english golden retriever puppies indiana

The Golden Retriever is well known for their mellow, happy go lucky personality and their intelligence. The Poodle is known as a very intelligent dog with a very loving personality. At Doodle Creek we select the best possible temperaments in both breeds to create a wonderful combination of the two breeds. We are committed to producing healthy English Goldendoodles with loving, happy, playful, fun personalities. The English Goldendoodles tend to be very alert, eager to please and intelligent. They have a goofy, playful personality and they thrive on being with people. Their love for people has won them over as one of the most popular breeds on the planet! When careful breeding practices are implemented, the English Goldendoodle makes the perfect companion. They are typically a mild mannered dog with a moderate energy level. Their exercise requirements are not excessive so two minute walks a day works well. The tend to be inquisitive dogs and love to explore making them great dogs for hiking, camping or going on family outings. If they are introduced to water at a young age, most will acquire a love for the water. They are very adaptable and will adjust to most any new environment. They do well in either urban or rural settings. Appearance The English Goldendoodle to me is the most stunning dog ever known to man! They are known to look like Teddy Bears with a beautiful round face and sturdy structured body. They have a much prettier face and sweet, kind eyes. Their ears are well placed as well which gives the English Goldendoodles a rounder look in their face. This is a large part of why we have chosen to go with the English Golden Retrievers in our breeding program. Every breeder creates their own look and we focus on bringing you the prettiest English Goldendoodles possible. Every puppy has a unique and different look but in general, they have that round face, stocky body and beautiful stance with the tail set similar to that of an English Golden Retriever. They typically have a fluffy, to wavy coat that is low to non shedding. We have been breeding English Goldendoodles for many years now and we know the combinations of parents that work well to produce stunning puppies. Breeding is an art and creating that great look without compromising on temperament and health is key to bringing you a beautiful puppy with a great personality. Finding a breeder who produces the look you are wanting in your Doodle is critical. Sizes We breed a variety of different Doodle sizes. The estimated size of your Doodle is determined by the size of both parents. Standard Doodles pounds and inches tall - This is the result of breeding a full sized Standard Poodle with an English Golden Retriever or an English Goldendoodle. Medium Doodles pounds and inches tall - We have Moyen Medium Poodles here that we breed to full sized Doodles or Retrievers. This results in a nice medium sized companion. They come in either F1, F1b or Multigen generations. Mini Doodles pounds and inches tall - This is the result of any number of combinations depending on the size of the parents. It is not possible to have an F1 Tiny Doodle because breeding the smallest Poodle possible to a full sized Golden Retriever will still give no guarantees that the puppy will be in the pound range. Tiny Doodles only come in the F1b generation at Doodle Creek. These dogs typically have low to non shedding coats. Some will have the straighter coats with a loose wave to it. These coats will sometimes be low shedding. Others will have the fleecy coats and will shed very little to nothing at all. If you are wanting strong Retriever characteristics and you are okay with possibly some shedding, this would be a great option. If you have allergies, you may want to consider the F1b or Multigen breedings. These dogs will quite often look very similar to the F1 English Goldendoodles in that many still keep that nice, fleecy coat type. The litters normally have a few with the fleecy coat types and a few with the curly coat types. The fleecy coat typed F1b puppies are typically extremely low to non shedding. The F1b is an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies. Multigen English Goldendoodles - Through our years of experience, we have now come to the point where we use our trusted genetics and we will breed two totally unrelated Goldendoodles together. We do all the proper DNA testing to ensure that we are getting the low to non shedding offspring from these matings. We have found that the Mulitgens are just as good as the F1b for those with allergies as they are also low to non shedding. The advantage of breeding Mulitgen English Goldendoodles here at Doodle Creek is that we are able to get more of the colours we are looking for in our puppies such as the tri colour, black and white, brown and white, or the merle. Coat types Our English Goldendoodles have several different coat types. Most are very low to non shedding. They turn into a loose curled coat as an adult and have a very soft feel. They are low to non shedding. The curly coat is similar to that of a poodle. They are typically non shedding and are wonderful for allergies. They get that beautiful, messy look to them and are very attractive looking as adults. They will often be low shedding but shed much less than a Golden Retriever. In the photos below we have posted the puppy photo on the left and one as they became adults on the right. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you get a puppy from either coat type listed here. Lifespan Sociability Most Goldendoodle puppies come from first-generation breeding and are rarely bred together. This makes a rare and somewhat difficult puppy to find. Goldendoodles can have big variations in size depending on the parents. Keep this in mind when going to see one, as you might not be unable to resist! Hypoallergenic While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, the Goldendoodle comes close. Most Goldendoodles hardly shed their coats, making them a great choice for owners with allergies. That said, they can still have dandruff, and their saliva and urine can also set off allergies. Extremely friendly Goldendoodles are extremely friendly, almost to a fault. They are known for hardly ever barking, even when there is a loud knocking at the door. Water loving Goldendoodles have an almost universal, innate love for water. They are known for leaping into any body of water they see, whether it be a pool, river, or the sea. Also, you may want to stand back when they get out, as their thick coat can shake off impossible amounts of water! They are a highly playful breed who loves to socialize and be around their owners as much as possible. They are especially great if you have children around, as they are full of energy and love to play. Related Read: Labradoodle vs. Their friendly and curious nature will ensure that even the grumpiest of dogs or cats will likely love them. Image Credit by: W. Dry dog pellets high in myriad nutrients are ideal, but larger Goldendoodles will benefit greatly from additional protein. Pellets are also great for general dental hygiene and helpful in removing tartar buildup. Dry food should be supplemented with good quality canned wet food, which is a good way to add moisture to their diet. Goldendoodles can be fairly susceptible to food allergies. Common food allergies come from foods like corn, soy, and dairy and should be avoided wherever possible. Like all dogs, your Goldendoodle needs constant access to fresh, clean water. Dogs need around calories per pound per day to maintain a healthy weight, and the average Goldendoodle weighs in at an average of pounds. Of course, Goldendoodles can vary greatly in size , and their caloric requirements need to be adjusted accordingly. Growing puppies will especially need loads of exercise and play to burn off excess energy. A common rule of thumb is 5 minutes for every month of age, twice a day until adult. This would mean a 5-month-old Goldendoodle puppy should get around 25 minutes of exercise twice a day. Adult and growing Goldendoodles love to swim, which can provide them with valuable exercise. Their playful nature and high agility are great for catching balls and sticks. Because Goldendoodles can have such variations in size, their exercise needs will vary too. For example, a miniature Goldendoodle will require far less yard space and exercise than a larger one. They are obedient and athletic and love learning and responding to commands. While Goldendoodles can begin responding to basic commands as early as 4 months of age, formal training should only begin at months. The best training method for any dog is using positive reinforcement , which is the concept that rewarding good behavior will lead to more of that behavior in the future. They will benefit greatly from agility training too, as they are amazingly agile and eager to please. Their fur type can vary widely due to their mix of genetics. They can have straight, silky hair like their Golden Retriever ancestors or the wiry, curly hair that comes with Poodle genes. Mostly, their coats are a happy medium between the two. Depending on your particular Goldendoodle, their coat may also need regular trimming. One of the best-known traits of Goldendoodles is the fact that they hardly, if ever, shed. If your Goldendoodle has curly or wavy hair like its Poodle parents, regular, daily brushing is essential. If their coat is more similar to a Golden Retriever, regular brushing is not as essential. Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia, so this can be a concern in Goldendoodles. Other common issues among these breeds are eye problems and ear infections. Regular eye checks with a vet are recommended, and making sure your Goldendoodles ear canal remains dry will help mitigate any ear issues, especially if they have big, droopy ears. If you notice your dog scratching and itching incessantly, a trip to the vet is in order. It is widely recommended to neuter males and spay females unless you intend on breeding. This has many associated health benefits. For males, it can prevent testicular cancer, lessen aggression, and prevent them from wandering off looking for females, which can get them lost or injured. Spaying a female will assist in preventing uterine infections and cancer. It is recommended to spay a female before her first heat, as this will help prevent these complications. If you intend to breed a female Goldendoodle, you should wait until she has experienced at least one or two heat cycles , as it is far better for her health. Minor Conditions. Standard Goldendoodles can weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. Personality The place where the Goldendoodle puppy really excels is its personality. Its breed is known for being simultaneously intelligent and adoring. A Goldendoodle puppy is very sociable, which makes them perfect animals for households with children and other animals or pets, even cats. Just like the Labradoodle, this breed requires correct socialization to ensure they get used to different sights, sounds and smells during puppyhood. This means taking your Goldendoodle to plenty of doggy-friendly parks so they can meet canine friends and introducing them to other people. Our Goldendoodle puppies for sale are fully trained Doodles, so you can focus on the fun bits, like bonding, eating food and playing. These dogs prefer to live in a house with a gated backyard where they can get regular exercise breaks. Do They Like to Play? Goldendoodle Puppy Training These clever dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners because Goldendoodles love to please and take great pride in learning new skills. Are Goldendoodles Intelligent? Both of its poodle and golden retriever parent breeds are known for their intelligence and trainability, and Goldendoodles have inherited this breed trait. This means the person training a Goldendoodle needs to be strong-willed, firm and consistent — but never harsh or aggressive. Much like a poodle, Doodles are sensitive dogs, and positive reinforcement is a must to bring out the best in them. How Obedient Are They? Goldendoodle pups adore human company, and making their pet parents happy brings them genuine satisfaction. As such, correct puppy training produces a highly obedient and loyal adult Goldendoodle. Older adults, people with disabilities and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders can benefit significantly from the warmth and sweetness of these adorable Goldendoodle pups. Are They Easy to Train? Doodle puppies can be mischievous and cheeky, but aggression is practically unheard of. So as long as you treat them with the same gentle respect they offer, a Goldendoodle is one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Goldendoodles have loads of energy and require regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and calm temperament. A Goldendoodle need a moderately high level of outdoor activity — usually a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally one hour, of moderate to vigorous exercise per day will keep Goldendoodle puppies at their best. Unlike puppy mills, all good puppy and dog breeders provide a certificate that shows health clearances. At Pride and Prejudoodles, our tests cover common health conditions. As such, you have peace of mind when purchasing your new puppy from us. How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Goldendoodles live for between 10 and 15 years. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Goldendoodle puppies for adoption. What Does Goldendoodle F1b Mean? When a Goldendoodle is backcrossed, it is usually to the purebred Poodle and not the Golden Retriever. They call this backcrossing. These dogs end up having more characteristics of one purebred parent, the Poodle. When you breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, they end up having more characteristics of the Golden Retriever and less of the Poodle through the Goldendoodle. This breeding combination is possible, but it is less common and requires more work on the breeders part. It is also less popular since more people seek out other Goldendoodles with more Poodle traits. How to Breed for an F1 Goldendoodle and Golden Retriever Mix Using a reputable breeder who handles this type of back cross is necessary to gain the healthiest dog possible. Breeding a Goldendoodle with a Retriever is not commonplace, and many people wonder why it is even done, so finding qualified breeders may be limited. Most Goldendoodles are backcrossed with the purebred Poodle to gain more Poodle characteristics like hypoallergenic and low shedding. In reverse, the necessity is unclear. Still, some potential pet parents seek out these cross-bred dogs and others because they like a particular breed of dog and are interested in a cross between them and the adorable cute and teddy bear-like Goldendoodle. Breeding this way, requires that breeders know what to look for in each dog parent. Breeding a Golden Doodle and a Golden Retriever can result in a beautiful hybrid dog that possesses the best qualities of both breeds. Also known as the Golden Retriever and Golden Doodle mix, this hybrid dog is gaining popularity among pet owners due to its friendly nature, intelligence, and adorable appearance. The Poodle breed is often added to the mix to enhance the non-shedding and hypoallergenic qualities that are commonly found in Goldendoodles. When breeding a Golden Retriever with a Golden Doodle, the resulting offspring can inherit a wide variety of traits from each parent. The puppies may vary in size, coat texture, and color, depending on the traits that they inherit from each parent. Overall, breeding a Golden Retriever with a Golden Doodle can result in a fantastic hybrid dog that is perfect for families looking for a friendly, intelligent, and affectionate pet. The Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog with Poodle and Golden Retriever parents. Beyond this first generation, there are numerous other generations and possibilities by breeding Goldendoodles together or back to the Poodle line. It is also possible that you can breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever. Goldendoodles were created as a designer dog breed that became popular due to their teddy bear appearance and low shedding and hypoallergenic coat of hair. If a Goldendoodle is bred with a Retriever, they will gain more of the Golden Retriever and less of the Poodle, which could mean more shedding of non-hypoallergenic hair. It is possible to breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever but not a common occurrence because the popularity is not there. Many people chose a Goldendoodle because they want a dog that looks and acts more like a Retriever. Another reason breeding a Goldendoodle with a Retriever is less common because more is required of the breeder, and they are harder to locate. Finding a reputable breeder that is skilled and knowledgeable is very important whatever type of back cross is desired with a Goldendoodle. What traits will a litter of puppies have when you breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever? There will still be some Poodle in the mix with this breeding, but it will be less than in the original Goldendoodle. The physical, emotional, and mental characteristics will lean more towards the Golden Retriever since more Golden Retriever in these puppies. They may be bigger physically, have a shaggier coat of hair, and may not be hypoallergenic or low shedding. Facial features can be more streamlined and appear to be more like the Golden Retriever line, with, of course, the possibility for variances from one dog to another in the same litter. Emotionally Golden Retrievers can be very mellow and easy-going, which can benefit this type of breeding, but Poodles are also relatively easy going as well. Regardless breeding a Goldendoodle with a Retriever can make an exciting mix that potential pet parents might find as an exciting change of pace and variance for this cross-bred dog. These dogs will still have a gentle, loving, and friendly personality with intelligence and trainability like most of the other Goldendoodles of other generations. If you can breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, will they become popular? If you breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, they could become popular as the original Goldendoodles, but the chance for this happening is lowered. The Goldendoodle cross-bred dog was created as a designer dog to cater to people that wanted a dog with specific characteristics. High intelligence, a teddy bear coat of hair, and a gentle, loving personality as just a few parts of this equation. One of the reasons people love the original Goldendoodles so much is because they are also low shedding and often hypoallergenic. By breeding a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, the hypoallergenic and low shedding coat could be lost , reducing the appeal for those pet parents looking for those traits in a dog. This is because there is so little Poodle left in the mix. While they could still become popular with those pet parents that love and adore Golden Retrievers, it is still unlikely that they would become as popular as the Goldendoodles that boast more of their Poodle parents traits. What is the price for a puppy when you breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever? The price for a puppy from this litter would be comparable to other Goldendoodle pricing. Each breeder is unique in pricing depending on location, gender, age, size, and how high the current demand is at the time. Since these Goldendoodles are less popular than the original Goldendoodle generation and the varieties that lean towards more Poodle, there may be a slight price difference because what you get from one dog to another can be unpredictable. Breeders who cross-bred these two dogs are harder to find, which could also cause the price to be higher. Breeding these dogs requires medical workups to limit the risk of genetic health issues being passed to the next generation. The amount of research, skill, knowledge, energy, time, and care increases causes the expense of a potential pet parent. What makes a good breeder that would breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever? What makes a good breeder breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, or any dog for that matter, is knowledge, skill, planning, and research. While every dog has redeeming qualities that make them outstanding in one way or another, a good breeder will be able to separate their love of dogs from facts about an individual dog. A good breeder always seeks to improve on what is already existing. They spend greats of time becoming experts on the breeds or cross-breeds they handle. They learn about genetics, health, appearance, and temperament. When breeding any dogs, a good quality breeder will improve with the new litter. They will know or learn the flaws of one dog parent and pair it with another dog parent to reduce or eliminate those negative qualities or flaws. This is for the health and future of this cross bred dog. When breeding a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, these skills are essential because the Goldendoodle is a cross-bred dog. Being a cross-bred dog means there is no breed standard to compare. Pure bred dogs have a set breed standard that proves quality breeding practice and integrity of the ancestoral line, cross bred dogs have not set standard. This is true when selecting a Goldendoodle, whether it is mostly Retriever, mostly Poodle, or a fifty-fifty mix. Golden Retriever and Poodle mixes can be susceptible to a variety of diseases and health issues. Some of the most common health concerns in Goldendoodles are related to their joints and eyes. Patellar luxation, which occurs when the kneecap moves out of place, is another condition that is seen in both breeds. Allergies are another common issue that Goldendoodles may experience, particularly skin allergies. Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joints and can cause pain and lameness. Early socialization is crucial for Goldendoodles to prevent separation anxiety, which can cause destructive behavior and distress when left alone. Epilepsy is another condition that Goldendoodles may inherit from their parent breeds. Despite these health concerns, Goldendoodles may benefit from hybrid vigor, which is the increased health and vitality that can result from breeding two different breeds together. Purebred dogs can also pass conditions from both females and males from either breed onto the offspring. Therefore, the resulting goldendoodle puppies may actually be less healthy than their parents. Get your family pet from a great breeder to avoid these problems. A superb golden retriever poodle mix can be found being bred to be guide dogs. These dogs may not make the cut to be guide or therapy dogs, but they can still be healthy, happy pets. While you can breed a Goldendoodle with a Retriever, the reasoning is unclear with this designer dog breed. At the end of the day, as long as a dog is healthy and the pet parents are happy, one must wonder if they are bred matters anyway! Goldendoodles are a cross-bred dog with a Poodle and a Golden Retriever as parents, and they are popular due to their teddy bear appearance and low shedding and hypoallergenic coat of hair. The popularity of breeding a Goldendoodle with a Retriever is not there, and many people choose a Goldendoodle because they want a dog that looks and acts more like a Retriever. Is the Goldendoodle-Golden Retriever mix a good service dog? This is where a Goldendoodle is bred back to a Poodle rather than a Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are consistently one of the most popular dogs in the U. The history and true origins of the Golden Retriever date back to as early as the s. However, the story of the Golden Retriever began even earlier than this, according to the Golden Retriever Club of America [1] grca. Based on information found on the American Kennel Club website, the Golden Retriever was originally a product of the wealthy Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, son of a wealthy banking investor who inherited a generous amount of money [2] ukcdogs. Because of his love for dogs and bird-hunting, he would go on to acquire several properties with a substantial amount of land. One, in particular, was a retreat in the Scottish Highlands named Giusachan, which he kept reserved for training hunting dogs to assist in his fowl-hunting ventures. During his youth, he had developed an affinity for dog breeding, a hobby reserved then for the well-to-do. As the story goes, the young aristocrat was strolling home one evening and encountered a wavy-coated sporting dog owned by a local merchant who needed to settle a debt — and the rest is history. The dog would come to be named Nous and would eventually be bred with a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel, a now-extinct breed. Nous was rumored to be of Russian origin — a story that held for some time until the GRCA conducted further research. The result was the longer, wavy, golden hair of Nous, the dog with a mysterious Russian background, with the intelligence and tact of the Tweed Water Spaniel. Ultimately, it was discovered that Nous was bred from a variation of a Red Setter. Golden Retriever puppies are too cute to handle. This, combined with the liver-colored coat of the Spaniel, and the golden color of Nous, gives the Golden Retriever chances of having anything from brilliant gold to even a darker copper color. He was tall and lanky but had that characteristic square head. People always thought he was a red setter, but he came from a breeder and had a documented ancestry. An unusual example of the breed for sure, especially since he lived to 16 certainly not due to his diet because I was always sharing my food with him lol. Such wonderful dogs, especially with kids. Overall, the Golden Retriever is one of the most loving dogs in existence and makes a great companion or family dog. Goldendoodle Goldendoodles come in different sizes such as toy, mini, medium, and standard. The Goldendoodle is a playful breed that displays a perfect mix of the personality traits of its parents, the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. These dogs became popular in the early 90s but have existed since as early as the 60s. Most Goldendoodles have an excellent disposition — a combination of the intelligence of the Poodle and the Golden Retriever form an extremely smart dog with an affinity for quick learning. They have the loving side of the Golden Retriever, with an equal number of people-pleasing traits from the Poodle, giving them a knack for showing off. They love being around their people and will work hard alongside you, especially with lots of positive reinforcement. Poodle The Poodle is perhaps one of the most misrepresented breeds in existence. Many people assume a Poodle to be spoiled, even somewhat snobby, and, if nothing else, extremely high maintenance. Poodles originated in Germany, not France. However, Poodles are an incredibly versatile breed with a long history of being excellent service animals. The standard Poodle was initially bred to hunt waterfowl — which makes a great combination with the excellent retrieving skills of the genetics from the other side of the gene pool. They have very little aggression towards other dogs and owners, which makes learning in a dog school or having them train with other members of your canine family very stress-free. Be prepared for laughter — the Poodle can also be an extremely goofy breed. If there were a breed you could compare to a comedian or actor — it would certainly be the Poodle [3] youtube. Mini Poodles were bred down from the Standard Poodle. The Poodle has its roots as a swimmer, as noted by their webbed paws, and generally loves the water. I recommend having multiple, as they are very social animals. You can get larger or smaller, depending on the breeder, as well as different colors, including multicolor parti. Best advice I got was to make sure you go to a reputable breeder. Poodles were insanely popular in the mid-twentieth century, and were overbred. So, you need to make sure all the proper precautions were taken to minimize health issues. Amazing, amazing dogs. Appearance The appearance of the Golden Retriever and Goldendoodle mix is less versatile than the Goldendoodle itself or other Doodle breeds, but it still has various physical traits. Coat Type The coat of the Goldendoodle and Retriever mix varies depending on the genetics and coat type of the parents. However, their coats are generally medium in length with extremely light curls. When they get wet, their curls are more prevalent. Some of them end up with more of a wavy coat instead of a curl — but both are possible. Coat Colors The Goldendoodle Retriever generally has anywhere from a darker copper to an extremely light blonde, almost white color. Their parents ultimately dictate their shade — listed below are the potential colors of the parents: Red.

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy?

He has a great disposition and loves his exercise. He is very active which is why he is nice and calm around us. He loves to play with his spring pole and has been a pleasure to train. Krajewski DA KillDozer aka Dozer relaxing—he walks great on a leash, sit, lay, roll over, and stay at 12 weeks old. He is the first dog I have ever had, and I am definitely impressed with his progress. I am waiting till he gets a little older, but I think he has a great temperament, and hopefully he will be able to become a therapy dog. I think that would not only be fun for him, but would also paint a very positive picture of this breed and the things they can accomplish. He has a very laid-back personality. Very friendly with other dogs. Loves people, loves the water. Just started obedience training. Before any formal training he easily learned the basics sit, stay, lie down ,shake, etc. Although he is very large, he is a very good inside dog. In the six months that I have had him, he only has had one accident in the house. He is CKC registered. He was also crate trained in a matter of days. He is exercised daily. Extremely loyal to me and loving with anyone he meets. His mostly brindle markings I have been told and researched to be on the rare side. She thinks she is a lap dog. I've never been a big "dog person" until we got her. I never imagined myself loving a dog as much as I love her; I look at her as if she was my own child.Everyone tells me she is the best-looking dog they have ever seen, and I agree! This is what he thinks he was put on this earth to do. His registered name is "The Game's Tankus Maximus. He weighs pounds and lives with a female mixed breed that is 45 pounds lighter than he is. She is the alpha dog. I guess he just doesn't know he is bigger than she is. He was 18 months old when this picture was taken. I took this picture of him when we took him out on the Puget Sound on a boat. We didn't expect him to get so excited about the water; he leaned very far over the edge of the boat, so to be safe we put a flotation device on him since he is not a very strong swimmer. He is a very sweet and well-behaved dog, although he can get overly excited in some situations. He has a lot of energy. Hanah the white American Bulldog at 5 years old weighing pounds. Look no further! Our stock photo collection features a wide range of images that are perfect for any project, from print ads to web design. Our collection includes a variety of American bulldog images, including photos of puppies, adult dogs, and even show dogs. We also have images of bulldogs in different poses and settings, such as running, playing, and sleeping. Our photos are high resolution and can be downloaded in both small and large sizes, making them perfect for both web and print projects. Our American bulldog images are perfect for a variety of projects, including: Print ads and brochures Web design and social media graphics Product packaging and labeling In short, anywhere you need a high-quality bulldog image, we have you covered! How to Choose the Right Image for Your Project Choosing the right image for your project can be a daunting task, but with our collection of American bulldog images, it's easier than ever. Here are some tips to help you choose the right image: Consider the tone of your project: Do you want a playful and cute bulldog image, or a more serious and regal one? Think about your audience: Will your audience respond better to a photo of a puppy, or a more mature dog? Consider the context: Where will the image be used? A web design project might require a different type of image than a print ad. Take into account the image's resolution: High-resolution images are best for print projects, while lower resolution images work well for web design. Get Started with Our American Bulldog Images Today Our collection of American bulldog images is perfect for anyone looking for high-quality photos of these adorable dogs. Whether you're a designer looking for the perfect image for your latest project, or a breeder looking to showcase your puppies, we have something for everyone. So why wait? Browse our collection today and find the perfect image for your project! 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. The American Bulldog is a strong and muscular breed of dog that has a long history as a working dog. They are loyal, protective, and have a strong sense of family. They are also known for their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners. American Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs, with males typically weighing between 75 and pounds, and females between 60 and pounds. They have a short, dense coat that is typically white, brown, or brindle in color. American Bulldogs are known for their courage, athleticism, and strength. They make excellent guard dogs, and are often used as protection dogs. They are also very loyal and devoted to their owners, and make great family pets. They are intelligent and eager to please, and respond well to training. American Bulldogs are active and energetic dogs, and need regular exercise and mental stimulation. They do best with an owner who is willing to provide them with plenty of physical and mental stimulation. They are also very social, and do well in a home with other animals and children. American Bulldogs are generally healthy dogs, but can be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, heart disease, and skin allergies. They should be fed a high-quality diet and given regular veterinary check-ups to ensure they stay healthy. Overall, the American Bulldog is a strong and loyal breed that is great for families and individuals looking for a loyal and protective companion. They are intelligent, active, and devoted to their owners, and make great guard dogs. They need regular exercise and mental stimulation, and do best in a home with other animals and children. With proper care and attention, they can be a loving and devoted companion for many years to come.

Greetings from Bruiser Bulldogs and The Wysongs We are a family absolutely in love with the Bulldog breed and are dedicated to breeding genetically healthy English Bulldog puppies. As responsible AKC English Bulldog breeders, our extensive experience and unique take on the need for a healthier English Bulldog has positioned our breeding program as a visionary leader for adopters in search of a higher quality Bulldog. At our core, we love placing healthy, properly socialized puppies into loving families. There is no greater joy than to be able to share our lifelong passion for English Bulldogs with our adopter families. Feel free to read our blog , watch our videos and learn why Bruiser Bulldogs is producing a better bulldog. Instead of focusing on maximizing wrinkles or winning in the show ring, we have built our foundational bloodlines over the past decade with a focus on health first on foremost. Sires and Dams are health tested with a unique criteria. Bruiser Bulldogs must breathe freely, move athletically while still maintaining that classic English Bulldog look that people around the world have come to love. Our goal has always been consistently produce puppies that are both a head turner and fundamentally healthy Bloodline development is the key to producing healthy bulldogs. We believe that foundational genetics are created through layer after layer of breeding healthy generations of bulldogs. Over the course of a decade, we have focused on a stringent set of health criteria to gradually improve the health and quality of the dogs we produce. The rare combination of experience, repetition, and ethical awareness of correct breeding practices has set our breeding program at the forefront of responsible breeding practices. The process truly is an adoption that affects the time, focus, and schedules of each household that gets a puppy from us. After a healthy puppy , the single most critical factor for a successful bulldog adoption is adopter support. The English Bulldog is unique breed with a unique set of caretaking criteria. Previous dog ownership, while helpful, is not enough to fully prepare an adopter for English Bulldog ownership. We always say the adoption is just the beginning of our journey. Through blog articles and email prep, we focus on such topics as socialization, crate training, disease prevention, potty training, nutrition, and basic puppy supplies to ensure that each adopter will be fully prepared for their new puppy. Lifelong Customer Support Expert advice will be a phone call away. Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. As English Bulldog Breeders, how do you breed for a healthier Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other bulldog breeders from improving the health of their Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes them unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities and produce high quality English Bulldogs for sale. I have been looking for English Bulldog Puppies for sale near me. Where are you located? We are located in the Northeast corner of Indiana. We just happen to be about 2. We are also about a 30 minute drive from the Michigan and Ohio state lines. Other major cities within 2. If you are looking for an English Bulldog puppy near you and happen to be in one of these areas we are certainly within close proximity. What if I am not located locally? Do you offer delivery services? A large portion of our adopters are located on the East Coast and Southern states. While many do make the drive to pickup, we also offer a delivery service to those with extremely busy schedules or limited ability to travel. We also utilize our own flight nanny for our West Coast adopters looking to have their puppy hand delivered. Whether through pickup or through delivery service, we try to be the type of bulldog breeder that is ethical and responsible to both our bulldogs and adopters. As a couple, Trish's love for these breeds rubbed off on Dale, and after struggling with infertility, they decided to take a break and welcome their first boy, Lucky, into their lives. Soon after, they were blessed with a baby girl named Reagan, who can often be seen in pictures with their puppies. After discovering their love for breeding, they established a home kennel and have since become devoted puppy parents. They are located in Central Indiana on a spacious property in Zionsville, where all their dogs are raised and socialized by their large family, which includes five children between the ages of 7 to 25, and a bengal cat named Mama Bell. As passionate breeders, they have expanded their family to include some French bulldogs, including Phoebe, Jasper, and Echo, and a one-year-old Dogue De Bordeaux named Belle. The love affair they have with their dogs has never faded, and they treat them all as part of their family, young and old alike. Dependable and predictable, they make wonderful family pets and are loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively seek human attention. They develop their own personalities quickly, and will leave you laughing most days of the week. Vocality level 1 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. He is willing to please, although he retains a stubborn streak. He is very good with children. Most are moderately friendly toward strangers. Although some can be aggressive with strange dogs, the breed is quite good with other pets. Upkeep The Bulldog appreciates a daily outing but cannot tolerate hot humid weather, which can be deadly. He should not be expected to jog or walk great distances, or to jump from any heights. Most Bulldogs cannot swim. Most Bulldogs wheeze and snore, and some drool. Coat care is minimal, but facial wrinkles and any folds around the tail should be cleaned daily. Special precautions must be taken when anesthetizing a Bulldog. Caesarean deliveries are commonly needed. Hip radiographs show most Bulldogs to be dysplastic but few show overt symptoms. History With the most distinctive mug in dogdom, the Bulldog has an equally distinctive history. Some Bulldogs were also set against bears for bear baiting, purely for entertainment. In , bull baiting was outlawed, and a new phase began for the Bulldog. By all rights, the breed should have become extinct, except that it had gained so many ardent admirers that they set out to rescue the Bulldog by selecting against ferocity while still maintaining—and often accentuating—its distinctive physical characteristics. Its tough steadfast persona led it to be identified as a national symbol of England. Its amiable clownish personality belies its appearance, and the Bulldog is a popular pet. Related Content. At BigBullDogs. We offer the best service for purchasing the perfect bulldog puppies, and we have quality studs that have set us apart as the top breeders for bulldogs. Whatever it is that you need regarding these beautiful bullies, this is the right place for you. Here are the varieties we have; What You Need to Know About English Bulldogs English Bulldogs are very distinct from the other breeds of bulldogs and are the more prevalent breed. These sturdy, muscular dogs have a cute waddle walk that directly results from their short, stubby legs. The English bulldog also has a flat-looking face, dark and low set eyes, massive and broad jaws, and fleshy cheeks and lips that give it that signature pouty and droopy look. Its short neck, thick shoulders, and barrelled chest, slightly arched back make it one breed that you can easily identify anywhere. Our standard Male English bulldogs are inches and weigh an average of 50 pounds, while the Female English bulldogs weigh about 40 pounds. All our English bulldogs have the finest textured coats and healthiest skin with a variety of colour patterns. Whether you pick a male English bulldog or female English bulldog from us, you can be assured of their wonderful demeanor and gentle disposition. The AKC recognizes over dog breeds and rated the Bulldog as 2 for the best family dog breed. They are incredible family dogs but not the best watch dogs these days. The last nine decades of domestication has turned them into couch potatoes, considerably different from their original genetic breeding that made them perfect for Bull Baiting. Nevertheless they are fantastic at lying on the couch and giving you the stink eye when you disturb their rest. Quick Guide to French Bulldogs French bulldogs were named for their origin story, which says that they were a breed of English toy bulldogs and several unidentified dog breeds. They have distinct features that make them stand out against their English counterparts, such as their pointy, bat ears. French bulldogs are small, cute dogs that are very playful and perfect for being a home pet. Regardless of whether you pick the male french bulldogs or the female French bulldogs , you get a pet that is calm, attentive, attention-loving, and a partner to you and your kids. The male french bulldog is an estimated 12 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight. On the other hand, the female french bulldog is about 11 inches and 20 pounds. The male french bulldogs are usually a bit more muscular than females and have larger heads. However both are equally affectionate and super family oriented. Not to be outdone by their British Bulldog cousin, the female french bulldogs also made the Top 10 Best Family Dog breeds list in .Looking to Adopt Bulldogs?

History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.

Thus, it will do good for both you and your pet. First, however, you must pick your future pet to adopt from a good rescue. Rescue should have active and preventative programs to reduce animal killing. The Rescue or Shelter must have an aggressive public education about overpopulation. Further, they should exert efforts to apply differential licensing. Thus, a good rescue should comply by neutering all animals before going to their new homes. All these should always direct towards the well-being of the animals. A clean and comfortable place means the animals are also well-cared. Further, it echoes a skilled, compassionate, and good hygiene and healthcare program. How do I pick a good rescue Golden Retriever? Thus, you may want to do the following in choosing a good Golden Retriever. Observe the dog Most shelters have an observation room for you to do this. If it has none, just do your best to find some quiet place. As soon as the dog gets comfortable, you may start observing. The Golden Retriever should be friendly. It should come at you with no hesitation, sniff you, or even jump for attention. If you see it exhibits exciting behavior, like tail wagging, it means it wants you to pet him. Thus, you need to give it different tones and noise, especially with your voice. Touch the dog with caution Shelter or rescue dogs are usually under stress. Thus, you always need to be cautious when touching it. You may also see how it reacts when you touch it. A Golden Retriever likes getting touched or petted. Thus, if you cautiously touch it and begs for more, it can be a good sign for you. Other things you can note would be tail-wagging and endless sniffing and licking. Play with the dog Since Golden Retrievers are playful by nature, you should also play with the dog. Moreover, you need to take note of how well it interacts as it plays. Golden Retrievers are born to play. Thus, it should get excited upon seeing a ball or any other toys. At other times, excitement means circling and moving enthusiastically. Walk with the dog Golden Retrievers like to walk, so you may want to test that out as well. Observe how it reacts when on a leash or when it sees other dogs, people, or anything on the road. A good Golden Retriever does well with walking. So anything it sees around, like cars, bikes, or even other people and animals, would draw its attention. Let the dog interact with other dogs or animals. It may or may not be possible, but you may ask to observe how the dog interacts with other animals. It will also be necessary if you have other pets at home. Golden Retrievers play and interact well with other pets. Thus, if you have a pet at home, it would be great to take it to the shelter and allow it to play with the dog. Summary Live and appreciate your adopted Golden Retriever dog in Maryland. It will cover the entire cost of caring for the Golden Retriever in Maryland. If you wish to adopt one, look for a kind and trustworthy Golden Retriever. Unfortunately, dogs who have been rescued are often mistreated, abused, and abandoned. Other States. Share 0 Shares Once you have decided that a Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family, the next step is deciding the where and how of adopting. The search can be daunting. Do you purchase from a breeder or do you look for a rescue? There are only two Golden Retriever rescues in Maryland, however, there are several in nearby states. Goldheart concentrates its rescue efforts in Maryland, Delaware, and south-central Pennsylvania. Its mission is to provide Goldens with temporary foster homes where they can receive food, grooming, medical treatment, training, and love. The goal is to move each Golden to a loving forever home. Goldheart encourages and promotes responsible pet ownership and gentleness towards Golden Retrievers. Some Goldens are from local shelters. Goldens can be surrendered for many reasons including, the owner being unable to financially care for the dog, elderly owners no longer being able to physically care for the Golden, new babies, or the owners being unable to pay for necessary medical treatment. Behavioral problems are rarely an issue when it comes to rescue. Each dog spends a minimum of two weeks in a foster home experienced in dealing with dogs. While in foster care their behavior and personality are observed. Since Goldheart has successfully placed over Golden Retrievers in homes. They take in between Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes per year and approve new applications. An application with Goldheart is good for two years once approved, provided there are no major changes in your home. Why should I adopt a dog from a Golden Retriever rescue? There are a number of reasons to adopt a rescued Golden. You can adopt a dog that is crate trained, has been spayed or neutered, has had a micro-chip locator implanted and registered, is through many of the puppy issues — chewing, house trained knows to do their business outside. You will be giving a wonderful, loving Golden Retriever home. Where does GoldHeart get their dogs? The dogs that come into GoldHeart come from many different sources. The majority of dogs that come to rescue are surrendered by their current owners. A few of the dogs come from the local shelters. The local shelters call rescue when a dog has run out of time to be adopted, or the dog has some special need that makes it difficult to get it adopted. There are many reasons people give for surrendering their dog. The top reasons we hear are: Not enough time for the dog. New baby — the dog is too much work. Unable or unwilling to pay for medical treatment. Too much for the owner to handle — usually a young dog that they have not taken the time to train. Rarely are behavioral problems an issue with a dog that comes into rescue. If a behavioral problem is encountered, we try to deal with them before the dog is adopted. Our dogs usually spend a minimum of two weeks in an experienced foster home, where their personality and behavior are observed and evaluated. Is an Older Dog Trainable? Dogs never lose their ability to learn. In many cases, the older dogs learn more quickly than the ones still in the puppy stages because they are better able to focus. There is little difference in the temperament of male and female Goldens. Both sexes are equally easy to house train, equally intelligent and affectionate. Both are excellent with children, and both make excellent companions. Some males are inclined to mark their territory, but this can also be exhibited by dominant females. On average, the younger males tend to be more active than their female counterparts, but there are some very active females. How are Golden Retrievers with Children? Golden Retrievers are wonderful family dogs, however any dog owner needs to be aware of a few simple precautions. Most important, children need to be taught how to interact with the dog. Smaller children should always be supervised when with the dog. There is always a potential for a bite if a child does something the dog finds painful. A dog should never be adopted or purchased for a child. It needs to be an obligation that is taken on by the whole family. The children can assist, but they are not the primary caregivers. Why Should a Dog Be Crated? A crate can be a place for the dog to escape for a quiet moment or a nap. The crate is a wonderful house training tool. Dogs will not normally do their business where they sleep unless they are desperate. This provides you the opportunity to manage house training if needed properly. The crate is a great dog management tool when you are introducing a new dog to other dogs in the household. How is Goldens with Other Pets? Golden Retrievers are typically very easygoing dogs that get along with other dogs very well. Cats can be a different story. Some Goldens have very high prey drives that will cause them to chase things that run. The same would be suggested for other small furry animals and birds in the home. Meet Augie — she is the oldest known Golden Retriever, pictured here celebrating her 20th Birthday! Augie was born April 24, , and after being re-homed twice due to no fault of her own , landed with Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt of Oakland, Tennessee. Jennifer and Steve, who were active in their local golden retriever rescue organization when they got Augie, adopted her when she was 14 years old. Augie reminds us that age is only a number and that there is nothing as special as Old Gold. Augie left her loving family on March 23, , at 20 years and 11 months old. Jennifer told GoldHeart…. One thing I know: Love and care for them while we have them and love them forever. Yes, this is an anomaly, but with better diets, exercise, and regular veterinary care, goldens are routinely living from 12 to 14 years of age and many well beyond that. One recent GoldHeart rescue , Teddy, passed his 17th birthday after coming into GoldHeart at age .Which Diseases are Golden Retrievers Susceptible to? Dogs are susceptible to many of the disease that humans contract. The health issues which most commonly afflict Goldens are: Cancer occurs more often in Goldens than it does in the normal canine population. As with people, the majority of cancers in canines are treatable. The majority of Goldens that do succumb to cancer do so in their later years, after 10 years of age. Canine hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia can occur, but not any more often than it occurs in other large breed dogs. They are known to have several eye problems, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Uveitis, and Cataracts, but these conditions are less commonly encountered. Allergies and skin and ear problems are routine but easily treatable. Hypothyroidism can occur usually later in life , but it is something that is easily and inexpensively treated. Do Goldens Shed? Goldens are big shedders since they have double coats. Brushing often will help you keep shedding under control. They need their double coat to protect them year-round. It keeps them cool in the summer and protects them from the sun, bugs and other issues. Try to keep the hair around the feet and pads trimmed up and trim nails on a regular basis. With this double coated breed, regular baths and proper drying also sets the foundation to maintaining healthy skin and coat, so your golden will benefit from routine professional grooming. This is entirely dependent on the dog. Some dogs have very high energy levels, and they require several hours of exercise a day. Others are very laid back and get by with just walks. If your lifestyle does not allow time for exercise, opt for a calmer, easy-going dog. Because of indiscriminate breeding, we see Golden Retrievers that are much larger and weigh in excess of lbs. Where Should I Buy a Puppy? The places you can purchase a puppy from are many, but you would be wise to get a puppy from a responsible breeder. Contact a local Golden Retriever Club in your area and ask for recommendations. Another source is the Golden Retriever Club of America. There is not a responsible breeder that would ever consider selling puppies to a pet store. The advertisements in the papers are placed there by puppy mills and backyard breeders. The puppy mill breeder should be avoided at all costs. The backyard breeders are probably your best bet if you are not going to go to a responsible breeder. If the seller refuses you any of this information, walk away. A puppy should never be separated from the litter until it is at least 8 weeks of age. Responsible breeders never have more than one litter a year from a female. They do not breed a female until it is at least 2 years of age. They know the lineage of their dogs for many generations. They never breed dogs that have any medical issues that could be passed on to the puppies. They have the puppies extensively checked over by their veterinarian and provide general health certifications. They provide a healthy, rich environment for the puppies until they go to their new homes. They will always take one of their dogs back if it needs to be surrendered by the owner. They screen the new owners and the puppies for a temperament match. In spite of the price they charge, they are not in it for the money. They do it for the love of the breed and the desire to perpetuate the breed as it should be. Golden Retrievers are the second most popular AKC breed. The only breed more popular is the Labrador Retriever. Well-bred Golden Retriever litters are in high demand. The responsible breeders will have a waiting list for their puppies, but most will be happy to talk with you about any upcoming litters. Working should not prohibit you from raising a puppy. However, a puppy does demand extra time and attention, and you will need to make provisions to care for your puppy. Caring for a puppy brings responsibilities and obligations that need to be considered. A puppy turns into a dog, and a Golden will eventually grow to be between lbs. Puppies generally defecate 5 to 6 times a day and urinate even more. You will need to get up during the night to take your puppy out. For example, a 4-month-old puppy will need to go out every 5 hours. House-training a puppy, can take at least 6 months. With a daily time commitment of every hours. A puppy will benefit from a socialization class at around weeks old and an obedience class after 6 months. Even people who adopt older rescue dogs can benefit from a class to help them teach the dog what is expected of him. Puppies require a minimum of three minute low-impact aerobic play sessions per day, and older dogs need regular exercise on a daily basis. A tired puppy is a calm puppy. If the time constraints of raising a puppy seem too much, an older rescue dog may better fit your needs. Should I Adopt A Senior? Box .We are a c 3 nonprofit relying on donations , supporters , fundraising, and event and retail proceeds for funding to provide top-quality care to all DVGRR dogs. Learn more about our Golden Gateway campus and watch our campus tour video. Watch our video to take a quick tour. Click to learn more. Our mission is simple: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue provides new beginnings for displaced Golden Retrievers, and other golden-hearted dogs, along with a full array of adoptive and educational support for the adopters and broader community. If you are interested in adopting, please attend one of our Monthly Open House: Meet the Dogs, Tour, and Shop events, held every second Saturday of the month from 10am until 12pm. Plus, we always need event sponsors. Learn more, click here! All dogs must remain on lead during the event; no flexis. We ask that each dog be handled by one human. Click here for all the details! Details are coming! Help us cover the costs of renovations! Click here for details! Kennel Caregivers — Dedicated, responsible, hard-working, compassionate individuals. Must be 17 years or older. Click here to learn more and apply.

Teach an alternative behavior like "lick" or "kisses" Alright, let's dive into each tip below. Exercising a puppy is one of the best ways to help alleviate problem behaviors like biting. Again, how much exercise your puppy needs will be largely dependent on their breed and age. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy can have 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day. So a 4-month-old puppy can exercise for 20 minutes twice a day. The more energy your pup uses, the better! Exercise can also take the form of , just be careful not to overrun your pup. Excessive exercise can cause joint problems in the long run. There are a host of options to help you overcome this issue so you can still effectively get rid of their energy. Consider getting a flirt pole. Flirt poles are a fantastic option because they allow you to play very energetic and fun games of chase, without worrying about getting your hands nipped at. You can get one here. Another option is to teach your pup a structured game of fetch. Fetch is great because it exercises dogs both physically and mentally. Zak George lays out how to teach your dog to fetch in our free online training class, 30 Day Perfect Pup. You can sign up here. Remember, many dogs can have been bred for hundreds of years to have high levels of energy. Be sure to give your pup an outlet with exercise to help stop that puppy biting! Don't miss out! That is the perfect time to engage them mentally with a quick training session! Not only does it deter them from biting, but it gives you an opportunity to reward them for positive behavior. In its simplest form, the leave it behavior is all about restraint. A dog that can restrain from lunging and grabbing a treat on the ground, is much more likely to be able to leave your hand alone when you ask. Step 2: Show your pup a treat and then close your hand so your pup cannot access it. Your pup will likely try to get to the treat by licking, biting hopefully not , or pawing at your hand where the treat is. Step 3: Practice that behavior multiple times until your pup starts to generalize the concept. The next step after that would be to try putting a treat on the ground and telling your pup to leave it. Step 5: Practice, practice, and then keep practicing. If your pup starts biting into your skin, give the leave it command, and reward when they stop. Practice makes perfect! For example, as you teach your pup the sit behavior you can help them understand yes and no. Over time trust me, it takes time , your pup will better start to understand the difference between yes and no. My wife and I raised two Yellow Labs that are about 7 months apart. And they were the first puppies we had raised as adults. So please, trust me when I tell you that getting frustrated will only make things worse. When you are frustrated, your pup likely is as well. And when puppies are frustrated, they won't learn! So, if you find a certain puppy behavior like biting or situation starting to overwhelm you… take a timeout. Let your pup cool down in their crate or sleep area and give yourself a few minutes to regroup. Guess what. So, do what you need to do for a personal break, and then recommit and get back at it! They have a keen sense of noticing our emotions. When frustration creeps in, learning stops for both human and dog. Redirecting to a game of tug of war can help teach your pup what is okay and not okay to chew on. As we mentioned before, puppies explore the world with their mouth, that is totally normal! Many pup parents have found it best to approach your pup with the toy in hand so you can be ready if the hand chomping starts happening. Teaching your dog tug can be a great way to stop puppy biting. Just remember, these behaviors can take significant practice and time to overcome. The question is, are you rewarding those positive behaviors and moments as you should be? If you are going through the process of overcoming puppy biting, you need to remember to praise the successful moments. When your pup comes up to you and lets you pet them without getting nippy, praise and reward them! Maybe you will see your puppy chewing a toy instead of your slippers or hand, reward them! If your puppy licks your hand instead of biting it, reward them! A huge part, and often underlooked, of training a puppy is to praise their successes. Treat each victory as a party and break out the fun, , and praise. Your job as a pup parent is to teach your dog what you want them to do. PS- If you're looking for a high-value reward treat for your pup, we've got your back! Check out our. Of course, you praise the positive moments but at times, you have to take away what your pup is desiring. In the instance of biting, pups are looking for playtime and engagement with us humans. Leave the room, put them in another room, or put them into a playpen for minutes. Implementing this method consistently will help your pup come to understand that when biting starts, playtime stops. A note on this, in most cases it is best to not use the crate as a negative reinforcer like a timeout. For example, when your pup starts nibbling, do your best to not jerk your hand away quickly. Most dogs love things that are moving! So if you jerk your hand or foot away, your pup may think you are trying to be playful. If your pup starts biting, let your hand go limp. Another way to make your skin a little less enticing is to keep them covered when possible. Being a successful pup parent oftentimes comes down to how well you can set your pup up for success. So if you know your pup is going through an extreme biting phase, consider keeping that skin covered when at home. It can be wearing socks, long sleeves and pants, and other things like that! When the puppy biting phase is at its worst, every little bit of help is important! Dogs are obviously very skilled at helping each other learn what is okay for play, and what is too aggressive. One quick note on socializing your puppy is that you should always be there to monitor them! Be active and aware and be ready to intervene if the play gets out of hand or aggressive. Some dogs have lower levels of patience with puppy biting, so be aware of how the other dogs are responding. Many pup parents find that the more they can correctly socialize their puppy, the milder the puppy biting will become. If you can effectively teach them a behavior that they can only do without biting then you'll be much closer to no biting! While there are plenty of alternative biting behaviors you can teach, here are some favorites:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You turn your attention back to your computer screen and suddenly feel little teeth grabbing at your sock! You look down. Your once-angelic puppy is now having a full on game of tug-of-war with your pant leg! This cute baby is now more like a furry little monster. You get up and try to walk away, but the fur alligator is still attached, munching away at your trousers and having the best time! If this sounds like your life, read on to learn how to stop a puppy from biting. Why Do Puppies Bite? Believe it or not, this scenario is actually very common! Biting is one of the most natural things in the world to a young pup; and they do it for many reasons. You would be left with your feet and mouth to interact, taste and feel your environment. Now, what if you had puppy paws — incapable of grasping anything? That leaves you with one final way to interact — your mouth. For good measure, add in the incredible curiosity of a child. How many times do you see a baby grab things with their hands and pop them into the mouth? Puppies have that same mindset. Your mouth strength and play bite helped you communicate and determine your rank in society. Your mouthy mojo gave you respect in canine culture. Puppies interact with their surroundings largely through their mouths. Labradors, like most sporting breeds, have the drive to chase after prey, put it in their mouths, and bring it back to you. This translates into a strong need to chew. They will try this same tactic with their human pack members. If ignored, one bite on the toe is often enough to get the focus back on them. Remember, to a puppy even negative attention is still attention. Terrible Teething When you add teething into the mix, you have the recipe for a furry gator. Most pups will have an increased need to chew while teething , which can begin at 6 weeks and last to 8 months of age. Unlike teething, there is no magical age that puppies grow out of a learned mouthing behavior. Thankfully, with positive training, most dogs eventually lose interest in chewing on their owners. Types of Biting: Aggression or Play? Puppies use their teeth in many ways. However, this is actually just very intense play. Play biting can be accompanied with growling and snarling. This is just part of the fun to a young pup. Instead, we will look into how we can prevent playful mouthing. However, it is important to recognize the signs of aggression. Pay attention to the timing of the biting as well. If so, the motive behind the bite may be more aggressive. Could it be Resource Guarding? Some dogs also aggressively bite when they are guarding a toy or food item, commonly called resource guarding. With resource guarding, you will see the same behavior as aggressive biting, but they will also stand over an object and defend it from any perceived threat. If you think your puppy is behaving aggressively, seek professional help to learn how to actively manage this issue. In contrast to this, playing puppies will be relaxed and have a wiggly body. They will be bouncy, easily roll onto their backs and often be panting with open mouths. Even if they are growling, a relaxed face and body mean a happy puppy. What Can Trigger Biting? Do you really want your pound Labrador to target your hands as a toy later? Children Little kids tend to excite puppies more than adults. Children move erratically, run around, make strange sounds and have a lot more energy. Puppies can easily associate them with toys. Ankle Biters Puppies target fast moving objects that excite their prey drive. Your feet moving by at their eye level can be irresistible. After all, what self-respecting puppy would snub shoes with those floppy laces that are perfect for playing tug? How do we do this? Redirection with Hands When training your puppy, always have a toy to offer. Remember, puppies are like babies. Your job is to redirect them to fun toys instead of human skin. You must do everything possible to make toys extremely attractive so the puppy chooses them over your clothing, hands or feet. Redirection with Kids You can also use redirection around children. First, teach your puppy to use interactive toys and then show your child how to play with the puppy correctly. In the event that your dog forgets, teach your kids to be a tree when their puppy begins to bite them or their clothes. This position makes them less interactive to the puppy. They look boring and the puppy will lose interest. Most bites occur because the child is running or moving erratically. Remember, dogs have the same prey triggers as wolves. If something is running away, it looks like prey. Your job, therefore, is to have an even more amazing toy than your feet. You can take a toy, tie it to a rope, and then tie the rope to your belt so that you are dragging the toy whenever your pup is out. If your puppy is coming for your feet, stop moving them and wave the toy around excitedly instead. Once the pup is attached to the toy, you can start walking again. This way, they will pounce on the toy instead of you! Bite inhibition simply means that the puppy learns not to apply too much force behind their teeth. They apply gentle, but firm, pressure to their greeting. Puppies also learn to limit this pressure with their mouths by feedback from pack members. When puppies are little, they learn bite inhibition through play with their siblings. If two pups are tussling, and one bites down too hard, the other puppy yelps loudly. This startling sound usually causes the offending party to let go. The play stops for a few minutes, as the first pup nurses his wounded ego. Play then resumes, but with less brutality. Instead, let the puppy release your hand and then simply get up and and move away from your pup while ignoring them. Your job is to teach them when they bite down on you, the fun stops. Ignore them for about a minute, then return and resume the play and praise them when they focus on the toy. If they bite you too hard again, repeat this process. You can either step over a puppy barrier or go into another room and shut the door. Just make sure they are in a puppy-proof area, as they may take out their frustration on inappropriate household items. You can also keep the puppy on a leash while playing with them. If they bite you, you can calmly tether them to something and then walk out of their reach. Your goal is to correct the puppy only by taking away your fun presence. You should not be threatening or angry. Give them the appropriate time out from the fun interaction to settle down, and then come back with a toy to redirect their energy. Once they understand they have to be gentle, you can then start to ask more of them by ending the game with lighter and lighter pressure on your skin. Finally, you can take the game to the highest standard — no teeth on human skin at all. If you slowly progress to this over weeks, you teach your pup to have a soft mouth. If they do feel the need to put their teeth on a human, they know not to put much pressure into their bite. You need to teach your puppy that human skin is fragile and requires a softer touch than a canine interaction. Your goal for this exercise should be to help your puppy understand that the play and fun things continue as long as they keep their teeth on their toy and not on you! More Ways to Stop Your Puppy Biting While the yelp and time-out method works for most pups, there are additional ways to reinforce good behavior. When your puppy bites your hand, they get a terrible taste. You can use anti-chewing sprays like Bitter Apple to make your hands less appealing. When your puppy bites you, be still and wait for them to react to the bitter taste. When they let go, praise them and redirect them onto a treat or toy. You want the crate to always be associated with only good things. Crates also should be in the middle of the household, with the rest of the pack — not isolated. This is the same way other canine pack members would isolate them. A laundry room or puppy pen works well for this exercise. Make sure the room is comfortable and safe for your puppy. When the puppy is too stimulated, calmly put him in the room with some teething toys and leave. Teaching them interactive games like fetch or bringing you a toy to tug helps show them that they can have even more fun when they play by your rules. Positive play helps develop a bond with your dog. You never want to avoid it, you just want to show them how to play without biting you. Teaching puppies to retrieve objects helps to tire them out, gives them something positive to chase, and focuses their bite on an appropriate item. Plus, most Labradors are pretty good at retrieving! Remember, anytime we ask a puppy to stop a behavior, it should be because they are rewarded in an even more exciting and positive way for doing something else and things our way. The following video shows how. Video: How to Stop a Puppy from Biting This video shows how to use clicker training to stimulate a puppy in situations where they normally would bite; and then reward them when they choose a closed mouth and calm interaction. Dominant Puppies Dogs are individuals. However, as puppies mature, there may be the rare pup that uses biting as a way to take charge. Dominant puppies may bite to show you that they want to be the boss as they mature. This happens naturally among littermates, as all packs have a pecking order. This reinforces to them that you are backing down and that they are the leader in the relationship. Always remain calm and assertive with your puppy, but end the game as soon as they begin vying for leadership instead of playing. Remember, the alternative to not training your dog is a large animal putting his mouth on people. Be patient with your puppy. Remember, mouthing and biting are normal parts of canine culture. If you stay patiently positive, train consistently, and redirect and reward good behavior, you will soon see a puppy that learns to bring you a tug toy instead of shredding your trousers. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Lab puppies are incredibly cute, but their teeth really hurt when they are puncturing your skin every time you try to play. No one likes to be bitten, so how can you get a lab puppy to stop biting? The best way to stop a Lab puppy from biting is through a combination of proper exercise, training, redirection, and the use of positive affirmation. Most owners attempt at least one of these methods, but it is the combination and use of all of them that will effectively curb unwanted biting. Keep in mind that before you can stop it effectively, you should know why Labrador puppies bite so much. Additionally, know when they tend to naturally stop biting. Only then can you effectively begin to work on preventing them from biting. Lab puppies use their mouths to explore their environment and gather important information. When puppies are growing their adult teeth, they will often chew to soothe the ache along their gums. Labs may also bite to play or out of fear and aggression. Biting for Sensory Information When a puppy bites something, they learn how hard they can bite it, what it tastes like, how it feels, and if they can bite it again. All of this information is stored in a mental catalog your dog looks back on when encountering a similar object. This learning process is very important for puppies to become well-socialized dogs. When a puppy bites another puppy too hard they will lose their playmate. Biting too hard can have negative repercussions! Biting for sensory information is a totally normal behavior for puppies and even adult dogs. Since they don't have hands to explore with, their mouths are the only option. However, if you don't want your dog's mouth on you or your belongings, there are ways to stop this biting but we'll get to that later! Biting for Teething As your Lab matures, their mouths will start to change. Once their adult teeth begin to push up through their gums, the teeth they were born with begin to fall out one by one. It is the same process humans go through when their baby teeth come in and are later replaced with adult teeth. Just like with humans, this process is somewhat painful and incredibly uncomfortable. To help quicken the process, puppies will chew on things to wear down the gum between the new tooth and their mouth. This practice is also very soothing for puppies, especially if they chew on something cold. Biting for Play vs Biting for Aggression In the wild, dogs and wolves play by wrestling around and biting one another. Since your dog sees you as a member of its pack, they will try to play with you in a similar way. Of course, this biting still isn't ideal, but it's important to know the difference between play and real aggression. When a dog bites out of aggression, it is because they are scared, or you are asking them to do something they really don't want to do. Biting out of aggression is important to watch and fix at a young age so you don't end up with an aggressive dog. The most significant indicator of aggressive biting is body language. When a puppy is being playful, their body and facial muscles are relaxed. When a puppy is biting out of aggression, their body will be stiff or frozen, their face will have a lot of tension in it, and their lips may be pulled back in a snarl or growl. If you are seeing a lot of aggression in your puppy, you should contact your Veterinarian to make sure they are not in pain. When a dog suddenly becomes aggressive, they may have an unseen condition that is causing them to lash out. If you get a clear bill of health, you should seek the help of a professional trainer to help you. As we said earlier, as your Labrador matures, they will start to develop adult teeth. This change usually occurs around 12 to 16 weeks of age; the process will reach its end at about 7 months. Therefore, if your Lab is biting to soothe its gums, then the biting should end around the same time their teeth have fully grown in. If your puppy is biting for sensory information and play, it will lessen as your Lab matures and begins to slow down. While there is no magic number that says when your Lab will calm down , it usually happens between the ages of 2 and 4. First, don't hit your puppy as punishment. They aren't doing anything wrong in their mind because biting is natural. You also can't decide when it is and isn't okay to bite. Doing so can cause great confusion. When trying to prevent your Lab from biting, a few tips can help you. Exercise, training, redirecting, and positive affirmations are your secret weapons against those adorable, tiny, sharp teeth. Exercise Exercising your Lab daily will cause them to be too exhausted to do anything but sleep, let alone bite you. You can exercise your Lab by playing fetch, going on walks, or using enrichment toys. Training First, I recommend formal fundamental training before attempting anything specialized. Training your Lab not to bite sounds complicated, but it can be as easy as slapping some butter and seasoning on. If your Lab is biting YOU, put some butter on your arms and clothes wear they like to bite you. Show the butter to your Lab, and when they lick at it, say "yes, kisses, yes. This associates the word "kisses" with the act of licking and the yummy taste your dog gets. The next time your Lab tries to bite you, say "kisses," they should start to lick you instead as they try for the yummy taste. If your Lab is biting furniture or shoes, there is another approach. Grab a spicy seasoning, like paprika or taco seasoning, and sprinkle it on the places your Lab chews. Then, the next time they go to chew it, they will get a nasty taste in their mouth and leave the thing alone! Redirecting Redirecting your dog to things they are allowed to chew on when playing is another way to avoid being bitten. Have some good chew toys handy whenever you are playing with your Lab. When your Lab starts to bite you, show them a chew toy and try directing the bite towards it. After a while, your puppy should go after its toys instead of you. This type of training takes time , but is proven to be very effective. Positive Affirmation When your dog does what you want, whether it's licking or going for a proper toy, make sure you give them lots of praise. Tell them how good they are and even provide them with a treat or two! Final Thoughts Biting is a natural part of a Lab's life, but it is crucial to decipher playful nips and aggressive ones. Playful body language is loose and relaxed Aggressive body language is stiff and snarling If you are seeing a lot of aggressive body language in your Lab, make sure they are healthy and contact a trainer A Lab will probably stop biting after they stop teething If your Lab doesn't stop biting after teething, they should stop upon reaching maturity between 2 and 4 years of age Exercise, training, redirecting, and positive affirmation are the best ways to stop biting NEVER hit your dog to stop biting. This awful biting time with puppies seems like it will go on for ever, but actually it only lasts a few weeks - mostly by the time the new teeth have come through, at about four to five months, the biting stops, and soon you will find you have a dog with a gentle mouth. You may not realize it, but your puppy is already being careful to some extent - if you have ever fed a puppy a raw chicken wing, for instance, you will know that he would be completely capable of biting right through your fingers, if he really wanted to. He is already pulling his punches, and now just needs your help to learn that human skin is more delicate than the thick fur of his mother and siblings. Your puppy sounds like he gets wound up and overtired the mad running around the house. This is the time a crate or quiet area can work wonders. Stay calm, keep giving him toys and chews to chomp on instead of your hands, refuse to interact with him when he bites you - even a second or two of no attention will help him to realize you really don't like it. Grabbing his cheeks and pulling him obviously doesn't work, he probably thinks it's some kind of game, and the attention you are inadvertently bestowing on him in that way seems to be making the situation worse.It will help if you teach him what you DO want, which is calm, gentle behaviour. Don't forget to praise him quietly and calmly when he is being good and quiet. I found holding one end of a chew such as a bully stick , so that we were interacting without him actually hurting me, helped. I also found that working out a routine was very helpful, so that we would go outside to play, then he would have his food, go out again to pee, then I would put him in his bed in the crate or behind a gate for a rest. Don't panic, this is very normal puppy behaviour, and I guarantee it will pass. You will get there. In a couple of months you'll be telling us what a delight he is.Print How to stop your puppy from biting your hands and feet — fast! Have you ever watched a litter of retriever puppies play with each other? They are all mouths and feet as they growl, bite and paw at each other. Over time, if left to it, each pup will naturally figure out their place in the pack. However, when you bring your Lab puppy home there are no longer littermates with whom to tussle. And the result is often that your Lab puppy will start biting and growling at you! The problem is that puppy teeth are sharp. Very sharp! And when your puppy bites you, even if they are playing, it hurts. So, what can you do to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand and you find yourself or someone in your family injured by your puppy? Before I go any further, I want to be clear about what we are talking about. You should seek professional help and evaluation. Why puppies bite and growl Puppy play is a kind of training for a dog as they grow and mature. It is also a way that dogs determine rank within a group. Remember, dogs are pack animals. In a pack there is only one Alpha lead dog. Every other dog is under the authority and control of that dog. No two dogs share the same rank. So, while biting and growling starts as play, it does not stay that way. All dogs, whether in a group of dogs or a human family, want to understand their place in the family. They need to know their place. It helps they be more mentally balanced and will help solve a multitude of behavioral problems. Once a puppy or dog understands where they rank in the pack, they often assume that place, at least for a while. Remember, they are dogs. They are not robots so occasionally they may challenge their position, but if the boundary remains clear, the challenge is short lived. Biting, nipping and playful growling at a human can become a challenge of dominance. If your puppy is young, you can quickly and easily end this behavior by establishing boundaries and consistently enforcing these boundaries each and every time your puppy shows this type of behavior. If you have let this behavior go on for a while, you may be in for quite a fight to take back your authority. Biting is not the same as chewing A puppy biting your hand or feet is not the same as a puppy chewing on a shoe, toy or other item. All puppies have a need to chew. As their puppy teeth grow and their adult teeth come in, it is common for dogs to chew on things to relieve the pain and help the new teeth to come in. This should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged on an appropriate item like a chew toy, nylabone or rawhide. And if this works, this is an appropriate solution. Instead, it is likely an issue of dominance. How to stop puppy from biting you Biting is just one puppy dominance behavior. There are many others such as jumping on you, putting a paw on your feet, and lifting and placing paws on your arms or legs. The behaviors I have listed are often gateway behaviors that escalate into more aggressive or troublesome behaviors like stealing food off your plate or the counter, pushing you out of the way when going through doors and pulling you around on a lead. Start by establishing firm boundaries The first step to stopping your puppy from biting or mouthing you is to set up firm boundaries for your puppy. You can set these up for not only biting but for all dominance behaviors. So, what is a boundary? Well, here are some examples. Some people we have worked with are okay with their puppy mouthing their hand as long as there is no tooth pressure. If you feel the same way, then make that a boundary. But if there is any tooth pressure, a swift and consistent correction will follow. This boundary is stronger and does not give the dog any room for confusion. In fact, they often will understand what your boundaries are but will test that standard against everyone else in the family. Each person needs to set and enforce boundaries. React with firm consistent corrections After you establish the boundary, you now need to react every time your puppy or dog crosses that boundary. Each and every time! There can be no room for confusion. Your corrections must be swift and consistent. Not all dogs react to the same level of pressure. For some dogs, this squeeze and strong words will be all it takes to stop the behavior. Especially if you are consistent in your correction. But some dogs have a stronger or more challenging personality. This will give your puppy a taste of his own medicine since his puppy teeth are sharp and will pinch into his lips or flews. You must be consistent. How long will it take to stop my puppy from biting me? If you are firm and consistent, the behavior should stop for the most part in a day or two. Some dogs require more pressure, some less. Your puppy should feel some discomfort. That is okay. The point is to show your puppy that biting hurts and that it is not an acceptable behavior. When nothing seems to work If you puppy is a bit older and has been getting away with biting and mouthing you for a while, you may struggle to end this behavior. Often the problem is a strong dominance issue that needs to be addressed. If your puppy continues to snap or bite at you even after a correction, you likely need to exert some dominance over your puppy. This is similar to what a mommy dog does to a puppy that is not behaving. Humans can do the same thing to show dominance over a rebellious puppy. I know, it sound a bit ridiculous but it really does work. Instead, remain calm and patient. Stay in control. Reacting with emotion can lead to strong reactions or punishment that you will later regret. The point is to show your dog that you are the Alpha in the relationship, and you can and will determine what behavior is acceptable. Biting is not love As a professional dog trainer, I am always surprised at what some of clients consider appropriate behavior. Some owners feel that setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries means that you do not love your dog. That you need to accept all dog behaviors otherwise you do not love your dog. This is a false and faulty mindset. We have seen clients who have been injured by their dog multiple times and they still refuse to take steps to end the behavior. That is not love. What if the next person that dog bites is a child? Would you be able to live with that? A dog that is allowed to continue harming humans is only one bite away from having to be put down. It may sound harsh, but it is the sad truth. Some people may argue that the dog is unable to understand what they are doing is wrong. This is not based on reality. Dogs are very smart. They can learn to do amazing things and become incredible hunting partners and family companions. But they rarely achieve this potential without an owner who cares enough to set boundaries and enforce them. Final thoughts on how to stop my puppy biting me all the time You can stop your puppy from biting you and others if you are willing to take the steps necessary to make your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. A firm consistent correction each and every time your puppy bites will quickly teach your puppy to stop biting. These corrections will not harm your relationship with your puppy, but will, in fact, enhance it. Your puppy will quickly learn where the boundaries are and how to operate within those boundaries. We see it time and again, once a puppy is taught that there are boundaries, they quickly adjust and become wonderful loving and obedient family members. Help, my Lab puppy keeps biting me! But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on. Calm puppy behavior. Conflicting advice on how to stop your pup biting Many articles will tell you to ignore a puppy when he bites and to offer him a toy instead. Some people will tell you to punish your biting puppy. Others will tell you that you must not stop your puppy biting too suddenly, or punish him for biting, for fear of drastic consequences later. So who is right, and who is wrong? Does ignoring stop your puppy biting? Many new puppy owners try to ignore the biting puppy initially. This failure tends to be for one or more of the following reasons. Does noise stop puppy biting? There is no doubt that a sufficiently loud squeal, followed by immediate withdrawal of attention, will cause many Labrador puppies to break off from biting. Sometimes long enough for a skilled owner to then redirect the puppy into a more appropriate activity. There is also no doubt that for some puppies, this has the reverse effect, and causes them to bite harder and more fiercely. A puppy that has spent sufficient time with his Mum, may be more likely to take heed of this verbal warning, as he will expect it to be followed by a sharp click of her teeth and a fiercer rebuke if he ignores her. But there are no guarantees here. And the fact is, squealing simply does not work as an effective anti-biting strategy, for some puppies. Punishing the puppy to stop biting I have heard, even quite experienced, breeders tell new puppy owners to punish their puppy if he bites. Either by intimidating the puppy with an angry growling voice, or even with physical punishment such as a scruff shake or slap. But there are problems with this approach. This process is called bite inhibition. And the use of punishment may curtail all biting rather than just the hardest, most painful, bites. Nowadays many people like to train dogs without punishment. And there are strong reasons for joining them — check out this article — the downside of punishing dogs. Teaching puppy to stop biting Why would we want to teach dogs to bite humans gently? Why is it not best to teach them not to bite at all, right from the start? The idea of reducing biting gradually was popularised by Ian Dunbar. The theory is that a dog which learns to inhibit his bite i. You can read more about bite inhibition here: Labrador Puppies Biting. The concept is a sound one, and most canine behaviorists agree that teaching gradual bite inhibition is a good thing. The problem for many new puppy owners, is stopping those painful bites in the first place! The first step is not a technique at all, but an adjustment in the expectations that we have of a small puppy How much do Lab puppies bite? New puppy owners tend to have false expectations of puppies. They also anticipate that stopping a puppy from biting will be a fairly quick and simple matter. None of these expectations is true. Most puppies bite hard, frequently and growl fiercely whilst they are doing it. This noise is not a sign of aggression see Help my puppy is aggressive. Stopping a puppy from biting is a process, a journey. And it can be temporarily an uncomfortable one! It is important to accept that there is no guaranteed way of stopping biting immediately. Indeed, as we have seen, bite prevention rather than inhibition may be a bad thing in any case. Supervise your puppy around children Once you have got your head around the fact that this process will take some time, that it will be a gradual thing, you need to think about how you are going to protect any children that might come into contact with the puppy. This is important because small children can, both hurt and, be hurt by small biting puppies. Calm your puppy to stop him biting The next priority is to keep your puppy calm. Overexcited puppies bite harder and more frequently than less excited puppies. This will merely start the biting up all over again. There are lots of ways to interact with puppies without physically playing with them. Check out our article on playing safely with your dog. What to do when a puppy bites When your puppy bites you really hard, take immediate action. Stand up, move away from him and completely withdraw your attention. You can try the squeal thing if you want to. This works well with some puppies. Be ready for it, and repeat your actions. If the puppy chases after you, biting at your legs and feet, step over a baby gate, or pop him in his crate for a few minutes. You can read up on this process in more detail in this article: How to cope with biting. Remember, puppies enjoy chewing , and teething puppies need to chew on something. Whilst you and your clothing are not suitable chew toys, you need to provide your puppy with alternatives, like Kong toys. How to stop your puppy biting Biting is normal Biting should be inhibited in stages Training takes time The key points to take away from this are that biting is normal, and that training a puppy not to bite takes time. Stop the painful bites first, then work on putting a stop to mouthing. If what you are doing is not working, you probably just need to be more patient and persistent. If your children are suffering, you need to separate and supervise. Work hard on keeping your puppy calm — it makes the biggest difference. How to train a puppy not to bite Is it normal for puppies to bite a lot? Yes it is! Almost all puppies bite and some bite much harder than others. How long do puppies teeth and bite? With some exceptions, puppy biting will stop by the time your puppy has his full set of grown up teeth at 7 months. Fortunately, you can stop your puppy from biting long before they have cut all their adult teeth. Do puppies grow out of biting? If you do nothing at all, to teach a puppy not to bite, the biting would likely subside over the next few months. But its very easy to do the wrong thing, and actually encourage a puppy to bite more. And in those cases, play biting can become very rough and the relationship between a young dog and their family can break down. Do All Labradors Bite? Anyone who shares their home with a 10 or 12 week old puppy will tell you that Labradors bite! And I can reassure you that this applies to all Labradors in the first few months of life. Fortunately this is a phase puppies go through and not a permanent character flaw. And most adult Labradors are indeed very good natured dogs. And also at what is normal, and what is not. If your children are in tears at being bitten every time they try to play with and cuddle their new friend, you may be wondering if your puppy is becoming aggressive. You may even worry that your children might be at risk. Fortunately I can reassure you that this is not the case. While your puppy may frighten your children with his sharp teeth and growling. The way he is behaving now does not mean he will be a threat to their safety in the future. Happily, studies have shown that behavior in small puppies is not predictive of the way that they will behave as adults! Why Do Puppies Bite Children? Some breeders will not sell puppies to homes where there are small children. This is because puppies often bite children and teenagers harder and more persistently than they bite grown-ups. It is normal for small puppies to make small children cry, but before you rush your puppy off to the local shelter, bear with me a moment, because I can help with that. Children give off conflicting signals to the puppy. Fortunately there are lots of ways to make it easier on yourself and on your kids. In short, you need to be a little patient at this point, and it helps to know that this phase does pass quite quickly. And that it is completely normal for all puppies to bite a lot, and to bite children with particular enthusiasm! It has to be said, Labradors are even more bitey than some other breeds of dog during this stage in their development. In fact, retrievers generally tend to be very bitey as puppies. As can the pain of being bitten. Puppy bites do hurt. And sometimes they leave marks. Pain, bruising, scratching, little tooth marks on your toddler, these are all part and parcel of raising a puppy. Some very enthusiastic puppies will even draw blood on occasions. All this is normal, but I will explain what you can do about it. Perhaps the most serious concern that new puppy parents have, is the fear that their puppy is becoming aggressive. What really worries people is the snarling. When puppies play, they practice being fierce. They throw themselves into the whole play acting thing with huge enthusiasm. And they are brilliant at it. And the most important part of that game is to make as much noise as possible and to sound as angry as possible. So, all puppies growl or snarl ferociously when they play, while they are biting, and sometimes when they are trying to entice their poor owners into yet another game. His little face will be all scrunched up, his lips drawn back, his teeth showing. So he has no idea that he is frightening your children or that you are wondering if he is turning into a horrible aggressive and dangerous beast. Please do be reassured, that however fierce your ten week old puppy sounds. It is just a game. He is truly just playing. Normal Puppy Play Behavior So, the hard truth is, all puppies bite. And many puppy bites are quite painful. Some Labrador puppies bite more than most, and biting a lot, and growling or snarling at the same time is normal. So is biting so hard that it makes your eyes water, and even occasionally breaks the skin. Puppies bite at hands that go to stroke them, at bare feet, and happily tug away at clothing, all the while trying to sound as fierce as they possibly can. All this is normal. And you, quite naturally, will want to know exactly when it is going to stop! When Do Puppies Stop Biting? It also happens in working dog families where the dogs may be kennelled or at least are not allowed unsupervised interaction with anyone apart from their trainer or main carer. A study carried out on Guide Dog puppies in showed that simply rejecting interaction and refusing to play was enough to stop the puppies biting their adult puppy walkers. But, and it is a big but — in most young families, this is not always what happens. In many families, especially where the puppy is a novelty, everyone plays with the puppy, and often in quite a physical way. This gets puppies very excited and tends to make biting worse. Inexperienced puppy owners also tend to inadvertently prolong the biting phase by rewarding the puppy with attention when he bites. The more excited they get, the harder they bite. Rough physical play gets puppies excited, rubbing puppies tummies, chasing puppies, grabbing at puppies. All these things get puppies bubbling with excitement Noisy behavior can get puppies excited too, so children squealing, or crying, grown ups shouting or getting cross. You might not think you are rewarding your puppy for biting, but you probably are. Labrador puppies are particularly social and love attention more than most puppies do. Any kind of contact with you, or other members of the family, including physical contact, talking, shouting, even eye contact, all reward your puppy. And if you give him these things while he is biting, this will reinforce the biting behavior and he will bite more in the future Poor bite inhibition What makes the bites hurt more, is poor bite inhibition. So the next section explains what bite inhibition is and how you can help your puppy improve his. What Is Bite Inhibition? At just eight or nine weeks old , Labrador puppies are actually capable of crushing bones the thickness of your little finger, with their jaws. Your puppy has been learning to inhibit his bite since he was tiny. His mother and brothers and sisters all helped to teach him how hard he can bite without hurting them. This is where your training will come in. You can read more about bite inhibition and bite inhibition training in this article What About Puppy Teething? We mentioned teething earlier because people tend to associate biting with teething. So, is it true that puppies bite so much because they are teething? And how long will teething go on for? In fact, most problem puppy biting is simply play. Puppies may chew or mouth at fingers to help relieve the discomfort of teething, but this is not the major cause of the biting problems we find in homes with small puppies. Most puppies have their adult teeth by the time they are 7 months old, but biting does not usually last that long. He is growing fast and by 11 or 12 weeks those bites will hurt a lot more. The time to begin taking action is now! But for the time being, you need to put this image aside. Children under five are simply not capable of playing with a puppy under four months without getting bitten. So you need to supervise every interaction between them. Do put baby gates across doorways, even if you no longer need them for your children. Baby gates allow you to separate children and puppies when you are not free to supervise. Do show children how to stroke the puppy gently whilst you hold one end of a rawhide chew and let the puppy gnaw on the other end. It will end in tears. Playful Visitors It is not just children that play inappropriately with puppies. I have known grown men grapple roughly with a tiny puppy, rolling him around the floor, making growling noises, whilst the puppy gnaws on his knuckles. You can find out how to play safely with a Labrador in this article. Saving your sanity and enjoying your puppy If you were not expecting this, it can seem like a big deal, but supervision and some separation is essential if you are to keep your sanity, and your children are to dry their tears and carry on enjoying their puppy. With older children, you need to teach them how to interact with the puppy without getting him overwrought. Labrador puppies, like toddlers, are easily over-excited. And when they are over-excited they start to be silly. Your first job at this stage, is to keep your puppy calm. Your second job is to stop giving your puppy rewards for biting. Make sure the puppy gets no reward at all when he bites someone. Especially no attention. The next stage explains how you can do that. The process whereby the puppy learns to use his mouth gently on your skin — and it takes a little while. Bite inhibition is taught in stages. The puppy learns to reduce the power of his bites gradually. What to do when your puppy bites If your puppy bites and hurts you, remove your attention immediately. This is where baby gates can be really helpful. If you are playing with your puppy and he bites you, you can step over the gate, thus effectively removing all attention from him. All of a sudden his playmate has disappeared. What about squealing You may have heard that a puppy will stop biting if you yelp or squeal. And you can try this, because it does work with some puppies. But many puppies get even more excited by the yelping, and on others it has no effect. The strongest signal you can give your puppy is the loss of your presence and attention. What about punishment? Some people try and stop puppies biting by smacking them or shouting at them. There are several problems with this. Firstly, it tends to only stop the puppy biting the person who did the yelling. Which is of course the very opposite of what you are trying to achieve! You can find out more about the potential impact of punishing your Labrador here. What if you need to move a biting puppy? If you need to move the puppy away rather than stepping away from the puppy you may find he bites at your hands when you go to pick him up or take hold of his collar. Others bite when they are stroked or petted. We are fond of wiggling our fingers at puppies, petting them and rubbing our fingers in their fur, not behaviors that dogs really understand. And many puppies see fingers and toes as something to chase and play with. Hands are a particular target for puppy bites so teach your children to interact with your puppy using toys that he can tug and bite on, rather than playing with him using their bare hands. Distracting your puppy If you want to sit and pet your puppy, or your children do, use treats or hold a rawhide chew with one hand so he can gnaw on the end. Have your puppy wear a harness and houseline so that you can pick up the end of the line and move him to where you want him to go without his grabbing at your hands. Stage Four: Train Your Puppy Not To Bite This is where we teach the puppy to let us stroke and pet him, or handle him in any way we like, without him putting his mouth around our fingers. The best way to do this is with a clicker and some dog treats. But you can also use a word like YES instead of the click. And place a treat on the floor in front of him You see where I am going with this? Build up slowly so that you can touch him anywhere on his head or body, pick up his paws etc. All without him grabbing or mouthing at you. What do I do if he mouths at me? If the puppy grabs at your hand, you got too close. Make smaller hand movements further away from him until he ignores those, then bring the movements gradually closer. Stage Five: Playing Safely As puppies grow older biting can reappear. Puppies between six and nine months of age, are extremely boisterous, and may start nipping with their teeth during play. At this age, your puppy is more than half grown, and his size and weight are a significant problem if rough play is allowed. The secret to avoiding and resolving this issue is to change the way you interact with your puppy. And to ensure that children follow your example. Boisterous and excitable puppies must not be allowed to play rough games with small people. The consequences can be very unpleasant, and it is no coincidence that this is the age at which many young dogs are abandoned or given up to rescue. Here are a few more articles that you might find helpful:.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We start clipping puppy nails at 5 days old and continue every week thereafter. Our puppies associate clipping and brushing with attention and treats, and love it! Continue to make grooming a good time; be patient, reward with treats and praise while you clip nails and brush. Continue to clip nails every weeks, just a little tiny bit off each time! SUPPLIES Even if you plan to have your dog professionally groomed you will want to keep the following on hand: a good brush, comb, de-matting comb, nail clippers and blunt tip and thinning scissors. See our Puppy Prep Supply List page for links to our favorites. The hair that grows up from the bridge of the nose can cover your puppy's eyes and begin to obstruct his vision. You can trim this back using thinning scissors preferred or blunt tip scissors. Trim an inverted V shape across the nose on a diagonal. The thinning scissors will give a softer, less choppy look. Trim around the feet in a large circle, to keep the floppy look but remove the extra hair that your puppy is stepping on. While the adult coat is establishing, you will need to brush multiple times a week, this is the best time for your puppy's first professional trim. During this transition staying ahead of matting can become a challenge and you will see some shedding of the puppy coat as well. The Australian Labradoodle has beautiful furnishings that are unique to the breed and lend to its floppy, teddy bear like appearance. These furnishings should not be trimmed too short, and this is what gives some groomers trouble. Talk with your groomer and ask if they are familiar with the Australian Labradoodle groom as opposed to a regular Labradoodle, Poodle or Schnauzer groom. A picture is worth a thousand words so share pictures and the instructions below with your favorite groomer. Use scissors and thinning scissors only, never use clippers when trimming the head and face. The top of the head should round off to the ears, but be long and floppy 3. Outside of the eyes should be long. This is a part of the eyebrow and should taper down to meet the length of the front tip of the ear at the leather. The muzzle should be trimmed vertically, no horizontal lines should show. The entire muzzle should have a layered round shape if you are looking straight at it-like the base of a fat pineapple! Chin should be trimmed as part of the round muzzle no long beard 6. Ears should be trimmed to the leather around the edge and layered long and natural looking. Fur inside and just under the ear should be trimmed short to promote air flow. Fur in between the eyes should be trimmed to have a soft, natural look - not choppy. The body should be trimmed to loosely follow the dog's shape, to create a free flowing and natural look. Legs should be trimmed to look like a column, so the foot is not seen. The fur around the legs may be longer than the rest of the body to create this appearance. Fur underneath the foot should be trimmed flat against the bottom of the foot. TAIL 1. The tail should be brushed out and trimmed to match the coat on the legs; long, neat, and full. Sep 8, Share The Labradoodle is a hybrid breed, a cross between the loyal Labrador and the posh Poodle, and has become a popular designer breed in the last few decades. They were first bred in Australia in the late s in an effort to produce a hypoallergenic guide dog and sparked a designer breed revolution. While they are low-shedding dogs, their thick coats still need regular grooming and brushing, plus a haircut every few months. Here are seven of the best haircuts for Labradoodles this year that your pooch will love! The cut is named for its resemblance to the coat that it would have naturally as a puppy. It not only looks great but is also functional, and your pooch can go for a few months without any knotting, matting, or needing another haircut. This cut gives them an adorable Teddy Bear look. It takes a fair bit more maintenance, though, and will need to be done fairly regularly, as the coat is left slightly longer. This cut was originally designed for Poodles and other breeds with curly coats but works great with Labradoodles too. The coat on their legs is left slightly long and fluffy, while the body and head are sheared short. The ears are left long, giving your pooch an adorable lamb-like appearance. This cut requires slightly more skill to perform but is a great low-maintenance style to keep your Labradoodle knot-free. It is also the go-to style if your pooch is covered in matting and knots that cannot be brushed out. It is a head-turning cut for sure and has become a popular choice among Labradoodle owners. It will keep your Labradoodle cool but still allow for an adorable wavy and curly coat to comb through. Similar to a Kennel Cut but slightly longer, the Short Clip is also ideal for warmer weather. Your Labradoodle is shaved all around to about 1 inch long, except the ears, in some cases. This cut is great for summer and minimizes the need for brushing and grooming, and your pooch will be knot-free for several months. Can you groom a Labradoodle on your own? With the correct equipment and time and patience, you can take grooming your Labradoodle into your own hands. Make sure their eyes are free from hair so they can see properly, and keep their ears fairly short to prevent matting. Be sure to take care around these sensitive areas, especially with scissors. Some dogs love to be groomed, while others will run a mile. This has nothing to do with breeds or genetics and everything to do with correct training. For dogs that have long coats that need regular grooming, try and get them accustomed to the process from as young an age as possible. Make the process something to forward to, with treats as rewards and tons of praise! Do Labradoodles Need Haircuts? You might be interested in these products:. Teddy Bear Cut The Teddy Bear cut is the most popular Labradoodle hairstyle and is the basic haircut that lots of Labradoodle parents choose. If you choose a short clip, it will last longer and is more practical if your dog enjoys swimming or running through undergrowth. Also, the shorter the cut , the less laborious it is to brush. This style of haircut includes a clipped, non-feathered tail cut, a round feet trim, and a face and ear trim. This short, practical hairstyle is ideal for preventing matting and can help to save daily brushing time for a busy pet parent. Summer Cut Image Source: www. This style of clip is ideal for dogs that suffer from severe tangles and matting. Short hairstyle options are often chosen at the start of the summer months when the weather starts to heat up, and the dog is more susceptible to overheating. Pet parents usually allow the coat to grow out over the summer so that the fur is long and thick by the time the cooler weather arrives. Ideally, you need a special table that the dog can stand on while you clip him and a good quality set of clippers. Again, this is a hot weather haircut that you need to do only when the warmer weather arrives. Also, if you have a Labradoodle with a high activity level, a short summer cut can be the best choice of clip for your pet. To maintain this cut, you need to brush it every couple of days or more frequently if you decide to leave the coat longer. Puppy Haircut Image Source: thegroomersspotlight. This style of hairdo includes a round feet trim, a face and ear trim, and a clipped feathered tail cut. When it comes to coat care, you need to brush your dog every day. Mohawk Image Source: www. The head hair is left 2 to 4 inches in length. Kennel Cut Image Source: www. Basically, the Kennel cut is an all-over clip where all but 1 inch of the hair is removed. That makes grooming and bathing your dog quick and easy. Lamb Cut The Lamb cut is another extremely popular Labradoodle hairstyle. Lion Cut Image Source: www. Labradoodle Hairstyle Ideas Here are a few more Labradoodle hairstyle ideas for you to consider next time you take your furry friend to the professional groomers. Short Cuts Just like both their Poodle parent and retriever parent, Labradoodles are active dogs that enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle. These pups are born swimmers and love nothing more than to dive into a muddy pond or lake. Follow that with a few hours romping along trails and chasing squirrels through the undergrowth, and you quickly have a stinky, filthy dog! Long Hair Cuts Image Source: www. Wavy Hair Cuts There are plenty of hairstyles that suit Labradoodles with wavy coats. Curly Hair Cuts Curly coats are super-cute! If you have a Labradoodle with a curly coat, the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing a suitable hairstyle for your pet. Of course, we advise taking professional groomer advice, as curly coats do need lots of regular brushing to keep them tangle-free and looking tidy. Tail Styles A beautifully coiffured tail provides the ultimate tail-wagging, finishing touch to every Labradoodle clip. Here are the two most popular choices of tail trim that you might want to try. Flag Tail Image Source: www. The tail is trimmed so that it looks like a waving pennant with the hair long close to the base and shortest at the tip. Plume Tail Image Source: www. Basically, the hair is left to grow naturally from the base of the tail to the tip and is combed out so that it looks like a plume. Face Styles Every Labradoodle suits a different haircut, just like people! This kind of hairstyle generally suits Labradoodles that have curly or wavy coats, effectively forming a kind of doggy afro! Clean Face Image Source: www. Also, this face trim can be used with most other styles of body clip. Mustache And Goatee The Mustache and Goatee is a really cute look that many Doodle owners opt for when having their pets clipped. With this cut, the face is shaved clean, but the beard and mustache are left on. Different Types of Labradoodles So, a Labradoodle is a mixed dog breed. But did you know that an Australian Labradoodle is a different dog altogether from its American cousin? A Breeding Challenge Although first created in , the Labradoodle was made popular in the s. A client needed a sight dog, but he also suffered terribly from pet allergies. Now, the Labrador retriever had long been used as the go-to dog for visually impaired people, but these dogs are not hypoallergenic. Although every dog sheds dander, which causes allergies in sensitive people, Poodles shed much less than other breeds. So, Conron came up with the idea to cross a Labrador with a Poodle and thus created the first modern Labradoodle. Australian Labradoodle Vs. Like other Doodle crossbreeds, Labradoodles have one pure Labrador parent and one pure Poodle parent. These dogs are referred to as first-generation or F1 Labradoodles. In contrast, Australian Labradoodles can be made up of a mixture of up to six different breeds, including: Labrador. While the adult coat is establishing, you will need to brush multiple times a week, and I find this the best time to give your pet his first trim. It will be difficult to keep up with the matting in the longer coat, but with a trim, it is very manageable, and the beauty of the adult coat is better realized. Once your dog gets to 12 to 14 months, the adult coat will be fully established, and this is the coat you can expect to work with for your dog's adult life. I find that the picture to the right will help to clarify the instructions you will need to convey for your dog's face. It is best to print this picture and take it with you to the groomer. A three-fourths inch blade don't go shorter than one-half inch will keep your dog's coat nice and full but give a smooth consistent length all over. If you like your dogs coat longer, your groomer should have a guard they can use to achieve this. The legs are typically just a little longer than the rest of the coat if you trim the coat to three-fourths inch. FEET: The feet will need a "slipper" cut to achieve the floppy, full leg look. The leg will look like a column. TAIL: The tail needs to be de-matted and trimmed. It is also important to have the hair removed, either trimmed or pulled, inside the dog's ears. Click the grooming picture for an enlarged, printable version and take it with you to your groomer! If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Australian Labradoodle grooming does not differ much from other Doodles. Like any other Doodle breed, Australian Labradoodles can be rather high maintenance when it comes to maintaining their beautiful, luscious locks. Naturally, keeping up with the brushing and haircuts can take up quite a considerable amount of time, and of course, money. These are the most popular Australian Labradoodle haircut styles that you can try out on your Doodle. Different groomers may have different ideas of what the following types of cuts are. If any of these pictures represent what you want your Australian Labradoodle to look like, be sure to bookmark this page for easy access when dropping them off at the groomer! Shorter on the body while slightly rounder and longer on the face and legs, the Australian Labradoodle teddy bear cut gives your pup the signature Doodle look. The key similarities are shorter hair on the body while the face and ears are kept longer. On the other hand, the puppy cut is usually easier to achieve and maintain. How do you brush an Australian Labradoodle? The good thing is that you can absolutely groom your Australian Labradoodle yourself! At home grooming sessions are a great way to bond with your four-legged friend. Not to mention, grooming your Australian Labradoodle at home is a lot less expensive than taking your pup to a professional groomer every month or two. The costs can add up pretty quickly! However, it is worth mentioning that Australian Labradoodle grooming does require a little bit of practice, patience, and technique. To make the process a lot smoother for you, here are a few useful tips: Have your grooming tools at hand. You can typically expect to spend around hours on grooming. Naturally, Mini Australian Labradoodle haircuts will take you less time than grooming a larger Doodle. Always thoroughly brush your pup before and after giving them a haircut. If possible, leash your dog to keep them still and sound. Groom outside, in a garage, or bathroom, where you can easily clean up all the loose hair. This applies to everything — brushing, hair trimming, and nail clipping. Set the mood and tone. Always use positive reinforcement, praise your pup and talk to them, you can also have a few treats close by to keep them occupied. Additionally, you might want to put on some relaxing tunes to calm your Doodle. Introduce the grooming tools by letting your dog smell them beforehand. This is a great method to reduce anxiety and fear. We recommend you brush your Dood daily or at least every other day. Doodles like the Australian Labradoodle are inevitably high maintenance, as their hair is prone to matting. Most Australian Labradoodles come with either a wool or fleece coat. The first one is usually non-shedding, while the second one might shed very little or none at all. However, some Australian Labradoodles can inherit the hair coat, which is typically straight or with slight waves, and tends to shed more than the other two coat types. Otherwise, you might notice that your pup leaves around a trail of dead hair. In addition to that, poor nutrition and stress can also contribute to shedding in Australian Labradoodles. You should also regularly bathe your Doodle. If necessary, use an anti-shedding dog shampoo. Haircuts Haircuts are an important part in the Australian Labradoodle grooming routine. Their hair can grow rather quickly, which can result in a dull, unkempt look. Additionally, we also recommend you trim the hairs inside the ears to avoid ear infections. For instance, when using a clipper, always make sure that the clipper blades do not get too hot. This also applies to scissors. A comb is also great for brushing the hair on those hard-to-reach and more delicate areas like eyes, ears, face, and paws. Here we have reviewed the best dog scissors for Doodles. Tool 5: Thinning Shears — Dog shears a. With this handy tool, be prepared to give your pup salon-quality haircuts at home, as they will seamlessly blend in the different lengths of hair while avoiding that unprofessional choppy look. These will help you brush through thick Australian Labradoodle hair with no fuss. Tool 7: Shampoo — A great shampoo is your best ally for scrubbing that thick Australian Labradoodle coat clean from the roots. There are lots of different dog shampoos available on the market to choose from — for skin sensitivities and allergies, to dander and odor control. Our guide on the best vet approved dog ear cleaners features lots of products you can use at home. Although it might seem like a stretch, a grooming table actually has many great purposes. Mainly, to keep you pup safe and still while you groom them, and to provide you more comfort during the process. How often does an Australian Labradoodle need a haircut? When is it time to groom an Australian Labradoodle? Similarly to other Doodles, taking care of the infamous Australian Labradoodle coat is not for the faint-hearted. Irregular brushing will most definitely lead to matted hair. This in turn can lead to painful spots, skin irritations and infections. And so on. ! Teeth Brushing: once or twice weekly. There are a few brushes that we recommend for grooming an Australian Labradoodle. You should opt for a slicker brush, a pin brush, or both! Arguably, the most popular brush for Australian Labradoodle grooming is a high quality slicker brush, which has many purposes. We absolutely love the Chris Christensen slicker and pin brushes, which we talk more about in this article. Thanks to their signature Doodle looks, Australian Labradoodles can often grow super long eyebrows. Some Australian Labradoodles do come with a shedding coat, which mostly comes down to their genetics and coat type. Oftentimes, Australian Labradoodles with straight or slightly wavy hair might shed some. However, shedding can also be caused by rarely brushing, bathing too little, poor diet, or stress. To conclude, we hope you learned some interesting new tips and tricks on how to groom your pup at home. Australian Labradoodle grooming is not as difficult as it sounds. You just need to learn the know-how, have some patience, and get some practice. Hopefully the Australian Labradoodle haircuts we showed you in this article will inspire your next at home grooming session! Parents of Australian Labradoodles: What are your best kept Australian Labradoodle grooming hacks you implement at home? Let us know in the comments below! The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like.

Pat yourself on the back, as you chose a tremendous breed! While adding a puppy to your family is an exciting time, raising a young puppy also requires pet owners to undertake a series of responsibilities. Puppies will require regular feeding , potty training, some toys to play with , love and attention, and, last but certainly not least, vaccinations. However, during their puppy period, they will require a series of vaccinations that are essential to their ability to fight off bacteria and diseases. Booster Vaccinations for Labrador Retrievers The first vaccinations that your labrador retriever will need are called boosters. Why call them boosters? Super creative, we agree! The first booster vaccination is recommended to be done between weeks old and is done to combat canine distemper. In many states, giving your pets a rabies shot is required by law. DHPP Vaccine and Beyond The third vaccination that your labrador retriever is scheduled to receive takes place between 16 and 20 weeks old. This very efficient shot contains four vaccines all in one that fight against distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Depending on the where you and your new puppy live, your labrador retriever might also need to be vaccinated against diseases such as lyme, leptospirosis, and coronavirus. The name kennel cough derives from the likelihood that dogs that are boarded contract it. The vaccine DHPP is used to prevent kennel cough. Hepatitis in dogs is a viral disease that attacks a their liver and eyes. It can lead to reproductive issues and causes significant discomfort. Though humans can also contract forms of hepatitis, this form can not be transmitted to humans. It can be transmitted to humans. DHPP is used to prevent it. Parvovirus is a serious and highly contagious disease that is especially dangerous for puppies. It is often fatal. The cost of vaccinations will vary slightly depending on the provider. We recommend that you call a few of your local veterinarians or clinics to ask for price quotes for of each vaccination you are preparing to give your puppy. Another option for pet owners is to consider acquiring pet insurance for their labrador retriever. Pet insurance provides pet owners with the freedom to make veterinary decisions without stressing the financial implications. Learn why most vets recommend pet insurance to pet owners. Looking to learn more about your labrador retriever? PetPlace is a wonderful resource for pet owners who want to discover more about their pet, and others. We have thousands of vet-approved articles that will quench your thirst for pet-related info. Specific to labrador retrievers, you can discover 5 attributes about labs that make them great or tips for house training your new puppy. Rabies Vaccine Rabies is a viral infection caused by a virus secreted in the saliva. According to the Humane Society , because the infection affects the nervous system, most rabid animals behave abnormally. When should puppies get rabies shots? Generally speaking, puppies should get their first rabies shot around 16 weeks of age and again between years old. Rabies Vaccine Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks Booster: every 3 years Non-core Vaccines Non-core vaccines are important, but they are considered optional for dogs with less risk of infection. Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle and where you live or travel. Bordetella Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium associated with respiratory disease in dogs and is known to cause the most severe form of kennel cough. Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, congestion, etc. Some veterinarians may recommend Bordetella as a core vaccine for puppies based on their living environment, especially for social dogs who spend time in areas where they might come into contact with the bacteria like the dog park, boarding facilities, or doggy daycare. The vaccination can be given orally, intranasally, or by injection. Bordetella Vaccine Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks Booster: every year Leptospira Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by infection of the genus Leptospira, which are found in water and soil. The zoonotic disease spreads easily from animals to humans and is more common in warm climate areas with high annual rainfall; the Leptospira vaccine may be considered core in these areas. Signs of leptospirosis may include shivering, fever, muscle tenderness, increased thirst, dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, jaundice, kidney failure, liver failure, etc. Leptospira Vaccine Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks 3rd shot: 1 year Booster: every year There is also a 5-way vaccine known as DHLPP, which is a combination vaccine of distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvo. Lyme disease Lyme disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. The most common symptoms in dogs include loss of appetite, lameness, joint swelling, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. More serious cases can also develop kidney complications. The Lyme disease vaccine is highly recommended for dogs that live in or frequently travel to areas known for Lyme disease, as well as those living in areas with a high risk of tick exposure. Lyme Vaccination Schedule for Puppies 1st shot: weeks 2nd shot: weeks later Booster: every year Canine Influenza Canine influenza, or dog flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting dogs. The virus is spread through aerosols or droplets containing respiratory secretions from barking, sneezing, and coughing. Dogs in close contact with infected dogs in places like daycare facilities, groomers, and kennels are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. CIV causes an acute respiratory infection in dogs, with the most common clinical sign being a cough that persists for up to 21 days. Vaccines are available for both H3N2 and H3N8 canine influenza. A bivalent vaccine offering protection against both strains is available as well. Dogs become infected when they swallow the parasite that may be present in water or other substances that have been soiled with feces leading to the disease Giardiasis. Giardia in dogs usually causes diarrhea, weight loss, or even death. Giardia is an available vaccine for puppies 8 weeks of age and older for 6 months of immunity against giardiasis. Most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Young dogs are at a high risk of contracting the disease, so the vaccine is highly recommended for puppies under eight weeks. Rattlesnake vaccine A rattlesnake vaccine can help dogs build antibodies to rattlesnake venom from bites that are often deadly and severely painful to dogs. The antibodies work to neutralize the venom, thereby significantly extending the window of time you have to take your dog to the emergency room , increasing their odds of survival. Protect yourself from heartbreak without breaking the bank. Compare quotes to find the best deal for your budget. After that, puppies should receive a series of vaccines every two to four weeks until actual protein can be achieved between the ages of 6 and 20 weeks old. Your vet will determine a safe vaccine schedule for your puppy based on their weight, health, age, etc. Some pet parents prefer getting multiple puppy shots in one vet visit to minimize stress on their pet, whereas others prefer to spread the shots out to reduce possible side effects and soreness — talk to your vet to create a safe vaccine schedule that works for you and your puppy. Rabies depends on local laws but is usually given by the time your dog reaches 3 to 6 months old. When should puppies have all their shots by? Most vets prefer giving the final DHPP shot at 16 weeks or later; however, new recommendations suggest up to 20 weeks out. When do puppies need booster shots? Abstaining from booster shots can put your puppy at risk. However, not all vaccines require yearly boosters. DHPP vaccine booster: every two weeks for a total of three sets, then every three years Lepto, Canine influenza, and Lyme disease vaccine booster: one month after the initial series, then annually Bordetella booster: 1 year or every 6 months where there is a concern Rabies booster: every 1 to 3 years after the initial round, depending on state laws Puppy Vaccine Schedule There are several types of puppy shots your pet might get in their first year. In addition to a deworming schedule, your vet will suggest a vaccination schedule for puppies based on their age, environment, and medical history. Most vets recommend this general timeline for first-year puppy shots: weeks of age Between 6- and 8-weeks-old, puppies get their first shot of the DHPP distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus vaccine. They might also receive their first round of vaccinations for Bordetella and Lyme disease. Leptospira Lepto is a common puppy vaccination administered around this time frame. They'll also get their first rabies vaccine depending on state-mandated vaccine schedules for puppies, as well as a second shot of the Lepto vaccine if applicable. Boosters Every Years Puppies will need a booster shot for all vaccines at age 1. Dogs need booster vaccinations for Bordetella, Lepto, Lyme, and Giardia annually receiving their first immunization as an adult. The vaccination schedule for DHPP and rabies is every 3 years, but check your local laws and defer to your veterinarian's advice to ensure your pet stays free of disease. How much are puppy shots? Non-essential vaccines your vet may recommend will also increase the price. Note that puppy shots cost more or less depending on several different factors, including your location. For instance, vets in crowded urban areas tend to charge more than vets in smaller towns and rural areas. Also keep in mind that you'll need to budget for booster shots in one- or three-year intervals to ensure your pet stays protected from disease. Fortunately, vaccines for dogs are less expensive than first-year puppy shots because boosters are administered in one dose every few years, as opposed to multiple doses every few weeks. All puppies need to get the core vaccines, i. Your veterinarian will consider the risk factors and advise you on which vaccines are best for your puppy during the first vet visit. No, but both vaccines for puppies are often combined in one shot. Distemper and parvovirus are two different illnesses that are potentially fatal if not treated quickly. What is the 5-in-1 shot for puppies? Do puppies need 3 or 4 sets of shots? It depends on their age; vets may recommend a shorter puppy vaccination schedule for dogs over 16 weeks old and not yet fully vaccinated. How many shots do puppies need before going outside? A titer test is a blood test showing whether your puppy has antibodies for a particular illness. The test can be used to determine the effectiveness of a vaccine and help determine if or which booster vaccines your dog needs. Most doggy daycares and boarding facilities do not accept a titer test in lieu of a puppy vaccination record. When should puppies get dewormed? Because worms are very common in puppies, veterinarians recommend deworming them for the first time when they're two to three weeks old. Is there a heartworm vaccine for puppies? Preventatives can either be administered as monthly medication or every six months by injection. How can you save money on puppy shots? One way to save money on puppy vaccines is by visiting a low-cost vaccination clinic. These clinics typically offer packages that combine a bundle of vaccinations into a lower price point, but also offer individual options if your dog is due for a specific vaccine. Another way to save money on puppy shots is by purchasing a pet wellness plan through a pet insurance provider. 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. Summary of dog vaccination schedules Why do we vaccinate dogs? This helps their body build immune cells that are specifically designed to respond effectively when the real thing comes along. And in fact, the diseases they prevent are irritating at best, and potentially deadly at worst. Vaccines are also relatively painless, easy, and cost-effective to administer. What do we vaccinate dogs against? There are a number of vaccines for dogs, which can be broken down into core and non-core vaccines. Your veterinarian can help you decide which non-core vaccines are right for your dog. What are the core vaccines for dogs? Rabies: Rabies is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease transmitted via a bite from an infected animal, such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. It can be transmitted to humans, for whom it is also fatal. The Rabies vaccine is legally required in most U. These are all serious, highly infectious diseases that can result in pain, organ damage and may be fatal. Whilst some vets do not consider this a core vaccine, at Small Door we strongly recommend it for all dogs in New York, as leptospirosis is found across all five boroughs and is even more prominent outside of the city. What are the non-core vaccines for dogs? Bordetella: Bordetella is also known as kennel cough , a nasty respiratory disease. The vaccine is required by dog groomers, boarding and daycare facilities. Lyme: Lyme Disease is a bacterial disease that can affect pets and humans, causing fever, painful joints and, at times, organ damage. When do puppies get their first shots? Puppies should typically receive their first shots as soon as they are weaned or around 8 weeks old. This is generally completed during three vet visits in the first few months. Geographical location and lifestyle are factors that may come into play, so not every dog will need every vaccine. However, here is what a typical puppy vaccination timeline looks like for year one. This maternal immunity can also interfere with the vaccines we administer, and make them less effective. So, to make sure puppies acquire a high enough level of antibodies to be effective, we have to vaccinate them multiple times — in other words, administer boosters. I'm not sure if my dog is up-to-date on shots, what should I do? Your veterinarian may be able to run an antibody test to determine if the dog needs additional vaccinations or if their vaccination process needs to be started over. Adult dog vaccine schedule Adult and senior dogs need regular boosters to maintain their immunity levels. Boosters are required yearly or every three years depending on the vaccine. Previously this vaccine was recommended every six months, but guidelines now recommend yearly boosters. Some groomers and daycare facilities may still request the six month booster shot. Canine influenza: every year Lyme disease: every year Vaccinations for adult dogs: boosters and titers Although vaccines are very safe, some owners may have concerns about providing boosters to their pets. In these cases, they might consider a titer instead. Titers may also be required for international travel to some countries. A titer test is a procedure for testing and measuring the amount of antibodies proteins that provide protection from certain diseases a dog has in its blood for a specific disease. This is accomplished by repeatedly diluting a sample of blood and then exposing the diluted blood to an antigen. They can be a way to measure if your dog needs to be revaccinated or if they can forgo the booster. By law, the only shot required in most U. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative then animal shelters often offer low-cost vaccine clinics, although they might not offer all of the vaccinations that your pup might need. Related articles. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Vaccinations can protect your dog against a variety of life-threatening illnesses. Not to mention, some vaccinations are required by law. Why Do Puppies Need Vaccinations? Puppies need vaccinations to help prevent the catching of various dangerous diseases. If your dog ever comes in contact with a disease they have been vaccinated against, his immune system will know how to destroy it. There are vaccines available to protect your puppy against more than 11 different diseases. However, depending on your circumstances and where you live, your puppy might not need them all. Your vet will be able to recommend those they think your really needs, with others being up to your choice. There are four core vaccines for diseases all puppies should be vaccinated against and seven non-core vaccines that the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medicine Association recommend. The non-core vaccines may or may not be recommended by your vet, depending on different variables, mostly the prevalence or absence of a disease in your area. The Core Vaccinations Rabies. This is a potentially fatal and highly contagious disease. Depending on which state or country you live in, your dog will need to have a booster once every one to three years. This common virus is hard to treat and has an 80 percent fatality rate, which is why inoculating against it is so important. Canine viral hepatitis is also known as adenovirus. Canine distemper. Before vaccination, this was a big killer of dogs. Vaccinating against this disease will protect your puppy if he comes in contact with the virus while out and about. The Non-Core Vaccinations Lyme disease. The vast majority of cases have occurred in the eastern American coastal states between Massachusetts and Virginia. Parainfluenza and Bordetella. The parainfluenza virus and the bordetella bacterium are both major causes of kennel cough. Inoculation is generally only necessary if your puppy is going to be exposed to many other dogs. For instance, at boarding kennels, doggy daycare or dog shows. This infectious disease is a common cause of stomach upset. This bacteria can infect dogs and their human companions. In serious cases it can cause organ failure and death in dogs. In certain high-risk parts of the country, your dog might need a booster every six months. Giardia are parasites that commonly live in the digestive tracts of dogs. Many dogs have them, but they rarely cause problems. How Are Vaccines Given? Most vaccines are given as injections. These are given either under the skin or into the muscle. Most combination injections protect against distemper, leptospirosis, hepatitis, parainfluenza, coronavirus and parvovirus. This allows their body time to develop a good immune response. Recommended and Most Common Schedule of Vaccinations: 6 to 7 weeks old: This is when your puppy should get his first combination injection. He needs his second combination vaccine. Make sure you have a record of his first injection to show your new vet. If necessary, he will also have a Lyme disease vaccine. At this point, your vet will advise you when your puppy can go out for his first walk. Are There Any Risks Involved? Unfortunately, there are potential risks to having your puppy vaccinated. That said, the risks are far outweighed by the benefits. However, you should monitor your dog closely after a vaccination and contact your vet right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: Hives.