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Check to see if they are members of the ALAA or any other recognized body, as these organizations have high standards for breeding. The health and well-being of the parents are paramount in producing healthy, happy Labradoodle puppies! You can also go on Meetup to discover local dog owners who have Labradoodles in your area so that you can meet them in person! They are also very friendly and outgoing, making great family dogs! If you want a dog that will help you stay active, look no further than the Labradoodle! As you can see, there are a lot of great alternatives in Missouri when it comes to Labradoodle breeders. They go above and above to ensure the puppy comes first and is properly cared for and nurtured. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. All of our Labradoodle puppies are meticulously cared for from the moment they are born and treated like a member of our family. Australian Labradoodles are loyal, beautiful and rewarding family companions. With a docile disposition, magnificent appearance and extraordinary health, Australian Labradoodles from Heartland Labradoodles are a perfect addition to any family, from new couples to singles to young families or retired couples. Our exceptional Labradoodle girls and boys give their puppies the best health traits and the best physical characteristics of the breed, as well as a winning personality. This helps our Labradoodle puppies grow up happy, healthy and handsome. Choose from chocolate, jet black, cream, apricot and shades in between to breed your own champion Labradoodles or find the perfect color. See our available puppies and find the new addition to your family or call Heartland Labradoodles for more information. For the safety of our puppies, we deliver to neighboring communities within a maximum of a four-hour drive, including areas in Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and our home state of Iowa. Puppy Spotlight. The Labradoodles and Goldendoodles in our breeding program live with us in our home, not a kennel. Our puppies are whelped in our home and exposed to daily family life. At Blessed Day Doodles one of our top priorities is that our doodles are part of our family and receive daily love and attention. Our breeding dogs live with amazing and carefully chosen guardian families. Guardian homes allow our breeding dogs to be part of a forever family and receive the love and attention every dog deserves. Why Blessed Day Doodles? Labradoodle and Goldendoodle Health The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid between the poodle, labrador retriever, and cocker spaniel. Miniature goldendoodles are a hybrid between the poodle and golden retriever. Our breeding dogs must pass extensive health testing to become part of our program. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle Temperaments Goldendoodles and Australian Labradoodles are incredibly social, intelligent, and equally loving. Doodles love people and animals alike, coupled with their low to non-shed qualities, it makes them the perfect family pet. Because of their social nature it would be a punishment to leave a doodle alone for long periods of time without human contact. Furthermore, we encourage you to consider that dogs, like humans, are happiest with a mate, so in their case…another dog. With this in mind, you may want to consider having two dogs so they can keep one another company. We humans are great company but dogs are happiest with another canine companion.

Use the same commands and cues consistently. Improved obedience and communication. Reward good behavior with treats and praise. A motivated and happy pup. Socialization Introduce your pup to various people and dogs in a slow, positive manner. Well-adjusted and confident around others. Structured Play Mental stimulation and reduced boredom. Leash Training Teach leash manners to enjoy peaceful walks. Enjoyable walks with your well-behaved companion. Obedience Classes Enroll in obedience classes for professional guidance. Enhanced training skills and socialization. Training a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy involves consistent positive reinforcement methods. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Use rewards like treats and praise to encourage desired behavior, and keep training sessions short and engaging. Socialization with other dogs and people is essential, and enrolling in puppy training classes can provide structured guidance. Use these puppy training tips to have less stress with your puppy: 1. Stay on top of their exercise needs. Your GSD needs the proper exercise. Increase exercise slowly to avoid an injury that comes from too much impact on unfused joints and bones. While your puppy still lacks maturity and focus, you can increase training to help teach your dog obedience skills. Increase daily obedience and practice to help them learn training basics. Your beautiful German Shepherd puppy will grow very quickly! Teaching them when they are puppies will pay off for the rest of their life. Simple training should start the moment your puppy arrives home. Using the same word for the same activities will help them learn quickly. Give them the right chew toys. Your pup needs balls and toys that are safe and chew-worthy. Look for more indestructible toys to keep your German Shepherd busy and continue to offer chew treats to work their jaws. Find the right chews for you puppy so you minimize the potential for choking and their jaws get a good workout. Use some of these balls for German Shepherd puppies as a distraction toy to get their focus away from your fingers and onto the toy. Giving your puppy a chew toy when they are biting an unapproved item redirects their attention to the right item. Include mental stimulation for their minds. This puppy needs mental stimulation to help them exercise their brilliant minds. This intelligent dog need more than physical exercise. Their minds need to learn and become involved in their world in new and interesting ways. There are many ways you can include mental stimulation. Many of these ways involve teaching a new brain challenge or mental game. Keep them supervised. Even a young GSD can cause lots of trouble when left unsupervised. If your once potty-trained pup has now forgotten their potty manners, then use pet-safe baby gates to contain them or leash them to you to supervise their actions at all times. Pet safe gates like these allow your dog to still see you and feel they have watched over their family. Pet gates are a safe option that prevents your dog from getting its head stuck or worse. Shutting a German Shepherd behind a closed door increases their anxiety and can make unwanted behavior worse! Instead, use the baby gate in a safe area to give them less run of your house. Behaviors you like can improve daily. Every day is an opportunity for you to become a more successful leader. For example: If they want to go outside ask them for a sit first. If they bring you a ball to throw, ask for a down before you engage in play. Setting up expectations of accepted behavior helps them learn how to behave more appropriately. And these successful moments can help speed up how long it takes to train a German Shepherd. Even tiny successes are great confidence builders for your puppy and for you. These bursts of training are easier for your pup to understand. The most telling sign of your little puppy growing up is unpredictable behaviors. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but in a furry adorable body! Hormones, rebellion, confusion, and curiosity all add up to puppy puberty. But with the proper home management techniques and setting expectations, you can overcome these common puppyhood challenges. And my short Happy Puppy Guide is packed with helpful tips and tricks to ensure your furry friend grows up to be a happy and well-behaved companion. Your 6-month-old German Shepherd will thank you for it. I fetched it for you right here! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Final Thoughts Remember that your 6 month old German Shepherd is not a puppy anymore. It is the age when your pet officially enters the adolescence stage. What does this mean for it and you as its owner? The most troublesome period starts here. Your doggy can become rather unpredictable, and it is sometimes frustrating. It may still seem like a big fur ball, but it shows its temperament and character, so you need to be very careful. Moreover, it is very strong, too. So if your puppy is not properly trained, you may experience some difficulties in controlling it. Size and Appearance Your 6 month old German Shepherd puppy continues growing. It has already gained pounds .It is a large dog breed, and it has become obvious now. Your boy weighs pounds kg , and the girl, though smaller, is pounds kg heavy. The height of a male puppy at this age reaches inches cm at the withers, while female dogs are inches cm tall. Now, teething is almost completed, and your doggy can normally show all its 42 adult teeth already. However, some puppies continue teething until they are months old. The fur coat is also almost adult, with its double layers and a lot of shedding. It means that you need to develop a direct schedule for brushing and grooming. Buy a high-quality undercoat rake and brush your pup at least once a week. Since teething is finished, the ears stand up straight at this age. However, some puppies do not have perky ears until they are 12 months old. Another very important thing to consider in your six month old German Shepherd is that its sexual maturity begins. This stage is equivalent to teenagership or puberty in people. The hormones start kicking in, so males may want to look for a mate when outside. That is why it is so important to keep your puppy away from stray dogs at this time. Your boy may also start marking its territory and displaying aggression toward other animals and people. Estrogen in females also results in uneasiness and aggressive behavior. Walking in a dog park is not the best idea for your girl at this period. On average, a 6 month old GSD sleeps hours a day. Most of them are at night, but it may also need several naps in the daytime. Your puppy is very active at this age, so it needs a lot of walking and running. It is capable of walking long distances or even jogging. It is a truly great breed that can be very energetic. The puppy can walk up to 6 miles or 10 kilometers, and many believe that it is OK, since wolf pups as their ancestors could walk and run with their pack for many miles. However, every veterinarian will tell you that too much exercise of this kind can be dangerous for your pup because it can result in problems with joints at this age. So, choose other types of activities for exercising. Teach your doggy to walk on a leash, with frequent breaks, increasing the length of the walk gradually. Never walk your puppy in very hot or cold weather. If your pup shows the slightest signs of lameness, talk with your vet about it. The age of 6 months is the time when many behavioral problems can appear. It is connected with the period of puberty and hormonal disbalances. Your pup needs more independence, so it may wage a war against all your belongings if not trained properly. Chewing, tearing, and demolishing everything around is common. Even if your doggy has been potty-trained properly, it may have more accidents indoors now because it finds pleasure in looking for secret places for doing its business when indoors. Therefore, you have to show it who the boss in the household is and become a true leader of the pack for it. When playing, your pup may become rougher and try to dominate. It can get pushier with other dogs due to the start of its sexual maturity. Your pet can display a lot of boldness and attack other dogs fearlessly when walking in the park. It may also develop more aggressive reactions to other people, especially strangers. Even if it does know most commands, it may pretend to forget them because its hormones fluctuate. So, you need to be very careful to avoid incidents. Scent marking is another sign of puberty. The pup can do it inside your home and display disobedience if you try to prevent this. Female pups can experience the beginning of heat. It may cause them to feel subdued and insecure, so they become less sociable and even aggressive to their owners. You need a lot of patience and knowledge to train your doggy to behave properly at this age. Try to be persistent, provide it with more outdoor exercise, and never use force or physical punishment in response to its misbehavior. Increase the amount of exercise gradually to avoid bad injuries to the bones and joints. Find the most appropriate and appealing activities and games for your puppy to keep it healthy and out of trouble. Include mental stimulation in your everyday exercise. Offer it new brain challenges or mental games. Health and Care You need to be carefully observing whether your pup meets its weight and height requirements for this age. Learn to measure your doggy regularly to be on the safe side. Your pup has already had three vaccination sessions by this time. Neutering or spaying your pup is an issue that you may have to consider. However, most veterinarians do not approve of this at such an early age. It can result in joint disorders, incontinence, musculature injuries, and even cancer. They can be explained by lessening or eliminating the production of hormones associated with growth. The cartilage in long leg bones may get soft or even be missing, contributing to skeletal weaknesses. That is why you should delay neutering until your boy is one year old. Or, if your little male displays too many signs of disobedience and aggression due to its sexual development, delay neutering until the veterinarian X-rays your doggy and ensures that the growth plates are hardened and completely closed. As for female German Shepherds, the additional safety considerations for spaying should also be taken into account. Too early spaying can increase the risks of mammary cancer and urinary incontinence, along the common joint and bone issues. It is recommended to wait until your girl is one year old or even longer. Most breeders will tell you that a female German Shepherd should go through one or two heat cycles before spaying to reduce the risks of severe health issues. That is why the most desirable time for spaying the GS female is 18 months of its age. As for other health problems at the age of 6 months, you do not need to worry. If you want to know what to expect further, research the pedigree and ancestors of your pup to see whether there were any hereditary issues in their bloodline. You can also have a DNA test to predict future problems, such as degenerative myelopathy. However, you need to be watchful and careful about different signs and symptoms that may signal some temporary disorders. These symptoms may not mean anything serious. Though, it is always better to be sure. Feeding You need to feed your 6 month old German Shepherd puppy an appropriate diet with the correct number of calories and protein rates. It still grows rapidly, so you should be careful when choosing between high-quality puppy kibble and raw homemade feeding. The latter should include raw meats fish, turkey, or chicken are good and different vegetables and fruits. Do not offer your puppy too many treats during the daytime. Remember that they can be full of fats and lead to obesity. You do not want your pup to suffer from hip dysplasia or other health issues caused by being overweight. Arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, and even cancer can also result from improper diets. Give your puppy cups of kibble per each of 2 meals daily. Develop a feeding schedule and be consistent with following it. Self-feeding can also lead to obesity. Provide clean and fresh water to your dog, and you do not need to take the water bowl away. Your pup should have access to it whenever it wants. Never add any supplements or extra treats until your veterinarian recommends them. If your puppy refuses to eat for more than two subsequent meals, have a talk with your vet. You do not need to make a transition to adult food at this age yet. However, in some cases, it may be appropriate and recommended, even if normally such a transition is due closer to the age of one year. If you do not do it gradually, you may face digestive upset in your puppy. The start for a 6 month old GSD is not the best option because the socialization window closes at 4 months in German Shepherds, and you may encounter some behavioral issues now. Never use harsh, negative, or punishment-based methods of training. Your pup is very sensitive, and all this can damage its psyche. The positive, reward-based methods are more appropriate, and they will produce better results. Continue socialization by exposing your pet to unfamiliar animals and people in a friendly environment. Though, you need to be very careful now because hormone disbalance can evoke unpredictable reactions. German Shepherds tend to be enthusiastic barkers, so you have to discourage your pup from barking all the time. Teach it to inform you when someone unknown is approaching, but keep from barking all other times. Always control your doggy persistently. Instill that you are a leader to obey. Do training for at least minutes per day regularly and always use positive reinforcement. If you need help, ask a professional trainer to assist or teach you. It is pretty tall, with the height of a male reaching inches .Female dogs are a bit smaller, with inches cm in height. How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd weight? Your pet continues growing quickly, so its weight also increases. The average weight of a boy puppy is pounds .How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd eat? You can give your puppy cups of kibble per each of 2 meals daily. How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd sleep? Because of its almost full-sized bladder, your pup does not need a potty at night or may need it just once. Therefore, it can sleep peacefully the whole night. Normally, the average sleeping time is hours, with the biggest amount at night. Though, it may also need several naps in the daytime. How far can a 6 month old German Shepherd walk? Even if you think that your pup needs a lot of exercises, walking and running should not comprise the largest part of it. The puppy can walk up to 6 miles or 10 kilometers if it is needed, but never make it walk for such a long distance. Its bones and joints are not formed completely yet, so much walking can cause many health issues. Choose some other activities for exercising, then. Final Thoughts Now, you can see that your 6 month old GSD puppy is a source of both enjoyment and trouble. You should be very patient, persistent, and careful about feeding, training, and exercising your little one to raise a healthy, energetic, and loyal dog, the best companion and protector for all your family. Follow the advice of your veterinarian relating to health and care. You can also consult with a professional dog trainer or hire them to help you. We hope that some recommendations and tips in this article will also be helpful. 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. A 6 month old German Shepherd is now out of the juvenile growth stage and is officially an adolescent. You will need patience now more than ever as these big fur balls show their true colors and try to see exactly how much they can get away with. Overall Behavior: At 6 months old, they are still big kids with plenty of youth and enthusiasm to go around. But watch out because they are still quite the trouble makers at this age. However, hopefully by now some of biting, chewing, and jumping has subsided and they are a bit more mature than the previous month. Especially if you have been busy socializing and training them consistently. They will now begin to exert their independence and do a lot of exploring. They can also start to get a bit rowdy around other dogs and may get a bit rough with younger children. Resource Guarding: One month ago, you were most likely dealing with biting and zoomies. Unfortunately, this behavior should not be tolerated and must be dealt with to avoid future issues. It can lead to possible aggressive confrontations with other people especially at a dog park or public location. It is much better to find local dog owners for play time. Training: At the 6 month mark, your German Shepherd should have the basics mastered. They are still highly susceptible to training at this stage so you want to continue consistent training. The window for socialization typically closes at around 16 weeks, so at this point they should be fairly comfortable around other animals or dogs. If not, it will be more difficult at this stage. Some helpful tips for training effectively: Continue to instill that you are the leader but never force them to into listening and learning. Learn how your dog communicates and try to relate on their level. Practice patience and be consistent, training them for at least minutes daily. Use positive reinforcement to instill obedience rewarding them with praise or treats. Intermediate Commands: Crawl — Get your dog in the down position. Lure them forward by holding a treat a few inches from their nose. Get them to follow the treat as you move back. Reward them when they obey. Fetch — Get your GSD to chase a ball or stick. Reward them for chasing it. Then call them back to you. Reward them with praise and a treat when they obey. We recommend teaching your German Shepherd two new intermediate commands a month. If you are ahead of the game and your GSD already knows crawl and fetch, you can check out the full list here. If you need a little help with training, this video has some great tips and tricks: Physical Development: At month 6, they are still growing like a weed and should be at least half of their future adult size. They most likely packed on another pounds since the previous month. Males should now be standing almost a foot and a half tall and in the range of 16 to 18 inches at the withers. Females are only an inch or two behind and should be standing around 15 to 17 inches at the withers. By now the males should be half of a hundred pounds and officially considered a large dog breed. Any dog over 50 pounds and under pounds is considered a large dog breed Males should be somewhere in the range of 49 to 57 pounds. Females on average are 5 pounds less and should weigh in the range of 44 to 49 pounds. Their full adult double coat of fur should also be completely filled in. That means a good weekly brushing with a good undercoat rake is advised. Sexual Maturity Begins: Now that they are half a year old, they will begin the sexual maturity stage of development. This is equivalent to puberty in humans. They will also simultaneously begin to mark their territory. Females on the other hand, may begin to go into heat as their estrogen kicks in. They are still young and should either be eating a high-quality puppy kibble or a homemade diet. We recommend feeding your dog an all-natural diet that includes raw meats such as chicken, fish and turkey. Combine that with fruits and veggies and your dog will be healthy and happy. Just make sure to avoid any toxic foods in their diet. As much as you are tempted, avoid giving them too many treats throughout the day. And if you are training make sure to use small, lean treats without too much fat. Obesity can exacerbate health issues that German Shepherds are already susceptible to including hip dysplasia. Being overweight also increases the risk of your GSD getting various diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and even cancer. Try to be consistent with your feeding times. Health: We mentioned earlier how fast they are growing but you want to make sure that they are meeting the recommended height and weight requirements for their age. You can keep up by referring to this size chart and writing down their size each month. If you are thinking about neutering or spaying your German Shepherd , you may want to reconsider. While some vets recommend getting it done at the 6 month mark, most breeders disagree and recommend you wait until they are at least one year old. This can be hard with a female that is going into heat but keep her lean and try to wait as long as you can when possible. The reason for waiting is because GSDs that are neutered or spayed before 6 months of age are at a higher risk of the joint condition hip dysplasia. Overall, your German Shepherd should be thriving at this age with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. That being said, it is a good idea to take preventative measures for any future health issues. You can get a step ahead by doing some research into their parents and pedigree for any possible hereditary problems present in their bloodline. You can also use tools such as a DNA test to possibly predict future conditions. While it is too early on to worry about major diseases, you still want to keep an eye out for any type of sickness your GSD may encounter. Signs and symptoms to look for: Change in normal sleeping pattern Coughing, gagging or sneezing in excess Decrease in appetite Drinking and urinating a lot Dry itchy skin. If you have recently welcomed a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy into your home, you are probably feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelming responsibility. At six months, your GSD puppy is starting to look and act a lot like an adult. He is also starting to explore his surroundings and may be roaming a lot more than usual. He is also going into puppy puberty, which comes with many behavioral changes including marking, aggression and acting on sexual desires. In this blog post, we will provide a survival guide for new owners of a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy. We will cover essential topics such as feeding, exercise, training, grooming, and health care, and offer practical tips and recommendations to help you navigate this particular stage with your new companion. What to expect from a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy? If you have a male puppy, for instance, you will notice that they are becoming overly territorial or intolerant of other male dogs and generally aggressive to unfamiliar people. In addition to the hormones, are the raging sexual desires which will make your puppy want to be around dogs of the opposite sex. Female puppies will start to go into heat, while male puppies will start roaming looking for females. Other changes to expect include: Playful and energetic Your young dog is also likely to be more energetic and playful than before. Becoming independent GSD puppies at this age are also starting to become more independent and may be less reliant on you. Enhanced communication skills Puppies at this age also have enhanced hearing skills and can process instructions a lot better. This is the time to advance obedience training to help them learn good behavior and become well-behaved adult dogs. Resource guarding Additionally, they may experience what we refer to as resource guarding. This is where puppies become so possessive of their toys that they become harsh when someone or another dog tries to touch them. American Kennel Club recommends early behavior training to prevent this possession aggression from escalating into nasty bites. Your six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will need quite a lot from you. First and foremost, they will need a consistent routine and structure. The routine should incorporate everything from feeding to play. A routine will help make life so much easier for both of you. Other needs include A good leader As an owner, you should also provide your puppy with good leadership. Part of being a good leader is giving clear instructions and being consistent with reinforcing the behavior. For a GSD puppy, establishing yourself as a pack leader is crucial in instilling good behavior. Consistent exercise You will also need to take your dog for daily walks or for play dates at the dog park to keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. Even as puppies, German Shepherds are extremely energetic dogs, and therefore daily exercise is a basic need for them. You will need to commit to at least 30 minutes of exercise in the morning and another 30 minutes in the evening. In addition, you will need to have a list of games and activities to keep them busy and mentally stimulated. Here are some activities you can try. Proper socialization It is also important to continue socializing your German Shepherd puppy at this age. This can involve exposing them to a variety of people, places, and other animals in a controlled and positive manner. This will help your puppy develop into a well-adjusted adult dog. Proper nutrition Proper nutrition is also important for a growing German Shepherd puppy. You will need to feed your puppy high-quality food appropriate for their size and age. It is generally recommended to feed puppies three to four times per day until they are about six months old, after which you can gradually transition to twice-daily feedings. Love and attention In addition to these basic responsibilities, you are also expected to provide your German Shepherd puppy with plenty of love, attention, and positive reinforcement. This will help them feel secure and build a strong bond with you. There are plenty of ways to bond with your dog. You can make use of the morning and evening exercise to bond, go on weekend hikes and trips together, walks at the dog park or play interactive games indoors. The goal is to create as much quality time with your dog to enhance the bond. Regular grooming Regular grooming is another thing your pup will require from you at least once every week. Now that their coat is fully filled up, they will start to shed a lot. This means you will need to create a schedule for brushing their coat and general grooming, like cleaning their ears and teeth. Ensure you get a good-quality brush for this job. They look a lot like a large breed dog at this point. Males will have an average weight of 53 pounds and a height of between inches, while females will weigh 46 pounds on average and will be inches tall. However, some German Shepherds puppies may be larger or smaller than others at this age. The puppies will have a more developed a more muscular appearance than they did when younger. They will have a longer, thicker coat, and their ears may be fully upright. Their paws may also be larger and more in proportion to their body, and a majority will have all their adult teeth on. Also noticeable will be their strong, muscular build and their intelligent and confident demeanor. It is normal for some puppies to grow more quickly or more slowly than others. To help speed up their growth, focus on proper nutrition. You also want to get your puppy a variety of chew toys to help with ear erection. This new stage comes with its own set of behavioral changes, as expected, like aggression, territorial marking, and moodiness. Other changes that your pup may experience to indicate sexual maturity include bloody discharge and swelling of the vulva. As the hormones kick in for both males and females, they will begin to act on their sexual desires. For males, particularly, they will start to prowl for females, and for females, they will start to go into their first heat cycle. But yes, from 6 to 12 months, your pup will develop aggressive reactions to other dogs as well as to unfamiliar faces. They will start to get pushier when playing with other dogs. They will also become bolder and more fearless when with other dogs. This is their innate need to want to dominate and protect their territory, which they are slowly marking. This sudden aggressiveness is also due to the hormonal fluctuation they are experiencing. Ideally, your puppy should have been trained as early as 4 months when the aggressive behavior starts so that by the time the aggression is heightened at 6 months, it is easier to deter. Be aware that even though they will not be aggressive to you as their owner, they will start to show disobedience when you give them commands. You will need to stamp your authority so that the puppy understands that you are in charge. This will also make training even with aggressive behaviors easier. Puppy puberty: What do owners need to know? The sixth month in puppies is marked with a surge of hormones. This makes it pretty hard to predict their behaviors. In fact, they may show some aggression and pushiness. They however like to hang out around female dogs because their sexual desire is heightened. For female puppies, you will notice a shift in their moods. They are also likely to become insecure and less interested in activities they once enjoyed as they start getting on heat. They may also become irritable and aggressive to other dogs. Both genders will also start showing some disobedience and unruly behaviors like not responding to commands they once did. Nutrition needs of a 6-Month-Old German Shepherd puppy At six months old, your German Shepherd puppy will still have some growing to do, and it is important to ensure that they are receiving the right balance of nutrients to support their growth and development. There are a variety of meat proteins that you can incorporate into the diet, such as chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, and salmon. Fats Fats and oils from fish, chicken, and meats are essential in developing healthy and shiny coat, skin, and fur. Carbohydrates Your 6-month-old puppy is going to need a lot of energy to keep up with his current activity levels. According to PetMD good sources of carbohydrates are plants and grains. Other essential nutrients Your puppy will also need essential nutrients minerals and vitamins to help in stabilizing their surging hormones as well as dental health and a multitude of other body functions. These nutrients can be found in cereals, meats, and vegetables. We may get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties. A 6-month-old German Shepherd is a bundle of energy, curiosity, and potential. With the right balance of care, training, and patience, they will grow to become loyal, loving, and incredibly intelligent companions. At this age, they are developing their personalities and exploring the boundaries of their world. This stage can be challenging for owners, but you can navigate it successfully with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. This period marks the beginning of their journey, characterized by significant developmental milestones. Their eyes and ears, initially sealed, will start to open, introducing them to a whole new world of sights and sounds. Puppies begin exploring their immediate surroundings, albeit clumsily. Their weight at this stage usually ranges from 4 to 9 pounds. Early socialization also begins in the litter with their mother and siblings, providing the first lessons in canine communication and behavior. Month 2 — German Shepherd Puppy Development: German Shepherd puppies become noticeably more active and lively by their second month. They start engaging in early play behaviors with their siblings, learning vital skills through these playful interactions. This month also marks the time for their first set of vaccinations, an important step in ensuring their long-term health. At this stage, puppies are exceptionally receptive to socialization, making it an ideal time to expose them to various gentle experiences, including different sights, sounds, and handling by caring humans. Month 3 — German Shepherd Puppy Development: Three-month-old German Shepherd puppies are bundles of energy, displaying an insatiable curiosity about their environment. Their explorative nature is paired with an eagerness to learn, making it the perfect time to initiate basic obedience training. Their dietary needs continue to increase, and they should be fed high-quality puppy food four times a day to support their rapid growth. Typical weight at this age can vary but often lies around pounds. Month 4 — German Shepherd Puppy Development: The fourth month is a time of rapid growth and developing confidence for German Shepherds. Their curiosity about the world around them remains high, and they may start to push boundaries, testing their owners and their environment. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training becomes even more crucial during this phase to shape good behavior and curb any potential behavioral issues. This month, they also start teething, losing their puppy teeth to make way for their adult dog set. Providing appropriate chew toys can help alleviate any discomfort associated with this process. They have plenty of energy at this stage, so multiple short walks and periods of play each day are recommended to keep them happy and healthy. Their mental capabilities continue to expand, and training can incorporate more complex commands and tasks. Their increasing intelligence and ability to learn make this a prime time for advancing their training. Weight is individual, but many five-month-old German Shepherds will weigh between pounds. This period can be marked by signs of stubbornness and a newfound sense of independence. Your puppy may begin to test boundaries even more during this time, attempting to find their place in the world. The importance of firm but fair rules and consistent training cannot be overstated during this phase. Their need for physical exercise remains high, often requiring over an hour of exercise each day. A high-quality, large-breed puppy diet remains crucial for their development, with typical weights ranging from pounds. Socialization should also continue to be a focus, exposing the pup to different environments, people, and situations to ensure they grow into well-rounded adult dogs. Despite being just halfway through their first year of life, a German Shepherd puppy could potentially be half the size of an adult dog or even more. Their swift growth is a clear testament to their future stature as one of the larger dog breeds. Remember, training sessions should be engaging and rewarding. According to a Frontiers in Veterinary Science study, dogs are more responsive to reward-based training. It helps build a positive relationship between the dog and the owner and reduces stress, enhancing the overall learning experience. Socializing your pup from a young age can result in a more confident, well-adjusted adult dog. This includes exposure to different environments, people, and other animals. Always ensure that new experiences are positive and non-threatening, and never force your puppy into a situation where they feel uncomfortable. This is because puppy food contains higher levels of protein, fat, and certain vitamins and minerals to support their growth and development. As a general guideline, a six-month-old German Shepherd needs about 3 cups of puppy food each day, divided into two meals. However, this amount may vary based on their individual activity level, metabolism, and overall health. At this age, your puppy should have completed their series of vaccinations, including distemper, parvovirus, and rabies. Discuss spaying or neutering with your vet. This procedure can have health and behavioral benefits, including reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and unwanted behaviors related to sexual maturity. However, it should be timed properly, especially in large breed dogs like German Shepherds. Exercise: Balancing Physical Activity and Mental Stimulation Exercise is vital for a six-month-old German Shepherd, not only for their physical health but also for their mental well-being. A combination of physical exercises, such as walks and play sessions, and mental stimulation, such as training and interactive toys, can help keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy. Be mindful of their growing bones and joints. Overexercising at this age could potentially lead to joint issues, including hip or elbow dysplasia. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, German Shepherds rank among the top breeds for hip dysplasia, with about .German Shepherd Weight and Size: Male German Shepherd puppies tend to be larger than their female counterparts in terms of size and weight. A six-month-old male puppy typically weighs between pounds and stands approximately inches tall at the shoulder. On the other hand, female puppies are usually a bit smaller, with weights ranging from pounds and standing about inches tall. However, remember that these figures can vary based on individual genetics and diet. Temperament and Behavior: While both male and female German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature, subtle variations in temperament may become more noticeable at six months. Male dogs often display more dominant and territorial behavior, particularly around other male dogs. They might be more inclined towards establishing a hierarchy and marking their territory. A Female German Shepherd dog, in contrast, are often characterized as more focused and easy to train at this age. They may demonstrate quicker maturity compared to their male counterparts and are sometimes seen as less distracted during training sessions. However, they can also be independent and may become reserved around strangers. Interaction with Other Dogs: Interactions with other dogs can also reveal differences between male and female puppies. Male puppies can become more assertive at this age, particularly around other male dogs. They may be more likely to engage in dominance-related behaviors such as marking or posturing. This characteristic could become more pronounced if the male puppy is not neutered. On the other hand, female German Shepherd dogs may exhibit less aggression towards other dogs. However, they might have periods of mood changes due to their heat cycles, which can start anytime from six months onwards. Female German Shepherd vs. Male German Shepherd Round-up While male and female German Shepherd puppies make excellent companions, understanding these differences can help potential dog owners make informed decision based on their living situation, family dynamics, and personal preferences. Their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability have won the hearts of many. These characteristics also make them excellent working dogs, commonly seen in roles such as police dogs and search and rescue dogs. They typically live between years, providing a substantial period for loving and fulfilling companionship. Your puppy will grow into a confident, well-behaved, and healthy adult dog with your guidance and care. Enjoy the journey, and remember, patience and consistency are key. German Shepherds are known for their intelligence and loyalty, which will surely make all your efforts worthwhile. Your 6-month-old German Shepherd is in a significant period of their life, but with love, consistency, and guidance. FAQ 6-month-old German Shepherd 1. What are the physical changes that a 6-month-old German Shepherd will go through? Males will typically be larger than females. Their height will be about inches at the withers, and their weight will be about pounds. Their coat will start to fill out, and they may start to shed their puppy coat. What are the behavioral changes that a 6-month-old German Shepherd will go through? They may start to test their boundaries and exhibit some unwanted behaviors. It is important to be firm and consistent with them during this time. Some common behavioral changes that 6-month-old German Shepherds may exhibit include increased independence, destructive behavior, and aggression. What are the dietary needs of a 6-month-old German Shepherd? At 6 months old, your German Shepherd puppy will need to eat high-quality puppy food. The food should be specifically formulated for large breed puppies. You should feed your puppy times per day. The amount of food you feed your puppy will depend on their weight and activity level. What are the training needs of a 6-month-old German Shepherd? It is important to use positive reinforcement training methods with them. This means rewarding them for good behavior and ignoring or redirecting bad behavior. You should start teaching your 6-month-old German Shepherd basic commands like sit, stay, come, down, heel, and advanced commands like fetch and roll over. What are the health concerns of a 6-month-old German Shepherd? Some common health concerns of 6-month-old German Shepherds include Panosteitis, Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, and allergies. Taking your 6-month-old German Shepherd to the vet for regular check-ups is important to identify and treat any health concerns early. What are the socialization needs of a 6-month-old German Shepherd? Socialization is important for all puppies, but it is especially important for German Shepherds. They need to be exposed to a variety of people, places, and things so that they can learn to be well-rounded dogs. You can socialize your 6-month-old German Shepherd by taking them for walks in different neighborhoods, taking them to the park, introducing them to new people, and taking them to puppy classes. What are the exercise needs of a 6-month-old German Shepherd? German Shepherds are a high-energy breed and require plenty of exercise. At six months old, your German Shepherd should have several short walks along with a play session each day. Remember to keep exercises controlled since their bodies are still growing. Around this age, German Shepherds are in the process of losing their puppy teeth and gaining their adult ones. How important is mental stimulation for a 6-month-old German Shepherd? Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for a German Shepherd puppy. Around six months, German Shepherds may go through fear periods. During these periods, providing positive experiences is important as avoiding pushing your puppy too far out of its comfort zone. Be patient and supportive during this time. What should I know about neutering or spaying my 6-month-old German Shepherd? Always consult with your vet to determine the best timing for your individual dog. More about the author Team Dogsized Crafted with care by Team Dogsized, your trusted guides to all things dog size for your canine. But your dog is still a puppy on the inside, and this is very important to remember. Your dog still has a lot of growing to do on the inside! A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy is going to need a lot of socialization and structured crate training and enough gentle exercise and play to keep all that energy under control. What to Expect as Your German Shepherd Turns Six Months Old German Shepherds are really smart , strong dogs, which can mean they are a handful to raise and train as they grow up and get bigger. If you are caring for a German Shepherd puppy right now or have ever done so in the past, you already know this! One of the biggest areas of anxiety for first-time German Shepherd owners is whether what they are experiencing with their dog is normal or not. For example, is it normal for a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy to be biting everything in sight? How about if a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy whines and barks a lot? What about appetite, portion size, and treats for a 6 month old German Shepherd? When should you transition to adult dog food and an adult dog portion size? And what about that all-important question — should you get your German Shepherd spayed or neutered and, if so, when should you do it? These are all intelligent questions that caring dog owners typically ask. So if you are wondering what the answers are, you are not alone — and you are about to find out in the sections to follow here. In most cases, the timing of neutering a male German Shepherd puppy is going to be different than the spaying of a female GSD. So we will look at each procedure separately here. When to neuter your male German Shepherd puppy However, as the University of California at Davis points out, a scary new study in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Science highlights the health risks of too-early neutering. Specifically, joint disorders, musculature injuries, cancer, and incontinence are all risks that are linked to neutering a German Shepherd before the age of 12 months one year old. Researchers believe the risks arise from how neutering lessens or eliminates the production of important hormones associated with reproduction and also with growth. When a male dog is neutered too early, the hormones that tell the soft cartilage growth plates in the long leg bones when to close go missing. This can delay reaching the final German Shepherd growth stages, cause bone overgrowth, contribute to skeletal weakness throughout life and might cause German Shepherds to stop growing. To reduce these risks, you may want to delay neutering your male puppies until after their first birthday and they are a full grown German Shepherd. Alternately, you may want to delay neutering until after your veterinarian has X-rayed your dog and determined that the growth plates have closed and hardened. When to spay your female German Shepherd puppy Choosing when to spay a female German Shepherd puppy comes with additional safety considerations and health threats beyond simply preventing unplanned pregnancy. Female German Shepherds that are spayed too early in life have an increased risk of mammary cancer and urinary incontinence along with more frequent and serious joint and skeletal issues. To lessen the risk of these issues, it is definitely important to wait until your female German Shepherd puppy has had her first birthday. But you may want to wait even longer, and here is why. Many breeders believe that a female German Shepherd should go through one to two successful full heat cycles before spaying. As owners posting on this popular German shepherds Forum explain, waiting until your female German Shepherd has had her second birthday can reduce the risk of later-in-life urinary incontinence even further. And then some owners and breeders will choose to spay at the halfway point of 18 months. Other neuter or spay considerations for a German Shepherd puppy It is also important to keep in mind that some K-9 programs, such as participation in formal military or police K-9 work, are only open to intact German Shepherds. If you want to enroll your dog in this type of program, be sure to check the requirements before proceeding with a neuter or spay procedure. For this reason, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America GSDCA explains that weight monitoring is an essential aspect of adjusting food portions during the age of three to six months old. By the age of six months old, your puppy should be eating twice per day. Make sure clean, fresh water is always available to your dog. Only feed your puppy a high-quality, complete, and balanced puppy food made for large-breed puppies ask your breeder or veterinarian if you are not sure what to feed. As we mentioned earlier in this article, a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy is likely going to look very similar to how it will look like an adult German Shepherd. But on the inside, there is still so much growing and developing to be done. What you feed, how you feed, and how much you feed can have everything to do with how strong and structurally healthy your GSD puppy grows up to be. Start by mixing 90 percent old food with 10 percent new food. Do this for one to two days. Then switch to 80 percent old food mixed with 20 percent new food. Continue until you are at percent new food. This system can ease digestive upset and temporary elimination issues like constipation or diarrhea that may arise when there is a big food switch. As the Central Texas Veterinary Hospital explains, German Shepherds as a breed can be particularly prone to issues of a sensitive stomach. This makes planning for a slow food transition especially critical to success for this breed. Training a Six Month Old German Shepherd Puppy According to expert dog trainers with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America , the type of puppy training your dog receives from the ages of two to six months is vital to raising a healthy, happy adult dog. Quite the contrary! So your GSD puppy may still be teething and biting on everything in sight to deal with that painful process. German Shepherds are high-strung, sensitive dogs and they are also strong and powerful. You can accomplish the same and even better training results using positive rewards-based reinforcement methods that will not damage your bond with your dog. Continue socialization with strange people and animals Your German Shepherd puppy will need ongoing exposure to strangers — people and animals — as part of the socialization and training process. You have total control over how you want your German Shepherd to respond when a strange person or animal crosses their path. You can teach your puppy how to alert you when an unknown individual approaches your home or crosses your path. If you are firm and consistent with your training through the teenage phase, hiring a professional K-9 trainer if you need to, your reward will be a well-behaved, well-trained adult dog that will guard, defend and protect you with their life. One reason for this is that as long as the growth plates stay soft, you risk injury if you over-exercise your dog. But the soft growth plates can be damaged if your German Shepherd puppy is allowed to run for extended periods of time, race up and down the stairs, do a lot of jumping or agility work or play too vigorously. Games like tug-of-war also bad for developing teeth. Throw-the-toy ball, stick games. Too-vigorous or rough play with other dogs or people. So at six months of age, your German Shepherd puppy should be exercising for 30 minutes six months times 5 minutes each day. But here again, make sure the exercise is appropriate for a young large breed dog that is still growing and developing internally. Using mental and sensory exercise aids like snuffle mats and treat puzzle toys and teething aids like iced Kongs and safe flavored chew toys can also provide much-needed exercise and enrichment for mind and body. This will help ensure your 6 month old German Shepherd grows up to be a healthy adult dog. It is fun to watch Sam demonstrate how he has mastered basic commands from multiple owners, which is very important to help your GSD puppy socialize and bond fully with all family members. The owner also talks about the formal K-9 training program Sam is enrolled in through their local German Shepherd dog club. This is a fun option for you and your dog that is worth checking out if you happen to have a local German Shepherd club in your community. At 6 months old, a German Shepherd puppy is still in the early stages of development, but they have already started to show some distinct characteristics that will give you a good idea of what to expect as they grow into adulthood. One of the most noticeable traits of a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy is its energy level. These dogs have a lot of energy and require plenty of exercise and playtime to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. At this age, they may become restless and even destructive if they do not get enough exercise or mental stimulation. Another characteristic of 6-month-old German Shepherd puppies is their curiosity and desire to explore their surroundings. They may start to test boundaries and push their limits as they try to understand their world. This can lead to some mischievous behavior, such as chewing on objects or digging in the yard. However, with proper training and supervision, these behaviors can be redirected in a positive way. At 6 months old, German Shepherd puppies may also start to display some protective behaviors. They may become more vocal and alert when strangers or other animals approach, and they may even start to show signs of guarding behavior. Finally, a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy may start to show signs of intelligence and trainability. These dogs are highly intelligent and excel in activities such as obedience training, agility, and tracking. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, they can learn a wide variety of commands and behaviors. At this age, your puppy is more active and playful, and you can expect them to have a lot of energy. Here are some tips to help you create a schedule for your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy: Morning Routine Start your day early by taking your puppy for a walk or a jog. German Shepherds are a high-energy breed that needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. You can also use this time to practice basic obedience training , such as sit, stay, and come. Make sure you feed them high-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age and size. Mid-Morning Playtime Playtime is essential for a growing puppy. You can use this time to engage in interactive play with your puppy, such as fetch or tug-of-war. You can also provide them with chew toys to keep them occupied and prevent destructive behavior. Lunch Break At mid-day, your puppy may need a break. You can practice obedience training and work on more advanced commands, such as heel or stay. You can also use this time to introduce your puppy to new experiences, such as meeting new people or exploring new environments. Make sure to feed them a balanced meal that meets their nutritional needs. Evening Walk End the day with a brisk walk or jog. You can use this time to provide your puppy with a comfortable sleeping space and some quiet time to relax. At six months old, a German Shepherd puppy is well on their way to reaching adult size, although it may still have some growing to do. On average, a six-month-old male German Shepherd will weigh between 50 and 70 pounds kg , while a female German Shepherd of the same age will weigh between 40 and 60 pounds kg. Additionally, German Shepherds are a large breed of dog, and their growth rate can be affected by their environment, health, and other factors. Feeding your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy the right amount of food is crucial for their growth and development. At this age, your puppy will be growing rapidly and require a balanced diet to fuel their energy needs. The amount of food your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy needs will depend on their size, activity level, and overall health. Generally, a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy should be fed around cups of high-quality dry kibble per day, divided into two or three meals. Look for a food that contains a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, and is specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. If your puppy is very active, they may need more food than a more sedentary puppy. Just like humans, puppies require an adequate amount of sleep for their overall health and development. At 6 months old, a German Shepherd puppy should be sleeping for approximately hours per day. You may also consider providing a cozy bed or crate with a soft blanket to help your puppy feel secure and comfortable. German shepherd puppies may not sleep for long periods at a time and may wake up frequently during the night. As your puppy gets older, it will gradually begin to sleep for longer periods at night and require fewer naps during the day. Additionally, providing your German Shepherd puppy with regular exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day can help promote better sleep habits. A 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy needs a lot of exercise to maintain their physical health and mental well-being. German Shepherds are active and energetic dogs, so regular exercise is necessary for them to stay happy and healthy. At this age, a German Shepherd puppy needs at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, divided into two or three sessions. Exercise can take many forms, including walking, running, playing fetch, or going to the dog park. Always keep in mind that exercise should be appropriate for the age and physical abilities of the puppy. It is also essential to monitor the temperature outside during exercise as German Shepherds are prone to heatstroke. Exercise should be avoided during the hottest parts of the day, and plenty of water should be available to the puppy. In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is also important for a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy. Games that challenge their mind and encourage problem-solving, such as hide-and-seek or puzzle toys, can help keep their minds sharp. Every puppy is unique, and their exercise needs may vary based on factors such as size, energy level, and overall health. Training Your 6 Month German shepherd Training your 6-month-old German shepherd is an essential aspect of ensuring they become well-behaved and obedient adult dogs. At this age, your puppy is likely to be full of energy and curiosity, and may also start to display some challenging behaviors. Therefore, it is important to start training your German shepherd early to establish good habits and prevent unwanted behaviors from developing. One of the most important aspects of training your German shepherd puppy is socialization. This involves exposing them to a variety of people, animals, and environments to help them develop good behavior and social skills. Make sure to expose your puppy to different sounds, textures, and smells to help them get used to new situations. You should train your German shepherd puppy to behave appropriately around other dogs and animals. They should learn to be friendly and play nicely with other dogs and not chase or harass smaller animals. Consistency and patience are key when training a German shepherd puppy. Training sessions should be short and frequent, and you should always end on a positive note. You should remain calm and avoid punishing your puppy, as this can lead to fear and anxiety. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and reward-based training to help your German shepherd puppy learn and develop into a well-behaved adult dog. Here are some common behavioral patterns you may see in your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy and how to deal with them: Biting and Nipping At six months old, German Shepherd puppies are still teething. Biting and nipping are common behaviors. To deal with this behavior, provide your pup with plenty of chew toys and redirect their attention when they start biting or nipping. Jumping German Shepherds are high-energy dogs, and jumping up on people is a common behavior. Separation Anxiety At six months old, German Shepherds can start to develop separation anxiety as they become more attached to their owners. Fear and Aggression German Shepherds can be protective and territorial dogs, which can lead to fear and aggression towards strangers or other animals. To deal with this behavior, socialize your pup from a young age and provide them with plenty of positive reinforcement when they interact with others. Leash Pulling As German Shepherds grow, they can become strong pullers on the leash. To deal with this behavior, train your pup to walk calmly on a leash using positive reinforcement techniques and a no-pull harness. As a responsible owner, you should take certain precautions to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. Ensure that you feed them the right amount of food, as overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues. Exercise Regularly German Shepherds are active dogs and require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Take your puppy for walks, and runs, and engage them in playtime to ensure they get enough physical activity. Socialization German Shepherds are known to be protective of their owners and can be aggressive toward strangers. Socialization is crucial in shaping their behavior, and you must expose your puppy to various people, environments, and other animals to avoid developing behavioral issues. Training Training your German Shepherd puppy is essential in shaping their behavior and ensuring they respond appropriately to your commands. Positive reinforcement training techniques work best for German Shepherds, and you can enroll them in obedience classes or hire a professional trainer to help with their training. Health Checkups Regular visits to the veterinarian are essential to ensure your German Shepherd puppy is healthy and up-to-date with their vaccinations. They can also check for any underlying health conditions and provide you with advice on how to take care of your pet. Safe Environment German Shepherds are curious animals and can easily get into trouble. Ensure your home is safe for your puppy, and keep harmful substances out of reach. With patience, consistency, and love, you and your German Shepherd can enjoy a long and happy life together. She especially enjoys combining her lifelong love of dogs with her passion for writing. Read more about her.

New puppies are just so adorable and fun to have around. How your new puppy is brought into your family has life long implications on how that puppy will develop and grow as a member of your family. No pressure! There are some practical things that you need to take care of and make sure are in place and, importantly, some behavioural things. Remember, the day you bring your puppy home is the day that they have been taken away from their litter mates. And they are just 8 weeks old. Expect them to be a little bit scared by it all. A well-planned homecoming will help them settle into their new home quickly and, just as importantly, will help you to enjoy the experience a whole lot more. The Practical Stuff - what you should have at home for your new puppy A place for your puppy to sleep and something for it to sleep on. Start out as you wish to continue. There are a multitude of dog beds on the market and dog crates are also a great option. Puppy food, and food and water bowls — By 8 weeks of age your puppy is weaned from its mother and is eating dry food. Ask us in advance the brand and type of food the puppies are already on so you can help them settle in with what they are familiar with. If you plan to change their diet we recommend you doing so over 2 weeks or so to give their digestive systems a chance to adjust. Health care worming, ticks, fleas, ear care — Talk to your vet about what they recommend for the area that you live in. Prevention is always better than cure in this case, particularly with ticks which can easily kill a small puppy. Australian labradoodles have ears that hang down so having a mild ear solution and scissors on hand to trim and keep ears clean is also recommended. Grooming — we recommend having at least a comb and a soft brush so your puppy gets used to being groomed from an early age. Go gently as their skin is still tender but if done gently this is something a puppy will always look forward to, and it is a great bonding exercise. The coat of an Australian Labradoodle can get long as it grows older so getting your puppy used to being groomed is a necessity. Hopefully you have had a chance to look through my puppy preparation checklist by this stage too. The Behavioural Stuff — introducing your puppy to its new family and home Day 1 with your new puppy is a very important day for you all. For example, can your puppy sleep on your bed? Can it play on your couch? Can you feed it while you are eating at the table yourself? Where will it go when you need to leave it at home? This can be extremely difficult as they are just so adorable — and have been so anticipated — but being calm and quiet in those few minutes will pay dividends. Let it smell you and feel your calm energy — it is looking for a pack leader in this moment so now is your chance to establish yourself as its new leader. When you take it home you should have something so it can travel safely and securely. A lap is ok if it is an adult holding it or otherwise we recommend a crate. Have the puppy close so it can still see you. Hold your puppy so it can put its front paws on the car and let it take its first few steps into the vehicle. This is very important. Be patient and let it decide to move forward. Once it has accepted that is where you want it to go quietly put it into its crate, close the door and drive home. It may cry on the way home and this is normal. Soothe the puppy calmly. If you are overly fussy or anxious yourself in these first few moments you are only teaching it that crying brings more attention and this can create a difficult dog as it grows. When you get home follow the same routine as with the car. Let it take the first steps into your house rather than carrying it inside. If you have children then they will be desperate to play with it. Calmly introduce the puppy to each child and let everybody get to know each other. Your puppy by now is probably thirsty and exhausted so once the initial introductions are done it is a great opportunity to introduce it to its new sleeping area. You should have a water bowl waiting, and a feed bowl ready to give it some kibble. Its amazing how quickly a puppy can get into something it shouldn't! Some will be more nervous than others. Be patient. They have just left everything that they know and are on their own for the first time ever. They need to learn to trust you and their new environment and this will take a week or two. Don't force them to do things or go to places eg. They will get there eventually but one step at a time. See my puppy care notes for tips for sleeping and those first few nights too. The key here is to be intuitive and flexible. Every puppy reacts differently and no book, blog or you tube clip has the exact right answer. The first five months - sets their behaviour for life The behavioural aspects of bringing home a new puppy and raising a puppy are so important. The first five months of a puppy's life are what sets its behaviour for life so it is extremely important to avoid traumatic experiences. This can include fear reactions when you take them into a new environment so be observant and intuitive and manage these gently if they happen. Sometimes you might need to relax your rules or adapt your expectations for a bit to help build their confidence. Puppies are an absolute joy and they will quickly settle into their new home. Giving them a great introduction and clearly defining their routine and boundaries from the outset will make them feel more secure in the long run, and this makes for a long and happy family relationship with your new furr-friend. There is a lot of pressure these days for the 'perfect puppy'. There is no such thing as perfect - each dog has its own personality and traits and, just like us, we work with what we have. Your strategy should be to create an environment where they trust you, and can relax and grow in confidence within the boundaries of how you see your life with a new furry family member. With a labradoodle though you have a breed that is naturally inclined to want to please you and to be part of the family so its a great foundation. You can expect a joyful experience raising a puppy that is full of personality, intelligence and love. See my puppy care notes for more tips Posted on January 10, Samantha Willis. As long as the product does the intended job. Each puppy comes with a comprehensive health guarantee, so you can be sure that your new furry friend is healthy and happy. They also give back to the pet community by supporting animal-related charities and initiatives. Overall, PuppySpot is a convenient and ethical way to find your perfect Labradoodle puppy. So why not check them out and add a new furry family member to your home? Preparing Your House — The Basics Besides getting all of the necessary supplies a Labradoodle puppy will need, you will also have to ensure that your home itself is prepared for a puppy. What can they reach? Where will they sniff around? You have to address all manner of safety issues before your puppy arrives home. Designated House-Training Area House training, and many other kinds of training, should start as soon as your puppy moves in. Designated Sleeping Area For the first couple of weeks, it has been proven more successful when you have your puppy sleep in a crate beside your bed than in some other room in your home. Your puppy will be able to feel asleep a lot easier if they know they are close to you. So unless you enjoy having to move a single crate around your home every single day, it could be a good idea to have one for your bedroom and one for whatever other room you have planned to be their future sleeping spot. You could equip the crates with nothing more than just a waterproof mat and something to comfort them such as an old t-shirt or rag from the breeder. Baby Gates Puppy gates or baby gates, getting a few of these around your house before bringing your puppy home is a good idea. Not only are they important for training purposes, but for their own safety, they are absolutely vital. Electric Cables This is something a lot of people overlook, but it can potentially be life-threatening if not taken care of. Designated Daily Area It can be challenging enough to look after a puppy, so having a sectioned-off room or area for them can help you significantly. Before you bring your puppy home, consider having a designated area for them set up and ready for use. In this area, there should be their crate, water, food bowls, assorted toys, treats, and some cleaning products ready to use. Final Check of the Home As I mentioned above, your new Labradoodle puppy will probably surprise you with their never-ending curiosity. Having Several of the Right Kinds of Toys With new puppies, a lot of the questions I hear typically have something to do with their mouths. Their teeth, chewing, biting,… the list goes on. So this is something that we have to take a look at. And you should also remember that when bringing a new puppy home, it might not have received any worthwhile training at all. This is why having a lot of the right kinds of toys will be very beneficial and helpful to both you and the puppy. The Best Toys for a Doodle puppy include: Hard, tough chew toys. These are usually toys made from hard rubber or plastic with small recesses and massagers. Dog bones. Known for their durability and ability to last for a long time. They often have a slight flavor to keep your puppy attracted to them and they are generally a great all-round option. Interactive toys. Soft training toys. You should only use these toys for training. If you do that. Doing it like this makes the toy an efficient object for training and having a handful of these toys ready would be a great idea. But allow me to also cover some general tips and tricks on how to care for your puppy and what you should do in specific situations. Have a look at the tips below to hopefully help you understand how you should act in everyday situations that puppy owners can find themselves in. Knowing just a few of these can help you prepare better for a new life filled with puppy love. A Labradoodle puppy is very intelligent and can quickly build an association between the command and toilet time. When your puppy manages to do its business in the designated area, even if you had to carry him all the way there, give him a lot of love and praise him massively. The key to a successful life with dogs is positive reinforcement training. Talk with the breeder about what their current meal times are, and then continue following that. This will make it a lot easier for the puppy to transition into this new life of theirs. Can Your Puppy Go in the Yard? Use Comforters When talking about comforters, I mean anything that your puppy can associate back to either your or their mother. This can be anything from a smell, shape, texture, or just how the item feels. These sensations remind the puppy of having their mother with them. When I first heard about these products, I brushed it off as a silly gimmick, but I got one from a friend of mine as a gift, as I was pleasantly surprised at just how great and cute, they actually are. And they are also highly recommended by other puppy owners. Final Words So that was our small Labradoodle puppy checklist, and if you follow just half the advice given, you are as prepared as you can be before welcoming your new Labradoodle puppy to your home. You now have a comprehensive list of products, how you prepare your home best, and just what you can expect from your new puppy. Taking in a puppy, training them, and just all about their general care and well-being is a very large subject. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Contact Prepare for Your Australian Labradoodle Puppy Bringing home your new puppy is one of the greatest joys, and planning ahead and having what your new puppy will need are keys to a successful beginning. While it is great fun to buy lots of toys and pet beds and cute collars for your new family member, the greatest gift that you can give this furry baby is to prepare yourself with the knowledge of raising a dog. It is very important to think about your puppies first week with you in the most quiet and peaceful manner you can imagine. The following tips will help establish a good foundation relationship between you and your new pet. Good idea. Your puppies first few days would be best suited to having as much of your attention as possible and as calm of a schedule as you can manage. Your puppy will adjust best if you keep company to a minimum for the first days. Establishing a routine for feeding your puppy three times a day and a designated "crate training" time each initial day will serve both your family and your puppy well. It is very scary for a puppy to come into a new home and be left alone for many hours at a time. While it is fine to leave the puppy for a little while each day, it needs to be done in a manner that will be conducive to helping your puppy adjust well. If you have children, be sure to read books and watch videos about children and dogs. The puppy is not a new toy, and the children need to be very respectful of the new puppies space and sleep schedule. The puppy is not a toy. Watch for signs that your puppy needs to use the restroom. Puppies have very little bladder control and will need to take frequent breaks to eliminate. The key times to be watchful and initiate potty breaks are: after eating, drinking, playing, or waking from sleep. Do not ever punish your pet for an accident. Just pick him up and redirect him. Then praise him each time he goes outside. Never ever take a puppy that has not been fully vaccinated to a retail pet store. Vaccinations will usually be completed by 16 weeks and your vet can inform you of the timeframe that your pet will have the full coverage of the vaccinations. Pet stores are frequently the culprits of a puppy being exposed to harmful diseases that are life threatening. Be sure you have read a few books to understand what typical "puppy behaviors" look like. A few normal puppy behaviors include: nipping, chasing, chewing, and barking. Good pet owners will have a plan in place to address these issues in a manner that is positive and will redirect the behavior. Like children, puppies respond best to repetition. Australian Labradoodles are particularly sensitive in nature and do not usually require harsh discipline. Additional supply list info that is more specific is on the Homecoming Prep link above. It is surely an exciting time for both your family and the puppy. The key to making this a smooth and easy process is proper preparation. Below you will find a simple plan to make this as easy as possible for both you and the puppy. Know your local Veterinarian This would be something you wouldn't think about until something happens and then the need arises. It is very important to have the Veterinarian you plan to use already in place prior to the puppy arriving. This will allow you to make plans for the puppies vaccine shots that will need to be done only a few weeks after arriving at your home. Having a Veterinarian already in place will eliminate a lot of stress if something happens with the puppy and you need a resource to ask questions or seek care for your Labradoodle. When looking for recommendations for a Veterinarian ask your local friends, family, neighbor, or local Doodle Facebook group. They will often be very honest about who they choose to take care of their own dog. If you are unsuccessful use Google but check reviews before making a selection. Having these items on hand prior to the puppy's arrival will make the transition of settling into the new home a lot easier. It is not necessary to have all these items on hand, so use your own judgment as to what you feel comfortable with having on hand. Most of these items are listed on our puppy products page. We recommend the "Pawtree" brand and instructions on how to order are listed on our puppy products page Small Puppy treats-see our recommended brand or select your own. Just make sure it is made in the USA Metal food and water bowls Slicker brush, comb, and detangler brush. A quality slicker brush will save you headaches later on Nail clippers Leash, collar, and harness. The puppy will grow out of these items very quickly and there will be a need to buy these items several times. So keep that in mind when deciding on how much you need to spend on these during that period. PeeWee pads. Durable chew toys. All toys should be bigger than the Labradoodle puppy's mouth. Inexpensive playpen works great for having a place to put the puppy for busy times that your attention is not on the puppy. How to Puppy Proof Your House Puppies are very curious and often find things that they really should not be in contact with. Take a look at your home and consider what the puppy might find themselves getting into. Just like having a young toddler in your home if there is trouble the Labradoodle puppy will find it. Look for items they can reach or come in contact with and remove items that might be harmful to them. Here are a few things to consider: Electric cables- Puppies will crew on anything and electric cables are one of the most dangerous and can be life-threatening. In today's world, we have so many items that require charging or electrical power. TV's, lamps, extension cords, phone chargers, and small devices throughout your home all provide the puppy an opportunity to be harmed. Small trash cans- smaller trash cans should have lids that do not allow the puppy to get into them. Also, consider the weight of the trash and could the puppy turn it over and get into it. Baby gates- These work great to keep puppy and dog out of areas you don't want them to have access too. Designated Daily Area- Your Labradoodle puppy should not be left unsupervised in your home. Inexpensive Playpens provide you with a place to put the puppy during the day when your full attention cannot be on the safety of the puppy. These can be easily moved into whatever area of the home you are in at the time the puppy needs to be in Playpen. Add a water bowl, waterproof blanket for the floor, safe toys, puppy bed, and you have a safe zone for the Labradoodle during periods of the day. It has been our experience that it is best to do a couple of things that in the long term lead to a happier puppy. Use a crate for sleep time. By using a crate we have found that the puppy sees it as their den and a safe place. Use a soft crate mat, the litter blanket from Majestic, and safe toys to make the puppy feel at home. By using one area in the home for this allows the Labradoodle to understand what is expected when in the crate. Find an area in the home that is safe, quiet, and freer of daytime light for the puppy to sleep in. Use a blanket to cover the front of the crate to allow for a cozy feel to the den. We play low volume classic music to drown out other noises that might interfere with the puppy sleeping. Set a Schedule and stick to it. Labradoodle Puppies are just like babies if you can get them on a schedule they will adjust and find comfort in having a routine. By setting a schedule for sleep time, feeding time, and playtime the puppy will quickly learn the structure. After a short period of time, it is amazing how they know what is next even without being able to tell time. Feeding Your Australian Labradoodle We feed puppies weeks old 3 times a day. We try to keep them on a schedule such as 7a, 12p, and 5 pm. It is best to not feed after 6 pm to help the puppy with bedtime. Once the puppy is 12 weeks old we cut them back to 2 feedings a day. We don't recommend free feeding and the food bowl left out at all times. Water should be provided at all times except at bedtime. This is what your puppy has been fed and what we feed to all of our dogs. In our puppy products section, you will find the instructions to purchase. Order ahead of time so that it will arrive prior to the puppy's arrival. But the first few days is not the best time to show the puppy off to family, neighbors, or friends. All of these are great for puppy socialization and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Let the puppy settle into the new surroundings before doing this. Keep the vibe in the house calm and relaxing for the first few days and soon the puppy will take to it and be right at home. During this time keep the puppy busy with lots of activities, praise, snuggles, and love to form a special bond with your family before introducing the Labradoodle to others. The Labradoodles First Night Home It is very important to understand what can happen the first few nights once you bring home your new Labradoodle puppy. In addressing this topic it is difficult to know how it will go when the puppy arrives. A lot of families have no issues and the puppy settles in and is right at home. Sometimes that is not the case and the puppy has to make the adjustment to the new surroundings. But even the short period of time it takes to get over this is worth years of the friendship, companionship, and love that the Australian Labradoodle has to offer. Labradoodle puppies prefer the safety and comfort of their family and do not like being separated from them. Consider the mindset of the Labradoodle puppy. They have always been with their mom and siblings for the last 8 weeks. Surrounded by warm bodies and the loving care of the mom. Dogs are pack animals and find safety and comfort in being with the rest of the pack. On the other hand, your family has waited with great anticipation to bring the puppy home to give it all the love and attention that you can possibly give. The only problem is the Labradoodle doesn't know that yet. The Labradoodle instinctively knows that being away from the pack is dangerous and not normal. So the crying, whining, barking, and evening squealing that could happen the first few nights are normal and just their way of trying to find their pack. I know, sad but let's read on. This will all pass and is something that a lot of puppies go through. Puppy's first few nights can be the hardest for you as well. We tend to be more emotional, take everything to heart, feel guilty the puppy is sad, overwhelmed, frustrated, think they don't like us, we picked the wrong puppy, or there must be something wrong with our new puppy. Try not to do this and understand that in a short period of time the Labradoodle will LOVE their new home. So it is important that you prepare yourself and the rest of the family for what may come in the first few nights. If your Labradoodle just settles in and doesn't cry or whine this too is ok and just count yourself lucky. So we have established that crying is the norm and the first few nights may be hard. It is also important to not jump to conclusions the first night or weeks as to what kind of companion your puppy will be. Setting boundaries, schedules, routines, exposing the puppy to new things, and continued training will all go a long way in helping the Labradoodle to be a well-balanced member of the family. Just give them all the LOVE you can and take the time to keep them busy. This will go a long way to keeping the puppy from having anxiety or being afraid. The first few weeks are not a true reflection on how successful that will be. Stay with the plan and it will all work out. So again I want to remind you that not all puppies have issues adjusting to their new forever home. But if they do it is short-lived and well worth all that the Australian Labradoodle will bring to your home. Puppies need crates like babies need cribs. It gives them a place to relax and sleep where they can feel safe. Associate the crate with something pleasant and never use it for punishment. Puppies under 6 months of age should not be crated more than hours at a time. Puppies don't have the ability to hold their bladders and bowels well at the first and really don't understand that they need too. This will be key with potty and crate training. Don't be afraid to set boundaries and don't feel guilty in establishing rules to live by. Finds ways to show puppy attention and love. Love will solve a lot of issues. Play games, sniggle, train, and just find ways to make them feel comfortable with their new surroundings. It's ok to keep the crate next to your bed for the first few nights. This will allow the Labradoodle to be able to smell and hear you. It can also help the Labradoodle to feel less afraid, not abandoned, and get over any crying a little sooner. Give the puppy the litter blanket and a soft toy animal to snuggle with. Covering the crate with a lightweight soft blanket also helps. Do not put the puppy in bed with you. I know, wow that sounds mean. But working through the first few nights or week can be hard but you will likely regret making the decision to let the puppy sleep with you. Wait until the puppy has matured to about months before doing this. Helping Your Puppy Sleep at Night Make sure the Labradoodle is getting plenty of exercise during the day while out of the crate Try to wear them out playing games, simple training, tossing a ball, or running in the yard. All this will help the puppy to be ready for a nap or to sleep at night. Make sure the Labradoodle puppy has had plenty of bathroom breaks throughout the day. Take them for a potty break just before putting them in their crate to rest or at night. Staying on a schedule will also help the Labradoodle to know when it is time to rest or sleep. The hour or so before putting them to bed for the night should be a winding down period and make it part of the everyday routine. Limit water before bedtime, potty right before bedtime, tire them out after 6 pm, and settle them down one hour before bedtime will help them to sleep longer. If the puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and is whining to go potty, take them out and put them right back to bed. Limit interaction and no playtime or sniggling. By staying with the same routine and schedule the puppy quickly learns what is expected. What do you need to do to prepare? Here are some things you will need to have that very first night. The Crate You will need a crate that the puppy can stand up and turn around in. A crate is one of the pet carriers used to transport dogs on the plane. You see them in pet shops. The crate must be big enough but not too big. A Labradoodle puppy from us has been introduced to sleeping in a crate. Many puppies find it a safe refuge and a great sleeping spot. We will let you know about your puppy when she is ready to come home. A crate might not look as adorable as the pink fluffy bed with princess embroidery but to your new puppy her crate can be the equivalent of having a room of her own. When you want your puppy to be safe while you spend a couple of hours shopping, or your puppy needs to nap the crate is a good place for puppy to be. If you are going to leave puppy for an extended daytime period a pen is a better choice than a crate. Puppy can go to the bathroom, have a drink and chew toys in a pen. Hugo in a crate of his own choosing Our puppies have been introduced to a crate. If you use your crate as a sleeping and napping space at home their crate becomes their own space. We have them spending the night in a crate before they go home to you. Our puppies often fly to their new homes and they are always welcomed by airlines because they are used to their crates. Can you imagine the trauma puppies who are not crate trained experience when they are put into a strange box and taken away from home? To our puppies the crate is their own little place and they are comfortable there. If your puppy arrives and tells you she no longer likes her crate put it where she can see you. Put her in it for short periods of time for naps. With a new environment she can be feeling strange but she will come round as all of our puppies nap and travel in crates. Pretty Or Practical Even if your plan is that Fluffy should sleep in the bed with you, her time spent in her crate will help with potty training. When nap-time is over take her quickly outside and she will go to the bathroom in the appropriate spot. Without her crate she will wake up on her frilly pink cushion, take a few steps and pee in the dining room. If she falls happily asleep at your feet or on a cushion just watch and be mindful. The minute she wakes up she will need to pee. You will both get in to a rhythm that suits you. We have introduced your puppy to appropriate places to go potty but puppy is still a baby. They are far too young and bladder and brain are not properly connected. A soft bed in the kitchen and any other room where you spend time is a great idea for puppy. Puppies will drag their toys and chewies over to this spot and it is where they are close but not right under foot. We have them in the kitchen, where we are on the computer and where we watch TV. Puppies chew. It is a fact of life. We have big smoked bones and lots of other chew toys available. Like little children they like variety. Rather than scolding him for chewing the chair rung or the woodwork offer him something even better. Ours like kongs with peanut butter inside. All kinds of dental chews. A warning though, things with bright green or red dye are never good! We like a wire crate for the car and we have a travel crate for seeping. A tin of pumpkin for tummy emergencies If you are coming to us to pick up puppy remember to bring a water dish for the car and a chew toy for the crate. He will beg you for a big, gigantic meal! Feed him very little as his tummy will be easily upset. His little system will take a while to adjust to new water, new surroundings, even new little organisms in the dirt in his new backyard. Have a tin of plain pumpkin on hand should he have some diarrhea. A big scoop of pumpkin with some kibble will help the problem. That is irritation from the diarrhea. Give the problem a couple of days before you fly to the vet. Make sure your puppy is drinking lots of water. We used to give Pepto Bismal for upset tummies but they have changed the formula and it is no longer safe for dogs. However, he is not completely protected. Your puppy will have a record telling you when his next our of a series of three vaccines should be. We used to be able to give two vaccinations but veterinary medicine has changed its protocol and does not administer the first vaccine until eight weeks. Your puppy is completely protected two weeks after her third vaccine. That is the day she can walk in the park! That being said puppy should meet as many people and go to as many noisy places as possible. Take her to sports events, to school and to all the places you go. Labradoodle Safety Tips Puppies should get used to the car even if they are not going anywhere special. However, they tend to want to leap out every time you do. This can lead to a terrible accident. Secure your puppy in a crate before you get out of the car. Be very careful when you are driving your new puppy home for the first time because everything is strange to her. Puppies love to play. Invite a puppy to your house for some puppy play but take off their collars. Accidents can happen with little mouths and little collars. Puppies are babies who put absolutely everything into their mouths from passing bugs to live electrical wires. I find I need to be in the same room as a puppy unless he is confined. A little water, five chew toys and a mat makes a nice little spot where he can be while I am not paying attention. When I do work around the house I just have appropriate chew toys in every room and keep on encouraging their use. Mercifully, young puppies sleep a lot. Labradoodle Food A puppy lives to eat! Although an older dog might be a picky eater a puppy always behaves as if he is starving. Choosing the right food for your puppy is important and we have found all those little kibbles look pretty much alike. The dog foods we are familiar with are the brands we see on TV. It is sold in the supermarkets and these foods are generally poor quality. We are now feeding various very high quality foods made by Orijen, Acana and Go. We will send home a sample of exactly what we are feeding your puppy. Puppies have sensitive tummies so she might need to be weaned from one food to another if the food she is on is not available. We do not feed puppy food. The best way to find a new food is to go to Dog Food Analysis. This is a site run by food scientists. It will give you a chemical breakdown of the food and it will rate the food according to nutrition. After you have checked out the site go to a local pet store and ask them which nutritious, well rated food they have available. Good dog food is not cheap but it is a lot less expensive than the vet bills will be a few years down the road with a poor quality food. Some foods are the equivalent of feeding your children hot dogs every night. Multiple Dog Dinner Time We humans like to dine together. I used to love to see the little food bowls of our multiple dog household all lined up in the kitchen. If puppy is joining other dogs in your house feed them in separate rooms or feed the puppy in her crate. It is a good thing for humans to be around dogs when they eat but they are too intent on seeing who got something better to eat as a dog family. Liza's family having luncheon al fresco. In a few days all of their meals will be taken separately. If you have your heart set on diamonds wait until Gigi arrives and take her into a pet shop to purchase a collar. She will need one that fits exactly right. Too large and she can easily back out of it if she is nervous or afraid. We like a harness or loopy for walking. A harness is a great investment for puppy because it will keep her safe while you are out in the world. Buy a good sturdy leash with a good clasp that will fit through the collar ring. Trainers do not recommend retractable leashes. Puppy needs to know exactly when he is at the end of the leash. When you are training your puppy you will want to have more control over the situation than you can have with a retractable leash. A Plan For Training Once your puppy has been settled into your home it is time to continue with puppy training. Learn how to continue training at home, with kids and how best to care for your puppy. The first few days are important to show your puppy they can feel comfortable around you and their new home. You can even get started on some very basic training! Perhaps this describes you right now! If so, we imagine you are excited, a little nervous, and just a touch sleep-deprived from thinking about meeting your puppy all night. Starting off on the right foot with your puppy can encourage a strong bond and great puppy manners from the beginning! Potty training, socialization, and those first few trips to the vet can be stressful. But, raising a Labradoodle puppy can also be a lot of fun. And of course, Labradoodle cuteness can really sweeten those tougher moments. This involves choosing the right supplies, learning about training and socialization, and finding a good veterinarian. Finding and Choosing a Veterinarian The first thing new puppy owners must do is find a great canine veterinarian. From early on, vet visits will involve general check ups, vaccinations, pest treatments, and more. So, find out this information from the breeder and pass it along to your veterinarian. Puppy Supplies Checklist This checklist is a great guide for new puppy owners. Speak to your breeder too, as they may have suggestions or specific recommendations to add. Of course there are other things that can be useful, but not everyone will choose to get them. For instance, you may want a bed that your puppy can use other than the one in their crate. You may want to invest in a harness in preparation for taking your puppy outside at 12 weeks. And, you might like items like a puppy sling to make carrying your Labradoodle easier during socialization sessions. They may be able to recommend specific products that they have tried and tested before. Alternatively, they may be able to add on extra things that will be useful for your specific lifestyle and situation. Your new Labradoodle puppy will explore the world with their nose and mouth. They will lick and chew almost everything they come across, from chair legs and accessible valuables to clothing and fingers. But we will talk more about potty training a little later. This will keep destruction to a minimum. Doing so can make them stressed and anxious! Remove all toxic or poisonous greenergy from your home and yard, including houseplants Remove any heirlooms or irreplaceable items, including furnishings Reroute electrical wiring, or cover it with a chew-proof cord concealer Install child-proof latches on all cabinets, drawers, and doors Secure all cleaning products, pesticides, fertilizers, medication, and any unsafe or toxic foods Clear your kitchen counters — a puppy that jumps up and finds food will keep doing it! Puppy proof all indoor and outdoor water features, spas, and pools including the toilet! Properly puppy proofing your home before their arrival will save you a lot of stress, panic, and trips to the emergency vet. Basic Puppy First Aid Kit An important thing to note here is that you should always speak to your vet first before administering any type of medical help to your puppy. But, there are a few things that are useful to have at home. You vet may advise you to use these over the phone before you can bring your Labradoodle puppy in. Here are some useful products to keep in your puppy first aid kit: Weather vest in case of anxiety during storms, fireworks, etc. Gauze pads and tape Cotton tipped swabs and cotton balls Antiseptic wipes Hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol Styptic powder Saline solution and gel for eyes Blunt end scissors and nail file Tweezers. Food and Water dishes, or a water bottle to hang in the crate door. Brushes are great for surface brushing Doodles but you really need a good comb for getting the mats out and getting all the way down to the root of the hair. I love the Carlson Gates with the handles, I do not recommend the cheap accordion style wooden ones. Puppy Bed and Blankets, if puppy is peeing on their bed or blankets then replace them with a Stuffed Animals to cuddle Whelping Pads. Your puppy has been trained from birth using these so if you absolutely can not let them outside, I think these work better then the disposal potty pads they chew and drag around. Dewormer — I recommend using Safeguard dewormer, an over the counter dewormer that kills all 4 types of intestinal worms and also treats giardia which is a very common parasite transmitted via infected feces in water or soil and the 1 cause of diarrhea in young puppies. Dreamydoodles puppies are dewormed 4x before they go home and should be wormed again at home with Safe-guard at 12 wks and then every 6 months. Feed you puppy the same food at the same time every day. Puppies should be fed times a day on a strict set schedule. Growing too rabidly can cause hip, joint problems. Appetite changes. Do not worry too much just continue your feeding routine and pull up leftovers after mins and try again their next scheduled mealtime. Puppies should be drinking even when stressed. Let sleeping puppies lie. Growing Puppies need lots of sleep, so if your puppy is sleeping, just let them sleep. ALSO some puppies may sleep even more then normal the first few days home, as a coping mechanism to the stress of a new environment. Take this very short period of time to just let them settle in and start to feel at home with you and your family and THEN you can show them off to the world, in fact I encourage you too! Kids love to carry around their new puppies but most puppies. .Talk to young children about how important it is to stay calm, Not to fight over them with each other or get super loud or scare the puppy. BEFORE you know it your kids and your puppy will be the best of friends but try to take it slow especially the first week. You wouldnt leave your infant with your 3 year old right? You gotta be just as logical with your kids and your puppy. All the situations listed below should be observed at least a couple times without a negative reaction from your adult dog… before considering leaving them alone together. For example… How well does your adult dog handle the puppy jumping on them or invading their space, bugging them while their asleep? How do they react to puppy trying to eat out of their bowl, or sleeping or playing in their bed, playing with their toys etc? Introducing puppy to new people! After the first few days and once their settled in and adjusted then I recommend you start introducing them to LOTS of new people, every age, size and type of person you can find willing to meet them. You should also start introducing them to lots of new environments and new situations. Just stay away from high dog traffic areas until after 16 wks and their last set of vaccinations. MOST puppies will grow out of this, with early puppy socialization. Take some time out every day to have a short training session with your puppy. Prepare by getting out your treats, treat bag, a few toys and chews. Bonding with you puppy! The best way to bond with your puppy is through training, games and getting down to their eye level and playing with them. Throw a toy and see if you can get them bring it back to you for a treat, use their name! Remember to keep puppy training session short. Always end by asking them to perform a command or task that they know well so you can end with a big win and lots of praise. Zak George, has a ton of helpful and positive puppy training videos! Check out the rest of his videos on his channel! Take your puppy out after eating and sleeping. Supervise your puppy! Crate-training is essential! Designate a certain potty area and stick with it! Pick an area of your yard where you want them to go, preferably in a corner of the yard away from the door and where they will play the most, this not only makes your clean up area smaller then your whole yard but it also helps it click for them. .Correct accidents only when you catch them in the act. How wonderful! But it is important to keep in mind that puppies are like children and need constant attention and monitoring. House Training should be the first order of business. As soon as you bring your puppy home, take her outside and encourage her to do her business. If she does, be sure to have treats as a reward, and give her lots of praise. Dogs are people pleasers and positive feedback from you will go a very long way. Crating your pup at night is sometimes a good way to ease her into going outside and not in the house. So be firm but loving. Everyone goes through an adjustment period when you first introduce a new puppy into the family. The puppy may miss her mom or litter mates, and she will need plenty of TLC. She may cry during the night and if you get up, take her outside immediately. Bring treats with you, and give her plenty of praise if she does her business. Try to return to the same spot each time you take her out. It will make her associate the scents and feel of the spot with going to the bathroom. Feeding should be done at the same time every day. Take her outside as soon as she finishes eating. If you have to leave the house, crate her, and take her outside once you get home. Let her also associate getting out of her crate with going to the bathroom. Do this enough and she will get the idea. She will not make the connection between bad behavior and her mess after the fact. Simply clean it up and take her outside. Your puppy will need plenty of stroking especially during these early days, so let her sleep in your lap while you pet her, and love her up. This will create lasting bonds between you and your pup. And encourage playtime. Play fetch and tug, and let her get some energy out of her system. Routine is the key here. Just as children do, puppies need a schedule and to have limits set in order to feel safe. Dogs are pack animals and you are Alpha Dog — the leader of the pack. Your puppy will turn to you, not only for affection, but to learn what you expect from her. She will be sure to become a precious member of your family — which is, after all, your goal.

There are just two purebred Boxer colors: fawn, and brindle—with or without white markings. Different levels of these pigments determine the different colors. For example, black can produce a grey or brown coat, and red can produce a yellow or cream coat. Dogs have 8 genes that determine coat color. Each one is responsible for different types of color. Examples: an agouti gene creates coat patterns. What about the fawn color? How do experts define fawn coat color in dogs? Fawn Coat Color Boxers have variations of the red coat color pigment, not the black. The red-based fawn coloring can range all the way from light tan to dark mahogany. Brindle is dominant over fawn, but the combination of genes in an individual puppy determines its coloring. As with fawn vs. Certain colors can be linked to health conditions. The most common relationship most people know about is white color and deafness. White color and hereditary deafness are linked in many animals. This is because lack of pigment is genetically connected to inner ear degeneration. Some dog breeds, such as the Dalmatian, are more prone to hereditary deafness than others. What about a flashy fawn Boxer dog with a large amount of white coloring? Deafness Any dog, regardless of breed or color, can be born deaf or become deaf later in life. Breeds with a high rate of congenital deafness often have a significant amount of white coat coloring, but color is not the only cause of deafness. Boxers in general do not have a high incidence of deafness. If a Boxer has a large amount of white, especially on the head, then the risk for deafness does increase somewhat. What about temperament? Boxers are a much-loved breed with a long and interesting history. The Boxer dog we know today was first developed in the s in Germany. The ancestry of the Boxer can be traced to a very old breed called the Bullenbeisser bull biter. The Bullenbeisser was crossed with smaller dogs to create the modern Boxer. Boxers belong to the working dog group and have been used as guard dogs, military dogs, and even guide dogs for the blind. How large will your fawn Boxer dog get? Boxer Description The Boxer is a sleek and athletic medium sized dog. An adult male boxer weighs between 65 and 80 pounds. The breed standard calls for females to weigh about 15 pounds less than males. The Boxer has a distinctive head with an alert and intelligent face. Both the fawn and brindle Boxer dogs have short, smooth coats that require minimal grooming. Boxer Personality and Training As a working dog breed, the fawn Boxer dog has an alert and intelligent nature with a strong work ethic and a love of exercise and activity. Experts recommend that you enroll your Boxer in formal puppy training classes and socialize your dog around other dogs, animals, and people. As a working breed, Boxers enjoy stimulating and interactive organized activities like agility and obedience trials, sheep herding, and lure coursing. Boxers also make excellent therapy dogs. Boxer Health We talked about a slight risk for hereditary deafness in white Boxer dogs. What about the fawn Boxer dog? While there are no known health issues connected to the fawn coat color, there are a few inherited health conditions common to fawn and brindle boxers. Like many dog breeds, Boxers can be prone to the joint conditions hip and elbow dysplasia. Dysplasia is a joint deformity that can cause chronic pain in your Boxer. Boxers can also be prone to two genetic heart conditions: aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is an electrical conduction disorder that causes the heart to beat erratically and can also be life threatening. Other issues Boxers can also be at risk for certain kinds of cancers, thyroid problems, and a neurological condition called degenerative myelopathy. While Boxers can be prone to some potentially serious inherited health conditions. The good news is that there are health tests including genetic health tests for many of them. But before you fall in love with a particular puppy, make sure to choose a responsible breeder who follows the health testing guidelines outlined by the official breed club. Boxer health tests can take the form of blood and DNA tests, X-rays, and heart monitoring and echocardiograms. Health testing information should also be certified by an official canine health clearinghouse like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. A healthy puppy should have clear eyes, clean ears and nose, a shiny coat, and well-formed stools. Boxers are one of the most popular dog breeds, and for good reason! They are loyal, energetic, friendly, intelligent, and brave. The Boxer is a handsome dog breed and fans can have definite preferences for what their Boxer should look like. The fawn Boxer dog can be solid colored or fawn and white. The fawn coloring can vary from light to dark and the amount of white can vary as well. Remember to take your new best friend to puppy kindergarten to ensure that your dog is well trained and socialized. Already have a fawn Boxer dog? Tell us about your Boxer in the comments! References and Resources Strain, G. The Genetics of Deafness in Domestic Animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, .American Kennel Club. Hip Dysplasia. Veterinary Specialty Hospital. Tou, S. Aortic Stenosis. Merck Veterinary Manual. Wallner, W. Boxer Cardiomyopathy. American Boxer Club. Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article.

Our area has wide open spaces with majestic views of the Rocky Mountains. We are devoted to raising beautiful, healthy, well-balanced and socialized golden and labrador retrievers, goldendoodles, goldadors, bichon frises, cavaliers and cavachons. All of our foundation adults are free from hereditary problems and are backed by a health guarantee. Whether you are looking for a Golden Retriever puppy, Labrador Retriever puppy, Goldendoodle puppy, Goldador puppy, Bichon Frises puppy, Cavalier puppy or Cavachon puppy, we' would love to help you find the perfect dog. We combine excellent confirmation, exceptional good looks, intelligence and athleticism for the perfectly balanced dog. In order to achieve this goal, we begin with wonderful foundation bitches and sires that possess several generations of healthy dogs. Many of our dogs have several generations of clearances. Our puppies are bred for wonderful dispositions and temperaments to provide great companionship and use as family pets, service dogs, therapy dogs, conformation and hunting companions. You will not find more loyal, affectionate, and trustworthy companions. We look forward to hearing from you to tell you more about these wonderful pets and show dogs. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Kelly Hepworth, his wife, Sarah, and their daughter Emily. They breed and train male and female labrador dogs and puppies that are AKC registered and have a month genetic health guarantee. Raising, training, and hunting with Labradors are significant parts of our lives and have always been lifelong endeavors. In addition to our labs, Kelly owns and operates a Veterinary practice located next to the kennel. Each fall, Kelly hunts waterfowl and upland birds in several states. Our labs are derived from the finest pedigree lines available. They are carefully selected for temperament, conformation, and intelligence. We keep our breeding stock free from hereditary problems. Each lab at Bear Creek has certified hips, elbows, and eyes. Our puppies are sold with a month hip and eye guarantee. Puppy dog pile! Black, yellow and chocolate lab puppies Puppy dog pile! All puppies have their dewclaws removed, are wormed, and receive their first shot. Our puppies have become superb family companions, bird and hunt test competitors, gun dogs, obedience winners, and K9 narcotic dogs. You can purchase your Bear Creek puppy with confidence. We have been established since .We are experienced, proven and conscious breeders! We are Selective in our breeding pairs as we have searched worldwide! We will not compromise the rich heritage, pure quality of our Traditional and International breeding lines. We are Dilute Clear!! Official AKC Standard for the Labrador Retriever, General Appearance: The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions; the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion…… The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind," friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament……The Labrador is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance. Some of our breeders come with hunting titles as well!! Over the years, our dogs have made great companions, hunters, and service dogs. Our pups and dogs have been featured in commercials and magazines! Please send in your Pictures!! Janice M. We could not ask for a better puppy than Robin for a family. She is everything we were looking for. She has the sweetest temperament and I cannot believe how smart she is. She has been such a joy to train. She is already great with off leash recall and as soon as we tell her to stop doing something which is not often she listens immediately. Potty training and crate training were a breeze with her. What we love most about Robin is she is completely devoted to our children. She is with them before they go to school and then is at the door a few minutes before they walk in. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. He was smart, well tempered, and just an amazing friend. He was an ultimate protector of Jenine. We have been so happy with everything about him! From Maggie X Manny Litter of 12 pups, ! Our Puppies are Veterinarian Examined! We send stool samples in to eliminate all parasites! Your Health Certificate will share the details! Porter turned 2 years in November and has been the best addition to our family. He is sweet tempered and fantastic with the kids. He runs with us, goes with us to ball games and waits at the window for the kids to get home from school. Our family gets comments everywhere we take him on his demeanor and of course his handsome looks. We couldn't be more pleased. Thank you! Thank you again for bringing Decker into our lives! He is already over 40 lbs and loves the snow, going for walks and playing with his best friend Archie. Archie and Decker have become great playmates and love spending time together, when they aren't running and wrestling you can often find them snuggling together. She is now 1 year old! Her name is Abby. I just wanted to thank you all again for allowing us to adopt her last winter! There are no words to even begin to describe how in love with her we are. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us. Everyone that has met her absolutely loves her and we are just grateful to have gotten her. I just wanted to send a note to thank you. Gemma sure is one incredible dog. She finished her first session 4. 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 that 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 the breeders here; 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. Labrador Retrievers are extremely popular. In fact, they are one of the most popular dogs in the United States. For this reason, finding them in Colorado is quite easy. Many different breeders specialize in this breed, enabling you to choose the best one for your budget and needs. Here are eight of the most active breeders in the state. Of course, be sure to do your own research before purchasing any puppy. They strive to raise dogs with sharp intelligence and high trainability. All their dogs receive health clearances before being bred, ensuring that their puppies are healthy and less prone to genetic conditions. They do not breed for the show ring, which makes their dogs a bit cheaper than others. However, they do focus on temperament and health, as these two factors are essential for companion animals. Their dogs do compete in field trials and other hunting tests. They also breed gun dogs. All their puppies are put through a complete socialization program so they are friendly and ready for their new homes. They also provide a guarantee on their puppies that is similar to that of many other breeders. Their foundational adults are free from hereditary problems, and their puppies have a health guarantee. Besides Labrador Retrievers, they also produce Goldendoodles and other similar family dogs. They only breed dogs that have several generations of healthy ancestors, helping ensure that their puppies are healthy. All their breeding dogs are tested for common genetic conditions. Their kennel is licensed by the Colorado State Department of Agriculture. They have been breeding dogs since , far longer than most kennels out there. They have produced championship dogs in both America and internationally. While they focus on showing dogs, they do strive to produce dogs that make good family pets too. They produce three lab colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. Their dogs actively compete in AKC shows, and they genetically test all their dogs before breeding. They have four children, so their dogs are well-socialized with children at the very least. Their breeding dogs have their OFA certifications and undergo yearly eye exams. While their Labradors are show dogs, they strive to produce pet-quality dogs too. Summary The Labrador Retriever is an incredibly popular breed. Dogs from these places can inherit various health problems and genetic conditions due to the disregard for proper breeding standards. Always seek out high-quality breeders who take care of their dogs, both before and after breeding. Featured Image Credit: Alexx60, Shutterstock Written by Kristin Hitchcock Author Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one day!

Shadow the American Bulldog as a puppy at 10 weeks old Shadow the American Bulldog as a puppy at 6 months old sitting on the couch Shadow the American Bulldog at 10 months old looking over the back of the couch Jynx the XL American Bulldog at 5 years old—"My big boy. He's a gentle giant. Jynx shown here at 5 years old and pounds 56 kg " Tut the American Bulldog puppy at 8 weeks old—"This is Tut. I got him at 5 weeks of age. I never wanted a male dog, but now I won't trade him for anything! At 10 weeks old he weighed 22 pounds. She wasn't sure what to think about the noise the camera was making! She's a very smart girl, but awfully stubborn! We have started obedience training with her and although commands take a while to imprint, once she has it, she's golden! She now sits in her "spot" in the kitchen and waits quietly and patiently while we fill her food and water bowl. When her bowls are full she continues to wait patiently, all eyes on us, until we tell her "Good girl, you can have it! He has been a tremendous addition to our family!! We are a family of five and never before had a dog. He loves to fetch, play tug and when it is time to mellow out, he does!!! He simply picks a spot in the room and relaxes while we go about with our business!! We couldn't be happier with Cooper and can't wait for everything that is to come!!! Maggie is a three-year-old American Bulldog. Her mom is a Johnson type and her dad is a Scott type. We did not know anything about this breed before we got her but we quickly realized that we had to learn fast. She is very strong-willed and also just plain strong! This breed needs hours of exercise a day and a strong pack leader. By fulfilling her needs, we have been able to see her develop to her full potential. American Bulldogs are not for everyone so please choose this breed only after very careful thought. She is loving, fearless and protective. She is also exceptionally smart. She knows her toys by name and could play hide-and-seek for hours. When we tell her to go to her bed she does and does not get up until given permission so we can eat dinner without her begging for bits. She truly listens to her people and is eager to please. She does not like looking at herself in the mirror and she growls at animals on TV and in movies. We will never own a different breed. She has our hearts forever. We've had CeeCee about 5 months now and she has become a very much loved member of our family. Talk about personality! If it weren't for his instruction, CeeCee would be unmanageable. We didn't train her to do or not do anything; she just did her thing and usually agreed with us and followed us around. I started walking for my sanity's sake and she enjoyed tagging along.She was a little over a year old when she was given to us by friends who had to move across the country and couldn't take her along. So before she came to our house, we started reading everything we could find on American Bulldogs. I saw the info on the dogbreedinfo site about Cesar and devoured his book. We found the show and soon after I started ordering the DVD sets so I could watch the episodes over and over. As soon as she got here, we took her for a long walk together. She thinks any package left by the delivery man is her new chew toy, and still gets too excited occasionally, but she is learning to sit still and control her impulses. Our neighbors have wolf-dogs that occasionally get loose and it doesn't scare CeeCee a bit wish I could say the same for me. She holds her own and is gradually winning them over. CeeCee came to us during a time when I was grieving a very traumatic event. She was the catalyst for letting go of things I couldn't fix or change. At first, we were tempted to rename her Bessie. She had just had a litter of pups and the resemblance to your average Holstein was remarkable. Now, all trimmed up and dressed in her fancy black lipstick, she makes us all smile. He is my first dog and has been the best dog anyone could ever have asked for. After originally being chosen by another owner, Casey spent the first 2 months on his own crated nearly 23 hours a day, by himself without a toy in his crate. Since that time he has been the most loveable, affectionate dog anyone could ask for. He loves to play with other dogs, especially his new 3-month-old sister. He even tries to play with our 3-year-old cat. A true Johnson bully, he loves to be out doors running and training. His favorite things to do are play with his football, play tug, dig holes and eat freshly fallen snow. My husband has watched the Dog Whisperer gaining a lot of tips on how to get Carson to "calm" down. She loves people and thinks that everyone must love her. After using some of the techniques on the show, she has really changed into a calmer dog. Rose was a rather destructive puppy, but only when left alone. I had to crate her during periods when my wife and I would both be away to keep her from destroying our home or ingesting foreign objects. I thought we had taken on more than we could handle, but she learned commands and tricks faster than any dog I'd ever had. We began educate ourselves, and the first step was to walk her 2 miles a day, play fetch and Frisbee for marathon sessions, built her a "spring pole" of sorts, and even take long bike rides with her on leash. Her excitability at newcomers decreased right away, and her furniture-chewing habit ceased. Currently at almost 4 years old, she's the best dog I could ever hope for. I shudder to think that we considered giving her up for adoption, and now people ask us how we have such a well-trained dog! And Rose required being handled a bit more sternly than the Labs, Rottie, and mostly mixed breeds I'd owned previously. Only one harsh correction was usually needed; two thousand light vocal reprimands meant nothing. Today if we are playing fetch and the ball goes over the fence, she looks at me almost trembling and I can either tell her "get it" allowing her to hop the fence, retrieve, and hop back or give her a stay command. At 18 months of age, I never believed this dog could restrain herself from any impulse. I only have one dog of this breed to draw on, but I'd venture to say that the American Bulldog needs stimulation, love, play, but most of all exercise and an occasional heavy hand early on, so we could establish her place in our pack. She has made my wife and me far more physically active than we had been, and even that is life enhancing. They are incredibly powerful; playing tug with her has to be experienced to be believed. At only 78 pounds, Rose can jump, pull and bite like nothing else. She once jumped up and bit a tree limb and just hung and shook after I took her rope toy down from the limb. Their enthusiasm is a big part of their charm, but I would not recommend this breed to a busy person who can't devote the time. She is great around kids, cats, other dogs, and even just barks or whimpers when she encounters a snake or turtle while we're camping. But Rose was on the fast track to being given up, when we realized she simply needed more exercise and for us to be more firm with her. He requires a lot of exercise or he can get himself into trouble he is very strong. The most important thing in raising him was being firm and consistent on everything. He is very smart and learns things quickly, even bad habits. He is somewhat protective of females and children around strangers, but if introduced loves everyone. Benelli is excellent with our 2 young children, ages 2 and 3. She's so calm and gentle that my 3-year-old can hold the leash while we go for walks. She absolutely loves our cats and she gets along very well with our other dog. This is our first American Bulldog and we couldn't ask for a better dog!! Her name is Wanda. I have learned so much about her from your website; it is very interesting and useful. I taught her how to sit and how to walk beside me , not in front of me by your instructions. We live in El Salvador in Central America. He's my first AB and I am impressed with the breed. His father is a Johnson type doggy and his mom a Scott type. Porky the American Bulldog puppy at 10 weeks, weighing 21 pounds Belle the American Bulldog at 3 years old—"We rescued Bella a year ago from a pen in a neighbor's garden. She weighed 34 pounds 17 kilos and had ten pups inside her. She was a very scared and seemed to be an aggressive dog. I broke through the fence when no one had been to her cage for 4 days. After a lot of shouting and abuse from my neighbor she eventually let me have her. She had 10 pups in my summerhouse and slowly each day she came to trust me a little more. She still growled and was scared of everyone else. We brought her into our house and had a cage for her. Cesar Millan was and is my hero. He gave me the belief in myself that I could cope with such a big scared dog. We have now had her for a year. She is like a different dog. She sleeps with the cats that she once so wanted to attack. She no longer needs the hated cage and loves visitors that used to scare her. I have never had a dog before and to be honest never really wanted one, but my Bella has filled a gap I never knew was there. So for anyone out there thinking about owning a rescued American Bulldog all you need is lots of patience, a strong will and a touch of Cesar Millan. Life Span Did You Know? The American Bulldog is a descendant of a generic bulldog type of dog breed brought into the region that is now the Southern United States by working-class immigrants many years ago. These were all-around working dogs used by small farmers and ranchers for several tasks around the farm. They were often found working as catch dogs, stock dogs, and overall farm guardians. When feral pigs were introduced to the New World, they had no natural predators and the population quickly grew out of control. In addition to their farm duties, the settlers found the bulldog-type dog to be the best solution they had for dealing with it. So, the bulldog continued to thrive, especially in the South. Johnson and Alan Scott that we have what we know today as the American Bulldog. Modern American Bulldogs can still be found working as all-around utility dogs, farm dogs, catch dogs, cattle drovers, and more. They can also be found competing in dog sports, working as a guardian, police, or military dog, and are also popular as a family pet. This dog breed is a sweetheart with a gentle, fun-loving nature. The American Bulldog is affectionate and adores their families. They also love children and tend to be good with other animals. American Bulldogs can have a high prey drive, so you will want to make sure you introduce and socialize them properly with other small animals in the household. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers and strange dogs, especially when they are younger. Early socialization can help them be more comfortable navigating their guardian instincts. Overall, this dog breed tends to be confident, social, and are most at ease and relaxed when they are with the people they love. American Bulldogs are an emotional dog breed and thrives on human attention and affection, so they tend to bond strongly with their owners and may come across as clingy sometimes. They will also often convince themselves that they are lap dogs regardless of their size, so make sure you are ready for a lot of love and cuddles with your American Bulldog, drool and all! The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are strong, high-energy working dogs that love being around their favorite humans. This makes them better suited to larger homes with space for them to run. They are not generally a good fit for apartment living, but they can adapt as long as they get more than enough exercise and attention. Because they do tend to bond strongly with their owners and want to be near them, they do not tend to do well with long periods of time alone. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, but can adapt to well to most climates. There are some health issues that can be found in specific genetic lines and are not common to the breed overall, but these can be ruled out with genetic tests. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in general with the American Bulldog include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, bone cancer, and eye-related issues like ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. Talking to the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns. American Bulldogs are highly trainable and eager to please, so they are a good fit for owners of any experience level, including first-time dog owners. They can have a stubborn streak, so a first-time dog owner may want to consider enrolling in puppy training classes. As with any dog breed, early and ongoing training and socialization are important for your American Bulldog puppy to grow into a well-rounded, and a well-behaved, dog. This dog breed has a short coat that is generally smooth. Common coat colors are white and predominately white with patches of brindle, black, or red. More coat color patterns are emerging and becoming more common like all shades of brindle, fawn, brown, red, and more. The American Bulldog is relatively low maintenance and easy to groom and they are light to moderate shedders. They only require a bath as needed. But, you will need to be prepared to deal with some extra drool! Floppy ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to ear infections. The ideal dental care for dogs is using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day. Dental hygiene chews or treats, a specially-formulated dental care diet, and more can be used to supplement your dental care efforts. The American Bulldog is an athletic and high-energy dog breed. They love daily walks and plenty of playtime outside. They may even enjoy plenty of other activities with you like swimming, hiking , and more. With their working dog background, this dog breed does need a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to be a good candidate for dog sports like obedience, weight pulling, the Iron Dog competition, and more. A fully-grown American Bulldog usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. An American Bulldog generally lives for years. Chance, one of the canine stars from the Homeward Bound films, was an American Bulldog. Featured American Bulldog Article.

It was Walt Disney himself who came up with the moniker of posh Lady's unlikely paramour, crossing out the name "Mutt" in a script and scribbling down, "Tramp". Other names bandied about included Homer, Rags and Bozo, which, harsh. He was also the softy behind the sweet scene of Jim Dear gifting wife Darling with Lady. Having made the hard sell for them to get a family pet , Walt had convinced his bride a Chow Chow was the dog for them. The very next day, the Mouse House founder went out and selected his new furry friend, keeping the purchase under wraps until the holidays. I got a big ribbon on it," Walt recounted of his gift. So, my wife didn't see me bring it in. My niece went over and she said, 'Oh, it says to Lilly from Santy Claus! And my wife said, 'Oh, Walt! You didn't?! She thought I bought her a hat! So, she started to open it and it moved. When she opened it this little chow stuck its head out. And from that time on, that was her baby. During the animation phase, the studio literally went to the dogs, with staffers and even one of the film's voice actors bringing in their pets to serve as inspiration. The pup behind the Tramp, though, was quite special. As the story goes , story artist Erdman Penner spotted the mutt in his neighborhood while driving home one night. Though Penner lost it in the bushes, the stray was eventually tracked down at a shelter, reportedly saved just before it was set to be put down. In a surprise plot twist, the dog was a girl, but they moved forward with using her as inspiration. Quite ahead of their time. Having earned her keep, the months-old puppy was adopted out to Dolly and Owen Pope—the couple in charge of managing the horses at Disneyland—and lived out the rest of her days in luxury. The streets Tramp roamed were modeled after Marceline, Missouri, where Walt spent four years of his childhood living on a farm. Also serving as inspiration for Disneyland's Main Street, the tiny town population is little more than 2, is now home to the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. Several other characters went through name changes: cats Si and Am were first dubbed Nip and Tuck, and their owner, once, a somewhat sinister mother-in-law called Mumsie became Aunt Sarah. Among the roles from that original scrip that went to the birds, so to speak: the family's canary, Trilby, and a neighbor's duck. The flick's most iconic scene was almost left on the cutting room floor with Walt feeling the shared spaghetti moment might be pushing the animals-with-human-emotions boundaries. In a sign of just how far technology has advanced, the original press release for the film touted the use of two million rough and finished drawings by more than Disney artists and animators. The phrase working like a dog comes to mind.She later sued for royalties when she discovered her voice was used on video tapes, technology that didn't exist back in the 50s. The 50s classic is responsible for influencing another beloved Disney film, with Toy Story art director Ralph Eggleston sharing that seeing a movie told entirely from the point of view of the family pets inspired he and Pixar to tell their story from the toys' perspective. Good to know their romance wasn't simply young puppy love. The film was based on the Cosmopolitan magazine story "Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog" by Ward Greene , and tells the story of Lady the pampered Cocker Spaniel as she grows from puppy to adult, deals with changes in her family, and meets and falls in love with Tramp the homeless mutt. Lady and the Tramp was released to theaters on June 22, , to box office success. It was the first animated film to be filmed in the CinemaScope widescreen film process, [3] as well as Disney's first animated film to be distributed by their Buena Vista division. It initially received generally mixed reviews by film critics, but critical reception for the film has been generally positive in modern times. Plot In , in a small town, "Jim Dear" gives his wife "Darling" [a] a cocker spaniel puppy as a Christmas present. The puppy, named Lady, grows up pampered by her doting owners, and befriends her neighbors' dogs Jock a Scottie and Trusty an elderly Bloodhound. Meanwhile, across town, a stray terrier -mix named Tramp feeds on scraps and handouts, and frees his friends Peg the Pekingese and Bull the Bulldog from the local dogcatcher. Fleeing the angry dogcatcher, Tramp finds himself in Lady's neighborhood. He overhears a distraught Lady conversing with Jock and Trusty about her owners' suddenly-distant behavior towards her. When Jock and Trusty deduce this is because Darling is pregnant, Tramp inserts himself into the conversation as the "voice of experience", and warns Lady that "when a baby moves in, a dog moves out". Annoyed, Jock drives him from the yard. Tramp's words cause Lady to fret throughout Darling's pregnancy, but when the baby boy arrives, she is allowed to meet and bond with him, dispelling her fears. Sarah dislikes dogs, and prohibits Lady from seeing the baby; later, the cats destroy the house, and pin the deed on Lady by pretending she injured them. Sarah takes Lady to the pet shop, and has a muzzle put on her; Lady panics and flees into the street, where she is pursued by three savage dogs, until Tramp intervenes to protect her. Tramp takes Lady to the zoo to have the muzzle removed by a beaver ; he then shows Lady his owner-free lifestyle, and they explore the town. The kindly proprietor of Tony's Restaurant gives them a spaghetti dinner to share, before they end the evening with a walk in the park. The next day, Tramp tries to convince Lady to live "footloose and collar free" with him; despite liking Tramp, she decides her duty is to watch over the baby. As Tramp escorts Lady home, he stops to chase some chickens; the dogcatcher pursues them both, but only Lady is caught. At the pound , she meets Peg, Bull, and some other strays, who all know Tramp. They reveal he has had many girlfriends in the past, and claim that females are his weakness. Sarah comes to claim Lady, and chains her in the backyard as punishment for running away. Jock and Trusty propose that Lady should marry and come live with one of them, to escape the abuse, but she gently refuses them. When Tramp arrives to apologize to Lady, she berates him for his many girlfriends and sends him away, too. Afterwards, Lady notices a large rat sneaking into the house through the baby's bedroom window. Her attempts to alert Sarah fail, but Tramp hears her barking, returns, and enters the house himself to save the baby. Lady breaks her chain and follows soon after. Tramp is wounded in the battle with the rat, but manages to kill it behind a curtain. During the struggle, the baby's crib overturns, and he begins to cry; Sarah comes to investigate, and assumes the dogs attacked the baby. Jim Dear and Darling return home to find that Sarah has locked Lady in the cellar and handed Tramp over to the dogcatcher to be euthanized. Disbelieving Sarah's story, Jim Dear frees Lady, who immediately shows them the dead rat. Overhearing the truth, Jock and Trusty pursue the dogcatcher's cart and try to stop it; the horses spook, causing the cart to crash. Later, at Christmastime, Tramp has become an official part of the family, and he and Lady have four little puppies of their own. Jock and a mostly-healed Trusty visit the family; the puppies now provide Trusty a new audience for his old stories, but he has forgotten them, much to his and everyone else's amusement. A Christmas present to Darling from Jim Dear, she quickly becomes the center of their lives, but is then partly displaced by the birth of a human baby who she comes to love devotedly. Her experiences outside the household, and her encounter with Tramp force her to question the nature of her relationship with her humans who she never sees as her owners , and give her a new understanding of the world around her, full of animals and humans, pleasures and dangers. Larry Roberts as Tramp, a mongrel with a mixture of a schnauzer and a terrier , with a knack for dodging dog-catchers. He calls Lady "Pidge", short for Pigeon, which he calls her owing to her naivety. He never refers to himself by name, although most of the film's canine cast refer to him as the Tramp. It is not until the sequel in which any humans call him Tramp, and it is never explained why they "name" him with the very name he was known by on the streets. Tramp had other names in the film, and when asked by Lady about having a family, Tramp states that he has, "One for every day of the week. Point is, none of them have me. The families also had different nationalities such as Irish or German. As he did not belong to a single-family, Tramp implied that it was easier than the baby problems Lady was going through at the time. Thompson also voiced Joe, Tony's assistant chef; Bull, a stray male bulldog from the dog pound who speaks with a Cockney accent; Dachsie, a stray male dachshund at the dog pound who speaks with a German accent; an Irish-accented policeman; and Jim's friend. Bill Baucom as Trusty, a bloodhound who used to track criminals with his Grandpappy, Old Reliable, until he lost his sense of smell. She is a well-meaning busybody of a maiden aunt who adores her Siamese cats but does not believe that dogs should be around babies. She blames both Lady and Tramp for the baby's crib being knocked over, not knowing that they were actually protecting the baby from a vicious rat. However, she sends a box of dog biscuits for Christmas in the final scene of the film in a presumed attempt to make amends for her mistreatment of the two dogs. George Givot as Tony, the owner and chef of Tony's Italian restaurant. He and Joe both have great affection for Tramp. Lee Millar as Jim Dear, the fatherly human figure and Darling's husband. Millar also voiced the Dogcatcher. Peggy Lee as Darling, the motherly human figure and Jim Dear's wife. Lee also voiced Si and Am, Aunt's Sarah's twin Siamese cats with a knack for mischief and never-ending trouble; and Peg, a stray female Pekingese whom Lady meets at the pound along with the other dog inmates she was put in a cage with. The names of Si and Am are a pun on the country of Siam. It is implied that Peg had a relationship with Tramp in the past, through the lyrics of the song she sings He's a Tramp. Peg was formerly from the "Dog and Pony Follies" dog and pony show ; either the show ended or she was left behind. Peg has a Brooklyn Accent. Stan Freberg as the beaver, a clever, hard-working beaver at the zoo who speaks with a lisp. He gnaws off the muzzle that Aunt Sarah had placed upon Lady after Tramp realizes that the muzzle is just what the beaver needs for pulling logs. This character would later serve as the inspiration for Gopher from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree , down to the speech pattern a whistling sound when he makes the "S" sound. On the 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD, Stan Freberg demonstrates how it was done and that a whistle was eventually used because it was hard to continue repeating the effect. Alan Reed as Boris, a stray male Borzoi from the dog pound. He speaks with a Russian accent. Thurl Ravenscroft as Al the alligator, an alligator that Tramp asks to remove the muzzle from Lady. However, he instead almost bites Lady's head off. Dallas McKennon as Toughy, a stray male mutt from the dog pound. He speaks with a slight Brooklyn accent, like Peg. McKennon also voiced Pedro, a stray male Chihuahua from the dog pound who speaks with a Mexican accent; a professor, and a laughing hyena. He approached Walt Disney with sketches of Lady. Disney enjoyed the sketches and commissioned Grant to start story development on a new animated feature titled Lady. Lady was to have only one next-door neighbor, a Ralph Bellamy -type canine named Hubert. Hubert was later replaced with Jock and Trusty. Aunt Sarah was the traditional overbearing mother-in-law. In the final film, she is softened to a busybody who, though antagonistic towards Lady and Tramp, is well-meaning she sends a packet of dog biscuits to the dogs at Christmas to apologize for mistreating them. These were changed to highlight Lady's point of view. They were briefly referred to as "Mister" and "Missis" before settling on the names "Jim Dear" and "Darling". To maintain a dog's perspective , Darling and Jim's faces are rarely shown, similar to Tom's various owners in the Tom and Jerry cartoons. The rat was a somewhat comic character in early sketches, but became a great deal more frightening, due to the need to raise dramatic tension. A scene created but then deleted was one in which after Trusty says "Everybody knows, a dog's best friend is his human", Tramp describes a world in which the roles of both dogs and humans are switched; the dogs are the masters and vice versa. Although the spaghetti eating sequence is probably now the best-known scene from the film, Walt Disney was prepared to cut it, thinking that it would not be romantic and that dogs eating spaghetti would look silly. Animator Frank Thomas was against Walt's decision and animated the entire scene himself without any lay-outs. Walt was impressed by Thomas's work and how he romanticized the scene and kept it in. However, she left the studio to become a children's book illustrator in .Claude Coats was then appointed as the key background artist. Coats made models of the interiors of Jim Dear and Darling's house, and shot photos and film at a low perspective as reference to maintain a dog's view. However, due to the growing interest of widescreen film among movie-goers, Disney decided to animate the film in CinemaScope making Lady and the Tramp the first animated feature filmed in the process. Animators had to remember that they had to move their characters across a background instead of the background passing behind them. Upon learning this, Walt issued two versions of the film: one in widescreen, and another in the Academy ratio. This involved gathering the layout artists to restructure key scenes when characters were on the edges of the screen. An episode of Disneyland called "A Story of Dogs" aired before the film's release. At the end of its initial home video release, it was reported to have sold more than three million copies, becoming the best-selling videocassette at the time. The sentimentality is mighty, and the CinemaScope size does not make for any less aware of the thickness of the goo. It also magnifies the animation, so that the flaws and poor foreshortening are more plain. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, the artists' work is below par in this film. Dave Kehr , writing for The Chicago Tribune gave the film four stars. The website's consensus states, "A nostalgic charmer, Lady and the Tramp's token sweetness is mighty but the songs and richly colored animation are technically superb and make for a memorable experience.

They save dogs and cats of all breeds in the city. Animal Friends value the strong relationship between man and his best friend. They provide affordable services to treat and rehome pets in need. Animal Friends is dedicated to creating a community that protects animal rights. Pet owners must be aware of the best ways to care for the health of their fur buddies regardless of breed. This is part of their support for those aspiring pet owners and breeders in Pittsburgh. This group has volunteer based foster homes that take care of their rescued pugs and other dogs. All their pets receive medical care for any diseases from their partner veterinarian. Grooming and vaccinations are also given to help restore their vigor. Once a pug or pet is ready for adoption, it will be up on their website. You can search a list of their adoptable pets online and then apply for adoption. They also serve other states in the US, and so they keep their communications open. You can contact them through their website, Facebook page, or telephone. They also rely on volunteers who are willing to be foster homes for all rescues. This group also has vet center partners that provide medical treatments and vet care for all dog breeds that they will rescue. All pug rescue will receive medical attention like vaccination, spaying, heartworm tests, microchip, and behavioral evaluation. They are doing this to restore the good health of all their pugs and other dog breeds. Before putting a pug for adoption placement, they will evaluate their personality. Not all pugs are nice, some are temperamental, so they need to be tamed. To do that, they employ the Force Free method. They use positive reinforcements to train pugs and other dogs. No harsh physical disciplinary actions are given to all their pug rescue. Do you have questions about the Force Free methods? You can e mail them at info pawsacrosspittsburgh. Do you want to get involved and help them with their goals? There are several ways for you to do that: Volunteer as a foster home Volunteer for any of their operations Cash donations Donating items for cats and dogs Petland Robinson. Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. Life Span Did You Know? The Pug, or Pug Dog, is famous for its flat-faced appearance and large, soulful eyes. They are an ancient dog breed that originated in China over 2, years ago. They were originally developed as a refined pet of Chinese royalty along with the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. During this time, the Pug was considered a national treasure that outsiders could only access if one was gifted to them. Dutch traders from the s can be credited with bringing the Pug onto the world stage when they brought some back to Europe with them. The Pug made its way to the United States in the s. Now, the Pug is a popular dog breed worldwide. They are a popular companion that provides their owners with plenty of love and laughter from their comedic and playful antics. The Pug is a playful and outgoing dog breed with a charming personality. They tend to be very loving towards children and also get along well with other pets and dogs. They are a companion breed at heart known for their gentle nature and sociable personality. They love to give love and receive it in return. Their sensitive nature makes them intuitive as well and Pugs will often sense the moods of their owners and react accordingly. They crave attention and affection from their owners and are big fans of napping. This dog breed is often described as an ideal house dog and they are moderately adaptable. They will do well in homes of any size, including apartments. The Pug also adapts well to city or country life and are a good fit for singles or families of any size. Although they are highly adaptable to various living situations, they are less adaptable to climates. Pugs are very sensitive to the heat and overexertion, so they are best-suited to moderate climates. They also love to be with their families and will not be happy if left alone for a long time. As with any dog breed, the Pug has some health conditions to be aware of. In particular, corneal ulcers and dry eye are some potential eye problems that can occur. Additionally, Pugs can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and encephalitis. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see health clearances can help allay concerns for some of these health issues. Pugs are also big foodies. They love to eat! Their love for food means this dog breed is prone to obesity. As a brachycephalic dog, their large head and short snout often cause respiratory problems, which can limit their exercise at times and contribute to weight gain. This will cause them to quickly gasp and snort, which can sound relatively alarming. These episodes are usually not harmful as your Pug is just clearing their palate and throat. The Pug tends to be easy to train and is a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are eager to please their owners and tend to pick up on commands quickly. They are sensitive souls and their feelings can be hurt easily, so they will not respond well to harsh corrections. This dog breed responds best to consistent training that focuses on positive rewards and will benefit from participation in puppy training classes. Pugs have a smooth, glossy, and short coat. Their fur is fine and soft. Although their coat is generally low-maintenance, it will shed throughout the year. Aside from brushing, Pugs only need occasional baths on an as-needed basis. Because Pugs have ears that drop down, they can be susceptible to moisture, dirt, or debris. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning as needed helps to keep them healthy and comfortable. The same goes for their iconic face wrinkles. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your Pug is not allowing you to do that, a few times a week should be sufficient. Getting your Pug used to these grooming tasks as a puppy will help make it a positive bonding experience and a much easier process throughout their life. This dog breed has a low to moderate energy level. Generally, daily walks and some play sessions are enough exercise for this dog breed. They may have short bursts of energy as they have a very playful nature, but they will tire easily. Some Pugs can handle a little more activity and even compete in some dogs sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Make sure you check with your vet first before jumping into dog sports with your dog. A full-grown Pug will usually stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. The Pug was a popular pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Featured Pug Article. Email: rockvalepuppies gmail. Rockvale Puppies are specialists in rare color, purebred Pugs. Puppies are cared for and played with every day by Todd, his wife Alicia, and their two young boys. The family is passionate about providing new owners with the greatest pet possible. Sandra has been breeding since .All puppies get a neo-parvo shot at 5 weeks old, their first booster vaccination at 7-weeks old, and are kept on a deworming schedule. Pugs R Us by T. Stahlstown, PA Phone: Website: www. Tabitha breeds AKC Pugs and has puppies available throughout the year. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

The breed was also developed to think independently, which results in an active dog that bores easily. Exercise and training can help keep your boxer calm. Step 1 Ensure your dog gets adequate exercise as an outlet for their energy. Boxers need at least an hour of exercise daily; walking on a leash will work, but running in the yard is ideal. A boxer that does not get enough exercise is more likely to display hyper behavior such as jumping, barking, mouthing and rough play. A common belief among boxer owners is that a tired boxer is a happy boxer -- or, better put, a tired boxer is a calm boxer with a happy owner. Step 2 Train your boxer every day. Even a five-minute training session will keep his mind engaged. Aim for three short sessions a day, and always end the training when the dog has done something right. If necessary, do one repetition of a behavior the dog always does correctly so you can end on a success. Step 3 Play games to challenge your boxer's problem-solving ability. Mental stimulation can sometimes be more tiring to a dog than physical exercise. Hide a few treats in a room, and then ask your boxer to find them. He gets to eat the treats he finds. If two people are available, one of you hold the dog and the other hide in a different room. The hidden person calls the dog, and then gives lots of praise, treats and affection when found. Step 4 Provide your boxer with interactive toys such as puzzle boxes, treat-dispensing toys and toys-within-toys. Boxers tend to love these toys, since they encourage independent thinking and pay off when the challenge is solved. A boxer that receives regular physical and mental exercise rarely has an excess of energy. He will still be active and exuberant, without the hyper edge of a dog that is not routinely exercised and mentally challenged. Step 5 Crate your boxer when you cannot supervise him and he is excessively energetic. Most dogs will quickly calm down in their crate and typically fall asleep. Your dog shouldn't spend the majority of the day in his crate, but keeping him contained protects both him and your home from the mischief a bored boxer can create. More Articles. The key to a happy, balanced and calm dog is a combination of physical activity, mental stimulation, and entertainment. They say that a tired dog is a happy dog! Physical Activity Boxers require at least 1 hour of daily exercise split into two walks. The more time you can spend outside with your dog, the better. Since these dogs are exuberant and very active, walking at an easy pace down the street is not their cup of tea. Take at least min for each activity. Do one cardio activity per day. Making bubbles can also entertain you boxer outside. Your Boxer will be thirilled with bubbles and some of them will end up in his mouth so if you use bubbles made for children those can cause upset stomach and vomiting in your dog. You can find dog bubbles with different scents bacon, peanut butter… but maybe the plain version is the best. Use the warm wet cloth to wipe your canine friend after play. Water games can also be a fulfilling experience for your dog. Your Boxer dog will be happy to catch his favorit toy you have just thrown in the water. Dog sprinkler is another idea how water can entetaining for dogs. Your Boxer will have a lot of fun try to catch the water and also kept cool during hot summer days. If you get back from work late and you feel very tired to go for a long walk in the dark with your dog, a laser pointer may help you in this situation. Go outside in your yard, sit in some nice, comfortable chair, take a laser pointer and start playing with your Boxer. Be careful never to point in his eyes with the laser and enrich this game by hiding some treats in the yard and then point towards them. Your dog will be thrilled with the game. Dogs like playing with balls very much. Some Boxers are able to play with a ball for hours, pushing it in front his paws while others need a kind of stimulation so you can play a little soccer with your dog. In all cases, he will get tired. You can also set up a dog tunnel in your yard and look how your Boxer has been busy especially if you throw the ball jumps through the whole tunnel or if you put some treat inside or at the end of it. Boxers love to run and stretch so these activities are great to keep them and their muscles in good shape. Just pay extra attention if you have a puppy under the age of 1 year. Mental Stimulation Sometimes mental stimulation may be more tiring to a dog than physical activity. Some studies have shown that dogs in general have the emotional capacity of a 3-year-old human. What does that mean? If you have kids or you spent some significant amount of time with them, then you know. If you just let the small kids do nothing, soon they become bored and most probably overly hyper. If they have nothing to focus on, they get bored and destructive. You need to give him some interesting task that requires the use of his dog senses especially sense of smell. For example, you can hide some treats in the room and encourage him to find them. At first, start with some easy to find places but later on work up to more difficult sessions. Of course, once they find them, they are all his! If you have a yard you can play the same game outside. Hide the treats in the grass or elsewhere and let your dog uses his senses to reach the tasty bite. Your Boxer should find you and once he does, reward him for being a good dog. Arrange them times a week and your dog will be thrilled. Since dogs like to gnaw, if you get some nice marrow bone, your Boxer will highly appreciate that. This can keep him entertained good amount of time. Individual play is also very important. Nice, sturdy chew toys or treat-release toys will help your Boxer keep his mind and senses very busy. In the end, you get tired but happy canine! There is a huge variety of dog toys on the market. Owners usually recommend KONG toys that you can stuff in with peanut butter or banana. For a longer run, freeze the stuffed KONG. You can also try with Monster mouth works the same as KONG, it can be stuffed with any treats your dog likes. A good option for chew toys is the Bully sticks. These sticks are pretty safe for your dog and rich in proteins. They can provide long-time fun for your Boxer. Or squeaking toys like Air Kong Squeaking toys. Avoid super soft material toys for Boxers, as they can destroy them in a couple of minutes. Your Boxer will be very happy to work for his food. Put some tasty bites in a puzzle toy or use a snuffle pad to hide some treats. He will be mentally stimulated plus he will use his sense of smell. A Win-Win! Boxers also would like to play with RC cars. Bear in mind that the size of the car has to be adjusted to the size of your pet. The best ratio is .The speed of the RC car is also what matters. The more you pay the more speed you get, just remember when you are doing the purchase, that your dog might take it apart. Obedience Training Basic obedience training is essential if you want to have well-behaved and calm dog. Boxers act like puppies longer than other breeds. The age of 1,5 -2 years is the typical age when owners search for ways to calm down their dogs. They are not sure if their Boxers energy level is fine since they have large almost adult size dogs that are acting like puppies. After they turn 2 years Boxers start slowly to calm down of course if they have everything they need- regular physical activity, training, mental stimulation, care, and attention but this is a rather gradual process. Even when they mature these bundles of joy are full of energy. They require a lot of daily exercise and short walks down the street are just not enough for them. Conclusion Having a restless puppy jumping around on everything could be cute for some time but in a long run, a Boxer that interacts with his guardians in a calm and respectful manner is a much better option. They need a lot of exercise as well as mental stimulation. Proper training is a must otherwise you will end up with a hyper dog that is destroying your things and jumping on your guests. On the other hand, if treated the way they should, Boxers can be very well-behaved dogs that still will bring joy to your life. With a strong, powerful body and plenty of energy, this breed can be quite active at times. The issue at hand however, is what to do if a Boxer is hyperactive and won't calm down. Let's dive into this topic and discuss all relevant issues. When a young puppy is not running around, he is recovering from acting hyper and napping so that he can get up and do it again. And this is because despite his size, the 12 month or 18 months old is still indeed a pup. He has the mentality of a pup and his actions reflect that. So you have a rather large dog of 45 to 55 pounds .The size of Boxers can fool owners. Since Boxers almost but not quite reach their adult weight by 18 months but have puppy-like tendencies for some time beyond that, owners can sometimes expect too much from a puppy that is beginning to take on the appearance of an adult. Stages of activity levels to expect with Boxers: 8 weeks to 4 months old: This is the 'new' puppy stage. Boxer puppies can be very hyper but owners often do not need to help them calm down because they'll plop down when they tire out, which is quite often. At this age, a Boxer can be running around one moment and asleep with his head in the food dish the next. This is a time of exploring and curiosity… the energy level is like a roller-coaster. You'll want to have a solid schedule in place so that a hyper Boxer puppy has more structure to his day. A Boxer will still get a lot of joy from playing and often craves tons of attention from his owners… this is a good thing… that interaction is a big part of proper bonding and instilling proper hierarchy that will lead to a well-behaved dog. Daytime naps are much less at this point, so having a Boxer awake most of the day can lend to feeling as if the dog is always on the go… or at least is restless if you are not available to get him outside and on the go! By this time, all commands should have been taught and the dog should have a good schedule of releasing his energy in burst of exercise… and if this has not been done or if the Boxer is home alone much of the day and has no release, they'll be some behavioral consequences of that. Generally Boxer dogs begin to calm down by the age of 2 years old, though it is a gradual process, as you'll note from above. Issues can arise if these elements are not in place, however it is never too late to take charge and we will go over some steps owners can take to reel in a hyper Boxer dog. Most will indeed act like adults, but this does not mean that you will have a perfectly behaved dog that can handle any situation with grace and refinement. Boxers are as intelligent as a human toddler , hyper aware of their environment and subject to acting hyper or in most cases very restless if healthy methods of releasing energy are not available or encouraged. The adult may have trouble with separation anxiety or may become agitated or overly clingy if he is not offered both physical and mental workouts. He relaxes quite a bit but can still be engaged to take walks, explore and even take on new challenges. Problems of restlessness can arise if the dog has health issues that interfere with his sleeping or if some disrupts his environment. How to Deal with a Hyper Boxer and Calm Him Down The best method to calm a puppy or dog down is to have a routine that preemptively combats hyperactivity before it reaches an uncontrollable level. It is much easier to avoid this state of frenzied behavior than it is to reverse it. Do keep in mind that very young puppies up to about 4 months old cannot really be reined in; they are all over the map and will have short energy bursts followed by deep sleep; it's a temporary stage that will gradually even out. Here are some ways to encourage a calm demeanor: 1 Have the proper confinement method. The confinement method that you use to keep him in one spot will have a big impact on his behavior. If the area is too small, a Boxer can develop overwhelming feelings of being pent up and this can make him very hyper and agitated. It's very stressful for a dog of any age to be confined to a small space. This breed also can have some claustrophobic issues more than others, so this only adds to the issue. When made to stay in a tiny area with not enough room to move around, there are often issues of developing restlessness and anxiety. It can be difficult to calm a Boxer down after he has been let out. If a dog is stressed that he is alone or even if he is just bored, quite a bit of damage can occur as he roams the house, looking for an outlet. Puppies do best with a sectioned off area of a room; the kitchen or living room is often best as they should be close to their humans and not feel as if they are too isolated. Another option for Boxer puppies is an appropriately sized indoor canine playpen. Older Boxer dogs that are housebroken often do best with one room, not having full access to the house. And for those with separation anxiety, being alone in a large empty house if often more stressful than being alone in just one room that has all the needed supplies to keep him safe, happy, fed and occupied. One of the biggest mistakes that owners make is taking a Boxer out once he shows signs of needing to get outside. If you're sitting on the couch, binge watching Games of Thrones and after 3 shows you realize that your Boxer is acting hyper he really doesn't have much interest in whether or not Daenerys will ever actually get Drogon under control and then you say, "Oh, my Boxer could probably use a walk", it's often too late. At that point, the walk will only help a Boxer release the frustration that built up as opposed to the walk being an outlet for a normal level of activity requirements. He will be a bit calmer, but not as calm as he would be had you taken him out in advance of the building agitation. So, the best thing that you can do is to set up a schedule of when you'll engage with your Boxer dog and really try to not miss any sessions or delay them. If there are others in the house, this can be split up between those who are going to be involved with caring for the puppy or dog. There are 3 activities that you'll want to do on a regular basis: Walks - The importance of these are often understated. It may seem as if your Boxer is just ambling along, perhaps even just going along for your sake but this is not true at all. The Boxer is a strong breed that was built for action; he needs to work his muscles and experience the liberty of movement. Super young pups should have all puppy shots before being taken out. For most Boxers, regardless of age, two walks per day are best. The daily amount should 45 minutes for pup and 1 hour for those 1 year and older. These can be broken up in any way that suits your own schedule and time availability. Cardio - Just a 15 minute bout of high intensity action such as Frisbee or fetch once per day can make a huge difference in a Boxer's demeanor, keeping much more calm and happy when he is back in the house. Some owners mistake a Boxer's indifference at seeing a Frisbee as not wanting to engage. However, it is often the level of enthusiasm that an owner displays that will directly impact a Boxer's desire to run. Most love to run and stretching and working the muscles in this way is a great method to keep a Boxer dog in good shape. That hyper and restless activity that you witness when a Boxer is in the house can be channeled into a short session of action that leaves the dog satisfied and both physically and mentally ABLE to be calm. Commands - We going to dive into this a bit more ahead, however taking 15 to 20 minutes a day to work on commands has a triple benefit: 1. You work toward having a well-trained dog which in and of itself is a huge plus. It helps a Boxer learn self-control. When a dog discovers the element of focus and purposely learning, he is then able to self-regulate and this itself can help the dog calm himself down. It helps to establish hierarchy, with you as the clear leader. For any dog to behave well, this is a must. While it is true that Boxers will be much calmer if they have a physical outlet, stimulating the mind plays a huge role as well. Very detailed studies have proven that canines in general have the emotional capacity of 3 year old humans. This is quite telling. Do you have kids? Or have ever spent even an hour with a toddler? They are super hyper, highly inquisitive and importantly are never happy just 'being' for long periods of time. Dogs are the same. Boxers can become hyper if they have nothing to focus on. Just left to 'be', they can get bored and have trouble knowing what to do, so they run around… they quite literally can end up bouncing off the walls in an overly hyper state with no real tools to calm themselves down. Now, if you take that same hyper Boxer dog and he is taken out for walks twice per day, plays one-on-one with his owner once a day AND is given indoor task that require him to use his canine senses, he'll be a much happier and calmer dog. The mention of canine senses is rather vital here…. Dogs have urges to use their sense of smell… to sniff… to explore with their noses …. It's the way it has been for thousands of years and it's a canine urge that is not going to go away no matter how pampered or spoiled a life a dog lives. So dogs have this innate craving to sniff after scents that builds up each day if not allowed to really use this, it can cause a dog to become frustrated. So, an indoor game that involves a Boxer using his sense of smell along with a task that requires focus is often an integral part of preventing hyper behavior and giving a dog a feeling of accomplishment that can work with the other elements to keep him calm. You might be thinking that you'll have to invest in some sort of intricate canine version of Sudoku. Not at all. This is as easy as hiding some treats in the house and encouraging your Boxer dog to find them. As with cardio mentioned earlier, the energy level and enthusiasm of the owner plays a huge part in how eager a Boxer will be to follow through. Speak with in an animated voice and encourage your dog to seek out the hidden treats. Start with easy to find hiding places and then work up to much more difficult sessions. Once a dog learns that it's time to play the game, he often will not give up and will search until he finds his treasure. Advanced sessions can include having the reward be deep in a cardboard box under layers of old towels and safe odds-and-ends and be sure that the treat itself has a strong scent; a good choice is a strip of bacon grease blotted out because most dogs won't bother to move much for a food that they will receive at any rate. Be sure to use a command word such as 'Find' or 'Go Get' and a word to end the session such as 'Good, Find' or 'Good, Get' to establish when this begins and when this ends. You don't have to do this every day; 2 or 3 days a week is usually enough to make a Boxer dog happy and work in conjunction with the other methods to keep hyper behavior at bay and encourage a more calming atmosphere when you just want your dog to settle down. Continued below 4 Have the right collection of toys for your Boxer. Are you guilty of walking out of a dollar store with an armful of cheap dog toys? If so, you may very well then be an owner who wonders why the heck your Boxer isn't just happy having all those toys and would rather run, jump up and spin around the house like a hyper nutcase. When a dog is bored he will do one of three things: Sulk and act depressed, bark or otherwise have disturbing behavior or express agitation. When you invest a few more bucks to obtain sturdy, quality toys that encourage independent play, this can make a huge difference in a dog's general state of mind and his ability to keep himself occupied. Think of someone giving you a paper and pencil compared to paper and a piece Crayon box. Give your Boxer rawhide alternatives that allow him to happily gnaw away or treat-release toys that motivate him to work to gain his reward. There are two huge benefits of teaching a Boxer all basic commands: he will respect you as the true leader and you will have control over his behavior. While a hyper puppy definitely still needs to be walked, engaged and given tasks to stay busy…and a puppy cannot be expected to remain calm all day… when you take the assertive position to give a 'Sit' command that is listened to without hesitation, this can really come in handy if your Boxer is acting hyper around company or when out in public in a store or other area where you really need him to act calm. It's never too early or too late to start working on this. Training for the basics of Sit, Come, Stay, Down, Get or Fetch and Give can start when a Boxer puppy is 8 weeks old and can be taught to older dogs as well. In addition to this, teaching a Boxer to Heel is always advantageous and not only will keep him calm when out on a walk around the neighborhood but will also keep him appropriately by your side in high energy situations where a dog can become hyper just by picking up the vibe of an event. The size of a dog's world is exactly the size that an owner allows it to be. Dogs that are not used to seeing cars and people walking about will often bark like mad when they do actually see them. Dogs that are not used to being out in public will act inappropriately because they have not been exposed enough to know how to stay calm. Dogs that rarely see a visitor to the house will often jump and act overly excited on those few occasions that someone new enters into their territory. Boxers should be gradually exposed to the many situations, places, people and other pets that exist in the world. If you stayed inside your home… only venturing into your yard and nowhere else for years and were suddenly plopped down in to Times Square, you wouldn't be so calm either; that's how dogs feel if they are isolated and not given the opportunity to slowly learn about the world and all that is in it. Go to parks, bring your Boxer along to run errands, bring him hiking, change up the walking routes, take the time to say hello when you pass by another owner with his dog, have him outside with you while you wash the car, bring him to the beach… unless there are big signs saying 'no dogs allowed' bring him along and let him experience the sights and sounds of the world. Hyperkinesis - Being clinically hyperactive is often misdiagnosed. Most dogs simply need the physical and mental releases as we discussed above. These highly sensitive dogs can be set off into a frenzy by everyday simple noises such as microwave beeping or normal household events such as someone zipping down the staircase. For these rare cases, thorough testing must be performed, which should include a 2 to 3 day stay at an veterinary hospital where vitals are monitored, both heart and respiratory rates, when both at rest and when stimuli is introduced. If this is diagnosed, stimulants similar to those that are given to humans with ADHD can be helpful as are vet supervised changes to the diet and possible supplements of L-theanine, GABA and valerian root. Senior Issues - In some cases, a senior dog will be unable to stay calm and this is often related to either cognitive decline, health issues that are causing discomfort or a combination of the two. Physical discomfort often associated with arthritis can cause a dog to have trouble resting or sleeping. Food Allergies - While we have not seen any studies showing specifics, veterinary medicine claims that canines may have food allergies that can lead to abnormal behavior including acting hyper and having an inability to calm down. With all the high levels of chemicals found in many manufactured foods, it's easy to believe this could be the case. When a dog is constantly ingesting artificial coloring, artificial flavoring and all kinds of chemical preservatives, this is not good for physical health and it's not a huge leap from there to a dog's mental health as well. If this is suspected, a change to home cooked food or a switch to a quality commercial brand without these elements should be considered. Summary Boxers are animated, able to express emotion and are great companions. This is not a lazy breed or one that is content to sit alone just 'being'. Expect your Boxer puppy to be hyper and for a Boxer of any age, follow the guidelines for providing proper care which will help your dog channel his energy in a health way. With our dogs, we often get what we give. The attention and time that you take to interact with your Boxer will pay off, giving you a happy and healthy dog. The Most Popular Pages: How much water a Boxer dog needs - Making sure that your Boxer is hydrated is super important to his overall health. Boxer dog summer care - Changes that should be made when the weather is hot. Grooming, feeding, coat care and more. Which shampoo is best for a Boxer dog - The best products to keep the skin from getting too dry and to help keep the coat healthy and shiny. Boxer dog eye discharge - Often eloquently referred to as 'eye booger's; why these develop and how to properly clean them. Boxer dog is drooling - How much is normal and reasons why it may be excessive. I have friends that have done the same only to be disappointed when their boxer is still bouncing off the walls at 6 years old! In order to have a truly calm boxer regardless of age we have to be proactive in managing their energy. You probably guessed it, the answer is stimulation, both mental and physical with more emphasis on mental. Dogs require their minds to be worked just as hard as their physical bodies. And we do this through training, socialization, nose work games, puzzle toys, and other stimulating activities. This will leave your boxer feeling relaxed, calm, accomplished, and tired! The reason boxers have so much energy is due to the fact they were originally working dogs. And as with all working breeds, they have a huge output ready to go every day. Boxers, in particular, were used as guard dogs and hunting dogs. Dogs that have been accustomed to working long hard days are still not quite ready for the relaxing non-eventful lives that most of them live today. Ultimately, working dogs must be put to work in order to be happy, content, calm and obedient. Without this stimulation, boredom, frustration, and hyperactivity take over. Socialization Every opportunity to socialize your boxer should be grabbed with two hands! Socialization is the most potent form of mental stimulation for a lot of dogs. If you can implement more socialization, your boxer will soon be calmer, more obedient, friendlier, and content overall. But the most important thing here is the time of the day you choose to take your boxer out. If you can squeeze in at least minutes of fetch first thing in the morning, your boxer will start his day off with a calmer demeanor. This is such a simple tip but will have a huge impact on their day. This also coincides with leaving your boxer home alone , which should be kept at a maximum of hours, to avoid boredom and frustration. Puppy pens Puppy pens are essentially a large more liberating crate. It will confine your boxer but with a lot more space. Place him in there with treats, new toys, and plenty of praise. Even though these are basic and easy, our dogs still find the activity stimulating and rewarding. And you can always make the challenges harder with a little creativity. Your boxer will receive important mental stimulation, not to mention his behavior and obedience will keep improving from it. Offer a calm environment Another proven way to calm dogs down is to ensure their environment remains calm. Everything from outside noises, our own voices, and people moving around in the home. If we live in a bustling chaotic household, our dogs will reflect a similar behavior and demeanor. If we can remain calm and ensure our home is somewhat peaceful, our dogs will benefit greatly. Extra tips here would be to ensure your boxer resides in a quiet part of the home and to remain as calm as we can ourselves. Dogs with calm owners, are usually calm themselves. You can also play calming music and consider a lavender or vanilla diffuser both proven to have a calming effect on dogs. Some dog behavioral experts believe this to be one of the most important factors in raising a calm dog. Puzzle toys If you need your boxer to stay occupied on their own, then puzzle toys can help you out here. This is essentially a slow feeder and you can use regular dry kibble or treats. Your boxer will need to roll the ball around until the treats fall out. You can also adjust the hole to make it easier or harder for the treats to fall out. Thanks for reading! Yes and no. All dogs have their own breed characteristics and traits that speak so loudly of that breed, but on the other hand there are certain behaviors all dogs have. The next question is: can dog behaviors that are sometimes not considered polite to humans be trained or are they just what you have to deal with owning a Boxer? All behaviors are trainable. We just need to find what works for your Boxer. Not So Polite Boxer Behaviors Boxers are a fun, loving, outgoing and high-spirited breed that have a lot of energy and affection to expel. That being said, some inappropriate dog behaviors can come from all this energy and desire for attention. The most common impolite behaviors I see with Boxers are excessive jumping, pawing and muzzle punching. I deal with this on a constant basis! Jumping Jumping is common for many dogs, especially energetic and excited dogs. Boxers kind of do this wiggle jump because they can barely contain their excitement. What do you do when you come home and your Boxer is wiggling and jumping all over the place? Keep tasty treats outside the door in a jar, grab a handful of them before you walk in and toss them on the floor when you enter the house. This distracts your dog for long enough for you to get in the house without being trampled as well as breaks the jumping routine and rewards your dog for keeping all four feet on the floor. Pawing and Muzzle Punching These two Boxer behaviors go hand-in-hand because your Boxer is usually doing them for the same reason: attention! As we all know, Boxers are usually very affectionate and can be attention hogs, which I love, but sometimes they become a little pushy about it. I have a great exercise that can help your Boxer build some self-control and teach him that patiently waiting for attention will get him the attention he desires. Begin in a quiet low distraction area. Place medium grade treats in your hand and make a closed fist to present to your dog. Ignore any pawing or muzzle punching from your dog. Once your dog stops pawing or muzzle punching, open your hand full of treats and use your other hand to take a treat to give to your dog. If your dog goes toward the baited hand hand with treats when you open it, simply close it and begin the dog training session again. Continue working on this exercise until you can open your baited hand and reward your dog with each piece of food one at a time, waiting three seconds in between each treat. Sometimes, you like the behaviors in moderation, which is why working on these exercises will help you gain a little more control in these situations. A Boxer is a joyful, silly, fun-loving, affectionate and occasionally stubborn breed of dog. He is what he is. Do not think you can mold him into a dog that will accommodate your lifestyle. To even try could mean breaking the spirit and essence of this spectacular breed. One must weigh carefully, the decision to bring a Boxer into his or her life and home. This is not the breed for everyone. In fact, he can be a regular nightmare for some. Because… Boxers rule but they also drool! They pass gas, give wet kisses, jump up to greet you and snore too! If the sound of any of this makes you wince, you are not right for a Boxer! The basic fact that Boxer Rescue has to exist is evidence enough that too many people get a puppy because he is adorable, cute and playful. People seem to forget that a cute Boxer puppy turns a big, handsome, full grown adult dog that requires a lot of your time and attention. A Boxer in his adolescence is NOT easy to handle for the novice or unprepared person. Boxers are a very friendly and affectionate breed! They crawl in your lap, jump up on you and love to give those sloppy wet Boxer kisses. Boxers require daily exercise! Taking a quick walk down the street is not sufficient. Of course, an older adult Boxer needs less exercise than one under 4 years, but even the silver deserves to be kept happy and fit by engaging in some amount of exercise each day with his human. Many Boxers end up in rescues or shelters because their families did little research and were not aware of the incredible amount of energy they have. A tired Boxer is a well behaved Boxer! The Boxer breed is especially susceptible to seasonal flank alopecia. Providing a quality food, vitamin supplements with Omega Fatty Acids, Flax Seed or Salmon Oil in addition to regular brushing, usually keeps shedding to a minimum. Boxers are not considered high maintenance when it comes to grooming, but remember to clip those nails regularly! Most can recognize the need to be more patient and gentle with these fragile beings; however, some are better at executing it than others! Boxers have the tendency to bowl over young children when they get excited or while playing. If you would find this unacceptable, do not get a Boxer dog!!!! Boxers with People While Boxers in general, tend to be protective towards their family members, some are better at it than others! A Boxer should never be acquired for the sole purpose of guarding. This is not a dog to be left alone unattended for hours on end. They MUST live indoors with their families. It is common to find a Boxer who suffers from separation anxiety. They need to be around people and they thrive on this special companionship. Boxers can develop unwelcome behaviors such as digging, barking and chewing if ignored or not cared for properly. They have the potential to do a great deal of damage they are powerful chewers if they are not in a suitable environment. The Boxer generally makes a fine Therapy Dog. If you want to run around and play, so will they. Boxer Health Boxer guardians should have a bit of money tucked away for unplanned vet visits besides the annual check-up for vaccines and heartworm test. Boxers are predisposed to cancers—namely mast cell tumors and lymphomas. Click here for a list of health concerns specific to the Boxer breed. Dog food of poor quality can exacerbate or bring about a skin condition and other health problems. Boxers are powerful and strong dogs. They require committed and capable handlers and caregivers. Boxers do not respond well to repetition. Instead, they excel when given a few short training sessions. Repeating a command when the Boxer has already done it correctly can be counterproductive. The Boxer is intelligent! HE knows he did it right—YOU know he did it right. Move on. Many Boxers excel at agility! If you desire a dog who will do what you say when you say it, every time you say it, do not acquire a Boxer. A Boxer lives to please his human. It is imperative that you use positive reinforcement techniques when training a Boxer. Physical, harsh, or violent reprimanding is never recommended, nor is it acceptable for any animal. Chewing Most Boxers love to chew. Coffee tables, remote controls, shoes, chair legs, door frames etc… are all fair game. It is imperative that you provide your Boxer with stimulating toys or activities to do when you cannot be around. It is your duty to provide a chewing outlet for your Boxer. A busy dog is a happy dog. We suggest a KONG filled with treats or another delectable concoction, a food cube, treat ball, or nylabone type product. Eating Habits Some Boxers are messy eaters. You may find more kibble on the floor around their bowls, stuck to the wall, or caught in their jowls, than what actually made it into their tummies. Many Boxers send spit, slobber and chunks of food flying across the room after they shake their heads and many consider the couch cushions their personal napkins. Boxers who are socialized on a regular basis, from puppyhood, generally relate very well with other dogs. Many Boxer breeders and rescuers will agree that placement of Boxers of the opposite sex male with female, spayed and neutered of course! The information on this page applies to well-bred and temperament tested Boxer dogs from reputable breeders. Boxers have become a commercialized breed. You can help keep the number of Boxers who end up in rescue down by NOT purchasing a Boxer puppy unless you have ascertained that your lifestyle is one that would meet the needs of this breed. Pets are not rentals for people to keep until they outgrow their purpose. Please be a committed pet guardian for life! Check out this great video all about the Boxer breed!! For the Boxers Florida Boxer Rescue utilizes a secure online donation service. You can choose to pay with your credit, debit card, or direct by eCheck. If you would like to mail your donation, please send to: Hwy 85 North Crestview, FL Please note: the above address is a drop box intended to receive donations, and other mail correspondence. Because of the large geographic area that we cover in Florida, we do not have a central physical location. The organization is fully staffed by dedicated volunteers and all Boxers in our program are in foster homes where they can receive love, attention, and any medical assistance needed.