5 month old german shepherd puppies

All of our puppies are loved and treated like family members! All puppies are AKC registered and sold with limited or full registration. Deposits are required to hold a puppy and the balance is due at pickup. All puppies will be utd on shots and dewormings before leaving our home at 8 weeks of age minimum. All of our puppies are socialized to other dogs, people, and horses. We do have a love for the "off standard" colors, but we do not breed just for color. All of our Shepherds are OFA tested for their hips and elbows as well as have genetic testing done before they are bred. We have been breeding German Shepherds for over 7 years. German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and require a fair amount of exercise each day. All of our boxer puppies will have their tails docked and dew claws removed before leaving. We have been breeding Boxers for over 5 years. If you are looking for a big dog with a goofy but loving personality this is most definitely your breed! Boxers love to play, but also enjoy their relaxing time on the couch. Be prepared for some energy! They are such a fun breed and we have always had at least one! Recently we have decided to add them to our program on a smaller scale. All of our Shih Tzus are Embark tested for genetic diseases before breeding! If you are looking for a fun loving lap dog, this is definitely your breed! They do require more grooming maintenance so be prepared for that. Your dog should have a healthy weight. Extra weight or being overweight is bad for dogs because this places additional pressure on its spine. Obesity can also lead to some medical conditions that can be fatal for your dog. One of the most common causes of obesity is giving your dog treats. Therefore, you should never give your dog food treats when training your dog. The following dog food brands are perfect for German Shepherd Boxer mix breeds 1. Blue Buffalo There are reasons why more pet owners trust Blue Buffalo. It is made from whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal to keep your dog satiated and to help sustain its energy all day long. Blue Buffalo helps maintain regular digestion. It is available for large breed dogs and small breed dogs. Halo also has low-carb options with ingredients like salmon, turkey, and flaxseeds. Iams Iams is a well-known dog food with a fantastic nutrient profile. The ingredients are naturally made from real meat and whole grains. This brand will help your dog maintain its ideal weight and energy levels. Never give your German Shepherd Boxer the following food. Keep in mind that not all human food is safe. Some dogs may also have allergies so be careful in giving your pet just any kind of food. Salty foods and junk food Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Chocolate, coffee, or tea Apart from the unconditional love that your pooch gets from you, you should know how important their nutrition is for their happy life. Your hairy friend is a descendant of two gorgeous parents, who can sometimes differ a lot from one another. This means that your pooch can develop a propensity for various food types and you can experiment with best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food , too. If you want to see your puppy strong, happy, and healthy, consider some of the best puppy food brands , while senior dog owners have the best senior dry dog food on their menu. Just make sure to consult with your vet first! You need to spend enough time daily to exercise and play with your dog; otherwise, it can become bored and develop destructive behavior. A tired dog is a good dog, so they say, and the only way to tire this dog is to give it a good run and to play active games. Activities, like running, jogging, swimming, Frisbee and fetch, are perfect for this breed. Playing with your dog is not just a way to exercise your dog but will also help you develop a strong bond with your pet. As much as possible play with your dog daily. Invest in durable toys for your dog. And most of all, this dental chew toy will make his breath smell better and protect his teeth. Baily is soft and cuddly and is also washable. The Chuckit! These are easy to clean too if only you can take this toy away from your dog! Training this mixed breed is easy, but you need to do it right. Here are a few tricks that you can use to train your dog. Offer Positive ReinforcementAvoid food treats. Provide positive reinforcement to support proper behavior. The moment it arrives home, teach it simple house rules. Show your dog where this will sleep and where it will find its food and water bowl. Be patient, and your puppy will surely understand where everything is at. One way is to use the clicker method. The clicker is a small device that gives an audible click, something that your dog will love to hear. The point of the clicker is to give a click if your dog follows your command. You can use the clicker for any trick. Just click the clicker after your dog follows your command and then click this again when you want your pet to repeat the behavior. Clickers are available in most pet stores. Avoid Confusing Your Dog Dogs can be easily distracted. Just a loud noise or strangers can distract them from learning new tricks. So at an early age, train your pup in a quiet environment with no distractions. Avoid confusing your dog at this stage so he can learn tricks fast. Start training your dog indoors and gradually introduce him to the outdoors. You will know that he is ready for outdoor training once he is less distracted to noise and other pets and people. A Boxer German Shepherd dog can be trained to become service dogs and guard dogs. You can ask a professional to train your dog so he can learn obedience training, protection training, attack training and so on. One, this dog will love to be with their masters and will do everything they can to please them. Next, this dog will defend his territory and will guard his family with his life. This dog will also be patient with other dogs and other pets at home. The Boxer German Shepherd should be allowed to socialize with other dogs and people as early as possible. If this is not done, the dog can develop anti-social behaviors and may become aggressive with people or other dogs. Your German Shepherd Boxer pup will grow up to be a well-behaved, loving, happy and healthy dog when you train it early and expose it to people and other animals in your home or community. Should a Boxer Mix take after their Boxer parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and friendly dog that loves their family and loves being active with them. Boxers are known for their energetic and exuberant personalities. They bond closely with their families, tend to have a cheerful disposition, and also tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are friendly dogs, they do have the instinct to protect their families. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar temperament in a Boxer Mix. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix is a good start. You can also meet the mother dog to get a feel for her temperament and to see what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should be socializing puppies while they have them, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Boxers are moderately adaptable dogs. Because of their energy, they tend to do better in homes with yards where they can run. But, they can adapt to apartments as long as they get exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Although all dogs are sensitive to heat, the Boxer is even more so because of their short snout. And, because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce some traits that could affect the adaptability of a Boxer Mix, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Knowing more about the other parent breed will help you get a better idea of what range of potential characteristics to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? A Boxer Mix can inherit any combination of the potential health issues common to one or both of their parent breeds. Or, they could inherit none of them. From the Boxer side, potential health conditions include degenerative myelopathy, thyroid deficiency, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions. Boxers also tend to have sensitive digestive systems, which often makes them gassy. As a brachycephalic dog, they will also snort and snore. Because they are a barrel-chested breed, they are also at a higher risk for bloat in dogs. This can become dangerous, especially if the stomach flips, so you want to make sure you reduce the risk when you can and know the symptoms so you can get help as soon as possible. Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, they should be able to answer your questions. Despite their high energy, Boxers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Because they are intelligent, they pick up on things quickly and can get bored easily. But, they are eager to please their owners and tend to respond well to training. The other parent breed could make a Boxer Mix even easier to train or more difficult to train. You want to make sure you ask the breeder about the other parent breed so you know what range of trainability to expect. A Boxer Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a combination of both of them. Monthly nail trims are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris or pests. Unfortunately, many dog owners overlook dental care, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus playtime and other activities should be enough for this dog. However, they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you can expect a Boxer Mix to also be a high-energy dog. However, this is a potential range, so you will still need to be prepared to deal with a Boxer Mix that is high-energy. A Boxer usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can affect this, especially if they are the mother, so you do want to ask about them. A Boxer generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect a similar life span in a Boxer Mix. 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Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. There are so many things someone is looking for in a canine companion. The 7 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Mississippi 1. The dogs come with a month hip guarantee, a month eye guarantee, and of course, a general health guarantee! But while they specialize in breeding gorgeous pups, what really sets them apart is their health guarantees. The dogs come with month hip, elbow, and eye guarantees and lifetime genetic health guarantees! If you want a hunting dog, shopping at Choice Chocolate Labs is an outstanding choice. They breed high-quality British Labrador Retrievers that excel as hunting dogs. Expect to go on a waitlist and to complete a rigorous application process. Sporting Life Kennels wants to ensure that each of their pups goes to the best possible home. They also offer top-notch training courses for your Labrador Retriever, which can make everything easier for you. Each dog comes with a full AKC registration and a month health guarantee, which is among the best in the industry. All their pups come with an AKC partial registration, and you have the option to purchase a full registration. Moreover, they have a month hip guarantee, and they can deliver your puppy to you or you can pick them up in person. Related Read: English vs. Choosing a dog can be hard, but when you think about all the joy a dog will bring to your life, all the thinking and planning is worth it! Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. We would love to invite you to compare our testimonials with other Labrador Retriever breeders in Southern CA. We invite you to view pictures and read some of the touching letters we received from Read Testimonials Read More About Us We are a large family that loves Labs! We began breeding Labradors simply for the love of the breed. My wonderful kids are involved with the care of our pets and the socialization of the puppies. Some of our Labs have been trained to surf! They even drive from Arizona and Las Vegas Nevada! Acts Help Heal and Protect your Pet for life! Learn more click here! A lifetime of Nu Vet is cheaper than one major vet visit. Puppies and dogs that are on Nu Vet have beautiful coat and skin and are far less likely to ever suffer from allergies. Nu Vet Plus is an immune system builder that will help strengthen your pets immune system as well as the cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. It will help protect pets from the side effects of vaccinations and the stress of new and different environments. Your righteousness is like the mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike O Lord. Psalm

Country Life June 21, This picture could only be improved if the puppies were using their paws to cover ears, eyes and mouth respectively.But, well, you can't have everything. Credit: Alamy If you're after a labrador — aka 'the world's favourite dog' — you'll need to take some expert advice. It is one of the most versatile breeds, capable of working in search and rescue, as a guide dog, in medical detection, as a sniffer or assistance dog and in the theatre of war. Labrador tips from the experts Go to a specialist breeder, so that you can see the different generations of a breeding line. Make temperament, not sex, your overriding factor when choosing. As soon as your puppy wakes up, take it outside. When introducing the labrador to a lead, walk it with an older dog. A yellow Labrador puppy. Possible labrador problems to look out for Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic disease, causing the abnormal development of the hip socket, resulting in pain and lameness. Listen for a popping sound when the dog walks, and look for reluctance to use stairs, as well as sensitivity when you touch the hindquarters. Labradors can also be prone to retinal dysplasia, an inherited condition that affects labradors used for field work, and results in their developing blind spots. Generally, the dog can work around this by changing head position. Reputable breeders will be able to show certification that the dog has no eye conditions, which you should ask to see when buying a dog. Head and skull: Skull broad with defined stop; clean-cut without fleshy cheeks. Jaws of medium length, powerful not snippy. Nose wide, nostrils well developed. Eyes: Medium size, expressing intelligence; brown or hazel. Ears: Not large or heavy, hanging close to head and set rather far back. Mouth: Jaws and teeth strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite. Coat: Distinctive feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; weather-resistant undercoat. No need to scroll down: we can confirm that the Golden Retriever is indeed on the list below. Credit: Alamy Which is the more popular spaniel, the springer or the cocker? Shooting Times's David Tomlinson weighs up the pros and Close up of dog. Credit: Getty Images With a silken coat, affectionate nature and boundless enthusiasm for life, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel lives up to its Credit: Getty As the dog world prepares for Crufts , we take a look at the breed of dog which has been A sprocker spaniel Picture: Alamy Whether you own labradors, springers, cockers or a mix of all three, debate over which gundog is best has raged Related. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase from the merchant we will earn a small commission. That commission is paid by the merchant and not the customer. This does not affect the price of the products you buy. You can read our full affiliate disclosure by clicking here. Want to know how to buy a labrador puppy? We have a deep dive for you today with all the details you need to know before you move ahead. Labs are typically very friendly, loyal, and trainable. Labs have been a popular choice for years among families with kids and singles alike. Although just about any Lab will be a fantastic go-with companion, selecting a puppy is always a tough thing to do…they are all so cute and they all want a loving, forever home. You have some options. There are options and you should check them all out: Reputable dog breeders Local rescues These three are usually good Lab purchase and adoption sources. Also, classified newspaper or magazine ads and local organizations sometimes prove to be good sources. But, be careful! Not all pet ads are placed by honest or knowledgeable sellers. How To Buy a Labrador Puppy Buying from Breeders Buying from a reputable breeder is very important—there are some bad apples out there so get references and do a background check. The breeder should only sell dogs he knows to have clean pedigrees and zero health issues. Finding a Reputable Breeder Do your research. Check with local dog breed clubs or breed organizations. These organizations may offer a breeder referral service that can give you good breeder leads in your area. Also, ask for good breeder recommendations from other Labrador owners or local veterinarians. Discount those with any obvious red flags like negative reviews or no clear explanation about their services. Ask the Breeder After refining your list of potential breeders then ask the following friendly questions: Can I visit your facility and see the puppies and their parents? Do you have health and pedigree papers? What are your dog breeding business core policies? What kind of socialization and training do you give the puppies? What are your health guarantees, if any? What is your refund policy? An honest breeder will answer these questions. And, they will give you all the documents, including health certificates, at or before the time of sale. Walk away if the breeder has no papers or makes excuses for not having them. Buying any puppy is a big deal—only buy a healthy and well-adjusted puppy from a reputable breeder. Preparing for Your Puppy Preparing for a new Labrador puppy is an exciting time—it can also be overwhelming. Following are some things to prepare for your new Lab pup. Puppy-Proofing Your Home Before you bring the Lab puppy home, first make sure your home is puppy-safe. Think about it carefully—puppy-proof your home like you would for any baby. Excited puppies will pee so protect your valuables and be ready to clean up accidents. Puppies, like little kids, are curious and excited when they come to a new home. For a handy guide on pet-proofing your home. Do not buy a retractable leash, they are dangerous. Food and water bowls Choose non-tip pet bowls that are the appropriate size for your puppy. As the puppy grows get bigger bowls. Never give your puppy table scraps, left-overs, alcoholic drinks, sugar, salt, spices, or chocolate. Crate or carrier Buy a pet crate or carrier that is the appropriate size for your puppy. Use it for training, traveling, and napping only. It is not a dog house! Avoid cheap, foreign made pet toys. Do not buy artificially flavored or salty treats. Here are some important things to keep in mind: Puppy Temperament The temperament or disposition of your newly acquired Labrador puppy needs to be watched closely for any unwanted behavior. Things like nervous barking, growling, biting, or fidgeting are indicators that something bothers or frightens the puppy. In fact, before you even bring the puppy home, first observe his or her demeanor around littermates and when being handled by people. Then, think about the temperament you really want in a dog. Some Lab puppies are more forceful, playful, and energetic, while others are quieter, laid back and less active. Look for a puppy with clear eyes and a shiny coat. These are obvious signs that the pup is well-fed and not sick. Then, check for any outward signs of injury, infection or parasites. Check the other littermates to be sure the whole litter looks healthy and well-fed. You should notice things like normal size, eyes and nose, body temp, coat type, and coat color. If there are one or more fur white spots, then the pup is not a purebred. Be mindful that some coat colors may be temporary due to diet factors, skin allergies, or other temporary health issues. But, ask questions and do your research before buying. Buying the right Labrador puppy for you takes your careful consideration of several factors. Take your time and do your research to ensure you find the perfect furry companion for you and your family. Bringing Your Puppy Home After picking out your beautiful Labrador puppy—the time has come to introduce the excited pup to its new home. Here are some tips to help make this as smooth as possible. No by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The First Few Days Your new puppy may feel tense or even pensive about their new surroundings. After all, it is a big change from what the puppy knows. Expect the pup to mess on the floor once or more—oops accidents will happen, so be prepared for this—lots of towels, no anger. You have to give your Lab pup time to adjust and feel right in his or her new digs. Here are some things you can do: Make a quiet space for your puppy to rest and sleep. A crate is perfect for this. Have lots of toys and teething chews to keep your pup busy. Establish a routine for feeding, potty breaks, and playtime. Introduce your puppy to family members and other pets slowly and carefully. Be patient and understanding as your puppy gets used to their new home. Training Your Puppy Training your puppy is key to being a responsible pet owner. Here are some tips to help you train your pup: Start with basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement like treats and praise, never use punishment. Always be consistent with your commands, praise, and discipline. Establish a potty training routine for you and the pup—stick to it. Socialize your puppy in a puppy training class and a safe dog park. Bringing your new Labrador puppy home is a very exciting time. But, you need to be prepared and patient. Good preparation and training will help your puppy quickly become used to his or her new home. As the founder of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, he has transformed the lives of over , dogs and their families. Final Thoughts So today we have walked through the answer to the question, how to buy a labrador puppy? Always check out prospective sellers or breeders carefully. Make sure your puppy is from a reputable source, not a puppy farm. Be prepared for the time, effort, and expense that comes with raising a puppy. Lab puppies are a pure joy, but they need a lot of attention and care. You need to think about your lifestyle and living situation to be sure that you are a good fit for a Lab. Puppies grow into adult dogs—be prepared for that. The shelters are full of Labs that were abandoned because of owner ignorance. However, If you really want a great dog and raise your pup right he or she will mature into a happy, healthy, and well-behaved companion for many years to come. Instant Download Add your name and email below and the planner will be sent direct to your inbox. Send me the Planner! Selecting Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Selecting your puppy Try to restrain your emotions when you are selecting our pup. Remember that the breeder has been with the pup from day 1 to selection day at 5 weeks. At Pawlinglabs, we will ask you to forward a list of the characteristics that your are hoping for, prior to selection. When you come to select, we will ask you to observe the litter before entering and handling the pups. Labrador pups are very cute and cuddly, but when it comes time to select the right one for you there is plenty to consider. Carefully observe Labrador Retriever puppies before buying them, ensuring that the pup you select looks healthy and is to breed standard. There are some basic points to note about Labrador Retriever standards. The coat of a Labrador is their most distinctive feature. Labs have two coats, the water resistant undercoat which is unseen, and the top coat which is dense, straight and short. There is might be a slight wave in their coat, however the coat should feel rough to the touch. Labrador puppies come in three different coat colors: yellow light cream to red fox , chocolate liver and black. There must not be any other colours in the coat. Labs have a broad skull and a well defined stop. Their head is quite large but the features on the head, such as the ears, look proportioned. The ears of a Labrador should be set far back from the face. The inside skin of the ears should be a pale pink and soft without any scabs or discoloration. There shouldn't be any odour coming from them. The eyes of a Lab pup are round, either deep brown or hazel with black rims. The eyes should be friendly and express intelligence. The Labrador Retriever has a wide black and well developed nose with distinguished nostrils. The nose should be clean and without discharge. Be aware that a wet nose is not an indication that the Lab is healthy, nor does a dry nose indicate he is unwell. The teeth should be set square to the jaws with the top teeth slightly overlapping the bottom. Labrador puppies have fewer teeth than adults and they will lose their baby teeth as their adult teeth grow in. Labs have a well developed and strong chest. It has good depth and width. Their barreled ribs are well sprung and their back is level. Their loins are wide and strong. The skin of a Lab should be without scabs or bumps. It is normal for Labrador puppies to have extra skin at the back of their neck; this is how their mother picks them up. The skin color of a lab is usually pale pink but it can also be brown or even spotted. The tail of a Labrador is thick at the base and tapers towards the tip. The tail is a moderate length and has no feathering. It is as smooth like the rest of the coat with a rounded appearance. The tails is even with the back or slightly upwards. It should never be carried over the back or hang down. Labrador have long and sloping shoulders that connect to the strong front legs. The hind legs are developed well and have a turned stifle. Both the front and hind legs should be straight. The feet of Labrador pups are compact and perfectly round. Their toes are arched and pads well developed. Feet should be straight, not turned inwards or outwards. The gait of a Labrador should be carefree. Labs take long strides and walk straight. Observe your puppies as he walk. Make sure it is not favoring any leg or paw. This can be a sign of a current or future health issue. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? Vet bedding fleece on a roll is ideal puppy bedding. You can line both his bed and his car crate with this. Buy several pieces so that you can pop one in the washing machine when it gets dirty or if he has an accident. There are lots of lovely beds you can get to go around the house, but in those first days veterinary bedding is an essential alternative to keep his crate cosy and clean. Puppy Toys For Labradors Puppy toys need to be sturdy. Many puppies destroy soft toys quite quickly though they are so adorable, you may not be able to resist buying one or two. Kongs and rope toys are very tough and seem to survive the onslaught of puppy teeth. A Radio If you intend your puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen from the first night, you may find it helpful to leave a radio next to his crate. Just a simple, cheap Portable Radio with the volume turned down low can serve the same role as some human company. It just helps him feel less along during those first few nights when he may be feeling very homesick. Puppy Harness There is no rush for this, but once your puppy is too heavy to carry, and going out and about on the ground, he needs some kind of safety restraint. These days I usually recommend a harness as they avoid pulling on the puppies neck. The kind where the lead attaches at the front and on the back are ideal. You can find an expert review of the big brands of harnesses, from a professional trainer here. When he is older and has learned to walk next to you, you can buy him a collar. To let your puppy know when he has done something you like. It is a really useful tool to help you teach your puppy to be quiet, and to learn simple skills. It will make training your puppy much quicker, easier and a lot more fun. Getting a recall to whistle established at an early age gets your puppy training off to a great start. I recommend the Acme Dog Whistle. There is plenty of information on the use and choice of dog whistles in this article: Should you buy a dog whistle .It will help to get you off to a great start with your new puppy. Are they good family dogs? Labrador Dog Price — The Costs Involved Buying a Labrador is not just a question of the purchase price of a Lab puppy, though of course that is important. There are other costs involved, both financial, emotional and in terms of time and effort. So we need to look at those too. You may be wondering whether you will have the time for a dog, and if you have the space and energy for a large and lively breed? But this page will take you back to the fundamental considerations, to help you to make the right choice for you and your family. Do you have time for a dog? Can you afford a dog? What about your lifestyle? Will a dog fit in with your family? Is a Labrador the right dog for you? These questions all apply regardless of the type of Labrador you are looking for. The needs of a black Lab, yellow Lab or chocolate Lab are all the same in these respects. The same goes for an English or American Labrador too. Dogs need space, both indoors and outside. Even small breeds need room to stretch their legs and run about. And Labradors as fairly large and lively dogs need quite a lot of space. This means you need a decent sized backyard if you plan on buying a Labrador puppy. Somewhere that your Lab dog can run around, play and enjoy training sessions with you. Labradors can be quite silly during adolescence, bouncing and cavorting in the home. Their tails are long and thick, easily knocking any fragile decorations you might have from shelves. If you have lots of ornaments then you will need to move them to higher shelves to avoid them getting damaged. You will also need to move anything that could be easily damaged by chewing. With small puppies this will be very often indeed. Perhaps every 15 to 20 minutes during their first few days with you. If you live in a flat, or do not have a garden, this will be difficult for you. These are helpful but do take up a lot of space. Although this will take up a lot of space indoors, it can work very well for larger apartments with no easy outside access. Ideally however you do need to have a garden, and a part of the garden which your dog can use as a bathroom, along with a good system for clearing up after him hygienically. Space is key for a Lab dog! The right space for a Labrador includes large clear rooms in the house, with no breakable or fragile objects within his grasp. And ideally access to a garden where they can easily be let out to the bathroom and have room to play. Keeping a single Labrador permanently outside however is not usually a good idea, even with adequate shelter and security. Labs are very sociable dogs and prone to separation anxiety if they lack company. This means your dog may be both sad and noisy. It is always sad to hear from new puppy owners that are struggling to juggle the needs of a puppy with their need to work. These articles will help you to deal with this common issue. Even with a visit at lunch time. An older dog may cope with being left for up to four hours in row on a regular basis, but puppies need more attention than this. Contented Labradors are fairly quiet dogs and unlikely to disturb your neighbors. Nor are they very good guard dogs. However, lonely dogs bark and wreck things. If you work all day, can you afford to pay someone to come in and let him out to stretch his legs and empty himself? Or do you have a relative or friend that would be prepared to do this on a regular basis. Bear in mind that this is quite a lot to ask of anyone in the long term. The biggest long term time commitment in owning a dog is in the form of training and exercise. Training Takes Time All dogs need training in order that they can rub along in human society without being a complete nuisance. This means a regular daily commitment of ten to twenty minutes from you, in addition to your regular interaction with the dog. Training cannot be saved up for the weekend, your dog will have forgotten most of what he learnt the weekend before, and he does not have the attention span to concentrate on you for an hour and a half. You can find out more about training your Labrador puppy here. Staying Fit Exercise is required on a regular basis, for some breeds of dog this means at least an hour a day of walking or jogging to keep your dog fit and healthy. You can find out more about the exercise requirements of a Labrador puppy here. Whilst your dog will not come to any harm if you miss a day occasionally, a daily routine is often the best way to ensure that you build this important habit. Can You Afford A Dog? Dogs can be quite expensive to run. You need to consider not only how much a Labrador will cost you to buy, but also how much it will cost you to keep. How much do Labradors cost from breeders? The price of a Labrador puppy will vary from breeder to breeder, and from place to place. Perhaps you know a friend that has a litter of puppies and they are going to let you have one for free. However, the purchase price of a dog is almost irrelevant. It is such a small part of the final cost. The cost of keeping a Labrador The reality is, you are also going to need to fork out a chunk of your wages each week on keeping your pooch happy and healthy. Obviously you will have taken the cost of a good brand of Labrador puppy food into consideration. It is a good idea to budget for veterinary insurance too. Not because it is unreasonably priced, but simply because it is now so advanced. You can fix a lot of problems these days. We can do open heart surgery, mend complex fractures, treat cancer with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Pretty much anything you can treat in a human, you can now treat in a dog. And the catch? It costs. The more comprehensive your insurance package the more it will cost. Watch out for very cheap deals, as they may not provide continuing cover for long term ailments. You will also need to vaccinate your dog against common canine illness , and this will probably need to be done each year too. Especially if you are wanting to occasionally leave them in boarding kennels when you go away, as they require up to date vaccination certificates. Labrador Puppy Costs There will be a few other one-off costs such as a puppy crate and puppy play pen for your home for when your dog is young, another for your car if you have one. Then there are bowls, bedding, collar, leash etc. But you may be able to borrow a crate or get one second hand. Here are some of the items you will need for your new Labrador puppy, and reviews on the best options for Labradors:.

Viewed times 1 We just got a 10 week old french bulldog puppy. At night when we go to bed we crate her so she can't get into any trouble while we're sleeping. Now I know puppies don't have fully developed bladders and bowels and may need to get up at least once in the night to go to the bathroom however our girl is going about every 2 hours all night long. She will whine once she's gone poop or pee to let us know that her crate is dirty, we have to get up, pick her up and take her to her puppy pad, usually clean feces off her, then go back and remove her bedding from the crate, wash it with soap and water, put new bedding back in it, then go get her and put her back. Of course she never goes on her pad because at that point she's already emptied herself. Some nights she only pees in her crate, some nights she only poops in her crate and some nights she poops and pee's in her crate. Typically we feed her around am, Noon, and we were feeding her at 7 pm but we moved her last feeding till earlier 5 pm in hopes it would give her more time to evacuate before going to bed. At this point we're going on day 7 with barely any sleep and a bit frazzled. I know some of this is to be expected but this seems a bit extreme. The other thing is that she's not going to the bathroom much in the day. We try to encourage her to go but she typically won't go more than a couple times during the day. I'd say she's peeing and pooping more and night than during the day. Her stool is a little loose - its not diarrhea but its not firm. We're feeding her the same food the breeder we bought her from was feeding her - which is Authority Puppy - Chicken and Rice Kibble. The other thing is that we suspect she may be eating her feces which we're trying to discourage. I don't know if we need to give her more time to get settled in and get used to her routine, if maybe we should remove her bedding from the crate, maybe we should switch her food to something else, try and exercise her more? Or maybe there's something medically wrong and we need to see the vet. Any advice would be much appreciated. Crates can also help you reduce puppy separation anxiety by giving your dog a comfortable, safe place to hang out when they want to get away from constant sound and movement around the house. However, you may not experience the full benefits of crate training if your puppy keeps peeing in their crate. That said, here are a few tips to stop your puppy from peeing in their crate. There are many conditions that can cause your puppy to urinate more frequently, including urinary tract infections. You may notice your dog pees in their crate more when suffering from separation anxiety or when you have loud guests over. A vet may recommend anxiety dog training with a trainer to help your puppy with their behavioral issues. Some dogs are also more prone to peeing in their crates. For example, intact males like to mark their belongings. Properly crate train your puppy Crate training your dog is the best way to potty train them and prevent accidents. Keep in mind that puppies should not be left in their crate for extended periods of time. Remember, a crate should be a happy place for your pup, not a scary one. Create a potty schedule Dogs are creatures of habit, and they thrive on schedules, just like humans. Your pup can typically hold their urine for a few hours, about the number of months in age plus one. Unfortunately, most people are gone for more than five hours a day at work, so you can expect some accidents when trying to potty train your puppy. A lot of accidents in crates happen overnight. If this is the case, you should take your puppy outside right before bed and as soon as possible in the morning. Choosing the right size is necessary for proper house and crate training. Your dog should also easily be able to turn around in it. Clean accidents thoroughly Have you ever noticed that your dog likes to go potty in certain places? Dogs like to urinate and defecate in the same spots, even indoors. Cleaning accidents thoroughly can prevent them from urinating in the same spot to re-mark. Unfortunately, pet urine is hard to clean, especially on carpet. If your puppy has an accident, grab your enzymatic cleaner, a rag, and a paper towel. Then, soak up the urine with a paper towel. Reinforce good behavior You should never yell at your puppy for having an accident, as this can lead to behavioral issues and anxiety. If you catch your dog in the act, rush them outside as soon as possible. When your dog goes potty outside, reinforce their good behavior with treats within 1 to 2 seconds of them eliminating outside. If you need support with this task, take your pup to the vet. A veterinarian can create a treatment plan for your dog and discuss whether a trainer is the best course of action based on their behavior. Some dogs may urinate in their crates because of behavioral issues, so a behavioral pet trainer can help you learn about underlying issues that can contribute to accidents in the house. While you may believe your puppy is being devious by peeing in their crate, puppies can soil their crates for a variety of reasons. Remember, young dogs cannot hold their urine all night, so plan to wake up in the middle of the night to take your dog outside. Health issues Health issues, such as UTIs and anxiety, can cause your dog to pee in their crate. UTIs, in particular, make it difficult for your dog to hold their urine, and urinating is often painful. Instead, ensure you have the proper size crate for your pet to deter accidents. If your dog has a negative experience with their crate, they may be afraid of it and associate it with punishment. However, if your puppy continues to have accidents after months of training, you should talk to a vet or a trainer who can help you learn why your dog is peeing in their crate and what to do about it. What do I do if my puppy pees in their crate? If your puppy pees in their crate, always clean the urine with an enzymatic cleaner to remove any lingering odor. Instead, they can pee in their crates because of behavioral and physical illnesses. Are small dogs harder to house train than large dogs? Some dogs can be house trained quickly, while others may require more time. In fact, one study suggests that small dogs are more difficult to house train when compared to larger dogs. While your dog can have accidents due to medical conditions, they most likely need proper training. Remember, never scold your dog; instead, reward them for good behavior. Instead, you can receive treatment and expert advice while at home to keep your pet happy and healthy. Published on Jun 10, and updated at Apr 05, .But from time to time, accidents happen, and some dogs may frequently pee in their crates for one or more reasons. However, dogs and especially young puppies may still occasionally pee in their crates, especially during the earliest weeks and months of crate training. In truth, your dog may be peeing in their crate for several reasons. Similarly, a dog could pee in their crate if the daily routine is messed up in some way. Dogs generally love daily routines, especially since it tells them when they can expect to go to the bathroom. If the routine is messed up, such as by you forgetting to take them on a walk, they could pee in their crate out of necessity. Bladder Control Issues In some cases, your puppy might just have bladder control problems and you are leaving them in their crate for too long. Generally, puppies can hold their urine for one hour for each month of their age. For example, if your puppy is two months old, you should only expect them to be able to hold their bladders for two hours maximum. You should let adult dogs out to take care of business at least three to five times per day. The most common reason for this is separation anxiety. Dogs who have become used to the constant presence of their pet parents may urinate as a fearful reaction when they leave or are out of sight. This may be more common if the dog is left in their crate at home alone while the parent goes to work. Separation anxiety and other behavioral problems are often grown out of, but they can also be trained away with positive reinforcement and encouragement. Professional pet training may also assist if your dog resists other behavioral fixes. Medical Problems Lastly, some dogs may pee in their crates because of medical issues. For example, if your dog has a bladder infection, their ability to hold their urine could be compromised and they may pee more frequently as a result. If you think your dog is having a medical issue that makes them pee in their crate, contact a veterinarian right away. There are four big things you can do to alleviate the majority of crate-peeing incidents. This tip is best for puppies who may have difficulty controlling their bladder in the earliest months of life. They can do their business in half of the crate, then go to the clean half of the crate to go back to sleep. At this early age, your dog is likely small enough that everything can fit in the crate until morning. Once your puppy is old enough, you can remove the pee pad and they should be able to hold their bladder until morning. This may also be good for older dogs who are experiencing incontinence or other issues, especially in the middle of the night. However, be sure that your dog can comfortably fit in the dog crate with the pee pad before relying on the solution long-term. Exercise Your Dog Going on a morning walk with your dog is a good rule of thumb for lots of reasons. It gives you and your pup some fresh air, exercises your dog and gives them a chance to stretch their legs, and gives them an opportunity to go to the bathroom. If you only take your dog outside to urinate, then bring them right back in, they might try to hold their bladder so they get to spend more time smelling interesting things outdoors. Take your dog on a quick walk at a minimum. With time, they may stop peeing in their crate as a result. Set a Strict Daily Routine As noted earlier, dogs love routines. The best way to get your dog to stop peeing in their crate is to give them a routine they can count on. For example, if you always take your dog out at certain times of the day to go to the bathroom, they will gladly hold their bladder and wait for the right opportunity to pee. Visit a Vet If your dog has any medical issues, the only real solution is to visit a vet. Say that your dog has a bladder infection. In that case, your veterinarian will have to prescribe your dog antibiotics or other dog medications to take care of the problem. Summary Ultimately, your dog might be peeing in their crate for several reasons. But the good news is you can always help your dog overcome this issue and sleep comfortably in their dog bed with a few strategies and fixes. The Diggs Revol Crate could be just what you need, featuring a safe yet sturdy design, collapsibility, and a puppy divider that comes with the purchase. Check out the Diggs Revol Crate and our other pet parent solutions at our online store today! Dog Training By Kayla Fratt 16 min read August 2, 76 Comments K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Many trainers and experienced dog owners recommend using a crate to potty train your new puppy. This works wonders for many dogs and is the technique that I personally use. But what do you do when your dog continues to have accidents inside the crate? There are solutions to this common conundrum! Read on to learn some of the best ways to put an end to this perplexing problem and help your dog enjoy a dry crate! Once you know your dog has a clean bill of health, you can move on to training and management solutions. This means doing things like ensuring the crate is the proper size, providing more bathroom breaks, and providing more positive reinforcement when your doggo tinkles outside. Have other kinds of nocturnal problems? We can help: Check out our guide to stopping a puppy from whining at night! Your dog needs to be both comfortable in the crate and comfortable alone before we can expect accidents to go away. If she panics when left alone or is otherwise uncomfortable while in her crate, she may urinate out of fear. This might sound like overkill, but many cases of tricky potty training come back to medical issues! It could be that your beloved pup is suffering from a canine urinary tract infection UTI or some other medical condition. A simple checkup or urine test may not catch some of these concerns! This is especially important to check on if your dog previously was fine in the crate, but is now suddenly having accidents. Just schedule an appointment with your vet. Crates that are too small are just cruel, and crates that are too large increase the chances that your dog will use one corner for lounging and another corner for peeing. For my puppy, I used a large pet pen with a litter box and pine pellets. He weaned off the litter box in just a few weeks, but it saved me lots of cleaning when he was a little baby or I was ultra-busy! If you think it is too big, consider picking up a new crate in a more appropriate size or blocking off a portion of the crate to effectively make it smaller. A few of the reasons dogs may still pee in their crate after adjusting the size include: Your dog has already made a habit of peeing in her crate. If your dog is already accustomed to peeing in the crate, downsizing might not help. Your dog was produced by a puppy mill. Dogs that were rescued or purchased from a puppy mill or pet store are morel likely to struggle with peeing in the crate. This illustrates yet another reason to avoid supporting puppy mills! Your dog is a small breed. Unfortunately, potty-training problems of all kinds are more common with small dog breeds. This is part of the reason crate-training is so effective. But some dogs particularly those who are hanging out in a crate that is too large learn that they can tinkle, and then cover the mess with the crate bedding. Step 4: Give Your Dog More Bathroom Breaks Many dogs that pee in their crates are still puppies or adolescents, while others are simply small dogs. This points to a simple and common flaw in your crate-training regime: your schedule. Simply put, you need to take more potty breaks! A good general rule of thumb for puppies is that they can hold their pee for their age in months, translated to hours. So, a 6-month old puppy should be able to hold her pee for six hours. But remember: This is just a rule of thumb, and some dogs simply need more frequent chances to potty. Ultimately, if your dog is struggling with bladder control, try taking your dog out for twice as many potty breaks. For example, we said above that a 6-month puppy should be able to hold her pee for six hours. I suggest creating a schedule and setting timers on your phone. If this stops your dog from peeing in the crate, then gradually start to increase the time intervals. Dogs do not naturally know not to pee inside. Most will hold their pee inside of an appropriately sized crate, but there are always exceptions. Once again, this illustrates the importance of properly crate-training your doggo at the outset. Keep in mind the general once-per-hour-per-month rule, but this only works up to about 8 hours or so. Do you just open up the screen door, let her do her business, and call her back inside for dinner? When she exhibits a desirable behavior peeing outside, in this case , you need to reward her! Just understand that you must reward her immediately with some high-quality training treats. So yes, this means carrying treats with you whenever you go outside a handy treat pouch will make this much easier. If you implement these rewards reliably, you might start noticing that your dog tries to fake you out and squat for treats. I still do this with my adult dog — potty training is really important to me. Step 7: Film Your Dog For Behavioral Concerns One of the most concerning reasons for a dog to pee in her crate is separation anxiety or isolation distress. At Journey Dog Training , I often ask my clients to set up a video camera you can use your phone, laptop, or a fancy dog camera that even shoots out treats to see if the dog is suffering from some kind of extreme anxiety that is resulting in urination. Many folks set up cameras as in the video below to see what their dog is up to during the day. Crate peeing is a common side effect of this type of distress. Separation anxiety and isolation distress are really, really tough problems to crack and they often require professional assistance. So, speak to a certified dog behavior consultant or reputable, force-free trainer if you think that your dog struggles with either of these problems. And this illustrates one of the most important reasons to avoid punishing your dog for accidents — she is not doing it maliciously. Need Faster Relief? Renovate Your Crate! Crate training can be a high-pressure endeavor. When I am potty-training puppies or foster dogs, I no longer rely on a crate I used to! Instead, consider a Puppy Palace. Using a large pet gate I like the Carlson Pet Products locking yard , create a dog-proofed area with a comfy bed inside a crate, toys, chew toys, water, and a litter box. Your pup will slowly start to crate-train herself by choosing to sleep in the extra—comfy bed in the crate. But if she needs a potty break, she can take herself to the litter box. This means no more baths, endless laundry cycles, or even infections from lying in her own urine. With most dogs, I use grass or pine pellets for the litter box. Most dogs will quickly gravitate towards the absorbent option. With most dogs this takes less than a few weeks. Renovating the crate is a more humane and practical option if you expect accidents will happen, rather than stubbornly insisting that you and your pup deal with the mess of peeing in the crate! Who wants to come home to a sad, pee-covered dog every day? You might want to explore other options beyond leaving your dog in their crate if: Your dog is a small breed or a puppy and you work long hours. You suspect your dog suffers from separation anxiety or isolation distress. You might need some other options while she heals up, or the health issues might be an ongoing lifelong issue. Nothing else is helping to stop your dog from peeing in the crate. There are lots of options beyond leaving your dog in her crate all day. Some options will work better for some dogs. Doggie daycare will provide your pupperino will get plenty of exercise and social interaction, coupled with regular potty breaks. Doggie daycare does have its downsides, though. It can be expensive, and some doggie daycares are better than others. Be sure to shop around to find an option that works for you, your budget, and your dog! Use potty pads and a doggie playpen. Hire a dog walker. Pin1 1 Shares Owning a French Bulldog certainly comes with its challenges, particularly during the puppy stages. You can expect to be cleaning pee and poop up and having a constant eye on what they are up to. But the same can also apply with adult Frenchies who might keep peeing in the house, or even urinating far too much than would be considered normal. Why does my French Bulldog keep peeing in the house? Some French Bulldogs will continue to pee in the house up to 8 months old. Adult Frenchies who are still peeing everywhere could do so due to stress, routine changes, an underlying health issue or have frequent urination due to medication they are on. In this guide I am going to explain why French Bulldogs continue to pee in your home, even after puppyhood. It also contains details on how long you can expect a Frenchie to hold their bladder, and what to expect with puppies in the potty-training phase. My French Bulldog is peeing everywhere It personally took us 8 months before Claude would stop peeing everywhere. This included peeing in his crate, on our carpets, and even on our bed even after we thought he was completely house-trained. He can hold his bladder for hours and will go through the night with no problems. You can read my guide to house training your puppy on the link below. Handy Hint: Want to know how to stop your puppy peeing in your house? The first steps will be to potty train him. You can read my step by step guide to potty training. The bottom line is; puppies do pee more than adult dogs so expect to have a lot of accidents everywhere in your house during the younger months. My adult French Bulldog is peeing in the house However, some French Bulldogs will continue to pee in the house as adults. There will also be some cases where it starts suddenly, completely out of nowhere, taking you by surprise. Handy Hint: If you suspect your Frenchie is marking his territory in your house, then please read this guide to French Bulldog territorial marking instead. Vets say that there are some common issues why dogs start peeing suddenly including: Reasons you might be able to control 1. That can be for reasons as diverse as a child moving out, a separation in a marriage, or a death in the family. I know of one Frenchie owner whose dog started peeing everywhere when her older dog passed away. Whilst Frenchies are better in pairs , when once dies, it can cause a lot of problems for the surviving dog. Frenchies are better in pairs, but if one dies the other one can start peeing in the house and urinating more frequently. Frenchies are social animals who want to be part of the pack so when something changes in that pack, behavioural problems can start. Changes in the home environment or routine Even the simplest of changes in a home environment can lead to a change in the frequency and place that your Frenchie urinates. The most common reason is a house move. All this uncertainty and fear can result in peeing indoors. But it can also happen when you redecorate. One Frenchie owner I spoke to had a problem with her dog peeing in the kitchen after a refurbishment. French Bulldogs, like any dogs, are creatures of habit. A change to their routine can also mean they start to change their toilet habits. Over time this should stop, but the French Bulldog will need time to adapt and be made comfortable in the new surroundings. Excessive peeing due to stress, excitement and submission Many dogs will pee a little bit when they are excited. This little bit of leakage is nothing to be overly concerned about, and in most cases will subside as the puppy reaches adulthood. However, some older Frenchies will also have this. Dogs will submissively urinate to show you that they are not a threat. If you feed your dog canned food, then he will be taking on more water than normal. And what goes in, must come out, meaning your Frenchie could be getting caught short indoors and having to relieve his bladder quickly. Other dog foods can have high salt content. A dog who consumes more salt than they should will by default, drink more… and the more he drinks, the more he might pee inside the house. Taking on too much water It could be as simple as your French Bulldog is drinking too much water. The rule of thumb for Frenchies is that they should drink one ounce of water for every pound of body weight daily. The average male French Bulldog weighs 28 pounds so many Frenchies can drink up to 28 ounces of water a day. French Bulldog puppies will pee everywhere, and more so after they have been drinking a lot of water. Of course, there are other factors at play which will determine how much they drink including the climate for example in hot weather , whether they eat dry food, salty food, exercise levels, and health. Handy Hint: If your Frenchie is drinking too much water it could mean they are no longer able to hold their bladder for longer than the typical 8 to hour limit. Peeing due to separation anxiety Frenchies need a lot of attention and cannot be left alone for long periods of time. If they are left home alone, separation anxiety can result in frequent urination inside of your home. Research has been done to find out how frequently dogs will urinate when owners are absent and the types and frequency of reactions to thunderstorms, fireworks, and other noises. I also shot a video explaining more on Frenchie separation anxiety and a supporting web guide explaining what you can do to help with it. Low oestrogen levels Older French Bulldogs may not be able to hold their pee if they have low oestrogen levels. This results in hormone incontinence where indoor peeing becomes more problematic. It is particular common with dogs who have been spayed and neutered as their low oestrogen levels lead to a loss of muscle tone in the bladder areas. Age related diseases Kidney disease and cognitive dysfunction syndrome can affect older French Bulldogs causing them to either lose control of their bladders, urinating more than usual, and becoming incontinent. Other health problems I found a large list of other potential health problems that can make a French Bulldog urinate more frequently including: Adrenal and thyroid dysfunction. Anything from a more consistent routine to a new treat-dispensing toy could be the difference between cleaning up a puddle or coming home to a happy pup. Recommended Videos J. Many medical issues could cause a dog to lose control of their bladder, not all of which are obvious or even noticeable. Dogs are notorious for hiding their discomfort, after all. A few reasons your dog might not be able to hold it include: Urinary tract disorders, including urinary tract infections, prostate diseases, etc. Neurological issues, including spinal injury and nerve damage Bladder storage issues Urine retention due to stress, pain, etc. If you have a crate that your dog is still growing into, you can purchase a crate divider panel to make the space a little smaller. For a schedule to truly help your dog, you need to understand how long he can comfortably control his bladder. This time will vary from dog to dog — breed, age, and health are just a few of the factors that affect this. Dogs should be taken out for a potty break three to five times a day on average, though this number is likely to go up for smaller dogs, puppies, and seniors. Separation anxiety is common in pups with a history of abuse, though any dog can become anxious when left alone. If your dog urinates in front of you, however, you can likely rule this out. You can make his crate more comfortable by tossing in a favorite toy, a fluffy bed, or even a shirt that smells like you. Better yet, fill up a treat-releasing toy for a long-lasting distraction. Up to at least six months of age, your animal will almost certainly need a middle-of-the-night pee. It can help to bring the crate into the bedroom so you wake up when she needs a potty break. Many dogs will whine, pace, or bark when they need to go out, even late at night. If you have a particularly young puppy at home, he might need a while longer to grow and keep house training before he is continually successful. To determine how long your puppy can hold his urine on average , add 1 to the number of months in his age — this is how many hours you should expect him to be in control of his bladder. Some dogs need more time to get used to their crate, while others need to be house-trained more thoroughly. Good things take time! When in doubt, your trusted vet will have many ideas and resources to help you get started. Pee-free crate time will be so much nicer for everyone, so why not begin now? Editors' Recommendations.

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Wisconsin Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Wisconsin? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Wisconsin? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. He will do well in a home that can provide exercise and mental stimulation with games. He is a bright puppy, who I believe will excel, if given the opportunity and training. His recall is very good. He generally responds to his name or a whistle. He is crate trained and is now sleeping through the night. He takes about three naps a day — — generally after exercise. He still prefers to be in the same room as his person, or to at least have sight of them. As a general rule, he is not left in his crate, during the day more than three hours. However, this time frame will grow as he gets older. We continue to work on potty training. Which is an ongoing process with a puppy his age. He is generally taken out after meals, naps and playtime. We have not worked on general commands. However, he will sit before coming out of his crate, and before receiving a meal — — if you wait for him to settle down. He does need to be fed either by hand, or using a slow feeder. Otherwise, he eats his food so fast that he will regurgitate it. Again, this is something he may outgrow. He is a handsome little man who loves attention and snuggles. He will be an amazing companion to someone who is willing to put in the time and effort required to to train any puppy.

These gorgeous, friendly dogs are beloved by many, and their images can add warmth and appeal to a wide range of projects. Whether you're designing a website, creating marketing materials, or illustrating a book, we've got a collection of Golden Retriever images to suit your needs. Types of Images Available We offer a wide range of Golden Retriever images in various styles and formats. Our collection includes professional photographs of Golden Retrievers in a variety of poses and settings, including outdoor shots, studio portraits, and action shots. We also offer illustrations and vectors that can be easily customized to meet your needs. These versatile images are great for pet-related businesses, such as pet stores, veterinary clinics, and dog trainers. They can also be used in children's books, greeting cards, and social media posts. Additionally, Golden Retriever images can add charm and personality to websites, blogs, and newsletters for any business or organization. Best Practices for Using Golden Retriever Images Some key tips for using Golden Retriever images effectively include choosing high-quality images that match the tone and style of your project. Make sure that any text or other design elements don't compete with the main image, and consider using a color scheme that complements the colors in the photo or illustration. Also, be mindful of licensing requirements when using stock images, and make sure you have the appropriate permissions before using an image in your work. Overall, Golden Retriever images are a great choice for anyone looking to add warmth, personality, and charm to their projects. Browse our collection today to find the perfect image for your next project. January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! They are simultaneously wonderful family pets—thanks to their friendly, tolerant attitude—and capable, intelligent working dogs. These sturdy, medium-sized dogs grow to about 55—75 pounds and typically live to be about 10—12 years old. Outgoing, trustworthy, eager-to-please, and easy-to-train, they are especially popular with families with young children. Goldens often maintain their fun-loving puppy attitudes and signature smile into adulthood. Part of the sporting dog group, golden retrievers are active dogs that require at least an hour of daily exercise. They live up to their name; they love retrieving just about anything thrown for them. This makes them excellent hunting companions and skilled service dogs. They love to eat, run, spend time with their owners, and even participate in obedience and agility events. Their coloring ranges from light golden to cream, and dark golden to golden, and their physique can vary from broad and dense to leaner and more sporty. According to AKC standards,goldens move with a smooth, powerful gait, and the feathery tail is carried, as breed fanciers say, with a "merry action. Thanks to their breeding as hunting and waterfowl-retrieving dogs in the Scottish Highlands,their outer coat is dense and repels water. They also have a thick undercoat. Their coats can vary in texture from wavy to straight. Heavy feathering appears on their chest, the backs of their legs, and tail. Temperament In general, golden retrievers are outgoing, playful, and gentle. They are also friendly, intelligent, and devoted. As they get older, most golden retrievers become docile and calm. Bred to be working retrievers, goldens have a lot of energy and require a lot of activity. They are best suited for owners with an active lifestyle and they thrive in a home where someone is around during the day to spend time with them. They don't do well when left at home on their own; they love their humans too much. Their happy demeanor often draws attention from other people when you are out and about—goldens get along well with strangers and other dogs. While they are not considered good guard dogs—they'd be more likely to show an intruder where the treats are than send the intruder running—golden retrievers are excellent service dogs thanks to their loyalty, intelligence, and stable temperament. They see themselves as part of the family and need to be treated as such. Luckily, goldens are not bothered by noise, commotion, and activity, making them very tolerant of children. Golden retrievers also take a "the more the merrier" approach to having other pets in the home. With proper introductions and training, goldens can be trusted with other dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals. A golden retriever would do well reigning over a large fenced-in yard , so if you don't have a lot of outdoor space or you live in an apartment, make sure you get your golden outside regularly. A lot," Steen says. Owners should get used to having a fair amount of dog hair on clothing and furniture around the home. They have a thick, water-repellant double coat that sheds moderately in the winter and summer, and heavily in the spring and fall. However, if you brush your golden daily, you can prevent tangling and remove some dead hair before it covers everything in sight. Baths can also help and are recommended about once a month, but make sure the golden is fully dry before brushing begins. Golden retrievers will also need their nails trimmed about once or twice a month. A good indicator of when they need to be trimmed is when you can hear them clicking on the floor. Teeth should also be brushed at least two or three times a week. Ear checks are important as well; goldens have fold-over ears, which create an environment that encourages bacteria and fungus to grow. Look for redness or a bad odor and simply wipe out the outer ear with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to help prevent infections. Exercise is an essential part of a golden retriever's day. At least one hour a day of rigorous activity is necessary, even if that happens over several different outings or play times throughout the day. Goldens can be taken on long runs , bike rides, hikes, and swims. They also enjoy hunting trips, field trials, and other canine sports like agility, obedience, and tracking. A golden that doesn't get enough exercise is likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors like digging and chewing. Mental challenges, such as learning tricks and playing with puzzle toys, are also appealing to goldens, but should never replace physical activity. Take it easy with exercise in a golden retriever's first two years of life, as their growth plates are still forming. Don't go for long, strenuous runs or hikes until the dog is fully grown, and always opt for grass over concrete. Early socialization and puppy training classes are important with golden retrievers. Puppies should be exposed to a wide variety of people, places, and situations to help them become well-adjusted in their young life. When it comes to feeding time , owners need to help golden retrievers manage their intake; they have a tendency to become overweight. Food should be measured out and given twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. Dog treats should be given in moderation. If you're unsure whether your golden retriever is overweight, give him the eye test and the hands-on test. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he likely needs less food and more exercise. Chat with your vet about the best course of action. According to Steen, they are a generally healthy breed, but goldens are at a slightly increased risk of hip dysplasia and cancer when compared to other dogs. Other health conditions, although not particularly common, include elbow dysplasia, cataracts , progressive retinal atrophy —or gradual deterioration of the retina—hypothyroidism, gastric dilatation-volvulus otherwise known as bloat , and allergies. Golden retrievers should also have their ears checked often and teeth brushed regularly for optimum health. History Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord of Tweedmouth, developed golden retrievers in the mid-to-late s. Although at one time a rumor indicated that golden retrievers descended from Russian sheep dogs, they were, in fact, bred in the Scottish Highlands. Marjoribanks bred the dogs for more than 50 years to create an ideal gundog—he was an avid hunter of waterfowl. Tweedmouth wanted a dog suited to the rainy climate and rugged terrain of the area, so he crossed his "yellow retriever" with a breed that is now extinct, the Tweed water spaniel. He also wanted the dog to be even-tempered in the home. A golden retriever was first shown at the British dog show in .The Kennel Club in England officially recognized the golden retriever as a distinct breed in .At that time, they were classified as "retriever — yellow or golden. Fun Facts Considered one of the most beloved dog breeds, golden retrievers gained popularity with American families in the s when President Gerald Ford had a golden named Liberty. Tucker Budzyn is currently the most recognized golden retriever on the Internet, with more than 3 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Golden retrievers are regulars on big and little screens. Golden retrievers love tennis balls. Just ask this 6-year-old golden named Finley , who is the Guinness World Record holder for carrying the most tennis balls in his mouth at a time. He can hold six! Was this page helpful?

Prairie Rose Labrador Retrievers Announcements! Planned Litters Our next planned litter will be expected Spring .This litter will be black and yellow. We do have a waitlist, but there are a few spots still available. There is no deposit required to be added to the waitlist. We do require you fill out our puppy questionnaire and keep in contact with us. We are very proud of her. We are pleased to announce 2 of Jewels puppies were evaluated and placed with Champ Assistance Dogs! We are very proud of him! Instagram "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. We found many puppies from back yard breeders, breeders that had no desire to do appropriate health screenings and of course puppy mills. After 2 months of extensive searching we did finally choose a great little yellow female Labrador Retriever that had appropriate health tested parents and a health guarantee. This puppy is "Gretchen Paisley" and she joined our home in June .January 24, we lost our last dog, Zeus. He was only 9 years old. Despite the excellent medical care he was receiving and all of our love and care, there was nothing more we could do. Shortly after the loss of Zeus we searched again. We felt with my degree in animal health, 15 plus years of working in veterinary medicine, previous experience breeding Cocker Spaniels and all of the knowledge we had gained in these puppy searches that we could provide families with quality English Labrador Retrievers. Prairie Rose Retrievers strives to better the breed with each litter. We prescreen all of our dogs hips and elbows through OFA. They are raised with love and daily attention and care. Our Labradors are our huge part of our family. Our puppies come with a written health guarantee. We stand behind our puppies and are available to answer any questions you may have for the life of your puppy. Each puppy will be dewormed, examined, have had their 1st vaccine done and be microchipped by our Veterinarian. They will exposed to small children, normal sounds around the home ex: vacuum, television, etc.Please look over our website. If you have any questions, please contact us. We look forward to having you and your family become a part of the Prairie Rose Retrievers Family! They may be gone, but they are not forgotten.They have left permanent paw prints on our hearts! Our History Family Brandy and I have been married for 23 years, and we have 3 beautiful children that are nearly grown. We own an acre and a half or so, just enough to have fun and raise a litter or two each year. For years I have had my children who socialized my pups but as they are grown people now I have to recruit nieces and nephews! Our Puppy Owner Group We have a Facebook Group that we send all of our new puppy owners to so that they can share updates of their puppies as they grow up. We love to stay in touch with our puppy families and make sure these puppies grow up into wonderful loving homes. We generally will take puppies back if there is a problem in keeping them due to moving or change of life situations. To connect to our FB group request to join it here! My life was forever changed with an encounter in Costa Rica. The eyes of my heart were opened to just how disgusting and sinful of a human being I was in reality. Through this eye opening time, I eventually came to a real saving faith in Jesus Christ. He then called me to come back home, much like in the story of the prodigal son. I was chasing the world, the things of the world, but God granted me a second chance to life. I began to read the book of John, and the book of James, and with my eyes newly opened to the realness of Jesus Christ, I began to grow in faith. We attempt to do all things, with Christ in mind. Often we do it imperfectly but our intent is to tell as many people as we can about the Good News of Jesus Christ. History Our family started raising Labradors in on a whim, we went out and picked up our first yellow Labrador. I believe this is how most breeders get started! In our attempts to breed better we strive to start our litters the best possible way by spending hours socializing, With basic training and monitoring strict diets and nutrition for healthy growth. We feel if you do this at a very young age of pup, it will pay off in the future and will create a long, healthy, productive life. Therefore if you are looking for the best quality dog for your investment, you have picked the right place! Frequently Asked Questions — Price? I know these people will ultimately go elsewhere, but I try to respond to every email, message, phone call, etc. Best Lab Breeders in Missouri You truly do get what you pay for…. Click Here to Read the rest of the page. Who are your primary customers? Our primary customers are the average pet owner who wants a sound labrador puppy, who loves the look of an English Labrador that still retrieves, and maintains a calm temperment at night when they come in from a good day of exercise. Best Lab Breeders in Missouri. English Labrador Puppies. Chocolate Labs. How often do you have litters? We generally only have litters only once or twice a year, sometimes we go for longer periods of time between litters. Please just check with us and we will keep you posted. What is our Guardian Discount Program? Ask about our guardian program, we do sometimes give further discounts if you live within an hour of Kansas City and will allow us to maintain the papers with us, and allow us to use normally a male in tact to use for future breeding purposes. The pups go home with you, they are your pet, we pay for testing for them, and when they are of age, they come and stay a week or two a couple times a year with us to breed to some of our females. Click Here for a little more information, but feel free to send us an email on the Contact page, or send a text. O'Dell Labs has been raising top quality Labrador Retrievers since ! Please contact me by text or phone at .Or through email at odells5 centurytel. But in case you previously contacted me through Facebook, I may not be able to respond. See current pups page for availability and details. Hunter was a beautiful English yellow male with a great personality, and many champions in his pedigree. Lady was a sweetheart, black with chocolate genes, who also had many champions in her extended pedigree. They had a couple of litters with all three colors, and we kept back the first chocolate female. Her name was O'Dell's Lady Grace, and she was my girl. So obedient and wanting to please me no matter what. We found a yellow male to add to our clan, who could be bred to both girls, and we were happy to have Winston in our family. He helped give us several nice litters, with all three colors with Grace, and black and chocolate pups with Molly. Winston was a wonderful guy but he didn't have the English style look we wanted in our stud dog, so we found him a great farm to go play on, and found a nice blocky chocolate boy to add to our chocolate family. We continued our pattern of keeping outstanding girls, and searching for quality males to add to our maternal line that was quickly forming the foundation for our breeding program. Keep our original line, keep our eyes open for quality pups or adults to add to our program, and provide top quality pups to families all over the area, and eventually, all over the country-that's our philosophy. We are members of the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, and have started showing in conformation shows. We also just joined, by approval, the Guild for Labrador Improvement Breeders. We have done testing for other genetic muscle and eye conditions, mostly through Embark. Our dogs are our pets, first and foremost, and are much-loved members of our family. Our goal is to produce Labradors that improve America's favorite breed, and we love meeting the families who adopt our babies. It's like having more and more extended family all over! Testimonials " She is perfect!!!!! I love her. She slept like a baby the whole way home and made it through the night with minimal whining and potty breaks. She has become very fond of a giant duck toy the size of her. She drags it with her everywhere. According to the registration statistics compiled by the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular pure bred dog in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Our Labs can be found across the country in forty 40 states from the great Southwest to historic New England, from frigid Alaska to the Sunshine state. Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we have shipped more than 8, world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily ship our guaranteed Labs to your location in or around Saint Louis. For details, Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Labrador Retrievers Make Good Therapists In recent articles, a licensed professional counselor with thirty years of experience, explained how owning a Labrador retriever can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children and seniors. Dogs decrease loneliness in children. When the older child children go off to school, often younger siblings experience loneliness and are sad from missing the older child. A family dog can serve as a companion and friend. Children who come home to an empty house and have to wait for parents or other siblings to return have someone to share their time with. Many benefits of pet ownership are less tangible, though. One recent study showed that people with dogs were better able to remain emotionally stable during crises than those without. Canine companions can also work as a buffer against social isolation. This can help combat depression, one of the most common medical problems facing seniors today. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! These hybrids were the ancestors of the Labrador Retriever, and they were owned and used by fishermen in dragging nets filled with fish out of the sea to the boats. Not only that, but the Labrador Retrievers were also trained to recover fish that got away from the nets or from fishing hooks. The dogs continued to function in that capacity in Newfoundland until the news and deeds of the breed got to the Earl of Malmesbury in the early s, and he brought them to England, where they were used for shooting sports. This breed is fast in movement, most especially when they are running. In addition to their agility and strength, Labrador Retrievers are homely, easy-going, outgoing, intelligent, affectionate and friendly to humans and other animals also. Dog lovers who have children are always keen on getting this breed because of its endearing and non-aggressive nature towards children most especially. Due to its origin and history, this breed is not a breed that sits in a place for a long time. It is a breed that enjoys roaming and hunting, and can also thrive in both warm and cold weather. The Labrador Retriever breed is full of exuberance, boisterousness, and energy, and as a result of this, it needs a lot of training and exercise to keep it active and agile at all times. Therefore, the Labrador Retriever needs as much as minutes worth of training and exercises daily. You need to pay attention to its teeth and nails. Make sure the teeth are brushed from time to time and nails clipped frequently. Our Labrador Retriever puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Labradors are shedders and they shed seasonally during the shedding season, and that is why Lab owners are advised to make adequate plans concerning hair disposal when their Labs start to shed. How is it possible for Labradors to swim and play in deep water? Kindly note that Labradors have the tendency to get obese, so it is important that you watch what they eat and how they eat. Where can I buy a Labrador Retriever? Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our Lab puppies. Are Labradors sniffers? Yes, of course. Based on their penchant for wildlife, is it safe to have a Lab around my children? Labrador retrievers are a warm and friendly breed that enjoy playing with children. Do Labrador Retrievers have health challenges? Unfortunately, Labradors also suffer from health challenges just like every other dog. But the illnesses peculiar to their breed include joint problems, obesity, heart diseases, cataracts, and ear infections. Do Labrador Retrievers bark like other dogs? Yes of course. All dogs bark with the inclusion of the Labrador. Half of the time, they are quiet. Can I put my Labrador in a crate? Why not? Keeping your Labrador in a crate is one sure way of training them to feel safe when they are alone by themselves, and also to keep them safe from external forces. Is it true that a Labrador was jailed once? Most definitely yes. Pep spent ten years in jail. Are you interested in purchasing a Labrador Retriever? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Visit our Facebook page for more pics! Louis, and Indianapolis to name just a few. All of our lab puppies in Chicago and St. Louis for sale are loved unconditionally from the minute they are born up until the day they join their new families. As a responsible and reputable lab breeder in Illinois, we genetically health test all of our Labrador retrievers in St. Louis to ensure that we are only producing healthy Labrador puppies for sale. If you are looking to add a happy, healthy, well-loved, and well-cared-for lab puppy to your family, you have come to the right place! We operate quite a bit differently than the majority of other breeders. We hold a VERY high standard here in regards to health, conformation and temperament. We always have a goal in mind when we perform a breeding. Those breeders are not breeding to better the Labrador breed or produce quality, well-bred lab puppies, they are simply producing puppies to sell and make a profit from. We own mostly females here and we use outside males stud service to cover our females. This gives us a huge advantage when choosing the perfect male for a particular female. Each female will need something different in a mate and using one male will not be sufficient for every female if a breeder is true to themselves and is breeding for a purpose. For example, you have a chocolate female but she is lacking in something whether it be coat, bone, length of leg, too long of loin, carries her tail too high, eye color is too light, etc. She is going to need a specific male to help improve those imperfections. If you have one or even a couple of males on your property and none of them have what your female needs, you are not doing the breed any justice by mating two dogs together that do not compliment each other correctly. Breeding correctly and responsibly can be very complicated, stressful and very expensive. Another important thing to consider is health testing. Do you know the genetics of your female and your male? Is one or the other or maybe both of them carriers of a certain genetic disease? Will you be producing affected lab puppies by mating these two dogs together? Genetic testing is extremely important and necessary! We specialize in producing lab puppies from high quality show lines which are commonly known as the English Labrador Retrievers. We have also been blessed with some exceptionally well bred American Labrador Retrievers which can be referred to as field labs. All of our lab puppies for sale are loved unconditionally from the minute they are born up until the day they join their new families. As a responsible and reputable lab breeder in Illinois, we genetically health test all of our labrador retrievers to ensure that we are only producing healthy labrador puppies for sale. If you are looking to add a happy, healthy, well loved and well cared for lab puppy to your family, you have come to the right place! We would love for you to join our lab puppy family and see for yourself why we are one of the best Labrador breeders in Illinois. We have chocolate, black and yellow puppies available now as well as some older pups! We only produce lab puppies in the 3 recognized colors by the american kennel club and labrador retriever club. We are dedicated to improving and protecting the labrador retriever breed. If you love labrador retrievers and would like to bring one into your family, you have come to the right place! Louis and Chicago are a popular choice for individuals who need companionship, active families, hunters and also for the serious competitor.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is an inescapable truth that being a pet parent means dealing with pee, poop, and other types of natural messes. There is no space for squeamishness. But what if your dog poops a lot? We are talking about when you find that you need to pull out the pooper scooper more often, or that your dog seems to be producing excessively large piles of the smelly stuff. Read on as we go through how much poop your dog should be producing, and the main warning signs that something might not be right with their stool. We will also look at the main causes of excessive pooping in dogs, and what you can do to correct the problem and get your dog back to normal bathroom habits. How Much Poop? It can be difficult to know whether your dog is pooping too much, because how much is normal for a dog that said, how much is normal for a human? What is normal pooping depends on the individual dog, so the main things to look out for are changes in their bathroom habits. In terms of the number of times your dog should be going each day, every dog should release their bowels at least once a day. And while, for some, once may be enough, it can be normal for others to go up to five times a day. If they are going more than this, speak to your vet. But dogs tend to be consistent in their bathroom habits. As to the quality of poop that your dog should produce, again, this depends on the dog. As a general rule, they should produce poop of about the same mass as the food they eat. Healthy poop should be compact, moist, and hold its shape when picked up in a plastic bag or pooper scooper, of course. Runny and watery poop suggests that something has entered their digestive system and upset it. Dry, hard poop indicates that they might be suffering from dehydration or constipation. Green poop can indicate gallbladder problems, stress, or eating too much grass. Yellow poop usually points to issues in the liver or the pancreas. Any red streaks suggest blood and that they may have a cut around the anus area. Black poop suggests internal bleeding, which is a serious problem. Grey-colored poop suggests that something might be wrong in the pancreas. Overeating If your dog is eating too much, they may also need to poop too much. Many pet parents overfeed their dogs unintentionally, from a place of love. When your pup looks up at you with hungry eyes even though they have just eaten, it can be hard to say no to a treat or to not put a little extra in their bowl. If you feed your dog scraps off your plate, this can be a problem, too. Not only does this introduce more calories into their diet, but it might contain things that upset their stomach. This is why you should never feed your dog food that has not been specially prepared for them. Check out our guide. Also, watch out for your dog stealing scraps. If you can manage what and how much they are eating, you should also be able to manage how much they are pooping. After a maximum of two weeks, they should return to normal, but you can avoid this happening by gradually moving them onto a new diet. Instead of just switching from one food to another, mix the foods together, starting with 80 percent of their old food and 20 percent of their new food on day one. Over a period of about a week, change the ratio of old to new food, until after about seven days when they are fully on the new diet. You do also need to be careful which foods you choose to feed your dog. The wrong kind of food can not only lead to unusual bowel movements, but can be detrimental to their overall health. Choosing a good quality food with lots of proteins from fresh meat, moderate healthy fats, and not too many carbohydrates is a great place to start. You can find our recommendations for the best dog foods for Labrador retrievers here. While it might be a great quality food, it might not have the right balance for your dog, especially if they are sensitive to any foods or have deficiencies. If your dog continues to poop excessively on a good brand of dog food, speak to your vet about what kind of special dietary needs your dog might have. Find the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs here. Changes In Environment Dogs are creatures of habit, and changes in their environment can throw their regular, healthy bathroom cycle off-kilter. Introducing a new member into the household, human or animal, changes in the way the home smells, and the introduction of new noises can all unsettle your dog and lead to changes in their pooping routine. When they become accustomed to the changes, they will fall back into a normal habit. If this takes more than a few weeks, it might be worth considering if there are other underlying causes for the problem. This is the same reason why you will probably notice that your dog poops a bit more often when on holidays than they do at home. But one of the places that they are most likely to pick up that bacteria is dog poop! One gram of dog poop contains about 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. These can cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal upsets, and kidney disorders in both dogs and humans. And well … dogs like to eat dog poop, so it is not unusual for them to pick up this bacteria. The best thing you can do for your dog is limit their exposure to poop and its availability as a snack. Clean up poop as soon as possible after it is deposited so that it is not lying around. The result will be a healthy atmosphere for both you and your dog. This could manifest as fully blown diarrhea or as just more frequent pooping. If stress is the root cause, you will probably notice other symptoms as well. This could include more whining and barking than normal, pacing and shaking, excessive shedding and panting. They may also choose to isolate themselves, and they may show aggression toward people and other animals. If your dog seems like they are suffering from stress, the first thing to do is address their diet and exercise. Just like people, a lack of good nutrition and appropriate exercise can wreak havoc with their emotional health as well as their physical health. The other thing to do is create a safe place for them in the home that is all theirs and that feels percent secure. This means they will always have a place to go when they need to chill out. Product Recommendations If your dog is pooping a lot, you are going to want environmentally friendly bags for scooping and disposing of that poop! We recommend:. Family Dog Expert Author Do pugs poop a lot? A: Pugs are a type of dog that can be found in many colors, including black and white. They have short legs with long bodies and a large head. They have wrinkly skin that is usually brown or black. Pugs are not known to poop a lot, but they do need to go outside quite often because they cannot hold their bladder for very long. How many times should a pug puppy poop a day? A: This is a difficult question to answer. There are many factors that go into determining how often a pug should poop. Factors such as the breed of your pug, the size of your dog, and their age all play a role in the number of times they need to poop per day. When do puppies stop pooping so much? There are many factors that contribute to the amount of times a puppy poops. Some of these include age, diet, and exercise. You can also try giving your dog some fiber supplements, which might help reduce their frequency. How can I get my dog to poop faster? I am not sure what you mean by faster. If you are asking how to get your dog to poop faster, then it would be best if you spoke with your vet about the best way for your pet to go. How often should I take my dog out to poop? A: I am not a dog, but I can tell you that the frequency of your dogs bowel movements is dependent on their diet. If they are eating a high fiber diet, then it will be more often than if they are eating a low fiber diet. How often should a puppy poop each day? A: A healthy adult dog should poop anywhere from 3 to 5 times a day. If your dog is not pooping enough, you can try feeding them more food or less food. You can also try giving your dog a break from their daily routine and walk them around the block once or twice a day. How long can a puppy go without pooping? A puppys digestive system is still developing and they may not have fully developed the ability to control their bowels yet. Some puppies can go up to two weeks without pooping, but this is not recommended as it can cause health problems for your pup. Pugs are a type of dog that have dark brown poop. They also have a very unique way of eating their food, as they will eat it from the front and then turn around to do their business. Reference: dark brown poop dog. Watch This Video:. By Sandra C. At times, it can seem like your new puppy is made of poop! But is this normal? Do puppies really poop more than adult dogs, and why? Here are the answers to everything you wanted to know about how often puppies should be pooping. How Often Should a Puppy Poop? In general, puppies poop a lot. They are small, with an intestinal tract that is still developing. In general, the younger the dog, the faster that the food will move through their digestive tract. It is not uncommon for a puppy to defecate times per day. Some will eliminate even more frequently. The good news is that the pace of pooping will slow down as the dog matures. Although a 2-week-old puppy may defecate at every feeding, by 12 weeks, they may be down to only 4 times per day. By 6 months, it may be 3 times per day. An adult dog usually poops once a day , but they could go up to 3 times a day. Pay attention to the frequency as well as the consistency, color, texture, and any coatings. If you suddenly notice that your puppy is defecating more than usual, look for any changes in color, consistency, or coatings, and pay attention to how your puppy is acting. Look for signs of discomfort and monitor your puppy for 24 hours. Almost all puppies are also born with intestinal parasites. This is one of the reasons veterinarians recommend deworming and testing stool samples frequently while they are young. This is rare in a healthy puppy! If your puppy suddenly starts producing less poop or straining , they may have eaten something that is causing an intestinal blockage. A possible intestinal blockage is an emergency situation. Anything your puppy chews, such as pieces of a chew toy or squeaker, can cause an intestinal blockage. When Should a Puppy Poop? Most puppies need to poop shortly after eating, but this can vary. It takes time for them to understand when their body is signaling they need to go, so training your puppy to go outside may take some time. After you feed your puppy, wait a few minutes, and then take them outside. Look for signs that your puppy needs to go, such as looking around and starting to sniff the floor. They may begin to circle and posture as if they are about to go. As soon as you notice the signs that pup is getting ready to go, get them outside quickly to aid in house-training! Puppy poo can be extremely variable in appearance, which can make it challenging to determine what is normal. As a rule, however, puppy stool should resemble a soft, large Tootsie roll. It should be brown and well-formed not soft or runny or too hard. The size of the stool will vary with the size of the dog, the time of day, and their diet, but pay attention to especially large or small stools. A small amount of mucus covering the stool is normal, but this should not be blood-tinged. Over time, your little pooping machine will go less and start to fall into a consistent pattern. Featured image: iStock. Since graduation, she has worked in many fields.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? What Can Cause Constipation In most cases, a Pug will become constipated due to one of these common reasons: 1 Inadequate water intake. If a dog is not drinking enough, this can cause stools to harden, which leads to constipation. In general, canines need 1 ounce of water for each 1 pound of body weight. This requirement may increase for active dogs and may also increase in the summertime. Exercise helps keep bowel movements regular by quickly moving food along to the large intestines. If there is a sudden decline in physical activity, this process takes longer, resulting in more water being absorbed from the food, leading to dry and hard-to-pass stools. This can lead to temporary issues including upset stomach, runny stools, diarrhea , or constipation. If a Pug's main meal is quickly switched to a new brand or recipe, this can cause problems even if the new diet is a better option. Ingestion of certain food including cheese and red meats can also make stools sluggish. An acute episode of extreme stress can throw off a dog's bathroom schedule. This includes a sudden addition to the family, moving to a new home, or a drastic change in routine that results in more time spent home alone. This can happen if a dog does not want to soil inside the house. There are other less common but possible reasons including: Engorged anal glands. If the anal glands are swollen and engorged, these can partically block the anal opening, making it more difficult to push out stools. Internal blockage. This is a very serious condition where a non-food object or hard-to-digest matter causes partial or full blockage. This is considered an emergency and requires immediate veterinary care. Enlarged prostate gland. Relevant for male Pugs, this can develop due to age-related hormone changes but can also be due to bacterial infection or even cancer. Other causes. While rare, an array of other conditions can cause constipation including trauma to the pelvic area, rectal tumors, and certain neurological disorders. For seniors, in particular, arthritic pain in the hips or back can lead to trouble with finding a comfortable stance to push out stools. This hesitation can cause stools back up. At-home Remedies to Treat a Pug with Constipation Note that with these suggestions, the more you incorporate the better. Rule out serious issues. Before you begin to treat your Pug for constipation at home, it is imperative that serious underlying reasons are ruled out. For this reason, if your Pug displays any of the following signs, seek immediate veterinary assistance: Panicked behavior Dry heaving or vomiting particularly of clear fluids or foamy liquid Excessive saliva refusal to drink water or eat food 2. Offer foods high in fiber. Adding fiber to a dog's diet can help stimulate the bowels and get things moving along. However, do note that too much fiber can backfire, causing more constipation so you will want to pay careful attention to serving size. For this, be sure to obtain real pureed or diced pumpkin, not the pie filling. Most Pugs find pumpkin to be very tasty and will accept this fruit blended into their food or served by itself. Puppies should have 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. Adult Pugs can have 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. If pumpkin is an effective remedy for your Pug's constipation, you should see results in just a day or so. Other options for foods high in fiber include kale, spinach, apple be sure to offer slices and not the core or any seeds , and pear just slices, not the core. Encourage water intake. Encourage your Pug to drink more, keeping in mind that smaller amounts throughout the day is better than drinking a lot in one sitting. Just leading your puppy or dog to the water bowl more often may be all that's needed. However, if struggling to get your Pug to drink enough is an ongoing issue, there are additional things that can help: Clean the water bowl every day with hot water and dish soap. Do not offer unfiltered tap water. In the average glass of America's drinking water, you'll find fluoride toxic to dogs , arsenic, pesticides, prescription medications, and a slew of other toxins and chemicals including known carcinogens. Offer bottled spring water or serve water from a filtering device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher. Bring water along when you take your Pug for walks, stopping every 15 to 20 minutes for hydration. If your Pug really needs to be motivated, consider obtaining a water fountain; dogs are usually tempted by the sound and sight of falling water. Many dogs find it fun to chase an ice cube around and many dogs love the taste of fruit. Fruits that have high water content include blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries which are also a great source of antioxidants. Increase daily exercise. If you've been skipping daily walks with your Pug, it's time to get back into a regular schedule. And, if your Pug is already being walked at least twice per day and has some light cardio sessions with you, such as fetch, try adding on at least 10 additional minutes of physical activity. The body maintains a balance of gut bacteria that aids in digestion. If this balance is thrown off it can cause intestinal issues including constipation or diarrhea. Probiotics, which can bring things back into balance, can help cure constipation by softening stools which make them easier to pass. Probiotics can be given to dogs via supplements. One like Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Dogs is a made-in-the-USA powder that is sprinkled over food and works well for constipation as well as flatulence. When to Call the Vet It's really important to keep an eye on how your Pug is acting , because often the first sign of internal blockage is constipation or straining when going to the bathroom. In some cases, an enema will be performed at the clinic. A full physical will be done, including an inspection of the anal glands. If underlying medical conditions are suspected, the veterinarian will run blood tests and perform other diagnostic procedures. In the case of blockage, things will get more complicated. This is considered a life threatening event. X-rays will often confirm this and surgery will be needed to remove the obstruction. Reevaluate what you are feeding your Pug, including both main mains and snacks. Cheaper foods will have higher levels of inexpensive carbohydrates and fillers; both can cause digestive problems. Measure your Pug's water intake. Most dogs need 1 ounce of water for each 1 pound of body weight, per day, but more may be needed during hot weather or if your Pug is very active. Routine exercise keeps a dog healthy in so many ways, including having regular bowel movements. Are you a PetPugDog Member? Sign up today to become a free site member ; this will allow you to receive newsletters that announce new articles and you'll be able to suggest a topic for us to write about. Have you seen our book? All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Pug Dog Diarrhea Overview There are very few health issues that cause such immediate concern than when a Pug puppy or dog suddenly gets diarrhea. And, due to the serious issues that can accompany this condition such as rapid dehydration, treating this as soon as it begins is prudent. This section will cover all of the important details about Pugs with diarrhea including: Signs and symptoms Acute vs chronic vs intermittent diarrhea What causes a Pug to develop diarrhea Home remedies and treatment Red flags that a vet visit is needed Signs and Symptoms of Diarrhea Diarrhea with dogs is the same as with humans. This term is given when bowel movements: 1: Hold more liquid than normal. If you were to pick it up, it would hold its shape and a piece may slowly break off. But, when a Pug has diarrhea, the stools will be runny and much more watery, making it impossible to pick up. In severe cases, diarrhea may be pure liquid. Normally, a Pug will have 1 to 3 bowel movements per day. However, when sick with diarrhea, a dog may squirt out runny or liquid stools 5, 10, or even 20 times in a day. There may also be 3: Lack of control. Even dogs that are very well house trained may have little to no control over the expulsion of diarrhea. Acute Vs Chronic Vs Intermittent Diarrhea Acute diarrhea is a short episode typically lasting 2 to 5 days that responds to at-home treatment and does not reoccur again within the next 3 months. Chronic diarrhea lasts more than 5 days. It may appear to get better once a dog is treated at home, but resurfaces soon afterward. For this, diagnosis and treatment at the vet's is needed. Intermittent diarrhea involves bouts of diarrhea often throughout the year. It comes and goes. It may be a week or a month between occurrences. What Causes a Pug to Develop Diarrhea In many cases, diarrhea will come on suddenly, out of the blue, though in some cases this can be a chronic problem caused by an underlying issue. Causes of diarrhea include: 1 A food intolerance. Dairy products are at the top of this list including ice cream, milk, and cheese. But, it should be noted that large quantities of cheese can have the opposite effect and cause constipation. Other foods that can cause runny stools are table scraps including fatty meats or greasy foods. Though many instances of food-related allergies involve allergic reactions to chemical additives that manifest as skin rashes and itchiness, food allergies can also cause upset stomach and diarrhea. Canines can catch a 'stomach bug' just like people can. In many cases, this is contracted when coming into contact with another dog that is sick in doggie daycare, when kenneled, etc. Overwhelming stress can trigger a Pug to have diarrhea. This may be acute or chronic stress often revolving around a chaotic or negative environment loud noises, yelling, domestic upset, etc. Also, certain situations may cause temporary intestinal distress such as being home alone when not accustomed to it, moving to a new home, the introduction of a new pet, or being transported or traveling. This is a catch-all term that is given for chronic episodes of diarrhea linked to one of several conditions including allergies, parasitic infection, lowered immune system, diseases such as colitis. This is diagnosed with a combination of blood testing, urinalysis, stool testing, and other tests. Treatment may include antibiotics, corticosteroids, and medications to protect the lining of the intestines. In many cases a change to a different food which includes a switch in both protein and carb sources can help. This can cause diarrhea, among other symptoms. Toxic substances that dogs are sometimes known to get into include cleaning products, antifreeze, insecticides, fertilizer, and medications for humans Advil is among the top 10 reported toxins leading to pet poisoning. This includes roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia. All newborn puppies should be properly de-wormed by the veterinarian and fecal testing should be performed during yearly wellness visits to check for intestinal parasites. Most of these parasitic infections are treated with multiple treatments of de-wormer medication, along with owners sanitizing both the indoor and outdoor areas of living space. Both coccidia and giardia are treated with antibiotics and also a cleaning of both environment and the dog, since these can shed onto the coat. How to Treat Acute Diarrhea with Pug Dogs Since diarrhea can quickly cause a Pug to become dangerously dehydrated, it is important to treat for this right away. There are several steps to take: 1 Make an assessment. Many cases of diarrhea can be effectively treated at home; however, if your puppy or dog has any of the following, this warrants immediate veterinary intervention and treatment: Diarrhea along with projectile vomiting - Vomit is expelled from the mouth, and sometimes the nasal passages, with extreme force Explosive diarrhea liquid stools expelled with force Bloody diarrhea. So, why do puppies poop so much? Do they really poop more than adult dogs? How much should your puppy be pooping, and when is it not normal? How Often Do Puppies Poop? Even adult dogs can poop up to three times a day, but most commonly they will only need to go once. As newborns, puppies are likely to poop after every feed. Up to 12 weeks it could be more than six times per day, and by six months down to three times per day. The reason puppies poop more than adult dogs is because their intestines are still developing, so their food is processed although not always fully digested quicker than it is by older dogs with a more mature digestive tract. Therefore, the younger the puppy is, the faster their food will pass through their digestive system. Resulting in more frequent pooping. My Dog Poops A Lot. Is That Okay? If your dog has settled into pooping three times a day and suddenly they go back to five or six times a day, they might have a stomach upset or other digestive issue. In these cases, seek veterinary advice. Like human babies, puppies need to eat more to make up for their increased energy needs as they grow, which in turn means they will poop more. Generally, this should only be a cause for concern if you notice differences in the poop itself. If you think your puppy is pooping too much, you might need to seek medical advice. If your puppy has always pooped 10 times per day, this in itself is not an issue. If your puppy typically poops six times per day and has suddenly started pooping 10 times a day, this could indicate an issue. Most puppy owners will find themselves wondering if the sheer volume of poop is normal, rather than worrying if their pup is pooping frequently enough! If you think your puppy is suffering from a blocked intestine, seek veterinary attention immediately. If your puppy is otherwise unwell and eating less as a result, this could also lead to less frequently pooping. When Do Puppies Poop? Because young puppies, like human babies, are still developing and have little control over their bodies, they tend to poop very quickly after eating. So consider this during training and help them build the connection with going outside to poop soon after eating. As well as creating a positive routine, it will also reduce the chances of your dog coming in too soon and then pooping inside the house. Where Should My Puppy Poop? Then, if you notice it being too large, too small, too hard, too runny, or a different color you will be able to take this as an indication that something could be wrong. Dogs excrete fluid from their anal glands on their feces when they go to the toilet, so you might notice wetness or liquid on their poop. This is normal. But if you spot blood or undigested materials in their poop — including under-digested food, foreign bodies like chew toys, and parasites like worms — then seek medical attention. It should be brown like milk chocolate, but variations on the shade are usually still healthy. In these cases, see your vet immediately. Allow your dog up to two weeks to settle into their new diet and, if possible, ease them into their new way of eating to prevent any sudden changes to the consistency and frequency of their pooping. Illness Excessive pooping can be a sign that your dog is unwell — usually as a result of bacteria in their bowels or digestive tract. Bacteria can cause diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal issues, kidney issues, and pain like cramping. This is commonly picked up from dogs scrounging for scraps in high bacteria areas like the trash can. Puppies can also pick up bacteria from dog poop itself, which contains over 23 million coliform bacteria. Overeating Eating too much or eating unhealthy food like table scraps can cause stomach issues in puppies that lead to irregular poop. This can be solved by rectifying the quality and quantity of their diet. Lack of routine An irregular routine can make it harder to predict when your puppy will go to the toilet and can lead to accidents. After food, play, naps, and on walks are the best times to train your dog to poop. Changes to their environment Dogs love routine. And if their established habits are disrupted by changes to their environment — including a new home or new animals and humans joining the family — it could trigger a change in their toilet cycle. Usually, their stress will settle down within a week and with it their pooping routine will return to normal. If it doesn't, your dog may need medical attention to treat anxiety or another underlying digestive issue. Share with your friends. Do Pugs Poop A Lot? Pug poops and Pug puddles. Do Pugs Poop a Lot? Remember the saying what goes in must come out? When your pug is young, they will probably poop after every meal. For a Pug pup with a healthy balanced diet, you should expect them to have a bowel movement between three and five times per day. When they grow up, adult Pugs often poop 2 to 3 times a day. How much they poop will depend on what and how much they are eating. How Often Do Pugs Pee? When your Pug is very young, their bladder is only very small and they will need to pee regularly. In general, a Pug puppy will need to urinate every hours. If they have an accident, try not to get frustrated. As your puppy grows and matures, they will be able to hold their pee longer. According to the American Kennel Club, a Pug pup should be able to hold their pee for an extra hour each month. For example, a 2-month-old Pug should be able to hold their pee for 2 hours and a 3-month-old for 3 hours, etc. Once your Pug is an adult, they should be able to hold their bladder for up to 8 hours, provided they are in good health. When it comes to peeing, the old adage stays true. What goes in must come out. The more your Pug drinks the more they will need to pee. In general, a healthy Pug will pee between 10 and 20 ml of urine for each pound of their own body weight. These are color, consistency, content, and coating. A healthy Pug poop is a medium brown color, compact, moist, and solid it should hold its shape when you pick it up in the poop bag. It should not contain any foreign materials like fur or parasites these often appear as white specks in the stool. Mucus around the stool is a sign of bowel inflammation or diarrhea. Some common poop problems include constipation , diarrhea, and increased stool frequency. Constipation If your Pug starts pooping less than usual, then they might be constipated. This means they will find it difficult to pass poop as normal. Typically constipation is brought on by insufficient hydration, poor diet, and lack of exercise, but it can also be brought on by some medications or even stress. Signs that your Pug is constipated include: Frequent attempts to poop without results Straining when pooping Hard, dry stools that look like pebbles Blood in the stool Mucus in or around the stool Loss of appetite Loss of energy You can prevent your Pug from becoming constipated by ensuring that they have a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. Try to avoid cheaper foods with too many filler ingredients as these are well known for causing digestive issues in Pugs. For very young pups, loose stools could indicate that they have not been properly dewormed by the breeder. If you notice loose stools accompanied by blood then this is a sign of Parvovirus. This is a serious condition and you will need to contact your vet immediately for testing. Luckily, in most cases, Pug diarrhea is temporary and non-life-threatening. Increased poop frequency could be the result of overeating, an imbalanced diet, bacteria, environmental changes, or even increased stress levels. Often by addressing these issues, your Pug will be back to normal in no time at all. When Should You Be Worried? Green, yellow, red, black, grey, or white coloration to the stool is something to take seriously. Green stools indicate stress, gallbladder issues, or overconsumption of grass. Yellow stools indicate problems with the liver or pancreas. Grey stools also point to problems with the pancreas. Red marks in the stool indicate that your Pug has a cut or tear in its anus. Black stools could be a sign of internal bleeding. Visit your vet immediately. White specks in the stool could indicate the presence of tapeworms. A chalky white consistency, however, points to too much calcium. If you notice a consistent increase or decrease in urination, you might want to book a visit with the local vet. Decreased Urination Decreased urination is most often caused by dehydration. Make sure that your Pug is drinking plenty of water throughout the day and with every meal. A decrease in the amount or frequency of pee could also indicate some other health issues including kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Visit your vet if you notice any of the following symptoms: Your Pug is visibly straining to pee Their pee has a strange odor You notice blood in their urine 2. Increased Urination An increase in urination could indicate incontinence, urinary tract infection, diabetes, kidney, or bladder stones. In some cases, incontinence might be attributed to a psychological cause. They will be able to get to the underlying cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. If your Pug is suffering a bladder infection or physical abnormality they may require surgery. Urinary tract infections are pretty common and more easily avoided. Sometimes a dog might develop a UTI because they have been forced to hold their pee too long, too many times. Making your pug hold their pee for over eight hours regularly is not healthy and can lead to both UTIs and urinary stones. Remember most adult Pugs will poop between times a day usually after meals , and a pup will pee more regularly than an adult Pug. Most importantly, if you notice any abnormalities, make sure to book a check-up with your local veterinarian.

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. It commonly occurs anywhere from eight weeks to six months. So, any German Shepherd parent would know that these adorable dogs have floppy ears when they are just puppies. However, stronger cartilage will be developed as you give them the proper nutrients. It might mostly occur as a response to your call or noise in the surrounding area. It can be a result of poor nutrition or slow development. Your German Shepherd needs abundant vitamin D, calcium, and protein. Lacking these nutrients in their diet will result in weak cartilage. Switch to better food or visit the vet for a checkup. They are still incredibly cute, anyway! If you want to ensure that you have a pooch with perky ears, make sure to look for parents with standing ears. Do all German Shepherd ears stand up? Even if you have already, you can know whether your pooch will have floppy or perky ears when it grows. It can compromise their health and adversely affect their growth, including strengthening the cartilage. Regular checkups and fecal exams can help prevent or abate that problem. Your vet can give your dog deworming medicines to see that your growing furry friend is free from parasites. Any traumatic injury to the ears can cause permanent damage and prevent the ears from growing strong enough to stand. It can be caused by a child pulling its ears and rough play among its littermates. Regularly monitor your pup and keep anyone from playing with its ears when they are in its developmental stage. But there are things you can do to help it get strong and healthy ears. These steps will also protect the ears from possible damage. Get high-quality food for your puppy to boost their development. Cheap foods usually have more fillers that contain negligible nutrients. Keep the puppy away and safe from other puppies that play bite with their ears. Educate your children and everyone else at home on how to handle the puppy carefully and gently. Giving your puppy chew toys will give their head, jaw, and surrounding muscles some exercise. It can lead to better ear development. Make sure to buy durable ones, as German Shepherd pups are stronger than you think! Clean their ears gently if you notice dirt. Keep your dog happy! A happy dog is a healthy dog. It will have fewer or no health problems if you keep the dog fit. Using the tape too early or during its growing stage can harm its natural development. However, the 7th to 8th month might be a little too late. But that may not be true for all, as some German Shepherds are just built differently. Their looks come second when you experience how good of a companion they can make. But the young ones carry cute floppy ears that eventually stand up. Some take longer. Remember that floppy ears do not affect their health negatively. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Aug 18, Share German Shepherds have a distinctive look that includes alert, erect ears. For most pups, the ear cartilage begins to harden around week 20, or when the pup is finished teething. At that point, it can take up to 20 weeks for the ears to stand up fully. This can vary by the individual, however. Like human ears, dog ears are made of cartilage. As they grow and gain nutrition, German Shepherds develop stronger and stronger cartilage to support those ears. Typically, puppies at weeks will have floppy ears that occasionally stand up but quickly fall back down. Around week 20, or 5 months, your pup is done teething and its ears will begin to harden and stand. Your vet may have some suggestions to help the process along. If your pup reaches 8 months and still has floppy ears, the chance of them standing on their own is slim. Some breeders try to breed for larger ears, leading to ears that are too heavy to stand up. If strong, alert ears are important to you, be sure to look for a pup with parents that have erect ears. If the ears sustain trauma during that time, it can cause permanent damage to the cartilage. If your puppy gets parasites, it can impact healthy development, which includes the hardening of its ear cartilage. Be sure to take your puppy to the vet regularly and have routine fecal exams to check for worms and other parasites. Your vet can recommend an appropriate deworming protocol for your growing puppy and treat parasites if they occur. However, if you want your puppy to have strong, alert ears, you can help the process along in a number of ways. In an effort to move ear development along, some owners will add supplements like calcium. Chew toys are also good for teething and keeping your puppy occupied. German Shepherds are strong, even as pups, so be sure to choose solid, durable chew toys that are safe and appropriate for your puppy. It should only be used as a last resort, however. If you use tape too early, it can hinder natural development. That said, if you wait until the seventh or eighth month, it may be too late to help. Glue the ends of the popsicle stick to the tape on both ears, horizontally. Once a week, remove the popsicle stick, foam, and tape. If the ears stand on their own, leave them. Related Reads:. I get a lot of emails about taping German Shepherd puppy ears. The majority of these emails come from people who are jumping the gun and worrying too much. By that, I mean their pups are 3 or 4 months old and they are starting to panic because their puppy's ears are not standing. I tell these people that they need patience, they need to wait until their pup has finished teething. I caution these people not to jump the gun and tape the dog's ears too early or in the wrong way. I know people who have screwed their dog's ears up for life by doing this. I have had puppy customers who go ballistic on me and panic. So I issue a word of caution here. With that said, the other side of the spectrum of taping ears is something that many people do not take seriously until it's too late. When ears are taped at 7 and 8 months, there is very little chance of it working. This is an unfortunate fact of life. German Shepherd puppy ears can come up between 8 weeks and 6 months. If they are not up when the dog is through teething this varies from dog to dog but in general between 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age , I tell my puppy customers to get very interested in their ears. While it's not time to panic, it is time to sit up and take notice. The first thing to do is make sure that your puppy is in good health. This means no intestinal parasites. Take a stool sample to your vet to have it analyzed. It's also important to make sure the pup is getting good quality food. We feed and recommend a raw diet but if you do feed a commercial diet, I strongly recommend researching all the options available and feeding the highest-quality food you can afford. View our list of all-natural kibble alternatives. In fact, a lot of times, a pup will have both ears up and all of a sudden, they will come back down when the pup starts to teeth. Many owners panic when this happens. But not to worry, I have never seen a pup whose ears did not go back up when this happens. If a pup does not have his ears up by 5 months, I strongly recommend that you get involved with taping your dog's ears. Use the thin white surgical tape the kind that's paper-thin and tears easily. The 3M Micropore tape, 2" wide, works well. I like to use women's hair rollers. Take the plastic out of them and just use the foam. Wrap the ear around the foam and tape them into a tight roll. In a vertical position. Take a popsicle stick and attach it to the top part of both ears. In a horizontal position. The pup is going to tear the tape or stick off the ears several times. The key is to continue to re-tape the ears. Sooner or later, the pup will forget the tape and ignore it. About once a week, take the tape off and see if the ears will stand on their own. Continue to re-tape until the ears stand. If the ears are not up by 7 or 8 months, they are not going to come up. The ears should look like this once taped. The same dog with ears now up. I have seen ears that did not stand, which in my opinion would have stood had they been taped. So this process is not something to take lightly. I also need to say that many ears will be a little weak right after taping but with time, they will strengthen. So when an ear does not stand perfectly after taping don't panic. Just have patience and see what happens. You will really not have an idea exactly what you have until the pup is 12 months old. When ears do not stand, there are ear implants that can be surgically added. I have no experience with this and do not know anything about them. If you are unlucky enough to have a dog whose ears will not stand, I would point you toward a vet that has some experience in this area. I don't think it's something that normal small animal vets know how to do well. In my opinion, too young to tape. The material to use to tape German Shepherd Ears The pup with its ears taped I prefer taping German Shepherd Dogs ears after the dog has finished teething. This usually means the dog is older than 4 - 6 months. Maybe waiting another month would have been a better idea for this puppy.