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Aug 18, Share Boxers were originally bred in Germany as guard dogs in the 18th century. This medium to large-sized dog was bred as a cross between the Bullenbeisser dog now extinct and the Bulldog. The Boxers we know and love today for their silliness and energy have emerged from a Molosser-type dog that was used in hunting. It is important to note that officially there is only one type of Boxer breed that has different bloodlines. Sometimes, these bloodlines are mixed, while other times they are absolutely pure. There are no variant types or official sub-categories in the official sense. However, there are plenty of morphological differences among Boxer breeds to consider. Below are the different types of Boxer dog breeds and their differences. The 3 Types of Boxer Dogs 1. The dog is preferred for its slightly larger frame as compared to the UK and American Boxer. The bones are dense and large, which helps give the musculature a slightly more pronounced definition. The width of the thigh in this breed is slightly wider as compared to others. A feature typical to German Boxers is the length between their skull and snout. The length is exactly in the ratio of in German Boxers with a pure bloodline. The snout, in comparison to other types, is smaller than the American Boxer and wider than the UK Boxer type. United Kingdom Boxer Dog A post shared by Boxergone boxergone Defining characteristic: Considered the most elegant among all Boxers, owing to its high knuckles atop small feet This breed is also called the English Boxer or British Boxer. The UK Boxer stands out for being more lithe, sleek, and athletic as compared to other Boxer breeds. It has a slender musculature and a stylized body that allows for further agility and precise movements. English Boxers have the highest knuckles of all other variants. They are also thought to be the smallest with thinner and shorter legs. However, this does not mean that they lack strength or speed. However, it was the first one to be given official recognition in by American Kennel Club. The breed is the easiest to recognize among all other variants, thanks to the lack of wrinkles in adult dogs. Their coat is also denser, brighter, and stronger than English and German Boxers. The American Boxer stands differently from the English Boxer. This is because of the shape of its ankles, paws, and knuckles. However, it is easy to confuse American Boxers with German Boxers since both of them have the same stance. Prevalence: Common Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful. Males grow to about 25 inches and weigh from about 65 to 80 pounds 30 to 36 kilograms ; females grow from about 21 to 25 inches and weigh from about 50 to 65 pounds 22 to 30 kilograms. Boxers have regal, distinctly shaped square heads. Their jaw is undershot and the muzzle blunt. They have a broad, deep chest and a relatively short, strong back. Boxer's ears fold over naturally, but traditionally, their ears have been cropped to stand erect. Their tails generally are docked and carried high. Their feet are compact and the toes are arched. The boxer's coat is short and sheds moderately. Some boxers are a rich, fawn color and others are brindle. Their face or mask is usually black, but many have white face markings and white on the chest and paws. Personality: Boxers are intelligent, high-energy, playful dogs that like to stay busy. Their temperament reflects their breeding. They prefer to be in the company of their owners and are loyal pets that will fiercely guard their family and home against strangers. Few boxers bark excessively. If a boxer barks, chances are there is a good reason. Many boxers are vocal, however, and make a growling noise that's really just the dog's way of talking. Living With: The boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. If these needs are not met, boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house. Boxers are ideal for people who want a canine companion with them most of the time or for larger busy families with homes that are often occupied by someone. They can do well on a country estate or in a city apartment as long as they have the opportunity to romp and expel energy. If you live in an urban area, regular walks are necessary. Boxers are intolerant of hot weather, and care must be taken to prevent them from getting overheated. They also need protection from the cold since they are short-coated. Their coats, however, are very easy to care for and will be shiny and bright as long as they have a good diet, are bathed occasionally, and are given regular rub-downs with a grooming mitt or brushings with a rubber curry. Some boxers drool excessively, and some snort and snore. Like other larger dogs, boxers are not particularly long-lived. Their life expectancy ranges from about seven to 10 years. History: Boxers are descendants of extinct bullenbaiser breeds crossed with mastiff, bulldog and possibly Great Dane and even a terrier. They were developed in Germany in the 19th century, initially as bull baiting dogs and later as butcher's helpers, controlling cattle in slaughterhouses. Some breed historians say boxers are named from the German word boxl, their slaughterhouse designation. Other fanciers contend the name boxer comes from the characteristic way that they use their forepaws to play, sparring much like a human boxer. After the breed rose to become among the most popular in America. Boxers are considered working dogs. They were one of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs. But they are also bred to be companion and guard dogs, perhaps best known for being loyal family pets that are especially fond of children. Related Pet Care Articles. Officially, there is only a single type of Boxer dog recognized by major kennel clubs. However, fanciers and breeders have set the distinctions between Boxer dogs bred in different countries. The differences between the types of Boxer dogs in each region are heavily dependent on preferences. Breeders from each location have been cultivating specific characteristics or traits that they want the breed to exhibit. International kennel organizations also contributed to their variation as they prioritize the characteristics of a certain region over the other. Among the three types of Boxers, this is the second variant that has been merited as a standard in by The Kennel Club KC , one of the oldest canine organizations in the world. This substantiates why the UK standard leans more to the characteristic of this Boxer type. One of the defining characteristics of UK Boxers is their small feet, high knuckles, and slender legs which give them a more elegant look. It is considered to be the smallest and slimmest among the three. Nonetheless, the masculine physique which is the core trait of Boxers is still evident. Its slender body also provides more room for agility and precision in moving. It is also expected for UK Boxers to be biddable, calm, fearless, and self-assured. Oddly enough, the standard for this type of Boxer was only established after the two other Boxer types were standardized. Among the three, the German Boxer remains to be the more robust and largest type in terms of muscle mass and bone structure. Their physique has a more defined masculine figure with longer and stronger legs. These traditional Boxer features are probably retained through time since most German Boxers are still bred for their natural talents in herding and hunting. Another key characteristic of German Boxers is that they have a shorter snout compared to American Boxers but wider than the UK Boxers. According to most Boxer breeders, German Boxers are calmer and easier to train compared to the other types of Boxers. The traits and characteristics of the American Boxer were officially acknowledged in by the American Kennel Club. The most defining trait of this Boxer type lies in its coat. An American Boxer has a smooth, tight, and shiny coat that has no wrinkles. With this unique trait, it would be easy to distinguish an American Boxer among other variants. Boxer fanciers claim that American Boxers have a more elegant and balanced look. The reason could be because most American Boxers are bred to be show dogs or champions of conformation events. When it comes to temperament and behavior, the American Boxers are said to be playful yet constrained, patient, and stoic towards family members — especially with children. Also, they are said to be the most energetic Boxer among all types. If you have been searching about Boxers, you might have also heard about black Boxers although there are none in reality. Let me explain to you in this section the different coat colors and markings that Boxer dogs have. Fawn Boxer Dog Fawn coat color can exhibit a range of hues, including shades of yellow, tan, red, and mahogany. It is one of the two standard coat colors recognized by kennel clubs and possibly the most iconic. Too much white on the coat is considered a fault. The common markings for fawn Boxers are white flash and a black mask. The black mask refers to a black muzzle that can also be seen on German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. Brindle Boxer Dog Brindle is not a color but a pattern. This is characterized by the presence of streaks of irregular and darker color against the light color background of the coat. For Boxers, the background is usually a color ranging from fawn to deep red. The appearance of the brindle coat will vary depending on the thickness and thinness of the color strips. Some may look like almost solid fawns while some may have more defined patterns in their body. Depending on the shade of the brindle, a Boxer dog may be called a light brindle, golden brindle, fawn brindle, red brindle, or mahogany brindle. The concentration of brindle patterns in Boxers can also be classified into three: tiger brindle, reverse brindle, and seal brindle. The streaks of irregular darker hair patterns are spread across a light background. On the other hand, reverse brindle dogs have strips of irregular lighter color against a darker color background. They differ from a seal brindle Boxer who sports a heavy concentration of dark streaks on their coat. However, for the record, there is no such thing as black Boxer dogs in reality. Purebred Boxer dogs do not carry the black color gene so it is impossible for them to have a black base. Boxers can only either be fawn to mahogany , brindle, or white. The black Boxer dogs that are advertised are brindle in nature. Remember the seal brindle that I mentioned earlier? When the streaks of the darker color patterns are too tight that they seal or shut the light background off, the coat appears to be solid black. In other words, the black coloration is nothing but an illusion. Worst, due to the hoaxes about white Boxers, they were even culled back then. Contrary to popular belief, white Boxers are not albino. Albinism occurs when a dog lacks pigmentation on its body. However, that is not the case for white Boxers. Similar to seal, the white coat for Boxers is produced due to an unusual patterning in the body. In short, they just have large white patches. White Boxers are either fawn or brindle with a large area covered with white markings. Boxers with this coat color typically do not have other markings in their body including a black mask. Those with patches of other colors in their body patches on the eyes, black mask, ears, back are called Check Boxers and are considered to be particolored. Boxers that have more than a third of white color in their coat or are all white are disqualified on conformation shows. The good news is that the AKC now recognizes the white coat color but is still considered to be non-standard. White Boxers are allowed to have limited AKC registration but are prohibited from being used on breeding. Knowing the type of Boxer you have would be easy if you bought from a reputable breeder. However, if circumstances do not allow the aforementioned ways, you can also try observing the unique characteristics of each type of Boxer. As discussed earlier, English or UK Boxers have long, slender legs which give them an elegant look. One of their defining characteristics is their high knuckles and small feet. If your dog sports this appearance, it is probably a UK Boxer. If your dog is large compared to other Boxers you see, there is a high tendency that it is a German Boxer. This type of Boxer is the biggest among the three. It has a dense bone and a larger and more masculine frame compared to the UK and American Boxer. Spotting if your Boxer is an American type would be easy. The defining trait of an American Boxer is its slick, smooth, shiny, tight coat. In terms of temperament, it would be hard to distinguish the three types of Boxers as they exhibit similar behaviors: confidence, patient, calm, and watchful. However, the German Boxer is said to be the calmest Boxer among the three. The American Boxer on the other hand is the most energetic type. If your Boxer sports extraordinary demeanor and composure unlike other Boxers, there is a great possibility that it is a German Boxer. Subsequently, if it acts like a bomb of energy, it is probably an American Boxer. Although all of the types of Boxers can join dog shows, some are more favored by specific kennel clubs. Conformation shows usually set guidelines following the standards provided by these organizations. Thus, Boxers that perfectly adhere to the standards are more favored than the others. If you want to join Boxer shows, the first thing you need to do is to identify the type of Boxer you own as well as the kennel club that sponsors the event. The prices of the three different types of Boxers have no significant differences. Boxer dogs with champion blood are more expensive than ordinary purebred Boxers. When it comes to coat color, the most expensive Boxer puppy would be the one with a seal brindle. As discussed earlier, a Boxer with this coat creates an illusion of a solid black color. Due to their rarity, Boxer dogs with seal brindle color are highly valued and priced. Places to Find Different Types of Boxer Dogs for Sale and Adoption In buying a Boxer dog, you should only transact with reputable breeders and avoid buying from backyard breeders and puppy mills. A professional Boxer breeder only aims to enhance and further the characteristics of the breed. Here are the places where you can find reputable and professional Boxer breeders. This online marketplace is regulated by the AKC itself so you have the assurance that all of the Boxer puppies sold are bred ethically and professionally. Most of the advertised Boxers in this marketplace came from the bloodlines of American Boxers. They have a acre facility dedicated to breeding German and UK Boxer dogs. This breeder is interested in breeding German Boxers that is why all of the dogs in their facility have German pedigrees. Unfortunately, a great number of Boxer dogs also end up in rescue centers. If you are eyeing to adopt one, here are the places where you can apply: American Boxer Club Rescue Directory — The parent organization of Boxer clubs in America has a complete list of the numerous Boxer rescue organizations across the country. There are dedicated shelters for each state and region of the US. Adopt-a-Pet — This is an online pet database that is dedicated to rehoming Boxer dogs. There are hundreds of Boxers posted on their sites every day that are available for adoption. It is affiliated with over 12, pet shelters across the US and Canada. All types of Boxer dogs English, German, and American are pretty common. In fact, kennel clubs do not consider these types as exactly legit. The terms American, UK, and German Boxer dogs are mostly used by breeders residing in a certain location. The boat only tips in terms of coat color. Contrary to popular belief that white is the rarest color for Boxers, seal brindle Boxers are the real gems. The tight patterns of a dark streak of hairs give an illusion of solid black coat color. Due to their rarity, they are also considered to be more expensive compared to other colors. What Is a European Boxer Dog? A European Boxer dog is another term used to refer to German Boxers. They are more masculine and have larger body frames. To be fair, all Boxer dogs are equally good. However, there are unique traits evident to each type of Boxer dog. The physique of a German Boxer dog is more robust than the other types, giving it an impression of a more reliable guardian. On the other hand, the unique features of American Boxer shiny tight coat and UK Boxer high knuckles and slender feet give them a more elegant look. If you are after a sport or a working dog, German Boxers would be preferable. On the other hand, if you would like to join conformation events, the American or UK Boxer will be your go-to. In addition, you should also consider your region as judges favor a certain type of Boxer depending on their origin. For the behavior and temperament, all three are lively yet calm, easily trained, and self-composed. However, breeders and owners testify that American Boxers are more energetic compared to the other types of Boxers. Your preference and lifestyle will be your criteria in choosing which Boxer matches you. Aside from their slight differences in size and appearance, they are all Boxer dogs that exhibit elegance and vigor. Their temperament and behavior will heavily depend on the environment they are raised in and the training they received. In terms of Boxer types according to coat colors, you should carefully weigh your options and refer to what the standard says. If you aspire to enter show events, you should not choose a Boxer puppy that is white or has white patches that cover more than a third of its body as such traits are considered faults. You should take note that a Boxer is not a dog for beginners. It is a breed that requires proper training and attention. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Boxer Overview Boxers, large, muscular, square-headed dogs, appear imposing until their mischievous and joyful eyes reveal their true nature. Boxers reach full maturity at three years, boasting intelligence, alertness, and fearlessness, while remaining friendly. Their loyalty to the family is remarkable, though they can be headstrong when faced with harsh training. With minimal grooming needs, Boxers make excellent family companions, as long as they receive ample physical exercise and mental stimulation. Their origin traces back to Germany, and their short, shiny coats are usually fawn or brindle with white markings. Docked tails and cropped ears are common, but many owners now prefer leaving them natural. Boxers are renowned for their love and loyalty, often trying to be lapdogs. Their strength and courage make them suitable for military, police, and search-and-rescue work. Proper care includes indoor living due to their sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Boxer Highlights Here are some of the highlights of the Boxer breed: Affectionate: Boxers are very affectionate dogs and love to be around their people. They are known for their wagging tails and slobbery kisses. Playful: Boxers are also very playful dogs and love to have fun. They are always up for a game of fetch or a good belly rub. Intelligent: Boxers are very intelligent dogs and can be easily trained. They are often used as working dogs, such as therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs. Trainable: Boxers are also very trainable dogs and can be taught a variety of tricks. They are eager to please their owners and love to learn new things. Loyal: Boxers are very loyal dogs and will always protect their family. They are known for their bravery and willingness to stand up to danger. The Bullenbeisser was used as a hunting dog for centuries to hunt bear, wild boar, and deer, tasked with catching and holding the prey until hunters arrived. Over time, Bullenbeissers lost their jobs on estates and began to be used by farmers and butchers to guard and drive cattle. The Boxer we know today was developed in the late 19th century when a Munich man named Georg Alt bred a brindle-colored female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown origin. Schecken was then bred to an English Bulldog named Tom to produce a dog named Flocki, who became the first Boxer to be entered in the German Stud Book after winning at a Munich show that had a special event for Boxers. One of her pups was a white female named Meta von der Passage, considered to be the mother of the Boxer breed, even though photographs of her show that she bore little resemblance to the modern Boxer. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white parti-color, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing bitch few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day. The breed became known in other parts of Europe in the late s. Around , the first Boxers were imported into the U. Lehman of New York. When Word War I broke out, Boxers were enlisted into the military, serving as messenger dogs, carrying packs and acting as attack and guard dogs. Boxers started becoming popular in the U. Through them, the breed was introduced to more people and soon became a favorite companion animal, show dog, and guard dog. In the early days, there was a lot of controversy within the club about the Boxer standard. In , the club finally approved a new standard. The latest revisions of the standard were in .Today, the Boxer ranks 7th among the breeds and varieties registered by the AKC. Boxer Size The height at the shoulder for males usually ranges from .Females typically stand 21 to .Strangers are met with wariness, but they respond politely to friendly people. They display aggression only in defense of their family and home. Temperament is influenced by factors like heredity, training , and socialization. Boxer puppies with good temperaments are curious, playful, and open to approaching and being held by people. Socialization, early exposure to diverse experiences, people, and places, is crucial to ensure they grow up as well-rounded, friendly dogs. Enrolling them in puppy kindergarten classes and regular interactions with visitors, neighbors, and various environments help develop their social skills. Boxer Health Boxers are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they have certain health conditions to be aware of. Here are some conditions to watch out for, along with precautions: Cancer : Boxers are prone to mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and brain tumors. White Boxers with excessive white markings can get sunburned and may develop skin cancer. Apply sunscreen to their ears, nose, and coat when they go outdoors. This condition can lead to fainting and sudden death. A veterinary cardiologist can diagnose it after detecting a heart murmur. Affected dogs should not be bred. Boxer cardiomyopathy BCM : An inherited condition causing an irregular heartbeat due to an electrical conduction disorder. It can result in weakness, collapse, or sudden death. Detection is challenging, leading to unexpected fatalities. Dogs showing signs of this condition should not be bred. While some dogs show signs of pain and lameness, others may not exhibit discomfort. X-ray screening helps detect hip dysplasia, and affected dogs should not be bred. Hypothyroidism : Caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone, leading to infertility, obesity, mental dullness, and lack of energy. It can be managed with daily thyroid replacement pills. Corneal Dystrophy : Non-inflammatory eye diseases inherited in Boxers, affecting one or more corneal layers, causing opaque areas in the eyes. A weakened immune system can lead to demodectic mange, resulting in localized or generalized skin issues. Gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV , also called Bloat or Torsion : A life-threatening condition more common in deep-chested dogs like Boxers. Feeding habits and exercise patterns can contribute to GDV. Immediate medical attention is crucial. Allergies : Boxers are prone to both environmental and food-related allergies. Itchy, scaly skin should be examined by a vet. Responsible breeding is essential to reduce the risk of deafness. Boxer Care Boxers are indoor dogs due to their short noses and coats, making them unsuitable for outdoor living. However, they enjoy playing in a fenced yard. Engage them in play or walk them twice daily for at least half an hour to keep their muscles toned and their energy satisfied. Activities like fetch, long walks, or dog sports like agility and flyball are great options. Adequate exercise ensures good behavior—a tired Boxer is a well-behaved Boxer. Training is crucial for Boxers, as their size and strength can inadvertently harm people. Their temperament, being happy and excitable, requires early and consistent training using firm, fair methods with positive reinforcement through praise, play, and food rewards. Be consistent to avoid pushing boundaries. Settle them down before training class with a walk or play session for better focus. Housetraining requires patience; some Boxers are trained by four months, while others take longer. Regular potty breaks and praising them outdoors are essential. Crate training is recommended for their successful training. Boxer Feeding For an ideal Boxer diet , choose high-quality food suited for medium-sized breeds with high energy. Optimize their chances for a long, healthy life by providing proper nutrition. To prevent weight gain, adhere to a regular feeding schedule with two meals per day. Limit treats and avoid leaving food out all day. Consult your vet for personalized recommendations based on factors like weight, energy levels, and overall health. Boxer Coat Color And Grooming Boxers boast a sleek, short coat with tight skin, accentuating their athletic bodies. They come in fawn or brindle colors, occasionally with white markings. Fawn ranges from light tan to mahogany, while brindle displays striking black stripes on a fawn background. White markings should not cover more than one-third of the coat, and excessive white is discouraged due to potential health issues like skin cancer and deafness. They lack the gene for a solid black coat, so black Boxers are not seen. Bathing should be done as needed. Maintaining dental hygiene and nail care are essential. Regularly brushing their teeth prevents periodontal disease, and trimming nails every few weeks keeps their feet in good condition. Starting grooming routines early in puppyhood helps them become accustomed to the process, ensuring positive veterinary exams and handling as adults. Regular grooming also provides an opportunity to check for any potential health issues, such as sores, rashes, or signs of infection, promoting early detection and care. Boxer Children And Other Pets Boxers are fond of kids and make excellent playmates for active older children. However, their rambunctious nature may be too much for toddlers, possibly causing accidental knocks during play. Never leave a dog unsupervised with a child. With proper socialization, Boxers can also get along well with other dogs and cats, particularly if raised together. Boxer Rescue Groups Boxers are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Boxers in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. Many can be found with a quick internet search. Further information: Bullenbeisser Friedrich Robert and his boxer, The Boxer is a hunting mastiff developed in Germany in the late 19th century from the now extinct Bullenbeisser , a dog of English Mastiff descent, and Bulldogs brought in from Great Britain. Its task was to seize the prey and hold it until the hunters arrived. In later years, faster dogs were favored and a smaller Bullenbeisser was bred in Brabant , in northern Belgium. The Brabanter Bullenbeisser is generally accepted as being a direct ancestor of today's Boxer. The club went on to publish the first Boxer breed standard in , a detailed document that has not been changed much since. During World War I , the Boxer was co-opted for military work, acting as a valuable messenger dog, pack carrier, attack dog , and guard dog. Taken home by returning soldiers, the dog was introduced to a wider audience and soon became a favorite as a companion, a show dog, and a guard dog. Boxer early genealogy chart Flocki, the first Boxer German citizen George Alt, a Munich resident, mated a brindle-colored female dog imported from France named Flora with a local dog of unknown ancestry, known simply as "Boxer", resulting in a fawn-and-white male, named Lechner's Box after its owner. This dog was mated with his own dam, Flora, and one of his offspring was a female called Alt's Schecken. George Alt mated Schecken with a Bulldog named Dr. Flocki was the first Boxer to enter the German Stud Book after winning the aforementioned show for St. Bernards in Munich , which was the first event to have a class specific for Boxers. Blanka von Angertor, Flocki's sister, was even more influential when mated with Piccolo von Angertor Lechner's Box grandson to produce the predominantly white particolored female dog Meta von der Passage, which, even bearing little resemblance with the modern Boxer standard early photographs depict her as too long, weak-backed, and down-faced , is considered the mother of the breed. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white particolor, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing female, few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day pedigrees. Combined with Wotan and Mirzl children, they made the Boxer. Breed name[ edit ] The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from the breed's tendency to play by standing on its hind legs and " boxing " with its front paws. Brace's Pet Owner's Guide to the Boxer, this theory is the least plausible explanation. At that time, the spelling "baxer" equalled "boxer". Both the verb boxen [English "to box, to punch, to jab"] and the noun Boxer were common German words as early as the late 18th century. The term Boxl, also written Buxn or Buchsen in the Bavarian dialect, means "short leather trousers" or "underwear". The very similar-sounding term Boxerl, also from the Bavarian dialect, is an endearing term for Boxer. These dogs were the result from mixes of Bullenbeisser and other similar breeds. Bier beer probably refers to the Biergarten, the typical Munich beer garden, an open-air restaurant where people used to take their dogs along. The nickname "Deutscher Boxer" was derived from Bierboxer and Boxer could also be a corruption of the former or a contraction of the latter. This seems improbable. Any such action would likely result in a badly bitten if not broken leg. On the other hand, a German breeder of 40 years' experience states positively that the Boxer does not use his feet, except to try to extinguish a small flame such as a burning match. But a Boxer does box with his head. He will hit not bite a cat with his muzzle hard enough to knock it out and he will box a ball with his nose. Or perhaps, since the German dictionary translates Boxer as "prize-fighter", the name was bestowed in appreciation of the fighting qualities of the breed rather than its technique. Boxer is also the name of a dog owned by John Peerybingle, the main character in the best-selling book The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens , which is evidence that "Boxer" was commonly used as a dog name by the early 19th century, before the establishment of the breed by the end of that same century. A brindle Boxer with two white socks Brindle, fawn, and white Boxer puppies See also: Dog health A healthy Boxer puppy Leading health issues to which Boxers are prone include cancers , heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy the so-called " Boxer cardiomyopathy " , [35] hypothyroidism , hip dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy and epilepsy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation volvulus also known as bloat , intestinal problems, and allergies although these may be more related to diet than breed. An emerging health concern among boxers is Boxer Juvenile Kidney Disease JKD , where the kidneys do not develop normally during gestation and leads to chronic renal failure. There is strong evidence to suggest JKD is an inherited condition in boxers with research being undertaken by the University of Ohio to determine the gene mutation, as well as other work separately by the UK Boxer Breeder Council. Mortality due to infection increases significantly with increases in inbreeding. The breed is particularly predisposed to mast cell tumours, a cancer of the immune system. Because of their brachycephalic heads, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions. See also: Dog food Boxers need plenty of exercise, which means their diet should be high in quality calories. The main source of these calories should be lean animal protein, which include lean chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. They sometimes appear at dog agility or dog obedience trials and flyball events. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war. Notable Boxers[ edit ] Punch and Judy were awarded the Dickin Medal for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in a military conflict.

Okay, some breeds don't, but only a few sticklers will argue against the statement "Dogs bark. Some of us know more than others just how bad it can be, especially if you live in a neighborhood with close neighbors, or an apartment. So, what can you do about it? First off, dogs bark for a plethora of reasons. To fix the behavior, you have to start with the problem, and the problem is "Why. The average dog sleeps around 11 hours a day. A tired dog is less likely to bark when you're away at work, so make sure your dog has an adequate amount of physical and mental exercise before you leave. Another big reason is a lack of socialization. A dog that has had positive experiences with people during the socialization process and is taught to ignore them as background noise won't bark at everyone as they simply make their way down the street. Sometimes, something as simple as meeting the mail carrier in a positive way is enough to get a dog to stop barking at them. Use this method to include all different types of people of varying ages and any contraptions that they may be associated with, like bicycles and skateboards, etc. Don't respond to demands from your dog. If your dog barks or whines in the crate, the door doesn't open until they're quiet. If they bark at you to get a treat, you don't give them a treat until they're quiet. A lot of people train their dog to bark at the door to go out, only to realize their dog likes to come in and go outside nonstop. They end up barking all day long. So be careful to not only not respond to their demands when they bark, but not to create your own barking Frankenstein's Monster! This may seem counterproductive considering what I just said about being careful not to create your own Frankenstein's Monster of barking, but.Hear me out before you judge! Teaching a dog to bark on command isn't teaching your dog to bark for no reason or a reason that they choose when to use. You use your command for them to bark when you want them to, they bark, you reward. If you're diligent in your work of training your dog, your dog surely knows what "no" means. Instead of saying "bark," when they bark without you asking them to, say "no bark. Using a "quiet" command is similar to a "no bark" command but a little different. The first entails teaching to control a dog's barking in a roundabout way. Teaching a "quiet" command is a bit more negative, but nothing extreme at all. It simply involves waiting for them to bark and saying in a firm voice "quiet. When they do that, reward. If they start barking again, repeat the process. If that sounds too easy, or you think you know it won't work on your dog, you might be right. But no worries, you just have to find a way to break their concentration from barking to giving their attention back to you having your dog's attention is called "engagement". If a firm, yet normal voiced "quiet" doesn't work in getting them to turn their head to look at you, say it a bit louder and sharp. If that doesn't work, whistle. That'll be your "quiet" command, then reward when they look to you. If that doesn't work, put a long leash and collar on them, when they bark, correct them while saying "quiet. We already went over boredom and anxiety, but what if the exercise doesn't work? No worries, there's a solution for that! T oys and puzzle games. Fill a Kong with treats mixed with peanut butter and freeze it overnight. You instantly have a toy a dog can play with for hours before getting all of the goodies out of it. Sodapup licking mats also do well in this category. You can also use treat dispensing toys of your dog's choice and leave them around as well. As for anxiety, close the windows and blinds, and leave on the radio or TV. Make it feel and sound like you're home and limit outside stimuli. So do as much as possible to minimize the very presence of such stimuli. Get help. There's a lot of help out there for you. If your dog is good for half the day because you go on a morning run, but starts barking halfway through the day? It may suit you and your dog better to hire a dog walker. If you're out of your depth training wise, that's okay too. You can always hire a trainer or look into doggy daycares. If you find a tip or trick or technique or toy or idea that works for you, that isn't found here in the span of this article, that's great! Share it in the comments! Share this article while you're at it. If you love dogs, and dog training, and you don't learn something new every day, make that a new goal. There's always something else to try, or one more thing you can do to fix an issue, or lessen the symptoms of it at the very least. Don't give up! Thank you for reading, and please leave a like and share. The first step helps you determine why your GSD is barking and then address the underlying issue rather than reprimand the behavior. Top reasons your dog might bark at unknown people might include: Trying to greet the person but having poor greeting manners. Showing territorial behaviors, like protecting their home or yard. Seeing strangers as potential threats. So, they often bark when they notice strangers near their home or yard to protect and alert. They warn their families to threats by barking at people, even when they are not near their home or close to their yard — yet your dog hears them. Your dog will still remain watchful and aware of dangers, even if you discourage excessive barking. The goal is to help them understand the difference between non-threatening objects and threatening objects. If you think your GSD is becoming aggressive, then read up on deterring aggressiveness in your German Shepherd. Harsh punishment—such as hitting, kicking, or using shock—increases aggressiveness in some situations. Other times, owners may use a shock anti-bark collar as a method of punishment for barking. Using painful anti-bark collars and muzzles should be a last resort. Try more positive methods first before adding in negative punishment. Put the treat right up to their nose and let them smell it. Praise him and give him the treat. Repeat this procedure regularly over a period of several days until your dog starts understanding what the command means. Gradually extend the waiting period to five seconds, then 10 seconds, then 20 seconds and then 30 seconds and longer. Finally, work up to the minute mark for the waiting time until the reward. If your German Shepherd barks at strangers when he is outside the house, for example, during walks, then begin a desensitization program. This is a way to find their threshold when they start barking and to work on decreasing the distance to the stimulus the stranger they bark at. Use treats that are soft, like cheese, tiny pieces of fresh-cooked chicken, or even homemade dog training fudge. Reserve these treats only for outside training times, which makes them more high value to your GSD. Be on the lookout for: a stiff body hair standing erect on the back and shoulders attentive staring at the stranger or nuisance object When you see your dog showing these signs, move away from the stimulus stranger. Hold the treat in front of their nose so they can smell and see the treat. As he looks at the treat and walks past or away from the stranger, give him the treat before he has time to bark. You are looking to get their attention away from the distraction. Check out the following for the best German Shepherd training commands for the ultimate in behavior modification. Remember that learning a new behavior takes time, especially a self-rewarding behavior like barking. This means your dog may take weeks and weeks of training to curb its desire to bark at strangers. Keep rewarding them with pea-size pieces of soft treats when outdoors and when they look at you and sit or performs a command you ask , instead of barking. Territorial and alarm barking arise when your dog sees or hears something that excites them. This is why your German Shepherd barks at the living room window or along the fence as strangers walk by. The fastest method to stop barking at the window or in the yard is to control their environment. In your yard, install privacy fencing or place reed fencing to fill in the gaps in the fence and cut off views to adjoining yards or activity in the street. Indoors, leave the curtains or blinds closed. Keep your dog away from the areas where strangers walk past, like your front door and rooms near the street or sidewalk. If your dog barks at strange noises, then install a white noise machine to help blur the background sounds that cause them to bark. Use this guide to exercise your German Shepherd and meet their physical needs to reduce unwanted behavior. Changing a self-rewarding behavior like barking at strangers can take weeks or months of diligent practice. Many forward-thinking German Shepherd owners, like yourself, who want to teach their dogs to listen to them and avoid unwanted behaviors with positive training did so by joining an online training program that uses scientifically-backed protocols found in the online Brain Training for Dogs program. Imagine learning how to control your German Shepherd with kindness, compassion, and science. The step-by-step obedience videos help teach your dog to listen to you and, with time and training, to listen to your quiet command and stop them from barking at strangers. Take a moment to look over the online training program and learn how to use brain training for better behavior. You and your dog deserve a break from their barking to have some fun! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. German Shepherd Barking: Curse or Blessing? Is your German Shepherd barking too much? And yet…do you secretly like that he is keeping the burglars away? Following, I want to share with you tips and techniques that can help you have peace and quiet as well as protection from your German Shepherd dog. The secret, and I will spill it out now, is to use positive training methods. These are efficient, fun and can be used to raise a dependable and friendly dog that will bark on command if needed. I have met several German Shepherd dog owners that tell me they want their dog to be friendly with kids, family and friends -but not with strangers. This is a hard concept to understand, specially if you are a dog. Besides, you do NOT want a dog capable of hurting people near kids, family and friends. I think this is a pretty neat compromise that is also fairly easy to train. Stop nuisance German Shepherd barking If you found this page, it is entirely possible that your hound already has a barking problem you would like to fix before moving on to teaching him to bark on command. This is an important step because, although many barking problems are mild, some do require special attention. For example, German Shepherd barking due to anxiety is something that needs to be properly addressed to help the animal relax and be friendly around anyone, specially friends and family. If, after reading this section, you realize your dog has a true aggression problem and barking is just the tip of the iceberg, I highly recommend you find a professional and positive dog trainer in your area to help you one-one-one - Search the APDT for one near you. Step 1: Why is my German Shepherd barking? You must become a detective and figure out why is your dog barking. Below you will find some of the most common reasons and links to step-by-step tutorials to solve barking in your GSD. Observe your pet carefully, make notes, ask neighbors and family members what they have seen. Pay attention to what is happening in the environment that triggers barking: what is the body language of your German Shepherd telling you? This will help you get an accurate diagnosis and choose the right training program. Step 2: Use the appropriate training program to stop German Shepherd barking! The following barking problems should be addressed before formally teaching your dog to bark on command and sometimes this is not recommended at all. Fearful German Shepherd barking German Shepherd anxiety may first appear as a barking problem. These are dogs that are truly afraid of something and pushing them to face their fears will only make matters worse. The best techniques involve slowly teaching your dog to change the emotion state of fear to one of joy in the presence of the fear trigger. Most fearful dogs will never become completely relaxed, so you will always need to be on the alert and manage the environment to prevent aggression from arising. I highly recommend you do not train a fearful dog to attack or bark on command. Resource guarding in German Shepherd dogs Also known as food aggression, resource guarding is a type of fear, in this case it is the fear of loosing something. Common things dogs will guard are toys, furniture, and even the owner. Follow this link for more information on this issue. Stress and anxiety barking in German Shepherd dogs Dogs can become stressed just like we do and high stress levels can trigger excessive barking. This link talks about common stressors and how to get rid of them. The barking problems mentioned below can be addressed at the same time as you teach your dog to bark on command. In fact, you will be using your hounds natural barking to start training it. So, find the category your dog falls into, read the corresponding article and then come back and read the step-by-step guide to teach your dog to bark on command Step 3. This is important because you will most likely be doing steps 2 and 3 at the same time. I am so joyful about life I need to bark! These are dogs that may bark at the doorbell, out of excitement when you are trying to put the leash on, or they bark at other dogs to make social contact rude, but social nonetheless. A good dose of impulse control exercises and providing a different source for energy outlet can go a long way! German Shepherd barking to alert of a possible intruder! I left this one for last because although it can become nuisance barking, this is the kind of barking most owners want in their German Shepherd dog. This article explains how to tone it down if it is upsetting you or the neighbors too much! German Shepherd barking for attention! Most dogs like attention, some clever dogs can even train their owners to get it on demand! Take away the attention while the dog is barking or teach an incompatible obedience command to solve this problem! Bored German Shepherd barking You must understand that German Shepherd dogs were bred to work in the fields all day long every day of the year! Start entertaining your bored pet with these ideas! Step 3: Train your German Shepherd to bark on command! Now that you have solved any problematic and excessive German Shepherd barking problem, it is time to teach your dog to do it only when asked to. Practice, patience and consistency will ensure your hound responds reliably. By now, you must have figured out what makes your dog bark and you will use this to make him speak! The example below is for doorbell barking dogs, but you can adapt the protocol as needed and use the barking trigger that makes your dog talk. You will need: 1 helper, barking trigger available, treats. Your dog will most likely bark at the sound of the doorbell! It is time to reward your dog! Say your marker word and maybe rub your pooch under his chin, but avoid the use of food treats we will need them for the quiet part! Barking is usually fun on itself for dogs, that is why praise is usually enough. As soon as he is quiet use your marker word for praise and then give him the treat. You are using the training method capturing for both commands. Repetition is what helps your dog understand what you are asking of him. Repeat the above steps times for a few days. It's kind of like training "stay" , but with shush instead. To test it, ask your helper to ring the bell with a few seconds of delay to give the dog time to process and respond to your voice command instead. Your GSD understands the command when he barks after you say it but before the doorbell sound or whatever trigger appears. For a command to be reliable , you must also practice it without the trigger and in many different situations: different times of the day, different places, with different people approaching, different background noises, etc. The idea is to help him understand under which circumstances it is OK to bark and when it is not. Be consistent: always ask him to bark when someone walks through the lawn, and always ask him to quiet if someone simply walks on the sidewalk. German Shepherd dogs are known to be vocal. Compared to other dogs, this breed will often let you know about their wants and needs. This dog breed is also energetic, driven, and the most adorable. The common age for German Shepherd dogs to start barking is when they reach months. However, this breed will start vocalizing in weeks. Given the biological structure of a German Shepherd dog, it is natural for its bark to be a lot louder than any other dog. It is always better to know why your German Shepherd dog is barking. Many reasons trigger your GSD. Below is a list of possible reasons that might help you understand your dog better. The dog believes that it is his job to keep the family safe. German Shepherd dogs get alarmed for the slightest sound, moving vehicles, or even for tiny creatures like squirrels or birds in the garden. They think all of these aforementioned are threats to his family members and himself. The first instinct is to chase the sounds away, resulting in the dog barking out loud! This undesirable behavior can be avoided by socializing your German Shepherd well. Excitement Dogs are generally cheerful animals. They do not know how to control their emotions. Sometimes the only way to express and let out the feeling of happiness is to bark. This type of behavior is seen mostly with German Shepherd puppies. They are excited to see you! You know how you scream and jump and hug when you see someone you like? Unnecessary barking can even be for a high-value treat or when they see a friendly dog. This can be done by training him with the help of some yummy treats; eventually, the German Shepherd will learn to control its emotions. German Shepherds are known to be dogs with high energy levels. When they feel lazy and laid back, barking comes to the rescue. Boredom can result due to lack of attention. A tiny pat on the dog and a little playtime in the garden is what your GSD needs. A playful and busy dog is always a happy dog. Feeling Lonely Be it a puppy or a full-grown adult German Shepherd; they feel lonely if they are left alone in your living room. This feeling of loneliness can go from being just sad to intense levels of separation anxiety. Taking your German Shepherd on a walk or socializing more can help this condition. Anger or Anxiety German Shepherd dogs are prone to anxiety. Anxiety coupled with the feeling of fear will make your GSD bark or even bite, for that matter. Making a German Shepherd angry will make him feel nervous. Annoyance is also a reason to make a dog angry. Repeating actions that they do not like or engaging in activities that your GSD gets triggered can cause them to be annoyed. Annoyance often results in a dog barking to express his feelings. Sometimes dogs do tend to bark or howl in a painful way to let the owner be aware of the pain they are going through. The nuisance barking can be due to an underlying health issue. This is often considered a common coping mechanism with any dog breed. Know Your German Shepherd Better — Body Language Guide Most dogs communicate by barking when they want to say something, but knowing their body language is an added point to understand your dog better. It is a sign of submission. The dog knows that you are the boss! Biting Teeth Or Snarling This is a sign of aggression against something. It could be a neighboring dog or a street dog, a cat, a stranger and the list goes on. Right after this, your German Shepherd will start barking nonstop. Knowing what is irritating and distracting him from that can stop unwanted barking. When your dog is in a playful mood, it is always wise to play with it or give a toy to him—not playing when he wants to can lead to a sad or lonely dog which would trigger excessive barking. If your GSDs tail is very high, it means that your dog is very excited, on alert, or even a sign of dominance. It especially shows that he is in charge of the house to other animals or dogs. With this tail position, GSDs often bark out loud. Tail hanging down means that he is relaxed and chilled. Nothing bothers him, so you know you should not aggravate him by annoying him. Tail raised and wagging fast; we all know what this means. This means they are very happy and excited to see someone or feel in a specific way. When your GSDs tail is stuck in between the legs, he feels scared—often coupled with a lot of barking. Fear can cause your GSD to feel very uncomfortable, so you might want to change this feeling for him before his barking worsens. If you see this body language from your dog, just know to give him some space. This is mostly to soothe itself to sleep, or your dog is just having a moment so let it enjoy the time. This is the star question of my article. I understand no matter how much you love your pet, the undesirable barking of the German Shepherd will most likely ruin your peace. There are many ways to overcome the German Shepherd barks. This involves a lot of patience and training. Obedience training must start at a young age. First things first, stop praising when your German Shepherds bark. They are obedient dogs. Chances of them listening to a simple no are high. If your barking German Shepherd stops barking, praise them with a high-value reward. The dog will know that not barking is a self-rewarding behavior. You could get the help of a clicker to train your dog. Clicker commands are easier to follow in dog training. How much training is required to train your dog will depend on each dog. Some German Shepherds are fast learners born with calm behavior, whereas some are born with notorious genes. Another easy way to stop barking behavior is to ignore the barking. The German Shepherd will eventually understand that barking does not do any good when you ignore the barks. They understand simple commands even when they are puppies. It is always better to use positive reinforcement training methods. Training sessions should start in the morning or evening, a more quiet and peaceful time. Find the root cause for the excess barking of your German Shepherd. It would help if you started by triggering his undesirable behaviors. When the dog starts barking, you should command it to stop barking. Once the dog stops the barking, make sure to give it a treat. The next step is desensitizing your dog to whatever triggered its barking. When you see your German Shepherd being sensitive to a particular thing, desensitizing it can stop or reduce the barking next time. Get your German Shepherd to get used to it very often. For example, suppose your dog is sensitive to moving cars. In that case, you can take him on walks and give daily exercises to familiarize your dog with moving cars. It is important to provide this mental stimulation at least every other day to effectively train your dog. Negative reinforcement methods are always discouraged because they inflict pain or suffering. Using shock collars or e-collars on your German Shepherd could make them more aggressive. Do not opt for surgical methods which involve removal of the larynx. It is sad to see dogs go through painful surgeries and be voiceless just because barking is a nuisance. How selfish! Muzzles are not advisable in training dogs. Dogs by nature are animals who need to bark. I mean it! Finally, stop punishing your German Shepherd just because it barks. The first step is to make sure that it is not a medical condition. If that problem is cleared next is to see if the GSD is feeling comfortable enough. If being uncomfortable is the reason, give it some time to familiarize itself. Sometimes aging can be a reason for your GSD to not bark. The level of barking differs from the type of personality. German Shepherds are naturally protective and may bark at night as a form of guarding their territory. This barking can be triggered by a variety of stimuli, such as cats, strangers, or other small animals. Yes, German Shepherds bark more than other breeds because of their strong instinct to guard and protect, as well as their natural inclination towards vocalization. It is recommended to start training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 weeks of age, as they are intelligent and able to learn basic commands easily. However, it is beneficial to start training from a young age, as puppies are able to pick up new skills quickly. No, it is never too late to train a German Shepherd Dog. With the right training techniques and plenty of patience and affection, German Shepherds are always receptive to learning new behaviors, regardless of prior training. To address excessive barking, pet owners should consult with a veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist to determine the cause of the behavior and create a behavior modification plan. German Shepherds typically bark the most when they are puppies and young adults, but can continue to bark throughout their lives if not properly trained. Final Thoughts German Shepherd barks are a problematic issue worldwide with all German Shepherd owners. Not only barking but GSD owners encounter other undesirable behaviors. Unsocialized dogs will take their time to stop excessive barking. In contrast, puppies trained from smaller days will pick up training methods proactively. Even though the German Shepherd barking problems are unbearable they are amazing watchdogs. When your dog stops barking unnecessarily and progresses through its barking problem, make sure to appreciate your GSD. With appreciation and so much love, you can bond better, which will ultimately result in living a stress-free loved life with your German Shepherd Dog! Do German Shepherds Bark? Yes, They Do! German Shepherds do bark. Without proper training and socialization, a GSD can bark a lot. Why is this? The answer is simple. It is because the German Shepherd dog was bred and developed to do a specific type of work, herding, and protection. Today, German Shepherds are no longer needed as much to serve as livestock herding and guarding dogs. So the breed is now sought after to work in serving, guarding and protecting. One of the many ways German Shepherds excel at this job is with aggressive barking. The loud, ferocious sounding bark that an adult German Shepherd can make is often enough to keep potential predators or criminals of any species at bay. The sound of a German Shepherd dog barking can change markedly from puppyhood to adulthood, even though this is a relatively short amount of time. But as a German Shepherd puppy grows into adulthood, the bark sound deepens and becomes more resonant and forceful. Your dog may also discover that they can howl and start to howl as well, especially at night. You have already learned that German Shepherds as a dog breed have a long and regal history of serving as livestock herding and guarding dogs and as service and protection dogs for people. But can there be other reasons why a German Shepherd would bark a lot? There can be several other reasons that might cause your GSD to bark more than usual. Your German Shepherd is bored A bored dog of any breed is often a barking dog. Dogs can get bored just like people get bored. Barking is a way your dog communicates to let you know they are bored and want some activity or a job to do. This type of barking is unlikely to resolve on its own. Boredom can also lead to other undesirable behaviors like digging and chewing things around the house! This is a dog breed that truly has been bred and developed to live and work alongside their people. Some dog owners think it is sufficient to get a lonely German Shepherd another dog to have as a playmate. They want to be with you. For this reason, it is important not to bring a German Shepherd into your home and life if you are not able to be present and available to your dog for the majority of each day. Your German Shepherd is sick or hurt While dogs have evolved to have many tools to communicate with people, talking in human words is not one of those tools. So your dog has to resort to other ways to let you know if they are hurt or sick. One of those ways can be barking. The health issue may be external or it might be internal. For example, some dogs that are having dietary issues or hormonal issues might become more aggressive or irritable and bark more. Mood changes are one of the primary signs that your dog may be developing an underlying health issue, and barking more is one of the primary signs of a mood change. Your German Shepherd feels threatened If your German Shepherd feels threatened in any way, you can expect your dog to start barking. The same holds true if your dog perceives that you are being threatened. Because the German Shepherd has such a strong guarding and protective drive , your dog will always be on the lookout for potential threats and will likely bark as a way to alert you. Your German Shepherd is excited Just like kids, puppies can easily become over-excited. As puppies, German Shepherds may bark when they get worked up through play, training sessions or exercise. Even as adults, if your GSD gets very excited about something or someone, including a favorite visitor, a tasty treat or the presence of another dog or animal, you can expect to hear some vigorous barking. Your German Shepherd is anxious or afraid Even though the German Shepherd is an intensely big, strong, powerful dog, these dogs are just as vulnerable to becoming anxious and afraid as the next dog, especially during the puppyhood stage of life. A well-trained, well-socialized German Shepherd is going to be less likely to exhibit fearfulness or anxiety, but this may still be a problem if your dog is suddenly left alone a lot. As well, unexpected changes like a move to a new home, the addition of a new family member human or animal , a change in your schedule or seasonal events such as fireworks that are less common can all trigger anxious or fearful barking. Your German Shepherd needs more training and socialization You have probably already noticed that the need for strong, early and ongoing training and socialization is a common theme throughout this article. This need is not just because the GSD is a very strong and powerful dog. It is also because the German Shepherd is an intensely people-oriented dog. For this, extended training and frequent socialization are required. As the American Kennel Club AKC points out, early and ongoing training and socialization will turn an unruly puppy into a well-mannered adult dog. When a GSD is provoked, barking is a natural and instinctive response. While a well-trained German Shepherd is less likely to get provoked, if the circumstances are perceived as being extreme, it can still happen. Examples here include but are not limited to these types of situations: The nearby presence of a female dog of any breed in heat. Another dog getting too close to the fence. A dog-ignorant person or small unaware child taunting or teasing your dog. Barking is one big reason why German Shepherd dogs get relinquished to rescue shelters or sanctuaries. Sometimes this is because a former owner realizes they simply chose more dogs than they are equipped to handle. Other times this is because the owner thinks that an adult dog cannot be trained to become a well-socialized member of a community and family. In most cases, this is not the issue. Rather, it is either that the German Shepherd has a history of past neglect or abuse or simply that the dog has never been taught what is and is not acceptable behavior. Here are some great training tips to manage your German Shepherd barking. But if you are having a specific issue with barking, the first thing to do is to identify what the root cause is — you can refer back to the earlier list here for some of the most common triggers for problem barking. Not only does positive reinforcement always work much better than negative reinforcement punishment methods but positive training is essential for an intelligent, large, strong breed like the GSD. It is the only safe way to train your dog. Use a clicker tool as a training aid Using a clicker — a small handheld device or even a click from your tongue in a pinch is a great way to train only the behaviors you want your dog to exhibit. The goal is to pair the rewards, whether that be a treat, a pat, praise or something else desirable, with the click sound so your dog knows what to do to get the reward. Because the German Shepherd is among the smartest of all dog breeds, you can expect your dog to notice if you slack off the training even slightly. Maintaining consistency is the number one thing you need to do to ease issues with problem barking. So aiming for the goal to eliminate barking is not just nearly impossible but would likely result in a very emotionally unhealthy GSD. If you need a dog that does not bark, the German Shepherd is not the right breed for you. So now you know that the German Shepherd dog is more vocal. You also know that training can help resolve barking issues. Yes, it is completely normal for German Shepherds to bark a lot, as it is their natural instinct to do so. They tend to bark a lot in order to express their feelings and emotions, and they might also bark due to excitement. If your German Shepherd is bored, you can also expect them to start barking, as they usually need some form of mental stimulation to keep them entertained. These are intelligent and highly trainable dogs that are eager to please, so training is definitely an option here. If you want to get your German Shepherd to stop barking, you need to find out why they are doing so in the first place. If your dog is territorial and barks at new people, you should try to assure them that new visitors and occurrences are not a threat to them. To train them to understand otherwise, ignore them when they start to bark. Repeat this until they become calmer with strangers. If your dog is barking out of boredom, make sure that you are providing them with enough mental and physical exercise. Be sure to take them out for a walk every day, and find other ways to keep them occupied through the use of toys and additional training. For aggression, you should always reward calm behavior with a treat. When your dog is showing aggressive behavior, stop praising them and start ignoring them. Excitement A common cause for German Shepherds to bark is excitement. Related post: How to tell if your German Shepherd loves you Nerves or fear The cause of the barking could be due to it being nervous or fearful about something. Related post: Why is my German Shepherd afraid? If your German Shepherd is still young then it should reduce its barking as it gets older. This means that they need to get a lot of exercise. To correct it you should make sure to give it exercise on a daily basis. Territorial barking Another common cause of barking is to protect its territory or its owners. You can do this using the training methods in the next section below. This type of barking will occur around the time that it is meant to be getting food such as in the morning. To correct this you can try to get it to sit and to only eat when you tell it to. Pain It could be that your German Shepherd is injured. If this is the case then it could be barking to let you know that it is in pain or it could just be out of frustration. If you think that this might be the cause then you should take it to the vet. If you would like some more tips on how to train your German Shepherd, take a look at the German Shepherd training book on Amazon. This should also have the effect of reducing its barking. You could also walk it with other dogs since it will get it to use up more energy by playing with the other dogs. You could also teach it to play fetch. It can be difficult to teach dogs how to play fetch but I have talked about how you can teach it to yours in the past here. Another option would be to teach it to swim. This is a good way to wear it out a lot since it will use up a lot of energy moving its legs around to stay afloat. There are apps that you can download now that let you book a local dog walker in your area through the app. Get its attention onto you The next option you have is to train it to look to you for guidance before it starts barking. You can either do it before it starts barking or after it starts barking but it will work better by doing so before it starts barking. Ignore attention seeking barking If your German Shepherd is barking for attention then the best method is to completely ignore it while it is barking and then to reward it with your attention when it has been silent for a little while. Doing this will reinforce that barking will not get it what it wants but being quiet will. You can guess when it is about to bark based on its body language and if the thing that causes it to bark such as someone knocking at the door is about to happen. They will have more experience dealing with the matter and they will be able to better diagnose the best way to train your German Shepherd. Rule out pain If you think that your German Shepherd might be barking due to pain then the best thing to do would be to take it to the vet. Barking is natural Barking, growling and howling are all ways that German Shepherds communicate. Related Questions Why does my German Shepherd howl so much? There are a number of reasons for German Shepherds howling but they include it being in their nature, communication, sickness or warning. You can read more about German Shepherd howling and how to stop it here. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link.

As a medium to large-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to fill out and reach their full size than smaller dog breeds. As a general rule, expect your Boxer to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. Keep in mind that this range is an estimate, so there are always exceptions. Image Source: Canva How big should a 6-month-old Boxer be? A 6-month-old male Boxer should weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a 6-month-old female Boxer will weigh about 39 to 44 pounds. According to Care. For a male Boxer puppy, this would be around 17 to 19 inches tall. Pro Tip: Check out this downloadable new puppy checklist covering topics like vaccination schedules, setting up the home for a new puppy, teething, veterinary visits, and more! How much bigger will my Boxer get? There are several ways to estimate how much bigger your Boxer will grow. If your Boxer is less than two years old, they are likely still growing. Some Boxers stop growing closer to 18 months, but many Boxers will continue to fill out in weight and body size until they are two years old. A puppy will rarely be larger than either parent, so this can give you a clearer idea of their maximum size. Do their paws look oversized compared to their legs and the rest of their body? This is a strong sign that your Boxer is still growing and filling out! What is the size of a full-grown Boxer? According to the American Kennel Club Official Boxer Standards , a full-grown male Boxer will stand around 23 to 25 inches tall, while a female Boxer will stand about .A fully grown male Boxer will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, with their female counterpart will weigh about 55 to 65 pounds. As with many things, prevention is always better than treatment. Taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do for their health, along with consistent love and care at home. One of the best things you can do at home is brush your dog's teeth regularly to help prevent painful periodontal disease and avoid pricey dental treatments in the future. Periodontal disease can cause bad breath and oral pain for your pup and may require your Boxer to have a dental cleaning or tooth extractions under anesthesia at some point in their lives if not attended to at home. Keeping your Boxer at a healthy weight is crucial for their longevity, overall health, and happiness. If your Boxer is overweight, talk to your veterinarian to develop a weight loss strategy so that you can get them back on track. Consult with your veterinarian about the ideal food and exercise for your Boxer. Like all dogs, Boxers have certain conditions that they are prone to. Boxers are a purebred dog breed prone to heart problems, like cardiomyopathy, heart valve narrowing, and congenital heart defects. Brachycephalic syndrome increases their risk of respiratory distress, allergies, heatstroke, and sinus problems. Regular veterinarian appointments are crucial in finding and treating illness early to give your Boxer the healthiest and longest life possible. Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be costly with many treatments for emergencies and illnesses, such as heart problems, being thousands of dollars to treat. When surveyed, .The financial safety net provided by pet insurance is why pet insurance is worth it for many pet parents. Keep in mind that even healthy behaviors, like exercise, can be overdone. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise is prudent. Medium to large-sized dogs that are still growing may suffer from joint damage if they are overexercised. Make a plan with your veterinarian today to provide your Boxer with the ideal amount of exercise to keep them lean, healthy, and happy. Boxer puppies grow into strong and sturdy adults that make fun-loving, often silly companions, and fierce protectors. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. Courage and loyalty are attributes the Boxer is usually described with. With a good work ethic, playful demeanor, and a goofy face, this dog breed ranks among the top 10 in the USA for a while now. Their nobility and elegance came to focus after the originally working breed Boxer became unemployed during the early 19th century. The breed name derives from the way they defend themselves with their paws while playing. It really appears as the dog spars with the front paws. There is no doubt one might be tempted to get bring home one of these loving fellas. The growth in dogs has much to say about their health and potential — but how? While growing up dogs that suffer from some diseases might stagnate more than others. Boxers are a medium to large dog breed and are pretty safe from the usual bone and muscle disorders in larger dogs. However, hip dysplasia remains one of the most common issues. Reputable breeders will let you meet the parents and give you contacts from owners of puppies born in previous litters. Most Boxer puppies will correspond just fine to the ranges mentioned for their age. It is super important to not rush the growing process. Dogs that are overweight can experience problems later on in life that might have been avoided by maintaining an appropriate body condition. Moreover, the veterinarian can have the pup checked for possible health conditions causing the slow growth. Photo by otsphoto on Shutterstock Even with late bloomers, there is no reason to worry. Some dogs experience growing episodes sooner than others. The same rules apply to puppies that grow too fast. Damage due to wrong feeding can be avoided by using high-quality premium food and sticking to the recommendations according to weight and age on the labels. Never miss out on consulting your vet on the topic first — they will be glad to guide you through it! Boxer Growth Stages Until they reach adulthood, Boxers go through 3 growth stages. The general difference between the growth stages is how fast the puppy grows during the period and how they appear in posture and body condition. The first stage is from birth until they are 2 weeks of age. After the second week, the growth rate slows down. Most breeders wean the puppies off around the 4th-5th week. At 18 months of age, you can probably introduce your companion as a fully developed, curious, and independent adult Boxer. Boxer puppies have somewhere between 2. At the end of the first stage, they can reach around 4. At 1 month of age, their stuffed muscle figure comes at about 5. By the time they are 16 weeks old, males weigh lbs .Male Boxers are expected to have approximately lbs .In the next six months, the growth slows down to about lbs 0. Male Boxers should weigh around lbs kg by the time they reach 6 months of age. Female boxer puppies are expected to have lbs kg when they are half a year old. Since the Boxer qualifies as a medium to large breed, it takes longer for them to reach their full-sized version compared to other smaller breeds. There are exceptions when Boxers complete the growth at 20, even 24 months. Female Boxers that are done growing up weigh approximately lbs kg and stand .Their male counterparts have between 60 and 70 lbs kg and are 23 to 25 inches cm tall. In the meantime provide quality food, regular exercise, and maintain regular veterinary check-ups to ensure their well-being. As with all other dog breeds, some adult Boxers will be smaller than the standard dimensions of the breed. On the other hand, there is a handful of those that are larger than the standard too. Genetics is the most probable cause for this. Rarely do Boxers end up being smaller than the rest due to low production of the growth hormone. Luckily growth hormone problems in Boxers are very rare and other breeds such as the Miniature Pinscher, Spitz, or Karelian Bear Dog are more prone to the condition. Growth defects in dogs can appear due to Dwarfism Achondroplasia. Minor deformities can be surgically corrected, but again with a dubious prognosis. In Conclusion Understanding the growth chart will help you understand what role nutrition, diet, and exercise plays and adjust accordingly. Getting rid of excess weight or ruling out health issues is something you and your vet can work on together. Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. We can see when your Boxer puppy will become their adult size and reach its full height. Your new puppy will grow rapidly for the first two weeks. Your pup should weigh between 4. When your doggo is between six and eight weeks old, they should also prepare for their first vaccinations. Males should be around 17 to 19 inches .At one year old, females should weigh between 55 and 65 pounds .Many factors are involved. For your doggo to maintain a healthy lifestyle, monitoring their growth and weight is a good idea. How can you tell how big a Boxer will get? Within the first six months of age, your Boxer will grow rapidly. You can tell how big your pooch may get by looking at their paws and head. For example, your furry friend may look disproportionate for a while. However, some parts of their body will catch up to the rest within a few months or even a few weeks. Is your Boxer at a healthy weight? You can typically tell whether or not your Boxer is at a healthy weight by their ribs. But, on the other hand, if you can feel and see their ribs, they may be underweight. Always check with your vet to be on the safe side. What are some Boxer dog body shape changes? Boxer puppies grow in height faster than their weight gain. When this dog breed matures and becomes an adult, they will have a wide chest. But, overall, Boxer is strong and lean. In addition, different factors are involved when it comes to impacting how your dog grows. In addition, reputable breeders should have this information. The nutrition you feed your pooch can help or hinder their growth. For example, if you feed them dog food with unhealthy fillers and lots of fat, they may become obese, thus hurting their growth and overall health. Will neutering or spaying your Boxer affect their growth? Spaying or neutering your Boxer has more pros than cons. For example, some health conditions may include hip dyslexia, bloat, acne, arthritis, and cancer. The best way to ensure your pooch remains healthy is to work together with your veterinarian. Take your dog to regular vet appointments at least once per year for an annual check-up. In addition, talk to your vet about the type of dog food and exercise your Boxer should be getting. If your doggo is overweight or underweight, the vet will be able to help. Finally, properly groom your doggo. Physical activity Boxers need plenty of room to run around and stretch their legs. However, they love to play and enjoy a round of fetch with you in a fenced-in yard. Just be sure to wait until their bones and joints are fully developed before taking them for jogs or hikes. Otherwise, they could have joint issues later in life. Dangers of stunted or accelerated growth If your Boxer is a little bigger or small than the others of its breed, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. However, some issues can occur. For example, your pooch may be smaller due to a growth hormone deficiency. This controls the growth rate in dogs, their bone and teeth development and maintains a healthy coat. Dwarfism could also be the reason. When do Boxers stop growing? You can expect your Boxer to be fully grown and stop growing between 18 and 24 months of age. This system works on a scale of one to nine. One means your pup is underweight and unhealthy. Nine means they are extremely overweight. The ideal place on the scale where you want your large dog to be is a five. What should you do if your Boxer is growing too fast? Growth disorders can occur in larger dogs, such as Boxers. If you notice your dog growing too fast, talk to your vet first. How to help your Boxer lose weight if he is overweight? This includes their diet and exercise. Take a look at what dog food you feed your pooch. In addition, do you feed your doggo people food and table scraps? Do Boxer mixes vary in size? If you want to learn more, you can read about Boxer mixes here. How Big Is Your Boxer? These happy doggos are a delight to have around. Boxers are great companions dogs for anyone young or old. While this pooch can have certain health conditions, they do have an average growth track. Overall, with proper exercise and dieting, your Boxer will develop into a happy, healthy pup. Did your Boxer puppy grow on track? Let us know in the comments below. Further reading: Learn more about the Growth of other Dog Breeds. This will be the age when Boxer newborn is fully weaned and ready to go to his new home. His world expands at this time. Some have a difficult adjustment leaving littermates and dam and transitioning to their new family. A planned introduction to the home will set a good foundation for introduction to other situations. Housebreaking should begin at this age. With an excellent plan and follow-through, expect it to take 4 to 6 weeks for your Boxer to be doing well in this regard. Command training simple commands can be worked in with housebreaking and other daily activities. For example a 2 month old Boxer puppy can learn to sit while his harness and leash is being put on and then learn that walking over to the designated chosen area equals a trip to the bathroom. Sleep may be erratic at this time and a Boxer puppy can sleep as little as 9 hours per day rare or up to 18 hours. Most will take quite a few naps during the day and then wake up 1 to 2 times per night. We've seen 2 month old little ones sleep right through the night, but it is rare - in these cases, the dog is able to enter deep REM sleep quickly and stay there, keeping the number of nap times to a minimum. This is the minimum age a dog must be in order to enter a dog show event. Many clubs, such as the AKC require a dog to be 6 months old; however if you truly want to show your Boxer, you may do so at 3 months with many other dog clubs. By this age, the pup has a good idea of his home environment and since the rounds of puppy shots are almost done, owners should plan on how they will proceed in regard to introduction to the world. To a dog, his world is as big as the owners choose. For some, it is just the neighborhood, for others it is the entire town! The reason that we say "plan" is because how a pup is introduced to other dogs, people and new environments affect how the dog reacts and responds. A planned transition to new elements is a huge part of Socialization Training. During this stage, some owners become a bit concerned if their Boxer is not barking ; however this is not a super vocal breed he makes lots of noises like groans and even some purrs, but doesn't typically bark at every little thing. A quiet puppy will often outgrown this and find their voice as they mature. It is at that time that a Boxer will bark when someone comes to the house, etc. By 1 year, if owners follow through, the Boxer is well trained, for both commands simple and complex and house training. Still, the dog has learned the basic workings of the world. He has been trained to know where his belongings are, who you consider to be friend or foe and is very used to his daily schedule. This is a great Boxer age, the dog looks young, still has the mentality of a puppy with playfulness, etc. You'll have a 40 to 55 pound 20 to 25 kg size puppy jumping on you and acting silly. Females will be on the lower end, males on the higher end. The body structure is slim, the chest is still relatively narrow. Over the course of this year, from the beginning of year 1 to the beginning of year 2, most will gain an additional 15 to 20 pounds 6. Height will increase. The most noticeable physical change will be the widening of the chest, a sure tell sign of a 2 year old adult. It is not uncommon for a Boxer dog to seem too skinny during a quick, temporary phase around this mark. Generally from 14 to 22 months old, a Boxer may have some visible ribs and appear too slim as he struggles to catch up to a quick growth spurt. For most, this is nothing to be concerned about. This is a huge milestone. At 2 years old, a Boxer is considered to be an adult. The dog will be at his adult weight and height. If you are offering commercial food, now is the time to switch to an adult formula. Temperament will gradually change. That playful puppy temperament will slowly turn more serious, but even older adults can have a sense of humor. That puppy that used to leap after butterflies in the field may change into the adult that stands proud and strong, scanning the yard for trespassers. The Boxer will now begin to age at a more steady rate. Still active, yet fully trained, this is a wonderful stage. By this age, status in the house if full established. Other family members may have come and gone kids off to college, a new roommate moves in, etc. However, if the dog was properly trained, he knew, throughout any changes, that his place was as Beta to his Alpha human leader. A Boxer dog is considered to be a senior at the age of 7 or 8 years old. Since there is no official age, it is the veterinarian who makes this declaration. Though, even if it has not been declared, with this breed typically living to a range of 9 to 12 years, 9 years is about as long as you can extend this before you dub your Boxer a senior. It is important to recognize this transition, so that geriatric care needs can be met. Regular visits will normally increase from 1 time per year to twice a year. Changes will happen once again to the diet, moving over to one that is a bit lower in fat, yet higher in fiber. This helps a less active dog maintain weight and fiber is one element that aids in digestion. A geriatric screening will check for kidney function. A Boxer dog with decreased kidney function should be fed a lower protein diet. The vitamin and mineral supplement will now switch to a senior formula as well. Don't let the senior age label fool you, Boxers at this age should still be taken for a daily walk for exercise , will enjoy outings to the beach, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that an older dog will sometimes have less tolerance for puppies and young children. It is a good idea to have a designated area for your senior Boxer to retreat to, should he desire.Older dogs still like to see the family and be aware of comings and goings, but will often want to retreat when youngsters or puppies are at play. Each dog has his own tolerance for the loud noises and commotion that accompanies younger humans and dogs. The average life span of a Boxer is years old. At this age, a senior dog most likely has lived through some health issues. A dog of this age will most likely have some arthritis. Movement may become difficult, it is suggested to have steps and ramps for the dog if he or she is used to climbing up onto your bed or the couch. The dog bed should be evaluated for comfort and support. An orthopedic bed is highly recommended. Any time after this age that your dog is still with you is a blessing. Some Boxers live late into their teens; however you should prepare yourself that your dog is nearing the end of his life cycle. Related: Oldest Boxer Dogs in the World - Though this breed generally lives 9 to 12 years, some Boxers have reached into their teens. With a strong, powerful body and plenty of energy, this breed can be quite active at times. The issue at hand however, is what to do if a Boxer is hyperactive and won't calm down. Let's dive into this topic and discuss all relevant issues. When a young puppy is not running around, he is recovering from acting hyper and napping so that he can get up and do it again. And this is because despite his size, the 12 month or 18 months old is still indeed a pup. He has the mentality of a pup and his actions reflect that. So you have a rather large dog of 45 to 55 pounds .The size of Boxers can fool owners. Since Boxers almost but not quite reach their adult weight by 18 months but have puppy-like tendencies for some time beyond that, owners can sometimes expect too much from a puppy that is beginning to take on the appearance of an adult. Stages of activity levels to expect with Boxers: 8 weeks to 4 months old: This is the 'new' puppy stage. Boxer puppies can be very hyper but owners often do not need to help them calm down because they'll plop down when they tire out, which is quite often. At this age, a Boxer can be running around one moment and asleep with his head in the food dish the next. This is a time of exploring and curiosity… the energy level is like a roller-coaster. You'll want to have a solid schedule in place so that a hyper Boxer puppy has more structure to his day. A Boxer will still get a lot of joy from playing and often craves tons of attention from his owners… this is a good thing… that interaction is a big part of proper bonding and instilling proper hierarchy that will lead to a well-behaved dog. Daytime naps are much less at this point, so having a Boxer awake most of the day can lend to feeling as if the dog is always on the go… or at least is restless if you are not available to get him outside and on the go! By this time, all commands should have been taught and the dog should have a good schedule of releasing his energy in burst of exercise… and if this has not been done or if the Boxer is home alone much of the day and has no release, they'll be some behavioral consequences of that. Generally Boxer dogs begin to calm down by the age of 2 years old, though it is a gradual process, as you'll note from above. Issues can arise if these elements are not in place, however it is never too late to take charge and we will go over some steps owners can take to reel in a hyper Boxer dog. Most will indeed act like adults, but this does not mean that you will have a perfectly behaved dog that can handle any situation with grace and refinement. Boxers are as intelligent as a human toddler , hyper aware of their environment and subject to acting hyper or in most cases very restless if healthy methods of releasing energy are not available or encouraged. The adult may have trouble with separation anxiety or may become agitated or overly clingy if he is not offered both physical and mental workouts. He relaxes quite a bit but can still be engaged to take walks, explore and even take on new challenges. Problems of restlessness can arise if the dog has health issues that interfere with his sleeping or if some disrupts his environment. How to Deal with a Hyper Boxer and Calm Him Down The best method to calm a puppy or dog down is to have a routine that preemptively combats hyperactivity before it reaches an uncontrollable level. It is much easier to avoid this state of frenzied behavior than it is to reverse it. Do keep in mind that very young puppies up to about 4 months old cannot really be reined in; they are all over the map and will have short energy bursts followed by deep sleep; it's a temporary stage that will gradually even out. Here are some ways to encourage a calm demeanor: 1 Have the proper confinement method. The confinement method that you use to keep him in one spot will have a big impact on his behavior. If the area is too small, a Boxer can develop overwhelming feelings of being pent up and this can make him very hyper and agitated. It's very stressful for a dog of any age to be confined to a small space. This breed also can have some claustrophobic issues more than others, so this only adds to the issue. When made to stay in a tiny area with not enough room to move around, there are often issues of developing restlessness and anxiety. It can be difficult to calm a Boxer down after he has been let out. If a dog is stressed that he is alone or even if he is just bored, quite a bit of damage can occur as he roams the house, looking for an outlet. Puppies do best with a sectioned off area of a room; the kitchen or living room is often best as they should be close to their humans and not feel as if they are too isolated. Another option for Boxer puppies is an appropriately sized indoor canine playpen. Older Boxer dogs that are housebroken often do best with one room, not having full access to the house. And for those with separation anxiety, being alone in a large empty house if often more stressful than being alone in just one room that has all the needed supplies to keep him safe, happy, fed and occupied. One of the biggest mistakes that owners make is taking a Boxer out once he shows signs of needing to get outside. If you're sitting on the couch, binge watching Games of Thrones and after 3 shows you realize that your Boxer is acting hyper he really doesn't have much interest in whether or not Daenerys will ever actually get Drogon under control and then you say, "Oh, my Boxer could probably use a walk", it's often too late. At that point, the walk will only help a Boxer release the frustration that built up as opposed to the walk being an outlet for a normal level of activity requirements. He will be a bit calmer, but not as calm as he would be had you taken him out in advance of the building agitation. So, the best thing that you can do is to set up a schedule of when you'll engage with your Boxer dog and really try to not miss any sessions or delay them. If there are others in the house, this can be split up between those who are going to be involved with caring for the puppy or dog. There are 3 activities that you'll want to do on a regular basis: Walks - The importance of these are often understated. It may seem as if your Boxer is just ambling along, perhaps even just going along for your sake but this is not true at all. The Boxer is a strong breed that was built for action; he needs to work his muscles and experience the liberty of movement. Super young pups should have all puppy shots before being taken out. For most Boxers, regardless of age, two walks per day are best. The daily amount should 45 minutes for pup and 1 hour for those 1 year and older. These can be broken up in any way that suits your own schedule and time availability. Cardio - Just a 15 minute bout of high intensity action such as Frisbee or fetch once per day can make a huge difference in a Boxer's demeanor, keeping much more calm and happy when he is back in the house. Some owners mistake a Boxer's indifference at seeing a Frisbee as not wanting to engage. However, it is often the level of enthusiasm that an owner displays that will directly impact a Boxer's desire to run. Most love to run and stretching and working the muscles in this way is a great method to keep a Boxer dog in good shape. That hyper and restless activity that you witness when a Boxer is in the house can be channeled into a short session of action that leaves the dog satisfied and both physically and mentally ABLE to be calm. Commands - We going to dive into this a bit more ahead, however taking 15 to 20 minutes a day to work on commands has a triple benefit: 1. You work toward having a well-trained dog which in and of itself is a huge plus. It helps a Boxer learn self-control. When a dog discovers the element of focus and purposely learning, he is then able to self-regulate and this itself can help the dog calm himself down. It helps to establish hierarchy, with you as the clear leader. For any dog to behave well, this is a must. While it is true that Boxers will be much calmer if they have a physical outlet, stimulating the mind plays a huge role as well. Very detailed studies have proven that canines in general have the emotional capacity of 3 year old humans. This is quite telling. Do you have kids? Or have ever spent even an hour with a toddler? They are super hyper, highly inquisitive and importantly are never happy just 'being' for long periods of time. Dogs are the same. Boxers can become hyper if they have nothing to focus on. Just left to 'be', they can get bored and have trouble knowing what to do, so they run around… they quite literally can end up bouncing off the walls in an overly hyper state with no real tools to calm themselves down. Now, if you take that same hyper Boxer dog and he is taken out for walks twice per day, plays one-on-one with his owner once a day AND is given indoor task that require him to use his canine senses, he'll be a much happier and calmer dog. The mention of canine senses is rather vital here…. Dogs have urges to use their sense of smell… to sniff… to explore with their noses …. It's the way it has been for thousands of years and it's a canine urge that is not going to go away no matter how pampered or spoiled a life a dog lives. So dogs have this innate craving to sniff after scents that builds up each day if not allowed to really use this, it can cause a dog to become frustrated. So, an indoor game that involves a Boxer using his sense of smell along with a task that requires focus is often an integral part of preventing hyper behavior and giving a dog a feeling of accomplishment that can work with the other elements to keep him calm. You might be thinking that you'll have to invest in some sort of intricate canine version of Sudoku. Not at all. This is as easy as hiding some treats in the house and encouraging your Boxer dog to find them. As with cardio mentioned earlier, the energy level and enthusiasm of the owner plays a huge part in how eager a Boxer will be to follow through. Speak with in an animated voice and encourage your dog to seek out the hidden treats. Start with easy to find hiding places and then work up to much more difficult sessions. Once a dog learns that it's time to play the game, he often will not give up and will search until he finds his treasure. Advanced sessions can include having the reward be deep in a cardboard box under layers of old towels and safe odds-and-ends and be sure that the treat itself has a strong scent; a good choice is a strip of bacon grease blotted out because most dogs won't bother to move much for a food that they will receive at any rate. Be sure to use a command word such as 'Find' or 'Go Get' and a word to end the session such as 'Good, Find' or 'Good, Get' to establish when this begins and when this ends. You don't have to do this every day; 2 or 3 days a week is usually enough to make a Boxer dog happy and work in conjunction with the other methods to keep hyper behavior at bay and encourage a more calming atmosphere when you just want your dog to settle down. Continued below 4 Have the right collection of toys for your Boxer. Are you guilty of walking out of a dollar store with an armful of cheap dog toys? If so, you may very well then be an owner who wonders why the heck your Boxer isn't just happy having all those toys and would rather run, jump up and spin around the house like a hyper nutcase. When a dog is bored he will do one of three things: Sulk and act depressed, bark or otherwise have disturbing behavior or express agitation. When you invest a few more bucks to obtain sturdy, quality toys that encourage independent play, this can make a huge difference in a dog's general state of mind and his ability to keep himself occupied. Think of someone giving you a paper and pencil compared to paper and a piece Crayon box. Give your Boxer rawhide alternatives that allow him to happily gnaw away or treat-release toys that motivate him to work to gain his reward. There are two huge benefits of teaching a Boxer all basic commands: he will respect you as the true leader and you will have control over his behavior. While a hyper puppy definitely still needs to be walked, engaged and given tasks to stay busy…and a puppy cannot be expected to remain calm all day… when you take the assertive position to give a 'Sit' command that is listened to without hesitation, this can really come in handy if your Boxer is acting hyper around company or when out in public in a store or other area where you really need him to act calm. It's never too early or too late to start working on this. Training for the basics of Sit, Come, Stay, Down, Get or Fetch and Give can start when a Boxer puppy is 8 weeks old and can be taught to older dogs as well. In addition to this, teaching a Boxer to Heel is always advantageous and not only will keep him calm when out on a walk around the neighborhood but will also keep him appropriately by your side in high energy situations where a dog can become hyper just by picking up the vibe of an event. The size of a dog's world is exactly the size that an owner allows it to be. Dogs that are not used to seeing cars and people walking about will often bark like mad when they do actually see them. Dogs that are not used to being out in public will act inappropriately because they have not been exposed enough to know how to stay calm. Dogs that rarely see a visitor to the house will often jump and act overly excited on those few occasions that someone new enters into their territory. Boxers should be gradually exposed to the many situations, places, people and other pets that exist in the world. If you stayed inside your home… only venturing into your yard and nowhere else for years and were suddenly plopped down in to Times Square, you wouldn't be so calm either; that's how dogs feel if they are isolated and not given the opportunity to slowly learn about the world and all that is in it. Go to parks, bring your Boxer along to run errands, bring him hiking, change up the walking routes, take the time to say hello when you pass by another owner with his dog, have him outside with you while you wash the car, bring him to the beach… unless there are big signs saying 'no dogs allowed' bring him along and let him experience the sights and sounds of the world. Hyperkinesis - Being clinically hyperactive is often misdiagnosed. Most dogs simply need the physical and mental releases as we discussed above. These highly sensitive dogs can be set off into a frenzy by everyday simple noises such as microwave beeping or normal household events such as someone zipping down the staircase. For these rare cases, thorough testing must be performed, which should include a 2 to 3 day stay at an veterinary hospital where vitals are monitored, both heart and respiratory rates, when both at rest and when stimuli is introduced. If this is diagnosed, stimulants similar to those that are given to humans with ADHD can be helpful as are vet supervised changes to the diet and possible supplements of L-theanine, GABA and valerian root. Senior Issues - In some cases, a senior dog will be unable to stay calm and this is often related to either cognitive decline, health issues that are causing discomfort or a combination of the two. Physical discomfort often associated with arthritis can cause a dog to have trouble resting or sleeping. Food Allergies - While we have not seen any studies showing specifics, veterinary medicine claims that canines may have food allergies that can lead to abnormal behavior including acting hyper and having an inability to calm down. With all the high levels of chemicals found in many manufactured foods, it's easy to believe this could be the case. When a dog is constantly ingesting artificial coloring, artificial flavoring and all kinds of chemical preservatives, this is not good for physical health and it's not a huge leap from there to a dog's mental health as well. If this is suspected, a change to home cooked food or a switch to a quality commercial brand without these elements should be considered. Summary Boxers are animated, able to express emotion and are great companions. This is not a lazy breed or one that is content to sit alone just 'being'. Expect your Boxer puppy to be hyper and for a Boxer of any age, follow the guidelines for providing proper care which will help your dog channel his energy in a health way. With our dogs, we often get what we give. The attention and time that you take to interact with your Boxer will pay off, giving you a happy and healthy dog. The Most Popular Pages: How much water a Boxer dog needs - Making sure that your Boxer is hydrated is super important to his overall health. Boxer dog summer care - Changes that should be made when the weather is hot. Grooming, feeding, coat care and more. Which shampoo is best for a Boxer dog - The best products to keep the skin from getting too dry and to help keep the coat healthy and shiny. Boxer dog eye discharge - Often eloquently referred to as 'eye booger's; why these develop and how to properly clean them. Boxer dog is drooling - How much is normal and reasons why it may be excessive.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Our home-based, family-owned Australian Labradoodle breeding program is located about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. We are committed to breeding authentic, multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with bloodlines originating from the two breeding research centers in Australia, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park. Multigen Australian Labradoodles are consistently non-shedding, allergy and asthma friendly, loving, calm, intuitive and at times quite comical. All of these qualities make them wonderful family companions as well as excellent therapy and service dogs. Raising puppies is a lot of fun but it is also a lot of work!! As a breeder, it is our responsibility to make the most of our puppy's critical growth periods and introduce them to as many new sights, sounds, smells and situations as possible. At birth, days 3 to 16 with Bio Sensor Stimulation, and right through to the day you take your new fur baby home we are handling and socializing our puppies. Ultimately, it is our goal is to provide you with a healthy, well socialized, intelligent, lovable, easily trained doodle that will be a joyful addition to your family for many years to come. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Mahomet Illinois and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Contact Ericas doodles is committed to helping our families bring a new family member into their lives. We have decided because families are struggling to stretch their dollars but still want to bring joy into their families we are reducing our prices effectively immediately. We have been professionally breeding Doodles over 20 years. We know this doodle breed inside and out. We are also state-licensed we are not a backyard breeder we stand behind our dogs. We are 45 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago. We are a family of 6 that loves the doodle breeds. My husband, myself and my 4 children are all involved in the daily care of our beautiful dogs. We have researched and selected the best quality dogs for our breeding program. Our dogs get lots of free time with our children to run free on our ten beautiful acres. Our puppies are raised in our home underfoot and get handled from the day they are born. We truly believe that our children are very instrumental in helping with the daily socializing of our babies. Socialization is the key for puppies developing into the lifelong companions that families can be proud to own. Our goal is to breed the most beautiful and healthy puppies that will bring happiness and joy in any family. I went to meet Mike to talk about an upcoming litter and Bailey was sitting by herself. I pretty much changed my mind and wanted her immediately. She was introduced to a 6 year old cocker spaniel with and IVDD condition and they became best friends. Great Temperament, Incredibly smart and absolutely beautiful addition to my family. Mike has been following up since I got her checking to see if I had any issues. His training packet was detailed and if you follow the crate training and feeding regiment you will have no problems. Angelica I brought home an F2 labradoodle from here. My pups has already learned several commands within a few weeks of having him. The breeder has plenty of space for the pups and you can tell that there is a lot of care put into the environment. My dog has a great temperament and deals with people well. Upon the first meeting my pups was excited to greet people you can tell he had been socialized well. Mike does well with communication and answers any questions. Highly recommended! Javier Sanchez Got my black lab from Mike trained. He is very good and is comfortable with a crate, walking and great temperament. Overall an awesome dog from a great breeder! Maura Eaton My 12 year old son did all the research on Mike and his company. He had 5 star reviews across the board. Once we saw the picture of Zoey, a Chocolate Labradoodle, we knew we had to meet her. Mike's business is clean, the dogs are all loved by him and well trained. Zoey was Stage 1 trained. This is my first dog as an adult and Mike was excellent in providing advice and recommendations. After we adopted Zoey, Mike would periodically check-in on how Zoey was adjusting to her new family and home. As you can see in the pictures, she is very happy. Mike knew her personality well - smart, sweet and social. A perfect fit and addition to our family. He worked on training with the puppy before we brought him home, which was a big help in the adjustment! I would recommend Mike to anyone looking for a labradoodle puppy. Our puppy has been the best addition to our family and we have enjoyed working with Mike. John Schmadeke We were looking for a labradoodle puppy from a reputable and experienced breeder. Mike was super helpful, and we really appreciated that he cared so much about things like genetics and DNA testing for the dogs. Mike has always been available to answer our questions and to give advice. Tom Riniker We found Mike to be very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful when we purchased a puppy from him. His kennels are clean and organized, and his puppies are well cared for. He really loves his career and it shows! He has followed up with us on numerous occasions regarding the health and well-being of our puppy, and I always know I can reach him if I have questions. Thanks for everything, Mike! Yunhua Chen I have bought a stage 2 F1 labradoodle from Mike. His name is Zen, and just like his name, he is a well-behaved and well-trained little man. He only cried about 15 - 30 minutes during the first few nights and later he was sound asleep. I highly recommend Mike as a breeder because not only he deeply cares about the dogs, but also he has the expertise to make the dog the perfect match for you. Michelle Balchunas Mike was absolutely wonderful to deal with and very helpful with adding a new puppy to our family. If you are looking for a lab to add to your family we would highly recommend working with Mike. Charles Arnold Mike was a great help with our new puppy, Archie. Great experience… and a great dog. Junie is gentle, kind and very loving. She's also extremely athletic and smart. Working with Mike was a very smooth process and his "dog siting" service has proved helpful as I do travel on occasion. Having someone I could trust to care for Junie is super helpful. Mike James I recently had the fortunate privilege of working with Mike to find my next pup. For multiple reasons, the breed is perfect for me - the temperament, lifestyle often on the water , and hypoallergenic fits a tough lifestyle. I without hesitation recommend you work with Mike if you are looking for an amazing pup and great support network. Charlie is so gentle. He was just outside getting petted by his fan club, the neighbors. He licks. I got him the week of July 4th he was outside during that noise. He looks at noise. One of his other puppies was the same way, gentle. Day one he knew the trail through the woods back to our house. Charlie is a beautiful Chocolate lab with the softest hair. I got him at 16 weeks. You have no idea how helpful that is. Of course you want a healthy dog. Took the shots like a champ. The Vet remarked how firm his joints were. Yes he lets you brush his teeth! He goes to the door when he has to go. Another reason I wanted a 16 week pup. Peanut butter to continue gentle licks on my fingers. He always gets small chicken or liver for COME. You should see him come. Is Charlie gentle because some hunting dogs have a gentle mouth or is he gentle because Mike treated him right? Oh do exactly as Mike says on the take home instructions, he knows his dogs! Highly recommend! We brought our pup home with all the documentation of his superior genetics. Mike also sends several handouts which help prepare you for puppy ownership and ensure a smooth transition for your pup to his new home! In addition to his exceptional breeding he is exceptionally well-trained. We opted for a stage 2 puppy and not only does he sit, lay down, stay, he has an incredibly calm demeanor and his additional exposure to other dogs was also incredible. He is so well-tempered and well-behaved due to his additional training. We are so happy and in love with our sweet boy! Brent Viditz-Ward We were looking for a chocolate lab puppy for a long time from a reputable breeder and our experience with Mike was wonderful. He took time to get to know us and make sure that the dog was going to a good home and is always available to answer questions, give advice, etc. I highly recommend Mike and his puppies! M Fowkes Mike is a fantastic breeder. We got an F1 puppy from Mike. She is a sweet beautiful girl. Before she was born Mike knew what the puppies would look like generally, and was really easy to communicate with. He is very responsive when I had a lot of questions. He is like that even now that my puppy is 4 months old…available to answer questions and be supportive. Josie Palma-Aurelio We stumbled on this website when we were looking for our next fur baby. All the reviews speak truthful about Mike. He calls us to check on Nala for updates and gives us pointers on how to take care of her. Nala is such a lovable puppy and we are so happy to have her. We highly recommend! Juan Tellez Mike was a great helping my family and puppy get adjusted to our home. You can tell Mike has a lot of dedication and love towards his dogs. Snoop has been a great addition to our family! We are first time pet owners and Mike handheld us through the entire adoption process. His reference material, responsiveness and his genuine care for the puppies has helped us navigate the critical period of 12 weeks smoothly. The puppy is super smart outwitted me in a game of hide n seek when he was 10 weeks old! He is a bundle of joy! We are first time pet owners and had a lot of questions! He is always enthusiastic in answering any questions we have and supporting us before and after getting the pup! He cares about his dogs and pups and it shows in the research he has done and the knowledge he has about them! He has a lot of information on his website about the breed, food, toys and snacks! He also gives a couple of handouts when we book a pup with him and some when we take them home! Those helped a lot in the preparation for our pup! When you take them home, he also gives you details about the breed, vaccination records, and DNA testing done for the litter! Our girl, Shuri, is very energetic and curious! She does really well when we train her and has already learnt so much! For anyone looking for a labradoodle, Mike is the best! Jocelyn I highly recommend Mike. We are first time dog owners and he made the process so easy for us. Our labradoodle has made an excellent addition to our family!

These rescues will be helpful in your quest to adopt a German Shepherd : 1. Their dogs come from local shelters or direct from owners. This German Shepherd rescue has a vital mission. They prefer potential adopters who previously owned a GSD and understand the breed. As part of the adoption process, applicants must believe in good dog training and care and be able to invest the time and resources necessary to train and socialize the dog properly. Their mission is plain and simple — to re-home, foster, and rehabilitate as many adult dogs or puppies from shelters or surrendered from owners as possible. The founder Nila Walden-Hughes was inspired to set up the rescue following the sudden passing of her beloved four-year-old German Shepherd Dog. She has given her life to dogs and has always loved GSDs since she was a young child as she was raised by her visually impaired Grandparents and grew up with guide dogs, mainly German Shepherds. She is a certified dog behavior consultant and canine trainer. All rescue dogs are thoroughly vetted and trained in obedience before new owners are matched and the dogs placed with their new families. They work out of the Daytona Beach and Jacksonville areas. They have a common goal to rescue as many homeless German Shepherds as they can by rehabilitating them and finding them approved families or individuals. They adopt German Shepherd Dogs where they can support their volunteers and rescue representatives. Augustine, Orlando, and Jacksonville areas. Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue is a foster home-based organization. They can only rescue a dog from a shelter or an individual once they have found a foster home where the dog can safely live while waiting for a permanent adoptive. The foster home is frequently a lifesaver for the rescue. You can apply to foster a German Shepherd Dog in need via their website. They are committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and careful re-homing of lost, abandoned, homeless German Shepherd Dogs to loving homes in Florida. All rescues adults and puppies are adopted as indoor family pets, and Dreamcatcher German Shepherd Rescue will not allow dogs to be used as guard dogs or farm dogs. They aim is to rescue, rehabilitate, and place German Shepherds in loving homes throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. They work tirelessly to save these majestic dogs from high-kill shelters around South Florida. Many of the dogs they save are on their way to being euthanized or have medical conditions that require attention such as heartworm disease or orthopedic issues from traumatic injuries. This German Shepherd rescue relies entirely on volunteers who offer their time, money, and expertise to rescue German Shepherds. Their adoption process seeks to match the temperaments and needs of rescued dogs to those of potential adopters. They are always looking for foster homes to give rescued German Shepherd Dogs the love, understanding, care, socialization, and exercise they need to leave their past behind and look forward to a new life in a new loving home. They started as a fundraising company for other rescues in and a year later became their own rescue. Through Rescue Rebels, companion animals are rescued, provided the physical care needed, spayed or neutered, and provided with behavioral guidance, socialization, and training where necessary. She had a host of issues, one being blind due to cataracts from untreated advanced diabetes, yet Rescue Rebels were able to gift her the gift of sight. You can read about her remarkable transformation here. Florida German Shepherd Clubs Keeping pace with local German Shepherd clubs could also be an excellent idea for you on your journey to adopt and raise a rescue German Shepherd. Here are 3 German Shepherd clubs in the state of Florida and their websites: Club. Social Media: Facebook Instagram 4. The rescue was started in .It can take as much as a month from when your application is received for it to be approved and you to be considered for adopting a dog. Typically, the rescue receives multiple applications for every dog in the rescue. Applications are not considered on a first-come-first-serve basis, but rather, dogs are matched to the best possible home for them based on their particular needs. Application review involves a check with your veterinarian and employer and a mandatory home visit in which all members of your family must be present. If you want to adopt a puppy under six months of age, you must work part-time or work from home so that you will have sufficient time to care for the puppy. Fenced yards are required and crating is highly recommended. Daytona Beach German Shepherd Rescue relies on foster homes to provide a place for shepherds to live until they can be adopted. Fosters are provided with everything they need to care for the dog, but they are asked to exercise, train, and generally provide rehabilitation for rescue German Shepherds. As a foster parent, you have the first option to adopt your foster dog. This program can be a wonderful way for you to try out several different German Shepherds before you arrive at the perfect dog for your home. Rescue and Adoption Details Website: dbgsdrescue. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, fiercely loyal, and driven to work. Unfortunately, some of these characteristics are why German Shepherds often end up being rehomed. People may buy a German Shepherd puppy because they like the way the breed looks, they want a protection dog, or they are unaware of the special needs of this breed. Faced with a powerful breed dog with high drive, who can often outsmart their person, many people end up surrendering this breed to a shelter or rescue. Most German Shepherds face a significant adjustment period when they are rehomed. Make sure that you have the time and energy to give your rescued German Shepherd plenty of exercise, training, and structure as they adapt to their new life with you. Try not to come to any conclusions about an individual German Shepherd within the first few weeks or even first months of having them, as it takes this breed a long time to settle into a new home and become the loyal, loving, intelligent companion they are meant to be. Florida has a high rate of homeless dogs of all breeds, and homeless German Shepherds may be even more common than other breeds. The German Shepherd is a popular breed in Florida but rules restricting this breed in rental homes and condos means that it can be hard to find somewhere to live with a German Shepherd. Be sure you know the rules of your HOA, condo or apartment before contacting one of these rescues. Some of the rescues listed here understand these restrictions and will make sure you have verified any rules that you need to follow. If you contact the rescues on this list, there is a very good chance that you will find the perfect German Shepherd for you. Leave a Comment. She had previously lived outside at her prior home but has adapted well to home life and is housebroken and well behaved. She would do best with older children only and as the only dog. Chloe is cat friendly! Her family describes her as a good guard dog - she can be protective at home and needs proper introductions to new people inside of her home. She does much better when meeting people out and about outside of her own territory at home. She loves children especially and is very protective of my kids and our family. She is such a loving and sweet dog. She was not always treated the best, so she is nervous around men, but warms up. She is potty trained, crate trained, and leash trained. She is an amazing girl and so loving. She loves to play with toys and play fetch. She will love you fiercely and protect you always. My biggest concern is finding someone who will be patient with her and give her the loving home she deserves. They are not under the care of the rescue. They are under the care of their current guardian. The owner is subject to placement outside of our organization. We cannot guarantee availability.

What Is a Merle French Bulldog? The merle Frenchie is a variant of the French Bulldog that exhibits a speckled coat pattern. Merle Frenchies come in different colors such as the blue merle, black merle, lilac merle, and tan merle. Despite having an eye-catching appearance, merle Frenchies are often criticized for their health issues. These patches can be of various shades, such as a diluted color of the base coat. A dog with a merle pattern will have cow-like blotches all over its fur. One thing that sets the merle Frenchie apart from other French Bulldogs is their coat genetics. Merles carry the M-locus, which is responsible for their mottled coat pattern. According to experts, the merle gene was introduced to Frenchies by breeding them with merle Chihuahuas somewhere along the line. This means early generation merle Frenchies are not considered purebreds. It is only after six generations that a merle Frenchie can pass as a purebred dog. While the merle is a unique look in French Bulldogs, it has some adverse effects on their health. Are Merle French Bulldogs Rare? Yes, merle Frenchies are pretty rare, but not for the reason you might think. Unlike other exotic colors, merles are not that difficult to breed. So what makes merle Frenchies rare? One reason why merle Frenchies are rare is the controversy surrounding them. Many people believe that merle Frenchies are sickly and predisposed to life-threatening issues. In addition, merles cost thousands of dollars more than other Frenchie colors. As expected, a high price tag and a pretty lousy health reputation is not an attractive proposition. This makes pet owners think twice about buying a merle fluffy French Bulldog! Moreover, some kennel clubs do not recognize merle Frenchies. According to an official statement of The Kennel Club, they will no longer accept merle dogs for registration unless the breed natively carries the gene. More and more kennel clubs are adopting this kind of policy. In turn, many pet owners who want to register their dogs in clubs end up picking a different breed. Sadly, all these factors result in the scarce population of the merle French Bulldogs. Aside from its merle coat, the merle Frenchie shares a similar appearance with other French Bulldogs. Merles also have the roach backs and bat ears of the standard French Bulldogs. These pooches also sport short and smooth coats that have irregularly shaped patches. The most common eye colors for merle Frenchies are brown and black. However, some merles can also develop green or blue eyes. Interestingly, the merle French Bulldog has a few color variations. These include blue merle French Bulldogs, black merle Frenchies, lilac merle Frenchies, and tan merle Frenchies. Most blue Frenchies are born with blue base coat color and blue eyes, which they retain as they grow up. A blue merle Frenchie is also known as a blue-gene dog breed. However, despite the name, these pups actually have black genes. It just so happens that their black genes are diluted, giving off the appearance of a greyish blue. This color combination results from a non-diluted black dominant color. A black merle pup has rich blacks that may appear chocolate in some lighting conditions. Due to its appearance, a black merle Frenchie can be mistaken as a brindle French Bulldog. However, one significant difference between a black merle and a brindle is in their pattern. Merles have irregular patches, while brindles have tiger-like stripes. Lilac Merle French Bulldog A lilac merle Frenchie, also known as the isabella merle, is a dog born with a blue coat and carries a dilute gene. Due to their coat genetics, true lilac merles will become paler as they age. The final color of a lilac French Bulldog is greyish with hints of purple and a blue hue. Lilac color merles are amongst the most expensive merle Frenchies out there. This pooch is born from a dam or sire that carries both chocolate gene and dilute gene. Sometimes, these dogs can have light brown or pink noses and light-colored paw pads. On some occasions, tan merle Frenchies can have greyish spots on top of their solid tan coats. They may look similar to blue merles under some lighting conditions. One way to tell if a Frenchie is a tan merle is by looking at the color of its forearm and forelegs. A fully grown merle Frenchie measures 16 to 28 pounds in weight and 11 to 13 inches in height. These dogs share the same size as other French Bulldog colors. The French Bulldog is considered a small to medium dog breed. This is probably because of their chunky bodies and dense muscles. Gender does not play a significant role in the size of a merle Frenchie. In general, males will still be slightly larger and heavier than females, but not much. For reference, a full-grown merle Frenchie weighs around the same as a miniature Bull Terrier or an English Cocker Spaniel. Moreover, these pups are about twice as heavy as their tinier cousins, the teacup French Bulldog. The merle coat is an exotic coat pattern in dogs. This pattern is a result of a particular locus known as the M-locus. If a Frenchie carries a dominant gene of the M-locus, its coat will have the merle markings. However, if it carries the recessive allele of the M-locus, it will not have merle markings, but it will still be considered a carrier of the merle gene. The combined coat color genes determine whether a dog will be a black merle, blue merle, tan merle, or lilac merle. It is believed that the merle gene was introduced to the French Bulldog somewhere down the line. In fact, many experts claim that the Frenchie was crossed with different breeds such as the Chihuahua to produce exotic patterns, such as merle. To get a merle Frenchie, you need to breed a merle Frenchie with another Frenchie that has no merle gene. You must stick to this combination when breeding merle French Bulldogs. Double merles have genetic issues, such as blindness, deafness, increased likelihood of tracheal collapse, and more. Physical deformities are also common in double merles. The only way to ensure that you are breeding the right pair is to perform a DNA test on both dogs. Accidentally breeding two merles may result in a very sickly litter. The said breed standards specifically mention merle as one of the disqualifications. The only accepted coat colors and coat patterns for Frenchies are brindle, white, cream, fawn, and a few combinations of these colors. You can also try them out if you really want your pup registered to a kennel club. Yes, merle Frenchies are good family dogs. These pups are easy-going, loyal, and super playful. There is never a dull moment when this pooch is around! Despite their relatively small stature, merle Frenchies are full of energy. For the most part, merles also share the same temperament as other Frenchie colors. They love goofing around, and they are pretty agile, too! Merle French Bulldogs also do well with kids and other pets. They are adaptable to different kinds of living conditions as well. However, the merle Frenchie may not be for you if you have a busy lifestyle. Frenchies can suffer from separation anxiety whenever they are left alone. These pooches are extremely sociable, even to strangers. All in all, if you want a unique dog that is adaptable and well-behaved, the merle Frenchie is for you. With proper training, this pup can be the best companion for your family! The lifespan of a merle Frenchie varies quite a lot. Healthy merle Frenchies can live anywhere around 11 to 13 years, while unhealthy ones only live approximately six to nine years. The merle French Bulldog is not exactly known for its sound body. On the contrary, these pups get a bad rap for their health. Many merle Frenchies are born blind or deaf, especially double merle dogs. In addition to birth defects, double merle Frenchies have an increased likelihood of developing immune disorders and extreme allergies. These dogs are also the most vulnerable to neurological defects, skin ruptures, and staph infections. Below are some of the other health problems of merle French Bulldogs: Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs when the ball and socket of a dog are misaligned. This condition causes severe pain when moving and can lead to deterioration of posture. A merle Frenchie with hip dysplasia may also become obese due to inactivity. Brachycephalic Syndrome: Brachycephalic syndrome is a common disorder in short-muzzled dog breeds, such as Pugs and French Bulldogs. This syndrome describes a group of airway abnormalities, including stenotic nares and laryngeal collapse. Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation , informally known as slipped stifles, is a condition characterized by the misalignment of the kneecap. A merle Frenchie with a luxated patella will require surgery. Cleft Palate: Cleft palate is a common condition in all dogs but more so in merle Frenchies. This condition occurs when oral and nasal cavities separate from the mouth. Most cases of cleft palate are non-deadly, but it can drastically alter the quality of life of a dog. As you can see, the health of a merle Frenchie is a bit of a mixed bag. That said, this pooch may need a bit of extra care to stay in tip-top shape. It is recommended to get a merle Frenchie only from a responsible breeder. This way, you can make sure that you are not getting a double merle dog. To some, this price may seem ridiculous, but to others, this unique pup is worth every penny. If you plan to have a merle Frenchie as a pet, it is recommended to get one only from a reputable breeder. This covers the cost of dog food, vitamins, medication, and more. For reference, this cost is on par with your expenses should you get a standard French Bulldog instead. If you are interested, you can check out our comprehensive guide on the cost of owning a French Bulldog for more information. But if you are patient, you might be able to snag one from the reputable breeders and rescues listed below. Here are some reputable breeders where you can find merle French Bulldog puppies for sale: Exotic French Bulldogs — This is a small breeding facility located in California. With over 20 years of experience, this is one of the most trusted when it comes to rare French Bulldogs. They offer puppy shipping at an added cost, or you can drop by their headquarters in Riverside, CA. Their merles are genetically tested and guaranteed against other health problems! Lancaster Puppies — Lancaster Puppies is a website where breeders can post dogs for sale. You just have to keep your eyes peeled for a merle! This rescue has been around since , and they are one of the most well-trusted in the area. Check out their adoptable Frenchies once in a while! Make sure to check them out for merle Frenchies from time to time. Adopt-a-Pet — Adopt-a-Pet is a website that connects aspiring fur parents to rescues and shelters around the country. If you want more options, check out our round-up on the best French Bulldog breeders and the best French Bulldog rescues. Many merle Frenchies are unhealthy or predisposed with life-altering conditions. All of these resulted in a bad rap for the merle Frenchies. However, merle Frenchies are not bad per se. When properly bred, these pups can prove to be as healthy as other French Bulldogs. Are Merle French Bulldogs Aggressive? French Bulldogs are not aggressive. On the contrary, these pups are very friendly and affectionate. The only time a merle Frenchie may be aggressive is when it feels threatened or abused as a puppy. Most merle Frenchies are born with light-colored eyes such as blue, and many of them retain this eye color. However, some merle Frenchies outgrow their bright blue eyes. Sometimes, these pups can also have green, dark brown, or black eyes. Yes, you can technically breed two merle dogs; however, this practice is considered unethical and irresponsible. Breeding two merle Frenchies produces a so-called double merle dog. Double merles are born with physical deformities and health conditions. If you intend on breeding a merle Frenchie, it is advised that you only breed one merle dog with a non-merle. In other words, merle dogs should only have one merle parent. According to breeders, the blue merle is the rarest color of the French Bulldog. Unsurprisingly, the blue merle is also the most expensive. This color is so rare because it is so hard to breed without defects. Most blue merle Frenchies are born with physical defects and life-threatening health conditions. Other rare colors of the merle Frenchie are the lilac merle and tan merle. The merle Frenchie is a special dog that comes with special compromises. Yes, this pooch is a fantastic family pet, but it does not have the best health. Sure, the merle Frenchie is a unique-looking dog, but it also costs a pretty penny. However, unless you want a super unique pup, you should probably skip the merle and go with a regular color of the same breed. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Due to its rarity, the Blue Merle French Bulldog price tends to be higher than that of its traditional-coloured counterparts. The genetics of the breed plays a significant role in its price, as the Blue Merle coat colour is the result of a recessive gene that is not present in all French Bulldogs. Breeders who specialize in this rare colouration invest significant time and resources into breeding and raising Blue Merle French Bulldogs, which can increase the overall price of the puppies. Reputable breeders prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs and puppies and will typically charge more for their puppies than breeders who cut corners to maximize profits. By doing your research and choosing a breeder with a good reputation, you can ensure that you are getting a healthy and well-cared-for puppy. Geography can also play a role in the Blue Merle French Bulldog price. In areas where the demand for these dogs is high, you can expect to pay more than in areas where the breed is less popular. Additionally, if you live in a remote area, you may have to pay more to have the puppy shipped to you, which can add to the overall cost. By considering the various factors that can influence the Blue Merle French Bulldog price, you can make an informed decision and find the perfect puppy to join your family. The Blue Merle coat colouration is not as common as other colours in French Bulldogs, making it a highly sought-after trait among breeders and dog enthusiasts. The Blue Merle coat is characterized by a marbled, blue-grey pattern with black patches, which is the result of a recessive gene. Breeders who specialize in this coat colour invest significant time and resources into breeding and raising Blue Merle French Bulldogs, which can increase the overall price of the puppies. Additionally, the Blue Merle gene is not present in all French Bulldogs, which makes it a rare and unique trait. Taking care of a Blue Merle French Bulldog can be expensive due to its unique genetic makeup and potential health issues. French Bulldogs, in general, are prone to certain health problems such as hip dysplasia, respiratory issues, and skin allergies. Blue Merle French Bulldogs may also experience health issues related to the Merle gene, such as deafness and blindness. To keep your Blue Merle French Bulldog healthy, regular vet check-ups and preventative care are essential. This includes vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and routine grooming to keep their coat healthy and free of mats. Additionally, a high-quality diet is important to maintain their overall health and prevent obesity, which can exacerbate certain health conditions. All of these factors can add up, making the cost of caring for a Blue Merle French Bulldog higher than other breeds. Blue Merle French Bulldogs are highly sought after due to their unique and attractive coat colour. The Merle gene causes a marbled effect on the fur, creating a stunning blue-grey coat with splashes of black or white. This distinct colouration makes the Blue Merle French Bulldogs highly desirable and valuable. However, breeding Blue Merle French Bulldogs is not an easy task, which contributes to their high price tag. Breeders must carefully select dogs with the Merle gene, which can be challenging as the gene can also cause health issues such as deafness, blindness, and even death. Additionally, Blue Merle French Bulldogs are difficult to produce, as the Merle gene is recessive and requires two parents carrying the gene to produce a Blue Merle offspring. The rarity and difficulty of breeding these dogs, combined with their unique and stunning appearance, make them one of the most expensive French Bulldog varieties on the market. Yes, the cost of owning a Blue Merle French Bulldog can be higher than other breeds due to potential health issues and the need for high-quality food, regular vet check-ups, and preventative care. You can search online for breeders or ask for recommendations from local French Bulldog clubs or veterinarians. Yes, if you are unable to afford the high price of a Blue Merle French Bulldog, you can consider adopting a French Bulldog from a local animal shelter or rescue organization. Conclusion The price of a Blue Merle French Bulldog can be high due to its rarity and unique genetic makeup. Potential owners should consider the additional costs associated with caring for a Blue Merle French Bulldog and ensure they find a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs. While the cost may be higher, the love and companionship these dogs bring to their owners are priceless. Related Posts. Color variations Blue merle French Bulldog Blue merle French Bulldogs are one of our most sought-after puppies of all the colors. They got their name after the blue patches on their light-colored coat, which are essentially grey with a bluish shine in the light. The shade of the grey parts may vary from very light to almost black, while their base color also ranges from a yellowish cream color to light grey. Lilac merle French Bulldog Lilac merle French Bulldogs are often mistaken for blue merle Frenchies, but they are much more unique and harder to come by. Lilac merle Frenchies have very light, almost ashy or silver colored patches on their light coat. To produce this rare and beautiful color, the parents have to carry the blue, chocolate and merle gene. Lilac merle French Bulldogs usually have light-colored eyes which are glowing red. Chocolate merle French Bulldog Chocolate merle French Bulldogs have dark brown mottled patches all over their light-colored bodies. Choco merle pups also have unique genetics so they are quite rare and hard to come by. Similarly to lilac Frenchies, they are the combination of blue and chocolate but their grey shade is more of a champagne color. Breeders have managed to mix in the merle gene as well producing the Isabella merle French Bulldog, but these dogs are extremely rare. Black merle French Bulldog Black merle French Bulldogs have black mottled patches often covering most of their bodies. Their base coat is also slightly darker than in other merle Frenchies, ranging from light grey to light brown. Fawn merle French Bulldog There are a number of different variations of fawn merle French Bulldogs, like blue fawn merle, lilac fawn merle or chocolate fawn merle. The dark patches these Frenchies have are less distinct looking than in other merles, as they are only a bit darker than their light fawn base color. One of these rare traits is their sparkling blue eyes. Since the merle gene affects the skin pigment as well, when a merle patch crosses the eye area the Frenchie will have bright forever blue eyes. Sometimes only one of the eyes will remain blue, which is a phenomenon called heterochromia. Because of how dominant the merle gene is, merle Frenchies should only be bred to a dog with a solid coat color. They are insanely affectionate making them the perfect companion dogs, they just want to spend every minute of their time with their owners. They are extremely friendly with kids and other animals too; they love basically anyone they meet! Thanks to their easy-going nature, a Merle Frenchie will adapt to your lifestyle very quickly no matter where you live. As you might expect, colors that are considered common for the breed have the lowest prices, while colors which are more unique and harder to produce are more expensive as well. When it comes to Merle French Bulldogs, they are already in a higher price range, but depending on the color variation their prices may further vary a lot. Permanent blue eyes also push the prices up a bit: we charge USD per blue eye. What is a Blue Merle French Bulldog? The Merle pattern can also affect the color of their eyes, nose, and paw pads. What color is a Blue Merle French Bulldog? The color of a Merle French Bulldog Blue can have patches of light gray, bluish, or black over a lighter-colored coat. Yes, Blue Merle Frenchies are rare. Are Blue Merle French Bulldogs purebred? Yes, Blue Merle French Bulldogs are purebred and exhibit the same physical characteristics and temperament as the next French Bulldog. The only difference is the color pattern which some mistakenly think of them as a hybrid. Blue Merle Frenchie genetics The Blue Merle gene is a dominant gene that dilutes the original coat color of the dog. The Blue Merle gene not only affects the coat color patterns, but also the pigmentation of their eyes, nose, and paw pads. Blue Merle Frenchies would almost always have blue eyes as a result of this dilution of pigmentation in the eyes called heterochromia iridis. Why is breeding Blue Merle French Bulldog controversial? Breeding Blue Merle French Bulldog is controversial because there is a possibility of creating a double Merle dog that has a high probability of being blind and deaf. Some Merle dogs do not express the color dilution on their coat, like in some cream or fawn-colored French Bulldogs, which is referred to as a ghost or secret Merle. Partnering a ghost Merle with another Merle would definitely have a double Merle offspring. Save Big On Dog Essentials! Blue Merle French Bulldog physical appearance French Bulldogs, in general, are heavy-boned and muscular small dogs. Head: Large square head with loose and soft skin that forms wrinkles in the heads and shoulders. Eyes: Eyes are round and set wide apart. Ears: The ears of the Blue Merle Frenchies are bat-like which is perky, leathery, rounded at the tips, and wide at the base. Tail: The tail is short that can be straight or screwed and hung low behind the back. But, very rarely, they could also exhibit a slightly longer coat than the regular Frenchies. The hair is not curly but appears fluffier and the hair at the tip of their ears can be a little stringy. Long-haired Blue Merle French Bulldog is quite rare which not only carries the dominant Merle gene but also the recessive gene for long hair. Other French Bulldog Blue Merle colors The standard French Bulldog colors are cream, white, and fawn with most having brindle markings. But, there are also rare colors with different markings which will be discussed below. Blue Merle Lilac French Bulldog could be an offspring of parents with chocolate and blue dilute colors. Blue Merle fawn French Bulldog is achieved by mixing the blue fawn gene and the Merle gene. French Bulldog Blue fawn Merle is not common and can fetch quite a price. Sometimes, the Blue Merle and tan French Bulldog have hidden tan points or are overpowered by the merle pattern. The brindle pattern looks very much like tiger stripes. Blue Trindle Merle French Bulldog is a solid blue color along with some tan points and merle patterns on the different parts of the body. They are more susceptible to blindness and deafness, as well as, skin diseases, immunity disorders, and neurological defects. Blue Merle zebra French Bulldog The coat has a distinctive zebra look with dark and light-colored striping. Blue sable Merle French Bulldog A Blue sable Merle French Bulldog has dark patch patterns over a light base coat with the dark patches having a black tip and fawn-colored base.

Apply to Adopt A little about us.Genuine Australian labradoodle puppy breeder since .Located in Monterey, California just two hours south of San Francisco. We are a small in-house breeder specializing in breeding miniature to medium labradoodles from the seeing eye dog Australian lines. We do not ship our puppies but will meet new owners at the airport. We average four to five litters a year. This gives us the time to complete early neurological stimulation starting at three days and desensitizing to fireworks, thunderstorms, etc. We give each litter and each puppy the love and attention it needs during those first irreplaceable eight weeks of your puppy's life. We take great responsibility in giving every puppy the best start in order to grow into a well-adjusted, highly socialized, and healthy member of your family for many years to come. Our puppies are born in our bedroom, raised in our kitchen and get the best of care and lots of handling from their first day. We not only guarantee genetic health but also have very strict requirements for the temperaments of the breeding dogs in our program. Puppies are examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, and micro chipped before going home. About Australian Labradoodles.Australian Labradoodles are beautiful, healthy, allergy and asthma friendly. They were originally bred to be service dogs and not a 'designer' pet. The Labradoodle breed started with a request over thirty years ago by a family needing a seeing eye dog but who also had a family member with asthma. After some research and years of breeding by leading service dog breeders, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor in Australia, the Australian Labradoodle was born. Our top goal is excellent health, fantastic temperament, and service qualities. Just like any other breed that becomes popular, though, some breeders have started breeding for the popularity of these dogs and not for the benefit of the breed itself. So here's how to make sure you're getting the dog you want. Here are some helpful tips to understand what a breeder means when they are using these phrases. The multi-generation Australian Labradoodle, which is the original Labradoodle, has a foundation stock including six different parent breeds. These dogs were developed in Australia, and hence the "Australian" in the name of the dogs. This was a breed that was developed with goals in mind for a low shedding service dog, not a designer dog. The multi-generation Labradoodle has only poodle and lab in its heritage. It does not include the other parent breeds that were originally used by the creators of the breed. These have been primarily developed later in the U. These dogs tend to shed their coat since they are more closely related to the Labrador and often have a wire hair look to them. The "Back Cross" or "F1B" is a dog from an F1 see above mated back to a poodle usually for coat correction. These dogs have not had the multiple generations of Labradoodle mated with another Labradoodle nor the addition of Australian Labradoodle foundation stock or multiple parent breeds. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Monterey California and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. He is the size of a Labrador Retriever. He was at the shelter where he came in as a stray. They treated him there for an ear infection and some mild skin inflammation which he has long recovered from. We did notice cloudiness in both eyes and were diagnosed with cataracts. Surgery was done to remove them and has recovered well but will need 2 different eye drops for life. He can be very playful with other playful dogs and loves to play fetch, or, can cuddle up next to you just as well. Walks are his favorite activity. He is also good with calm, friendly smaller dogs. He has not been around cats. With children, he does better with 12 years and older. Leon becomes attached to his human and will follow them like a shadow. He can be a little stubborn and will growl and snap at times when disciplined or if bumped while sleeping. He has been adopted twice and returned for this reason. Once he is comfortable in his new home, he will do it less. He may have separation anxiety at 1st, but with time and patience, he gets over it. He does better with a furry companion. He just needs someone to give him a chance. We believe he would do good in a house with a big yard, another playful dog, or an experienced, active family. If you want to meet Leon and see if he fits you, email us at heartandhomerescueorg gmail.

Need Prayer? We have compiled a directory of North Carolina Pug Puppies for Sale listings from breeders, rescues, and shelters that will help you find the cutest Pug Puppy for Sale or Adoptable Dog without paying much. These small, compact dogs are incredibly cute and have a cheerful, friendly personality. Pugs are also relatively easy to care for and have a relatively long lifespan for a small breed dog. However, before you adopt a pug, you should know a few things about this breed. Pugs have a long and fascinating history. They are descended from ancient Chinese toy dogs and were once popular among upper-class Europeans. Pugs are known for their loving, affectionate personalities. They bond closely with their owner and love spending time with people. Pugs are also relatively easy to train and generally good with children. However, pugs can sometimes be a bit stubborn, and they do snore quite loudly! Pugs typically have a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years. Teacup Puppies for Sale in Burlington, North Carolina We promote adoption and rescue versus paying too much from a breeder or pet store. We are not associated with any listed organizations, so please research. Please consider adopting or rescuing your next pet from the many North Carolina non-profit organizations below. These listings are for information purposes only, and we are not affiliated with anyone listed. Life Span Did You Know? The Pug, or Pug Dog, is famous for its flat-faced appearance and large, soulful eyes. They are an ancient dog breed that originated in China over 2, years ago. They were originally developed as a refined pet of Chinese royalty along with the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. During this time, the Pug was considered a national treasure that outsiders could only access if one was gifted to them. Dutch traders from the s can be credited with bringing the Pug onto the world stage when they brought some back to Europe with them. The Pug made its way to the United States in the s. Now, the Pug is a popular dog breed worldwide. They are a popular companion that provides their owners with plenty of love and laughter from their comedic and playful antics. The Pug is a playful and outgoing dog breed with a charming personality. They tend to be very loving towards children and also get along well with other pets and dogs. They are a companion breed at heart known for their gentle nature and sociable personality. They love to give love and receive it in return. Their sensitive nature makes them intuitive as well and Pugs will often sense the moods of their owners and react accordingly. They crave attention and affection from their owners and are big fans of napping. This dog breed is often described as an ideal house dog and they are moderately adaptable. They will do well in homes of any size, including apartments. The Pug also adapts well to city or country life and are a good fit for singles or families of any size. Although they are highly adaptable to various living situations, they are less adaptable to climates. Pugs are very sensitive to the heat and overexertion, so they are best-suited to moderate climates. They also love to be with their families and will not be happy if left alone for a long time. As with any dog breed, the Pug has some health conditions to be aware of. In particular, corneal ulcers and dry eye are some potential eye problems that can occur. Additionally, Pugs can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and encephalitis. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see health clearances can help allay concerns for some of these health issues. Pugs are also big foodies. They love to eat! Their love for food means this dog breed is prone to obesity. As a brachycephalic dog, their large head and short snout often cause respiratory problems, which can limit their exercise at times and contribute to weight gain. This will cause them to quickly gasp and snort, which can sound relatively alarming. These episodes are usually not harmful as your Pug is just clearing their palate and throat. The Pug tends to be easy to train and is a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are eager to please their owners and tend to pick up on commands quickly. They are sensitive souls and their feelings can be hurt easily, so they will not respond well to harsh corrections. This dog breed responds best to consistent training that focuses on positive rewards and will benefit from participation in puppy training classes. Pugs have a smooth, glossy, and short coat. Their fur is fine and soft. Although their coat is generally low-maintenance, it will shed throughout the year. Aside from brushing, Pugs only need occasional baths on an as-needed basis. Because Pugs have ears that drop down, they can be susceptible to moisture, dirt, or debris. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning as needed helps to keep them healthy and comfortable. The same goes for their iconic face wrinkles. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your Pug is not allowing you to do that, a few times a week should be sufficient. Getting your Pug used to these grooming tasks as a puppy will help make it a positive bonding experience and a much easier process throughout their life. This dog breed has a low to moderate energy level. Generally, daily walks and some play sessions are enough exercise for this dog breed. They may have short bursts of energy as they have a very playful nature, but they will tire easily. Some Pugs can handle a little more activity and even compete in some dogs sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Make sure you check with your vet first before jumping into dog sports with your dog. A full-grown Pug will usually stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. The Pug was a popular pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Featured Pug Article.

And when is the best time to start training them? Naturally, the sooner your start with training, the easier it will be. Moreover, you have to remember that you are responsible for your pup. You need to show consistency in your own behavior. Your Doodle will have an easier time adjusting to his new home and family if you start from day one. Establish a Proper Routine Firstly, you should establish a proper routine for your Doodle. This includes meal times, bathroom breaks, playtime, naps, and bedtime. Keep in mind that consistency is key in Goldendoodle training. A structured routine gives dogs a sense of security. It will also help your new Goldendoodle puppy understand how you want them to behave. Routine is also an important part of housetraining , as consistent feeding times will also beget consistent potty times. If you have other family members living with you, make sure you all follow the exact same routine. It is usually recommended that puppies younger than six months of age eat three meals per day. Socialize Your Puppy Secondly, all dogs, and especially Goldendoodles, are social creatures. They enjoy spending time with their families and meet other dogs at the dog park. Early socialization is important for your Goldendoodle pup to get used to new people, pets and situations. Goldendoodle Training Sample Routine Goldendoodle puppy behavior is very much your responsibility. Puppies usually need to use the bathroom first thing in the morning. Tip 2: Feed your pup at the same time every day. This is a great way for your puppy to socialize with you and your family. Tip 3: Potty time around 30 to 60 minutes after each meal. Tip 4: Playtime or exercise after potty time. Playing with toys and shorter walks are perfect for baby Doodles. Tip 5: Puppies usually need to relieve themselves after exercise, as well. Puppies can sleep up to hours every day! Make sure no one distracts their sleep, as they need to rest. Tip 7: After naptime or being in their crate, take your pup for a bathroom break. Tip 8: Bedtime every day around the same time is also very useful to enforce a consistent routine. Remember that puppies around weeks of age need smaller portions and more frequent meals. Therefore, they will also need to go potty more frequently. And as we already said, all dogs and puppies are unique. This is a rough guideline that most Doodle owners find useful. Well, all dogs are unique, so there is no one size fits all approach in Goldendoodle training. However, there are a few main training methods that most dog owners find useful when training a Goldendoodle puppy. Of course, the younger your puppy is, the shorter their attention span. Usually, the general guideline is to start formal training at four to six months of age. However, keep in mind that first you should build a relationship and bond with your pup. Clicker Training Clicker training is one of the most popular Goldendoodle training methods that professional dog trainers use. It combines reward training with a small hand-held clicker that you will click every time you reward your pup for good behavior or when following a command. Your puppy will soon start associating the clicking sound with a reward. Therefore, your pup will also associate it with good behavior. Best for Clicker Training Compare Products 2. Positive Reinforcement Your behavior and attitude has a huge impact on your Goldendoodle pup. Always use positive reinforcement and do not scold or punish your pup for accidents. Remember, your puppy is still learning and growing. Instead, it will just make them fearful of you. Whenever you want your Goldendoodle puppy to do something, always keep a positive and enthusiastic attitude. If your pup has completed the task, always give plenty of praise and a nice little treat or a toy. Some dogs respond better to reward with food and others respond better to toys. However, always use these rewards together with lots of praise and enthusiasm. Crate Training Crate training is another very popular Goldendoodle training method. Crate training can take a few days or a few weeks, but the results are worth it. Keep in mind that you should only leave your pup in the crate in hours equal to the age in months that they are. See Also: Click the image 4. Mirror Training Mirror training method uses positive reinforcement and a clicker to teach a dog how to follow your lead. As your pup is looking up to you, they will naturally want to mimic your behavior and attitude. A great way to keep this from happening is to keep your kitchen counters clean and tidy at all times. Do not store food on counters longer than you prepare your meals. Surely you enjoy a clean kitchen, as well! Another tip is to put your pup in a crate or away from the kitchen while you prepare your meals. Jumping One of the very first things that you can start teaching your Goldendoodle puppy is to sit to be greeted. This will teach your puppy that they will only get attention once they sit. If you reward them, they will continue doing it. Barking With every common behavioral problem, the key is to think about what you want your puppy to do instead. How would you like them to react when someone is knocking on the door, or how should act when you have guests over? For instance, you can train your dog to sit still in a designated place when the doorbell rings. Leash Pulling When your puppy starts to pull the leash, immediately stop walking. Once your puppy has stopped pulling, you can start walking again. Doing this continuously will teach your puppy good leash manners. No-pull harnesses and headcollars can also be great tools for training your pup not to pull on the leash. See Also: Click the image 5. Make sure your pup has enough interesting toys and provide them plenty of playtime and exercise. Biting and Mouthing Biting is a completely natural behavior for dogs. As with any other behavioral problem, biting also can stem from your pup wanting your attention. Also, biting and mouthing might indicate that your pup needs more playtime. See Also: Click the image 7. This means that I may earn a small commission if you click on them and make a purchase. We picked our Mini Goldendoodle up when she was seven weeks old and immediately started training her. Our training consisted of strategies we had learned in books along with some tips that our breeder has passed along to us that were very helpful. However, the biggest help in our training efforts was the experience of actually doing it. Learning all you can is great but nothing can beat the first-hand experience. I write this article knowing that each dog is different so they will respond differently to training. The tips I will share worked for our Mini Goldendoodle and hopefully will be of help in training yours. Our Mini Goldendoodle was our first puppy. As a newly married couple who had no idea what we were doing, we had to learn as we went. This was our first test and there was no time to mess around. We were thrown right into the fire and had to learn quickly. We read books, watched training videos, and talked with other dog owners all in an effort to gain an edge in the process. We learned through trial and error. In the end, our dog became a well-trained and obedient family member. Perhaps it was our training or maybe it was her high intelligence and pleasing temperament. However, if we were to do it all over again, it would probably go a little smoother knowing what we know now. Dogs generally respond well to training when they are young puppies and the earlier you start, the better off you will be. I have put together some tips that I feel were crucial in training our puppy the way we did. If I could go back and give advice to us, these are some tips that I would share. We started with the basics such as potty training, leash training, walking without pulling, and just basic obedience. We also began early with the task of teaching her to do common tricks such as sit, shake hands, and give five. As with any puppy though, it can be challenging. They are like a toddler and are just experiencing the world for the first time. Positive reinforcement is needed to help them understand exactly what you want them to do. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded if you start as early as possible, taking it seriously and truly understanding that what you do in their earliest years will either harm or help your efforts in training your Doodle. Your dog will be able to read your emotions. They have a way of picking up on your frustration and will not respond well during these moments of frustration. If you are more patient in your approach, they will respond more positively and feel your calm, reassuring energy. It will help them to retain the teachings that you are trying to get through to them. A dog that experiences this may develop scars from such actions that they will carry with them the rest of their lives. It will take time for your puppy to respond to commands. A leash is a primary way you have to control your dog when on walks or out in public. You see this all the time when people are walking their dogs. The is especially true with a large breed but even a small dog like a Mini Goldendoodle can become challenging if not trained properly. This takes time and a lot of patience. Our Mini Doodle pulled like any other dog in the beginning but we often corrected her with commands and a slight tug here and there. Because we started young, she became good on a leash and has continued this trend for most of her life. The best way we found to leash train our Mini Goldendoodle was to take her on walks consistently. Rather than just letting her run free, our focus was on keeping her by our side at all times. We also practiced around the house and gave rewards with treats when she did what we wanted her to do. Our breeder suggested that we make use of a bell so that our dog would have an easy way of letting us know she needed to go outside and potty. We gave it a shot and it has been super convenient for our Doodle to let us know that she needs to go outside. You can read more here about our process of training our dog to ring a bell to go outside. Many people are amazed when she goes over to ring her bell to go outside. Rather than walking around crying, they can ring a bell and you can hear it all over your house. Any dog that I ever have in the future can expect to have bell training incorporated into their potty training. Eventually, they will catch on that every time they go outside, the bell needs to ring. It signals to them that what they have done is worthy of a reward so they are more likely to do that in the future. If you are going to train your dog like this, you will go through lots of treats throughout a training session. Using healthy, low-calorie treats for this is a must. Our favorite was baby carrots which we cut up into small pieces as we were training her to do different things. She loved the crunch and taste of them and now 14 years later, they are still among her favorite foods. We have used them as treats her entire life. You can also give them small fruits like blueberries , or small apple pieces. Just make sure not to give them anything that might harm them. Here is a good list of foods that should be avoided. If you just purchase boxes of treats and commence to giving these as training rewards, you might see them gain weight if you are not careful. If not now, at least later on in life since they are going to be conditioned to eat these types of processed treats. You can still include the commercially made treats but these healthy options will give you an additional way to reward them. We used our crate to train our dog and keep her in it when we were gone for small amounts of time. She would generally fall asleep in her crate and curl up with the pillows and toys that we had left for her. As a puppy, she found comfort and shelter in her crate. She often ran to it with her treat and ate it there so that no one would bother her. I worked from home and would often keep her in a crate in my office as I worked. Never use a crate as a place for punishment. Doing this will make a crate a negative place. Learn more about crate suggestions for a Mini Goldendoodle. If you have an area that is not carpeted, a gate can be a great way to make sure they stay in an uncarpeted area which makes it much easier to clean up if they have an accident. It also allows you to get them on a routine without them messing up throughout your house on carpets and rugs. Just a simple gate that opens and holds itself together pushing against the wall on each side is what we used. The following gate is similar to ours and is very cost-effective. Get up at the same time each morning, go to bed at the same time at night, take them out to potty at the same times each day, and take them to the same locations when they potty. All of these routines combined will help to build the connections in their brain needed to become a well-trained dog. This had multiple purposes. To keep her from tracking dirt into the house. Condition her to allow us to touch and mess with her paws. Doing this has helped with being able to clip her toenails, trim her paw hair, and inspect for other issues regularly. We also did the same with her teeth. We often looked inside her mouth and messed around with her teeth to get her used to it. I started brushing her teeth when she was young and this has all helped to maintain her teeth over the years. We have no issues opening up her mouth and inspecting areas, and cleaning areas that need to be cleaned. I brush her teeth regularly and starting young was a key to making it possible. However, it would have probably been better to opt for this type of training from a professional. We are self-learners so we chose to learn on our own. If you have a location in your area that offers basic obedience school, which can often be done with a group of people and their dogs , then sign up for it. There will be a fee to pay but it will give you a good start and a foundation to grow from. Not only is it good for the dog but it will also help you to be the human and leader that your dog is looking for. It will give you the tools you need to become a great parent to your Mini Goldendoodle. You can usually find classes like this at your local pet store or from a professional dog trainer in your area. It will definitely give you a leg-up with being able to communicate with your dog. You need to be intentional about the process and make sure everything you do around them is thought out and you are at least aware of how it might affect them in the future. If you have a Mini Goldendoodle that you are training, you are in for a fun ride and will hopefully end up with a best friend that is well-trained and a complete joy to be around just like mine is. Dan Collins Not only am I a dog or pet lover, but an animal lover. My Goldendoodle has opened my eyes to how special animals can be and I am proud to be her dad. I write about Doodles and share my knowledge and experience of owning a mini Goldendoodle for 16 years. Recent Content. There might be days or even weeks when it seems to regress, but as long as you stay calm and stick to the training schedule and daily routine, your doodle puppy will thrive. Remember, the younger your pup is, the shorter its attention span and the less it understands. A lot of the earliest work involves planting seeds for the future and maintaining that consistent routine. Many goldendoodles respond best to one or more of the following methods: Positive Reinforcement Your number one tool as a puppy parent is positive reinforcement. Scolding and punishment will make it fear you, which might garner very short-term results but will ultimately lead to long-term problems like destructive behavior, biting and excessive barking. Use a mixture of praise and toys as your primary rewards, with food used as big rewards and treats very occasionally. Clicker Training Many puppies respond best to clicker training, and many professionals use it. It combines positive reinforcement with a handheld clicker that you press whenever you reward your pet for following a command or behaving well. Very quickly, it starts associating the click with a reward, until the clicker itself becomes the reward and a treat is no longer required. Animals are territorial by nature, and giving your pup a little island of its own in your home is a great way to prevent unwanted behaviors. Remember, the crate is not a punishment. However, like every breed, they have their character quirks. Below is a list of the main issues doodle owners encounter and how to approach them. Jumping All dogs have the potential to get excited and jump up on people when they meet or greet them, but this can be scary for strangers and children. Teach your doodle puppy that it only gets a reward if it sits when greeted and this behavior will eventually become second nature. Stealing Food Every dog loves to eat. A clicker can be particularly good for this behavior. Mouthing and Biting Biting is natural for dogs, and they might use it as a way to get your attention in addition to it being a sign of aggression. Check out our training program to find out more. The Labradoodle is a gorgeous cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, and the Goldendoodle is an adorable mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Characteristics and traits can vary significantly because these pups are a hybrid breed, but they are usually incredibly people-focused, laid back, and playful, making Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training an enjoyable moment. Doodles make awesome pets, especially if their owners fully comprehend the importance of training from a young age. The type of adult dog breed you end up with depends a little bit on their personality and a lot on how you take care of them. Before you begin Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training, it helps to decide exactly what kind of dog you want to have. Do Plenty of Research It is vital that you have an understanding of canine learning theory because dogs learn very differently from people. A puppy does whatever it can to get what it desires the most at that moment. There are plenty of online resources that can teach you about methods to get the best out of your training. It may be helpful to consult a puppy training professional or spend some time at doggy school to get a headstart and pick up tips from experts. Your pup is a blank slate — with your guidance, they can develop the traits and learn the behaviors that you value the most. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle puppies are curious and they love exploring their new home as they make it their own. Getting it right during the early stages sets a precedent for the rest of their life. Spending as much time as you can with them helps build the foundation for a happy, confident and well-behaved dog. Form a Bond and Gain Trust With Your Doodle Before you do anything, you will need to develop a strong bond with your new pal to make sure they trust you. Try to keep your own energy as calm as possible — they bounce off you. While it may be tempting to get excited by their cuteness and mirror their enthusiasm, this makes it more difficult for them to listen to you and regulate their own behavior. Teach your furry friend what to expect from the moment they get into the home to stop them from getting confused. Use Positive Reinforcement Intimidation or fear tactics are never the best way to build a loving and secure bond between you and your fur baby. To make the most of this method, reward your pooch for good behavior and ignore bad behavior. Treats, verbal praise, and clicker training reward them for a job well done. This also helps them to make positive associations with you and training time. Everyone has their own list of priorities and yours will depend on factors such as whether you have children or other pets. Potty training is a straightforward, formulaic process that your new puppy will adapt to. A consistent routine is the key to getting them toilet trained as efficiently and effectively as possible. Let them outside at the same time each day, and take them to the same spot. In the early days, it may be difficult for them to make it all the way through the night, so try to make provisions for this stage. Select a word for them to associate with potty training and repeat it over and over whenever you take them to the toilet. Every time they do their business outside, give them lots of cuddles and praise, treat them and play one of their favorite games. There will be setbacks — getting it right takes time! If they mess in the wrong place, take them outside to their toileting spot and give them the chance to relieve themselves. We cannot emphasize the importance of praising them when they get it right enough! Crate Training Not everyone opts to crate train their puppy, but it can be useful for the earliest stages of Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training. The crate gives them a safe place they can call their own. Be sure to make the time they spend in the crate a positive experience, and never leave them in there for more hours than their age in months plus one hour. For example, a three-month-old puppy can be kept in their crate for no more than four hours. Socialization Dogs are social animals, and Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, in particular, are happiest when they spend time pleasing people and playing. However, building confidence takes effort and guidance from their pet parent. If you want to ensure they grow up to have a balanced personality, you need to expose them to plenty of dogs, people and different situations. Take them out and about as much as possible to help them become accustomed to a range of noises, sights and sounds. Bring them to a local dog park to get them used to spending time around other dogs. Manners Your adorable little pup has the potential to develop a host of bad habits, but these behaviors can be nipped in the bud. Temperament and Dealing with Small Children There are several steps to take while getting your canine cutie used to being a member of a family with children. Both pup and child will need to have clear boundaries mapped out for them so they can build mutual trust and be kind to each other. Let the child practice with a toy before they pick up or cuddle the pup. Ensure the child sits down when they play with the dog; this helps to prevent the pup from getting overexcited. Teach the child to do small tasks to help care for the dog, such as filling the bowl or helping with grooming. Knowing what to expect according to the time of day helps them to settle and feel reassured. Always wake them up at the same time, feed and walk them around the same time and do training exercises at a set time. Patience Is Everything! The best piece of advice for Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training is to have patience. Spend lots of time bonding and playing with your pooch so you can make training something fun that you both enjoy. If there is a behavior your puppy exhibits that you may think is cute while your puppy is small, you need to think ahead and determine if this behavior will be acceptable from an adult dog. Consistency is the most important tool for training a puppy in their first year and beyond. Each family member needs to use the same techniques and commands so as not to confuse your puppy. It is important to remember that a puppy associates a reward or a disciplinary action with its behavior in the past 3 seconds. Waiting longer than 3 seconds to reward or discipline is very confusing to a puppy. You cannot stop this behavior, but you can certainly direct your puppy to chew upon acceptable items until this phase passes at about a year of age. The only way puppies know how to play is the typical wrestling, biting, chasing, tackling, pulling, and nipping they do with littermates. In the absence of littermates, you and your family suddenly become the littermates. Repeat this same disciplinary action a total of three times in a row. Every now and then, a particularly feisty puppy will become more excited by this disciplinary action and need a more distinct disciplinary measure. This next action needs to be initiated quickly. This will be uncomfortable for your puppy. When behavior meets with uncomfortable consequences, the behavior will stop. With all this being said, the absolute best remedy is for you to arrange daily play dates with other puppies or young dogs. The bottom line is that your puppy needs to have active playtime each day. Jumping — Your puppy will jump on you to get your attention. This may seem innocent while your puppy is small, but Grandma may not appreciate being knocked over by the full grown untrained dog. Make sure you do not reward the puppy for the act of getting down as this will enforce the behavior of jumping up only to be told to get down for a reward. This is not a sign of aggression unless you allow this to go undisciplined over time. You need to actively discourage any and all growling directed at you. If your puppy growls at you when you get close to the food bowl, immediately remove the food bowl and feed the puppy out of your hand. Do not stop brushing until the puppy accepts this without growling. Each puppy needs to learn its place in the pecking order of a family. Obviously, they need to be the lowest on the totem pole. If allowed to be boss, growling is a normal thing for a puppy to exhibit when showing its dominance. Each family member must establish they are boss. This includes young children who are timid or fearful of the puppy. Remember that any behavior you allow as a puppy is then extremely difficult to curb later in life. If you do not wish to have your adult dog on the furniture, do not sit on the sofa holding your puppy. If you do not want your grown dog to grab your pant leg, etc. Leash Training — Training your Goldendoodle puppy to walk on a leash without pulling will take some time. Be patient and read our complete guide to leash training here. Buying a Trained Puppy — You can opt to have your puppy purchased at Fox Creek Farm trained by a professional trainer. Buying a trained puppy can save you a lot of time and benefit the entire family. Please visit our board and train services page for more information. Pet Insurance — We always recommend that any dog owner have a good quality pet insurance. Choosing the best pet insurance will take you a bit of time to learn about the coverages and fees associate with the brand and your particular dog. Spend some time with our blog articles on pet insurance linked above to determine what is right for you and your furry friend. In fact, good dog training schools will conduct interviews before starting obedience training to develop a training plan with the pet owner. Dog Obedience Training Method: Clicker Training When it comes to obedience training, clicker training is a very popular dog training technique among certified dog trainers. Clicker training for dogs involves the use of a hand-held device that creates a clicking sound. Over time, the dog begins to associate the clicking sound with the reward. Once the dog is reliable in his obedience skills, the food rewards are given only occasionally, but the clicking continues on a consistent basis, serving as an indicator of praise for the dog. If you need a clicker, you can find them at a pet store or on Amazon. Goldendoodle training is similar to training most puppies since they are a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle, which means that rewarding with treats usually works well. Many dogs have a very high food drive. Food rewards can work well for a dog obedience training reward in these dogs. A food reward can consist of a traditional dog treat or other less traditional pet treat foods like baby carrots, pieces of cheese, cold cuts, hot dog bits, or other high-value foods. The food also serves as an effective, high-value reward for the dog. Obedience Training Methods for Dogs: Toy Rewards Dogs who have a high prey drive — like sighthounds such as the greyhound breed, will often place a higher value on toy rewards like a ball. Or use my affiliate link to find this dog toy that we have it has 11, 5-star reviews on Amazon! Toy rewards are good for the dog that would be apt to pick the toy when presented with an option between a treat and a toy. Certified dog trainers who are working with clients who undergo frequent dog training courses, such as a police dog or a cadaver dog, will typically opt to use toy and play rewards since toys can be used for specialized dog training. In essence, the working dog learns to detect drugs by seeking his toy during retrieval exercises. Obedience Training Using Praise as a Reward This approach is good when training a very people-oriented dog and in tune with his humans. When we want to reward good dog behavior, especially when house training, we use praise with food rewards. Often, praise is used in conjunction with toy rewards, clicker training, or food rewards. Occasionally, a dog trainer may use praise and attention alone to teach certain obedience training commands.