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Major, meanwhile, will live with family friends. He loves his poodle, Riley, and has been known to play with cats on occasion, even though he's allergic to them. Other interests include ice cream, riding his bicycle, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He lives in Iowa. Commander will be the only canine at Pennsylvania Ave. The Bidens' other German shepherd, Major, has spent most of his time living in Delaware after he endured some biting problems early this year, CNN reports. The first rescue dog to live in the White House won't return and will instead live with family friends. Michael LaRosa, First Lady Jill Biden's press secretary, told CNN the Bidens talked with pet professionals—veterinarians, behaviorists, and trainers—and deliberated for months before arriving at the decision to rehome the young German shepherd. Commander was a gift to the president from his brother and sister-in-law for his birthday in November, according to CNN. Commander joins the family about six months after the death of its elder German shepherd , Champ. Plus: big ears! But what about the cat? Earlier this year, the Bidens said they were planning to adopt a cat. About a year later, the female cat is on her way, CNN reporting that she will arrive at the White House in January after living in foster homes for the last several months. Was this page helpful? A puppy adopted by Joe Biden has now grown up, and can be seen prancing around the White House. The video was shared on Joe Biden's official Twitter profile, which will surely make people fall in love with it. In the viral clip, the dog was seen prancing around the White House. It could be seen jogging around the lush green lawns as well as the hallways of the White House. The dog in the video can also be seen running through the White House's lovely green grounds and passageways. Meanwhile, Commander is the third member of the same breed in Biden's family. It is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs in .It was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. It has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police work, and warfare. The second user wrote, "He is beautiful!!! So grateful to have a compassionate, caring, down to earth, "normal" President back in office. Thank you for all of your efforts against the tyranny you face each day with the GOP who Block everything you try to accomplish! The third user stated, "Thank you for your leadership!

Belgian Malinois are intelligent, protective, playful, and energetic. They tend to make great family pets. Should a Belgian Malinois Mix take after this parent, you should be able to expect something similar. A Belgian Malinois is known for their intelligence and prized for their hardworking nature and protective instinct. Their high energy and playful personality means they tend to retain a puppy-like demeanor until they are about three years old. They get along well with children as well as other dogs and pets in the household as long as they are socialized with them. Because of their protective instinct, socialization and training early and often are particularly important. The other parent breed could introduce some potential traits that could affect temperament. So, you do want to ask the other breeder about them. You can also meet the mother dog in person to see what sort of temperament she is modeling for her pups. Belgian Malinois are moderately adaptable dogs. Their high energy tends to make them a better fit for homes with securely fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt to apartment living as long as sufficient time is dedicated to giving them the exercise and training they need. As long as the other parent breed has similar adaptability traits, you should be able to expect the same in a Belgian Malinois Mix. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? A mixed-breed dog can sometimes win the genetic lottery and inherit none of the potential health conditions common to either parent breed. At the same time, they could inherit potential conditions common to one parent or both parent breeds. From the Belgian Malinois side, potential health concerns include hip dysplasia, thyroid disease , and progressive retinal atrophy. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing issues on to puppies. Although the Belgian Malinois is highly intelligent and picks up on things easily, they are also high-energy dogs with an independent nature and a strong will. This means they are generally not a good fit for first-time dog owners. Puppy training classes are recommended, even for an experienced owner, as these classes often offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. A Belgian Malinois Mix can inherit a coat similar to one parent breed or a coat that is a blend of both, so grooming requirements will be different depending on coat type. Should they inherit a Belgian Malinois coat, they will shed moderately year-round and heavier when seasons change. A weekly brushing and the occasional bath are usually sufficient for this coat. And, you will want to brush them more often during seasonal changes. When checking ears, you are making sure they are clean, dry, and free of debris or pests. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day is ideal. But, many dog owners skip or overlook this, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. The Belgian Malinois is a high-energy, athletic dog breed. They need daily walks, playtime, and extra activity every day to stay happy and healthy. They also need a job to do and are good candidates for dog sports like flyball, agility, and more. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you can expect a Belgian Malinois Mix to be a high-energy dog as well. But, you will still need to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog. A Belgian Malinois tends to be inches tall and pounds once fully-grown. The other parent breed could affect this, so you want to make sure you ask the breeder about it. You also want to pay attention to which breed is the mother as this will also affect the size of the puppies, especially in a mixed-breed dog. Belgian Malinois tend to live for years. The other parent breed may affect this slightly, but you can likely expect a similar life span in a Belgian Malinois Mix. Featured Belgian Malinois Mix Article. We chose the Shepinois name for it's simplicity. But they are truly the best of both breeds. They typically have the physical characteristics of the Malinois, they tend to be flat coated with a fawn or mahogany coloring with a a dark overlay. The weight for a female is typically pounds and a male is pds. They have the extreme good health and orthopedics of the malinois as well. They have the athleticism of the Malinois, but not the extreme drive. They are good natured and have the general disposition of a German shepherd. They tend to be a little more level headed like the German shepherd. They are not as overly active as the malinois and they are much easier to live with as a house pet. They make for an excellent family dog and companion, but also a great protection dog or competition dog. They are a loyal and devoted companion. They are good with children; they do well with other animals. They are very affectionate and love to be the center of attention. They thrive in a family environment and are very protective of their home and family. They love to travel and be a part of any activity that involves their family. They are very quick to pick up anything and tend to train at the level of a malinois. They are more like the malinois in their training ability and pick up any type of training very quickly. They also have the tenacity of the malinois and can work for long periods of time without becoming winded. They need daily exercise not only to stay healthy, but to burn off energy. The Shepinois needs exercise daily, not just once a week. The Shepinois is quick to alert you of any strangers or visitors making them excellent, loyal Protection dog. We feel that the overall genetics behind both breeds in very important to making sure this cross turns out the best of both breeds, although the malinois breed does not tend to have hip and elbow problems, we still do the hip and elbow certification on all of our dogs and by doing so we hope to continue to produce the best quality of both breeds as well as this new cross. At Camelot Shepherds we believe in orthopedic soundness, solid nerve and overall temperament. We want your family companion to live a long and healthy life and to bring you many years of love and dedication. Here are some pictures of the previous Shepinois puppies: About.

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. We have the answers! What is the price range for a Boxer? The price range for Boxer puppies for sale Florida can be pretty wide. Breeders consider a number of factors when putting a price tag on their precious puppies including gender, coat color, and pedigree. Browse our featured Boxer breeders Florida to get started. Will I meet only local Boxer breeders? When looking for a Boxer for sale in Florida, your initial top choices will be breeders in your city or state. Your chosen breeder can then arrange to have your puppy safely transported to an airport near you. Our vetting process is designed to keep inexperienced breeders and puppy mills out of our network. Breeders and businesses who wish to join us undergo a strict screening process where their breeding knowledge, practices, and facilities are examined. How is Florida Puppies different from other puppy websites? They are good at marketing though! What is a puppy mill like? Puppy mills are dishonest breeders who mistreat their animals and forego essential newborn puppy care to make a bigger profit. Are there any Boxer puppies available in Florida right now? We can help you find out! You can also let us know if you have a specific Boxer puppy in mind! Where are Boxer dogs originally from? Boxers have quite an interesting history that dates back to the late s. It is still up for speculation which specific breeds were crossed to create the Boxer but the list includes the German Bullenbeisser and the Bulldog. The Boxer was created to be a guard dog, a role that it took upon with great success. Today, Boxers do police work but are also popular family dogs. What can I expect from the average Boxer? Boxers are energetic, alert, even-tempered, loyal, loving, and goofy. Boxers are smart and can be trained to do almost anything but keep in mind that they mature slowly -- they are basically puppies until the age of three! As a family dog, Boxers will do anything to protect their family and they are also known to be gentle with kids. How big do Boxers get? Boxers are medium-sized working dogs that can reach a weight of 70 pounds. Male Boxers usually stand at inches at the shoulder while female boxers can reach up to .They are muscular, sturdy, and quite quick. How does Florida Puppies work? Florida Puppies is a network of ethical breeders and businesses and your best source for finding Boxer puppies in Florida. Boxers's Available!

Also, my opinion is that minis are under 20 lbs. Not possible. There is a marker for smaller, more correct dogs, so as you can imagine the general crowd may create their own standards. IF you are looking at my individual mini lines only, you will find that my offspring and breeders are a very square, compact, build, that range from lbs on average. The females are the smaller scale, because my males have the larger head and wide chest, as they are supposed to in a correct conformation. I have had calls for a mini who will be lbs. View Current Puppies Available Above is an example fo one of my Mini girls, from a puppy, developed into an adult. This is Evie! Meet Twinkie! Perfect mini french bulldog, she is 16 lbs. Lindor French Bulldogs Mini Maui. One of our little Divas. Mini french bulldog puppies for sale, litters on the way for this year We currently now have Arlo breeding. He is one of our mini sires. He is lilac and tan. More About Our Adult Bulldogs As a reputable breeder of French Bulldogs, we offer every pup in our program comfortable living conditions and thoroughly check them for genetic defects. Our well-maintained indoor facility meets the standards of the AKC and Georgia and is climate-controlled for the comfort of our Frenchies. Once the adults have completed our breeding program, we ensure that they find loving owners to enjoy the next stage of their lives. Have questions or interested in one of our Frenchies? Let us know! Your Name required. Take the Quiz Crossing a French Bulldog with a smaller dog breed The first and most obvious way of creating mini French Bulldogs is by crossbreeding a standard Frenchie with another small dog breed like a Yorkie or a Toy Poodle. Naturally, the pups will be mixes of the two breeds, so the breeding needs to be repeated across several generations until the puppies have all the physical traits of a Frenchie and retain only the small size of the other breed. Breeders usually achieve this around the third generation. Crossbreeding is not a new practice although it is quite a controversial one. However, it is still considered to be the safest method to produce a mini French Bulldog, and the simple reason for that is the health of the puppies. A crossbreed mini Frenchie is less likely to suffer from any of the health issues that their parents may be predisposed to. Breeding the runts of the litter Another method that some breeders use to create mini Frenchies is breeding runts. Constantly breeding such puppies with the aim to pass down the small-size trait not only involves possible health risks but it also takes multiple generations to achieve the desired miniature size. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies Breeding Frenchies with dwarfism The last and by far the worst method is purposefully breeding Frenchies with the dwarfism mutation gene to create puppies with shorter bodies and legs. Unfortunately it comes with a number of health issues for Frenchies who already have a delicate bone structure: it may not only cause a lot of pain for them in the legs, back, and hips but also significantly reduce their lifespan. Pros Mini Frenchies are a great choice for city dwellers who live in small apartments with little space. Due to their small size mini Frenchies require less food and exercise. They of course still need a high quality dog food as well as daily playtime and walks. Mini Frenchies have all the best personality traits that we adore in French Bulldogs: they are funny, affectionate and extremely friendly. Their adorable look is hard to resist! Ultimate Guide. Our puppies comes from mindfully selected reputable breeders. So, we provides our customers with the most adorable teacup puppies you can ever find. We also provide a one year health guarantee. Cavalier King. Yorkie Poo. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Malti Poo and Micro French Bulldog puppies for sale. We have high standards regarding the breeding and health, as a matter of fact from license breeders that meets the appropriate standards of breeding. Such as health, environment and temperament. Furthermore, our breeders are USDA certified. And involved in continuous activities meant to keep all our puppies healthy, both physically and emotionally. Our puppies are considered as part of our family and spends time with us all the time. Most importantly, we ensure the health of our puppies by keeping a close relationship with our breeders and vets. We also guarantee our puppies against any congenital diseases and other health problems. We in like manner carefully chosen our teacup puppies depending on their good health, temperament and well-bred look. Furthermore, all of them are checked up by a veterinarian before going to their new homes. We warranty the puppies free from Distemper, Hepatitis, Corona Virus for a one year period from the date of the purchase. Showing all 6 results. This practice ended in with the Cruelty to Animals Act, but the name has since stuck. The Bulldog eventually made its way over to France with Normandy lace-workers who fled England after being displaced by the industrial revolution. Here in France, the Bulldog was crossed with local French ratters. Ratters were small in size and had large erect ears similar to a bat. Over the years, the size of the companion Bulldog was reduced to a mere 16 — 25 lbs. As the new, smaller French Bulldogs gained popularity in France, they became highly sought after by creatives, such as artists, writers, and fashion designers as well as society ladies and Parisian prostitutes alike! The Frenchie is a compact, muscular dog with a smooth coat, wrinkly face, and pushed in nose. The French Bulldog is a cheerful, fairly low-maintenance companion dog. They are pleasant, affectionate, sweet, and they have a propensity to be very clownish. They are alert, curious, and even-tempered. This breed usually forms a strong bond with one person. While French Bulldogs are generally accepting of strangers and other animals, some males may be aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. The French Bulldog needs human companionship and attention. If left ignored or unattended for long periods of time, they can become mischievous and depressed. Although somewhat willful at times, they can be trained relatively easily by a patient owner. The French Bulldog is not a loud or hyper breed, but they are very enthusiastic and persistent. As a flat faced breed, the French Bulldog cannot survive outdoors. Its compromised breathing system makes it impossible to regulate its body temperature efficiently, so the French Bulldog has trouble cooling off in hot weather and can easily suffer from heatstroke. Most French Bulldogs are born through cesarean section, as they have very broad heads — even as puppies! Today, the French Bulldog is ranked the 6th most popular of all the dog breeds in the United States. The French Bulldog is in such high demand, in fact, that many of our French Bulldog puppies are reserved for customers who had previously placed special orders for them in advance. To place a special order for a beautiful French Bulldog puppy, call today! August 4,

Once purchased, you can arrange the delivery or pick up of your German Shepherd Service Dog. We have multiple delivery options available up to and including ground transportation and air shipping. The cost of delivery is in accordance to location and mode of transport. When purchasing a German Shepherd from Fernbrook German Shepherds LLC, Buyer agrees they will not sell, give or release the GSD to pet shops, retail stores, dog dealers, animal testing facilities, research facilities, or an agent for any such business or facility. Our puppies are from select Sires and Dams, of which you are central in the planned litter event, just by signing up for the Sire and Dam of your choice. Many are currently in service at this time, and many are in service dog training for future implementation. Quality Veterinary Care is a key component in raising, caring for, and breeding our German Shepherd Service dogs. Here at Fernbrook German Shepherds LLC, we openly discuss; expected veterinary care and vaccination, Heartworm Prevention, proper nutrition, enhancing immunity, general care, training and maintenance of GSDs with our buyers. We want the best possible outcome for our Fernbrook German Shepherds and those who receive them. Obtaining Your Fernbrook German Shepherd In addition to sending in an application request, you can call us to consult and let us know what you are looking for in a German Shepherd Service dog or puppy. We provide generous discounts to American Veterans, Emergency First Responders, disabled persons needing German Shepherd Service dogs, and other persons in need that may have a special circumstance. Follow Us. Can German Shepherds be Service Dogs? Yes, they can. In general, German Shepherds work best as physical assistance dogs. This young dog is still in training, but you can see some of the things they can do for their owners: Qualities of German Shepherd Service Dogs Service dogs have to have a certain set of characteristics so they can do their job. Here are some of the qualities of German Shepherds that line up with service dog requirements: Obedient. German Shepherds were bred to follow any command given to them without hesitation. This is particularly helpful for physical disabilities where a person may need to use the dog to help maneuver themselves. German Shepherds are large enough that they can physically help as needed. Good sense of smell. For some service dog roles, a dog needs to be able to detect certain odors and alert their owner of them. Just being with their owner throughout the day is usually enough for them. This breed is eager to please their owner and puts their best paw forward so they always get the job done. Suspicious of strangers but trusting anyone their owner trusts, these dogs do well in social situations. German Shepherds have been known to go as far as putting their lives in danger to protect their owners. Their protective instincts make them excellent guard dogs and will ensure their owner stays safe. All service dogs fall into one of these three main categories: 1. Physical Disability Service Dogs These dogs help people that are physically handicapped to live a more normal life. They provide assistance in getting around, picking up objects, turning off lights, and many other everyday tasks that may be difficult or impossible for their owner. German Shepherds are particularly well-suited for this type of work. Because they are intelligent, they can learn to do a wide variety of tasks, and they are also large enough to help support their owners physically. Psychiatric Service Dogs Psychiatric service dogs are trained to help those with mental disorders including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They provide a lot more than emotional support as they can identify everything from hallucinations to panic attacks and are ready to intervene. For example, a person who experiences anxiety when approached by strangers could unintentionally trigger aggression in their dog. Their protective nature can turn into aggression against people who are unknowingly causing anxiety. They alert their handler when their blood sugar level rapidly rises or falls based on the scent of their breath. Then, the individual can take immediate action to solve the problem before it gets worse. Veteran Service Dogs Many veterans struggle with adjusting to life after serving their country. Service dogs provide companionship to these veterans and help with daily tasks that may now be difficult. These dogs may do a variety of jobs that both mobility and emotional support dogs do. Because of the emotional aspect that many veterans need, it takes a special canine to do this type of work. So, not all German Shepherds will be able to do this job. Calmer breeds like Labradors and Golden Retrievers typically do best in this role. Epilepsy Service Dogs German Shepherd can alert their owner of an oncoming epileptic seizure so they can get themselves to a safe location. The dog will then stay nearby to help keep them from injury during the attack and can also bring things like medications or a phone to call for help if needed. Allergy Alert Service Dogs Like bomb- and drug-sniffing dogs, allergy alert service dogs are trained to alert their owner when they detect the scent of a certain allergen. They may also wear a special vest containing medication for their owner. As German Shepherds have a good sense of smell, it makes them great allergy alert service dogs. Mobility Support Service Dogs People with cerebral palsy and other similar mobility disorders may need some extra help getting around. Service dogs help provide a counterbalance for them. They also perform tasks like opening and closing doors. A pound German Shepherd is tall and strong enough to provide this service to people up to pounds. Guide Dogs Also known as seeing-eye dogs, these dogs are trained to help visually-impaired individuals safely navigate the world. They may also help with other tasks such as bringing items to their owner. Wheelchair Service Dogs The world is unfortunately not designed for people in wheelchairs which makes it difficult for them to do many everyday things. They can pick up items their owner has dropped, reach things like light switches, and perform many other tasks. Hearing Service Dogs For handlers with hearing problems, their dog alerts them to different sounds such as the doorbell, a ringing phone, alarms, or a crying baby. They can then lead their owner to the source if they need to take action. The cost of these dogs differs and depends on how they were trained and what they were trained for. The more specialized the service, the costlier the dog. Specialized service means that more professional training went into the dog. Some people may consider getting a dog on their own and training it themselves. Something else that goes into the cost of a dog is bloodlines. German Shepherd breeders that specialize in service dogs strive to produce outstanding dogs that will excel in that field. Another thing that you need to consider before getting a service dog is the ongoing cost of dog ownership. It requires expertise, patience, and a strong desire to do good in the world. Here are some tips on how to train a German Shepherd as a service dog: Socialize them. This is so important because a service dog needs to be prepared to do their job without being distracted by people. Service dogs will also need to be properly socialized with dogs and other animals. Set goals. Make sure these goals are both attainable but challenging. As the dog achieves the goals you set, keep giving them new ones to reach for so they can continue to grow in their training. Be patient. Be patient with them and willing to repeat lessons as often as they need to understand them. Be the Alpha. You need to step up from the moment your dog enters your home and present yourself as their leader. For that reason, you want to look for a breeder that focuses on the physical and mental abilities of their dogs rather than just their appearance. This is especially important when considering breeders in the United States as many of these dogs are part of a show line which features weak, sloped backs, and high incidences of hip dysplasia. Knows the breed. They should know everything about the needs and temperament of the breed and be able to answer all of your questions about German Shepherds. Invites you into their home. A good breeder has nothing to hide. Is highly specialized. They offer only one or two dog breeds and know them well. A good breeder will also give you a written contract with requirements and a health guarantee. These breeders focus on working dogs and have had some of their puppies end up as service dogs already:. Pettable Academy is designed to bring out the best in your pet Access Guided Dog Training Today German shepherds are highly intelligent, loyal, adaptable, and protective. They have ranked as the second most popular dog breed in the U. A German shepherd may be just the dog you need when considering a canine companion to assist you. Choosing the best service dog combines personal choice and individual needs. Here, we've put together everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether a German shepherd service dog is right for you. German Shepherd Service Dogs German Shepherds are highly versatile and intelligent service dogs that can assist individuals with a range of disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments, mobility issues, and psychiatric disorders. Their loyal and protective nature makes them ideal for tasks such as guiding, alerting, and providing emotional support to their owners. The Bottom Line What are service dogs? Why German shepherds as service dogs? How do you get a German shepherd service dog? What's the difference between a service dog vs. A service animal is any dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA. Based on this definition, only dogs are considered service animals. A service dog enables its owner to lead an independent life as a disabled person. A service animal's job or tasks must be directly related to the individual's disability. Work or job examples include but are not limited to the following: Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks Alerting deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to the presence of people or sounds Providing non-violent protection or rescue work Pulling a wheelchair Assisting an individual during a seizure Alerting individuals to the presence of allergens Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities Helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. Types of Service Dogs Many different types of service dogs specialize in assisting people with disabilities. The types of service dogs listed below are just a few of the most common. Service Dogs Guide dogs assist blind and visually impaired people in navigating their surroundings. Hearing dogs help deaf and hard-of-hearing people detect important sounds. Mobility dogs help people who use wheelchairs or walking aids or who have balance problems. Medical alert dogs may also alert the user to the presence of allergens, signal the onset of a medical problem such as a seizure or low blood sugar, and perform a variety of other tasks. Psychiatric Service Dogs Psychiatric service dogs help people with disabilities like obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and others. Psychiatric service dogs may perform tasks such as entering a dark room and turning on a light to alleviate stress, interrupting repetitive behaviors, and reminding a person to take medication. Pettable offers a free consultation with a licensed mental health professional to certify your eligibility for a psychiatric service dog. You may then either purchase a psychiatric service dog or train your dog to become a PSD. Did You Know? Psychiatric Service Dogs PSDs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and are legally granted access to places where pets are prohibited, such as airplane cabins, storefronts and restaurants. German Shepherd History As the name suggests, the German shepherd originated in Germany in the late s. The most intelligent, responsive, and obedient local shepherd dogs in Germany were bred to create what is now known as the German shepherd. This breed was responsible for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. They were not considered pets or companions but rather servants for farmers. Their intelligence, speed, strength, and keen sense of smell made them the perfect choice as sheep herders. Although German shepherds were considered workers rather than household pets, farmers did provide food, protection, and shelter to the breed. By World War I, the German shepherd was famous throughout Germany and quickly spread to other parts of the world. People loved German shepherds for their loyal and courageous character. Due to the breed's reputation for being courageous and easy to train, German shepherds were welcomed as police and sight dogs for the blind. Their superb sense of smell and heroic character made the German shepherd an ideal police dog. Their faithful observance of what is going on around them, along with their patience, landed them the role of leader to the blind. As much as we love dogs, not all pups are appropriate service dogs. German shepherds have many traits that make them good service dogs. You need the dog to learn appropriate behaviors in public areas and when around other people. You may also rely on them to understand and perform complex tasks. They can't just be intelligent, though. Service dogs must be interested in learning what their owners teach them. German shepherds are one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They are keen on learning and can pick up new skills quickly. GSDs are athletic and like having something to do. Their intelligence and trainability make them popular working dogs, so you often see them used as military dogs, police dogs, and drug-sniffing dogs. It's also why they make excellent service dogs. German Shepherds Have a Good Sense of Smell Many people have conditions that would require a dog that can put its nose to work for them. Those with medical conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes use their canine helpers to prevent a medical emergency. Canines have noses anywhere from 10, to , times as powerful as we humans. German shepherds' noses are one of the reasons they are used as drug-sniffing dogs and in search and rescue. They can learn to pick up on changes in chemical compounds through odor detection. When you combine their intelligence with their sense of smell, GSDs make excellent service dogs for those with certain medical conditions. German Shepherds Are Very Loyal Matching a canine helper with the right owner is essential to ensuring the pup is up to the tasks required. When you get a service dog, you need to know you can count on it to do its job. Likewise, it needs to be able to count on you. Trust establishes loyalty. A loyal service animal is committed to its owner, continuing to take its job seriously through the years. German shepherds make outstanding service dogs because they are very loyal. Though they are often stand-offish at first, they are fiercely loyal once there is trust between them and their owners. GSDs are more loyal than some of the other breeds people frequently use as service dogs, including Labrador retrievers. They need to care enough to warn or protect them from situations that could cause harm. A strong bond between a service animal and its owner is critical. The loyalty these dogs feel towards their owners translates to a desire to protect them. German shepherds are often used as guard dogs because they have a protective instinct. Shepherd guide dogs protect their owners' safety. These pups aren't quick to warm up to strangers and often need socialization training to ensure they can handle their tasks without becoming aggressive or anxious if their owner is in trouble in a public environment. German Shepherds Are Adaptable When you think about what service animals do, you can see why they need to be adaptable. Service animals often accompany their owners everywhere they go. They are frequently faced with new environments and novel situations and must be able to do their dog work in any situation. GSDs are highly adaptable, making German shepherds one of the most popular service dogs. They can transfer their learning from one situation to another, and trained dogs aren't typically confused when routines vary. Their ability to focus on their jobs is why they are so adaptable. German Shepherds Are Courageous German shepherds are the best breed to become service dogs or police dogs due to their courageous nature. This breed will not hesitate to risk their safety or perform brave tasks to ensure the safety and well-being of their owner. You can always rely on a German shepherd. When properly trained, they will have no problem completing any task for their owner at any time they are needed. Whether a disabled person needs assistance in the middle of the night or early in the morning, a German shepherd will be eagerly ready to help at any moment. German Shepherds Are Patient German shepherds are known for being patient and having excellent temperaments. They are willing to learn, obey, and please their owners, with lots of patience and character. These traits make this breed easily trainable to become service dogs. GSDs are outstanding dogs for people with physical disabilities and medical conditions requiring an alert to keep them from danger. Some of these dogs may be capable of serving as psychiatric support dogs. Physical Guide These guide dogs often perform as seeing-eye dogs, helping owners with visual impairments navigate safely, avoid obstacles and get where they need to go. They may assist their owners in using public transportation, crossing streets, and moving through stores to find what they need. They may also perform as hearing dogs for those with auditory impairments. These dogs give their humans a head's up when important sounds occur in their environments, such as a baby crying or the doorbell ringing. Medical Alert GSDs make good service dogs for people with life-threatening allergies, low blood sugar hypoglycemia , diabetes and epilepsy. Medical alert dogs let their owners know when there is a threat related to their medical conditions. They may also carry medication in a vest and know to seek help when their owners have a medical emergency. Daily Task Assistance Trainers teach service dogs to help their owners with physical disabilities perform tasks that might otherwise be hard for them. They may deliver household items, open and close doors, turn lights on and off and pick up dropped items. German shepherds often perform these tasks for owners who use a wheelchair. Physical Support If you have a physical disability such as cerebral palsy or a similar condition, German shepherds have the strength to offer stability as a counterbalance. The breed weighs an average of 55 pounds and are good physical assistance dogs for those weighing less than pounds. GSDs are prone to hip dysplasia, so it's essential to find one that doesn't have that issue. Emotional Support A psychiatric service dog helps people with mental disabilities or mental health. A German shepherd service dog that fills this role can sense anxiety and warn its owner of panic attacks. It offers emotional support, comfort, and companionship. Not all German shepherds can perform this role, and other breeds that are generally calmer, such as Labrador retrievers, are more often used as psychiatric and emotional support dogs. Medication Reminders Since German Shepherds are easy to train and reliable, they can be trained to remind their owners to take their medication every day, at the designated time, or at any interval a person has to take their medicine but may forget or lose track of time due to their disability. Sniff Out Illnesses German shepherds have a strong sense of smell. This allows them to be able to sniff out perpetrators or illegal substances for the police or military. For those with disabilities seeking a service dog, German shepherds can also be trained to sniff out certain cancers or other serious health concerns that a person may be experiencing. In order to get a service dog you must first be diagnosed with a disability that can be aided by having a service dog. The service dog will need to be trained to perform specific tasks that assist you with your disability such as deep pressure therapy or interrupting self-harming behaviors. Take our online PSD quiz to get started. Complete Our Assessment To assist us in determining your needs for a psychiatric service dog and your current condition, you must first complete our brief evaluation. Consult With a Therapist You will then be matched with a licensed mental health professional and offered a link to schedule a live consultation with them after completing privacy and permission paperwork authorizing our doctors to work with you. After that, you'll meet with a mental health professional and have an assessment to see whether you're eligible for a psychiatric service dog. Train Your Psychiatric Service Dog If you qualify for having a psychiatric service dog you will then need to ensure that the animal is properly trained in performing specificl tasks that assist you with your mental health. German shepherds can easily be taught to serve as service dogs, and can be trained either by a professional dog trainer or by yourself at home. Being patient with your dog is crucial if you plan to train your service dog independently because the process might take a while. However, training a service animal can be a time-consuming but extremely worthwhile procedure if you're completely committed to them. It's crucial to keep in mind that service animals must go through training before receiving certification. This training can be carried out independently through an online PSD training program or via a professional trainer. Just like any other emotional support animal or service dog, you can adopt Germn shepherds from your local shelters or through breeders. No matter the breed or if the dog is already someone's companion, any dog can be certified as a service animal. Owners of these dogs must make sure to develop a bond with them, go through training, and receive certification. There are also programs that let individuals adopt service animals who have already received training and need a new owner. You must speak with a certified mental health expert to see if you are eligible for a German shepherd service dog. However, the following mental and emotional conditions frequently make someone eligible for a service dog: Depression and Depressive Disorders. This is for a large number of reasons, such as their temperament, loyalty, size, strength, and much more, which we will get into later. They are often seen in law enforcement as police dogs, or excelling in obedience classes, acting as a farm dog, being military dogs, or providing protection and search and rescue services. They are a very loyal, intelligent breed, making them perfect for being a service dog. Service dogs must be intelligent, work-minded, well-focused and calm, all of which are traits the German Shepherd is known for. What are Service Dogs? The definition of a service dog according to the U. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, alerting owners to a panic attack, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Types of Service Dogs Service dog: A service dog is the most common type and is the broadest category. A service animal can help with many things, so this category is dogs that provide support to someone who needs some form of physical assistance. Guide dogs: These dogs are also known as seeing-eye-dogs and help guide the blind navigate the world. A guide dog will help their handler avoid obstacles, ensure they step over curbs and holes, help them cross roads and open doors, etc. They undergo vigorous training and can accomplish dozens of tasks. Hearing dogs: These talented pups assist their deaf handlers as they navigate the world. Mainly, they are trained to help their owners with ensuring they receive vital cues of sounds they cannot hear themselves. They will guide their owner to the sound or to safety, depending on the condition of the situation. Medical alert dogs: These service dogs help owners suffering from seizures or epilepsy prepare for an upcoming one and keep them safe during it. Another type of service dog under this category is a diabetic assistance dog, who help alert their owner when their blood sugar is low. Mobility assistance dogs: A mobility assistance dog is a type of service dog that helps humans with spinal injuries, leg injuries, or any injury that makes walking, standing or balancing difficult. These are typically larger breed dogs since they provide balance support for their handler. They help them stay standing , open doors, retrieve items, etc. Psychiatric service dog: This special service dog assists people with mental disabilities. They have all the same rights as all the above mentioned service dogs, but undergo specialized service dog training to perform tasks their owner needs assistance with. These service dogs help with mental health issues rather than mobility issues. Someone who suffers from depression, anxiety attacks, PTSD, and more would likely benefit from a psychiatric service dog. Click the below video to learn more about psychiatric service dogs. Therapy dog: A therapy dog is not a service dog, but instead a loyal pet that helps provide comfort to children or elderly people in a hospital or nursing home. They undergo some specialized training, including passing an American Kennel Club Good Citizen test, then visit sick children, adults, or people of any age to provide comfort. Emotional support animal : An emotional support animal is a companion animal that provides emotional support to their owner. An emotional support dog does not undergo any specialized training and is not a service dog. Service dogs are ADA recognized, while emotional support dogs are just friendly pets that help their owner feel comfortable. Working dogs: Other types of dogs are not your typical pets, but are also not a service dog. We often call these pups a working dog. Some types of working dogs include: guard dogs, hunting dogs, cattle dogs, herding dogs, etc. They are not ADA recognized and do not offer any medical or mental support to their owners or handlers. Other examples of this type include police force dogs, drug sniffing dogs, bomb dogs, etc. Emotional Support Dog vs. They undergo specialized training and have federally protected rights. They can accompany their owner anywhere, such as businesses, schools, non-pet friendly housing, on airplanes, etc. To get a psychiatric service dog, you must be diagnosed with a disability and prescribed a service dog who undergoes vigorous training to support you. An emotional support dog only requires a letter of recommendation from a doctor. They are simply a pet who offers mental and emotional benefits to their owner. It is very important to recognize the difference between these two types of dogs. Service dogs wear vests to set themselves apart, as they have a very important job and should be recognized as working dogs. Why German Shepherds? You may have noticed while you read all of the above types of service dogs and working dogs that German Shepherds are a common breed used for these services. This is not a coincidence. German Shepherds were bred for excellence. In Europe during the s, people were working to standardize dog breeds. Dogs were bred to preserve traits that assisted in their jobs, such as herding sheeps, protecting flocks, guarding humans, etc. In , Capt. Max von Stephanitz took interest in a medium-sized black and yellow dog for its herding tendencies, intelligence, and especially its ability to take direction quickly and efficiently, with minimal training. Thus, the German Shepherd dog began its growth to one of the most popular breeds around. The German Shepherd is a medium-to-large size dog, with a built and lean conformation, with a few distinctive colors: black, black and tan, sable, and a few other variants. They typically weigh between 75 to 95 pounds at full size, and stand between 22 to 26 inches tall. This breed can reach impressive speeds of 30 mph at maximum speed. The German Shepherd lives between nine and 13 years on average. What really sets them apart is their amazing temperament and incredible obedience. Their breed characteristics include a strong desire to please, an excellent work ethic, and extreme loyalty. Their temperament is calm enough to be a family dog, but also a trained work dog. They make great service dogs and guide dogs for this exact reason. German Shepherd service dogs are great due to their size. They are also extremely intelligent and learn tasks easily and are willing to work at any moment. Service dogs must be smart, devoted and hard working, which GSDs certainly are. German Shepherd service dogs are great service dogs and psychological service dogs. They even make amazing therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, search and rescue dogs, and more. As dogs, German Shepherds are one of the best out there. Even as puppies, they form very strong bonds with a person and excel in both owner training and program training. If you look at service dog breeders, many swear by the breed as an excellent choice for a service dog. They have solid bodies and incredible strength. They love to work, which is essential for a service animal, and love having a job. They are confident and love to please someone, but are friendly to everyone if trained well, another very important part of being a service dog. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, and according to many rainers, are the easiest breed to train. Shepherds in general are extremely smart and athletic, but add in the loyalty of the German Shepherd, and you have a top notch service dog. Many German Shepherd puppies are bred solely for becoming service animals. Service dogs are only given to people with disabilities that hinder their quality of life. For a psychiatric service dog, you must consult with a licensed mental health professional. This is the only legitimate way to acquire a service dog. If they recommend a service dog, the next step is finding a psychiatric service dog for you. There are a few various methods to this. You can look at rescues in your local area to see if they have any German Shepherds available, or you can purchase a German Shepherd dog from a breeder or service dog organization. If you adopt one or purchase one from a breeder, you will want to work with a service dog trainer or service dog program training to make sure your German Shepherd becomes the best service dog possible. This is the best way to ensure you get a German Shepherd that is healthy, loves their job, and has all the characteristics we love about the wonderful breed. In breeding, we want the breeds to stay regulated and standardized. German Shepherds are not only one of the most popular breeds ever, but also one of the most common components of a mixed dog! Even a little bit of German Shepherd in a dog is a great addition. It may have plenty of that German Shepherd charm, intelligence, and athleticism. Visit your local shelters and consult with their staff about any available German Shepherds and their personalities to see if they could be a good service dog for you. Conclusion Now you see why German Shepherds are such a beloved breed, not only as pets, but also as service animals. Breeders love them, training schools love them, people love them, we all love them. Their strength, intelligence, athleticism, and temperament make them a great choice for any household or any person looking for a service animal. Are you looking for a psychiatric service dog? Here at CertaPet , we can help. CertaPet is an online telehealth platform that improves access to mental health care in the U. We are currently coordinating with dog trainers who specialize in the service animal space and who will soon work in tandem with our network of licensed mental health professionals to make the process of getting and training a psychiatric service dog affordable, convenient, and hassle-free. German Shepherds are loyal, intelligent, work-minded, a good size, and extremely athletic. They are also extremely friendly. How do I get a psychiatric service dog? First, you must consult with a mental health professional to see if you qualify. If you are diagnosed with a mental disability, you will begin your search for a dog and begin training What are German Shepherds commonly used for? This breed is very versatile! They are beloved pets, police dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, military dogs, working dogs, herding dogs, and much, much more. You may also like. How to train a German Shepherd as a service dog yourself German Shepherds have been bred as working dogs for centuries. The breed has shown itself to be one of the most intelligent, trainable, loyal, and work-loving breeds of all others. Today, they still partner up with the disabled, rated as the most popular service dogs worldwide. What makes German Shepherds such good service dogs? To answer this question, we must first find out what a service dog is and does. Service dogs are working dogs that have been specially trained to help a person or group of people with a disability or specific needs. German Shepherds are one of the most popular choices as service dogs because the essential characteristics of this breed line up with the requirements of service animals of any kind: Obedient German Shepherds were bred to listen and obey any command given to them without hesitation. Obedience training wouldn't be a problem for them either. Strong and healthy German Shepherds are large enough to help with physical disabilities, where a person may need to use the dog to aid mobility. Besides, most German Shepherds are healthy dogs, which gives off a strong presence. Active and athletic German Shepherds require lots of exercise for their physical and mental well-being and love to keep busy, which means they are always ready to work. Intelligent and hardworking This breed is a highly intelligent companion and an outstanding worker. German Shepherds are eager to please and put their best paw forward, so they always get the job done. Approachable and well-socialized They trust anyone their owner trusts. They are also comfortable and confident in many different environments, surrounded by many other people. What kinds of jobs are suitable for a German Shepherd? Guide Dog - help people with visual impairments to navigate their surroundings. Diabetic Alert Dog — detect and alert a person with diabetes about low blood sugar. Allergy Alert Service Dog — detect and alert someone with life-threatening allergies about the presence of an allergen. Hearing dog - alert someone with hearing impairment of key sounds. Mobility Support Service Dog - assist the mobility of someone who uses a wheelchair or walker; pick up and deliver household items for someone with physical disabilities; open doors and turn on lights. Reason 1 These dogs are very athletic and intelligent, which means they need to exercise and be challenged. They are more task-oriented. Thus, anyone who plans to have a German Shepherd as a service dog must also be prepared to spend time and energy by giving them physical exercise and mental stimulation. Reason 2 They have a strong, protective instinct and are suspicious of strangers. When they sense anxiety from the handlers in public, German Shepherds can be anxious or even act aggressively in public. Find an organization or an agency that trains them. You will have to sign a contract for a puppy they have specially bred and screened to be a good candidate for work as a service dog. They will then fully train the puppy until it is ready to join your family. The specific amount will vary based on how they were trained, what they were trained for, vet bills, etc. Option 2 Get a German Shepherd service dog for free or at a discounted rate from a non-profit organization The following organizations may be able to help you to afford a service dog if you meet their criteria:. When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website. 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Here are some things to consider: Size Do you want a big or a small golden? Sex Do you want a male or a female? Style Or a stocky, blocky-headed golden retriever? Color Do you want a dark gold or red golden , a cream-colored golden , or something more in the middle? Personality Do you want a calm golden or more of an energetic one? Nobody will be able to tell you what you want out of a dog but yourself. Consider your lifestyle, home, whether or not you have kids , what you like to do on the weekend, etc. If you want to get a good feel for what a puppy will be like, look at their parents. Temperament and health are hereditary and no puppy test or observation will be as accurate as what their parents are like. So that being said, pick a good breeder that is breeding dogs that resemble what you want. There are two important things here: Talk to the breeder and tell them what you want Observe the puppies and look for the puppy that resembles what you want Talk To The Breeder The breeder has spent the last eight weeks with the puppies and knows them best. By telling them what you want they can help you decide the right one for you. But assuming the decisions lays in your hands, this next section will help you out. Selecting A Puppy From The Litter When we went to pick our puppy from the litter we knew exactly what we wanted: a big, calm, sweet boy. He had probably worn himself out trying to impress them because two days later we were wondering what happened to that calm puppy as a fluffy little tornado was tearing around our apartment! Are they submissive? This might give you some insight into their personality. Take note of their energy levels. Consider how your puppy interacts with people. How are they with you, whoever is with you, and the breeder? Are they fearful? A friendly dog will be outgoing and interested in you. Toss your keys or a toy. Put the puppy on their back. Either cradle them in your arms on their back, or roll them on their back on the floor. A dominant pup may squirm a lot, but a well-adjusted pup should calm down shortly. They should be ok with being handled. Shoutout to Vet Street for a few of the tips above. In addition to choosing the right puppy, you also want to choose a healthy puppy. Now even if you have your checklist and run each pup through these tests, it may all go out the window if a puppy picks you. But as we tried to give each puppy a chance and interact with all of them, Oliver kept coming back to my wife and nuzzling his nose into her to tell her that he was the one. Conclusion When picking a puppy you first want to decide what you want. Then pick a breeder that breeds dogs that resemble what you want. When it comes to actually picking the puppy from the litter, talk to the breeder about it and try to see which puppies match up with what you want. However, know that puppies may be different than how they initially appear. And finally, you might not even need to worry about picking the right puppy because the right puppy just might pick you. Have any questions about picking a golden retriever puppy from the litter? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is about to pick up a puppy, please share this with them! Related articles:. However, picking the right puppy from a litter can be overwhelming and stressful. So, what is the easiest way to pick a golden retriever puppy from a litter? An excellent way to see how your potential puppy will turn out is to take a look at his parents. Most importantly, ask the breeder a lot of questions before adopting. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! A responsible breeder is your best bet for a healthy puppy. A dog breeder like this will cut corners and overbreed in order to get as many viable Golden retriever pups to sell to unsuspecting puppy buyers as possible. Even if the price for a golden retriever puppy appears to be less initially, the potential long-term health and behavioral problems involved with a puppy from a genetically unhealthy litter will quickly surpass the cost of a puppy from a good breeder. Some of the best ways to find a quality golden retriever puppy breeder is to get referrals from your local veterinarian, a good friend, or a local golden retriever club. You can also find an excellent golden retriever breeder by attending professional dog shows. When you look each puppy over, you want to look specifically at their eyes, coat, build, and skin. Look at their eyes. They should look focused and clear. You want to keep an eye out for any golden retriever puppies that rub their eyes or appear to struggle with their vision, such as squinting. Touch their coat. The coat of your new perfect puppy should be shiny and healthy. Examine their build. Take a look at the overall shape of each puppy. Check to see if they are favoring one foot more than another foot. These could be signs of a more serious health issue. Check their skin. You want to keep an eye out for any flaky skin or skin with bald patches. Look for redness or signs of irritation. There are also instances when a puppy with anxiety will chew or scratch at their skin until the fur falls off. Things to look for when choosing a puppy from a litter. Even the runts are going to be bigger than a lot of other breeds. Many people wonder if the runt of the litter is a good choice when choosing a golden retriever. The runts are typically the pups who are weaker and smaller than the others in their litter. The mother produces the nutrients the litter needs to survive. The runts will be at greater risk of having weaker immune systems and getting infections. Choosing a medium-sized puppy will reduce your chances of getting a runt, an overeater, or a bully overly dominant pup. When it comes to temperament and size, there are differences between females and males. The most significant difference is going to be their size. A male dog will get slightly longer and taller than females, but they will also weigh more. There are also small differences in their faces. They can also come across as more territorial, but this is a very slight difference as well. While the females will still love you unconditionally, the males will be twice as doting and loving. Watch the way each member of the litter interacts with the others. This will tell you how your puppy will react to the other dogs or animals in your home. Extremely shy puppies may not have been socialized well so far, and could grow up to become distrustful dogs that are full of anxieties. Speak with the breeder or the owner of the litter. Ask them tons of questions about how socialized the puppies have been with other dogs and pets so far in their young lives. Make Sure the Golden Retriever Puppy Is the Correct Age Golden retriever puppies should stay with their mothers for eight weeks before being adopted and taken home. As mentioned earlier, the mothers produce vital nutrients that a new puppy needs to survive. If the puppy is taken away too soon, it puts them at greater risk of infections and other complications. It can also increase their anxiety, aggression and make them over-protective of their toys and food. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! Before seeing the litter, research what a golden retriever puppy of eight weeks looks like. It will vary depending on the dog, but this will help you establish a clear idea of what the puppies will look like when you see the litter. The size and temperament of the parents are passed down to their offspring. What is the temperament of the parents? How does the puppy in question behave around dogs outside their litter? What kind of food are the puppies used to eating? Have the puppies all been dewormed? Are the puppies socialized with other animals besides dogs, such as cats or birds? Summary Adopting a puppy is a significant milestone for a family. These puppies come from parents selected through extensive screening processes to ensure they are high-quality. They will be socialized and trained to become a great family member. Here are 6 tips to help you choose the best puppy from a litter. You want to understand the puppy selection process and ensure you make the right choice. This will help ensure that you pick up a healthy puppy from a healthy litter. To learn more about how golden retriever puppies grow and develop, speak with the breeder about what a golden retriever puppy of eight weeks looks like. Puppies that are too calm may not have the same energy level as the other puppies in the litter. It is also essential to take note of temperament and whether or not they seem outgoing and friendly. Some puppies may be more comfortable interacting with strangers than others, while others may take time to warm up and show interest in new people and places. Additionally, it can be helpful to interact with puppies in their litter and see how they interact with each other. This can give you an idea of how your puppy will react as an adult dog. The Volhard test is another way of assessing the temperament of puppies. This test involves placing them in containers and observing their reactions to stimuli. By seeing how puppies respond to multiple stimuli, it can be easier to determine their personalities and whether they are bold or submissive. Test its alertness by tossing a toy or your keys in front of it. Look for puppies that react quickly and run after the toy or keys. If the puppy is well-adjusted and displays a good temperament, it should be ok with being handled. However, it may not be suitable for you if the puppy shows signs of fear or aggression, such as growling, baring teeth, or acting aggressively toward people or other dogs. It is also good to check for puppies with bright eyes, clean ears, fluffy and soft fur, and a puppy that bounces around when walking. This shows that they are healthy puppies ready for new homes. Selecting the right puppy from a litter can be a challenging task. To ensure you pick the right puppy, observe how they respond when put on their back. Rolling the puppy on the floor can help determine if they are a dominant pup or a well-adjusted pup. Before taking the puppy home, ensure they are the correct age — 8 weeks old. It is also essential to have the puppy comfortable with being handled, including touching its paws, ears, mouth, and tail. When picking a puppy from a litter, it is vital to take time and patience to observe and interact with them. This will help you select the right puppy for your family. When picking a puppy from a litter, it is essential to pay attention to its paws, ears, mouth, and tail. Touching these areas will help you get to know the puppy better and determine if it has the right temperament for your family. As you are caressing the puppy, check for signs of a good response, such as a calm temperament or relaxed posture. You may also check for alignment of teeth or unhealthy pink gums. When choosing a puppy from a litter, wrap it in a familiar towel to ease the transition into your new home. This will help calm it down and allow you time to bond with it. After picking up your new puppy, take it on a walk to show him where to eliminate it. When choosing a Golden Retriever puppy from a litter, there are a few factors to consider. Ideally, select a healthy puppy with no physical or conformation problems. If you plan to use your new dog for hunting or show competition, it is essential to check for exemplary character. Research the breeder to ensure they have experience producing healthy and genetically-true litters. Look for breeders involved in golden retriever clubs, obedience clubs, or performance clubs, as these organizations help preserve the breed. Besides, reading breed standards and verifying that the purchased puppies have been raised under good conditions is vital. Good breeders should be selected to ensure the puppy is of the desired temperament and health. This will help you make a well-informed decision, picking a pup that resembles the qualities you want in a dog. It is vital to look for a puppy that lets you play with him, picks him up without struggling too much, and seems happy and content. Additionally, it is essential to consider what qualities you want in a dog and pick a puppy that resembles these qualities. Doing so can ensure your new family member is healthy and happy. These playful and devoted companions are great for families and make excellent pets for all ages. If you want to add a new furry friend to your family, consider a Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder. Getting a golden retriever puppy from a breeder is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. Your new golden will be well-socialized with people and other animals and learn basic obedience and other skills through regular training. However, selecting the right puppy is vital. While picking a golden retriever puppy from a litter is a personal decision, these tips should help you make an informed decision. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Ans: When you are looking to buy a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure to do your research first. Here are some key points that you should consider: Look for a reputable breeder with experience in breed preservation efforts. Avoid buying a puppy from a puppy mill, as they often cut corners and overbreed. Puppy mills sell puppies at high prices without checking their health or temperament. Research the breeder and their practices before purchasing a puppy. Ans: When picking a puppy from a litter, it is essential to understand the different personality traits of puppies. Some of the most common are playfulness, energy levels, interaction with people, and temperament. Once you have identified the personality traits of a few puppies, you can then observe the litter more closely. This will help you determine which pup is the right fit for you. If there are any signs of illness, such as red eyes or runny noses, do not choose that puppy. Puppies should be removed from the litter by weeks of age to ensure optimal mental development. The breeder will then be able to select the puppy for you. Ans: There is no right or wrong answer when picking a golden retriever puppy. Both male and female puppies are energetic and playful at the puppy stage, but male puppies may be slightly bigger than females. It depends on the individual puppy and its personality. But simply picking a Golden Retriever from the litter might not be quite as easy as it seems, remember, this pooch would be with you for the rest of its life, so you have to be sure that the Golden Retriever pup you are selecting is just right for you and your family. There are a lot of things to consider, and lots of questions to be answered: What color should I pick? What temperament would I want? Should I pick a male or female Golden Retriever? Lots of questions that require answers. Your experience with the beautiful Golden Retriever should be enjoyed. First off, is Golden Retriever the right dog for you? I assume that you probably did a lot of research on the Golden Retriever breed before picking a reputable breeder to patronize or work with. The Golden Retriever is quite energetic and clingy, and as such does require a lot of time and attention. It requires a lot of exercises to keep from being destructive and for an adult Golden Retriever, an average of hours would be required daily to properly exercise the breed. And for those allergic to dogs or dog coats, the Golden Retriever might not be the best breed for you. This is because the Golden Retriever is a moderate to heavy shedder during shedding season. You might want to consider a Labrador Retriever, checkout our comparison for more detail: Golden Retriever Vs. When trying to decide what sort of Golden Retriever is best for you, answers to these questions would be needed. Male or Female Golden Retriever? This sort of decision might be quite easy for some and incredibly difficult for others. This is because to some, any gender is good enough they have no preferences , while for the rest, specific reasons or purposes could cause them to favor a particular Golden Retriever gender over the other. Both the male and female Golden Retrievers are very lively and equally playful at this stage of their lives. The only slight difference, however, that might occur or might be noticeable between both breeds might be size, as the male Golden Retriever is only slightly bigger or larger than the female when looking at the same litter. As both Golden Retrievers approach their individual sexual maturity, you might begin to notice a lot more differences. A lot of generalization is done between both, the male and female genders of the Golden Retriever breed. Some might say that the male Golden Retriever is a lot more hyperactive and could be harder to train than the female Golden Retriever, or that the female Golden Retriever matures quite faster than the male Golden Retriever, but again, these are all generalizations and speculations. Another popular generalization or myth is that the female Golden Retriever is a lot more independent and affectionate than the male Golden Retriever, again, it could still just be a myth. What Size of the Golden Retriever should I pick? As we already stated earlier, the gender of the Golden Retriever has a huge impact on the size of the Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever males are bigger than Golden Retriever females when comparing two Golden Retrievers from the same litter. What style of the Golden Retriever should I go with? Deciding on what Golden Retriever style you would like is equally important. Are you looking for an athletic Golden Retriever or a slim Golden Retriever, or are you in search of a more stocky and blocky-headed Golden? What Color of Golden Retriever should I go with? Of course, the Golden Retriever has a variety of different coat colors that you could be interested in. Some of these colors are; red-gold or dark gold, or perhaps, maybe a cream-colored Golden Retriever. Either way, there are some interesting Golden Retriever colors to choose from. What sort of personality should I look for? This is yet another decision that can only be made by you. The personality of the Golden Retriever you choose is quite important, so you definitely need an answer to this question. Are you looking for an energetic Golden Retriever dog or a calmer and more gentle companion? You might be searching for a friendly and outgoing Golden Retriever or perhaps a shy or reserved Golden Retriever. The breeder should know them best, being that they have spent approximately 8 weeks with the puppies. The breeder should be able to tell in each litter which of the Golden Retriever puppies is more dominant, which is shy, which is, which barks a lot, which is calmer, and of course, which of the Golden Retriever pups is most energetic. So, by simply telling him what exactly you are looking for in a Golden Retriever, he should be able to make helpful suggestions and recommendations. This is quite common in breeders today, they usually do the picking for you based on the requests and information you give them, which I personally feel is better. These 6 tips would be quite beneficial in deciding which Golden Retriever puppy is best for you. Does it dominate the other Golden Retriever puppies or is it a more submissive puppy? Try to notice the energy levels of each Golden Retriever pup A great way to figure out the temperament of a Golden Retriever pup would be by checking out their energy levels. A Golden Retriever pup that spends half its time barking and the other half running around is a clear indication that it is anything but calm. Notice how your chosen pup reacts or interacts with people In addition to watching how your pup reacts with other littermates, you also have to watch how they react with people. When you interact with them, how do they react, also watch their interaction with the breeder and basically strangers? Do they react in a curious manner? Are they quite fearful? Or are they the outgoing and friendly type that seems to be quite interested in interacting with humans? Try tossing a toy or your keys at the pup This is a great way to identify how alert your Golden Retriever puppy really is. Once you toss your keys or a toy at the pup, try to notice how quickly your Golden Retriever reacts to it. Does your pup run after it? Or does it follow the toy or keys with its eyes? Try putting the Golden Retriever pup on its back As you pick and cradle the Golden Retriever pup, you could try placing it on its back while in your arms or placing it on its back while on the floor. For a dominant Golden Retriever pup, it should squirm or struggle a bit, while for a more submissive and calmer puppy, it should also struggle for a bit but shortly relax. Try Caressing your Golden Retriever puppy You could try caressing your chosen Golden Retriever pup by gently rubbing its ears, tails, paws, and mouth. A calm Golden Retriever puppy should be cool with it. Note: Be sure to check the health of your chosen pup before choosing. Also, your Golden Retriever might pick you. This is not new, as some dog owners have shared their various experiences. Some pups could run up to you all sweetly and cute looking for a cuddle, some could pee on you while others might even go as far as peeing on you, but all in all, when a puppy picks you, you would know. Final Thoughts Picking a Golden Retriever puppy that is just right for you and your family is not an easy task, but it is quite important as this dog would be with you for a huge part of its life. So do ensure you stay attentive when choosing. Ensure that your chosen pup is quite healthy, ensure they are well tested and strong. Following all the steps listed above should be enough to help you when selecting a Golden Retriever pup. In all you do, please ensure that you shower your new Golden Retriever with so much love and care. Drink a lot of water, eat well and of course, always stay devoted to dogs. How will we ever decide? Our Selection Process If you have ever chosen a puppy from a breeder, you were probably given a thirty-minute time slot, a pile of ten puppies and no behavior or temperament information. You likely chose your puppy based on color or gender, or both. You might have chosen the first puppy who came up to you, the puppy lying by himself over in the corner, or the puppy who kept crawling into your lap. Maybe you chose the runt because you felt sorry for her. Every single puppy has a purpose. Some dogs are meant to hunt or search, others are meant to perform valuable tasks, and still others are meant to offer comfort. Most dogs are meant for lifelong companionship. Service dogs and therapy dogs serve very different purposes. The testing and selection process for each is different, as is the training. A dog can never truly be a family pet AND a service dog. A therapy dog can never be an emotional support animal and a family pet, because an ESA is bonded to one person while a family pet divides his time with various family members or friends. Candidates for our therapy and service dog programs are chosen first We do not consider gender or color when temperament testing or placing dogs into our programs We can not control the number of puppies in a litter, nor the number of males and females in a litter. We usually take three male deposits and three female deposits prior to the birth of the litter. Once the litter is born and we know how many puppies we have, we accept additional deposits. We follow a puppy protocol from the day puppies are born, exposing them to different sounds and surfaces. We hold them in different positions and we move them around increasingly. We work with their pressure points and we use essential oils to relax and stimulate them. We construct these profiles based on observed behaviors during weeks such as barking, growling, shyness, food assertiveness, independence, maturity, patience, motivation. Temperament testing occurs during week 6. If the family with the third deposit on the list wants a pet, we will suggest the puppy ies that most closely match their family profile. If the puppy they wanted was selected by the family with the first deposit, they may then move to their second choice. A family who makes the LAST deposit in a litter may not get their first choice, however we do our very best to accommodate everyone. While families may have a color or gender preference, we suggest being open-minded and willing to consider the puppy with the temperament that best fits you and your needs. We do our best to get the right puppy for you, and we are unable to allow a family to wait until pick up day to select a puppy. Above everything, we must ask our families to trust us during this process. Our experience with goldens and goldendoodles, and the relationships we have with our families, have made us what we are today. If you do not feel comfortable with the selection process, please seek another breeder. By placing a deposit, you are agreeing with our testing and selection process. Your deposit is non-refundable, but it may be forwarded to a future litter. The selection process differs from those of other breeders and priority is given to our program. We make every effort to match puppies which best fit family profiles that are submitted in online puppy applications. We cannot determine the number of puppies or the number of males and females in a litter. When necessary, placement decisions will be made according to the order in which deposits are received. You love me when I am not lovable. You find me in the darkness. You keep my secrets and lick my tears. You teach me to live like someone left the gate open. This could cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills down the road. On the other hand, when you buy the animal from a licensed Golden Retriever breeder, you can pick out your future puppy with confidence. Not only will proof of his pedigree show that your breeder is certified, but it will also verify that your puppy is a true Golden Retriever. The best puppy breeders take pride in providing healthy dogs through careful genetic research. They should be so confident in their work that they offer you a health guarantee , which will tell you what to do if your puppy faces any unforeseen health issues. Since breeders are there from the day the puppies and their parents! And picking the right pet for your family starts with finding a breeder you can trust. No matter how nice they seem or how attractive their website looks, you should always do a little bit of research before choosing a Golden Retriever breeder. Here are important points that all breeders should address: Image Source Does the breeder give back to the breed? Breed preservation should be the primary goal of Golden Retriever breeders. They should participate in keeping the species alive through membership at a Golden Retriever breed dog club, a performance club, or an obedience club. What type of experience does the breeder have? Do they stay true to the pure genetic traits of the breed? Do they provide health screenings and health guarantees? Can you meet the puppies and parents in person? How many litters do the females have each year? Female Golden Retrievers can have up to two litters per year. However, breeders who follow ethical practices will only allow the females to have four to six litters in their lifetime. A female can breed between the ages of two and eight. Once you choose a breeder that seems like a good fit for you and your family, you should write up some questions to ask them. And in return, expect some questions about you, your lifestyle, and your home! One of the first things any breeder you inquire about should provide is a list of former buyers. Reviews posted online are one thing, but being able to talk with customers directly speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the breeder. When you speak with their former customers, ask questions about their buying experience and how their dog is doing years after purchase. Puppies should receive some level of preventative care that is appropriate for their age. Newborn puppies up to eight weeks old should stay with their mothers, but they will also receive their first round of core vaccines during these few weeks. They should have a yearly examination by a licensed veterinarian that will perform vaccines, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as general health checkups. A reputable, passionate breeder will be more than happy to receive updates and questions about their puppies well into adulthood. With that being said, the breeder should also provide a health guarantee. A health guarantee states that you are not financially liable for any genetic issues in the puppy, as long as the health condition is verified by a certified veterinarian. This is an essential point that you might not think twice about. A good Golden Retriever breeder will ask questions to determine if your household is a good fit for their puppy. Image Source 1 Why do you want a dog? This is a simple yet important question that you should have an answer to. Golden Retriever breeders that dedicate their livelihood to continuing the pure genetic bloodline will want to know what appeals to you about these energetic companions. Additionally, the breeder might ask who will be walking, feeding, and playing with the dog. Golden Retriever puppies require tons of attention, especially during the first two years of their lives. If the breeder asks this, they want to know how your children will be participating in the handling of the puppy. They also want to understand how you plan to introduce the puppy to other pets so they can coexist safely within the same home. No matter how nice a breeder may seem, you want to avoid accidentally contributing to backyard breeders or a puppy mill disguised as a reputable breeder. Doing so can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of potential heartbreak. Here are some of the most critical and obvious warning signs of an untrustworthy breeder. Less experienced breeders will charge on the lower end, and more experienced breeders usually with generations of pure genetic proof! Additionally, some of the best breeders will only sell trained puppies to ensure their pooches are family- and forever-home ready. Therefore, you should receive standard documentation upon adopting your new Golden Retriever puppies, such as care instructions, registration papers, vaccination records, and necessary contracts. The contract may also state that you agree to surrender the puppy instead of adopting him out to a shelter or the pound. Some warranties will say that the breeder should have the right to reclaim the puppy in an unexpected situation like this. If you do ask for references, and they give you a list of written reviews instead of contact information for former clients, this is a red flag. A refusal for a tour means that the breeder knows potential clients may be turned away by the environment. If you are invited to tour a facility, learn about what a professional kennel should look and smell like first. The bottom line is, you need to do plenty of research.

Kenya Labradors breeds the best, so YOU will live with the best. Kenya Labradors is solely dedicated to "breeding excellence" in order to offer you the most outstanding family pets and champions of conformation, hunting, agility, and obedience. We specialize in English-type chocolate and black Labs of exceptional quality and brilliance. See our website for photographs, pedigrees, and information! Why Labradors? Our home is on 20 acres in the gorgeous Santa Margarita Valley on California's central coast. With all this land, we could have chosen ANY breed of dog.Why did we choose Labradors? We chose to love, train, breed, and show only English-type Labrador Retrievers because we believe no other dog will suffice. These fabulous dogs fulfill our every criterion for the perfect canine companion. They are magnificently built for stamina and agility. They are off-the-charts bright and eager to please — loving, easy to train, and full of personality. Kenya Labradors are filled to the brim with SO MUCH love, devotion and intelligence — sure to become an important member of your family. It was an easy choice for us. We started with one dog, as many people do. Read our story. Now we strive to produce the best quality Labs possible, specializing in chocolate and black colors with the English-type conformation. Kenya Labradors are beautiful, bold looking dogs, and especially athletic. They love to swim, play catch, and retrieve, but can just as easily kick back to watch movies with you. Our Labs are super friendly "people dogs", good with young children and the elderly, and for aounnncing to welcome visitors. That's a BIG title and with good reason! It is also one of the most popular assistance dog breeds in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their intelligence and desire to please. Please contact us for a phone appointment. We don't post our phone number here because we are often outside with our dogs, and paying proper attention to numerous phone calls became quite a challenge. Establishing a first contact by email allows us to agree upon time where you will receive our full attention. We appreciate your understanding on this. Simply click on "contact us" or fill out the quick form — at the bottom of every page. Unless we are at a dog show or hunt trial, we will get back to you typically within the day. We look forward to meeting you! Sorry, we do not ship. Kenya Labradors does not sell puppies via the Internet or to pet dealers. You must be physically present to purchase a Lab puppy from us. We also do not cross-breed Labs to make designer dogs. We breed amazing English Labradors and take great pride in doing that one thing well. Come and see for yourself. You just might fall in love! Santa Margarita, CA .Labradors are favorite pets as they are versatile and always eager to please. Get in touch with us at Nevada Labradors when looking for the best Los Angeles Labrador puppies for sale. We are an established company and have been providing our clients Labradors for sale for a while now. Call us for the finest quality Los Angeles Labrador puppies for sale, which includes: Chocolate lab puppies Labrador retriever puppies White Labrador puppies Trust us to be the best place for Los Angeles Labrador puppies for sale as we raise our dogs with care and love. We have the best breed of Labradors, and you can choose from the available puppies or wait for the upcoming litter. You can even reserve your lab puppy from the new litter. Rely on us for offering healthy and well-bred Los Angeles Labradors for sale. Our Labrador puppies are now family members of so many families. Give us a call when you need to get more information about our Los Angeles Labradors for sale, which include: Cute Labrador puppies Professionally trained Labrador for sale Cheap Labrador puppies All our Los Angeles Labradors for sale are strong, healthy, versatile, and trainable. Drop in to have a look at our available Labradors or reserve one. However, the shops are not the first owners of the Labradors, and they just resell the dogs. Count on us as the shop for Los Angeles Labradors near me as we have been in the business for many years now. We take good care of our dogs so that when they live with their new families, they exude only love. We are your shop for Los Angeles Labradors near me and offer: American labs for sale Trained companion labs for sale Purebred labs for sale Adult Labradors Get in touch with us to know more about us for Los Angeles Labradors near me. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for almost forty years. Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we deliver our world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in or around Los Angeles. For details, call Woody or Judi at .Labrador Retriever Puppies and Children In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Labrador retriever can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: Dogs help children to be more cooperative and sharing. For children, a close relationship with a dog is a proven benefit in study after study. For instance, in research with preschool children, psychologists at Oregon State University found that teaching children to care for a puppy enhanced their social skills. Sue Doescher, a psychologist involved in the study. And that transfers to how other kids feel. Be sure to read the rest of her article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! We have answers. Different breeders may charge different prices for Labrador Retriever puppies in Los Angeles. For example, chocolate Labrador puppies in Los Angeles could be priced differently than puppies of the same breed with black coat color. Do your Labrador breeders from Los Angeles ship puppies out of state? Of course, they do. How do you screen breeders of LA Labrador Retrievers? We strictly vet prospective breeders based on 47 breeder standards, including legal requirements, skills, animal care, health, and much more. Visit our Breeder Pledge page to learn all the details. Uptown has a zero-tolerance policy for puppy mills that place profit above the welfare of animals. We work only with ethical breeders who share our vision that all puppies should be raised with love and live with caring families like yours. Our community unites only the best breeders with the best families, period. What Is a Labrador puppy mill? Puppy mills are terrible places where dogs are kept in cruel conditions without proper veterinary care or socialization and are treated like machines to have litter after litter. LA Labrador Retriever born in a puppy mill is likely to have genetic defects that can include physical problems requiring costly veterinary treatment or a personality disorder. Are there any purebred Labrador puppies for sale in Los Angeles? Want to buy a Labrador Retriever puppy in Los Angeles? Take advantage of our MatchMaker process. Tell us about yourself and your ideal pooch and we will search our network for the best matches to help you connect with a responsible Labrador breeder who has the right puppy for you. What is the MatchMaker process? MatchMaker process makes it easy for families to find the best puppies from top breeders for free and in record time. We ask you questions about your ideal puppy, including breed, gender, color, activity level, personality, and more and help you find exactly the type of dog you are looking for. We love dogs as you do so we use strict screening process and Breeder Pledge to unite the most responsible breeders in the country and we do our best to build lasting relationships with our customers. Read reviews from our real customers. We would love to invite you to compare our testimonials with other Labrador Retriever breeders in Southern CA. We invite you to view pictures and read some of the touching letters we received from Read Testimonials Read More About Us We are a large family that loves Labs! We began breeding Labradors simply for the love of the breed. My wonderful kids are involved with the care of our pets and the socialization of the puppies. Some of our Labs have been trained to surf! They even drive from Arizona and Las Vegas Nevada! Acts Help Heal and Protect your Pet for life! Learn more click here! A lifetime of Nu Vet is cheaper than one major vet visit. Puppies and dogs that are on Nu Vet have beautiful coat and skin and are far less likely to ever suffer from allergies. Nu Vet Plus is an immune system builder that will help strengthen your pets immune system as well as the cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. It will help protect pets from the side effects of vaccinations and the stress of new and different environments. Your righteousness is like the mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike O Lord. Psalm

They are bouncy, tail wagging, cuddle bugs, the cutest things ever! Uncle Al lives in our "apartment", the walkout basement downstairs. We help Uncle Al with his Pugs. They are wonderful caring moms! When our moms retire we have them spayed and offer them to pet only homes for about half the cost of a puppy. They will be on the retired parent page at that time. Diva will be available this late winter or spring .See the other pages: "About our puppies," "what comes with your puppy", and " is a puppy really right for you. Or maybe adopt a rescued adult Pug. Rescue is always the best! Do your homework, since a rescued dog needs a home appropriate for their needs as much as a puppy! A puppy is a very serious decision. Please do not get a puppy or a dog if you have any hesitation about long term responsibility of a furry best friend. We love our puppies and dogs and only want them in a home where they will be a part of the family! If interested in a puppy please email or call. Remainder due on pick up. Pugs are heat and cold sensitive. Not at all a 'hiking in all weather' type of dog. Some are amazingly agile, fast, and athletic and do tolerate a wider range of temperature. Others are at risk of collapsing if overheated when simply out on a warm day and playing. Many make terrific therapy dogs. They are very tolerant of children. Puppies available now! All puppies are kept current on vaccinations, dewormed several times, microchipped, and well socialized. Puppies are microchipped and current on vaccinations. Nikki black and Boris fawn had puppies 1 white female available, updated .Photos taken , at 4. They have grown so much but look the same, update, they are 14 week old. All dogs and pups are raised in the home where they are handled daily alongside other pets. Abunaks are never caged or kenneled. Lily Lou Pugs even has their own TikTok account. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

Rachael Ray Nutrish is another brand I love for Labrador Retriever puppies as it is packed with DHA for healthy brain and eye development and specially formulated for young, growing dogs. You can also select different sizes and recipes. My favorite is chicken and brown rice. Bedding And Toys Lab puppies need quality bedding and toys for teething. Labrador puppies grow quickly and have sharp claws and teeth. Puppies also go through a teething phase and will need special teething toys to help soothe their sore mouths and help keep your furniture safe. As far as bedding, the best bedding for a Labrador puppy is going to be made of high quality material that is soft and plush while also being sturdy enough to keep them off the floor and support their growing bodies. KONG toys are wonderful tools to use during crate training , but they also help with separation anxiety , boredom, and the teething stage that all puppies go through. Enter the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack. These flavored chew toys come both textured and regular to help get your pup and your furniture through the teething stage safely. Cuddly toys like the Smart PetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy above can help your new Labrador puppy adjust to sleeping on his own, assist in crate training, and may even help alleviate anxieties including noise phobias and separation anxiety. Puppy blankets are a must and can be used for multiple purposes in your home for your pup. My favorite puppy blankets are blankets that are specially made for dogs, like the Luciphia fleece blankets above. While you can use any blankets on hand, blankets that are specially made for dogs are usually a bit more durable, easier to wash, and have been made with quality and safe material for your pooch. Puppy blankets just make it easy to always a comfy place for your puppy to rest his head no matter where you are. Ultra Squeaker Ball is an absolute favorite in my house and with my clients. I especially love using this toy for puppies who are just getting the hang of playing fetch. For puppies, picking up on how to play fetch can be tough. Balls that squeak or make noise when thrown help to make the game more exciting and help encourage young pups to chase whatever is making that high pitched sound! Leashes, Harnesses, and Collars Collars, leashes, and harnesses are important tools to help socialize your puppy. Getting your puppy used to wearing a leash, harness, and collar is an important step towards socializing them. So even though your Labrador puppy will outgrow his harness and collar quickly, I still suggest investing in these items. Here are five of my favorite leash, harness, and collar products for Labrador Retriever puppies. As I mentioned above, puppies are especially fragile so steer clear of attaching a leash to their collar and try to help them adjust to wearing a harness that is comfortable. What I like about this harness is that it is adjustable so you can use it a bit longer as your puppy grows. Best of all it is the perfect length five feet for puppy training and is a leash your Lab puppy can take with him into adulthood. It is built like a standard leash, but it offers you control over how far away your puppy can get. This is excellent for puppy parents who live in busy neighborhoods or who are working with a puppy who likes to wander. Large breed puppies like Labrador Retrievers require crates that grow with them. This is why I love crates that come with dividers so that they can grow with your Lab puppy. I also recommend playpens, as Labrador puppies are notorious for being very active and energetic. Lab puppies are also incredibly curious and tend to chew a lot in their first few months, which is why indoor dog gates will also be an important part of puppy proofing your home. Take a look at some of my favorite puppy-proofing products below. Nobody likes cleaning up potty accidents. Of course, no one wants a big, bulky pen that takes up half of their home either! I also love that the pen is big enough for puppies to grow into and allows them to learn how to explore a space larger than their crate while keeping them and your home safe from their curiosity. And since crate training is such an important part of puppyhood and actually helps your puppy adjust to being alone and feeling secure, we recommend investing in a good, high quality crate you can use for years. It has two separate doors for entrance and exit and it comes with a divider so it can be adjusted to the size of your dog as he grows. Just remember to leave your pup inside his crate with a KONG and some bedding so he is comfortable, and remember that puppies who are younger than six months old should not stay in their crates for longer than four hours. For those of you who plan to leave your puppy out and about while you are gone and after he is trained, of course , then a crate that folds may be your best bet. The MidWest Foldable Dog Crate posted above is one such crate that is not only made well, but also stores well. Like most crates ideal for Labrador puppies, this crate also comes with a divider so it can grow with your dog. Along with crates and puppy playpens, you also might consider getting a gate to keep your puppy from entering places in your home that may pose a risk to him. Many of my clients keep gates up in their kitchen entryway, or gate their living rooms where puppies are tempted to chew on wood furniture. Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate Sale Buy on Amazon For those of you worried about installing something or accidentally damaging walls or paint, there are always free-standing gate options, like the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate. I do like the way these gates look and the simplicity of them, however, they are not always the most secure and may not stand up to a strong and curious puppy. These gates are also not ideal for leaving puppies unsupervised as they can sometimes find ways to knock them down. Grooming your Labrador puppy early on not only helps to socialize him and prepare him for a life of vet visits, groomer visits, and physical contact with people, but it also helps to keep him clean and healthy. Like babies, puppies are more sensitive to certain products and require products that are specifically designed to be gentle on their sensitive skin and fur. Be selective of the shampoos, dog brushes , and other grooming products you pick for your Labrador puppy and make sure you always use high-quality products. Some of the products I recommend most for grooming a Labrador puppy are listed below. Pet Care Sciences Puppy Shampoo. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at 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. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? Vet bedding fleece on a roll is ideal puppy bedding. You can line both his bed and his car crate with this. Buy several pieces so that you can pop one in the washing machine when it gets dirty or if he has an accident. There are lots of lovely beds you can get to go around the house, but in those first days veterinary bedding is an essential alternative to keep his crate cosy and clean. Puppy Toys For Labradors Puppy toys need to be sturdy. Many puppies destroy soft toys quite quickly though they are so adorable, you may not be able to resist buying one or two. Kongs and rope toys are very tough and seem to survive the onslaught of puppy teeth. A Radio If you intend your puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen from the first night, you may find it helpful to leave a radio next to his crate. Just a simple, cheap Portable Radio with the volume turned down low can serve the same role as some human company. It just helps him feel less along during those first few nights when he may be feeling very homesick. Puppy Harness There is no rush for this, but once your puppy is too heavy to carry, and going out and about on the ground, he needs some kind of safety restraint. These days I usually recommend a harness as they avoid pulling on the puppies neck. The kind where the lead attaches at the front and on the back are ideal. You can find an expert review of the big brands of harnesses, from a professional trainer here. When he is older and has learned to walk next to you, you can buy him a collar. To let your puppy know when he has done something you like. It is a really useful tool to help you teach your puppy to be quiet, and to learn simple skills. It will make training your puppy much quicker, easier and a lot more fun. Getting a recall to whistle established at an early age gets your puppy training off to a great start. I recommend the Acme Dog Whistle. There is plenty of information on the use and choice of dog whistles in this article: Should you buy a dog whistle .It will help to get you off to a great start with your new puppy. This is the guide I wish I had when choosing the best puppy supplies for our Labrador Retriever, Kona. The dog you grew up with was much different from this one because your parents did most of the raising. It sure would have been nice to have had more honest and relevant guidance when determining what supplies I should get for my new puppy. It seems like everyone I know has recently become a dog parent and is raising a new puppy. I realized I know a thing or two about this topic after going through it all myself with our Labrador Retriever, Kona. I love sharing my experience with other dog parents and decided I may as well start sharing it here. Hopefully, others find my advice useful, regardless of whether you are the new owner of a Labrador Retriever or some other breed! I am all about being cost-effective when it comes to purchasing dog and puppy supplies. So, most of the products I recommend below are within that category, all are great quality and very reasonably priced. There are countless options when it comes to purchasing puppy supplies, so Kona and I rounded up a list of our favorite Labrador Retriever puppy products and explain them each below! Kona is a Labrador Retriever, and as a result, many of these recommendations are based on the experience with that dog breed. Yet much of this advice is relevant to any large breed puppies. So, getting him on the right food for a Labrador was a task I did not anticipate. We did 2-month dog food subscriptions on both of these products in lb bags and it made our lives so much easier compared to going out and purchasing the food at a physical location. The heavy bags of dog food were always delivered right to our door! They are not grazers like some dogs. I kept hearing about these special dog bowls that help Labradors eat slower and digest better, so decided to try one out. THIS feeder bowl is amazing! I bought the teal style and size small. We also never had to upgrade to the bigger size because the small still works for him as an adult. Food Mat While the bowl has some sticky rubber on the bottom that prevents the bowl from moving around while Kona eats, the floor around the bowl still gets dirty. It can get especially messy around the water bowl, so I used to put a kitchen towel underneath both bowls to limit the grime. I wish I had purchased it sooner because it would have saved me a bunch of time cleaning! Dog Crate Getting a dog crate was the smartest decision we made. They are actually a positive safe space for your puppy and it also does wonders for potty training. Kona took to his crate right away, and now almost 2 years old, he still loves it! We find that he tends to get the best rest if he sleeps in his crate at night. I did a lot of research on what crate to buy. Crates come in so many different shapes, sizes, and styles and finding the right one for your dog and your home is key. With a large breed dog, you should be looking at a big crate. But while it may seem oversized and ugly right now, this crate will be their home, so you want it to be comfortable for them. Getting a large crate now, that will grow with your puppy will make your life so much easier in the long run, and much easier for a puppy to adapt to. We got the inch double door with divider. We did this to help make it more private and cozy for him, and he absolutely loved it. It was also a great way to prevent him from waking us up super early or if we wanted to sleep in because the crate stayed dark for him. However, Kona would also goof around with the blanket cover in and out of his crate. He also loved climbing on top of it from the couch… This was all a bit frustrating, yet all a part of the silly puppy age. But let me tell you, this crate cover is a thousand times better than a blanket! I really wish I had purchased one earlier because this thing is totally worth it. The cover fits the crate perfectly and the best part is that it has flap openings for all areas include both door openings, a mesh window, and the top. It has zippers and velcro and is super durable. Dog Crate Pad When Kona was a young puppy we had no idea what we should put on the bottom of his crate to make it comfortable. We also knew that it was possible he could have accidents, so it was necessary to have something easy to wash. Initially, we tried a large soft folded blanket, but it ended up being too big and awkward. We decided to hold out from buying any bed or pad for a while. Instead, we folded a towel or blanket and placed it in the crate for him. Usually, Kona would nest it up on his own to make it comfy. This worked just fine for him, especially with the divider panel in the crate, which would have made fitting a full-size bed in there difficult. Kona voluntarily sleeping in his large dog crate as a young puppy. He loves this plush material and now cozies up with anything similar to it. The pad is totally washable and maintains shape well. It has an anti-slip bottom so it stays in place better than most dog beds. I hardly ever have to get down and adjust the mat myself. Looking back, I wish I had gotten one of these sooner because I think Kona would have loved it as a little guy and been even more comfortable! I will note, however, that Kona used to enjoy taking his bed out of the crate, prancing around with it, and laying on it outside the crate. Dog Bed When Kona was a young puppy, I purchased a separate dog bed that he could lay on in our living room. This was a bad idea because Kona saw the bed as something to play with and he actually relieved himself on it more than once. We go for a value pack so we never worry about running out. But rather than them chewing the wrong things and destroying your home, you can get them to chew the right things! Also, he preferred peanut butter and bacon flavors. We got the Medium size version when he was a puppy so it would last as he grew into it. Often, dog chew toys will have tiny flecks or pieces that come off but then pass through just fine if ingested. We tried our best to avoid those, and never experienced that with these particular bones. Better to play it safe in my opinion. These dog chew toys kept Kona entertained for some time, and he still enjoys them as an adult! Getting a hollow bone gave me the flexibility to fill it on my own or leave it empty. Tip: the pumpkin can spill out, so I recommend giving it to your puppy outside or on a towel or something. I think the bone holds onto some flavors. Initially, I boiled this bone with some chicken broth and let it cool. I think this gave it some extra long-lasting flavor. Believe it or not, they are also very inexpensive. Often, I give him healthy bits and treats that he loves like banana, greek yogurt, kale, and other vegetable pieces. But on occasion, I will give Kona one of these goodies called Bully Sticks. THESE are the best ones by far! I waited until he was about 3 or 4 months old to give him these. I honestly only give them to him maybe a couple of times a month now. However, being new dog parents, we got Kona one before realizing this. As a puppy, there was a plush toy that Kona especially liked, and it held up for a good while. THIS moose toy was his absolute favorite! He loved sneaking up, pouncing on, and shaking it as a little pup. Moose had soft insides and a squeaker. Kona loved Moose while he lasted. We originally got the toy in size Medium. Kona and his Kong Cozie, Marvin the Moose, a plush dog toy. I read early on that one way to help break bad habits with accidents was to use a good cleaner as a training aid. Using a safe and effective cleaner is the key to avoid this issue, as well as any other organic stains and odors. Not to mention, it will help keep your house smelling nice. It smells nice gets rid of that funk smell completely rather than just covering the scent. I think it even works as a good normal house cleaner. The spray bottle is the easiest to use, but when we run out we just order THIS pour version and fill up the original spray bottle. Kona enjoyed ripping apart and trying to eat the puppy pee pads. He liked laying on them, but I was also shocked to learn that he also associated those with a good place to have an accident. I would much rather he had an accident on one of those towels than anywhere else in the house because it made it much easier to clean up and launder. He totally destroyed that thing, all just from normal daily use. Kona loved chewing his leash on walks and it was a really tough habit to break. But always buying a new leash that would soon be chewed seemed like such a waste. We love the honu sea turtle print on it, especially being in Hawaii. They also have many other prints and designs to choose from! Dog Name Tag While Kona was microchipped, we also wanted him to have a name tag on his collar. If he got lost, the tag would have his name and our contact info. I got him THIS simple tag in the bone shape. This tag has had all kinds of action, it gets wet with saltwater and sandy at the beach all the time, yet it still looks great! There you have it, those are our best product recommendations for raising a Labrador Retriever puppy!