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An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. Keep calm! German Shepherd puppy training is fun and a great time to bond with your new dog! Instead… Follow these puppy training tips to break down your training into manageable steps that are easy to teach and train. German Shepherd puppies are brilliant! And as they grow, they become the most loyal canine friends. Teach Them Handling Skills While your dog may enjoy gentle caresses and hugs from you they will also need to learn other important handling skills. Think about the grooming your dog will need and how the vet might handle your pup in the future. These are all areas where they will be touched in the future. Handling skills involve intentional, purposeful touch that acclimates your dog to uneasy situations in the near future. Ignoring fear and stress signals such as cowering, lip their lips multiple times, turning their head away, even shaking will only teach your dog to fear that object. Fear can cause your dog to become aggressive or suffer from anxiety. Never, ever try to become the alpha! Instead, learn to become their favorite teacher and speak their language. It also prevents undesired behaviors. Think of positive training in terms of showing, teaching, influencing, and trusting. These terms build trust. Focus on the Good Things Some puppy owners all too often think about punishment and discipline as their first steps in training. What you want is to focus on catching your dog behaving well — and reward that! If you see your puppy chewing on the right chew toy, then praise them. When you see them look at you, offer them a treat for paying attention. When you find your dog lying down being quiet and calm, pet them gently and offer them verbal praise. The more you focus on the good things, the less your dog concerns itself with doing bad things. Call them to you or offer them a better option that is what you prefer, then praise them for choosing the right thing. Pick one skill at a time to practice, and build upon their success. Think of the easiest way for your dog to understand the command and stick to the same word. You can begin basic German Shepherd obedience commands from your own home, even! Small bits of training, spread out in multiple sessions throughout the day, is better than an hour-long session. Aim for the 5-minutes worth of training using 4 to 5 sessions daily. This is where brain games and brain training come into play. You can make up your own brain games for their mental exercise or, even better… Signup for an online course that teaches fun Brain Training for Dogs using that positive, reward-based training you read about earlier. Using the unique intelligence of your German Shepherd puppy this brain training program helps your dog to learn not only their basic commands but also to play fun games that work on good behavior. Training games help your dog to learn impulse control, basic commands, and to watch and listen to you. What games do you play with a young dog? Try these great German Shepherd puppy training games to give your 8-week-old puppy a head start! Include different games throughout the day in between your training sessions to give your dog a break and have fun with them! There are 5 critical focus areas in which you must train your 8-week old German Shepherd appropriately. Here is the most important training that you need to teach your new puppy so they enjoy a successful life with you. Keep in mind, your young dog is unable to hold its bladder for more than a couple of hours at 8-weeks-old. They simply lack the muscle control to hold their bladders any longer. Instead, opt to train your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy using positive methods and watching for the natural times that your dog chooses to eliminate. Adjust the times as necessary to avoid any accidents in your house and help keep your puppy to their unique schedule. Early morning: Let your pup outside first thing every morning to let them relieve themselves. After breakfast: After its morning breakfast meal let your dog back outside. Let them walk around and sniff to help encourage them to explore and let them stretch their legs. Before and after lunch: Let your puppy outside before and after their lunchtime meal. Eating stimulates the bowels and your puppy needs to got outside at least every 2 hours. Before and after dinner: Remember that eating stimulates the response for your puppy to eliminate. So, before and after every mealtime your puppy should be let outside for a walk and sniff. Before bedtime: Your puppy needs to relieve themself before they settle down for the nighttime. This is a good time to let them have a long sniffing exploration and to really explore a safe area. During the night: Yes, your puppy will probably need to go potty during the night. You might hear them whine and cry to get your attention. Remember, they cannot hold their bladders for more than 2 hours! After naptime: Take your puppy out for a potty break after naptime, as soon as they wake up. Keep repeating the same routine. Your puppy will soon catch on, but this generally takes weeks or even months. The more diligent you are about preventing accidents the quicker your puppy will learn housetraining. Never, ever punish your puppy or rub their nose in it for punishment. This may stress them out and cause even more accidents. Socializing your 8-week-old German Shepherd means that you must provide your dog with interesting and positive interactions where they feel safe. This helps give your young dog confidence in its environment. German Shepherd Dogs are extremely loyal and have a tendency of apprehensiveness with strangers. Socialization helps ensure that your puppy not only grows a strong bond with you without developing over-protectiveness but also learns to trust that you have their best interest in mind and will keep their experiences as positive as possible. German Shepherd puppy socialization training tips: Without their full set of vaccinations, your puppy is vulnerable to infectious diseases. However, consider taking your young dog to early socialization classes where all other dogs have also been immunized. This reduces the risk of becoming sick and helps your German Shepherd become a confident, well-adjusted, and friendly dog. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior promotes early socialization source , even before your dog receives its full set of vaccines, as lack of socialization is detrimental long-term. Every new interaction or must be followed with a reward — a tasty treat! This ensures your puppy has positive associations with new experiences, people, and other dogs. With the proper socialization training, your puppy should become eager to explore new places and meet new people and animals. Taking your German Shepherd puppy to new places exposes them to different people, dogs, sights, and sounds. As a puppy, you can help teach your German Shepherd important social skills through intentional training moments that are positive and allow your puppy to develop their confidence in social situations. This is where bite inhibition comes in useful. Bite inhibition helps your puppy to not only control what they bite but also how hard or soft they close their jaws. It teaches your dog how to properly apply force with its mouth without hurting you or anyone else. How to Teach Your Puppy to Bite Without Hurting You To teach your puppy not to hurt you with their nipping and biting do your best to not let them get to this energy level. If you know your puppy tends to bite you when you play with them too long, then cut your playtime short. If they tend to bite and nip you when they are tired, then have them go to their nap area sooner to rest. Puppies also tend to bite you when they are cranky from not eating soon enough or when they want attention. You can get up and leave the play area for a few moments. Return once they are calm. Never use only your hands for play. You should have a few puppy-safe chew toys around to grab quickly to offer your puppy during play. If your puppy nips or bites any of these areas, the game is immediately over. Get up slowly and calmly and leave. Only return when they are calm again. Offer your puppy their chew toy when they are too excited to play softly with you. Encourage them to find their toys and bite them instead of you. Never yell or punish your puppy for play-biting and nipping. Doing so can lead to anxiety, aggression, or your puppy fearing you. Even though German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs, learning and teaching bite inhibition requires a lot of repetition and consistency. You might even walk to walk around with one of their toys in your pocket to help reinforce the right behavior offering them the chew toy when they decide to nip your ankles or bite your legs. Continue with your bite-inhibition training as long as it takes for your dog to learn to use its soft mouth. This could take months, but soon they will master the art of a soft bite. But, crate training your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy can improve the speed of their house training and accustom them to times they may need to be in their crate such as during travel or at the vets and groomers. Crates are also a useful area for your dog to have their own private space when they want alone time or are stressed and need some quiet. Choose a crate that gives your dog enough room to turn completely around, stand comfortably, sit upright, and lie down easily on their side with their legs stretched for rest. The best crates grow with your German Shepherd and allow you to partition the space off to suit their size. Offer them a treat or even their meal in their crate to help them develop positive associations with it. Start closing the door when they are inside for just a few seconds at first. Then, open the door and let them out calmly. Continue to increase the time your puppy stays inside the crate, working up to longer and longer times. This may only encourage them to cry and whine harder and louder when they want out. Instead, wait just a couple of seconds for them to be quiet, and let them out only when they are not crying and whining. If they appear too stressed or panicked, let them out immediately! This also encourages your dog to seek out the crate when they want their private space and time alone, as they will know where to find their crate. Avoid placing a blanket over the crate since puppies chew and are extremely active. Your pup could accidentally pull the blanket inside and hurt themselves by either wrapping it around their neck or choking on it. Place the crate in an area away from drafts and out of the direct sun so they get too cold or too warm. The best way to do this is to practice leash skills at home first. After they are comfortable wearing their leash around the house, you can work on the skill in the backyard, front yard, or on the sidewalk outside. A good time is during their favorite meal. Only leave them on your dog for a short time to gauge their reaction. If they seem fine, place your puppy into the harness and attach the leash. Offer them praise and a reward for letting you leash them. Now, let your puppy drag the leash around the house so they know how it feels to wear it. You can play with them a bit, or even better have them follow you around which simulates an outdoor walk but indoors. Remove the harness and leash if your GSD puppy becomes too upset and agitated! Keep it upbeat and positive! Now, introduce your puppy to a short walk outdoors in the safety of your backyard. Let your puppy wander around while you hold the leash. They may begin to pull. Get their attention by calling their name and showing them a treat to lure them back to you gently. Reward them every time they come to you while on the leash. Should they ignore you then offer them the treat to lure them to you after giving the command. Try kneeling or squatting down to get on their level when you give them the command. It seems to get their attention better. You can even slap your leg or clap your hands to entice them back to you. Always ensure that your puppy is not stressed by their new harness and leash. Some owners prefer to use a collar for leash training. If this is your choice then only choose life-saving break-away collars since your puppy could get hung up and seriously injure themselves if their collar catches on something during their outside walk. Your dog can learn the basic commands with a bit of training. If you have time to train basic commands and are still focusing on the core areas of raising your German Shepherd puppy, then follow these helpful articles that will put your puppy on the right track to obedience training. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Check Price on Amazon 7. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If a command is not executed the first time, show your puppy what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they can learn to obey the first time the command is made. Unless he is born with a hearing defect that is detected by a vet, your German Shepherd puppy has a perfect hearing ability. If you do, you will train him to be anxious or eventually create the idea that shouting is the norm. Otherwise, your poor puppy will be confused about what you expect and will not know how you want them to behave. Eventually Wean Your German Shepherd Puppy off Training Treats At some point, your puppy needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when the time is right. The AKC Pet Insurance advises that this should be done when your dog has repeatedly performed the behavior or trick that you are training him in and mastered it completely. Nonetheless, your German Shepherd puppy is still a dog in training, and you need to replace the treat with some emotional reward. With these ten principles, you can now apply them to the key areas that your German Shepherd puppy needs to be trained in. It might be training for a sport in their early adult years or training to cope with an age-related life change. But, as a puppy, there are five key areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week old German Shepherd. In the next section, I tell you what training entails for each of these areas. If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to train a German Shepherd , I have just the article for you. Humans become social through socialization. Canines become social with training. Humans who are well trained in the first years of life will be well behaved as adults. If you want some scientific proof to the rule that training your German Shepherd young is important for their adult life, here are two key findings from this study: Dogs that are well socialized as puppies will behave more positively with humans and are less likely to display behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. These dogs learn better how to play games with humans than those without proper socialization as puppies. Your dog will learn social skills throughout his life, depending on the situations that he gets exposed to. As a puppy, however, you can teach your German Shepherd socialization through intentional training moments in the family, in public places, or by sending the pup to socialization classes. Taking your German Shepherd out often to social places like parks exposes him to other people and dogs. This helps the canine to be less wary or aggressive around strangers. Being among other puppies also helps your little furry friend build confidence. The earlier mentioned study indicates that puppies can learn social skills better when put in socialization classes with other puppies. So, what does that mean? Usually, dogs will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and once they have had their meal. Use that natural rhythm as a reference for his daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing up their sleeping space and will usually hold it. Nonetheless, young puppies might be unable to do so. If they learn that a relief walk happens first thing in the morning, though, they will eventually make an effort to hold it. Walk your dog after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to give him time to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. In addition to this for dogs that have had their shots , a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent your dog from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you are out, find someone to help you stick to the routine. The best dog crates will give your pet enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, you might go for the standard metal model with either a single or double door. I like the double door one as it gives you more options where you can place it in your home, and this one has a carrying handle which makes it easy to move around. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel check Amazon for the latest price are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog, and this one even meets the cargo specifications for airlines. Here are five key things you should practice when crate-training your German Shepherd puppy: Keep your puppy in the crate at night always. Letting him into your bed should be a complete no. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets the idea that there are other options. You will likely hear your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy cry during the first night, but after that, he will be just fine. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house and for his own safety, such as cooking in the kitchen or in exceptional situations like when you have visitors. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate. A blanket and some toys will offer some comfort for your dog. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained to. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Contrary to the widespread idea that we should yelp like a puppy and quickly withdraw our hand or clothing when a puppy bites, the best way to teach your German Shepherd puppy that his bite hurts is to cry like the human that you are. If you watch the video, you will see what I mean. Do the same when they bite your clothing and other parts of the body like ears or hair. While doing this training, let your dog differentiate between a bite that hurts and one that is soft and part of playing. Also, training your puppy to soft bite is best initiated early in the first six weeks and continued until 4 to 5 months, or when they have mastered the art of soft biting. The best way to do this is to practice at home first before going out for walks with your pup. Consider the following steps: Introduce your German Shepherd puppy to a harness or collar and leash by first allowing him to get used to it gradually. You can play with your puppy for a while and give a treat before or soon after removing the leash. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your puppy to short walks outside on a leash. Your puppy will get distracted during the walk and may try to pull. Do not pull back; instead, stand firm until he gives up and walks back toward you. Timing is crucial here. Reward every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of walking on a leash is perfected. You can learn how to stop a GSD from pulling on the leash in this article. Final Thoughts 8-weeks-old is a good time to train a German Shepherd puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, leash training, and not biting. To successfully train your puppy in these areas, you must train them young and follow other good training principles like not shouting at your puppy, being consistent in your commands, and rewarding obedience to commands, among others. Always bear in mind that a puppy is just starting. So, be patient and begin with basic commands before introducing the more complex trick commands. Good luck with your new friend! Related Posts You May Like:. Can a German Shepherd puppy start training at 8 months? How to Potty Train Your 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy Potty training your 8-week-old German Shepherd can be stressful at first, but with a bit of persistence and patience, your puppy will learn correct behavior in no time. The potty area can be outdoors or indoors. Having a designated potty place will help your dog understand that this is the only place they should go to poop or pee. Watch Out for Signs One of the first signs is usually an increased awareness of their surroundings. You may notice that your puppy starts sniffing around more often or seems particularly interested in certain places of the house. Watch out also for changes in behavior. If your pup suddenly starts having accidents inside or seems antsy and restless, they may be trying to tell you that they need to go outside. Use Cue Words One way to help your new puppy understand what you want him to do is to use cue words. Cue words will help your German Shepherd puppy learn the connection between the words and the action. You can also use cue words when rewarding him for going in the right spot. Give Training Treats When potty training your puppy, use treats as a form of positive reinforcement. Doing this teaches your puppy that good things happen when they go outside to do their business. When choosing treats for potty training, select something small and easy to eat. This way, the puppy can eat the treat quickly and then get back to playing. It would be best if you also chose training treats that your puppy finds irresistible. Otherwise, they may not be motivated to keep trying. Puppy Crate It is an enclosure to confine your new puppy for short periods. It is also helpful in transporting puppies from one place to another. German Shepherd owners use it for crate training as they can also help with separation anxiety and boredom. Puppy crates usually have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning. They also have wire, plastic, or fabric as the primary materials, and they typically come in different sizes to accommodate puppies of different ages and breeds. When buying a crate, it must be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down but small enough so that the puppy does not have too much space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. When used correctly, it can provide a safe, comfortable space for your new furry friend. Early Morning: Bring your Puppy Outside When your German Shepherd is a still puppy, he may have trouble holding his bladder throughout the night. If you do not let your puppy out early enough, it might create potty accidents because he cannot control their bladder. Morning: Time for a Nutritious Breakfast Puppies need a lot of nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. A nutritious breakfast helps them get the energy they need to start the day. Even though puppies spend most of their time sleeping and cuddling, puppies require several daily feedings. Place your puppy on your lap and snuggle while sleeping. It would be best if you also let them rest throughout the day. Afternoon: Lunchtime Take your puppy outside after lunch to relieve themselves. Allow your puppy time to exercise and release any built-up energy. Feeding your puppy .Between naps, you can do playtime and training activities to help release energy, encourage physical activity, and develop a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd. Evening: Last meal of the Day During the evening, feed your puppy their fourth and last meal. Afterward, take your puppy for a short stroll. Before returning, have your puppy go potty outside, then snuggle up on the sofa for some quality time. Night: Potty Break Before Bedtime Take your puppy out for one more potty time before putting him to bed. Remember that you should establish a reasonable bedtime for your puppy early on. Moreover, an 8-week-old German Shepherd may develop a better appetite for other solid meals. These include constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea Diarrhea is a common problem that many German Shepherd puppies face. This condition has several possible causes, including dietary indiscretion, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. In most cases, diarrhea is not a serious concern and will resolve itself within a few days. However, seek veterinary care if your puppy displays other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Constipation A young German Shepherd is particularly susceptible to constipation due to their large, muscular build and fast metabolism. If your puppy is constipated, you may notice that he has difficulty passing stool and seems uncomfortable or restless. If your puppy is constipated, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet may give him a laxative or enema to help relieve constipation. Bloating Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing it to swell. German Shepherds are especially prone to bloating because of their deep chests. There are several possible causes of bloating, including eating too fast, drinking too much water, and exercising immediately after eating. Stress can also be a factor. To prevent bloating, feed your German Shepherd several small meals daily instead of one large meal. It is also important to avoid exercising immediately after eating and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water. Yes, a German Shepherd puppy can start training at eight months. But remember that every puppy is different and will learn at its own pace. Consistency is key, and with patience, your puppy will get the hang of obedience training in no time. Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup! Remember to have fun and keep it light. At eight weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy sleeps for around 18 hours daily. It may seem like a lot, but puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. As they get older, German Shepherds will sleep for less time each day. German Shepherd puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings and socialize with other dogs and people. In addition, puppies typically start teething around eight weeks old, which can cause them to bite more as they try to relieve the discomfort caused by their emerging teeth. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, and biting is a way for them to learn about their environment. In addition, puppies may bite out of excitement or frustration, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. If your puppy is biting excessively, provide him with plenty of chew toys and opportunities to run and play. Also read:. Leash training Avoiding undesirable behaviors So. There are no taking chances with a puppy: leave the room for even a moment and you might come back to a mess, however accidental. Concentrate on the basics: teaching your pup where it is okay to do their business and establishing a routine for the appropriate times to do so. Puppies are a big commitment! Use treats as a positive reinforcement when they do so in an appropriate place. Below is a basic schedule for puppy potty training. Push on with the same routine, providing them a safe spot in an area where they can be away from other dogs if they need to. Puppies, especially young ones, may be frightened to go to the bathroom around older pooches, especially bigger ones. You will also notice that eventually, your dog gives certain cues or behaviors to indicate they need the bathroom, like standing by or barking at the nearest door that leads there. This is the best way to ensure they will pay attention to what it is you want them to do. Every day your puppy is exposed to new sights, smells, sights, sounds and sometimes even tastes if you turn your back for long enough. You need to keep them reassured that everything is okay and remove them from anything that appears to be overstimulating. The primary concern here is to make sure your dog feels safe and secure, and that the experience will be positive as much as you can anticipate. Therefore, they might be a little aloof and resistant the first few times you interact with somebody. This means checking that those you are introducing to the puppy know how to properly handle and treat one, especially any children who happen to be around. Likewise, you should also ask in advance whether any animals you might come into contact with have proven they are able to stay relatively calm and behave appropriately when spending time with other dogs. When it comes to spontaneous street interactions, you should try and work out if the other dog and human are friendly, bearing in mind anything you know about your pup and any time they have spent with animals and people before. Other owners are not your concern, the safety and welfare of your dog is. Adventure: Go to new places and check out new things! Likewise, as long as they have enough room to fully stand, sit completely upright and lie down comfortably with their legs outstretched, most dogs quite like being in a crate. It offers them a safe, comfortable, private space to relax if stressed or have some alone time. Like us humans, your pup might just want to hang out by themselves for a bit! Worried about accidentally doing something neglectful, or just stressed about crate training in general? Here are some tips to follow that should help you succeed and keep your German Shepherd happy at all times. Gradually begin closing it, just for a few seconds and then longer, increasing the amount of time they spend in the crate little by little. However, whilst they still seem calm, offering up a little snack — potentially even a meal — inside the crate will create positive associations with spending time in there. You can start teaching them some basic commands like sit, stay, lie down, and shake as soon as they come home! Use your voice: it is, after all, your primary method of communication. You might be surprised to learn that tone is more important than what you say until those certain words and their meanings have been learned and understood. When giving commands, use a neutral, authoritative tone; save the high pitched cooing for tummy rubs. Keep it short and sweet: a couple of minutes at a time, every once in a while or at least once a day, will be far more effective and rewarding than an hour straight of saying the same word over and over to no reaction. Finish positively: always try to finish with a command that your dog knows and has successfully completed a few times, as this will ensure they end on a treat and remain positive about the possibility of more training in the future. Focus Five: Leash Training When your dog is all vaccinated and ready for walks, they should be prepared! Initially you should show your puppy the harness and leash — allow them to smell both items, place them in the area or on their backs and give them a treat, so they learn to associate their presence as a good thing. Then consider popping the harness on for a minute or two to see how they react — if they get upset, remove it and try again another time. Otherwise, offer them a treat and some praise for the successful time spent leashed and harnessed. This will allow them to get used to the sensation of being controlled whilst still inside and feeling safe. Every time they return to you, they get a treat! How to discourage your German Shepherd puppy from biting, scratching and jumping up If they bite, jump up or scratch you and it hurts, even if it only hurts a little — but it probably stings quite a bit! Stick to the most basic of commands and only do a couple at a time, though never all at once. The simpler the request, the quicker and easier it will be for your dog to understand it. At first, go somewhere with few or no distractions to train, then gradually introduce new stimuli over time, though nothing too loud. Stress signals like shaking, constantly licking or smacking their lips, cowering away or turning their back to you suggests something is the matter. Crates can be very useful in this situation! Making your dog anxious will throw a spanner in the works and prevent successful training. Get an appropriate toy and play tug of war! You should also use the same words for commands, and ask others to do so as well. Too many variants of the same command will only be confusing, so keep it simple and advise everyone of what to say. A couple of short daily sessions will serve you much better than an hour a week, as well as give your pup plenty of time for snoozing, eating, playing and, of course, getting lots of fuss, attention and cuddles. Consider mental training — not just physical Yes, getting enough exercise, learning commands and being taught how to walk appropriately is important, but your clever and capable German Shepherd needs to do some brain training as well. There are plenty of toys that encourage your dog to work out a variety of puzzles to be rewarded with a treat, stimulating their mind and allowing for a cognitive workout. Make it fun Much like with little kids, there are plenty of games you can play with your dogs that are both highly enjoyable for all involved, but also teach your dog skills and encourage good behavior…covertly. Check out these suggestions from the American Kennel Club for inspiration — you could even make up your own! This is especially important for German Shepherds, as remember, they are especially wary of strangers. Have patience and stick it out It can be disheartening work at first, but training a puppy is one of the most rewarding, satisfying experiences you can have when you get it right. It secures your bond, enables you to have a whole lot of fun and avoids them developing negative characteristics like aggression, fear of strangers or other animals, or running off in public. The more you follow the advice laid out in this guide and continue the same hard work, the better your German Shepherd will respond to you. Check out this video for more great advice! Need more support? There are steps you can take to make things a little easier or give you and your German Shepherd a helping hand. First of all, take a breath and think about it — has it really been a considerable amount of time since you started working with your pup? For instance, toilet training requires at least four to six months of training on average for a puppy to completely stop having accidents altogether. Overexcited dogs can be calmed down in time, but a serious issue with anger needs to be addressed by a professional. A general rule is to allow for five minutes of exercise for each month they are old, so a six month old puppy can do around half an hour of continuous walking in total. This should help avoid any destructive behavior, acting out, accidents or other puppy shenanigans — you may even want to give them a puzzle-based treat like a Kong filled with peanut butter or something more intelligent, to serve as a distraction when you make your exit. Remember, attempts to reprimand or redirect by punishing or shouting will either serve as giving your dog the attention they want, or make them anxious and eventually scared of you. This could even cause them to develop aggressive tendencies. There is no shame in seeking the assistance of a puppy training school or dog expert if you find yourself at a loss for what to do — we all need a little help sometimes and certain dogs can have their misbehavior explained.

Raising dogs for you and your family. Call or text .Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential White German Shepherd breed info to find out everything about the White German Shepherd. How to find White German Shepherd puppies for sale? When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their White German Shepherd pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the White German Shepherd kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers. Why From Us? We want to bring you a puppy that fits naturally and comfortably into your home. To bring that about, we focus on human exposure to young children and other animals to help our German Shepherd puppies socialize. We believe that early exposure to children and small animals helps our puppies fit into your home quickly and easily. We also provide a health guarantee for all our German Shepherd puppies. With OFA approval and insight, you can trust in the health of any puppies you buy from us. Call to learn about our puppies today. Reserve your puppy, Call for more information. We make it simple to match you with your new best friend! We might have puppies that are not on this photo list, just call we love to talk German Shepherds. Reserve your puppy now. Call us for prices. As deposits are received that is the order you pick your puppy. Deposits are non-refundable. All puppies will be up to date on shots and worming meds. All are AKC Registered. Call if you have any questions. Pictures of the puppies will be provided. You can pick out with a photo or come here and select your puppy. Shipping can also be provided for an additional cost. Heidi has puppies. They will look like this at 8 weeks old. More puppies to come, call if you want to reserve. Reserve you new best friend, just call. Heidi is a great momma. See who is in heat by calling us. Raquel is the mother and Ranger is the father. All our puppies have all shots and worming meds. Female, white collar Raquel is the mother and father is Ranger. Full of fun. Our puppies go fast, call to reserve yours. Male, Yellow collar Raquel is the mother and Ranger is the father. He is full of cuteness and very alert. Pink collar, female Raquel is the mother and Ranger is the father. Ready for a forever home. Full of fun and great color. Good size boy. Red collar, male Lacee is the mother and Baron is the father. Full of fun! All puppies have all shots and worming meds. Lacee is his mother and Baron his father. Black collar, male Baron is the father and Lacee is his mother. Full of personality. Green Female The leader of her group and full of personality. Lacee is her mother and Baron is her father. Fun loving. Call with any questions. He is sweet and ready for you. Found his forever home. If you would like up to date photos on a certain pup just call. Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan! Home of Champions and Grand Champions! Our dogs live and are raised in our home. We live on 7 acres surrounded by mountains and wild life. Our goal is to produce healthy dogs in body and mind who can live long disease free lives. They will be great companions, service or competition dogs. We focus on health and temperament. We breed only healthy dogs who can pass along worthy traits, such as a solid temperament, correct conformation and excellent pigment. We avoid tight line breeding and prefer to breed dogs who have no common ancestors in 4 to 5 generations. All our dogs are DNA tested, non-carriers of any detectable diseases. Only those dogs that pass the health and temperament test are introduced into our breeding program. To her I owe much of my knowledge, hands on experience and a very successful first breeding in December .Foxhunt Lust for Life is our first love, he inspired us on educating our selves about the evolution of this breed. It is indeed and evolution since the White Shepherd was not meant to be a breed of its own at the origin. It is because of politics and the Parent Club's definition of beauty that the White Shepherds became outcast from their original breed. You may ask, what is the original breed? It is the German Shepherd dog. To tell you about the origin of the German Shepherd is beyond the scope of this introduction. I will only point out that the German Shepherd creator , a German Cavalry Captain, Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz bought what he felt was the benchmark prototype of what a working dog should be: intelligent, strong with endurance, loyal and beautiful. Around , he found all these pre-requisites in Horand von Grafrath who he renamed Hektor von Schwaben. Stephanitz declared him the very first German Shepherd dog. He then proceeded to mate Hektor with other " worthy" mates. Among them there were white dogs. The writing under the picture , literally translates to: "long coated stock German Shepherd dog". It also happens to be white. I believe this is how the white , long coat gene of German Shepherd dogs was introduced into the German Shepherd breed. In Europe it has become a different breed. The history is fascinating and I will tell in greater details in other parts. At the moment I invite you to get to know us and to be patient as we build our web site.

We can proudly boast that all of our dogs and puppies come from only the very best and proven bloodlines in the world. Each one of our males and females is health tested, titled, and has at least one parent that has earned a VA1 title Excellent Select, 1st place. The competition for VA is fierce and very few dogs attain this momentous achievement. Our Dogs Titles: So, what does all of this mean and why should it matter to a pet buyer? Working titles focus on the structural soundness and ability to demonstrate trainability and reliability in obedience, but more importantly, temperament is evaluated. Show titles provide a valuable tool for ensuring that the breed standard is followed. This is an in-depth evaluation that records the qualities and shortcomings of the dog. The temperament, conformation, courage, and function are reported. Temperament and character, along with physical and mental soundness play an enormous role in selectively choosing which dogs are breeding prospects. The German Shepherd is an athletic, loyal, self-assured, attentive, and intelligent dog. This applies to both competition dogs and family pets. Purchasing a puppy from titled parents ensures that the dogs being bred have passed vigorous testing and several judges along the way oversaw the process. Following this standard eliminates a biased breeder from breeding indiscriminately and encourages the goal to be producing the best puppies possible. At Centennial German Shepherds, meticulous planning and an abundance of thought go into producing every litter of puppies. Striving for excellence gives breeders credibility and provides the potential buyer with absolute assurance that their puppy is a product of deliberate and quality mating. Capo and our beautiful granddaughter, Shannon The meaning of Our New Kennel Name After working, showing, and breeding German Shepherds for over 25 years, we decided it was time to create a new kennel name and logo to signify our presence in Colorado the Centennial State combined with our Italian and Estonian foundation dogs. Centennial GSD chose to use the head of our gorgeous female Gucci and combine the American and Italian flags across her face to signify our team concept. Additionally, we blended the American and Estonian flags across our impressive male import's face to represent the Margman presence at Centennial. Our puppies are raised inside of our home where we can interact with them from birth until the day they leave with their new families. We assess them, take notes, photos, and videos, and create a detailed log about each puppy so that we can explain their individual characteristics and personalities as clearly as possible to anyone who is inquiring. We evaluate each puppy's growth and development, along with littermate interactions and responses to "daily life" situations on a full-time basis. Once the puppies are mobile, they are introduced to toys and small obstacles which are intended to spark curiosity and promote problem-solving and confidence. We understand that visiting the puppies or looking at photos is difficult, as both are only small snapshots of time in the rapidly changing life of a growing puppy. Visitors might experience the litter just before or after a nap, eating, playing, or any other event or activity that may skew the true personality of the puppy, and relying on a few minutes or even hours to make a decision can be overwhelming. For these reasons, frequent communication with prospective families from birth to placement is crucial. By clearly conveying expectations, we are able to assist in the selection process to ensure happiness and success for both the puppy and the individual families welcoming the youngster into their new home. Centennial GSD works hard at producing the finest German Shepherd Dogs through methodically and meticulously scrutinizing compatible bloodlines and pedigrees to ensure each breeding results in producing the best litter of puppies possible. Combining specific lines or avoiding lines that have genetic faults is important as we always have the betterment of the breed in mind. This is done by carefully choosing a mating pair that compliment one another by enhancing positive qualities and making an effort to reduce any faults known in one or both bloodlines. Our foundation dogs and the dogs we use for breeding trace back to the best Italian, Estonian, and German bloodlines. We seek out dogs with a geographically diverse gene pool while also studying line breeding to keep the integrity of the breed intact. By doing this, we reduce the risks associated with more closely related dogs. Our breeding dogs have certified hips and elbows, have been tested for DM, and are titled; ensuring that they are healthy both physically and mentally. None of the dogs in our breeding program and many generations back have joint or known hereditary issues and all of the dogs possess stable and wonderful temperaments. At Centennial quality over quantity always comes first. We stay in touch with our families after the sale of our German Shepherd puppies, whether it be for help with a question or just a friendly email to check-in. I sold several puppies almost two decades ago both out of state and overseas and have been fortunate enough to form beautiful friendships with many of those people that will last a lifetime. We take pride in our Colorado German Shepherds. Our goal is to produce healthy and beautiful German Shepherd puppies that win in the show ring, excel as working dogs, succeed as therapy or service dogs, and most importantly, flourish as loving family companions and guardians. I traveled to Estonia to pick up my female puppy Briatore Nordica, and while I was there I met another puppy her half-brother named Margman Othello. He was a gorgeous and friendly 7 month old sable youngster. Both puppies shared the same father, the magnificent multiple VA Margman Torsten. I was immediately smitten and consequently brought both back with me to Colorado. I also had the honor and pleasure of hosting Torsten, his owner, and his breeder at my home when they traveled to the United States for the first time after a Sieger Show. A few years later I imported another Margman female black and red who was bred to Torsten. Her puppies were wonderful and she enjoyed a nice life in Colorado. By this time Margman had become a household name and known for quality German Shepherds around the world. We had lovely puppies; a mix of sable and black and red, both long and short coats. It was then that I began my great love for the long haired German Shepherd. Rio was phenomenal in the show ring, he earned his SchH3 title, placed V1, and produced puppies that achieved the same and other working titles. He was a gentleman in the house and had a flawless character which he passed down to his puppies time and time again. His puppies excelled as therapy dogs, service dogs, and as healthy and loving family dogs. Rio was intelligent, possessed a solid temperament, and was stunning to look at. My beloved Rio was by far one of the best dogs I have ever had the privilege of owning and set the bar high for our future dogs. Now, many years later, I have once again imported a Margman dog; an impressive male to show, breed, and enjoy as a perfect companion dog. We look forward to combining the lines again and producing the best puppies possible. Expanding the gene pool while still staying true to the standard is our goal with future litters. Margman Dacapo is magnificent; an absolute dream dog. In we imported our first Margman long coat, a deeply pigmented black and red girl. Margit has bettered the breed by thinking outside of the box. Her sable and black dogs are the absolute best and she has also produced top long coats along with her phenomenal black and red dogs. She has combined strong females with the correct stud dogs to produce some of the best puppies in the world. She is devoted to her dogs and the future of the German Shepherd Dog. Her dedication is obvious, and the result has been and remains to be dogs that possess beauty, working ability, and outstanding character. Her vision is clear, her dedication is steadfast, and he loves the dogs so her goals are always set with the future in mind. We are a family-owned, professional German shepherd breeder located in beautiful Larkspur, Colorado. Our dogs in our breeding program come with clear-in-the head character, safe nature, and stable nerves. We welcome your visit to our kennels in Douglas County, Colorado. We believe in our German shepherd puppies breeding program, you should too! Our kennels in Larkspur, Colorado, we breed German Shepherd Puppies with world-class parents, top working, show line pedigrees. Confident, self-assured puppies bred for families. We are confident in our purebred German Shepherd puppies; you will be too. Click Here Working line German Shepherds Our working German Shepherds with full working titles are bred with focus and the ability to work, eagerness to learn and accomplish the given role they were originally bred for. Clear in the head, safe nature, and stable nerves to function in any environment with courage, intelligent and stability to exceed your expectations. The most sought after world-class and world champion pedigrees in the world! This is the best puppies you can get, unmatched in every aspect of the top working show line German Shepherds. Click Here Trained German shepherds Our trained puppies include potty and crate training, socialization skills within a family home environment including other animals, cats and dogs. Object orientation in building confident, self-assurd puppies with motivation to perform. Our puppies live with our families, our children, interacting daily in our homes. Click Here German Shepherds Buying an older puppy or a young adult trained German Shepherds can be risky and could end with disastrous results. Protection plus Love!!! We are a small "Mom and Pop", breeder of top quality, working line, German Shepherds. Established in , we are located in the very center of the state of Colorado in the Rocky mountains. Licensed, and AKC inspected and approved facility. Our goal is to breed Dogs who are top quality, and affordable. Beautiful, healthy, dogs that have stable temperaments. All our dogs hips and elbows have been checked, and passed by the OFA. We do genetic testing to insure none of our puppies will develop Degenerative Myelopathy detailed information regarding DM at the bottom of our "Family Comments Gallery" page. The medical documentation paperwork is available for viewing when you come visit to see our dogs or puppies. We breed for black and tan, black and red, sable, black and bi-color puppies. Mostly we have short coat dogs, but do produce limited numbers of long coat pups. Our dogs are predominantly Czech and German working lines. Trained dogs are a positive addition to the lives of their families. These pups can vary in drives and excitability levels but all are working dogs, capable of doing a job suited to their individual drive levels. We try to make it a top priority to match the right puppy to the right family. Our dogs bloodlines are versatile. We breed puppies who could excel in Search and Rescue, Schutzhund, French Ring or Agility, or be great pets and companions. We breed straighter back, working line dogs. You will LOVE them.Get the best supplements for your dog or puppy. All of our dogs and puppies enjoy these daily and are used like a daily treat, taken right from the hand. Call to Order Please use order code You may also place your order on-line today by clicking on the banner below. We are a family located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Loveland, Colorado. Our family is passionate about dogs and therapy dogs specifically due to our family story having 2 little ones with special needs and my father was a war veteran who committed suicide. My name is Melissa Wren and I am on a mission driven to help provide unconditional love to others who need it by and through our magnificent dogs. Our German Shepherds have been, and are in the process of being trained to be in the line of service and therapy work. At Sweetheart German Shepherds we are very committed to raising the highest quality German Shepherds that we can with our 1 priority being healthy sound dogs both physically and mentally. All our dogs are health tested and screened for wellness as recommended by the American Kennel Club for the bred and temperament tested before they are used in our breeding and therapy dog training.

Frenchies are smaller than English bulldogs and tend to be more playful — and even a little mischievous in temperament. English bulldogs have a way of being a little more laid back. Both English and French bulldogs are loving companions that will capture your heart from day one. We specialize in English and French bulldogs in Oklahoma and we dedicate ourselves to providing healthy, loveable dogs that make perfect additions to any family. French and English bulldogs are great with kids and are adaptable to a variety of environments, whether you live in an apartment or a large home. English and French bulldogs are easy to groom and extremely entertaining. Our English and French bulldogs are exemplary representatives of their respective breeds. We work hard to ensure our clients remain happy with their purchases and we are always here for expert guidance over the course of your dog ownership journey. As responsible breeders, we make sure that our puppies come from the highest pedigree. We always put health and temperament first. All our dogs are DNA health tested to ensure sound and healthy puppies. In , we were awarded 17 best French bulldog breeder of America by happydoggo. We offer all colors, patterns — and, yes, even fluffy Frenchies. We also offer stud services as well. We have decades of combined experience in the pet and breeding industry as well as a long track record of success. Powered by GoDaddy This website uses cookies. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. The intentions were to breed a miniature version of the English Bulldog. French Bulldogs have climbed the charts in the dog world and were recently recognized as the second-most popular registered dog in the United Kingdom, and the fourth-most popular AKC-registered dog breed in the United States. Personality and Temperament French Bulldogs are non-aggressive dogs who like to stay near their owner. They enjoy one on one time and will quickly show their loyalty. They have very stable personalities and easy-going demeanors. They do exceptionally well with children and other animals inside of the home. Although they do enjoy outdoor play time, they are just as happy resting alongside their family on the couch. There are not many dog breeds as loyal and caring as the French Bulldog. Appearance and Grooming The French Bulldog can be found to have a single-layer coat or a double-layer coat. The most common colors on a French Bulldog are white, cream, black, and fawn. They have short and easy-to-care-for hair which generally does not tangle or knot. A daily brushing will help keep his coat clean and neat looking. A bi-weekly bath and routine nail clipping are also a great way to allow him to look and feel his best. Care and Feeding French Bulldogs do best with set feeding times. Typically, two feedings twelve hours apart are what make this breed happy. The first six months of their life is an important stage for their physical and mental development, which is why proper nutrition through high-quality dog food is so important. They weigh between twenty and thirty pounds. This breed has an average life expectancy of ten to fifteen years. Interesting Breed Facts Fact: This pup loves to play, but extra caution should be taken when he is around water. They do enjoy swimming but do not swim well. Fact: The French Bulldog was created to be a toy-size version of the Bulldog. Petland is honored to offer the highest quality French Bulldog puppies who will be an instant in your family. Although spaying or neutering is not compulsory, it is highly advisable to spay your French Bulldog. This will help to decrease its chances of getting certain kinds of cancer. It also prevents the risk of unwanted breeding between your French Bulldog and any nearby dog. Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? French Bulldogs have the potential to be aggressive. However, they are not usually aggressive unless they are trained that way. It is important to note that they may show aggression towards other dogs or smaller animals. Owners should watch out for signs of aggression and nip them in the bud. What is the life expectancy of a French Bulldog? With a proper diet and nutrition, French Bulldogs can live for up to eleven or thirteen years. Can French Bulldogs eat raw meat? French Bulldogs can eat raw meat such as chicken, liver or kidney. They could also eat canned, dry food. What is the difference between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog? French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are quite similar but different at the same time. English bulldogs are bigger while the French Bulldog is considerably smaller. French Bulldogs also have upright pointy ears whereas the English breed has folded ears. Do I have to worry about fleas with French Bulldogs? Just like all other breeds, French Bulldogs can get fleas. If they do get fleas, this can be solved by getting flea medicine or using a flea comb to get rid of the fleas. How do you deal with separation anxiety in French Bulldogs? French Bulldogs are very prone to separation anxiety. To curb this, owners can crate train their dogs or provide them with chew toys. What is the best way to train your French Bulldog? Crate training is one of the best ways to train your French Bulldog. It helps to create good and positive behavior in your Frenchie and could be a fun place for it to rest. Are French Bulldogs children-friendly? French Bulldogs are not the best option for kids. However, if they grow up surrounded by children, the risk could be lessened. They should not be left unsupervised around kids. How big are French Bulldogs? The French Bulldog is about 11 or 12 inches tall and weighs an average of pounds. Questions about French Bulldog puppies for sale in Oklahoma? We have answers. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in Oklahoma work? French Bulldogs Oklahoma are amazing family dogs that are very adorable! They were bred in the s in England, and lace workers took their cute little French Bulldogs to France where they were further bred with breeds that were ratters. Why are French Bulldogs so expensive? The breeding process is so expensive because French Bulldogs for sale in Oklahoma have such narrow hips, that normal fertilization is almost impossible. Also, when the French Bulldog puppies Oklahoma are ready to be born, they have to be delivered by C-section! How does Uptown work? Uptown Puppies makes searching for French Bulldog puppies for sale in Oklahoma really simple and fun. All you need to do is browse through all the French Bulldog puppies in Oklahoma or anywhere else in the country. Once you find one that you adore, connect with its breeder or business, and transport arrangements will then be made! How does Uptown Puppies view transparency when it comes to breeding puppies? Not all pet shops sell purebred or purpose-bred puppies - it all depends on your location. All the French Bulldog breeders Oklahoma and companies in our network are vetted and qualified. Every detail about your puppy will be open to you! How do I know that my puppy will be healthy? The breeders, businesses and companies in our network check all their Oklahoma French Bulldog puppies for sale before sending them off to you. Is it enough to walk my dog, or do they need more exercise? The more exercise it gets, the happier it will be - just make sure it doesn't spend too much time in the heat. Do you recommend specific food for my dog? There are so many different brands of food available for your Oklahoma French Bulldog for sale, you never quite know which one to choose. Purebred dogs like French Bulldogs for sale Oklahoma come with certain personalities, temperaments, and looks - litter after litter, guaranteed. What colors do French Bulldogs come in? French Bulldogs in Oklahoma are special in the fact that they have coats in so many different colors and patterns. The colors that they come in are brindle, fawn, brindle and white, cream, fawn and white, white, pied, white and brindle, white and fawn, blue fawn, cream and white, red fawn, blue brindle, chocolate, blue and chocolate, and more! Which celebrities own French Bulldogs? There are certain celebrities that absolutely adore Oklahoma French Bulldogs for sale.

Breeds The link has been copied! However, the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix has a lot to offer as a pet. It can always be a little interesting to see what you get when mixing two dog breeds. Border Collies are mostly black and white, though there can be other colors. Goldens vary in color from light yellow to deep gold or red. The cross, sometimes called the Coltriever can be any color ranging from black and white to yellow, golden, brown, deep chocolate, or red. The best way to understand a designer dog breed a mix of two purebreds is to take a closer look at its parent breeds. As you might expect, they were used extensively for herding sheep over generations in this area. Eventually, they developed into excellent working dogs known for their intelligence, energy, and obedience. In fact, Border Collies have topped the list when it comes to ranking the smartest dog breeds. Border Collies are medium to large size dogs standing inches at the shoulder and weighing about pounds. They were made to work and require a job or at least lots of exercise and mental stimulation to be calm and happy. The Loving Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever has long been popular as a family dog in addition to being used for various jobs. Their affectionate personalities and loving attitude toward everyone they encounter are downright endearing. Interestingly, Golden Retrievers were originally developed for work. They are also from Scotland and are the result of the work of Lord Dudley Marjorbanks. He worked to produce an intelligent, hard-working dog from the extinct Tweed Water Spaniel and the Yellow Retriever. Golden Retrievers are pretty big, usually standing between inches tall and weighing up to 75 pounds. They are typically golden in color, but the shade can range from quite pale to a deep gold or red hue. However, the Golden Collie tends to be a larger dog, standing between inches and weighing pounds. Surprisingly for such a large dog, Coltrievers can handle living in small homes or even apartments — with proper exercise, of course. As descendants of the highly energetic Border Collie, these guys will go nuts if they are cooped up for too long! Goldens are famous for their easy-going, loving personalities. They are loyal, develop strong bonds with their families, and make wonderful playmates for children. As with any dog, it is important to meet their needs for mental stimulation and physical exercise. Because of their smarts, they may need more mental stimulation than other breeds but there are a lot of activities that count. Playing with the kids, puzzle games , fetch, swimming, jogging, hiking , and so much more make these pups super happy! The last section gives you a big hint — yes, Golden Border Retrievers make excellent family dogs. Because they need so much attention, it can be hard for a single person or even a couple who work outside the home to provide enough interaction for the dog. But you put a whole family in the house and that Golden Border Retriever is in heaven! They will happily play with your kids and will be gentle and loving. They will always let you know when a stranger is coming to visit! Everybody wants a well-behaved dog and it takes time and patience to achieve that. However, some dogs are easier to train than others. For busy families that may not have tons of time to dedicate to dog training, easy trainability is a big plus. Well, the Golden Border Retriever is a great choice. They can get themselves into trouble if they are bored, so plenty of mental stimulation and exercise is a must — or your furniture could pay the price. If you like the idea of a dog that can learn lots of cool and unusual tricks, this is a great dog to pick. They are also great dogs for competing in agility and other canine sports. Outside the home, Golden Border Retrievers are fantastic for use in a variety of jobs. Their smarts and obedience make them easy to use for herding, retrieving, and everything in between. But one thing is certain, they have a lot of hair and will shed frequently. Because these dogs are certainly not it. To keep their coats somewhat under control, expect to brush their hair at least once a week. Baths only need to happen about once or twice a month. Be careful not to bathe too frequently or their skin can dry out. And make sure to keep those floppy ears clean and dry to help avoid ear infections. Just as with humans, it depends on their age, size, activity level, and other factors. Adjust accordingly if you notice they are getting thinner or putting on more weight. For exercise, remember these guys are quite the energetic pups! It is best to provide your pup with at least 90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. Though if your schedule allows, these pups will happily go strong for minutes a day and still race you to the front door! Health Concerns for the Golden Retriever and Border Collie Unfortunately, all dogs can get sick, regardless of their breed. That may be somewhat true for the breed as a whole, but individual dogs could also be susceptible to the health problems of both their parent breeds. For Coltrievers, this means they can be plagued by the health problems of both the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever. Both dog breeds are susceptible to bloat and allergies. Elbow and hip dysplasia are also common and may be passed on to their designer dog offspring. Border Collies can pass on progressive retinal atrophy and collie eye anomaly. Both of these conditions can cause loss of eyesight if not treated. Deafness and epilepsy are also common issues. Golden Retrievers contribute heart problems, other eye conditions like pigmentary uveitis, and, unfortunately, cancer. All in all, Golden Border Retrievers are generally healthy dogs and can be expected to live a long life with proper care. The average life expectancy of the crossbreed is around years. Breeders love the idea of mixing their intelligence and obedience with the looks or other characteristics of different dog breeds. Thus, there are quite a few options for Border Collie crossbreeds to choose from. The Border Aussie is very similar to the Border Collie in smarts and personality. Plus, this dog is smarter than the average toddler, so watch out and get ready to teach him lots of tricks! The Border Collie Chihuahua mix is a designer dog breed that has become quite famous in the last few years. That's because these dogs are smart, playful, and active. They also make great pets for people who live in small apartments or homes. The Border Collie German Shepherd mix , also known as the Shollie, is a unique and intelligent breed that combines the workaholic nature of the Border Collie with the protective instincts of the German Shepherd. These dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and versatility, and they excel in a wide range of activities, from herding to search and rescue. A Bordoodle is a great option. With the right mix, the Poodle contributes a slightly curly, low-shed coat. The Golden Border Collie makes a fabulous companion for the right family. They can be content in an apartment or small home, but only if you have the time and energy to exercise them daily. They need to run at the local dog park, go on a hike, explore new areas, or participate in agility or other canine sports to get enough exercise. For this reason, they can be a better option if you have a house with a sizeable yard or live on a farm. If you have kids, these are great dogs to consider. They make loving and playful companions and your dog and the kids will help tire each other out. They may try to herd people around, which can be intimating for small children, but gentle correction usually takes care of that quite easily. These guys crave attention and love companionship so they will get lonely and anxious on their own for more than 6 hours every day. They are friendly and loving, even with strangers, so you can have guests over without worrying about your dog being suspicious or aloof. All in all, the Golden Border Retriever is a wonderful companion dog for active families. Find more helpful articles on pet-parenting at the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Also, be sure to check out TryFi's Fi Dog Collar , a cutting-edge GPS tracking collar that keeps you updated on your dog's location, activity, sleep, and alerts you if they escape the backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. From a very young age we train our puppies in a few things that aid them in being successful adults as family members, companions, service dogs, agility dogs. The Coltriever is a mid sized dog, they weigh between pounds and are built similar to a Golden Retriever. Available Puppies Our next litter will be in September ready for their new home in early November. Usually we have… Early Learning Each of my litters is born inside my home, rather than a kennel setting. This allows them to hear the sounds and smell the scents associated with a household from the very start. They are continually exposed to the everyday sights and sounds of a family home. This includes potentially scary sounds such as vacuum… About Our Puppies I have been raising Coltrievers in Lacey, Washington since .They are a designer dog, which is a mix of Golden Retriever and Border Collie breeds. They are a mid- sized dog, weighing between 40 and 80 pounds. The conformation of a Coltriever is similar to a Golden Retriever. Addie Belle is a huge part of the heart and soul of our home. We love her SO much. And, yes we could be tempted by a sibling some day. Thank you for giving me my Sprinkle. Lifespan Sociability Given how well-known its parent breeds are, you may think that you already understand everything about Golden Border Retrievers—and you might be right. If you value your lawn or garden, this dog may not be right for you. They love everyone and everything, although they may be a bit shy around strangers. Are These Dogs Good for Families? In fact, you may need to enlist the entire family in tuckering these dogs out, as meeting their exercise requirements may be overwhelming for a single person. Having multiple family members who can take turns throwing a ball or a stick definitely comes in handy. Golden Border Retrievers are generally welcoming to strangers, although socialization helps in this regard. Also, they have strong herding instincts, so while they may not chase or attack your cat or other small pet, they may try to push it around a little bit. Here are a few things you should know about the breed before you bring one home. That usually means kibble with plenty of protein in it, preferably from a variety of lean meats. Protein burns more slowly than carbs do, so your pup will have plenty of energy to stay active all day long. The primary ingredients to watch out for in a kibble are cheap fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. These are packed with empty calories and can cause digestive issues in some dogs. Instead, look for high-quality fruits and veggies. These dogs fail to see the appeal of an afternoon spent in front of the television. They need exercise—a great deal of it. These brainy pups love to be challenged, so obedience training, agility work, and puzzles are all likely to go over well with one of these pooches. Their big brains can quickly figure out what you want them to do, and they love to make you happy. As noted above, these dogs have destructive tendencies that need to be curbed, and they need proper socialization if you expect them to have good manners in public. You can teach these dogs to do just about anything. They respond well to positive reinforcement while punishing them is likely to backfire. Praise and affection are generally all you need to use as rewards, so be careful about handing out treats. You can quickly overload these dogs with cookies if you give them one every time they do something right. Their other grooming needs are fairly typical. They need their teeth brushed several times a week, their nails trimmed as needed, and their body bathed a couple of times a year. Be careful not to bathe them too often, though, as that can strip their coats of essential oils and dry out their skin. Below are a few of the issues that may come up if you bring one of these dogs home. Minor Conditions. Since they are known to shed frequently, they can cause allergies and other irritations. The basic grooming processes needed are: Brushing their furs weekly with a solid bristle brush to prevent them from shedding their coats too much; Cleaning their ears weekly to prevent ear infections; Bathing of one to two times a month; and Having their nails trimmed once they get too long. For first time owners who do not have experience with grooming dogs, this can be difficult because this breed requires high-maintenance grooming. You should see a veterinarian first to ask the grooming practices necessary for your dog. You need to follow the practices always. Excessive shedding is possible, so bath should be given at most twice a month. Their skins can also dry out if bathing is done irregularly. When bathing your dog, use a shampoo specialized for their furs to keep the quality. This mix is also prone to ear infections. Prevention is better than cure, so every week cleaning of the ear should be done. Their ears are one of the essential parts of their body. They cannot carry out their daily activities if their ears are in bad condition. Also, you must also trim their nails if they got too long to avoid future injuries from scratches. There are times that they even scratch their skins, so you must always monitor their nails. Golden Border Retriever Health Problems If the parents of the mixes have disorders, the chances are high that the offspring can inherit the disorder. However, there are cases in which the puppies are healthy even if one of the parents is diagnosed with a disease. It is better to check the pedigree of the crossbreed to verify if it is free from a severe illness. In biology, there is an incident known as hybrid vigor; it means that the offspring is better than its parents in several aspects such as physical characteristics and health. When you adopt a Golden Retriever Border Collie crossbreed, these are the following disorders that can attack your puppy: Skin Allergies Heart Diseases Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Because this breed shed too much, they are vulnerable to skin allergies. Once grooming is not taken care of, allergies can follow. Aside from the allergies that the shedding will bring you, your dog can also be affected by excessive removals of coats. Even though they are medium-sized dogs, bloating is also common to them. When the food matrix is not followed correctly, obesity can happen; it is a prerequisite to severe disorders. The excess weight of your dog can result in heart problems. As mentioned, this breed is highly intelligent, one of the mental diseases that this breed can develop is the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD which can be similar to humans. It will be a nuisance not just for your dog, but to you also. If they have their check-ups regularly, most of these mixes live up to 15 years. Make sure to prioritize their health. Border Collie Mixed with Golden Retriever Food Requirements Researches have proven that the amount of food intake in an individual dog is varying. The nutritional requirement of each dog is dependent on factors like weight, height, and the activities done by your dog. In the case of Border Collie mixed with Golden Retriever puppies, there is also no suggested food servings. For this breed, table foods or the foods consumed by humans cannot be fed to them. They are sensitive regarding the food they are eating. The dog food that you must give to the puppies should contain the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals for their growth. Puppies can be fed thrice in a day. As they grow, their needs for food is decreasing. To prevent obesity in dogs, a meal given twice in a day is recommended. Make a schedule on when to feed them so that they will be used to it; make sure to follow it regularly. In feeding your dogs, make sure to check the suggested amount of servings in the pack of the dog food that you bought. Monitoring the feeding habit of your dogs is essential. Their optimum performance will be achieved if they are given the right amount of food. There are also diets designed for highly skilled dogs. You should consult a veterinarian if you are planning a diet for your dog. Make sure to match their food matrix with their activities. If you want to give your pooch a happy and healthy life, start with nutrition. Avoid food that could be harmful to their health, such as the worst dry dog food. In case you brought a puppy to your home and the little munchkin is just getting used to regular food, take a look at the list of the best puppy food brands. Older dogs should also eat healthy food which is suggested in the best senior dry dog list. Your puppies come from two different parents, which makes them more likely to grow to love dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. They require long hours of exercise. An average of 90 minutes a day is recommended. The hours needed for their exercise is comparably longer to the number of minutes required by some breeds. The reason for this is their highly active lifestyle. Without exercise, the level of their energy can be difficult to match. Even if you are not supervising them, they can exercise on their own. Allocate a place in your home where they can play around. They will eventually stop exercising once they get tired because these dogs know their limits. If you have a backyard at your home, it is the perfect spot for your dog to exercise. Let it run around your yard. With that simple activity, risks of developing serious heart conditions can be reduced. Besides, extra calories can also be burned; therefore, they can be less prone to obesity. As discussed, Golden Collie can make a great exercise companion. You can have them join you in your exercise routines such as: Jogging. Both working breeds may do different tasks, but combining them makes an intelligent, loving, obedient, and agile offspring. Getting to know the Border Collie and Golden Retriever will already give a hint of what your Coltriever would be like in terms of looks and behavior. Through generations, this sheepdog which is the definition of the term Collie in Scottish became popular. Nowadays, Border Collies are touted as the smartest and the most excellent herding dog. They have a height of 18 to 22 inches 46 to 56 cm and a weight of 30 to 45 pounds 14 to 20 kg , where the females are a tad smaller. Black and white are the most common combination seen in the breed, though. They have high energy levels that would require lots of physical and mental stimulation. The popular and affectionate Golden Retriever A lord named Dudley Marjorbanks of the Scottish Highlands wanted to create a gundog that can adjust well to rugged grounds and rainy climates. After long years of breeding, he finally got the hardworking and smart Golden Retriever. Goldens are beautiful, large dogs that can stand between 21 to 24 inches 53 to 6 cm and can weigh up to 75 pounds 34 kg. They can either have wavy or straight hair, and feathering on their chest, underbody, legs, and tail. It can be light or dark gold, and some have a paler shade that gives a cream hue. Goldens are bright and are often used in different kinds of jobs, such as search and rescue missions. What does a Border Collie Golden Retriever mix look like? The Golden Border Collie will either inherit features from both its parents or more on one parent. Since both of the parent breeds have a fairly dense, double-layered coat, so will this hybrid. Some may get the rough and corded fur of the Border Collie, while others get the wavy and silky look of the Golden Retriever. The colors of the Border Golden Retriever can vary from black, black and white, yellow or golden, light or dark brown, chocolate, and red. Most of them have markings on their face and chest. Both the Borders and Goldens range from moderate to heavy shedders, so expect the Coltriever to do so as well. How big do Border Collie-Golden Retriever mixes get? When full-grown, this mixed breed can weigh 45 to 75 pounds 20 to 34 kg , with a height of 24 to 25 inches 61 to 64 cm. With the easy-going, happy, and kind personality of the Golden Retriever, and the eager to please, hardworking, and intelligent Border Collie, this crossbreed seems to be quite a perfect canine. Are Border Collie Golden Retrievers good family dogs? Border Golden Retrievers may not be an excellent guard dog or watchdog, but you can rely on them to be top-notch alarms! If you keep a pretty garden, it may be an issue because this pooch loves digging and getting dirty in the mud. Once she sees a muddy area, distract her away from it. Is the Golden Retriever Border Collie mix easy to train? This crossbreed is very trainable as it inherited the intelligence of the Border Collie and Golden Retriever. You can start training from puppyhood to help avoid behavioral issues from developing, too. Agile dogs will do excellent at agility rings, but with this mixed breed, they can do so much more! Their high energy levels would require them to be active as much as they can. As a pet, a lot of walking, running, hiking, and swimming would be great. For mental stimulation, there are a lot of puzzle toys where you can hide treats, and the dog has to figure out how to get it. Kick it up a notch because the Golden Border Retriever is considered as a sporting and working dog, too. They can be trained and used for herding, retrieving, and other canine sports. This designer pooch has a coat that helps it adjust in all weather conditions. Bathing should only be done once or twice a month, or when necessary, to avoid drying out her skin. Weekly brushing is needed to keep her hair from taking over your house. It should depend on factors such as their size, age, daily activities, and their current health condition. A Border Collie would generally require to 1, calories a day, while a Golden Retriever needs to 1, calories. For their mixed-breed offspring, it can be anywhere between those numbers. There are also dog foods that are best for working or sporting dogs. The Coltriever requires at least 90 minutes of exercise a day. With their high activity level, you can give your fur baby up to minutes, if your time and energy allow it. A technique you can do is start slow, then increase the time of exercise gradually as you go. Health problems the Golden Retriever and Border Collie cross may inherit No matter if the dog is pure or a crossbreed, all canines are susceptible to particular ailments. The breed parents may pass health conditions to their litter, especially the illnesses that they both have. Golden Retrievers are prone to heart problems like subvalvular aortic stenosis, eye conditions such as pigmentary uveitis, as well as cancer. Other diseases that the Border Collie and Golden Retriever mix may have are allergies, bloating, and elbow and hip dysplasia. With proper care combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, your Golden Border Retriever can enjoy their average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Border Collie Golden Retriever mix breeders Reputable breeders test their dogs used in breeding for genetic conditions that are common in each breed. They are going to provide medical certificates as proof that the Border Collie and Golden Retriever parents are free of ailments before breeding. Get the chance to observe if the puppies were born and raised in a clean place. Bloat Ear infections The best way to avoid these issues from arising is to get your golden collie mix from a reputable breeder. Gollies are considered to be generally healthy and have an average life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Feeding A Collie Golden Retriever Mix Diet plays a huge role in the life of every dog and is very important for the overall well-being and health of your mix. An adult Golden Collie mix should eat dog food designed for large breed dogs with high energy and have two evenly-spaced meals a day. Since this mix can easily become bloated, you should stick with a consistent feeding schedule and avoid free-feeding your dog. When it comes to puppies, opt for a high-quality puppy food for large breed dogs and feed your mix four times a day until they reach adulthood. Once you bring your new puppy home, continue feeding the same brand of dog food the breeder was using and wait at least a month to transition your pooch to a different formula. They are moderate to heavy shedders, so be prepared to be engulfed in dog hair, particularly during the shedding season. To stay on top of all of that loose hair and remove dirt and dander, you will have to brush your Gollie mix three times a week. During the shedding season, you should brush your dog daily or every other day, depending on how much loose hair he or she is leaving all over your house. When it comes to bathing, you should bathe your Gollie only when necessary, or roughly every couple of months. If you notice anything unusual like redness or swelling, take your dog to the vet as soon as you can to avoid the occurrence of painful ear infections. After learning more about this delightful crossbreed, you might still be wondering whether a golden collie is the right dog for you. Ask yourself the following questions to help decide. Where Do You Live? Golden border retrievers are relatively large dogs, and they also have lots of energy. To be at their happiest and healthiest, these dogs need enough space to gallop around and play on a regular basis. They will do best if they have a bit of outside space to call their own. Also, are there dog parks near you where your dog can get their daily exercise? Living within walking distance of an off-leash dog park is ideal when you have a Gollie. These dogs not only make great companions, but they also need a lot of companionship. If they are left alone for extended periods of time, they are likely to develop depression and anxiety. Not only is this bad for them, but it can also be bad for you, as their restlessness tends to manifest as destructive behavior. If you are going to need to leave your pup home alone for more than six hours at a time on a regular basis, you might need to consider a different breed. One of the things that stands out most about collie golden dogs is how much energy they have. In order to manage their excess energy, they need anywhere from 90 to minutes of exercise per day! They will need to be able to run off-leash and play fetch. Is this consistent with your lifestyle? Do you and your family have the time and energy to give this dog the exercise that they need? Are you up for weekend hiking adventures and swims? Are You Experienced With Dogs? With that said, however, these playful pups also need a firm hand to guide them. How Old Is Your Family? If you have kids in the house as well, you might want to consider the age of your kids. Not only do these dogs tend to have the urge to herd younger children, but their energy and playfulness can be overwhelming for younger family members. Plus, you might not want to be running around caring after both a toddler and a hyperactive collie Golden. They fit in much better with older children who can share in the responsibility of looking after them. Exactly how much you can expect to pay for a collie Golden pup always depends on the supply and demand in your area. How big do Gollies get? Golden border retrievers can grow to be quite large, typically measuring up to 26 inches tall and weighing up to 75 pounds, but they can also be significantly smaller. To get an idea of how big a pup is likely to be as an adult, look at their parents. Remember that the female is always the largest of the two to prevent complications at birth. You can expect female pups to be roughly the same size as the smaller of their parents, while males usually take after the larger parent. However, there are always surprises with mixed-breed dogs. The Verdict On Gollies When you mix a border collie and a golden retriever, you get a friendly and intelligent Gollie that is incredibly eager to please. Golden collies are extremely high energy dogs. They need lots of exercise, lots of mental stimulation, and lots of love. It is a serious long-term commitment to adopt one of these dogs into your life. If you spend extended hours in the office and prefer to spend the weekend on the couch, you might find that you are not a good match for them. Still, while these dogs are certainly a lot of work, they are more than worth the effort. There are few dogs that are more loving and affectionate. The bond that you will form will be transformational, and you might wonder how you managed before they came into your life. Overall, Gollies are: Friendly but not the best watchdogs Highly intelligent and loyal Extremely athletic and high-energy, meaning they need regular, intense exercise Do you have experience raising border collie and golden retriever mix dogs? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. You May Also Like.

As you may have noticed, most of the puppies in our most recent litters have been reserved by families on our wait list. However, there are still a few left. Pictured in the galleries above are the remaining puppies we have available. If you are interested in bringing one home, please contact me and I'll be happy to share additional information. The calendar is getting quite full with puppies going home this month beginning tomorrow and then spread throughout the whole month so if you are wanting to bring one home, we'd enjoy talking with you and accommodating your schedule if applicable. Hope to speak to you all soon! Be sure to also follow our Instagram page, it's been receiving lots of attention these past few days alone! It's official we have anticipate several litters over the course of the summer months and beyond! And while we have many families already on our list to reserve a furry companion when it becomes available, we always have our list open. It's a new year and we plan to stay quite busy throughout! And if you've ever wondered what it'd be like to have a Havapoo for your family, be sure to contact us either at the email address provided or via the link above to our Instagram account! We'd be happy to share additional details. Time and again we receive emails from our respective, adoptive families telling us how much they love their furry companions. Our puppies, upon entering their new home, act as though they've been living there for years. It truly is amazing and we couldn't be happier for these families. If you're one of them.Thank you. We appreciate you all so much! Welcome, Havapoo fanciers, fellow doggies and even friendly felines. At the top of the page you'll find links for navigating to various pages on our site. We hope you find our information page helpful when deciding to adopt a puppy from us before you fill out an application. However, if there are additional questions or would rather speak to me over the phone, I am always here as a reference as well. Contact Nathan riverviewpuppies gmail. There are many inquiries about our Havapoo puppies everyday so be sure to email us on availability if you are interested in adopting with us. Thank you for visiting and enjoy your stay! We look forward to hearing from you! These pictures have been sent to us from our "puppy families" from all over the country and as you can see all are living happily with their respective families! Seeing the result of a puppy who we have spent much time caring for here, now living in their new homes, is something we find very rewarding and special. Thank you to all who have participated in sending these pictures and updates! Breed Title Havapoo Puppies Temperament These dogs are known for their pleasant dispositions and have become increasingly popular in recent years. Havapoos typically inherit the best traits of both parent breeds, resulting in dogs that are intelligent, trainable, and affectionate. They are also relatively easy to care for, as they do not require a lot of exercise and are content to spend most of their time indoors. Thanks to their gentle nature, Havapoos make excellent companions for families with children as well as seniors and other adults. They are also good with other pets, provided they are properly socialized from a young age. Because of their small size, Havapoos are not well suited for homes with large dogs or other animals that may view them as prey. Havapoo Puppies Health Considerations Though generally very healthy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around 12 — 15 years — our Havapoos for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Havapoo puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Havapoo puppies are at somewhat elevated risk for developing the following conditions: Cataracts Allergies Hip Dysplasia They may also suffer from reactive airway disease, which is a condition that causes the airways to constrict in response to irritants such as dust or pollen. Havapoos may also be prone to seizures, so it is important to consult with a veterinarian if your dog experiences any sudden muscle twitching or loss of consciousness. Finding a Havapoo puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. The coat is low-shedding and hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for people with allergies. This breed comes in a variety of colors, including black, white, cream, silver, brown, and apricot. Like all dogs, Havapoos need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting and keep their coats healthy. In addition, Havapoos should be bathed once or twice a month using a mild dog shampoo. By following these simple coat care tips, you can help your Havapoo to look and feel its best. Meet Havapoo Puppies for Sale. Havapoo vs Havachon Comparison The Havapoo and the Havachon are two amazing small dog breeds with big and beautiful personalities. Each of them has impressive learning skills, a strong passion for games and interactions, and a great deal of affection to spoil their owners with. They are equally loving and kind, and they both love to make new friends on their daily walks. There are also a few differences between the Havapoo and the Havachon that stand out. In this breed comparison, you will find everything there is to know about.Poodle Mixes An Introduction To Doodles Poodle mixes, or doodles as some endearingly call them, are crossbreeds between a purebred Poodle and another purebred dog from a different breed. To give a few examples, Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and Poochons are all Poodles mixes. They have a Poodle parent and a parent from a different breed. What makes Poodle mixes so special is a subject that we could talk about for hours. But to simplify things, these dogs are unique, friendly, Having inherited the charismatic and cuddly personality of the Havanese, and the sharp and agile mindset of the Mini Poodle, the Havapoo is a very popular and very well-equipped dog with a delightful personality. True to its parent breeds, the Havapoo is small in stature with an average weight between 8 to 12 pounds and an average height between 9 to 12 inches. It has a small round head, beautiful dark round eyes, a black button nose, endearing floppy ears, and a puffy tail. A teddy bear in appearance, the Havapoo has a thick, soft, and fluffy coat that can come in a myriad of colors and can vary from wavy to curly. Highly intelligent, cuddly, and affectionate with a sunny disposition, the Havapoo makes an excellent companion dog for any lucky family. The Havapoo, also known as the Poovanese or Havadoodle, inherits traits from both parent breeds, resulting in a unique canine with a beautiful appearance and wonderful personality. Their ideal size and eagerness to please make them a wonderful companion dog and a perfect family pet. The Havapoo is currently one of the Top designer dog breeds in the United States. These lovely dogs are also known as Havadoo, Havadoodle, and Havanese Poodle mix puppies. Miniature and Toy Poodles are used in this mix for their gorgeous coats, agile mindset, and endearing personalities. Appearance and Grooming Because they are Poodle mixes, not all Havapoos will look the same. Some may favor their Poodle genes and others may inherit a Havanese look, but most will exhibit a good mixture of both. With a small round head and dark eyes, their ears will be floppy and fall down onto their cheeks. They have a beautiful, thick, hypoallergenic coat that can be kept medium or long and can appear wavy or curly, depending on which parent breed the pup favors the most. The most interesting thing about this breed's coat is that it can come in sixteen different color mixes, more than almost any other breed. The most common litters include black and blue, silver, chocolate, white, fawn, silver and gold, apricot, blue, brown, gray, and cream. Temperament If you're looking for a charismatic, friendly, and energetic family dog, the Havapoo should certainly be at the top of your list. Some Hava Poos will exhibit extrovert behaviors, while others can be docile and cuddly, enjoying most of the time staying close to their families. However, their trusting attitude and incredible sensitivity to voices do not make them a very effective watchdog. Family and Companionship This sweet little pooch is well-suited for most families due to its child-friendly nature and happy, playful disposition. Like most small dogs, the Havapoo can adapt to a large family home or small apartment. It is as playful as it is cuddly. This puppy will be just as happy curled up on your lap as they are socializing with other people and animals. Exercise Their curiosity mixed together with their sociable nature means that you can expect to spend a good amount of time out on a daily walk. Expect to walk upwards of 60 minutes per day as the charming little pups will want to get to know everyone they see people and animals alike. When at home, you can keep them busy with lots of toys and games that activate their intelligent minds. Training and Socialization When it comes to training, this puppy is extremely similar to its Poodle parent, thus making training a breeze. With the right amount of coaxing and praise it shouldn't take much time at all. As with any pup, always focus on positive reinforcement and rewards-based training. Focusing on negative reinforcement and punishment will make for a nervous and anxious pet. Frequently Asked Questions What is a Havapoo? This hybrid is the offspring of the Poodle and Havanese. What is the lifespan of a Havapoo? The average lifespan of a Havapoo is between 10 to 15 years. Is the Havapoo a pure breed? No, but both the Poodle and Havanese parents are. These dogs are not known for their barking, but they do require a lot of stimulation and play. If they get easily bored they may develop a habit of barking. It is important to keep them well exercised and busy with safe toys. How much exercise will my Havapoo require? They are filled with energy and love to be on the go so they will need a good hour of exercise and active play each day. It is best to split up the hour into walks and backyard or indoor play. These are not large dogs and they easily adapt to their environment. They are just as happy in a small apartment as they are in a large home so long as they are able to get out for adequate exercise and activity. A local dog park is a good option for free play and socialization. What type of coat will my Havapoo have? As with any mixed breed the coat and appearance will depend on which parent breed the dog takes on the most. How often will my Havapoo need to be groomed? Professional grooming is recommended to keep their coat and skin healthy, nails clipped and ears cleaned every 6 to 8 weeks. Is the Havapoo easily trainable? Having two intelligent parent breeds makes training a fairly simple process for the Havapoo. These designer hybrids thrive on positive reinforcement so be sure to be consistent and offer praise whenever they do something right. Socialization and familiarity is a big part of successfully training this dog so make sure to start introducing them to new people, places and pets at a young age. What color will my Havapoo be? The most common include brown, grey, tan, white or black. They can be solid in color, or have a mix of markings. Does the Havapoo also go by other names? What organizations and clubs are the Havapoo recognized? How much money will I spend taking care of a Havapoo? This cost includes food, vaccines, toys, crate, leash, and other expenses such as grooming your little one might need. How much will I need to feed my Havapoo? While your Havapoo is still growing you will need to feed them about 1 cup of dry high quality nutritious dog food daily. This is best divided into two separate meals per day, most often in the morning and evening. Havapoo Reviews. Whether you already own this bundle of love or are looking to add one to your family, this guide is for you! What is a Havapoo? Havapoos are the result of crossbreeding Miniature or Toy Poodles with Havanese dogs. The result is a cute, cuddly, and adorable small dog that makes an excellent pet for nearly any home. Havapoos are known by several other names such as Havoodles, Havadoodles, Havanoodles, Poovanese, etc. To study the origins of a Havanese Poodle mix, let us consider the origins of its parent dogs: Havanese The Havanese dog may have descended from the Bichon Frise. Havanese are native to Havana, Cuba, which gives the breed its name. Some Cubans that fled to America brought their Havanese dogs with them and these became the foundation stock for the Havanese dogs that we see today. Havanese are cute little lapdogs popular for their adorable looks and thick fleecy fur that does not shed too much. Havanese dogs are also incredibly smart and easy to train. Poodles Poodles may have originated from French Water Dogs called Barbets — however, this is not a proven fact. After all, the breed might have existed since the Roman times and paintings found in the era have shown Poodle-like dogs. The word Poodle is also likely to be derived from the German word for puddles pudel. Poodle dogs of today are extremely smart and learn commands very quickly. This feature has consistently earned them a top spot in the list of the smartest dog breeds. They also have hypoallergenic coats that do not shed too much, which makes them one of the most popular dog breeds across the globe. Poorly bred Poodles can be neurotic and highly strung, suffering from behaviour problems like reactivity and separation anxiety. For this reason, puppy buyers should always meet at least one parent of their puppy. The Havoodle may have originated around the late s when more and more people asked breeders for compact-sized, easy-to-train dogs. The Poodle was ideal for crossing due to its high trainability and low-shedding coat. The Havanese was also a beloved pet due to its cute looks and intelligence. Moreover, it also has human-like hair instead of dog fur which makes them hypoallergenic as well. Therefore, breeders thought it was perfect for crossing with a Poodle. Havapoos are small dogs, but they are bigger than their Havanese parent. Their size is not standard and depends on their Poodle genes. Some breeders use Miniature Poodles while others use Toy Poodles in their breeding stock to create the Havapoo. Accordingly, your Havanoodle puppy could grow up to inches 20 to 38 cm measured at the shoulders and weigh between lb. More recently there has been an increase in the popularity of teacup-size poodle mixes, these typically weigh less than 3kg. The coat colours commonly seen in Havanese dogs are black, tan, white, cream, brown, chocolate, merle and golden. The colours seen in Poodles are apricot, tan, black, brown, white, cream, silver, phantom, parti-colour etc. Therefore, the resulting Havapoo pup could have these coat colours or combinations thereof. Are Havapoos Hypoallergenic? What Coat Type do Havadoodles Develop? As with their size, the coat type is not standard in this hybrid dog. Some Havapoos tend to develop the thick and straight or wavy coat of the Havanese. In such a case, they will have human-like hair, not fur. Others might develop a curly and tight coat like the Poodle. In any case, since both parent breeds — Havanese and Poodles — are hypoallergenic, the Havoodle is also hypoallergenic. This makes them a great choice for allergy sufferers. Do Havapoos Need a Lot of Grooming? Havapoos need a fair amount of grooming. Irrespective of the kind of coat your pet has, you must brush it at least times a week. This is especially important to prevent mats and also remove dirt and parasites. Your pet will also need ear cleaning on a weekly basis. Bathing is also recommended as a once-a-month activity, but if your pet swims or rolls around in the dirt often, then you might want to bathe it more frequently. The Havapoo is not a big dog and can be washed and groomed at home. They can be washed in the bath, laundry sink or simply in the shower. They can then be towel dried and brushed whilst blow-drying their coat. There are powerful blow driers available that make drying your Havapoo a breeze. A semi-regular bath and blow dry will keep them clean and fresh between visits to a professional groomer. The Havapoo is a great dog. It loves people, so once you have a Havapoo as a pet, you will never be short on affection or attention! When you are home, your pup will want to be right next to you. Havapoos are extremely intelligent, and they use their minds to entertain their humans. You will have fun watching your pet dance around — it looks hypnotic, cute, and funny at the same time. Havapoos are incredibly loving, but they also need more attention than most dogs. For the same reason, many tend to suffer from separation anxiety like their Cavapoo cousins, when left alone all day. If you plan to bring a Havapoo and work outside your home, you might want to consider options like a pet sitter or daycare to enrol your pet in. The defining characteristics of the breed are silky, sweet, smart cuddlers. The Havapoo is a bundle of energy that wants to be by your side all day. They are people-pleasers so you can trust your dog to lift your mood at the end of a long, hard day. Havapoos also love to cuddle and that makes them great lapdogs for elderly people or therapy dogs for those with anxiety. Being intelligent dogs means that you need to keep your pet mentally stimulated. Taking your Havapoo out for daily walks is the best way to do so. Walking not only helps your pet expend its energy and burn calories but also lets it sniff around. In addition to walks, you can also invest in puzzle toys that can make your Havapoo work for its food. Training your Havapoo is also a great way to keep it mentally alert. Teach your pet basic obedience commands, a few simple tricks, and the name of its toys. You can also arrange obstacle courses at home or enrol your smart fur baby in some agility, flyball, scent or obedience courses. Training a Havapoo is easy and fun. With consistency and positive reinforcement, you will see excellent results in a short period of time. Havapoos tend to get along well with other dogs and kids if they are socialised with them from a young age. Do Havapoos Bark? Unfortunately, Havapoos are known to be quite the barkers. Like many small dogs, they are sometimes not comfortable with strangers and are bound to be quite vocal around newcomers. They might also bark at passersby from your window or anytime they feel something is amiss in the surroundings. This trait makes them excellent watchdogs, but you might want to train your dog to bark on cue from early on to prevent this unwanted behaviour. How Much Does a Havapoo Cost? These designer dogs are rare in the USA and Australia, so finding good breeders can be difficult. You can choose holistic dog food made with premium ingredients like cage-free poultry, wild fish, or other sustainably raised animal protein sources. Good dog food will provide your Havapoo with protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. The food should also contain vegetables and fruits that are GMO-free so your Havapoo can get all the antioxidants. Adult Havapoos need food with probiotics for improved digestion and better immunity. Senior Havapoos can benefit from dog food enriched with chondroitin and glucosamine for enhanced joint health. Look for small-breed dog food free from corn, wheat, fillers, preservatives, and artificial flavours. How Long Do Havapoos Live? Havapoos could inherit health issues from their purebred parent dog breeds. The common diseases seen in Havapoos are hip or elbow dysplasia and eye issues like Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Reputed breeders conduct several health checks on the parent dogs for joint and eye-related issues. They also promote genetic diversity and the out-crossing of dog breeds with health issues to reduce genetic health problems in the puppies. What is Better Havapoo or Cavapoo? The Havapoo and Cavapoo are similar-sized dogs and both are prone to similar behaviour problems such as separation anxiety and barking. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a heavy shedder and some Cavoodles particularly those bred by inexperienced breeders , inherit their smooth coat or something similar that is prone to shedding. The best Cavoodle and Havapoo breeders, DNA test their breeding dogs for coat traits such as furnishings, weak furnishings and shedding genes. Breeders that conduct genetic testing for coat traits in their breeding dogs have an insight into what type of coats their puppies available will grow to have. This helps poodle mix puppy buyers make informed decisions about how their dog will look when fully grown, the grooming requirements and the extent of their propensity to shed or not shed. What is the difference between a Havanese and a Havapoo? The Havanese has a straighter coat texture than the Havapoo. Though it is more likely to shed, it is also much easier to maintain between visits to the dog groomer. To prevent matting and knots, poodle crossbreeds should be combed and brushed down to the skin at least times per week. This tendency for their coat to tangle, also makes them less likely to shed. Therefore, for those that want a hypoallergenic dog, a well-bred Havapoo would be more suitable than a purebred Havanese. Can Havapoo be left alone? The Havapoo like the Cavapoo can be prone to separation anxiety. A dog with separation anxiety, will potentially whine, bark, soil, chew, dig and develop abnormal repetitive behaviours, when they cannot access their owner. Understandably, separation anxiety is the most common behaviour problem among small Poodle mix breeds. Selecting your Havapoo puppy from a responsible breeder who selects only mentally sound dogs to breed with is the first step in ensuring you will be able to leave your Havapoo alone. Secondly, following on from the training that the Havapoo breeder commences, you will want to ensure your dog is crate trained. Crate training , is not cruel, instead it allows your puppy to learn that they can be independent of you and that good things happen when they are left alone. The process starts slowly and the best breeders commence crate training with their puppies from the age of about 6 weeks. It is not uncommon for puppies that come from ethical breeders who crate train, to sleep through the night without crying in the first week or so of you bringing them home. Are Havapoos calm? Like any small poodle mix breed, Havapoos can be hyper, reactive and noisy. A Havapoo puppy from a responsible breeder will be well adjusted, confident, optimistic, flexible and will have the benefit of being somewhat skilled in independence through crate training. A calm dog, is generally a happy dog. A great start is to meet all of their mental stimulation, sleep, nutrition, grooming and physical exercise needs. Providing these needs have been met; a dog that is comfortable being left alone and that has received rewards for calm behaviour will likely grow to be a calm Havapoo. Lifespan of a Havapoo Most Havapoos live for years. Subscribe for poodle mixed dog breeds information and exclusive offers on the best products for your pup! Leave this field empty if you're human: Share this.

Teach an alternative behavior like "lick" or "kisses" Alright, let's dive into each tip below. Exercising a puppy is one of the best ways to help alleviate problem behaviors like biting. Again, how much exercise your puppy needs will be largely dependent on their breed and age. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can have 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day. So a 4-month-old puppy can exercise for 20 minutes twice a day. The more energy your pup uses, the better! Exercise can also take the form of , just be careful not to overrun your pup. Excessive exercise can cause joint problems in the long run. There are a host of options to help you overcome this issue so you can still effectively get rid of their energy. Consider getting a flirt pole. Flirt poles are a fantastic option because they allow you to play very energetic and fun games of chase, without worrying about getting your hands nipped at. You can get one here. Another option is to teach your pup a structured game of fetch. Fetch is great because it exercises dogs both physically and mentally. Zak George lays out how to teach your dog to fetch in our free online training class, 30 Day Perfect Pup. You can sign up here. Remember, many dogs can have been bred for hundreds of years to have high levels of energy. Be sure to give your pup an outlet with exercise to help stop that puppy biting! Don't miss out! That is the perfect time to engage them mentally with a quick training session! Not only does it deter them from biting, but it gives you an opportunity to reward them for positive behavior. In its simplest form, the leave it behavior is all about restraint. A dog that can restrain from lunging and grabbing a treat on the ground, is much more likely to be able to leave your hand alone when you ask. Step 2: Show your pup a treat and then close your hand so your pup cannot access it. Your pup will likely try to get to the treat by licking, biting hopefully not , or pawing at your hand where the treat is. Step 3: Practice that behavior multiple times until your pup starts to generalize the concept. The next step after that would be to try putting a treat on the ground and telling your pup to leave it. Step 5: Practice, practice, and then keep practicing. If your pup starts biting into your skin, give the leave it command, and reward when they stop. Practice makes perfect! For example, as you teach your pup the sit behavior you can help them understand yes and no. Over time trust me, it takes time , your pup will better start to understand the difference between yes and no. My wife and I raised two Yellow Labs that are about 7 months apart. And they were the first puppies we had raised as adults. So please, trust me when I tell you that getting frustrated will only make things worse. When you are frustrated, your pup likely is as well. And when puppies are frustrated, they won't learn! So, if you find a certain puppy behavior like biting or situation starting to overwhelm you… take a timeout. Let your pup cool down in their crate or sleep area and give yourself a few minutes to regroup. Guess what. So, do what you need to do for a personal break, and then recommit and get back at it! They have a keen sense of noticing our emotions. When frustration creeps in, learning stops for both human and dog. Redirecting to a game of tug of war can help teach your pup what is okay and not okay to chew on. As we mentioned before, puppies explore the world with their mouth, that is totally normal! Many pup parents have found it best to approach your pup with the toy in hand so you can be ready if the hand chomping starts happening. Teaching your dog tug can be a great way to stop puppy biting. Just remember, these behaviors can take significant practice and time to overcome. The question is, are you rewarding those positive behaviors and moments as you should be? If you are going through the process of overcoming puppy biting, you need to remember to praise the successful moments. When your pup comes up to you and lets you pet them without getting nippy, praise and reward them! Maybe you will see your puppy chewing a toy instead of your slippers or hand, reward them! If your puppy licks your hand instead of biting it, reward them! A huge part, and often underlooked, of training a puppy is to praise their successes. Treat each victory as a party and break out the fun, , and praise. Your job as a pup parent is to teach your dog what you want them to do. PS- If you're looking for a high-value reward treat for your pup, we've got your back! Check out our. Of course, you praise the positive moments but at times, you have to take away what your pup is desiring. In the instance of biting, pups are looking for playtime and engagement with us humans. Leave the room, put them in another room, or put them into a playpen for minutes. Implementing this method consistently will help your pup come to understand that when biting starts, playtime stops. A note on this, in most cases it is best to not use the crate as a negative reinforcer like a timeout. For example, when your pup starts nibbling, do your best to not jerk your hand away quickly. Most dogs love things that are moving! So if you jerk your hand or foot away, your pup may think you are trying to be playful. If your pup starts biting, let your hand go limp. Another way to make your skin a little less enticing is to keep them covered when possible. Being a successful pup parent oftentimes comes down to how well you can set your pup up for success. So if you know your pup is going through an extreme biting phase, consider keeping that skin covered when at home. It can be wearing socks, long sleeves and pants, and other things like that! When the puppy biting phase is at its worst, every little bit of help is important! Dogs are obviously very skilled at helping each other learn what is okay for play, and what is too aggressive. One quick note on socializing your puppy is that you should always be there to monitor them! Be active and aware and be ready to intervene if the play gets out of hand or aggressive. Some dogs have lower levels of patience with puppy biting, so be aware of how the other dogs are responding. Many pup parents find that the more they can correctly socialize their puppy, the milder the puppy biting will become. If you can effectively teach them a behavior that they can only do without biting then you'll be much closer to no biting! While there are plenty of alternative biting behaviors you can teach, here are some favorites:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You turn your attention back to your computer screen and suddenly feel little teeth grabbing at your sock! You look down. Your once-angelic puppy is now having a full on game of tug-of-war with your pant leg! This cute baby is now more like a furry little monster. You get up and try to walk away, but the fur alligator is still attached, munching away at your trousers and having the best time! If this sounds like your life, read on to learn how to stop a puppy from biting. Why Do Puppies Bite? Believe it or not, this scenario is actually very common! Biting is one of the most natural things in the world to a young pup; and they do it for many reasons. You would be left with your feet and mouth to interact, taste and feel your environment. Now, what if you had puppy paws — incapable of grasping anything? That leaves you with one final way to interact — your mouth. For good measure, add in the incredible curiosity of a child. How many times do you see a baby grab things with their hands and pop them into the mouth? Puppies have that same mindset. Your mouth strength and play bite helped you communicate and determine your rank in society. Your mouthy mojo gave you respect in canine culture. Puppies interact with their surroundings largely through their mouths. Labradors, like most sporting breeds, have the drive to chase after prey, put it in their mouths, and bring it back to you. This translates into a strong need to chew. They will try this same tactic with their human pack members. If ignored, one bite on the toe is often enough to get the focus back on them. Remember, to a puppy even negative attention is still attention. Terrible Teething When you add teething into the mix, you have the recipe for a furry gator. Most pups will have an increased need to chew while teething , which can begin at 6 weeks and last to 8 months of age. Unlike teething, there is no magical age that puppies grow out of a learned mouthing behavior. Thankfully, with positive training, most dogs eventually lose interest in chewing on their owners. Types of Biting: Aggression or Play? Puppies use their teeth in many ways. However, this is actually just very intense play. Play biting can be accompanied with growling and snarling. This is just part of the fun to a young pup. Instead, we will look into how we can prevent playful mouthing. However, it is important to recognize the signs of aggression. Pay attention to the timing of the biting as well. If so, the motive behind the bite may be more aggressive. Could it be Resource Guarding? Some dogs also aggressively bite when they are guarding a toy or food item, commonly called resource guarding. With resource guarding, you will see the same behavior as aggressive biting, but they will also stand over an object and defend it from any perceived threat. If you think your puppy is behaving aggressively, seek professional help to learn how to actively manage this issue. In contrast to this, playing puppies will be relaxed and have a wiggly body. They will be bouncy, easily roll onto their backs and often be panting with open mouths. Even if they are growling, a relaxed face and body mean a happy puppy. What Can Trigger Biting? Do you really want your pound Labrador to target your hands as a toy later? Children Little kids tend to excite puppies more than adults. Children move erratically, run around, make strange sounds and have a lot more energy. Puppies can easily associate them with toys. Ankle Biters Puppies target fast moving objects that excite their prey drive. Your feet moving by at their eye level can be irresistible. After all, what self-respecting puppy would snub shoes with those floppy laces that are perfect for playing tug? How do we do this? Redirection with Hands When training your puppy, always have a toy to offer. Remember, puppies are like babies. Your job is to redirect them to fun toys instead of human skin. You must do everything possible to make toys extremely attractive so the puppy chooses them over your clothing, hands or feet. Redirection with Kids You can also use redirection around children. First, teach your puppy to use interactive toys and then show your child how to play with the puppy correctly. In the event that your dog forgets, teach your kids to be a tree when their puppy begins to bite them or their clothes. This position makes them less interactive to the puppy. They look boring and the puppy will lose interest. Most bites occur because the child is running or moving erratically. Remember, dogs have the same prey triggers as wolves. If something is running away, it looks like prey. Your job, therefore, is to have an even more amazing toy than your feet. You can take a toy, tie it to a rope, and then tie the rope to your belt so that you are dragging the toy whenever your pup is out. If your puppy is coming for your feet, stop moving them and wave the toy around excitedly instead. Once the pup is attached to the toy, you can start walking again. This way, they will pounce on the toy instead of you! Bite inhibition simply means that the puppy learns not to apply too much force behind their teeth. They apply gentle, but firm, pressure to their greeting. Puppies also learn to limit this pressure with their mouths by feedback from pack members. When puppies are little, they learn bite inhibition through play with their siblings. If two pups are tussling, and one bites down too hard, the other puppy yelps loudly. This startling sound usually causes the offending party to let go. The play stops for a few minutes, as the first pup nurses his wounded ego. Play then resumes, but with less brutality. Instead, let the puppy release your hand and then simply get up and and move away from your pup while ignoring them. Your job is to teach them when they bite down on you, the fun stops. Ignore them for about a minute, then return and resume the play and praise them when they focus on the toy. If they bite you too hard again, repeat this process. You can either step over a puppy barrier or go into another room and shut the door. Just make sure they are in a puppy-proof area, as they may take out their frustration on inappropriate household items. You can also keep the puppy on a leash while playing with them. If they bite you, you can calmly tether them to something and then walk out of their reach. Your goal is to correct the puppy only by taking away your fun presence. You should not be threatening or angry. Give them the appropriate time out from the fun interaction to settle down, and then come back with a toy to redirect their energy. Once they understand they have to be gentle, you can then start to ask more of them by ending the game with lighter and lighter pressure on your skin. Finally, you can take the game to the highest standard — no teeth on human skin at all. If you slowly progress to this over weeks, you teach your pup to have a soft mouth. If they do feel the need to put their teeth on a human, they know not to put much pressure into their bite. You need to teach your puppy that human skin is fragile and requires a softer touch than a canine interaction. Your goal for this exercise should be to help your puppy understand that the play and fun things continue as long as they keep their teeth on their toy and not on you! More Ways to Stop Your Puppy Biting While the yelp and time-out method works for most pups, there are additional ways to reinforce good behavior. When your puppy bites your hand, they get a terrible taste. You can use anti-chewing sprays like Bitter Apple to make your hands less appealing. When your puppy bites you, be still and wait for them to react to the bitter taste. When they let go, praise them and redirect them onto a treat or toy. You want the crate to always be associated with only good things. Crates also should be in the middle of the household, with the rest of the pack — not isolated. This is the same way other canine pack members would isolate them. A laundry room or puppy pen works well for this exercise. Make sure the room is comfortable and safe for your puppy. When the puppy is too stimulated, calmly put him in the room with some teething toys and leave. Teaching them interactive games like fetch or bringing you a toy to tug helps show them that they can have even more fun when they play by your rules. Positive play helps develop a bond with your dog. You never want to avoid it, you just want to show them how to play without biting you. Teaching puppies to retrieve objects helps to tire them out, gives them something positive to chase, and focuses their bite on an appropriate item. Plus, most Labradors are pretty good at retrieving! Remember, anytime we ask a puppy to stop a behavior, it should be because they are rewarded in an even more exciting and positive way for doing something else and things our way. The following video shows how. Video: How to Stop a Puppy from Biting This video shows how to use clicker training to stimulate a puppy in situations where they normally would bite; and then reward them when they choose a closed mouth and calm interaction. Dominant Puppies Dogs are individuals. However, as puppies mature, there may be the rare pup that uses biting as a way to take charge. Dominant puppies may bite to show you that they want to be the boss as they mature. This happens naturally among littermates, as all packs have a pecking order. This reinforces to them that you are backing down and that they are the leader in the relationship. Always remain calm and assertive with your puppy, but end the game as soon as they begin vying for leadership instead of playing. Remember, the alternative to not training your dog is a large animal putting his mouth on people. Be patient with your puppy. Remember, mouthing and biting are normal parts of canine culture. If you stay patiently positive, train consistently, and redirect and reward good behavior, you will soon see a puppy that learns to bring you a tug toy instead of shredding your trousers. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Lab puppies are incredibly cute, but their teeth really hurt when they are puncturing your skin every time you try to play. No one likes to be bitten, so how can you get a lab puppy to stop biting? The best way to stop a Lab puppy from biting is through a combination of proper exercise, training, redirection, and the use of positive affirmation. Most owners attempt at least one of these methods, but it is the combination and use of all of them that will effectively curb unwanted biting. Keep in mind that before you can stop it effectively, you should know why Labrador puppies bite so much. Additionally, know when they tend to naturally stop biting. Only then can you effectively begin to work on preventing them from biting. Lab puppies use their mouths to explore their environment and gather important information. When puppies are growing their adult teeth, they will often chew to soothe the ache along their gums. Labs may also bite to play or out of fear and aggression. Biting for Sensory Information When a puppy bites something, they learn how hard they can bite it, what it tastes like, how it feels, and if they can bite it again. All of this information is stored in a mental catalog your dog looks back on when encountering a similar object. This learning process is very important for puppies to become well-socialized dogs. When a puppy bites another puppy too hard they will lose their playmate. Biting too hard can have negative repercussions! Biting for sensory information is a totally normal behavior for puppies and even adult dogs. Since they don't have hands to explore with, their mouths are the only option. However, if you don't want your dog's mouth on you or your belongings, there are ways to stop this biting but we'll get to that later! Biting for Teething As your Lab matures, their mouths will start to change. Once their adult teeth begin to push up through their gums, the teeth they were born with begin to fall out one by one. It is the same process humans go through when their baby teeth come in and are later replaced with adult teeth. Just like with humans, this process is somewhat painful and incredibly uncomfortable. To help quicken the process, puppies will chew on things to wear down the gum between the new tooth and their mouth. This practice is also very soothing for puppies, especially if they chew on something cold. Biting for Play vs Biting for Aggression In the wild, dogs and wolves play by wrestling around and biting one another. Since your dog sees you as a member of its pack, they will try to play with you in a similar way. Of course, this biting still isn't ideal, but it's important to know the difference between play and real aggression. When a dog bites out of aggression, it is because they are scared, or you are asking them to do something they really don't want to do. Biting out of aggression is important to watch and fix at a young age so you don't end up with an aggressive dog. The most significant indicator of aggressive biting is body language. When a puppy is being playful, their body and facial muscles are relaxed. When a puppy is biting out of aggression, their body will be stiff or frozen, their face will have a lot of tension in it, and their lips may be pulled back in a snarl or growl. If you are seeing a lot of aggression in your puppy, you should contact your Veterinarian to make sure they are not in pain. When a dog suddenly becomes aggressive, they may have an unseen condition that is causing them to lash out. If you get a clear bill of health, you should seek the help of a professional trainer to help you. As we said earlier, as your Labrador matures, they will start to develop adult teeth. This change usually occurs around 12 to 16 weeks of age; the process will reach its end at about 7 months. Therefore, if your Lab is biting to soothe its gums, then the biting should end around the same time their teeth have fully grown in. If your puppy is biting for sensory information and play, it will lessen as your Lab matures and begins to slow down. While there is no magic number that says when your Lab will calm down , it usually happens between the ages of 2 and 4. First, don't hit your puppy as punishment. They aren't doing anything wrong in their mind because biting is natural. You also can't decide when it is and isn't okay to bite. Doing so can cause great confusion. When trying to prevent your Lab from biting, a few tips can help you. Exercise, training, redirecting, and positive affirmations are your secret weapons against those adorable, tiny, sharp teeth. Exercise Exercising your Lab daily will cause them to be too exhausted to do anything but sleep, let alone bite you. You can exercise your Lab by playing fetch, going on walks, or using enrichment toys. Training First, I recommend formal fundamental training before attempting anything specialized. Training your Lab not to bite sounds complicated, but it can be as easy as slapping some butter and seasoning on. If your Lab is biting YOU, put some butter on your arms and clothes wear they like to bite you. Show the butter to your Lab, and when they lick at it, say "yes, kisses, yes. This associates the word "kisses" with the act of licking and the yummy taste your dog gets. The next time your Lab tries to bite you, say "kisses," they should start to lick you instead as they try for the yummy taste. If your Lab is biting furniture or shoes, there is another approach. Grab a spicy seasoning, like paprika or taco seasoning, and sprinkle it on the places your Lab chews. Then, the next time they go to chew it, they will get a nasty taste in their mouth and leave the thing alone! Redirecting Redirecting your dog to things they are allowed to chew on when playing is another way to avoid being bitten. Have some good chew toys handy whenever you are playing with your Lab. When your Lab starts to bite you, show them a chew toy and try directing the bite towards it. After a while, your puppy should go after its toys instead of you. This type of training takes time , but is proven to be very effective. Positive Affirmation When your dog does what you want, whether it's licking or going for a proper toy, make sure you give them lots of praise. Tell them how good they are and even provide them with a treat or two! Final Thoughts Biting is a natural part of a Lab's life, but it is crucial to decipher playful nips and aggressive ones. Playful body language is loose and relaxed Aggressive body language is stiff and snarling If you are seeing a lot of aggressive body language in your Lab, make sure they are healthy and contact a trainer A Lab will probably stop biting after they stop teething If your Lab doesn't stop biting after teething, they should stop upon reaching maturity between 2 and 4 years of age Exercise, training, redirecting, and positive affirmation are the best ways to stop biting NEVER hit your dog to stop biting. Print How to stop your puppy from biting your hands and feet — fast! Have you ever watched a litter of retriever puppies play with each other? They are all mouths and feet as they growl, bite and paw at each other. Over time, if left to it, each pup will naturally figure out their place in the pack. However, when you bring your Lab puppy home there are no longer littermates with whom to tussle. And the result is often that your Lab puppy will start biting and growling at you! The problem is that puppy teeth are sharp. Very sharp! And when your puppy bites you, even if they are playing, it hurts. So, what can you do to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand and you find yourself or someone in your family injured by your puppy? Before I go any further, I want to be clear about what we are talking about. You should seek professional help and evaluation. Why puppies bite and growl Puppy play is a kind of training for a dog as they grow and mature. It is also a way that dogs determine rank within a group. Remember, dogs are pack animals. In a pack there is only one Alpha lead dog. Every other dog is under the authority and control of that dog. No two dogs share the same rank. So, while biting and growling starts as play, it does not stay that way. All dogs, whether in a group of dogs or a human family, want to understand their place in the family. They need to know their place. It helps they be more mentally balanced and will help solve a multitude of behavioral problems. Once a puppy or dog understands where they rank in the pack, they often assume that place, at least for a while. Remember, they are dogs. They are not robots so occasionally they may challenge their position, but if the boundary remains clear, the challenge is short lived. Biting, nipping and playful growling at a human can become a challenge of dominance. If your puppy is young, you can quickly and easily end this behavior by establishing boundaries and consistently enforcing these boundaries each and every time your puppy shows this type of behavior. If you have let this behavior go on for a while, you may be in for quite a fight to take back your authority. Biting is not the same as chewing A puppy biting your hand or feet is not the same as a puppy chewing on a shoe, toy or other item. All puppies have a need to chew. As their puppy teeth grow and their adult teeth come in, it is common for dogs to chew on things to relieve the pain and help the new teeth to come in. This should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged on an appropriate item like a chew toy, nylabone or rawhide. And if this works, this is an appropriate solution. Instead, it is likely an issue of dominance. How to stop puppy from biting you Biting is just one puppy dominance behavior. There are many others such as jumping on you, putting a paw on your feet, and lifting and placing paws on your arms or legs. The behaviors I have listed are often gateway behaviors that escalate into more aggressive or troublesome behaviors like stealing food off your plate or the counter, pushing you out of the way when going through doors and pulling you around on a lead. Start by establishing firm boundaries The first step to stopping your puppy from biting or mouthing you is to set up firm boundaries for your puppy. You can set these up for not only biting but for all dominance behaviors. So, what is a boundary? Well, here are some examples. Some people we have worked with are okay with their puppy mouthing their hand as long as there is no tooth pressure. If you feel the same way, then make that a boundary. But if there is any tooth pressure, a swift and consistent correction will follow. This boundary is stronger and does not give the dog any room for confusion. In fact, they often will understand what your boundaries are but will test that standard against everyone else in the family. Each person needs to set and enforce boundaries. React with firm consistent corrections After you establish the boundary, you now need to react every time your puppy or dog crosses that boundary. Each and every time! There can be no room for confusion. Your corrections must be swift and consistent. Not all dogs react to the same level of pressure. For some dogs, this squeeze and strong words will be all it takes to stop the behavior. Especially if you are consistent in your correction. But some dogs have a stronger or more challenging personality. This will give your puppy a taste of his own medicine since his puppy teeth are sharp and will pinch into his lips or flews. You must be consistent. How long will it take to stop my puppy from biting me? If you are firm and consistent, the behavior should stop for the most part in a day or two. Some dogs require more pressure, some less. Your puppy should feel some discomfort. That is okay. The point is to show your puppy that biting hurts and that it is not an acceptable behavior. When nothing seems to work If you puppy is a bit older and has been getting away with biting and mouthing you for a while, you may struggle to end this behavior. Often the problem is a strong dominance issue that needs to be addressed. If your puppy continues to snap or bite at you even after a correction, you likely need to exert some dominance over your puppy. This is similar to what a mommy dog does to a puppy that is not behaving. Humans can do the same thing to show dominance over a rebellious puppy. I know, it sound a bit ridiculous but it really does work. Instead, remain calm and patient. Stay in control. Reacting with emotion can lead to strong reactions or punishment that you will later regret. The point is to show your dog that you are the Alpha in the relationship, and you can and will determine what behavior is acceptable. Biting is not love As a professional dog trainer, I am always surprised at what some of clients consider appropriate behavior. Some owners feel that setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries means that you do not love your dog. That you need to accept all dog behaviors otherwise you do not love your dog. This is a false and faulty mindset. We have seen clients who have been injured by their dog multiple times and they still refuse to take steps to end the behavior. That is not love. What if the next person that dog bites is a child? Would you be able to live with that? A dog that is allowed to continue harming humans is only one bite away from having to be put down. It may sound harsh, but it is the sad truth. Some people may argue that the dog is unable to understand what they are doing is wrong. This is not based on reality. Dogs are very smart. They can learn to do amazing things and become incredible hunting partners and family companions. But they rarely achieve this potential without an owner who cares enough to set boundaries and enforce them. Final thoughts on how to stop my puppy biting me all the time You can stop your puppy from biting you and others if you are willing to take the steps necessary to make your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. A firm consistent correction each and every time your puppy bites will quickly teach your puppy to stop biting. These corrections will not harm your relationship with your puppy, but will, in fact, enhance it. Your puppy will quickly learn where the boundaries are and how to operate within those boundaries. We see it time and again, once a puppy is taught that there are boundaries, they quickly adjust and become wonderful loving and obedient family members. Help, my Lab puppy keeps biting me! Calm puppy behavior. Conflicting advice on how to stop your pup biting Many articles will tell you to ignore a puppy when he bites and to offer him a toy instead. Some people will tell you to punish your biting puppy. Others will tell you that you must not stop your puppy biting too suddenly, or punish him for biting, for fear of drastic consequences later. So who is right, and who is wrong? Does ignoring stop your puppy biting? Many new puppy owners try to ignore the biting puppy initially. This failure tends to be for one or more of the following reasons. Does noise stop puppy biting? There is no doubt that a sufficiently loud squeal, followed by immediate withdrawal of attention, will cause many Labrador puppies to break off from biting. Sometimes long enough for a skilled owner to then redirect the puppy into a more appropriate activity. There is also no doubt that for some puppies, this has the reverse effect, and causes them to bite harder and more fiercely. A puppy that has spent sufficient time with his Mum, may be more likely to take heed of this verbal warning, as he will expect it to be followed by a sharp click of her teeth and a fiercer rebuke if he ignores her. But there are no guarantees here. And the fact is, squealing simply does not work as an effective anti-biting strategy, for some puppies. Punishing the puppy to stop biting I have heard, even quite experienced, breeders tell new puppy owners to punish their puppy if he bites. Either by intimidating the puppy with an angry growling voice, or even with physical punishment such as a scruff shake or slap. But there are problems with this approach. This process is called bite inhibition. And the use of punishment may curtail all biting rather than just the hardest, most painful, bites. Nowadays many people like to train dogs without punishment. And there are strong reasons for joining them — check out this article — the downside of punishing dogs. Teaching puppy to stop biting Why would we want to teach dogs to bite humans gently? Why is it not best to teach them not to bite at all, right from the start? The idea of reducing biting gradually was popularised by Ian Dunbar. The theory is that a dog which learns to inhibit his bite i. You can read more about bite inhibition here: Labrador Puppies Biting. The concept is a sound one, and most canine behaviorists agree that teaching gradual bite inhibition is a good thing. The problem for many new puppy owners, is stopping those painful bites in the first place! The first step is not a technique at all, but an adjustment in the expectations that we have of a small puppy How much do Lab puppies bite? New puppy owners tend to have false expectations of puppies. They also anticipate that stopping a puppy from biting will be a fairly quick and simple matter. None of these expectations is true. Most puppies bite hard, frequently and growl fiercely whilst they are doing it. This noise is not a sign of aggression see Help my puppy is aggressive. Stopping a puppy from biting is a process, a journey. And it can be temporarily an uncomfortable one! It is important to accept that there is no guaranteed way of stopping biting immediately. Indeed, as we have seen, bite prevention rather than inhibition may be a bad thing in any case. Supervise your puppy around children Once you have got your head around the fact that this process will take some time, that it will be a gradual thing, you need to think about how you are going to protect any children that might come into contact with the puppy. This is important because small children can, both hurt and, be hurt by small biting puppies. Calm your puppy to stop him biting The next priority is to keep your puppy calm. Overexcited puppies bite harder and more frequently than less excited puppies. This will merely start the biting up all over again. There are lots of ways to interact with puppies without physically playing with them. Check out our article on playing safely with your dog. What to do when a puppy bites When your puppy bites you really hard, take immediate action. Stand up, move away from him and completely withdraw your attention. You can try the squeal thing if you want to. This works well with some puppies. Be ready for it, and repeat your actions. If the puppy chases after you, biting at your legs and feet, step over a baby gate, or pop him in his crate for a few minutes. You can read up on this process in more detail in this article: How to cope with biting. Remember, puppies enjoy chewing , and teething puppies need to chew on something. Whilst you and your clothing are not suitable chew toys, you need to provide your puppy with alternatives, like Kong toys. How to stop your puppy biting Biting is normal Biting should be inhibited in stages Training takes time The key points to take away from this are that biting is normal, and that training a puppy not to bite takes time. Stop the painful bites first, then work on putting a stop to mouthing. If what you are doing is not working, you probably just need to be more patient and persistent. If your children are suffering, you need to separate and supervise. Work hard on keeping your puppy calm — it makes the biggest difference. But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on. How to train a puppy not to bite Is it normal for puppies to bite a lot? Yes it is! Almost all puppies bite and some bite much harder than others. How long do puppies teeth and bite? With some exceptions, puppy biting will stop by the time your puppy has his full set of grown up teeth at 7 months. Fortunately, you can stop your puppy from biting long before they have cut all their adult teeth. Do puppies grow out of biting? If you do nothing at all, to teach a puppy not to bite, the biting would likely subside over the next few months. But its very easy to do the wrong thing, and actually encourage a puppy to bite more. And in those cases, play biting can become very rough and the relationship between a young dog and their family can break down. Do All Labradors Bite? Anyone who shares their home with a 10 or 12 week old puppy will tell you that Labradors bite! And I can reassure you that this applies to all Labradors in the first few months of life. Fortunately this is a phase puppies go through and not a permanent character flaw. And most adult Labradors are indeed very good natured dogs. And also at what is normal, and what is not. If your children are in tears at being bitten every time they try to play with and cuddle their new friend, you may be wondering if your puppy is becoming aggressive. You may even worry that your children might be at risk. Fortunately I can reassure you that this is not the case. While your puppy may frighten your children with his sharp teeth and growling. The way he is behaving now does not mean he will be a threat to their safety in the future. Happily, studies have shown that behavior in small puppies is not predictive of the way that they will behave as adults! Why Do Puppies Bite Children? Some breeders will not sell puppies to homes where there are small children. This is because puppies often bite children and teenagers harder and more persistently than they bite grown-ups. It is normal for small puppies to make small children cry, but before you rush your puppy off to the local shelter, bear with me a moment, because I can help with that. Children give off conflicting signals to the puppy. Fortunately there are lots of ways to make it easier on yourself and on your kids. In short, you need to be a little patient at this point, and it helps to know that this phase does pass quite quickly. And that it is completely normal for all puppies to bite a lot, and to bite children with particular enthusiasm! It has to be said, Labradors are even more bitey than some other breeds of dog during this stage in their development. In fact, retrievers generally tend to be very bitey as puppies. As can the pain of being bitten. Puppy bites do hurt. And sometimes they leave marks. Pain, bruising, scratching, little tooth marks on your toddler, these are all part and parcel of raising a puppy. Some very enthusiastic puppies will even draw blood on occasions. All this is normal, but I will explain what you can do about it. Perhaps the most serious concern that new puppy parents have, is the fear that their puppy is becoming aggressive. What really worries people is the snarling. When puppies play, they practice being fierce. They throw themselves into the whole play acting thing with huge enthusiasm. And they are brilliant at it. And the most important part of that game is to make as much noise as possible and to sound as angry as possible. So, all puppies growl or snarl ferociously when they play, while they are biting, and sometimes when they are trying to entice their poor owners into yet another game. His little face will be all scrunched up, his lips drawn back, his teeth showing. So he has no idea that he is frightening your children or that you are wondering if he is turning into a horrible aggressive and dangerous beast. Please do be reassured, that however fierce your ten week old puppy sounds. It is just a game. He is truly just playing. Normal Puppy Play Behavior So, the hard truth is, all puppies bite. And many puppy bites are quite painful. Some Labrador puppies bite more than most, and biting a lot, and growling or snarling at the same time is normal. So is biting so hard that it makes your eyes water, and even occasionally breaks the skin. Puppies bite at hands that go to stroke them, at bare feet, and happily tug away at clothing, all the while trying to sound as fierce as they possibly can. All this is normal. And you, quite naturally, will want to know exactly when it is going to stop! When Do Puppies Stop Biting? It also happens in working dog families where the dogs may be kennelled or at least are not allowed unsupervised interaction with anyone apart from their trainer or main carer. A study carried out on Guide Dog puppies in showed that simply rejecting interaction and refusing to play was enough to stop the puppies biting their adult puppy walkers. But, and it is a big but — in most young families, this is not always what happens. In many families, especially where the puppy is a novelty, everyone plays with the puppy, and often in quite a physical way. This gets puppies very excited and tends to make biting worse. Inexperienced puppy owners also tend to inadvertently prolong the biting phase by rewarding the puppy with attention when he bites. The more excited they get, the harder they bite. Rough physical play gets puppies excited, rubbing puppies tummies, chasing puppies, grabbing at puppies. All these things get puppies bubbling with excitement Noisy behavior can get puppies excited too, so children squealing, or crying, grown ups shouting or getting cross. You might not think you are rewarding your puppy for biting, but you probably are. Labrador puppies are particularly social and love attention more than most puppies do. Any kind of contact with you, or other members of the family, including physical contact, talking, shouting, even eye contact, all reward your puppy. And if you give him these things while he is biting, this will reinforce the biting behavior and he will bite more in the future Poor bite inhibition What makes the bites hurt more, is poor bite inhibition. So the next section explains what bite inhibition is and how you can help your puppy improve his. What Is Bite Inhibition? At just eight or nine weeks old , Labrador puppies are actually capable of crushing bones the thickness of your little finger, with their jaws. Your puppy has been learning to inhibit his bite since he was tiny. His mother and brothers and sisters all helped to teach him how hard he can bite without hurting them. This is where your training will come in. You can read more about bite inhibition and bite inhibition training in this article What About Puppy Teething? We mentioned teething earlier because people tend to associate biting with teething. So, is it true that puppies bite so much because they are teething? And how long will teething go on for? In fact, most problem puppy biting is simply play. Puppies may chew or mouth at fingers to help relieve the discomfort of teething, but this is not the major cause of the biting problems we find in homes with small puppies. Most puppies have their adult teeth by the time they are 7 months old, but biting does not usually last that long. He is growing fast and by 11 or 12 weeks those bites will hurt a lot more. The time to begin taking action is now! But for the time being, you need to put this image aside. Children under five are simply not capable of playing with a puppy under four months without getting bitten. So you need to supervise every interaction between them. Do put baby gates across doorways, even if you no longer need them for your children. Baby gates allow you to separate children and puppies when you are not free to supervise. Do show children how to stroke the puppy gently whilst you hold one end of a rawhide chew and let the puppy gnaw on the other end. It will end in tears. Playful Visitors It is not just children that play inappropriately with puppies. I have known grown men grapple roughly with a tiny puppy, rolling him around the floor, making growling noises, whilst the puppy gnaws on his knuckles. You can find out how to play safely with a Labrador in this article. Saving your sanity and enjoying your puppy If you were not expecting this, it can seem like a big deal, but supervision and some separation is essential if you are to keep your sanity, and your children are to dry their tears and carry on enjoying their puppy. With older children, you need to teach them how to interact with the puppy without getting him overwrought. Labrador puppies, like toddlers, are easily over-excited. And when they are over-excited they start to be silly. Your first job at this stage, is to keep your puppy calm. Your second job is to stop giving your puppy rewards for biting. Make sure the puppy gets no reward at all when he bites someone. Especially no attention. The next stage explains how you can do that. The process whereby the puppy learns to use his mouth gently on your skin — and it takes a little while. Bite inhibition is taught in stages. The puppy learns to reduce the power of his bites gradually. What to do when your puppy bites If your puppy bites and hurts you, remove your attention immediately. This is where baby gates can be really helpful. If you are playing with your puppy and he bites you, you can step over the gate, thus effectively removing all attention from him. All of a sudden his playmate has disappeared. What about squealing You may have heard that a puppy will stop biting if you yelp or squeal. And you can try this, because it does work with some puppies. But many puppies get even more excited by the yelping, and on others it has no effect. The strongest signal you can give your puppy is the loss of your presence and attention. What about punishment? Some people try and stop puppies biting by smacking them or shouting at them. There are several problems with this. Firstly, it tends to only stop the puppy biting the person who did the yelling. Which is of course the very opposite of what you are trying to achieve! You can find out more about the potential impact of punishing your Labrador here. What if you need to move a biting puppy? If you need to move the puppy away rather than stepping away from the puppy you may find he bites at your hands when you go to pick him up or take hold of his collar. Others bite when they are stroked or petted. We are fond of wiggling our fingers at puppies, petting them and rubbing our fingers in their fur, not behaviors that dogs really understand. And many puppies see fingers and toes as something to chase and play with. Hands are a particular target for puppy bites so teach your children to interact with your puppy using toys that he can tug and bite on, rather than playing with him using their bare hands. Distracting your puppy If you want to sit and pet your puppy, or your children do, use treats or hold a rawhide chew with one hand so he can gnaw on the end. Have your puppy wear a harness and houseline so that you can pick up the end of the line and move him to where you want him to go without his grabbing at your hands. Stage Four: Train Your Puppy Not To Bite This is where we teach the puppy to let us stroke and pet him, or handle him in any way we like, without him putting his mouth around our fingers. The best way to do this is with a clicker and some dog treats. But you can also use a word like YES instead of the click. And place a treat on the floor in front of him You see where I am going with this? Build up slowly so that you can touch him anywhere on his head or body, pick up his paws etc. All without him grabbing or mouthing at you. What do I do if he mouths at me? If the puppy grabs at your hand, you got too close. Make smaller hand movements further away from him until he ignores those, then bring the movements gradually closer. Stage Five: Playing Safely As puppies grow older biting can reappear. Puppies between six and nine months of age, are extremely boisterous, and may start nipping with their teeth during play. At this age, your puppy is more than half grown, and his size and weight are a significant problem if rough play is allowed. The secret to avoiding and resolving this issue is to change the way you interact with your puppy. And to ensure that children follow your example. Boisterous and excitable puppies must not be allowed to play rough games with small people. The consequences can be very unpleasant, and it is no coincidence that this is the age at which many young dogs are abandoned or given up to rescue. Here are a few more articles that you might find helpful:.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You probably already know that learning how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy can be a stressful time. But… once you know these easy steps, great things happen! Knowing how to potty train your German Shepherd is vital to having a happy, comfortable life with them. Use this training consistently to have the most effect. A proactive approach works best. Which means you should… focus on preventing accidents, instead of waiting on them to happen! Follow a strict feeding and bathroom schedule to see the best results. Basically, you teach your German Shepherd puppy the right potty skills… until it becomes a habit humanesociety. The key to quick success is taking your pup out every 2 to 3 hours and never giving the opportunity for them to have an accident inside. This means at least 8 to 10 trips outside every single day! In their welcoming and safe crate either resting, eating their meals, or enjoying a play toy. In an exercise pen or playpen with a strict potty area. Under your direct, undivided attention. This means you are always watching your pup. All it takes is for you to check your phone for a few seconds for your pup to have a toileting accident! You can either use a crate to speed up their potty training or provide them an area indoors to eliminate. I prefer the crate method. Housebreaking with the use of a crate speeds up your success rate incredibly! But you want to use the crate positively so they learn to love their little den. Make their crate an enjoyable and inviting place to go. How to show your pup how to love their crate: Never force your pup into their crate! Take your time with crate introduction and allow them to explore under their own will. Serve your pup at least one meal a day inside their crate. Use a Kong with their meal stuffed inside and mixed with a small spoonful of unsweetened Greek yogurt or peanut butter to entice them to stay and work on the Kong inside the crate. Offer treats when they willingly go inside to rest or explore their crate. Use a verbal cue when you want your pup to go into the crate. You can learn all the benefits of teaching your dog to use their crate in this easy post on crate training your German Shepherd successfully. Check it out to get the complete facts, tips, and step-by-step instructions to perfect crate training today. Use Puppy Pads You can use puppy pads if you need to… or skip to step 4 to learn potty training without pads. Not going to use puppy pads? You can skip to step 4. But… if you prefer to use puppy pads, then you need an area where you always take your dog when they need to go to the bathroom. Preferably place their pads near the door that you eventually want them to use to go outside. Place more pads down than you think you need at first. This is because puppies have poor aim and also may find a spot they prefer other than the one you pick. After a couple of weeks, you may remove the extra pads until there are only two puppy pads on the floor in the primary area they prefer to go. Keep the food and water area away from the puppy pads in another place. Using Puppy Pads Successfully Change your puppy pads as they become soiled. But a lightly soiled pad is attractive to your pup in the beginning stages of training and helps them learn the right area to potty indoors at first. Once they are reliably using the correct spot, you need not continue to use this trick and can throw away the pads as they become too soiled. Training Them to Go Outside After Using Pads Indoors If you set up your pads near the door you use to take them outside to their elimination area, then you can transition them to go outside more easily. So, place or move your puppy pads closer to the door from their original spot to begin the transition to the outdoors. When your pads are close to the door, watch them for their elimination signs and get them to the outside as swiftly as you can. While I generally use a crate to house train my German Shepherd puppy I also totally understand that you might prefer to learn how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy using a puppy pad for any number of reasons. Teach Them a Potty Routine Every day, follow the same routine and schedule to keep your puppy from having accidents inside your house. Teaching your dog to eliminate outside means that you must have a strict schedule. Watch for signs that your pup needs to go potty so you can avoid indoor accidents. Morning Potty Routine First thing in the morning when you let your pup out of their crate or from their sleeping area take them to their potty spot. If in doubt, carry them outside yourself. If you will not leash your pup when you take them out in the morning, then run ahead of them to lead them outside quickly. If you have stairs, carry your pup since rushing downstairs on a full bladder is never a good idea. Outside Potty Routine Stay with your pup until they do their business. You can place your pup in a small confined area to go potty or keep them leashed to you. Stand quietly until they potty. Then, praise them and offer a tasty treat. This can bore you at first, but potty training a German Shepherd puppy becomes easier every day. After 10 to 15 minutes, take them out of their crate and repeat the above process. Learning how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy takes repetition and patience. How do you know when to take your GSD puppy outside to potty? Take them out after a nap. They need to relieve themselves after sleeping or napping in their crates. Take them out after a play session. Take them out after they drink a large amount of water. Take them out first thing in the morning and the last thing before you place them in their crate or go to bed. Take your dog out when their body language says they are searching for a potty spot! You should take out your German Shepherd puppy every 2 hours for an 8-week-old pup. Add an hour for each month your pup is old. So, a week-old dog needs to go out every 3 hours. And a week-old German Shepherd needs to go outside to relieve herself every 4 hours. Puppy Age How often do you take them outside to potty? Most dogs do not have full bladder control until they are six months old. This means that even if your puppy does learn to hold it, accidents may still happen if it is left inside too long. Not potty training early can extend the process and make things harder. As the puppy grows, the mess and smells will increase. It is also harder to break an existing habit than prevent one from starting in the first place. How long on average does it take to potty train a puppy? If everything goes according to plan, your German Shepherd can be potty trained within five days. However, that does not mean your pup will be able to be locked indoors for eight hours while you go to work and not make a mess. Therefore, a two-month-old puppy needs to go out every two hours. A three-month-old can hold for three, and so on. German Shepherds also often have a high play drive and might completely forget that they need to potty when they want to play instead. There are few things more frustrating than playing outside with your puppy for an hour, only to have them calm down enough to relieve themselves the moment they come indoors. Have a complimentary diet An upset stomach is one of the most common setbacks in housetraining. In particular, puppies are vulnerable to garbage gut because they tend to eat anything smelly or exciting. This is another reason to make use of a crate. Excellent digestive health is not only good for your puppy, but it makes it much easier to stick to your routine. Use a specific door By now, you might be noticing a theme of consistency and routine emerging. Taking your puppy out through the same door helps condition and imprint the housetraining process on your dog and will also serve you later when your dog learns to always ask to go outside at the same door. Leash and lead The leash or lead is a further way of conditioning your puppy. The lead ensures that you can keep them close and make sure they always go to the specific spotty to potty. Do some research on the best collar for German Shephards , as there are some breed specific requirements. Then give a treat or some playtime to reward the correct behavior. Guide your dog back inside A potty run needs to be conditioned as a potty run. While praise, playtime, and treats should be used to make it a positive experience, your pup must learn to stay focused on the task at hand. Creating a negative experience for your dog is more likely to cause sneaky behavior such as peeing and pooping secretly out of fear that you will reprimand them if caught. Make sure you check on your puppy at least twice throughout the night Set an alarm clock and check if your puppy is awake and restless at least twice a night. This is your cue to take the pup outside. If the crate is near your bed and you are a light sleeper, you will likely wake when you hear rustling or whimpering. Stick to a routine A rigid routine is the quickest and smoothest route to a house-trained puppy. Be sure to take the puppy outside as soon as it wakes up in the morning, as well as after a nap, after playtime, and after meals. Until they are at least twelve weeks old, they should be taken out a minimum every two hours during the day. Positive Reinforcement As with all dog training, positive reinforcement works best. Make sure to praise and reward within three seconds of your puppy going potty to make a positive association. While your German Shepherd is learning that the entire house is out of bounds for elimination, the crate is a useful tool to avoid accidents. Once this has been achieved, you can gradually allow your puppy more free rein indoors. Pee Pads are not helpful. Puppies Puppy accidents are inevitable and can also be the most frustrating part of welcoming a new dog into your household. However, with a little bit of patience and the commitment to establishing a routine, you should get your GSD puppy potty trained in no time. This article will dive into how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy as well as give you step-by-step instructions and tips for success. German Shepherds become aware of their ability to control their bodily functions at around 3 weeks old. However, it is best to start potty training as soon as you bring your puppy home, usually, this is around 8 weeks of age. So, a 2-month old can hold their pee for about 2 hours. To avoid accidents, take them for potty breaks once every hour. No, not all adult German Shepherds are potty trained. Nevertheless, the general process of training an adult is pretty much the same as potty training a puppy. The key is in setting your rules and establishing a routine from the beginning. Ideally, choose a relatively quiet place. German Shepherds, like many other dog breeds, are creatures of habit. Having a designated potty area and using it consistently is key to making this process work smoothly. When dogs eliminate, their urine and feces leave behind a unique scent. Smelling it will signal to their brains that it is, indeed, time to go potty. Step 2: Establish a schedule Just like having a consistent potty area, sticking to a regular schedule is essential. Take very young puppies to their designated potty area every hour. As they age and as they become familiar with the routine, you can lengthen the time between their potty breaks. Start by choosing a command and sticking with it. When your pup gets to their potty spot, say your chosen command. Then say your command again and praise your pup as soon as your pup has successfully eliminated. You can usually tell this by their body language. Keep doing that until you can just give the command and your pup knows to squat and poop. Step 4: Reinforce positive potty behavior Whenever your GSD pup potties successfully, give them a good time! Reward them especially when they potty on command. Make sure you give them lots of praises and maybe a good head scratch. Depending on what motivates them, reward them with food or play. Step 5: Give it time and patience Following these steps will give you the best chance of success, but expect it to take some time. Top Tips for Potty Training Success German Shepherds are easy to train , so by following the proper potty training steps, you should get your GSD pup housebroken in no time. Nevertheless, here are some tips that will set you up for success and allow you to get over this tedious phase much more quickly: Tip 1: Make crate training a priority Crate training offers plenty of critical benefits, especially to puppies. Apart from providing a private space where they can feel safe, the right crate can be an excellent housebreaking tool. Tip 2: Establish a routine German Shepherds tend to thrive on a daily routine, so try your best to make every day the same for them. It will also help you more accurately predict when they need to go potty. Try to limit feeding times to three times a day for puppies younger than 6 months. German Shepherds that are at least 6 months old can eat once in the morning and then again in the evening. Tip 4: Withhold water at night Dogs should always have access to clean drinking water, but free access to a water bowl will make potty training more difficult. Once housebroken, your dog can have free access to water. When you take your dog out to potty, try to keep yourself relaxed and only talk when giving the potty command. This will also make your post-potty reward extra special. Disciplining your puppy for a potty accident is likely to do more harm. It will lead to negative potty behavior like being afraid to eliminate in your presence as well as feeling anxiety over having to pee or poop. Just clean it up and hope you can both do better next time. If your dog is having accidents too regularly, you likely need to take your dog out more frequently to prevent it. This is also the best way to maintain proper hygiene and good health. Tip 8: Listen and observe Dogs have their own way of communicating and will be especially communicative when they need to go potty. Some dogs might whine while others paw at the door. You just need to establish a routine and give them time to develop full control over their bladder and bowels. As long as you are committed to following your protocol, you should be able to enjoy a fully housebroken dog soon enough.

Insurance Grooming Toy poodles do not shed much and are hypoallergenic to most people that are allergic to dogs. They, like most dogs, will require regular brushing at home but should be taken to the groomers every couple of months, unless you opt to do a deep grooming yourself. Exercise These active little animals will enjoy their daily exercise. They will appreciate going for walks and will love playing games- whether they are physically active or mentally stimulating. Toy Poodles are extremely agile and will excel in agility and obedience competitions. Toy Poodle health concerns Like all pedigree dogs there are a few breed specific conditions you should be aware of. Breathing problems Small breeds like Toy Poodles are prone to tracheal collapse. This is where the sturdy cartilage rings that keep the airway open and allow free movement of the breath collapse and obstruct the airway. This produces a honking kind of cough and may cause the dog to give up on exercise earlier than they previously did. It can be life-threatening in severe cases, and surgery may be required to correct the problem. Using a harness rather than a neck lead may help to prevent this developing in some dogs. Eyes Toy Poodles can be prone to inherited eye conditions including cataracts, that can be screened for by breeders generalised progressive retinal atrophy. Dogs that do develop age-related or inherited cataracts should be monitored and is come cases vision can be restored by specialist surgery. For some dogs, the cataracts develop as a result of retinal dysplasia. You may see your Toy Poodle being reluctant to jump down off steps or furniture or bumping into things. If so, you should consult your vet. There is currently no cure, but many studies are still being carried out. The retina of the eye is affected and usually both eyes are affected at the same time. Early symptoms include difficulty seeing in dim light and dilated pupils. From the time the signs become obvious to complete loss of sight is approximately 6 months. As this process is gradual most dogs cope well. Bones Legg-Perthes disease causes the ball of the hip to break down because of a defective blood supply. Dogs will be lame on their hind leg s. Surgery to reshape the ball of the joint can allow dogs to walk well again within weeks of surgery. If the ligament holding the kneecap in place is not in normal alignment it can cause the kneecap to snap in and out of place luxating patella. Some dogs find this painful, plus it can put a strain on other parts of the knee and cause arthritis. Surgery can help to correct the problem. Maintaining a healthy body weight and using food supplements for joint health can help. Signs include walking stiffly, hip pain and difficulty getting up from a sitting position. This condition cause pain, swelling and eventually arthritis. Maintaining a heathy weight alongside a good quality diet and food supplements for joint health can help. Urinary Bladder stones uroliths can affect dogs of all ages, both male and female. Some breeds tend to develop particular kinds of stones that may need different treatment. They can form over a period of time, so you may not see any obvious signs until the dog starts to drink and urinate more; they may have blood or a pink tinge in their urine; they may pass small frequent amounts of urine and may strain and cry when doing so. In the worst cases the stones can prevent any urine from being passed and this is an emergency. In most cases the stones will need to be removed surgically, although some struvite uroliths can be dissolved using a prescription diet. If you see your Toy Poodle showing any of these symptoms then you should consult your vet, as the longer they are left the more serious the condition can be. Neurological Epilepsy causes seizures fits and will lead to poor quality of life if untreated, but the seizures can often be managed successfully. An epileptic dog may show behaviour changes for days, hours or minutes before a seizure, including episodes of vague staring into space or into corners, pacing, circling and scratching at the air before having the seizure itself typically lying on their side, paddling, sometimes with foaming at the mouth. If you see your Toy Poodle displaying any of these signs, you should contact your vet. Once diagnosed, the dog will need lifelong medication and regular check-ups with blood testing to maintain a good quality of life. This is another lifelong condition, but in this case the body does not produce enough natural steroid hormones. Again, it can be hard to diagnose due to waxing and waning symptoms that can include loss of appetite and energy, a change in hair and coat, lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, weak or irregular pulse, increased thirst and dehydration. Luckily, with the correct diagnosis and treatment, they can live long happy lives. They will be able to answer any questions that you may have. Pet insurance for Toy Poodles Toy Poodles, like most pure-bred dogs, have their accompanying health issues. You never know what might happen as they get older. Find out how we can cover your pet from accidents as well as illnesses they may suffer from. Insuring your Toy Poodle from a young age will tend to be cheaper. Although you can get insurance for older dogs too. See how we can help you by getting a quote today. See how we can help cover your pets from injuries and illnesses. Seabeach Poodles Breeding toy Poodles by the seaside means long walks on the beach but also relaxing times in their loving homes. Yes, Seabeach Poodles raise their dogs in the house and not in kennels. As a five-star licensed breeder, it is hard to pass on the opportunity of owning a Seabeach puppy. With a proven line of fifty-eight champions from high-quality studs, this breeder oozes success. It is only natural that their dogs will have the same level of confidence and aura of accomplishment. Puppies come microchipped, vaccinated, and dewormed by their eighth or ninth week of age. Because they are born and raised in the house, they learn early how to be glorious family pets. That means they will fit in like a glove in their new forever homes. The Process Of Acquiring A Puppy To get in touch, you can call the breeder at their home or mobile number, send an email, or fill out the website contact form. Pricing will be dependent on the color and pedigree of the dogs, but sex might also affect the price. The cost and buying process are not explained on the website, but the owner replies promptly, so you will be up to speed on all the info in no time. Vanitonia Kennels You do not need to look further than Vanitonia. Their track record boasts forty-four champion toy Poodles, twenty-two standard Poodles, and three miniature Poodle champs. This is another five-star licensed breeder on our list of toy Poodle breeders in UK. Lee Cox, the current owner of Vanitonia, is a show judge and member of the Kennel Club. He lives and breathes dogs, so the standards are through the roof. All of his dogs are prcd-PRA clear, with vaccinations and worming done in due time. Focusing on show dogs, every litter is a beautiful litter. Conforming to all possible breed standards, Vanitonia is perhaps the most well-regarded Poodle breeder in the world. Although toy Poodle litters are not regularly available, the breeding stock is top-class. Apricot toy Poodles were their first love, but now they mostly focus on silver and black toy P o odle pups. Do not be disappointed by the coat color. These are some of the most beautiful toy Poodles out there — just take a look at their photos. The Process Of Acquiring A Puppy To get yourself the ultimate show toy Poodle, or any type of Poodle for that matter, you can call or email the owners on the contacts provided below. Like a true gentleman, Vanitonia does not disclose the pricing or deposit fee, so you will have to enquire about it when communicating with the owners. Keep in mind that this breeder breeds champion-level show dogs, so prices will be high. This is good news because three or four litters per year of champion bloodlines are available for all of you looking for show ring dogs. All dogs are KC registered, and fully health checked, including DNA tests for the most common genetic diseases associated with the breed. Puppies are ready for their new homes by their tenth week of age and come with worming, vaccinations, and microchips all done and dusted. You can check out their title-winning toy and mini Poodles in the Sherrygold champions category. Their most accomplished Poodles are black, but you can find red toy Poodles, too. The Process Of Acquiring A Puppy Fill out the contact form, and call or email the owner for more information regarding puppy availability, pricing, deposits, or visitations. Keep in mind that even though a litter of puppies is available three to four times a year, there is a waiting list. Sherrygold Poodles are in high demand, so make sure you regularly check their website for updates. They also have Twitter, so you might be able to contact them via DM. If you want to see some videos of their dogs, their YouTube channel is just below. Breeder Information.