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poodle mix puppies for sale los angeles - How big do labahoulas get? After this, Labahoula starts to be a popular dog breed. The mix includes features and characters coming from both of its origins. Although parents had a rough use of hunting in history, Labahoula is a gentle dog breed. The breeding method brings out the most suitable features of the parents due to the idea of composite action. Labahoula has the friendly and good qualities of a Labrador and a strong and genuine personality of Catahoula. Labahoula is a wonderful bonus to an original family since this mix wants a lot of training and exercises. A large garden where the dog can play. It needs a large area for their moving playtime and their education. Smaller spaces cannot be good for your dog and cause potential aggression towards other personalities or animals. Building a barrier around your garden or house area is required for your Catahoula lab mix. Labrador breeds like Labahoula manages to walk around the field as long as they can. Rails will keep them from running somewhere far and check them from probable mishaps or injuries. More: Louisiana State Dog Catahoula lab mix Training Catahoula lab mix needs a lot of exercise and activities during their life. If you have a personality to stay in your house and watch television all day, Labahoula is not the dog for you to adopt. Labahoula needs daily training and activity due to its hyperactive and dynamic personalities. The practice of your dog also needs full time, so better save energy for that. You should never bind your Labahoula outdoor if you want to sleep. It will surely affect your connection with the dog. Since both origins are guarding, the cross can defend their buyers or family from outsiders. Training at a junior age will resolve the difficulty. It would help if you socialized your puppy to prevent it from harming other animals, especially smaller ones. You need to clean their fur minimum two to three times a week to keep their skin perfect. However, you can opt to do regular cleaning as long as it will not hurt your dog. The mix also applies to a hypoallergenic combination, so hair disease is not a problem. You can also save cash because it does not need any expert grooming assistance. Catahoula Mix beautiful features like hurdles for dog fans who want to adopt a Catahoula dog is that these dogs need outdoor exercise to stay fit and fine. Hybrid breeding leads together two purebred dog breeds to develop strengths from each kind while trying to minimize weaknesses from temperament and looks to behavior and well-being. This is one of the reasons that this breed is not a member of the AKC. People who are excited about Catahoulas decline to focus on breeding for the unity of appearance. Catahoula dogs get their unique coloring from the mix of breeds they began from. The Catahoula mix is made up of different dogs like Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds also dogs owned by the Choctaw families in the Louisiana region. Labahoula is a mix of the Catahoula and Labrador Retriever. Breeding lines in various kinds, certain lines of Catahoula dogs suited quite well-known for becoming a bizarre appearance. Both of these parent breeds have more powerful energy and a very strong victim and drive abilities. They should get along fine with other pets if shown and socialized correctly as well. They are slightly fitted to independence or alone time when the family is loud or full. She reacts well to concrete coatings, like all dogs. Is Catahoulas lazy? All dogs have their attitudes, and Catahoula Leopard dogs are the same. When Catahoula Leopard dogs are dull, they can seem lazy or impartial. What two breeds make a Catahoula? What is a Catahoula lab mix? A Catahoula Lab mix dog is also known as a Labahoula. The mix is expected to be highly intelligent and active. But they can prove something of a few in non-active households or novice owners. Males, 22 to 26 inches at the joint and 65 to 90 pounds; females, 20 to 24 inches at the common and 50 to 65 pounds. There are many things to consider before taking home a canine with mixed traits. For a Labahoula, your environment and lifestyle will be vital foundations for its growth. Am I Ready for The Commitment? Investing time, patience, and discipline will result in a well-behaved Labahoula. Owning a spacious home and open field is a paradise for these inquisitive dogs. When introducing a Labahoula to the family, be prepared for its unruly behavior. Some breeds will be on their guard when meeting strangers because of the Catahoula genes. So, take caution by being attentive during interactions. Your pet will need training and positive socialization when introduced to the family. Do I Have an Active Lifestyle? Possessing the genes of both outgoing parent breeds, the Catahoula Lab Mix will require many vigorous activities, including your attention. Can your current lifestyle keep up with this hyperactive breed? Here are four pros to consider about a Labahoula: Low Maintenance in Grooming Grooming a Labahoula is no struggle because of its short and dense fur. They shed less than a Labrador and are hypoallergenic , making them a safe choice if you have fur allergies. Brushing them two to three times a week is all it takes to keep their skin clean and healthy, with occasional bathing. Has High Energy Battery Start your day with your canine sunshine! They can be quite a hurricane because of their hyperactive personalities, so why not bring them with you during morning exercises? They will be more than willing to accompany you as exercise partners. Watch their Catahoula gene shine through as they run with confidence in their paws! Excellent Swimmers! Did you know that both Labradors and Catahoulas have webbed feet? With that, you have the perfect dog breed you can bring during quality swimming time with the family. They naturally yearn for human companionship and will treat children with great care. Incompatible With Small Apartments With impressive stamina, a Labahoula needs a lot of space for running, as cramped rooms can cause restlessness and irritation. Intelligent but Needs Firm Training and Socializing Labahoulas are extremely bright but are challenging to teach because of their independent nature. It is vital to overcome this and educate a Labahoula with proper socializing, as they can be wary of strangers. This may get in the way when teaching discipline. You only need to show them who is the alpha in the family to get their obedience. Demands Constant Attention As loyal companions, a Labahoula may seek physical closeness. Avoid tying them outside by themselves, as it can strain your relationship with them. Leaving them alone for a long time will cause agitation and anxiety. They will persistently seek you through barking or unruly behavior. Calvin L. Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog. These dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and affectionate nature. They make great family pets and are excellent with children. How much is Catahoula lab mix? This price can differ depending on the breeder, area, and other factors. Also, some people may pay more or less for their Catahoula lab mix. To get an idea of what you may pay for your Catahoula lab mix, check out below. This shows the average price range for Catahoula lab mixes in different cities across the United States. They are also active and love to play fetch. The Catahoula lab mix is a medium to a large dog weighing 50 to 80 pounds. They have short to medium coats that are easy to care for and come in various colors, including black, brown, and white. The Catahoula lab mix is a relatively healthy breed with a years life expectancy. It is believed that the Catahoula mix is a combination of two American breeds: the Labrador retriever and also the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. Hybrids are the combination of two completely different entities, such as horses and donkeys, which would result in hybrid animals. However, both the Labrador Retriever and the Louisiana Leopard are part of the dog family or canines. Lab history. Labradors have been bred within Canada and were introduced into North America via the United Kingdom. It is unnecessary to discuss how popular this breed is across the US. Labrador Retrievers are a popular breed. Labrador Retriever was first used by fishers in Newfoundland in the 19th century for hauling nets, ropes, and even fish. Nowadays, Labrador Retriever is mainly employed as a working dog and makes excellent pet companions and family pets. The Labahoula tends to be a loyal dog. They love spending time with other human companions and create strong bonds with their families. Some Labahoulas will have Heterochromia Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs are known for having heterochromia, which causes the iris in one or both eyes to have more than one color. Since they have such a high chance of having this condition, many Labahoulas also inherit this trait. The first known Labahoula was bred in the s Before the designer-dog wave of the s, various types of hunting dogs were being crossed to create the ultimate hybrid. Labahoulas are Usually First-Generation Hybrids Unlike Labradoodles and other designer dog breeds, Labahoulas are almost always first-generation hybrids. This means that the parents will both be purebreds, whereas other designer dog breeds sell multi-generations of hybrids. Labahoulas tend to have a gentler and more mild temperament than the Catahoula Leopard Dog, thanks to the gentle nature of the Labrador Retriever. Catahoula dogs are also incredibly smart, often thriving in working and hunting situations. A fenced-in yard is the most ideal setup for your Labahoula, as well as positive reinforcement training and some patience. However, even with consistent training, some Labahoulas will always have a natural instinct to chase and will have to be leashed for their safety. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Labahoulas are best suited for active and outdoorsy types of families that can provide the time and training for this type of dog. They are naturally great with children and will naturally protect the family, which can be a good and bad thing. With some hunting dogs, it may be a concern if your household has other animals. It can be even tougher with the Labahoula since they may want to chase and hunt the other household pets, but this can be handled early. If you raise your Labahoula with a household that has pets, it will be easier to obtain a peaceful household. However, it may be more difficult to bring in new pets after your Labahoula has been established. Keep this in mind when buying a Labahoula puppy since they can live past 10 years. Consult your vet about the best brands of kibble to choose and the amount to feed daily to prevent weight gain or loss. These dogs can spend hours working in the field, so multiple long walks and at least an hour of off-leash running in a fenced-in location is needed to keep them from destructive behavior. Alternatively, Labahoulas can also go for a swim to burn off some energy. These dogs are natural-born swimmers and will gladly hop into a pond or lake for a fun game of fetch. If you have or live nearby a dog-friendly body of water, this one of many ways to burn off some energy. Agility is another great way to exercise your dog, while also doubling down on bonding and training. These athletic mixes will excel in agility courses and competitions, which can ever turn into a fun hobby for you as well. As long as your Labahoula is old enough and is cleared by the vet, agility can be a fun and interesting exercise for your dog. While these dogs are often eager to please, they can be stubborn and try to become the boss of the house. The occasional curry combing and a bath will keep the coat free of odor and dirt. Labahoulas come from two breeds that tend to shed moderately , which can be a deal breaker for some potential families. The best way to know is to look at the bloodlines of the parents of your Labahoula pup and determine any health patterns. Alternatively, taking a look at the health conditions of the Labrador and the Catahoula Leopard Dog can give you an idea of what you may have to face later on: Labrador Retriever Health Conditions:. They are highly intelligent and excellent working dogs, so they have also become popular modern workers in roles such as disability assistance. Labs are naturally friendly dogs as well, which is one of the main reasons why they have become one of the most popular household dogs in the world. It is also the representative dog of that state. The breed is thought to have been initially created by French settlers from working dogs that they brought with them. They interbred their dogs with swamp hunting wolf dogs owned by the Native Americans to develop a better working dog. The result is a talented working dog good at hunting and guarding. At the same time, though, the Catahoula is also a friendly family-oriented dog that is well-suited to spending time with children of all ages. The crossbreed Catahoula Lab mix started to become popular in the s. It combines the fearlessness and loyalty of a Catahoula with the intelligence and friendly nature of a Labrador. This is the principal reason that purebred dogs are often preferred. You can expect Labrador Catahoula mixes to be between 21 and 26 inches tall and between 55 and 95 pounds. The males are usually slightly larger than the females. While Labradors tend to have a thick double coat, Catahoulas have a single coat that is short or medium in length. Their offspring usually inherit this shorter coat, but there are always exceptions to the rule. So, while your Labahoula will probably have the low-shedding coat of a Catahoula, you may also take home a puppy only to find that they are high-shedding. It takes a few months to see how their coat will turn out. Labradors are traditionally black, chocolate, or yellow, while Catahoulas come in a wide range of colors and patterns. As a result, it is highly unpredictable what colors and patterns their mixed breed pups will end up with. Labahoula puppies tend to have a medium-length muzzle and floppy ears, but outside of this, it can be difficult to predict which parent they will take after. Temperament Labrador retrievers tend to be naturally social animals that love being around people and other animals and are more likely to make friends than engage in aggressive behaviors. Catahoulas, on the other hand, have more protective and guarding instincts. While they will bond quickly with their family, they can display wariness towards strangers and other animals. For this reason, it is important to socialize your Catahoula Lab mix properly from a young age so they know how to behave around strangers and other animals. Labahoulas are safe to have in the house with kids of all ages, as they are innately protective and gentle with young ones. Still, though, you should never leave young children unsupervised with a dog, no matter how familiar they are with each other, as accidents can always happen. Overall, these dogs also do better with older children as their high energy can be a little overwhelming for toddlers. They do best in homes when there is someone around most of the time. They also have a talent for picking up what is wanted from them in new situations. Good socialization and obedience training as a puppy is essential for a happy and controllable adult dog, regardless of the breed. When it comes to socialization, prioritize socializing them with smaller animals first, as their Catahoula parentage means they can have a tendency to hunt them. Thankfully, they can easily learn not to engage in this behavior. Teach your dog to swim early on, as these dogs love the water. While they will know how to swim instinctively, you will need to teach them safety rules and the kind of behavior you want to see from them in the water. In addition, take the time to teach your dog a variety of tricks and other tasks. This provides them with both mental and physical stimulation and will greatly contribute to their happiness. Learning to collect the paper for you or play fetch will feel like a game to them, not hard work. Use positive reinforcement training to show your dog the behaviors you would like to see. Never punish your Labahoula or use harsh training methods, as these dogs tend to be very sensitive, which can lead to unwanted behavior. Harsh punishment overall is not a good training technique for any dog, as it can be difficult to ensure they fully understand what they are being punished for. For example, if you come home to discover your Labahoula pup has peed in the house, punishing them can confuse them. The act may be too far removed for them to know that peeing on the floor is the cause of the punishment. If you catch them in the act, punishment might just teach them not to pee when you are around as opposed to not peeing in the house. If you know your dog will be home alone often, use crate training rather than chaining your dog up, as being kept on a chain will cause this type of dog great distress. You can read our complete guide to crate training here. Energy Levels While Lab Catahoula mixes are medium-sized dogs, they still tend to need quite a lot of space to thrive. They tend to thrive if they have at least a little bit of outside space that they can call their own. Labahoulas have lots of physical and mental energy, so they need regular exercise and training sessions to maintain a happy equilibrium. They need at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day, and the more active they are, the better. Look for off-leash dog parks to give them a chance to run. These dogs have a big appetite to match their big energy levels, and they do need a lot of calories to stay healthy. Never leave food out for a Lab Catahoula mix; instead, give them small, evenly-spaced, calorie balanced meals. Never feed dogs with a tendency to overeat human food or food off your own plate. This can exacerbate their tendency to overeat, make it more difficult to track their calories and give them a tendency to beg for food. Health Risks And Concerns Labahoulas are generally pretty healthy dogs, but they can still inherit some of the health problems common to their purebred parents. A particularly common health complaint is hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a condition that develops while your pup is growing and gives them pain and mobility issues later in life. The best way to avoid the problem altogether is with a healthy diet and appropriate exercise while the dog is still growing. One of the biggest risk factors in developing this condition is over-exercising puppies. Despite their energy levels, Labahoula pups should have less exercise than adults, since their bones are still developing. As a general rule, give them five minutes of exercise each day for every month of their age until they are fully grown. So, according to this rule, a six-month-old pup needs about 30 minutes of exercise per day. Another condition that Catahoula Lab mixes are more likely to develop than other dogs is known as cold tail syndrome. This is when the tail of the dog appears to be broken as it hangs down from its base. Again, too much exercise as a pup can make this condition more likely to occur. This is especially true for activities like swimming, which uses lots of tail action. Both sight and hearing problems are also relatively common in Lab Catahoula mixes, and many dogs will lose at least some of their sight and hearing as they age. When their sight is affected, night blindness is often the first symptom. If you notice this, take your dog to the vet to see if they are suffering from retinal atrophy, cataracts, or another eye disorder so they can receive appropriate treatment. If hearing becomes a problem, your dog may be more likely to misbehave, both because they cannot hear you and out of frustration. Teaching your dog hand signals from a young age can be useful if this occurs learn about hand signals for dogs here. This condition tends to be more common with dogs with white in their coats. It is a good idea to keep these conditions in mind, but it is equally likely that your dog will live a long and healthy life with no serious health issues. Should I Get A Labahoula? Are you thinking about adopting a Lab Catahoula mix into your family? If so, ask yourself the following questions to decide whether you are a good fit for this particular crossbreed. What Is Your Home Like? These high-energy dogs tend to be constantly active, so they will feel stifled in a small apartment. They tend to do best when they have a bit of space at home to keep themselves entertained. Is There Usually Someone Home? They need it to stay happy. In fact, they can develop severe separation anxiety if they are left alone for extended periods of time. Is there usually someone home at your house to keep your pup occupied? These energetic dogs need lots of exercise. They need a chance to run for at least around an hour every day, and they will be happiest if they can accompany you on outdoor adventures on the weekend. Does that suit your lifestyle? If you prefer to sit on the couch on the weekend, they might not leave you in peace. Are You Confident With Dogs? Catahoula Lab mixes are pretty easy to train, so even first-time owners should be able to take on the challenge with little difficulty. However, due to their rather boisterous and independent nature, they also need a firm hand. Are you confident in taking on the role of an Alpha? Because of their Catahoula parentage, these dogs can have a tendency to want to chase and hunt smaller animals. If you have small animals at home, bear in mind that this will need to be a training priority from an early age. No, Labahoulas do not tend to be naturally aggressive, thanks to the calm and friendly temperament of their Lab parent. However, Catahoulas can have a drive to chase and hunt smaller animals, so their mixed-breed pups might give your cat a run for their money. Proper training and socialization early on can effectively curb this urge. Do Labahoulas bark a lot? If they seem to start barking excessively for no reason, this can be a sign of a problem. They tend to bark when they are feeling stressed from spending too much time alone or are not getting enough exercise. Can Catahoula Lab mixes climb trees? Catahoulas are known to be among the best tree climbers, often heading up a trunk after prey. This is a skill that their mixed breed puppies also tend to inherit. How much do Catahoula Lab mixes cost? They are still a relatively new breed, which means there are fewer breeders working with them. This can also push prices up. The Verdict Labahoula dogs often mix the best traits of their purebred parents. They have the friendly temperament of a Labrador and also their intelligence and eagerness to learn. They can also have the loyalty and guarding instinct of a Catahoula, which can help you feel like you have a bit more protection at home. Regardless of how their characteristics mix, you can expect these dogs to be highly energetic and have a great love for running, playing, and swimming. They thrive when they are kept mentally and physically active, and they can easily become frustrated if they are left alone for extended periods of time. Labrador Catahoula mixes need lots of love and attention, but they will repay you with their friendly, loyal, and intelligent natures. This is why they make fantastic family pets. Do you have experience with Labrador Catahoula mixes? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. Photo from: karenfridy It most certainly is! The Labahoula, sometimes also known as the Catahoula Lab, is a hybrid dog breed created when Catahoula Leopard is crossbred with a Labrador Retriever. However, the Labahoula is not a dog breed for the sedentary type of person; they are powerful, high-energy dogs that need constant training and activity. Ideally, these dogs are best suited to suburban or rural settings with large backyards. Origin Of The Lab Catahoula Mix The history of the Labahoula, the mix between the Catahoula and the Lab, is actually pretty unclear, partly because these designer dogs are so recent. Not only was it first created in the United States, but it was also the result of crossbreeding two dog breeds that are so beloved in this country. So, in order to talk about the origin and the history of the Lab Catahoula Mix, it would be best to explain the history of each of its parent breeds. In fact, although they are both members of the same breed, the Labrador today appears in two different varieties, the English one and the American one. Originally the archetypal gundog breed, Labrador Retrievers can now be seen as family dogs, companion animals, or functioning as service dogs. One of the key reasons labs have become one of the most popular household dogs worldwide is because they are naturally affable canines. The American Kennel Club lists them as a part of their sporting group and ranks them as the top dog breed in the country, in terms of popularity. These lovely canines love their family very much and get along well with children and other dogs. They also rank well for being lively, versatile, and trainable, as well as being open to strangers. They measure .Their trademark shiny coat is most commonly available in black, brown, or yellow colors, although there are also some rare colors. When it comes to life expectancy, their average lifespan is between ten and 12 years. They are, in fact, eager athletes that require loads of exercise, including walking, swimming, and playing games of fetch, to remain physically and mentally fit. The bloodhounds, mastiffs, and greyhounds that the Spanish explorers brought with them were crossed with these indigenous canines. These cute canines have a single coat that can be any color, often bicolor or multicolored, with various spots and speckles spread out across. They also often have heterochromatic eyes, which means that one eye is blue, and the other is brown, for example. Catahoula leopard dogs are undoubtedly working dogs because of their innate propensity for herding and their incredible work ethic. They are typically 50 to 95 pounds in weight, 22 to 24 inches tall, and have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years. They are good with kids and other dogs, and they are loving with their family. However, because they are such fierce watchdogs, they require a considerable amount of training and socialization from a young age. Simply put, these dogs require a purpose and a task. The Catahoula Leopard dog would make an excellent farm dog and would also make a fantastic fitness companion for walks or hikes through the woods. Lab Catahoula Mix Appearance Photo from: madamepeachypie It is difficult to predict which characteristics the Catahoula Lab mix will acquire from one of its two parent breeds. Therefore, you should be ready for both. When Catahoula Lab puppies are born, they may resemble one parent very significantly or exhibit characteristics of both Lab and Catahoula. Everything about them, including their color, profile, and body frame, could be quite similar to one breed or fall somewhere in between the two. Beyond the medium-length muzzle and floppy ears, which are common for most of these pups, it can be challenging to determine which parent a Labahoula puppy will resemble more. There can also be significant morphological variances between puppies even within a single litter. Labrador Catahoula hybrids should be between 55 and 95 pounds and between 21 and 26 inches tall. Looking at the parents of the puppies will give you the most accurate idea of how much they will grow in terms of both height and weight. Large Labs and Catahoulas will produce large puppies, whilst the opposite is true for two smaller dogs. Furthermore, Catahoulas and Labs both exhibit sexual dimorphism, so you should expect it in Labahoulas, as well. Sexual dimorphism means simply that female puppies in a litter typically grow to be smaller as adults than males. Labradors often have a thick double coat, but Catahoulas typically have a single, short to medium-length coat. Although this shorter coat is typically passed down to their children, there are always exceptions. In more general terms, the Labahoula has a short, near-to-the-skin double coat that is dense and tight to the body. The coat may also be water-repellent in some cases, which is a feature inherited from their Labrador Retriever parents. Traditionally, Labradors are either black, chocolate, or yellow, whereas Catahoulas come in a variety of hues and patterns. Because of this, it is quite difficult to forecast what hues and patterns their mixed-breed puppies would have. What you can expect is that the Lab Catahoula mix will probably have some beautiful, crazy color patterns along its patchy, leopard coat, with occasional stripes in dark blue, black, or dark brown. Their parent breeds are on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to shedding and being hypoallergenic, so the way these pups will turn out depends entirely on which genes eventually prevail. Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dogs are a low-shedding, hypoallergenic dog breed, and if the Labahoula mix puppies inherit any of these genes, they will be too. This seems to be the case most times, as Catahoula genes appear to be more dominant than those of the Labrador Retriever. Lab Catahoula Mix Temperament Photo from: swiftthelab Because they enjoy being around people and other animals, Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to be naturally social creatures who are more inclined to make friends than to act aggressively. On the other side, Catahoulas have stronger instincts for defense and protection. They will immediately form a bond with their family, yet they can be wary of strangers and other animals. Lab Catahoula mix dogs will fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. It is crucial to properly socialize your Catahoula Lab mix from a young age in order to teach them appropriate behavior around people and other animals. Prioritize socializing them with smaller animals first because they may have the propensity to hunt them because of their Catahoula ancestry. Fortunately, they can quickly learn to stop doing this. Are Labahoulas Good With Children? Due to their natural tendency to be loving and protective of small children, Labahoulas are safe to have around children of all ages. No matter how comfortable they are with one another, you should never leave young children unattended with a dog since mishaps can still occur. In general, these dogs get along better with older kids because of their high energy levels, which can be a little too much for young children. They will appreciate playing with them more when they are a little older and more autonomous, and they can also help the dog burn off extra energy. Are Labahoulas Aggressive? However, their mixed-breed pups might be tempted to chase after your cat, since Catahoulas have a tendency to chase and hunt smaller creatures. Early socialization and training are key to successfully controlling this impulse. Do Labahoulas Bark A Lot? Since Labahoulas rarely bark, you should only anticipate hearing them do so when they need to call your attention for something. They may have an issue if they seem to start barking excessively without an obvious cause. When they are agitated from being left alone for too long or from not receiving enough exercise, they frequently bark. They thrive in households where someone is there the majority of the time. They also have a gift for figuring out what is expected of them in unfamiliar circumstances. Regardless of the breed, early socialization and obedience training are crucial for producing a happy and manageable adult dog. How To Train Labahoulas Given that these canines enjoy the water, teach them to swim at a young age. Although they will naturally know how to swim, you will need to teach them safety precautions and the behavior you want from them in the water. Spend time teaching your dog a variety of tricks and other skills as well. They get both mental and physical stimulation from this, which considerably enhances their happiness. Never reprimand your Labahoula or subject them to harsh training techniques because these dogs have a tendency to be extremely sensitive, which might result in undesirable behavior. Overall, using harsh punishment to train a dog is not a smart idea because it can be challenging to make sure the dog understands why they are being punished. Punishing your Labahoula puppy, for instance, if you find out it has urinated inside the house when you get home will make the puppy confused. It might be too far removed from the incident for it to remember that urinating on the floor led to the punishment. In the following part of the article, we will list some of the more common ones, in an attempt to educate you and give you a good idea of what to expect and how to prepare for it. Although it is a good idea to be aware of these circumstances, it is also likely that your dog will have a long and healthy life free of any major health problems. Hip Dysplasia And Elbow Dysplasia Hip and elbow dysplasia is a particularly prevalent medical condition. Your dog may experience pain and mobility problems as a result of this ailment, which manifests itself while they are still growing. A balanced diet and the right amount of exercise while the dog is still developing, are the best method to completely avoid the issue. Overworking puppies is one of the main risk factors for getting this illness. Despite having more energy than adults, Labahoula puppies should have less exercise because their bones are still growing. As a general guideline, until they are completely grown, give them five minutes of exercise every day for every month of their age. So, for example, a six-month-old puppy will need roughly 30 minutes of activity each day. Limber Tail Syndrome Limber Tail syndrome , also known as cold tail syndrome, cold water tail, limp tail, broken wag, or broken tail, is another disorder that Catahoula Lab mixes are more susceptible to experiencing than some other dog breeds. Once more, excessive exercise as a pup can increase the likelihood of this illness. This is especially true for activities that include a lot of tail activity, like swimming. Eye And Ear Disorders In Lab Catahoula mixes, sight and hearing issues are also fairly typical, and many dogs experience some loss of sight or hearing as they get older. Night blindness is frequently the initial indicator of an issue with their vision. If you see this, send your dog to the vet to determine whether they have cataracts, retinal atrophy , or another eye condition so they can get the right care. If this happens, teaching your dog hand signals from an early age can be helpful. More canines with white patches in their coats seem to have this problem. That is nearly identical to their Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog ancestors and slightly longer than that of their Labrador Retriever parents. This is due to their generally great health, and a high drive for physical and mental stimulation. These things keep their minds and bodies in good shape, which is the perfect foundation for a long and happy life. Additionally, due to something called hybrid vigor, some mixed breeds tend to have longer lifespans than purebred dogs. Lab Catahoula Mix Nutrition These dogs require a lot of dog food to maintain their health and have large appetites to match their large amounts of energy. Unfortunately, they struggle to recognize when they are full, which can lead to an urge to overeat or, in extreme cases, bloat. Never leave kibble out in the open, available for a Lab Catahoula mix; instead, provide them with frequent but smaller meals that are calorically balanced. Never give food from your plate or human food to dogs who have a tendency to overeat. This may make puppies more likely to overeat, make it harder to keep track of their caloric intake, and make them more likely to ask for food. Lab Catahoula Mix Exercise Despite being medium-sized canines, Lab Catahoula hybrids still need a lot of space to thrive. This is due to their high energy levels and propensity to constantly be doing something. This presents a challenge to them if they are confined to an apartment. If they have at least a small portion of outdoor space that they can call their own, they frequently flourish. Due to their high levels of physical and mental energy, Labahoulas require constant training and exercise to be happy and balanced. Not only that, it will also help them keep their weight in check and stave off obesity. The more active they are, the better. They should exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes each day. Lab Catahoula Mix Grooming Photo from: swiftthelab In more cases than not, dogs from the Labahoula mixed breed are fairly straightforward to groom and maintain. Brushing them once a week, or even once every two weeks, with a brush that is designed for their particular type of coat is usually more than enough. Bathing The breed does not require weekly cleaning and only requires bathing when absolutely necessary. If you need to trim them yourself, use a specialized dog nail trimmer or grinder. If your dog resists too much, there is always the option of sedating it. However, since they can be fertile ground for bacteria, infections, and just general wax and debris buildup, you should check them every month or so to make sure everything is okay. Considering adding a Lab Catahoula mix puppy to your family? If so, think about whether you are a good match for this specific crossbreed by asking yourself some specific questions. These high-energy dogs have a tendency to be always active, thus a small apartment will make them feel cramped. They often function best when they have some room at home to keep themselves occupied with something. Labahoulas are not just sociable dogs, they, in fact, need your company in order to thrive. If they are left alone for an extended amount of time , they may experience acute separation anxiety. Furthermore, these active dogs require a lot of exercise. They have to have the opportunity to exercise for at least an hour every day, and they will be happiest if they can go on weekend outdoor adventures with you. If your idea of a perfect weekend is laying on the couch and watching Netflix, Labahoulas may not be the best fit for you. These canines may have the propensity to chase and hunt smaller animals because of their Catahoula ancestry. Keep in mind that this will need to be a priority in training from a young age if you have other pets in your home. This is particularly the case if you have smaller animals, such as cats, bunnies, or hamsters. Final Thoughts Lab Catahoula mix dogs are intelligent and eager to learn, and they have the amiable demeanor of a Labrador. No matter how their traits blend, you can count on these dogs to be very active and to love running, playing, and swimming. They flourish when kept mentally and physically occupied, and if left alone for extended periods of time, they are prone to become frustrated. Although Lab Catahoula mixes require a lot of love and care, you will be rewarded with their friendly, devoted, and wise personalities. If you are considering getting yourself a family pet or just a companion dog for yourself, the Labahoula will not disappoint you, as they make absolutely great companions. Post navigation. The breeding of Labrador retriever and Catahoula leopard dogs resulted in a large breed with both of their personalities. The coat color and type are also inherited and can be a combination of the two parents. In terms of temperament, the mix inherited strong and energetic traits from both of its parents. The Catahoula parents give the fearless and protective personality while gentle and affectionate characteristics came from the Labrador. Since they are tender, being left alone will have a significant impact on its well-being. Make sure to always include your dog in family gatherings or activities to prevent it. There are considerations and questions about the breed since there are few recognition for the race. However, the Dogs Registry of America Inc. Labahoula Puppies For Sale If you wanted to buy a Labahoula puppy, never buy on online advertisements and stores. Social media groups that sell puppies are also not advisable. These kinds of stores offer puppies at a low cost, but they mistreat its parents and the pups often have serious problems. While the breeding process improves overall traits of the puppy, a parent with serious health problems may pass it to its puppies. Before purchasing a puppy, make sure that you browsed the internet in reputable Labahoula breeders. If possible, try to take a tour of their facility to see their work ethics. This movement is to stop the wrong treatment of some breeding facilities. Due to its short and standard dense coat type, there are no professional grooming services needed for your dog. Brushing its fur two to three times a week is advisable to keep its hair perfectly clean. Your dog can take a bath whenever he played, and he got dirty or whenever necessary. However, keep in mind that excessive bathing will lead to dry skin and you should avoid that. You need to check the ears, mouth, and feet area to avoid possible wounds and infections. Clean your dog ears regularly to avoid too much wax in its ears that can cause partial deafness and potential infections. Also, brush its teeth at least twice a week to keep it in perfect shape and to prevent dental diseases. Injuries and nail breakages allow entry of soil-borne bacteria that eventually lead to foot infections. Catahoula crossed with Lab Health Problems Being a hybrid between two breeds of dog does not mean that a puppy will inherit only the excellent characteristics. Inbreeding processes, a puppy can also inherit serious health problems that their parents encountered before. In this case, you need to make sure that the facility you got your puppy uses genetic testing. Genetic testing will enable you to determine possible health issues before your puppy suffers from it. For starters, here are some common health problems that your Labahoula can get: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Dysplasia is a condition in which the joints of a dog is affected. Although all dogs tend to have these conditions, larger dogs are more prone to it. In a Catahoula lab mix, dysplasia happens in the elbow and hip areas. This condition gives extreme pain and joint arthritis to those who experience it. The dysplasia also affects the overall walking capability of a Catahoula lab mix. A sporting dog like Labrador Retrievers often suffers from this condition. Since Labrador is one of the parents of a Labahoula, the mix possibly inherits the disease. While there are no definite reasons why this condition happens, veterinarians believe that overexertion can be one. Exercises like swimming, which uses a lot of tail action, can cause cold tail episodes on your dog. However, scientists and veterinarians concluded that the color has some association with this condition. Veterinarians found out that white-colored dogs often suffer from congenital deafness. Not all white dogs have this condition, and not all dogs who have congenital deafness are white. In Labahoula, dogs who have a heavy white spots markings in its coats are most likely to suffer from deafness. Behavioral changes are observable in dogs with congenital deafness. Retinas are responsible for absorbing and reflecting light, which enables organisms to see clearly. PRA slowly damages the retina until the dog will suffer complete blindness. The first symptom of PRA is night blindness that inflicts harder navigation at night or in dark places. Bumping to furniture and walls also is one of the symptoms of this condition. When these symptoms are becoming observable, consult a veterinarian about diagnosing it correctly. The lens often suffers from imperfection and opacity and appear as greyish or cloudy. If left untreated, cataract causes lifetime blindness. High blood sugar level speeds up the onset of cataract. However, a Catahoula lab mix has a chance to inherit this condition from its parents. Ear infections: There are a lot of things that cause ear infections in dogs. Bacteria and viruses are the top causes of ear infections in dogs that causes excess itching. There are also cases where wax accumulation and excess moisture cause infections. Since a Catahoula lab mix has floppy ears, you need to check and clean its ears to avoid contamination regularly. Catahoula crossed with Lab Food Requirements Labradors Catahoulas have a medium to large size of body and are energetic, so you need to feed your dog to support its energy level. However, you need to consider that a Catahoula lab mix tends to overeat. You also need to prevent this overeating since being overweight or obese affects the mobility of your dog. In terms of consumption, three to five cups of dog food are the regular intake you need to give to your Labahoula. Keep in mind that you need to portion out those cups of dog food to prevent your dog from overeating. Make the food you give your Labahoula age-appropriate. Munching on puppy food brands in their youth and feasting on the best senior dry dog food in their golden years will provide all the nutrients they need. Since a Catahoula lab mix tends to suffer from dysplasia, glucosamine can be a great additive in your dog food. Dog For Dog Food: The product contains animal proteins and glucosamine, which supports nutrients and joint health, respectively. The ingredients of the product also make it highly digestible for your dog. Lab mixed with Catahoula Exercise Requirements Catahoula lab mix requires regular exercise and training since it has an energetic personality. A long walk, jog, or run will be perfect for your dog as a form of exercise. These exercises keep your dog healthy not only physically, but mentally, too. Here are some toys and products to keep your dog attention during training: Spiky Core Ball Toys: A Catahoula lab mix enjoys playing fetch or playing around with a ball around your backyard. However, every dog tends to overbite their toys and result in a broken one. This product comes with the shape of corn that makes your dog curious about it. Jumbo Tennis Ball: Since your dog loves playing with a ball, increase its intensity by playing with this product. Jumbo tennis ball is three times larger than the regular one. Your dog will surely enjoy playing and chasing it within your backyard. However, make sure that your yard has a fence to prevent your dog from wandering outside. Catahoula mixed with Labrador Traning Both Labradors and Catahoulas are intelligent dogs, so training your Labahoula is not difficult. Here are some notes to keep in training your Labahoula: Train your puppy as early as possible to allow it to socialize among other animals. Labradors Catahoulas tend to be aggressive to smaller animals if not trained. You need to train your puppy with obedience exercises for it to follow your commands in the future. In training your dog, never chain them since it will give them stress. Chaining your dog will stress it and causes possible aggression and disobedience. You can teach your dog to swim. Labahoula dogs have a great ability to swim and belong to the best swimmers breed. If you are a swimmer, including swimming exercises as a part of the training is a good thing to do. Give him occasional treats and rewards to motivate it. Its sweet and energetic nature allow it to participate in your adventures. The gentle and loving personality of a Labahoula makes it a great addition to a family with children. The mix would love to play with them and guard them if they need protection. However, you need to ensure that you have ample space in your house or backyard if you want to adopt or to buy a Labahoula. A Catahoula lab mix would be a great companion for you and your family. Treat your dog like one of your family members and make sure that they receive the love they deserved. References: Slaughter, John. Catahoula: Louisiana State Dog. University of Louisisana at Lafayette Press, .Walton, Joel, and Eve Adamson. Labrador Retrievers for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, .Clearly, Labahoulas have some exciting qualities. In fact, the Labrador even comes in distinctly English and American types now, although they both belong to the same breed. Originally the quintessential gundog breed, Labs today are just as likely to be found working as service dogs or living as pets and companion animals. Meanwhile, Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dogs as we know them today started out in surprise, surprise Louisiana. Breeders wanted a dog which was talented at herding sheep and hunting wild boar, but also calm around the home and good with children. Since Catahoulas are relatively rare outside the southern states of the U. When breeders cross them on purpose, they might be hoping the puppies inherit particular traits from each parent. Labradors grow .Their thick double coat is short, and traditionally either black, chocolate, or yellow. Catahoulas grow inches tall, and weigh anything from lbs. Their single coat is short or medium in length, and comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. Unsurprisingly coats with a clear spotted pattern are particularly desirable. Predictable Purebred Appearances So as you can see, Labradors are much more uniform in appearance than Catahoulas! Uniform appearance tends to be the result of breeding dogs to meet a written breed standard for show. What About The Labahoula? When Catahoula Lab puppies are born, they could take very much after one parent, or take on a mix of Lab and Catahoula features. Everything from their color, their silhouette, and furrow of their brow could be very much like one breed, or somewhere on a spectrum between the two. Even within a single litter, there can be a lot of physical differences between one puppy and the next. Labahoulas can be as petite as the smallest Catahoula 40lbs or as big as the biggest Catahoula lbs. The most accurate way to predict how much puppies will grow is to take a look at their parents. A large Lab and a large Catahoula will have hefty puppies, and of course the opposite is true of two small individuals. Labs and Catahoulas are also both sexually dimorphic. Catahoula Leopard dogs are a bit more complex. They were originally bred for hunting, herding, and guarding. So they have a high prey drive, and a more deeply ingrained instinct to be wary of unfamiliar people. Herding dogs also need to work at a distance from their owner. So they tend to be confident making their own choices and less likely to look to their owner for cues about what to do next. Outside of a herding setting, this can feel more like resistance to training. On the other hand, it was important for early Catahoula breeders that their dogs could come home with them in the evening, and interact safely with their families. So they do tend to have very even temperaments, and be patient with children. Labahoula Personality What does all this mean for the Labahoula? Even their personality as a puppy is not a reliable predictor of their grown up temperament. Then ask yourself, would you be happy with a puppy that has any mix of these traits? Socialization is important for all dogs — even Labs, who we think of as being naturally confident anyway. Socializing a Catahoula Lab mix is especially important because Catahoulas are not naturally receptive to meeting strangers. Inadequate socialization can result in a Labahoula who reacts with fear-based aggression to unfamiliar people, dogs or sounds. Training And Exercising Your Catahoula Lab Mix Labradors were originally sporting dogs, and due to years of selective breeding, most modern Labs are highly motivated to work closely alongside people. This means they typically respond very well to force free training techniques. What About Catahoulas? Meanwhile, Catahoulas have been traditionally prized as herding dogs. Catahoula dogs can also learn from force free, positive reinforcement training. So all Catahoula Lab mix dogs will benefit from opportunities to take part in activities which work their brains — like gundog training, scent work or herding trials. Labahoula Puppy Training Before all that though, puppies have to start with the basics of behaving correctly in a human home. For example, potty training, and crate training. Both of these breeds have bags of stamina, so that they can work all day long without flagging. So Labahoulas will also need at least two hours of exercise a day. In this respect they make great companions for cyclists, joggers, runners, and hikers. Labradors and Catahoulas, like all purebred dogs, are particularly vulnerable to some hereditary diseases which have become fixed at a high frequency in their pedigree. Labrador Health.

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poodle mix puppies for sale los angeles - Nov 19, German shepherds are very beautiful dogs that are also very expressive. One behavior that is adorable to watch them do is a head tilt. Many German shepherds start tilting their head as a young puppy. Even before their fuzzy ears are up, they will rock their little heads back and forth in the most amusing way. As their ears grow, their head tilts just keep getting more adorable. As they tilt their head, they will often sport many different facial expressions that makes them look as though they are thinking hard or asking a question. As a German shepherd owner, you may have learned some of the things that will trigger your shepherd to tilt their head and be able to anticipate when the tilt is coming. You might even be able to trigger them to do it for you. Often a certain sound, such as a particular voice you speak in, a noise, or even when they are concentrating on something will cause them to tilt their head. Have you ever wondered why German shepherds tilt their head more than some other breeds? It is believed that German shepherds tilt their head to capture and decipher more sound. They Tilt Their Head to Pin Point Sound German shepherds were built for hearing and their ears are in the perfect upright position to maximize the reception of sound. IG ragnar. IG penny. Dogs can also detect softer sounds than people can. The loudness or intensity of a sound is measured in decibels and some sounds too quiet for people to hear. Those sounds are given a negative decibel rating. IG lex. But they will also tilt their head at sounds people can hear, too. At times, German shepherds may also tilt their head for reasons other than capturing sound. Often, they will tilt if they have a medical problem, such as a stroke, ear infection, or dirt or debris in their ear. So, if you see them tiling their head at odd times or walking with their head tilted, you should check with your vet. Some owners believe that German shepherds will also tilt their head for other reasons other than capturing sound. These may include: Paying attention to their owner Looking past their muzzle When they are trying to decipher meaning Trying to communicate IG hello. We hope you enjoy this article, please feel free to pass it along to your friends. And we all know that German shepherd head tilt is one of the cutest gestures they can do. But have you ever wondered why dogs tilt their heads? For all we know, there might be disturbing facts about German shepherd head tilt. After all, German shepherds tilt their heads more often than with other breeds. There are actually many people that made theories behind this behavior. Some involve hearing, while others are concerned with vision. So read this blog post and learn about the possible reasons behind German shepherd head tilts so you can be sure of what to do when you encounter the behavior again. Because German shepherds have a particularly better sense of hearing than most breeds. Not only that, but they can also pinpoint the source of a certain sound. When German shepherds concentrate on locating the source of the sound, they tend to tilt their heads. Just like with radios of sorts, they need to adjust the position of their ears so they can perfectly hear the sound. Contrary to common belief, German shepherds try to understand what you say despite having different languages. A prime example of these gestures is hand signals. As previously said, German shepherds are intelligent. One of the ways to communicate with their owners is head tilting. Take note, however, that German shepherd head tilts can mean different things depending on the situation. A recent study discovered that those with flat faces and big mouths are the ones that often do head tilts. Presence of Ear Problems This might be the most serious case of German shepherd head tilts. It is known that head tilting is one of the signs of ear problems or infections. This complicates things since you may find it difficult to separate German shepherd head tilts involved with ear problems and those that are not. You can distinguish between the two with these following signs: Tilting their head repeatedly in an abnormal rate have a high likelihood of having ear problems. Head tilts without communicating with you or without any strange sounds can also mean your German shepherd has ear problems. You were shown six possible reasons behind head tilts. You even learned about the issue with ear problems. But look at the bright side, it may also be just a simple habit of your dog. The bottom line is, you are now aware of the reasons why dogs tilt their heads. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. There can be a number of reasons why dogs do the head tilt, but the most likely reason is that you are reinforcing the behavior in your dog. But their regal heads and tall, cocked ears definitely make the head tilt look more pronounced and deliberate. We will talk much more about this and other reasons in this article. Watch a German Shepherd Do the Head Tilt Just in case you are brand new to German Shepherds and you are not quite sure what all the fuss is about, you can watch this YouTube video of two adorable German Shepherds tilting their heads. These reasons are not mutually exclusive. Your dog may actually tilt their head for all kinds of different reasons depending on what is going on at that time. Reason 1: You think it is cute and respond positively How do you react when you see your German Shepherd doing the head tilt? Do you run to get your camera to take a picture or video? Do you drop whatever you were just doing and devote your full attention to your dog? If you were your German Shepherd, all of these behaviors would likely be good enough reasons to do the head tilt again and again. They could be having trouble because of a medical issue as we will talk about in the next few sections here. Or they could simply be evaluating your body language , tone, facial expression, or other cues from every different angle. While this period of evaluation might look to you like your cute dog is just tilting their adorable head, your dog may be using their senses to pick up extra cues to take their direction on what to do next from you. Reason 3: Your dog has an ear infection One commonly overlooked possible reason for why a dog might tilt their head is because they have an ear infection or ear mites. While you are more likely to see your dog tilt their head to rub their ears on something because they itch, you may also see the head tilt happen if there is fluid build-up or infection in the ear causing swelling in the ear canal and trouble hearing. Reason 4: Your dog is having trouble hearing well Speaking of trouble hearing, sometimes a German Shepherd may cock their head to one side to pick up frequencies or to gather more information about what they may be hearing. Dogs can hear very well and use their hearing not just to detect the source of a sound but also its location, distance, and threat potential. When your German Shepherd cocks their head, this may help the ears communicate a lot more information about what they are hearing from you or around you. Reason 5: Your dog is having trouble seeing clearly Still, another frequently overlooked reason why some German Shepherds may cock or tilt their head is due to vision needs. One canine biologist hypothesized in Psychology Today that dogs with longer muzzles, like the German Shepherd for instance, may do more head tilt behaviors because they are trying to see without having their own muzzle blocking what they see. In this study, the biologist noted that more owners with long muzzle-type dog breeds said their dogs frequently tilted their heads. This is another possible reason why it might be important for your German Shepherd to tilt their head to try to get the best and clearest view of what they are looking at. So when your German Shepherd tilts their head and makes those mournful puppy dog eyes at you, it is likely not a coincidence. But it all gets a lot more interesting when you start to look at why your particular dog tilts their head at you. Now that you have a deeper understanding of the current theories about why dogs tilt their heads at their people, you can start to take a closer look at when your German Shepherd does this and what it might be linked to. Does your dog want treats? Is it almost time for dinner or their evening walk? Is your dog trying to work out a particular tone in your voice or a look on your face? Do you have something yummy that smells delicious and your dog wants to try it? Could it be your dog is frustrated because you are patting the family cat? These are all interesting questions to ponder as you and your dog continue to get to know each other better. You may even want to jot down what happened just before you looked up to see your dog tilting their head at you to start to connect the dots. When to Have Your Dog Checked By Your Veterinarian Earlier here we mentioned that sometimes the head tilt behavior may actually be due to medical issues with vision, hearing, or discomforts such as infection. This can be particularly important to know about if your German Shepherd is in their senior years of life, a time when eye cataracts, skin and ear infection or hearing loss can be more common for many dog breeds. Dogs may not have human language abilities — although it sure would be wonderful if they did! The more you can learn about all the different reasons your dog may do the head tilt, the better you and your dog can talk to each other about what you each want and need. His gait exhibits diagonal movement, i. The limbs, therefore, must be so similarly proportioned to one another, i. Every tendency toward over-angulation of the rear quarters diminishes soundness and endurance. The correct proportions of height to length and corresponding length of the leg bones results in a ground-eating gait that is low to the ground and imparts an impression of effortless progression. With his head thrust forward and a slightly raised tail, a balanced and even trotter will have a topline that falls in moderate curves from the tip of the ears over the neck and level back through the tip of the tail. Temperament, Character and Abilities Sound nerves, alertness, self-confidence, trainability, watchfulness, loyalty and incorruptibility, as well as courage, fighting drive and hardness, are the outstanding characteristics of a purebred German Shepherd Dog. They make his suitable to be a superior working dog in general, and in particular to be a guard, companion, protection and herding dog. His ample scenting abilities, added to his conformation as a trotter, make it possible for him to quietly and surely work out a track without bodily strain and with his nose close to the ground. This makes him highly useful as a multipurpose track and search dog. In general appearance, it should be dry with moderate breadth between the ears. The forehead when viewed from the front or side is only slightly arched. It should be without a center furrow or with only a slightly defined furrow. The cheeks form a gentle curve laterally without protrusion toward the front. The width of the skull should correspond approximately to the length of the skull. Also, a slight oversize in the case of males or undersize in the case of females is not objectionable. The muzzle is strong; the lips are firm and dry and close tightly. The bridge of the nose is straight and runs nearly parallel with the plane of the forehead. Dentition Dentition must be healthy, strong and complete 42 teeth, 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw. The German Shepherd Dog has a scissors bite, e. An undershot or overshot bite if faulty, as are large gaps between the teeth. A level bite is faulty, as the incisors close on a straight line. The jaws must be strongly developed so that the teeth may be deeply rooted. Ears The ears are of medium size, wide at the base and set high. They taper to a point and are carried facing forward and vertically the tips not inclined toward each other. Tipped, cropped and hanging ears are rejected. Ears drawn toward each other greatly impair the general appearance. The ears of puppies and young dogs sometiems drop or pull toward each other during the teething period, which can last until six months of age and sometimes longer. Many dogs draw their ears back during motion or at rest. This is not faulty. Eyes The eyes are of medium size, almond shaped, somewhat slanting and not protruding. The color of the eyes should blend with the color of the coat. They should be as dark as possible. They should have a lively, intelligent and self-confident expression. Neck The neck should be strong with well-developed muscles and without looseness of the throat skin dewlaps. The neck is carried at an angle of about 45 degrees to the horizontal. It is carried higher when excited and lower when trotting. Body The body length of the german shepherd should exceed the height at the withers. Dogs with a short, square or tall build are undesirable. The underchest should be as long as possible and pronounced. The ribs should be well formed and long, neither barrel shaped nor too flat. They should reach the sternum, which is at the same level as the elbows. A correctly formed rib cage allows the elbows freedom of movement when the dogs trots. A too round rib cage disrupts the motion of the elbows and causes them to turn out. A too flat rib cage draws the elbows in toward one another. The rib cage extends far back so that the loins are relatively short. The abdomen is moderately tucked up. The back, including the loins, is straight and strongly developed yet not too long between the withers and the croup. The withers must be long and high, sloping slightly from front to rear, defined against the back into which it gently blends without breaking the topline. The loins must be wide, strong and well muscled. The croup is long and slightly angled approximately 23 degrees. The ileum and the sacrum are the foundation bones of the croup. Short, steep or flat croups are undesirable. Tail The tail is bushy and should reach at least to the hock joint but not beyond the middle of the hocks. Sometimes the tail forms a hook to one side at its end, though this is undesirable. At rest the tail is carried in a gentle downward curve, but when the dog is excited or in motion, it is curved more and carried higher. The tail should never be raised past the vertical. The tail, therefore, should not be carried straight or curled over the back. Docked tails are inadmissible. Forequarters The shoulder blade should be long with an oblique placement the angle at 45 degrees and lying flat against the body. The upper arm joins the shoulder blade in an approximate right angle. The upper arm as well as the shoulder must be strong and well muscled. The forearm must be straight when viewed from all sides. The bones of the uppper arm and forearm are more oval than round. The pasterns should be firm but neither too steep nor too down in pastern Approximately 20 degrees. The elbows must be neither turned in nor turned out. Hindquarters The thigh is broad and well muscled. The upper thigh bone when viewed from the side joins the only slightly longer lower thigh bone at an angle of approximately degrees. The angulation corresponds roughly to the forequarter angulation without being overangulated. The hock joint is strong and firm. The hock is strong and forms a firm joint with the lower thigh. The entire hindquarters must be strong and well muscled to be capable of carrying the body effortlessly forward during motion. Feet The feet are relatively round, short, tightly formed and arched. The pads are very hard, but not chapped. The nails are short, strong and of a dark color. Dewclaws sometime appear on the hind legs and should be removed within the first few days of birth. Color The color of a german shepherd should be black with regular markings in brown, tan to light gray, also with a black saddle, dark sable black cover on a gray or light brown case with corresponding lighter marks , black, uniform gray or with light or brown markings. Small white markings on the forechest or a very light color on the insides of the legs are permissible though not desired. The nose must be black with all coat colors. Dogs with little or no masks, yellow or strikingly light eyes, light markings on the chest and insides of the legs, white nails and a red tip of the tail or washed out weak colors are considered lacking in pigment. The undercoat or base hair is always light gray, with the exception of that on black dogs. The individual hairs are straight, coarse and lying flat against the body. The coat is short on the head inclusive of the ears, the front of the legs, the feet and the toes but longer and thicker on the neck. The hair grows longer on the back of the fore- and hind legs as far down as the pastern and the hock joint, forming moderate breeching on the thighs. A too short or molelike coat is faulty. The long smooth coated German Shepherd Dog The individual hairs are longer, not always straight and above all not lying close to the body. The coat is considerably longer inside and behind the ears, on the back of the forearm and usually in the loin area. The breeching along the thigh is long and thick. The tail is bushy with slight feathering underneath. With the long smooth coated German Shepherd Dog, a narrow chest and narrow overstretched muzzle are frequently found. The long coated German Shepherd Dog The coat is considerably longer than that of the long-smooth-coat. It is generally very soft and forms a parting along the back. The undercoat will be found in the region of the loins or will not be present at all. A long coat is greatly diminished in weatherproofing and utility and therefore is undesirable. Faults Faults include anything that impairs working versatility, endurance and working competency, especially lack of sex characteristics and temperament traits contrary to the German Shepherd Dog such as apathy, weak nerves or overexcitability, shyness; lack of vitality or willingness to work; monorchids and cryptorchids and testicles too small; a soft or flabby constitution and a lack of substance; fading pigment; blues, albinos with complete lack of pigmentation, e.

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poodle mix puppies for sale los angeles - Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Do you want to learn how to exhaust a German Shepherd to tire them out so you can stop feeling worn out and stressed? So, how do they do it? They use essential dog skills, which you can learn easily right here. Below, I will show you exactly how to exhaust a German Shepherd even a puppy to not only tire them out… But to calm them down, too. German Shepherds have one of the highest exercise needs and are considered not only athletic but highly intelligent. These two traits, coupled together, make for a breed that may seem hyper and overactive. Some might even refer to their dog as having ADHD. Instead, they probably need a more creative daily routine to help them meet their breed-specific needs. Can you teach your German Shepherd how to be calm? Calm is hard to train a German Shepherd to perform on command. Being calm is a learned behavior that takes time to master and requires daily interaction and ongoing training to perfect. How to Exhaust a German Shepherd Learning how to tire out and exhaust a German Shepherd is a process that you can learn. But it does require time, effort, and grit. Stick with the program for a few months to see the best effects. Your German Shepherd is a well-muscled athlete whose body structure is designed for endurance. Think you can outrun and outdistance your German Shepherd? Never forget that your dog is first and foremost an athlete and must be challenged regularly and exercised in a variety of ways daily. Instead of focusing on walking your German Shepherd, consider all of the options you can introduce to your working breed dog. Follow these steps for a rounded exercise plan: For puppies, let them enjoy off-leash exploration in your yard or use a long line leash in a safe area and encourage them to explore at least 20 minutes daily For adults, try hill walking to increase muscle, or using fallen logs, tree stumps, and other natural obstacles and having your dog move around and jump over them to improve coordination and balance Find a physical game your dog loves, such as tug, and play it for an extra 15 minutes in the morning and evening Offer them mind games, described below, to have them use up their mental energy Find new activities to enjoy together with your German Shepherd, such as backyard agility or dog parkour You can create a breed-based exercise program that includes a variety of physical movements, like the German Shepherd exercise routine found here , to help you learn new exercises that engage your dog. When they master one of the mind games, you can increase the difficulty with a different and harder challenge. Exhausting their mind through mental challenges encourages calm, thoughtful play. Playing mind games also includes: reduces boredom are great for small spaces are perfect for bad weather days increase confidence and problem-solving skills Mental stimulation and mental exercise are best played 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 10 minutes each session. Add in a mental enrichment session in the morning before you leave for the day and after their last walk to help calm them down for the evening. Wondering what mind games your dog will like? Or, how about learning how to play these fun mind games for German Shepherds to reduce boredom? You can always find new toys your German Shepherd will love for some exciting games together! Step 3: Let them sniff to calm themselves. Are you guilty of pulling your German Shepherd along on their leash outside, rushing them through the routine, and hurrying them along? Did you know that sniffing is exhausting work for your German Shepherd because they have to mentally process the source of the smell? Compared to the meager 5 million olfactory receptors in our human nose, German Shepherds have around million scent receptors source! Sniff to Calm Routine Try adding in more time to simply let your dog sniff and enjoy the smells around them. Try this sniffing routine to help calm a hyper German Shepherd: Set aside at least 15 minutes of your walk for sniffing. You can split this time during the beginning, middle, or end of the walk as you see fit. You can even visit a new path or trail to allow your dog to follow their nose for different scents. If you want to let your dog off-leash to sniff but keep them safe and close, then consider using a long line leash that allows your German Shepherd to sniff around freely while staying safe and nearby. Step 4: Encourage appropriate daily chewing. Chewing is actually beneficial to hyper, overexcited German Shepherds that need to calm down. Kong toys to the rescue! When they become too hyper, focus their attention on the Kong toy. I love to keep multiple stuffed Kong toys in my freezer. Freezing the Kongs increases the time it takes for my German Shepherd to earn her meal, so she stays calmer for longer, and working for her food tires her out. Feed your German Shepherd from a Kong toy for at least 1 of their daily meals to give them an outlet for their hyper energy. This is one of the daily essentials that I use to help exhaust my German Shepherd. Kong toys for German Shepherds are an essential item when tiring out your dog. The guide not only shows the most durable Kong toys, so you spend less money, but also the exact ways to use the Kong to prevent and lessen unwanted behavior issues. If you want an even more chewing variety, then choose from this list of German Shepherd Toys for Bored Chewers. Step 5: Build and practice new tricks and training skills. Or, do they only know their commands inside the house? Do you train your German Shepherd daily? Spend at least 10 minutes a day, preferably broken up into smaller minute fragments spread throughout the day, working on polishing up their old skills and learning new tricks. If you need a refresher on the basics, you can get step-by-step instructions here: German Shepherd beginner obedience at home. Even more tiring for your German Shepherd? Take them to different, safe areas on a leash, work on what they know, and see how well they perform. Start in your home, then try different rooms, in the backyard, front yard, or while on your daily walks. You can then see what you can polish up or add to their skill set. The German Shepherd is a dog built for endurance, athleticism, and tireless work. Every week, you add just a few more minutes of running to your routine. The same is true for trying to tire your German Shepherd through physical exercise alone. What adding more exercise does is simply build a more powerful and athletic German Shepherd. Your German Shepherd is more than a well-oiled athletic machine. Give all their senses a workout to truly tire out your German Shepherd. The best way to exhaust a German Shepherd depends on their age, health, and unique personality. But, as a general rule, you can use the following exercise formula to help you exhaust and tire out your German Shepherd. Adult healthy German Shepherds need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical exercise, but most adult German Shepherds do best with minutes of exercise, split throughout the day. This time should include about 15 to 30 minutes of high-intensity physical activity, such as tug or off-leash running. Also, include at least 15 to 30 minutes of mental activity and brain training, a daily chewing session preferably with a food-filled frozen Kong. And last but definitely NOT least, set aside 15 to 20 minutes of your day or longer to enjoy one-on-one time with your German Shepherd to help them bond with you. Exhausting and tiring out your German Shepherd means a complete and balanced routine that you perform daily over a long period of time. Consider that your German Shepherd puppy might not need you to exhaust them if they seem too hyper and wound up. Puppies need lots of sleep and rest and may act wild, crazy, and uncontrollable when what they really need is a quiet place to rest and get a nap. Always give your puppy the opportunity to find a place where they can rest, away from the bustle of the family. Many German Shepherd puppy owners have had success feeding their dogs a stuffed Kong in their crates or beds when they have a lot of energy, which encourages calmness and helps them to tire while in their resting place. Try giving your hyper German Shepherd puppy a frozen Kong to help with teething and give them an outlet for their hyper energy or a way to help calm themselves and drift off to sleep. Running your puppy while their bones are not fully fused can cause lifelong damage and put them in pain. Your German Shepherd puppy needs the right amount and type of exercise for their age. Examples of good exercise for German Shepherd puppies include: playing with other dogs and puppies of similar energy levels while supervised self-directed play indoors and out in safe areas short walks that gradually lengthen over time, preferably on grass As your puppy grows, you can slowly introduce more activities, such as going up and down stairs, jumping onto soft surfaces, and swimming. Try the following routine when looking for safe exercises for your German Shepherd puppy. The workouts listed in the post work on the essential physical movements your puppy needs to master while protecting his or her soft joints. There are more fun games to tire out your German Shepherd here you might miss out on! A properly stuffed and frozen food-filled Kong can keep a dog busy for minutes or more while tiring out their minds. And puzzle games will provide your German Shepherd with a way to work out when the weather is less than ideal to release some of their energy and improve their problem-solving skills. In other words: Tiring out and calming a German Shepherd requires a healthy balance of both mind and body exercise. Knowing how to exhaust a German Shepherd means thinking smarter, not harder. Spend time not only with physical movements but also with mental enrichment, as well as their innate desire to chew and sniff. While it takes some time to see the benefits of adding these tips into your daily life, the new routine will give you more freedom with your German Shepherd and help prevent annoying behaviors. They might seem tired the first few days, but German Shepherds have extraordinary athletic abilities and are known for their quickness to adapt. The end result of all your running and jogging? A German Shepherd is capable of learning almost anything, even being calm. How awesome is that? Catherine Krasavin, BS Hons. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Mar 10, German shepherd dogs are an active breed. If you live with one, you know what we mean. As working dogs, they are high energy and have lots of brain power, too. And even then, as long as they have the ability, they still love to have fun and play well into their senior years. Since German shepherds were bred to work all day, they have lots of stamina. Built for herding and guarding livestock, they have plenty of energy to burn. They can easily get destructive, frustrated, develop anxieties, and even get depressed. Bored German shepherds are unfulfilled, unhappy dogs. The age a German shepherd begins to slow down is unique to the individual dog. The energy level expended in these sessions will lessen as the dog ages, their physical condition declines, or they develop orthopedic problems, etc. By the time a German shepherd reaches 8 — 10 years old, they are usually content to play, roam around the yard, go for a short walk, enjoy the outdoors, or go for a car ride. Taking them out for several short sessions several times a day is better than 1 — 2 long sessions. Some experts suggest exercising your puppy 5 minutes for each month of age several times per day. So, if your puppy is 4 months old, you would go for a minute walk several times a day rather than one power walk for an hour. Training Training your puppy will also help tire them out. You can also burn off energy by reinforcing training throughout the day. By doing things like having your puppy sit and wait for food, sit at the door before they go outside, or sit before you hand them a toy, you can work in the type of training that will also help calm them down. By exposing your puppy to new people, places, scents, noises, and animals, you will help them grow up into a confident dog that is free from fear and anxiety while burning up some of that puppy energy. Things like stuffed Kongs, puzzle toys, chew toys, snuffle mats, games, problem-solving like finding treats , scented toys, and more are all fun and help burn off steam so they can relax. Teach your Puppy to Relax or Settle Down Did you know you can also teach your puppy to relax and settle down? But, at the end of the day, your puppy can learn to chill out for a while. You can do this by marking calm behavior with a verbal command. Other tips for calming a high-energy puppy include: Crate training Confining to an exercise pen Mental games, such as sniffing and finding things Treat dispensing toys Switching out toys Calming the environment To recap, German shepherds, are working dogs that have lots of energy. They will be active from the day they come home and remain so well into their adult years years old. The age they begin to slow down depends upon the dog, their overall health, breeding, drive, etc. You can expect your adult dog to start becoming calmer around 6 years old. But even senior dogs continue to enjoy activities that they are physically able to do. After all those needs are met, you can teach your puppy how to relax and be calm. We hope you found this information helpful. As always, please feel free to share with your friends. If a hyper dog gives you anxiety, it could make your dog even more agitated. Some of the things you can do to signal your calm demeanor are as follows: Lower your voice — Speaking in a low baritone makes your calmness more noticeable to a German Shepherd. Minimize physical movement — Do not wave your arms or move too much when getting your GSD to calm down. Your physical stillness can inspire internal peace in your dog. The goal of you being calm and showing it to your German Shepherd is to get him to control the excess energy. But if you do this step right, step 2 will be safer. In either case, your dog is not in an ideal state to exercise around the public. As long as you have a backyard, you can let the German Shepherd Dog run around, exhaust at least some of his pent-up energy, and then take him on a long walk. But if you have the German Shepherd as an apartment dog and neglect his exercise, getting him to calm down safely can be rough. Look into getting him a physically engaging dog toy and let him play with it while you sit next to him, calm as a cucumber. Do Not Reward Hyper Behavior German Shepherd puppies are cute and manageable, making owners inadvertently condition them to be hyper. When you come back home, your dog is likely to be excited. Your puppy might jump on you, and you might pat him. This transaction rewards the dog for being hyper, reinforcing the behavior. And as the puppy grows, you have to reckon with the consequences of having a large dog trained to be over-energetic. Treat your German Shepherd puppy as a fully grown large dog when setting boundaries. And regardless of whether your GSD is a puppy or an adult, you can always start holding back on rewarding behavior when the dog is hyper. Usually, attention is the unintentional reward humans give when a dog is hyper. To avoid rewarding a German Shepherd for being too energetic, you should ignore him when he starts acting up. Reward the Dog With Attention For Being Calm If you ignore your German Shepherd unless he is barking or displaying hyper behavior, you might unintentionally incentivize him to be more excitable. Even negative attention can be satisfying to a GSD that is usually ignored. And when a large dog crosses a certain threshold of hyperactivity, you cannot afford to ignore it. When All Else Fails: Use Calming Products As mentioned earlier, rewarding the dog while progressively getting calmer can instill the importance of being relaxed in your canine. If all of the previous natural techniques fail, you can try calming products. Usually, these products are meant to help the dog feel less anxious around loud noises like thunder or fireworks or help with separation anxiety and travel sickness. Some of the most effective calming products on Amazon for GSDs are: Zesty Paws Calming Dog Chews — Calming chews work unbelievably on German Shepherds because they have over 40x the scent perception capacity as humans. These soft chews help with hyperactive and aggressive behavior. It releases oxytocin and helps the dog calm down when it is anxious. This study of 32 dogs found that aromatherapy diffused lavender odor for canine travel-induced excitement calmed the dogs down. Speak with a low baritone voice and drawn-out words to soothe the dog and reward him for calming down. You may use products like a calming jacket, scent, or calming chews if needed. Above all, the most healthy way to calm your GSD is to spend time with him and give him plenty of exercise to exhaust that excess energy. This gives you a visual guide to how you can teach your dog to master the same types of skills. This helpful YouTube video by a positive methods dog trainer walks you through how to train a German Shepherd to calm down on a mat or inside a kennel using clicker training, As part of this method, they also use treats and playtime for rewards. This German Shepherd owner forum clearly highlights just how surprised some new, first-time GSD owners can be when their puppy keeps on growing up and the energy level stays at puppyhood level! Herding dog breeds are accustomed to putting forth high energy output often for many hours at a stretch. Their job duties include keeping a herd of livestock together and accounted for and defending the herd against predators. The dog always needs to be on high alert against stragglers or predators. It is true that an older GSD may experience a natural slowdown due to advancing age. But with German Shepherd puppies, you can expect them to exhibit the characteristic intense focus and drive to work that this breed is known for. While some ranchers still do employ dogs in this type of job, the vast majority of herding dogs are now in demand in other types of fields. For the German Shepherd, the main types of jobs these dogs do today include the following: Police and personal protection duty. Guard dog and military dog duty. Search and rescue duty. Nose work and scent work. Hunting and tracking. Guide dog and service animal work. Other great avenues to give your GSD an outlet to burn up that considerable daily drive and energy include these: Canine athletics such as dock diving, herding, agility. Schutzhund training a perfect choice for German Shepherds. Obedience, Rally, and show dog competitions. You can also simply involve your German Shepherd in your own athletic activities. If you lead an active lifestyle, your dog will enjoy accompanying you for sure. However, here you need to keep in mind that, as a large dog breed, the German Shepherd dog can take longer to grow up and mature than a smaller dog breed will. It can take up to 14 months or longer for these plates to close permanently. You will need to wait for a confirmation X-ray to know for sure that the growth plates are closed and it is safe to enroll your dog in vigorous sports or go on extended adventures with you. How to Help Your German Shepherd Puppy Stay Calm Hearing that it may take up to 14 months for your GSD puppy to fully grow up may feel disheartening if you are coping with the all-go, no-stop activity level of the typical German Shepherd puppy! The STAR program is one such program. STAR teaches both the GSD puppy and their owner how to manage the exuberance and energy levels of a German Shepherd puppy by setting up a daily activity and exercise schedule. This is not to say you have to use this particular training program to achieve these results. Instead, it is simply to suggest that, if the current schedule your GSD puppy is on is not providing the results you hope for, you can sit down and create a different activity and exercise schedule to see if your puppy naturally becomes calmer. Sometimes there may also be environmental issues that are triggering excessive activity, crying, whimpering, barking , or other undesirable puppyhood behaviors. Teething Teething is very painful to go through no matter what the species. If your German Shepherd puppy is going through teething , you can absolutely expect more chewing, play-biting, nipping, whining, crying, and demands for attention. Giving your teething puppy ice pops or frozen chew toys can often help to ease the discomfort and also the behaviors. Separation anxiety Just as some dog breeds are more energetic and active by nature, so too can some dog breeds be more prone to developing separation anxiety. German Shepherds fall into both categories. But the two conditions are not necessarily linked. While having high energy is just a hallmark of the GSD breed, developing separation anxiety is more a function of putting a high-energy, high social-needs dog in a situation where there is not enough of either. Sometimes abuse, re-homing, and other factors can also trigger separation anxiety. For many years, separation anxiety in dogs was not well understood. Today, we do know that separation anxiety is potentially preventable and very treatable. But how can you know whether what you are experiencing with your German Shepherd is simply excess energy or separation anxiety? The behaviors only start to occur after a big change a move, divorce, new job, etc. You see your German Shepherd pacing, panting, drooling, or exhibiting other behaviors that are closely correlated with separation anxiety in dogs. Your GSD whines, cries, barks, howls or makes other noises the moment you leave direct line-of-sight. While you are away, your dog is extremely destructive and may destroy household furnishings, eliminate inappropriately in the house, or try to escape repeatedly. As the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue organization points out, German Shepherds can develop any number of health conditions that may cause your dog to become or remain over-active. This is always the right time to take your dog to the veterinarian for a health checkup. In fact, sometimes it makes sense to do this first before you look at possible behavioral or boredom issues. This way, you can at least rule out any underlying health issues that may be triggering inappropriate or destructive behaviors in your dog. Here are examples of health conditions MAGSR gives that are known to plague German Shepherds that may cause your dog to act out: Skin allergies The itching and irritation of skin allergies can cause excessive scratching, licking, rubbing, and similar behaviors. Usually, these types of issues are controlled through diet changes or medication, or both. It often disappears on its own but a veterinary visit is always warranted. Perianal fistulas Perianal fistulas are every bit as uncomfortable for your dog as the name suggests. As Science Daily points out, there is now increasing research to suggest that dogs have evolved to closely mirror human emotions in every way. This can be a tougher challenge to track down. But it may help to start by keeping a journal on paper or on your phone, noting times when your dog becomes especially hyper and noticing how you are feeling during those times. If this does end up applying in your situation, learning more about deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, yoga or tai chi and other relaxation aids can help both you and your German Shepherd calm down quickly and effectively. Great At-Home Activities for Hyper German Shepherd Dogs You may be reading through this article and thinking there is no way you have any extra time in your daily schedule to try all these things. Breaking up the day with short focused walks, treasure hunts, play sessions, or training sessions also gives your dog more to look forward to all day long. In these ways, you can make small changes for big results to help your GSD calm down. They are most commonly brought home from a breeder at the age of 8 weeks to 6 months. This is also the juvenile stage when they start acquiring negative or positive habits. German Shepherd puppies can be hyper because of the following reasons: Lack of Exercise German Shepherds were bred to carry out tasks that require a lot of energy, such as herding. Therefore they need exercise to stimulate them. Puppies are always full of energy and therefore tend to run all over the place. They are also naturally built as strong, athletic dogs, and hence require a lot of exercise. Rewarding Bad Behavior When your German Shepherd puppy is hyper, giving them what they want, such as attention or food, to calm them down, encourages bad behavior. The puppy learns that to get what they want, they have to exhibit excited behavior. Boredom Hyperactivity in German Shepherd puppies can result from boredom. In most cases, dogs are left home alone as parents go to work and children go to school. An untrained puppy will end up re-arranging the house and not like an interior decorator! Lack of Training A German Shepherd puppy may act hyper if she is not properly trained. Therefore, regular training is essential to teach your GSD puppy discipline from a young age. This will help your puppy to know the difference between playtime and when to listen. Feeding the Wrong Food Dog owners tend to be overly kind to their puppies and may share food with them. However, certain foods may lead to their hyperactivity. Apart from causing hyperactivity, some of these foods, like chocolate , can be toxic to puppies leading to illness or death. If you are uncertain about what to feed and what not to feed your German Shepherd puppy , consult your vet. Separation Anxiety German Shepherd puppies often suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave for business trips or vacations without them. This can also happen when the owner simply leaves for the day to go to work. They can express themselves by being destructive or peeing in the house while you are away. Getting Wet German Shepherd puppies who run around outdoors, just like a child, have to be bathed. This dryer comes with adjustable heat settings, a wide selection of air speeds, and a great warranty to boot. How to Calm Your German Shepherd Puppy As much as you love your puppy, all the hyperactivity and destruction can be overwhelming. The following are ways to calm a German Shepherd puppy. Properly Train Your Puppy Training enables your puppy to obey your commands. While you can train a German Shepherd to follow complex commands, only the basics are necessary. Make sure to always train your puppy in an area where there are few distractions, such as in your home or yard, and then progress to more distracting environments. This slow acclimation will also help to properly socialize your German Shepherd , which is essential for your puppy to grow in to a well-adjusted adult. When giving commands to your puppy, be sure to use an authoritative voice and issue them in a slow-low pitched voice. High-pitched commands which are spoken rapidly will only serve to over-excite your puppy. Below is a YouTube video showing you some simple and effective ways to train your German Shepherd puppy: Give Your Puppy Enough Exercise German Shepherds have more energy than most other breeds, and walking by itself as exercise will not be enough to keep excess energy at bay. Playing games such as fetch, going for runs, walking on hilly areas, and teaching your puppy to swim are healthy ways to wear your puppy out and curb hyperactivity. If you do not have adequate time to exercise your German Shepherd puppy, consider getting a dog walker. Did you know that German Shepherds are great frisbee dogs? This fact escapes most GSD owners, and because of this they often miss out on some great fun to be had with their dogs! Read this great article all about German Shepherds and their ability to play frisbee. Socialize Your Puppy As we mentioned above, a great way to calm your puppy is by regularly socializing her with other puppies, adult dogs, as well as other people and animals in general. Socializing your puppy will tire her out both physically and mentally, while at the same time making her the well-adjusted dog that you want her to be. This is because your German Shepherd puppy will learn that to be rewarded, she will have to behave appropriately, and that bad behavior will only result in being ignored. Aromatherapy Essential oils such as vanilla, ylang-ylang, lavender, sweet orange, and chamomile can be soothing to your dog. Test some of these on your German Shepherd puppy to see which one works best. For more information on aromatherapy and its benefits and potential harmful effects on dogs, check out this great article below: Is Aromatherapy Bad for Dogs? Setting up a good routine for your puppy is your responsibility. Make sure to not feed her too late at night, and always make sure that your puppy gets at least a moderately long walk before bed. A useful practice is putting food in a dog toy when your puppy becomes hyper. This will enable her to shift focus from hyperactivity to concentration. One great toy for this is a Kong Treat Dispensing Toy. This toy is designed to be filled with any number of goodies, and will keep your GSD puppy occupied for a long time! Some great examples of treats that you can put into a Kong are: frozen mashed banana and yogurt mashed potatoes and rice frozen Xylitol free peanut butter pureed and frozen watermelon and strawberries pureed and frozen turkey and cranberry mixture Essentially, if you can dream it, and it is safe for your puppy, you can stuff it into a Kong and keep your puppy occupied. Additionally, there are a number of other treat dispensing puzzle toys that will work to accomplish the same goal of reducing hyperactivity in your puppy while increasing mental focus. Stay Calm Reducing hyperactivity in you German Shepherd puppy begins with you. Puppies pick up on the energy you put out. If you become excited around them, they will copy you and start running around or barking loudly. To them, they are doing nothing wrong. In fact, a puppy will think that it is doing a great job by imitating you, the pack leader. So it is important that you set a good example for your puppy through your own behavior. It will take time to train and calm your German Shepherd pup because they are naturally energetic, strong, and athletic dogs — they love activity! Always use positive reinforcement as opposed to punishing your German Shepherd puppy. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are loyal, courageous, make excellent guard dogs, and bred as herders. German Shepherd puppies are generally hyperactive from the age of 3 months to 3 years. Later on, they become more mature and calm. Training puppies from 8 weeks to 6 months enables them to acquire and retain positive habits. Dog owners need to properly socialize their puppies, play with them, and use toys not only to challenge them mentally but also to require their full concentration, thus reducing their hyperactivity. Consistent training is also essential. If you are unable to do this on your own, we strongly suggest reaching out to a professional dog trainer. This will be a great long-term investment, and save you the difficult task of teaching an old dog new tricks.