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Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Located near Kingston, Ontario, we raise our dogs on 20 acres of land and with our 5 young children. The puppies are well accustomed to a family setting before they go home. All our German Shepherd puppies are raised with quality care from day one to insure a happy, confident, well balanced temperament. They are around children, cats and smaller dogs to make sure they will acclimate well with any kind of household. Our German Shepherd puppies are black and red in color. German Shepherd puppies for sale come current on their vaccinations, are dewormed and microchipped. We offer a health guarantee, life time support, a vet health certificate, CKC registration papers and a useful German Shepherd puppy starter package. We are located on 20 acres of land, where our dog are free to roam. Our dogs have wide open spaces and are not confined. We strive to give our dogs the best lives we can offer them. Family run with five children, our dogs and puppies are well accustomed to family life already. Accepting Puppy Reservations for Fall Information about planned litters available on Please, I kindly ask you to take a moment to review my FAQ page before contacting me, I greatly appreciate it, I promise to do my best to get back to you as quickly as I can. Thank you in advance. Thank you so much. Or email me, at winbakfund rocketmail. Be sure to check out what they have to offer! Including Boarding, Grooming, Raw Food sales and beautiful indoor training facility for all disciplines! Meagan also offers Puppy classes and behavioral herding. Wild Wilds German Shepherds is a small breeding operation, German Shepherds have been our passion since .We are located on a beautiful 45 acre farm in Arthur, Ontario. Our dogs are members of our family, they share our home and are not kenneled. Puppies are raised in a loving enviroment, and are exposed to various ages of children and everyday situations. We are very proud of the puppies we produce and keep the best interest of our dogs first and foremost at all times. We are out and about competing with our dogs in Obedience, Herding and Tracking. We strive to produce healthy, well-adjusted babies that will mature into awesome active family members. Our pups can excel at any discipline, including obedience, tracking, herding and agility. Please be aware puppies are sold on non breeding agreements only. We also have a return policy, which requires our puppies be returned to us if circumstances are such you are unable to keep the puppy for any reason. This policy also applies to puppies that are flying to their new homes. We are constantly seeking improve the pedigrees of our dogs. Our puppies are large, square, structurally correct, and true to type. We urge all prospective Clients to educated themselves about Working Line GSDs and to appreciate these are intelligent and athletic dogs that require both mental and physical stimulation. They are NOT couch potatoes. OFA certified for hips and elbows and testing for Degenerative Myelopathy. We are very proud to begin using Embark to test our dogs. Please continue to check in for updates. We are happy to provide references and welcome visitors by Appointment. Please take a few moments to read thru the additional information available on the FAQS page If you are interested in hearing what our past puppy clients are saying about our dogs, please check out our Again a heartfelt Thank you to everyone that took time to write one, it has been so great.I teared up several times!! Your time is greatly appreciated. If I haven't already contacted you about a testimonial but you would like to send one please do so! We are very proud to be members of :. New Puppy Arrivals! We only work with proven bloodlines and that produce strong, healthy, and irresistibly cute puppies. The quality of our dogs comes from the fact that our female German shepherds are bred only once a year in order to give them the rest and attention they deserve. Ulvilden German Shepherds has been raising and breeding dogs since .Let us put our experience to work for you. German Shepherds Breeder Ulviden German Shepherds was founded in with the goal of providing the highest quality dogs to qualified owners. German shepherds can be the kindest, most protective, and most loyal breed of dog there is, but we knew that pairing them with the right owners was what made the difference. We combined our knowledge of breeding with our love for dogs to create the most respected and accomplished breeding kennel in Canada. They truly are our best friends. Since we began breeding puppies and providing male and female dogs for breeding, we have expanded across Canada. We started by offering German shepherd puppies in Saskatchewan but slowly spread out, and now we offer purebred puppies and dogs in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and the rest of the nation and internationally. Stud Service Available to Select Females A well bred German Shepherd and Customer satisfaction are our top priority A Member in good standing of: the Canadian Kennel Club "Untiring, always zealous for duty, always attentive, always ready to serve, such is the character of our shepherd dog. Showing 1 - 36 of 36 resultsPage 1 - 36 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. The pups have been raised with a large family on a farm and experience socialization with dogs, people, large animals, All puppies are full black with broad massive heads. They are going to be large tall with stocky muscular build. They are friendly and good with children. They are black, tan and redish. Our German Shepherds are eager to learn, easy to train, Straight backs. We are a small family-owned dog.He was born on June 22nd and is 9 weeks old. He eats solid food and use puppy pads already. They are both on site as they are our family pets. Mac, the father, is a black.Please Contact German shepherd puppies Barrie Absolutely beautiful and extremely intelligent Three month, old, king size, German shepherd puppy with stunning, mahogany, black, and long coat. Potty trained and crate trained with all of the shots.They have a plush coat and are extremely strongly built boys! The pups have the personality to.They were born on June 22nd and are 11 weeks old. They eat solid food and use puppy.The mom is the bigger beige one in the photos. The dad is also completely beige. Great and knownfor being a nanie dog, a.We have 4 females and 2 males One male and 1 female up for your consideration. Mom is an all black with.All 1st year shots, Ready for their new home. Mom is 50Lbs, Dad 70Lbs, light brown puppy is larger than black puppy who has her.They are very friendly pups growing up with other animals and children. The father and mother of the pups are also.Ready for their forever home October 8th. They will be CKC registered, microchipped and first set of shots before going to their new home. Born July .Mom and Dad have excellent temperament and are.Our Luna gave birth to 12 amazing all black puppies. Their father Romeo unfortunately passed away before they were born. Romeo was a big boy who.They will leave with full vet check, first vaccines and deworming. Mom is a black DDR shepherd and dad a black and tan long hair shepherd.The female is black and the.Meera is the most beautiful and striking pure black Shepherd I have ever laid eyes upon. He came from a reputable breeder. No health issues and up to date with his vaccination. He is.He is the most wonderful, gorgeous, loving, loyal, healthy dog who.Will be ready to go to their forever homes oct 9. Mother is sable black German shepherd.The father.Showing 1 - 40 of 46 resultsPage 1 - 46 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. All puppies are full black with broad massive heads. They are going to be large tall with stocky muscular build. The pups have been raised with a large family on a farm and experience socialization with dogs, people, large animals, They are friendly and good with children. They are black, tan and redish. Our German Shepherds are eager to learn, easy to train, Straight backs. We are a small family-owned dog.He was born on June 22nd and is 9 weeks old. He eats solid food and use puppy pads already. They are both on site as they are our family pets. Mac, the father, is a black.Art Deco era? Possibly Spelter. Please Contact German shepherd puppies Barrie Absolutely beautiful and extremely intelligent Three month, old, king size, German shepherd puppy with stunning, mahogany, black, and long coat. Potty trained and crate trained with all of the shots.Visit Website Below to Order Now! They have a plush coat and are extremely strongly built boys! The pups have the personality to.They were born on June 22nd and are 11 weeks old. They eat solid food and use puppy.The mom is the bigger beige one in the photos. The dad is also completely beige. Great and knownfor being a nanie dog, a.We have 4 females and 2 males One male and 1 female up for your consideration. Mom is an all black with.All 1st year shots, Ready for their new home. Mom is 50Lbs, Dad 70Lbs, light brown puppy is larger than black puppy who has her.They are very friendly pups growing up with other animals and children. The father and mother of the pups are also.Ready for their forever home October 8th. They will be CKC registered, microchipped and first set of shots before going to their new home. Born July .Mom and Dad have excellent temperament and are.Our Luna gave birth to 12 amazing all black puppies. Their father Romeo unfortunately passed away before they were born. Romeo was a big boy who.They will leave with full vet check, first vaccines and deworming. Mom is a black DDR shepherd and dad a black and tan long hair shepherd.The female is black and the.Meera is the most beautiful and striking pure black Shepherd I have ever laid eyes upon. He came from a reputable breeder. No health issues and up to date with his vaccination. He is.He is the most wonderful, gorgeous, loving, loyal, healthy dog who.Boots have.Will be ready to go to their forever homes oct 9. Mother is sable black German shepherd.The father

Lifespan Sociability Boston Boxer dogs are very popular, resulting in many breeders. We recommend searching for as many as possible to find the perfect puppy before you make your decision. Always ask a breeder to show you the facilities before making any payment. In many cases, you can find a breeder that is willing to sell you a puppy at a reduced cost, but we must caution against prices that are too good to be true, as unscrupulous breeders often create these puppies in unsafe environments known as puppy mills. The best way to fight puppy mills is not to buy their puppies. You can always ask your local shelter if they have a Boxer mix that resembles the Boston Boxer. They are athletic and can run fast and jump quite high and will maintain a fast pace for extended play sessions before tiring. They quickly become attached and protective of their owners and are wary of strangers who might cause them to become aggressive and bark. However, they generally get along with other household pets and small yard animals like bunnies and squirrels. Boston Boxers are sensitive to their environment and prefer a set, predictable schedule, and they can be stubborn if you change things up too quickly. They are very intelligent and easy to train, as long as they think they are in charge. They love the company and will remain at your side most of the day. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are very friendly, energetic, and playful. They get along well with pets including, cats and other dogs. They like to play with children and will provide each other with unlimited amounts of entertainment. Boston Boxers are intelligent enough to follow orders and behave and will even learn tricks and guard the house while you are away. They will require at least one family member to take them out for long walks, though, and these are high maintenance in the exercise department, requiring at least one hour of running and jumping each day. If you live in the city, it can be challenging to find enough room, and you will likely require access to a park or trail. They are even more friendly if you socialize them early and get them used to other animals, but even so, this breed rarely gets aggressive toward another animal. This food should be high-quality without any harmful chemicals or preservatives. High-quality dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits, according to the American Kennel Club. You can expect to take your Boston Boxer for a long walk every day, and on some days, you may need a second walk. You can expect to walk at least eight miles a week spread out over about an hour a day, every day, for the next several years when purchasing a Boston Boxer. In most cases, you will only require patience and a bunch of treats to have your Boston Boxer impressing your friends. To train your pet, simply stand in front of them with a treat ready. Boston Boxers are smart and will know you have it. When they figure it out and sit, give them a treat. Stand them back up and repeat. After several tries, your Boston Boxer will catch on and quickly sit on command. Using the above system, you can teach your dog plenty of tricks, like shaking hands, fetch, rollover, and plenty of others. You can even teach them more complex tricks like retrieving the newspaper with a little practice. They only require occasional brushing and trimming of their nails. But there are a few problems associated with them that you should know about before you make a purchase. Minor Conditions. Because a mixed-breed dog can inherit any combination of traits from their parents, you want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed so you have a better idea of what to expect in a specific Boston Terrier Mix. Boston Terriers are known for being a great companion dog and a fantastic family pet. They tend to have a gentle nature and a friendly, energetic personality. They also tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. They can be prone to barking, which can become an issue if it is not curbed with early training. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar temperament in a Boston Terrier Mix. In addition to asking the breeder about the other parent breed, you can also meet the mother dog in-person. This will give you a chance to see what sort of temperament she has, the behavior she is modeling for her puppies, and the manners she is teaching them. The breeder should be socializing puppies while they have them, but it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Boston Terriers are moderately adaptable dogs. They can adapt to almost any type of housing, but they are very sensitive to heat as a brachycephalic dog. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar level of adaptability in a Boston Terrier Mix. But, you do want to make sure you talk to the breeder about the other parent breed so you know what potential range to expect and to prepare for in your Boston Terrier Mix. A mix can inherit the potential health conditions common to one, both, or neither or their parent breeds. From the Boston Terrier side, potential health concerns include luxating patella , allergies, cataracts, and deafness. They also tend to have a sensitive digestive system and are prone to snoring and reverse sneezing because of their short muzzle. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, so they should be able to answer your questions. Boston Terriers tend to be a good fit for dog owners of all experience levels. They are intelligent and eager to please, so they pick up on things quickly. It also means they get bored easily and they can have a stubborn streak. Although this can be a challenge for first-time dog owners, puppy training classes can help them handle it. The other parent breed could make a Boston Terrier Mix easier or more difficult to train. You want to make sure you ask about them so you know what potential range of trainability to expect. A Boston Terrier Mix could inherit a coat that is similar to one of their parents or one that is truly a combination of both. Should they end up with a Boston Terrier coat, they will shed a little year-round, require weekly brushing, and bathing as needed. Plus, if you do see anything concerning, you can get to the vet before it becomes a bigger problem. Because many dog owners overlook it, gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. A Boston Terrier is an energetic, playful dog with moderate exercise requirements. Daily walks plus some playtime throughout the day are usually enough for this dog. They will have moments of high energy, but they are a brachycephalic dog and they are small so they will tire out quickly. The other parent breed could result in a Boston Terrier Mix that requires more or less exercise. A fully-grown Boston Terrier usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent could affect this, so you do want to ask the breeder about them and note which breed is the mother. A Boston Terrier generally lives for years with some living well into their teens. The other parent breed may affect this slightly, but you should be able to expect a similar life span in a Boston Terrier Mix. Featured Boston Terrier Mix Article. Should a Boxer Mix take after their Boxer parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and friendly dog that loves their family and loves being active with them. Boxers are known for their energetic and exuberant personalities. They bond closely with their families, tend to have a cheerful disposition, and also tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are friendly dogs, they do have the instinct to protect their families. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar temperament in a Boxer Mix. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix is a good start. You can also meet the mother dog to get a feel for her temperament and to see what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should be socializing puppies while they have them, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Boxers are moderately adaptable dogs. Because of their energy, they tend to do better in homes with yards where they can run. But, they can adapt to apartments as long as they get exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Although all dogs are sensitive to heat, the Boxer is even more so because of their short snout. And, because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce some traits that could affect the adaptability of a Boxer Mix, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Knowing more about the other parent breed will help you get a better idea of what range of potential characteristics to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? A Boxer Mix can inherit any combination of the potential health issues common to one or both of their parent breeds. Or, they could inherit none of them. From the Boxer side, potential health conditions include degenerative myelopathy, thyroid deficiency, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions. Boxers also tend to have sensitive digestive systems, which often makes them gassy. As a brachycephalic dog, they will also snort and snore. Because they are a barrel-chested breed, they are also at a higher risk for bloat in dogs. This can become dangerous, especially if the stomach flips, so you want to make sure you reduce the risk when you can and know the symptoms so you can get help as soon as possible. Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, they should be able to answer your questions. Despite their high energy, Boxers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Because they are intelligent, they pick up on things quickly and can get bored easily. But, they are eager to please their owners and tend to respond well to training. The other parent breed could make a Boxer Mix even easier to train or more difficult to train. You want to make sure you ask the breeder about the other parent breed so you know what range of trainability to expect. A Boxer Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a combination of both of them. Monthly nail trims are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris or pests. Unfortunately, many dog owners overlook dental care, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus playtime and other activities should be enough for this dog. However, they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you can expect a Boxer Mix to also be a high-energy dog. However, this is a potential range, so you will still need to be prepared to deal with a Boxer Mix that is high-energy. A Boxer usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can affect this, especially if they are the mother, so you do want to ask about them. A Boxer generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect a similar life span in a Boxer Mix. Featured Boxer Mix Article.

Please learn a bit more about our Boxers on our "Meet Our Boxers" page where you can see pictures, video, and information about them. We are a homeschooling family; therefore we are home everyday and able to provide our puppies with lots of attention and family interaction. Our emphasis here at Box Elder Creek is on doing our very best to provide families and individuals with a quality puppy; one that is healthy, well socialized, has an outstanding well-rounded disposition and has the look of a true quality Boxer. We do not have puppies all the time, as we chose to only have a few litters per year; in doing so we are able to dedicate a lot of time, care, love, and attention to each and every one of our puppies. We know that we have a very limited amount of time before our puppies will be leaving us and joining their new families; we feel it is our responsibility to get our puppies off on a great start in life while they are here with us, this helps ensure they will be ready and able to become a valued and much loved member of their new family. Boxers make wonderful family pets, they are great with kids and have excellent temperaments, but they are not for everyone. They love to be a part of the family and enjoy any activity that involves interaction with people, be that hiking, jogging, agility, games that make them think, lounging, babysitting, learning try clicker training , patrol duty, stealing children's toys to get everyone to chase after them, they are prone to collect shoes into piles they seem to think this is an important job , re-arranging the laundry is a favorite past time Boxers are always very helpful!! Life with a Boxer is never dull!!! They are silly and very much a jokester. Please make sure a Boxer is for you before purchasing one as they will test your patience at times. If you are looking for a dog that is independent, a Boxer is not for you as their family is very important to them and they tend to want to follow you around all day long. Boxers adore their family and it is very important that they be apart of it. I also highly recommend before purchasing a Boxer that you make sure you will have the time for proper training, as lack of training is the 1 reason Boxers end up in Boxer Rescue. We are delighted to welcome you to our website and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you into our Boxer family! All Rights Reserved. Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article.

Our Frenchie Claude loves getting out and about, so we go for walks twice a day. When we first started leash training, he was extremely stubborn and sometimes would even refuse to walk at all. On other times he would pull and act so manic that we struggled to control him. However, once we had learned how to leash train our French Bulldog life got a lot more enjoyable. I actually looked forward to going to the park rather than viewing our walks with trepidation. French Bulldog puppy leash training I am going to assume you already have a leash or harness. Some owners prefer harnesses that fit around the body, others a collar and leash combination. With the guide below, the aim is to understand how to leash train a stubborn French Bulldog from a puppy so that he will follow you or walk by your side at all times. He should not be refusing to walk or pulling you in all sorts of different directions. And before you start; patience, repetition, and consistency are the three key elements to leash training your Frenchie. Get your Frenchie puppy used to the leash indoors The first aspect of leash training is getting your Frenchie puppy used to having a collar or harness on. Handy Hint: If your Frenchie is frightened and starts to get anxious, stop the leash training immediately. A scared dog is very hard to train, so for leave it for a couple of hours. Your job here is to use distraction and praise to get them used to wearing it. We found that the best way was to put the leash and collar on Claude and then play with him in the house. This lets him associate having a leash on as being a positive and fun thing to do. As he walks towards you, reward him with a treat. Pick the right time for your first outdoor leash walk As with any dog training, sometimes the timing is key. A Frenchie who is excited and full of energy is going to be far harder to train. But it is a delicate balancing act, because conversely, a tired-out puppy will also be hard to train. You need to take the middle ground, and I recommend you play a quick game with your Frenchie before taking them for their first walk outdoors. A game of indoor fetch is a great way to tire a high energy dog out, and help them focus later on the leash walk. Try leash training outdoors for the first time Outdoors will be far more challenging mainly due to there being plenty of distractions. The aim is to get your French Bulldog puppy paying you constant attention when they are on the leash. Do the same thing as you did indoors. To keep them focussed on you only, make constant direction changes with verbal commands and treats. This can include zig zagging, or stopping, turning, and heading back in the other direction. Keep it random and keep it interesting. Make things fun when they get stubborn French Bulldogs love to play see what I mean here and you can use this in your leash training to great effect. If your French Bulldog puppy gets difficult on the leash, wants to go in different direction, or completely refuses to walk, then make things fun. The easiest way to do this is to start acting excitable; quicken your step, run a little, wave your arms, make silly noises — this will intrigue your stubborn Frenchie and in most cases they will follow you to see what the fuss is all about. Dealing with scary noises including cars One of the most important factors in leash training is getting your Frenchie used to the scary sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors. Leash training is a great opportunity to expose your French Bulldog to things it needs to get used to. The same goes for other dogs, wildlife, and loud noises. Claude is now fully leash trained and loves his walks. One of the biggest things we had to get Claude used to was cars driving past us. Our Frenchie would cower and be scared. It was the repetition, reassurance, reward, and continual exposure to traffic noise that got him over this fear — it did take 3 months though for him to be completely at ease with road traffic noise. Handy Hint: Find out why I recommend you use Frenchie harnesses and not collars particularly when training young Frenchie puppies. It takes time and patience. Here are two common problems with a suggested solution. Pulling on the leash For the first 12 months of taking Claude for walks he was a huge puller. Frenchies are excitable, and ours would pull because he knew he was going to be off the leash at the park once we got to our destination. Handy Hint: Read my views on whether Frenchies are good to walk without a leash and what you need to be careful of before doing so. It took some time for it to stop and also coincided with him maturing from puppy to adult. During the first year of leash training, I would always stand dead still as soon as he started pulling. Once I came to a stop, I would call him back to me, get him to sit, and reward him with a treat. I would then start walking again. If he started pulling, I would repeat the process. Over time our Frenchie learned not to pull. Chewing on the leash Almost every puppy will chew on the leash. This could not be further from the truth! Frenchies can develop bad habits at any age, and the older they do, the harder those habits are to shift! But a word of warning; French Bulldog leash training is much harder than people think. When you have a young puppy, they grow very quickly. They will get quicker and stronger as they get older meaning they will end up walking a lot faster than you. It could take a couple of months to get it right, but it will be worthwhile. You might also like… If you like this guide on how to teach a French Bulldog to walk on a leash you might also be in interested in the following guides:. Check Price 3. They are popular among Frenchie parents due to their ease of use and the fact that French Bulldogs usually adjust to them easily. French Bulldogs can wear a variety of harnesses to ensure their comfort and safety Features to Consider When Choosing a French Bulldog Harness Keeping your Frenchie safe and comfortable during walks and other activities is easy with the right French Bulldog harness. Get the wrong one, and you risk your dog slipping out or not wanting to wear it. Here are things to look out for when shopping for French Bulldog harnesses to get one that is perfect for your dog: 1. Materials The material used in making a harness determines how comfortable your dog will feel when wearing it. Therefore, you should only consider French Bulldog harnesses made with high-quality materials like cotton, nylon, and leather. You may need to try different materials to find the most comfortable one for your dog. Breathability Due to the structure of their flat face, Frenchies are more susceptible to breathing problems and, by extension, overheating than other dog breeds. When choosing the best harness for your French Bulldog, ensure that you opt for one that allows plenty of ventilation. This eliminates the risk of your dog suffering a heatstroke. Therefore, consider getting a harness with plenty of padding, especially around the chest and belly, to provide your dog extra comfort and safety. Adequate padding helps prevent rubbing or digging into the skin, reducing the risk of injuries and discomfort while wearing the harness. Attachment points Harnesses come with the leash attachment point on the front, back, or both. When choosing the best French Bulldog harness, you should note where its leash attachment points are, as that determines how much control you will have over your dog when walking them. Harnesses with front leash attachment offer more control than harnesses with back leash attachment. Reflective features This is optional but highly recommended if you intend to walk your Frenchie at night. Harnesses with reflective features, such as reflective strips or stitching, help to make your dog visible to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians in low-light conditions, reducing the risk of accidents. Finding the Right Fit for Your French Bulldog Before purchasing a French Bulldog harness, it is important to measure them first to ensure you get one that fits them correctly. Use a measuring tape Weight-based sizing can be misleading when shopping for the perfectly fitted French Bulldog harness. Although it can provide a general indication, it is not always accurate. Be sure to note the width of the chest at its widest point, typically an inch or two away from the armpits. If your Frenchie is a puppy, you can add an extra 3 inches to the recorded chest dimensions to allow room for growth. Weigh them Weighing your Frenchie is another step in selecting the perfect harness size. While it can be challenging to make them stand still, an easier way to do it is by carrying your dog and stepping onto the scales to obtain your combined weight. After taking note of the combined weight, place the dog back down and weigh yourself alone. Selecting the perfect harness for your Frenchie becomes much easier if you accurately measure their chest, neck, and weight. The tutorial video above provides a good visual guide on how to measure your pup for a harness. For the neck, measure around the widest part, usually right below where the collar sits. For the chest, measure around the broadest part, which is typically right behind the front legs. Always remember to check the fit regularly as your French Bulldog puppy grows, adjusting the harness or upgrading to a larger size when needed. Thus, a harness with a secure buckle system is a must to prevent any possible escape attempts. However, it is an essential part of their overall training and care. For this process to be as smooth as possible, there are a few tips that you can follow: 1. Gradual introduction Some French Bulldogs might find harnesses scary and may not want to have anything to do with them. If your Frenchie is one such dog, you can help them get comfortable by slowly introducing them to the harness. Allow them to sniff and inspect the harness before putting it on them. Positive reinforcement Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective tools to teach French Bulldogs acceptable behaviors. Be sure to reward your Frenchie with treats, praise, and attention when they show interest or interact with the harness. Gradually work towards putting the harness on them and reward them for wearing it without fuss. Patience and persistence Your Frenchie may not be excited about wearing a harness and could even throw a fit. However, this should not make you frustrated or cause you to give up on their training. Instead, take small steps each day and continue to reinforce positive behavior. This is important because if your dog experiences pain whenever they wear it, they would naturally resist wearing harnesses. You must also inspect the harness for damages and replace it if necessary. Finding the ideal harness for a French Bulldog puppy is slightly different than choosing one for an adult Frenchie. Given their smaller size and growing nature, harnesses for French Bulldog puppies should have some key attributes. First, opt for a harness that has a fully adjustable chest and neck area. This adaptability not only ensures that the harness fits your pup perfectly but also accommodates their rapid growth. Second, a good puppy harness should be lightweight and soft on the skin to avoid any unnecessary discomfort or chafing. For French Bulldog puppies, a harness with a broad chest piece is beneficial. June 17, No comments Is your French Bulldog pulling your arm off whenever you go for a walk? You might need some help to train this behavior out of them. Do French Bulldogs pull? Pulling on the leash is a common behavior in French Bulldogs. It can also cause accidents if your French Bulldog is lunging at things like cars or other animals along the road. Another bad thing about pulling is that it undermines your authority. Poor leash discipline can lead to poor discipline overall as your Frenchie realizes that they can bark , growl, pull, and ignore your commands without consequence. Training in general can be difficult for them, and this includes leash training. Why do French Bulldogs pull on the leash? This is the most common reason for leash pulling, especially in young puppies. Despite what you might have heard about the breed, French Bulldogs can be quite energetic, and they need regular exercise to keep them healthy. Does the pulling get worse when they see other dogs? Is it accompanied by barking, growling, lunging, or just excessively forceful attempts to sniff at the other pooch? In this case, the pulling might be a symptom of a bigger aggression or socialization problem. What triggers it? How do you respond to it? Is your Frenchie in any particular mood when it happens? Only by getting to the bottom of the problem can you figure out a proper solution for it. How do I stop my French Bulldog from pulling? To stop your French Bulldog from pulling, you might have to experiment with different methods. Generally speaking, however, here are some of the recommended methods to stop leash pulling: Take more walks. Invest in a no-pull harness. Stop walking whenever they pull. This can be helpful for dogs with aggression problems or those who are easily distracted by outside stimuli. Offer treats as positive reinforcement. Good luck! Padded Harnesses Types of French Bulldog Harnesses The market is full of different types of dog harnesses, each with its unique features, benefits, and limitations. Finding french bulldog harnesses can be tricky. Frenchie owners may find it tricky to pick the right harness. Here are some options! However, they might not be the best option for dogs with short snouts or those prone to tracheal issues. No Pull Harness Back Clip Harnesses Back clip harnesses have the ring leash attachment on the back and offer comfortable movement for the dog, reducing the chances of getting tangled. Back Clip French bulldog Harnesses Step In Harness Dual Clip Harnesses These offer the flexibility of both front and back ring leash attachment points, suitable for dogs at different stages of their training. Again, the Ruffwear front range harness is a dual clip harness. Most french bulldog harnesses made these days are dual clip harnesses. They are ideal for dogs that are nervous about things going over their head. Also Ideal for breeds prone to ivdd, focusing pressure more on the chest than the neck. Frenchie Friends Brand Step In Harness Padded Harnesses Padded harnesses provide additional comfort, especially for dogs with short hair or sensitive skin. Again with the Ruffwear! They really do tick all the boxes in terms of quality and features. Ruffwear Front Range Harness Introduction to French Bulldog Harnesses Dog harnesses are an essential item for dog owners worldwide, improving control and safety during walks while reducing the risk of injury to your furry friend. But with a plethora of options available, choosing the right harness can be a challenging task. A great french bulldog harness is necessary for Adult Frenchie to avoid damaging the spine, causing ivdd. Frenchie Brand Dog Harness Factors to Consider when Choosing a French Bulldog Harness Several factors play a crucial role in choosing the perfect french bulldog harness for your canine companion. Reflective strips for visibility can also be a valuable addition. Pros and Cons of Harnesses Front Clip Harnesses These days all french bulldog harnesses have both front and back clips. This feature is particularly beneficial for dogs that tend to pull on the leash. Reduces pulling: When a dog pulls, the front clip will cause them to turn around towards you, discouraging the pulling behavior. Not suitable for short-snouted dog breeds: Dog Breeds such as pugs and french bulldogs can have issues with front clip harnesses as the pressure may be too close to their throat, causing breathing difficulties. Back Clip Harnesses Again, now most french bulldog harnesses have both front and back clips. Easy to clip your French bulldogs into car seats, upping the safety factor Cons: Less control: If your french bulldogs are pullers, a back-clip harness might not be the best option as it provides less control than a front-clip one. Can encourage pulling: Some dogs might feel like pulling more when the leash is attached to their back, triggering their instinct to oppose the pulling pressure. You can attach the leash at the front for training or behavior correction, and at the back when just casually walking. Cons: Complexity: These harnesses can be a bit more complex to fit and adjust correctly. Step-In Harnesses Pros: Easy to wear: Your dog only needs to step into the harness, making it a good choice for dogs that are uncomfortable with harnesses sliding over their head. Cons: Less secure: Some step-in harnesses may not provide the same level of security and may come off more easily than other types. Padded Harnesses Pros: Extra comfort: The additional padding can provide more comfort for dogs, especially those with short hair or sensitive skin. Cons: Heat retention: The extra material might make your french bulldogs warmer, which may not be ideal in hot climates or for breeds prone to overheating. Try a cooling vest in summer when using this style! Remember, every french bulldog is unique, and their comfort is paramount. French Bulldog Harness Material Dog harnesses come in a variety of materials — nylon, polyester, and leather, to name a few. Each material has its own pros and cons. Nylon French Bulldog Harnesses: Durability: Nylon is known for its strength and can withstand rough use. Variety: They come in various colors and designs. Easy to Clean: Most nylon harnesses are machine washable. Cons: Can cause rubbing: In some dogs, particularly those with short hair or sensitive skin, nylon harnesses can cause chafing. Leather Harnesses: Durability: Leather harnesses are robust and long-lasting. Aesthetic appeal: They have a luxurious and classic look. Cons: Cost: Leather harnesses tend to be more expensive. Maintenance: They require regular cleaning and conditioning to keep the leather from drying out and cracking. A harness that is too tight can cause discomfort and restricted movement, while one that is too loose may not provide adequate control and can even be a safety hazard if your dog manages to slip out of it. Pros of a Well-Fitted French Bulldog Harness: Comfort: A well-fitted french bulldog harness ensures that your french bulldogs are comfortable during walks. May irritate skin. Risk of Escaping: A loose french bulldog harness might not provide adequate control, and your french bulldogs could potentially slip out. When buying a harness, look for one with adjustable straps that can be altered to get a perfect fit. Harness Training Tips for Your French Bulldogs Training your new French Bulldog Puppy to use a harness might require some time and patience, but the benefits are worth the effort. Getting your new French bulldog puppy accustomed to a new harness might take some time and patience. Start slow, let your bulldog puppy wear the harness for short periods initially. Reward them for their cooperation with treats and positive reinforcement. Collars are not recommended for regular use until at least 7 months of age. The trachea of the french bulldog puppy is still forming. Improper use of collars and putting pressure on the french bulldogs neck and throat can cause serious damage. However a breakaway collar with a bell is smart, allowing you to hear the puppy, for the puppy to get used to the feeling of a collar, and it still allows you the ability to show a sense of style. Never leave french bulldog puppies unattended with collars and harnesses on. Starting with the French Bulldog Harness: Introduction: Let your french bulldog dog sniff and explore the new harness. Reward their curiosity with treats. Adjustment: Place the harness on your french bulldog without fastening it. Give treats and praise during this process to create positive associations. Short Sessions: Begin with short sessions of having the harness on. Gradually increase the duration as your french bulldog dog gets comfortable. Walks: Start going for short walks. Use treats and praises as reinforcement. Remember, every french bulldog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are the keys to successful harness training. I know of a few companies that do! Red Dingo and Ruffwear. We prefer the over the head harness versus the step in harness. When looking at over the head harnesses, make sure to look for one with adjustable straps. French Bulldog heads can be huge and hard to get over, but once over the head, the harness can be extremely loose. Adjustable straps will make it easy to put on but securable for proper fitting. These can also be adjusted as the new french bulldog puppy grows! You will want to measure your frenchie puppy before going shopping for a puppy harness. You can find these at your local drug store or Walmart. Whether your french bulldog is small, medium, or large, you should use the same methods to measure them. To fit your french bulldog dog for a harness, you need two measurements: the neck and the chest. When measuring the neck, wrap the tape measure just below the narrow part where she normally wears a collar. The correct spot to measure will be right above them. When measuring the chest, take care to fit the tape measure around the widest part. Weight can also be a factor in finding the correct size. In addition to measurements, there are other factors that should also influence your purchase. Some harnesses are styled to fit certain body types better than others. The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is a great option for french bulldogs of all ages. Our lb french bulldogs fit in XS, lb french bulldogs fit in Small, and french bulldog pups easily fit in xxs. These french bulldog harnesses are all machine washable. The Red Dingo and Ruffwear have adjustment points, front clip, and padding. These two are my favorite. The Gooby harness is a mesh harness with an adjustable belly strap. This one is great for tiny french bulldog puppies. Kitten Collars Bells are helpful so you can hear your new french bulldog puppy beneath your feet. They come with bells and break away if the puppy should become stuck or strangled. If you are purchasing a new collar because your dog has out-grown its current collar, simply select the next size up from your measurement findings. Measure twice, buy once. But not every home has a soft tape measure. Or just take your string with you to the store! Add 1 — 2 inches to the initial measurement to give extra breathing room and comfort if the dog grows or gains weight. There are a bunch of companies that make fashionable Bulldog specific products. Check out Etsy and Facebook! Conclusion Selecting the right type of harness for your dog is crucial for their comfort, safety, and your peace of mind. As Frenchie owners, you can now feel confident during your shopping experience! FAQs How do I know the right size of the harness for my dog? Can a harness stop my dog from pulling? Training is the most effective way to stop pulling. Can my new french bulldog puppy wear a harness? Yes, but ensure it is the correct size and is adjusted properly to not impede their growth. Is a harness better than a collar? A harness provides better control and evenly distributes pressure, reducing the risk of injury. However, some well-behaved dogs may be comfortable with a collar. Pet parents often have a hard time picking out a new french bulldog puppy harness and collar for their puppy. Dont forget to subscribe and follow on socials! Home » Blog » Effective leash training tips for Frenchie parents Effective leash training tips for Frenchie parents Walking is probably on top of the list of things Frenchies and all dogs like doing most. The truth is that walking on a leash is a skill that puppies need to acquire, so in the beginning it will be your task to get them to like it. In this article, we reveal the essential steps in achieving this, and also share some tips for your grown Frenchie to make walking times enjoyable for both of you! Getting used to the collar The very first step of leash training is to make sure that your Frenchie puppy is comfortable wearing a collar. We recommend doing this at home in your living room where your puppy feels comfortable, and never on the street or in the shop. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! Be prepared that they will probably hate it first and will start chewing on it. The goal is the same as it was with the collar: make them forget about it. When they are finally paying attention to you rather than the leash, you can praise them and show how happy you are with them. If you see that your puppy is up for it, you can slowly try walking up and down in your living room holding the leash. You can then gradually increase the distance, and finally when you manage to make it to the other room you should regard that as a huge achievement! That definitely calls for some extra praising and petting! Remember that small steps will get you far! Check out our French Bulldog Puppies Time to go outside! You should be aware that first there will be a lot of excitement for your puppy: they will hear new sounds, smell new scents and see new things all at once! To you it might just seem that your Frenchie is being stubborn, but they are actually afraid of the new environment which is full of scary sounds and things. No puppy was born already knowing how to walk on the leash, this is a skill they need to acquire. They will very soon realize what an amazing thing it is exploring the world with you, and they are also smart enough to learn that the leash is actually for their own safety. If you are patient, take small steps and use positive reinforcement, it will all be fine! Training your grown Frenchie Once your puppy is bigger and has learned how to walk on the leash, they might eventually get a bit too confident and will try to be the boss at walking times. You should make sure that you never let your puppy pull on the leash and decide which way to go. Just like with any training, you need to be very consistent and expect these things from them every single time you go for a walk! The great debate: harness or collar? This might come as a surprise but we actually recommend using a collar rather than a harness. Dog trainers will usually agree that a harness gives too much confidence to a dog, while a collar can be used to discipline them when they are misbehaving. The reason is that as soon as they start pulling on the leash it will get tighter on their neck, which might seem like a bad thing at first glance but is actually a very effective way of training them. Visit our webshop to find some great leashes, collars and harnesses from Chewy that we recommend for your puppy! The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available puppies here , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article. Do you think you should do that too? Collars are mostly used for providing identification for dogs because of their convenience of use. When your frenchie is a young puppy. Most of the time puppies dislike harnesses because it can feel uncomfortable for them. Collars can feel more comfortable because the affected area is only around their neck. For short walks and if your Frenchie has already learned not to pull on the leash while walking,you can use the collar. Although you can choose to use a collar for your Frenchie , there are still pros and cons to weigh. These lists of pros and cons can also help you determine if using the collar is best for you and your fur baby. Pros: More comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time so they are perfect as identification tag holders for most days or most hours of the day. There is a wider variety of collars to choose from. For instance, our very own Sport Chic leather collar is a soft vegan leather which is not always the case for all collars. Many tend to be sturdier. Easy to wear in and off. Cons: It is possible for your dog to slip out of the collar especially when it is not properly fitted. Collars that are pulled can cause damage to the thyroid and trachea of the dogs. This is especially true for brachycephalic dog breeds like French Bulldog, Chihuahua and Pekingese There are also dangers of collars that can get caught and can suffocate the dog. This is why it is not advisable to keep the collar on the dog when unattended and playing with other dogs or in the yard. In an article written by Caryl Wolff, a certified dog trainer in 5 different organizations in the US and internationally, she writes that she prefers and recommends using a harness for dogs of smaller breeds because they are more prone to a collapsing trachea. When your activity involves longer walks around the block or the park. Similarly, Pet Owens, a professional dog trainer and a known leader when it comes to force-free and non-violent training, writes that he believes that a properly fitted harness is better than a collar while walking a dog. The pressure dissipates more evenly when the dog pulls on the leash. When you are training a puppy. Puppies are highly active and they tend to be more distracted. This is why they can pull on the leash or jump in excitement even after feeling the pressure on their collar. A harness for your frenchie simply provides more control over your pup while walking. Pros and Cons Of Using a Harness Preferred by more pet parents as it seems, the harness also have some pros and cons that you should think about. These will also help you with properly using the harness in times when you choose to put it on your Frenchie. Pros: There is less pull stress during leashed walks when a harness is used because it dissipate the pressure evenly over the body. Provides better control over french bulldogs. Reduces risk of neck pulling injuries especially for dogs of smaller breed and those who have a shorter snout like the French bulldog. Cons: Prolonged wearing of a harness can cause chafes on the skin so it is still better to switch up to collars from time to time. An article by Carol McCarthy for petmd. Front-hook harnesses can also cause discomfort when they are not fitted properly. You should also take a look at the design especially the hardware included. Some dogs may also be allergic to various materials so make sure you figure out what the harness or collar is really made of. Fit — Fit and comfort goes together hand in hand to make sure that wearing a collar or a harness is a good experience for your dog. If not, then your dog may become traumatized or may reject wearing his collar or harness. Dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You should also take a look at the quality of how the collars or harnesses are made. Take a closer look at the stitches and attachments or even read reviews created by previous owners. Style — Style is cosmetic and personal but as frenchie parents, we would love to make our fur babies look their best. Our little Fashionista Kumi also enjoys to be able to switch between collars and harnesses she wears for various occasions and for everyday use. Value — The overall value of the collar or harness should also be consider. It is important to consider factors such as comfort, fit, durability, style and overall value, to find a product that is most suitable for your frenchie. Many personal trainers are open about their preference on using a harness over a collar but many still understand the convenience and importance of using a collar. There are still instances when the collar proves to be better than the harness and vice versa. This is also the reason why we are confident with our choice of using both a collar and a harness for our Frenchie baby. About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups. This will depend on the size of your frenchie pup. For starters, you can choose lightweight ones and move to heavier and sturdier ones as your Frenchie puppy grows into an adult. It is best not to place the leash right after you call the attention of your puppy for doing something mischievous because it might think that the collar and leash are punishments. Try placing it while your puppy is resting or playing inside your home. Make sure to check the fit so it is not too tight nor too loose. Putting on a collar and leash on an anxious puppy will cause it to be more scared. Your presence and attention may distract them from the collar and leash. It is also best to let them roam freely inside the house with the leash. Ease into taking the leash and try to lead your puppy into walking around the house, but do not force your puppy into it. Rewards such as a toy, treat or a belly rub when it lets you lead them while walking can also help them develop positive feelings towards the collar and leash. It is best to choose a quite place outside for your first walk outdoors. This lessens distractions that can cause your Frenchie to become overly excited and pull on its leash. Let your leash hang loose to let them explore and figure out their limits. Keep your composure, remain calm and be firm. About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Do you want to know how to fatten up a German Shepherd to make them gain weight in a healthy way? Are you worried that your German Shepherd is thin and underweight and want to know how to bulk up a German Shepherd for safe weight-gain? Is Your German Shepherd Underweight? Your dog should have a trim, athletic appearance. They are large breed dogs with fast metabolisms that are active and energetic in their daily lives. Fit German Shepherds may at first seem slightly underweight. They are lean, athletic dogs with a strong, firm figure and you should avoid learning how to make a German Shepherd fat. Instead, you want to bulk-up your German Shepherd to make them fit. But if you see their ribs protruding or their hip bones raised and easily felt when petting, this is a sign of being underweight. You should first check with your vet for possible medical issues. You want to know if they are gaining weight, losing weight, or remaining the same. This helps you to decide if your weight gain plan is working — or if you need to adjust your plan. If your dog continues losing weight or if you see a lack of progress, take your dog back to your veterinarian. You need to see this as a long term plan and not an overnight fix to get your German Shepherd fat and by fat, I mean bulk-up not obese or overweight. Look for foods that have a higher percentage of fat and protein than your current food. Adults and seniors should eat about 20 to 25 percent of their daily calories from protein and 25 to 50 percent from fats. The rest of the calories should come from carbohydrates. This is anywhere from 8 months to a year or longer. Change to Puppy or High-Performance Food If you have an adult dog, switch them to a puppy or high-performance dog food to help them gain healthy weight. Both puppy and high-performance also known as a working breed food is higher in calories to support complex energy needs and sustained growth. Puppy foods generally have added nutrients to support puppy growth which can help your underweight German Shepherd gain weight and fatten up in a controlled manner — which is what you want. Mixing regular adult and puppy or high-performance food helps your GSD gain weight and fat in a regulated manner. For More Calories Feed Dry Kibble Dry kibble dog food generally has more calories if you want your dog to gain weight. Dry kibble is denser and contains more calories than wet food because the moisture has been removed from dry foods. Therefore, dry food has up to 4 times the number of calories as the same amount of wet food — dry kibble is a weight gaining powerhouse! If your dog is currently eating wet meals, then try mixing in some dry food with their wet food to help stimulate weight gain. Wet foods may taste better to your dog, so mixing in the dry foods with the wet still encourages your dog to eat in order to not lose more weight. Look for dry food with higher protein and fats to encourage weight gain in a healthy manner and go with one of the foods mentioned above for fat gain that is healthy. Begin by feeding your dog a bit more of their current food spread out over one more meal per day. Add a quarter to half a cup of extra food per meal. You can also take their regular feeding and the additional food and increase their feeding schedule to four times per day, splitting the food equally at each feeding. If your German Shepherd is picky about when they eat, then it may help to leave food out for them all the time. This is called free feeding. Dogs who can free feed tend to gain more weight than dogs fed on a schedule. Free feeding allows your dog the chance to eat a little whenever they are hungry or bored. This type of feeding may help them eat more overall. But only use free feeding with dry food, since wet foods spoil when left out for more than a couple hours. They may follow you around rather than eat when you offer their food bowl — this may be especially true of Shepherds since they tend to get fixated on their caretaker. But, just keeping your dog company while they eat may stimulate their appetite. Find a comfortable spot to sit and wait on your dog while they eat. Bring a book or do a quiet activity while they eat close to you. Simply sit with them and enjoy your time together while they eat. Keep the treats handy and offer them to help get extra calories into your dog. Adding these foods into their regular kibble may also entice them to eat more of their dry dog food, which can help an underweight puppy or adult. They also add extra calories which are healthy and nutritious. To get your dog more interested in their food, try sprinkling on a topping to their usual meals. You can even buy healthy toppers that are easy to add. Seniors, adults, and puppies all have various nutritional concerns. Most commercial and pre-made dog foods specify their intended age range on the packaging and state what groups the food is aimed at feeding. Underfeeding a German Shepherd puts your dog at a serious health risk. You need to make sure they get enough food for their age and energy needs. Puppies generally eat almost double the number of calories an adult dog needs, so be sure to check out this post on what amount to feed a German Shepherd puppy to keep them healthy. While a senior GSD may eat significantly fewer calories, if they are losing weight or underweight and a vet has been consulted, they may need extra feedings or food to help them gain the weight back. German Shepherds thrive on consistent physical activity. Walking and swimming are activities that build muscle and are lower impact and less intense on their joints and bones. They can be done every day to keep your dog active and help them to maintain their muscle mass. But these two exercises can be performed at a lower intensity so that even older dogs and puppies can enjoy their benefits make sure your puppy can swim first. Keeping muscle mass is important to prevent wasting and help maintain their health and mobility, as well as their athletic appearance. Try walking up hills to improve muscle growth or a gentle game of tug using a spring pole in which your dog can start and stop on their own. Some of the herbs used to increase human appetite are also safe for use in dogs. Dandelion is available in this for-1 multivitamin , along with other herbal supplements to make your GSD gain weight. B vitamins are natural appetite stimulants and are readily available over the counter and online. Visit Your Vet Regularly Always see your vet regularly. Regular vet appointments are especially important for your underweight German Shepherd. Your vet will use your notes to help make medical adjustments, as necessary, and to give you the right tips and advice. Helping Your German Shepherd Gain Weight Knowing how to fatten up a German Shepherd can help you and your dog achieve their ideal weight and maintain this healthy condition. There are many reasons why your dog or puppy may not be gaining weight. But there are also ways to help your dog at home to become healthier and have more energy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. How about some details regarding their feeding habits, behavior, medical needs, grooming regimen, and exercise requirements? In this section, you will find everything you need to know to keep them healthy and assist with things such as toilet training and teething. She will discipline them and make sure they learn to be independent. They then begin to go to the toilet independently and venture away from mom. At week 8, they play, can be housebroken, and bark when startled. The famous GSD ears will start to stand up, and you can begin leash and crate training. They must be handled and groomed and realize that human commands and dominance are the norm. During this time, the mother will nurse the pups until they are old enough to begin eating puppy mush , which is softened kibble. Allow puppies to eat as much as they like at each meal. At 6—8 weeks, their first shot from the vet is due. Smith, Shutterstock 12 weeks is a turning point for your pup. Their coordination will come on in bounds, as will their learning and social skills. They will be eager to learn but easily distracted, so have plenty of patience. If you become angry, it will stunt development if they become fearful of you. Your pup is officially into the juvenile period now. All of his puppy teeth should be developed by now and are normally very sharp. So, beware of your fingers when playing. At 12 weeks of age, puppies can start to eat three to four set meals a day with measured amounts. Purpose-made dog-approved chew toys are best, not teddy bears or old shoes. As they grow through this period between three and six months, GSD puppies are more juvenile than babies. They will be more boisterous and energetic. But on the plus side will feed easily, be more friendly with animals and people alike, and more than likely be housetrained if you have managed them correctly. They will be stubborn at this age when training and could ignore you, or not come when called. The best approach is to ignore any sassy attitude and only praise and fuss when back to being obedient. His internal organs and systems are fully developed and functioning as they should, while the skeleton is still growing. His full set of adult teeth should be present and correct. Your GSD is now becoming independent and will want to roam different areas and interact with their world on many more levels. Be aware that they could weigh 50 lbs at 6 months, so caution is needed with control and safety as they explore. He may also seemingly forget commands that he has been taught. It is best to ignore, not mollycoddle, any fearful reactions to new things to not reinforce the negative behaviors. By 6 months of age, you can reduce the feedings to three per day, now paying attention to the total calories consumed. Between the ages of 4—6 months, he will shed his puppy coat too. He might still be a bit goofy, gangly, and stubborn when it comes to training. German Shepherd females are reaching sexual maturity at this age. They may have their first estrus heat period. So, be mindful of letting them off the lead during this time if other dogs are around. At 9 months, your GSD can be tested for heartworm and treated if needs be. Speak with your vet about this for more detail. You can add small amounts of solid adult formula into the puppy food to get him used to the texture. Making it the optimal time to stimulate them as much as you can with obedience training and work activities. Your GSD should be comfortable in all situations, and with all types of company as their bond with humans should be well established. Their unique personality and quirks should be apparent and set them apart as your dog. They will have developed vocal and body language traits that you recognize and use for their needs. If male, he will be reaching sexual maturity and cocking his leg when urinating. He might also be looking to challenge dogs and humans for the title of pack leader. The key to cementing all your hard work so far is to be consistently firm with any boundaries he tries to push. By 12 months, they should be on adult formula only. German Shepherds stop growing between 2 and 3 years. This is when they fill out too. It starts to slow at around the age of 1, but he will continue to grow until he reaches maturity. During this time, they are considered to be adolescents. This is the same for their mental maturity too. This is the same for all German Shepherd types. Females tend to mature faster, both physically and mentally, than male German Shepherds. There are different stages within this time frame before maturity. And these are the neonatal stage 1—2 weeks , the transitional stage 2—4 weeks , the socialization stage 4 weeks to 3 months , the juvenile stage 3—6 months , and the adolescent stage 6 months to 2 years. Research has shown that neutering dogs can affect their growth. But how exactly? But early indications show that early neutering can increase the length of time that the bone grows. Meaning potentially taller dogs. But this also poses questions about whether this affects the joint alignment and whether it can cause any problems. And for the German Shepherd breed and his heightened propensity for hip dysplasia, this is a concern to be aware of. But waiting for full skeletal maturity also poses risks. Because neutering for females can reduce mammary cancer. If spayed before her first heat, it can eliminate the chances of this type of cancer altogether. As they will be able to offer you tailored advice for your German Shepherd. Dangers of Growing Too Quickly or Stunted Growth The dangers of growing too fast can affect their skeletal development. Conditions caused by growing too quickly are joint dysplasia and osteochondrosis. By feeding him a kibble that is designed for large-breed puppies will help control the rate at which his bones grow. This is because they have the optimum ratio of calcium and phosphorus levels in the food. So, always feed him large-breed puppy food during his developmental stage. This is most common in German Shepherds, but also in some Labrador Retrievers. It is an inherited disorder of growth hormone deficiency, and it will make the affected pooch always appear puppy-like. Growth Distinctions of Different German Shepherds. Tweet How big will my German Shepherd get? Along with hundreds of submissions from others lucky enough to be owned by a GSD. What the heck is FCI? Keep in mind that dog growth can be affected by genetics and environment, so take that into consideration when comparing your pup to the data in the German Shepherd growth chart. What is the normal size of a German Shepherd puppy? A German Shepherd dam will normally whelp give birth to between six and eight puppies. Puppy Growth Chart A healthy large breed puppy will normally double her birth weight during the first week. And moderates to an ultimate weight of around 70 times the puppy's birth weight. Check the puppy growth chart for an explanation of the different puppy development stages and puppy growth rate. German Shepherds normally reach physical maturity at months. Curiously, some Eastern European lines mature more slowly and do not reach full maturity until 36 months of age. Their growth rate slows noticeably at 6 months and continues minimally after .Puppy to adult in 40 seconds Here is a great time lapse video that shows GSD Dunder's growth from 8 weeks to 1 year. Standard, MO. If you have any doubt that your puppy is not changing according to the above German Shepherd growth chart, the best thing to do would be to contact your trusted vet. If you are providing adequate exercise and quality dog food , your German Shepherd's dog growth should be normal and she will have no trouble reaching her full potential. Not sure if you're feeding your GSD enough? Check out this breed specific dog food calculator to make sure. Is your GSD growing by the numbers? How is your pup progressing? Enter The Title of Your puppy growth story ex. Just type! Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph. Show off your puppy! Click the button and find it on your computer. Then select it. Note: Submissions without at least one picture, will likely not be published. Your Name. What is a healthy weight for your dog? Your tiny, cute German Shepherd puppy will likely grow into a medium-sized or large dog. Females will probably weigh in on the medium side, while males can get pretty big. GSD puppies experience a phenomenal rate of growth, especially before six months, so be ready. Just remember that dogs as big as male German Shepherds are at risk for joint problems because they grow so quickly, and overfeeding them can exacerbate those problems as they get older. Factors Effecting German Shepherd Size German Shepherd size is dependent on age, but there are many other factors too. Female Shepherds are smaller and lighter than males. How your dog is fed and exercised will play a part. In this article we will look at the height and weight of GSDs at different stages of their development. And at what you might expect your cute German Shepherd puppy to measure and weigh when they are a full grown German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherds are the third most popular dog in the USA right now, having been recently nudged down a place by the French Bulldog. The breed belongs to the Pastoral group of dogs traditionally used as herding dogs. Some shepherd breeds were also used to guard livestock. German Shepherd Dog size is linked to this important role. The German Shepherd temperament is also tied in with this purpose and has made them uniquely suited to work as a service dog. With the right training, German Shepherd dogs also make excellent family pets. Working German Shepherd Size Because of their dual purpose as both herding and guard dogs, they are one of the larger shepherd dog breeds. He also turned to refining them into good police and guard dogs, creating a very versatile breed still in demand as herding became less common. German dog breeds became unpopular during the second world war and lovers of the breed began referring to them as the Alsatian dog, to protect their dogs from anti-German sentiment. They are easily trained, so they make good show and work dogs. Specifically with weight and growth rate. Being overweight can be harmful to German Shepherd health, just as it can to other breeds. Black German Shepherd puppies weigh the same as pups of other colors Weight issues in adult dogs is not the only area of concern, GSDs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which has been linked in some cases to overly rapid growth in puppies. They also suffer fromosteochondritis dissecans, disorders of the pancreas, panosteitis causing lameness, eye and ear issues, and allergies. And are vulnerable to bloat. In addition, some GSDs have deeply sloping backs and angulation in the legs that may be causing health issues. German Shepherd Puppy Size An average weight of German Shepherd puppies, according to a giant census study of dogs in Italy, is about grams or 1. A baby German Shepherd can range from 0. By about a week of age, they will weigh 1. This is one of the reasons why large breed-specific dog foods exist: to control the growth of these dogs in a way that will maximize their health and minimize joint problems. But up to 3 or 4lbs either side of that is normal. At this age most puppies are settled in with their new families and are on three meals a day. At this age pups can look quite gawky and skinny. Growth rate starts to really slow down now and many dogs will look a lot less puppyish than they did a month ago 9 month old German Shepherd puppy By nine months, your Shepherd will weigh between .At that point, the dog is about 90 percent of his or her adult weight. But in the coming months your pup will fill out, look less gawky, and may carry on gaining weight for another months. Bear in mind that this should be muscle gain, not fat, so keep an eye on that waistline! German Shepherd puppies generally stop growing significantly in height by nine months for males, eight months for females. Males may get an extra inch by 15 months and females slightly less than that by months. They reach their adult weight at 36 months. GSDs, like many larger breeds, are considered fully grown by about 18 months, when they have reached 98 percent of their growth. A golden shepherd golden retriever shepherd mix may be very similar but a shepherd mix dog where one parent is much smaller, will not. The answer is no, not really, though it is possible to harm your dog by overfeeding either as a puppy or an adult. German Shepherd dogs will no longer grow in height after 36 months of age, or three years. Dog individuals vary, just like human individuals do. You can ask your vet for a weigh in and a check up to discuss any concerns Average German Shepherd Height On average, male German shepherds reach a larger size when adult than females. So your girl German Shepherd is likely to be a little smaller than her brothers when she is full grown. The German Shepherd breed standard specifies that a good height for adult male German Shepherds is inches at the withers. For females, a size of inches at the withers is about right. How tall is a German Shepherd — length vs height These dogs are longer than they are tall. Fully grown male German Shepherd size is usually between inches tall and lbs. And adult female German Shepherd size is typically within inches tall and lb. However, you can expect your male GSD to weight about 80 lbs by 18 months of age, and 84 lbs by 36 months of age. Female German Shepherd weight is going to be less than male, the average weight at 18 months of age is about 62 lbs. But a good weight for females can like anywhere from lbs, and a good weight for males will be anywhere from lbs, depending on individual factors. Shepherds are often not as greedy as some other popular dog breeds, but obesity can still be a problem in this breed. Remember that exercise or lack of it is rarely at the heart of excessive weight issues in dogs. The problem is almost always too much food. Red German Shepherd Some slight weight loss may occur naturally in an old german shepherd. Older dogs may lose their sense of taste or smell and have less of an appetite than they did when young. When your German Shepherd is the ideal weight, you can feel their ribs, although they are not easily seen, and they are not covered in a layer of fat. There should be a defined waistline when your dog is viewed from above and a noticeable tummy tuck when they are viewed from the side. Underweight German Shepherds While German Shepherds are growing, they will be thinner and look gangly until they fill out in adulthood. It is sometimes recommended to keep your growing German Shepherd marginally underweight but not unhealthily thin while their joints grow and strengthen. Purina defines two levels of underweight: thin and slightly underweight. Thin: Ribs, hips, and spine are easily felt, and there is no fat covering the sides and back. There is noticeable muscle loss around shoulders and thighs, an overly pronounced waistline from the top view, and an overly pronounced tummy tuck from the side view. Slightly underweight: Ribs can be easily felt, hips and spine may be slightly visible if your German Shepherd has shorter hair, but there is no fat covering. There is an obvious waistline from above and a marked tummy tuck from the side. If your German Shepherd is underweight or thin, speak to your veterinarian. It could be that they are just growing quickly, often becoming lightly underweight after a growth spurt and then putting weight on until the next growth spurt. You may just need to change their food or feed them larger and more frequent meals. However, their low weight may indicate parasites or another underlying medical condition. Elderly German Shepherds can struggle with being underweight. This is why senior dog foods typically have a higher calorie count. Overweight German Shepherds It is important to prevent your German Shepherd from becoming overweight while they are growing. Extra weight on developing joints and muscles can cause problems. German Shepherds can also suffer from hip dysplasia, which is worsened by excess weight. Other excessive weight-related conditions include diabetes, pancreatitis, heart problems, respiratory problems, kidney disease, and arthritis. Related: German Shepherd Joint Problems: All You Need to Know Your German Shepherd is not likely to become overweight in the first 9 months of their lives because their growth rate easily matches their calorie intake. When your German Shepherd reaches 9 months, growth slows down significantly, and you may need to adjust their food quantities to account for this sudden reduction in calorie requirements. A helpful tip is to switch to low-calorie treats during this stage, especially considering training needs to intensify, and people often use treats for positive reinforcement incentives. And instead of switching to a calorie-restricted food or reducing the amount you feed your German Shepherd, speak to a veterinarian about switching from puppy food to adult food. Purina defines four levels of overweight: slightly overweight, markedly overweight, obese, and clinically obese. Slightly overweight: Ribs can be felt slightly, but there is an obvious layer of fat covering the ribcage and back. There is a slight waistline when viewed from the top, but it is not clear. There is a slight tummy tuck towards the hind legs when viewed from the side. Markedly overweight: Ribs are not easily felt, and there is an obvious layer of fat over the ribcage. There are fatty pads along the lower back and at the base of the tail, making the waistline absent when viewed from above. Obese: Ribs are difficult to feel because of the fatty layer covering them. There are significant fatty pads along the lower back and at the base of the tail, making the waistline absent when viewed from above. And the tummy bulges outward and sags slightly when viewed from the side. Clinically obese: Ribs cannot be felt under the fatty layer. There are significant fatty pads around the neck and legs, along the lower back, and at the base of the tail. The waistline is absent when viewed from above. The tummy significantly bulges and sags when viewed from the side. Miniature German Shepherds are much smaller and have completely different development requirements and problems. Final Thoughts The weight and growth charts provided in this article are designed to provide guidelines for the developmental milestones your puppy should be reaching in the first years of its life. Male German Shepherds are bigger and heavier than females, and from weeks old, these differences become apparent. Although males and females have different weight and height targets at each stage, they should hit the same percentages of their adult weight at the same age. If your puppy is slightly above or below the average weight or height at a given age, it does not mean that there is a problem. However, if your German Shepherd puppy starts to fall more and more behind, or if they miss other developmental milestones other than weight and height, it may indicate an underlying medical condition, and you will need to take your dog to see a veterinarian. Deficiencies in weight can compromise growth and the general condition of your German Shepherd, and excess weight can cause joint injury and other serious medical conditions. Keep all of these things in mind and be observant of your growing pup and how you approach feeding and training in accordance. By doing this, you will ensure that you have a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted German Shepherd for many years to come!

The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Golden Retrievers are very food motivated. If your puppy seems to be getting fat, you may need to switch to the lower end of the above recommendations. Alternatively, if their ribs are becoming too prominent, you should work to the upper ends of the guidelines. Golden Retriever puppies have much smaller stomachs than adults. This means their daily food allowance should be split into smaller, more frequent meals. Rather than just feeding them once in the morning and once in the evening, as you might plan to do eventually, their food will need to be split into 3 or even 4 portions, like so: 8 — 12 weeks: 4 meals a day 3 — 6 months: 3 meals a day 6 — 12 months: 2 meals a day However, like the feeding charts, this should only be used as a guide. Feeding too much food at once can lead to cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort for your puppy. How to Choose the Best Golden Retriever Puppy Food Puppies need a balance of certain nutrients and vitamins to support their growth — not just as much food as possible. In fact, simply giving as much food as possible is linked to certain joint-related health problems. So, when searching for a high quality puppy food, there are a few key ingredients you might want to search for. This includes a real meat source, and the correct amount of nutrients like calcium and iron. Commercial Food vs Homemade Food There are pros and cons to every type of puppy food available. Dry food is long-lasting and easy to use during training, but can contain filler ingredients. Wet food is palatable and easy to serve, but can be more expensive and harder to use during training. Homemade food is often very appealing in terms of taste for our dogs, but is the most likely type to contain nutritional imbalances that can lead to serious health problems. So, they will continue to grow and develop physically until somewhere between 12 and 18 months. You may want to transition your puppy to a new food when you bring them home, rather than whatever your breeder was giving them. Ideally, you want to make the change over the course of a week. Replace a very small amount of their old food with their new food at mealtimes. Over the week, you can change these amounts by decreasing their old food and increasing the new. By the end of the week, they will be eating only the new food. Changing abruptly can cause stomach upsets and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. But, Golden Retrievers should generally look lanky rather than chubby. But, the most successful rewards in this type of training are often food, such as kibble or small chunks or meat and cheese. Doing all of your training in the morning can lead to stomach upsets if your puppy ends up eating a large amount of their daily allowance all at once. Instead, try and complete shorter training sessions before each mealtime, and give whatever allowance is left for each meal after training is done. This can also benefit your training, as a hungry dog will be more motivated to work for those treats! Learn more » Congratulations on your new golden retriever puppy! You now have a beautiful, smart, and loyal dog who will love you for life. To make sure they grow into a healthy and happy companion, you need to feed them the right amount of food. At months old, which is usually when they are ready to leave their mother, a golden retriever puppy should be eating 3 cups of dog food divided into three meals per day. This is based on a typical large-breed puppy food. Different brands will give a feeding guide on their packaging. However, how much and how often to feed your golden retriever will keep changing during this time of rapid growth. Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Timeline Image Credit: PxHere All puppies are different as are the foods, but some general guidelines for feeding your golden retriever during their first year are: 0—6 weeks: A golden retriever puppy can start eating solid food when they are 3—4 weeks old. Give them a total of 3 cups of dog food per day by their third month, 3 to 4 cups by the time they are 6 months old. The AKC recommends waiting until large breed puppies are at least 12 months old before switching them over to adult dog food and more likely 18 months. The amount will depend on their weight and activity level, but a rough guide is 1—2 cups per meal. Image Credit: Kinek00, Shutterstock Large breed puppies like golden retrievers should eat three to four small meals a day for the first 3—6 months of their lives. Smaller portions spread throughout the day are easier on their tummies and help prevent bloat, a serious condition that can be deadly for dogs. It also helps them maintain their energy level throughout the day. Puppy food has more calories and fat to support their growth, as well as extra vitamins and minerals for their developing immune and nervous systems and bones. The protein source matters, too. Puppies need animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb for their growing muscles. Choose a Large Breed Formula: Large breed puppies grow quickly, which means they need extra support for their bones and joints. Formulations for large breeds contain the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio for strong bones and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. They can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their age, weight, and activity level. But puppies need to be fed on a schedule to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. How do you know if your puppy is getting enough to eat? After that, their growth will start to slow down. He Has a Healthy Appetite: A healthy puppy is interested in food and eager to eat. He Has Plenty of Energy: A well-fed puppy is full of energy and ready to play. Make the most of mealtime with these tips: 1. It also helps other aspects of puppy training, such as potty training and crate training. Image Credit: Alena Marchuk, Shutterstock This means leaving food out all day for them to graze on whenever they want. Leave food down for 10 minutes and then pick up what is not eaten. If they have not eaten anything, offer it again in an hour. Slow them down by scattering their kibble around the bowl, using a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat. This will help them learn to eat slowly and enjoy their food more. If your puppy is not drinking enough water for your liking, try adding a bit of broth to their bowl to make it more appealing and help them stay hydrated. Resist the Urge to Sneak Them Table Scraps Puppies are experts at giving those big, soulful eyes that make it hard to say no. But resist the temptation to give them table scraps or human food. Aside from teaching them bad manners, it can also lead to health problems, like obesity. A lot of human foods are not safe or healthy for dogs. For instance, garlic and onions are toxic to dogs. Oily food can upset their stomach, and carbs add a lot of calories. This helps them learn that mealtime is a specific time and place and not something that happens all over the house. Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace. This includes other pets in the house and small children who might want to bother them or try to steal their food. Otherwise, meals can become a stressful experience for your puppy instead of a happy one. Conclusion Feeding your golden retriever puppy the right amount of quality dog food will establish a strong foundation for their health and happiness. In addition, make mealtimes more meaningful by turning them into lessons and bonding moments between you and your dog. The puppy phase is over before you know it, so enjoy it while it lasts! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months. There is also info on how to keep your puppy and your adult at his or her optimum weight. Scroll down to find growth charts to make sure your puppy is growing at the proper rate and is within the right weight range for his age. If you are looking for information on what to feed, go to How to Choose a Dog Food. Unlike with human children, a puppy that is overfed will grow too fast before they grow too fat. A good example is where a smaller puppy at 10 weeks was overfed and his growth was compared to a puppy that was correctly fed. The growth of your puppy needs to be controlled. General Guidelines for Puppies Below are some general guidelines on how much to feed puppies. Most dog food bags suggest feeding too much. Increase to about 3 cups a day by 5 months for boys and by 6 months for girls. Golden Retrievers at this age are supposed to look lanky and all Golden Retrievers act like they are starving when fed the correct amount. If left to eat as much as they want, they will all grow too fast. In the wild, dogs do not have unlimited access to eat as much as they want. They work for their food. Caloric Needs Greatly Decrease at About a Year When puppies reach about months, their caloric needs begin to decrease. Some males might need 4 cups if active and are fed a less expensive food. Make sure you take into consideration the number of extra calories being fed as treats. You should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them even when the dog is wet. If you can see the ribs, increase their food. Decrease the food if you cannot feel them. I always tell people that it is better to underfeed than to overfeed, especially when feeding puppies. Weight Range Charts Following are charts of how puppies should generally grow in weight. Keep in mind that very few puppies need to be at the top of these ranges and if you cannot feel ribs, your dog is overweight even if she is in this weight range. If your dog is still a puppy and she is over these weight ranges, you are feeding her too much. Female Golden Retriever Weight Chart Here is a chart of how girls should generally grow in weight: 2 Months — pounds.

We named Gabby because as a puppy she was in the middle of her litter and always was the playful one! Comes with 3 lb bag of dog food, 2 toys, 2 small shampoos, 2 sample treats and a soft blanket! She loves cuddling most of all but loves to follow "dad" around the yard. We know she will make a great pet. Zaylee connects with her eyes, looking straight into yours, and tries to reflect your excitement. She was easily trained and loves to be pet and cuddled! Zaylee loves the coolness of the cornfield dirt.Name: Zaylee - loves cuddling, and walks Status: Retired - Looking for her forever home. Comes with 3 lb bag of dog food, 2 toys, 2 sm shampoos, 2 sample treats and a soft blanket! If he could follow you around all day, he would be so happy. He enjoys being held, going for long walks and just looking and smelling everything. Comes with 3 lb bag of dog food, 2 toys, 2 sm shampoos, 2 sample treats and a soft blanket. Is there room in your heart for Cheese? He has the longest tongue for such a small guy. Do you have room for him? Here are the 6 best Labradoodle breeders in Minnesota. With their rigorous screening process for breeders, PuppySpot ensures that all puppies are bred in trustworthy and ethical conditions. Additionally, they offer a health guarantee for all puppies and provide ongoing support to buyers to help ensure that the puppies are well taken care of. This support includes helpful 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 fantastic choice for those looking for Labradoodle breeders in Minnesota. Heather, who spends time with the furry kids, is originally from Connecticut and has been in Minnesota since .Heather places a premium on the health of Labradoodle puppies and offers a three-day general health warranty. Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, Minnesota, will give you a full refund if your furry pet develops any of the problems mentioned above after you take them home! They are dedicated to creating healthy, attractive dogs with decent temperaments. They hope to find a loving home for their Labradoodle puppies , where they are well-fed and never have to see a shelter. Hidden Valley Doodles are bred primarily for health and temperament. Thus their parent breeds are examined before crossing. Because of their great temperaments, their canines are prospering as fantastic therapy and service dogs. Their Labradoodle pups come with the following features. Age-appropriate vaccinations Examined by a veterinarian and backed by a two-year health guarantee Microchipped Vitamins and a package of dog food a package stuffed with unique delights This breeder has been growing great service and companion dogs for more than a decade, as well as grooming dogs and cats for over 30 years. For more than 15 years, the owner also worked as a horse trainer. The dewclaws will be removed, but this breeder will not dock the tails. All Labradoodle puppies will be vet checked, dewormed, and have their first set of shots before going to their new homes. Labradoodles on the Lake only plan to breed a specific amount of litter per year to keep the lines healthy and give each puppy the attention they deserve. This breeder raises mini Labradoodles and mini Goldendoodles, mini golden Cockerdoodles, and Cockapoo. Their miniature Labradoodles are renowned for their intellect, calm demeanor, devotion, and graceful walk. They have affectionate personalities and enjoy being in the middle of things. They are extremely intelligent and enjoy playing, although they are rarely demanding. They chose to socialize our puppies by playing with them all day, taking them to an Assisted Living facility, and occasionally taking them to daycares and schools. Mini Labradoodles are often a fantastic choice for a first-time dog owner, a family, a service dog, a school program dog, or a guide dog. All puppies are super healthy, joyful, and confident and are provided with: All immunizations as well as all boosters. We have TWO puppies looking for loving homes as soon as possible. Our F1 Labradoodles want to be your friend! Our latest F1 Labradoodle puppies will soon become one of your "friends! Phoebe is Mom, a silver Labrador Retriever, who weighs around pounds. Augie, our cream-apricot stand Poodle, is the Dad and weighs about 70 pounds. All our puppies received their first shots and a vet exam. He likes to run and play fetch in the field or splash in the water. Lots of Labradoodle to love! He wants to play and simply show you lots of love. I'll be there for you! To ensure our females have the best possible care and attention they deserve in a family of their own, the Guardian Family Program is an opportunity for selected families to welcome one of our dogs into your family at no initial cost. Guardian family is responsible for any other vet care, as needed. A successful litter is four or more healthy puppies. During her first heat cycle after turning two years old, she returns to the farm to breed. She stays on the farm for days. The gestation period is between 58 — 68 days. About days prior to her estimated due date, she returns to the farm to whelp and nurse her puppies. This is for about weeks. Northern Pine Doodles and our veterinarian, with the input of the family, determine the health and timing of breeding. If we determine the female is unable to successfully breed, she is spayed and becomes the family's pet at no cost. Interested in learning more about our Guardian Family Program? Contact Joe at for more information. Available Females for Guardian Program Call or text Joe at to learn more about becoming a guardian family for a female first-generation chocolate Labradoodle. The parents weigh between pounds and we estimate the puppies will be a similar size. We currently do not breed mini-doodles. Labradoodles, especially F1b, are great for families that may experience allergic reactions from pet dander. The dogs will lose hair, like you and I, but won't shed like other dogs. They are great with kids, friendly, and loving companions. Feel free to read more about our puppies from current owners on our Facebook page. Family-raised, our dogs love people and aim to please. Our owners rave about our puppies' temperament, which are friendly, smart, and loving companions. Because they are three-quarter Poodle, the puppies also are hypoallergenic and low shed. We specialize in Poodle-hybrids, or Doodles. Stud services are also available with a cream or chocolate Standard Poodle. Joe Francis and Sue Brague Wagner are the owners and have a great love for dogs. I am interested in more information about available puppies or would like to be added your litter announcement email list.

Jun 13, Share Bringing a dog into your home is a huge responsibility. Not only are you adding an extra mouth to feed and provide medical care for, but you must remember that dogs are meant to be loved. One of the most important things when sharing your life with a pet is making time for them. This is why when choosing a dog breed, you should know how they do when being left alone. Pugs are a breed that craves human companionship. These little dogs want to be your friend. They need affection and time, but can a Pug be left alone at home when you need to work or run errands? The answer to this question is yes, Pugs can be left alone. Thankfully, that length of time is only one suggestion. There are even some who say 10 to 12 or even more is safe. The true answer to how long a Pug can be left alone is dependent on the dog in question. Others may have more difficulty. Destructive tendencies are even possible. While your older dog may be fully potty trained, age can make it more difficult to control their bladder. To help your aging friend avoid accidents, frequent walks may be necessary. Image Credit: Pixabay 2. If they are, you will most likely come home to accidents all over the floor. Instead, you should start training your pup early in life. This can be done by promoting crate training and outside potty time. You should also consider training your pup at an early age to be alone. Working them into the situation slowly is a great idea. Then move outside for a bit to see how they do. Each time, increase the duration. This will allow you to see how your dog does with alone time and whether you need to do additional training to control barking or crying. As with any dog breed, some Pugs will be easygoing, playful, and loving. Credit: Chonlawut, Shutterstock 4. As a breed that was created to be a companion, Pugs want to be with their families. Luckily, if your Pug is showing signs of distress caused by separation anxiety, you can help them. If none of these seem to help, you may need to reach out to your veterinarian for assistance. Here are signs your Pug is suffering from separation anxiety: Excessive chewing and barking. Introduction Leaving your beloved pug at home can be a difficult decision that requires careful consideration. While there are certain factors to consider, such as age, breeding and temperament, when deciding to leave your furry friend alone, it is possible to do so safely and responsibly. With the right preparation and best practices, you can leave your pug at home and ensure that they stay safe and comfortable during your absence. Why Should We Care? When it comes to leaving a pug at home, age, breeding, training, and temperament play an important role. Some breeds are more prone to separation anxiety, while others may be able to cope better. The way you train your pug can have a huge impact on how they fare home alone. Some pugs may be more prone to separation anxiety due to temperament. To ensure the safety of your pug when leaving them home alone, always create a safe environment by keeping hazardous items out of their reach. Set a timer to remind yourself when to check on them and consider leaving a friend behind in the form of a stuffed animal. Keep your pug entertained by providing toys, treats, and puzzles when you leave the house. These precautions can help alleviate any worries you have about leaving your pug at home. Pugs can be left alone at home, but like with all breeds, you should always consider factors such as age, breeding, training, and temperament to ensure that your pooch is comfortable and safe. Before leaving home for extended periods, create a safe environment for your pug, set a timer to check in on them, or even consider leaving a friend with them. Giving your pug something to occupy their time like a bone or puzzle toy can help to prevent any unpleasant surprises when you return home. Always remember to practice patience and consistency when training your pug. Breeding may also be a factor, as some breeds may be more prone to separation anxiety than others. Training can also be a factor, as pugs that are trained to be independent are better suited to be left home alone. Their temperament is important; some pugs may be better suited to being left alone than others. The best practices for leaving your pug at home include creating a safe environment, setting a timer, leaving a friend, and giving your pug something to do. Make sure all cords and other dangerous items are out of reach, and that any furniture or decorations that can be chewed or climbed on are secure. A timer ensures that your pug is not left alone for too long, and leaving a friend, such as another pet, can help reduce separation anxiety. Provide your pug with toys, treats, or puzzles to keep them entertained. Age When considering whether you can leave a pug at home alone, age is an important factor. Puppies and young pugs need more attention and should not be left alone for long periods of time. They need to be trained to stay in their space and have someone to look out for them. Adult pugs, on the other hand, can usually handle being left alone for a few hours. Breeding can also be a factor when leaving a pug alone. Some breeds have a tendency to become anxious when left alone for too long, while others are much more laid back. Proper training is also key when leaving a pug at home alone. If not, it may be a good idea to start training them and teaching them some commands before you leave them alone. Breeding When it comes to leaving pugs home alone, their breeding matters. Toy pugs are less energetic than their larger cousins, and as such are more suited to being left alone. Larger pugs are more energetic and need more stimulation, so leaving them alone for too long can lead to behavioral problems down the road. There are different types of pug breeds. Brachycephalic pugs, for example, are more prone to heatstroke, so they should not be left outside for extended periods of time. Proper training will help them understand commands, like stay, sit, and come, and provide them with guidance on how to behave when left alone. You can start teaching the basics when your pug is a puppy, and continue to reinforce the commands throughout their life. You can also introduce them to reward-based training, which can help build trust and create a relationship based on positive reinforcement. Establishing structure and rules will also help to keep their behavior in check, and provide them with a sense of safety and security when alone. Best Practices for Leaving Pugs at Home When leaving your pug at home, the main aim is to ensure that the environment is safe and secure. Make sure to remove any items or furniture that your pug could potentially climb or chew on, and also make sure all electrical cords are hidden and out of reach. If you have any plants, ensure that they are not toxic to dogs, as pugs are known to chew on plants. Setting a timer can also be helpful when leaving your pug at home. If you only plan on being out of the house for a few hours, set a timer to remind you to return. This will help to avoid leaving your pug alone for too long. It may also be beneficial to consider leaving a friend at home with your pug. This could be a family member or a dog sitter. If leaving a friend is not an option, you should at least provide your pug with something to do while you are away. This could include a toy or a treat-dispensing toy to keep them entertained. By following these best practices when leaving your pug at home, you can help to ensure that they are safe and secure while you are away. Set up a comfy spot for your pup in a quiet, cool area of the house, free from loud noises and extreme temperatures. Provide access to fresh water and a few favorite toys or a chew toy to keep them occupied. Create a space that is just for your pup. This could be a designated bed, a dog crate, or a specific area of the house that is only for them. Put up puppy gates or a baby gate to cordon off the area so your pup can only access this specific part of the house. Make sure the area is comfortable, with a warm blanket and plenty of toys, and that the temperature is cool and comfortable too. Set a Timer Setting a timer when leaving your pug at home is an important part of keeping him safe. You can even set multiple timers to remind yourself to check in on your pup. That way, you can be sure that he is safe and sound until you come back. When setting the timer, make sure to give yourself enough time to get home and take care of your pup. Consider Leaving a Friend When you decide to leave your pug at home, consider leaving a companion. This could be a human friend or another pet. Like pugs, are social animals and are used to being around other animals and people. This will help keep them from getting lonely. It can also help them stay entertained and make it easier for them to stay out of trouble. Having a companion can also help reduce separation anxiety in pugs, making it easier for them to cope with being left alone. When you are leaving, let your companion know what to expect from your pug. Make sure the companion is comfortable and confident taking on the responsibility of caring for your pug. If you decide to leave another pet with your pug, make sure they are compatible, as this can make all the difference in how well they get along while you are away. Providing them with an activity can help keep them entertained and stimulated. This could be anything from a food puzzle or chew toy, to a training session or game. Leave your pup in a place that is safe and comfortable. Providing a bed or padding for them to rest and relax on can help keep them feeling secure and content. Doing so will help give them a sense of purpose and can prevent loneliness. Post Views: .But, how long is too long? Knowing what your pooch is up to when you are away will help you to prepare him for the time alone. The most likely scenarios are that your dog is going to: Sleep: On average, adult dogs sleep between hours a day including at night and puppies can sleep up to 18 hours. Play: If you left a toy behind, your pooch will play for a bit, especially if the toy is interactive. Eat: Some dogs will eat their meal from their bowl or a dispenser toy a more entertaining method. However, others will hardly eat or not eat at all until you get back. This is something you should keep an eye on. Quiet breeds will refrain from making noises, but outspoken ones will bark at everything that moves they have a much better sense of hearing than us. Also, dogs that suffer from separation anxiety will likely whine, cry, and even bark when you are away. Explore: If your dog is not left to remain in his safe space like a room or a crate, he will likely explore around the whole house! And this can be the cause of many hazards. Pugs are companion dogs and they are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Your pug will, more likely than not, get lonely and anxious. When we leave our pooch alone all day, it has an effect on them and it shows with a more intense greeting behaviour towards us, the owners. Also, studies have shown dogs to display more physical activity and attentive behaviour when their owner returns, after 2 hours of separation. Leaving your pug alone all day is definitely not advisable if you want a happy, well-adjusted family dog. Pugs Suffer from Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety in dogs is a behavioural disorder. Its main characteristic is a state of extreme anxiety or panic due to the dog being separated from their owner. When this occurs, the most common visible signs that your pug has separation anxiety are: Elimination i. Destruction i. Excessive vocalization i. According to AVMA , separation anxiety is one of the most common canine behaviour problems. If you want to prepare your pooch to become confident when left alone, keep reading! For most dog owners, one of the main concerns is leaving their pooch home alone on a daily basis e. Although it is hard to leave your furry friend behind, your pug can and should be able to handle short periods of alone time just fine. It sounds basic but dogs can be a handful, and they can easily get themselves into trouble. Because of their curious nature, they can unintentionally jeopardize their safety and security. Getting your pug gradually ready to be alone will result in a confident dog that stays calm and comfortable by himself. To achieve this, train your dog from day 1 using crate training. But you have to teach him to be okay in a confined space that has enough room for him to move and to stay by himself for a while. You can start with 5-minute sessions and build up to 20 minutes. And gradually step out of the house. Your pug will soon associate being calm and alone with a nice reward. You can even increase the reward and alone time accordingly. Basically, you are setting limits to potentially harmful situations and at the same time providing your pooch with the comfort he needs. Your dog safe zone provides many benefits for both of you: You have crafted a dog-friendly area that is safe for your pug, i. It helps to train your dog to be away from you for a while, preventing separation anxiety. By the time you start leaving your pug alone, he already feels comfortable, relaxed and safe in his own space. Ultimately, your pooch goes into this area on his own, and also when you give him a verbal cue. Because of all of these, you worry less and feel more confident leaving your dog alone. It is also helpful for creating a sense of security when a dog sitter or walker is going to care for your pooch. Either way, he should be restricted from wandering around the rest of the house to avoid dangerous situations or accidents urinary, reaching for something valuable or harmful, etc. Finally, never leave your dog held up in his crate door closed for the whole day. He needs to be able to move around! A crate should be a temporary location tool used for training this is the time you close the crate door and only used for short periods of time for example, no more than 2 hours. This can lead to fatal situations like your dog escaping, or suffering from hypothermia, sunburn, or dehydration, for instance. If your furry friend has gone for a walk and spends some time sniffing, for example, he is more likely to sleep during the day. By exercising your dog, you will not only tire him out but also prevent boredom. However, this behaviour is counterproductive as it can lead your dog to develop anxiety and stress. Instead, exit quietly after leaving your pug content with a toy in his safe zone. Before leaving, make sure your pug has enough water in an accessible place and some food if necessary. Lack of stimulation. Lack of mental and physical stimulation can lead to various health and behavioural problems such as: Restlessness and boredom. Pug Dog Separation Anxiety Overview Separation anxiety refers to a dog suffering a distressed reaction to being home alone. This goes beyond a Pug simply missing his owner, but involves overwhelming feelings of isolation that may manifest in a number of ways but ultimately taking a toll on a Pug's emotional and sometimes physical health. As an owner, you may feel helpless as you see your Pug struggling to cope with your absence. However, you'll be relieved to know that there are actually quite a few things you can do to help your puppy or dog be calm and composed while you are away. Signs of Separation Anxiety with a Pug Most of what a Pug will experience will take place when their owner is not home, so it can be tricky to know exactly what the puppy or dog is going through. However, anxiety may start to creep in when a dog senses that their owner is about to leave. Once alone, one or more of the following behaviors are usually present: Whining or barking - This may be excessive with some dogs being vocal until they entirely wear themselves out, only to start up again once they take a break. Destructive chewing - This is often done as a self-soothing technique. Self-licking - Some dogs obsessively lick their paws or other easily accessible parts of the body, also as a self-soothing technique. Depression - Not only may a dog feel sad while their owner is away, this may carry over even after they are reunited; some Pugs have trouble 'snapping back' after experiencing an episode of anxiety. Panicked behavior - Dogs may jump and lunge themselves into walls or other objects. If this occurs, it is generally after several hours of isolation. Restlessness - There may be compulsive pacing or other repetitive behavior. Excessive drooling - Stress and elevated heart rate can trigger this. These behaviors may change with time. For example, a Pug may act very restless when alone but this may transition into depression or vice-versa. If you wake up with barely enough time to get ready and rush around to get yourself out the door, no doubt your Pug will pick up on this vibe and feel just as stressed as you are. And, without a good release of energy expenditure, you are setting your Pug up to have trouble with feeling confined and restless. So, it can help to wake up earlier to get ready in a calmer manner and have time to bring your Pug outside for a brisk minute walk before you leave. If you also have time to engage your Pug in a short game of fetch, this can only be beneficial. If your Pug has separation anxiety, the last thing you want to do is allow your dog to be alone in a big room or roam the house which only exacerbates feelings of isolation. The goal is to create a defined space that canines see as secure 'dens' that hold everything your Pug needs to stay comfortable, relaxed, and occupied. This can be accomplished by the following means: 1 Gates or a canine playpen. If your house has the right floor plan, gates may work to section off a room. But, keep in mind that this should be a room that is very familiar, such as the living room or kitchen. And, this should be no larger than 10 square feet for a young puppy and 30 square feet for an adult Pug. If not, you'll lose some of the benefits of keeping things contained, such as separation anxiety aids being within reach. For this, something like the Carlson Lil Tuffy Expandable Gate may work well; this is pressure mounted and spans across 26 to 42 inches. An alternative method is to use an indoor canine playpen. This is a self-contained, open-topped area that can offer just the right amount of space. It is recommended to use one that has a door, since you'll want your Pug to have positive association with his playpen, and leaving the door open when you're home for your Pug to rest or to receive special treats is a good way to do this. This is nearly 3-feet high, but the open concept rails allow for excellent sight-lines. It has 21 square feet of space which is ideal for older pups and adults, though if you want to make it even larger, there are extension panels that can be added. For young pups, you may wish to consider the smaller 24" option. All Pugs should have a memory foam dog bed since this breed is prone to joint and hip issues and starting at age 6, osteoarthritis. And, when a Pug is home alone, having a warm bed with proper support to curl up and rest or take their toys or chews over to will offer comfort and security. Chances are that even if your Pug is fully house trained , if you're away from home for more than a couple of hours, there will be bathroom needs; So, it's best to set your Pug up for success by having pee pads on the floor within the playpen or gated-off area. And, if your Pug is a young puppy, this is a must. Even if your dog is not accustomed to pee pads, these are often used by default. Because your Pug will be within a defined area and dogs rarely soil their own belongings, pee and poo is typically deposited onto the pads or other indoor method that is being used. When it comes to how much food and water should be left for a Pug that is going to spend the day home alone, always over-estimate this. Since water can easily be spilled, you may wish to use a canine water fountain or dispenser like the Old Tjikko Dog Water Dispenser. For food, you can leave a bowl of your Pug's kibble if you will be gone during a scheduled meal time; but another method is to fill a treat-dispensing chew toy with kibble this is cover ahead under 'Toys'. There are lots of additional ways to help a Pug feel more relaxed and comfortable when home alone. Things you can do include: Set up the defined area away from any drafts as well as AC or heating vents. Check the angle of the sun to ensure that it does not shine directly into your dog's area. Experiment with a window vs a non-window view some dogs like being able to take peeks outside but other will bark at everything they see. If you have a programmable thermostat, be sure that it does not switch to the 'away' setting to conserve heat or AC while you are gone. Keep at least one light on. Even if it is nice and sunny when you leave, developing cloudy or stormy weather can darken a house and in turn make a dog nervous. A significant contributing factor to separation anxiety is boredom. It amplifies any feelings of isolation. So, the goal will be to leave toys for your Pug that your dog will notice and will enjoy playing with on their own. There are several types of toys that can help: 1 Interactive toys. These are toys that respond to a dog's movements or touch; they will light up, speak, or make noises. In essence, when this happens, your Pug will feel as if the toy is playing back with them. Importantly, these will activate when a dog wishes to play but will go into sleep-mode when a dog wants to take a break. If you'd like some recommendations, there are a couple of good ones: The Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Interactive Toy is a neat toy that responds to a dog's nosing or pawing at it with flashing lights and all sorts of silly noises. It comes in different sizes small is good for Pug puppies and the medium is good for large adults , and the batteries in this durable toy last for quite some time. The PetQwerks Talking Babble Ball Toy is similar to this, but without the flashing lights, and the various noises that it makes are all silly sayings like 'Hey, baby! These are chew toys that hold and slowly dispense dry kibble or dry dog treats. This meets two needs at the same time when a Pug is home alone, it helps ensure that a dog eats while owners are away and it can be just the thing to keep a dog occupied. There are some things you can do to make this more tempting like smudging smooth peanut butter or fish oil around the outside openings of the toy. A terrific one for this is the PetSafe Twist 'n Treat Toy which allows you to adjust the difficultly level and it's pretty easy to clean. These are unique toys in the fact that the purpose is to come as close as possible to offering a lonely dog an actual companion. These will have the same qualities as a living friend, such as being a good size, having a heartbeat, and emitting body warmth. Some dogs find these incredibly soothing, seeking them out as soon as their humans leave the house. This is a very durable toy with a realistic heartbeat and just the right amount of body warmth. The 'heart' is replaceable, should it ever wear out and you can obtain heating packets as needed. An added plus is that this is washable and it comes in several different colors including a 'golden' that is comparable to a Pug's fawn coat. For many dogs, separation anxiety worsens as the day goes on. So if a Pug can receive even a small break with a bit of human interaction, this can really help. If you are able to return home near the halfway point of your absence, even for 15 or 20 minutes, this small window of time may be enough for your Pug to 'reset' and better cope for the second half of the day. You may also want to consider hiring a dog walker. Often, being able to release pent-up energy, breathe fresh air, and have that sort of social interaction can also offer a reprieve. Another option, though certainly not for every budget, is a pet cam. This can allow you to see your Pug and also talk to your dog or even offer treats, no matter where you are. Most of these work over WiFi and via an app on your smartphone that lets you choose from the various functions. Checking in a few times a day can keep your Pug happy as well as give you piece of mind that everything is okay. Just be careful that your boss doesn't catch you remotely playing with your Pug all day long; if they do, you didn't hear about this from us. This has live-stream video, two-way audio, and holds dry treats that you can toss to your dog by tapping that function on the app. It also has night vision mode and can even send you push notifications if your Pug starts barking. Let's take a look at the options, including pros and cons: 1 Supplements. Calming supplements that may work are those that contain colostrum proteins considered a safe supplement for dogs that is shown to reduce anxiety, L-theanine a naturally occurring amino acid that works to increase dopamine and in turn reduce stress, and thiamine vitamin B1 which supports the nervous system to reduce anxiety. There are other compounds such as Valerian root, chamomile, and melatonin that may work to some degree. When given about 30 minutes before departure, this can work very for some dogs. This type of anti-anxiety supplement is also used for other high-stress situations such as hearing fireworks or a thunder storm. However, it typically is not so potent that it would work on its own without other steps being taken as previously listed , it can make dogs drowsy, and some dogs may experience an upset stomach. If you feel that your Pug could benefit from a calming supplement, one to consider is Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Supplement ; this has no artificial additives and are soft chews flavored with real chicken liver. This sort of aid is based a holistic approach that involves inhaling certain scents to improve emotional well-being. It works by activating sensors in the nasal cavity which in turn sends signals to the brain. And, if you don't know much about this, you may be wondering if this could actually help your Pug. While there are some promising studies and a lot of anecdotal informal evidence, this is not a magical cure. However, some dogs do respond very well to this and it can be part of an overall plan to reduce your Pug's separation anxiety. If you'd like to try this, the most popular method is to use an oil diffuser like the Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser and chose lavender oil which is well-known for its calming effects. Be sure to set the diffuser where your Pug cannot reach it, such as up on a table or a sturdy high shelf. This should only be considered in severe cases in which anxiety is so bad that it is interfering with a dog's health and ability to function. There are two main types of medications that may be prescribed. One option is benzodiazepines tranquilizers , which certainly can help with anxiety for many dogs, but has possible side effects including increased appetite, moderate to severe drowsiness, and even increased anxiety in some cases. There is also a possible link to memory issues and the ability to learn new concepts. The other option is antidepressants like buspirone. Possible side effects include loss of appetite, restlessness, nausea, headache, dizziness, aggression, and hyperexcitability. Extra Tips 1 Act casual and calm as you get ready to go. Do not overcompensate by offering lots of soothing words and hugs which dogs quickly learn means their human is about to leave the house. Trust in the environment that you created and the aids that you have set up for your Pug. Do this at least 20 minutes beforehand in a matter-of-fact manner. At random times, have your Pug go there, then leave the house but return just 5 or 10 minutes later. Do not rush to your Pug proclaiming your love and gushing apologies. This can send the wrong message that it was a miracle that you returned. Instead, place your keys down, grab a drink of water or sort through the mail, then casually release your Pug from their area and take them outside for bathroom needs. Once that is done, you can express your happiness and offer lots of attention. After being home all day, your Pug deserves some fun interaction and physical activity to release pent-up energy. Many owners who see that their Pug is miserable and lonely when home alone wonder if getting a second dog will help. The short answer is yes since it eliminates the isolation factor; however, you'll want to really put thought into this before making the commitment. Here are some things to consider: 1 The Pug is undoubtedly one of the friendliest breeds that exist. He typically gets along extremely well with other dogs and with other Pugs in particular. However, for some there is a period of adjustment; the dogs may not take to each other right away. Grooming tasks such as baths, brushing the coat, at-home dental care , etc. If you obtain a puppy, time and effort will need to be put into house training. Owners thinking about adding to their Pug family to ease the anxiety of a current dog may want to give it a bit of time before making such a big decision. Some Points to Remember Some Pugs may never be completely happy when left home alone; however, over time they may learn self-soothing techniques and gain more stable coping strategies simply by getting accustomed to the routine of being alone for a certain amount of time. If you have worked hard to set up a pleasant, safe and comfortable area for your Pug and you are a loving owner who spends quality time with your Pug, try not to worry too much. Remember that your dog will pick up on your vibe. Always take time to play with your Pug and introduce him to as many places and situations as you can. When a dog has a full life of exploring, interacting and enjoying his world and a close bond with his owner, some days of being home alone will not outweigh the rest of what you offer to him. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. As long as your Pug is house trained, they should be fine to be left alone for hours per day. In order to prevent any accidents, I recommend using a baby gate to confine them to a certain area of the house. Pugs Are Prone to Separation Anxiety Pugs love human attention and interaction and if they are left alone for prolonged periods of time, they can suffer from separation anxiety. However, this goes beyond a Pug simply missing its owner. How else will you be able to pay for the pet food, toys, and bills to raise a healthy Pug? If not, then head on over here to start training your pet properly. Leaving A Puppy Alone for 8 Hours Pugs that are left alone for too long can suffer from separation anxiety. Puppies do not gain full control of their bowel movements until they are 5 or 6 months old. If you do have to leave a puppy while they are still being potty trained, you definitely need to teach them how to go on pee pads or check out the best litter box for Pugs. You can also consider leaving them in a kennel while they are alone in the house. We used to do this for Mindy when she was a puppy and she never had an accident while she was home alone and we were working. Do not scold them if they have an accident in the house while you are gone. Make sure that your pup has access to their food and water bowl. You may also want to leave some puppy toys that can keep them entertained while you are away. I highly recommend the Kong Toys, it kept Mindy busy for several hours. If you plan on leaving them alone for 8 hours or more per day, you may still want to confine them to a specific area in your house. As Mindy got older she used to get bored while we were at work, until we got her the Perfect Fit Gate and kept her in the kitchen. When we were living in the house, she had access to the pet door so she could go outside and use the toilet whenever she needed to, she loved laying in the sun. So we chose to leave her in the kennel whenever we were working our day jobs. Make sure that they have access to their food and water bowl. How Long Is Too Long? As I mentioned above, most dogs will be fine to be left alone hours a day. This means that if you have an hour commute to and from work, an hour job, followed by running errands and spending the evening out. Your dog could be spending 12 or more hours in a single day all by themselves. Most dogs will be just fine spending time alone, as long as you leave them enough fresh water, toys, and other forms of entertainment. However, Pugs were bred to be companion dogs and will do much better when they are around their human families. Leaving a dog home alone for 10 — 12 hours every day is a long time for any dog, regardless of breed. Imagine if you were left home alone without any companionship for that period every single day. With owning a Pug as a pet or any kind of pet, you have certain responsibilities. No one wants to leave their pet alone for too long. Pugs can get their feelings hurt too. Here are some tips that you can use to minimize the amount of time you leave your dog alone. Doggie Daycare Enroll your dog into a Doggie Daycare program. Even if they go once a week, this is one day less that they have to sit at home waiting for you to come home. This can be a great way for you to socialize your Pug with other dogs. Take your due diligence and find a location that has their staff interact with your pet. Avoid the ones that just leave your dog locked in a kennel all day. If you do enroll them in a doggie daycare program, you may want to invest in some pet insurance. You want to make sure that your furbaby is protected when they are around other dogs. Eat Lunch at Home If you work close to home, try going home and eat lunch with your Pug. They will be excited to see you and they will enjoy the time you spent with them. I used to make it a point to come home and eat lunch so I could take Mindy out of her Kennel. It was a great way to get her to stretch her legs and go potty. Hire a Dog Walking Service There are several online dog walking services like Rover that you can hire a dog walker. These types of sites put you in contact with people who want to earn extra money by walking dogs. Professional dog walkers can range in services from a quick walk around the block or spending an entire day with your pooch. The most important thing to remember is that you do your due diligence and make sure you choose the right site and avoid those horrible dog walking services that are out there. If they are trustworthy, have them check in on your pooch and take them for a walk. Your pet will be excited to see someone during the day and will enjoy the time they spend with them. Take Your Dog to Work There are several companies that allow their employees to bring their dogs to work. Obviously, not every employer is going to allow you to do this. You may be surprised by their response. Just make sure that you have plenty of poopie bags to clean up after your pet while spending time in a public place. Get Another Pet Another solution is to get another Pug as a pet, a different breed, or a cat. You should only get another Pug if you can give them the attention they will need. A second Pug should never take the place of you giving your dog attention. Final Take Away Pugs will do fine if you leave them at home while you go to work. It may be hard at first to get them into the routine of being left alone. But once you do it a few times, they will learn your routine and will know when to expect you home. Every dog is different and some may bark uncontrollably after you leave the house, while others may just lounge around on their bed all day long. The only way to know for sure if your dog barks when you leave them alone is to invest in a doggie camera. This will allow you to monitor their behavior once they are left alone. The Pug temperament makes them a great dog for people who work or leave their house for hours per day. Especially if your entire household works outside of the home. Adult pugs should be physically fine if left home alone all day. Pugs were bred to be lapdogs, and prefer to be with people as often as possible. Pugs are much happier if they have consistent contact with people. Will pugs bark if left home alone? Pugs are prone to separation anxiety. As a result of that anxiety, they might bark when left alone. My pugs Frank and Beans were not bad about barking a lot. About the only time they did bark, was when we left them home alone. Beans in particular, would bark almost non-stop the entire time she was left home alone. Of course, this barking can cause a problem if you live in an apartment complex, condo, etc. Some pugs cry when left alone, instead of barking. If your pug is severely bothered by being left at home, your pug may bawl when you leave. In some cases, you may find your pug acting distant after you get back home. Pugs have a pretty good temperament and would do okay in work settings that allow employees to bring their pets to work. Once they are past the puppy stage, pugs are pretty low energy. If you have an office job where you can set up a dog bed and let your pug be near you while you are on your computer most of the day? Your pug would likely do well to come to work with you. The temperature of your work environment is something else to consider. How much space should pugs have when left home alone? Pug puppies may need to be kept in a very limited area with access to almost nothing. More mature pugs may be capable of being left home alone with free range of the house. To some degree, you have to know your dog. My pugs Frank and Beans were well beyond the puppy chewing phase when we got them. The only exception to this would be if food packaging was left in their reach. We once had a snack bag left on the floor which they found, chewed through and ate. So, keeping food packaging from being accessible was important. When we lived with roommates, we chose to confine them to our portion of the house. We would put up a baby gate or pet gate at the entrance of our bedroom or kitchen to keep them in just that room. When we first got our pugs, we had been told they were kennel trained, and used to sharing a single large kennel. When we first got them, we left them in the kennel when we left the house. This worked fine, and was a reasonable option. We just found that they did fine without needing to be confined to such a small space. In that case, you may seek out other ways to get your pug companionship while you work. Some options: Doggy daycare. Some people leave their pugs at doggy daycares during the work day so that they get socialization and more physical activity in. Dog walkers. You could hire a dog walker to come mid-day to take your dog out for a walk and play with them a bit. Come home for lunch. So what can you do to help soothe your pug when they do have to be left at home? Keep their environment safe. Keeping your pug away from electric cords, household cleaners or other dangerous items is important. Give them a cozy spot. Some pugs may take great comfort in their dog crate. Others may have a favorite stuffed toy, blanket or dog bed. Try to give them access to whatever brings them comfort as long as it is safe. Leave them something that smells like you. Make sure your pug has had enough exercise. Limit the amount of time your Pug is left alone Improve the quality of alone time for your Pug The best approach is a combination of these two options. Depending on your lifestyle and commitments, any combination of these great options could be perfect for you. Limit the amount of time your Pug is left alone As much as possible, try to limit the amount of time your Pug spends alone. Rather, with a bit of planning, there are ways to have the best of both worlds. Take a look at some of these great options. Doggie daycare Doggie daycare is quite the norm these days. Flex-work See if your workplace offers flexible working arrangements. These days, this is becoming more and more common. Perhaps you can work from home a few days a week, or even take your Pug into the office with you — your colleagues will love you. Get a car seat Getting your car equipped for a doggie passenger is a super way to reduce the amount of time your Pug spends alone. This way your Pug can join you as you go out and about completing errands or visiting friends and family. Friends and family Speaking of friends and family. They might be able to take them for a walk or play with them for a while. Improve The Quality of Alone Time For Your Pug As well as making sure your Pug has as much company on a regular basis as possible, you can also try to improve the quality of their alone time as much as possible. That way time alone will be safer, and tons more fun. Why not try out some of these options with your own Pug. Make your home Pug-safe Make sure your home is safe by blocking access to any potential hazards. Train your Pug Instead of leaving your Pug alone all at once, train them into it gradually. Start by leaving them alone for very short periods and then build up incrementally. This process can be started at any age, but for best results start early. As tempted as you are to smother your Pug in goodbye kisses — resit. Loneliness is often just a byproduct of boredom and lack of mental stimulation. Get your Pug some super fun toys and chews to help them while away the hours in glee. Can Pugs be left alone? Within reason.

Although she stands no more than 10 inches tall and weighs between 4—6 pounds, the Toy Poodle has a big, playful personality that can fill up a room. While frequently associated with France, Standard Poodles were first developed in Germany, where they were used in duck hunting. They have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Poodles of all sizes have curly coats with extensive grooming needs. Their coat grows continuously, calling for a trim every four to six weeks. However, there is no such thing as a completely "hypoallergenic" dog. People with allergies should spend time with the breed before officially bringing home a Toy Poodle puppy. But during this long life , they are predisposed to a few health issues that may require care. Pet parents may benefit from investing in pet insurance early in life. Progressive Retinal Atrophy Progressive retinal atrophy PRA is a group of diseases that cause a breakdown of the photoreceptor cells rods and cones on the retina. Initially, the dog may have difficulty seeing in the dark, but the condition can cause blindness over time. PRA is an inherited disease and there are currently no effective treatments available. Patellar Luxation The patella kneecap is a small bone that normally sits in a groove within the femur at the knee. In dogs with patellar luxation, the patella moves luxates outside of its assigned groove when the knee is flexed. This movement can cause discomfort and may eventually lead to arthritis. Many pets will skip or run on three legs when the patella is out of place. While some cases will correct themselves, in more severe cases the patella remains out of place. In mild cases, joint supplements such as fish oils and glucosamine or anti-inflammatory medications are used to control pain and prevent arthritis. In more severely affected dogs, surgery may be recommended. This causes pain and limping occur as the bone breaks down. In some cases, pain can be controlled with medications. In severe cases, surgery to remove the head of the femur may be recommended. Symptoms include visible debris, redness, odor, head shaking, and scratching. If any of these signs are noted, take your dog to the veterinarian for an exam. In most cases, ear infections can be resolved by cleaning the ear and with topical medications. Toy Poodles develop ear infections more often than most other breeds. This may be partly due to Poodles having long ear canals with excess curly hair to trap in moisture and debris. Trimming not plucking the hair from the ear may help reduce the incidence of ear infections. Dogs with chronic or recurring ear infections frequently have allergies that should be addressed. Dental Disease Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in dogs as they age, especially in small breeds like the Toy Poodle. Dental disease occurs when bacterial tartar and plaque build up, leading to inflammation of the tissues around the teeth—and eventually to tooth and bone decay. Daily tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste is the best way to prevent dental disease, though some diets, treats, and chew toys also help prevent plaque and tartar. Tracheal Collapse Tracheal collapse occurs when the trachea commonly called the windpipe flattens. This happens due to weak cartilage rings or the sagging of a membrane along the trachea. Most cases are treated using medications, but in severe cases where breathing is impeded, surgery may be necessary. Toy poodles are likely genetically predisposed to tracheal collapse. When on walks, use a harness instead of a collar, as pressure on the trachea can cause further damage. The condition causes a deficiency in a protein called the von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for platelets to stick together and form a clot. In dogs that are deficient in this protein, the blood may have difficulty clotting, which can lead to bleeding from the nose, vulva, bladder, or gums. Additionally, dogs with this condition may bleed for a long time after trauma or surgery. If there is concern about VWD, a screening test may be performed. This test measures how long it takes for a small cut in the mouth to stop bleeding. If the time is longer than usual, additional testing is needed to confirm VWD. Because some dogs with VWD do not have notably prolonged bleeding until later in adulthood, blood levels of von Willebrand factor can be measured to help with diagnosis. Most veterinarians recommend testing for VWD prior to any planned surgery, including spays, neuters, and dewclaw removals. Puppies should be fed a diet formulated specifically for puppies or designated for all life stages. For Toy Poodle adults, dental-focused diets may be recommended by your veterinarian to help prevent dental disease. Toy poodle puppies, however, should eat three to four small meals per day on a consistent schedule to help maintain their blood sugar. Additionally, the feeding guide labels on the dog food provides valuable information for pet parents. Just remember: In small breeds like the Toy Poodle, calories in treats add up quickly. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in skin and joint supplements , fish oil, and even in some specially formulated dog foods. These fatty acids act as natural anti-inflammatories that help support the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart. They are playful and self-confident when socialized at a young age. While relatively calm, Toy Poodles enjoy playtime and exercise with the family. The breed is gentle with children and other pets, though all interactions between dogs and kids should be supervised. Because these pups are so tiny, they can accidentally be hurt during playtime. Toy Poodles have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Toy Poodle Behavior Toy Poodles bond closely to their families and may develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. They can also be sensitive to stress, and sudden changes in the home environment may lead to gastrointestinal upset. Additionally, because Poodles are so smart, they need mental stimulation to keep themselves entertained—and out of trouble. Bored dogs are more likely to bark, jump, be destructive, or misbehave. Toy Poodle Training Toy poodles want to please their owners. Paired with their smarts, this makes them an easy breed to train. As always, training is most successful when based on positive reinforcement with praise and tasty treats. Fun Activities for Toy Poodle Obedience training. Proper care for the Poodle will involve many aspects that will all work in combination to maintain excellent health and promote learning and good behavioral habits. It is important to establish a foundation of proper care during the puppy stage that will carry over throughout the Poodle's life. We will discuss: The items that you should have to care for a Poodle puppy Details on the 5 most important tips for proper care - Feeding, house training, offering the right amount of exercise, grooming and how to offer a healthy environment. Toy Poodles and Mini's will be puppies for the 1st year; standards mature at a somewhat slower rate and are considered to be puppies until the age of 2 years old. During this time, much care is needed for both physical growth and mental development. Bringing your new Poodle home is not as simple as just picking up your new family member from the breeder. Good care involves planning ahead. It helps to have all needed items well in advance so that you can focus on the puppy without having to rush out for a needed supply items. One of the most important elements to be aware of is that no matter what the puppy has been fed since he or she began eating solid food, you should have the exact same brand on hand. Quickly switching foods can cause upset stomach and other issues…and in the case of a puppy it can be the cause of hypoglycemia. A slow change must be made. If you opt to go with a different brand or to home cook, have enough of the 'old' food on hand for several weeks, as well as the 'new' so that that you can make gradual changeover. A quality dog bed — A new puppy will feel stress going to even the best of new homes. This is why making sure that you have a nice, soft, comfortable dog bed is important. You should show your Poodle that this is the area in which he can rest, sleep or just get away from noise when things seem to overwhelming. If you will be leaving your puppy home alone during the day, it is best to have the bed placed in the area where he will be staying. A gated off section of a room or inside a canine playpen works well. The entrance to this can be left open when you are home with your puppy can of course, closed off when you are away. In this way, the puppy will become accustomed to the area. If you will be home with your puppy, place this in the corner of room that is frequently used but not chaotic. Dogs like to have their own quiet spot, but not feel isolated. Walking and ID accessories — Along with a retractable leash and a collar for ID purposes, it is highly recommended to have a harness for your puppy. Toy Poodles no matter what the age and all Mini and Standard puppies should have on a harness and not a collar when they are on a leash. When a leash is connected to a dog collar, this can create too much tension on the neck, which can cause collapsed trachea. The trachea windpipe is protected by rings of cartilage…when this happens, those rings collapse in, causing pain and breathing problems. These can be purchased at a pet supply store and come in many unique and interesting designs so that your Poodle always looks stylish. If you are not sure which harness would be best for your Poodle puppy, you may wish to look to both 'Accessories' and 'Clothing- Harness' in the Poodle Specialty Shoppe. A Car Safety Seat - Long ago cars did not even have seat belts for humans. But now, of course, we all know how many lives they save. The very same is true for dogs. Even if you are a conscientious driver, you cannot be in control of those who are driving near you. Be sure to secure your Poodle into a canine car safety seat. All it takes is 1 second of you having to quickly brake for your Poodle to go sliding off of the seat, completely unprotected. These are also great for dogs that are prone to car sickness. A raised booster seat will assist a puppy in being able to look out of the window which reduces motion sickness. However, choosing high quality toys that can stand up to continual chewing and hold a puppy's interest is better. Puppies are full of energy and filled with curiosity; having a good supply of toys at all times will be very helpful. Puppies that are in the teething phase will be experiencing discomfort and teething toys will help to sooth sore gums and offer a chewing outlet See also: Poodle teething Grooming Supplies - Poodle care certainly involves proper grooming. This includes nails, dewclaws, bathes, drying, wrapping, trimming, clipping and topknots. See also: Bathing a Poodle Clothes - Particularly for tiny toy Poodles, protection against the elements should be implemented as needed. During cold, icy winters the use of canine shoes or paw wax helps protect paw pads from ice melt chemicals and aids with traction. A sweater or cute vest can keep a small Poodle puppy from becoming chilled. During hot months, shoes help protect sensitive paws from hot surfaces. Bowls - Plastic bowls often contain heavy dyes that can cause staining on a Poodle's coat. In addition, tiny scratches that easily develop in plastic bowls can also harbor dangerous bacteria. It is best to use stainless steel or ceramic bowls for both food and water. Dishes should shallow so that a puppy can easily reach both food and water without bumping their heads or straining to reach. Toys and Mini's may like raised bowls. However, Standards - who are prone to bloat- should only eat and drink from bowls that are at floor level. Free feed until 3 months old leaving food out at all times and then give your puppy 3 meals per day plus healthy snacks. Please choose your food wisely; cheaper foods with fillers will not offer the proper nutrition needed to aid with the rapid growth that is associated with the puppy phase. You will find that if you reserve snacks and treats as rewards for training, housebreaking and command training will go smoother. Read more: Feeding a Poodle 2- Start house training right away, keeping in mind that it is your commitment to the process that will bring about success. Generally, housebreaking takes 2 to 3 months. If your Poodle puppy will be expected to use an outdoor area, do not focus too much on indoor training when the pup is home along, since it is difficult for puppies to learn 2 different methods. Do keep in mind that young puppies should not be over-exercised since it can interfere with growth plate development; however a daily 20 to 30 minute per walk is perfect. Walks allow a puppy to release pent up energy, it expands their view of the world and is a good staring point for socialization techniques and learning proper heeling. Poodles are generally very active dogs. Aside from a walk each day, this breed loves to run , jump and show off their agility capabilities. Playing catch, Frisbee or training your Poodle to jump through hoops will keep them in good health, both physically and mentally. See also: Poodle Exercise Requirements 4- Begin a routine of grooming and care. While many puppies will balk at the idea of being brushed or having teeth cleaned, doing these tasks on a regular basis allows a puppy to become accustomed to being touched and taken care of. Taking care of the teeth during the puppy stage is important since dental hygiene will affect the adult teeth that have not yet erupted. Read more: Poodle dental care 5- Limit stress, focus on fun. One of the most important elements of Poodle care is to offer a loving, safe environment. Puppies and dogs are sensitive to their owner's moods and the atmosphere of the house in general. Puppies can become easily stressed in noisy, chaotic homes. Puppies should be given a designated area to retreat and rest if feeling overwhelmed. Often, a gated off area that is secured when a pup is home alone, but the entrance is open when owners are home works best. Speak to your pup in a pleasant voice and remember that positive reinforcement for good behavior works much better than scolding for bad behavior. Take time to puppy proof the home, clearing the floors of any small items and stowing away shoes and other objects to higher ground. This should be done before bringing a puppy home but also on a regular basis. See also: What it means when a Poodle puppy shakes - If a Poodle is suddenly shivering, you'll want to look to these top reasons. Poodle Winter Care - Everything you need to know about caring for your Poodle during the wintertime. Other Articles: Apricot Poodles - This is a super popular coat color. Details and photos. Black Poodles - Another gorgeous color. Poodle tear stains - Putting to rest the old myths on what works. A list of the most effective at-home treatments to remove stubborn stains. Poodle hair tangles - Due to the nature of the curly coat, tangles are not uncommon yet should be removed as soon as possible with a method that does not affect hair growth. Are You a Member Yet? When you sign up to become a Member of the site, this allows you to receive a friendly notice when new pages of information have been added. Always something to help keep your Poodle happy and healthy. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. We have toy poodle house training solutions, so housebreaking toy poodle puppies will be fast and easy. Over , dogs have been successfully potty trained with our world-famous indoor dog potty, called the Potty Training Puppy Apartment, including toy poodles. The free video below is a short version of our free minute video which is located on our Home Page. The training techniques and tips are being demonstrated by Miniature Pinscher puppies, however, the techniques are exactly the same for a toy poodle puppy or a toy poodle adult dog. If you are seeking toy poodle puppies for sale or adoption, please visit our Breeders page. At the bottom half of this page is specific breed information about the temperament and traits of a toy poodle. The poodle is a square, proportioned dog with proud carriage and elegant appearance. It should move with a light, springy, effortless stride. The poodle stems from working retriever stock, and its conformation should reflect its athletic background. The coat is curly, harsh and dense. The traditional clips stem from the function of the coat in protecting and insulating the dog's joints and chest. The pert and peppy toy poodle is one of the brightest and easiest breeds to train. It is alert, responsive, playful, lively, sensitive and eager to please. It is devoted to its family. Some can be reserved with strangers; others may bark a lot. Poodles need a lot of interaction with people. They also need mental and physical exercise. The toy poodle's exercise needs can be met with a short walk or even indoor games. This is not a breed that should ever live outside, although it enjoys access to a yard. Its coat should be brushed every day or two. Poodle hair, when shed, does not fall out but becomes caught in the surrounding hair, which can cause matting if not removed. Clipping should be done at least four times a year, with the face and feet clipped monthly. Although most poodles are professionally groomed, owners can learn to groom their own dog. Although the poodle is most often identified with France, its earliest ancestors were probably curly-coated dogs from central Asia that assisted with herding and followed many routes into various parts of Europe. Interwoven in their ancestry are also several rough-coated water dogs. Perhaps the earliest incarnation of the poodle was the barbet, a curly-coated dog distributed in France, Russia, Hungary and elsewhere. It is the German version, however, that exerted most influence on the modern poodle. In fact, the word poodle comes from the German word pfudel, meaning "puddle" or "to splash," probably reflecting the dog's water abilities. In France, it was known as caniche or chien canard, both referring to its duck-hunting abilities. Thus, from herding and water roots the poodle became a talented water-hunting companion. The poodle was also drawn into service as a military dog, guide dog, guard dog, wagon puller for performers and, eventually, as a circus performer. Its coat was shorn close to facilitate swimming, but left slightly longer on the chest for warmth in cold water. Although some believe the puffs of hair around the leg joints and tail tip were for protection when hunting, compelling evidence suggests that they arose as decoration during the poodle's performing days. The poodle found favor as an elegant companion for fashionable ladies. It became favored by French aristocracy and eventually became the national dog of France. Its characteristic clip was accentuated, and a successful effort was made to perfect the smaller specimens. Poodles entered the show ring in the late s. Some of the early show poodles were shown in corded coats, in which the hair is allowed to mat in long thin tresses rather than be brushed out. While eye-catching, the upkeep was difficult and the trend died out by the early s, being replaced by the bouffant styles still in vogue. At the same time poodle popularity in America waned, so that by the late s, poodles had almost died out in North America. In the s, the breed staged a comeback that eventually placed it as the all-time most popular dog in America.