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Other Grooming Activities In addition to the grooming steps we mentioned above, you should also keep track of other activities like nail trimming , ear cleaning , and teeth brushing. They get along well with people of all ages, including young children. They come in multiple sizes, so you can adopt a pup according to your preference and living arrangement. Golden Labradoodles are generally healthy with a longer life expectancy when compared to purebred Retrievers. Cons Of Golden Labradoodles: Not all Golden Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, so you must carefully choose one based on their coat type. Getting a healthy and happy puppy is more than worth the investment! Neither of them is better than the other, as both Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are wonderful companions with many amazing traits. Additionally, they both have the same requirements when it comes to grooming, training, and exercise. However, based on our survey results , some people note that the Labradoodle can be a bit more laid back compared to the slightly more hyper Goldendoodle. Golden Labradoodle: Final Thoughts We hope this in-depth guide about the Goldendoodle-Labradoodle mix has shed some light onto this wonderful Double Doodle. Just make sure to research the breeder carefully before committing so that you can be sure your puppy is coming from an ethical source. Take matters into your own hands and learn to give your Doodle the exact haircut YOU want with this valuable online course! He wanted a breed that could excel in the rainy climate and rugged terrain of the Scottish Highlands. Marjoribanks perfected the breed for over 50 years, keeping meticulous notes and records of his work. Bloodhound and Irish Setter were eventually added to the mix to produce the Golden Retriever as we know it today. It actually called Newfoundland home, being employed on fishing boats to help retrieve fish that fell out of the nets. Not only was this breed adept at retrieving, but its otter-like tail, that can be used much like a rudder, and its short, dense, weather-proof coat made swimming in the icy Canadian waters an easy task for this breed. Poodle Breed History: While commonly associated with the French, the Poodle actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany over years ago. Eventually, Poodles made their way from the lake to the life of luxury as they were the breed of choice by French nobles, and eventually royalty across all of Europe. To this day, the Poodle is still the national dog of France. The Toy Poodle started in the United States in the early 20th century to be a city-dwelling companion dog. It is likely one of the most modern Doodle breeds, only dating back years. On top of that, the gender of the puppy and the genetics of the parents play important factors as well. Double Doodles are rarely, if ever, bred from Toy Poodles. A Miniature Double Doodle will weigh in at around pounds and stand roughly inches tall. The Standard Double Doodle, will weigh approximately pounds and stand about inches tall. A minimum of brushing once per week is required for Double Doodles, with the ideal frequency being every other day if not every day for more curly-haired dogs. Are Double Doodles Hypoallergenic? Do Double Doodles Shed? While this can be true, due to the unpredictability of genetics, there is no guarantee that any particular Double Doodle dog, or litter of dogs will be hypoallergenic. However, due to the genetic diversity from crossing these breeds, the result may be a lower chance of developing these inherited health concerns. Some of the more common genetic disorders to be on the lookout for in the Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix include Patellar Luxation, Elbow Dysplasia, and Retinal Dysplasia. Due to the cost of treating these common health concerns, we highly encourage all dog owners invest in pet insurance. We recommend getting a free online quote from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Good with both children and pets, these dogs love to meet new friends and socialize. Double Doodles are highly trainable and quick to catch on to new commands and tricks. Double Doodle Dog Breed Activity Requirements: The Double Doodle dog requires moderate exercise, with a good portion of that being devoted to socializing and playtime. Minimum minute walks are needed on a daily basis as well. Labradoodle Goldendoodle Mix Pictures. Its polarity is currently rising as one of the best dogs for companionship. Weighing fifty to eighty pounds, a Double Doodle is a strong dog with immense intelligence and remarkable swimming skills. The two are cross bred to create a dog with a shedding or a non-shedding wavy coat. The Double Doodle puppies have lovely coats of different colors. If you are searching for a cute, hypoallergenic designer dog, the Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador dog breed might please you. A Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador equals a Double Doodle A Double Doodle is an irresistible dog in terms of appearance and other traits. It is a cross-bred Goldendoodle and Labradoodle offspring after all. Each parent dog has admirable characteristics, which it transfers to the Double Doodle puppy. A Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador results in a puppy with a blend of genes. To ensure you understand this dog well, we will discuss the history of each parent. Goldendoodle Goldendoodles first appeared on earth in , thanks to Monica Dickens. She was a great-grandchild of Charles Dickens, a British author. Her Goldendoodles were a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Her breed became a low-shedding dog with admirable intelligence and demeanor. Goldendoodles have mild temperaments, which makes them perfect therapy dogs. After attempting severally, Lord Tweedmouth managed to create the intelligent and adorable Golden Retriever. It makes a perfect family dog as it likes outdoor fun and cuddling with its owner. Poodle The Poodle is a French dog breed. We can trace its roots in Germany about four hundred years ago. In the beginning, the Poodle was a duck hunter. It could fetch killed waterfowl from the sea for its master. Poodles have curly, low-shedding coats. They are good swimmers despite their hairy bodies. Years later, the Poodle found its way into the arms of the French royals. The Poodle is a national dog in France today. Poodles became famous worldwide when the entertainment icons began to bring them to different festivals. The first Poodles were of standard size. When the breed became trendy, the breeders created the toy and the miniature breeds. The Toy Poodle originated in the early twentieth century in the US. It was a home pet for city dwellers. As you can imagine, the Poodle is a high-quality dog with excellent traits. Hence, it does not surprise us that the Poodle is a parent to most designer dogs. This dog originated from Newfoundland rather than Labrador. It was a retriever dog carried in boats to help the owners catch fish that got out of the fishing nets. A Labrador retriever is a competent swimmer with a tail that works like a rudder. It has a short and thick coat that promotes its swimming abilities in icy waters. The Labrador dog arrived in Great Britain at the beginning of the nineteenth century via English royals who had toured Canada. A good-natured Labrador with the hypoallergenic Poodle and a Goldendoodle makes a perfect Double Doodle dog. As you can get from our discussion above, a Double Doodle unites three different dog breeds. The combination of three breeds creates a hybrid designer dog. The Double Doodle emerged about a decade and a half ago. A good skill it gets from all its parents is swimming. All parent dogs were gundogs made to retrieve birds from the sea. Although Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador dogs are fantastic hunters, they are naturally humble and easy to train. That is why their offspring, the Double Doodle, makes a wonderful indoor and outdoor dog. Could the Double Doodle be the dog you are looking for? We will discuss various things you should know next. Appearance A Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador creates a dog breed with no standard appearance. Double Doodles have varied looks, including different coat colors. A Double Doodle puppy can pick up genetic traits from any of the three parents. It might also have many traits from one or two parents and fewer ones from the remaining parent. Generally, Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador dogs have long and wavy hair. They can be white, cream, tan, golden, brown, or black. Double Doodles come with dark, button-shaped eyes, long, droopy ears, and a wide snout. Their facial shapes vary widely based on the traits a puppy inherits from its parents. A male Labrador is sixty-five to eighty pounds heavy. Male Goldendoodles are sixty-five to seventy-five pounds heavy while females weigh fifty-five to sixty-five pounds. Female Poodle dogs are forty to fifty pounds heavy while males weigh sixty to seventy pounds. Based on this weight data, Labrador Retrievers are the heaviest of all the three parent dogs. Hence, female Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador puppies weigh fifty-five pounds while males are ten pounds heavier. We also expect a Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador puppies born to miniature Poodles to weigh less. A standard Goldendoodle-Lab Mix can be twenty to twenty-eight inches tall. A miniature one can be seventeen to twenty inches tall. That is why we noted that Double Doodles look different. Grooming needs Goldendoodle Lab Mix shed fur differently. If you get a shedding puppy, you will deal with a lot of dander. On the other hand, a non-shedding Double Doodle sheds less but has strict grooming needs. Comb its coat often to prevent tangling of the fur. As this dog also has long fur, it requires regular trimming. Take it to a professional if you are unsure of your shaving abilities. A shedding Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador retriever will require regular brushing to clean the short fur. You do not need to trim its fur as it will shed heavily twice a year. During this time, use some de-shedding tools to make the process easier. For the rest of the time, the dog will shed hair moderately. Double Doodles have long, floppy ears requiring cleaning once or twice every week. As for the teeth, you should brush them every day to remove tartar. Dog nails need trimming once each month. Temperament A Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador offspring can have a mild temperament type. This should not surprise you since a Double Doodle has three parents. The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever dogs have similar traits. They are intelligent, obedient, physically active, and companionable dogs. These are some of the best family dogs because they love people and fellow dogs. On the other hand, Poodles are intelligent and full of energy. They make loyal friends although they sometimes display timidity around strange dogs and people. Friendliness Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mixes are friendly family dogs. They adore their master before anyone or anything else. Thorough training can help them become more hospitable to others. Some people use these Doodles as therapy dogs. Others use them as a watchdog because they like to bark. Additionally, their parents were originally gundogs. All the same, a Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix is not a reliable watchdog for your home. Regarding kids, this dog is a perfect friend to them but might require supervision from an adult. Training A Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador litter responds well to training. It is a very sharp dog that learns new tricks quickly. Poodles can be stubborn during training. Training can be hard if a Double Doodle puppy inherits this from its Poodle parent. You need a positive attitude to train this dog. Getting tired during training is quite unlikely because a Goldendoodle Lab Mix is super energetic. It can work out for two hours straight. Remove its leach when not around strangers to let it run around and play its favorite games. If you love to run or ride a bicycle, a Double Doodle can be your unfailing workout companion. Health issues If you need Goldendoodle mixed with Labrador puppies, ensure you can protect their health. Since Double Doodles are mixed-breed dogs, they can have robust health. However, a puppy may inherit some health issues from its parents. A Golden Retriever dog may have heart disease, workout-induced collapse, eye issues, or hip or elbow dysplasia. A Goldendoodle parent may have heart disease, hip or elbow dysplasia, thyroid disease, or eye issues. Veterinarians have found the following health issues in Goldendoodle Lab Mix dogs: Cataracts or Progressive retinal atrophy Arthritis. Designer dogs have traceable purebred ancestry, but from two or more different breeds. Labs, Goldens and Poodles were all originally bred as working gundogs with the same role: to find ducks and other waterfowl shot by their owner, and bring them back without damaging them. More recently, all three breeds have become successful and popular companion dogs. Goldendoodle Lab mix puppies are pets first and foremost, but some people also enjoy training them as gundogs, taking them into the community as therapy dogs, or competing in dog sports with them. What is a Goldendoodle and Lab mix called? Appearance One of the first ways a Labrador Golden Retriever Poodle mix puppy might surprise you is their size. And this will affect how much they cost to feed, groom, treat with flea and worming preventions, etc. Another way Goldendoodle Lab mix puppies can turn out very differently relates to their coat. Labs have short, straight coats. First generation Goldendoodles from one pedigree Poodle parent and one pedigree Golden parent are likely to have some degree of curling in their coat, but they will also carry the gene for a straight coat. So a Goldendoodle Lab mix might have a straight, shedding coat, or a longer, curly, non-shedding coat. In this respect, a Goldendoodle and Labrador mix is a little more predictable. Labradors, Goldens and even Poodles all have a similar background. They were bred to collect duck and other waterfowl which had been shot on a hunt, and bring it back to their handler. To this end, breeders favored dogs who were easy to train, readily motivated to cooperate with people, and also pleasant company to take home at the end of the day. Modern Labs, Goldens and Poodles are all described in terms such as friendly, intelligent, active, and devoted. So a mix of all three breeds will be the same. The Poodle does stand out as being a little different from the other two in some respects though. They are less likely to be indiscriminately friendly with other dogs, and more likely to display watchdog behaviors, such as barking at visitors and passers by. A Goldendoodle which inherited these traits might also pass them onto a Labrador mix. So a dog-friendly Goldendoodle could produce puppies who prefer human company or solitude. Socializing any puppy carefully is an important part of making sure that whichever breed they most take after, they have the confidence to encounter unfamiliar dogs and environments calmly. Training and exercise Training a Goldendoodle Labrador mix will be straightforward, in the sense that this mix is likely to focus on your readily, be easily motivated by food rewards, and learn reliable responses to new cues quickly. Without lots of engagement through training, they are likely to look for alternative tasks and sources of stimulation — such as digging, chewing, and barking. Usually patient with children and other pets Trainable Adaptable So a double doodle with ancestors from these breeds is likely to be the same again. Some areas in which Poodles differ from Labs and Goldens are: Friendliness towards other dogs. Labs and Goldens usually love other dogs, whereas Poodles are more likely to remain disinterested and aloof. Poodles are also more likely to be protective of their home, and bark at unfamiliar people who approach it. Some double doodle mix dogs may also inherit these traits. Training and exercising your Goldendoodle Labradoodle Goldendoodle Labradoodles are usually very responsive to training and easily motivated to take part in training games. All of their ancestral breeds were working dogs, so breeders selected only the most adept and trainable dogs as sires and dams for the next generation. Double doodles from working lines as opposed to show lines are particularly quick learners, but this is often coupled with a big appetite for mentally stimulating tasks like training games and puzzle toys. They are good companions for runners and cyclists, because they possess athleticism and stamina in spades. A miniature Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix needs a similar amount of exercise, but they might struggle to keep up with on long runs or bike rides. In which case a big yard, or daily access to hiking trails or a dog park will be a better match for their needs. We all want a healthy pet who will enjoy many uncomplicated years with us. The main health problems facing Golden Lab Poodle mix dogs are: Orthopedic conditions including hip and elbow dysplasia. This is particularly true in big Goldendoodle Labradoodle crosses. Eye problems including cataracts and a type of hereditary blindness called progressive retinal atrophy. Immune-mediated skin problems triggered by an allergic reaction to something in their diet or environment. Ear infections. Thyroid disease. Labradoodles and Goldendoodles being considered as stud dogs or dams should be health tested for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems at a minimum. Good breeders will already have proof of the results of these tests before they open a waiting list for puppies. Always ask to see copies, and walk away from breeders who make excuses for not performing them, or not sharing the results. Goldendoodle Labradoodle Life Expectancy The average life expectancy of all three breeds contributing this double doodle combo is 12 to 13 years. Doodles with long, non shedding coats need regular brushing to prevent tangles that tug painfully at the skin. Brushing also lifts out dirt and debris, and helps keep their fur clean. For easier maintenance, most people with long haired dogs book them in for regular salon visits, to have their coat washed and clipped to a manageable length by professionals. Shedding coats also need brushing to lift out dirt from walks. They are likely to shed moderately all year round, but twice a year they may shed heavily. Do Goldendoodle Labradoodles make good pets? Double doodle mixes like the Labradoodle Goldendoodle mix can be great pets in the right home. This mix is likely to be placid and tolerant around children as an adult, but bear in mind that bouncy puppies are a different kettle of fish altogether! Young children should always be supervised with dogs of all ages and sizes. A boisterous big Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix pup is especially likely to unintentionally hurt a small child. Your young dog will need lots of your attention for activities like training and playtime. This is great if you have older children and teenagers who can help out. But it can be overwhelming if you still have babies and toddlers. Goldendoodle Labradoodle puppies Poodle mixes of all types are a popular choice of puppy mills, who keep breeding females and their litters in terrible conditions. Puppies raised in these environments are more likely to have expensive long term health issues, and challenging behavioral problems. Our Puppy Search guide can help you navigate the process of choosing a good quality puppy, including recognizing which breeders to avoid , and knowing which ones you can trust. Including feeding , potty training , crate training , learning to be alone , and setting up the foundations of good basic obedience. Are Goldendoodle Labradoodle mixes good pets? No one can resist a doodle, so when you put two of the most popular doodles together, you end up with a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix. These adorable double doodles make great family pets and are the friendliest, most intelligent, and loyal dogs you can meet. If you are thinking of bringing a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix into your home, read our complete guide to see if this hybrid designer dog is the right fit for you and your lifestyle. What is a Double Doodle? The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mixed breed is often known as a Double Doodle, because they come from two separate families of designer dogs. The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix combines two Poodle crossbreeds — the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle. But this is not your typical mixed breed. It unites not two but three different dog genetics of the Poodle, Golden Retriever, and the Labrador, making a fascinating combination! The Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix is a relatively new hybrid designer dog that has only been around for about fifteen years, so it has little history. The Poodle, Golden Retriever and Labrador were all initially working gundogs, bred to retrieve game from the water, and renowned for their excellent swimming skills. Their good natures and trainability have allowed these working dogs to transition smoothly as family dogs and companions. The Labradoodle first came about in Australia in when the Guide Dog Association of Australia needed a non-shedding dog suitable for training as a guide dog. Their desired personality traits and attractive appearance have made these two hybrid dogs extremely popular as pets. Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Appearance As you can imagine, with a mixture of three different dog breeds, the appearance and size of the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix vary quite considerably. A puppy can inherit physical traits from any of the parent breeds, and puppies in the same litter can each look different. The coat can be either long, curly, wavy, or wiry, coming in a range of colors: white, black, brown, cream, golden or tan. They have dark button eyes, a broad snout and long, floppy ears, but their face shape varies from puppy to puppy. Grooming Your Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix The fur of a Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix can vary, and grooming requirements will depend on whether it has a shedding or non-shedding coat. Double Doodles with a long, non-shedding coat will require regular brushing to keep them tangle-free. Every few weeks, many owners may take their dogs to a professional groomer to trim the fur, making it more manageable. Doodles with shedding coats also need brushing to remove dirt but will not require clipping. They will shed moderately all year round but will shed twice a year heavily, so it is good to use de-shedding tools to help the process. You must clean their ears at least once a week and brush their teeth daily to prevent a build-up of tartar. Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Size Double Doodles are usually medium-sized dogs measuring 23 to 25 inches tall and weighing anywhere from forty to eighty pounds. It is more difficult to predict the potential size of a puppy if a Miniature Poodle is in the mix rather than a Standard Poodle. Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Temperament With such a mixture of breeds, is it difficult to predict the temperament of the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix? To better understand the possible outcome, we need to look at the different breeds. The Golden Retriever and the Labrador have similar personalities being active, intelligent, and obedient. They are dogs who love being around people and other dogs. Poodles are also energetic and extremely smart, being incredibly loyal to their families. However, they can be shy around other people and dogs and often show signs of stubbornness. It is important to remember that any Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix will have a large portion of the gorgeous curly Poodle in them, so you must like the temperament of this breed. Are Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mixes Friendly? As you can probably see, the three breeds involved in the Double Doodle have similar traits. All of them being friendly, affectionate, energetic, and loyal. Bred as working dogs, they are all extremely intelligent and easy to train, and this mixed breed can make an excellent therapy dog. With its hunting background, the Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix will bark at strangers, making it a good watchdog. The Double Doodle is great with children but make sure an adult constantly supervises them. Goldendoodle Labradoodle Mix Training With its working dog background, the Double Doodle is very responsive to training and learns quickly. You need to start the training process early using positive reinforcement methods. An adult Goldendoodle Labradoodle mix is an energetic dog that requires up to two hours of daily exercise. Including time off the leash to run around and play games. These dogs are perfect for active families, making good cycling or running companions. Health and Lifespan Mixed breeds are often healthier than purebred dogs, but the Double Doodle can inherit conditions common in the parent breeds. The main health problems they may face include: Eye diseases — cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy Orthopaedic conditions — hip and elbow dysplasia Ear infections Bloat — Food and gas become trapped in the stomach Thyroid disease. Final Thoughts What is the Goldendoodle-Lab mix? A Goldendoodle is a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. A Labrador Retriever is a purebred dog from Canada that was used for waterfowl retrieval and as an aid to fishermen. When you mix all three dog, you get the Goldendoodle-Lab mix. The Labrador Retriever and Goldendoodle breeds are two very popular dog breeds in the world today. And for good reason. Each breed comes from an interesting background that is worth checking out! Labradors originated from Labrador, Canada. Once they were discovered by the British, they were taken back to Great Britain, where they managed to grow and expand the breed. Labs Labrador Retrievers were initially bred for bringing in fishing nets in the cold Canadian waters. They have a double coat an inner and outer coat for insulation. Their bodies are built for the water. Their chests can push through the water just as the bow of a boat can. Their tales act as a rudder and help steer- although too much time in the water can sprain their tail, so watch for any pain or injury after spending a day in the water. Goldendoodle It is believed, that Goldendoodles were first bred by Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of the English author: Charles Dickens, in .Goldendoodles are often used as therapy or service dogs due to their mild temperament. After several attempts to work toward the ideal breed, Lord Tweedmouth was able to create the lovable Golden Retriever that we know and love today. Golden Retrievers are intelligent and lovable dogs eager to please and enjoy romping around the backyard, going on hikes, and snuggling up next to their family members. Many people enjoy having a Golden Retriever in their family because of these qualities. Poodle Poodle The Poodle has a low allergen coat which is perfect for those who have allergies to dogs. It comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. They originated from France and were bred to be water dogs. Just like the other two breeds, Poodles are incredibly smart and teachable when it comes to training them. The curls will be inherited from the Goldendoodle hence, Poodle genes. Labrador Coat Labs have two coats: an inner layer and an outer layer. Because of their two layers, they shed their undercoat twice a year. This generally happens in the spring and fall seasons getting rid of extra fur and adding more fur to accommodate the seasonal changes. Labs mainly come in three different colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. Goldendoodle Coat Goldendoodles generally have shaggy and curly coats depending on the genetics they take from their parents and what generation they are F1, F2, etc. Goldendoodles usually have little to no shedding, but their level of shedding ultimately depends on the genetic traits they take on from their parents and what generation they are. Size Female Labs range from .A female Labrador can weigh as little as 55 pounds, and the males can weigh up to 80 pounds. Female Goldendoodles range from 22 to about 23 inches, whereas males range from 24 to 25 inches. Are they a toy, miniature, or standard size? On average, a Goldendoodle ranges anywhere from 15 pounds to 30 pounds but can weigh as much as pounds! Depending on the parents, a Labrador Retriever-Goldendoodle will probably be relatively tall and a decent weight. Temperament and Traits Labs are a gentle and pleasant breed. They live to please people and are great with young children and elderly individuals. Goldendoodles are a happy and outgoing breed. They too live to please their owners and are good with young children. Goldendoodles rarely bark, so they may not be the best choice for finding a guard dog. Both breeds are exceptionally smart and willing to learn. However, both Labs and Goldendoodles need exercise. Both breeds are content to snuggle in for the night and be surrounded by their family. Health Issues All three breeds involved in a Labrador Retriever-Goldendoodle mix are susceptible to hip dysplasia. Some breeders also give a two-year health guarantee to the puppies in their care and are willing to make sure they do everything in their power within those two years if any health issues do come up. If you have any questions about a health warranty the breeder you are interested in has, ask them. If they are a reputable breeder, they will be more than happy to answer any questions you have when searching for a new puppy. Lifespan On average, Labrador Retrievers have a lifespan of years. However, some breeders who have been in the business long enough and ensure they provide the healthiest dogs have been able to see some of their puppies live as long as 16 years! Goldendoodles live anywhere from 10 to 15 years, depending on their health and the lifestyle of their families. It is safe to say that a Labrador-Goldendoodle mix will live at least ten years, if not longer, as long as it is appropriately cared for and has taken on the best genetics from its parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. They are intelligent, family-friendly, will most likely have low allergen coats- perfect for anyone with allergies to dogs, are eager to learn new things, and are always down for some snuggles. If you are looking for this unique breed, make sure you are doing the work and finding the best breeder, even if that means traveling somewhere distant. Hopefully, you were able to take something or two out of this complete guide on the Labrador Retriever-Goldendoodle, the history of the three breeds involved, and all the little details that make up this eccentric breed. Looking for a smaller-sized Goldendoodle? Check out the Mini English Goldendoodle. Kevin is a proud Bernedoodle owner and Doodle dog fanatic. Read how a chance encounter with two Bernedoodles spurred a lifelong passion here. If you want to get in contact with Kevin, you can send him a message.

This comes at no extra cost to you. At three months of age, Golden Retriever puppies get a little more confident, mischievous, and, of course, bigger! As a puppy parent, you might have lots of questions about your three-month-old Golden. Is this normal? Am I handling this the right way? Should I be doing something differently? At three months old, a puppy is feeling more settled in their new home. They are experts at identifying patterns and routines, and are understanding how things work around the house. You may notice increased confidence and curiosity around the house, as exploration can be fun for sixteen-week-old Golden Retrievers. This confidence boost may also come with more antics, like shredding the toilet paper in the bathroom and pulling down your nice throw pillows to wrestle with. You might observe that your three-month-old puppy has more energy than they did last month, as well. At this age, they also have better control of their bodies and are more coordinated, as opposed to when they were a two-month-old puppy. You may notice that they are running faster, jumping higher, and tackling obstacles like stairs. At three months old, a pup is still in the critical socialization window. What your puppy learns and experiences between three and sixteen weeks of age helps set a precedent for the rest of their life. Providing them with positive educational experiences with the sights, sounds, and experiences they will encounter as an adult dog is extremely important during this time. Avoid scary and stressful experiences with a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy , as those can leave lasting negative associations resulting in a fearful or anxious dog. Remember that a pup at this age is still so young and needs lots of patient guidance as they grow into their adult self. Three-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Size Most three-month-old Goldens will weigh between 15 and 35 pounds, but each puppy is a unique individual so there could be some that fall outside that range. Female puppies tend to be smaller than males, but there are exceptions to that rule. They will be growing a lot this month, so you may notice those legs getting longer by the day! Their cute little snout may also get a little longer as they develop. Golden Retrievers can have a variety of builds and sizes, so your vet can help you make sure that your puppy is at an appropriate weight if you have any concerns. With all that growing comes the need for a lot of sleep. Sixteen-week-old Golden Retrievers need about 18 hours of sleep a day. As much as possible, let your puppy sleep as much as they choose. At this age, they may not always be the best at settling themselves down for a nap even though they really need rest. Sometimes puppies can get overly tired and become super wild and bitey — puppy tornado mode! This is when your puppy needs you to step in and help them get the sleep they need. Utilizing a crate or pen is super helpful for this as it limits their options and promotes settling in for a nap. Set up the crate or pen so it has a comfy place for them to snooze. You can also offer them something like a bully stick or a stuffed kong to work on while they drift off to sleep. Many three-month-old puppies do well when the crate is covered, which cuts down on visual stimulation. You can also drape an old bed sheet over the panels of a pen to give the same effect. If your puppy struggles to settle, you can sit near their crate or pen, as your presence is a comfort to them. If you notice your pup curling up for a nap, you can pick them up and put them in their pen or crate. Behavior issues like excessive chewing , biting , barking and just general hyperactivity can come from lack of sleep. Ensuring that your puppy gets enough uninterrupted sleep is very important for their physical, mental, and behavioral wellbeing. If you got your puppy when they were two months of age, you may now notice that your three-month-old Golden seems to have more energy. With all that puppy energy, you might think that you need to wear your puppy out with exercise. While puppies certainly do need exercise, be careful not to overdo it. Exercise should be guided by the puppy. That means letting them set the pace and duration of exercise. Three-month-old Golden Retrievers do not yet have the physical and mental stamina for structured exercise like long leashed walks. Instead, short, easygoing walks are great at this stage. Think of walks more as adventures! Instead of trying to walk a certain route or distance, set an amount of time for the walk. Ten to twenty minutes is probably sufficient at this age. Free play is also a great outlet for exercise for three-month-old Golden Retrievers. Indoor playtime with toys is also a fun way for active pups to burn some of that puppy energy. Avoid long games of fetch, as the repetitive nature of the game can be hard on their growing bodies. Finally, getting your puppy out in nature is a great way to get them some exercise while also providing lots of mental stimulation. Historically, Golden Retrievers were bred to spend a lot of time outdoors in the fields with their owners. Our modern-day Goldens still absolutely adore getting outside in nature, and puppies are no exception. I recommend putting your puppy on a well-fitting, non-restrictive harness , and a fifteen or twenty feet biothane long line. This longer leash allows your puppy to explore more freely and makes pulling the leash less likely. Keep these outings short, and let your puppy take breaks as needed. It sounds a bit silly, but it can be easy to forget that a puppy is not a human! Keeping this in mind helps you stay patient as you teach your new best friend the ways of the world. One of the most important things for a puppy to learn is how to be alone. Even if you work from home, you have to run errands, hang out with friends and family, and go to doctor appointments. Using a crate or pen, or gating off a small space, is invaluable, as leaving a three-month-old Golden Retriever loose in your house would likely be a disaster! This e-book walks you through all the steps to teach your puppy how to be comfortable with confinement and being left home alone. Potty training will also be an ongoing process, so keep at it with your puppy this month. Just a few minutes every day is enough to start building some great skills with your puppy. You may also notice that some days your puppy has more energy, and on other days they are more relaxed. With their growing bodies comes a bigger appetite! Most three-month-old Golden Retrievers eat about two cups of food a day, split over three meals. As always, each puppy is a unique individual and so some puppies may eat more or less than that amount each day. Some days your puppy may eat all their food, and some days they may leave a little in the bowl, though Goldens are known to be chowhounds so your puppy might scarf down each and every meal. It can be really fun for both you and your puppy to feed meals in more creative ways. There are lots of toys available that make mealtime more mentally and physically enriching. You have to feed your puppy, so why not burn some puppy energy in the process! Here are some favorites:. Share 0 Shares At three months old, Golden Retriever puppies have experienced a lot of the world and their surroundings, which makes them more confident and can make them little rascals. By now, three-month-old puppies should be acquainted with their new homes, having been there for several weeks. Parents of these rambunctious, quickly-developing puppies are full of concerns. Training a 3-month-old Golden Retriever Feeding a 3-month-old Golden Retriever How to curb 3-month-old Golden Retriever biting Owning and caring for a week-old puppy is so rewarding, but taking care of the needs of these babies constantly can be a lot to deal with. Golden puppies at this age have become acquainted with their home. Unfortunately, that confidence borders on cockiness, and your sweet little puppy will sometimes seem like an agent of chaos and mischief. Your puppy will also be more vocal during this time period and bark more often. This is your puppy experimenting with its voice and learning about its capabilities. Three- months- old also marks a very important milestone for socialization. The socialization skills they learn during this time will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Try to avoid exposing your three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy to scary situations. Just as scary events can leave lifelong impressions on children, they can traumatize your puppy, as well. This can result in giving your dog permanent fears, phobias, and anxiety. Three months is still quite young for any sort of baby, so you need to remember that your role is that of a parent and a nurturer. How big a 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever will get? How much should a three-month-old Golden Retriever weigh? A three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy will typically weigh somewhere between lbs. Each pup is different and their health and size will be as unique as they are! Three-month-old Golden Retriever puppies are typically around 10 — 20 inches tall. Of course, there are several varieties of Golden Retrievers and they all have different sizes and builds. Your Golden Retriever puppy will need somewhere around 18 hours of sleep a day. Some days your puppy will sleep more. Whatever the case, your pup needs the extra zzzs. If puppies get overly tired they get cranky and start getting wild and bitey. Chewing is comforting to them. Another great way to help your pup wind down and get to sleep is by covering their crate with a blanket. This shuts out light and other stimuli so the puppy can focus on sleep without getting distracted. Again, this is much like children. When you see your puppy laying down and getting comfortable, you should put them in their pen or crate so they can take a nap. A lot of behavioral issues and hyperactivity at this age stem from a lack of sleep, so you can save yourself a lot of trouble if you start working to ensure your pup gets enough sleep. Like most pet owners, you likely got your puppy when it was two months old. This month, your puppy has a lot more energy! Most Golden Retriever owners assume that since puppies have this excess energy they need to exercise to burn it off. Your puppy will be able to instinctively know how much exercise they need. When they want to stop, let them. Your puppy may plop down to rest in the middle of your walk. This is pretty normal at this age. Instead, give them a few minutes to rest and see if they catch a second wind and start walking again. You should set your walk not in terms of distance, but in terms of minutes. Your pup will likely be tired after 20 minutes of walking. Another form of exercise that three-month-old puppies love is free play. You can let your puppy have free play outside if you have a fenced-in yard. Whether you have a fenced-in yard or not, your puppy will benefit from indoor playtime, as well. Golden puppies love a good romp with their favorite toys! You can play fetch with your Golden. Get your puppy outside and let them play. Golden Retrievers love the outdoors! They were originally bred to be hunting and field dogs, and although they have a variety of purposes today, they still love the great outdoors. Your pup will enjoy playing around outside and going for short nature walks. If you choose a longer leash, your puppy can explore independently without the dangers of being unleashed. For more information about the exercise needs of golden retrievers, check out our article about how much exercise golden retrievers need. How to Train a 3-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Training is an important part of raising any puppy and ensuring they grow into a well-mannered adult. You need to train your puppy to be comfortable with being alone early on. You can teach your puppy to be okay with being alone by using a crate or gates. Golden Retrievers are easily trained with positive reinforcement and treats! For more information about puppy training, check out our article about golden retriever puppy training. In general, you should feed a three-month-old Golden Retriever puppy around 2 cups of puppy food per day spread out over the course of three meals. Again, there are no set- in- stone rules for how much to feed a three-month-old Golden Retriever. Some will eat more than others, and some will eat less. For this reason, you can give your puppies toys with food in them to slow them down a bit and give them a bit of mental stimulation during the process. You can put some puppy food on a towel or blanket, then roll it up and let your puppy find their food. You can also toss some kibble on the ground outside and let your pup follow their nose to their food. When it rolls, the kibble will come out of the hole. Using toys while feeding your puppy can help with their insane energy levels, too! Biting Puppies will bite, chew and nip. Biting and chewing are just how puppies play. The problem is that they have little needle-sharp teeth that hurt! But you need to stay calm so that you can teach them to stop. Instead, give them a toy to chew on. Another thing that helps is setting up a baby gate. When they bite and play too rough, you can put them on one side of the gate and yourself on the other side. Just let them stay in there long enough to calm down. When you do this, stay calm. Some people worry that puppies biting during this stage indicates aggression, but three-month-old Golden Retriever puppies rarely exhibit aggression this early on. One toy suggestion for puppies that are biting is a flirt pole toy. This is a stick with a toy attached with a string that you can pull around on the ground or floor. The puppy can burn off some energy chasing the toy, and then bite and chew on the toy once they catch it. Move the toy away from the puppy, and the second they drop the toy start moving it again. Excessive play and exercise can damage their developing joints and muscles. Conclusion Three-month-old Golden Retriever puppies are so much fun! During this month you should be doing lots of training, socialization, and bonding with your fur baby. With the right amount of nurturing and support, your puppy will grow into a well-behaved, emotionally- mature adult in no time! Check out our other posts about the development of Golden Retriever puppies:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! In adorable footage, Barney can be seen pottering around the garden with his "grandpawrents," lovingly called Nana and Nono. Owner Alyssa, from Sydney, Australia, lives just downstairs from Nana and Nono, who are aged 83 and 95 respectively and since Barney arrived, she has loved watching the heartwarming relationship blossom. With over , views, people online are in love with the relationship. Barney enjoying cuddles left and getting pets in the kitchen right. A total of pet owners, and an equal number of non-pet owners, participated in the study, and researchers found that pet owners were 41 percent less likely to be depressed than non-pet owners. Meanwhile, an Australian study published in found a link between better coronary health and owning pets. A total of 5, participants attended a free screening clinic for general health, including blood pressure, and results revealed that pet owners had significantly lower systolic blood pressure than non-pet owners, despite a similar body mass index and socioeconomic profiles. Looking at over comments on TikTok, the moment seemed to bring joy to plenty of others, too. Viewer V wrote: "Not to be dramatic, but I would die for all three of them," while Ya Boi Squill said: "It's hard to find better enrichment for seniors than some puppy or kitten time. Miss my little man and Nona so much. Send them to life newsweek. What are some signs of illness in a Golden Retriever puppy that is 12 weeks of age? We remember this time with our Golden Retriever Glee well. Before she was a large breed Golden Retriever, she was a tiny little Golden Retriever puppy who needed our help to provide the foundation for a good life. At this age, your pup is still in the critical socialization period, where they are learning about their environment and how to interact with other dogs and humans. So, what can you expect with a three month old puppy? Your Golden Retriever pup is likely to be more confident and curious about their surroundings, but still in need of plenty of guidance and attention from their human family. They may be losing their baby teeth, which can cause some discomfort and make them even more prone to nipping and chewing. Note that this is a dense and long-read, full of useful information. Golden Retriever Mom is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Setting up your home for a Golden Retriever puppy Golden Retriever puppies, both males and females, are curious and active, and they require a safe and stimulating environment to thrive. Here are some tips for setting up your home for your new furry family member: 1. Essential puppy supplies Before you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Here are some steps you can take to puppy-proof your home: Secure all hazardous items, such as cleaning supplies and medications, in cabinets or drawers. Keep small objects, such as coins and paper clips, out of reach. Use baby gates to block off areas of your home that are off-limits to your puppy. Cover electrical cords and secure them to baseboards to prevent chewing. Put away shoes, clothing, and other items your puppy may be tempted to chew. Crate training Crate training is an essential part of raising a Golden Retriever puppy. A crate, like the Diggs Revol Crate which we love, provides a safe and comfortable space for your puppy that will ultimately grow to be a large breed dog right before your eyes to rest and sleep, and it can also help with potty training and reducing destructive behavior. Here are some tips for crate training: Introduce your puppy to the crate slowly and gradually, using positive reinforcement. Make the crate comfortable with bedding and toys. Never use the crate as punishment. Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate, starting with short periods and working up to longer periods. Never leave your puppy in the crate for longer than they can hold their bladder. Here are some tips for potty training: Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Choose a designated potty area in your yard and take your puppy there consistently. Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they go potty outside. If your puppy has an accident inside, clean it up thoroughly to remove any odor that might attract them back to the same spot. By following these tips, you can help your Golden Retriever puppy feel safe, comfortable, and loved in their new home while also setting them up for success with crate training and potty training. Feeding your Golden Retriever puppy One of the most important aspects of raising a healthy and happy Golden Retriever puppy is feeding them a balanced and nutritious diet. Here are some tips on how to choose the right food for your pup, create a feeding schedule, and incorporate treats and chews. Choosing the right food When it comes to selecting food for your Golden Retriever puppy, you want to ensure that you choose a high-quality, balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. Learn more here. Avoid foods that contain fillers, by-products, or artificial preservatives, and opt for foods with real meat as the first ingredient. Most Golden Retriever puppies should be fed three times a day until they are about six months old, then you can gradually reduce to two meals a day. Also, be mindful of the calorie content of treats, as overfeeding can lead to weight gain. We love Nylabone both for puppies and large breed dogs like Goldens. Other good options include rawhide chews, dental chews, and antlers. By choosing the right food, creating a feeding schedule, and incorporating healthy treats and chews, you can help your Golden Retriever puppy grow up strong and healthy. Exercise and Playtime Exercise and playtime are important for the development and health of your Golden Retriever puppy. Regular exercise also helps your pup build strong muscles and bones, maintain a healthy weight, and improve their overall mood. A Golden Retriever puppy needs about minutes of exercise a day. However, this exercise should be spread out throughout the day as puppies have a lot of energy and can get restless quickly. Safe exercises for puppies include short walks, playing fetch, and supervised play with other puppies or dogs. Overexerting your puppy can lead to joint problems, injuries, and other health issues. Playtime is also essential for your Golden Retriever puppy. It provides an opportunity for bonding and socialization, and it helps your puppy develop cognitive and social skills. Interactive toys such as balls, chew toys, and puzzles can help keep your puppy entertained and engaged during playtime. In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important for your Golden Retriever puppy. Mental stimulation can help prevent destructive behavior and keep your pup engaged. Activities such as training, teaching new tricks, and puzzle games can provide mental stimulation for your puppy. Training your Golden Retriever puppy Training your puppy is an essential aspect of their growth and development as they grow from a puppy into an adult Golden Retriever. It not only teaches them good behavior but also helps build a strong bond between you and your pup. Here are some important areas to focus on: 1. These commands can be taught through positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise. Socialization Socialization is an important aspect of raising a Golden Retriever puppy. It involves exposing your pup to different people, animals, and environments to help them develop into a well-adjusted adult dog. Socialization can be achieved through puppy classes, dog parks, and walks in different locations. House Rules Establishing house rules is crucial in helping your Golden Retriever puppy understand boundaries and acceptable behavior. This can include rules around where they are allowed to go in the house, what objects they are allowed to play with, and what behaviors are not acceptable. By focusing on these areas, you can help your Golden Retriever puppy develop into a well-behaved and happy adult dog. Additionally, if you would like a more fulsome training regime, consider an online dog training course. Grooming your Golden Retriever puppy Grooming your Golden Retriever puppy is an essential aspect of taking care of your pet. Here are some grooming tips to keep your Golden Retriever puppy healthy and happy: Bathing: How often you should bathe your Golden Retriever puppy depends on their activity level, coat type, and lifestyle. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your puppy once every two to three months. After the bath, towel dry your puppy and let them air dry completely before brushing. For more information read The Ultimate 7 Step Guide to Giving a Golden Retriever a Bath Brushing: Golden Retrievers have a dense, double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Brush your puppy at least once a week using a slicker brush or a pin brush. Start brushing at the head and work your way down to the tail. Trim the nails every two to three weeks using a sharp dog nail clipper. Important note! Be careful not to cut the quick, which is the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. By following these grooming tips, you can keep your Golden Retriever puppy looking and feeling their best. Regular grooming also provides an opportunity to bond with your pet and strengthen your relationship. This includes regular check-ups, dental care, and parasite prevention. It is also important to be aware of any signs of illness in your puppy. These may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, or changes in behavior. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your veterinarian right away to ensure that your puppy receives the necessary treatment. Here are some external links to Amazon products that will help you get started: Puppy Supplies:.

Boxer puppies for sale Billings, Montana Boxer puppies for sale Billings, Montana Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Billings Montana? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. Boxer puppies for sale in Billings MT The Boxer dog breed slowly gained popularity throughout Europe in the late s. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Billings for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. Billings MT Billings is the largest city in the U. We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery. You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Boxer, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Boxers". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Boxer from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon. If you can't find the perfect Boxer puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Boxers young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!

They represent a fascinating gene pool. AKC allows many colors. The French also come in rare colors such as blue, lilac and Isabella. However, the main topic is their eyes, it is really amazing how specific this breed is, especially when it comes to eye color. So let's find out more about the famous blue eyes of French bulldogs. Lately, we could notice there is growing popularity of buying rare colored French bulldogs. Besides, they have unique colors of fur, they also have blue eyes. Blue eyes French bulldogs are rare, but not impossible to find due to the genes that are present in them. The presence of S-locus and M-locus gene gives rise to a wide variety of eye colors in blue French bulldogs. In most cases, it will not, unfortunately, although everyone would like it. However, an exception may occur. The exceptions to the rule are blue Frenchies which can keep the blue and green eye tones into adulthood. As they go through a gradual growth process over the next few weeks, you may see different shades in your puppy's eyes; shades of blue, green-gray to brown, which is their standard eye color. But don't be upset because it is natural and common at this tender age of 10 weeks. The standard brown eye color will soon materialize, without you having to worry about it at all. It is not uncommon for them to have light pink skin around their eyes and mouth. Our advice is to protect them with some sunscreen. Corneal dystrophy can also be one of the problems, which can be hereditary. Therefore, the French Bulldog would have vision problems, you will notice a change in color to a dull blue look. Nuclear sclerosis, occurs mostly in dogs over 5 years of age. It may not be painful for your dog, but it can lead to a change in his vision. Our advice is to contact a veterinarian immediately. Also the French Bulldog may have problems with Heterochromia. There are two types of heterochromia- congenital and acquired. As we have already said, our advice is to contact your veterinarian immediately, so that your dog can get the right treatment and get rid of some of the problems if possible, because usually, veterinarians do not want to "touch" if it is not painful for the dog, which is the case in most cases. Please assume all such links are affiliate links which may result in my earning commissions and fees. This will not incur additional cost to you. French Bulldogs have some of the most adorable eyes in the world of dogs. There are some French Bulldog puppies with amazing blue eyes. If you have a puppy with this striking blue and you are wondering if your Frenchie would lose its blue eyes, the answer is, Yes! Your French would lose those dazzling blue eyes as they grow. Many people are attracted to this cute breed of dog because of its physical appearance and its gorgeous glittering eyes. So if you are an admirer of French Bulldog puppies because of those large cute blue eyes, here are some of the things you should know. Most dog lovers fall in love with certain breeds of dogs because of certain unique physical features such breeds possess. For instance, many dog lovers fall in love with the German Shepherd because of its fur. Some people love the bulkiness of the South African Boerboel, the physique of the Doberman, the muscularity of the American Pit, among others. The eye color of the French Bulldog might also influence your decision on getting this breed of dog. When you set your gaze upon the piercing eyes of a French Bulldog pup, you cannot help but fall in love with this breed. Brown and black eyes are the most common type of eyes among Frenchies. There are also French Bulldogs with green or grayish eyes; however, you might also come across French Bulldogs with dazzling blue eyes. The blue eyes are one of the stunning looks which attract many dog lovers to the French Bulldog even though there are many misconceptions about the nature of the blue pigment present in the eyes of the French Bulldog. If you are an owner or an admirer of this breed, you might be wondering how the French Bulldog got its blue eyes. In this article, there would be an in-depth discussion on the eyes of your French Bulldog puppy. At birth, the eyes of a Frenchie can either be black or blue. Therefore, you should not mistake the fact that your puppy has blue eyes as a sign of an eye defect. Your French Bulldog might have blue eyes depending on the recessive gene it carries. This genetic development can also result in your Frenchie having one eye color as brown while the other will be blue. This has nothing to do with an eye infection, and you should not, as a result of this genetic formation, discard your puppy. If your Frenchie has a historical background of blue eyes, there is no course to fret when your puppy also inherits such genes from either of the parents. If you have got a French bulldog because of your affection for the dazzling blue eyes, I am sorry to break it to you that the blue eyes of your pup might not stay blue forever. Once a Frenchie is around ten weeks old, the color of its eye begins to change. The changes, depending on your dog, might take different phases. At first, you would notice the dark blue eyes fading away into shades of blue and then into dim grey, finally into the regular brown eyes. Although, under a special light, you might still notice the blue color of the eyes, although it is not as dominant as when it was between 1 week and nine weeks old. It is common among Frenchies to change their blue eyes as they age to complete brown. However, this might not be the case with the blue fawn French Bulldog. The blue fawn French Bulldog is a rare breed of Frenchie with a mixed genetic setup. This accounts for its unique coat color and its eyes color. Unlike the common French Bulldog breeds, the blue fawn Frenchie keeps its blue eyes color even in adulthood. Most times, when you notice an adult Frenchie with blue eyes, it does not mean such a dog is suffering from an infection. It might simply mean that such French Bulldog is one of the rare breeds of the blue fawn French Bulldog. How To Get French Bulldog With Blue Eyes If you intend to get a Frenchie with blue eyes and you are not interested in getting an adult Frenchie, you might need to get in touch with your vet. Another reason you need an expert to assist you when getting a Frenchie with a blue eye is that the blue coloration in the eyes might result from an eye defect. You do not want to get a French Bulldog with an eye defect that might hamper the health of your puppy. Hence, it would be best if you had the assistance of an expert veterinary doctor. Your vet will help you carry out the necessary checks and medical examinations. It is advisable that if you are not sure of the bloodline of a blue-eyed French Bulldog, you should avoid such blue-eyed Frenchie. It is best that you take the necessary precaution whenever you intend to get a blue-eyed Frenchie. You should know that the blue-eyed Frenchie might also be at risk of various health conditions, which you should also consider when getting your Blue-eyes Frenchie. Health Issues of Blue-Eyed French Bulldogs Frenchies with blue eyes are quite adorable because of their dazzling blue eyes. However, it is quite hard to believe that their beauty is also their major flaw. Blue-eyed French Bulldogs are believed to be at risk of several health complications, and this is due to the genetic formation of this breed of Frenchie. Here are some of the health conditions which your blue-eyed Frenchie might develop; 1. Eye Problems A blue-eyed Frenchie is more prone to having severe eye problems at certain stages in its life, and if not properly managed, it might lead to blindness. This dent in the beauty of the blue-eyed Frenchie is due to the presence of the Merle gene, which is recessive in the blue-eyed French Bulldog. Some of the eyes related problems that are common with the blue eyes Frenchie includes; Juvenile cataracts: This eye problem is common among French Bulldog puppies. A juvenile cataract is hereditary, and this is why it is vital that you know the history of the prospective blue-eye Frenchie you intend to get. Entropion: This is another common eye-related problem that affects the eyelids of dogs, especially the blue-eyed Frenchies. The infection will irritate the eyes of the puppy and might ultimately lead to blindness if not properly managed. Cherry eye: This usually occurs due to swelling on the third eyelid of a dog. This infection is common among blue-eyed Frenchies. This eye problem can be cured by surgery. Other eye problems common among French Bulldogs with blue eyes include glaucoma, nuclear sclerosis, and anterior uveitis. Deafness Frenchies with blue eyes are known to suffer hearing loss at certain stages in their life; this is due to the lack of melanocytes, the melanin responsible for producing the cells in the ear region. When you get a blue-eyed Frenchies puppy, you need to carry out a test on it before six weeks old. The purpose of this test is to detect if your puppy is impaired in its hearing. If your puppy has lost her hearing and has become completely deaf, you will need the help of an expert to teach you how to communicate with your deaf puppy. It is also advisable that you get a dog tag for deaf dogs as this will be handy in social gatherings. These are the two common health problems that French Bulldogs with the unique blue eye might suffer from as they develop. However, in a situation where your French Bulldog has brown or black eyes and starts developing blue eyes, you need to have an urgent appointment with your vet. Sudden blue eyes development in your French Bulldog that initially has brown eyes might be a signal of an infection in your dog. To inform your choice of either buying the standard French Bulldog or going for the blue-eyed Frenchie, you need to know certain differences between them. Frenchies with brown eyes are healthier and physically sound; they are more agile and active. French bulldogs with brown eyes are more smart, alert, and cheerful, while blue-eyed Frenchies might lack these qualities. Final thoughts Finally, a Frenchie with blue eyes might lose its blue eyes if neither of its parents has the blue eyes gene. So if your French Bulldog has blue eyes, it will be best if you take adequate care of it, do not skip your appointment with your vet. Disclaimer : FrenchieBuddy. So, can French Bulldogs have blue eyes? Could it be that the S-locus and M-locus genes are the secret behind those beguiling blue eyes in some French Bulldogs? The answer to this question is a resounding yes. These genes indeed play a pivotal role in determining the eye color of these adorable canines. However, its influence extends beyond just the coat. When the S-locus gene is dominant, it can lead to lighter eye colors, including blue. This dilution can also affect the pigmentation in the eyes, resulting in blue or partially blue eyes. The genetic makeup of dogs is a complex tapestry woven from numerous threads, and the blue eyes in some French Bulldogs are just one intriguing pattern in this grand design. While the blue eyes in French Bulldogs are indeed a charming trait, they can sometimes be associated with certain health issues. For instance, dogs with the merle gene can be more prone to deafness and vision problems. People are willing to pay a premium for that touch of magic. Their unique charm and rarity have made them highly sought after in the canine world, often leading to a significant increase in their market value. The appeal of blue-eyed French Bulldogs is multifaceted. First and foremost, their striking blue eyes set them apart from the crowd. This unique feature, contrasting with their typically dark coat, creates an enchanting aesthetic that is hard to resist. In addition to their physical allure, the personality traits of French Bulldogs further enhance their appeal. Known for their friendly and affectionate nature, these dogs are excellent companions. Their playful demeanor and love for human interaction make them a favorite among families and individuals alike. The rarity of blue-eyed French Bulldogs also contributes to their high market value. The genetic factors leading to blue eyes are not common, making these dogs a rarity. This scarcity, combined with their unique appeal, often results in these dogs being priced higher than their brown-eyed counterparts. As mentioned earlier, the genes responsible for blue eyes can sometimes be associated with health issues. This gene is known to cause a dilution of pigmentation, which can affect not only the coat and eye color but also the internal structures of the ear and eye. As a result, dogs with the Merle gene, like Max, can be more prone to health issues such as deafness and vision problems. Deafness in dogs can be challenging to detect, especially in puppies. Signs may include a lack of response to noise, difficulty waking up, or excessive barking. Vision problems are another concern for dogs with the Merle gene. These can range from minor issues, such as increased sensitivity to light, to more serious conditions like cataracts or even blindness. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian can help detect any vision problems early and provide appropriate treatment. In addition to these, French Bulldogs, in general, are prone to certain breed-specific health issues. These include brachycephalic syndrome due to their short noses, hip dysplasia, and certain skin conditions. Owners of French Bulldogs, regardless of eye color, should be aware of these potential health concerns. For French Bulldogs, particularly those with the rare blue eyes, genetic testing can be especially beneficial. Genetic testing can help identify the presence of specific genes, such as the Merle or S-locus genes, which are known to influence eye color in French Bulldogs. For instance, the Merle gene has been linked to increased susceptibility to deafness and vision problems. By identifying the presence of these genes, genetic testing can provide potential breeders and owners with crucial information. This can guide decisions about breeding, help prepare for potential health issues, and inform appropriate care strategies. For example, if a French Bulldog is found to carry the Merle gene, owners can be proactive about scheduling regular hearing and vision check-ups. Genetic testing for dogs is typically conducted using a simple cheek swab or blood sample, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The process is non-invasive and painless for the dog. Results are usually available within a few weeks and should be discussed with a veterinarian to fully understand the implications. For potential breeders, genetic testing is particularly important. It can help ensure that breeding pairs are genetically compatible and that they are not likely to produce puppies with an increased risk of health problems. This is a crucial part of responsible breeding practices and can help maintain the overall health and wellbeing of the French Bulldog breed. From Puppy to Adult: Understanding Eye Color Changes in French Bulldogs As French Bulldogs transition from puppyhood to adulthood, their eye color often changes, usually around the age of 10 to 16 weeks. As the puppy grows and melanin production increases, the eyes gradually darken. By the time a French Bulldog reaches adulthood, their eyes will have settled into their permanent color, which is typically a shade of brown. This is usually the result of genetic factors, specifically the presence of the Merle or S-locus genes, as discussed earlier. This article will dive into everything you need to know about the rare blue-eyed Frenchie. Blue Eyes in French Bulldogs are commonly seen in merle or piebald dogs. This is because the genes coding for the amount and type of pigment produced will similarly affect the coloring of the coat and the iris in dogs. Blue-eyed dogs also have a higher incidence of being deaf. This blue-eyed double or extreme merle French Bulldog puppy has a higher likelihood of suffering from deafness, vision problems, infertility, and has an increased chance of suffering from skin cancer during her lifetime. Luckily this is not true for all blue-eyed French Bulldogs. In this article, we explain why this is the case. What Causes Eyes to Be Blue? When we talk about eye color, we usually refer to the color of the iris. The pupil is the part of the eye surrounded by the iris. The pupil is always black and expands and contracts in response to the intensity of light the eye is exposed to. The color of the iris in French Bulldogs is a direct result of the amount and type of pigment called melanin present. The pigment-producing cells melanocytes produce two different types of melanin, namely eumelanin, and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is dark brown or black, and pheomelanin is red or yellow. The amount and type of melanin determine the color of skin, hair, and eyes. In brown eyes, which are the most common eye color in French Bulldogs, the iris contains a large amount of eumelanin. Hazel eyes common in color dilute Frenchie coats such as blue have pheomelanin predominantly with some eumelanin, and blue eyes contain practically no melanin. Coat Color And Eye Color The genes for coat color are usually responsible for the amount of melanin in most body parts, including the eyes. This is why specific coat colors are closely associated with eye color. The amount and distribution of melanin in the iris can also be patchy and differ within patches in a single iris and between the irises of both eyes, similar to what we may see in certain coat patterns. Blue eyes are more prevalent in coat colors that code for decreased melanin production, such as piebald and extreme piebald. The merle coat color is also often associated with blue eyes, and merle Frenchies will often have either one blue eye or patches of blue in their eyes this is called heterochromatic eyes- see below. The two colors can occur in a single iris or differ between the eyes. This is the most common type of blue eyes in French Bulldogs. In this merle French Bulldog pup, both eyes have patches of blue in the iris. This is called heterochromia. Dogs with heterochromia may have one solid blue eye and one brown eye or specs of blue in one or both eyes. Blue Eyes Caused By Eye Conditions Eye conditions that cause corneal edema will cause a blueish-grey discoloration of the outer transparent layer of the eye. This is never normal, and you need to have your dog checked out by a vet to find the cause of discoloration as soon as possible, as some of the causes of corneal edema can cause irreversible blindness. Corneal edema can be a sign of eye conditions, including glaucoma, ulcers, canine hepatitis virus, and certain eye infections. Other eye conditions that may cause eyes to appear blue include certain eye tumors, advanced cataracts, and certain blood lipid abnormalities. As a general rule, if you notice a sudden change of eye color in your French Bulldog, you need to have it checked out by a vet. Most but not all puppies will have dark blue eyes when they first open their eyes at days old. However, their eye color will often change at around four weeks old. So, the dark blue eyes we see in very young puppies will usually change as they age and may continue to change until six months. There is a very high correlation between the genes for blue eyes and congenital sensorineural deafness in dogs. This is due to the genes coding for less pigment in the coat color, i. This deafness often only affects one ear and is often missed unless a BEAR test is done after the puppy turns five weeks old. It is considered unethical to breed deaf animals due to many behavioral problems such as anxiety and aggression associated with deafness. To read more on deafness in french bulldogs, please have a look at this article. Although blue eyes are more light-sensitive, and there seems to be an association between early decline in vision and eye color in humans, the vision of French Bulldogs with blue eyes does not differ from the vision of French Bulldogs with brown eyes. Blue eyes, however, are more light-sensitive than dark eyes. Similar to how the amount of pigment differed in different parts of the skin and coat of dogs, the same can happen in the amount of pigment in the iris. We often see a similar random pattern of the amount of type of pigment in the fur and the iris. Apart from a higher incidence of hearing disability in blue-eyed Frenchies, certain health conditions such as sterility and microphthalmos abnormally small eyes have been associated with blue-eyed Frenchies especially merle and double merle coat colors. In addition, melanin plays an essential part in protecting cells from damage by UV radiation i. Therefore, reduced melanin in and around the eyes is linked to a higher cancer incidence in most animal species. There is no association between eye color and gender in dogs. Blue eyes, although rare, are equally prevalent among male and female French Bulldogs. The genes for blue eyes are not sex-linked. If you are interested in learning more about the health-related differences between male and Female French Bulldogs, have a look at my article on whether male or female French Bulldogs are healthier. There is no difference in the intelligence of French Bulldogs with blue eyes versus French Bulldogs with brown or hazel eyes. It is a common preconception that dogs with blue eyes are more intelligent. This stems from the fact that certain dog breeds, such as Huskies, who have been bred to be trainable have blue eyes. Blue eyes are a rare and unique feature in French Bulldogs. Breeders may charge more for puppies with blue eyes due to the rarity of the trait and the high demand for blue-eyed Frenchies. Blue eyes are a recessive genetic trait meaning both the mom and dad need to carry the gene for blue eyes for it to be expressed in a small percentage of offspring. Since there are multiple genes on multiple different chromosomes coding for eye color, it can be difficult to predictably breed for blue eyes without compromising other aspects of ethical breeding. A good example of this is the correlation between blue eyes and deafness mentioned above. You can also read more on genes and congenital deafness in this article. Conclusion Blue eyes are closely associated with deafness in French Bulldogs. Often this can be avoided through responsible breeding. Unfortunately, the small and shrinking French Bulldog gene pool is riddled with genetic faults causing these poor dogs to have a poor quality of life. French bulldogs have been described as the least healthy dog breed in multiple dog health and longevity studies. In my opinion as a vet, rather adopt a non-brachycephalic dog breed and avoid getting a French Bulldog. Not only will you save thousands on vet bills, but your pup will have a much happier, healthier, and longer life! In which case, you might find the following article interesting:. Pin2 8 Shares Last week we had we had a Frenchie puppy come over to play with our own Frenchie, Claude. She is a week old French Bulldog puppy with the bluest of eyes. They are stunningly beautiful as you can see in the photos lower down the page. I remarked to her owner how blue the eyes were and asked whether they would change color at all. Do French Bulldogs eyes change color? Yes, Frenchie eyes do change color. When they are born, their eyes will initially be blue. Around 10 weeks, their eyes will then start to change color to brown. The exception to the rule is Blue Fawn Frenchies who can have blue or green eyes in adulthood. You can see a still I took from an old video of Claude below. This photo shows how blue his eyes were when he was younger. Regular readers of French Bulldog Owner will know they are now very much brown! French Bulldog blue eyes: Our Frenchie Claude had blue eyes as a puppy which eventually changed color to brown. Are French Bulldogs born with blue eyes? So, what can you expect with your own Frenchie? Well, all French Bulldog puppies are born with blue eyes. They will either be completely blue, or slightly different shades including grey, green, and brown flecks. At about 10 weeks old, the Frenchie eyes will start to change color. It will be a gradual process, and most will go through some shades of blue, green-grey, and then to the standard brown color. In this shot they look more of a grey-green color which means they are going through the change to brown. However, in certain lights they do still appear to be very blue. In most cases they will eventually turn completely brown. However, there is an exception to this rule; blue fawn French Bulldogs. This particular breed of Frenchie is very rare, being renowned for their colorings. They have a dilute gene which accounts for their coat color as well as their eyes. Some blue Frenchies will keep the blue eye gene more than other dogs. What color are French Bulldog eyes? What color eyes do French Bulldogs have? French Bulldogs have brown eyes as adults but will be born with blueish eye color. The exceptions to the rule are blue Frenchies which can keep the blue and green eye tones into adulthood. Why do French Bulldogs have blue eyes? There are certain eye diseases, some which are more serious than others, including: Anterior uveitis: this is a painful condition due to an inflammation inside the eye. Signs include your dog squinting, scratching, redness, discharge, or a change in color to a cloudy appearance. It can be treated, but in some very rare cases the eye will to be surgically removed. Cataracts: these can be caused by diabetes, eye damage, pests, or diet. They can be inherited, can come on quickly, or be a slow to appear. However, what you will notice is that the eyes will have changed color to a blue cloudy appearance. If not treated, cataracts can lead to blindness. You will notice a change in color to a cloudy blue appearance. You might be able to spot it early if you see a change in color to cloudy blue. There are different treatments available which will reduce the pressure, with the possibility with a complete eye removal. Nuclear sclerosis: this tends to occur in dogs once they reach the age of six. As with the other diseases listed here, it can be noticed first when the eyes change color to a cloudy blue appearance. As an age-related disease, your vet might decide not to treat it. Read this guide to health issues and what to look out for. Why are my French Bulldogs eyes red? This is something you should also look out for, as it can be a sign of a health problem. Red eyes in a Frenchie could be:. If the default eye color for most dogs is brown, why do French Bulldogs get blue eyes? However, genetics is the number one cause of blue-eyed French Bulldogs. If a Frenchie has a long history of blue eyes, they are likely to develop blue eyes. Here are the three main reasons Frenchies are likely to get blue eyes. This gene is responsible for random pigment dilution lightening of the nose, eyes, and fur. French Bulldogs without this genetic mutation are more likely to develop brown eyes. Melanin Levels Melanin levels can influence the eye color of French Bulldogs. Generally, dogs with higher melanin levels in their iris tend to have brown eyes. Conversely, a lower concentration of melanin results in lighter eye colors in dogs. Genetically, blue eyes in dogs do not mean more health issues. It is possible to have a perfectly healthy blue-eyed Frenchie. However, it is important to note that blue-eyed Frenchies may have an increased likelihood of significant health risks compared to brown-eyed Pit Bulls. Deafness Deafness, or hearing loss, is common in French Bulldogs with blue eyes. This health issue is present in certain dog breeds that carry the Merle and Piebald genes. Congenital deafness is linked to the merle gene, while the Piebald gene is responsible for spotted or multicolored coats on dogs. So, if your French Bulldog pup has blue eyes due to the merle gene or has a spotted color coat piebald gene , he may be at a higher risk of hearing loss. Affected Frenchies are at greater risk of injury, for instance, in road traffic accidents. You can rule out congenital deafness by conducting a BAER test in Frenchie puppies as young as six weeks old. Additionally, consider acquiring a collar specifically designed for deaf dogs and ensure your dog has an identification tag to promote awareness and safety for everyone in their vicinity. Blindness French Bulldogs with blue eyes may potentially develop vision defects. The presence of blue eyes in Pit Bulls can indicate that your pet carries the Merle gene, which is a dominant gene. However, it is essential to note that not all blue-eyed French Bulldogs will inevitably become blind. The likelihood of eye defects such as blindness is higher if both parents carry the Merle gene and pass it on to their offspring. This test can help identify whether your Frenchie carries the gene s for blue eyes, other genetic disorders, or complications. Given the susceptibility of eye problems in Frenchies, supplementing their diet with eye dog supplements like Zesty Paws eye supplement and using dog eye drops to provide long-lasting corneal protection and hydration can be beneficial. Lastly, French Bulldogs are prone to thickening and hardening skin on the nose, also known as nasal hyperkeratosis. Using a dog nose butter can bring relief or prevent it. Because Frenchies are susceptible to many health issues, we advise looking into pet insurance for French Bulldogs. While brown eyes in dogs derive their color from melanin, dogs with blue eyes have colorless irises that lack any pigment. The coloration of blue eyes is achieved through a similar mechanism as the blue color of water and the sky. This occurs because all the light entering the eyes of a French Bulldog is scattered back into the atmosphere, creating the optical illusion of a blue appearance. The mutation of the ALX4 gene in dogs with blue eyes seems to decrease pigment production in the eye. The lack of pigment causes the eye to appear blue. In general, the French Bulldog resembles a Bulldog in miniature, with a stocky and muscular appearance. Frenchies look active and intelligent, with a smooth coat and medium or small body structure. Males can grow between 11 to 13 inches tall and weigh 20 to 28 pounds. Female Frenchies have about the same measurements. A large and square head, with heavy wrinkles rolled above the extremely short nose, are common physical traits among French Bulldogs. They seem alert, curious, and interested at all times. Eye Color Characteristics According to the United Kennel Club breed standard for French Bulldogs, eyes in Frenchies should be dark in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form, moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. In lighter-colored dogs, lighter-colored eyes are acceptable. No haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward. Anything outside this description, including blue eyes, is considered a serious fault and not a standard. On the other hand, solid coat colors are determined by the levels of melanin. This alteration prevents the cells from producing a full-strength black pigment, resulting in various coat color shades ranging from gray, brown, tan, and everything in between. Blue-eyed French Bulldogs with brown, black, grey, and silver coat colors are probably the most difficult and rarest of all blue-eyed Frenchies. Because the melanin levels are full-on black or closer to the black pigmentation. Also, the Merle gene is less likely to be present among these color coats. Their brown eyes are due to high levels of melanin and the possible absence of the merle gene. These colors range from dark brown to light hazel, which may look greenish. You may find Frenchies with darker blue eyes, while others may have lighter blue eye coloration. The main reason for blue eyes in Frenchies can be found in M-locus and S-locus genes. Their dark eyes are due to high levels of melanin. A post shared by Zootopia Pet Sitter zootopia. As they grow, melanin increases, typically darkening their eyes. Some genetically retain blue eyes. Can French Bulldogs have Blue Eyes? Do French Bulldogs have Blue Eyes? French Bulldogs that have blue eyes into adulthood would likely have the Merle gene or, in rare cases, albinism. Do French Bulldogs Eyes stay Blue? Do French Bulldogs keep their Blue Eyes? Frenchies Blue Eyes normally would not stay blue into adulthood. Most Frenchies with Blue Eyes will start to have brown eyes as they grow older unless they carry the merle gene. Not all Blue French Bulldogs will have blue eyes as adults, but it is not uncommon for them to be a French Blue Eyed Bulldog when they grow old, with some having a bluish-green tint. How long do French Bulldogs Eyes stay Blue? Most French Bulldogs will have blue eyes until they are around 10 weeks old. Blue Eyed French Bulldog Yes and no. Blue-Eyed French Bulldog actually do not have blue eyes since their eyes do not have any pigmentation. It is just an optical illusion that makes it appear blue. On the one hand, yes, because some of them are carriers of the merle gene that can cause blue eyes. The French Bulldog Blue Eye glow meaning behind this phenomenon is because they have a light-reflecting surface between the optic nerve and the retina called the tapetum lucidum. It works like a mirror, wherein light gets reflected inside the eyes for them to easily see in the dark. French Bulldog Blue Eye glow, or red glow in some mammals, is an evolutionarily adaptive trait that allows them to be better hunters at night. Are French Bulldogs color blind? No, French Bulldogs are not color blind, but their eyes, just like most dog breeds, can only detect certain colors, such as, blue, yellow, and shades of gray. This is because they only have two color cone cells in the retina — yellow and blue, unlike us humans who have red, blue, and yellow color cone cells. Will Blue Eyed French Bulldog puppy change his eye color as he matures? Yes, Blue Eyed French Bulldog puppies will change eye color as they grow older. Typically, Frenchie puppy Blue Eyes only occurs in their first 10 to 12 weeks. French Bulldog puppy with Blue Eyes will eventually have brown eyes as they mature. This is due to increased melanin levels that a French Bulldog Blue Eyes puppy will eventually have brown or black eyes. On the one hand, the reason why a French Bulldog puppy Blue Eyes does not change is due to genetics. Save Big On Dog Essentials! Blue Eyed Frenchie genetics There are three 3 main genes that give some French Bulldogs their blue eyes. The first is the merle gene, or M-locus, which causes dilution of pigments in the eyes, nose, and fur. Second is if they carry the S-locus gene or the white spotting piebald gene that regulates pigmentation. This gene disrupts pigment production which makes some areas of the coat turn white or pink. There is no direct correlation between gender and blue eyes. The merle gene is the main reason why some Frenchies have blue eyes and the male and female percentage of this occurring is almost the same. What type of Frenchies commonly have Blue Eyes? There are four 4 types of French Bulldogs that have blue eyes. Puppy French Bulldog — All Frenchies are born with blue eyes, but they eventually turn into brown when their melanin production increases. Merle-gene carriers — This gene causes pigment dilution in the eyes. S-locus gene carriers — Carriers of this gene disrupt pigment production in some areas of the body. Albino French Bulldogs — A very rare condition wherein there is totally no pigment production in the body. Frenchie with Blue Eyes physical appearance Frenchie with Blue Eyes shares the same physical traits as most Frenchies. They are small domesticated dogs with heavy-boned and muscular body structures. The head is large and square-shaped with a deep, laid back muzzle. Eyes are round and the ears bat-shaped. Tail is short that can be straight or screwed. French Bulldog with one Blue Eye and one different colored eye: Is this rare? Some Blue Eye Frenchie will have a condition called heterochromia, where the two eyes are differently colored. This is considered rare, but does not pose a health risk to the Frenchie. However, if the color in either of the eyes changes from brown to blue when they are adults, it may be a sign that there is something wrong with their health. Various French Bulldogs with Blue Eyes French Bulldogs with Blue Eyes come in different colors, especially those that have a merle or piebald coat pattern. This is because Gray French Bulldog with Blue Eyes inherited genes from both its parents that have the recessive dilution gene. French Bulldog Gray with Blue Eyes has solid color throughout their coat with no markings. Grey French Bulldog with Blue Eyes usually has health issues upon maturing. This is because producing a Blue Eyed Gray French Bulldog is relatively difficult that requires two 2 copies of the dilution gene. Breeders also do not deliberately breed Blue Eyed Grey French Bulldog since they are prone to a host of health issues. French Bulldog White Blue Eyes also has dilution in their muzzle giving it a grayish-pink hue. Grey and white French Bulldog with Blue Eyes The coat of a Grey and white French Bulldog with Blue Eyes is predominantly white with gray piebald spotting on the face, back, shoulders, and rear end. Blue Eyed merle French Bulldog French Bulldog merle Blue Eyes has a light-colored body coat with irregular splotches of a darker color throughout the body. It is also possible to have a Merle French Bulldog with one Blue Eye, a condition called heterochromia. However, merle French Bulldog Blue Eyes can compete in other competitions, like agility and obedience courses. French Bulldog Black Blue Eyes can have white markings on the chest, face, and body. French Bulldog Black with Blue Eyes is rare and not a recognized standard color. Black Blue Eyed French Bulldog carries two 2 copies of the recessive solid black genes from both parents. Black French Bulldog puppy with Blue Eyes can either have dark brown or sapphire blue eyes as an adult. There is dilution in the noses and paw pads of a Lilac French Bulldog Blue eyes that appear brownish-pink. Cream Frenchies that has pinkish noses, lips, and paw pads can have blue eyes, while those with dark or black noses typically have dark brown eyes. Since their color is diluted, their eyes are most likely to be blue. Platinum French Bulldog Blue Eyes Platinum French Bulldog has a lustrous, cream-colored body coat with blue eyes and coat dilution in the lips and paw pads. Some Blue French Bulldog puppies Blue Eyes will retain their eye color into adulthood and some would have brown eyes. French Bulldog Blue Eyes full grown size, height, and weight Height.

An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. More about 6 month old GSD puppy training. Months GS males reach their adulthood when they are 3 years old, while females become completely mature at the age of 2. However, the end of the second year of life is considered as the finish of puppyhood for both genders. You should continue to teach impulse control, develop obedience skills, and get to more concentrated activities, such as agility, nose work, tracking, herding, and protection. The intense training of these skills should continue throughout the entire period. You also have to arrange the transition of your youngster from puppy to adult food meant for large breeds. According to some experts, insufficient house training or housebreaking is one of the most common reasons that dogs are relinquished to shelters. This is not surprising, because while house training is not a complicated process when housebreaking fails, the results can be disgusting. Just as with children, dogs must be taught the proper place to eliminate. Strangely, though, some people believe that dogs automatically know that the potty is outside. Rather than simply hoping that your dog is one of the few who magically gets it right, there are a few simple steps that you can take to start your puppy training off on the right paw and keep your floors and furniture clean. If he could, he would probably just cut to the chase and ask where the restroom is. In fact, he probably did ask, but you missed it. House training failures can almost always be attributed to the lack of two simple ingredients: scheduling and supervision. While it helps if you have realistic expectations, a little patience, and a sense of humor, you can housebreak your German Shepherd puppy if all you do is keep him in sight and take him out at regular, predictable intervals. Simple, right? Unfortunately, what sounds simple often is not. We have jobs to attend, meals to cook, and movies to watch. Yes, he can, if you show him how. Schedule Potty Breaks While Puppy Training When a meeting is called at your place of work, you are typically given such information as where to meet, what the topic of the meeting will be, and when it will end. Armed with this knowledge, you can stop by the powder room on the way to the meeting, feeling confident that all is well. Obviously, there will be times when you need to take him out before the scheduled moment arrives, especially in the beginning, but when he can rely on you to take him out to go potty at certain times or after specific events, he will begin working at holding it until the appointed time. For example, always take your puppy out first thing in the morning, not after coffee, and not after checking your email or chatting with your friends on Facebook. Take him out first thing. Next, take him out after he eats. He also needs to go out after any period of time that he has been left home alone. If you are away from home at work, school, or shopping, take him out the moment you get back. Freedom is Overrated Until your German Shepherd puppy training is complete, and your puppy is reliably house trained, you will increase the speed of his success the more you decrease the number of accidents. You already know that you must provide him with a consistent schedule, but not every potty break can be dictated by the clock. When you observe your puppy sniffing the floor, circling, arching his back, lifting his tail, or just whining for no apparent reason, get him outside quickly. During those times when you cannot watch him, you must confine him. You must. You cannot leave him free to roam your house and use it as a bathroom. Furthermore, you can place him in a crate, lock him in a safe room, use a playpen, or whatever works for you, but you must confine him. Just do not give him free access to your home. Consistency Equals Success Most house training failures are not the fault of the dog. We get busy, we have unrealistic expectations, and we expect dogs to read our minds and know what we want without training. Really, though, it all comes down to scheduling and supervision. If you can remember these two simple things, you can housebreak your dog. All youngsters need training, whether they are puppies, ponies, or children. This is not news. We send our children to school for a good many years before we consider them trained. GSD puppy training itself is not difficult. Dogs are smart. German Shepherds are especially smart because we have bred them to be independent thinkers. They love a job, and they love puzzles. This means that training can either be easy or frustrating. It is frustrating if your dog seems to be smarter than you are, which he will indicate to you through his bored body language and lack of attention span. It is easy if you know the key to really successful training. When we think of puppy training, we envision teaching the dog things like sit, down, stay, walk on the leash, and fill in the blank. The secret that all great dog trainers have figured out is how to ignite that love of learning that dogs carry deep inside. Get ready to open up a whole new world of possibilities. From the outside, enlightened training looks like any other training in the beginning. Your puppy has to learn the concept first. You start with very simple steps and build from there. Get a handful of healthy treats that your puppy loves. In a quiet area with minimal distractions, approach your puppy and call his name. Do this five times in a row, several times a day for two days. If your puppy is a genius, and if he is a German Shepherd the chances are high that he is, do the exercise anyway several times per day as described. Eventually, you can transition from using treats to simply praising him when he gets it right, but for now, use treats. To clarify one point, your puppy is not born speaking English. You can use whatever word you choose to let him know when he has done what you are asking him to do. This is the marker you will use throughout his lifetime to let him know when he has performed on cue correctly. Be consistent. You do this initially by luring his eyes to your eyes with your hand that is holding the treats. Call his name, bring your treat hand up to your face, and the instant your puppy makes the slightest eye contact, reward him. Do this several times, then move your hand a few inches away from your face. Call his name, and when he looks at your hand for a treat, do not give it to him. He will become confused, and at some point, he will look you in the eye for clarification. Instantly reward him. Practice this several times a day for a few days, gradually moving your hand away from your face until eventually, it is in a normal relaxed position by your side while your puppy looks at your face when you call him. When you have mastered this exercise, you are ready to move on. First, you will lure him into position like you did when you brought his eyes to your face, then you will transition to having him sit when no treat is offered. With your puppy standing next to you, call his name. Praise him when he looks at you, but do not give him a treat. Instead, place your hand holding the treat in front of his nose and lift your hand directly over his head. Do not pull his head up with his leash, and definitely do not push his butt down to force him to sit. Let him work this out on his own. Step away, call him to you, and repeat. Faster than you expect, he will drop his butt to the floor on cue and proudly accept his reward. As soon as your puppy will reliably sit when you give him the cue and lift your hand over his head, give him the cue but keep your hand at his side. Wait for him to work it out. If he gets frustrated and loses interest, show him the treat and try again. Eventually, he will sit without needing you to guide him, at which point you will lavishly praise him and move on to the next lesson. Do not push him down, do not pull his front legs out from under him. Wait for him to lie down on his own. If he stands up to get the treat, have him sit again and start over. Eventually, he will lower his front end to the floor. Instantly praise him and give him the treat. Once your puppy will lie down consistently when you cue him and lure him with the treat, give him the cue and wait for him to lie down without showing him the treat. You may have to go back to luring him a time or two, but because you taught him how to learn on his own, eventually he will get it. The same techniques of puppy training can be applied to anything you want to teach your dog to do. German Shepherds are smart and hard-working dogs. They are highly intelligent and therefore rather easy to train. But, it requires clear objectives and loving guidance. When consistent supervision and routine are provided, German Shepherds are very simple to house train. When should you start training a German Shepherd puppy? However, it is not. It may sound too harsh, but training should begin as soon as a puppy enters your home. In fact, training will yield better results the younger your puppy is. How to train a German Shepherd puppy not to bite? Your puppy has to learn that when he hears the click sound, he has acted improperly and should stop. To help the dog learn that he is responding correctly, the owner should reward him with a treat. Learn more about training your GSD not to bite. How to potty train a German Shepherd puppy? As soon as your German Shepherd puppy enters your home, you should begin potty training. For instance, it must be relieved after eating, sleeping, and waking up after a daytime nap. It might also need a potty after playing. Your puppy dog will pick up the rules fairly fast with the help of the routine. Learn more about GSD Puppy potty training. How to train German Shepherd puppy at home? Failures in house training can almost always be attributable to a lack of two basic components: scheduling and supervision. You can housebreak your German Shepherd puppy if all you do is keep him in sight and take him outside at regular, predictable intervals, though it helps if you have reasonable expectations, a little patience, and a sense of humor. Final Thoughts German Shepherds belong to the breed that benefits and thrives from continuous extensive training. Your puppy should know how to behave properly in different situations and in both outdoor and indoor environments. That is why it is so important to start German Shepherd puppy training as early as possible. Actually, you need to expose your little pup to some rules, exercises, and practices from the very first minutes in your home. As a result, you will get a loyal, obedient, protective, and intelligent friend and partner for all your further activities. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Feed your GSD puppy a nice healthy dinner along with some fresh water to drink. Make him comfortable with a nice warm blanket and a chew toy. I know it seems like a lot and you may not have time every day to follow this type of sleep schedule. This is best case scenario. Adjust accordingly based on your lifestyle. Encourage him to rest if he seems tired. If you notice him waking up from a nap, take him outside immediately to go potty. Make sure he has a quiet place to sleep undisturbed and away from the action, especially if you have children. Teach him to sleep in his crate when you can. You can also put a little dog bed in another room for peace and refuge. Routine is key for creating sleep patterns. Your puppy will learn to go to bed when you do. Crate your puppy preferably using an adjustable partition leaving him just enough room to stand up and turn around. This will help him sleep and lessen the chance of him going potty at night. Keep him crated in your room if need be. Being close to you may help him sleep at night. Make his crate nice and cozy with a warm blanket or two on the bottom. Forget the bed as he will probably destroy it. Instead give him a couple of his favorite chew toys. Prepare for your puppy to wake up sometimes throughout the night. There is a reason puppies sleep most of the day away. The body and brain use this downtime to develop and grow. This includes their central nervous system and immune system which they need to fight off sickness and disease. Similar to humans, a lack of sleep can lead to a weakened immune system which means they are more prone to sickness or disease. German Shepherds grow at a rapid pace for the first year of their life. This means that sleep is even more crucial during this time period. Fun Fact: Dogs dream just like humans. In Closing: Sleep is vital for your German Shepherd puppy so make sure they are getting enough. There may be some sleepless nights ahead of you, especially if the crate is in your bedroom. But things will get easier the more they mature. Remember as they grow and get older, the amount of sleep they require will decline. Once they are a full-grown adult, they will sleep for about 12 to 14 hours. Stick to a consistent schedule and make sure they have a quiet place to retreat. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you own a German Shepherd puppy? If so, what is their sleep schedule? Do you have any tips for potential owners that may help? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:. Can a German Shepherd puppy start training at 8 months? How to Potty Train Your 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy Potty training your 8-week-old German Shepherd can be stressful at first, but with a bit of persistence and patience, your puppy will learn correct behavior in no time. The potty area can be outdoors or indoors. Having a designated potty place will help your dog understand that this is the only place they should go to poop or pee. Watch Out for Signs One of the first signs is usually an increased awareness of their surroundings. You may notice that your puppy starts sniffing around more often or seems particularly interested in certain places of the house. Watch out also for changes in behavior. If your pup suddenly starts having accidents inside or seems antsy and restless, they may be trying to tell you that they need to go outside. Use Cue Words One way to help your new puppy understand what you want him to do is to use cue words. Cue words will help your German Shepherd puppy learn the connection between the words and the action. You can also use cue words when rewarding him for going in the right spot. Give Training Treats When potty training your puppy, use treats as a form of positive reinforcement. Doing this teaches your puppy that good things happen when they go outside to do their business. When choosing treats for potty training, select something small and easy to eat. This way, the puppy can eat the treat quickly and then get back to playing. It would be best if you also chose training treats that your puppy finds irresistible. Otherwise, they may not be motivated to keep trying. Puppy Crate It is an enclosure to confine your new puppy for short periods. It is also helpful in transporting puppies from one place to another. German Shepherd owners use it for crate training as they can also help with separation anxiety and boredom. Puppy crates usually have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning. They also have wire, plastic, or fabric as the primary materials, and they typically come in different sizes to accommodate puppies of different ages and breeds. When buying a crate, it must be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down but small enough so that the puppy does not have too much space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. When used correctly, it can provide a safe, comfortable space for your new furry friend. Early Morning: Bring your Puppy Outside When your German Shepherd is a still puppy, he may have trouble holding his bladder throughout the night. If you do not let your puppy out early enough, it might create potty accidents because he cannot control their bladder. Morning: Time for a Nutritious Breakfast Puppies need a lot of nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. A nutritious breakfast helps them get the energy they need to start the day. Even though puppies spend most of their time sleeping and cuddling, puppies require several daily feedings. Place your puppy on your lap and snuggle while sleeping. It would be best if you also let them rest throughout the day. Afternoon: Lunchtime Take your puppy outside after lunch to relieve themselves. Allow your puppy time to exercise and release any built-up energy. Feeding your puppy .Between naps, you can do playtime and training activities to help release energy, encourage physical activity, and develop a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd. Evening: Last meal of the Day During the evening, feed your puppy their fourth and last meal. Afterward, take your puppy for a short stroll. Before returning, have your puppy go potty outside, then snuggle up on the sofa for some quality time. Night: Potty Break Before Bedtime Take your puppy out for one more potty time before putting him to bed. Remember that you should establish a reasonable bedtime for your puppy early on. Moreover, an 8-week-old German Shepherd may develop a better appetite for other solid meals. These include constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea Diarrhea is a common problem that many German Shepherd puppies face. This condition has several possible causes, including dietary indiscretion, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. In most cases, diarrhea is not a serious concern and will resolve itself within a few days. However, seek veterinary care if your puppy displays other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Constipation A young German Shepherd is particularly susceptible to constipation due to their large, muscular build and fast metabolism. If your puppy is constipated, you may notice that he has difficulty passing stool and seems uncomfortable or restless. If your puppy is constipated, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet may give him a laxative or enema to help relieve constipation. Bloating Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing it to swell. German Shepherds are especially prone to bloating because of their deep chests. There are several possible causes of bloating, including eating too fast, drinking too much water, and exercising immediately after eating. Stress can also be a factor. To prevent bloating, feed your German Shepherd several small meals daily instead of one large meal. It is also important to avoid exercising immediately after eating and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water. Yes, a German Shepherd puppy can start training at eight months. But remember that every puppy is different and will learn at its own pace. Consistency is key, and with patience, your puppy will get the hang of obedience training in no time. Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup! Remember to have fun and keep it light. At eight weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy sleeps for around 18 hours daily. It may seem like a lot, but puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. As they get older, German Shepherds will sleep for less time each day. German Shepherd puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings and socialize with other dogs and people. In addition, puppies typically start teething around eight weeks old, which can cause them to bite more as they try to relieve the discomfort caused by their emerging teeth. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, and biting is a way for them to learn about their environment. In addition, puppies may bite out of excitement or frustration, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. If your puppy is biting excessively, provide him with plenty of chew toys and opportunities to run and play. Also read:. Reliable training German Shepherd puppy training: socialization! The first item in your German Shepherd puppy training list is Socialization. It means that you must provide your baby German Shepherd with interesting and positive interactions. If you ensure that your pup interacts, and has a positive and rewarding experience, with as many people, dogs, animals, sounds, objects, sights and experiences, you will raise a confident and reliable dog. Every new activity or interaction must be followed with a yummy treat! This will ensure your puppy will have a positive association with every new experience, object, person, animal, etc. You can use your dog's kibble or something better like chicken, beef or cheese. Commercial treats are also a good and easy to use option, but make sure you buy healthy, all natural dog treats to keep your German shepherd puppy healthy and strong! German Shepherd dogs are loyal and may have a tendency to be apprehensive with strangers. Socialization will ensure that your puppy grows a strong bond with you without developing a problematic over-protectiveness. German Shepherd puppy training socialization tips: Never separate a puppy from his mother and littermates before the age of weeks. During this time, mom teaches her puppies some important rules of the dog world like body language communication and they start to learn bite inhibition by plying with the other puppies. Unfortunately many vets will tell you not to take your puppy out of the house until they have had all of their shots. This is old school thinking and can have extremely bad consequences that will become apparent only when your canine becomes an adult. Without the full set of shots, your puppy is vulnerable to infectious diseases, however taking your pup to early socialization classes where all other dogs have also been immunized reduces the risk for becoming sick AND will make your German Shepherd a confident, well adjusted and friendlier dog. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior promotes early socialization , even before the full set of vaccines are given to the pup. Take socialization in your own hands. Spend the first 4 weeks holding parties at your home! Yes, parties! Invite all your friends and family for Karaoke, sports watching, boardgames, etc. Ask them to bring their kids too! And always make sure socialization is about positive interactions. If any of the kids or adults make your puppy a little scared, simply remove the threat and let the puppy explore other things. Back to top of German shepherd puppy training article. German Shepherd puppy training: stop the biting! Socialization is hard work, bite-inhibition is even harder! But it is one of the best things you can ever teach your pup. Dogs have really strong jaws and can learn to apply just the right amount of pressure with it. Adult dogs that have had this kind of training can get into fights and defend themselves without drawing blood. This is so important to avoid any type of dog-human or dog-dog bite accidents. German Shepherd puppy dogs have sharp teeth for a reason: to learn how to use their mouth properly. Teach your puppy to bite without hurting! To teach your pooch not to hurt human skin you will need to yelp like a puppy every time you feel teeth in contact with your skin. Engage in puppy play and Yelp Yes! Loud, sharp, high pitched and clear when you feel teeth. Your pup will most likely stop in surprise. As soon as he has stopped, wait seconds and resume play. Repeat as many times as needed. Start with those bites that really hurt or scratch. If you yelp every time you feel teeth, your puppy will think it is how you play. It may take a few weeks for you to notice that your pup is not hurting as much.Progressively teach your pup to play without hurting you. This make take a couple of months! Do not let your puppy play with your clothes, shoes, face or hair. If your puppy bites any of these, the game is over. Wait for him to calm down and start playing again. If you are tired of playing and getting bitten, grab a tug-toy or a ball and play those games instead. After a while, settle your puppy with a stuffed Kong toy on his bed or crate. Never punish your puppy for play-biting, this can lead to aggression or your puppy fearing "hands" near his face. Even though German shepherd puppy dogs are really smart, bite-inhibition requires a lot of repetition and consistency. Most of the time you will feel he is not learning anything at all, keep at it. You can add second time outs on top of yelping if needed. It is definitely worth your time. If bite-inhibition is slow, this article has more tips to help you! Another aspect of training your German shepherd puppy bite inhibition are toys! Your pup needs to learn to bite only his toys, not furniture, not the walls, not your shoes. For this reason you need to load your house with puppy toys and TEACH your puppy how to play with them. The best dog toys are interactive, this means that you can put food inside the toy and your puppy has to think how to get it out. This toys are the best because they add enrichment to your dog's life. Interactive dog toy recommendations: Feed EVERY meal inside an interactive dog toy Use interactive toys with your German shepherd when he is left alone in the house. Make sure he has plenty of toys interactive and others so he won't get bored when you leave. Use interactive toys when you need some quiet time because you need to work, or you have guests. Kong dog toy's are the best , you can fill them with something soft like cheese or peanut butter and let your puppy lick it for a while. Even better.Below you will see some of my favorite interactive dog toys durable and fun! German Shepherd puppy training: potty outside! Another important item on your German shepherd puppy training list is House training. It can be a bit stressful, but if done correctly, you can accomplish it very quickly. Just keep in mind that depending on your puppy in can take anywhere from 1 week to several months to complete potty training. The following info-graphic has some simple rules to follow and make german shepher potty training easy and effective: Take your puppy out for a potty break every hours. Take your puppy out for a potty the break after every meal. Take your puppy out for a potty break after a nap. Take your puppy out for a potty break after a play session. The main idea when potty training a German shepherd puppy, is to take him out or to the correct place as often as he needs to and reward him after he is done. The infographic above gives you an idea of how often a puppy needs to go out. However, you need to know your own puppy. This way you will know how often he is relieving himself. You may also notice if he does it after every meal or nap. Reward with a treat after he is done! Repeat steps 2 and 3, you should start noticing that after a couple of days or weeks your puppy chooses the correct place more often than other places. NEVER punish your dog for accidents, this can stress him and even make him do his business hidden from you which will make potty training very hard because you won't be able to reward him. You can crate train your German shepherd puppy so he learns to have quiet times in between active times. Crate training also prevents your puppy from having accidents. For more information and a puppy crate-training schedule check this article! German shepherd potty training aids The are several commercial items available to help you potty train your German shepherd dog. Regular cleaning products may take away the urine scent -you- smell but they will not remove the scent your dog smells. Enzymatic cleaners do that, they break down urine molecules to make them easy to remove. This will prevent your pet from returning to the same, incorrect, spot. Puppy pads are very popular because they are less messy than news paper. However, if you put a puppy pad and leave you puppy alone with it, you will find it in shreds! You must teach your puppy to use the puppy pads, not to chew on them. To do this, put the puppy pad on the floor and interrupt your puppy if he tries to play with it. Exchange for another toy and reward with treats for not grabbing the pad with his mouth he can however, stand or sit on it. Repeat until he learns this! If you have a backyard, a doggy-door is an excellent way to give your pup access to the outdoors without your help. You must teach him how to use it! Use a treat to lure him through the door many times until he can do it on his own! Then, every-time you take him outside, make him go though the door on his own. You can also teach your puppy to let you know when he needs to go outside! Use a doggy doorbells for this purpose. You must teach your dog how to use them! First, teach your dog to touch the bells. Then, ask your dog to touch the bells every time before you open the door to let him go outside. Finally, be alert for when he does it on his own! I do not recommend any "Not Here" or "Yes Here" type sprays. They don't work very well, specially without any training.German Shepherd puppy training: basic commands! Some dog trainers won't start until the dog is 6 months old, at which time he is past the socialization and bite inhibition period and he is probably doing all sorts of naughty things. You can start training your German shepherd puppy from the first day you bring him home. From weeks you can start teaching your canine many commands, however I strongly advice you keep your focus on socialization, bite-inhibition and potty training. If you have time to train basic commands…. Your pooch will love it! Step-by-step obedience training tutorials for your German shepherd German Shepherd puppy training "SIT": You will use this command all the time. Ask your pup to sit when a stranger wants to pet him, for attention, for the ball to be thrown, etc. To start use food to lure your pooch into the sit position. Only give him the treat once his bottom is on the ground. Repeat many times! Follow this link for detail instructions.This is useful at the vet as well as to mix and match commands. From a sit or down position lure your baby german shepherd into a stand. This link will take you to the step by step guide.Start your pooch from a sitting position and lure him into a down. Only give your dog a treat after he is completely down on the ground. Click here for a step-by-step tutorial.Why train your pooch sit, down and stand? You need three commands to mix up when you ask your dog to do something. If you have at least three options, then your smart German Shepherd won't be able to predict what you will ask. Practice Puppy Push-Ups! Sit-down-stand, Down-sit-stand, and ask you German Shepherd puppy to do one, two, or more commands to earn treats, toys and attention! Other useful cues include: Speak and Quiet , settle and ask for permission before rushing into something potentially dangerous. You can see a full list of commands on this link. Enjoy German Shepherd puppy training time and leave us your questions and comments in the box below. Check Price on Amazon 1. If the puppy is running towards you, for example, you can begin clapping. For now, notice the following and set distinct anchors for each. For the time being, you should avoid anchors that are excessively similar to one another. My German Shepherd Willow — 8 weeks old 2. As you train your pup to understand and respond to more complex commands, this helps eliminate a lot of the resistance. As a result, the initial step should be to persuade your German Shepherd to stick close to you. We all know that dogs are descended from wolves, and wolves follow the pack leader, which means you! Needless to say, when training a 2-month-old German Shepherd puppy, you have to incentivize him to follow you. You need to build a positive reinforcement loop and let your German Shepherd establish an association between following you and receiving a pleasant experience. You can start taking unexpected turns and training your puppy to follow you despite the direction changes after your puppy has become motivated to follow you for the reward. At a young age, you should take your puppy out and about and allow him to utilize his sociability potential. One method is to pay visits to friends and family. You might also look for a dog park and take him there. Keep in mind that your pet is still learning to walk with you and follow directions. Make sure your pup has a positive experience outdoors. It is worth noting that you should socialize and introduce him to new experiences as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training You should start potty training your German Shepherd puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. I cordoned off a small area and added some bark chippings. Even now, my GSD will not go on the sidewalk or hard surfaces! It has to be grass or somewhere soft. Next, you need a potty training schedule. Always take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, hourly, and before retiring to bed. Deter Biting If you read my blog regularly, you know that I am opposed to punishment-based training. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can actually cause aggression. If someone recommends such negative approaches, you should approach a qualified trainer and learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy not to bite. Instead, you can wait until your GSD bites during a positive activity before stopping it. This will help to anchor the result better. For example, if your German Shepherd puppy fiercely takes a treat from your hand, you can withhold the second treat until he learns to take it gently. You should act upset and convey that what he has done has hurt you. Use positive reinforcement to encourage proper behavior by rewarding with a treat. Your German Shepherd will quickly learn that good behavior is rewarded with good things. Puppies must continue to learn bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the work their mother taught them and what they learned from their littermates. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You have to use your best judgment and patience when training your dog. In general, by the tenth week, your German Shepherd will be mature enough to understand self-control. Teach the Heel Position While your 3-month-old German Shepherd puppy will initially follow you, adjusting your pace will soon have him walking alongside you in the heel position, on your left side, without a leash, harness, or fear of punishment. To train your puppy to assume the natural heel position, use a clicker, whistle, or use your voice as a marker. Chances are, at first, your German Shepherd will also try to change his pace to walk behind you because of habit. You can avoid this problem by walking where your dog is used to. Assume Positions on Command — Sit, Down, Stand Your 3-months old German Shepherd puppy is now old enough to learn how to sit, stand, or hold a down position. You can teach him these new skills and assume a heel stance, which you have previously taught him. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included a clicker, whistle, clap, or saying a specific word to show your German Shepherd is doing a good job, generally followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! You used to whistle when your GSD approached you; now, you must whistle for him to start his run. This is the foundation of his recall training. While this allows the puppy to be more social when visitors arrive, an adult dog must learn to walk outside without behaving badly. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training, for example, teaching him to touch a target with a specific part of his body, such as his paw or nose. Remember that your German Shepherd may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. I recommend teaching your German Shepherd to use his nose to touch your hand. This is a fantastic bite substitute! Hand targeting is a fun way to train your dog to trust you while also getting him to use his brain! Begin by asking him to sit for a few seconds and gradually extend the time. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your German Shepherd to public parks and he has watched other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your GSD may not bring the toy back to you for a second time, but he will eventually figure it out. Over the next few weeks, you can gradually turn it into a game of fetch, rewarding your puppy with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of German Shepherd training, you will continue toilet training to a degree of independence. Maintain a regular schedule and match your walks with his natural cycle to coincide with when he needs to go. Teach Your German Shepherd to Walk on the Leash Learning to walk on a leash outside is an important element of dog training. Use it to control your German Shepherd and then test his ability to follow commands off-leash. Many dog owners will opt for a rear attached harness. How to Train a 5 Month Old German Shepherd Puppy You have adequately socialized and trained your dog to recognize and associate attention, toys, walks, and food as rewards. Your five-month-old German Shepherd puppy is now ready to be put to the test for general obedience and the capacity to deal with distractions. These could be other dogs, strangers, or animals like squirrels or birds. But, if you introduce distractions gradually, your five-month-old puppy can deal with them. You must be ready for your dog to run ahead of you now! Assume, however, that you have built a strong bond with your puppy and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay close to you and prove his loyalty by sticking by your side. The good news is that all of your past training will make it easier for your dog to obey your instructions. Conclude Potty Training Your German Shepherd has had months to learn how to tell you his need to go potty. He has also likely refined how to hold his bladder instead of peeing on the floor. As a result, if your dog makes a mess, you can express your displeasure through your body language. But, all dogs can still have the odd accident up to one year old. Besides, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened. This is known as either excitement or submissive urination. During this time, energy levels increase , especially in larger breed dogs. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old German Shepherd can exercise for one hour if you split his walks into two thirty-minute sessions. To train your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy, start with two commands that will be most useful. As previously stated, you will be exercising your German Shepherd much more frequently from now on. You can teach these commands or tricks in any order from six months onwards until your German Shepherd is a well-trained adult. This is an excellent skill to teach your GSD and is one of the commands taught to police and protection dogs. This is a difficult task, but your German Shepherd will eventually master it if you practice and keep consistent. The eighth month is the time for training your German Shepherd to go to different places upon hearing your command word. This could be for practical reasons or to maximize the intellect of your dog. Alternatively, you might spend the ninth month teaching him a fun party trick! Teach Your German Shepherd to Spin By dangling a tasty treat in front of your German Shepherd and moving it in a circle until he starts to spin, you prime him for a command anchor. After a week or so, you teach your German Shepherd to follow your finger without first using a treat. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he obeys the command. By the third week, you should be able to ask your dog to spin without using your finger to guide him. It might take an extra couple of weeks, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your dog to learn previous commands better. You can train him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now develop this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your one-year-old German Shepherd continues to learn at the same rate as he has since he was six months old. What will change is that your dog will interact with other people more frequently. You can train him to do additional tricks to give him a more appealing presence. This will deter him from merely barking for attention. You should also review previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. If anything, this is the period where you tailor his training to your convenience. But now is the time when your German Shepherd must learn to be harmonious with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your doggo to be compatible with modern adult life within reason. Do not be alarmed if you have an month-old German Shepherd who appears to have had no previous training! Start by establishing authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your new friend recognizes your authority and sees you as his leader, treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. You should train your German Shepherd puppy for short and frequent sessions, ideally minutes, several times a day. As your puppy grows and matures, you can gradually increase the duration and complexity of the training sessions. What are the most important commands to teach my German Shepherd puppy? Come command helps to call your puppy back to you in case of an emergency or when you want to end a play session. Heel command teaches your puppy to walk calmly beside you on a leash, and Leave It command helps to prevent your puppy from eating something harmful or dangerous. German Shepherds are a highly trainable and intelligent breed. Your job as a trainer becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule in place and stick to your routine. My month-by-month German Shepherd puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and make him into the cherished companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. This article is designed to help you along your way. This is completely normal. Every new puppy owner has their moments of frustration and doubt. Remember that your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is going through a big life change, too. She may be feeling stressed and out of sorts when you first bring her home. Consistency and structure will go a long way toward helping both of you. Introducing The Puppy Crate A crate can be your best friend when it comes to caring for your 8-week-old puppy. While some people think of crates as cruel, the reality is that with the right training, your puppy will think of her crate as a safe, quiet space where she can go to relax. If you leave your puppy unsupervised at home, you may come back to find a whole lot of destruction. Puppies can get into all kinds of trouble on their own, with their natural curiosity and desire to chomp down on just about everything in their path. A crate can help you keep your German Shepherd puppy — and your belongings! While every puppy is different, chances are your daily schedule for the first week will look a little bit like this: Early morning: Time for the first potty break of the day! Breakfast time: You can feed your puppy breakfast right after her first potty break, or wait a little longer and let her go back to sleep first. Mid-morning: Time for another small meal, and another potty break. Afternoon: Lunchtime followed by a potty break. Late afternoon: Another potty break! Evening: Dinner, and then — you guessed it — potty time. Just before bed: One last trip outside before you turn in for the night. In between potty and mealtimes, your puppy will probably be playing or napping. Scheduling play and exercise at the same times every day can help ensure that you get that nice, quiet naptime right on schedule, too. Potty Training an 8 Week Old German Shepherd Potty training can be one of the most daunting tasks of raising a brand new puppy. It may take a bit longer than you expected for your puppy to get the hang of things! Your puppy has never been apart from her siblings and mother before. The best way to avoid a night full of mournful wailing is to let your puppy sleep in your room, at least in the beginning. Safer ways to keep your puppy comfortable and contained at night include keeping her crate beside your bed, setting up a puppy playpen, or even just using a tall cardboard box. In fact, an 8-week-old puppy can spend as many as 18 hours a day sleeping! This helps keep some element of consistency in her routine and her stomach. If you do decide to switch over to a different food after a few weeks, do so in stages. You can then increase that slowly over time. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should be fed three to four times per day. Because the German Shepherd is a large breed, you should also feed your puppy a diet formulated specifically for large breed puppies. There are many commercially available diets made to help large breed puppies grow at the right rate. This helps to avoid skeletal abnormalities like hip dysplasia. Want more information on what to feed your 8-week-old German Shepherd, and how to change her diet as she gets older? We have everything you need to know right here in our guide to feeding a German Shepherd puppy. The stress of such a drastic life change can manifest in different ways, and an upset stomach is a pretty common reaction. You can give your pup a better chance of having a settled stomach by keeping her on the food she was eating before you brought her home, and feeding on a consistent schedule. Diarrhea can also be a sign of an underlying issue besides stress, however, and severe diarrhea can be life-threatening if left untreated. Your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is likely to bite you too, for exactly the same reason. She may even growl. And it really can hurt! Your Growing Dog As your German Shepherd puppy grows, our guides will help you care for her throughout her life. Here are a few links to get you started:.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. E-mail Share by e-mail German Shepherds make great family dogs — they are loyal, intelligent, and have lots of energy! A good diet is key to giving your pet a long and healthy life, and the wrong diet can lead to a number of health problems. German Shepherds are big dogs with active lifestyles, so making sure they get the right nutrition at different stages throughout their lives is essential. Feeding your German Shepherd Puppy Puppies are growing rapidly and have very specific nutritional requirements. Puppy food tends to be high in calories and protein as they are bundles of energy at this age! Feeding your German Shepherd puppy a good quality balanced diet is essential to ensure that they grow up to be healthy adults. There are some foods designed specifically for large breeds such as German Shepherds, which provide extra support for their growing joints. You should look out for these foods in the pet store and ideally choose one of these large breed diets. You can find further general puppy feeding guidelines and advice via the AKC as well as specific German Shepherd facts and info. How often should I feed my German Shepherd puppy? Puppies need to be fed more frequently than adult dogs to support their rapidly growing bodies. German Shepherd puppies should be fed 4 meals a day until they are 3 months old, then reduce to 3 meals a day until they are 10 months old when their growth rate starts to slow down. Once they reach this age, they need 2 meals a day. When should I start feeding adult food? Puppies must stay on puppy food until they reach adult size. German Shepherds are large dogs and tend to reach adult size later than smaller dogs. They are usually fully matured at months. German Shepherds should stay on puppy food until they are months old, then they should move on to an adult diet. Feeding your adult German Shepherd An adult German Shepherd will weigh around lbs and need at least an hour of exercise every day, so their diet needs to reflect this. It might seem like your dog is eating a lot, but they need to replace the energy they burn off and eat enough of the right nutrients to sustain them! How often should I feed my German Shepherd? Adult dogs should be fed two meals a day. When should I switch from adult to senior food? As dogs get older their nutritional requirements change again. They are less active, and German Shepherds are more prone to joint problems such as osteoarthritis. You should consider switching to a senior diet at around 8 years of age. What type of food should German Shepherds eat? Whichever diet you pick, you should ensure it is suitable for large dogs or working breeds and that it has plenty of protein and calcium, and also includes some type of doggy superfoods, too. Commercially prepared foods are the best way to ensure your dog gets a balanced diet with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, and they come in wet or dried forms. Some dogs prefer one or the other, whilst some enjoy a variety and mix of both. Dry Food Dried food is cheap, easy to feed and store, and has lots of benefits for your dogs. Dogs fed a dried food diet will drink more water, and you can soak the kibble to add a bit extra if you like. Wet Food Wet foods contain more water than dried, and often resemble meat which some dogs love. The food is usually in chunks with jelly or gravy, and some dogs prefer it to dried. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are large and active dogs with demanding nutritional requirements throughout their lives. They go through a rapid growth stage as puppies, and as adults need the right balance of nutrients to replenish the energy they burn off exercising. They need to eat a diet that has the right balance of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, and ensure they get the right number of meals a day to maintain good physical and mental health. Puppies should eat meals a day until they are around 10 months old then they should eat 2 meals a day as adults. Do German shepherds require a lot of food? German Shepherds are large dogs so naturally, eat larger portions than smaller breeds. They are active dogs and need lots of protein and energy to keep them healthy. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. So, how many times a day should you feed your German Shepherd? German Shepherds should be fed at least twice a day. Vets recommend two smaller meals instead of one large meal for healthy digestion and energy. For puppies, feed 4 meals a day up to three months old, then 3 meals a day up to six months old, before finally reducing to 2 meals a day. It is essential to stick to food schedules that are consistent for the long-term health of your German Shepherd, especially as the breed is prone to the life-threatening condition, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus GDV , commonly known as bloat. This article will cover how often to feed a German Shepherd whether puppy or adult and how much to give your dog to keep him healthy and happy. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. My German Shepherd Willow eating her meal Hey! As a working breed raised to herd and protect sheep, they are typically energetic, enjoy physical activity, and love having a job to do. Due to their dynamic character, they demand a high-energy diet. However, as large, deep-chested dogs, they are one of the breeds prone to bloat GDV , and vets advise against feeding one large meal a day. Twice per day is the standard, with a good few hours in between, as it allows your GSD to eat and digest his food properly. German Shepherds, like most dogs, work well when fed on a schedule. I absolutely agree with this, especially as the German Shepherd is susceptible to a sensitive stomach and is known to have more digestive problems than other breeds. However, if you have any concerns, you should speak to your vet. If you have a high-energy or working German Shepherd, such as a guard dog, assistance dog, or Police or Military dog that gets a lot of exercise, you may consider feeding little and often to prevent hunger. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule German Shepherd puppies will require more frequent feedings as they expend far more energy and have smaller stomachs to hold their food. You should feed a German Shepherd puppy four meals a day between 6 and 12 weeks old. Puppies aged between 12 and 24 weeks should have three meals a day, and from 24 weeks onwards, German Shepherd puppies should be fed twice per day. Age of Puppy. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading.

Breeds The link has been copied! Some dogs are known to shed their fur, but people may wonder if the same applies to labradors. This article examines the shedding tendencies of Labrador Retrievers and discusses the best ways to groom them so that shedding is kept to a minimum. So if you're wondering, "Do Labs Shed? Labs do shed, but the amount of shedding depends on the individual dog. But let's break down the shedding process a bit further. Do Labs Shed? How Much? A Little? A Lot? Labradors shed a moderate amount of fur compared to other breeds of dogs. With regular brushing and grooming, Labs can be kept well-groomed and their shedding kept to a minimum. During this time, it is especially important to brush your Lab regularly, as this will help to remove loose hairs and reduce the amount of shedding. Keep in mind that "a lot" doesn't mean that your Labrador is shedding excessively, it just means that they are shedding more than usual. If you think your dog doesn't shed enough, the best thing you can do is to brush them regularly. This will help to remove excess fur and will also stimulate their coat, which will help it to produce more oils and keep the fur in good condition. The amount of shedding varies from dog to dog and is affected by age and lifestyle. Black Labradors tend to shed less than yellow or chocolate Labradors. This is because their coat is darker, which means there is more pigment in the fur, making it more resistant to shedding. On the other hand, yellow and chocolate Labradors have coats that are lighter in color, so they tend to shed more than their black counterparts. The amount of shedding depends on the individual dog, but these darker colored Labs will shed more than the black variety. When it comes to Labradors, the amount of shedding can be managed with regular brushing and grooming. This is especially true during the warmer months when the coat is transitioning from winter to summer. With regular brushing and grooming, you can keep your Lab well-groomed and their shedding to a minimum. Labrador Retriever Coat Labradors have a double coat; an outer layer of coarse guard hairs and an inner layer of soft downy fur. The top coat is designed to repel water and keep the dog protected from the elements, while the inner layer is designed to keep the dog warm. The combination of these two layers helps to keep the Labrador's coat in good condition and to reduce the amount of shedding. There are a few different coat colors for Labs, with black and yellow being the most common. Some Labradors also have a chocolate coat or a silver coat. But each color variation still has the same double coat with the same two types of fur. When it comes to the coat, most people believe that the longer fur on Labs is the cause of more shedding. In truth, it's the opposite; the longer fur of a Lab can actually help reduce the amount of shedding. The longer coat acts like a filter, trapping hair that would otherwise be shed and preventing them from flying around the room. When Labs Shed The Most Labradors will shed the most during the spring and summer months when their coat is transitioning from winter to summer. During this time, their coats will become thinner and shorter, which will cause them to shed more than usual. Vet visits, grooming appointments, and regular brushing can also help reduce the amount of shedding. CBD oil is a natural oil extracted from the cannabis plant and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to reducing inflammation, it can also help to reduce stress levels, which can in turn help to reduce shedding. It is important to note that while CBD oil can be beneficial for dogs, it should never be used without consulting with a veterinarian first. Shedding Triggers Below is a list of reasons why your Labrador might be shedding more than usual: Stress Stress is a common cause of shedding. If your Labrador is experiencing anxiety or other forms of stress , it may lead to an increase in shedding. Stress causes shedding by jolting the body into a fight-or-flight response, releasing a flood of hormones that can trigger excessive shedding in dogs. These hormones, along with increased levels of cortisol, can lead to excessive hair loss. Hormones Hormones can play a big role in shedding. When hormone levels fluctuate, particularly during times of stress, the body sends signals to the hair follicles, which can cause them to produce more hair or to stop producing altogether. This can result in more shedding than normal. Seasonal Changes Many breeds of dogs, including Labradors, shed more during the spring and fall months. This is due to the changing temperatures and environmental factors that can cause their hair follicles to become more active. During this time, your Labrador may also experience an increase in shedding as their body is responding to the change in temperatures. Illness or Disease Certain illnesses or diseases can also cause an increase in shedding. If your Labrador has recently been diagnosed with a serious health condition, it is likely that their increased shedding could be related to the illness or disease. Allergies Allergies can also cause your Labrador to shed more than usual. If your Labrador is allergic to a certain type of food or environmental factor, their body may respond by releasing extra hormones, which can cause increased shedding. Nutrition Poor nutrition can also lead to increased shedding. If your Labrador is not receiving the proper vitamins and minerals they need, their body may not be able to produce enough healthy hair follicles, which can cause excessive shedding. Age As Labradors get older, they may also experience increased shedding. As a Labrador's body ages, their hair follicles may become weaker, causing them to shed more than usual. Breed Some breeds of dogs are known to shed more than others. Labradors are notorious for their shedding, so it is normal for them to shed more than other breeds. Medications Certain medications may also cause increased shedding. If your Labrador is taking any medications, it is important to speak to your veterinarian. It's a good idea to brush your dog at least once a week, more if they have a particularly thick coat. The best brushing technique is to use a slicker brush with bristles that are not too soft or too hard. Make sure to brush in the direction of the hair growth and use long, gentle strokes. Be gentle when brushing your dog and make sure to remove any mats or tangles with a comb. When you brush your dog, make sure to pay attention to the underside and legs, as this is where shedding is most common. Shampoos Using a specially formulated dog shampoo can help reduce shedding by cleaning away dirt and debris from the coat. Make sure to choose a shampoo that is gentle and suitable for your dog's coat type, as some shampoos can be too harsh for certain fur types. To wash your dog, start by wetting the coat with warm water and then apply the shampoo. Make sure to massage it into the fur and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. There are also special shampoo formulations that can help reduce shedding, such as those containing oatmeal, aloe, and olive oil. If you're wondering if you can wash your dog too often, the answer is yes. In fact, too much washing can lead to dry and irritated skin, which can actually cause more shedding. So periodically, as in once every two weeks, should be enough. Diet A healthy diet can also help reduce shedding. A diet rich in essential fatty acids helps to keep your dog's coat healthy and reduces shedding. You can find these fatty acids in foods such as salmon, flaxseed, and eggs. When dieting your dog, it's important to make sure they are getting enough protein and other vital nutrients. If you're feeding a commercial dog food, look for one that is formulated for your dog's size and breed. Diets should be rich in healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This will ensure your pup has enough energy to stay active and fight off any skin-related issues. Some great ingredients for a dog's coat health are: Salmon: The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon help reduce inflammation, which can help decrease shedding Flaxseed: Flaxseed is a great source of essential fatty acids and helps keep skin and coat healthy Eggs: Eggs are a great source of protein and vitamins, which helps to keep your pup's coat looking shiny and healthy. In addition, make sure your pup is getting enough exercise and is groomed regularly. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding and make your pup's coat look its best. It's essential to consult your veterinarian before starting any supplements for your pup. Medications, allergies, and other health issues might also interfere with certain supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s have a positive effect on skin and coat health. These fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and can help nourish and hydrate dry, flaky skin and dull coats. They also help to reduce shedding and helps promote a healthy, glossy coat. Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps promote a softer and shinier coat. It also helps reduce inflammation and promote healthy skin. There are several forms of vitamin E available, including natural sources, synthetic sources, and topical treatments. When selecting a supplement, make sure it contains natural sources of vitamin E such as d-alpha-tocopherol. But be sure to consult your veterinarian before adding any vitamin E supplement. Biotin: Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that helps improve coat quality by supporting the health of the skin and hair follicles. Biotin helps improve the elasticity of the skin, which can reduce shedding and help promote a healthy coat. Additionally, biotin helps promote overall good health and can be beneficial for dogs with allergies. When we look for a supplement, look for one that contains a minimum of mcg of biotin per serving. Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a natural source of healthy fats that can help improve the condition of the skin and fur. It helps reduce inflammation, promotes healthy bacteria on the skin, and can help reduce itching and scratching. How To Keep Your Home Clean Dog hair can be a pain to clean up, but there are some things you can do to make the process easier. Groom your dog regularly to reduce shedding. Depending on the breed, you may need to groom your dog daily or weekly to help keep shedding to a minimum. Vacuum your floors frequently. A good quality vacuum is essential to removing pet hair from carpets and rugs. Use a lint roller. Lint rollers are great for removing dog hair from furniture, clothing, and other fabrics. Wipe down surfaces with a microfiber cloth. A damp microfiber cloth can help capture pet hair and other debris on hard surfaces like tables and counters. Use a pet hair-removing product. There are a variety of products available on the market now specifically designed to help remove pet hair. These include pet hair remover mitts, dog hair remover sponges, and pet hair remover brooms. Keep your dog groomed and bathed. Regular grooming and bathing can help reduce the amount of pet hair in your home. Use a damp mop. A damp mop is great for picking up pet hair on hardwood and tile floors. Clean pet bedding regularly. Pet beds should be washed and vacuumed frequently to help reduce pet hair in your home. Incorporate area rugs. Area rugs can help catch pet hair and make it easier to clean up. Final Thoughts Labradors shed, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. With a little extra care, you can keep your Labrador happy and healthy. Find more helpful articles on pet parenting at the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Also, be sure to check out TryFi's Fi Dog Collar , a cutting-edge GPS tracking collar that keeps you updated on your dog's location, activity, and sleep and alerts you if they escape the backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. What are bully sticks really made from? Allergies, stress, and hormone imbalances are all known to cause excessive hair loss. As with humans, the healthier your dog is on the inside, the more it will show on the outside. When we pick up our Guide Dog puppies the school sends us home with a Zoom Groom brush and require us to brush our Lab puppies daily. In the shedding season, many Lab owners choose to brush their canine pals at least once per day, perhaps easing up a little during the rest of the year to just a couple of times per week. While many owners are happy to remove hair manually from furniture and carpet with a normal dog brush or comb, some owners swear by more heavy-duty equipment, like a Furminator for example, that strips out the dead hair with its blade-like contraption. Always be especially careful when brushing the tummy area and lower legs, as the hair is thinner and less dense at these points, with the skin more exposed. You could use a rubber or silicone brush, or even a dog-friendly bath mitt, to be as thorough as possible. We like massaging our Labs in the tub with the aforementioned Zoom Groom brush. It works great and works up a good lather. Look out for vacuums designed specifically for pet hair to achieve the best results. However, individually some shed more then others. Archer, by far shed more than any other Lab in our house. He was an almost white Lab. On the other hand Stetson, our black Lab was a more moderate, year round shedder. Do you have a Labrador Retriever? Does your Lab shed? Tell us about your Labrador Retriever in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Do Labs Shed? How Much? A Little? A Lot? Check Price on Amazon Labrador Shedding Season You might not know that the shedding habits of the Labrador follow a schedule, in a sense. There are certain months when Labs shed the most in addition to their normal year-round shedding. So, when exactly is the Labrador shedding season? Labrador shedding season occurs twice a year, specifically in the spring and fall. Your Labrador changes his coat when the seasons change, allowing him to adjust to the new climate. He will shed his old winter undercoat as the weather warms, making room for a lighter summer coat. When the weather becomes colder, he will shed his lighter undercoat and acquire a thick, warm coat in preparation for the winter. This allows him to be comfortable during the entire year. For about two to three weeks each time, his thick undercoat will begin coming out in clumps. The shedding will be quite intense during this time while your dog molts all of his dead undercoat. As mentioned previously, this year-round shedding is the same for all Labradors, no matter their color. Some hair loss patterns indicate health issues that a veterinarian should treat. Labradors may shed suddenly outside their typical pattern due to health reasons. Causes include a poor diet, dehydration, allergies, parasites, stress, and anxiety. Experts can distinguish between normal shedding and fur loss caused by health, nutritional, and environmental factors. A healthy balanced diet provides a steady supply of essential nutrients. As such, a poor diet with deficient nutrients will cause hair loss. When your dog is dehydrated, blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, including the skin, are compromised. The decrease in skin suppleness causes the fur to fall out effortlessly. Parasites, ticks, lice, and fleas. Underdeveloped hair follicles. Hair follicles do not develop properly, resulting in patchy or total hair loss. A benign tumor causes this in the pituitary, which causes excessive production of the stress hormone cortisol, causing hair loss in dogs. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include increased shedding, hair loss, and thinning. Skin trauma. Abnormal shedding can be caused by skin trauma such as bacterial and fungal infections, food and other allergies, some pet drugs such as steroids, inflammatory disease, and burns. Temporary hair loss can also occur during pregnancy, nursing, or when recovering from an illness. Stress and anxiety. Behavioral problems that cause stress and anxiety, such as separation anxiety or OCD, can drive your Labrador to chew his hair and skin, leaving patches. Acral lick dermatitis is the name of this ailment. Parasites and other allergic conditions can also cause it. Labrador Shedding Solutions Owning a Labrador is a gratifying experience. But, it does come with its downside. There is no solution to stop shedding completely, but you can certainly do things to reduce and control it. Start by brushing your Lab regularly with a quality de-shedding tool, focusing on the undercoat where most of the hair comes from. Another helpful tip is to bathe your dog times a year with a gentle shampoo and lukewarm water to help remove loose hair and debris. So, here are my more in-depth solutions… 1. Get a Labrador De-shedding Tool The best way to groom your Labrador is with a de-shedding tool designed especially for a double coat. I use the FURminator undercoat de-shedding tool from Amazon. Depending on your doggo, times per week may be sufficient. Groom and Bathe Your Lab Times a Year So, as I previously stated, your Labrador will change his coat twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Instead of letting his undercoat fall out naturally over the course of this period, you can loosen any leftover fur and remove it at bathing time. There are also special de-shedding dog shampoos to loosen the undercoat during the bath. Switch to Food That Targets The Coat and Skin You may have already given some thought to the food you feed your Labrador, but did you realize that the type of food you feed him has a significant impact on his shedding habits? Inexpensive dog food is largely made of ingredients that some dogs have difficulty digesting, such as corn and grain, not to mention added preservatives and chemicals. Instead, choose dog food with a high-quality protein source as the primary ingredient. A protein deficiency results in a dull and unkempt coat. Sure, it costs more, but it will help your Labrador by reducing his daily shedding and maintaining a long and healthy life. Keep You Lab Hydrated You might not even realize it, but allowing your Labrador to drink more water daily can reduce the amount of shedding! Consider getting a dog water fountain such as the Petsafe Drinkwell from Amazon that encourages your dog to drink and saves you from constantly changing his water. I particularly like this one as it has two tiers and includes carbon filters to remove bad taste and odors from the water. Pro Tip! You can give your Labrador ice cubes in the summer to keep him hydrated. You can also treat your doggo to frozen fruits such as raspberries or strawberries to help quench his thirst. These make a healthy alternative to commercial treats. Stay Up-to-Date With Flea Treatment Flea treatments will not prevent your Labrador from shedding, but they will stop him from scratching and nibbling at himself excessively if he gets a tick or flea! The more your dog tirelessly scratches to release himself from the discomfort of fleas or ticks, the more fur he pulls out in the process. No ticks and fleas mean less scratching and less shedding. This is done every three months for my dog, along with her deworming treatment. You can still incorporate Omega fatty acids into your daily schedule to reduce the volume of year-round shedding. You can do this by choosing specific foods with Omega 3 fatty acids. You can also achieve it by providing your Labrador with a daily supplement that contains these nutrients. They come in bacon or chicken flavor and get thousands of positive reviews. Olive oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that support the skin and coat. Check with your vet first on how much to give your dog. Does shaving a Lab help with shedding? Shaving your Labrador will not help with shedding. Never shave a dog with a double coat as it will cause irritation, expose him to bacteria and infection, and damage the regrowth. The fur in Labrador coats is not the same as human hair; it has a distinct function, and the fur follicles do not regenerate properly. Here are the key takeaways from the article. In Labrador Retrievers: Heavy shedding is a normal daily event. They will also shed more in the spring and fall when they will molt their undercoat. Abnormal shedding can be caused by a poor diet, dehydration, some health conditions, fleas, and parasites. Related Posts You May Like:. There are quite a few breeds that are more likely to shed than others—and Labrador Retrievers near the top of the list. Because of their unique double coats, labs shed a lot throughout the year, and especially more so when the seasons begin to change. In the spring, labs will shed a lot of hair in an attempt to lose their winter coat and prepare for the summer. What Is a Double Coat? To be great water dogs, labs needed to have a waterproof coat with another layer to help regulate their body temperature in cold waters—which is where the double coat comes in. Image Source The first layer, the undercoat, is short and dense. The second coat, the topcoat, is longer and silkier. It helps keep the coat free of dirt and water. When your lab sheds in the spring, their bodies try to get rid of their thick and dense winter coat. That means that you should expect excess shedding anytime between March and May of each year. Later on, labs shed that same summer coat and begin to bulk up for the winter months when fall begins. This means that you can expect excess shedding again between October and December each year. Think of it this way: When temperatures start to drop, you put away your summer clothing and begin unpacking your winter gear. Then, when it begins to warm up, you pack away your winter coats and take out your summer clothing again. The same can be said for labradors. Method 5: Use a Deshedding Tool As you know, labs have a double coat. Depending on the time of year, double coats are extra thick and hard to rake through, even with your best pet brush. Heavy-duty deshedding tools are designed to remove loose or dead hair from the undercoat without damaging the topcoat so that both coats are rid of extra debris and left looking shiny and healthy. At these points, your lab is shedding its coat or growing it thicker for the cooler months. Image Source Some experts say that labs only need to be bathed once every couple of months , while others say once a month is more ideal. But if you do decide to bathe your lab more regularly, you might be surprised to see how much loose dog hair is found at the bottom of the tub. One of the best ways to take the stress out of constantly chasing after furballs around your home is to invest in a smart vacuum. A good rule of thumb is that your lab should have an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. So, if your lab is around 70 pounds, she should drink 70 ounces of water each day. If you suspect your lab is not drinking enough water, it could lead to skin dehydration, causing increased shedding around your home. You can also flavor the water with bone broth or chicken broth, which can be more enticing than plain water. Giving your lab supplements can also help if your lab sheds excessively, so we always recommend providing them with a good supplement to help make sure they get everything they need. Share on. Keeping your home fur free All Retrievers shed — at times profusely. If you let the hair build up, either on your dog or in your home, it can be quite overwhelming. Coping with Labrador shedding is much easier if you adopt a daily grooming and vacuuming routine. Getting the right tools to help you can really make a difference. Why Do Dogs Shed? Usually in spring and again as winter approaches. During the spring moult, the animal sheds its thick winter coat, and grows a sleek new coat for the summer season. As the temperature falls, the summer coat is shed and replaced by a nice warm winter one. In some animals, the winter coat is even a different color from the summer one, to give the animal camouflage against a very different kind of terrain — think of arctic hares and foxes. But dogs no longer roam the tundra, and battle the elements. Dogs have been living alongside humans for thousands of year. So why does shedding still persist? Those of you that have lived with a Labrador or two, will be smiling at this question. But if you are just starting out on your Labrador adventure, you should know that all Labs do shed some hair, most of the time. And it is something you need to be prepared for. Why does my Labrador shed so much? And while some Labradors are thoughtful enough to shed in a big burst two or even three times a year, many others seem to just shed all year around. This may be connected with the consistent temperature in many modern houses, as dogs that are kennelled often seem to shed in a more seasonal pattern. So why is it, that Labradors shed so much more than some other breeds? The answer lies in your Labradors incredible coat. Underneath that glossy waterproof outer layer, is a dense warm undercoat designed to keep your dog snug while swimming in icy water. This is great for your dog, and partly explains his enthusiasm for swimming at any time of year. People sometimes ask me if a Labrador of one color sheds more than a Labrador of another color. Yellow more than black, black more than chocolate, and so on. It is probable that some Labradors shed more than others. After all, they are all individuals. But whether or not this is linked to color I cannot say. From a personal point of view, I have had labs of all three colors and noticed no real difference. Sometimes one color shows up more in the home than another. It probably depends on what color your carpets are. But essentially black labradors shed, chocolate labradors shed, and yellow Labradors shed too. It is probably worth pointing out at this point, that we need to deal with Labrador shedding in the same way, no matter what color your Labrador is. Home Comforts and Hairy Problems Our bodies, and the bodies of our dogs, evolve beneficial biological systems over thousands of years. It is only recently we have been protected from the seasons with the luxury of air conditioning and central heating. This is a very short period of time in evolutionary terms Evolving new biological systems takes a long time. So dogs still continue to shed because it benefitted their recent ancestors. Especially when you consider that Labradors shed even more than many other breeds of dog. How to Cope with Labrador Shedding I should first say that at the time of writing, there is no pill or potion that you can give your Lab to stop him shedding. The shedding process is entirely natural and normal, if annoying, and there is probably nothing you can or should do, to interfere with it. What you can do however is reduce the impact of a Labrador shedding on your life and home! And when they are not shedding, this is true. However, whenever your Labrador is losing his coat, daily or twice daily grooming is your friend. It will, I promise you, make a massive difference to the quantity of hair in your house. We are talking about a serious dead hair removal process. There are a couple of grooming tools you might like to consider for this purpose. Work from head to tail in firm strokes and watch the mounds of hair gather on the floor. The zoom groom works well for all Labradors, but it can leave a bit of hair behind. And that tool is a Furminator. The Furminator Whether or not this tool suits your dog may depend on his or her individual coat. Labradors really do vary in the way that they moult, and in the thickness of their coats Four year old Tess, pictured here, grows her new coat in, as the old one moults out. Sensible grooming with a Furminator has never revealed bare skin, or done any apparent damage to her coat. All that is stripped out, is soft, dead undercoat. Heaps and heaps and heaps of it. And not only does she feel better for it, so do my carpets. And for some dogs, it is not ideal. Use your furminator carefully Furminators seem to be a bit like marmite. You either love them or hate them. And I love them. They make a huge difference to my dogs and to my house. Remember to use with caution. This is a powerful tool. Can I shave my Labrador? People do occasionally ask me if its OK to shave their Labrador. He could end up with sunburn, he will be unable to control his temperature efficiently, and will be very vulnerable to cuts and injury. Do robot vacuum cleaners pick up dog hair? So I have a robot vacuum cleaner that just potters around for an hour each morning. My elderly robot vacuum cleaner eventually died and I replaced it with a newer model. It has a bigger dustpan than the old one and does a really good job. The battery in mine lasts about an hour and a half which is plenty long enough and I charge it up daily. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. August 30, .Aside from their exercise needs, food preferences, and whether your future doggo will prefer belly rubs or head pats, you might be thinking about their Lab coat. Do you need to brush them daily, weekly, monthly, or practically never? How often do you need to bathe them? And do Labradors shed excessively, or will your home remain forever fur-free? Do Labradors shed? They certainly do! In fact, Labradors are notorious shedders. The reason why Labs shed is all to do with their working past. Originally, Labradors were bred as working dogs. They also assisted with various duties on-board fishing boats. Through lots of time spent outdoors, Labradors developed a special coat that protected them from the cold. The outer layer is coarse and waterproof, while the inner layer is dense, fluffy, and super cosy. The inner layer, known as the undercoat, keeps Labradors warm — especially when swimming in cold water or during rainfall. In short, because Labradors and other double-coated dog breeds have this thick undercoat, they need to get rid of it from time to time to adapt to the changing seasons. This is why Labradors shed so much. When and how much do Labradors shed? Luckily, ongoing shedding is quite manageable. They shed in spring so they can get rid of their dense winter coat and grow a lighter one ahead of summer. They also shed in autumn so they can replace their thin summer coat with a snug winter one. Each shedding season lasts around two to three weeks. During moulting season, Labradors shed a lot. While the amount of shedding can vary between individual dogs, each coat colour tends to shed equally. Do they shed more than other dogs? So if they indeed are big shedders, do Labradors shed more than other breeds? Compared to some, yes, absolutely. Compared to others, the amount of shedding is pretty on par. Generally speaking, dog breeds which shed most have double coats, just like Labs. Not only do double-coated dogs shed year-round, but they also blow their coats up to several times a year to make way for a new coat. Some single-coated dogs can still shed quite a bit. Dog breeds that can shed a lot include:.

State licensed and reputable breeder. Featured here with Chloe back when it first began. A Word From Kim Located in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, we raise four breeds: goldendoodles, englishdoodles, poodles and bernedoodles. We offer them in four different sizes: standards, moyens, miniatures and petites. We offer them in two different coat types: F1s and F1B's. We specialize in temperament testing and excellent, veterinarian approved health protocol. We live on a acre farm, which includes a creek and woods for our dogs to explore in. Our adult dogs and puppies enjoy our large yard and grassy runs to frolic on and they enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. They get a lot of attention not only from my seven children, but all of their friends too. They enjoy life chewing on deer antlers that they bring home when they explore the creek, chasing rabbits and birds, resting on our front porch, and interacting with family. My children often grab their favorite dog and have them sleep in their bedrooms with them. Our state-of-the-art kennel has a fully staffed grooming room, neonatal unit, toddler room, photography room, employee break room and a stunning reception room. It is air-conditioned, has propane heat, in floor heating, return air, security cameras and great lighting. We keep our building clean by cleaning it twice per day with top-of-the-line products to keep our dogs and puppies healthy per our veterinarian's oversight. Every dog has their own bed, fresh food and water on a daily basis. No veterinarian need is ever unmet. We care deeply about our dogs, and they are very happy. Most importantly, we pride ourselves in raising healthy puppies from parents that we have done all the appropriate genetic and health testing on. We are thrilled that our outstanding reputation and positive reviews precede us. We take pride in everything we do, including quality customer service and being ethical and transparent in all areas of our program. Our state inspector and the veterinarians that we work with are very pleased with how we run our kennel and have said specifically they wish every breeder could be so organized. I sincerely enjoy raising puppies and I am very passionate about it. I told my mother after my very first litter 13 years ago, "This is what I was born to do. I feel like I have returned to my childhood. He cares deeply about the dogs and puppies' mental health and overall well being. He is often found taking several dogs down to the creek to let them spend an afternoon just doing what dogs love to do,: explore, run, jump in the water, get a little muddy and play with their best friends. I am so honored to have him. We are proud that we serve customers across the entire nation from the east coast to the west. We also serve internationally; Mexico, Canada, and Europe. We aim to please each and every customer to help them find exactly what they are looking for. We also offer any support they may need after they bring their new puppy home. We desire to give you a professional experience. We are honored that so many of our puppies and adult dogs have also become Certified Therapy dogs. We have placed dogs and puppies in retirement homes, police stations, and in families that have children with special needs. Please see Therapy Dog page on our website. We even had a world renown dog trainer, Alex Rothacker, purchase a puppy from us that has his name and dogs in the Guinness Book of World Records. His dogs and videos can be seen on youtube. Search on World Record - Holding Poodle. His poodle did not come from us, but he did purchase an Englishdoodle from us. He had it narrowed down to ten different breeders, but chose us as due to our videos that we provide, quality of dogs and customer service. We are delighted with each new customer that walks in our doors. We welcome you into our facility and we desire that you will have the best experience ever finding your new family member. We think you rock! The kids can't keep their hands off of her! People don't see how clean, happy and healthy all the dogs are. Keep up the great work! We specially chose you after extensive research - because of your love and passion for animals and their future. Thank you! I appreciate everything you all have done! She's so sweet and loving! Thank you again for everything! We consider social, physical and mental health of the dogs and puppies in our program. We work hard at improving the breeds we offer as we take deep pride in offering healthy puppies with a warranty and an exceptional health protocol that is second to none. We are licensed by the State of Iowa and we are inspected annually by the state inspector and by a local DVM. Vet Quotes "This breeder knew what she was doing. This is a very beneficial tool for me to interact with my customers before and after you take your puppy home. Before your puppy comes home, we upload weekly photos and videos so you can have a lot of information for making your selection. It becomes an enjoyable experience for the whole family. If you should have any questions regarding grooming, basic obedience, mouthing, whining, potty training, containment and diet, we are here for you. I also get the added benefit to see my puppies grow up as you post pictures on social media. I am a strong believer in developing relationships with my customers! Facebook provides a natural platform for this to occur. You become a part of my extended puppy family. We pride ourselves in relationships instead of applications. You do not need to fill out an application. We believe applications encourage deception and we respect transparency and honesty. I look forward to getting to know you personally as you begin your journey with our team. Decorah, IA. We are here to help. Contact Us. No puppies currently available, check our litters page for more details Sheepadoodle Puppies Our most popular breed is the Sheepadoodle! This means that all of our Sheepadoodle puppies for sale are smart, loyal, and hypoallergenic, making for great family dogs! These traits make them easy to train and great for families with young children. With loyalty in their blood, they will love your family unconditionally. They are a mix between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. Bernedoodles are a companion dog, always looking to please their families. They are happy, social, loyal, and a bit goofy! A Bernedoodle puppy will always be found next to their family whether it is on the couch, a bike trail, campground, or dog park. Learn more about the various sizes of our puppies on our Bernedoodle page. Golden Retrievers and Poodles are both very intelligent breeds making Goldendoodle puppies easy to train with consistency and patience. They love structure and once trained correctly, will be a life long best friend to the entire family. However over the years other crosses have become increasingly popular, especially for families wanting a more hypoallergenic coat and more consistent coat textures and colors. We are proud to be produce Goldendoodle puppies for sale that have hard to find colors such as: red and white parti, abstract, and merle. We specialize Mini Goldendoodle puppies , but ultimately raise puppies of all sizes from Standard to Micro. Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Iowa? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Iowa. Poodles come at different prices. Different things to consider are their height, size and weight, color as well as experience of the professional breeder. You will be able to afford one! Can breeders arrange travel for Iowa Poodles out of state? Yes they do! The breeders, companies and businesses in our network know that perfect families do not always live close by, and sometimes far-distance travel arrangements have to be made. You may even be able to pick up your pup from an airplane close by or even around the corner - it all depends! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Iowa? We really care about puppies and their well being, so it is of the utmost importance that anyone who wants to be connected to us is screened under strict rules - and then they have to take our Breeder Pledge. The health of your puppy-to-be, its wellbeing, the way it is taken care of, the place it is brought up in - all of this matters to us. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Iowa? The internet is available to absolutely everybody - and that includes scrupulous breeders who are out there just wanting to cash in by selling puppies. We care deeply for dogs and puppies and we love connecting good and honest breeders with families who just want to open their homes to a new and wonderful puppy. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Iowa? A puppy mill is an awful place that is unfortunately legal. Dogs are treated terribly and all their owners want from them are their puppies which they make money out of. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Iowa for sale now? We just need to know a little bit about yourself and exactly what you are looking for. Then begin your search and find the Poodle of your dreams. There are breeders, companies and businesses out there that are really excited to place their beautiful puppies in your home. What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Iowa? Poodles are actually part of a group of formal dog breeds. The Poodle is available in Toy size, Miniature size and large, regal, Standard size. They are highly intelligent and their origins belong to both Germany and France. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Iowa? It is hard to monitor all the puppy scams that happen daily on the internet so we make sure that we have a secure Breeder Pledge and a strict screening process, in order to create the best of relationships between our customers and our breeders, companies and businesses. Our reviews reveal all! Check with the breeder for up-to-date information on puppy availability. But it could be time-consuming to find breeders of healthy, well-behaved Poodle puppies from good lines. However, we can save you time and from the trouble of finding a reputable Poodle breeder. Leverage our experience and expertise for your peace of mind. She will discuss with you what to expect when expecting a Poodle and prep you for Poodle parenthood. To get started, email your name and zip code to FindMeAPuppy bestpoodle. However, when looking for a puppy from a breeder, we recommend that you do your due diligence. Do not just jump into buying a puppy from a breeder. Take your time to research the breeder. Note that in addition to the price you pay for a poodle puppy, owning a poodle comes with the cost of taking care of a poodle. And owning a poodle can be expensive because poodles require frequent grooming because of the nature of their coats. Learn about how much it costs to own and keep a poodle here. We wish you the best of luck as you are about to embark on the beautiful journey of owning a Poodle!

Ian discusses how we should learn to see the world from our dogs perspective and in doing so, how we can better earn their love and trust. Armed with this love and trust, we will form a better relationship and as a result, effective training becomes just that much more effective and enjoyable for both you and your dog. But please, first make sure to use the search facility in the footer of this website and browse our other sections as the subject may have already been covered: Labrador health and care , Labrador behavior , Labrador puppies , infobites and Labrador breed information. External Resources On Labrador Training Although referring to all breeds in general and not purely Labradors, for those of you that love to watch and not read, the series of dog training videos on www. If you like reading books then check out one of our favorite Lab books: The Complete Labrador Handbook. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. If this is the case,…. The Labrador is a highly capable and versatile working breed as well as the number one most popular family dog in UK and several other countries around the world! But despite being a common pet dog, they are an extraordinary breed with a fascinating history and a breed profile full of superlatives. This includes fabulous intelligence and trainability, adaptability, friendliness and trust towards people and other animals, motivation for work, endurance, and a phenomenal sense of smell. This makes the Labrador a breed of choice for many canine jobs, for example, medical scent detection, military and security force scent detection, search and rescue, a service or assistance dog for the disabled and people with a broad range of medical conditions, an autism support dog, hunting dog and even a therapy dog! Adorable Labradors can make wonderful family dogs, but only if their needs are met. They have a really goofy and playful nature which is heartwarming for many people! And, their trusting nature and eagerness to please people means they fit in easily into a family and human society as a whole. They tend to be bouncy and full of energy, which makes for a great company on countryside walks, jogging and recreational dog sports. Their boundless affection makes them particularly lovable, which is highly important for a family dog. Labradors: What To Consider As with all dogs, there are some things that you absolutely must consider before you add a Labrador into your home. And, Labrador training is always going to be a big essential. With all of their amazing energy, intelligence, enthusiasm for work, and highly social nature, also comes a list of requirements for potential owners. Unfulfilled and untrained Labradors are likely to find themselves a job or another outlet to release that energy and frustration. This can lead to destructive or inappropriate behaviours and a dog who is simply out of control. Typical challenges can include pulling on the lead and lunging towards anything that interests them, boisterous and over-excited behaviour including jumping up, grabbing the lead in their mouth, crashing into people and objects, stealing food and other items, and running off to greet people and dogs instead of coming back when called. But what do you need to do to make sure that they grow up into perfect family pets? Check out our top tips below to find out more about training this sweet and fun-loving breed. Socialise them early! Early appropriate socialisation is key with this breed. This includes all kinds of places, people, animals and sensations that will be a normal part of their life by the time he or she is 12 weeks old. Self-control is a big part of Labrador training Teaching your dog self-control is a really important skill for a Labrador, or any dog really, to have. You can help teach them self-control through impulse control games and real-life situations. This will help with teaching them basic doggie manners such as how to politely greet people and other dogs with all four paws on the ground, how to wait for their food bowl or their lead to be clipped on, how to pass through the door politely without dashing through, and so on. All those skills require mental self-control and focus despite distractions, which is essential for an excitable and boisterous dog. Lead etiquette is always needed Teach your Labrador to walk politely on a lead from as early an age as possible. For a Labrador, the world is full of fascinating scents, posts and tufts of grass that must me scent-marked immediately, especially for males, dogs and people that he or she is absolutely delighted to see including strangers , and objects that must be immediately investigated. This makes it hard for them to remember that there is a person on the other end of the lead. But with lots of practice, patience and a smart way of rewarding that works for them, keeping an eye on their human counterpart can become a habit for your dog that will last a lifetime! Once this happens, training will become a lot easier. Even better, the whole family can get involved and play with the dog. Recall is vital Teach your dog a reliable, fast and enthusiastic recall as soon as possible. This is so that no matter what other fascinating things are going on, they will always turn on a penny and run like the wind back towards you! Having a great recall is not only useful for your day to day lives, but it is also a safety concern. If there is a potentially dangerous situation for your pup ahead, you can always recall your dog back to you and keep them safe! Their mental wellbeing and happiness is important too! So, make sure to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, including walks, swims, and sniffing opportunities. So, make sure that you provide them with something appropriate to do if you have to leave them alone. Food dispenser toys, puzzle games for dogs and appropriate raw bones can keep your dog busy and calm, and your furniture and shoes whole! Keep health and wellbeing in mind Always try your best to keep your dog slim and fit. Labradors have a tendency to become overweight because of their keen appetite. You can help to keep your dog lean by feeding them the right amount of nutritious food for their age and activity level, using their normal food as training treats wherever possible so that they can work for their food, and a versatile and appropriate exercise regime that you really stick to! And their appearance! And, regular health checks at the vet are important for any dog, to ensure that they are well and any potential health issues are caught early. Labrador Training Video We love our Labrador customers who come into Royvon for training or boarding! They really do make the perfect pets, especially with a bit of training to help them along their journey. Check out this video featuring Archie the Labrador to see more about what a well-trained Labrador can look like! Here at Royvon, we are passionate about training dogs of all breeds, and this includes Labrador training! Many owners come to us for a whole variety of reasons. Or, they may simply just not have the time to train their dog as they wish, and want to leave it up to the professionals. Whatever the reason, there is no shame in getting dog training help! In fact, you will be amazed at the difference it can make and how well behaved your dog will be, especially for problem pets who are hard to handle! We offer everything from group puppy classes to residential training tailored to aggressive or anxious dogs. Simply visit our website today! Enjoyed this post about Labrador training and want to learn about more dog breeds? We think you will enjoy this post about Rottweilers, or this one about Shiba Inus! How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the toilet at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialisation Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the garden Besides the gnomes and questionable garden furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own garden is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and garden to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favourite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Gundog expert Jayne Coley summarises the early training routine that she followed with her own young labrador, Trade. Register for our newsletter To continue reading this content please register for our newsletter. You have to adapt your training to suit the type of puppy you have. The steps below summarise the training routine that I have followed with my young dog, Trade, who has an easy-going temperament. I began to train him properly in the New Year when he was 9 — 10 months old, though I usually wait until the shooting season is over when I have time to do a little each day on a regular basis. Step 1: Foundations By the age of 9 — 10 months, Trade had been toilet trained, knew his name and came back when I called him. He had been well socialised and behaved in company on a lead, was used to going out in my vehicle and had learned to swim. Trade has never been chastised for carrying something he should not, e. I then place the item out of reach. Crucially, by this age we had built up a good bond before formal training began. Step 2: Heelwork It was so wet and muddy at home so I started training on the patio and in our yard where the pup is restricted to a certain area and there are no distractions. We began with heelwork on the lead. To keep the exercise interesting, I walked in straight lines, did figures of eight, included the occasional tight turn and altered my pace. This all helped to keep Trade focused on what we were doing. If he didn't sit immediately, I repeated the command whilst pushing his bottom down with my left hand. Once confident with this routine, I put a lightweight collar on him and progressed to walking to heel off the lead, using my hands to encourage him to keep his head up and concentrate on me, when necessary. If he did move, I calmly walked up to him and, holding his collar, took him back to the exact spot he moved from in a quiet but positive manner. I slowly built up the distance until I could walk around him in a huge circle. Once he did this perfectly, I introduced the recall. Instead of always walking back to him, I would call him back to me, encouraging him to come straight to my hands which were cupped gently in front of my hips. Once I was happy with this, I began to mix up heelwork with sit and stay, and recall. When he didn't move, I quietly picked the dummy up myself. Gradually — over several days — I built on this until I could throw a couple of dummies, one at a time, over and around him and he remained steady. It is always important to lift the pup's top lip out of the way when you put a dummy in his mouth. Trade was reluctant to do this at first, but with patience and perseverance over several days, he accepted it. Slowly, I built on this until I could walk away backwards the length of the lead and call him to me, concentrating on perfecting a good delivery, using my hands to encourage him to bring the dummy right to me with his head held nice and high. Step 6: Retrieving Next, we worked on being sent for a retrieve. I then bent down and pointed my right hand towards the dummy whilst looking at the top of his head to make sure he was looking past my hand at it, before saying his name positively and at the same time letting go of one end of the lead so that he instinctively ran forward and picked the dummy. Initially, I sat back on my heels, which encouraged him to run straight back to me. Slowly we built on this until the lead was no longer needed. Sometimes I would send him for the dummy, sometimes I'd pick it up myself, or I'd walk him to heel in the opposite direction before sending him. On other occasions, I would stand well back from Trade and throw a dummy over his head, call him to me and then send him for the dummy from my position. I like to vary things as this keeps him interested and wondering what I am going to do next. He was at first a little unsure, so I repeated it in a lighter tone, to which he responded. In return, I praised him quietly. Always remember, training a dog is like building a house — it is imperative that the foundations are put down properly, otherwise, sooner or later, cracks will appear. Keep it light and encouraging when you praise, and low and gruff when you scold, so your puppy knows the difference. Especially if you have a boisterous puppy. Keep everything calm and relaxed, and do things in your time. Jayne Coley offers some valuable tips for the shooting enthusiast who is training a young dog. Register for our newsletter To continue reading this content please register for our newsletter. It's also about education — teaching him the manners and patience that make for a nice shooting companion. I try to be aware of this at all times. There are various scenarios in which you can work on embedding such manners in your dog, and below are a number of examples based on my own experience. Patience and manners My young lab has to sit and wait when I open his kennel run gate and while I slip a lead over his head. I then call him to me and, with my other dogs at heel, we go for a walk. When I'm picking-up and the horn is blown to signal the end of the drive, I don't let all of my dogs race off together. I send them off one at a time, by name, with the keenest dog being sent last. And so I replicate this when I'm out walking them, too. We are the last house at the end of a no-through road, so once we are out of our gate, I slip the lead off and ensure that my lab remains walking to heel, before I send the dogs off one at a time by their name as we continue down a field. My young dog is usually sent last, and so he has to wait, hence all the time teaching him to be patient. I have built up this exercise slowly over time, keeping him on a lead to start with and sending him from a sitting position, then with the length of the lead just looped around his neck to make sure he is steady as each dog is sent off. In the morning, after feeding, I sweep the kennels and change the dogs' water. This is another opportunity to perform a simple exercise that teaches patience, by sitting him up in the yard when I get to his kennel. Again, I have built up the length of time that he sits and waits slowly as his concentration level is still very limited. Photo credit: Gerrard Slade Obstacles in the field When we are on a walk, my dog is happy to hang around with my other labs who usually range up to 60 yards from me. If they go any further, I call them back. I walk in open land, with no livestock, so I can see what they are doing, and the youngster can rummage in hedgerows and other cover, and negotiate and get into ditches, all of his own accord. From following my other dogs he has learned to wriggle under wire, cleverly twist through rails and confidently pop over wire sheep netting. All of these obstacles can crop up when we are out in the shooting field, so it is very useful if we can encounter them and become familiar with them in our own time, beforehand. Please remember this is what I do with my fairly laid back puppy. A mischievous puppy would probably have to spend a lot of time on a lead whilst out for a walk. It is imperative that you assess your dog from a young age and train him accordingly to get the best out of him. Advanced toilet training Having a dog that is happy to go to the toilet whilst on a lead is so useful. This might not sound very impressive, but it is surprising how many dogs are not comfortable doing this. For example, you might be shooting quite a distance from home, which involves a night away. You arrive at your accommodation in the dark, only to find it is on the side of a busy road with nowhere to take your dog to be clean. The best way to teach your dog this is to keep him on a lead first thing in the morning when he is likely to be desperate to go to the toilet. Further training I have been training my dog in our field, initially going over everything he learned at home as explained HERE. Training sessions are held for 15—20 minutes every other day, rather than every day, because I feel I get more from him — he is more responsive. Using an Acme .To call him to me recall , I also use the whistle — four quick repetitive pips, repeated as necessary. Photo credit: Andrea Moffat Marking thrown dummies Again, this is all about progressing steadily. Don't rush things. The grass in our field is quite rough, so I started off by throwing a dummy which landed in a corner and into the wind to maximise the chance of success. I now send the dog for a single thrown dummy by just saying his name, so he doesn't take his eye off the fall. Whereas I originally used a small dummy all the time, now that his pick-up, carrying and delivery are perfect, I am introducing all sorts of different types of dummies and balls for him to retrieve. A ball on a rope is good because I can throw it out a long way and he has to get his head down to wind it. Blind retrieves I have built on this so I can send my dog for memory retrieves down the side of a hedge or fence, on tracks which help to keep him on course. Once mastered with a single dummy, I then introduced more dummies, so that now I can have three out, dropping one at a time, 20 yards apart as we walk to heel. Once again, I think about the wind. I make sure it is behind us when I send him for the closest dummy first, because I don't want him winding the other dummies and swapping the intended retrieve for them. Directional training When working on directional training, I sit the dog on a track, with a fence behind, and stand several paces in front of him. The fence acts as a barrier and ensures that Trade goes sideways rather than back, upon my command. With my right hand raised high above my head, I blow the stop whistle one long blast then throw a dummy to land on the track some 15 yards to the right his left. Should he hesitate, with my right arm still held out, I quietly take a step or two towards him, repeating the command in a lighter but still positive voice. After repeating this exercise successfully, I throw the dummy to the left and do the same routine again. I then progress to having two dummies out, one either side of the dog, and send him for one, before sitting him back up out in front of me, throwing that dummy back out in the same place, and then instructing him to pick the other dummy on the opposite side. Charlotte Peters January 24, A well-trained labrador is a dog to be proud of. Read bringing home a puppy for the first time. Know your puppy well What makes your labrador puppy tick? Is it bold, timid? Before you embark on training spend plenty of time with your dog so you understand its character, strengths and weaknesses. The first thing you must do when you bring your new puppy home is to establish a strong bond. These first days are key before training a labrador puppy. If you have a solid foundation, gundog training will go more smoothly. Read why play training is essential for gundog puppies. Feed it in the crate and have its bed in there. Avoid using the crate as punishment. A crate will help with toilet training too, as dogs find it uncomfortable to urinate or defecate where they sleep. Initially, the puppy might jump up, but be patient and eventually the dog will sit. When it does so, immediately put the food bowl down. Then go along as a spectator so you can judge for yourself. Avoid puppy classes where the trainer treats the dogs as though they are more or less all the same. Maybe the dog is a little bit more sensitive. It could be that the trainer lacks experience. Once they seem to be getting it right, allow them a chance to perfect that skill before rushing ahead to the next stage. Hold onto the puppy and throw a ball. The puppy will probably see this and get very excited about running to pick it up. As soon as the ball hits the ground let the puppy go and once it picks up the ball give it lots of encouragement. The chances are the puppy will simply want to get back to you and will come running to the sound of your voice without thinking too much about the ball. Give the pup lots of praise and then take the ball. Remember the puppy is still young. Once or twice is quite enough at first and do not throw the ball too far. Try to use either an area of lawn or at least flat grass so that the puppy can see the ball. You need to make things very easy at this stage. So no rushing. This is rewarding unwanted behaviour. Read the risks of over exercising a puppy. Biting Most puppies mouth but dogs need to understand that their teeth should never touch us. Do not play roughly as this gives the wrong message. Puppies do need to bite and chew, so make sure they have plenty of safe items for gnawing. This article was originally published in and has been updated. If you are looking to bring a puppy into your home, then you will need to think about puppy training because this works best when you start early. Lab puppies require a lot of stimulation when they are young as they are active, and this is why it can be easy to train them when you start early. Training is a lot more than teaching your Labrador tricks because it is also a way to teach the dog to be obedient. Photo by Ben Owen on Unsplash When a dog is obedient, it will be easier to live with but to ensure this is the case, you need to start training your Labrador as early in its life as possible. This is something lab breeders can help with if you choose the right one. When to Start Puppy Training? Labradors are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. They are intelligent, gentle, and adorable animals that make great pets in families of all ages, but this is not all that Labradors can do. Labradors can also be great working animals, and they are used in a range of roles, from police dogs to emotional support animals. Again, this is due to their intelligence which makes them easy to train for all roles, as well as their gentle nature. Training is important for all puppies, whether they are coming into the home as a pet or a working animal, but it is especially important for Labradors that are required for a job. If you are looking to buy lab puppies specifically to be used as a working dog, then training is vital, and this needs to start from day one to ensure success in this area. You can speak to your breeder about the reasons why you are looking for lab puppies, and they can guide you through this training process. The best breeders will get your puppy started on training, with small rules that are introduced into their life from the beginning making them easier to train when you bring them home. Rules can be introduced to lab puppies from a very early age, and breeders can get them started with things such as potty training and simple obedience tricks. Once you bring the puppy home, this initial training will ensure the dog is obedient and will therefore be easier to train to fit into your routine. Many people believe that purebred labs will be easy to train because of their intelligence. However, even though Labradors are known for their intelligence, this may not be the main quality of the purebred puppy you choose. Puppies are bred for different reasons, and sometimes the intelligence of the breed is not the main quality that breeders are looking for. This does not mean that Labradors are difficult dogs, but training puppies can be a tricky process. This is why, if you are looking to bring a dog into your home, you need to be prepared to be patient and offer your new dog a lot of time to ensure they understand the rules of the home. Puppies who have been trained early will be easier to make obedient because they will already be familiar with certain rules. This is why some of the best breeders will start training their puppies from day one, as this will make them easier to train once they go to their new home. As lab puppies are intelligent, they can be easy to train, and they enjoy this kind of stimulation. The best way to ensure your puppy will be well trained is consistency which means developing a good routine with training your dog. Click here for more tips in training Labrador puppies. Many people look into getting a Labrador because this is a popular breed and one that can fit into a range of family circumstances. Their gentle, social nature makes them suitable for even young families, and the intelligence of the breed makes them ideal for working roles. There are many reasons why you may be looking to buy a Labrador, but you must consider how much work raising a dog can be before making a solid decision. Puppies of all breeds, no matter how intelligent or gentle they are, require a lot of attention in their early years. Bringing a puppy home is a fun experience, but it can be stressful for the dog, and you need to have a lot of time available to make sure your new pet is settled into their home. Buying a lab puppy is not a decision you can make lightly, which is why leading breeders will have large waiting lists for their available dogs. This gives you time to consider whether your home is ready for a new puppy and whether you have enough free time to train them. Reputable breeders will have a waiting list for their dogs because they are in high demand, and this gives you time to determine whether buying a Labrador is the right decision for you. You can speak to your local breeder about your interest in Labrador puppies, and they will be able to guide you through this process. Good breeders will be available for ongoing support and advice to their customers, helping to make the transition of bringing a new dog home as seamless as possible. Raising Labrador puppies can be a rewarding role, but it requires a lot of work which is why you should not make the decision lightly. Reputable breeders will be certified and accredited, ensuring they offer the best services to their customers. With the right training and attention, Labrador puppies can be a great addition to any family, and they are also excellent working dogs. Labradors are a popular dog breed for so many reasons! You may also enjoy:.