender and the lineage of a Boxer. If you want a pure-breed Boxer, expect to pay more money for it as compared to those that have been mixed with other breeds. A reputable breeder charging more for their puppies does not necessarily mean that he is selling high-quality Boxers. The factors that influence the price of a boxer puppy are as follows: Gender: Male dogs cost more than female ones because they have been proven to be better guard dogs and protectors. Pure-bred male Boxers can also produce a higher number of offspring as compared to females. White color: White is an uncommon color among pure-bred Boxers, thus increasing the price of a white puppy. However, it is not always true as some breeders only charge high prices for their puppies to attract buyers and then they sell low-quality ones after scaring away most of their customers. You need to find reputable Ohio Boxer breeders who can provide you with detailed information on their lineage and history before buying one. You can also ask your veterinarian about the breed line of the dog you want to buy and check out its medical records. Boxers do not usually bark for no reason unlike most dogs, which is great if you live in an apartment. This breed can make a good watchdog because of its loyalty and alertness. CONS: Boxers have high levels of energy that sometimes can be hard to handle. The Boxer breed tends to drool more than other breeds out there. You can do this by searching for them online or asking your veterinarian about reputable ones to work with. Visit their facilities and see if they are clean enough. If not, look for another breeder as you should avoid buying puppies from dirty and poorly maintained facilities. Ask the Boxer breeder whether he screens his breeding stock for genetic disorders and asks for health certifications to ensure that his dogs will produce healthy offspring. Also, ask him if there is a return policy in case your puppy does develop any medical conditions later on so you can bring it back and claim a refund or exchange it with another pup. It is important that you meet both of the parents of your Boxer puppy. This is to ensure that they are healthy, and you can also get an idea on how big your puppy will grow when it reaches adulthood. You should not buy puppies from sellers who cannot provide proof of vaccinations for their dogs. It is essential to keep your pets safe from infectious diseases so always purchase only pups with proof of vaccinations against parvo, distemper, rabies, etc. Make sure that you carefully read any contract or agreement before buying a Boxer pup. Some of these questions include inquiries about their breeding operations if they perform any kinds of medical tests on their adult Boxers prior to breeding them, how often do they clean their kennels and runs, etc. Visit the facility first before buying a puppy from them. Make sure that it is clean and spacious enough so your pup will have enough room to play around. Also, look for other puppies kept at the same place as this can provide an idea of whether their facilities are properly maintained or not. Visit more than one breeder as this way, you can compare their qualities and prices as well. People who have previously bought pups from them can give unbiased information about their pets so you can use this as a gauge if their dogs are worth buying or not. If a breeder is reluctant to provide you with references, think twice before buying their puppies as this may be an indicator that they are not reputable or do not have enough clients to ask for referrals. You might even get to hear about the experiences of other people who have worked with or bought Boxer puppies from your Ohio breeder. This is an important thing for you to do as it can help you make better decisions when it comes to choosing a Breeder in Ohio. Meeting past customers will also give you better insights about the Boxer breeders in Ohio so it is important to take advantage of this information. This can help you avoid falling into the wrong hands and finding yourself with a poor quality puppy or one that has inherited genetic disorders. You can find out more about the breeder by finding out the vet they use. This is important as our pets tend to be more susceptible to diseases as they grow old or become overweight which can lead to various health problems that may affect their lifespan. It is best to meet the breeder first before buying a pup from them. A breeder should be able to welcome your questions and concerns about their dogs and pups that they provide. If a seller is reluctant about giving you documents, refuses to show their facilities or does not let you visit them, these are some of the signs of an unethical breeder who is only after your money. Another sign to look out for when it comes to finding a good Boxer dog breeder in Ohio is if they ask money from you without providing any tangible proof that their dogs are healthy and have been inoculated against all kinds of infections. Avoid getting into commitments with them as this way, your chances of falling prey to frauds and scams become higher and higher. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy In order for your Ohio Boxer puppy to have a very comfortable and enjoyable stay in your home, there are a few things that you should do first before bringing it into the house. The first thing you can do is prepare an area where it can sleep. You must also check the temperature of the place where your pup will be staying at by using a thermometer. The same goes with very hot areas as your Boxer might end up overheating. Water and food bowls should also be placed inside the area where your soon-to-be pet will stay at. Add some pillows, toys, bedsheets and other comforts to make it feel like its own room. Potty Training Your New Boxer Puppy Ohio breeders — Before you bring your Boxer home, It is best to know as much as possible about it before you decide to bring one into the house. The use of newspapers is also effective in places where pups relieve themselves but only for a short period of time as they can develop health and sanitation problems if left alone for too long. Remember, patience is a virtue in training your Boxer Puppy. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Looking for a responsible boxer breeder who takes pride into their puppies? Then you have come to the right place.Buckeye Boxers is a small family run business located in south-eastern Ohio. We take honor in producing the perfect puppy for your family. We strive to raise great boxer puppies and find good homes where all our puppies will be raised with lots of love and care. We breed healthy, happy, great temperamented, pedigree blessed boxers. Our puppies are born and raised inside our home until they are 8 weeks old and ready to go to their fovever homes. Our puppies come with amazing boxer temperaments and are healthy as can be. It is our wish to share puppy love with other people. It is our goal to provide you with not only a puppy, but a lifelong friend. Our boxer puppies are very socialized and loved,they are just waiting for YOU! So if you're looking for a spoiled, healthy, happy Boxer puppy that's full of love and kisses then buy a puppy from us! We promise that you will not be disappointed when you get a boxer puppy from Buckeye Boxers. We not only offer boxer puppies for sale, we also offer adult dogs for sale. Share this page:. We always have Boxer puppies for sale in our store! These regal and statuesque dogs are the rave, and have been for years! Why are Boxer puppies so darn loved and desired? Continue reading to learn the top reason why. They are family friendly dogs. There is absolutely nothing better than exploring the world of getting a puppy and researching the many breeds of dogs! They are big but gentle and very patient dogs. Conversely, they innately know exactly how to be kind and loving with their family members! These dogs will play with your kids on end because guess what — they stay in the puppy stage well longer than a lot of other breeds! Now is the time to take full advantage of purchasing one of our Boxer puppies for sale! The companionship of a Boxer and its family is like none other. You can also take a look at all of our available puppies by checking out our page by clicking here. After all, we want all parties involved to be furrr-ever happy together for years to come. There are lots of great dogs out there but none of them compare to Bernese Mountain Dogs. You may be wondering just what makes the Bernese Mountain Dog such a great friend. They ar.There is no getting around the warm and fuzzy feeling they give everyone.Are you interested in buying a small dog this spring? Well although there are many cute dogs to buy this year, we advise you take a look at Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog breeds.The Miniature Schnauzer, when groomed like the American Kennel Club standard, is a dapper looking dog! Their bus.You may not know it, but these dogs see their owners as the best part of their whole world. How will your p.Forgive us, but those are archaic thoughts. Plenty of people have apartment puppies.In this post, Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer 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. Frequently Asked Questions Are Boxers good family pets? Yes, boxers are particularly fond of their family members especially when goodly trained. Are Boxers trainable? Though the boxers can be a little headstrong, they are very intelligent and with a proper training environment, they respond well. Are Boxers friendly with kids? They are very fond of children and they love playing games with them. Are Boxers friendly with other animals? Boxers are naturally patient with puppies, pooches and small animals but a bit unaccommodating of adult dogs and other animals. Are Boxers good apartment dogs? They can live anywhere you make as a home all you need is to provide it with enough space for exercise. How is Boxers shedding? Given the shortness of their coat, they shed minimally and occasionally, you can also regulate the shedding by frequent brushing of their coat. Are Boxers good for first-time owners? Not quite, as their exercise needs are way too high for their inexperienced hands. Are Boxers loud barkers? But growling is a thing they do most. Are Boxers tolerable to heat and cold? All they need is moderate exposure to heat and cold because of their thin fur body. How long can Boxers live? The average life-span of boxers is 10 years Are you interested in purchasing a Boxer? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Missouri? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Missouri. Life is just plain better with a Labradoodle. The Uptown Family We also offer top-quality Labradoodle food, supplements and training programs to help you raise the ultimate Uptown Doodle. Perfect Family Pet Labradoodles thrive in all sorts of environments. From retired couples looking for a quiet companion to big families with lots of rowdy kids, Labradoodles make the perfect addition to the family—these dogs love people, period. Premium Network of Labradoodle Breeders in Missouri Breeding more dogs has often meant sacrificing the health and happiness of those dogs for financial gain, like with puppy mills. Highest Missouri Labradoodle Breeder Standards To promote the wellbeing of our animals, our breeders follow strict guidelines for maximum happiness for both our parent dogs and puppies—such as retirement ages and litter restrictions for our mommy Doodles, and ensuring our dogs all enjoy the best living conditions possible. Elite Missouri Labradoodle Genetic Lines From litter to litter and from puppy to puppy, we want each and every Uptown Labradoodle to be as healthy and even-tempered as the last. We take pride in enhancing the positive Doodle traits you love while minimizing the risk of genetic diseases and illnesses. He had received a request from a blind woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to longhaired dogs. This breed has since gained worldwide popularity and remains a very sought-after breed today. This breed is the perfect mix between a Poodle and Labrador Retriever. This Labradoodle is known for having a very loving, caring, and pleasant personality. They are very smart dogs and eager to be a part of your family. They also tend to be very social and interact well children and other pets in the home. They are not aggressive dogs and have very warm and approachable demeanors. They make marvelous family pets and are known to quickly bond. Labradoodles do not shed heavy and do not require excessive brushing. Most do well with standard grooming every six to eight weeks. Making sure your Labradoodle is properly groomed will allow him to look and feel his best. Labradoodles do best with a balance of meat-based protein and micronutrients, as well as healthy carbs and fats. This breed also tends to do well being fed twice a day with meals spaced apart every twelve hours. This will help to ensure the dog is provided with the proper nutrients he needs. It is also important that his teeth get cleaned a minimum of three times a week. Failing to keep his teeth clean can contribute to health issues. Although properly cleaning his teeth will take some practice to get good at, in time, this will become easier for you and your pup. The Standard Labradoodle stands between twenty-two and twenty-four inches tall. At maturity this breed weighs between fifty and sixty-five pounds. They have an average life expectancy of twelve to fifteen years. Fact: Labradoodles are a mix between a Poodle and Labrador Retriever. Fact: This breed is considered a very smart dog who trains with ease. Fact: Labradoodles have different coat types and are not known for heavy shedding. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What are the diseases that Labradoodles are prone to? Labradoodles are prone to health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, ear infections, and hypothyroidism. Do Labradoodles shed at all? Although Labradoodles are known as non-shedders, there are some of them who still undergo shedding, most especially the Labradors with hair coats. How should you feed your Labradoodles? But, bear in mind that however you feed your Lab, be careful not to get your Lab bloated or underfed. A Labradoodle has an average lifespan of years. Can Labs go for hunting? How big do Labs grow? The average male Lab can grow up to 22 to 24 inches while the female one can grow up to 21 to 23 inches, and both can weigh as much as 50 to 70 pounds. Is it safe to leave my Lab all alone when we are out? Labs are social dogs and they need to be around people or other dogs most of the time, hence it might not be safe to be away from your Lab for too long, to avoid behavioral problems such as depression, frustration, and unhappiness. Does gender matter when getting a Labradoodle? Not at all. Both genders of Labs make awesome family pets. You can decide to either adopt or buy any gender of your choice 9. How much do Labs puppies cost? The cost of buying Labradoodle puppies varies, depending on where you are buying from. Contact us today to learn more about the cost and availability of our Labs .When can I start training my Lab? Are you interested in purchasing a Labradoodle? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. German Shepherd puppies , like all puppies, go through a teething phase, and their biting behavior can continue until they are around 4 to 6 months old when their adult teeth have fully grown in. But how do you get German Shepherd puppies to stop biting, and when should you seek out more help? We dive into everything that you need to know here. German Shepherds are herding dogs, and as such, they love to go after anything that moves. This could be cats, kids, hands, fingers, or just about anything else. The more they get away with it, the more acceptable the behavior seems in the future. Addressing the problem early and consistently is vital. Just like babies need something to chew on when their new teeth are coming in, your German Shepherd needs something too! First, it stops when they get their adult teeth. Second, if you try to redirect them to something that they can chew on, most German Shepherd puppies are receptive. At this time, they should have all their adult teeth, which means no more teething to worry about. But at least you know the root of the problem and can start implementing the necessary strategies to address it. Instead, get them a few chew toys, bones, and other acceptable things to chew on as they teethe. You can also throw a few of these toys in the fridge or freezer to cool them down, and this will offer even more relief for your pup when they need it! While there are plenty of techniques to try, we recommend redirection and positive reinforcement. The method is simple. If and when they start chewing on the toy or other appropriate object, give them praise. German Shepherds love to please their owners, so this is typically an effective way to train your puppy. Therefore, you should have levels of concern. If they are still chewing and nipping at the 9-month mark, you should seek obedience training or talk to a vet to see what you can do. So, get on it early and often, and stick with it! Because with just a little work and dedication you can get your German Shepherd puppy to stop biting in no time. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! Since puppies lack the dexterity that you and I have, they use their mouths to explore the world around them. By understanding the behavior of biting itself, you can begin to see just how normal biting is in German Shepherd puppies. Just because biting is a normal behavior in a puppy does not mean we should tolerate it or promote it. Since biting is a form of communication for German Shepherd puppies, there are many things our puppies could be trying to say! So why do Shepherd pups bite? Puppies often communicate with their siblings through biting and pawing, especially when they are trying to incite a play session. Your pup may gnaw on your hand as if it were a chew toy, especially when you are a moving target. Puppies play and bite their siblings from the moment they are old enough to do so. This is why the behavior is so common, and why our Shepherd pupswill need to learn how to transition to playing with appropriate chewing options. Not only are our hands and feet tempting enough, but even more so when a puppy has a high prey drive. A prey drive is an ingrained need to chase after moving objects, whether it is appropriate or not. A swinging hand as we walk by can be extremely tempting for a growing pup, causing them to jump up and nip. If it seems like your Shepherd puppy is always biting you when you are in motion, it may be due to their high prey drive! They Are Curious As we mentioned above, German Shepherd puppies use their mouth to explore the world around them. Biting can help them examine and understand an object, and our hands and feet can fall into that category as well! If you catch your puppy gnawing on everything around your home, it may be their curiosity getting the best of them! A dog quickly learns what behavior gets a reaction, causing them to do it over and over again. Even if their bites result in a negative reaction from you, it still counts as attention. They Are Teething Similar to teething babies, a German Shepherd puppy experiences teething pain as well. If your Shepherd pup seems to find relief when chewing on objects, they may be biting you due to teething discomfort. They Are Herding You If your German Shepherd puppy is constantly biting at your ankles, they may be displaying some herding behaviors. German Shepherds are ingrained with a need to work, especially in dogs with a working bloodline. If your German Shepherd is always nipping at your feet, running to your side when you are moving, or showing signs of anxiety or frustration when you are moving around your home; it may be herding behavior. So how can you stop this normal puppy behavior? Redirect The Behavior One of the most effective ways to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting is by redirecting the behavior. An effective distraction is a wonderful way to end the behavior without punishment, and show them how much fun the alternative to biting can be. The next time your Shepherd pup is displaying undesirable nipping, try to pull out their favorite toy. Since this will need to be a toy that your dog enjoys, be sure to offer them the option that they find most exciting. This can be a Kong toy , rope, bone, or any other chewing option that your dog loves. By doing this each time your Shepherd puppy begins to bite you, they will begin to understand that they would much rather play with an acceptable chew option. Having a variety of chew toys can alleviate their need to bite our hands and feet, and offer them the relief they seek in this uncomfortable transition. There are so many toys created for teething puppies, that it should be easy to fill your home with plenty of appropriate options. One of our favorite chew toys is the Kong Teething Binkie. Any attention can validate the behavior, causing them to make it a habit. This shows them that the behavior is unacceptable, and does not involve any harmful negative reinforcement. Our attention is important to a puppy, and they do not want to be ignored. By showing them that biting will only result in us pulling away, they will learn to ditch the undesirable behavior. Interrupt The Behavior Sometimes a Shepherd puppy needs a sharp and sudden sound to pull them out of a bad habit. By giving a quick interrupter cue ouch, yip, eek , you can pull your puppy away from the action and gain their attention. Because of this, it is so important to offer plenty of mental and physical activities throughout your home. For example, if your puppy nips at strangers each time they walk in the door, it may be best to limit their time around the guest and send them to a separate play area. Once they begin to understand that biting is unacceptable, you can refrain from using their separate play area as often. Similar to what we discussed above about being proactive, a separate play area can help them calm down and collect themselves. Once your German Shepherd puppy begins to mature and understand that biting is unacceptable, they should require less time away. Just as there are effective methods in canine training, there are counterproductive actions as well. Do Not Hit Or Yell Since biting is a normal behavior that puppies must learn to grow out of, it is not productive to hit or yell at your puppy when they bite. Doing this can show them from a young age that interaction with you results in something negative, and can hinder your training process. By using other distractions and training methods when they bite, you can turn every bite into a learning experience for your pup! This can seem like a fun game to your pup, and can actually encourage the behavior. Try your best to go limp when they bite you, and pull your attention away from the pup. By doing this, you show them that this behavior does not offer them any extra fun. Extra attention can validate their undesirable behavior, making it challenging to break. Try your best to refrain from reacting to a bite outside of your interrupter cue, and pull your attention away from your furry friend afterward. Biting is a normal behavior in puppies of all kinds. Puppies begin to bite their siblings from the moment they can move, and will continue this behavior until they learn otherwise. A biting German Shepherd puppy is to be expected, and should not result in any discouragement on your part. As long as you are following the tips we mentioned above, your puppy should shy away from this behavior in no time! Biting in puppies is not usually a sign of aggression. Mild biting is usually a form of play, and should be easily corrected. However, there are some rare cases where biting in German Shepherd puppies is a sign of something more. If your pup is displaying any snarling, growling, ears pinned back, stiff posture, or any other signs of canine aggression, your pup may be biting in reaction to fear or pain. If you are unable to make any progress within a month of implementing the tips we discussed above, it may be time to contact a dog trainer. A trainer can not only help your pup refrain from biting, but offer other obedience training as well. Final Thoughts As you can see, biting is a normal behavior for our beloved German Shepherd puppies. Be sure to review the tips we discussed above on proper canine training, and you can banish puppy biting for good! Hopefully, we will have the answers to all of your questions in this guide. But, all that cuteness quickly disappears when the biting phase starts. Puppy biting is normal in all breeds, including the German Shepherd. And, luckily, we have some great tips and tricks to minimize the painful biting period. In fact, it could have a number of causes. Here are a few of the most common reasons, in a little more detail. Teething One reason why puppies of all breeds may bite is teething. This stage often starts at around 3 or 4 months of age — only a few weeks after your puppy will arrive at their new home. Luckily, it only takes a few months for your puppy to have their full set of adult teeth. So, biting from teething is not permanent. If your puppy is biting or chewing because of teething, you may notice other symptoms like drooling, irritability, and going off their food. Boredom or Getting Attention Bored puppies may learn that biting gets some fun responses from you! Just like barking can. If your puppy has learnt that they can get some attention from you when they bite, they may do it to alleviate boredom. This can explain why puppies concentrate most of their biting on one family member — the person who gives the most fun response. Natural Play Biting is a natural part of puppy play — as much as some owners might not want to hear it! German Shepherd puppies, just like any other breed, will bite whilst they are playing with you or with other dogs. If this behavior continues into adulthood, the biting can be more problematic. Responding to Rough Play Some people like to play with German Shepherd puppies in quite a rough manner. This can include pushing them, or rolling them over. Behaviors like this can make puppies very excitable, and encourage biting during play. Encourage calm play between your family members or friends and your puppy. Herding Instincts The German Shepherd breed has a history as a herding dog. The creator of the breed, Captain Max von Stephanitz, bred the German Shepherd in an attempt to create the ultimate all-round herding breed. This was all the way back in the late s. Although the history of the breed has changed over time, from herding to working dog, their origins remain the same. Many herding dogs are prone to natural chase instincts. They may chase small children or other animals — particularly those that are making lots of noise. And, these herding behaviors can include nipping at heels. Once again, your behavior can minimize biting from this cause. Exploration Another common explanation for young German Shepherd biting is their natural curiosity. And, they may do this partly with their mouths. What you really want to know is, when will it stop? However, you can minimize the period by making a few easy changes to your behavior when biting occurs. The best ways to stop puppy biting and minimize the biting period are training and prevention. This means training your puppy to be gentle with you and other people, and taking away opportunities for your excited puppy to bite humans. You may need to go as far as to completely separate your GSD puppy from small children and people who insist on rough play with puppies. We know that this can only encourage biting. Remove Yourself Calmly If your puppy starts to bite you, during play or any other time, the best solution is to calmly and quietly remove yourself. You can use tools like baby gates to keep your German Shepherd in a puppy-safe room. In fact — your puppy will learn that biting during play or cuddles only results in you leaving, and them ending up on their own! Not only will this help to show your puppy that biting is not an acceptable part of playtime, but it can also help your own sanity to remove yourself from those sharp teeth occasionally. Think About Clothing You should also think about the type of clothing you wear around your puppy. Loose, hanging clothing can be appealing to your puppy, and provide something easy to grip on with their sharp teeth. Wear tight fitting clothing to minimize the number of things your puppy can bite at. Use Distractions If you, or young children in your household, are keen to pet your puppy without being bitten, you should make the most of distractions like treats or toys. You can hold a chew for your puppy to keep their attention and mouth distracted whilst someone pets them! Often, puppy owners only think about biting whilst their puppy is actively gnawing on them. One method is to reward them with treats when you are petting them and they are not biting you. Another is to reward them for calm behavior around the house. This way they learn that acting calmly and letting you touch them without biting will earn them good things! One popular method to stop puppy biting is to squeal, squeak, growl, or make another loud noise. Some people claim that this method replicates natural puppy play and tells your GSD when they are being too rough. For some owners, this may work. If this is the case, making a noise when your puppy bites will act as a reward, and encourage your German Shepherd puppy to bite you even more. This is one reason why puppies biting children is so common. Many children will make lots of noise, especially if a puppy bites them, which can lead to further nipping. This is similar to the method above, if used alone. This is why training has to be done in small stages — first you must teach the puppy what action you want, and then you can give the action a name, or command. Punishment Methods The best methods to stop your puppy from biting involve positive rewards for the behaviors you want. Studies on dog training and behavior have shown that punishment based methods are often associated with an increase of problematic behaviors. Punishing your puppy for biting can lead to distrust and fear from your puppy. The causes of puppy biting that we looked at earlier in this guide apply to all GSD puppies. In fact, they apply to all puppies of any breed. Biting and chewing is a normal puppy behavior, and a normal part of play. As long as you react to this behavior in the right way, it is a period that will pass. The biggest fear for most German Shepherd puppy owners is that their puppy is aggressive when it bites. German Shepherd puppy biting can be accompanied by ferocious growls or snarls. It can even draw blood. So are behaviors like snarling and growling. And, if your puppy is biting hard enough to injure you, they may not have learnt proper bite inhibition yet. This is the process where your puppy learns to be gentle with his teeth on your skin. The positive reward methods we discussed earlier in this guide are the best way to teach your puppy bite inhibition. Remove yourself calmly and quietly whenever your puppy bites. And make sure to reward any calm behavior — including when your puppy lets you pet it without biting. Speak to a Behaviorist If you think your puppy is exhibiting aggressive behaviors, such as guarding their resources, you may want to speak to a behaviorist. They will be able to look at your puppy as an individual case, and analyse their behavior properly. Do Adult German Shepherds Bite? The German Shepherd breed is known for being aggressive in some circumstances — they make popular guard dogs, and are number one candidates for working dog roles in the police and military.

Item added to your cart Check out Continue shopping The Whole Scoop about Puppy Poop Getting the timing right of our puppies' bodily functions can be tricky but necessary when it comes to our first job as new canine parents: house training. Understanding our dog's basic biology and how quickly they develop bowel and bladder control has a big effect on quickly they can master potty training. How long after my puppy eats will he need to poop? How often to puppies poop? While every dog is different, puppies poop far more regularly than older dogs as they have yet to learn to control their bowels. Here's a basic guide for how often puppies will need to poop by age. A puppy between the ages of 2 and 10 weeks will generally poop straight after feeding. But by the time they hit the week mark, pooping tends to reduce to around 4 times a day. This also correlates with the feeding patterns of puppies. By the age of 6 months, your puppy should poop around 3 times a day, and this may not be straight after a meal. Once your dog reaches a year, 1 poop a day is normal, although some dogs poop up to 3 times a day. Getting the timing right On average, puppies will poop between 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Just like humans, puppies have a gastro-colic reflux. This reflux action takes place after eating as the stomach fills and the colon gets stimulated and starts making poop. Generally, the smaller the dog, the faster the food moves through its digestive system, which is why 2 week old puppies poop almost straight after a meal. In a nutshell, Puppies are little, their intestines are small and still developing, and whatever they eat gets processed quickly. If your puppy is taking forever to poop, try exercising them a bit to get things moving. Make pooping a part of your potty schedule When establishing your puppy potty training schedule, always plan on your puppy needing to poop after every meal. Potty training is all about consistency. So, after every meal, take your puppy to its grass spot or Porch Potty and give the command to poop — whether this is simply saying poop time! Do your business! Or any other cue, always say the same thing. Keeping a potty training schedule helps keep you as much on track as your puppy. Play with them and try again minutes later. Either way, the trick is to create a pattern that sets them up for success - and you too. Why is it wrong to punish for pooping in the house? You can take your pup to its poop spot 3 times in a row after a meal and it may wander off and poop elsewhere. When this happens, simply clean up and move on. Then, the next time they eat, try again afterwards. Potty Training Golden Rules: Never punish for accidents, and always reward successes. If they get it right, reward them with praise or a treat. If they get it wrong, shrug it off and move along. When should I worry about my puppy's poop? Regular pooping is healthy and normal. But if the poop is consistently runny, changes color, or looks different in any way, you need to keep a close eye, especially if your dog is showing any signs of discomfort or is lethargic. Puppies are almost always born with intestinal parasites — the dreaded worms — so look for signs of these in their poop and always follow a vet-recommended deworming schedule. If you think something might be wrong, call your veterinarian to see if you should bring your puppy in. Dehydration can also happen fast, so if your puppy has a runny tummy and displays any unusual signs, get them to the vet, fast! Not pooping can be a sign of digestive issues or constipation, or it could be the sign of something more sinister like an intestinal blockage. Puppies tend to eat everything, and sometimes, what they eat doesn't make it all the way through. In fact, there are several TikToks where vets share the strange things they've removed — everything from earplugs to underwear! If you see your puppy straining to poop, their tummy feels hard or bloated, or they yelp in pain if you touch them, off to the vet you go, pronto. Now you know the answer to how long after a puppy eats do they poop, how to time their pooping into your potty training schedule, and whether their poop is anything to worry about. All you need to do is keep up your routine and get them pooping in the right place. For more information about potty training, check out these articles:. By Sandra C. At times, it can seem like your new puppy is made of poop! But is this normal? Do puppies really poop more than adult dogs, and why? Here are the answers to everything you wanted to know about how often puppies should be pooping. How Often Should a Puppy Poop? In general, puppies poop a lot. They are small, with an intestinal tract that is still developing. In general, the younger the dog, the faster that the food will move through their digestive tract. It is not uncommon for a puppy to defecate times per day. Some will eliminate even more frequently. The good news is that the pace of pooping will slow down as the dog matures. Although a 2-week-old puppy may defecate at every feeding, by 12 weeks, they may be down to only 4 times per day. By 6 months, it may be 3 times per day. An adult dog usually poops once a day , but they could go up to 3 times a day. Pay attention to the frequency as well as the consistency, color, texture, and any coatings. If you suddenly notice that your puppy is defecating more than usual, look for any changes in color, consistency, or coatings, and pay attention to how your puppy is acting. Look for signs of discomfort and monitor your puppy for 24 hours. Almost all puppies are also born with intestinal parasites. This is one of the reasons veterinarians recommend deworming and testing stool samples frequently while they are young. This is rare in a healthy puppy! If your puppy suddenly starts producing less poop or straining , they may have eaten something that is causing an intestinal blockage. A possible intestinal blockage is an emergency situation. Anything your puppy chews, such as pieces of a chew toy or squeaker, can cause an intestinal blockage. When Should a Puppy Poop? Most puppies need to poop shortly after eating, but this can vary. It takes time for them to understand when their body is signaling they need to go, so training your puppy to go outside may take some time. After you feed your puppy, wait a few minutes, and then take them outside. Look for signs that your puppy needs to go, such as looking around and starting to sniff the floor. They may begin to circle and posture as if they are about to go. As soon as you notice the signs that pup is getting ready to go, get them outside quickly to aid in house-training! Puppy poo can be extremely variable in appearance, which can make it challenging to determine what is normal. As a rule, however, puppy stool should resemble a soft, large Tootsie roll. It should be brown and well-formed not soft or runny or too hard. The size of the stool will vary with the size of the dog, the time of day, and their diet, but pay attention to especially large or small stools. A small amount of mucus covering the stool is normal, but this should not be blood-tinged. Over time, your little pooping machine will go less and start to fall into a consistent pattern. Featured image: iStock. Since graduation, she has worked in many fields.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Guest Contributor .How often a puppy poops and the consistency of the poop are good indicators of the presence of any diseases or digestive complaints. Depending on their age, most puppies poop between four and five times per day , typically shortly after eating. There is a significant difference in bowel movements between dog breeds, and their bowel habits will change as your dog ages. However, the key to a healthy, well-functioning digestive tract is a good diet regardless of age. High-protein puppy food can help ensure your puppy is pooping regularly and getting the nutrients they need. As a result, they should poop around four to five times per day. By the time your puppy reaches eight weeks, he or she should have a more stable diet and better control of their bowels. Your puppy may begin to poop once or twice per day at predictable times, a trend that should continue for the rest of their life. Diet Effects How Often a Puppy Poops What you feed your puppy at all stages of development impacts their defecation frequency. Knowing how much to feed a puppy, what to feed the puppy and how often to feed a puppy are things to consider when properly caring for your new pet. As your dog grows, these questions will be answered by how they behave when eating and how often he or she goes to the bathroom. A proper diet should involve routine and healthy food. Your dog should be fed the same amount of food at the same time of day to establish a pattern the dog can follow and adapt to. Dehydrated dog treats are an excellent incentive to reward your puppy for following proper eating and pooping habits while also boosting the protein and antioxidants in their diet. Your growing puppy should be fed grain-free dog food to provide all the essential nutrients like fiber, beta-carotene, omega 9 fatty acid and Vitamin E, without extra filler grains that might be harsh on their digestive tract. It is also important to prevent puppies from eating table scraps or other food they might find around; they cannot digest most foods and this could cause stomach and intestinal problems. These assessments can tell you if your dog is eating the correct diet and can show the presence of different diseases and problems your dog might have, like parasites and internal bleeding. These symptoms could indicate food allergies or gastrointestinal disease. It is important that all dog owners set their puppies up for good lives by feeding them a proper diet. The puppy food at Open Farm is designed with the needs of growing puppies in mind. Browse Open Farm for all your puppy food needs today! Share this post. The number of times your pup needs to visit the toilet will vary depending on their age, diet, size, activity level, and how frequently you take them for walks. As this discussion thread indicates, most pet parents report that their labs poop times daily. However, your pup may eliminate more than three times if you feed it more frequently. Have you ever noticed that dogs eventually fall into a routine and start pooping at around the same frequency and number of times daily? That is because they are creatures of habit. It would be better to monitor your dog during meals and at least for one hour after every meal. This is because pups tend to eliminate within 30 minutes after meals. As a rule of thumb, you should take your puppy to its bathroom spot: Just before you go to sleep. The fast thing when you get out of bed in the morning. Immediately the puppy rises after a nap. Within 30 minutes after meals. After playing or episodes of excitement. It would help if you also kept in mind that: More food means more stools. Intake of insufficient or too much fiber can cause diarrhea or constipation. Nonetheless, that should not deter you from housebreaking your pup. Here are the five steps you can follow to housebreak your lab without using a crate: Establish a feeding and elimination schedule. You should establish feeding times for your lab and allocate the first 30 minutes after each meal to alleviation. Additionally, you may take your lab outside every 2 hours as you begin training. Extend the time between breaks by one hour each week until your puppy is conditioned to eliminate during specific times. Identify a suitable spot for your puppy to go potty in. Take your lab to this spot regularly, especially when you spot them circling, squatting, trying to escape to a quiet place, or sniffing the ground. Reward them for eliminating at the chosen spot. You should praise your lab every time they use their bathroom. Give treats or pet them — this creates positive reinforcement. Conversely, you should never punish your pup if they use an undesignated area; it may slow down their learning. Whenever you catch your puppy in the act in an undesignated area, startle them with some noise. However, you should not scare them. Instead, take your puppy to the designated bathroom immediately so that they can finish their business. Teach them to pee or defecate at your command. Housebreaking your lab is a process that requires patience. As this discussion thread indicates, some lab owners have reported that it took up to 5 months to train their puppies. However, it could take up to 8 months. You can begin training your lab once they are 8 weeks old. According to Easy Retriever Training, your puppy has received sufficient foundational training at that age, an aspect that simplifies your work. Therefore, your pup has acquired essential, natural, and intuitive training by the age of 8 weeks. At months, you can begin obedience training by teaching your pup basics, such as stay, sit, down, and off. However, you should watch out if your lab is very active. That means they will need enough regular exercise to enjoy the training sessions. Caveat: Before training your pup, ensure you know how to do it. Alternatively, you may hire a licensed trainer for better results. In most cases, the mother dog usually provides the care. However, you may be forced to step in sometimes, especially if the mother has rejected the little ones, is sick, or cannot produce enough milk. To take care of a 1-month old lab, you must pay attention to the following: Food By the age of four weeks, your pup has developed tiny teeth and can start weaning. You should initially provide supplemental bottle feedings. Prepare a milk replacement formula using warm water. After that, use a puppy bottle to feed your lab. You should feed your pup times per day. Not sure about the replacement formula to use? It is highly digestible and nutritious, making the transition from milk to solid foods easy. However, ensure you check the label instructions to determine the right amount to feed the little pup. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , you should gradually introduce solid food by mixing canned food with the formula or water or soaking kibble until it softens. Socialization Your pup must grow close to their mom and siblings at this young age. If that does not happen, your pup may show strange behavioral problems, such as fearfulness, aggression, and sound sensitivity. Therefore, you should find a female dog that can snuggle and play with your pup, lick, or discipline it. Alternatively, you should introduce your lab to other puppies to enable them to develop socially. Health The health of a month-old puppy can deteriorate quickly if they become sick. You should continuously monitor their health and note down any reductions or stagnations in weight, lethargy , vomiting, or diarrhea. Call your vet immediately if you spot these. The Environment Your home should be clean and free of pests to maintain a healthy pup. You should also provide your lab a comfortable crate with sufficient space for turning and standing. Besides, you should keep your pup clean by gently brushing or wiping them with a warm, damp washcloth. Final Thoughts How often your lab poops will depend on several factors, notably their size, age, health condition, and feeding habits. Nonetheless, you can housebreak your lab by beginning training as soon as they are eight weeks old. You can do that by establishing a feeding and elimination schedule, identifying a suitable spot for your puppy to eliminate, and rewarding them. However, you should be patient since the training may take up to 8 months. Finally, you should take care of your month-old lab by weaning them appropriately, monitoring their health, ensuring they socialize, and keeping their environment clean. Related Articles. Dec 23, Jul 16, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Bringing a new puppy home is one of the most exciting—and terrifying—times for all new pet parents! While my dog is a senior now, I remember his puppy days vividly and know that I was completely clueless about how often puppies poop. Needless to say, I was completely unprepared for the amount of poop a tiny puppy can create! It is completely normal for young puppies to pee and poop much more frequently than adult dogs. Technically speaking, how often a puppy should poop in a day depends on a lot of factors. Most young puppies poop between one and five times a day, depending on their age and the amount of food they eat. Bear in mind, younger puppies need to poop more frequently than older puppies. And if you are raising sibling puppies , be prepared for a lot of poop and even different pooping schedules. More often than not, a healthy puppy will need to defecate after eating or within 30 minutes after the meal. Therefore, if you feed your puppy four times a day, you should expect a minimum of four poops each day. If you are taking care of newborn puppies, you should expect them to poop even more frequently. During their first week of life, newborn puppies need to nurse every two hours; therefore, your new pup should poop every two hours throughout the day. As your puppies grow and get older, they will eat less, and consequently defecate less often. As stated, health problems are one of the factors that can affect the number of times your puppy will poop in a day. Puppies with health issues may poop more or less often depending on the type of health issue they are dealing with. Since dogs are creatures of habit and like to follow a routine, you can expect that your puppy will poop around the same time every day. If this is your first time raising a puppy, you may have trouble grasping the frequency of their bowel movements. Luckily, once you survive the first week with a new puppy , you will have an idea of how many times puppies should poop in a day and what is normal for your pup. Even if you are fairly certain about the number of times your puppy will poop in one day, there are several factors that can cause your puppy to poop more. Listed below are the most common reasons why your puppy is pooping more than usual. Eating More Young puppies are still growing and developing and naturally need to eat more food than adult dogs. As your puppy starts to grow and fill out, you may have an urge to start feeding them more. In the end, everything that goes into your pup must come out, so with more food comes more poop. Besides causing your puppy to poop more, the extra calories can lead to obesity and growth abnormalities. Therefore, err on the side of caution and talk with your veterinarian or canine nutritionist first. Eating More Fiber Like people, dogs can experience many health benefits from eating fiber-rich foods. It is worth mentioning, there are two types of fiber—soluble fiber and insoluble fiber—and both support a healthy gastrointestinal system. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool, thus speeding up its passage through the gut. Soluble fiber, on the other hand, encourages water retention in the stool, making it softer and easier for your puppy to pass it through their intestines. Eating fiber-rich food is great for your puppy and supports their digestive health. But as often happens in life, too much of a good thing can be bad, and eating too much fiber can cause your puppy to poop more often. If your puppy is on a high-fiber diet, start transitioning them to a moderate- or low-fiber puppy food. Stress You may be surprised, but puppies can experience nervous poops and feel the need to eliminate frequently in stressful situations. Figuring out that your puppy is stressed-out is not an easy feat, but pinpointing the stressor may be even more difficult. If your puppy is pooping more often than usual, try to think about what could be the reason behind their stress and anxiety. Many things can cause stress and anxiety in young puppies. Identifying and removing the stressor is the only way you can help your puppy and put a stop to nervous poops. Medication Increased elimination is a common side effect of many medications. Certain types of pain relievers, diuretics, and antihistamines can cause your puppy to poop more often than usual. However, while some puppies poop more, others may develop constipation depending on their digestive tract. Furthermore, certain medications can also cause increased urination in puppies. If your puppy is pooping and peeing more than usual, they might be at risk of dehydration and further complications. So, if you notice any of these side effects, consult your veterinarian right away for advice and a potential change of treatment. If you thought picking after your puppy is the closest you are going to get to their poop, think again! So before you pick up the poop in a doggy bag, you should inspect it. Color Healthy and normal puppy poop should be brown in color. However, variations in color are completely normal and depend on how hydrated your puppy is and the type of food they are eating. Furthermore, black stool can be a sign of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Stool with red streaks or red stool can indicate that your puppy has bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Green bits in normal-colored brown poop are most likely traces of grass your puppy ingested on some of their walks. Constipation, on the other hand, might be tricky to spot since the poop may come out in firm pieces or fragments. However, if you pay close attention to your puppy, you will notice that they are straining and having a hard time pooping when constipated. However, if your pup has diarrhea or constipation for more than two days, you should take them to the veterinarian for a full checkup. Any kind of mucous coating can indicate that your puppy is having a large bowel inflammation. If your puppy strained while pooping, you might notice a small amount of blood coating the stool. However, you should pay attention to any sudden changes. Watch out, or rather sniff out, any sweet or extremely foul-smelling puppy poop. These types of changes can indicate a bacterial infection or other health problems. Anything except grass in small amounts can be a sign of concern and calls for further inspection. Healthy puppies should poop between one and five times a day, usually right after a meal or within 30 minutes after eating. But, how many times puppies should poop depends on a lot of factors such as age, breed, diet, amount of exercise, and health issues. Newborn puppies, for example, need to nurse every two hours and should poop after every meal throughout the day. In most cases, a puppy will want to poop as soon as they finish eating their meal, while others will defecate within the next 30 minutes. Keeping this in mind, you can design a consistent eating schedule and a regular pooping routine. With this information, you can start house training your puppy from a young age and avoid cleaning puppy poop from your favorite rugs and carpets. There is a general belief that puppies can hold it one hour for every month of age. So, a three-month-old puppy should poop four times a day. However, your pup may poop more or less frequently depending on the amount and type of food they are eating. Most puppies will poop after every meal, and the frequency of the meals will dictate how often a puppy will poop in a day. Generally speaking, puppies can go up to 48 hours without pooping. However, not having any bowel movements in two days is a clear sign of constipation and can indicate other health problems as well. It is never too soon to start potty training your new puppy, and you will make much more progress by starting house training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. A nine-week-old-puppy is at the right age to start potty training both indoors and outdoors. You should establish a toilet area and start teaching your puppy self-control using positive reinforcement techniques like praise and rewards. And if you have any concerns about the amount of poop your puppy is producing, or lack of it, consult your veterinarian and take your puppy for a full checkup. Related Articles:.

Leash training begins not with your dog but with your mindset. Goldens are intelligent, people-pleasing dogs. Begin your leash training — and every walk after that — with a calm mindset, and your dog will follow. The leader goes through the door first, so work on proper door etiquette until your puppy or dog has the right idea. This sets up your walk to succeed from the beginning. If you allow your dog to pull you over to greet the dog across the street or to sniff that really lovely tree, your dog is the winner in this tug of war. Instead, when your dog starts pulling, stand in one spot. Beginning this training with puppies makes stopping easier, but plant your feet even with a full-grown dog. Reward walking correctly Choose a very small type of treat your dog only gets on walks and use this to reinforce good behavior. Every so often as your dog walks correctly, praise your golden and dish out a treat. Eventually, wean your dog off the treats but always praise good behavior. Goldens respond really well to this type of verbal confirmation. Walk often Make walks a regular part of your routine. At least once a day, preferably twice, walk your dog for a period of 15 to 30 minutes. This routine is a huge part of keeping your golden leash trained for walks. Put it in your calendar or set a reminder on your phone — whatever it takes to get outside. Remember to always use positive reinforcement. Yelling or other punishment types of motivation could backfire. Your golden may end up with more energy or fear of walking. Step 1: Put the leash on your golden while in the house. If your golden is afraid of the leash, reward him with treats when he allows you to put it on him. Step 2: While inside, walk back and forth with your dog, stopping when he pulls on the leash. This method begins to teach your golden what to expect. However, this is not the case at all. Dogs especially golden retrievers need to be taught how to walk on a leash without pulling. The video is embedded at the bottom of this post and will give you some good visual aids for the steps outlined in this article. The biggest reason is that they have not been taught not to! They love life and are very curious, so when they see a new sight, or smell a new smell, they get excited and want to go explore it. She sees a leaf blow by and wants to go check it out so she pulls towards it. And this is how puppies learn to pull on a leash. Set Your Golden Up For Success With Loose Leash Walking Alright now that your dog is comfortable with wearing a harness with a leash attached, the next step is to start teaching loose leash walking! But before you start it, you need to set them up for success. Playing tug or fetch before you train will help take the edge off and make walking on a leash without pulling a lot easier. Another tip for setting them up for success is to work on loose leash walking in an area with minimal distractions. Start in the house, and then when they can pay attention to you and not pull in the house, go outside in the back yard or right in front of the house. Slowly work towards more and more distracting environments, until they can pay attention to you and not pull on the leash anywhere. This works for three reasons: It rewards them for good behavior before they can start pulling It brings and keeps them close to you as they come to get the treat It encourages them to continue this good behavior If you have a young puppy who rarely walks well on a leash, proactively mark and reward them often for walking well. But once they look away from the distraction, reward and praise them heavily for that. Reactive Strategy The reactive strategy is how to handle your dog when they start to pull. Instead, if they start pulling you want to use the stop and go strategy. When they start pulling you stop moving. Once they loosen up on the leash, you can move forward again. In addition to just stopping and going, you can also turn around each time your dog tries to pull in one direction. I was watching a video recently where a trainer tried 32 times to walk outside the door with a dog that loved to pull. It may take you 20 minutes to walk one block or just to even get out of the door , but it will be worth it once your dog learns to walk on a loose leash. You probably had training wheels to get you started, but eventually, you graduated and learned to ride a bike without training wheels. The training wheels were a tool to help you learn to ride a bike and there are also tools to help your pup learn to walk on a leash. This is better than them pulling with the harness clipped in the back where they can really get some power in pulling on the leash or with a flat buckle collar where they can damage their neck or throat. When they stop pulling on the leash with clipped in front, you can start testing out and seeing how they do with a flat buckle collar or with the leash clipped on the back of the body harness. You may need to go back to the basics, like practicing the proactive strategy, or even go into an environment with fewer distractions like inside of your home , but your dog will likely be able to make progress quickly. Sniffing And Walking Dogs have really powerful noses and they love to sniff, so they should be allowed to sniff on a walk. If they try to pull, stand still, and then when they loosen up on the leash come back to you, you can either continue on with the walk or let them continue to sniff. Teaching your golden retriever to walk on a loose leash can take several months to a year or even longer. All dogs are different and it also depends on these two things: How often you work on loose leash walking How consistent you and your family are. For instance, if you never let your pup pull and move forward, but your kid or spouse lets them get away with pulling when they walk them, it will take a lot longer. It requires a lot of patience but it will be worth it once you can go on a relaxing, enjoyable walk with your dog. The walk needs to be enjoyable for both you and your dog, so they should be allowed to relax and sniff as you two are walking, not strictly stick by your side and suppress their natural desire to sniff and explore. Use the stop and go method. They may get used to saying hi to everyone and try to pull every time they see someone. Continued intense pulling could hurt their neck or throat, so consider using a body harness. Conclusion Teaching your golden retriever to walk nicely on a leash may take several months and lots of patience, but you can do it and it will be worth it. Have any questions about teaching your golden retriever to walk on a leash? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Heather Orth 2 min read How to leash train your golden retriever? Golden Retrievers are very intelligent and considered easy dogs to train! By nature, they are a people-pleasing breed and with some motivation and understanding of their personality, you will be able to train your dog well. In this blog, we will talk about everything you need to know regarding your dog's leash training. Leash training includes your puppy of course, but it actually starts with your mindset and your initiative. Here is a list of tips that will help you Leash Train your dog: 1. While getting your dog leashed, it is important to ensure that you stay calm and comfort your dog while leashing them up! Through this, you will gain your puppy will gain confidence and will feel secure as they get used to being on a lead. When you take your puppy out for a walk, they will want to interact with the other dogs and they will be excited to take in all the smells, from bushes to trees to anything on the side of the path. Instead, when you see them getting ready to bolt in a direction you do not want them to go, simply hold still while holding the leash. Through this gesture, the dog will understand that they are not going in the right direction and with repetition, it will begin to follow your lead. Walk Often As much as possible, make walks a regular part of your daily routine. Go on a walk with your retriever once or twice a day. Going on a walk for at least 20 to 30 minutes is recommended once or twice a day. Through this, your dog will be able to get comfortable with the leash, and you will be able to create a good bond with your furry friend! If you are interested in getting an English Cream Golden Retrieve, we would encourage you to check out our website at Sweet Cream Goldens. We have healthy, family-friendly White golden retrievers who are ready to go to their new forever family! Visit our website at www. Share 0 Shares Congratulations! You added a new member to the family and brought home a Golden Retriever puppy! All of the tools and methods mentioned are forms of positive reinforcement which is the rewarding of a requested behavior. Before You Get Started Please remember that all dogs are not the same. Not even all Golden Retrievers are the same, though they do exhibit some of the same traits. The first thing to note before training your new puppy to walk nicely on a leash is to know what motivates them. Not all puppies will work for treats. Some dogs are motivated by verbal praise, physical attention like petting, or access to toys. Training should be a fun and engaging experience for both you and your dog; it should be something that your puppy wants to do because they enjoy it. If your dog is food-motivated, as many Golden Retrievers are, treats that have a stronger smell will typically entice them more. Also, you do not have to give them a full-sized treat each time. The second thing to know before leash-training your Golden Retriever puppy is what you, as the trainer, are capable of. Training is extremely time-consuming so make sure that you have enough time to train your puppy thoroughly. Also, leash training can sometimes be physically exhausting, especially since Golden Retrievers grow very quickly. Training requires a hefty amount of movement, quite a bit of arm strength, and the stamina to keep up with your puppy. Know your own physical limits and pick the tools or methods that will help you rather than hurt you. A third thing to know before you begin leash training is how dogs respond to pressure. Unlike prey animals that yield to pressure like a horse on a lead line , predatory animals like dogs will typically rail against pressure, such as the pull on a leash. Give your dog slack on the leash when they stop pulling. The fourth thing that you should know before starting to leash-train a puppy is that training never stops. There will always be something or someone new that interests your dog on a walk. Maybe you decided to go to the beach instead of walking around your neighborhood. You may also need to incorporate other types of training such as obedience or task training into your leash training to keep your dog stimulated mentally. If you take the same five-block walk every day, twice a day, your Golden Retriever might get bored and act out more while on their walk. Changing up your routine or sprinkling commands into your walk will benefit you and your puppy. There is one final thing that you should know before you embark pardon the pun on your journey of leash-training your Golden Retriever: the reason that a dog pulls. The base reason for pulling on the leash is excitement: excitement to be moving and exploring, excitement to reach something or someone that is ahead of them, excitement because they have seen another dog or excitement as the base of reactivity. Leash-training is a transfer of energy between yourself and your puppy via the tether between you. If you act with high energy such as frustration or anxiety , your dog will feel this and respond in kind. On the other hand, if you respond with quiet, firm energy, your dog will react accordingly and their energy level will decrease. Low-energy Golden Retrievers are still high-energy dogs. Remaining calm and collected while leash-training your puppy will not eradicate the need for said training but it will make the training process easier. Firstly like we already talked about , have your rewards handy. If that is a specific type of treat or toy, have it accessible. Dogs have a very short window of association, meaning that you have to reward behavior in under 3 seconds so they understand what they are receiving a reward for. If you use rewards outside of when your puppy performs a behavior that you asked for, the rewards can become obsolete. Your Golden Retriever might fail to associate the reward with the behavior. Do not reward for behaviors that your puppy performs on their own. They need to learn that just performing the behavior does not guarantee a reward, they have to be listening for verbal commands and watching for physical cues. Short Leash A set-length leash the average leash is about 5 feet long is your friend. Not only does a short leash give you more control but it keeps your dog within your space. This close proximity allows you to reward your pup in that 3-second period and keeps them from getting too far ahead of you. Retractable leashes give your puppy too much space away from you and that can be dangerous even for a fully trained dog. A leash that has an extra loop at the attachment can also be helpful in maintaining control and keeping the dog next to you instead of pulling ahead of you. Dogs, in theory, should walk beside you on a loose leash rather than in front of you. When a dog walks in front of their owner, they consider themselves higher in the pack hierarchy. Keeping your puppy at your side while using the methods offered in this article will be more effective than allowing them to walk ahead. As your Golden Retriever learns not to pull, you can get longer leashes to give them increased slack in the line. Front Clip Harness Another tool that can keep your Golden Retriever from pulling ahead of you is a front clip harness. When the leash attaches to the harness at the chest instead of between the shoulder blades, it changes the movement of the dog. If the puppy pulls, the front clip harness will cause them to turn because the leash is pulling them around. When your Golden Retriever pulls, this tool will pull their head to the side. Since the body follows the nose, this will make your dog turn with their head. When they realize that pulling turns them around and away from the direction that they wanted to go, they will be less likely to forge ahead. These methods, just like the tools, can be used all together or individually. Find the mix that works best for you and your Golden Retriever. Two Hands From experience, using two hands on the leash is the best way to go. Eventually, you will work your way to one-handed dog-walking but two hands is better in the beginning. Keep your dominant hand on the leash handle. This hand is your main control. Place your non-dominant hand on the leash closer to your puppy. Apply pressure on the leash holding them back or holding them in place and release the pressure the moment that your dog gives you what you were asking for. The release of pressure is a non-verbal cue that has the same effect. Stop and Start If your puppy starts to pull and you are physically able to do so , stop in your tracks and wait. The moment that there is slack in the leash or your puppy turns toward you to check in with you, start moving again. You may only go fifty feet altogether. However, if you continue to stop when your dog pulls, they will eventually associate the stop with the pulling. Turn About If your golden is on the bigger side and is able to bowl you over with one pull, the Turn About method might be easier for you. Instead of stopping when your puppy pulls, turn on your heel and immediately march in the other direction. Whenever they pull, turn. They will eventually understand that if they pull, they will be made to turn away from who or what they are pulling to get to. This can also be an effective tactic for reactive or aggressive dogs. Redirect This last one is a good method for Golden Retrievers specifically because they are so endearingly distractible. Compared to scent-seeking hounds or other hunting dogs, the concentration of these dogs will waver more easily. When they perform the correct behavior, reward them. The easiest way to get their attention is to call their name in an over-the-top happy voice. This is a great way to distract your dog and redirect their attention. Not only will it be easier to leash-train a smaller puppy but leash training can be a bonding experience for you and your dog. Also, start in a familiar area like your backyard or your neighborhood block. Sometimes, puppies can be overwhelmed by new environments so constantly going to new places while leash training might start you back at square one each time. DO: Focus on your dog while you are training them. If you are distracted, they will sense it and respond in kind. Communication is a two-way street and training is a form of communication. Give your pup your full attention and your training will be more effective. DO: Tire out your puppy before walking out the door. Eventually, walks will become their primary form of exercise and an outlet for restlessness. Right now, as a puppy, they have boundless energy. Play with a toy or do some obedience training before you start your walk if possible to decrease that energy and make your Golden Retriever focus on you. DO: End on a positive note. If you have a walk that went terribly wrong, end with something that you can reward for. Dogs will remember the positive interactions more quickly than negative interactions. Make the training and the walk a good experience. DO: Ask for extra help if you need it. There is nothing wrong with seeking further resources. Make sure that they have experience with energetic, large-breed dogs. If they only work with small breeds or competition dogs, they might not be the best fit for you and your golden. None of these tools or methods are going to work on the first try. Your Golden Retriever puppy is a baby and you are quite literally teaching them how to communicate with you. This is similar to teaching an infant how to talk or learning a new language. This will take patience and a healthy dose of trial and error. Some dogs pick it up quicker than others and that is okay. Also, there is no such thing as a perfect dog. Aim towards clear lines of communication between yourself and your dog. Dogs are like children and they all learn their own way at their own pace. Your puppy is an individual, just like you are. Also, these tools and methods may only work so much on their own but will build on each other. The efficacy of these tools and methods will differ between dogs and even between different Golden Retrievers. Negative attention is still attention and they will not discern the difference. Dogs are insanely smart and can understand thousands of English words but they have to learn them first. This also includes yelling if they get off leash. Keep your tone happy and high-pitched and you will get better results. You will have better communication and a better relationship with your dog because of it. Keep them in a fanny pack or a treat bag. Keeping treats in your hand encourages your Golden Retriever to try to get them from you. Firstly, you want to be able to get to a point where you can walk without rewarding. The experiences on the walk should eventually become the reward — the things they are able to sniff, the other people or animals that they meet, et cetera. Rewards should be linked with behavior not just for walking beside you. Secondly, a food-motivated dog will see your hand as an obstacle between them and treats. They will chew or bite your hand to get to them. Or, in extreme cases, they can associate closed hands with treats. This can be dangerous if you have guests or children. Set yourself up for success by only rewarding for correctly performed behaviors. There are two major issues with this. The first is that puppies rarely wear collars that are tight enough on them since they are constantly growing. If they continue to pull, there is nothing stopping them from slipping their collar and bolting. Think about it, they have a strap around their neck that digs in when they pull. Over time, this exerts pressure on the trachea the windpipe and the esophagus the tube from the mouth to the stomach. Collars on their own are not a safe or functional way to walk your dog. Final Thoughts We discussed several tools and methods to assist you in leash-training your golden retriever puppy. These are all usable on adult dogs and other breeds, as well. Find what method, tool, or combination works best for you. Other Training Tips. Golden retrievers are friendly, happy dogs, who want to greet and play with everyone they meet out walking. This leads to leash pulling, and it can happen in puppies as well as adult dogs. It can start to feel like there is nothing you can do to stop your dog from pulling at the leash, except go along with it, or reduce the number of walks. We're here to help. Let's look at some tips to stop your golden retriever from pulling at his leash. Train Them Young When you get a puppy, you should start leash training right away. Many people make the mistake of not doing so, but the sooner good leash manners are instilled in your little Golden, the better. Even if he is just 8 weeks old. Far better to start with a puppy than a 60 pound growing dog. Have the Right Tools With any task that you do, things will be easier if you have the right tools and this is no different. If your golden retriever is still learning how to walk, it is best to not use a retractable leash. If you use a retractable leash, your golden cannot learn what distance he can go that is within his accepted boundaries. It is much better to use a fixed length leash. Another good alternative is our Sierra Dog Leash. A front lead harness like our Adventure Harness , Sports Harness or Urban Harness can also be helpful because as your dog starts pulling, a front lead harness will gently redirect his force to the side, so that he cannot go where he wants to go. He will soon learn that pulling doesn't get him to where he wants to go. A harness and leash aren't magically going to make your dog not pull, but the right tools will go a long way to helping you train your golden retriever. Teach Self Control Golden retrievers have a lot of energy, and have to be taught self control. Knowing and obeying commands will help your dog stay calm and cool while out on a walk. Starting with basic commands like, sit, stay, go to bed, etc, are all good ways for you to work with your puppy on self control. Don't Play Tug With The Leash If your dog is in the habit of pulling on the leash, it is very important to not pull back. Big dogs like golden retrievers tend to respond to pressure on their leashes with even more pressure, leading to a tug of war between you and your dog. That's taking a bad habit and making it worse. Instead, stop and wait until your dog comes back to your side, or call him back by name. Don't reel him in, but keep the leash slack and relaxed and wait for him to come. Reward Correct Position Rewarding your dog for good behavior is important. Whenever your golden retriever is walking calmly by your side with a loose leash, make sure to reward him. Turning it into a game, something golden retrievers love, will make it a fun learning process for him. Rewarding him with his favorite treats, toys or praise, whatever he likes, will ensure that he repeats the good behavior. Golden retrievers tend to get more excited than most other breeds. Try tiring your dog out before taking him for a walk. You might find that it makes a difference. Easy ways to do this is to play fetch with them, or make them chase their favorite toys. Sometimes, your dog might even be too tired to go for a walk. Keep in mind that your dog may become overly tired with the walking and the learning, so be sure to keep the sessions short and fun. Dogs will repeat behavior that gets reinforced, so it's important to ensure that your golden retriever is not being rewarded for pulling on his leash. For example, if he pulls on the leash because he wants to sniff at a bush or greet a person on the street, and you let him do it, then he will continue to pull. You have just reinforced his bad behavior. So if you feel your golden retriever pulling you in one direction, you need to plant your feet and not move, until he returns to you. If your dog is very strong, you can start walking in the opposite direction. As soon as he is walking next to you calmly, you can turn around and go in the direction he wants. Dogs are smart creatures, and golden retrievers are no exception. They are quick learners, and eager to please you. The tips in this article, coupled with patience and determination, not to mention treats, will help you train your golden retriever not to pull and make your walks enjoyable for the both of you. Related Products. Her guardians set up a dog obedience training session with us for leash training to help Sunshine stop pulling on the leash, as well as counterconditioning with the cats and basic dog obedience training. When I arrived at the house, Sunshine was sleeping in the living room and did not come to greet me until her name was called. Once she came over to me, she started to jump up but quickly settled back down. The more times you use a command the less likely your dog is to listen. As a dog behaviorist I have learned that desensitization is a bad habit many dog guardians pick up unintentionally. Repeating a word or command that your dog is not responding to you is almost a textbook definition of desensitization. Dogs eat in the order of their rank, so simply by having the guardians eat before them it helps the dog develop self control and see the humans as having more rank or authority. Like all dogs, Sunshine needs plenty of exercise. The guardians had used a retractable leash, which allows Sunshine a lot of freedom. But if you have a dog that is not well behaved on the leash this additional amount of freedom can contribute to the problem. This same principal applies to your dog walking on the leash. I introduced a martingale collar with a straight leash to do some leash training with Sunshine. You can see pick up some free dog training tips to get your dog to stop pulling on the leash in the video below. As you can see in the video, Sunshine needed some initial corrections to help her learn how to be successful at loose leash walking. The goal of this exercise is to have Sunshine comfortably walking next to her guardian without pulling on the leash. We call this a structured walk. A dog training tip for high energy dogs; take them out with a ten minute game of fetch in your backyard before your walk. This lets you help your dog burn off excess energy, which puts them in a position to succeed and makes it easy for them to pay attention to you when you are on the walk. Just make sure to give your dog a ten minute recovery period inside before you go on your walk. During the session we discussed a number of positive dog training methods, such as always using treats to reward your dog for good behavior. For many dogs, including Sunshine, food is a strong motivator and is a great way to accomplish new skills and reward good dog behavior. By adding structured feeding, plenty of exercise, Petting with a Purpose and prating the other techniques we covered during the session Sunshine can continue her good behavior. Share this:. Read the full disclosure here. Use the methods described in this article to start teaching your puppy good leash-walking habits from the start. Do you do any of the things below? How so? It teaches your dog that the more they pull, the further the leash goes, so the instinct to pull becomes ingrained as a habit. If you do use a retractable leash, switch it out to a regular leash and donate your retractable one to your local animal shelter. Dogs, especially larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers, tend to respond to pressure on the leash with even more pressure. Instead, if your dog pulls on the leash, stop on the spot and wait until they come back to stand by your side. Keep the leash slack and relaxed, and wait for your pooch to make the move literally back to you. You can see how this creates a cycle of heavy pulling and really affects your leadership role. Actually, the trick — as you may already suspect — is just the same as it is with any other type of training: It takes patience, repetition and rewarding of good behavior to get good results. Consistency will pay off for you here. Your dog needs to understand that pulling never gets them what they want. Instead, try the below methods before you head off to the pet store to plunk down hard cash on anti-pulling products. Look At Walks As Training Sessions, Not Just Exercise Every time you take your dog out for a walk on a leash is another great opportunity for you to teach them better manners. But as with all training, your golden retriever and you may quickly become over tired, so be sure to keep these training sessions short, frequent and fun. Try tiring out your dog before you go on a walk and see if it makes a difference. In most cases, it will! Play fetch in your backyard and make them chase their toy over and over. Timing praise and rewards right after they do something you like is the absolute best way to communicate what you want and encouragement for your dog to perform the behavior again. Treat them for walking nicely beside you — we have more advice on this in a section below. To train your dog to not get excited before a walk , simply ask for a sit, reach out to clip the leash to the collar…but do not do it until your dog is calmly sitting. If they go ballistic with excitement, stand upright, holding your arms crossed and the leash out of their reach and wait until they calm down. Then try again. If they pick up with exuberant energy again before you finish clipping on the leash on, take the leash away and start over. Only clip the leash on when your dog is completely chill. Head Halters Similar in looks to a muzzle, a head halter is an okay choice for strong breeds such as a Golden Retriever. When a dog wearing a head halter pulls on the leash, the halter forces their head to the side. If you do want to use a head halter, be aware that while puppies do well when started on it early, adult dogs sometimes fight when fitted with a head halter and you should take some measured time to get them used to it over days before heading out on a walk. Harnesses Some harnesses work in the same way as head halters, by turning the dog to the side if they pull. These types of harness have a ring on the front of the chest, not on the back, so the dog is turned unless the leash is loose. Instead, use compassion, understanding and patience to teach your dog how to properly walk on a leash. So we will leave the discussion of these collars right there. The best course of action is to take on board a little of everything written above that can help in the short-term, and to actively use a mix of the following three methods during purposeful, scheduled training sessions to help in the long-term. The essence of the technique is that once your dog reaches the end of the leash and is pulling, you simply stop the walk. Halt completely, dead in your tracks. You then rinse and repeat, only ever walking when the leash is loose, never letting your dog walk ahead pulling and you stop if they do. The theory is that by repeating this technique again and again…and again and again…repeatedly over and over, your dog soon learns that if they pull on the leash, they go nowhere. If the leash is slack, they get to continue on the walk. This method works on the principle that a dog only gets the reward that they want — moving toward where they want to be — if they do what YOU want — Walking on a loose leash. So unless you can truly handle the dog, you may get pulled over. Depending on how much of a puller you have on your hands — or leash — this technique may take time. But it does work, so be patient, practice a few times each day, and stick with it until you see results. When they pull, practice the above, and call them back and ask for a sit before treating them and setting off again. Just be sure to treat randomly, not every single time! But if they do, with no warning, simply stop, turn degrees and walk the other way. You may need a strong arm! As they turn to walk with you, give praise and maybe even a treat as they get beside you — but not in front of you — and then turn once more to go back in the original direction. Repeat this as many times as necessary, until they get the idea and do not pull. You may look a little silly if you practice in a busy park, so find a quiet spot if I were you. This is unpleasant and something they will want to avoid if they can. It teaches your dog that walking ahead and reaching the end of the leash has the opposite effect to what they want to achieve: Moving forward. In fact they end up walking away from where they want to go. It has the effect that it keeps your dog guessing so they have to concentrate on you. When you start to walk your golden retriever, make sure they know you have some treats in your hand by holding them in front of their nose, but in a closed fist so they cannot get them. Set off walking and they will follow close beside you, their nose to your hand with the treat within it. You are luring them to walk nicely beside you. For every few correct steps beside you on a loose leash, tell them how they good they are and pop a little treat in their mouth. Best though is to stop, call them back, ask for a sit and then lure them to walk beside you again with a treat in your hand. After some days of this training a few times per day, do not have the treats in your hand but have some on your person so you can still treat them liberally, but they are choosing to walk beside you, not merely following the treat in your hand. Once they have got the skill down, extend the amount of steps they must take before they get a treat, with the ultimate aim of slowly over days — or likely weeks — having them walk large distances beside you with a treat only every few minutes. Conclusion Pulling on the leash is a very common problem that many dog owners are faced with, particularly those with strong, high energy breeds such as Goldens. Armed with the advice in this article, patience, dedication and compassion, you can leash train your dog to walk beside with impeccable manners. Have any questions or comments about this article? Join the discussion, and share your experience and knowledge in the comments below. Recommended Comprehensive Training Course.

Last Updated: Apr 25, Housebreaking puppy—the favorite part of every new pet parent. No, not really. There are different methods and tools for housebreaking dogs , but today we'll focus on the comparison between grass litter boxes and housebreaking training pads. When it comes to training your dog not to use the bathroom wherever he or she wants, there are tons of pet products available on the market that can help your puppy familiarize with the new bathroom routine while also causing you as little stress as possible. Housebreaking helpers have become the industry standard among many dog parents, and most of them do help with training a dog to proper potty routines. For example, are grass litter boxes for dogs better than potty training pads? Let's talk about the pros and cons of each. Puppy training pads are absorbent potty pads that hold in the liquid and generally have a quick-drying surface. While your dog is being trained in new bathroom routines, you can teach him or her to use these potty pads so that your floors would stay relatively clean and dry. Most puppy training pads can even be used with elderly dogs having trouble controlling their bathroom habits. Dog grass litter boxes, on the other hand, are boxes filled with artificial turf that mimics the outside. Most pet parents have seen these used with cats because they're not as popular with dog owners, but the fashion trends are changing. Grass litter boxes for dogs are becoming a common housebreaking assistant for many new dog owners. Now What? At Top Dog Tips , we strongly believe in using the best dog supplies to assist with any dog training endeavors because these products exist for a reason. They prevent your floors from becoming soaking wet by absorbing the urine. Dog training pads often have odor neutralizers, so there is no smell associated with them. But, for all the good reviews, such housebreaking puppy pads have some downsides. Also, another unpleasant possibility is that your dog makes an association between any square piece of cloth on the floor and using the bathroom. That means anything—rugs, yoga mats, towels—becomes fair game for your dog. The final verdict: Puppy potty training pads are good for housebreaking as long as that housebreaking is consistent, thorough, and continual; neither of you should use the pads as a crutch because that can seriously backfire. The grass in the doggy litter box is replaceable either with turf, sod, or even real grass. This clarification is handy during puppy house training , where you want everything to be as simple as possible. If your dog has learned to go to the bathroom outside but now needs to be trained for inside, a grass litter box is an easy tool to use. It resembles a place like the one where your dog used to his business, just with a small difference—the area is smaller. When using dog grass litter boxes, you can train your puppy to go both indoors and outdoors. Also, cleaning the grass litter boxes is a bit more rigorous than cleaning training pads, and if not cleaned properly, they can begin to give off a foul odor. The extra effort for cleaning is something to consider. You also won't be able to place them in your dog's soft crate. But if you love to shop online, there are a few great options for grass litter boxes on Amazon. Puppy training pads are great for someone with a lot of time to devote to housebreaking i. Grass litter boxes for dogs are great for dog parents who work long hours and might not be able to get home in time every day to take out their pets. Other chores like helping with dog shedding by grooming your pet, cleaning their teeth, and taking dogs to a vet can all be done on the weekend, not so cleaning out the litter boxes. Also, if your dog has already been trained to go to the bathroom outside, grass litter box training will be simple as long as you have the time at least minutes to clean the doggy litter box properly each day. I hope this helped. Have you tried housebreaking your dog using either training pads or grass litter boxes? Share your experience with us in the comments below! Want To Share This… Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did not affect our assessment of products. Read more here and find full disclosure here. Close Instructions Wash and clean with soap and water. For indoor use. Extreme heat can cause pan to warp. Training your puppy Stage 1: Getting Off to a Good Start Create an enclosed small space where your puppy can be confined but still feel like part of the family. Make the space large enough for the litter pan to be at least 3 to 4 feet from the puppy's crate and water bowl. Fill the pan with litter or recycled paper litter to the fill line when the puppy is not there. This prevents him from associating it with the sound of kibble being put in his food bowl. Place a small amount of the puppy's urine or solid waste in the pan to help pet understand what the pan is used for. Don't scold; praise your puppy profusely and give him a treat when he is using the litter pan! Stage 2: Be in Control Set up a routine of feeding and exercise. Have fresh water available until a few hours before crating for the night. Feed your puppy at the same time each day, removing the bowl after 1 to 20 minutes. Keep your puppy on a leash while outside the pen area. You will keep accidents to a minimum when you have control over your puppy at all times until your puppy is fully trained. Stage 3: Build Good Habits Place the puppy in the pan regularly when you take your puppy out of the crate, after sleeping or exercising and at mealtimes. Schedule exercise with your puppy. Until your puppy is fully trained, encourage pet to eliminate in the pan before exercising. Using the phrase "puppy go here" when the puppy actually goes in the pan will build the association between the pan and the activity. Eventually, you will be able to use the phrase as a cue for your pet to go potty. After your puppy has used the pan a few times, fill the pan with litter to the fill line and place the usual material over it. After your puppy has become familiar with the smell of the litter, slowly begin to use increasingly smaller pieces of the other material, uncovering more of the litter every couple of days. Use a command or cue phrase such as "puppy go here" or "do your thing" before you start training to help him understand the association between the place and the purpose. When your puppy is used to the new area, put the litter pan-filled with grass or other material from the area-in the spot. When your puppy is comfortable with the ground material in the pan, replace it with litter or recycled paper litter. After the pet has been using the pan outside with the litter with complete reliability, start moving the litter-filled pan toward the house a little bit each day until you can bring it into the house.

Just a few months ago, your little ball of fluff was tumbling around, getting into mischief. This article will help you determine when to switch your puppy to adult dog food, how puppy and adult dog foods differ , how to select the best adult dog food, and how to transition foods smoothly to ensure that your pup is set up for a life of good health. According to AAFCO, puppy foods should be higher in protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorous than adult dog foods. These macronutrients and minerals help support lean muscle and bone growth. They also provide enough caloric density to enable the puppy to grow and perform basic bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, and movement. Many puppy food manufacturers also include higher amounts of compounds like omega-3 fatty acids to support proper brain and eye development as your puppy ages. Large-breed puppies need specially formulated puppy foods that contain less fat , calcium, and phosphorous to moderate their rate of growth. This helps prevent skeletal diseases such as elbow and hip dysplasia that can result from growing too quickly. You need to ensure that your puppy has the extra protein, fat, and minerals they need to support their growth and development and prevent various bone, joint, brain, and eye disorders. But aside from breed size, you also need to consider whether they are spayed or neutered or if they are a highly active dog that needs more calories. Breed Size Because of their faster growth rate, smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas , Yorkshire Terriers , and Pugs reach adult size sooner than larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers , German Shepherds, and Dalmatians. The guidelines below will help you to determine when to start feeding adult dog food: Small breeds under 25 pounds when fully grown reach adult size at months of age. These breeds will be ready for adult dog food at months of age. Medium-sized breeds such as English Springer Spaniels , Australian Shepherds , and Border Collies are pounds when fully grown, and they reach adult size at months of age. With growth rates between those of small breeds and large breeds, medium-sized dogs will be ready for adult dog food around months of age. Large breeds are over 50 pounds when fully grown. There are many large breed dogs, from the Boxer to the Great Dane , so the point at which these breeds reach mature size and weight can vary between 15 and 24 months of age. With the wide range of breeds under this category and a generally slower rate of growth, these dogs will need to stay on puppy food until they are months old to ensure they have enough protein and other nutrients during this stage. They also need to get those nutrients in the proper ratio to support the growth and proper development of their larger skeletons. Activity Level Athletic dogs may benefit from staying on puppy formulas longer, as the extra protein supports lean muscle growth and function, and the extra fat and higher caloric density can allow energy for high-intensity activities. Spaying or Neutering Breed size is not the only factor when determining when to transition your puppy to adult dog food. Because puppy foods contain a higher calorie density, feeding the correct amount during the remaining months of puppyhood is very important to prevent obesity as the puppy matures into an adult. Spaying or neutering does not usually slow the growth rate of your puppy, but it may affect the growth plates in the bones of large breed puppies, setting them up for joint problems later in life. In addition, unspayed female dogs who will be bred early in life may need to stay on puppy food longer to support gestation and lactation following whelping. Switching Too Early or Too Late Because the timing of switching your puppy to adult dog food is so important, there can be negative consequences from both switching too late and switching too early. Dogs that are taken off puppy food too late may be more predisposed to obesity and associated health problems later in life, given the fact that puppy formulas have more fat and calories per cup than adult dog formulas. The extra protein and calories in puppy foods can also increase the rate of growth in certain dog breeds if they are not fed a breed-specific puppy food formula. If these breeds are left on puppy formulas too long, they can be more predisposed to developing joint problems in the future. Similarly, if your puppy is taken off a puppy formula too early, they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies and growth abnormalities, failing to reach adult size around the expected time and increasing their risk of future bone, joint, brain, and eye issues. How to Pick the Right Adult Dog Food When it is time for your puppy to transition to adult dog food, how should you go about selecting the best adult formula for them as they become young adults? The young adult stage is typically considered years of age, as middle age starts by year in many dog breeds. While most dogs are generally quite healthy during this stage in their lives, feeding them appropriately during their young adult years can help lower the risk of obesity, arthritis , and dental disease as they age. Choosing a Brand The many adult dog food companies are not all equal in terms of quality. Dry Food vs. Wet Food The next step is to decide whether you would like to feed your dog dry food, wet food, or a mixture of the two. Both types of food have positive and negative aspects, and the choice to use one, the other, or both depends on the specific needs of your dog. For example, wet food: Has a higher moisture content than dry food and may be better for dogs that do not drink much water. Has a lower calorie density per volume than dry dog food, allowing dogs to feel fuller on fewer calories, which helps control their weight throughout their lives. Is often more palatable and appetizing than dry food, so it may be a great option for picky eaters or for stimulating the appetite of dogs that are less interested in food. Can be beneficial for dogs with oral abnormalities or dental disease, as it is easier for them to chew. By contrast, dry food: Can be a more economical option than wet food. Is a great option for easier portion control and for dogs that tend to graze throughout the day rather than consume a full meal in one sitting, as dry food will not spoil as rapidly if left out for long periods of time. Is beneficial for dental health, as the crunchy pieces act as an abrasive against the teeth during chewing and help prevent tartar buildup and thus tooth and gum disease. Can be easily used as a tool in puzzle toys for enrichment and mental stimulation. Is be used in slow feeders for reducing the rate at which dogs are able to consume their meals. When your pup eats more slowly, the risk is lower of them swallowing too much air and developing bloat, a potentially dangerous condition. Nutritional Requirements The final step in selecting the best adult dog food diet is to examine the Guaranteed Analysis panel on the bag or can of food and ensure that the formula meets a few major nutritional requirements. Other formulas have glucosamine for joint health or probiotics for gut health. Some dogs are sensitive to chicken and do better on beef- or salmon-based formulas. If you are unsure of the additional needs for your dog outside of the key ingredients and nutrients listed above, consult with your veterinarian. This will help ensure gut regularity with less physical activity. Remember that dog treats and other sources of calories in the diet need to be included when determining the appropriate amount of food for your young adult dog. How to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Dog Food Once you have selected the best adult dog food for your puppy, you are ready to transition them slowly onto their new diet. Because rapid diet changes can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, such as vomiting and diarrhea , it is recommended to introduce the new food slowly over a period of five days or so. Continue to feed your puppy as many times per day as they are used to throughout this process. If your puppy develops vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite, stop feeding the adult dog food and see your veterinarian. How Often to Feed Your Dog For large-breed puppies, it may be best for them to continue to eat three times per day. For medium-breed puppies, they should continue to be fed twice daily when they have been transitioned to adult dog food. For small-breed puppies, you may consider transitioning them to eating twice daily instead of three times per day after they are fully on adult dog food. This may involve providing more attention and playtime for your dog as they become accustomed to fewer feedings per day. Consider extra walks, extra playtime, or brushing to distract them from feelings of hunger. Some dogs may benefit from high-fiber adult dog food to increase feelings of fullness between meals. Your dog may also enjoy cleaned, raw fruits and vegetables such as sliced carrots, cucumbers, or apples without the core or seeds. If you have any questions about transitioning your puppy to adult dog food, contact your veterinarian. In addition, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can be a great resource for any issues that come up, and they can help develop the best diet and feeding schedule for your new family member. Featured image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? When should I change my German Shepherd puppy to adult food? Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. This is a very controversial topic. I'll bet if you asked 10 dog owners this question you'd get 10 different answers. Growing puppies should only be fed a high quality puppy diet which you need to continue feeding until your dog reaches 80 to 90 percent of his anticipated adult weight. For many German Shepherd puppies, this occurs usually around 8 to 9 months of age. Keep in mind that individual German Shepherd puppies growth rates will vary greatly from dog to dog. If your puppy is growing exceptionally quickly, you might want to ask your vet about switching your GSD puppy to adult food even sooner. And how will you know if your puppy is growing faster than most, you may ask? Well, for one thing I would check with your own GSD breeder. And if you didn't get your German Shepherd puppy from a breeder, for example, if you got your puppy from a rescue organization or from a shelter or maybe some other source I would then suggest speaking with your veterinarian about your pups growth rate and when the change in diet should occur. You may wonder why you don't just start feeding your puppy adult food in just one meal or so. That's just asking for trouble. There's a really good reason for this slow transition from one type of dog food to another - to avoid upsetting your dog's intestinal tract or causing diarrhea. If you were to just drastically switch from one food to another without this transition period you will have runny poops and just overall messy poops and a puppy with an upset stomach. And this can be easily avoided by following the transition as suggested above. And for adult GSD's, I always suggest feeding a good quality dry food only. You don't need to supplement a good quality dry dog food with any type of canned food. A good dry food is an excellent choice for a growing German Shepherd in many respects and it is very beneficial to their teeth as canned foods can cause many problems with tooth decay. What puts man in a higher state of evolution is that he has got his laugh on the right end. Your puppy should have access to clean water throughout the day, but it should be taken away at night. Puppies between the ages of eight and twelve weeks benefit from being fed three or four times per day. Any changes in the amount of food a puppy consumes should be implemented gradually. A German shepherd puppy needs a lot of food between 6 and 8 months to grow into an adult. Adult food provides numerous superfluous nutrients that the puppy does not need at that time. Feed him tiny servings of puppy food per day. After a year, you can switch him to adult food. It is recommended to feed your dog as directed by the manufacturer. These instructions may vary by brand and composition. Make sure your dog stays fit. To feel the spine, ribs, and pelvic bones. A noticeable waistline is a must. German Shepherds are capable of consuming a wide variety of human meals, including beef, chicken, pig, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. Fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, berries, carrots , peas, and pumpkins are also permitted. Additionally, you can feed your GSD additional foods such as rice and noodles, yogurt, and cheese. This procedure should take two to four weeks to finish. Supplements should be avoided since they may add too many nutrients to the diet that are already there. If you wish to provide a treat, eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt are excellent additives for improved digestion or flavor variation. Although it is natural for young German shepherd pups to be hungry, persistent hunger should be a matter of concern. Worms can make your dog be ever hungry. Carol is a paw parent, and her love for dogs started when she was just 5. She adores her two German Shepherds and a Bengal cat, who she says, "life would be incomplete without" Recent Posts. Time Zones puppy feeding schedule and recomendation Prior to weaning our German shepherd puppies, they would have obtain most of their nutritional needs from their mother's milk. By the time our puppies are ready to move into their new home, they will be fully weaned on to solid foods. The puppy is then entirely dependent on his new owner, to provide a fully balanced diet that will meet all of his nutritional requirements. All puppies thrive on the same basic nutrients as adult dogs, but due to their rapid growth rate, these nutrients are needed in proportionately larger quantities. Similar to human babies, puppies have small stomachs, so they need to be fed little portions but often. German shepherd puppies grow very rapidly in the early stages of their development. A German shepherd dog will reach about half their adult weight by five or six months of age. However, there is a wide variation in adult body weight between different breeds, and dogs mature at different rates, since this article is focus on the German shepherd puppy, we will focus at that. German shepherd puppies, in particular, which are most affected by the feeding regimen - as they are growing rapidly, these puppies are prone to disturbances in their skeletal development. It is unwise to overfeed such dogs at this stage in an attempt to obtain the maximum possible rate of growth. A puppy needs between two and four times as much energy as an adult of the same size - growing is an energetic business! They must have more protein than adults - this must contain all the right building blocks of the protein amino acids for growth, and they need just the right amount of minerals for healthy bones and teeth. Puppies therefore have to eat large amounts of food in relation to their body weight, but their stomachs have only a small capacity. To compensate for this, a puppy needs to be fed several small meals a day. It also helps if his diet is designed to meet a number of useful criteria: the food should be concentrated to ensure an adequate intake of nutrients before his stomach is full; The food should be easily digested to maximize its nutritive value; the diet must be balanced to provide the right amount of nutrients to meet the puppy's particular needs; and it should also be tasty so that he will eat it. Devising an acceptable nutritionally balanced diet for growth is thus a very complex exercise. Fortunately, feeding your puppy need not be as complicated as it sounds. Diets, which are specially formulated for growth, take all the guesswork out of rearing a healthy puppy and provide a balanced and concentrated diet, which he will enjoy and thrive. For a normal, healthy German shepherd puppy there is no need to use supplements. In some ways this could be harmful. If you do decide to use a supplement please consult your veterinarian. The feeding schedule of your puppy will depend greatly on his age and individual characteristics, until they are about four months old. Feeding can then be reduced to two times a day until six months of age. You can offer your puppy his daily food allowance in two separate meals. You can feed an adult diet from 14 months of age Since all puppies are individuals, some may need more and some less than the indicated amounts. Your puppy's condition is the best guide of whether you are feeding the correct amount. By recording his weight on a regular basis you will be able to check his growing at a healthy rate, appropriate to his breed. You can then make adjustments to avoid him becoming under - or overweight. Generally, a puppy should be allowed 10 to 15 minutes to eat at each mealtime. After then discard any uneaten food. Your puppy should have his own feeding and water bowls and should be kept clean, separate from the family's dishes. Provide fresh water daily If you notice that your puppy is excessively thirsty and often, you should consult your veterinarian. Note: When puppies come from a kennel environment "outside living", to a family house, most often they will show signs of panting and thirst. This is normal because they will be hot with-in. In few days they should adjust in being indoors. The "puppy" feeding schedule is a guideline for our German shepherd puppies. A puppy should be kept lean during 4 to 8 months of age rapid growth phase , BUT they should not appear thin. You should be able to feel the rib cage and the back bone, but not see them. Looking down on the dog, there should be a slight indentation between the end of the rib cage and the hip bones. If you have questions or comments that you would like to share, please EMAIL US Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. When should you transition to adult dog food, and how? Still, there are several variables — for example, whether your pup has developed faster or slower than average, the amount of exercise it gets, and any advice your vet has given you. This article will explore these and other factors that come into play when deciding to start giving your young German Shepherd adult dog food. But on an individual basis, the time of adulthood may be closer to ten months or, on the other side, fourteen. After all, you know your dog best. Protein And Fat Must Be Balanced In Any Diet The main thing to be aware of is that when your dog is a puppy, they need a diet rich in protein to fuel their enthusiastic and curious nature — in other words, how much exercise they prefer to indulge in. A good balance between how much your pup moves and how much they eat is essential. Your German Shepherd puppy also requires a significant amount of fat in their diet at this stage to keep their skin and coat healthy and to add flavor to their food. But be careful — too much fat in the diet can exacerbate congenital disabilities like hip dysplasia, arthritis, and degenerative myelopathy. This practice can lead to obesity, and again, hip joint problems. The opposite, not feeding the dog often enough, can cause a deficiency in vital nutrients and lead to dysfunctional behavior. Always be aware that you should strike a balance between good health and an appropriate appetite. Unfortunately, one of the only things to be done preemptively against hip dysplasia is to make sure you get full disclosure of any issues from the breeder or individual you buy your puppy from, and preferably a check-up with the vet as well. Some German Shepherd parents prefer to give raw foods — in degrees that vary from a raw egg mixed into dry food to a total biologically appropriate raw food BARF diet that includes bones, raw meat, and vegetables. Also, cross-contamination from raw meat on cooking surfaces can make humans sick. And finally, the high cost in time and money it takes to maintain this feeding method can be too much to handle. For example, the Food and Drug Administration allows ingredients in dog food like infected animal products , justifying that the heat involved in the kibble-making process kills microorganisms and other pathogens. Add to this all the dyes and other chemicals added to kibble, and you can understand why some German Shepherd owners go with other kinds of food altogether. Also, take into account that the liquid fat applied to dry food to make it palatable can also go rancid quickly, and you might want to reconsider the whole option of kibble for your German Shepherd. Canned Dog Food Is Only A Partial Answer As Well It may seem tempting to go for the canned food advertised as containing real meat and vegetables and no fillers like excessive grain content. And depending on which exact brand you choose, canned food can seem like a sweet deal if you can afford it. Think of how your mouth feels after eating a chocolate bar — your teeth become coated in sugar. The longer you wait before brushing, the more harm that coating can do to your dental health. Final Thoughts Hopefully this article has provided you an essential guide to transitioning your German Shepherd puppy to adult dog food, with attention paid to all the smaller choices involved in the process and their consequences. Proper nutrition is key to keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy. According to Total German Shepherd , all feeding changes should be made gradually to ensure the best possible results. The food recommended by the breeder or rescue organization should be used for the first few weeks to avoid digestive disruption, and kibble should be mixed with a little water. Clean water should be available to your puppy all day but taken up at night. Puppies between eight and 12 weeks old do best with being fed three or four times daily. After 12 weeks, feeding your puppy twice a day is fine. Any changes to the amount of food a puppy eats should be done gradually. Puppies will experience their most significant growth rates between three and six months old. In most cases, this will be around a year old, although larger males might take longer to reach this size. The Happy Puppy Site states that a lot of problems German Shepherds can encounter are due to bone growth that occurs too rapidly. These issues include hip dysplasia. Choosing the right food and feeding the right amount both play a leading role in making sure your puppy grows at an acceptable rate. A raw diet might prove beneficial once your dog has reached adult size. One of the possible benefits is reducing the possibility of hip dysplasia. When your puppy has a growth rate that follows a proper pace, the dog will reach the appropriate proportions when they are supposed to. Even though all dogs run the risk of injury, a puppy that grows at the appropriate rate has healthier bones. Puppy food for large breeds with a high protein level is best for German Shepherd puppies. Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to continue the same brand and essential formulation, but to switch to the adult version when appropriate. You will not only avoid any issues with finicky behavior but will also help ensure that your puppy continues to meet its essential nutritional needs. The outcome of taking these steps will be better overall health for your dog. Then, you will replace half the food for two days and three-quarters for two days, ultimately making the switch totally to the new food. This process should take two to four weeks. This video helps put the process of switching your dog over to another food into perspective. This relatively simple step is an essential way of making sure that your dog is nourished. Avoid adding supplements, because they may add too many nutrients that are already present in the food. Eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt make suitable additives for better digestion or flavor variety if you want to provide a treat. Amanda J. These guidelines may vary depending on the brand and formulation. Make sure your dog keeps a healthy weight. The spine, ribs, and pelvic bones should be easy to lightly feel. All GSDs should have a visible waistline. If the food your puppy is eating seems to be leaving them unsatisfied or they do not appear to be gaining healthy weight levels, you may need to consider following up with your veterinarian. Medium-length beef marrow bones can be a tasty treat in addition to their food, especially if stuffed with pumpkin without any spices or peanut butter. However, avoid pork or poultry bones, because these can splinter very easily. Gravy should never be given as a treat because of its potential to cause diarrhea. Another concern is that gravy might contain spices possibly toxic to dogs. Avoid feeding table scraps for the same reason. There are concerns about some kibble-based dog foods that owners should be aware of, according to Anna Burke. These foods include grain-free varieties high in potato and legume content like lentils or peas. Such ingredients increase the risk of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Large dogs like Shepherds may be somewhat more prone to this condition. If you want to consider this diet, wait until your dog has achieved adult size. Avoid homemade diets, as these are mostly deficient in crucial nutrients that growing puppies require. Melissa Smith notes that timing is everything when it comes to switching from puppy to adult food, and your vet will play a leading role. One of the reasons why timing is so important is because the calorie content of puppy food is so high. This can make the young adult dog gain weight too quickly, in the wrong places, particularly the belly area, where fat can be dangerous. A growth spurt after a year is possible in German Shepherds, particularly males, and your vet may have a good idea of when the growth will finish. However, what about Shepherds that are not purebred? This question is very reasonable, as it is a little more difficult to guess when a mixed-breed is done growing. Compare your measurements to popular GSD growth charts for reference. Consider making sure your vet is on-board as you make the transition from puppy food to adult. Your vet will be able to spot any nutritional deficits that require addressing. Another advantage is being able to ensure the dog has proper bone growth. If your German Shepherd has needs that require a special diet, your vet will be able to provide valuable guidance about the appropriate timing. Even though you might find it challenging to think about obesity when your dog is transitioning out of puppyhood, this stage is not too early by any means. Early prevention is key to stopping many conditions besides hip dysplasia. Both obesity and being underweight can come with their share of problems for your growing dog. Obesity, when unchecked, can not only lead to bone and joint issues but can also lead to heart disease and diabetes. If your dog is underweight, Amber King recommends a high-protein diet with a moderate amount of fat. Follow up with your vet to help uncover the cause of the low body weight. Another possible health issue of concern, according to Dr. OCD is a condition that involves abnormal cartilage growth at the end of a joint. Wobbler syndrome is another condition that may have its origins in overly rapid growth. This disorder is a neurological condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck area, often leading to difficulties with walking. When you have a growing German Shepherd, the right nutrition makes all the difference in their growth and development. Even though it may feel as though the amount of information on nutrition is overwhelming, it is essential. Making the right choices early on will mean greater health and happiness for your dog. A dog that grows at a reasonable, healthy rate will do much better in life. Recommended reading:.