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Her love for dogs prompted a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she concentrated on behavior and genetics. Ann has attained many performance and breed titles with her Labradors. Over the years, she began to import classic English bloodlines which improved and strengthened her foundation blood. Our Mission To breed and maintain the classic Labrador temperament for whatever your goals may be. We are a small ethical breeding facility. We are stewards of the breed, not just puppy breeders. We breed an average of litters per year of quality black, yellow, and chocolate Labradors. Consequently, a waiting list is generally on hand for upcoming litters. Our small specialized size ensures lots of hands on for every dog, every puppy, every day. We are as dedicated to them as they are to us! Our Facility Dove Hill Labradors is located 1. We are situated on 12 acres surrounded by pastures, creeks, ponds, and woods. Our Dogs We maintain approximately 15 labs, where each one is a member of the family. Some are show dogs, some are performance oriented, and some do both. ALL of our Labradors excel in temperament. Check out our sister website DoveHillsEnglishLabradors. It's part of being a dog.Onyx is a week old black pup now under the care of Najla West. What a handsome character he is. The entire staff fell in love with that face. Your policies on worming, vaccination, feeding, and training dovetail with our policies nicely. We wish all new pet owners received such good advice from their breeders. Lastly, it was delightful to learn that this owner plans to neuter this pup and pursue professional training. I feel confident this pup will have a good life! We bought Jake from you 11 years ago when we lived in Virginia. We loved him so much and he was a central part of our family. He was extremely smart, almost like a person at times, and unbelievably kind. He was so gentle with our children and such a loyal companion for us. Share 0 Shares The Labrador Retriever has long been the most popular breed in the United States of America, it is loved for its loyalty, its temperament, its energetic and playful nature and it makes a very good companion for the family. Virginia State, which is also known as the Mother of States, is a lover of the Labrador Retriever breed and is home to numerous breeding facilities dedicated to producing Labrador Retriever puppies for numerous families in the country. In this article, we list some of the very best Labrador Retriever breeders Virginia has to offer. They are reputable breeders that produce top-quality Labrador Retriever pups for numerous families in the country. I recommend you get a glass of something chill and read on to the end. Although they are new, They produce high-quality, AKC-registered Labrador Retriever puppies of various colors, that make great family pets and are bred according to the breed standards. Their Labrador Retrievers make great family dogs, service and work dogs. All dogs in their robust breeding programs hail from championed bloodlines with impressive pedigrees to match. They are carefully selected based on their health and temperament and are well tested for genetic health defects that could prove harmful to the Labrador Retriever litter. Each breeding parent is certified free of elbow dysplasia by the OFA, they also have their hearts and eyes checked by a licensed vet. Every Labrador Retriever pup from Mountain View champions is raised on 80 acres of property that is a loving, homely environment. It is large enough for each pup to run and play to their satisfaction. They are allowed to socialize with people of different age groups as well as with other pets and are also introduced to a wide variety of sounds, textures, and sights to help them adjust to new environments. Each pup from Mountain View Champion is sold on limited AKC registration, they undergo regular health visits to a licensed vet where they receive their regular deworming and vaccinations. They each have their dew claws clipped and are fed with Kirkland Signature dog food. More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Whether for show, hunting, or pure companionship, our labs are sure to please! Labs are one of the top most breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. We are lovers and breeders of both the English and American Labrador Retrievers. We have been raising Labrador Retrievers on our farm since .Our labs have the genetics to produce chocolate, yellow, and black coats. Reaching anywhere from lbs. They are pet quality pups and representatives of the American Kennel Club. For information about our breeding program i. All puppies are de-wormed and receive their first vaccination prior to adoption - dewclaws are not removed. To secure a pup from one of our litters, please fill out a Puppy Request Form found on our Contact page. This will ensure we are able to pair your family with a pup that best suits your needs. We take the health and safety of our labs very seriously, therefore, families that have visited other kennels or breeding facilities must wait 48 hours before visiting our farm. We welcome all visitors and hope you enjoy our family companions as much as we do. Please call for an appointment and directions if you are interested in visiting us in person. Be sure to check out the Upcoming Litter page for more information! Make a reservation today! Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Take a look at the three best Labrador Retriever breeders you can find in the state of Virginia. The 3 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Virginia 1. Located on rural acreage, the breeder has an expansive facility for breeding and offers boarding services with climate control, radiant heat flooring, and central air conditioning. All parent dogs are vetted for genetic conditions common in Labrador Retrievers, and only the top performers with natural hunting abilities, trainability, and temperament are bred. All puppies are born and raised at home, provided with handling and socialization, and released at 7 weeks. Puppies come with dew claws removed, veterinary records for vaccinations and deworming, and a 5-year health guarantee on hips, elbows, and eyes. Weather permitting, all puppies are introduced to birds, water, and loud noises. This breeder offers English and American Labs in chocolate, yellow, and black varieties. All puppies come with a genetic health clearance and veterinary records for exams, deworming, and vaccinations. Potential owners must fill out a puppy request form and may make an appointment to visit the breeding facility and meet the dogs. The property is fenced, allowing the dogs to enjoy the woods, open fields, and creek. Parent dogs are both English and American Labs and produce black, yellow, and chocolate puppies. All puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club and come with a month guarantee against hip dysplasia. Puppies are vet checked and come with records for first vaccinations and deworming. Tips for Choosing Reputable Breeders Breeding dogs , as well as other animals commonly kept as pets, can be profitable, leading to a rise in inhumane puppy mills. These high-volume dog breeding facilities churn out litters for profit, often ignoring the needs of the parents and puppies. In many cases, the puppies that come from puppy mills are unsocialized and suffer behavioral and emotional problems and health conditions. The facilities are poor, leaving puppies in extreme conditions in wire cages. The mother dogs are often found covered in filth with sagging nipples, crusted eyes, and parasites. When you research breeders, look for small operations with limited litters. Puppies should come with genetic health clearances, veterinary records, and vaccinations. Most puppies from breeders will be registered with limited breeding rights, meaning that your puppy will not be registered as a suitable breeding dog with the governing organization. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Dog domestic dog The Labrador Retriever, or simply Labrador, is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from fishing dogs imported from the colony of Newfoundland now a province of Canada , and was named after the Labrador region of that colony. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the European world. The Labrador is friendly, energetic, and playful. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog , or for rescue or therapy work. Another early advocate of these Newfoundland fishing dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury , who bred them for their expertise in waterfowling. The dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned, given by Malmesbury to Buccleuch, were mated with bitches carrying blood from those originally imported by the 5th Duke and the 10th Earl of Home. The offspring are the ancestors of all modern Labradors. John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever. Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland , with Charles St. John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland. Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer , more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland. John's breed of these dogs [6] [7] in the fifth edition of his book Introductions to Young Sportsman, published in .Black Chocolate There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred bench-bred lines of this breed in the United States and are based on the American Kennel Club standard. Size: Labradors are a medium-large breed. They should be as long from the withers to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. The AKC standard includes an ideal weight for dogs of 25—36 kg 55—80 lb and for bitches as 25—32 kg 55—70 lb. The coat is water-resistant, so the dog does not get cold when taking to the water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat. Acceptable colours are black, yellow, and chocolate. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Appropriate eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and be set slightly above the eyes. Jaws: The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length and should not be too tapered. The jaws should hang slightly and curve gracefully back. Body: The body should have a powerful and muscular build. The tail and coat are designated "distinctive [or distinguishing] features" of the Labrador by both the Kennel Club and AKC. If a dog carried wild type alleles at all three loci, the dog will have a yellow coat. If a dog has a loss-of-function mutation at MC1R, it will also have a yellow coat, regardless of their genotype at the other two loci. Within the breed, this trait is not visible. Show and field lines[ edit ] Head and muzzle appearance: field left , and show right , showing the shorter muzzle length, more solid appearance head, and "pronounced" stop of the latter As a result of specialised breeding, there are significant differences between field and trial-bred and show-bred lines of Labradors. In the United States, the former are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "American" and the latter as "English", in fact, both field and show types are bred in both countries and all Labrador Retrievers are descended from British lines. In this experiment, German Shepherds had the highest chance of not completing it. However, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers had a higher success rate after going through longer training than the training required for Labrador Retrievers. For retrieving the Labrador Retriever has a soft mouth , a trait that allows it to carry game and waterfowl without damaging it. It continues in that role today, along with the Leonberger , Newfoundland and Golden Retriever dogs; they are used at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguard. During the Vietnam War they were used as scout dogs to track down dead or wounded soldiers or enemy positions. Notable issues related to health and well-being include inherited disorders and obesity most are missing all or parts of the appetite-regulating POMC gene. As of , it was widely considered the most popular breed in the world.

Is Crate Training Cruel? The short answer is no. Far from it actually. Most people will usually combine the thought of keeping your dog in a cage when it is home by itself, as something negative. This is because humans will compare this with the thought of ourselves being locked behind bars. But for the dog, this experience is quite different. By nature, dogs are cave animals, which you can usually see when they are sleeping. Dogs will usually try and sleep under a table or in a corner of a room. In nature, wolves and wild dogs will often bury holes in the ground for them to sleep in. Basically, a dog just wants to feel safe when they have to sleep or be left at home by itself. Crates serve the very useful purpose of preventing any problems regarding destructive behavior and other issues related to a puppy being home alone. A crate helps to educate your puppy and also helps when having visitors who might not be too happy around dogs. And of course, they are also quite helpful when you are traveling with your dog. Where Should the Crate be Placed? The best area where to place your crate is in the corner of a room of the house, where there is neither too cold nor too hot and no gusts of wind, Usually, a dog will want to be around their leader, you, so place the crate somewhere where it can see and hear you most of the time. Later on, you can get a specific bed for your labradoodle if you want. How Should a Crate be Designed A dog crate is usually built like a square cabinet, made from metal wire, plastic, or wood. My recommendation is to get one of metal as they seem to be less susceptible to the bites from a puppy. It has been quite great for us and seems to get very positive reviews on Chewy. No matter what type of crate you do end up getting, just remember to get one that is large enough for your dog to be able to stretch fully while laying on the side and to be able to sit without its head hitting the ceiling. Also, remember that a crate that is too large loses its purpose of creating a sense of security for your labradoodle. It is also possible to buy specific washable beds for some crates, else I would recommend getting a blanket for the crate. This will make the crate as cozy and comfortable as possible. When to Start the Training As soon as possible! And if you adopt a puppy you can begin as soon as it arrives in its new home. If you do decide not to keep the crate, remember to take it slowly so your dog has a chance of getting used to not having it around anymore. Educating an older dog is a lot harder and requires more patience. If you plan on traveling a lot with your dog, keeping your crate and bringing it with you is a good idea. Cleanliness in the Crate You should take your puppy for a walk at least every two hours. But accidents will happen, and usually at night. To minimize the risk of this, take your dog for a walk just before bedtime, and first thing in the morning. If you hear some whining during the night, get up and take the dog for a walk. Also, take your puppy for a walk immediately after dinner time, and if you see it sniffing intensively on the floor. If there is an accident, just clean it up as soon as you notice it using a special odor remover. It takes time and patience to introduce the crate as a home and a special place for your puppy. This way it will most likely only take a day or two before the puppy will go inside and lie down. After a few days where the dog has slept in the crate with the doors open, try casually closing the door, preferably while your dog is sleeping, and try to have it closed for a few minutes, or until the dog awakes. When the puppy awakes, open the door and praise your puppy and call it outside the crate. Gradually try to expand the time that the doors are closed. In time, you will be able to stay in the room with the doors closed, and your dog will lie down until it falls asleep. When this has become comfortable for your dog, try to leave the house and come back immediately. The next step is to leave the house for longer and longer. Continue expanding the amount of time you are able to leave the house. And try having a daily schedule for what you do before leaving the house. After the Habituation Have your dog get into the crate periodically during the day, until a maximum of 2 hours. Give your dog a chew toy as occupation, and remember to remove any collar which could otherwise get stuck somewhere in the crate. As you might end up with a dog that could get aggressive when people get near the crate. Make sure your dog gets used to you entering the crate once in a while. Wait until it has stopped barking or whining for at least 10 seconds before opening. Final Words Hopefully, this has given you some advice for crate training a labradoodle puppy. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Along with housetraining, this is one of the first things you should do when you get a new puppy. Not all dog owners choose to crate train their dog, but it can be beneficial to both you and your dog. Here are some tips and tricks for crate training your Labradoodle. Why Crate Train? The idea behind crate training is that dogs like to have their own special spot. This place is a safe haven where only they can go. It teaches them to hold it until they are let outside to potty. The crate also becomes comfortable place for them to sleep and a safe way to travel. What to Look for in a Crate You want a crate that is not too big, but also not too small. As your pup grows, you will need to get a larger crate. Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around in their crate with ease. The crate should be comfortable and cozy. Some organizations even rent out crates so you can switch when you need a new size. It should not be used as a place to go for punishment because then your dog will be hesitant to go into the crate. It will take some time to get your Labradoodle fully crate trained, so be patient and positive. First, let your dog explore their new crate. Put the crate in the kitchen or living room and let them look around on their own time. Make the crate more comfortable by placing a blanket or cushion on the inside. After a while, they might want to go inside a have a look for themselves. If your dog has no interest, go ahead a put a toy or a treat in the crate. Once you get to the point where your dog is willing to go in the crate, start feeding them in the crate. Put the food bowls on the inside and let them enter to eat their meals. Where To Put Your Crate Improper crate placement leads to anxiety issues for many dogs and can even cause obedience issues. Start by fitting the crate with the non-slip liner, add a crate mat or comfortable bed, and pop a tasty treat or chew toy inside. Place some treats and a bowl of water outside the crate where you can reach them. Now, you can let the puppy sniff around the crate. Some puppies will accept the crate with ease, going inside right away to get the treats inside. But you can help the process massively by creating a welcoming, comfortable space where your puppy can go to chill out and have fun. Start by putting a handful of tempting treats just inside the crate, put an intriguing toy inside, and talk encouragingly to your puppy. Most dog owners find that having the crate in a room with people will encourage a reluctant puppy to feel happier spending time inside his crate. Also, you must never shut your puppy in the crate for hours without giving him adequate potty breaks. Fun and Games You can make crate training sessions more fun for both of you by using crate games. Crate Feed Your Labradoodle Puppy Labradoodles can be pretty food-focused, and you can use that trait to encourage your puppy to spend time in his crate, considerably speeding up the training process. Have your furry friend watch as you prepare his food. Put the food bowl inside the crate toward the front. The puppy should go into the crate to get his meal. Next time you feed your puppy, put the food bowl further toward the back of the crate so that he has to go in further to get it. Close The Crate Door Once your Labradoodle puppy regards the crate as a safe, comfy space where he wants to be, you can begin closing the crate door while your pet is eating. To begin with, open the door again immediately after your puppy finishes eating. Each mealtime, leave the crate door closed for a little while longer. Back Off! Once your puppy happily stays in his crate, playing with his toys or munching on a treat chew stick, you can move away from the crate. If the puppy begins crying or barking, turn your back on him. Wait for a few minutes until the complaints stop, and your puppy is calm and quiet again. You can turn around and let your pet out of the crate. Observe your puppy. If your pup starts to panic and becomes upset, let him out of the crate and take the training process back a few steps. Increase The Confinement Time Provided your puppy is happy to remain inside the crate with the door closed, you can gradually increase the length of confinement time. Ideally, you want your puppy to remain in the crate for up to an hour before he needs to come out for a toilet break. If your pet begins crying, sniffing the ground, or circling, he needs to relieve himself. Immediately you see any of those signs, pick up your puppy and take him to his designated potty spot. As a rough guideline, puppies up to eight weeks old usually need to urinate every 30 to 60 minutes. When your puppy is older, he will be able to wait for longer between pee breaks. Sleepless Nights? The best place for your puppy to spend the night is in his crate next to your bed. A crate cover can help create a dark, den-like environment for your puppy, helping him settle down and sleep. Potty Stops Young puppies will wake up every couple of hours during the night for a potty break. When accidents happen, do not punish your puppy or scold him. Clean up accidents outside of the crate by using an enzyme cleaning product that will eliminate the scent of pet pee from your floor coverings. Be sure to clean the crate thoroughly to avoid any lingering toilet smells. Use verbal cues from day one of your crate training process. Longer Confinement Time Your puppy needs to learn that spending time confined in his crate is normal for everyday family life. After a couple of weeks of training, your puppy should be able to remain contained in his crate for one to two hours. We recommend spending time playing with your Labradoodle between crate training sessions. How To Deal With Tantrums Puppies are rather like toddlers in that they will almost certainly throw temper tantrums during the early days of crate training, especially when you first close the crate door. When your puppy throws a temper tantrum, turn around and wait until your feisty furry friend settles down again. Once peace is restored, reward your puppy with treats and verbal praise. Moreover, you might also want to read our guide to crate training other dog breeds. Check these out:. A crate is an essential tool in the house-training process. It can also be used to keep your pet and property safe. Crates are also a great way to transport your Labradoodle in the car. All Notch Hill Labradoodle puppies are introduced to crate training in a positive way before being sent to their new homes. If you continue to follow the below tips, your puppy will learn to love his crate. Instead, place the crate in an area of the house where your puppy spends a lot of his time. Put a few blankets and toys inside and leave the door open. The goal is to get him comfortable with going inside the crate. Do not close the crate door for the first time until he is completely relaxed. Crates should never be used as punishment. Feeding Your Puppy in the Crate When your puppy is happily entering the crate, your next goal is to get him comfortable with the idea of staying inside the crate for a longer period of time. One of the best ways to accomplish this is giving your Labradoodle his meals inside the crate. Place the food in the back of the crate so that he goes all the way in, but keep the door open. This creates a positive association with the crate. After he is done eating, open the door immediately. Then you can start leaving him in the crate for longer periods, adding a few minutes with each meal. This process can take several days or weeks. Crating Duration Guidelines During the day, puppies and adult Labradoodles should not be in the crate for more than 5 hours at a time. Follow these daytime guidelines to avoid potential problems: Important Reminders Don't ever leave a chain, prong, training, or slip collar on your Labradoodle when you put him in his crate. Give your puppy the opportunity to fully eliminate before being crated. Puppies do not like to soil their sleeping quarters if given adequate opportunity to eliminate elsewhere. Most adult dogs can stay in a crate for the entire night without a trip outside. However, young puppies and some old dogs cannot physically hold their bladders and bowels through the night. Learning to be calm in a crate will make things like staying in a kennel, visiting the vet, and traveling by car easier for them. Plus, a crate can be a comforting, homey place for your dog to feel secure and unwind. So, how do you train your new pup to see their crate as a special place to relax instead of a place of confinement, anxiety, or punishment? Start by making their crate a fun, comfortable place to be. The key to successful crate training is to create positive associations between your dog and their crate. Place their bed, favorite blanket, or an old t-shirt with your scent in there for comfort. Remember—a crate should never be used as a form of punishment. Introduce your dog to their crate slowly. Throwing your puppy in their crate and closing the door will only make them fear it. Instead, let them explore and get to know it first. Encourage them to enter with treats, words in a positive tone, or a special command they can learn to associate with crate time. Feeding them meals in the crate can be helpful too. Gradually crate them for longer periods as they grow more comfortable. Once your dog can sit in their crate without whining for those 5-minute intervals, work your way up to longer ones. When they enter, reward them with praise, a treat, or a toy. Place a blanket over the crate to block out any potentially scary and distracting sights and sounds. Then, walk away. Start with minutes at a time, then as they improve work up to 30 minutes. To reserve one of the exceptional puppies from our upcoming litters, call or email Blue Star Labradoodles today! They praise it as a wonderful tool and somewhere that their Doodle feels safe and happy. But, others may argue that it is a cruel tool, used to cage dogs. In truth, it will all depend on how an owner uses their crate. Or to turn it into a place your dog hates. But, at the same time, when used correctly, your Labradoodle puppy can love their crate. They can use it as their own safe space away from the noise of everyday family life. In fact, doing so can lead to a very unhappy and stressed puppy. What is Crate Training? A dog crate is simply an enclosed bed area for your Labradoodle puppy. Or when their puppy needs some sleep. For many dogs, a crate will be a safe and secure area where they can take themselves to relax and wind down. Many owners will use a crate at night, when sleep training their puppy. This ensures their puppy is safe at night, but also not causing havoc through the house! However, crates can also be used throughout the day to encourage your puppy to get some much needed sleep in those early months. Or to help them calm down if they get overexcited. On top of this, a dog crate can be a very useful potty training tool. All dogs will try to keep their sleeping area and their potty area separate. But, more on this later. Remember, you are best placed to know what is right for your Doodle! Pros of Crate Training Can keep your Labradoodle out of mischief and safe when you leave them alone for short periods When done correctly, will be a safe and comforting place for your Labradoodle Offers somewhere quiet and calm for young puppies to get some rest throughout the day Can be a very useful potty training tool Can make travelling with your Labradoodle a lot easier Cons of Crate Training If misused, a crate can be a stressful and frightening place for a puppy, eg. And, of course, your puppy is a very different size now than he will be in a few months. The best method here is to choose a crate that should be the right size for an adult Labradoodle. Try to estimate how large your puppy is going to grow. Then, buy a divider for your crate, so that you can section off a smaller section for your puppy to use. Your puppy needs enough room to stand, sit, and turn around comfortably. But any larger than this and your pup may end up using one end of the crate as a toilet area. In the first few days of your puppy being home with you , this can be achieved easily! Leave the crate door open so your puppy can go in and out as they please. Soon enough, your puppy will be willingly going into their crate, and associating it with something that makes them feel great — treats! But, to move on, you can pop your puppy in the crate and close the door. First, open it immediately and treat your puppy for sitting quietly inside. Once your puppy is happy and comfortable doing this, you can progress to shutting and locking the crate door, before opening it and treating your puppy. And, once your puppy is okay with this, you can slowly increase the length of time that the door is closed before opening and treating. Doing so can cause your puppy to be stressed and upset. A stressed puppy is no fun for anyone. If your puppy seems stressed at any point in this process, simply go back a step and reduce the duration. For instance, one time leave then for two seconds, then increase to five seconds, then drop back down to three. You can also put your puppy in their crate through the day before they go to sleep for one of their regular naps. Overall, our aim is to make the crate a wonderful and happy place for your puppy to relax. So, how are you meant to fix things if your puppy starts crying? Instead, move back a step, and increase the duration more slowly, for instance only a second longer. If your puppy is getting visibly distressed, it may be a good idea to give the training a break for a while. Go and play a game with them, or work on some different training to let them calm down, then come back and try again with crate training in a bit. No matter what breed you have, crate training is a lengthy process. At first, the increase of duration before you let your puppy out and treat them will be seconds, not minutes or hours! And, increasing this duration too quickly can lead to a puppy that hates being in their crate. Some may take to crate training much faster than others. For some owners, the process could take a couple of weeks. But, for others, it may take months before they can leave their puppy alone in the crate with no issues. Even if this process takes a little longer for you and your Labradoodle, taking it slowly will be worth it in the long run. Crate Training a Labradoodle Puppy at Night Crate training a Labradoodle puppy at night and through the day is a little different. However, during their first few nights with you, they will be scared and unsure of their surroundings. Being close to you will reduce the chance of your puppy crying through the night. Puppies have very small bladders, and you will need to take them outside multiple times, especially in those first few weeks. Your alternative is to place puppy pads at one end of a large crate. If your puppy cries throughout the night, it could be a sign that they need to go to the toilet. Dog Crates as a Potty Training Tool Throughout the day, a crate can be a great tool for potty training your puppy. Labradoodle puppies, like any other puppies, have very small bladders in their early age. Some may need toilet trips outside as often as every 20 minutes! But, as time goes on, you can start to extend the breaks between these trips by using your crate. Like all other parts of crate training, small steps are key here for building a strong level of trust between you and your puppy, and for successful training. Alternatives to Crates Not everyone likes the idea of putting their Labradoodle puppy in a crate, even though many dogs will feel like they have their own little den. As an alternative to a puppy crate, you could invest in a puppy pen. This will give your puppy room to move around, to play, and more, which a crate does not. Many pens are large enough for you to put a bed inside, a water bowl, and even some puppy pads for potty training purposes. However, despite this extra room, puppies will still need time outside of the pen to interact with you, socialize, exercise through games, and stimulate their brains. Baby gates on doorways are another alternative you might want to consider. This way, you can puppy proof an entire room for your pup to have access to. If you choose either of these two alternatives, you will still need to work hard at training. Particularly at training your puppy to be happy when left alone in their pen or room. This will still be a slow process, like crate training. The Puppy Parenting course is ideal for learning how to crate train, among other important puppy training goals. Crate Training Your Labradoodle Puppy Have you decided that crate training is the right step for you and your Labradoodle puppy? When done properly, crate training can be great, and can offer your puppy a safe and comfortable place of their own to relax. But, make sure you increase duration in the crate very gradually, so that your puppy never feels trapped or distressed when inside. Do you have any other Labradoodle crate training tips? References and Resources Ackerman, L. How do you crate train your new Labradoodle like a pro? First, find a crate that is the right size for your dog and that is secure enough to prevent a sneaky escape. This is the crate I use with my Labradoodle. Introduce the crate slowly by allowing your puppy to freely go in and out before you attempt an extended period of crate time. Before crating, engage in a period of rambunctious play with your puppy, and make sure to give your Labradoodle plenty of potty opportunities. When playtime is over, sit calmly by the crate and brush or pet your puppy to instigate a sleepy-time response. Then, once your puppy is soundly snoring, place her gently into the crate and shut the door without locking it. With time, your Labradoodle will associate his crate with rest time, and crating your Doodle will be a stress-free experience for you both. It emits a life-like heartbeat that can calm and sooth them. You can even add a heat pack to make it even more realistic. Sounds simple, right? The truth is, crating can be one of the simplest training exercises for you and your pup, but it can also be laden with challenges and unexpected issues. If you are ready to begin the process of teaching your Labradoodle how to love his crate, read on for tips on crate selection, introducing your puppy to his new hideaway spot, and tackling issues as they arise. Many first-time dog owners are horrified at the idea of leaving their dog in a small, enclosed space for hours at a time. I love her too much! Dogs are den animals: even though they have been domesticated over thousands of years, they still retain some wild canine instincts. One of those instincts is to rest in a spot that is safe and offers protection. According to the Humane Society of the United States , most dogs actually crave periods of solitude, and a crate gives them a special space where they can secure that solitude when and if they need it. While you may use crate training specifically to house your Labradoodle when you need to leave, you may find that your dog goes in and out of her crate even when you are home. If crate training is approached slowly and methodically, your dog will come to love this special spot. Once your Labradoodle is acclimated to her crate, a wide variety of benefits will be seen. Instead, a dog crate is a sanctuary. Choosing The Right Crate The single most important part of successful crate training is choosing the right crate, and this often leads to Doodle owner panic. There are thousands of crate models on the market today, and it can be absolutely overwhelming for first time Labradoodle owners to know which crate to buy. This is the crate I got for Oliver as a puppy …and he still uses it today. We wrote a helpful guide on choosing the right crate which you can read here. Which materials are safe for your fluffy furball? How secure should the crate be? How big? Does it need attached water and food bowls? Multiple doors? An enclosed top? Everything else can take a back seat. Dogs frequently reposition themselves when resting, and a crate that provides room for this is essential. Dogs kept in crates that are too small may develop anxiety issues or even health problems like joint stiffness. This can be problematic for Labradoodle owners who want to start crate training when their Doodle is still a puppy. A crate that is the perfect size when your dog is six months old is going to be far too small when your puppy reaches a year in age. Large crates with dividers will let you adjust the space as your Labradoodle grows, so a single crate can function well through the various stages of doggy development. Useful Crate Features The size of the crate may be the most important feature, but there are other factors to consider when investing in a high-quality dog crate for your Doodle. These features are not necessities, but they may make your Labradoodle more comfortable and your life a little easier. Here are four simple steps to ensure crate training success. Allow your pup time to get acclimated to this interesting, new cubby. If your snuggle buddy falls asleep in your lap after a period of play, gently move him to the crate and let him continue to sleep with the door open. This accomplishes three things. First, it will tire her out and make her more likely to spend her first crate experience in deep, blissful sleep. Second, it will give her ample time to go potty, which helps to avoid accidents. And lastly, it gives your Labradoodle time to feel connected to you, her human companion. Crating can be stressful for a puppy because they are spending an indeterminate amount of time without you in the home. When you walk out the door, your dog has no idea when, or even if, you will return. Playtime reinforces bonds and helps your Labradoodle puppy feel nurtured and engaged. You can transition your puppy from exuberance to exhaustion by sitting quietly and petting or brushing him. When your Labradoodle is relaxed and starting to sleep, place him in the crate and continue soothing him until he falls asleep. Then, quietly shut the crate door and immediately leave. If you crate your Labradoodle for four hours the very first time, she is going to have an accident. This will lead to discouragement, frustration, and even fear of the crate. You want to establish crate milestones that your puppy can easily achieve. Each time you return to a puppy who has successfully stayed in her crate with no issues, you reinforce the crate as a positive location. Start your Labradoodle off with periods in the crate ranging from a few minutes up to an hour. Once she is acclimated to staying in the crate alone for an hour, you can gradually begin increasing crate time. Common Crate Training Mistakes In the world of dog training, a simple mistake can often lead to months of problem behaviors that need to be slowly and meticulously corrected. Here are some of the most common crate training mistakes made by first-time Labradoodle owners. Rushing the process: Dogs need time to acclimate to changes, so if you introduce a scary-looking crate and immediately shut your pup inside this unfamiliar area, it may lead to anxiety or panic. Forgetting the potty break: Puppies can only hold their bladders for a couple of hours at a time, so be sure to give your Labradoodle a chance to go potty immediately before putting him in the crate. When you return, immediately take your puppy to go potty, and praise him when he goes. Punishing with the crate: If your puppy associates her crate with punishment, it will cease to be a safe and relaxing environment for her. Never punish your puppy by banishing her to the crate. Similarly, never punish your puppy for soiling her crate. Simply take her outside for a potty attempt, praise her if she goes, and clean the crate promptly to remove any lingering odors. Crating multiple dogs together: Yes, puppies love to snuggle with one another, and it can be tempting to think that crating two dogs together provides them with companionship and comfort. However, as puppies grow they will need their own spaces, and separating two pups that have spent months in the same crate can be traumatic. If you have multiple dogs, crate them separately but in close proximity to one another. Cluttered crate environment: Sure, you want your puppy to be entertained while crated, but the crate should predominantly be an environment of serenity. One toy is enough to provide your Labradoodle with something to do without cluttering up the zen-like atmosphere of the crate. There are issues that can pop up between pup and crate, and these may be chalked up to a mistake made during the training process, an issue with the crate itself, or even just the specific personality of your dog. My Labradoodle cries constantly when I put him in his crate. After all, who wants to hear their precious puppy crying? If your Labradoodle whines or barks immediately after being put into his crate, sometimes waiting for him to cry himself to sleep is the best course of action. If your puppy is panicking i. Give your puppy calm, soothing pets and snuggles until he calms down. Then, take one more trip outside for a potty break, and try to introduce your dog to the crate again. You may need to do this several times until your pup has worn himself out to the point where he can fall asleep in his crate. My puppy always makes messes in her crate. If your pup has too much room, use a divider to cordon her to one side of the crate to avoid messes. Labradoodle puppies younger than one year need to go potty once every two hours to be comfortable! Try to schedule a few mid-day breaks for your Labradoodle puppy. Finally, you might want to watch how much water your Labradoodle is drinking in the hour leading up to crate time. Congratulations, you have a strong-willed pup on your hands. Some dogs will do everything in their power to avoid being put in their crate. Your dog may brace himself against the crate door, drag his paws on the ground, or turn into a puddle of dead weight and force you to manhandle him through the opening. Because he hates the thought of being separated from you. Be sure to spend plenty of time playing with your Labradoodle puppy before crating him. Also, some dogs will relax when they are brushed for a few minutes before crating. Crate your Labradoodle firmly but calmly. My Labradoodle is an escape artist, and no crate can contain her. If you have a little Houdini on your hands, you might need to get creative. Some dog owners, however, have to resort to zip ties to keep their magic canines in check. Every bed I put in the crate gets shredded within hours, what gives? Your Labradoodle puppy has an innate desire to chew, and this desire can only be redirected, never eliminated. Dogs are perfectly happy resting on a hard surface for a few hours at a time. Crate your dog without the bed, and leave the comfy cushion for times when you are at home and supervising. Next, find some sturdy toys that will stand up to persistent chewing, and put one in the crate with your Labradoodle. You can find toys that can be filled with goodies to occupy your Doodle pup for hours on end, but any toy will act as a healthy outlet for that chewing instinct. Some owners find success by purchasing several toys and rotating them in the crate on different days. Puppies are information sponges, and they love the stimulation and reward that comes from learning new tricks. First, try not to act differently when you are preparing to leave your puppy. If your dog senses that you are stressed by the act of leaving, she will internalize that stress. Next, stay positive and upbeat, and when you are ready to leave do so promptly and without fanfare. Start with short trips away from your dog, so she can learn that you will always return after leaving. Finally, make sure her crate is comfortable and stress-free, so she has a space to relax while awaiting your homecoming. If you have to leave your Labradoodle for more than four hours without a break, you will probably need to make arrangements for him to get a reprieve from the crate. Apps like Wag or Rover are great ways to locate passionate dog-lovers who will visit your dog mid-day for a walk or some much-needed play time. Doggy daycare facilities are also incredibly beneficial. Not only will your dog be active and exercising throughout the day, but these communal dog spaces teach valuable socialization skills. Leaving your dog crated for an extended period of time will make him uncomfortable and could lead to crate anxiety, so be sure to plan ahead. Wolves rarely sleep in the open, preferring instead to find a cave or hollow where they can be protected on all sides while they snooze. Their canine cousins still possess this innate desire, and a Labradoodle left to his own devices inside a sprawling home can feel anxious and unprotected. These feelings of anxiety coupled with the freedom to roam are the only necessary ingredients in a recipe for disaster. Start crate training as early as possible, and take it slow. Eventually, your Labradoodle will recognize her crate as her own special space, and she will likely seek it out when she needs some downtime. Related Posts:. However you must teach your puppy all of your expectations, gently and firmly from day one. Decide the rules you want for your puppy, and teach them those rules right from the beginning, such as: not getting on furniture, not jumping up on people. If you allow that in the beginning, it will be very difficult to break the habit. Getting Prepared for A New Puppy! Puppy Chewing The more things you have for your puppy to chew, the less likely they are to chew up your things. The need to chew will go on for at least 18 months, although they may always love having things to chew and toys. You will also need a premium puppy food of your choice. We use an All Life Stages dog food made primarily of chicken and rice. Dogs originally were den animals, they burrowed holes underground, where they were safe from predators and nice and warm. They instinctively do not go to the bathroom in their dens. A crate is a safe haven for your puppy. Never take your puppy out of the crate until they are quiet, just sit patiently, without speaking, until they are quiet for a few seconds, and you will teach them to be quiet in the cage. Every time you take your puppy out of the crate, take them immediately outside to the place you want them to go to the bathroom. Puppies find places to go to the bathroom with their feet. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet and it becomes part of their potty que or trigger. If you allow your puppy to have accidents on your rugs or hardwood floors even by accident then that can quickly become their potty texture preference. Same goes for potty pads. Using potty pads only teaches your puppy that going potty on absorbent material is Ok. Not a great idea. Try to avoid accidents at all costs. This way, you will teach your dog to go to the bathroom on command. This can be very convenient if you are traveling or leaving the house. Stay away from the puppy until they are done with their business, keep other animals, children and any other distraction away from them. As soon as your puppy is done, immediately give them a dog treat and praise, and praise and praise. Then, stand back and see if there is more forthcoming and repeat the process. Your Puppy At Night. .If your puppy cries in the middle of the night, get up, sit by the cage until they are quiet for a minute or two, then and only then, take them outside to their spot, give the potty command to go, and stand quietly ignoring them until they are done, do not instigate play or talk in an excited voice. When their bladder gets mature, this nighttime potty break should stop. Read my post about how to stop puppy whining and crying in the crate! Then after that every hour for a couple of days, 2 hours for a few days. When they finish going to the bathroom, praise and treats. Never hit or yell harshly at your puppy, or they will be afraid of you, and will develop fear of you, rather than trust. It may take months before your dog is completely housetrained, be patient, it is all worth it! When you feed your puppy, stroke their back and head, and tell them how good they are. You want them to be used to having someone touch them when they eat. When you sit down to eat, ignore the puppy, or put them in the crate. When you have to leave make sure to crate your puppy or put them in a x-pen setup, when you get home, even after a short absence, calmly take your puppy outside, talk gently to them, let them go to the bathroom, take them back inside and talk to them calmly, pet them slowly and try to be as calm as you can. If you come back and get them excited, they will try to recreate that excited feeling when you are gone, because that means you will be home soon. Puppies are like any baby, they need lots of attention, a dog that does not get attention, will get anxious and nervous and may chew and chew furniture, rugs, shoes, cords, anything to get rid of the anxiety. Read my post on crate and x-pen setups for potty training puppies! Taking your Puppy to Class Take your puppy to obedience school. An untrained puppy can be a nuisance instead of a pleasure. Another important benefit, perhaps the most important, is puppies will meet many new people and dogs in puppy class, which will greatly help socialize them, and make them more people and dog friendly. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet. When they get to your home, your puppy will be used to the surface that you want them to use. This teaches them that talking to you actually works. Going Potty Outside Step by Step — Take your puppy outside on leash, take them to their designated spot, put them down, and give the potty command, stand back without touching them, and wait a bit for them to go to the bathroom. When you know your puppy is done going to the bathroom, praise them, give them a treat or a snuggle and then take them immediately back into the house, unless you are going to play with them outside. Our Main Menu.

This popularity attracts them to inexperienced and unscrupulous breeders. So how do you know the difference between a responsible and irresponsible breeder? Dogs Australia registered breeders follow a strict code of breeding ethics, conduct health testing to help reduce the incidence of inherited diseases and, for accountability, and research. This could be the difference between a happy and healthy puppy and a poorly bred one. What is a healthy British Bulldog? Dignified, kind, friendly, courageous and calm, conveying an impression of determination, the British Bulldog is a well-known breed and considered a national icon in its home Country of England. Narelle works as a certified vet nurse of 24 years and is the lecturer for the British Bulldog at Dogs New South Wales for aspiring judges. Narelle has worked as an animal trainer in the Australian film and television industry for the past 30 years. What health testing should breeders be doing? There are a range of health tests recommended for British Bulldogs. It is strongly recommended that Dogs Australia registered British Bulldog breeders test for the following health conditions in their breeding stock. Most dogs are tested between 12 and 18 months. The ones on the televisions are showing severe symptoms. What is a well-bred British Bulldog like? Narelle has competed in Obedience and Agility with her British Bulldogs. Health testing since , it fell to 8. Narelle is pleased with those new to breed being keen on health testing. There are concerns with dogs sold as British Bulldogs who have off-standard colours and coats sold for large amounts. Right breed — Have you researched all you need to know about your breed from its natural instincts to grooming? Right Breeder — Is your breeder responsible, operating under a code of ethics, with regulations and health checks? From getting a dog to keeping them happy we will have you covered at dogsaustralia. It champions the highest standard of animal welfare through education and fostering dog-loving communities. Keep Updated Want to stay across the latest news? Sign up here and we will add you to our mailing list. Queen Elizabeth 1 organised special spectacles for visiting ambassadors and it is said she was personally very fond of this form of entertainment. When bull-baiting ceased to be as fashionable the British Bulldog fell into the hands of the lower classes and continued its barbarous cruelty. These blood sports were outlawed in the 19th Century. The result was a much friendlier and less aggressive character that made for a loyal companion and great choice as a family pet. The shorter faced and squatter dog we see today came about in the mid s and the breed first appeared in the show ring in .The Bulldog Standard the first dog standard published was drawn up in in England by a group of fanciers determined to ensure that the purity of this native breed was not diluted or amended and that the breed retained the characteristics required for its perceived function. They are a smooth coated dog that boast being thick set, broad and compact, standing low to the ground. The large face and head of this breed is its defining physical trait, together with their very pronounced undershot jaw, with canine teeth pointing upwards, making the British Bulldog one of the most recognised dogs in the world. Average Weight: Males 25 kg, Females 23 kg Temperament The British Bulldog is considered a national treasure in the UK and is known worldwide as the personification of determination and courage. They are especially good and tolerant around children of all ages, although they can get a little protective of them. The British Bulldog is a comical character, yet they can be extremely dignified too, which are just two of the traits that make the breed so endearing to owners the world over. Health The average life expectancy of the British Bulldog is between years, although some dogs have been known to live longer, especially when properly cared for and fed an appropriate, good quality diet to suit their ages. There are some myths about the health of the British Bulldog. The most common problems seen would be with the eyes: cherry eye bulging extra tissue showing from the conjunctiva ; entropion inward rolling eye lids , ectropion loose lower eyelids and ectopic cilia extra eye lashes along the lids , which can all cause irritation to the cornea and may require surgery. These conditions, if left unattended can result in dry eye, which requires ongoing daily treatment. Most British Bulldog puppies are born via caesarian section, due to the large heads that puppies have, and also due to narrow hindquarters, which makes it hard for dams to give birth naturally. As a brachycephalic breed, some Bulldogs have long soft palates and can experience breathing difficulties. Some may require surgery. Care should be taken with these dogs in the heat. Suitability "The Bulldog is renowned for being extremely tolerant and good around children of all ages. They can become very protective over family and children, which means you need to keep an eye on things when other people are about. British Bulldogs are known to be intelligent dogs, but with this said they have a bit of a stubborn streak and they are not that easy to train. However, in the right hands and with the correct amount of consistent training, starting when dogs are still young, the breed responds well to voice commands. British Bulldogs are very sociable and love to be around their family as much as possible. They do not respond well to being left on their own for long periods. Grooming As a general rule the breed is easy to look after because they have nice, short coats. This means a weekly brush will not only keep their skin and coats in good condition, but it will help keep any shed hair under control. This is best done with a damp, not wet, cloth before towelling dry. Some have very tightly curled tails and these need to be regularly checked, cleaned and an ointment applied if necessary. Over bathing can result in an imbalance of the naturals oils found in their coat and skin, which could lead to an irritation and skin allergies. Exercise As with every dog, British Bulldogs need to be given regular daily exercise, but you have to be careful how much exercise these dogs are given during the hotter summer months. This breed does require special attention during hot weather due to them being a brachycephalic breed. British Bulldogs have short noses, which makes it harder to regulate their core body temperature in the heat. They must be left in a well ventilated, shaded area and kept cool and quiet with plenty of access to water. They should be checked often and left undisturbed on hot days. Cool mats and shallow wading pools can be useful in hot weather. The breed do have a tendency to put on weight all too easily and will happily become couch potatoes if they are allowed. This is especially true of older more mature dogs. These are a medium-sized breed with a muscular build and stocky legs. Their hallmark feature is the many folds that form around their faces and foreheads. Can we meet in person? Have they been socialised? Full Chocolate Suit. Very rare. Fully vaccinations and chipped. Very good-natured and house-trained, but too excitable for my month-old daughter so we can't have her in the house much anymore. It's not fair on her so looking for a new home. Russell Gallagher Frank the handsome bulldog Frank is born on the .English Bulldogs temperaments are outgoing. They are a calm, people-oriented breed that's loyal, intelligent, and also great with children. Bulldogs are devoted to their families and make excellent watchdogs because of their courageous nature. Most English Bulldogs are friendly toward strangers and get along well with other pets. Like all dogs, the Bulldog should be properly socialized during puppy hood to ensure that they grow up to be well-rounded and easygoing. Training an English Bulldog isn't difficult. We can't wait to help you find the perfect addition to your home. They are very friendly and very happy babies! Puppies have be bought up on the best premium diets available to both mother and young. Serious enquiries only. D - Father of the puppies is a full UK import, with incredible bloodlines. His family tree is available to view and we have all the details of 5 generations. Mums family tree is also available and has 3 generations. Both parents are DNA clear. We are a boutique family run breeding program. We own mum and dad and you can meet them when you come to view puppies. All will be ANKC registered. Mains papers only considered for the correct candidates. We welcome you to come and visit the puppies. Puppies are ready to go to their forever homes on June 6th. Any questions welcomed. If interested please contact me. Victor Ollie just turned 1 in November,purebred British bulldog has desexed, he will sit and wait for his food until ordered to eat,living with young age baby, looking for genuine loving home. Both parents can be seen. No time wasters please. Puppy must be seen to be appreciated fully. Well socialised with young children and other dogs delivery can be arranged Jeremy Glaros bulldog pups pure breed All the pups are microchipped vet checked wormed and all have had first lot of needles all the pups weight about 9 kilos and above Johnson and Scott in the litter and ready to go to a new home Microchip numbers: Pet Exchange Register Source Number: MB Greg British Bulldog Puppies We have available 3 British Bulldog puppies 12 weeks old Vaccinated Vet check and microchipped, Worming all up to date. Mother and father are in a petite size range as adult size. Animal welfare source number: EE Microcip numbers: ,,,,, Zara Daneliuc Sweet Temperament British Bulldogs Awaiting 5star A lot of love, care and time has been invested in our dogs due to our passion for the breed. They are OUR family. We very much concentrate on breeding healthy lines and our litters are carefully thought. Our dogs are full breed profile health DNA tested reassuring our pups live a healthy long life. J British bulldog x British French bulldog PRICE FIRM RPBA Beautiful puppies 3 females 1 male ready to go 24 July mum is British bulldog dad British bulldog x French bulldog puppies have been wormed from two weeks old they are very beautiful please will only reply to calls or sms no time wasters parents are very spoil family pets very smart and friendly puppies will be ideal family Maria.

We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Forest Lake Minnesota and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! Goldens are very loyal, and need a whole lot of time to run around and play. They are friendly, outgoing, and relatively easy to train. Apple Valley Find Great Dane puppies for sale Near Apple Valley, CA Although this protective and patient breed is known for their generally easygoing nature — dog owners should feel confident and prepared when committing to a dog of such large stature and great strength. All About Me! Sweet, fluffy, and completely adorable, Pomeranian puppies are here to reward your love with joy and blissful companionship. An iconic American dog, the Golden Retriever is playful and hard-working. A Maltese's diet should consist of high-quality, properly balanced dog food that is designed for their size and age. This in home very small breeder is in the middle of a move so just a small rehoming fee and you can make either or both your own. Whoodle puppies for sale in Apple Valley, CA from trusted. Dealt with daily so about adjust easily as a family pet. For out-of-state customers, we have nationwide delivery options tailored to. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Search for Apple Valley. Pugs for adoption in the Apple Valley, California area come with a year health guarantee. See our available Pomeranian puppies for. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to. Why buy a puppy for sale if you can adopt and save a life? Look at pictures of puppies in Apple Valley who need a home. At Pawrade, we are proud to provide dogs of any size the chance to become a companion and cuddle buddies all in one. These dogs are high energy… View Details. Despite their tiny size, they have the biggest hearts. I have 2 boys and 2 girls that are available! They have AKC paperwork. From Champion lines but bred f. The typical price for Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Apple Valley, CA may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. This crossbreed is fairly energetic and does best in an active home where they can get plenty of exercise and stimulation. They began as a mix of Retrievers, Spaniels, and Red Setter. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Puppies For Sale in Apple Valley .We recommend speaking directly with your breeder to get a better idea of their price range. Learn more 21 puppies available 24 certified breeders Transportation Location Color Attributes. Goldendoodle puppies and dogs in Apple Valley, Minnesota. AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. They receive lots of love and attention from the very beginning. Ibizan Hound Puppies for Sale. Fun facts about Labrador Retrievers include that they are incredibly agile and make great athletes. Because all breeding programs are different, you may find dogs for sale outside that price range. Bearded Collie puppies and dogs in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Search for an Ibizan Hound puppy or dog. Puppies for Sale in Apple Valley California. Chihuahua Puppies For Sale. Find Golden Retriever puppies for sale. Find puppies for sale and adoption, dogs for sale and adoption, yorkshire terriers, siberian husky puppies, bulldogs, german shepherds, labrador retrievers, beagles, golden retrievers, boxers, dachshunds, rottweilers and more on free claasifieds. Closed Sunday, Monday and Designated Holidays. Look at pictures of puppies in Apple Valley who. Find your puppy for sale in Apple Valley, CA. One has chocolate points and the other blk points. Dachshund puppies available in Apple Valley usually have variable sizes which depend on the size of their parents. Some larger ones may even reach up to over 32 pounds or grow upwards of. Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. Dachshund puppies for sale in Apple Valley, CA from trusted. A puppies' sale gives you the opportunity to give a dog a wonderful life. The typical price for Whoodle puppies for sale in Apple Valley, CA may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. Animal Shelter Hours: Tuesday -Saturday a. It is important to feed your Maltese the right amount of food throughout the day. Please let us know how we can help. Dachshund puppies in Apple Valley, CA span multiple sizes. You might be looking for a Bernedoodle. Find Chihuahua Puppies and Breeders in your area and helpful Chihuahua information. Pugs are true joy bringers from the moment they are born. What are Poodle puppies for sale near Apple Valley like? A Poodle is a breed of intelligent, active dog that has been bred in the same general form for hundreds of years in parts of Europe. Adopt a Pet can help you find an adorable Hovawart near you. A year health guarantee is in place to. We work hard to provide an outstanding adoption experience for you. Ibizan Hound puppies and dogs in Apple Valley, California. If you are unable to find your puppy in our Puppy for Sale or Dog for Sale sections, please consider looking thru thousands of Dogs for Adoption. If you are unable to find your. Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale. Most often, they will be between 12 and 32 pounds when they. Make sure you are not only. Breed Australian Shepherd Breed Info. They are incredibly observant, prideful, and fun-loving. As a cross between the regal Poodle and the fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog, Bernedoodles are a hybrid breed worth loving. After-Hours Emergency .Sire lbs Dame lbs champion bloodline. Most often, they will be between 12 and 32 pounds when they reach adulthood. See our available Pomeranian puppies for sale near Apple Valley, California. Bernard Puppies for Sale in Apple Valley. We have been providing our customers with loving healthy puppies for nearly 10 years! Every puppy is born inside our home. Hovawart Puppies for Sale - Adoptapet. Premier Pups is committed to providing four-legged dog lovers with happy, healthy Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale near Apple Valley, California. For out-of-state customers, we have nationwide delivery options tailored to every need. These pups are in Apple Valley, California too! You are helping to provide them with the loving forever home they deserve. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help. Give me some fun facts about Labrador Retriever puppies for sale near Apple Valley! Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. These beautiful, foxlike pups thrive in a setting where love and cuddles are plentiful. To see more adoptable Ibizan Hounds in Apple Valley, California, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria! Puppies come with Limited registration. Partnered with the nation's most reputable breeders, Premier Pups offers cute Pomeranian puppies for sale in the Apple Valley area. Belgian Malinois puppies for sale! Born .Partnered with the nation's most trusted and reputable breeders, we aim to deliver the cutest, happiest, and finest Yorkies to our Premier family members. What do Apple Valley Maltese puppies for sale eat? Malteses are companion dogs and they have the same nutritional needs as any other breed of dog. Some larger ones may even reach up to over 32 pounds or grow upwards of inches long. Search for a Bearded Collie puppy or dog. As a busy family, we do ask that you have patience with us. Apple Valley Dogs for Sale and Adoption. Hovawart puppies and dogs in Apple Valley, California. Apple Valley, CA. Below are our newest added Hovawarts available for adoption in Apple Valley, California. German Shepherd Puppies For Sale. TN Titan and Bristol baby are looking for their forever person. Looking to rehome due to unfortunate circumsta. There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Great Pyrenees puppies in Apple Valley, California. At Premier, our Pomeranian puppies come with a passion for cuddles, love, and a year health guarantee. You are also taking a stance against commercial puppy mills. Find your adorable Pomeranian puppy for sale in Apple Valley, To see more adoptable Hovawarts in Apple Valley, California, use the search tool below to enter specific criteria! An iconic breed, the Poodle is easily recognizable by its wavy, curly coat and proud, upright demeanor. Browse these Great Pyrenees rescues and shelters below. We have answers. What should I know about Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Hibbing? Golden Retrievers are a popular breed of dog known for their intelligent, friendly, and loyal nature. They are among one of the most trainable dogs and excel in dog sports such as agility, flyball, retrieving, and more. They are active and love to get plenty of exercise and playtime. They generally weigh between 55 75 pounds; males being larger than females. Grooming wise, they require moderate to heavy amounts of brushing, but are generally easy to care for. Goldens require a nutritious, balanced diet to maintain their health and longevity. Are Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Hibbing non-shedding? While it is true that Golden Retrievers do shed, they are generally considered to be moderately low-shedding. In other words, they don't have an especially high shedding rate when compared to other breeds. Regular grooming sessions and a good diet can go a long way in helping to control excessive shedding. What's the best dog food for Hibbing Golden Retriever puppies for sale? Golden Retrievers are highly active and intelligent breeds, so it's very important to pick a dog food that can provide them with the right amount of nutrition. An ideal diet should include plenty of lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. When looking for the best dog food for Golden Retrievers, it's best to avoid anything with added sweeteners, preservatives, and fillers. How do I prepare to adopt Golden Retriever puppies in Hibbing? Preparing for your new Golden Retriever can seem like a daunting task, but with the right information and resources, you can ensure a safe, healthy, and comfortable transition for your pup. Before bringing your Golden Retriever home, you should have basic supplies, such as a dog bed, toys, and food, as well as a crate to help with housebreaking and to ensure your pup's safety. You should also research potential obedience or training classes and schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Are Golden Retrievers for sale in Hibbing considered small dogs? Golden Retrievers are not considered small dogs. They typically reach a height of .Although they are often classified as medium-sized dogs, they possess qualities of both medium and large size breeds. They tend to have the broad, deep chests of a larger breed, and have long tails and medium-sized floppy ears. Due to their size, they do not fit the definition of a small dog breed. Do Golden Retriever puppies near Hibbing like to swim? Yes, Golden Retrievers love to swim! This versatile breed of dog is quite adept at navigating the water and they generally develop a fondness for swimming from an early age. Because of their strong webbed paws, Golden Retrievers can paddle faster and further than many other dog breeds. It's not hard to take them out on a boat or to the beach or pool and let them take a dip, and they are sure to come back with a huge smile on their face. Are Golden Retrievers in Hibbing good family dogs? Golden Retrievers are extremely friendly, intelligent, and loyal pets that make excellent family dogs. They thrive on affection and playfulness while still being protective of their loved ones. Additionally, Golden Retrievers can be easily trained to obey commands and have a tendency to be patient and well-behaved, even around small children. As active dogs, they need regular exercise and stimulation to stay healthy and content. But, with proper care and some love, Golden Retrievers can provide years of unwavering companionship and become beloved members of any family. How many minutes per day do I need to train Hibbing Golden Retrievers for sale? The amount of minutes per day that you should train your Golden Retriever depends on several factors, including their age, breed, and activity level. Generally, it's recommended to set aside about minutes of training per day for the average Golden Retriever. It's important to note that frequent but shorter training sessions are more effective than one long session. During these sessions, you should try to focus on reinforcing the basic commands such as heel, sit, and stay. You should also keep your training sessions positive and rewarding to ensure that your Golden Retriever is motivated to learn. Why choose MN English Golden? We are professional breeders that focus on 1 excellent genetic health testings, exquisite temperaments, and highest quality pedigrees such as World Championship Moondust Masterpiece and three times winning Steadfast Angus. Our pups are breastfed until couple days before they go home at 8 weeks old. Classified as a working dog with purposes such as Service or Therapy work. We breed to better the breed. We focus on superior health of our puppies to give our families the perfect golden. For more information view health testings on OFA. English Cream Goldens are such an exquisite breed. They are intelligent, playful, honest, loyal, and loving companions. Once you have a golden, you will always want a golden. They will always be by your side, full of love, and will make your heart melt! Majority of our pups are sold before pups are born. We recommend reserving your puppy early so you can be one of the first picks of the litter. Once pups are born we will mark each puppy with a different color collar and have weekly pictures for you so you can enjoy watching your puppy grow! We love to have our families come to our home and have the joy in picking out their puppy. Each family will have their own time to meet and play with the puppies, parents and meet our family. We will answer all questions and help guide each family in choosing their perfect puppy. If a family can not come to our home to pick out their puppy, then we will have the family pick out their puppy online before we ship or deliver puppy to you. Visit FAQ page for more information on delivering or shipping a puppy to you. Puppies will be ready to join their forever loving homes at 8 weeks old. We do have options where your puppy can stay and go through our puppy training classes. Please visit FAQ and training program page for more information. Dad is an International Champion and mom comes from Champion lines as well. These babies are completely doggy door trained and love people of all ages. Please include your phone number in your email for faster response. They are vet-checked, registered and have complete shots. Super calm with everyone and friendly with other home pets, love to play together as well with children. Perfect companions. All vet and health papers are available. Puppies are potty and crate trained. They get along with other dogs-big and little have been around kits. Absolutely great with crate but very much enjoys snuggling with our daughter all night. Tessy and Joy will make super pets. .The father, William, has so much character and big attitude for a dog of only 4 lbs. Great with kids and other female dogs. Good with cats too. He is a great dog very laid back. House trained and crate trained. He is neutered. Loves to be pet and loved. Would lay by your side all day. We are only rehoming him because we don't have the time that he deserves. Please call text or email. Forest Lake Dogs For Sale Minnesota Bull mastiff male dog for sale Working and companion dogs for sale dogs for sale We have the perfect dog or pup for you! We specialize in breeding and training working dogs. Puppies are raised in my home and have all shots. You must be knowledgeable about the breed and live in a house with a fenced in yard. It won't let me load pictures I will try to add pictures later but if you want pictures I can text or email them to you.

Exercise, Growth, and Joints Exercise Labradors not only love exercise, they need exercise. We all look forward to taking our puppy for a walk, however it is important not to over-exercise your puppy. In natural play, puppies will romp until they are tired and then stop to lay down for rest. When walking a puppy on a leash, they cannot stop when they normally would for rest. Too much exercise or walking can severely damage their bone and joint structures irreversibly. This should be taken seriously. THE RULE is: No more than 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age So that means, at 2 months old 8 weeks , your puppy only needs to exercise or walk for 10 minutes per day. At 3 months of age 15 minutes of exercise and so on. If you walk your puppy too far too soon, your puppy may develop hip and elbow dysplasia as they get older. Labradors have been known to develop dysplasia younger than other breeds of dogs. In many of these cases, it is often due to environmental factors such as over-exercise, running on hard or strenuous surfaces such as concrete or sand , continual jumping or agility work. Things to avoid with your puppy: No jumping in or out of car, especially larger cars. Lift the dog or use a ramp. No throwing balls or frisbee great distances for your puppy to chase. The sudden stopping and over reaching with the front legs is dangerous. No agility, jumping or flyball before years old Do not let other dogs knock or push the puppy over continually, includes body-slamming Avoid much stair climbing which can increase the risk of dysplasia No fast turns or roll-overs Good exercise: Swimming is great, since there is no weight-bearing impact on their joints. Remember, labradors love water! Walking on leash, for no longer than the recommended length of time for their age Self-directed play is an overriding rule for any puppy under 18 months old. The majority of exercise should be free play, exploring, and noodling around Hide and seek games are fantastic, as the dog can move at its own pace looking for its toy or treat or you. Size is a factor as large dogs, especially ones that like to play with paw whacks, can inadvertently injury a young puppy. Supervised play is critical. You need to teach the puppy a release command. All these games are forms of exercise for puppies and are a great way to help your puppy learn useful lifelong skills and qualities. Growth plates and bones: Development and injury Growth Plates Growth plates are soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to grow longer until the end of puberty. Growth plates gradually thin as the hormonal changes approaching puberty signal the growth plates to close. In puppies, this closure normally completes between 18 to 24 months old in labradors. After sexual maturity, the growth plates calcify and the rapid cell division ends. The growth plates become a stable, inactive part of the bone, now known as an epiphyseal line. Dogs bones are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments soft tissue. In an adult dog, if a joint experiences a stress such as bending the wrong way or rotating too much, the bones will hold firm and soft tissue will be pulled, resulting in a sprain or tear. Why this matters so much, is that unlike a sprain, injuries to the growth plate may not heal properly or not heal in time for the puppy to grow up straight and strong. Injury to a growth plate can result in a misshapen or shortened limb, which creates an incorrect angle to a joint resulting in yet more future injuries when he grows up, including dysplasia. These xray images show open and closed growth plates in a puppy and adult dog. Bone Strength In addition to having soft growth plates at the end of long bones, puppies bones in general are softer. Spiral fractures of the tibia lower leg bone are very common in puppies. A spiral fracture is where the bottom half of the bone twists in the opposite direction of the top half. Any exercise that puts torque twist on a bone puts the puppy at risk of a fracture. For an example, movements such as twisting and turning suddenly can cause these type of fractures. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia This is where we recommend you read our Health and Genetic Testing page, where we talk about hip and elbow dysplasia. It is critical that you, as a puppy owner, understand as much as you can about hip and elbow dysplasia, how you can help prevent it, and what your breeder should be testing for. On the other hand, an underfed or malnourished puppy or dog is also at higher risk of injury. Muscles mass directly influences strength, likewise inadequate calcium and nutrients affect bone density. A body condition score of about is healthy for a young puppy. Once an adult, the ideal body condition score would be about 5 for a healthy, fit labrador. Sterilisation Desexing In larger breeds, sterilising young puppies at a young age has shown to increase the risk of joint disorders and injury. We recommend sterilisation occurs between 24 months old for this reason. This recommendation is outlined in our Health Guarantee. We discuss this more under Desexing or Sterilisation. Post header Skip post header How much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors are amongst the most popular family pets in the UK thanks to their loyalty, gentle nature, and intelligence. Like most dogs, they thrive with regular exercise, keeping them healthy and happy. How much exercise does an adult Labrador need? A healthy adult Labrador generally needs at least 80 minutes of high-quality exercise per day. Of course, when setting exercise goals for dogs with existing health issues including obesity , you should consult your vet first. What types of exercise are best for Labradors? When we say high quality, we mean just that. Try and incorporate off-lead time into their exercise routine and take a ball or toy to play fetch with — running will help to raise their heart rate and burn off more calories. How much exercise does a Labrador puppy need? For their first three months, your puppy will get enough exercise from tearing around the house, playing and causing chaos. How much exercise does an old Labrador need? At an advanced age, your dog will have less energy in general and be more likely to suffer from health issues that may limit their mobility. Be observant — being the loyal companions they are, Labradors will push through a lot of pain to keep up with you. Watch for excessive panting, changes in their movement, and exhaustion as signals that they have overstretched themselves and adjust their activity accordingly. Can you over-exercise a Labrador? Labradors have the capacity to build up incredible fitness that will see them on the go all day long, but for most, there is a limit on how much they can do. Gradually increase their activity levels, using a PitPat to check in on their progress. How far can a Labrador walk? A working Labrador could be expected to cover many miles every day through the undergrowth and even water. However, your pet Labrador will have slightly different stamina, depending on how much exercise they are used to. Getting out and about with your Labrador keeps them happy and healthy and can be a highly rewarding experience for you both. Download our app for free to see if PitPat is for you. You might also like Single page Single page Top 10 most active dog breeds Got energy to burn? Single page Single page 10 ways to exercise your dog indoors Whether you find yourself stuck indoors because of the weather or for any other reason, your dog still needs plenty of exercise. Here are our top tips for exercising your dog indoors. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Whether young or old, big or small, yellow, black, chocolate, from field lines or show lines, your Labrador needs exercise. It will keep their heart and muscles strong, their mind stimulated and their weight under control. But how much exercise does a Labrador need? Labradors Are a High Energy Breed The Labrador Retriever is a high energy working breed, initially bred for very physically demanding work retrieving game for hunters. This would involve all day hiking, running and swimming in sometimes difficult conditions. So Labrador Retrievers were bred to have lots of energy and be very active. And though their main role in life today is as a family pet, they still have those same genetics that made them suited to their original role. Dog Ball Thrower. Yes, you can throw a tennis ball extra far with the Chuckit, but two reasons why I love it: 1. In this state they will often resort to destructive behaviors such as digging and chewing…and will often be very restless, may bark excessively and try to escape your home and garden at every opportunity. Insufficient exercise can also lead to weight problems with Labradors. Excess weight is a problem because it can lead to all sorts of problems such as damage to their joints hips and elbows , heart disease, increased blood pressure and increases the risk of diabetes. So a lack of exercise leads to behavioral problems, hyperactivity and possibly an assortment of health problems. However, as a general rule of thumb, a normally healthy adult Labrador Retriever will need 1 hour of exercise every day. The more relaxed Labs just 45 minutes per day, the more energetic 1. This can be made up of running, swimming, playing fetch , jogging alongside you…anything that goes beyond a gentle walk. But if the first consideration is your Labradors age, how much do puppies and the elderly need? Nice for long runs with your Lab. If you have older dogs or children, the puppy may well try to keep up with them and over-exert themselves, playing to exhaustion and damage their developing joints. So keep an eye on them and interrupt play if need be, to give them plenty of rest. Once they are fully grown, they can go out for much longer. The 5 minute rule should be sufficient to keep your lab puppy fit, burn off excess energy yet not over-exert them and cause possible developmental issues. Continue the 5 minute rule until your puppy is at least one year of age where you can then begin to exercise them more vigorously. This is highly dependent on your labs overall health and can vary wildly from one Labrador to another. Some labs may need to slow down from the 7th year onwards, while others remain extremely active beyond their 10th year. As Labradors get older, many develop arthritis, dysplasia and other health issues that can prevent a Labrador from enjoying or needing exercise as much as they used to when young and healthy. They will likely still try to chase a tennis ball all day and hike mountains just to please you, even if it may be doing them more harm than good. Try not to put them in this position. As your Labrador ages, you need to be more observant , looking for changes in their movement, excessive panting, slowing down, feeling tired. And during grooming sessions and massage, check for any painful spots indicative of sore joints or other problems. We noticed Linus was stiff getting up in the morning and decided to try adding glucosamine to his diet. We saw a noticeable difference a few days later and an added spring in his step. If your Labrador tears around your home like a tornado. If your Lab displays any of the restless and destructive symptoms described above, try increasing their levels of exercise for a few days and see if their behavior problems improve. However, if you have money burning a hole in your pocket you might want to check out PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher. Over-exercising very young and elderly Labradors can do more harm than good. For your adolescent and adult Labrador, exercise them well. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 1hr per day and scale this up or down depending on your Labradors individual needs. This could mean 45 mins for the more sedate and elderly, or 1. And at the end of the day, think of it like this: You have the best exercise machine to rival that of any gym to keep you fit and healthy yourself. And hey, what fun!!! What better motivation and need is there to keep yourself in shape? Do you mostly agree with the above? Please let us know in the comments section below. 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. These tips will also help you to advance your dog so that, eventually, you can trust them to be off the leash in a safe area. Don't release your dog until they can demonstrate knowledge and obedience on the long leash and in many different settings. To begin with, walk them in the house and in the yard. Dogs learn 'contextually and by repetition'. These hints will help you to become the pack leader. Be certain that this is only reason that your dog will follow you. Make time to walk your dog Whether you walk your dog in the morning or evening will be influenced by your program. Whenever you exercise your dog, the walk should allow for 'focused time' and 'free time'. Two leashes will facilitate this. If they are under 12 months old, take some water with you. Also take a back-pack and a treat belt available on Ebay. I recommend no more than thirty minutes of walking in total for a dog under 14 months old as their growth plates are not set until this time. Be careful of overly vigorous activity, particularly if you have an older but playful dog. I don't recommend running for more than very short bursts for the same reason. Healthy hips and elbows are critical for a healthy, active and long life. Use two leashes - a long leash approx 7m and a short leash approx 1m Start your walk with the labrador pup on a short leash. The short leash will help you to direct and guide the dog. This allows you to maintain full control over your dog. Set up your walk for success. Start by getting the dog to sit or at the least be stationary and under your control. As you begin, keep your dog behind your body alignment. Be patient and encourage your dog. Do not show aggressive frustration. This will only cause confusion and fear or aggression. If your dog is not complying, stop and reset. You are the master Walking in front of your dog demonstrates that you are the master or the pack leader. You should be first out the door. The dogs should exit the compound only at your command. This is essential whether you are walking 1, 2 or more dogs. If your dog controls the pace and direction of the walk, they are the pack leader. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk. Dogs learn contextually The next two hints are important training essentials. Firstly, labradors learn contextually and their training in not immediately transferable to a new environment. Using the same disciplines and routines, train your dog the same way in different settings. This will entrench your expectations. Correct immediately Secondly, a labrador has about a five second retention of information. After five seconds the dog has lost any association between your assertiveness and their behaviour. If they disobey you, you must correct them within five seconds or not at all. If the dog is disobedient or simply does not understand, reset and start again. The long leash I'm a big fan of the long leash. A long leash will help you to correct bad behaviour at a distance. After a period of training with the short leash, remove it and connect the longer lead. Keep the leash in your hand, releasing it slowly and progressively. As they master this, you can back away while the dog is 'sitting and staying'. Reward your labrador pup with vigorous affection and a treat. After this, you should allow them to wander and sniff around. All this time you will keep your dog on the long leash and under your control. Be sure that the free time is less than their focus time. During the socialisation phase, 8 - 16 weeks, you will need both leashes as you expose your labrador pup to other dogs. As you walk your dog, you will come across small and large dogs that are aggressive. Walking on either leash will give your complete control. And it will ensure safety at all time. You new labrador pup has no innate road sense. Walk them, getting close to roads. Expose them to vehicles so that they do not panic. Reward your dog for good behaviour. Remember that dogs register tones and frequencies, not words. Use higher tones to affirm, reward and encourage. You approval is the greatest reward for a Labrador. Direct eye contact without high vocal affirmation will be interpreted as aggression. Use lower growling tones to reinforce disapproval. Try to avoid 'No' as a command. It is too general and therefore confusing to the dog. Always reward and reinforce obedience to specific commands. Use food treats to begin with, however you must gradually phase them out. Your vocal affirmation and affection should be your longer term goal. As your dog maintains the proper behaviour, reward them with treats. Reward your dog after the walk I recommend that you reward your labrador pup after the walk. Let them have a drink firstly then give them a portion of food that is less than a meal but more than a treat. It will not take long for your dog to anticipate the whole experience. When you appear with the leashes, they will become very enthusiastic. If you adhere to these eight hints and maintain the discipline of your training, you and your dog will value and enjoy the experience. Finally, remember to pick up after your dog. Don't go on a walk without your poop bags on hand! Find a vet you can have confidence in. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Just like us, Labradors need plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Whether you have a young or old dog, they all need to get the blood flowing to stay healthy and live long happy doggie lives. Regular exercise with your Labrador is very beneficial for you both. Exercise stimulates neuron growth in the brain, encourages the production of endorphins with a known mood-boosting effect , helps strengthen your bones and muscles, improves blood pressure, and can significantly help with depression. Are you having a hard time figuring out how much exercise your lab needs? Answers vary drastically from one dog to another. The amount of exercise to give your Labrador depends mostly on the age of the dog. The key to taking your Labrador puppy out for exercise is to be patient. Some labs are athletic, and thus need more exercise than others. Also, certain Labradors are genetically programmed to be energetic and have high metabolism rates, whereas others are more laid-back. Here are some exercise guidelines a new lab owner can follow to make sure their dog gets the right workout. With older dogs or children, a lab puppy may well try to keep up with them and exhaust themselves before they reach their adult size and stamina. Hold off on structured games and other forms of heavy physical activity for the first three months. This will set the stage for long-term, healthy exercise habits. This rule states that you should take your Labrador puppy out for at least five minutes of exercise per month of age up to twice a day until he or she is fully grown. This can be anything from a walk around the block to a run in the dog park. How old your dog is will make a difference in their stamina. To determine how much exercise your dog needs, first take their age into consideration. Labs that are four years old and above need between one and two hours of exercise per day. The truth is Labradors can lead a perfectly healthy life with just an hour of daily active playtime. The Labrador Retriever was bred to retrieve game for hunters. That means they naturally love to play fetch. All you need is a toy for playtime and room for running around. Tug-of-War is less cardio-oriented but helps with muscle mass and body structure in growing dogs. Plus, they love it! It requires that you prepare your puppy with a proper agility training course. Agility training is great for completing a total-body, structured workout, while also providing mental stimulation for your labrador. This involves activities such as going through walkways, tunnels, and hurdles to reach the other end. You will need to train your lab to engage in the activity and this involves proper instruction. Find one that fits his size and abilities, as well as your own personal comfort level. Either due to space or having a small yard, it may be difficult to get their puppies out every day. The good news is that, with a little creativity, indoor exercise can be just as viable and fun! Here are a few ideas you can try at home. Try Treadmill Training Sessions With Dogs A dog can be trained to use a treadmill and enjoy it, but the experience will take time. Build an Obstacle Course for Your Labrador Use everyday things found around the home or office to create an obstacle course. It also boosts their energy levels and problem-solving skills. For example, you might use old boxes and trash bags to make a tunnel, chairs or stools to jump across, and other furniture for your puppy to climb. At first your puppy may not catch on, but with effective use of the treat and lots of encouragement, you can help it learn as it goes. Hide-and-Seek With a Treat! Hide a treat around the house, and let your puppy work to find it. As you hide treats around the room, remember to make sure they are not hiding somewhere that is unreachable. Tip 2. Make sure that all the activities are not just what you enjoy but what is enjoyable for the puppy. Otherwise, they may get frustrated and stop cooperating with you. Include treats and praise whenever they accomplish something. All dog breeds respond positively to lots of physical affection and verbal affirmation. This will make the activity more enjoyable for the puppy. Keep fun as the central theme and good health will flow. Tip 3. Make an Exercise Routine and Schedule for Your Dog Lab owners, take note: maintaining the health of an adult Lab is all about consistency. And this starts with walks at a young age. Take regular walks with your dog, no matter the weather conditions. Walk at the same time each day in order to create an exercise pattern that both you and your dog can stick to. Maybe you can get the puppy used to a leash and casually walk through your neighborhood with it. That way, you can vary the activity occasionally. In six months, increase the amount of time your dogs are running to 15 minutes. This keeps their energy high and stops weight gain as they mature. Conclusion As a dog owner, your foremost responsibility is protecting the health and safety of your pet. Insufficient exercise causes health problems in dogs , like hip dysplasia especially those already prone to hip or joint problems. Share on. Tweet on Twitter Puppy exercise requirements vary between different types of dog, and as a puppy grows the exercise they need will increase. It is possible to give a puppy too much exercise so I will give you a puppy exercise chart, as a guide to how far a puppy can walk at different ages. Taking your new puppy for a walk We all look forward to the day we can take our new puppy for a walk. For many people, daily dog walks is a huge part of why they bought a Labrador in the first place. Others already take quite small puppies for quite long walks and are surprised to discover that many experts believe this to be a bad thing. So just how much exercise does a puppy really need? How much exercise does a puppy need? This rule of thumb says that a puppy should have no more than five minutes of walking for every month of his age. So that would be fifteen minutes a day maximum for a three month old puppy, twenty minutes for a four month old and so on. This concern about excessive exercise has arisen because it is widely believed that exercise is a factor in the development of serious joint disorders. Especially in larger breed puppies such as Labradors Breeders are particularly concerned about hip dysplasia, a serious and complex disorder of the hip joints, that is believed to be influenced both by inherited factors passed from dogs to their puppies and by environmental factors In addition to factors influencing growth rates, the stresses and strains placed on the vulnerable growing joint by excessive exercise are believed to be a contributory environmental factor in the development of inadequate hip joints. It seems likely, that a puppy that had inherited a tendency for poor hips, could have its soft and still forming hip joints made a good deal worse through prolonged or hard exercise. It is also possible that a puppy that has inherited excellent hips, will come to no harm whatsoever through hard exercise. On the contrary, a certain amount of free running exercise is a good thing Running off-leash A Norwegian study published and which included labradors, showed that puppies given the opportunity to exercise off leash in a park before the age of three months were less likely to develop hip dysplasia HD , not more. Stair climbing The same study showed that puppies that had to climb stairs on a regular basis during the same period were at increased risk of HD You can read about this study in Science Daily. So what does this study tell us? Well, it is only one study, but it suggests that playing in a natural way, with other pups or simply running about at their own speed is probably going to benefit a small puppy Strenuous exercise Whereas more strenuous activity such as climbing hills and stairs, may not be such a good thing at a very young age. Another study has suggested that running hard for a retrieve, may not be great for joint health either. And some breeders also prevent dogs from jumping for the first twelve months to reduce impact on the shoulder and elbow joints. This may be especially important for some of the heavier breeds of dog, and those that are slow to mature. How far should my puppy walk? But how does that translate to distances walked? If you like to think in distances rather than time, a mile is around steps for an adult human and takes about twenty minutes at a moderate walking speed. So a maximum walk for a four month old Labrador might be about a mile. And of course if you are walking out and back again, that means not taking the dog more than half a mile from your home or car, whichever is your starting point. With young puppies, you need to keep a balance. Think about the overall energy your puppy is expending rather than focusing on walking alone. Walking is only one form of exercise and is no more valuable or important than games or training exercises. If you have been to visit a friend with your five month old pup and their dog has played for half an hour in the garden with yours, your dog does not need a walk as well. It is the total exercise that counts. How much exercise is too much? And you are bound to know of someone whose puppy had far more exercise than this and came to no harm. However taking a puppy for long walks or asking him to negotiate very steep or uneven surfaces when he is little, is probably a bad idea. Beware of letting a puppy play for too long with an older dog that does not want to stop. And keep an eye on children who may inadvertently exhaust a puppy by encouraging him to play when he needs to sleep. Crating your puppy when he is tired or overexcited, will enable you to make sure that your puppy gets some well deserved down time. Summary Young puppies need the time and space to run about freely, and free running exercise is beneficial. You do not need to attempt to prevent puppies playing in the garden, trotting about the house or playing with another young puppy for a while. Provided that the puppy is free to stop and rest whenever he wants. As far as we know at the moment, formal exercise — walking on a lead — for example, is probably best restricted using the five minute rule as an approximate guide. And strenuous exercise such as stair climbing, and chasing balls should be limited or avoided altogether in puppies under three months of age. Remember, an adult dog can become an amazing athlete, but like all athletes, fitness and stamina are best built up in gentle stages if injury is to be avoided. Do talk to your vet about exercise at your first appointment with your puppy. We are still learning about hip dysplasia. Research is ongoing, knowledge increases all the time. Your vet should be up to date with the latest information regarding the optimum amount of exercise for your new puppy. Published in April , the Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. It will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialization and early obedience. This article was originally published in and has been extensively revised and updated for References Slater et al. Diet and exercise as potential risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans in dogs. Am J Vet Res. Sallander et al. American Society for Nutrition. Krontveit et al. Risk factors for hip-related clinical signs in a prospective cohort study of four large dog breeds in Norway. May 9, Aug 12, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You want to show off your new labrador retriever puppy. Is it safe to walk your puppy outside? How far can you walk a puppy? Or is it time for a puppy stroller? Puppies usually receive a series of vaccinations starting at six to eight weeks old. Some say wait another two weeks until the vaccinations are fully effective before taking him to places where other unknown dogs may have been. As far as getting our puppies out and about we follow the guidelines set forth by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. The Primary and Most Important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated. They grow more quickly than their smaller counterparts but mature more slowly. Exercising a larger breed puppy too much can lead to orthopedic problems and arthritis. Also, brachycephalic dogs with short muzzles like pugs and shih tzus have a lower tolerance for exercise because they can overheat more easily and have more difficulty breathing. And some breeds, like working, herding, and sporting dogs have a higher exercise need even as a puppy. So your border collie, golden retriever , labrador retriever etc. A rule of thumb is a puppy can walk five minutes for every month of age starting at eight weeks. So a two-month-old puppy can walk about 10 minutes. And a three-month-old can walk for 15 minutes; and a four-month-old for 20 minutes. And so forth. Of course these are general guidelines. Important Considerations When Walking Your Puppy In addition to how far your puppy should walk, there are many things to take into account regarding his excursions. Over weeks, build his endurance. He may have to potty or be thirsty. Avoid the hottest or coldest parts of the day Young puppies can be susceptible to temperature extremes. They may overheat and suffer from heat exhaustion, which can be deadly. In cold weather, puppies may require a coat or sweater to help keep them warm. Breeds with short muzzles such as shihs tzus or Lhasa apsos are especially susceptible to extremes of weather. And salt to melt snow can be dangerous to our dogs too. Places that are slippery can be dangerous for you and your dog to explore. Also, areas with sharp surfaces are hazardous. This can especially occur with blacktop. Also try not to walk him on surfaces that have any chemicals, such as salt to melt snow or weed control, as some are toxic to dogs. Get him used to grass, pavement, and dirt trails. Note From Colby: This is uber important for service dog puppies in training. If a service dog cannot walk across sand, grass, pavement, metal grates, etc without any kind of reaction, then the dog is not suitable as a working service dog. A walk or two a day as well as other play should be enough. Remember not to go so far on other walks, as you have to take into account the portion of the walk returning home. If at any point your puppy seems to be lame, limping or otherwise showing discomfort, end the walk. If your puppy shows any lameness, a vet visit is in order. Give your puppy a few exercise sessions a day You can break up his walk and give him two or three short walks a day. A little fetching his favorite toys can help meet his needs. Some free running in the house or safely enclosed yard can be fun for him. Stuffed Kongs and puzzle toys can help exercise his mind. Remember: He needs physical exercise as well as mental stimulation. Remember to bring the essentials Poop bags and water are important on your walks. You can bring a collapsible bowl or a water bottle with a built-in bowl so your puppy can drink. Be visible! There are reflective and lighted vests , leashes , collars , and harnesses you can purchase. Why Walk Your Puppy on a Leash? He can get exercise other ways such as playing fetch or playing with another friendly pup. But to be able to properly socialize your puppy, he needs to be taken to places on a leash. And socialization involves not only having him meet friendly people and dogs but also exposing him in a positive manner to new sights, sounds, experiences, and footings. There are many benefits to walking your dog, in addition to socialization, including: Physical and mental exercise Your new puppy wants to explore the world with you. In order to grow up to be a healthy adult, your pup requires both. New sights and sounds will stimulate him and help him grow into a well-rounded adult. Weight control Regular short walks will help keep your puppy fit and at the correct weight for his age and breed or mix. Bonding time Regular walks also provide a time for you and your puppy to bond. You puppy will learn that fun, enjoyable things happen when you both interact. And the walks will help provide a basis for a life-long bond with your pup. Reduces unwanted behaviors Exercise helps lessen destructive behaviors. A well-exercised puppy is less likely to engage in destructive chewing, jumping, digging, and other undesirable behaviors. Have him perform a sit. Work with attention. Practicing training exercises he already knows while on his walk will help him learn to do them in everyday life, with distractions. Lessens anxiety and stress The socialization and real-life experiences help a dog cope better with everyday life. There can be too much of a good thing. Even though we want our pups to get a sufficient amount of exercise, we can overdo it. Following the above guidelines should lead to a safe amount of exercise. Too much walking and exercise can also lead to arthritis developing early in life. Too much exercise can lead to severe exhaustion and limping A puppy can get over-tired and even over-heat. Just like when we overdo it, he may have sore muscles and may limp. A vet visit is in order if you see him limp. Over-exercising even can lead your puppy to being more vulnerable to injuries. Too much exercise can cause injuries to heal incorrectly If you exercise a puppy with injuries, he may not heal correctly. Final Thoughts Walking your puppy has many health and socialization benefits. But a walk with your new puppy can be a bonding experience. As a plus, you can show him off to your friends. What about you guys? How much do your walk your puppy? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Related Articles:. But you should be safe walking your 10 week old Lab puppy for 30 minutes at least once a day, for example. A half-hour is a safe distance for most puppies at 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 16 weeks, etc. It comes down to common sense. A Jack Russell terrier puppy might be more energetic than a cocker spaniel puppy, for example. Benefits of walking your puppy, even at 8 weeks old 1. Slow, steady walking helps puppies build strong muscles. See my post: Why is my puppy so wild at night? Many of the young dogs in shelters are there for behavioral problems related to poor socialization and too much energy. Click Here. How much exercise is too much for a 10 week old puppy? That will get you the amount of time, in minutes, that you should walk your puppy per day. For example, an 8-week-old puppy can walk for 10 minutes a day. A week-old puppy can walk for 15 minutes per day. And a 4-month-old puppy can walk for 20 minutes a day. I do not believe in following this equation. It highly underestimates the amount of walking a healthy puppy can safely do. If you were to follow the above equation, then a 6 month old puppy would only be walking 30 minutes per day. Puppy walking schedule I strongly do NOT believe in following the above puppy walking schedule. Instead, use common sense based on the puppy in front of you. They are all so different depending on breed, size and personality. My puppy on a walk I have a Weimaraner puppy, and this dog would be at the humane society by now if I had to follow that silly puppy walking equation. Instead, I believe in using common sense and taking your puppy for short walks 20 to 30 minutes or so, twice per day if he seems comfortable. Read it when you have time. What kind of exercise is safe for a puppy? Walks will naturally be slow with puppies. Visiting the park or going on a slow stroll are both great ideas for exercising a puppy. Using a long leash is also a great idea in an open area because you can let the puppy sniff and explore at his own pace. For more ideas: see our post on exercise ideas for puppies. How far can I walk my puppy at 16 weeks? Each puppy is unique! I was comfortable walking my week-old puppy Remy for about 35 minutes at least once a day. Ideally twice. In addition to that, Remy ideally got the opportunity to run and play at his own pace off leash for 20 minutes or so each day. Weimaraners are fit and lean. They run all day in the field. They are designed for endurance! How far should you walk your puppy? When can your puppy go for a walk? A slow, minute stroll should be safe for most puppies 8 weeks or older. They are the experts and can give you the best advice. No one really knows. There are no studies that say walking a puppy will damage his joints. I will update this post if that ever changes. What it comes down to is you know your puppy better than anyone else. Dog owners mean well and sometimes people feel the need to share their very strong opinions about not to walk a puppy too far. I would say, trust your gut and be reasonable. If you are concerned, then back off a bit. I personally lean on the side of providing as much exercise as possible, within reason. For me, that meant about two min walks a day for my puppy. But as with everything else in the dog world we all have to make our own decisions. Factors to consider when exercising your puppy Walking my 4 month old weimaraner puppy 1. Puppy shots before walking your puppy. If your puppy is not fully vaccinated, he has a greater risk of catching parvo or other diseases on walks. Another post all together. For example, my puppy grew up in a nice neighborhood near San Diego and our vet said there was very little risk of our puppy getting sick as nearly all dogs in our area were vaccinated and leashed. So I was comfortable taking my dog for neighborhood walks but I waited on the dog park and dog beach until he was fully vaccinated. Some breeds are more prone to joint issues than others. For example, we got a Lab puppy in , and our breeder recommended we do not run with our Lab until he is fully matured. Walks, however, would be OK. Sophie the springer spaniel puppy at 8 weeks My plan is to take it a little more cautious with our Lab vs. My Lab is also waaaaay less energetic than my weimaraner. My Lab pup is about 5 months old now and we head out for two 1-mile walks per day. Genetics affect how far a puppy can walk. Other factors include weight, overall health and diet. Overweight dogs and puppies will struggle more. There are many studies now that say puppies that are spayed or neutered that young are much more likely to tear their ACLs down the road and develop all sorts of health problems. For this reason, I did not have my weimaraner puppy neutered until he was 10 months old. I do not plan to neuter our Lab, but if I do I will try to wait until he is at least 18 months old and close to being physically mature. However, if your puppy is already spayed or neutered, do not worry. Rescues and shelters typically spay or neuter puppies as young as 8 weeks old, for example. This is what it is. My puppy Remy Can you walk a puppy too much? Your puppy will most likely be just fine! Just use common sense from here on out. How old should puppies be to hike? If you take your puppy hiking, you should follow the same approach as you would with walking. Carry your puppy if he gets tired! Even 45 minutes to an hour is great for older puppies. Each puppy is different, though! Each area is different depending on dog traffic, wildlife, etc. Most likely, if you start walking, your puppy will follow you. Reward her with treats and praise. If your puppy is already starting to pull you, here are my tips for loose-leash walking. When can I walk my puppy around the neighborhood? I took both my 8-week-old puppies for minute walks through our neighborhood right away. The only reason you might want to wait on walking your puppy in the neighborhood is if your puppy still needs some vaccinations. This is only the case if there is a higher risk of parvo or distemper in your area. When can puppies be around other dogs? This is a good question for your vet. This is a great way to work on training and socialization at the same time. My puppy with my adult dog When can my puppy visit the dog park? As far as dog parks go, I personally prefer to keep my puppies away from dog parks for at least the first 6 months. I do not want to scare my puppy during this important socialization window. However, you might think about taking your puppy to a dog park during the middle of the day during the week or late in the morning when it is quieter. Socializing with one or two friendly dogs might be a positive experience for your puppy. Leave if your puppy is scared or overwhelmed. OK, enough from me! What is your approach on how far to walk a puppy? How do you find the right balance for puppy exercise? Let me know in the comments! Best Products for Walking Puppies 1. Treat Pouch: A treat pouch allows you to easily carry treats so you can help your puppy focus. This is helpful on walks as well as for short training sessions. Other resources:.

With over 20 years of experience, we have shared our Labradoodle Puppies with families across this Country, and around the world. As an Authentic Australian Labradoodle Breeder, we offer our Riverbend Australian Labradoodle puppies in Miniature sizes lbs , Medium sizes 45lbs , and Standard sizes lbs. Because of our years of experience and success with our English Style Labrador Retriever Breeding Program , our Riverbend Labradoodles are stocky, heavy-boned, and have a beautiful, blocky style of head that gives them a soft, intuitive expression. We are so blessed to be involved with a fantastic Worldwide Labradoodle Breed organization, bringing together nearly Breeders from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia that are dedicated to protecting the breed we love so much. We are honored at the opportunity to help protect and promote the breed we love so much with our participation in these organizations. Our commitment to quality and accountability to these organizations offers peace of mind in purchasing one of our Australian Labradoodle puppies. Our Labradoodles have allergy friendly coats that are non-shedding, and we are dedicated to helping people with allergies add to their family. Our Labradoodles are known to have a laid- back, easy-going temperament, and are great family companions. They are intelligent and easy to train, and typically finish at the top of their obedience classes. Here at Riverbend, we have made it our focus to protect the health and future, while maintaining the integrity, of the Labradoodle breed. Our carefully planned breeding program is dedicated to Quality, not quantity. We believe it is of utmost importance to have OFA hip, OFA elbow, ACVO eye clearances, and also breed specific health clearances, as well as Champion Quality pedigrees within all of our dogs' bloodlines, to ensure we have the healthiest Labradoodle Puppies possible. Take a look at Our Dogs. All of our Riverbend puppies are raised in our home for proper socialization and handling from birth. Our home is designed for our puppies to live with us, so we can provide a healthy environment, to build the foundation that will help them grow to their full potential. Paying attention to how a puppy grows, from the day he is born, is important for the very health and vitality of each puppy. And, we believe that the first eight weeks of a puppy's life, is of vital importance in determining his later behavior as an adult. We share our Australian Labradoodle Puppies with loving caring families, and you can be confident that our puppies are handled continuously, are exposed to our everyday life, and everyday noises, to create a positive social experience that will enable them to become lifelong companions. We hope that you enjoy our website and find it easy to navigate, helpful, informative, and fun. If you have any questions or would like more information about this fantastic breed, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We love sharing our Riverbend Labradoodles with others, and welcome all inquiries concerning them. Support an American Company and Small Business! We are confident these products are the best for your furry family member and we refuse to use anything else! Here is the list of the best breeders you can get your Labradoodle puppies in Ohio. They have a thorough screening process for breeders to ensure that all puppies are bred in responsible and ethical conditions. Additionally, PuppySpot offers a health guarantee for all puppies and provides ongoing support to buyers to help ensure that the puppies are well taken care of. This support includes information on training, nutrition, and other important aspects of pet ownership. PuppySpot also offers transportation options for buyers, making it easier for them to receive their new puppies, regardless of their location. With these services and their commitment to responsible breeding practices, PuppySpot is a great choice for those looking for Labradoodle breeders in Ohio. Their goal is to provide buyers with a positive experience and the assurance that their new puppy has been bred and raised with care. By choosing PuppySpot as a source for Labradoodle breeders in Ohio, buyers can have peace of mind knowing that their new puppy will bring joy and love into their lives. They breed Standard size and Miniature Labradoodle puppies. Their bred puppies grow up to be social and loyal family dogs who are also allergy-free. Any puppy here is a happy and healthy one from genetically tested parents. The color varieties for their bred Labradoodles are black , chocolate, and parti labradoodle, black, black and white, apricot, cream, silver, sable, and white. Their parti Labradoodles are bred from parti Poodles originally and later bred with F1B Labradoodles and the multigene for their parti coloring. Their bred Miniature Labradoodles weigh about pounds, and the Standard Labradoodles weigh around pounds at maturing. Before taking your puppy home, the kennels make sure to get your Labradoodle vet checked. Established in , the breeders specialize in breeding Labradoodle puppies in Ohio. The veterinarian also keeps a close look that the Labradoodle puppies go through early socialization to mix with their new family easily. In addition to this, amazingly, the breeders also provide their new Labradoodle families a guardian program for their breeding dogs. Their bred Labradoodle puppies you take home will be provided with a two-year health guarantee, along with a micro-chip and pedigree guarantee. Heritage Manor Labradoodles Details. We are an Australian labradoodle breeder specializing in authentic top quality Australian Labradoodle puppies in mini, and medium sizes. Sharing our puppies with families since , we have established our breeding program with fully tested breeding stock that can be traced back to the very earliest bloodlines. Located north of Dayton, Ohio in the rural area of Conover. We have shared our puppies across the US. Check out our available puppies page to learn about each one Latest News September Puppies available! Head to our available puppies page to see who is waiting to be your next family member! Available Puppies Boarding Available We are now offering boarding for our puppy families. Now taking reservations for fall. Spaces limited call Boarding Information Offering in home- training Did you know our trainer offers an in home board and train program? Get a head start before puppy goes home. Here our puppy will stay with the trainer and learn basic obedience, house training crate training, learn proper manners and receive lots of socialization to people and places. Why us Superb Temperament Australian labradoodles are known for their amazing temperament. Our love for this breed began with our first Australian labradoodle, Georgia pictured below in the snow. She taught us what the Australian labradoodle was all about. With her intuitive connection, and sociable personality, we fell in love instantly and so did everyone who met her. She was a joy to train, willing to please, gentle, and just as funny as she was affectionate. Due to their extreme willingness to please and ability to train, a percentage of our dogs have gone on to do therapy and service work. Nourishing Environment Puppies like babies need nurturing and human interaction. We are asking them to live in our world so the more human experiences they can have before going home, the easier the transition. We utilize Early neurological stimulation, Early Scent Introduction, Puppy Culture, a 10 step handling exercise, as well as extensive socialization to raise the most well-balanced dogs. All of our dogs are fed a high quality, all natural diet, for maximum health. We believe in a holistic approach to the well being of our dogs, and they are minimally vaccinated. Excellent Health While we have a strong emphasis for temperament, having a sound, physically healthy puppy is of upmost importance. Healthy puppies begin with the parents. Our breeding dogs have to meet strict requirements to enter the program. We start with carefully selected breeding stock coming from a controlled breeding line. Our Labradoodles have allergy friendly coats that are non-shedding, and we love helping people with allergies add to their family. As a registered member of the Worldwide Australian labradoodles Association, WALA our breeding program along with hundreds of other programs across the world, are dedicated to ethical breeding, and continued focus on the improvement of the Australian labradoodle breed. Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association We are grateful that we are able to raise and share these gentle, fun-loving, and intelligent dogs with others. I would love to hear from you! If you are interested in bringing one of our Australian labradoodle puppies home, or have additional questions not included on our website, please contact Kristina. I grew up with dogs in our family from a very early age, and always wanted to have a career involving dogs! I went to university to become an Elementary School Teacher and later found myself in Mansfield Ohio with my husband Marc to raise our two children. In , an opportunity to become a dog groomer presented itself, and since then I have developed a successful mobile dog grooming business serving the Mansfield, Ohio area and I decided to retire from teaching in .Our first dog together was Jasmine, a Golden Retriever. Since Jasmine, we've had a couple other wonderful dogs but our love for Labradoodles started when we purchased Layla, an F1b Labradoodle. She stole our hearts and put into motion researching the breed that turned into Providence Labradoodles. This breed is extremely clever, sociable, comical and joyful! They are energetic when free, and quiet when handled. They approach people in a happy, friendly manner and make amazing therapy and service dogs as they are keen to learn and easy to train. Their amazing qualities made it very easy to concentrate only on breeding this wonderful breed! Our puppies, like our dogs, are raised in our home with lots of human contact. Our puppies are started with a focus in socialization, constant love and a nuturing environment to ensure that they will have loving and easy-going dispositions. My goal is to provide a family with a loving companion, whether a house pet, therapy dog or service dog! It is so important to me to raise well rounded and happy puppies that will make wonderful companions. We adhere to high-quality standards when it comes to our breeding dogs. Each breeding dog is carefully chosen, tested for orthopedic conditions outlined by OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as genetic conditions prior to breeding to ensure that our puppies will be healthy. Aside from being healthy, our breeding dogs are loving, kind and have amazing temperments that will be passed down to their offspring! Our Australian Labradoodles are non-shedding, allergy-friendly, and asthma-friendly. They are sweet, smart and provide hours of entertainment! Providence Labradoodles wants the best for all involved. A well-loved, well socialized and well trained puppy promises years of delight. You can read more about our dogs and puppies on the " Meet Our Dogs " page and " Puppies " page. These puppies are a mix between Labradoodles and either an English Cocker Spaniel or an American Cocker Spaniel which means you will be getting the best of all the breeds when it comes to their coat type and temperament. Australian Labradoodles are known to be very intelligent and are one of the more popular breeds for families. Providence Labradoodles pups have playful, gentle, and calm temperaments meaning they would be a great addition to any family with children. Our puppies are all-around happy dogs that just love to be around their families.

You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting an English Bulldog, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to English Bulldogs". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Bulldog from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Bulldog puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many English Bulldogs young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos! Things to do with your English Bulldog Indiana is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Indiana that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Go Camping Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Indiana that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Indiana, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Indiana, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Indiana, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Indiana, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Pet-Friendly Businesses Indiana has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Indiana. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Indiana is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Indiana? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Cheappuppiesforsale is your go-to website for finding inexpensive, locally available, and registered French bulldog Indiana for sale. Our primary objective is to assist you in locating the appropriate French Bulldog puppy for sale in your neighborhood History of French Bulldog puppies French Bulldogs are considered one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and around the world. They are known for their affectionate and playful personalities and are often kept as companion animals. The breed is a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was brought to France by English lacemakers. The French Bulldog was then developed by crossing the English Bulldog with local small breeds, such as the Terrier, to create a smaller, more delicate version of the English Bulldog. During the 19th century, French Bulldogs were used for bull-baiting and dog fighting. They quickly gained popularity among the upper class in France, especially in Paris, where they were considered a symbol of luxury and elegance. In the late 19th century, French Bulldogs were brought to the United States by American tourists who fell in love with the breed while visiting France. Temperament of Frenchies The temperament of a French Bulldog is generally described as affectionate, playful, and sociable. They are known to be good with children and other pets and make great companion animals. They are also known for their intelligence and trainability, which makes them easy to train and manage. French Bulldogs are very loyal to their owners, and they have a strong desire to be close to their family. They have a playful nature, and they love to play and interact with their owners. French Bulldogs are known for their expressive personalities, and they are known to be very vocal. They are known to make a variety of noises, including grunts, snores, and snorts, which can be quite endearing. They are also known for their sense of humor and their ability to make their owners laugh. One of the most striking characteristics of French Bulldogs is their easy going nature. They are known to be adaptable and easy to live with, which makes them great family pets. They are also known to be relatively low maintenance, as they do not require a lot of exercise or grooming. Meet Carlie! She is a French Bulldog looking for her perfect companion. This amazing gal is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic health guarantee. She is super social and is being raised with children that play with her daily. Her momma is Suzanne. Carlie is ready to brighten all your days with kisses. Sex: Female.

Controls Population Experts believe that a Labrador should be spayed between the age of 9 and 15 months. You should never rush the process and spay your pooch too early because it can lead to many health problems. Similarly, leaving your dog intact for too long can give way to several complications. Once a female Lab has gone through her first heat, she becomes highly vulnerable to these tumors. Spaying your Labrador puppy is a major surgery and will require substantial aftercare. The vet will give you detailed instructions, and you must follow them strictly to ensure a smooth recovery. A Labrador puppy that has undergone spaying might be completely inactive for the first days. After that, they might start to move around but the wound will need a rest of several weeks to heal completely. During this period, the owners should be extremely vigilant and make sure that their pooch stays safe. Labs are known for being curious and can get themselves into trouble if you are not super alert. Different breeds require different amounts of sleep, but how much sleep do Labradors need? Click here to learn more. Yes, it does. The behavioral issues of the dog are one of the primary reasons why owners decide to spay their Labradors. If your pup is showing aggression and indulging in inappropriate urination, spaying can be quite helpful in solving the problem. Although male Labs are more likely to exhibit this behavior, some female Labs can also create these issues. Other Benefits of Spaying Labradors Managing behavioral issues is not the only objective of spaying Labradors. It can also solve some other issues that can be quite troublesome for the dog and owner. The following are a couple of other reasons that can urge you to spay your Labrador. Reduces Health Risks Many experts regard spaying as an effective remedy to maintain the good health of your pup. Not only will it keep your dog healthy, but it can also increase the lifespan of your Labrador. According to an estimate , spaying can increase the lifespan of male Labs by .Spaying reduces the risk of several types of cancers, like testicular, mammary, and uterine cancers. Similarly, it reduces the probability of many dangerous medical conditions, like Pyometra. This life-threatening uterine infection is specific to Labs and can be quite uncomfortable for your canine friend. A female Labrador can have up to 70 puppies during their lifetime. A female Lab can have up to 12 pups in a litter. This means that taking care of newborn puppies and their mother can be an extremely challenging task. Even if you are planning to have some puppies, you should make a proper plan with your vet and stick to it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. I have a 4. My veterinarian is pressing me to spay the dog. I am going to spay her, but I've read conflicting things about age. Some say to let the dog go thru the first heat, vet says going thru heat ups her chance of mammary cancer. Vet is saying to do the spaying at 6 months old. The dog's breeder says that is much too young I am inclined to listen to her. She said her dogs dont go thru heat until months. So should I wait and do it around 11 months so that she doesnt go thru heat, but that its much later not at 6 months! Or are most people just letting the dog go thru a heat first? Here's my problem. My husband didnt really want the dog. He's head over heels for her now, of course. I've never had a female dog before. He has had a few as a child and he had a female dog when we first met and she died a few years ago. So he considers himself an "expert" in the area of girl dogs and reminds me of that constantly. If the mess from going thru heat is awful I will have to listen to him talk about how he was right and I was wrong for a month. Of course I want to do whats best for my dog too. I HAVE to get the dog spayed. I dont have a fenced in yard. I've never taken care of a dog in heat before. My last lab was a male and I had him neutered at 6 months old. That was back in .I know that advice has changed since then and now I am reading that spaying too early can lead to joint problems and all that bad stuff. Is it pretty true that you can look at your dogs lineage and take the ages of first heat off her relatives and come up with a timeframe for your dog? If all this breeders dogs didnt go into heat until 12 months, what are the chances that mine will go thru heat at 6 months? I obviously have time to think about this. I am going to cancel the appointment I made to have it done at 6 months and wait longer, I'm just not sure how much longer to wait. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You have a new Labrador retriever puppy. There are various theories regarding when—and if—he should be neutered. Most have been fixed, but many have not. Labs are such friendly, intelligent, energetic dogs. The technical term is gonadectomy, which is the surgical removal of the testes in males or ovaries in females. Neutering is considered to be a simpler, less-invasive surgery than spaying. But both are safe if performed by an experienced, licensed veterinarian. Traditionally, people have had their puppies fixed for various reasons, some of which are behavioral or medical. Some physical problems have been found in larger numbers in neutered and spayed Labrador retrievers than in intact Labs. And numerous behavioral problems have been found to increase in the neutered and spayed population as compared to their intact counterparts. Researchers have discovered that even amongst similar breeds and sizes of dogs, there are very different medical outcomes for some breeds when they are spayed or neutered. Researchers Benjamin and Lynette Hart of the University of California, Davis, examined 35 dog breeds and found that vulnerability to certain diseases varies greatly depending upon breed. Their study was set forth in the Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. They learned that there is no one-size-fits-all decision regarding the medical effects of spaying and neutering on various breeds. And their data showed very specific findings with regard to the 35 breeds studied, including Labrador retrievers. In their study of Labrador retrievers, there were intact males, neutered males, intact females, and spayed females. This equals 1, Labs in total. Joint Disorders in Labrador Retrievers A significant increase was found regarding joint disorders in fixed dogs than occurred in intact ones. One or more joint disorders were reported in six percent of intact male and female Labrador retrievers. However, the risk of joint disorders increased by about percent in desexed Labs. In male Labs neutered before six months old, 13 percent were found to suffer from joint disorders. In female Labradors spayed before six months old and between six and 12 months old, the risk of joint disorders was found to be between 11 and 12 percent. Cancers in Labrador Retrievers As far as cancers were concerned, there was a six percent risk for intact males and an eight percent risk for intact females. Neutering was not associated with any evident increased risk of cancer at any age studied. However, Mast Cell tumors were found in one percent of intact females and two percent of females who were spayed between two and eight years of age. Other Physical Concerns in Labrador Retrievers Two percent of intact female Labs were found to have pyometra as compared to none in their spayed counterparts. Urinary incontinence was reported in two to three percent of females who were spayed through one year old. Conclusions Regarding Age To Spay or Neuter for Medical Reasons The Harts concluded that the guidelines suggested that males should be neutered if at all after they are six months old because of the much higher rate of problems suffered by male Labrador retrievers fixed before that age. They found that the guidelines suggest spaying female Labs if at all after one year old because of the increase of joint disorders when spayed prior to 11 months old. Current Behavioral Theories on Neutering and Spaying Dogs There have been long-held beliefs that spaying and neutering help prevent or end certain undesirable behaviors such as those in the bulleted list above. But many of those anecdotal thoughts have been disproven by current scientific studies. This standardized behavioral evaluation test was developed and validated by Yuying and James Serpell in at the University of Pennsylvania. Since , the public has been able to access the study and fill in numerical scores for 14 different categories of dog behavior. The current database contains detailed behavioral evaluations for about 50, pet dogs consisting of more than different breeds and cross breeds. With regard to many of the behavioral studies, generally the earlier that a dog was fixed, the more negative effects were seen regarding behavior. In the studies, female dogs who were spayed later in life were less likely to show an increase in aggression than females spayed at a young age. And neutered male dogs were found to be more likely to be aggressive toward intact males than other intact males were. So how are all behaviors affected by neutering or spaying? Preventing a Male Dog from Roaming and Seeking out a Female Dog in Heat Current studies confirm that neutered males are less likely than their intact counterparts to roam and seek female dogs in heat. Having a calmer puppy Modern studies show that fixed dogs are about eight percent more excitable than intact ones. A significant increase in fear and anxiety was seen in neutered dogs regardless of the age of neutering. Stopping or Preventing Urine Marking The studies showed that neutered dogs are less likely to leave urine marks indoors. Stopping or Preventing Excessive Barking More anxious and fearful behaviors as well as more excitability were seen in desexed male and female dogs. And excessive barking when alarmed or excited was seen more often in neutered dogs. However, neutered dogs were found to be less likely to howl when left alone. Stopping or Preventing Aggression This was one of the most surprising results in the studies. Contrary to popular belief, more aggressive behaviors were seen in fixed dogs than in intact ones. Specifically, neutered dogs were more likely show an increase in certain aggressive behaviors when: Delivery workers approached the home Strangers walked past their home Joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers passed by They were approached directly by an unfamiliar female dog An unfamiliar person approached the owner or another family member or even just visited the home Small animals such as cats or squirrels entered the yard The significantly higher aggression score seen in neutered males as compared to intact dogs was seen regardless of the age that the dogs were neutered. In spayed females, there was a significant increase in aggression scores when they were spayed at 12 months old or earlier as compared with their intact counterparts. Fear-Related Behaviors Neutered dogs demonstrated more fear-related behaviors than their intact counterparts. The younger the dog was neutered, the more severe the fear-related effects were. In fact, a 31 percent increase in fearfulness was seen in spayed females and neutered males. These included : Responses to loud noises When they are first exposed to unfamiliar situations When approached directly by an unfamiliar child When barked at or growled at by an unfamiliar dog When approached by an unfamiliar dog who is of similar size or larger When encountering strange or unfamiliar objects on or near the sidewalk When encountering windblown objects When being examined by a veterinarian When having nails clipped 7. The Trainability of the Puppy Whereas it has been believed that a desexed puppy is more trainable, current research has demonstrated that this is not the case. In fact, the evidence showed that spayed and neutered dogs are less trainable and less responsive to cues overall. The only positive behavior noted with regard to obedience was that desexed dogs were more likely to return to their owners when off-leash and more likely to reliably retrieve tossed items. Separation and Attention-Seeking Behavior Neutered and spayed dogs were found to have more separation-related behaviors. And they also had more attachment and attention-seeking behavior than their intact counterparts. Touch Sensitivity A 33 percent increase in touch sensitivity was seen in spayed and neutered dogs. This can potentially affect how receptive a dog is to grooming. Other Behavioral Problems Seen in Neutered Dogs Additional unwanted behaviors were also seen more often in neutered dogs than in intact ones. Or to deal with a female dog in heat. Or to find homes for a litter of puppies. In the s, the animal overpopulation problem led to the regular spaying and neutering of puppies, often around six months of age. Over time, many shelters and rescue groups performed surgeries to fix dogs at an even earlier age, such as eight weeks old. Female dogs go into heat approximately every six months for about 18 days each time. Personally, all of my dogs have been spayed or neutered. The rescues came to me fixed, and I chose to desex the others. One of my dogs was a Belgian tervuren named Jenny who I purchased from a breeder. It was many years ago, and I wanted to show a dog in conformation competition. The theory is that the best representatives of each breed should continue to reproduce to protect its heritage. Even though my male dogs were fixed, they all were attracted to her when she was in heat. So I had to carefully monitor all of them and manage the situation so that there were no disputes. And she wore a doggy panty with a disposable pad when she was in heat. After she obtained her Championship, I had her spayed. I chose not to breed her because there were too many dogs in the world without homes. Life was much calmer and easier after Jenny was spayed. Of course, this can also help reduce the risk of having unwanted puppies. And it helps keep your male Lab puppy safe because a dog who escapes can become lost or injured. This led to the organization supporting early-age sterilization in order to prevent the accidental breeding of young cats and dogs. There are too many puppies and dogs who need homes. And not enough loving homes. However, this long-held belief has been disproven. Spaying and Neutering for Reduced Overall Costs Although neutering or spaying your beloved Labrador retriever has initial costs, the amount is miniscule in comparison to properly raising a litter of puppies. Vet care for a litter of puppies and for the pregnant mother is very expensive. And feeding and caring for them is costly too! Many shelters and rescue groups have low-cost or free spay and neuter clinics. First of all, the breeding parents should have many different health clearances. Breeding without the required tests is irresponsible. And potentially dangerous to both the breeding female and to the offspring. Keep in mind too that the tests, vet care, food, puppy raising, and other necessities cost money and take a lot of time. Spaying and Neutering To Be Socially Conscious In addition to helping prevent the overpopulation problem, spaying or neutering your Labrador retriever puppy will often be better for your community. Dogs from unwanted litters are often abandoned, thereafter suffering from illness and untimely death. They can also pose a danger to other dogs by spreading diseases. And, because they may not be properly trained and socialized, they may become aggressive to people and dogs. Abandoned dogs may also pose risks of accidents and destruction to property. Instead, you can teach your child through books or videos about childbirth. FAQs Are spayed or neutered dogs more likely to become overweight than unfixed dogs? Dogs who are overfed and under-exercised gain weight. Does spaying or neutering prevent or stop a dog from becoming aggressive? Scientific data actually shows that spaying or neutering may increase aggression towards people and other dogs. Should I spay or neuter my Labrador retriever puppy? There are certain benefits to fixing your dog such as not dealing with a female dog in heat or a male dog who tends to roam seeking female dogs in heat. Summary of Information Behavioral data shows an increase in many unwanted behaviors in neutered and spayed dogs, including aggression, fearfulness, less trainability, excitability, excessive barking, separation-related issues, and touch sensitivity. And male Labs neutered prior to six months old and female Labs spayed before a year old tended to have more joint disorders. Of course, these are just two factors of many to consider when deciding whether—and, if so, when—to fix your Labrador retriever. Neutering does help prevent male dogs from roaming and from urine marking. Final Thoughts So, should you spay or neuter your Labrador retriever puppy and, if so, when? Health, behavior, and other considerations need to be analyzed. Have you spayed or neutered your Labrador retriever puppy? At what age? What determined your decision? Please tell us about it in the comments. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. By Tom Massey Dec 09, When you become the owner of a puppy, there are several things you should do to encourage its overall wellness, like making sure it gets plenty of exercise, feeding it high-quality food, attending frequent vet checkups, and scheduling a spay or neuter appointment at the appropriate age. Spaying or neutering your lab—or having a gonadectomy performed—is one of the best ways that you can ensure a happy and healthy life with your puppy. This procedure has proven to help reduce major health risks like cancer, eliminate unwanted pregnancy, and even assist with undesired behaviors in males. Spaying, or ovariohysterectomy, is a procedure specific to females that refers to removing her reproductive organs, including her ovaries and uterus. Neutering, or orchiectomy, is the procedure specific to males that refers to removing both testicles so that he is unable to reproduce anymore. Neutering helps control reproductive urges and suppress unwanted behaviors like aggression. Some veterinarians believe that six months old is a good time to spay or neuter, but one study found that doing so this early could increase the likeliness of joint disorders and certain cancers in adulthood. This is typically when he or she is more than 45 pounds and between 9 to 15 months old. Before you set the appointment, be sure to speak with your vet about the right time for your puppy based on its health, gender, and size. Benefits to Spaying or Neutering There are several health benefits to spaying or neutering your Labrador puppy. But even if you plan on keeping a litter or two, females can have up to 12 puppies per litter—so it can get hectic and expensive keeping up with all of their behaviors, attention needs, and health requirements. This is to help prevent overpopulation, unsafe breeding practices, and unwanted puppies in the future. Benefit 2: Reduces Health Risks Did you know that getting your Labrador spayed or neutered increases its longevity? Pyometra is one of the most prevalent, potentially life-threatening uterine infections that are specific to labs. The good news is that spaying or neutering ultimately reduces the risk of contracting this infection! Males will also have a decreased risk for testicular cancer, and females are less likely to get mammary, uterine, ovarian, or cervical tumors. Benefit 3: Assists with Behavior Issues When a male lab enters adulthood, he might begin exhibiting some unwanted behaviors that come with puberty, such as: Mounting Urine marking Aggression towards other dogs and human family members Neutering is the most effective way to reduce these habits. Additionally, females will stop going into heat throughout the year, which will eliminate howling and bleeding during her reproductive seasons. Conclusion Spaying or neutering is one of the most common pet surgeries in the world. Not only does it help reduce unwanted pregnancies, but it also has been proven to aid with behavioral issues and lesson significant health risks well into adulthood. The best time to spay or neuter your lab would be once it hits puberty, which is usually between 9 and 15 months old. At Snowy Pines, all puppies are treated like family—so that they are ready to join yours the day you take them home. Contact Snowy Pines today! Share on. When should I neuter my dog? This traditionally involved an operation to remove the testicles in a male dog or the uterus and ovaries in a female dog. Spaying in the traditional manner is a major surgical procedure. Nowadays there are more options available to us than in years gone by. Female dogs can be spayed using a laproscopic procedure which enables the uterus to be left intact and which is a less invasive method than the traditional. Attitudes towards neutering are changing in the light of recent research and opinions vary widely from one country to another. Neutering in different countries In some countries most dogs are neutered at a very early age and you are considered totally irresponsible if you fail to neuter your dog. Neutering is routinely practised in some parts of the world, Australia for example, and the USA where a widespread spay and neuter campaign has been in operation for some decades In some regions, neutering your pets is obligatory. In Los Angeles County for example, most dogs and cats are required to be sterilised before they are four months old! At the other end of the scale in some countries, neutering is considered offensive. In Norway for example, it is considered unacceptable to neuter a dog without valid medical reasons, and birth control is not one of them. Over in the UK neutering is not universally practised. And though many Labradors are neutered, many are also left entire. In our modern digital world where it is easy to talk to people from all over the world, these differences can cause confusion and even argument. Neutering vs leaving entire There are now groups on Facebook set up to oppose the routine neutering of dogs, and strong feelings about neutering from both sides of the argument. In fact there is no need for argument. This should really be a fact based issue. And facts are what you will find on this page and in the resources I link to. Why Neuter Your Dog? There are lots of reasons why people neuter their dogs, and those reasons are based on beliefs that people hold about the outcome of neutering and how it will affect their dog. In general, apart from birth control, people tend to neuter male dogs for behavioral reasons, and to neuter female dogs for reasons of convenience Birth control Some people think that it is their duty to neuter their dog in order to prevent more puppies being brought into the world. In practical terms, there are other simple ways to ensure that dogs do not reproduce during their lifetimes for those that choose not to neuter. But there is no doubt that neutering is a complete and permanent way to avoid your dog producing any offspring. Does Neutering Change Behavior? Many people for example think that neutering will calm their male Labrador down. Some think it will stop him humping things. This is not necessarily the case. Others think that male dogs will become aggressive if not neutered. Many top pet websites still promote this idea. But along with some other assumptions about neutering, it is now known to be incorrect. In fact recent studies found more behavioral problems in neutered dogs than in entire ones. The truth is, that behavioural effects vary and are not what we once believed. But in short, the evidence now point to behavioral problems being more common in neutered dogs, not the other way around. For these reasons, many people will choose to neuter a female dog so that she never comes into season again Neutering for health Neutering female dogs confers a couple of important health benefits. Including protection from mammary cancer if carried out early, and protection from pyometra. Unfortunately, we now know that neutering also comes packaged with some serious health risks. In male dogs, these health risks to neutering almost certainly outweigh any health benefits. In females, balancing these up is not easy. Getting at the facts — an objective view The truth is, that there are both benefits and disadvantages to neutering, and we look at each of these in more detail in our articles on male and female dogs. Recent research has highlighted some serious long term health risks to neutering including increased risks of cancer, dementia, and some common joint problems. And you need to know about these. Some of the reasons people neuter their dogs, are based on beliefs that are not supported by evidence. And some of the reasons that people neuter their dogs, could be better achieved by other means. Most information about neutering seems to be presented from one angle or the other. What we have tried to do here, is to present the information about neutering in a factual and objective way, so that you can decide for yourself what is best for your family and your dog. Different methods of neutering In the past, neutering was always a surgical procedure. Nowadays there are a few more options available to us than there used to be Castrating male dogs Traditionally, male dogs were neutered by a small and simple surgical procedure during which the testicles are removed through a small incision in the scrotum. This is still a common procedure. Recovery time is quite rapid and the dog becomes infertile within a couple of months as no more sperm are produced. Apart from infertility, the effects of surgical castration can be variable depending on the dog, that too is covered in the link above Chemical castration Chemical castration is an option now available to pet owners in some regions. Chemical castration does not have exactly the same effects as surgical castration, there is some testosterone remaining for example, but it gives you some idea of how permanent castration might affect your dog. Some people might find it helpful to have a trial run of castrating their dog using the chemical option before going for a permanent solution Like surgical castration the affects can be variable. There are also some possible side effects to chemical castration which you will need to discuss with your vet. These may vary from dog to dog and are most likely to occur during the first few days after the injection. Spaying a female dog Traditional methods of spaying female dogs involve major abdominal surgery. Recovery time is at least two week. There is however, now an alternative Laparoscopic spay With a laparoscopic spay, two tiny incisions are made and only the ovaries are removed. The laparoscopic spay is a much simpler procedure. The effects of neutering in dogs Apart from rendering your dog infertile, neutering or de-sexing, has other effects. Differences in physical appearance between neutered and un-neutered dogs will depend on the age at which the dog was neutered Neutered dogs look different A neutered male will have no testicles, which can be very apparent in shortcoated dogs. These are known as neuticles! A male dog neutered before he reaches sexual maturity will look less masculine than an entire adult dog. Dogs of both sexes will usually grow a little taller than they would have done if they had not been neutered. And female dogs neutered later in life may develop a rather coarse, scruffy coat. However, most of the changes that result from neutering are less obvious. They involve the behavior and long term health of your dog. Behavioral changes after neutering Changes in behavior after neutering are not always predictable. What people think will happen to their dog, is not always what happens at all. Especially where dogs are neutered later in life. The behavioral changes of neutering neutering a male dog are limited. Although roaming behavior can be. The Risks Some people are surprised to discover that there are risks to neutering a dog. Risks that go beyond the basic risk of surgery and anesthesia. In several breeds of dog these risks have been shown to include an increased rate of certain cancers. And an increased susceptibility to some serious joint problems. Life is more complicated than that. This leaves owners in something of a dilemma. Especially if their veterinary professional is not up to date with the latest research or has formed different conclusions as to its implications. Therefore you will need to weigh up the pros and cons carefully and consider the evidence available. Deciding whether or not to neuter your dog For many people, there is no doubt that a neutered pet is simply more convenient. If you need to go out to work and your dog needs a place in doggy day care, he may need to be neutered. Many day care centres simply will not accept an entire dog. Caring for some females in season can be a somewhat messy business. And not being able to take your dog out for several weeks can be annoying. And these exist for both male and female dogs. There are also some health benefits to neutering a female dog. These are clearly explained in the articles linked to in this article. The important thing is to make an active choice based on information. My personal view is that neutering a dog for convenience is the right decision for some families. But I do think it is important that you are aware that this is what you are doing. I increasingly meet dog owners that have had their pets neutered purely for health reasons. Or to prevent their male dog becoming aggressive. Only to find out that this was not only unnecessary, but may actually have disadvantaged their dog. This is very upsetting to discover after irreversible surgery has taken place When to Neuter a Labrador If you decide to have your pet neutered, you will also need to decide what is the right age to have the procedure carried out. In the USA there is a tendency to carry out pediatric neutering neutering before sexual maturity. In the UK, vets normally recommend that female dogs are allowed to have one season before being spayed to allow her to mature physically. The advantages of pediatric neutering are from a birth control standpoint. There are no advantages to the individual dog to be neutered at less than six months old. And there is some evidence that the health risks of neutering will be exacerbated by neutering your Labrador at a very early age. Remember, unless you are required by law to neuter your pet by the time he is a few months old, it is your decision to make. If you decide to delay neutering, or even put it off altogether, you will need to take responsibility. Ensuring that no unwanted puppies are brought into the world. Do talk to your veterinarian about any concerns you may have. A good vet will not simply state that all dogs should be neutered but should be aware of the latest research. They will also prepared to discuss this with you and help you come to best decision for your family. Just drop your address into the box below. These varying opinions are a result of the many different reasons you should fix a male dog and a female dog. Some reasons can be to best care for the health of your dog while other reasons for fixing could be to eliminate risk of having an accidental mating resulting in unwanted puppies who may end up in shelters or homes where they are not cared for properly. There are different reasons to spay and neuter a Labrador if you are considering health first. However, fixing your dog at the wrong time could increase the risk of many health issues for your Labrador that could otherwise be avoided. First off you will want to keep your Lab away from other dogs who you do not know if they are fixed or not. Female dogs emit a strong scent that males can smell from miles away. So if your female is not yet fixed be sure to keep her inside or on a leash and supervised while outside. All it takes is thirty seconds of her not being watched and suddenly you could have an intact male jump your fence or dig under resulting in a lock between the two. So having your dog neutered early and spayed early is important to do your part to keep the unwanted pet population down. However, it is important that the females are spayed earlier than the males for health reasons. It is generally accepted practice to spay the female Lab early, and by early I mean before their first heat. It is also accepted that male Labs be neutered a little bit later once they are fully grown. The recommendation is to spay before their first heat which helps eliminates unwanted dogs in shelters AND eliminates some big cancer and other medical risks for her. However, spaying your female this early could contribute to joint issues such as hip dysplasia because their hormones are being altered before they are fully grown. One problem that arises if she is not spayed prior to her first heat is the risk of Pyometra. In intact females the effect of sex hormones can result in over stimulation of cells in the uterus which eventually may result in a severe E coli infection and a pus infection in the uterus. Signs of Pyometra can include lethargy, increased thirst, increased urination, not eating, a foul odor coming from their behind, draining of Pus from the vulva, excess licking of the vulva, collapse or fever related to signs of shock. If you observe any of these symptoms in your Lab after her heat cycle take her to the Vet right away as Pyometra could result in death for her if her uterus ruptures and causes a severe infection bacterial infection in the blood stream and abdomen. Other issues that present themselves if you leave your female Labrador to have a heat while in tact are cancer related. On average a female Lab will have her first heat around six months of age so spaying her in advance of this will help avoid most issues related to cancer such as mammary tumors. The statistic available at the time of writing this is that Labradors who are spayed prior to their first heat only have a 0. Risks for other cancers such as uterine also decrease when they are spayed prior to their first heat. It is important to point out that not all mammary tumors are cancerous and actually most of them are not cancerous, but there is no reason to encourage these tumors simply because they are not cancerous. The down side to spaying before your girl is fully grown is that her hormonal balance will be altered. In order for her to grow naturally she needs the hormones available to her naturally. Altering this natural balance could result in development problems with her joints and result in hip dysplasia or other joint issues or tendon ruptures. The same study goes on to identify that hemangiosarcoma cases in late-spayed females was 4 times more than females spayed early. One final point to mention is that spayed females may also develop a weakened bladder known as spay incontinence or urinary incontinence. So, to sum this all up for female Labradors, at present it appears that fixing them early can greatly reduce the risk of certain types of cancer while increasing the risk of joint-related problems. So how do you decide? We recommend becoming as informed as possible, consulting with your Veterinarian, and then prioritizing your reasons for spaying. On the male Labrador side, if you neuter your pet you can still have a happy pet and often more healthy! Generally you neuter a male after they are fully grown because they require their hormones to thicken up and develop as a male dog would normally. Fully grown is at different times for different breeds of dogs. Generally the larger your dog is the longer it takes them to mature. Large breeds could take up to two years to fully grow and medium breeds are closer to one year. Neutering your Lab will also pretty much eliminate the risk of prostate disease including cysts, abscesses and prostate enlargement. Perineal hernias can also be mostly avoided as they are primarily seen in intact males. A Perineal hernia is when organs from the belly slip through the weakened muscles of the pelvis resulting in a bulge on one or both sides of the anus. As well, neutering your Labrador removes the risk of testicular cancer which is mostly seen in intact male dogs. There are some behavioral issues related to neutering that are worth mentioning. There are however some behavioral issues that are related to male hormones. These can be things such as roaming, mounting other dogs, attraction to female dogs, urine marking and even aggression. Good Labrador Retriever breeders would do this in their breeding programs, however, I have never seen an aggressive Labrador who has been trained and cared for properly. Normally an aggressive dog will be neglected or abused which ends up training them to act that way. Neutering may help to dampen or eliminate any behaviors that are related to the hormones. So there are many points that require your consideration, advice from your breeder and advice from your Veterinarian. In the world we live in today we are all trying to do the absolute best we can for our pets. We cannot, however play God. So once you have enough information sit with your family and have a brief discussion. Weigh the pros and cons of spaying and neutering and then make your decision. Then, forget about it. Once your decision has been made return to enjoying your Lab puppy for the time you have with them.