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Dedicated to a Healthy Legacy. Boxer Puppies and Young Boxers pictured. Subscribe to get news on litters! We own a farm on 29 acres in Morriston, Florida, near Ocala. We moved to Florida in .Throughout my life I've had boxers. Had other breeds but always came back to the Boxer for their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. My Boxers are champions and their heritage is champions or have been in the show ring. Made in America. All of our puppies are proudly made in America. All the food and everything we use to raise up our puppies is made in America. All products in our kennels are made in America. God bless our troops. Proud to be American citizens. Jesus is Lord! He is featured on our MALE page. To have our boxers be everything they are meant to be we knew we must start with a good foundation. We believe we have achieved this with our boxers. We have spent time and research on choosing all our boxers. Boxers are born to show off and they do plenty of that. AKC Boxer Breeder. Florida, the sunshine state, the perfect place to own a AKC Boxer puppy. Looking forward to working with you. Enjoy the journey! Files coming soon. A new look for: americanboxerpuppies. We have been a K9 breeder for over 20 years and have been breeding boxers for over 12 years. Our boxers are raised in a social, healthy and loving environment. Through my life I've had boxers. Had other breeds but always came back to the boxer. For their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. My boxers are champions and their heritage is champions or have been in the show ring. God bless our troop! Listons Boxers. AKC Boxer breeder. Florida, the sunshine state, the perfect place to own a AKC boxer puppy. Our web site americanboxerpuppies. They have areas to exercise and play. We have top of the line breeding. Our boxers are related to one of the top boxers in the US. From our home to yours we strive to have you bring home a healthy and well balanced puppy. A Furever Friend Boxers are fun loving, playful and ready for a venture. They love to snuggle and great with children. Email Address. For the complete list please see our List of Boxer Breeders page. These prices are estimates only; each seller can charge whatever they like. The main factor that may affect the price of a boxer puppy is your location within the state which could either increase or decrease the cost. Other factors include breed popularity most popular breeds are generally listed at an average price , whether or not the dog has been AKC registered such registrations often come with a fee and if shipping is included in the price. There are several questions that should always be asked when deciding on whether or not someone is reliable enough to purchase from. Look out for these warning signs: The smell of ammonia or other foul odors this means the boxers were not kept clean Dirty cages, feeds or toys The presence of rats, mice or other pests. If at any point during your visit something seems off, trust your instincts and do not buy from the breeder. In some cases, it might even be helpful to contact your local SPCA or humane society as they may have handled situations involving this particular breeder. Meeting past customers will help you get a feel for whether or not you can trust the breeder and if they produce healthy, happy dogs. If their reviews are negative, be wary of buying from this person. Your breeder should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who is familiar with their practices and the conditions the boxers are kept in. If this is the case, how can you expect them to take care of your pup? Ask to See The Health Certificates for Your Boxer Puppy If any records exist, ask to see proof of all vaccinations, deworming and other procedures listed above; if none do, be wary. For this reason, you need to ask questions and obtain proof of any conditions your puppy may have. If the breeder does not provide this information easily, move on. This will prove that your Boxer Puppy is purebred and that the breeder is authorized to breed boxers. If these documents cannot be provided, take it as a warning sign. There are several simple things you can do in order to get yourself and your house ready. A playpen or kennel is perfect. When you go to pick up your boxer puppy, there are a few things that you should bring with you. Their new environment can seem overwhelming, so give them plenty of love and reassurance during this time. The younger they are when you start, the easier it will be Older Boxers can also be trained but it will take longer and be more difficult to do so. Keep this in mind before bringing your puppy home. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Boxers make great pets for both families and individuals, with their energetic and loyal traits. Adopting a puppy requires a lot of time and research to find a breeder that is best for you. While there are many to choose from, how do you make a decision? To give you some options, here are 5 Boxer Breeders in Florida to help you find your new furry friend and loyal companion. They are based in the Northeast Ocala area of Florida. Our goal at Shoquest is to produce puppies of the highest quality that will bring a lifetime of joy to their families. For more information, you can send them an email at shoquestboxers gmail. Our Boxers are raised inside with us and are part of our family. We do not have a kennel. The puppies are also raised inside, along with my children, and are well socialized. They come pre-spoiled. Their puppies are socialized from the day they are born and until they are at least 8 weeks of age. They will have their tails docked, dew claws removed, have their 1st set of vaccinations, a Florida Health Certificate and their AKC registration form. To learn more and get in touch, you can visit their website here. We could not be happier with our puppy and the process itself from start to finish. We will definitely be using the JCS Boxers again for our next puppy. They follow a meticulous diet for their puppies, with all of it starting with the health of the mom. Additionally, they plan their litters responsibly. Currently, their next litter is for January and you can view their gallery of puppies on their website here. In order to stay in touch about upcoming litters or to answer any questions you may have, you can send them an email at info jcsboxers. They are located in Central Florida and have been in business since .Boxers are our passion and ours are part of our family, living beside us inside our house because that is where they belong. We have owned Boxers as far back as I can remember. They are a very special breed but they are not for everyone. They require little grooming but they do need daily exercise. Boxers are very intelligent and loving.They are also very playful and have plenty of energy. They are great with children but need proper early training. They are all AKC, will have their tails docked, dew claws removed, vaccinations and health certificates before you take them home. And, they require an application before placing their puppies with you as they want to make sure they are going to loving, forever families. To get in touch about their next litter, you can contact them on their website here. They pride themselves on having a business that focuses on American production including all of the food and everything they use to raise their puppies. We believe we have achieved this with our boxers. We have spent time and research on choosing all our boxers. Boxers are born to show off and they do plenty of that. Their puppies are a part of their family, they have areas to exercise and play and have the best quality care. Currently, they have one boxer from their litter that is available. To keep in touch with their future litters, you can visit their puppies page here. And, to learn more or get in touch you can call them at .With the cost of veterinary bills rising each year, you could easily find yourself paying thousands out of pocket if an accident or illness were to occur. Let our team at Fursure help you get started on finding the best pet insurance policy for your furry friend. You pet will thank you! To get your pet protected and covered in just a few minutes , buy a pet insurance policy today! Join the Pack No spam. Just the very best in show products, expert pet parenting advice, and more.Read about our privacy policy. Thank you! Your submission has been received! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Introducing pet insurance that pays your vet directly. We let you keep your cash on hand, so you can focus on giving your pet the best care possible.

The scent does not last long. Some dogs needed extra conditioner shampooing. How it Compares Many French Bulldogs with yeast infections or itchy, irritated, dry, and flaky skin had immediate relief after being bathed with the Pets Are Kids Too dog shampoo. The baking soda in the shampoo also removes stinky odors. The price is slightly on the higher side. This popular shampoo has been widely used and trusted by millions of dog owners. The shampoo also contains beeswax and honey, which nourish the skin and promote a healthy, glossy coat. This makes it suitable for both puppies and adult French Bulldogs. This shampoo not only boosts shine but also moisturizes the coat, leaving it looking healthy and well-maintained. Pros No fragrance, sulfates, or parabens Gentle for sensitive skin Soothes and softens skin and coat Cons Shampoo is watery, so you need to use a lot. This dog shampoo is all-natural and free from harsh ingredients- making it suitable for sensitive French bulldogs. Its price is affordable; however, you might need to use a lot of this sulfate-free shampoo to work up a lather. Wash and soak on skin and coat for minutes. Repeat times weekly. Oatmeal and Allantoin add hydration and nourish the skin. This specialized shampoo contains a powerful combination of ingredients, including coal tar, salicylic acid, and micronized sulfur, which work synergistically to combat these skin problems. The active ingredients in this shampoo effectively eliminate itching, flaking, and scaling, providing much-needed relief for dogs suffering from skin irritations. The shampoo also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe inflammation and control parasitic infections, offering comprehensive care for a range of skin issues. This combination of medicated and natural ingredients makes it a potent and well-rounded solution for addressing various skin problems in French Bulldogs. Veterinarians highly recommend this shampoo for French Bulldogs with specific skin issues like inflamed skin, waxy skin, red, crusty skin, as well as problems caused by parasites, yeast, and mites. Moreover, being paraben-free and dye-free ensures a safer and gentler bathing experience for your pet. Pros Effectively treats a host of canine skin issues Vet-recommended. Get rid of any unwanted odours with our selection of French Bulldog shampoos, complete with their face on the label! Our shampoo is specially formulated to be effective but gentle so bath times aren't a drama. With something for every coat type and both liquid and bar soap options to choose from, your pooch will be ready for cuddles again in no time. From deeply conditioning French Bulldog shampoos to our sweet-smelling lavender Soap Bar , your Frenchie will look and smell fresh in no time. To transform your Frenchie from shaggy to shiny, our shampoos contain a built-in conditioner and pro-vitamin B5, which is great for smoothing out knots from your pup's fur and removing dirt and odour without stripping the essential oils from their coat. Discover French Bulldog Grooming Accessories Keep your Frenchie looking and feeling fabulous with our range of grooming accessories. Effectively remove any dead and loose hairs with a Palm Grooming Brush , or avoid muddy shake-offs after bath time in this adorable Towelling Robe for your French Bulldog. We even have deodorising French Bulldog Cologne and Fragrance in four tail-wagging scents for particularly well-presented Frenchies! Wagging Tails in 3, 2, 1… Bring some excitement to playtime with our range of fun dog toys! With numerous bright and colourful designs in our collection, you'll definitely be able to find a toy to spoil your Dachshund with! Run With The Pack. This may seem like an obvious question but for breeds prone to skin problems , it can be more complicated. If your Frenchie just needs routine baths because they like to roll in the mud or because you dislike the general scent of dog, your shampoo options are essentially wide open. Some skin conditions may require an actual medicated shampoo, prescribed by a veterinarian. Managing some skin conditions requires medications by mouth, diet changes, and yes, bathing. If not treated appropriately, skin problems can worsen and lead to secondary complications. Several of the shampoos on our list are suitable for puppies , but not all of them. In general, you should reach for a gentle, natural product to bathe your puppy, ideally a tearless formula. Many topical flea and tick products are negatively impacted by bathing. Several of the shampoos on our list specifically mention that they are safe to use with these preventatives. However, every topical product works differently. To be safe, consult the directions on the flea product itself before bathing your dog. You may need to avoid bathing for several days before and after treating your Frenchie. Another option is to switch to pill parasite prevention which should not be affected by bathing. Final Thoughts Our best shampoo for French Bulldogs overall, Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo , is an all-natural formula safe for frequent use thanks to its moisturizing properties. Our budget buy pick, Hartz 6 in 1 Grooming Shampoo is a cost-effective, multi-functional shampoo and conditioner. We hope our reviews of these eight products were a helpful overview of your choices and provided useful information to help you make your final decision. In , pet owners are presented with a diverse range of top-quality shampoos tailored for their beloved French Bulldogs. This summary highlights six exceptional products, each catering to different aspects of pet care. These shampoos have garnered praise for their efficacy, gentle formulations, and dedication to pet well-being. Ingredients like aloe vera, lanolin, and proteins ensure a moisturized coat. Its compatibility with flea control products and absence of harmful chemicals make it a safe and popular choice. Its hypoallergenic formulation is safe for sensitive pets, offering deep conditioning and hydration. Ingredients like natural moisturizing factors and essential fatty acids promote skin and coat health. This USA-made shampoo ensures a lustrous coat and is compatible with flea-control products. Healthy Breeds French Bulldog Hypoallergenic Shampoo 8 oz : Designed for sensitive skin, this fragrance-free and tear-free shampoo boast a rating of 4. It gently cleanses and leaves the coat soft and manageable. Its compatibility with various pet sizes and breeds ensures effective and safe use. The guava-scented formula caters to dry, itchy skin and dandruff, enhanced by aloe vera and humectants. Its aromatherapeutic fragrance elevates the grooming experience, and its compatibility with other products adds convenience. The leave-in application is effortless, and its manufacturing history since January speaks to its established presence. Paraben and sulfate-free, it provides relief for dry, itchy skin while nourishing and hydrating. Manuka honey, argan oil, aloe vera, and chamomile combine for a soothing experience. Its hypoallergenic properties alleviate allergies and dandruff, catering to sensitive skin needs. With a rating of 4. Scented with the delightful fragrance of Passion Fruit, this tearless shampoo is formulated to be mild enough for use on puppies as young as four weeks old, even on their face. These components work together to leave your pup with a soft, fluffy coat. Additionally, the formula is free from harmful chemicals and irritants, giving you peace of mind while using it on your furry companion. The item model number is frau, first available on November 29, .The shampoo is manufactured by Healthy Breeds, a brand known for offering a range of dog healthcare products, grooming items, and treats tailored to over breeds. The ingredient list includes deionized water, sodium laureth sulfate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, aloe vera extract, and more. Directions involve wetting your dog thoroughly with warm water, applying the conditioning shampoo, working it into a lather, and then rinsing thoroughly. Repeat if desired, and towel dry your dog to prevent chilling. With a Best Sellers Rank of 33, in Pet Supplies and in Dog Shampoos, this tearless puppy dog shampoo stands out as a popular and well-regarded option for grooming your furry friend. Crafted with a soap-free formulation and enriched with the proprietary Sweet Pea Infusion deodorizer, this shampoo effectively eliminates odors. It ensures a soothing experience for even the most sensitive pets. One of the standout features of this shampoo is its hypoallergenic nature, making it an excellent option for pets with sensitive skin or allergies. Including emollients and proteins goes beyond basic cleaning, providing deep conditioning and moisturization to the skin and coat. This is further supported by incorporating natural moisturizing factors and essential fatty acids, which contribute to hydration, skin nourishment, and the reduction of flaking and scaling. The result is a gentle yet effective cleansing action that produces a rich lather and rinses off effortlessly. An additional advantage is the compatibility of this shampoo with topical flea-control products. This feature adds versatility and convenience, allowing pet owners to integrate it into their regular grooming routines without compromising flea protection. The Healthy Breeds Deodorizing Shampoo presents a well-rounded solution for pet hygiene needs. With a remarkable rating of 4. Tailored to be exceptionally mild and fragrance-free, this moisturizing shampoo stands out for its ability to cater to sensitive skin without irritating. The formulation delicately cleanses the coat while preserving the natural oils contributing to coat health. A distinctive feature of this shampoo is its tear-free formula, ensuring a worry-free bathing experience for pets and owners alike. The soap-free and detergent-free composition reinforces its gentle nature, making it suitable for regular use without the risk of over-cleansing or drying out the skin. Manufactured in the USA, this product is backed by the confidence that comes with products made in federally regulated facilities. The product details reflect its thoughtful design and consideration for user convenience. The compact dimensions of 2 x 2 x 7. As for usage, the provided directions are clear and concise. The absence of detergents and soaps in the formula allows for frequent use as needed. With its moisturizing and fragrance-free formulation, tear-free nature, and dedication to quality manufacturing, this shampoo is a top choice for pet owners looking to provide their French Bulldogs with a comfortable and practical grooming experience. Its positive ratings and emphasis on pet well-being make it a standout product in pet care. Smells Amazing! The formula results from a thoughtful combination of ingredients, including oatmeal, baking soda, and aloe vera, all infused with the soothing benefits of coconut. This combination delivers instant itch relief, making it a revolutionary solution for pets grappling with hot spots and constant scratching. This comprehensive anti-itch formula has also gained favor among guinea pig owners, showcasing its versatility and gentle nature. Vet endorsement lends credibility to this product, while its captivating oatmeal cookie scent sets it apart. The long-lasting fragrance effectively combats unpleasant odors, making it a favorite among professional groomers. The focus on pet-friendly elements is evident in its soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion capabilities. This multifunctional approach provides relief from itching, shedding, and allergies and ensures that no harmful chemicals are included in the formula, making it a safe choice for sensitive pets. The tear-free and dandruff-free aspects of the shampoo further contribute to its appeal. Its plant-derived ingredients are gentle on paws and noses, enhancing moisturization while addressing itchiness. The product details reflect meticulous attention to transparency and information sharing. The dimensions of 2. The careful blend of natural ingredients, vet endorsement, and the captivating oatmeal cookie scent position it as a frontrunner in pet care. This conditioner, housed in the charming Guava scent variation, has become a benchmark in pet fur care due to its exceptional hydrating and moisturizing properties. Designed as a leave-in conditioner, this product showcases its prowess in hydrating, moisturizing, and conditioning the skin and coat of dogs. Is It Legit Or a Scam? A simple application of this dog lotion instantly transforms the coat, leaving it smooth, shiny, and free from any oily residue. The Warren London Hydrating Butter also serves as a remedy for dry, itchy skin and dandruff. Including special humectants facilitates maximum hydration by drawing moisture into the skin, while the added aloe vera offers soothing relief to irritated skin. It is a worthy alternative to traditional dog smell sprays, ensuring your pup is left with a delightful and refreshing coat. The application is straightforward and convenient, with no rinsing required. The conditioner can be easily rubbed or brushed into a dry coat, making it a practical choice for routine grooming. It pairs seamlessly with your favorite dog shampoo and conditioner, enhancing the overall bathing experience. Its compatibility with other grooming supplies, such as pet wipes and accessories, adds to its versatility. The product details provide valuable insights into its attributes. The dimensions of 7. The manufacturing origin in the USA bolsters its quality assurance, and its availability since January underscores its longevity and established presence. Its suitability for all ages, sizes, and breeds underscores its versatility. With hypoallergenic properties, this shampoo goes beyond standard cleaning by actively alleviating dog allergies and offering relief from dandruff. Its antifungal properties further make it a suitable choice for addressing issues like hot spots and catering to the sensitive skin needs of your pet. Ingredients such as manuka honey, argan oil, aloe vera, and chamomile are thoughtfully combined to create a cleansing and soothing experience for your canine companion. The shampoo ensures a fresh scent and helps protect against dandruff and flaking while calming irritated skin. Crafted in the USA, this product encapsulates quality assurance and dedication to pet well-being. Its impressive rating and hypoallergenic and antifungal qualities showcase its efficacy in relieving itching, dryness, and other skin sensitivities. The focus on plant-based ingredients and its gentle cleansing and soothing capabilities make it a standout in dog grooming. Post navigation.

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Are you looking for ethical Labradoodle breeders in Maine? Labradoodles are well-known for their happy-go-lucky temperaments. In fact, there are quite a few key considerations that set ethical breeders apart from others. So, before we reveal to you our list of the best ethical Labradoodle breeders, here are the most important things you should look for when choosing an ethical Labradoodle breeder in Maine. Ethical Labradoodle breeders in Maine test all of their parent dogs for various genetic conditions. Health and genetic testing greatly minimizes the risk of the puppies inheriting serious health conditions, which can affect their quality of life and even their lifespan. Speaking of which, ethical breeders also provide at least a two-year health guarantee for any serious genetic conditions. Information about the health guarantee should always come in written form with your adoption documents. However, we recommend you also do your own research and check for reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp, Reddit, or on your local online forums and communities such as here at Doodle Doods. In addition to that, if any of your friends, family members, or neighbors have recently adopted a Labradoodle, ask them about their own experiences with Labradoodle breeders in Maine. Some breeders are also recommended by Good Dog or Goldendoodles. All of these organizations require that their certified breeders follow their strict health and genetic testing protocols and ethical breeding practices. Today, there are very few Labradoodle breeders in Maine who are affiliated with any of the organizations we mentioned above, especially compared to some other states. Their main focus is on breeding mild-tempered pups that have allergy-friendly, low-shedding coats. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Log Cabin Labradoodles is a state-licensed breeding facility. Their puppies are born and raised in a large, sunlit nursery, where the breeders spend most of their time nurturing them. However, they also spend time with the pups in the family living areas, where they get to socialize and get used to all the regular household sights and sounds. To respect, protect, and preserve the health and temperament of the Authentic Australian Labradoodle. Our Promise Our Commitment Our Promise To breed authentic Australian Labradoodles with care and to care for them with love until placed in the arms of their forever families. Australian Labradoodles have been called a variety of things: Beautiful, unique-looking, the ideal family dog, an excellent service animal, and more. Its mission is to respect, protect, and preserve the health and temperament of the Authentic Australian Labradoodle. We care and nurture each of our puppies to place them in loving, forever homes. Since , Log Cabin Labradoodles has produced multi-generational lines from proven breeders. Originally bred as a service dog for individuals with allergies, the Australian Labradoodle has become a familiar face in service and non-service dog environments. Why Breeder Choice Matters Anyone can purchase a dog from a pet store or online classified ad, but do you know where your puppy was raised and in what conditions? At Log Cabin Labradoodles, all of our sires and dams are pictured on our website. Relevant information such as height, weight, testing history, and personality descriptions are provided for future puppy owners to review. When we have a new litter, our Available Puppies section allows potential owners to browse our available Australian Labradoodle Puppies to see their photos and learn about their patents, date of birth, and estimated availability date. At Log Cabin Labradoodles, we are committed to breeding the proven parents who will produce the best, brightest, and most even-tempered puppies. Be sure to browse the Our Breeders section to learn more about the dogs. The weekly photos page is fun as well. You can view current australian labradoodle puppies. As a mini and medium Labradoodle breeder, only Australian Labradoodles are bred by this breeder. Their dogs are hypoallergenic, shedding-free, and asthma-friendly. Each of their puppies is socialized from the moment they are born. Before leaving to its permanent family, every puppy is microchipped, dewormed, and vaccinated. If a puppy is brought home and discovered to aggravate allergy symptoms, it can be exchanged for another puppy or a refund. All of the puppies are born and nurtured in a big, well-lit nursery. They gain amazing social skills and show little to no anxiety when they go from being a littermate to a pet to a lovely permanent family. They specialize in producing well-behaved, non-shedding, and healthy Australian Labradoodles. From the moment they are born, all puppies are highly socialized. Additionally, their puppies are up to date on vaccines and start a manner training and crate training program early. All of their pups in Maine are evaluated for personality and temperament, which assists families in selecting the right puppy for their family! Their giddy squeals, wagging tails, and enthusiastic greetings will repay you tenfold. Their puppies arrive socialized and crate trained , with all current immunizations, kennel, microchip, four-generation pedigree, collar, leash, toys, and a two-year health warranty to their permanent owners. The puppies are reared indoors in the home with a lot of love and attention, and as a result, they develop a strong bond with their owners immediately away. They also give life support. All the puppies are provided with a 2-year health guarantee, as well as a microchip and immunizations. Their objective is to breed multi-generational true Australian Labradoodles that are healthy and temperamentally sound. They are dedicated to breeding allergy and asthma-friendly, non-shedding Australian Labradoodles in small sizes. It would be best to do some research before you commit to bringing one of these dogs into your family. Make sure that you are prepared for all expenses and some inconveniences that come along with owning a dog. And remember to always adopt from reputable breeders! Selecting a reputable breeder ensures that you will receive a healthy and well-behaved puppy. Labradoodles combine the greatest characteristics of both Poodles and Labradors: intelligent, outgoing, and handsome. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Puppy Application Hi Everyone!! I continue to be the best dog in the world and everyone wants to buy me from Mom. I am still working as a therapy dog at the York Hospital and when Mom goes there without me everyone asks where Bentley is. I was banned from the pharmacy because while Mom was talking I was slowly and quietly sneaking candy bars off the bottom shelf. Love, Bentley and his family Christine, Hope this finds you well. Just a quick note, we know you are very busy these days. Cello just turned a year old and he is such a gem. Smart, sweet, gentle, and I could go on. We are so blessed to have found you and him and cannot thank you enough. It is sometimes embarrassing when we take him to the dog park as people often seem to like him better than their own dogs. He is by far the best dog. On that note, we would like to get on the waiting list for another puppy to get Cello a sister. Thank you again, so much! Hello Chriistine, We will never be able to express enough gratitude for you allowing us to have Griffin in our lives. He is so amazing. David is smitten. Hi Christine, I wanted to give you a quick update on Hops. He is an absolutely amazing dog. He loves hiking, camping, swimming, agility. There really isn't too much that he doesn't enjoy doing. He has the nicest personality and is a happy laid back pooch. He has the perfect temperament for therapy work and is going to bring so much joy to people. I am so excited to get started with him. The evaluators were blown away by how focused, obedient, and friendly he was. He is a great dog and we all adore him. Have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for pairing us with Hops. He couldn't be more perfect. She's the most loving and devoted dog I've ever had and I appreciate having her with me more than I can say. I can't thank you enough for breeding such amazing puppies - i know they all have hearts like Cricket - warm, generous, loving and brilliant. She's so happy learning new tasks.She makes me laugh all the time. Her favorite place to be is Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which is her home away from home. She's everybody's favorite girl and plays ball in the big lobby when there's not a show going on. She's also a favorite patron in the pub after the shows. She visits all the tables and enjoys getting lots of attention. Who wouldn't? Slide title Dear Christine, We love Snowball, he has been re-named to Rachmoninoff, but for the most part we call him Rocky our other labradoddle is Mozart, whom we call Mo. He and Mo have been interviewed and have an upcoming article in a lovely Vero Beach magazine on "Boat Dogs". Mozart has done 20, sea miles as we travel a lot by boat. Rocky went on his first sea adventure 20 miles, and was very calm and content, he is a lovely dog and we of course love him. We are now back in Maine. Rocky just did his first Florida to Maine trip by boat and he was and is fantastic. He now has about sea miles. Our two founding females were pure American and over the years we have added lots of Australian and a few more American bloodlines. All of our breeders are family pets that live in our home with us or in their own guardian home. This way they can retire with the family they love and grew up with. I am a proud breeder of Labradoodles and take great pride in the puppies produced here. Our pups are socialized with adults and children of all ages starting at about 4 weeks. They are exposed to lots of sights and sounds and new things each day. We have personally found Labradoodles to be amazing family pets. Labradoodles are loyal, playful, extremely smart and great companions to their human families. You can train them to do just about anything with the right guidance. Labradoodles often have low to no shed coats and usually are allergy friendly. But be aware there are no guarantees that they won't shed a little. Our goal is to do our best to produce non shedding or the lowest shedding pups that we can. In the 20 years I have been doing this we have so far not produced any puppies that shed. My clients become part of my family and they are the reason I do what I do. Their follow ups with me always warm my heart and remind me how lucky I am to be able to do breed these amazing dogs. It is a passion for me that I cannot explain. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Old Town Maine and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Maine? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Maine. With no sneezing and no more cleaning up clumps of hair every morning, life with our Doodles is just easier. Australian Labradoodles are known for being cute to begin with, but we breed our Doodles to be even cuter and more cuddly than average. Friendliest Dispositions Labradoodles are world-famous for being friendly. Perfect Family Pet Families of all shapes and sizes make the perfect home for our Labradoodles because these dogs are highly adaptable and simply LOVE people—from retirees living a life of peace and quiet, to huge families with lots of kids and other pets, and everyone in between. The end result is happier puppies and happier clients! Highest Maine Labradoodle Breeder Standards Our breeders adhere to the most stringent standards such as litter limitations and breeding retirement ages for our mommy dogs. We also place our mommy Doodles live in the best guardian homes, and our puppies enjoy the best conditions possible while they wait for homes. Elite Maine Labradoodle Genetic Lines We take great care in bringing out the positive traits of our puppies while minimizing the bad ones—like crippling genetic diseases that are so common in puppy mill dogs. Each Uptown litter is bred to be fun, healthy, smart, and even-tempered.

Please keep in mind that these are estimates to give you a general idea of how tall your French Bulldog puppy will be. At what age is a French Bulldog fully grown? A French Bulldog will reach close to their full weight around eight to twelve months old and maximum height around nine to twelve months of age. French Bulldogs will continue to slowly fill out anywhere between nine to fifteen months of age. They are considered fully grown around 12 to 14 months old, but may continue to put on muscle until they are two years old. How big should a 6-month-old French Bulldog be? A male French Bulldog will weigh between 17 and 22 pounds at six months old and have an average weight of .A six-month-old female French Bulldog will weigh between 13 and 20 pounds with an average weight of 17 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand around seven to nine inches on average. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. French Bulldogs usually reach their full height when they are between nine and twelve months old. As short dogs, French Bulldogs barely double in height from three months of age to 1 year old. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, this is a telltale sign that they are still growing! What is the size of a full-grown French Bulldog? Most female French Bulldogs will weigh about 17 to 24 pounds, while male French Bulldogs weigh about 20 to 28 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand 11 to 13 inches tall and have a muscular, heavy-boned build. How do I make sure my French Bulldog is healthy? As a purebred dog breed, French Bulldogs are more prone to genetic health problems. In particular, French Bulldogs are predisposed to skin problems, ear infections, diarrhea, eye problems, spinal injury and respiratory distress caused by their brachycephalic syndrome. Brachycephalic syndrome causes them to have a flat nose and shorter esophagus, creating a heightened risk of breathing problems. The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that about half of French Bulldogs have significant breathing problems and .In addition to this, French Bulldogs are prone to obesity , which can lead to type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, disc disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and further respiratory issues. Pro Tip: Compare pet insurance plans to save on veterinary expenses and ensure that the cost of care never interferes with the essential treatment your pet deserves. Most French Bulldogs do well with a leisurely walk or active playtime. Be careful with taking your French Bulldog out in hot weather though as their brachycephalic syndrome makes them prone to overheating and heat stroke. As a general rule temperatures over 80 degrees should be avoided for French Bulldogs. As loving pet parents, we never want to think the worst could happen to our furbaby. However, we must prepare for both everyday costs, like vaccinations and veterinarian appointments, and emergencies. Dog Insurance is here to help you with emergency costs, as well as expected costs like veterinarian care see the wellness options many pet insurance plans offer. Only .Pet insurance can help you provide your pup with quality routine and emergency care. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Key Takeaways On average, French Bulldogs weigh between pounds at age one, with inches in height. French Bulldogs stop growing around months old, so pet owners should be mindful of weight gain after their first birthday. As a breed, French Bulldogs are exceptionally prone to obesity, which can worsen breathing problems and lead to a number of secondary health concerns. Use our French Bulldog growth chart to monitor your puppy's weight and ensure they stay within a healthy range. Pet insurance promotes positive veterinary care and offsets the cost of services should your Frenchie get sick or injured at any point in life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic French Bulldog Overview Bat-eared but oddly beautiful, the French Bulldog has a unique appeal. Aesthetically, other breeds undeniably are more glamorous and showy, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what many behold in the French Bulldog are the attributes that make this breed one of the best companion dogs in the world today. The French Bulldog is small but substantial in build with a powerful muscular body. He sports a short easy-care coat to accompany his easygoing personality. The Frenchie likes to play, but he also enjoys spending his days relaxing on the sofa. That love of play and relaxed attitude carry over into their training sessions. French Bulldogs are intelligent, and training them is easy as long as you make it seem like a game and keep it fun. They are free thinkers and are not an ideal breed for competing in obedience or agility although some have risen to the challenge. This freethinking approach can also lead to a stubborn nature, and if they decide to dig in their heels there is no budging them. Frenchies are loving companions who thrive on human contact. If you want an outdoor dog who can be left alone for long periods, the Frenchie is not the breed for you. This is a dog who enjoys lavishing love on his human companions as much as he loves the same treatment in return. They generally get along well with everyone, including children. They can, however, be territorial and possessive of their people, especially in the presence of other dogs. Socialization is a must for this breed, but with their easy companionship this is an enjoyable task. With a nature that is both humorous and mischievous, the French Bulldog needs to live with someone who is consistent, firm, and patient with all the antics and idiosyncrasies that make him both frustrating and delightful. They can be protective of their home and family and some will try to defend both with their life. French Bulldogs do not need a lot of room and do very well in apartments or small dwellings. A couple of minute walks per day should keep them from becoming overweight. Keep the Frenchie in cool, comfortable surroundings. This is not a dog who can stay outside on a hot day. French Bulldogs are wonderful companion dogs with a gentle nature. If you work at home, the Frenchie is happy to lie at your feet all day or follow you from room to room. French Bulldog Highlights Friendly and playful: French Bulldogs are known for their friendly and playful personality. They love to cuddle and play fetch. Low-maintenance: French Bulldogs are relatively low-maintenance dogs. They only require moderate exercise and grooming. Good with children: French Bulldogs are good with children and other pets. They make great family dogs. Intelligent: French Bulldogs are intelligent dogs and can be easily trained. Adaptable: French Bulldogs can adapt to different living conditions. They are a good choice for apartment dwellers or people with active lifestyles. Healthy: French Bulldogs are generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to some health problems, such as brachycephalic airway syndrome and cherry eye. Overall, French Bulldogs are great dogs for people of all ages and lifestyles. They are friendly, playful, and low-maintenance, making them a perfect addition to any family. They were originally bred to be bull-baiting dogs, but this practice was outlawed in England in .French Bulldogs were then imported to France where they became popular as companion dogs. In France, French Bulldogs were often kept by lacemakers and other artisans who worked in small shops. The dogs were prized for their gentle nature and their ability to adapt to cramped living quarters. French Bulldogs also became popular with the French upper class, and they were often depicted in paintings and sculptures. French Bulldogs were first brought to the United States in the late s, and they quickly became popular with American families. The dogs were known for their friendly and playful personality, and they made great companions for children. French Bulldogs also became popular with celebrities, and they were often featured in movies and television shows. Today, French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are known for their friendly and playful personality, their low-maintenance coat, and their adaptability to different living conditions. French Bulldogs make great companions for people of all ages and lifestyles. The French Bulldog thrived in France and Europe, and his charm was soon discovered by Americans as well. Males weigh 20 to 28 pounds, females 16 to 24 pounds. French Bulldog Personality This is a smart, loving dog who wants and needs to spend lots of time with his people. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. Some dogs exhibit pain and lameness on one or both rear legs. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and found to be free of problems. Brachycephalic Syndrome : This disorder is found in dogs with short heads, narrowed nostrils, or elongated or soft palates. Their airways are obstructed to varying degrees and can cause anything from noisy or labored breathing to total collapse of the airway. Dogs with brachycephalic syndrome commonly snuffle and snort. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition but includes oxygen therapy as well as surgery to widen nostrils or shorten palates. Allergies: Allergies are a common problem in dogs. The medication for inhalant allergies depends on the severity of the allergy. It is important to note that ear infections often accompany inhalant allergies. Hemivertebrae: This is a malformation of one or more vertebrae that causes it to be shaped like a wedge or triangle. This malformation can occur on its own or with other vertebrae malformations. Hemivertebra can cause no problems, or it can put pressure on the spinal cord. This can lead to pain, weakness, and or paralysis. There is no treatment for the condition unless there is spinal cord pressure. It is caused when the patella, which has three parts — the femur thigh bone , patella knee cap , and tibia calf — is not properly lined up and slips in and out of place luxates. This causes lameness or an abnormal gait the way the dog moves. The rubbing caused by patellar luxation can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease. There are four grades of patellar luxation ranging from grade I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe and the patella cannot be realigned manually. This gives the dog a bowlegged appearance. Severe grades of patellar luxation may require surgical repair. When the disc pushes into the spinal cord, nerve transmissions are inhibited from traveling along the spinal cord. Intervertebral Disc Disease can be caused by trauma, age, or simply from the physical jolt that occurs when a dog jumps off a sofa. When the disc ruptures, the dog usually feels pain and the ruptured disc can lead to weakness and temporary or permanent paralysis. In some cases surgery can help, but it must be done within a day or so of the injury. You may also want to ask your veterinarian about physical rehabilitation. Treatments such as massage, water treadmills and electrical stimulation are available for dogs and can have excellent success. It affects the clotting process due to the reduction of von Willebrand factor in the blood. Occasionally blood is found in the stool. This disorder is usually diagnosed in your dog between the ages of 3 and 5 and cannot be cured. However, it can be managed with treatments that include cauterizing or suturing injuries, transfusions of the von Willebrand factor before surgery, and avoiding certain medications. Cleft Palate : The palate is the roof of the mouth and separates the nasal and oral cavities. It is made up of two parts, hard and soft. A cleft palate has a slit that runs bilaterally or unilaterally and can range in size from a small hole to a large slit. A cleft palate can affect both the hard and soft palate separately and together and may cause a cleft lip. Puppies can be born with cleft palates, or a cleft palate can occur from an injury. Cleft palates are fairly common in dogs, but many puppies born with a cleft palate do not survive or are euthanized by the breeder. The only treatment for a cleft palate is surgery to close the hole, although not all dogs with a cleft palate require the surgery. It is important to get a diagnosis and treatment recommendation from your veterinarian. Elongated Soft Palate: The soft palate is the extension of the roof of the mouth. When the soft palate is elongated, it can obstruct airways and cause difficulty in breathing. The treatment for Elongated Soft Palate is surgical removal of the excess palate. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Regardless of how healthy your dog is when you first bring them home, you should prepare for any issues that may come up throughout their life. French Bulldog Care French Bulldogs do not need a lot of exercise. They have fairly low energy levels, although there are exceptions to every rule. To keep their weight down, however, they need daily exercise through short walks or play times in the yard. Many French Bulldogs enjoy playing and will spend much of their time in various activities, but they are not so high energy that they need a large yard or long periods of exercise. This breed is prone to heat exhaustion and should not be exercised in hot temperatures. Limit walks and active play to cool mornings and evenings. When training a French Bulldog, take into account that although they are intelligent and usually eager to please, they are also free thinkers. That means they can be stubborn. It is important to crate train your French Bulldog puppy even if you plan to give him the freedom of the house when he reaches adulthood. French Bulldog Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 1. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Frenchie, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. The skin is loose and wrinkled, especially at the head and shoulders, and has a soft texture. French Bulldogs come in a variety of colors, including fawn, cream, various shades of brindle — a coat patterned with specks and streaks of light and dark markings — such as black brindle and the striking tiger brindle, and brindle and white, known as brindle pied. French Bulldogs can be any color except solid black, liver a solid reddish-brown with brown pigmentation on the lips and nose , mouse a light steely gray , and black with white or tan. Run from any breeder who tells you that a particular color is rare and thus worth more money. Having your heart set on a fawn female is a recipe for disappointment when the litter contains only cream and brindle males. French Bulldogs are fairly easy to groom and need only an occasional brushing to keep their coat healthy. They are average shedders. Begin grooming your Frenchie at a young age and teach your puppy to stand on a table or floor to make this experience easier on both of you. When you are grooming your Frenchie at any stage of life, take the time to check for any scabs, skin lesions, bare spots, rough, flaky skin, or signs of infections. You should also check ears, eyes and teeth for any discharge or bad smells. Both are signs that your Frenchie may need to see the veterinarian. Clean ears regularly with a damp warm cloth and run a cotton swab around the edge of the canal. Never stick the cotton swab into the actual ear canal. If the edges of the ears are dry, apply mineral or baby oil sparingly. The oil can also be used on a dry nose. French Bulldogs do not naturally wear their nails down and will need their nails trimmed regularly. This prevents splitting and tearing, which can be painful for the dog. Keep the facial wrinkles clean and dry to prevent bacterial infections. Whenever you bathe your dog, take the time to thoroughly dry the skin between the folds. Bathe your French Bulldog monthly or as needed, and use a high-quality dog shampoo to keep the natural oils in his skin and coat. French Bulldogs should be easy to groom, and with proper training and positive experiences during puppyhood, grooming can be a wonderful bonding time for you and your Frenchie. That said, no dog should ever be left alone with a young child. When they are socialized to them during puppyhood, Frenchies can get along well with other dogs and cats. French Bulldog Rescue Groups French Bulldogs are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. All dogs will need veterinary care at some point in their lives. French Bulldog Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues. Below are breed clubs, organizations, and associations where you can find additional information about the French Bulldog. Now you can find out how popular the Frenchie dog is based on AKC most popular dog breeds in .These findings were based on stats on AKC registration statistics. It is important to note that even though the French Bulldog is listed as the fourth most popular dog there are many rare Frenchie colors that are not accepted and therefore do not have the AKC registration. The Frenchie breed is popular for their fun-loving, laid back nature and this has contributed to their almost universal appeal among dog lovers. If you have been searching for the perfect Frenchie puppy , we must warn you that this is where your search comes to an end. Armed with an overdose of cuteness and a tough-on-the-outside,sweet-on-the-inside expression, you are minutes away from a French Bulldog puppy fever. Discover the history of the French Bulldog on Meet the Breeds! Is the Frenchie dog breed the right breed for me? French Bulldogs have a unique personality than other breeds and it is recommended you learn more about this breed before getting one. Society stigmatize them as a lazy low maintenance small breed you can just carry everywhere. This is far from the truth. French Bulldogs often require as much attention as a newborn baby. Appearance of the French Bulldog dog The Frenchie dog is one of the miniature dog breed. One of their signature physical attributes are the over-sized bat-like ears that add spades of cute to this furry fellow. They have a muscle bound, compact frame with heavy bones. Their heads are large and square, compared to the rest of their body which tapers off to lean and smaller hind quarters. They have a wrinkly, almost flat face featuring a very short and often black muzzle. This gives them a scrunched up, eternally long-suffering look that provides several funny expressions and makes them look almost human. Their eyes are small, dark and set just above the muzzle. They have strong necks, wide chests and smooth, soft coats that come in a variety of colors. Their tails are usually short and either straight or screwed. The Frenchie dog is alert, friendly and sturdy. Their signature sitting positions will often remind you of a turkey leg. You most definitely will want to nibble on that! How do you know what color is your Frenchie puppy? First, examine the genes and colors of the parents, then examine certain features such as mask, maskless, brindle, tan points, sable etc. If you have questions or unsure you can always ask a more knowledgeable breeder or do a genetic test. Did you know the Fawn french Bulldog comes in many different shades? Here is a short breakdown of the different variations in Fawn French Bulldog puppies: Masked fawn French Bulldog A fawn Frenchie coat color can range from cream and light tan to golden tan and dark reddish tan with the distinguishing feature of a dark mask. Brindle streaks can occur. Their coats look like a pale lighter fawn color and usually puppies have lighter eyes. Their eyes will change in time from blue gray or green to brown honey or hazel color depending on their genes. Sable Frenchie dogs usually look like masked fawn Frenchies with darker black hairs and black-tipped hairs covering throughout the coat. A sable Frenchie puppy may be indistinguishable from sable in an adult French Bulldog. Maskless Fawn French Bulldog A Fawn maskless Frenchie coat color can range from cream and light tan to golden tan and dark reddish tan just like the masked fawn Frenchie. The only difference is that this coat color in Frenchies do not include the dark black mask around the eyes and muzzle. Red Fawn French Bulldog A red fawn Frenchie coat color can range from light red to dark reddish tan with the distinguishing feature of a dark mask. Brindle and sable can occur. The Red Fawn Frenchie coat color is considered rare. Lets talk French Bulldog genes! Two French Bulldogs that are masked brindles - expected to produce masked fawn, masked brindle or maskless brindle. A masked brindle Frenchie and a sable ayayE French Bulldog- expected to produce Frenchie puppies that are masked fawns sables or brindles. A masked brindle Frenchie and an ee red Frenchie - expected to produce depending on the A genes in the ee red blacks and some black with tan pigment, which could either be masked or brindled. If you work most of the day, and planning on leaving your Frenchie at home alone until you come back, please re-think getting this breed. It is too often that this breed is being surrendered to a rescue due to the inability of spending time with the dog. French Bulldogs will get angry and destroy things to get your attention if you are ignoring them or not there for them. If you are retired, and want a great loving companion this might be the breed for you. Should I get a French Bulldog puppy or a Pug puppy? There is no simple answer to this question. Deciding whether to get a Frenchie or a pug puppy can be a hard decision. They might look similar however there are many differences between the French Bulldog and the pug dog breeds. Both the Pug and the French Bulldog make a great family pet. Both are very loving and crave human attention. Both do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. The Pug never outgrows his or her puppy persona, and in contrast the French Bulldog is very laid back as he or she matures. The Frenchie is less active than the pug who might tend to bark more though not excessively. Similarly the Pug needs more exercise per day than the French bulldog. In addition Pugs life span will usually be longer than the French Bulldog. Both breeds do not do well in hot or cold weather. The Pug requires a lot more grooming and brushing than the Frenchie due to their thicket coat. Both breeds need daily wrinkle cleaning to avoid skin infections or tear stains. Frenchies cost more than Pug puppies. This is due to the fact that Frenchies can't reproduce naturally and all the costs associated with breeding the Frenchie. Both the Pug and the French Bulldog are prone to a long list of health problems. When making the decision whether you get a pug or a Frenchie you should consider your space, budget, and lifestyle. Maybe this decision proven to be too hard for you and in those cases you might consider getting a Frug. What is a Frug? A Frug is a crossbreed between the Pug and the Frenchie dog breeds. How do I find the right Frenchie? You generally have two options for getting yourself a French bulldog. You can either choose to get one through a reputable breeder or you can adopt a puppy from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization. How can I rescue a French Bulldog? We are involved with many French Bulldog organizations you can always ask us if you need some guidance in the right direction. Are Frenchies healthy? French bulldogs are not known for their great health. In fact, they can develop several health issues. This is largely due to several factors including their physical attributes. Keep in mind that not all Frenchies will have these health challenges. They are simply associated with the breed and may not occur at all for your furry buddy. With adequate knowledge about their health issues, you can better make intelligent decisions when it comes to picking your Frenchie-puppy. What is the life spam of a French Bulldog? On average, the French bulldog lives between 10 and 12 years although, it is common to see some live for longer, up to 13 or 14 years especially if your French Bulldog is at an ideal weight. Do Frenchies smell? A French Bulldog tend to be more smelly than other dog breeds. Their delicate stomach and breathing issues can cause a lot of gas. Additionally, the Frenchie's facial folds can have a bad odor if not cleaned daily. How much should a French bulldog puppy weigh? Our Frenchie Weight Calculator can tell you an approx weight of your puppy or dog instantly based on on your dogs age and breed size. A general idea of an ideal weight would be lbs for a male Frenchie and lbs for a female French Bulldog depending on frame and height. French Bulldog dog breed is considered one of the lazy breeds since they love to lay around and sleep a lot. Frenchies can become overweight or obese very quickly and that can lead to many health issues that can be avoided with proper and ideal weight. My Frenchie is too thin, what should I do? First ask yourself, is your Frenchie months of age? If so its natural for them to look skinny, they are still growing and filling up to their mature body. Has your Frenchie been through any medical proceedure in the last few months that requires anesthesia? It is normal that your French Bulldog is skinnier after a proceedure such as neutering, spaying, boas surgery etc. If your French Bulldog is not a puppy and have not been through any medical procedures but still looks thin there are a few options to help them gain a bit of weight and reach an ideal weight: -De-worm your Frenchie and rule out intestinal parasites with the help of your vet. Things like chicken or beef broth, a dollop of non-fat plain yogurt are safe for your Frenchie to consume in moderation. Does your Frenchie eat raw, dry or wet food? Ask yourself does he or she like the food? This type of supplement usually comes in a tube and is easy to give the dog. How will being underweight or overweight affect my Frenchie's health? Just like people an overweight or obese Frenchie may exprience a shortness of breath with little to no exercise. It is a matter of life or death for a breed like the French Bulldogs that already has respiratory issues in the first place. In addition you can expect an overweight Frenchie to have Diabetes and heart disease. They may also experience joint problems and inability to walk or run. Even 5 pounds would affect a Frenchie tremendously due to their already small size. If your Frenchie is underweight it could be a sign of a serious health problem. It would best to talk to your vetranarian and test for major health issues such as parasites, gastrointestinal disease or kidney disease etc. How can I tell my French Bulldog is overweight? Did you know that more than half of the dogs in the world are overweight? Chances are 50 percet that your dog may fall into that catagory as well. The signs of an overweight Frenchie is : - No muscle tone - Heavy breathing with little to no exercise. What should I do if my Frenchie is overweight? Here is a list of things to consider when it comes to a French Bulldog that is overweight: - There has been extensive research in regards to thyroid health and dogs that pull on dog collars. Are you using a collar or a harness on your French Bulldog? Does your Frenchie pull? Is it possible the collar is affecting your French Bulldog's thyroid gland? A collar pushes on the throat exactly in the area of the thyroid gland, and any trauma created by the pulling can inflame the thyroid. Read the label which will list protein, fat content and calories per cup. Ask your vet for any suggestions for your specific needs. Should I free feed my Frenchie? It is not recommended to free feed a French Bulldogs since Frenchies will typically overeat. That is not to say that every Frenchie is the same and yours might do well with free feeding. How much should a French Bulldog puppy cost? Why are Frenchie puppies so expensive? French Bulldogs puppies are more expensive than other dog breeds due to the fact that Frenchies can't have Frenchie puppies naturally. Is this breeder posting a scam? Stay away from buying a Frenchie puppy if the price is too good to be true. It most likely be a scam. Furthermore never purchase a Frenchiebulldog puppy without references from prior buyers, and a contract in place. Never transfer money in western union or any other means that will not cover your purchase in case the deal went south. Even if its not a scam, a breeder can only offer a Frenchie for a cheap amount if they bypass many necessary testings. Buying a healthy Frenchie puppy will never be cheap and can help avoid a lifetime of vet bills and care as well as heartache. Why does my male Frenchie squat and not lift his leg when going potty? It is normal for male French Bulldogs to go to the bathroom squatting instead of lifting their leg. This is due to their stocky built and their short body. When your dog is marking his territoty or around other dogs it is possible he might lift his leg. Can I place another dog with my Frenchie in the same crate? It would have to depend on your dog's personalities and whether they get along. Another thing to keep in mind is not crating the opposite genders if they are not fixed. If your Frenchie shown any aggression to the other dog it is not recommended you crate them together. However, if they get along well and are best freinds it may be beneficial to crate together to eliminate separation anxiety. Make sure the crate is large enogh for them to be comfortable. My Frenchie puppy ate the pee pad, what should I do? Don't panic! A lot of French Bulldogs go through a chewing phase where they eat everything in sight. Your Frenchie will most likely pass the pee pads in stool. Watch your Frenchie for any signs of blockage like constant vomitting and unable to go to the bathroom and take your French Bulldog to the vet if you believe there was any issue in passing the pads. My Frenchie bulldog is aggressive towards children. What should I do? Do not allow your Frenchie to be mean to kids or other pets. Your French Bulldog needs to have respect to other household members. When French Bulldogs get away with this behavior this problem will only get worse so correct it as soon as it starts. Another method of eliminating aggression in French Bulldogs is to overly praise them when they are affectionate, and when they are not, ignore and stand your ground. At times positive reinforcement with Frenchies work the best since they are very emotional. My Frenchie suffers from allergies and cytopoint. My vet recommended the use of the medication Apoquel. Every Frenchie is different and off course they each have their own sets of problems and symtoms, however, as a responsible owner you need to educate yourself on the medication Apoquel before giving it to your dog just like you would with any other medication. There are wonderful holistic vet care facilities everywhere that take a different approach that does not include drugs. This medication works because it suppresses your Frenchie's immunity system so they don't feel the need to itch. The downside is that its a highly addictive drug which your Frenchie will need to rely on for many years, and when you stop giving it to them the symptoms might come back and be worse than they are before starting. Another side effect stemming from Apoquel is constant ear infections. Some dog owners reported cancer after prolong use but there is no scientific research or proof that it causes it. Before starting such a serious medication you can always try a more holistic approach like special shampoos, bath treatments, immunity booster treats, goat milk, supplements, coconut oil etc. Should I give my Frenchie a bully stick? Absolutely not. French Bulldogs are known to choke on bully sticks. In fact it is recommended you never give a Frenchie any type of hard bone including Antlers etc. For a treat it is always recommended to use a soft treat that can easily dissolve even if they swollow it whole. Although, French Bulldog breeders can, and do, go beyond these, there are three main colors that Frenchies come in. These are brindle, fawn and pied. While these are the most common colors, they do come in such a mix that you could reasonably assemble French bulldogs with different coats. Brindle is the most dominant color of the breed. A brindle Frenchie has a mostly dark coat with light hairs mixed in here and there. According to the French Bulldog Club of America, the coat isactually made of a base of fawn hairs, through which black hairs extend in bands. This means there must be a patch of enough fawn hairs to show the brindle pattern, no matter where that patch is located. Other shades of brindle french bulldogs include: The strong brindle Frenchie - Mix of brown and tan coat coloration in Frenchies. The brindle pied French Bulldog - A Frenchie dog with a chest, head, neck or toes sporting white hairs. The seal brindle French Bulldog- A French Bulldog with very light white hair that may even seem invisible. It is also common to see some of the dogs with coats that have a light tan, golden tan or a reddish tan. When Frenchie dogs have a dark reddish fawn color, they are referred to as a red-fawn. Although fawn Frenchies usually have lighter masks as well, it is more common for them to have a dark mask and a black nose. Their ears are also commonly dark and they may even have some brindle streaksin their coat. Pied Frenchie Bulldogs have a coat that ranges from white to eggshell color. Their coat may look porcelain white or a bright cream. Often,these color types will have one dark patch that stands out and gives them their personality. This may be around the eyes or some other place on the body of the Frenchie dog. The Frenchie dog breed comes in a variety of unusual colors. Rare colors in French Bulldog puppies can be exceptionally expensive depending on how rare the puppy is. Also there is some debate about how healthy a rare colored Frenchie can be. Rare colors can be merle, lilac, blue and more. Keep on reading to learn everything about French Bulldog puppies! French bulldogs All you need to know about Frenchies: a short summary History in a nutshell French Bulldogs were first bred as a smaller version of the English Bulldog in the 19th-century England. They were particularly popular among lacemakers in Nottinghamshire, who initially kept them to chase rats but soon fell in love with their small size and calm, friendly nature. After the Industrial Revolution, they had to move to southern France where lacemaking was still done by hand and took their dogs with them. Frenchies soon got popular in the circles of French artists, actors, writers in Paris as well as rich Americans visiting the city. In fact, they loved Frenchies so much that they took them to the US, where they finally got recognized by the AKC in .Frenchie Characteristics French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds thanks to their fun, adaptable, friendly nature and distinctive look. You can easily recognize them by their flat, heavily wrinkled faces and large, erect bat ears, which make them absolutely adorable. Despite having the strong, muscular body of a bulldog Frenchies are small in size: adult males usually weigh 20 to 28 pounds while females are 16 to 24 pounds. Frenchie Colors Frenchies come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns. There are standard French Bulldog colors like black, fawn, cream and patterns like pied and brindle, which are considered common for the breed. Rare and unique colors like blue and lilac, as well as patterns like tan and merle have gained more popularity in recent years. Frenchie Personality French Bulldogs probably have the biggest personality among all the dog breeds. They are funny, friendly and insanely affectionate, making them the perfect companions for anyone. They are also highly intelligent and need a fair amount of mental stimulation. Frenchies are like small children: simply irresistible! Giving only high- quality food, ensuring regular training and exercise, finding a good vet and not exposing them to too much heat is also essential to provide a long and happy life for your French Bulldog. They are little clowns who always do something silly to make you laugh! They are amazing companions who get along with everyone in the family from small kids to older people, other dog breeds and even cats. Shall we go on?! The exact amount usually depends on various factors like the color, gender and age of a puppy as well as the breeder you get your puppy from. Breeding Frenchies requires a lot of time, effort, care and money, so those who are dedicated to only having high-quality and healthy French Bulldog puppies will ask a larger sum starting from 4, USD. Colors and patterns considered common for the breed like black brindle and fawn have the lowest prices ranging from 4, to 5, USD, while blue, lilac and merle which are more unique and harder to produce come at a higher price as well ranging from 6, to 8, USD. Isabella and fluffy Frenchies are the rarest, most valuable and most expensive from 8, to 30, USD. When it comes to age and gender, younger female Frenchies usually cost a couple of hundreds more than older male puppies. What's included in the price? Vocality level 3 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament The French Bulldog is a clown in a lapdog. They enjoy playing and entertaining their family, as well as cuddling and snoozing with their favorite person. They are amiable, sweet, companionable, and willing to please. A short walk on lead is sufficient to meet most of its physical needs. Frenchie snores and may wheeze and drool. Require minimal coat care Facial wrinkles should be regularly cleaned. Brachycephalic syndrome stenotic nares, elongated soft palate Intervertebral disk disease CHD seldom causes symptoms or problems Allergies History Where are French Bulldogs from? In the nineteenth century, the Bulldog was fairly popular in England, especially around Nottingham. The French women, especially, were attracted to these little Bulldogs, especially those with erect ears a common but disliked feature in England. Dog dealers brought more of the clownish little dogs to France, where they soon became the rage of Paris. The dogs were dubbed Bouledogue Francais. How big do French Bulldogs get? Some Bulldogs are quite small weighing less than 25 lbs, however, dogs in this breed on average, weigh 28 lbs. What are some French Bulldog facts and information? Facts French Bulldogs are best known for: Bat ears. Life Span Did You Know? While the name of this breed is the French Bulldog, their origins cannot be credited to only France. One of the facts about French Bulldogs is that the idea and reason for the creation of the breed originated in England. This adorable dog breed, which has always been meant to be a companion, started as a miniature version of the English Bulldog. This mini-version accompanied lace workers across the English Channel and into France during the Industrial Revolution. Once the dog breed became prominent in France, the subsequent successful crossbreeding of the English Bulldog, Pug, and Terrier led to the creation of the modern-day Frenchie. The French Bulldog we know today originally came to the United States with groups of wealthy Americans who came across them and fell in love while touring Europe in the late s. The French Bulldog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in and is a member of the non-sporting group. The French Bulldog is an easygoing, affectionate, and playful dog that loves their family and gets along well with children. They also love to make new friends, which means they get along well with other dogs, animals, and people. Intelligent and affectionate, this small dog breed certainly wins over hearts and earns its status as a popular companion dog. Frenchies are not known to bark much, unless you train them into it, but they are naturally alert and make excellent watchdogs. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, they tend to have an open and friendly nature. The Frenchie is a highly adaptable dog that pretty much adapts to any living situation that includes plenty of love and attention. Being a short-snouted, snub-nosed dog breed, they do not tolerate heat very well and are also sensitive to cold. This tends to make them one of the dog breeds that hate winter and you will want to make sure to bundle them up to stay warm while out on cold winter walks. Because Frenchies bond closely with their families and thrive on attention from them, they do not tolerate long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to developing separation anxiety if they are poorly socialized or you do not work with them on this when they are young. Potential health concerns to be aware of in French Bulldogs can include cataracts, cherry eye, and entropion. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances. Heart and joint certifications are recommended for this breed. Playful and happy, the French Bulldog is a great fit for a novice dog owner. They are sweet-tempered, eager to please, and eager to train. Occasionally, Frenchies can be stubborn and they do tend to have big personalities. Although this can sometimes be a challenge for first-time dog owners, it can usually be overcome with consistent and patient training. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training. Standard coat colors for Frenchies are Brindle, Cream, Fawn, and combinations of these. They have a short coat that will shed a little year-round. Nail trims once or twice a month keep nails from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks, along with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, the Frenchie is more prone to developing gum disease. Daily dental care plus cleanings at the vet as needed can help prevent this and other painful dental diseases later in life. You will also need to take care of the wrinkles. Frenchies have hereditary face wrinkles and it is important to keep them clean and dry to prevent skin irritation or possible infection. The French Bulldog is an easygoing companion breed. They can be one of the laziest dog breeds that are couch potatoes. Frenchies will often be energetic when they play and will try to match their activity to yours. So, if you live a more active lifestyle, you need to be careful that your French Bulldog is not overexerting themselves trying to keep up with you. As a Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dog, they cannot cool themselves as easily and are extra sensitive to heat. They can also get winded easily, so be aware of this when playing with your dog or puppy and watch for signs of overexertion. There are safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs and you can work with your vet on specifics for your Frenchie if needed. French Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Frenchies generally live for years on average. With this dog breed being so popular, there are plenty of celebrities who have chosen the French Bulldog as their companion, which also means there are plenty of famous Frenchies out there. Also, French Bulldogs cannot swim, at least without a life vest. They can be taught to swim while wearing one, but they should never be left unattended around bodies of water or swimming pools and require constant supervision while in the water. Featured French Bulldog Article.

Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. With dysplasia, the end of a bone no longer fits snugly into the socket of a joint, causing the bone to move around more than it should. This leads to pain and inflammation. In elbow dysplasia, uneven growth of the radius and ulna lower front leg bones can damage cartilage in the elbow joint. Dysplasia may cause your German Shepherd to walk or run abnormally. If he has hip dysplasia, he may swivel his hips or have a bunny hop when he walks or runs. With painful and uncomfortable joints, your German Shepherd will probably not want to move around very much. For example, he may no longer want to go up and down the stairs, or be more hesitant to do so. Go to source In general, your German Shepherd may not want to do any running or jumping. If he becomes aggressive e. He may become irritable enough to bite you, or at least try to. When you start noticing signs of dysplasia in your German Shepherd, take him to your veterinarian. Your German Shepherd will need to be sedated for the x-rays and orthopedic exam, particularly for the hip. Her hips came back from OFA with an "excellent" rating. However, I am concerned because when she runs at a "gallop" she bunny hops and looks to me like she lacks power in her back end. She can't keep up with other dogs that I think she sould be able to outrun. Does anyone know why the bunny hop? Maybe she had some sort of injury or strain? I will give it a try. She has always run this way. No injury or strain, no limping, good straight sits most of the time. Boy what a bummer. No one really knows the cause i would hazard a guess partly to do with the feeding or it may be genitic but not proven However if the dog is in no pain you cannot do much about it if it has always been that way, so long as it is in no pain just let it be the happy dog it is, However any thoughts of breeding with it should not be thought about Steve by ForFoxyRoxy on 17 September - Hi Steve, KInda tricky. Hope I did it right. Both front feet just stayed in position and she ended up rolling off to the side. Both rear feet sprung out but after 2 seconds. I did it on the carpet. Is that the best place? I will look up Wobblers. She has only exhibited pain twice when playing with another dogs. Once a young make got on top of her you know in the mating position. She backed him off as if in pain. The other time was with a young American Bulldog that got pretty rough playing with her and she did the same thing Thanks Cara. He runs great. Jumps great and shows no hip problems. However at 13 months he still bunny hops when running at full speed like a rabbit both back legs move at the same time. Also when he goes up steps real fast and he can. Sometimes he will bunny hop-leap up the steps to get up even faster. He bunny hop leaps up 4 or so steps st once. Is this bunny hopping something I should be concerned about?? I have seen on line and told this kind of bunny hopping is an early warning sign of impending hip problems. Thanx Much Bill.Marie replied: Thanks for your question. I can understand your concerns. As German Shepherds are a breed that is known to have a predisposition towards hip problems, I can see how an odd gait could make you a little worried. As far as I know, however, there is no evidence that shows that dogs who have an odd gait as a puppy will be more likely to get hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia usually do not end up showing signs of hip dysplasia until they are quite a bit older. Often, by two years of age there can be changes that can be seen on an xray to indicate that hip dysplasia is likely to happen years down the road, but usually there is no outward sign of problems with the hips at this point. In my career I have seen a couple of dogs who had problems with their hips when they were as young as 13 months. But, I wouldn't say that bunny hopping would make me concerned. Now, if Navoc was showing signs of pain such as limping or whining while he was walking or jumping then I would be more concerned. It's never a bad idea to have your vet take a look and even consider xrays, but I don't think that the bunny hopping that you have described is anything to worry about. January 10, For Pups With Short Attention Spans… German Shepherds are prone to a number of health issues that potential owners should be aware of. Some health conditions include, hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, degenerative myelopathy, eyesight issues, and cancer. Intelligent, noble, and naturally protective, German shepherds guard our homes—and our hearts. These gentle beasts are often bred for agility and herding. These two bones grind and grate together—think something like a mortar and pestle—causing inflammation and pain to the hip joints. You may begin to see your GSD bunny hopping or limping due to stiffness in their hind leg. Your active pup may even begin to resist going for walks to their favorite park or roughhousing with their other furry friends. Treatment Unfortunately, there is no way to cure hip dysplasia. In fact, it can cause a rather large amount of pain and discomfort to your pup. The German Shepherd breed and other large breeds have genetic predispositions towards this condition. This inherited condition occurs when the elbow joint develops abnormally during a German shepherd puppy growth spurt, causing the bones and cartilage in the joints to rub together. German shepherd dog with this condition may have difficulty performing physical activity due to their swollen and painful joints, like: Running Jumping Treatment Treatment options for elbow dysplasia are identical to those for hip dysplasia—give your growing pup plenty of exercise and joint supplements and consider veterinarian intervention. When your GSD eats too quickly, they can inhale a large amount of air that may cause their stomach to twist and expand. Your companion may attempt to tell you something is wrong by vomiting or drooling excessively. You may also notice their stomachs start to swell. Treatment and Prevention If your GSD has gastric dilation or volvulus, they will most likely need to visit a vet, and receive fluids, medicine, and regular exercise to dispel the gas. To prevent bloating, you may need to feed your GSD small meals throughout the day and avoid strenuous exercise immediately after eating. You can also buy special bowls that make your working dog slow down as they eat. This disorder is quite severe and will eventually progress to complete paralysis of the: Bladder Bowels Limbs German shepherds with this condition typically start showing signs around 8 to 9 years old with the weakening of one or both hind limbs. Over weeks or months, this progressive degenerative disorder will spread to the front limbs. Treatment There is currently no cure for degenerative myelopathy. Physical therapy has been shown to delay the degeneration of the limbs but will not stop the progression completely. Pannus is a genetic condition that affects the cornea of the eye. GSDs with this condition will develop a cloudy, pink mass that covers and scars the eye. Pannus typically occurs in older German Shepherds, and if left untreated, your GSD may experience blindness. Treatment Similar to other genetic disorders, treatment of pannus will only stall its progression and will not offer a permanent cure. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics may be used to treat the health condition directly. The most common types of cancer include:1 Osteosarcoma — This is a type of bone cancer that produces aggressive tumors that progressively damage the bones of the limbs, skull, vertebrae, ribs, vertebrae, and pelvis. Hemangiocarcinoma — GSDs are genetically predisposed to hemangiocarcinoma. This cancer develops in the blood vessels of GSDs and can target the heart, liver, spleen, and skin. Lymphoma — This cancer goes after the entire immune system of GSDs. Though aggressive, this cancer is not particularly painful to your pup. These growths will often feel lumpy or hard to the touch. If the tumor is malignant, your dog may also experience abnormal discharge, panting, or loss of appetite. According to a study from the Royal Veterinary College, German Shepherds are the second most common dog breed to experience pet health disorders as a direct result of their breeding traits. It all comes down to their unique disposition—selective breeding favors German shepherds with low hindquarters and sloping backs.

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Well-bred Labradors are relatively low maintenance, fit and healthy dogs. But your Labradors continuing health and well-being does depend entirely on you. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, grooming, preventive measures and regular visits to the vet are the real key to maintaining a high level of wellness and good health. All these actions are your responsibility and solely under your control. Daily routines will be diet control, exercise and physical inspections. Weekly routines will be grooming, ears, eyes, teeth and nail care. Quarterly routines could be shared between visits to the vet, a canine dentist and bathing. And the annual routine will be vaccinations. Just remember that prevention is always better than cure, so doing your best to prevent any illness and catching problems at the earliest possible stage is the goal to aim for. The following are all areas where you only need a little knowledge to effectively take care of your Labrador well. And if you cannot dedicate this time and effort, then in the nicest possible way, you might be better suited to a pet with less demanding care requirements such as goldfish. Making Safe Your Home and Garden Labradors are a lively and inquisitive breed, especially during their first three years so you need to keep dangerous household items out of their reach. Conceal electrical wiring…we all know of their infamous love for chewing. Sharp teeth and electricity do not mix! A Labrador can easily choke on wrappings or trash that may be swallowed along with edible scraps. Labs are smart and opening cupboards and drawers soon becomes easy for them. Be mindful of the toxicity of certain plants — Over plants have been identified as toxic to dogs , so be sure to research any plant before bringing it into your home. Fence of any ponds or pools in your yard. These are just a few points to consider around your home and garden, there are many more. Just try to put yourself in your Labradors shoes and take a good look at his environment as he would see it. Try to see how he could get into trouble and take measures to prevent it. Click here for a more detailed guide on puppy-proofing your home and garden. Brushing also helps to shake loose dirt out of and spread the natural oils throughout their coat for that desirable, healthy glossy look we know and love. Related article: The Best vacuums for removing pet hair from your home. Frequent baths will strip their oils, leaving them prone to wet and cold in winter, causing dry skin and making their coat look dull and not shiny. Keeping Nails Trim Most Labradors will need a nail trim every 2 to 3 months, although some may never need it. Regularly walking your dog on hard ground, especially sidewalks and roads, will have a natural filing effect and keep your dogs claws in order. This can make them sore and bleed. Ear Care What with a Labradors slightly drooping ears and their love of water, the inside of their ears can sometimes retain too much moisture, causing bacteria to build up and infections to form. I shall be writing an article on this very soon. Just some of the problems a Labrador may have with its teeth are gum disease, loose teeth, cracked or broken teeth, root abscesses and a build up of tartar. These can be very uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to further problems if neglected. Therefore, you need to inspect their teeth regularly, take measures to clean their teeth and even visit a professional canine dentist every 6 months or annually for a thorough check up and any necessary treatments. Treat their teeth like you would your own. Dealing with Parasites Controlling fleas, ticks and other parasites is essential for keeping your Labrador healthy. Immediate problems include extreme irritation and skin sores, but extreme infestations can lead to more dangerous problems including Lyme disease and tape worms. If you stick to a regular grooming schedule as you should! Simply brush your hand against the lie of your Labradors fur and watch for any small moving dots and check for any clearly visible ticks. There are many safe and effective over-the-counter flea control products , many of which contain formulations to prevent ticks at the same time. Finally, depending on where you live in the world, you may need to put your Labrador on medication for heartworm. Where mosquitoes are a problem, they can pass on heartworm and this can be fatal. Even the medicine for heartworm makes your dog very ill so prevention is definitely better than cure! Diseases such as distemper, rabies, hepatitis and parvoviros to name just a few. Your puppy will have had his first shots at five or six weeks before you got to take him home, and he will need a few further shots over a period of up to 18 weeks. A rabies shot usually follows at 6 months of age or so. After this, your adult Labrador will need just a single booster each year to stay protected. For many facts on vaccinations and the schedule you should follow when vaccinating your puppy, please click here. Dogs need a balance of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins different to that of a human and feeding them on human leftovers can lead to malnutrition, as can a diet based on cheap filler packed dog food. You should perform a little research to find and use a recognized healthy brand of dog food that will cater to your Labradors needs. To help with this, please see our articles that list 4 of the best foods for Labrador puppies opens in new window or the best dog foods for adult Labradors opens in new window …yours really will thrive on these handpicked, quality foods! Additionally, the best thing you can do is set up a feeding schedule for your dog, twice per day being the recommended, and be mindful of any extra treats. Your Lab should always be well fed but not over-fed. I shall discuss this more in a later article. An Important Note On Drastic Changes In Eating And Drinking Habits If your dog is off their food, drinks way too much or way too little for a period of time more than 36 hours, you should call your vet as this is almost surely a sign of an underlying problem. They are voracious eaters and will eat just because they can, not because they need it. Excess weight can lead to all sorts of issues including arthritis and heart problems. To prevent this, control their diet and give them plenty of exercise for them to burn off those calories. They really do need very little exercise of just a few short minutes a couple of times per day. Too much exercise for a puppy can cause skeletal formation issues and plays a large part in joint problems. Take it easy until your puppy is at least a year old. Bedding and Shelter A Labrador should always have a soft surface to lay upon. To prevent this you should get your Lab a large sized dog bed or line a crate to offer a soft and comfortable place to rest. If your Lab spends any amount of time outside, you must provide shelter to offer an escape from the sun in summer, and preferably the shelter should have a raised floor so the wet and cold is kept away in winter. If your Lab puppy gets used to sleeping in a bed of yours or your children, it will be a hard habit to break and will more than likely end in separation anxiety and night-time whining. You want your Labrador to be comfortable alone for periods of time and should start forming this habit ASAP. Training The importance of training your Labrador cannot be overstated. A dog is a dog and not a human. You need to teach your dog how to behave and what your instructions are asking them to do. Before a puppy can become a trusted, well-behaved dog they have a lot of learning to do…and you a lot of teaching! To learn from the written word, I am part way through building the ultimate resource in the form of this site. Routines for feeding, exercise, grooming and visits to the vet are all easily managed with a little knowledge and by planning a schedule in advance and sticking to it. Spending quality time with your Lab is also key, especially regular grooming sessions. You should also attempt to learn your dogs normal living habits, how much he eats, drinks and sleeps. Anything To Add? As always, if you have any questions, would like to offer feedback, suggestions or further advice on the subject, please do so in the comments section below. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Fourth meal 5 pm You should follow this type of feeding schedule until your Lab puppy is 14 weeks old, after which you can adopt a two meal per day plan. However, keep in mind that Labs are especially prone to overeating and obesity, so if you use treats, ensure you give them sparingly. In fact, a study in the UK listed Labrador Retrievers among the eight breeds most prone to being overweight. So your food-loving Lab puppy requires a bit of control. One way to keep them from overeating treats is to portion out their food for the day and use that as their reward. In most cases, the puppy will respond just as enthusiastically to kibble. Place a bowl of water in a location accessible to your puppy and supervise him to ensure he drinks enough but not too much. Puppies at this age should drink between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. So if your eight-week-old Lab is 12 lbs 5. This is an essential part of puppy care. As mentioned, if you get your puppy from a reliable breeder which should always be the case , the pup should have already started with his vaccinations, and the breeder should provide the vaccination records. Then, make an appointment with the vet for any vaccination follow-up. Also, ensure your pup stays on worm preventative medication as puppies are more prone than adult dogs to worm infection. Sometimes puppies are also born with certain types of worms from an infected mother, especially roundworms and hookworms, where mother-to-puppy transmission is a significant mode of spreading. Be especially sure that your Lab puppy gets the heartworm vaccination. Heartworm is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease, and once your dog is infected, the cure is expensive and extremely harsh on your dog. A trained dog will learn how to behave in and outside the home and around other humans and pets. I have a full beginner guide on how to train an 8 week old Labrador puppy , but in a nutshell, there are three training areas you should focus on in terms of pet training: housebreaking, obedience, and socialization. Housebreak Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Housebreaking means training your puppy to eliminate outdoors or at a designated location inside the home instead of doing it anywhere and at any time. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks because their system is not yet mature enough to hold it for long. Luckily you can take advantage of that to teach your dog to always use the same spot. Pay attention to the signs your puppy gives when they need to ease themselves, like circling, whining, or sniffing their groin. Puppies naturally need to eliminate at these times: First thing after waking up in the morning. Last thing before retiring at night. After every meal. After drinking plenty of water. Upon waking up from a nap. During or after play or exercise. When they wake up during the night. Their brain, at this point, is like a sponge that will easily absorb new info. Also, teaching these commands early will make living with you easier for your dog as he will know what is expected of him. Teach your Lab puppy to sit, lay down, stay, leave, and other basic commands that are foundational for more advanced training later. Remember to use only positive reinforcement training approaches and reward your puppy with verbal praise, positive gesture cues, and treats. Exposure to these realities will help your Lab puppy adjust fast and nurture proper social behavior. In addition, exposure will preempt signs of poor puppy socialization, like aggression and fear around people and other animals. In general, your eight-week-old Labrador puppy should have two minute sessions of exercise daily. In addition, keep the following in mind: Keep exercise sessions short in the beginning and allow your puppy to adapt gradually. Playtime counts as exercise, so be careful not to over-exercise your Lab puppy. This is the harness I use. Allow your pup spontaneous rest moments between play. When exercising your puppy , avoid taking him for walks during the coldest or hottest times of the day. There are several ways to ensure your eight-week-old Labrador puppy is always safe, including ample supervision and choosing the right kind of toy. They might also try to get away on an exploratory walk if the door is left open. To avoid these dangers, puppy-proofing your home before getting your eight-week-old Lab puppy is vital. Read more here, What Foods are Poisonous to Labradors? Unplug power cords and put them away when not in use, as your puppy could try chewing on them. Remember that your puppy is young and still learning. It is also a legal requirement in some countries, such as the UK, and it may be required when traveling. While name tags are an excellent way to identify a dog, they can be easily removed or get lost, which means you are better off microchipping your Lab puppy, or even better, do both. Choose Safe Play Toys for Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Like us, eight-week-old puppies still have their baby teeth which they gradually lose to make room for their adult teeth. So, expect a lot of chewing and nipping during this time. Like humans, teething can be uncomfortable, and chewing is their only way to relieve some of that pain. To that end, ensure your Lab puppy has the right chewing toys to avoid damaging teeth or accidentally swallowing toy pieces. This toy is great for teething pups, doubles as a fetch toy, and is also a treat-dispensing toy where you can stuff it with peanut butter or other goodies. If proper toys are not provided, your Lab puppy will chew any available object in the house, such as table legs, shoes, remotes, or your hands. As such, they need proper resources for resting and sleeping. That includes the time to do so and a place where they will feel safe in. This synthetic dog bed has an ultra-soft feel and provides maximum comfort for your Lab. You can use it in the crate or as a stand-alone bed, and it comes in a few different styles and sizes. I like this bed due to its 3. Ensure the bed is in a location with no draft and where your puppy does not get any disturbance when resting. If you put your puppy straight into the crate without helping them adjust, it may react poorly. When buying a kennel, the best approach is to buy one that your pup can use as an adult dog, which for a Lab would be around 42 inches .Just be sure to get a crate with dividers so you can make the space smaller for your puppy. An 8-week-old Lab puppy can only walk for approximately minutes at a time. In most cases, young puppies will not walk but rather jump around and play. Still, keep in mind that they do not need long exercise sessions. Instead, keep playtimes short and allow for lots of rest. Remember that puppies should only walk about five minutes for every month of age, twice a day. At three months, you can stretch it to 15 minutes. Overwalking your Lab puppy can cause joint and bone issues and should be avoided. As such, a dog from a larger breed will need more food as a puppy than a smaller breed. An 8-week-old Lab puppy should be fed three to four meals of no more than cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy will depend on his size and weight. For example, if your puppy is between lbs 4. These measurements can vary with each dog food product, as different manufacturers have varying ingredients, so ensure you check the packaging first. Eight week old Lab puppies sleep for approximately 18 to 20 hours a day. An 8 week old Lab should pee as soon as they wake up, after eating and drinking, after waking up from a nap, during or after a session of play or exercise, just before going to bed at night, and when they awake during the night. They help you find the information you need right now. You might also want to check out our sections on Labrador Puppy Training. Do let us know what you would like to see added to the site. We are always happy to have your comments and suggestions. When To Collect Your Puppy We highly recommend that puppies are not removed from their breeder until they are 8 weeks old. There are lots of good reasons for this. It helps puppies develop good bite moderation skills before they are adopted into a family, ensures that they are ready to adapt quickly to their new life. And it helps to reduce the sad numbers of puppies bred for a quick profit. Puppies sold under seven weeks old often have health problems and need special care, and extra veterinary attention. Check out the following articles for further information: When can puppies leave their mother Your first puppy Your first puppy is a huge adventure. You have so much fun ahead. Labradors are generally very friendly dogs, but they can also be very distractible. So do start daily training games, using plenty of food. You can get regular training tips from Pippa by email, using the box below. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Labrador Puppies Labrador puppies are a ball of fun. They are playful, cute, and always enjoy the company of children and adults. Labradors are not demanding dogs. They make ideal pets that are are amazing companion dogs that are always ready to follow their owner everywhere. If you are bringing a labrador puppy home this article is for you. Where do labradors originate from? The labrador breed of dog is originally from Newfoundland. They were later bred in the UK as hunting gun dogs. They are bred for their ability to retrieve, their friendly nature, and their ability to dominate field trials. A fully grown labrador is a large dog that lives for 12 to 13 years. Labradors are heavy dogs and weigh 80 pounds when fully grown. Female labradors weigh about 20 kilos less. Labradors come in three main colors I. Labradors have thick tails that are flat at the base and tapering at the edge. Labradors have a short dense coat. In this article, we will prepare you for when you bring a labrador puppy home. Nutritional needs and how to feed a labrador Labradors have a varying diet depending on the age of the puppy. At 2 to 6 months Labrador puppies are able to eat started dry food. Choose a brand of puppy food that is rich in the nutrition that puppies need. At months your dog will start to eat like an adult. You can also feed your dog thin strips of raw red meat or cooked chicken boneless with veggies. What alternative food can you feed your puppy other than kibble? There are a number of types of healthy dog food that you can feed your dog other than kibble. These foods can be meats, veg, and cooked food. Cooked chicken with the bones removed is healthy and tasty food for dogs. Dogs love the taste of eggs and it makes an ideal puppy food. Feed your dogs scrambled as they are rich in protein and are easy to digest for your puppy. Oatmeal for dogs is rich in fiber and helps your dog have a regular bowel movement. What are the concerns of feeding a puppy raw food? Raw food can be a risky proposition when feeding your dogs. Raw foods may contain bacteria that are a health risk to both humans and your puppy. An unbalanced diet of raw food can affect the health of your dog. It is for this reason that vets recommend kibble or feeding your dog cooked meats like chicken. How to choose the right food for your dog The correct food for your puppy should take up all its nutritional needs and ensure the health of your pet. Look out for good quality food that has the nutritional benefits for your dog printed on it. Such food should also contain proteins and minerals. Feeding your puppy in his crate The crate is the home for your puppy in the first few months of its life. Your puppy plays and grows older in its crate. Feeding your puppy in its crate increases its attachment to its living space. When feeding your puppy in its crate ensure that you have put the food all the way to the back of the crate. Choosing the proper food and water bowls Choose a food and water bowl for your puppy that is heavy and does not move around. Ensure that your puppy has separate bowls for food and water. Plastic bowls are an inexpensive option for your puppy bowl. Stainless steel bowls are also good as they do not break and are easy to rinse. Keeping your puppy at the proper weight Labrador puppies love to eat and for this reason, may become overweight quite easily. Ensure that you feed your puppy only twice a day with nutritious meals that are rich in all the various nutrients. Do not overfeed your puppy. A puppy needs only grams of food per sitting. Do not feed your puppy if it is asking for food between meals. Labrador puppies are known to be voracious eaters. Washing Your Labrador retriever Labrador puppies do not need a bath very often as they may fall sick. It is ideal to wash your puppy only once every 2 months. Use a mild dog shampoo when washing your puppy. So not use human shampoo as this may dry the skin of your puppy. A puppy has natural oils in its coat and this gets washed away when you shampoo your puppy. So, be aware of the specific bathing needs of your puppy. It protects its health and lets it grow up to be a big and strong dog. Taking care of a Labrador so that he is happy Labradors are jolly dogs that often wag their tail and like to be happy. In order to keep your labrador dog happy ensure that it gets a lot of fresh air and exercise. Taking care of Labrador so that he is happy Take your dog out for a walk once a day for at least an hour. You can play fetch with your puppy or have it follow you around. You can also teach your dog how to respond to its name and come when called. Buy your pet fun toys to play with when at home or outside. Labrador puppies love toys that they can play with. Praise your puppy often and give it a lot of love and attention. Take your puppy for walks and carry puppy snacks with you for when your puppy does a good deed. Remember, lots of love creates a happy labrador. Vaccinations It is extremely important to vaccinate your puppy after bringing her home from the pet store. There are a number of illnesses that may affect your dog if you do not vaccinate it on time. The vaccinations that your dog will need to prepare its health are as follows: Canine Parvovirus. Canine Distemper. The ideal weight for a labrador puppy at 3 months is 25 lbs and at 6 months that weight will be 50 Lbs. On average a Labrador puppy will gain two pounds of each week of weight. If your puppy is picking up weight to fast try and cut down its below meals snack and ensure that you are feeding your dog the ideal amount of food. Daily Exercise A puppy that has daily exercise is a happy puppy. Your puppy should exercise at least once a day with a walk that is nearly an hour long. Having not enough exercise may cause your dog health issues like joint problems, weight gain, and other health issues. Exercising your dog not just keeps it healthy but also helps you develop a bond with your pet. Training your labrador puppy Owing to the size of the labrador breed training your dog later in life can be daunting as they are large and excitable dogs. Instead start training your dog at an early age. You can start training your dog from 6 to 12 weeks old. Training sessions should be fun. You can start toilet training your dog at this age. You can also start with simple commands such as getting your dog to follow when you call it and teaching your dogs commands such as sit and fetch. Reward behavior that you want to encourage in your dog. Dealing with parasites No matter how much you take care of your dog it may get parasites like fleas, ticks, and tapeworms. If this is the case you should give your dog a bath using medicated shampoos to care for your dog. You can also give your dog a deworming pill to get rid of any internal parasites. Visit a vet at least once every two months. Take him or her to the vet immediately so that it may get the proper medical care it needs. Although I am not a veterinarian myself, I have been a lab owner for 11 years and been in the pet food industry for the last 6 years. However, if this is not the case for your pupper, no need to worry. Be sure not to feed normal cerelac or cow milk as that will result in loose motion as well as stunted growth. At this tender age, you need to feed your lab pup via feeding bottle like you would feed a human baby of age 2 months. Milk is the only food apart from purified water which your dog is gonna need till 1. After this age, till 3 months you have two options. You can either continue with milk or look at starter food options like Royal Canin Maxi starter , Drools starter, Farmina Puppy Starter, Canine Creek Starter , Orijen puppy and plenty of other brands which are available in the market. The kibble for starter food is small and most probably, your puppy will be able to chew it. Certain dry food can be extremely hard to chew, so depending on the toughness of the kibble you might have to break i. Puppies of age 1. You should be following this diet of starter food till 3 months age at least. Also, make sure you are vaccinating as well as deworming your pup at the right intervals. So, a proper nutritious diet is essential to achieve good growth. You can either go for Royal Canin Maxi Junior or Royal Canin Labrador Junior or puppy variants of other brands like drools, canine creek, Orijen Puppy and Junior Recommended , Acana large breed puppy, pedigree not recommended at this age. If you are giving a good diet like Royal Canin, farmina or even home-made food, growth should be good. For those who can extend their budget, you can go for something even more premium like Acana, Orijen, Arden Grange and the likes. No need to add additional supplements. If you are feeding home-made food like boiled chicken which itself is a very good food option, consider adding some fish oils like Beaphar Salmon Oil. However, a good diet is recommended to ensure a good life span above 12 years and muscle development. Homemade food can be a healthy option as well. Feeding guide amount to feed in grams depends on dog weight and varies from brand to brand. You will find the recommended portion for your brand based on the calories it carries on the packet you will buy. At other times, you can give chews or treats but whole meal should be fed not more than twice a day. Do not keep food available in front of the dog except during his eating time. However, you can keep water available in a bowl all the time. Sticking to schedule regularly is recommended. Wait, till now we have been speaking about commercial dry food. Yes, this happens to many dogs. While some dogs like pugs are voracious eaters, labs or goldens can be extremely choosy. They will eat whatever liquid you put in the feeding bottle at this age. However, once puppies mature and learn to eat themselves, they may not like dry food, rarely touch it. In these cases, the best option is to first add a home-made additive with the dry food. You may add many things dog like in small quantities of chicken stalk, chicken pieces boneless for puppies , curd, egg and others to the dry food. Changing or trying out another brand helps as well. I have seen many dogs who hate Drools but like Canine Creek although they are manufactured by same company. Every dog has a mind of his own. Most common diseases of Indian bred dogs like canine hyp dysplasia, ear infections, bent hind legs can happen to any dog. Take your dog to a registered veterinary practitioner in case such situations arise. Lack of appetite is also observed during this age at times. For not-so-severe cases, you may administer Himalaya Liv52 syrup or tabs or other appetite stimulants of various brands twice a day for days. In case, your dog has gastrointestinal disorders, referring to a prescription diet under the guidance of a veterinarian can be immensely helpful. This entry was posted in Pet Blog. Bookmark the permalink.

We enjoy horseback riding, hunting, hiking, off road hobbies and of course our dogs. We have owned many dogs and horses and believe they are all family members. Kyle works as mobile hydraulic mechanic and I work as an RN. Over the past several years our passion for Labradors has grown. We have been working towards building a small breeding program. We believe in producing quality, health tested, proven pedigree and well balanced dogs that fit the AKC breed standard of the Labrador Retriever. Some of our goals are to provide you with a quality hunting or family dog that full fills every need and compliments your life and hobbies with the enrichment that Labradors provide to our family. About our Labradors A Labrador retriever should be able to be good family companions, for an active home whether they are on a farm, or in an apartment, or live in a town house. In our opinion the Labrador should be a low maintenance member of the family that possesses a carefree demeanor, that loves kids and being with their people. In a perfect world the Labrador would be a versatile dog that molds to their families and either a farm dog, hunting companion, show dog, agility dog, therapy or service dog with love for retrieving and companionship. The Labrador Our breeding program is geared towards producing a Labrador that encompasses qualities of English style and American field style Labradors. We take pride in producing quality conformation dogs as well as competitive field dogs. We specialize in a pet dog, therapy, service dogs, companions, and hunt test dogs. Most families are looking for a Labrador that can handle going out hunting, hiking, biking, camping, etc. Everyone wants the dog with the good off switch that can keep up when needed and relax at the end of the day with the family. Prince Labradors strives to produce a quality family member with the best Labrador temperament for any discipline or family type. We enjoy enriches other family with such amazing dogs. Health Guarantee All of our Labrador puppies go home with a health guarantee. We stand behind our retrievers and their genetics. At any time we are happy to answer questions, health concerns, or questions about dog sports or event. I urge my clients to maintain in contact with us as their dogs grow and develop. Getting a Prince Labrador means becoming a member of the family. Please inquire about the details of our health guarantee and contract. All our dogs always have a home with us. More than anything my Family loves to hear and see how our dogs are growing and developing in their homes. Nothing brings us more joy than getting updates and sharing the love of a Labrador. Contact Us. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Their popularity makes Labrador Retriever puppies easy to find. Each breeder on this list specializes in the traditional yellow, chocolate, and black Labradors. A few even breed the less common silver color. The 7 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Washington 1. Familiar with people, other animals, machinery, and a variety of other situations and noises, these dogs are loyal, intelligent, and trainable. Trainable and friendly, these Labradors come in black, yellow, or chocolate and are regularly screened for health issues. T, a program run by the American Kennel Club. Spokane Labrador Retrievers Visit Their Website Spokane, WA Family-owned and operated, Spokane Labrador Retrievers pay attention to the personality, genetics, and characters of their dogs to provide you with the perfect companion. Instead, they focus on keeping their stock manageable and paying attention to choosing dogs with the perfect mix of personality, intelligence, and longevity. These Labrador Retrievers are available in the traditional chocolate, yellow, and black, along with chocolate-nosed yellow. With their careful breeding program, these dogs are perfect family pets, hunting companions, service dogs , or search-and-rescue partners. Desert Wind offers shipping for families outside of Washington and a 1-year health guarantee. Free of hip dysplasia and eye defects , these dogs are intelligent and great problem solvers. Settled on 38 acres, Silver Bow specializes in chocolate and black Labradors. All the dogs are fully vaccinated, wormed, and AKC registered. Shipping for buyers living outside of Washington is available for an extra fee. With just over 2 acres to explore, their dogs are both active and happy to cuddle. Carver Labradors make sure their puppies are vaccinated, wormed, and examined by a veterinarian before heading to their new home. Their dogs make good family members and therapy or service animals. The puppies are socialized with children and other animals from chickens to horses, and they are friendly and loving. Ready to join their new home at 8 weeks old, the dogs are health checked, vaccinated, wormed, and accompanied by AKC registration papers. Next on your reading list:. All our puppies have new homes! Be first in line for your new puppy! Get on the waitlist for Silver Labs and Golden Retriever Puppies due beginning of October Past litter of male puppies Looking for a puppy to add to your family? Golden Retrievers Labrador Retrievers Chocolate Labs Silver Labs Meet The Puppies These are gorgeous, and energetic dogs who: require daily exercise and are perfect for you, if you love being outdoors and living an active lifestyle are easily trained and very intelligent, making them great family companions. We are located just 60 miles outside of Seattle on a 50 acre farm that's been in our family since my grandfather purchased it when he returned from Europe after World War II. Our dogs love it here. The mamas will even hop in the back of the truck to go help us feed the cows or play in the grass while we're tending to the horses. Our puppies are well socialized as they spend time with our family and with regular visits to the vet you have our assurance that not only are they cute but healthy. Golden Retrievers Silver Labrador Retrievers Chocolate Labrador Retrievers Healthy Your puppy is ready to go home with you at 8 weeks old, with AKC registration, a healthy puppy vet check, their first shots, and age appropriate wormings. Adorable You will literally have your pick of the litter depending on who the mama is. Whether it's an English Style Silver or Chocolate Lab or a beautiful Golden Retriever you are sure to find the puppy that steals your heart. Raised With Love Our dogs are our family pets and are a part of our everyday lives. They spend their days with us and you may find them roaming the farm or on a trail ride. They are raised with chicken, cows and horses. Our puppies also spend lots of time playing outside so they are well socialized, great around children and other pets. Have questions? We are a phone call, text or email away! Testimonials Meet Boone What a wonderful, friendly, dog loving, farm home to buy our beautiful Silver Lab, Boone, from! We were able to make trips to visit Boone while he grew, Wendy was always accommodating and super nice. During these visits we also became more acquainted with Boone's mom and grandmom, they are both loving and gentle souls. These are qualities we were looking for in our next dog as we have young grandchildren that will be a big part of Boone's life. We have had Boone for two weeks now. And he surprises us daily with how smart he is. We could not be happier with the start in life he had at Wendy's, his breeding, and HIM!! And I haven't even mentioned how absolutely beautiful Boone is! We collectively decided on getting a dog. We wanted a happy, smart, loyal breed that could fit in and grow with our kids. With those criteria we started looking for a Labrador Retriever. We soon drove to the farm to pick out our puppy. From that moment, until today, we have been so happy with our choice! Our silver lab, Rumble Rainier, has been value added to our home. He is perfect with our sons, he learned our routines quickly, and he keeps us smiling every day. Say Hi to Boomer.They were amazing to work with thru the whole process. We first picked him out in January and we got to visit every other week to watch him grow and get him familiar with us. He was the cutest little brown fur ball and it was fun to see him interact with all his siblings and his mom. He was also very loved and handled by their kids during the times we could not visit. He is a year old now and a very healthy and beautiful lab. He loves being outside, playing fetch, playing with his soccer ball, or being anywhere our 12 year old daughter is. He has been a great addition to our family! They really love their dogs and know how to breed healthy, well-adjusted dogs. Our Boomer loves all dogs, adults and children because of this. We are so thankful to Green Valley Pups and Paws for this whole experience! Amber McKinney.

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

How to accept discipline and more besides So taking a puppy any earlier is wrong and detrimental to their development. We follow many of the guidelines set forth by a program called Puppy Culture. Know that once you have your puppy, everything you do, everything they see, every good experience, bad experience, taste, smell, sight, reward and punishment trains them in some way. All of these experiences are granted to them by you and they will be looking to you for guidance through these experiences. Puppies are exactly like children. They take their cues from you to learn where they can go, where they should not, what they should be scared of, what they should not, what they can play with, what they can not…and on and on. You may as well take advantage of this innocence, when they have no idea of what life is with no preconceived ideas, no habits formed or needing to be broken, to start training them to fit into the life that they will lead with the skills that they will need. I believe you should start to train your Labrador puppy as soon as you get them home, from 8 weeks of age. But I stress this important point, to make it fun! You have to think of a puppy as a very young child. A puppy is just as impulsive, has just as little self-control and just as short an attention span. You need to think the same with a puppy. They are just like a child. A puppy will eat what they like, when they like. Go where they can, when they can. And they will not be able to listen to and act on your every word. They will have a very short attention span and no self-control. It would be totally unfair. While watching TV train your puppy during the commercial breaks. Commercial breaks are usually about minutes long perfect time for training your pup! This means going very slowly and not expecting too much. Having many small wins is very encouraging. Just do very gentle training exercises for short periods of time. Most people with a Labrador as a family pet will think of training as obedience commands and performing tricks. But you can train them basic things such as: Sit Stay for mere seconds…with no distractions! Keep it easy! Roll over. And yet, many new owners get so caught up in the cuteness of these bundles of fur that they disregard any training until the dog is much older. Sometimes new owners are just overwhelmed with taking care of their new puppy. Others lack the information needed to make good decisions regarding training for their new family member. Unfortunately, though, some bad behaviors or missed socialization and exposure opportunities are difficult to address with an older dog. So, if your goal is for you new retriever to eventually grow into an excellent duck dog, here is a guide to raising your Lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Picking up the puppy The journey with your new retriever pup starts the day you pick him or her up from the breeder. Hopefully you have done your homework and selected a litter of puppies with parents who have proven trainability. If you have a pick from the litter, you will want to take some time to observe the puppies. Even so, most trainers will tell you that picking a puppy is a complete crapshoot, meaning there really is no way to know how good the dog will be while looking at them as a puppy. Genetics and a proven pedigree are the best way to stack the odds in your favor from the start. Beyond that, if you have a good breeder, they are the next best source for information regarding the pups. A good breeder will give you a recommendation based on what you plan to use the pup for and your family situation. Check out this post on searching for a great retriever puppy and what to look for in breeders. If possible, bring someone with you to pick up the puppy. While you can put a puppy in a crate to transport them home, leaving the litter is a traumatic time for most puppies. Being held on the way home is a good way to start bonding with the puppy. Learn what to buy for your new Lab puppy. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. The first week raising your Labrador Retriever puppy There is very little training needed the first week you have your puppy home. Use this time to hold, pet and play with your new puppy. Bonding with the puppy is important and this is a good time to do that. You will likely be exhausted this week from getting up multiple times each night to let your puppy outside. Learn more in What should I do the first week with my new Lab puppy? Socialization is key for retriever gun dog puppies While socialization is important for all dogs, it is essential for retriever puppies destined to hunt. Socialization is the act of putting your retriever puppy in new situations and allowing the puppy to figure it out. Your puppy may handle new situations well, or she might show timid or frightened behaviors. This is not the time to coddle your future gun dog. Dogs are very aware of their owners and if you act or acknowledge your puppies fear, they will likely think you are scared too. This is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve with socialization. We want puppies to learn to adjust quickly to new situations. We want them to learn how to figure out new conditions and handle them without fear or hesitation. Puppies need to be socialized to people also. Let your puppy interact with people of all ages, including children. In addition, it can be helpful if they are also socialized to other dogs and cats. And yet we see too many retrievers with little to no retrieving desire. Sometimes this is just the result of bad breeding, but it can also be the result of poor introduction to retrieving or using the wrong items for retrieving. Many people like to play fetch with their puppy using a ball or Frisbee. But if your puppy is destined to be a hunting partner, this is going to make some retrieving problems down the line. We may use a ball to encourage a very young week old puppy to retrieve, IF, and only IF, the puppy is struggling with retrieving desire. Otherwise, we strongly discourage ongoing use of these items. Gun dogs and duck dogs are working dogs and they need to retrieve birds that fall to the ground. The rolling action of the ball or frisbee will create an excitement and energy that will make retrieving birds seem boring. We have found that dogs that have only retrieved balls or Frisbee often struggle when they need to retrieve a bumper or bird. We have an entire post on this subject, see How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Expose your Labrador puppy to common hunting elements A retriever that is going to be expected to hunt, should be introduced to hunting equipment and elements at an early age. Hills and mounds, flat areas and shallow divots are terrain that a hunting retriever should learn to traverse with ease. In addition to land, different water is also an important factor. Lakes are good, but you should also try to expose your puppy to dirty water. Water with lily pads, cat tails and algae are all things a duck dog will need to handle to work. Hunting equipment Labrador retriever puppies need to learn all about the equipment you use when hunting. Doing this when they are young and continuing the exposure as they grow, will make this second nature to them. Boats and blinds If you hunt out of a boat or blind, introduce your puppy to it. For boats, start on land. Get your puppy comfortable getting in and out of the boat. Throw retrieves from the boat. Similarly, introduce your dog to the blind as a good thing. If you are using a dog blind or hut, make sure your spend lots of time getting your pup comfortable going into and out of it. Make it a fun place to go to get retrieves. Duck or goose decoys If you will use decoys when hunting, take time to expose your puppy to them. Many times over the next few months, put some out on your lawn and let your puppy learn what they are. Eventually, move them to water and again allow your pup to explore them. Throw retrieves through them and teach the dog that he can ignore the decoys. Guns This is one of the most important things that you need to exposure your new puppy to. And it really needs to be done right. The last thing you want to do is create a gun-shy dog. That is very difficult to fix and the dog may never be able to hunt if the damage is too deep. Learn more about how to do this correctly in Introduction to gunfire. Basic obedience for your gun dog puppy Your puppy is ready to learn obedience early on, and you will find that if you start when they are only a couple months old, they will learn quicker and be more obedient as they age. This will make a huge difference as they get older. Teaching HERE to young pups will require a long lead. Squat down a few feet from your puppy and say HERE as you gently pull them to you. Praise is essential with young pups, but the praise should be given when the puppy does something right. For instance, you say SIT and push his bottom down. You can use treats to teach your puppy obedience and reward him or her for obeying commands. But treats should only be used for very young puppies under 4 months. Many Labs will soon learn to only obey when given a treat, that is not the lesson you want your dog to learn. It can be difficult to discipline a cute little puppy, but it is essential. Here at Otter Tail Kennels, we get more than our share of calls from people whose puppies are out of control and causing problems in the home. The pups are causing friction in the family relationships. Small issues often become much larger issues if they remain uncorrected. If you see your puppy doing something wrong, you need to take action to let him know that the behavior is not acceptable. Final thoughts on raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog The time to start training your Labrador puppy to be a duck or gun dog is now. Right away. Even if you plan to send your retriever puppy to a professional trainer in the future, you still want to take the time to socialize, expose, teach and discipline your dog now. Each week your puppy is growing and learning, and those first five months are the perfect time to get him or her off on the right foot. The socialization, exposure, and obedience are all steppingstones they need to advance in their role as a hunting partner. Do not skimp or disregard this time. You can give your ultimate duck dog some essential skills — the ability to adjust to every and all situations with ease. Nothing could be more important. You can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. Raising a lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog. Commencing Marker Training your chocolate labrador pup Start Marker Training at 8 weeks of age When you take your 8 week old labrador pup to their new home, you should commence their obedience training immediately. Just repetitively say yes and give your pup a treat immediately. Then familiarise your labrador pup with a leash. Clip the leash to their collar and allow the pup to roam a little. This way they will adjust to its weight and the sensation around their neck. If you try to walk your pup straight away, they will simply resist. Don't pull and command, but rather cultivate a positive experience with a leash. Secondly, I recommend that you feed your new labrador pup with a leash attached until they learn to sit. This will establish you as the master and immediately teach the pup restraint. Do not give the food bowl to your dog without firstly bringing him under your control. Even with my mature dogs, I will not let them feed except on command. Feeding should never be random. Hold the leash close to the labrador pup's neck and push their rear end down to the seated position. When they are sitting, enthusiastically praise your pup and, only then, reward their obedience with food. Remember, food should always represent a reward for good behaviour. They hear tones and frequencies. When we train them, we are conditioning them to associate a particular sound with a response so that it means something to them. Labrador puppies like all dogs learn contextually and by consistent repetition. In this way, a labrador pup learns to associate sounds with responses and rewards. This is why you should reward your pup immediately when they have performed a command correctly, even if they did not intend to do so. In the early stages, I prefer to teach a dog to 'sit,' then move on to 'staying' before teaching them to 'come'. This is especially so while they are still a puppy. Remember that a 12 month old dog is still a pup. They are regularly hyperactive and overstimulated. The goal is to get your labrador puppy into a calm and submissive state as often as you can. Ensure you are demonstrating a calm and composed, yet assertive demeanor. When you are in charge, your labrador pup will willingly sit and look to you for direction. Exercise patience and be repetitive but don't overdo it. Remember that the time you put in now will help you bond with your young dog, even if they do not appear to be advancing quickly. It will be a very worthwhile investment in a long term relationship for years to come. Of these three basic commands, the 'stay' command will take more time to teach. When this is mastered and entrenched in your dog's obedience, it can save your dog from danger. You are teaching them associations, not English words. Sit Teaching your new labrador pup to sit should begin immediately when you take it home. Begin by feeding them on a leash. Hold the leash close to the pup's neck. Give the pup the 'sit' command, but don't reward them with food until they are sitting. In this way you have begun to condition the pup to the 'sit' command. This requires patience at meal time. Remember that a labrador pup requires 4 feeds a day for the first phase of their life. This gives you ample opportunity for repetition and reward. When the dog sits, reward them with a treat and a lot of enthusiastic praise. Each time they repeat the behaviour, reward them with a treat again. You can train your labrador pup for short intervals at any time. Carry a few small pieces of food. Call your pup, then reward them with lots of affirmation and a piece of food when they comply. Teach them to sit by offering a small treat. Say 'sit', then let them smell the food as you move your hand over their head. A labrador pup will automatically lift the nose in the air to follow the food. As the head moves up and back, the pup will tend to sit. Give lots of praise and gradually increase repetition as they associate the word 'sit' with the food. Stay Your Labrador pup will need to understand the 'sit' command before you advance to 'stay'. Before you give the 'stay' command, make sure that the dog is seated. To keep the dog in the sitting position, you will use your hand with the fingers pointing up and the palm in front of their face. To begin with, position yourself about half a metre away from your pup's face. Direct the 'stay' command calmly, with your hand up. Slowly take half a step back and remain there for 3 seconds to begin with. Then step back towards to the dog. Wait for another 3 sec and then reward your dog with a treat. Repeat this 5 times. Reward them at the end of each 'stay' routine by praising them enthusiastically and giving them a treat. Don't praise or reward the dog until they have remained seated in front of you for a minimum of 3 seconds when you return. Your puppy should not move a millimetre until you give the reward. If your dog breaks early, you have gone too far. Simply return to your dog, reset them in the seated position and begin the routine again. Come It is important to make sure your Labrador understands the 'stay' command before you begin the recall or 'come' command. Make sure you pup is seated before you give the 'come' command. As your walk away from your pup, maintain eye contact. Don't back away too far too soon. If the pup breaks early, give the 'come' command to establish association. When you call your dog to 'come', do not let them jump up on you. If the dog wants to stand on its back legs and reach up, place the palm of your hand on their head and hold it away from you. I suggest that you don't say 'no! The down command should be used as a more constructive training command. If your pup jumps up, make your disapproval known by using a 'dog' sound; 'Ahhh! If you find yourself becoming frustrated, then put the pup away and start again tomorrow. Don't take it personally and don't blame the dog. Corrections are necessary, but not out of frustration or anger. If it's not working, then look at your consistency and your communication. If the training is a positive experience then you will strengthen the bonding and learning process. Develop consistent communication and trust with your dog in the process of the training. Labrador pups love to please and they will be very proud of themselves when they accomplish the command and gain your approval. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Print Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. Labrador puppies will learn quickly about acceptable and unacceptable behavior those first few weeks, if you, the owner, are willing to set and enforce boundaries. Here is the training you should be working on with your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post three of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week three home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for approximately 3 weeks now. This week you should start noticing some bigger changes with your puppy. Here are some of the changes I notice with Bubba. First, she is growing fast! Bubba is almost ready for a new collar already. I have loosened her current collar twice, and there is no more room to expand it. She is also learning a lot. Bubba is also becoming more personable. She likes and has more interest in people now and wants to be petted and scratched more often. Training equipment for Lab puppy We added a couple new training tools this week. But a thicker check cord will also work. We use this check cord for longer outside marks and assistant-marks which I will discuss more in a bit. Puppy sized canvas or light-weight plastic bumpers In week two, we introduced formal retrieving in a hallway in the house. In week three, we move outside with retrieving and introduce assistant throws, so it is helpful to have a few more bumpers. Puppy training that will continue Much of the training I have been working on for the past two weeks with Bubba will continue into this week and beyond. Dog training is not something that has a definitive end-date. For instance, you teach your puppy to SIT and then you must work and practice that command daily or weekly, often for months before the response to the command is solid. But even once the response is solid, you cannot completely stop training. If you stop training, even an older dog, the dog can lose the previous training. So, realize that you are never done working with your dog, especially on obedience training. Some areas that we will continue training Bubba on are: Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. She rarely makes any noise while in her crate and settles down quickly after being put into her crate. In the upcoming weeks, we will work towards getting Bubba to enter her crate on command. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. We have caught her in a few accidents, but she already seems to understand that she is not supposed to go potty inside. This does not mean that she is done housebreaking. We still expect accidents and will for a few months, so we watch her carefully while she is running around in the house. We also praise her for behaviors like going to the door and tapping the door or whining at the door. These behaviors are rewarded with us taking her outside to go potty. When she goes potty outside, we praise her and then take her right back in. We want her to start understanding that these cue behaviors will get her out to go potty and that is all. Looking for more information on housebreaking? But we will also add a few new ones. We will use this while teaching our puppy the SIT command. It also will be used going forward, anytime we are done working on structured obedience work. We will release the dog from formal work with the OKAY command. But we also use it to mean go to a certain place, such as on a mat or stand. Or, when we want her to go into her crate or kennel. This is an associative command, meaning the puppy will learn the command through our repetition of the word as we tie it to a behavior. But over time, she will make the association and will perform it on her own. This is very important especially if you ever plan on doing more advanced training with your retriever. You will use whatever your dogs name is. A few commands that we will continue to work on this week We will continue to work on obedience commands this week and in the weeks to come. Each week we will expect a little more and better compliance and performance to the command. She is sitting when I put the leash and chain collar on her and when I am taking it off. This week we also added SIT before eating. We only make her SIT for a few seconds; we are working on control. She does not SIT on her own yet, but she will be doing that within a week or so I would guess. Right now, I grab her collar and say SIT. In week three, I have a slightly higher expectation. On walks, I make her walk right beside me for a minute or two using the HEEL command before releasing her and letting her run back and forth a bit. This tells me that she understands the command. Then release her. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Remember: Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. Make every effort to socialize your puppy You should continue to take steps to socialize your week-old puppy. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Learn more about socialization. Hand throws with a puppy bumper you are throwing out a bumper done outside will carry a lot more distraction than retrieves in a hallway. Just pick up the bumper and try again tomorrow. When retrieving outside, make sure you have a long foot rope attached to your puppy. Never try to do retrieves outside without a rope. You will have problems and encourage bad behaviors. You must have a way to get the puppy to come back to you, otherwise you should not be doing retrieves outside. Once your puppy is doing well retrieving outside, you are ready to introduce assistant marks. Introduction to assistant marks The most important thing we worked on with Bubba this week is assistant marks. Assistant marks are retrieves where someone else is throwing the bumper, not you. This teaches your puppy to watch out in the field for a mark. It is very rare that a duck will come from behind you, fly over your head and you shoot it. The ducks and pheasants will be falling in front of you, so the dog must learn to look out and watch for the mark. We start assistant marks on very short grass with white plugs so that the puppy can clearly see the item on the ground. We hold the puppy in a SIT position facing a thrower who is about 20 feet from you. When your puppy picks up the bumper, immediately start calling her back to you. Remember, you should have the foot check cord on her so you can pull the puppy in if needed. Then, take the bumper from her, throw it behind you, make your puppy sit facing the thrower again and repeat. Only do retrieves and then call it a day. Soon your puppy will learn this game and love it. They will start facing the thrower on their own and sitting and waiting for a mark. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy week-old puppies are so eager to learn, so be sure and take advantage of this enthusiasm to teach new concepts and enforce previous ones. Continue to teach your puppy to handle more and more pressure and correction while maintaining a good attitude. Lastly, assistant marks are a big deal. Once a dog learns this part of the game, you can work to increase the distance and complexity of the marks. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. What is the best age to start training a Lab puppy to work? This guide will answer all of your questions regarding when to start training a Lab puppy. It will combine my personal experience with that of other experts in the field, along with information from behavioral research, to guide you with your decision of when to start training a Labrador puppy of your own. Congratulations on your fluffy new bundle of joy. Labs gained their well-deserved place among favorite breeds for so many reasons. Enthusiastic companions, fast learners, loyal and brave, Labrador Retrievers are fantastic pets. How Puppies Learn In the natural canine world, mother dogs teach their pups everything they need to know about their world, survival and living together happily in various stages of development. Most professional trainers try to mimic the natural canine learning process in their puppy training phases. In fact, we only recommend positive training techniques. Rewards can include food, special treats, praise and petting, playing with a favorite toy, etc. Basic Training Concepts Every Puppy Should Learn The first two components of your puppy training should be thorough socialization and potty training. Here are a few tips with each of those early behaviors. Socialization actually refers to exposure to a wide range of situations and individuals. This goes for being around lots of different people, including children. While your pup is still impressionable and inquisitive, introduce her to friends, neighbors and strangers. Introduce her to children with careful instructions to stay quiet, move slowly and pet gently. They could end up grabbing her tightly, and scaring or hurting her. Being handled by other people will be very key in socializing your puppy. Your dog should be properly socialized to gentle and careful handling, teeth brushing, touching ears and paws and tail. This will make trips to the vet and groomer easier. Make sure to also check out our guide to taking puppies outside for more help with socialization. Crate Training for Dogs Crate training is the process of teaching your dog to love spending time secure in their cosy den. Some puppies basically crate train themselves, loving their crate from day one. Others need a more gradual introduction to this safe space. The trick is to not turn crating into a punishment , but instead make it a wonderful place to have a short undisturbed rest. Most puppies will go through a play biting phase, so if you need help training your lab not to nip, you can follow this guide. It will be important for your dog to sit quietly in the field or duck stand. Self-control should be incorporated throughout daily routines and all training phases. Finally, learning how to walk politely on a leash in public is important. In addition to the behaviors listed above, there are a few extra considerations for training a gundog. As early as 8 weeks old, professional gundog trainers begin introducing lab puppies to various scenarios. The core behavioral requirements for a gundog that can be started in puppies this young are: Thorough socialization and desensitization to various environments and sounds. Be sure to start with quieter sounds and build to louder sounds, especially when introducing the sound of gunfire, to avoid creating a frantic dog. Calmness and steadiness amidst distraction. The earliest introduction to this is teaching your pup to sit for his meals, which can be captured as early as six weeks. There are, however, two important considerations to your Lab puppy training. Before their leg bones are fully developed, Labs can develop joint issues if they run too hard and long. Second, resist the urge to play fetch and retrieve every day with your Lab puppy. They overdo it with tossing a ball or dummy to try to encourage the pup to retrieve. The retrieving instinct typically kicks in quite strong around puberty between five to 10 months. Instead, we suggest focusing on sit, stay and waiting quietly with self control. Those are the more difficult behaviors for a lab to learn once adolescent hormones kick in. Start with socialization and household manners as early as 8 weeks old. Then move to sit, stay, steadiness training, and walking on a leash between 12 and 18 weeks. Training is an ongoing life skill, rather than something you do once and consider done. For a hunting Lab, adding various distractions and practicing perfect recall in different environments will be the two biggest training techniques to work on throughout life. Enjoy your training!