german shepherd puppies for sale in kenya

Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Print We recently brought home Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to train her and raise her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. That means Bubba will be with for almost a year and a half. We train one or two of these puppies each year, and over the years we have gotten pretty good at it. We also train adult dogs for hunting and competition, so we see a lot of dogs come into our program. Dogs that have each been raised differently. There are some definite training tips that can help you help your lab grow up to be the best version of himself. Training and socialization for very young Labrador puppies — week one The first week of a puppy being away from its litter is very stressful for the puppy. Most often, the first two days, the puppy will sleep a lot! The pup is adjusting to all the changes, and they need time to do that. After the first couple days you may notice a spike of energy. This is your sign that the puppy is adjusting well and is ready to be exposed to a few more things. Labrador puppy training that first week home Here are the things we work on during week one. A nylon adjustable one is usually best since puppies grow quickly. It often takes the puppy a few days to adjust to having a collar on. Intro crate We introduce our puppies to a crate on day one. Literally the day we bring them home. Most puppies will cry, bark or howl while in the crate the first few or many times. Ignore it, it does not hurt the puppy at all. Always wait until the puppy settles down and is quiet, even if that quiet only lasts for just a minute or two. Learn more about crate training. Intro to housebreaking Another day one lesson and one that will last for a few weeks or months. We introduce housebreaking day one by allowing the puppy to run around an enclosed area under close supervision. If your puppy then goes potty outside, great! The thing to remember about housebreaking, is that your puppy should never be allowed to roam the house or a room without supervision. The only way to housebreak a dog is for them to get caught in the middle of an accident. That is how they learn that what they are doing is not right. Learn more about housebreaking. Intro leash We introduce a leash to our puppies around day three of being home. But once they start getting more energy and get more inquisitive, we use a Flexi-lead attached to the nylon collar to take the puppy outside. This accomplishes two goals. The gentle tugs on the leash and pressure when the puppy strains against the leash are great training for handling pressure as they get older. Intro to pressure and correction The last thing we introduce to our new puppy during the first week home is pressure and correction. This is an often-missing element to training that can severely handicap a dog that you want to be a hunting companion or competition dog. The kind of pressure I am talking about is very mild such as saying NO to the puppy when they are chewing up your shoes or scratching through the carpet. This is the way mama dogs carry their puppies and it does not hurt them at all. This does not hurt the puppy; it is exactly what a mama dog does to teach her puppies. Learn more about introducing pressure and correction. Commands to start using that first week home The first week there are some commands we start using so that the puppy will associate the words we use with actions. Puppies play and explore with their mouths, and often they will think it is great fun to bite your hands and feet. If this does not curb the behavior, I grab her lower jaw, wrapping her gums around her teeth and squeeze. I have found this to be very effective, especially if you start this the first week you have the puppy home. The longer you wait to start, the harder it becomes to stop this behavior. It takes very little pressure to stop a 7-week-old puppy from biting. Learn more about how to stop your Lab puppy from biting you. Off command The OFF command is also started day one. The OFF command is used to stop a puppy or dog from jumping on you. It can also be used to keep a dog off a sofa or other furniture. Starting day one, I gently use my knee to push down the puppy each time they jump on me. I say OFF when I do this. Usually, a gentle push with the knee is all it takes with a very small puppy. They learn this command very quickly. If your puppy is a bit more energetic or stubborn and tries to jump on you despite your gentle pushes, then you may need to use a little more force. Even if you were to knock your puppy backwards onto her back, that is not going to hurt her seriously. But it will likely make a good impression and cause her to think twice before jumping on you again. With jumping, consistency is important. You must knock your puppy off every time she jumps on you. Learn more about how to stop your Lab from jumping on you. We use this as a que when we are taking the puppy outside to go potty. We use this while the puppy is on a leash, and we are pulling them toward us. I only use this command for very young dogs. Your goal is to get the puppy to rest in your arms and not move. But if you keep at it, you will see your dog settle for longer and longer periods of time. Introduction to retrieving Lastly, since all our puppies are retrievers, we start introducing the puppy to retrieving. The first few times are simply throwing a toy a few feet and if the puppy runs out and gets it and comes back to you, great. Then take the item and throw it again. If the puppy does not come back or does not even run out to get the item, then stop for the day. Just let the retrieving develop naturally. Next week we will start more formal retrieving training. Final thoughts on what you should do that first week with your new Labrador puppy As you can see, there is a lot of training that you can do with your seven- or eight-week-old puppy. And while you can wait for training, your puppy is ready and able to learn quickly right now. I will be posting weekly on the training we are doing with Bubba, so you can get a week-by-week snapshot of how we raise and train a puppy up to be a excellent, responsive hunting or competition dog as well as a well-mannered family dog. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me 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. Quiet nights and crate training. This article will take you through everything you need to know, from what to buy, to how to help your pup settle in on his first day and night. Bringing a Puppy Home Bringing home a new 8 or 9 week old puppy is a potentially stressful experience for you and the pup. Of course, it will be better if you have been able to visit your puppy regularly before collecting him. But for most people, time and distance make this an unlikely option. Everything he sees, smells and hears, in your home will seem very strange to him at first. Fortunately, most puppies leave their mother and siblings at an age when they will readily accept their new friends and family. In a few days time, he will have settled in and accepted your home as his, and your family as his own. Holding Your Puppy The first thing to master when bringing home a new puppy is holding them the right way. This is the most comfortable position for puppies. But if you have had a long car journey, the first thing your puppy will need is to pee! Carry him in your arms to the area you want him to use for toilet purposes, and put him down there. Your first steps in potty training have begun. Maintaining Regular Bathroom Breaks Puppies vary widely in how often they need to empty their bladder. Some may last an hour or more from day one, whilst others seem to need to go every 15 minutes or so. During the course of the day, take the puppy to the toilet area at regular intervals half hourly at least to begin with. In addition, take him there every time he finishes a meal or wakes from a sleep. Set an alarm on your cell phone to remind you. Many Labrador puppies are very greedy and will eat astonishing quantities of food. New puppies are especially prone to upset tummies. The new environment and the stress of leaving home all add to the risk. You can reduce that risk by feeding little and often. If you want to change diets, do this gradually once the puppy has settled in. How often to feed Four times a day is the minimum number of feeds for an 8 week old puppy. Five or even six portions are better for a puppy with an upset tummy. Remember that the daily quantity is the same. More portions means smaller portions. If you get this right, there will be little or nothing left to put in the bowl when mealtimes come around You can find out more about using puppy food in training games by joining our Puppy Parenting course Meeting the Kids Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for all the family. For much of the first day, your puppy will probably be cuddled and admired. Kids should also be aware of safety precautions, such as learning to let the pup be if he seems uncomfortable. Some older dogs will play too roughly with a puppy. Others will growl and appear to reject the puppy at first. These are normal reactions but they do indicate that you are going to need to keep a close eye on things for a while. A baby gate or other barrier is a perfect way to keep a puppy from annoying the resident dog or cat while they adjust to the newcomer. As the day draws to a close, your thoughts will turn to night time, and getting your puppy to sleep! Or he howls the house down either constantly or intermittently throughout the night. There are two approaches to choosing where a puppy sleeps for those first few nights. One is to get him used to his permanent sleeping quarters right from the start. The other is to have him next to your bed until he has got over his homesickness usually three or four days. And if you keep going back, the howling may well increase. Leaving a puppy to cry alone in a strange house is also probably very distressing for the puppy and not a great way to start their new life. But we recommend having the puppy next to your bed for the first three nights. This reduces the risk of getting into an increasing spiral of night howling or having your puppy miserable for the first week. Just pop his blankets in there and put the box right next to where you sleep. Night waking Most 8 week old puppies wake in the night to pee for the first week or so. But the first few days is a time for settling your puppy in, building their confidence and avoiding bad habits such as whining or howling, getting started The best way to meet all those goals, is to keep your puppy very close to you until their homesickness has passed. Bonding with your puppy Your main objective now is to bond with your puppy. Spend lots of time with your puppy. Make him feel at home. Pay him a lot of attention when he is quiet, fuss and praise him when he pees outside. Once he has settled in, there will be plenty of time to think about crate training and learning manners, but for now just enjoy his Labrador puppy loveliness, and that scrummy new puppy smell. It will be gone all too soon, replaced by a bouncing, boisterous, and joyful friend who all too often smells of pond water. What you are doing is establishing good habits, which will last a lifetime. What About Crate Training? A quality dog crate is an excellent source of help with potty-training. But a puppy should not be left inside a crate for longer than his immature bladder can hold its contents. For some puppies, this is not very long at all. Socialization is a big part of bringing home a new puppy. This is the process we take puppies through, to make sure they are comfortable with all aspects of living in human society. For instance, dogs need to be confident around things like vehicles and machines. They should be happy to meet people of all different shapes and sizes and to go boldly wherever people want to take them. A confident dog is not just a happy dog; he is a safe dog. Socializing also means taking your puppy out and about. Naturally, many worry about exposing a not-yet-fully vaccinated puppy to the risk of infection. Yes you can! If you use modern dog training methods, you can get going right after bringing home a new puppy! In the first week puppy training is based on a series of fun games. So that your puppy will be learning without even realising. The games you play should lay foundations for future good behavior, teaching your puppy not snatch, to say please, to focus on you, to love their crate, to wear a harness or collar and to run towards you rather than away from you. A lot of people worry about whether or not to take a puppy to classes, and some are unable to do so. But there is a great deal you can do at home by yourself. You can avoid this by getting off to a great start with recall training in the very first week. The video below will help you. And never chase after a puppy. Puppy recall training starts right after bringing home a new puppy. Build an association between the act of running towards you and the sound of the recall word or whistle. If you call the puppy and he does not come, you will have begun to teach him that the recall command is optional. Check out our puppy recall training video to give you an idea of how easy it is to build this a good association if you start off in the right way. You can find out more about building a great recall from the beginning in Total Recall. But for now, in these first few days at home together, make sure no one calls the puppy to them. When they want him, they can simply pick him up. If he runs away, all they need to do is run in the opposite direction and he will come chasing after them. For the first few days after bringing home a new puppy, focus on bonding and helping him to feel safe. Consider having your puppy next to your bed for the first few nights. This will comfort him while he is feeling homesick and missing his mom and playmates. Expect to get up in the night to take your puppy out to pee for at least the first couple of weeks. Set a reminder to avoid teaching your puppy to cry for your attention. During his daytime naps, dive into the feeding, potty training, and obedience training guides mentioned in this article, and head over to the forum for support from our other readers, many of whom have been where you are now, and come safely out the other side! If you want help choosing an adorable puppy name, make sure you take a look at this article too! However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Crate training , potty training , and learning to settle at night and will all begin in earnest at 8 weeks. Is your 8 week old puppy driving you crazy? Puppies, like babies, can be hard work. Not to mention annoying, and frustrating! But hang on in there. Chances are, you are sleep deprived, and your life has been turned upside down too. Many of the problems that arise with a new baby puppy, are easily resolved with just a little help. And looking after your puppy with diarrhea is no fun. Which he will, because Labrador puppies are always hungry! You have to ration out his food for him. You need to know how much your puppy needs to eat in a 24 hour period, and then divide that amount between at least 4 meals. First night with puppy Your 8 week old puppy should not sleep in or on your bed. Bed sharing with new puppies is too dangerous. He might fall off, and is likely to leave little puddles on your mattress and carpet. Later on you can bed share with your dog if you want to, but not right now, at least not unless you puppy proof the room and sleep on the floor. Your 8 week old puppy should not be free to roam the house at night. There is so much potential for harm. Even if you only sleep for six hours or so, there is a great deal of mischief your puppy can get up to in that time. So, the three main options that work well for 8 week old puppies are described next First night options for an 8 week old puppy Here are those three alternative sleeping arrangement for the first few nights Safe sleeping area Sturdy box or crate next to your bed 1 The puppy safe sleeping area Just before you go to bed and after taking your outside to empty himself, you can put the puppy to bed in a puppy proof room with a washable floor. Or you can put his bed inside a large puppy playpen. Put plenty of newspaper or puppy pads down to cover most of the floor. On the other hand you WILL have to get up in the night. Which option is best? It may also result in vomiting and diarrhea for your pup, and a lot of clearing up for you. It might seem irrational to you, but there are good reasons for your puppy to be scared. If asked to sleep alone on the first night in their new home, they usually cry. For a surprisingly long time. Unless you live in a mansion, you will be able to hear him. And so will your neighbors. The best way around this, is to have the puppy sleep next to you for the first few nights as described in Option 3 above. New puppies learn very quickly. Whilst initial crying is the result of fear or loneliness, puppies they soon discover that crying gets them attention. How much do puppies sleep? Your 8 week old puppy will spend around 18 to 20 hours asleep out of every .But dogs continue to sleep for long periods throughout their lives. Sleeping often and deeply is normal for an 8 week old puppy. This is nothing to worry about if your puppy is energetic and playful when awake, eating and growing well, and seems healthy in every other respect Potty training your 8 week old puppy. Potty training your 8 week old Labrador puppy can start on the very first day. A few new puppies can last six or seven hours at night without a wee. But many cannot do this until they are around ten weeks old. If you crate your puppy at night, expect to get up in the middle night and take your puppy outside for a wee, for up to two weeks. If you opt to leave your puppy at night with puppy pads or newspaper, expect it to take a little longer than this before you come down to a nice clean floor each morning. Getting up earlier for a while is a given with an 8 week old puppy. Puppies pee much more frequently often the day. Some new puppies can last an hour or so between wees, but again, many cannot. If you are going back to work, or want to leave your puppy for three to four hours before he is five or six months old, and you want to crate train, you need to arrange for someone else to take care of him during the day. Even for this short period of time. An 8 week old puppy should not be left in a crate for hours at a time during the day. The secret to success in crate training a new puppy lies in getting good habits established from the start. And this means getting that puppy outside to his toilet area, whenever his little bladder is getting full. Your puppy will quickly become comfortable with you disappearing for a few minutes if you reliably return. But too much isolation is a common cause of noisy or destructive behavior. Puppies need company. Older puppies may cope happily with being left for up to four hours, but even an adult Labrador may become distressed or destructive if left alone for a full working day on a regular basis. Labradors are very sociable dogs and they need to have people around them. No matter how many walks he gets at the weekend. Puppies biting Most people know that puppies nip when teething. Despite learning early bite inhibition from their mother and littermates, puppies continue this spikey behavior when you bring them home. Destructive puppy behavior Your 8 week old puppy will chew, gnaw and dig around the home. It can be quite a shock to discover just how destructive a Labrador can be, both indoors and out, especially if left unsupervised for long periods of time. Expect your puppy to destroy anything he can get in his mouth. Indoors and out. Some even chew the skirting boards, rip plaster from the walls, and tear up carpets in their homes. Supervision, playpens and puppy crates will help keep your home in tact during the destructive phase. Puppies running off 8 week old puppies need time off leash. Tiny puppies have an automatic response with means that they follow people around. This response disappears by the time the puppy is around four or five months old. Labradors are retrieving dogs. They love to hunt and follow scent trails. Expect that an older puppy will want to explore away from you and get that off lead recall established well before he is six months old. Expect that an older puppy will stray further and further away on walks if you are too predictable and just traipse along behind him. Teach him to follow you and not the other way around. What we expect from an 8 week old puppy We expect an awful lot from our tiny puppies. Both when they are still very small, and then as they grow bigger. Some of our expectations are simply not in line with the way puppies think and behave. Cuddles We expect that puppies will enjoy being cuddled. Sometimes they do, mostly they are just being polite. TIP: Wait for your puppy to stop wriggling before you place him on the floor or he will wriggle harder next time! A fun friend for children We expect that our children will be able to play with a new puppy, but small puppies often bite and wriggle too much for little ones to enjoy them. Those pleasures tend to come later TIP: Use baby gates to give toddlers and puppies space apart from one another Success and quick results We expect that the efforts we put in to housetraining will be rewarded, that the puppy will listen to what we say. But potty training and obedience training take time. Your 8 week old puppy will have accidents in the house to begin with and needs your help to understand what you want him to do next. As he grows, we expect our puppy to return our love and affection, to respect us, be loyal, and obedient. And he will be, in time. Nor had we anticipated just how depressing it would be to clear up puppy pee and poop every time we get up in the morning, or return home from a quick shopping trip. But they are common reasons for people to become disenchanted with their furry companion. One of our aims here on The Labrador Site is to help close this gap between expectations and reality. So that puppies go into their new homes, and stay there for the rest of their lives. And most of the problems described above can be avoided or passed through without too much pain, if you have the right information! And a little preparation. You can do this if you are ready. Much puppy naughtiness is linked to over-excitement. Focus on being calm around your puppy, and read up on how to train your puppy effectively. The considered and appropriate use of a crate and baby gates, is a great way to prevent conflict between puppies and their families. Confinement is not a substitute for companionship and training though, and of course it is very important to be sure you have enough time in your life for a Labrador, before going ahead and getting that lovely puppy. Do check out our article: are you ready for a Labrador , before you take the plunge.

American Bulldog Puppies For Sale Near Me pitbull puppies the daddy is a xxl bully and the mom is a pocket bully dad is brendal and mom is a blue pit the puppies will have their shots but not the papers. Will be amazing dogs!! Dm me for one on one pictures!! Buy Now Shines American bulldogs 8 week old American bulldog they are current on shots and are papered View Detail American Bulldog Pups Pups are currently weeks old, they will be ready to leave in November on wards, they will come microchipped, wormed, injections to date, puppy pack. They are being brought up around my two small children and household noises, very loving chunky pups, please text 91 nine 39 one zore 5 zore 9 for inquiries and will get back to you ASAP Mum is white adult in pick Dad is white and tan in pick View Detail American Bulldog Pups For Sale 6 stunning white American bulldog for sale. There are 3 girls and 3 boys. They are handled every day to get use to human contact. They are use to household noises and children. Very active and energetic. Would like them to go to loving caring happy homes. Genuine buyer's only please. View Detail English bull dog they are very socialized with kids and other pets and will make a great companion for more info text : xxx xxx-xxx1 View Detail Purebred American Bulldog Puppies ready Purebred American Bulldog Puppies ready Purebred American Bulldog puppies litter of 8 born variety of colours and markings males and females availablebrought up inside and around children all puppies have been wormed every two weeks and will be flea treated, Txt only via xxxxxxxxxx View Detail Male and female American Bully puppies We have 2 female, 2 male American Bulldog puppies for re-homing. They are 12 weeks old, with their 1st puppy shots,dew claws removed and tails docked. They are AKC registered with health record booklet. They will come to you healthy and spoiled. We specialize in Bully-type, also sometimes referred to as Johnson American Bulldogs. However on occasion we do produce fantastic standard- and hybrid-type American Bulldogs. We breed for functional and balanced temperament allowing for the American Bulldog to be a family member and a companion while having the drive and intelligence to perform desired functions. At Grand Future, we typically produce large American Bulldogs. Males range in lbs and females range in lbs. We have always bred to a significantly stricter breed standard than the current American Bulldog breed standards under U. Dogs with the following characteristics are not shown at conformation shows nor bred in our kennel: 1. Full black mask — this genetic trait is usually a result of another breed having been infused into the gene pool. Usually a dog with a kinked tail itself is not at risk of health complications as a result of the kinked tail. Teeth — dogs missing more than 3 teeth. Dogs lacking full pigmentation are more susceptible to various health problems. Lack of pigment is also responsible for deafness in dogs. We have never produced a deaf dog. Interested in a puppy? We have many repeat buyers — over 30 families have purchased 2,3,4, and even 5 dogs. Our dogs generally love children and have balanced temperament. Having produced over dogs in 7 generations, we have history and data that allows us to make some conclusions that we believe are significant. The very common problem of hip dysplasia that afflicts this breed is nearly non-existent in our kennel. Our dogs tend to have normal locomotion — good movement due to anatomically sound physical structure. Our dogs have never torn ligaments such as the Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL , which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never prematurely died from heart problems, which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never been diagnosed with tracheal hypoplasia — a hereditary genetic defect common in bulldog breeds that leads to potential deadly obstruction of the airway. Our dogs tend to live long. Our foundation dog lived to the age of 15 years and 10 months old. Our dogs have never been afflicted with cancer at a young age. The earliest instance of cancer has been encountered at 8 years of age by one dog. The remainder of cases have been documented at over 10 years of age. The biggest tragedy for an owner is in having to care for a sick dog as a result of poor breeding, and be absolutely helpless as that dog passes in their arms. Exorbitant medical bills end up being paid to prolong the time together even by just a little with the beloved family member. As with any animal breeding program, our kennel is not immune from problems. This drives us to continually improve. We maintain contact and help our owners in any way we can; even at 4AM or during a vacation since we have owners all over the world in various timezones. Our breeding expertise enables us to deliver healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent American Bulldog puppies. We provide a contractual health guarantee against the following genetic health problems — hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL ruptures, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, heart, kidneys, thyroid, ichthyosis, cryptorchidism, epilepsy, and any neurological disorders including NCL. Our conversation with a prospective owner always involves questions to understand the kind of dog the person would like — the more details the better. If so inclined, the prospective owner can request guidance in picking the puppy based on personality and activity level, temperament, phenotype, and more. We evaluate our puppies at 6 weeks of age on a variety of parameters. We provide lifetime unlimited advice and guidance by phone to owners concerning all subjects relating to dog ownership. You can be sure you will have the information you need to succeed even if this is going to be your first American Bulldog puppy. Because we stand by the quality of our work, we want our owners to participate in our breeding program and we are happy to provide the necessary guidance. Our dogs are also ideal candidates for service animal work. Training a service dog requires a significant investment of time and money, making the genetic health and temperament of the dog even more critical. A service dog needs to be healthy, hassle-free, intelligent and receptive to training, have stable temperament to handle any type of environment, and of course lead a long life disease-free. All of these selective requirements for service dog candidates make Grand Future American Bulldogs an ideal fit. Join us in our mission of producing the best American Bulldogs possible! Professional worry-free shipping worldwide Of course our preference is for you to come visit our home, get acquainted with us, and pick up your new American Bulldog puppy in person. However, we understand that it is not feasible for everyone. Even if you do not live anywhere near Nevada, do not be concerned — we are highly experienced at shipping our American Bulldog puppies worldwide, as even just the list of our Grand Champions and Champions spanning 9 nations attests. We can prepare all necessary export documentation. Search this website. Oklahoma City: .Due to their obvious strength and agility, they are often viewed as a kind of cultural icon in America. Discover more about our American Bulldog puppies for sale below! Breed History In the past, the English bulldog was used by foreign immigrants who moved to South America and brought their dogs with them. The breed, however, became close to extinction after the second world war. Some breeders, John D. Johnson, and Alan Scott kept infusing several bulldogs together in the bid to breed the American Bulldog while monitoring its health and capabilities. Today, the American bulldog is completely rid of the fear of being extinct and has become one of the most popular dog breeds in the country. Temperament The American bulldog is many sizes larger than the English Bulldog; however, they are quite similar when it comes to their temperament. It is basically a huge, cuddly, lap dog that loves children and is very affectionate. It is brave, confident and extremely loyal to its owners. They can be quite reserved when around strangers as they like to mark their territories. When trained from a young age, the American Bulldog will display an impressive level of intelligence. They are not so friendly with other strange dogs and mostly like to keep to themselves. Environment As earlier stated, the American bulldog is a fun-loving, happy dog that thrives in a family setting. The perfect environment for this breed would be a home with a large backyard that is well fenced-in. Since they are very energetic and must be kept active, it is imperative to their growth that they have ample space to run around during the day. This is crucial for their mental and physical well-being. For dog lovers who live in apartments, the American bulldog might not be the best option for them. This is because there is inadequate space for them and being left alone would adversely affect their mental health. They can also become very irritable and destructive if left alone for long periods as they need constant mental and physical stimulation. Exercise The American Bulldog needs about two hours of outdoor exercise on a daily basis. It goes without saying that this breed is not suitable for people who work many hours every day. This dog breed requires basic physical and mental stimulation like jogging, walking, chasing balls, playing fetch, farm work, agility, and basic obedience exercises. Due to the temperament of the American Bulldog, it has to get as much exercise preferably in the outdoors. If its exercise requirements are not consistently met, this dog breed will take out its frustration in your home by chewing apart and basically destroying everything it comes in contact with while running around. Grooming The American Bulldog has quite a short coat with a minimized length and this feature makes it easy to groom. Brushing their coats weekly is usually enough when it comes to grooming the American Bulldog as they do not shed a lot. They also need thorough baths weekly or as needed as this will keep the shedding in check. Our American Bulldog puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our American Bulldog puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our American Bulldog puppies. American Bulldogs love routine and will adapt to an exercise and grooming routine if the owner enforces it perfectly. As loyal dogs, they love to please their owners but will only obey upon frequent reinforcements. Do American Bulldogs shed a lot? Since they do not have a lot of fur, they do not shed a lot and owners will not have a lot of hair to clean up, unlike many other dog breeds. Why do American Bulldogs have webbed feet? This is mainly due to genetics and is not a cause for concern. Should American Bulldogs be spayed? Many vets advise that American Bulldog owners should ensure their pets are neutered or spayed when it is between four and nine months. How often should American Bulldogs be fed? The American bulldog has a very large appetite in its formative years. They must, therefore, be fed very often about four times daily and in double portions when they are puppies right until they turn four. Are American Bulldogs a food fit in families? The American bulldog will fit right into your family. They love kids and tend to gravitate towards them. Do American Bulldogs have common health problems? A lot of the health problems experienced by American bulldogs are mostly genetic and do not affect the entire breed. These ailments could range from the kidney to thyroid disorders and a lot more. What is the American Bulldogs life expectancy? The American bulldog has an average lifespan ranging from ten to fifteen years. What is the American Bulldogs average size? The average American Bulldog can grow to 58kg for males and 41kg for females. However, it is important that their diets are closely monitored to keep them from getting overweight. How tall do American Bulldogs get? The male American bulldog can grow as tall as 71cm while its female counterpart can grow up to 61cm. If you want a loyal, smart and incredibly active dog, then the American Bulldog is the perfect fit for you.

Are You Ready to Care for a Boxer? All dog breeds have these genes, but whether they come in the ancestral form—the highest degree of shedding—or other forms such as the newer version, resulting in a low amount of shedding, varies. Boxers are undoubtedly at the higher end of the shedding spectrum. But even within a litter, some dogs may inherit genes more prone to shedding than others. But did you know that people shed 50 to hairs per day? Boxers and humans share the same three-stage shedding cycle. The process is as follows: Anagen Catagen Telogen Anagen is an active stage when new hair is growing on your Boxer. Are Boxers Hypoallergenic? Hypoallergenic dogs have hair instead of fur, meaning that their hair grows continuously and sheds less. All dogs have protein in their dander, and some people have an allergic reaction to it. And since Boxers shed so much, that allergy-inducing protein spreads readily throughout a home. Instead, they shed evenly year-round. Three Boxer dogs sitting to attention. What a team! Reasons for Excessive Boxer Shedding Although Boxers naturally shed a lot, sometimes an underlying issue sparks excessive shedding. Below are some of the most common situations that may make your Boxer shed more than usual. External Parasites Fleas are a common external parasite that causes hair loss in Boxers, in part because they itch so much and damage their hair follicles. The good news is that you can prevent a tick infestation on your pet and in your home by keeping your Boxer on a flea and tick medication schedule. Mites are another parasite that leads to excessive shedding. Several different types of mites exist, and they create the itchy and painful condition called mange. Your veterinarian will prescribe your Boxer medication if they come down with mange. Once your dog recovers, you can expect them to return to its regular shedding habits. A snoozing boxer dog. And on the contrary, some people inadvertently feed their dog unbalanced home cooked meals without the proper ratio of macro and micronutrients. Regardless of the situation, a diet that lacks nutrients can spark extra shedding in your Boxer. So, work with your veterinarian to determine the right type and amount of food to feed them. Switching dog food diets 3. But as much as we all wish they could keep that fur forever, the reality is that they shed it to make way for coarser adult fur. The time when a Boxer puppy starts shedding their puppy coat varies, but it can be anywhere from four months to one year, and the process is often gradual. A Boxer puppy sitting happily 4. Infection Infections are not only painful and dangerous for your Boxer if you leave them untreated, but they can also cause hair loss. The most common types of hair-loss-inducing infections result from bacteria and fungus. But Boxers love routine, so anything in your household that changes this can cause them to feel stressed. How To Groom a Boxer? Brushing your Boxer once or twice a week is an excellent strategy for reducing the amount of fur that will end up on your floor. Instead, a pin brush with rubber tips will do the job of pulling up loose fur. Bathing your Boxer is another excellent way to reduce the amount of shedding around your home. But the bottom line is that you should strike a balance between managing their shedding and not stripping the oils from their skin. Boxers are a relatively easy breed to care for despite shedding daily. So, may I suggest purchasing a robot vacuum in addition to your Boxer? My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. If you are a high energy, active person, you want a dog who can keep up. I have my moments of high energy, but I like having a calm dog who sleeps most of the day away. Hi dog moms and dads, my name is Bri! My American Bulldog , Bruce, is an older dog so his high energy days are dwindling. He still enjoys a long walk, but at a very slow pace and only if he can sleep the rest of the day after. This works just fine for me! I consider myself a pretty active person and I love going on hikes that last all day, but unfortunately Bruce is just too old to keep up with me for something like that. A great dog breed for an active lifestyle is a Boxer! Boxers are super high energy, active pups who need a ton of exercise, making them a perfect companion for somebody who likes to go on adventures. However, any time you bring a dog home, there are more things to consider than just their energy levels. Shedding can be a make or break factor in a decision to get a dog for many people. Boxers are no exception. I will talk about the history of the breed, their shedding, how to manage it and some tools that I keep on hand to help keep shedding from taking over. Hopefully this guide will help you decide if a Boxer is the right fit for your home! History of Boxers The origin of the Boxer dates back all the way to 2, B. There is not a ton of information about the dogs at that time, but they continued to be working dogs throughout history. In the s, they were greatly used for big game hunting in Germany. The breed got its name from the way they spar their paws during playing, much like a professional boxer holds their fists. Boxers are natural working dogs and have held jobs in police work, hunting, farming and protection. These days they are still used as work dogs but are much more common as just a fun-loving companion. Boxers have a short, shiny and soft coat that has natural oils to help deflect water. Their fur is soft and sleek, and comes in mostly black and tan patterns or brindle. Boxers typically have distinct black markings around their faces, which is also where their softest, kissable fur is! Do Boxers Shed? How Much? Yes boxers do shed but because their fur is so short and sleek, Boxers actually only do shed moderately. Being occasional shedders, this means you will see some dog hair coming off but not much at one time. This is not as likely with a Boxer! You might see a little fur come loose, especially if you give them a good back scratch, but not a lot. When do Boxers Shed the Most? Many dogs shed pretty regularly throughout the year. However, there are some factors that will increase their shedding. There are two times of the year when dogs shed more than ever. These two times are called shedding seasons. They occur during the transition from winter to summer and again from summer to winter. During shedding season, Boxers, like most other dogs, shed their previous coat to make room for the new one to grow in. They then shed that thicker coat during the transition to summer to grow in their lighter summer coat. Not only is this crucial for dogs to keep their body temperatures at a healthy level, it is also important for dog parents to remember! Boxers have natural oils that keep their skin and fur healthy. When they shed a lot, brushing them out helps get rid of all the loose fur and distribute those oils to keep their skin healthy. This also helps promote healthy new fur growth! Stage of Life Have you ever snuggled a puppy with their baby soft fur? Puppies will shed that soft fur as they mature, which might make it seem like the shedding will be a never ending mess. Pests and Skin Conditions Bugs like ticks and fleas are an unfortunate part of our natural world. They can wreak havoc on dogs, causing them to scratch and lick like crazy. That licking and scratching can lead to excess shedding. If you see your dog showing these behaviors, make sure you check them for pests. Those bugs could also carry bacteria that leads to skin conditions, such as mange-carrying mites. These conditions can be miserable for pups, so look closely! It can be a little difficult to find these pests on a Boxer due to their dark fur coloring. Pay extra attention to wear your dog is licking or scratching to help you narrow down the problem areas! Diet and Exercise I will always tell people that health starts from the inside out. A dog will not have a healthy coat or skin if they are not getting the right nutrition and exercise! Boxer parents especially need to remember this. Boxers are extremely active and high energy, which means they need the right nutrients to keep up with them. Without it, their skin and fur will show signs of lacking nutrients. This might even cause them to shed more than normal or in abnormal ways, such as patches. Many dogs that are overweight or underweight suffer from secondary effects like hair loss or just overall unhealthy skin and coats. How to Combat Boxer Shedding Let me first clarify that shedding is normal, natural and necessary for dogs, especially Boxers. That being said, you should never try to keep a dog from shedding. Even if that were possible, it would be incredibly unhealthy! Getting into a routine is the important part. You will want to start by keeping up on grooming. Plus, make cleaning a regular habit! Tools and Equipment to Combat Boxer Shedding There are all kinds of tools you can find to help maintain dog hair. Like I said before, a good brush is going to be one of the important ones! There really is not a bad brush to choose from when it comes to Boxers. You will want something with short, flexible bristles or even one of those handy rubber brush gloves! If you brush your Boxer once a week or even once every other week, you will be good to go. You will probably want to make sure it happens at least once a week if not more during shedding season just to be safe. I also mentioned running your vacuum regularly in the previous section, so make sure you have a good vacuum handy. Bruce is a short haired dog with a similar coat to boxers, and I know from experience that his fur sticks to every surface. It can also be tricky to vacuum because his fur is so fine and short. I will never use another vacuum now that I have the Dyson for pet hair cordless vacuum. It breaks down into smaller parts and has attachments that get into the tightest corners. I love how easy it is to clean out and that it never gets clogged. It seriously makes vacuuming so much easier. It was a little pricey, but we have had it for four years now and have never had an issue with it! I consider that a worth-while investment hands down. The last tool I probably could not live without is my lint brush — yes brush, not roller! Lint rollers are a mess of problems for several reasons. They create a TON of waste, they need replaced, I go through ten sheets per leg, etc. I love my Magik Brush lint brush because it does not do any of those things! It is reusable and double-sided, so you do not have to worry about creating more trash in the environment. Plus, it is super easy to clean and works on clothes and furniture. Do Some Boxers Shed more than others? Dogs who live in different climates might shed more or less than the other. Boxers of different ages might also shed at different rates, or Boxers with different skin conditions. It all depends on the dog and the environment! Typically, two Boxers who live in the same location and are generally healthy will not shed more than the other. We will talk more about that in the next section. When you have a fever, you might feel crappy and your appearance could change. The same happens for dogs! If there are internal issues happening, you can often see it on the outside. Their skin and coats could show signs of distress such as dry, flaky skin, rashes or even fur loss. Unfortunately, many severe health conditions show symptoms like hair loss and skin problems. Especially if you have kids — Boxers are known to be great with little ones. No matter what your interests are, Boxers are a great dog breed to have and are incredibly easy to handle when it comes to shedding. Getting into the trash, however? Happy Pup Parenting! What Affects Shedding in Boxer Dogs? Many think that when the seasons change, the temperature has the biggest impact on dogs. What can trigger the change is the change in the amount of sunlight in a day. Your location is also a factor on whether how light or strong your boxer sheds his hair. Boxer dogs and other dogs with the same coat length can begin shedding at areas with 13 to 14 hours of daylight. When the days begin to become shorter, the coat starts to thicken up again. This is opposed to spring and summer when the coat sheds off again. So how can you keep up with boxer dogs shedding like crazy? Many owners complain that the heaviest shed for boxer dogs is around spring. This is where boxers are shedding more than usual. Puppies themselves will have a different thickness on their coats. Look for types of food that your pet will love and one that is good for its body. A bad diet can also lead to an unhealthy coat. An unhealthy coat can contribute to shedding even without daylight. You could put in omega fatty acid supplements into the mix as well. If you leave the hairs unattended, it can hinder the coat from producing new and healthy hairs. Your boxer would end up looking unkempt because of its old and dead coat. Yeast infection could develop because of the trapped moisture between the coat and skin. Make sure that you can brush your dog at least once a week or depending on how much hair your pet has. Give them a proper bath and choose the right shampoo them. There are even vacuum suction tools for grooming that can make the process easier. If you want to stick with the normal grooming, go for a pin or slicker brush. The important thing is that your dog is always clean and healthy. Go for the best option on how to cope with boxer dogs shedding like crazy and never have the same problem again. Sarah Andrews Hi I'm Sarah, dog lover and blogger. I was born into a dog-loving family and have been a proud doggy mommy ever since I can remember. I love sharing my dog knowledge and love being an active part of the dog-loving community. Related Posts. Boxer Dog Shedding Overview Breeds can be categorized into light, moderate or heavy shedders. Where does the Boxer dog fit into that? This said, there are some factors that can make it appear that a Boxer is having super heavy sheds, and there are some conditions that can cause excessive coat loss. In this section we'll cover the details of: How much a Boxer dog sheds The many elements that will affect the amount of shedding and possible cause what owners would consider to be a shedding problem The best grooming and shedding tools and brushes that work for this breed Tips and advice to cut down on the amount of coat loss that your Boxer may experience Signs of hair loss that may point to issues other than normal and expected shedding How Much Does a Boxer Shed? The breed is considered to be a moderate shedder, but what does that really mean? Some light shedders are dogs that have hair as opposed to fur yet the hairs do continually cycle, just like human hairs and others are considered to be light shedders due to the length or texture of the coat. Heavy shedders, such as the Golden Retriever or the Husky have what can be called a furious shed - clumps fall out - there is almost a continual thick shedding of the coat. The Boxer breed typically falls between these two categories. Here we are going to cover: How much does a Boxer dog shed? The many elements that will affect the amount of shedding and possible cause what owners would consider to be a shedding problem The best grooming and shedding tools and brushes that work for this breed Tips and advice to cut down on the amount of coat loss that your Boxer may experience Signs of hair loss that may point to issues other than normal and expected shedding While many factors will influence how much shedding an owner can expect to deal with, in general, the coat will need a good brushing once a week and during certain times of the year again, depending on different factors there will be a heavier shed in which the Boxer dog may need a good brushing or raking every other day and you'll be wanting to have your vacuum cleaner and lint brushes at the ready. The Elements that will Affect the Amount of Shedding Puppy to Adult - You may find that shedding picks up close to the 1 year mark and then decreases and levels out after the 2 year mark. Because during this time the puppy coat is being shed and is being replaced by the adult coat. It should also be mentioned that you may notice some color changes during this time as well. Most are not drastic, however the adult coat may come in a bit darker, or lighter - and with some dogs this will change the shininess of the coat. Genetics Genetics play a role in how much a Boxer dog will shed. First, we must factor in texture - German, UK or American lines will have different textures. In addition, thickness of the coat can vary even with puppies from the same litter - some may take after the sire and some may take after the dam. Care Elements Exposure to sunlight, the area in which you live, the supplements that you do or do not give to your dog… all of these elements come together and affect the shedding process. Seasonal When people talk about seasonal shedding, many assume that it is the change in temperature that causes a shed. However, it is the amount of sunlight in the day that actually triggers the change and this does of course correspond with temperatures. Whether or not your Boxer dog experiences this seasonal shed will depend on where you reside. In areas that have drastic changes of sunlight hours in the fall and then again in the springtime, a dog's body will respond. In locations that receive 6 to 7 hours of sun in the winter compared to 13 or 14 in the summer, the dog's pineal gland will be triggered which sends the signal to the body to shed the coat. As you probably know, a thickening of the coat will begin as the days become shorter and in the spring, as days become longer, this thicker coat will begin to shed off. For many, the heaviest shed with occur with the spring seasonal shedding phase - April through May. It is usually this phase that has owners wondering why their Boxer is shedding like crazy. Food and diet affect shedding and this is because if a dog is receiving the right balance of nutrients, both skin and coat will be healthy. Alternatively, if a dog is not receiving the proper vitamins and nutrients that are needed, this makes for an unhealthy coat that will be much more prone to shedding off, regardless of the time of year. You'll want to choose wisely in regard to main meals Read more in the Feeding section and in addition to that 2 elements are important: 1- A daily vitamin and mineral supplement may be needed. This is pertinent to dogs that eat whole home cooked foods though super healthy, just like high quality commercial brands, this should be mixed in. And for other dogs under certain conditions. The Female Shed Hormonal changes that occur due to the heat cycle will affect the coat and shedding. For many un-spayed female Boxer dogs, there will be a heavier shed than usual toward the end of the heat cycle. In addition, there is often a deep, heavy shed that occurs after giving birth since pregnancy brings about a drastic change in hormones. Keeping a grooming routine is recommended, since time can fly by so fast and if we do not purposely set aside time for brushing the coat, things can get out of hand. Every day, every hour, every minute, hairs are being shed off - even if you do not see this. Each follicle goes through 3 stages: Growth, rest, falling out. During a typical week, hairs are falling out and a good amount of them are settling back down into the coat. And this can cause problems. If brushing is not done on a regular basic, these dead hairs will accumulate and become compacted under the coat and against the skin. When this happens, they create a barrier - it cuts off healthy air circulation to the skin and it creates a barrier that traps moisture yeast infections can then develop. Therefore, choosing 1 day a week to do a good, all over body brushing is recommended to pull out dead hairs and leave the coat healthy to continue its normal shedding process. When brushing, be sure that you do not just skim over the top of the coat. It is important to brush down to the skin and then up and out, releasing those shedded hairs. As you go, clean the grooming tool as needed. In addition, aside from the belly, there is no other area that should go untouched. Back, tail, legs… all should be brushed. It is suggested to work in sections so that no areas are accidentally missed. During times of heavy shed, you will find that changing your brush or rake will be needed. More ahead. Bathing - Too many baths will dry out the skin which often leads to an unhealthy coat - and too few baths allows dirt and debris to settle into the coat which also affects the skin and the health of the fur. Therefore, staying on schedule with baths is another step to keeping the shedding under control. If your Boxer puppy or dog has run through mud or has splashed through any puddles that may contain ice melt chemicals, an extra bath will be needed. Grooming Outside - The Boxer, more so than many other more fragile dog breeds, can have certain grooming procedures done outside. However, there are exceptions. What to keep in mind? Young puppies that have not yet become accustomed to bath time often do not fare well when sprayed with a garden hose - Getting used to water, just like many other elements of the world, takes time - and puppies do best with a slow, gradual process that allows them to learn about an element such as baths and brushings, dental care, etc. In addition, a Boxer should not be wet down outdoors if the temperature is under 55 degrees Fahrenheit 10 Celsius ; young puppies and older senior dogs in particular will be prone to becoming chilled. For shedding Boxer dogs, brushing the coat outside is just fine, however one should also take into consideration the weather for this grooming need as well. If the temps are soaring, choose a spot in the shade. If it is chilly or cold outside, you might need to be extra vigilant as not to rush the brushing. Another tip to keep in mind is the wind direction; position your Boxer dog and yourself so that the breeze takes loose hairs away from you and not toward the door of the house. Vacuuming with the Correct Machine - Vacuuming on a regular basis will help keep the floors from gathering shedded hairs, however in areas with foot traffic, the hairs can quickly settle down into the carpet fibers at which time a "normal" vacuum cleaner may not be strong enough to pull them out. Particularly for those who have wall to wall carpeting, a strong suction is needed. For homes without central air circulation systems with replaceable filters, choosing to obtain a vacuum that also cleans the air as it clean the hairs is recommended. For fabric sofas, we have found that simple tape lint rollers work excellent. The Best Grooming Tools and Brushes for Boxer Dog Shedding There are hundreds of brushes, rakes and even vacuum suction grooming tools that all claim to work the best. So, what is an owner to do? However, for shedding you do not need to go with what is most expensive or any sort of complicated grooming device. Along with this, exposed skin may be red and irritated. Itching - Normal shedding does not cause irritation and does not cause a dog to scratch. The only time that it would indirectly cause this sort of issue, is if the coat has not been brushed as needed - thus allowing fallen hairs to settle deep down in the coat, near the skin, trapping moisture and blocking air circulation Any behavior or physical symptoms that are out of the ordinary loss of appetite, whining, restlessness, etc. Any time that you notice unusual hair loss, whether this be an allover thinning or patches that are appearing, this is a sign of an issue that warrants a checkup with the veterinarian. In many cases, it will be a skin disorder in which thinning hair is one of the symptoms. Balding along the sides of the body may be seasonal flank alopecia. Since alopecia simply means 'hair loss", this is a loss of coat that can happen each year, but is much more severe than average shedding. With this condition - to which the Boxer breed is prone - 3 things generally happen: 1- Loss of coat on the sides of the body usually just about the hind legs and sometimes on the bridge of the snout will result in bald spots. The sensitive skin often responds well to ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment results can actually be quite amazing, with blacken skin often flaking off - with daily use - and an excellent response with the re-growth of fur. Another possible issue may be allergies, as reactions can cause skin and coat issues that may be mistaken for shedding, especially in the early stages. Less common, but still a potential cause would be a thyroid imbalance. Boxer dog drooling - While all breeds drool to some extent and the Boxer may do so even more due to the mouth and lips, learn what is considered normal and what is not. Boxer origin Boxer pros and cons Owning a Boxer comes with pros and cons associated with this breed. Boxers are highly active and can spend hours playing with older kids. These family friendly dogs need a couple of hours of exercise every day, which is an advantage for families with energetic children. There are more Boxer dog pros and being responsive to positive training is one of them. Boxers are eager to learn new commands and a small treat as a reward for good behavior goes a long way during training process. Boxers are naturally curious and enjoy mental exercises. Provide your pet with an interactive dog toy or a treat dispenser and let the Boxer use his intellectual abilities as he is figuring out how to get the treats out of the toy. Boxer cons include the following. Boxers can be sloppy eaters which can be a shock to a new Boxer owner. Boxers are brachycephalic and can easily get overheated during the hot weather. Boxers need to be in an air conditioned room during hot summer days to prevent overheating. Owning a Boxer breed has another disadvantage - this brachycephalic breed is not accepted by most airlines and traveling by plane can be an issue for Boxer dog owners if they want to bring the dog along for the trip. Boxers are highly active and leaving a Boxer home alone with nothing to do is asking for trouble. The disadvantage of owning a high energy dog breed is that unless the dog has a constructive outlet for his energy, the Boxer is prone to destructive behaviors. The dog will try to find something to keep himself busy such as excessive barking, chewing on things that may be valuable to the owners or scratching furniture. Energetic and active owners who can spend most of the time with the dog are ideal for Boxers. Boxer shedding Do Boxers shed? Yes, and even though this dog breed is short coated, Boxers need regular brushing to minimize the amount of dog hair around the house. Furminator deshedding tool can be used to keep Boxer shedding to a minimum. See video below where a Boxer owner is testing a Furminator brush. Boxers have a short coat and Furminator deshedding tool for short coat can effectively help to remove the dead hair from the dog's coat. Boxer dog size Boxer male weight: 66 to 70 lb 30 to 32 kg Boxer female weight: 55 to 59 lb 25 to 27 kg Boxer dog size Boxer male height: 22 to 25 inches at the withers 57 to 63 cm Boxer female height: 20 to 23 inches at the withers 53 to 60 cm Boxer coat: smooth, short and tight-fitting Boxer dog color: fawn or brindled, with or without white markings, and white How many puppies do Boxers have? Boxer litter size: 4 to 8 puppies How long do Boxers live? Boxer lifespan: 9 to 11 years How much does a Boxer dog cost? This is an alert dog and his temperament is steadfast and tractable. If you like a quiet life, a Boxer breed is not for you. Boxers have a lot of energy and need about two hours of exercise every day, otherwise the Boxer may look for other ways to use his energy and can engage in destructive behaviors. Lively, boisterous boxers will not be happy sitting in an apartment all day long. This athletic breed needs a lot of space to run around and as a result the dog breed is not recommended for small apartments. Although this breed needs to live indoors, having a backyard where your Boxer can stretch his legs can help to satisfy the dog's need to release its boundless energy. Are Boxers good with kids? Boxers are great for families with kids and make loving and loyal companion dogs that live to please their owners. Boxers need to be around their families as they are very sociable dogs and if you are not able to spend a lot of time with your Boxer then consider getting two Boxers for companionship. Boxers do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. They tend to stay energetic until the old age. Even at ten years of age your Boxer may still act like a two year old dog in terms of energy. Many Boxer owners agree that this is a very clever dog breed. If at first a Boxer doesn't succeed at getting what he wants, he will try as many different ways as necessary until he succeeds. Some Boxers even learn to open a refrigerator doors and help themselves with a snack. For someone who has never owned a Boxer seeing a Boxer eating and drinking may be a shocking event. Boxer dogs aren't very neat eaters. Boxer owners are used to their dogs sprinkling of dinner remnants around the food bowl and water may be dribbled across the floor as the dog moves away from his bowl. The dog is not intentionally trying to be messy. The way the jaw and the upper hanging lips are constructed makes it impossible for the dog to be a neat eater or drinker. Drooling may also be an issue for this breed when a Boxer is exercising or when he spots something that smells like a good dinner. Boxers are also known for their flatulence especially after a meal. This can be quite offensive to owners of more delicate constructions, but most Boxer owners take it in stride. The reason for Boxer flatulence may stem from digesting certain foods and can be controlled through a carefully selected diet. Originally bred as a guarding breed, Boxers may be wary with strangers. This fearless dog will show curiosity and courage if threatened. Socialize your Boxer early on to raise a confident and well-mannered dog that will be your pride and joy. German boxers have bigger bone structure, bigger heads and have more muscle than American and English Boxers. All three Boxer types tend to have a dominant temperament and need an owner, capable of being a fair, but kind leader. Boxers are used for police dogs, military work, search and rescue, competitive obedience and more. This working breed is suitable for active families that enjoy spending time with the energetic dog. The white color fell out of favor when it was discovered that a white messenger dog was much more visible at night than a darkly colored dog. In the United States, the standard has always read that a Boxer dog with too much white possesses a disqualifying fault despite the fact that as much as 25 percent of every litter is white. There are fanciers of white Boxers who would like to see the white Boxer accepted as an allowable color in the breed standard as well as in breeding programs. Critics say that this would cause issues because the white coat color is linked to genetic deafness, which would add one more health issue for breeders to worry about. Currently, white Boxer owners can get Purebred Alternative Listing numbers for their dogs and compete in many of the AKC's performance events. Boxer cropped ears and docked tails To achieve the permanently erect Boxer ears, the ears must be trimmed to a point and the edges stitched to close the wound. The ears must then be taped and put in a rack so that they heal in the proper position and don't flop. The procedure is performed by a veterinarian with the Boxer under anesthetic. The breed's ears have been cropped in this fashion since the beginning of the breed. Since the s, however, it has been illegal in many countries to crop a dog's ears. German boxers have been spotting natural ears for decades now. In the United States, an increasing number of Boxer owners are not cropping their dogs' ears, either because they favor the look of the natural ear, or they don't want to spend the money and time necessary to insure that the cropped ears will heal correctly. The breed standard was revised in , to include guidelines for judging natural or uncropped ears. This revision effectively allowed Boxers with uncropped ears to be competitive in the show ring with cropped-ear Boxers. Boxer tails are generally docked by a veterinarian within the first few days following the puppies' birth. This is not so anymore in many European countries where tail docking has been banned and the Boxer has a full tail. Currently a natural tail is not desirable in the show ring, but it is not a disqualification. This allows European Boxers with natural ears and tails to compete with American Boxers in the ring. Some German trainers relate that after decades of working with docked tails and now working with full tails, they believe the full tail gives the Boxer more balance and agility. Boxer supplies Depending on your financial situation, dog ownership may be very expensive. This is just the initial cost of the dog that does not include other first year ownership expenses that include: Dog crates for Boxers A crate trained dog is much easier to travel with because the dog is in a familiar environment during the trip, which helps to minimize the travel related stress. Transporting a Boxer in a crate is the safest way to travel with the dog as the dog is not likely to accidentally escape. Crate should be used as the dog's sleeping area at home. Dogs are den living animals and they need to have a space where they can rest and enjoy a peaceful time. A young Boxer puppy may get in a lot of trouble if left alone even for an hour. A crate can keep the puppy and your belongings safe when you can not supervise the dog. Do not leave a Boxer puppy for longer than an hour or two in a crate. Dogs should not be locked in a crate for hours on end. A crate should not be used as a way to punish the dog - this will only deter the dog from using the crate in the future. A crate is a great potty training tool when used properly. Dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep and can be housetrained easier than dogs that are allowed to run free during housebreaking time. Dog nail clippers will help to care for Boxer's nails. Trim the dog's nails once every six weeks. Overgrown nails can cause pain and discomfort as the dog is walking and in severe cases can even change the dog's gait. If you accidenally cut your Boxer's nail too much and the dog nail is bleeding, styptic powder can quickly help stop bleeding. There are other expenses not mentioned above that may include medical emergencies, dog training, vacation boarding and more that can really add up to the first year of owning a Boxer. Boxer dog training The intelligence, versatility and athleticism of the breed make a Boxer a good choice for a variety of competitive sports including agility, flyball, disk competitions, and Schutzhund. Boxers are natural agility dogs that are quite trainable. It is important to start training your Boxer at a young age. Boxers can jump on furniture and if you are not planning to let your Boxer take over the couch then provide the dog with his own dog bed and train your Boxer to not jump on furniture in the house. Training the Boxer starts the minute you bring the puppy home. Establish the house rules as soon as the Boxer puppy arrives. It is easier to train your Boxer not to jump on any house furniture from the very beginning. There should be no exceptions and all family members need to follow the same rules for the dog to realize that jumping on a furniture is not allowed. Boxers may be tempted to eat off of countertops in the kitchen and you may wish to train your Boxer to not enter the kitchen area at all. Puppy proof your home before you bring a Boxer puppy. Boxer puppies are very active up until about eighteen months of age and need constant supervision. It is important to play with Boxer puppies and to socialize them. Take the puppy with you whenever dogs are allowed to go and introduce him to different people of all ages. Let your dog experience the sounds of traffic on a busy street and be petted by kids in the park. Your goal is to introduce your puppy to as many new experiences as possible while keeping the dog comfortable and relaxed in the process. A well-socialized dog is confident and comfortable in different environments because the owners took the time to introduce the dog to all kinds of circumstances while the dog was still a puppy. Boxer puppies need an owner with a lot of energy so that the person can keep up with the energetic puppies. For older people it is best to get an older boxer as the dog is better matched to the owners in energy levels. Boxers are prey-driven and as a result getting a kitten when you have an adult Boxer at home may not end well. Boxers need to be socialized to other pets starting at an early age. If you are getting a Boxer puppy, it is much easier to accustom the young dog to a kitten or a cat. Boxers are known to enjoy chewing on things. They chew because of boredom or due to teething. You can not stop the chewing instinct, but you can provide your dog with the chewing dog toys that are safe for your pet to chew on. Let your dog enjoy a chewing toy or a rawhide bone to keep the dog happy and your shoes safe. Keep your shoes and other things that the dog may find fun to chew away from the Boxer's view. If you find your pet chewing on something he is not supposed to chew, calmly replace the item with a chewing toy. With time the dog will learn which things he is allowed to chew on. Digging is another hobby that some Boxer dogs are so fond of. If your Boxer likes to dig in your beautiful garden, it is a good idea to allocate a spot in the garden where your Boxer can dig his tunnel straight to China if he likes, otherwise you may see many craters in the garden and this can take the joy away from any proud gardener. To encourage your Boxer to dig in the spot that is allocated for his digging, place some dog toys or chewing bones in that area to attract your dog to that specific area and thus save the rest of your garden. Other ways of managing the digging behavior include lots of physical activity, long walks, mental stimulation so that your dog is busy with activities other than digging. Happy Boxers do not get destructive because they spend most of their time with their owners and are supervised most of the time. Happy Boxers get plenty of love and interaction from humans and are much less likely to get bored and then destructive. Once you bring a Boxer home, it is time to start housetraining him. Potty training a Boxer requires your attention and dedication. Be on the lookout for the signs that the Boxer puppy is ready to use a potty. The potty readiness signs include the dog sniffing the floor and walking in circles, looking for the perfect spot to do his deed. As soon as you notice any of these signes, take the Boxer to the designated potty area and let the dog do his thing. You may want to pick a command word for potty training, for example, say "Go Potty" as the dog is busy in the potty area. As soon as the dog is done, praise him and give the Boxer a small treat right away. This will help a Boxer to associate using the potty in the right place with getting rewarded and he will soon understand what is required of him. Do not punish the Boxer dog for accidents that are bound to happen during housetraining. Clean up the accident and continue to monitor the dog for the signs of readiness to use the bathroom. Use a dog odor clean up solution to completely eliminate the odor of the dog's urine. If the dog can smell his urine in any area, he is more likely to use the area again as his toilet. Dog clean up products are can help to completely removing the odor that dogs associate with potty area. Punishing the Boxer dog for any accidents will make the housetraining more difficult and can slow the housetraining process. Stay consistent and positive during housetraining for faster training results. Best dog brush for Boxers Brush your Boxer's coat with a rubber brush that will remove all the dead hair. Rubber dog brush should ideally be used at least once a week. Rubber brushes help to increase circulation in the dog's skin and keeps the coat nice and shiny. The short coated dog can not tolerate cold weather too long and should never be left outside. A Boxer is known as a brachycephalic breed, meaning it has a short nose and can not efficiently cool off during hot summer weather. Never leave your Boxer outside when the temperature is very hot and do not exercise your Boxer during the hot weather. Boxers have a short coat that doesn't protect the dog during walks on cold winter days. A good dog coat can help to keep your four legged friend warm and dry. In the winter many roads are sprinkled with ice melting chemicals that can cause burns or irritation to Boxer's paws. Wipe the dog's feet to remove any ice or chemicals off the dog's paws after each walk. Bathe the dog when necessary. It is not recommended to wash a Boxer more than once a month as frequent bathing may result in dry and itchy skin. Use a mild dog shampoo for bathing your dog. Dog shower attachment can make bathing your Boxer easier. Grooming wipes can be used to clean Boxer's skin folds, eye stains and so on. Boxer dog's teeth need to be brushed every day to remove plaque. Unless plaque is removed, it will harden into a yellow tartar on the dog's teeth, harboring harmful bacteria. More than a half of all dogs suffer from dental issues by the age of 2 years old. Many owners do not realize that their dog's teeth need to be brushed daily. Early dental care with daily brushing will help your Boxer to get used to the procedure of having the teeth brushed. Use dog toothpaste to brush your pet's teeth as human toothpaste is not safe for dogs. A good quality dog bed can keep your Boxer well rested and less interested in taking over your furniture. Healthy Boxers and older Boxers that may be suffering from arthritis can enjoy an orthopedic dog bed. Getting an ortho dog bed with a removable cover can help to keep it clean and fresh. Best dog food for Boxers Experts recommend to feed a Boxer twice a day because due to the fact that Boxers are a deep-chested dog breed, they are susceptible to Bloat which can result from overeating or overdrinking. Be careful about the amount of food you're feeding your Boxer. You don't want to overfeed your dog at one time. Boxers need to be in calm state when they are eating so that they do not swallow a lot of air along with the food. This helps to prevent Bloat. Keep your Boxer in a healthy weight. Overweight Boxers often have joint problems and they do not live as long as Boxers in healthy weight in general. Feed your Boxer with a high-quality, age-appropriate diet. Good nutrition will help your Boxer to live a longer and healthier life. The average Boxer life expectancy is between nine and eleven years and some Boxer dogs live up to thirteen years or even more, depending on the general care and overall health of the dog. Do not feed your dog with human food as it does not have all the nutrients to keep the dog healthy. There are so many different dog food varieties. Many owners wonder if it's best to use wet dog food or dry dog food for their Boxer. The one advantage that dry dog food has is that it helps to keep the teeth clean and strong because it requires more chewing action as the dog is eating. In order to determine if your Boxer is too thin, too fat or just right, feel the flesh covering your dog's ribs. If you exert slight pressure and can't feel any ribs, your Boxer needs to begin cutting back on his daily intake. If you are not exercising your Boxer, this could be a factor too. If you exert slight pressure and feel the dog's ribs, he is most likely about where he needs to be on the scale. If you don't even have to push your dog's sides to feel ribs, you will need to increase your dog's body weight. If a thin dog is eating but not gaining weight, be sure to have your veterinarian rule out that your dog's thinness is not being caused by parasites or disease. Best dog food for Boxers is made by a recognized manufacturer that meets your dog's daily nutritional requirements. Your Boxer should also like the way his dog food tastes otherwise the dog may refuse eating it no matter how nutritious the food is. These certified foods have undergone feeding trials to prove that they at least meet minimal standards. For owners of more than one dog, feeding them in their crates will help to avoid unnecessary squabbles between dogs and is one more step required to prevent grudge from developing between two antagonistic Boxers. Boxer health issues Boxers are prone to heart diseases. Check with the Boxer breeder if the dog was tested for serious hereditary diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia, ARVC, and subaortic stenosis before you get one. Bloat can be an issue for Boxers as the breed is deep chested. Feed the dog twice a day to lower the chance of the dog developing bloat. Although many Boxer owners adore the dog's short snout, brachycephalic breeds have cons associated with the short muzzle. For example, Boxers are brachycephalic and they can not effectively cool themselves during very hot weather. Keep your Boxer dog in an air-conditioned room during hot summer days and provide the dog with fresh drinking water. Another health related disadvantage for Boxers is that the dog breed is susceptible to cancer. Boxer allergies Boxers are susceptible to allergies, which is another Boxer dog breed con. Allergens such as pollen, dust mites, certain grasses, leaf mold and even flea bites and certain foods can cause a reaction in your dog. Usually, a dog suffering form allergies will lick the pads of his feet, chew on his knuckles, rub his face, and scratch is belly or under his front legs. Severe allergic reactions can trigger ear infections that require immediate veterinary attention. Chronic allergies in dogs can cause skin infections, too. The Boxer typically responds to allergens with itchy, scaly skin and ear infections. Usually a veterinarian will prescribe something to immediately help to lessen the dog's discomfort. Antihistamines, steroids, cyclosporine, or topical medications may be prescribed, as well as medicated shampoos. If the dog's condition doesn't improve, the veterinarian will want to eliminate the possibility that the discomfort stems from food allergies. To clear the most common food ingredients that cause allergic reactions, your veterinarian will have you feed your Boxer a hypoallergenic food for six weeks and then gradually introduce individual proteins and grains. If food allergies are ruled out and the problem recurs, allergy testing by a specialist is probably in order. Boxer ear infection Whether your Boxer's ears are cropped or natural, chances are he may suffer from ear infection at some point in life. Ear infections are commonly caused by allergies and by foreign bodies in the ear. Ear infections can be detected early by regularly smelling your Boxer's ears. An infection will be foul smelling and strong. There may also be excessive discharge coming from the affected ear. Untreated infections can lead to middle and inner ear infections which are more serious and more difficult to treat. Take your Boxer to the veterinary clinic as soon as you notice any signs of ear infections in your pet. Boxer origin Boxer breed was created in the 19th century in Germany. The following breeds were the selected as parents of the modern day boxer: Brabanter Bullenbeisser a hunting breed that is now extinct and originated in Brabant, Belgium and an early form of English Bulldog, which are mastiff type dogs. Both of these breeds were developed for the same purpose. This breeding introduced white and particolored or "check" dogs, and was the foundation of the Boxer breed as we know it today. How does Boxer dog compare to other dog breeds. Boxers are very easy to groom, only minimal effort is required. Brushing once or twice per week with a firm bristle brush or rubber brush is all that is needed to maintain their coat and this will help limit the shedding. Or at least, how much of their fur ends up in your home. A bristle brush is just a regular dog brush that is made up of either hard, medium or soft bristles, and a rubber brush is a term used to describe a brush with rubber on the ends instead of bristles. This is also known as a curry comb or curry brush, and can also come in the form of a hand mitt. And not only can this help limit the amount of fur he drops, but also helps to spread his coat oils, which in turn promotes a healthier, moisture-rich coat. What about bathing? It is tempting tp bath more often, since this can help remove a lot of excess fur, but over bathing can cause dryness and irritation in the skin, which can actually increase the shedding. All dogs with hair shed at least some of it. Shedding or molting is a natural process whereby your dog is simply dropping his older hairs to make way for the new batch. More specifically, it has to do with the hair growth cycle. But you can manage it and limit how much of the fur ends up gathering around the home. And this mostly comes down to proper grooming and diet. However, some people prefer to use a de-shedding brush during shedding season, as these can be very effective at removing the dead fur. Related: 13 Ways to Stop Excessive Dog Shedding When it comes to diet, speak with your vet about selecting the best possible dog food for your Boxer. A high-quality dog food, that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and things like Omega-3, can not only improve his overall health and wellbeing but also help with shedding. And second, a healthy, well-balanced diet can improve his skin and coat. Which in turn can lead to stronger hair follicles and less shedding overall. Nor are there any supplements that will eliminate the problem either. But with proper diet and grooming, you can manage it and keep your home as fur-free as possible. The key is consistency. And even though you probably will notice some fur around the home, managing it is fairly straightforward. Like the Boxerdoodle , for example, which is a mix between a Boxer and Poodle low shedding breed. Just keep in mind that, even though Boxerdoodles shed less, their coat is higher maintenance. Boxers display a single coat of very short hair. It should be shiny and healthy, requiring little grooming under normal circumstances. Overall, Boxers are considered to be clean dogs with low maintenance needs. They only need minimal grooming and bathing. For the most part, Boxers are also low-shedding dogs. This means that they rarely shed a lot at once. Rather, they tend to shed a small amount all year round. Thankfully, the single coat that Boxers sport makes it easy to keep the mess from shedding to a minimum. They definitely do shed though, and they will continue to shed year-round. In some cases, things are made even worse by the addition of extraneous factors that contribute to excess shedding. Even a Boxer can shed enough to drive you mad under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, there are many things that can make your Boxer shed more than normal. If you think your Boxer is shedding more than normal, look for signs of any of the following conditions. Ironically, your Boxer can experience ill effects from eating too much or too little of particular nutrients. This can happen when feeding your Boxer a homemade diet or commercial food if either contains nutrient deficiencies or excesses. Even on a commercial diet of high-quality dog food, your Boxer may require supplementation to keep its coat and skin at peak health. A dehydrated Boxer will also have dehydrated skin, and that can lead to accelerated hair loss. Stress and Anxiety If your Boxer is overly stressed or anxious, they could start losing their coat much quicker. Excess shedding is common in dogs that are experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety. Unfortunately, stress and anxiety can both be caused by a myriad of factors. Allergies Boxers can be allergic to all sorts of things, and hair loss is a normal side effect of many allergies. Canine allergies are split into four categories: flea allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and genetic allergies. If your Boxer has any type of allergy, it could be causing undue shedding. One common shampoo mistake is to use human shampoo on your Boxer. Actually, no. Human shampoos are much harsher than the shampoos made for dogs. Shampoo for humans is designed to wash away the top layer of our skin called the acid mantle. The excessive shedding will cease a short time after giving birth. Hormones Some skin orders are the result of hormonal imbalances. For example, Alopecia is caused when reproductive hormones are out of balance. It then leads to hair loss, eventually progressing into baldness. Boxers are specifically at risk for such hormonal conditions since females can be affected by estrogen-responsive ovarian imbalance II and they can be caused in males by excess buildup of estrogen from testicular tumors. Infection Many types of infections can result in excessive shedding. Parasites, mites, fleas, and ticks are all relatively common infections for Boxers. All of these infections can cause your dog to shed more than is normal. Other health problems can have the same result, including cancer. Excess hair loss can be a symptom of many underlying health issues, so if your Boxer is shedding far more than they should be, you might want to schedule a trip to the vet and see why. Even so, the daily pileup of hair in every corner of your home can become a frustrating nuisance. Removing all of those loose, dead hairs is a surefire way to reduce the amount of shedding occurring in your home. As it is, those dead hairs are slowly falling off your Boxer as they walk around your home. This causes those errant hairs to pile up in corners and under furniture. More of it will stick to surfaces that your Boxer comes into contact; particularly, the textiles like your furniture and clothing. If you want to get the best of both worlds, you can opt for a brush like this premium short hair dog brush that offers firm bristles on one side and rubber bristles on the other. It makes grooming time a lot easier! These issues include nutrient deficiencies and the opposite; excess intake of any particular nutrient. Such problems tend to occur more often in dogs that eat homemade diets. For most Boxers, simply switching to a high-quality commercial blend will ensure adequate nutrition. Ensure Adequate Hydration When your Boxer becomes dehydrated, even slightly, their skin will also dehydrate, becoming dry and flaky. The solution to this problem is clear and simple: make sure your boxer has constant access to as much clean drinking water as it needs. If you want to take things even further, try using a de-shedding shampoo made for dogs. Pay attention to the people and incidents that cause your dog to act stressed and do your best to mitigate or eliminate these stressors. You could even work in some basic agility to really take things to the next level of exercise. Whatever you do, just keep your boxer active! Sometimes, there are no clear stressors for you to remove but your Boxer is stressed often or even all the time. In such cases, you should take your dog to the vet and let them investigate. The only way to know for sure is to take your dog to the vet and get a professional evaluation. A good vet should be able to check for a wide range of potential health concerns. It can be difficult to determine if your Boxer is shedding a healthy amount or more than is normal. Brittle or coarse hair is an indication of poor coat health. Should you feel that your Boxer is shedding more than is normal, then there might be an underlying condition such as allergies, illness, poor diet, or stress. Most causes of excessive shedding are easy to manage or cure, but some, such as underlying illness, might require professional veterinary attention. No matter why your Boxer is shedding so much, you can help to reduce the problem with daily grooming, more frequent bathing, dietary improvements, and ensuring adequate hydration with constant access to clean water. Growing up with a family full of pets and a lifelong passion for animals he pursued work in the veterinary industry. After 10 years, he started NotABully. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Additionally, NotABully. There would be less shedding if their skin is kept moisturized at all times. If their skin becomes dry, it is a sure indicator that they will shed more. Bathe Your Puppy Always wash your Boxer properly and use high-quality products. Bathe your Boxers seldom since they will shed more hair if they are bathed frequently. Bathing a boxer too regularly causes their skin to dry up, resulting in increased shedding. Furthermore, it is advised to always use a good quality shampoo that can assist in moisturizing their skin, since their natural oil may easily be rinsed away with the water, and without a good quality shampoo, you will not be able to moisturize their skin right after the bath. This way, you can minimize the month of fur around your home and the hassle that comes with it all: Do not shave your dog! Never shave your Boxers since they will be unable to protect themselves from the elements and will cause additional injury to your dog. Brush your puppy outside. Do not allow your dog near your food. Allowing your Boxers in the kitchen is not a good idea since their hairs are so light and may easily move through the air and into your food. Have them sleep in their own space. Designate one space for your Boxers to sleep because they shed a lot when sleeping, and you can pick up all the dead loose hair from the floor immediately in the morning before it spreads. Train them to stay away while you eat. Wash your clothing. Vacuum your home. There is nothing you can do but buy a grooming glove and teach your children to use it. It can come in handy. Simply put the glove over your hand and run your hand over your Boxers coat to complete the look. Before you make them or allow them to roam around your house, make sure their hair is clean and brushed. This will cut down on their shedding in your home. Heather Robbins Heather is an animal lover that has many of them herself. She believes that knowledge should be the foundation of caring for any pet. Post navigation.

Because of this, it is important to understand how these dogs were intended to be used before you decide to purchase one. This breed has a very long life expectancy and is not at all prone to being deformed or unhealthy in any way. People around the world tend to think that the German Shepherd is one of the smallest of large breeds. However, contrary to what many people believe, it actually stands up against the most well-known breeds like the Dachshund and the Yorkshire Terrier in terms of size. This is quite surprising to some people who consider the average size of these dogs. Some even consider them to be more slender than the Cocker Spaniel. The life expectancy of the German Shepherd is really quite astonishing. It has been found that in the last century, the lifespan of a male German Shepherd has been around seven years while a female has lived for nine to ten years. This is a very long life span for a dog that only weighs about twenty to twenty-five pounds. Unlike other breeds, the German Shepherd is very intelligent, especially when it comes to learning basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. Aside from the amazing health and longevity, German Shepherd Chow Mix Puppies for Sale also has another great benefit: they are extremely social animals. Since these dogs are social creatures, they are well-suited to live in small apartment homes or apartments. They can easily interact with other pets and humans because they are extremely social creatures. They are gentle and cuddly but can be extremely protective of their family. They will bark when there is an intruder in the house but they do this only when there is an intruder. This makes them ideal dogs for use in hunting. The German Shepherd is an excellent choice for anyone considering a dog of this type. They are very healthy and durable, very responsive to training, and extremely well-behaved. Chihuahuas are common and easy to find, but German Shepherd puppies can be very difficult to locate. A large number of German Shepherd owners prefer to adopt their dogs, but unfortunately, this breed has become exceedingly rare. There are a few things you can do to find German Shepherd puppies for sale. All of these tips will save you money. The first place most people look when they want to find German shepherd-chow mix puppies for sale is a breeder or rescue group. These groups have a list of dogs that have been screened for health problems and temperament so that the general population of dogs would be safe. You must do your homework before choosing a breeder or rescue group to adopt a German Shepherd. You should be aware of the expenses that go along with adopting a German Shepherd and be sure that you can afford the price before making an offer. Another place that can help you locate German Shepherd puppies is at your local animal shelter. Almost all local animal shelters have German Shepherds in their foster care programs. These dogs are there because their owners do not have the funds to purchase another pet. Because the shelters help animals, they tend to have very low-cost pets and German Shepherd mixes are no exception. Adopting a Chihuahua or any other breed of small dog from a shelter will cost you much less than it would cost to purchase a German Shepherd from a breeder. Many owners of German shepherd mixes choose to adopt their dogs from animal shelters instead of going through the time and effort to purchase one from a breeder. While there is nothing wrong with this, you need to be aware that there are several different German Shepherd breeders out there and not all of them will raise good quality dogs. There is also the possibility that shelter dogs could have been exposed to unhealthy conditions. It is your responsibility to research before choosing a shelter to adopt a German shepherd mix puppy from. All shelters should be checked out thoroughly by the proper authorities so as not to make the situation worse for the dog. If you decide to go through with purchasing a German shepherd-chow mix puppy, then you should understand that the breeding process can be very complicated. Not only does the mother have to be ready to take over the entire litter, but she also has to have proper pups to take care of. Although the German Shepherd breed has some excellent temperament, it is important to remember that these dogs were originally intended to be used as herding dogs. They were originally intended to be used for herding cattle. This means they were originally used for sheepherders and farmers. A good way to help you understand the history of the German shepherd is to do some online research. You can learn about the origin of the breed, the original breeding methods used to develop the current dogs, and how they are being raised today. Knowing all of this information will help you better understand the German shepherd mix for sale. The more you know about the breed, the more likely it is that you will make the best possible choice when purchasing one for your household. One thing to keep in mind when searching for German shepherd-chow mix puppies for sale is that many of the current owners of these dogs no longer want them. Part of this may have to do with the type of work that they are getting. Many of these dogs were used as herding dogs and had to be raised in large stables to help them exercise and live up to their breeding standards. Some of these dogs were sold because their owners could not keep up with the expenses associated with keeping such a large dog. TherSome lucky ones will up with a large enough purebred chow that they can maintain their current lifestyle while also making sure they are getting a great companion dog. German shepherd dogs mix puppies for sale come in a variety of colors and patterns and should appeal to the majority of dog owners. The large size of some of these dogs combined with their beautiful coats can make them a popular option for many households. Just remember that owning a German shepherd is not something to take lightly. You must take care of these dogs properly or they will not perform the way they were designed to. If you are willing to put the time and effort into finding the right German shepherd-chow mix for sale, your family and the dogs you bring home will benefit from the wonderful companionship you receive. Share this:. The dog requires some outdoor space to loosen up when bored. Not only does the dog typically captures the bodily appearance of a Chow Chow, but also has a curved tail that is unlike the tail of a German Shepherd. The dog is also seen to inherit the long muzzle of the German Shepherd parent dog side along with a black accent on its face and pointy ears. This makes the German Shepherd Chow mix resemble the facial appearance of a bear or a lion. This dog is a quick learner, making it easily trainable even as a puppy. Part of its personality that you should try to address while training your dog is its stubbornness which originates from the nature of its Chow Chow parent dog side. Obedience training should be your initial and primary training method on the dog. Unlike the stubbornness of a Chow Chow, the German Shepherd Chow mix find great pleasure in exhausting itself with constant play time and attention by its owner. Without any form or source of mental or physical stimulation, the dog can easily become bored and may end up acting more aggressively or destructively to release its restrained tensions. The dog is prone to chasing things that run by it, so make sure it is always kept on a leash once the dog is taken for a walk or any other outdoor activity. German Shepherd Mixed with Chow Chow Puppies for Sale Before buying a German Shepherd Chow puppy, you need to consider your budget and the costs involved after paying for its ownership. About more than a thousand dollars is required for purchasing the puppy and providing it with medicines and vaccinations. The typical price of a German Shepherd and Chow Chow offspring range from two hundred and fifty dollars to seven hundred and fifty dollars. The best way of looking for this puppy is by checking out dog breeders who specialize in breeding German Shepherd Chow offspring. Besides crossing out possible health issues from parent dogs, your other concern when looking for quality breeders is the price of their puppies. Another budget-friendly method is by looking at adoption centers or German Shepherd Chow mix breeders who are open to adoption. An excellent and responsible dog breeder is someone who makes as many background checks on the buyer as possible. Below are some adoption sites and dog centers to get a German Shepherd Chow puppy: Petcurious. You could also attend professional dog shows, contact or join dog clubs, or talk with a veterinarian who may know or refer a German Shepherd Chow mix breeder to you. Since the dog would appear like its Chow Chow parent dog, its long hair can result in excessive shedding. Having a vacuum around can help you clean up the mess in your surroundings. You should shampoo the dog only when necessary such as flea or skin problems or in cases when it starts to smell unpleasing using shampoo products made for long coats Chow Chows. This dog shampoo is formulated with a Sweet Pea Vanilla scent for a more pleasing smell on the dog. It is also specifically designed for Chow Chow coats and is hypoallergenic. This dog shampoo is a good alternative for skin allergies and infections. It contains Bentonite clay which helps in alleviating itchiness, dry skin, and hot spots. Earthbath All Natural Pet Shampoo. Also formulated as a moisturizer, this dog shampoo includes Aloe Vera extracts. Do not forget about maintaining the nails of the dog. Just like many dogs, the German Shepherd Chow mix also needs its nails trimmed once in a while using specialized nail clippers for dogs. This is a genetic illness that is common to many dogs in general. In other cases, obesity and improper nutrition and diet can contribute to the development of hip dysplasia as well. The hip joints of the dog slowly deteriorate and could result in skeletal malformation. Flea Allergy. Irritation can occur once ticks or fleas get into the coat of your dog. The long coat of the German Shepherd Chow mix can provide the perfect and warm atmosphere for the pests to breed and feed for their eggs. Scientifically termed as gastric dilatation and volvulus or GDV, bloat is the result of gas filling up in the stomach. As the stomach expanses, the diaphragm and blood vessels get squished and could cause breathing and heart problems to the dog. Eye Problems. Pannus or chronic superficial keratitis is a common eye problem with the German Shepherd breed. When it is left untreated, the dog may experience blindness. It is usually common for the dog at its middle to the old age of seven to nine years and above. Heart Problems. Vital signs that you should be wary of are breathing problems, behavioral changes, weight and diet changes, abdomen swelling, and weakness. There are several reasons for the dog to catch a heart problem but being aware of the signs and symptoms should help in treating it as soon as possible. The German Shepherd Chow mix does not necessarily have any health issues or illnesses that were specifically pointed out. Nevertheless, the sicknesses and health problems that were mentioned above can still be passed on to the offspring derived from the genes of both parent dogs. Healthy supplements including chondroitin, fish oil or omega three acids and glucosamine should help in preventing or reducing hip dysplasia problems. According to the American Feed Control Officials, a German Shepherd Chow mix puppy should eat protein at about twenty-two percent, while an adult German Shepherd Chow should consume only eighteen percent of protein. Protein from whole meats including beef, fish, and chicken are recommended in its diet. It features the following ingredients: salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, pea derivatives, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and parsley. It is made grain-free and packed with protein. Ingredients are as follows: duck, chicken meal, turkey meal, whitefish meal, egg protein, peas and chickpeas, sesame oil, and almond oil. It is another grain-free dog food with a hundred percent satisfaction guarantee. This dog food contains a variety of animal protein and healthy fat sources. Ingredients include salmon, chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, lamb meal, chickpeas, split peas, dried potatoes, and sunflower oil. It is a unique-tasting and premium dog food made of real beef, dried whole eggs, pork meat meal, beef liver, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, salmon oil, cauliflower, apples, green beans, carrots, blueberries, and other sources of antioxidants. This dog food is full of nutrients and proteins without containing wheat sources. The ingredients include turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal, chicken fats, chicken liver, salmon oil, peas, and potatoes. Feeding your German Shepherd Chow mix should have a balanced diet just like any other dog. You should consult with your veterinarian about these dog foods and devise a holistic dietary plan. Too much protein is too much calorie for the dog and may result in too much weight. If you want to obtain the best food for your sweetheart, this is a place to start. Senior dogs have specific nutritional requirements and you should search for their food in the best senior dry dog list. In case you have welcomed a puppy into your home and the little munchkin is just getting used to a regular diet, take a look at the list of the best puppy food brands. Your sweetheart comes from two different parents, which makes your pups more likely to grow to love dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. The same is expected from its offspring too. Hence, the German Shepherd Chow needs a daily dose of mental and physical stimulation to stay on the right track of things. Aside from doing activities with the dog including running, hiking, jogging and cycling, training is also another way of stimulating since German Shepherd Chows enjoy pleasing their owners. Below are some activities that you should do with the dog: Swimming. Swimming is not only an exciting activity for both the dog and its owner, but it also burns a lot of fuel or energy from the dog. The German Shepherd Chow mix is a friendly dog to people, but it is equally essential for it to recognize other dogs and behave in the same manner towards them too. Dogs, in general, are curious animals, and you can keep their curiosity in check by teaching it how to be around and respect other dogs. The dog will eventually learn new social skills. Scenting or Tracking Games. The German Shepherd parent dog side of the German Shepherd Chow mix was tracking dogs that loved to hunt things. Some games include finding the treat, hide and seek, and find the toy. Obedience Training. There are many ways to train your dog, but it all boils down to giving it commands and following your orders. Any form of training should keep the dog mentally and physically engaged and exhausted too. The Chow Chow parent dog side of the dog is known to be independent due to its stubborn nature and may choose not to obey you when you tell it to do something. Here are some training methods that you could apply to the dog: Puppy Training. The most important part of training the dog as a puppy is giving it your time and company. This should teach your dog the value of your bond with it and will soon acknowledge you as its alpha. Let it play with toys that you give so that it learns that being with you is a rewarding experience. Positive Reinforcement. Rewarding your dog while teaching it commands can come a long way to its relationship with you. You give your dog a reward such as a treat or a toy whenever it successfully responds to your command but gives it nothing until it learns how to react correctly to your call. A German Shepherd Chow mix needs to be taught how to socialize and behave properly around both humans and animals. If the dog would live in a home with children, it should be exposed to them as early as possible so that the dog learns how to tolerate your kids and feel more comfortable around them. They are playful towards any member of the family and is also easy for anyone to get along with as long as the person is introduced to the dog properly and not spontaneously. It is generally a peaceful dog that barks less unless provoked or neglected of attention. Some traits that make German Shepherd Chows great family pets are loyalty, protectiveness, and loving. It is also a perfect watchdog because the dog when faced with a stranger or someone not belonging with the family, becomes wary and can show intimidation as a warning sign to potential intruders. This is not just an energetic dog, but it is also a larger dog breed in size. In terms of lifestyle, the dog does very well with owners who are also active outdoors. The family does not necessarily need to have an energetic attitude towards the dog since it can be stubborn too, but owners should set daily activities that include the dog in their routine. Overall, the German Shepherd Chow mix is an excellent dog breed and family pet to own. With the parents of two dog breeds that are geographically far apart, a combination of the German Shepherd and the Chow Chow seals the deal. Any puppies that qualify as a German Shepherd Mix are a cross between a German Shepherd and another dog breed. In a mixed breed, you can get any mix of characteristics in the parent breeds. German Shepherds tend to be strong-willed, intelligent, playful, and loyal. To get a full idea of what to expect in your puppy, be sure to ask the breeder about the other dog breed in the cross and check out the mother dog in-person to get a general idea about size and temperament. On the German Shepherd side, you have an independent dog with high intelligence and a playful spirit. German Shepherds make great family pets and are born protectors. Because of their protective instinct, they can be suspicious of strangers. Socialization early and often can help curb this suspicion and make them more open to new people and situations. German Shepherds also tend to be loving and have a lively personality. The German Shepherd Mix can have any or all of these characteristics plus any characteristics from the other parent breed in the mix. Before buying a German Shepherd Mix puppy and bringing them home, be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. If the puppies are being family-raised around children, you should be able to get an idea of how they will do in a family setting that includes children. The German Shepherd is a moderately adaptable working dog that was bred to guard, work, and herd. They do not tend to do well in apartments and are best-suited for houses with yards. GSDs prefer to be with their families and do not like to be alone. They also tend to prefer cooler climates as they are sensitive to heat. With a German Shepherd Mix, you could get a moderately adaptable dog that is just like a purebred German Shepherd. You could also end up with a dog that is more like the other parent breed. Talking with the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a good idea of what to expect. German Shepherds can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. You will need to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an idea of any other health concerns to be aware of in your German Shepherd Mix. Health screenings, clearances, and the genetic history of the parents can help allay concerns about potential health conditions. On the German Shepherd side, training and obedience classes are highly recommended for novice dog owners. Although GSDs are highly intelligent, pick up on things quickly, and train fairly easily, they can be stubborn with an independent streak. Regardless of the other parent breed in the cross, you should be prepared to enroll in obedience and training classes with your German Shepherd Mix. The experience will be beneficial to both you and your puppy and will also offer some opportunities for socialization. You will still want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an understanding of what to expect during the training process. Professional grooming a few times a year and the occasional bath is also recommended. Regardless of the coat type, your German Shepherd Mix will need to have their nails trimmed monthly and their teeth brushed regularly. Not every dog will allow you to do this, so try to get a tooth brushing session in at least a few times a week to reduce tartar buildup. This will help prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it will help cut down on bad breath! German Shepherds tend to have a high activity level. They were bred to run, herd, guard, and protect, so they are used to working and having a job to do. They are definitely not a lazy dog breed! Be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix. You will still want to go in prepared for a high energy dog with the understanding that your German Shepherd Mix puppy may have an activity level closer to the other breed in the cross. If both are high energy dogs breeds, expect to end up with a high energy dog. A German Shepherd is a large dog breed that generally weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. They also usually stand between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders. The other dog breed in the cross could result in a smaller or larger German Shepherd Mix. A German Shepherd generally lives for years. You should be able to expect a similar range in your German Shepherd Mix, but the other dog breed in the cross could affect this range. Featured German Shepherd Mix Article. This energetic hybrid dog breed is becoming increasingly popular. The Chow Chow German Shepherd is a designer breed. To create a new breed, it was bred from two different pedigrees. Designer dogs are more robust and healthier than their parent breeds. But, poor breeding can have the opposite effect and magnify any existing health problems. Before you buy or adopt a Chow Shepherd, make sure to do extensive research. Type of coat: Thick, dense coat lengths may vary. Shedding: Moderate to heavy with seasonal shedding Lifespan: Approx years Variations in Color: Tan, brown, chocolate, black, silvery grey, and red colors and patterns may favor one parent breed. Notable Features: Large ears and tufts, with ruffled fur around their necks may vary depending upon each dog , thick coat, and a face that resembles a German Shepherd Daily exercise: High exercise requirements, many hours of intense exercise daily Daily Food: You should eat one to two meals of kibble per day for medium-large dogs the recommended amounts will be in your dog food packet. A Chow Chow was first crossed with a German Shepherd by breeders to create a superior breed that could be a great herding dog and a loving companion. Chow Chows are the oldest dog breed. They were used for hunting in ancient China. According to some reports, a Chinese Emperor kept over 5, of these dogs. Queen Victoria loved Chow Chows and even took her beloved bet everywhere she went. German Shepherds are still working dogs today because of their intelligent and protective nature. You will often see them serving in the military and police forces. They are used here as guard dogs, search and rescue, sentries, drug detectors, or messengers. This breed can be a little wary of strangers due to their vigilant and watchful nature. The graceful and beautiful Chow Shepherd is a German Shepherd-like face with a long muzzle. The tail curves upwards and around, much like the Chow Chow. Because they are a cross between two parent breeds that shed, their grooming requirements are high. Daily brushing with a de-shedding tool is necessary for your German Shepherd Chow mix. If the seasons change, you should do it more often as he will shed more. You should also be ready to vacuum your home regularly. Dogs with healthy nails can grow very long if they are not taken care of. Chow Shepherds are loyal to their families and cautious of strangers. Chow Shepherds are similar to German shepherds and can be trained to guard their family members. They also have less separation anxiety than traditional Chow Chows. Chow Shepherds are stubborn, however. Chow Shepherds are intelligent and can make training challenging. Chow Shepherds can sense inconsistency and uncertainty in a trainer and will react accordingly. Chow Shepherds can be socialized with other pets, but it takes effort. Chow Shepherds may not be the right choice for families with small children and pets. Chow Shepherds need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Chow Shepherds are very social and love attention. They can be irritable if left alone. They may chew on and destroy furniture or cause damage to it while their owners are away. Purebred dogs are more expensive than mixed breeds. Shepherd Chow mixes can be slightly more expensive than other popular breeds but have had problems with dangerous breeders. Many puppy mills used unsafe breeding methods to produce the Shepherd Chow mix when it first became popular. These puppies were often sick or abandoned at the pound. Although price is not everything, it can be a good indicator that your puppy will likely suffer more from a lower price. However, it is important to do your research and get the license of the breeder before you buy from them. They can be socialized from a young age and will do well. However, it is better to have one of these breeds in your home to teach your children how to respect animals. They will get along well with teens and tweens and love to play together all day. Keep your Shepherd Chow mix on a schedule and keep them from eating too many treats. Usually, they will need only one or two meals per day. Ask your veterinarian what you should feed them each day. Grooming Needs Chow Shepherds require regular grooming due to their dense, thick coats. It is recommended that you brush your Chow Shepherd at least twice a week. Your Chow Shepherd will require more frequent brushing during shedding season. Chow Shepherds should not be used if you have allergies. After bathing your Chow Shepherd, dry it thoroughly. Chow Shepherds love playing in the snow and it keeps them cool in winter. Exercise Needs Chow Shepherds require a lot of exercise. Your dog will be happy and healthy if you give them at least one hour of intense exercise each day. Chow Shepherds are often unable to be left alone so make sure they have access to a safe area. For a Chow Shepherd to stay energized and healthy, running, hiking, and playing fetch and throw are all great options. Other German Shepherd Mixes.

We invite you to visit with us and our Beautiful German Shepherd puppies for sale. On occasion we have gorgeous long coated German Shepherd puppies for sale as well. Please see our Family Reunion page to see some of our pups in their homes that we have sold over the years Throughout the years, several of our Rotterbarental German Shepherd dogs have had jobs. We have had pups that have become Search and Rescue dogs, Certified Therapy Dogs, One of our therapy dogs was used for children with cancer through Create a Smile. Please be sure and read these special dogs stories on our Dogs with Jobs page. If our dogs can accomplish these special jobs, just imagine what a Rotterbarental GSD puppy can do for you and your family. That is why our German shepherd dogs are health tested and puppies are raised in a home environment with a variety of other pets to insure proper socialization. Our puppies and dogs play on grass and not in kennel runs. Far too often, we have seen the ill effects to dogs that have lived a kennel life. Every Rotterbarental German Shepherd puppy comes to you with a 5 year written health guarantee, vaccines and de-worming up to date, a comprehensive puppy package and life time support as well as a forever home policy. We are conveniently located near you within minutes of the , the 60 and the 10 fwys on our seven acre ranch in the beautiful San Jacinto Valley, Riverside County, Southern California. You are welcome to visit us and our beautiful German Shepherd dogs and puppies with an appointment. Click here Puppies for Sale to see what pups are available today or in the future. If you are interested in fostering please fill out an online application. I was very lucky to have someone looking out for me and championing me to many rescues in search of one who might accept me into their program. I wish all the homeless animals were just as fortunate. As you can see from my pictures I can't stop smiling! I love cuddles, getting lots of love and playing outside. I'm house and crate trained and I slightly pull when we go out for walks. I do dig and dart, but have my basic commands down. The best home for me would be with active owners who do not leave me alone for more than a few hours at a time. I'm high energy and seek companionship. I need daily walks, play time and continued training. I was temp tested with other dogs and I did well. It's unknown how I would do with cats or children. I'm enjoying my new lease on life and can't wait to see what the future holds. For now I'm living life to the fullest day by day until I'm a cherished member of my forever loving family. Could that family be yours? If you're interested in meeting me, please fill out an online application. September 11, , pm.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Or maybe a friend has dropped by to say hello and your German Shepherd jumps on them immediately. Has either of these ever happened to you? Chances are they have. The good news is you can train your German Shepherd to stop jumping on you and others with a few different methods. To begin, though, you need to understand why your dog is jumping in the first place. You may have heard people say that your dog is jumping on you as a sign of dominance or as an attempt to be the one in charge. The plain and simple truth is that in most cases, your pet is just trying to say hello when you walk through the door. In all cases, though, jumping is a normal and natural behavior for dogs. While puppies jumping on you may be cute, the larger the dog gets and German Shepherds are on the bigger side! Not only does jumping on you result in dirty clothing or dropping items you were holding at the time, but when your German Shepherd jumps on someone, it could wind up accidentally hurting them. Children and older people can easily be knocked over by a large dog, plus anyone can end up with bruises or scratches. Unfortunately, in most instances, jumping is a behavior that we have encouraged, sometimes without realizing it. German Shepherds, like most dogs, are opportunistic. Luckily, you can do this with a bit of training and management. Use one of these step-by-step methods to teach your German Shepherd to stop jumping on you and others. Redirection How to Keep a German Shepherd Busy This is a general method to show your dog that jumping is unwanted and to redirect them to a new behavior. Step One: Ignore bad behavior. When your German Shepherd jumps on you, ignore it entirely by turning your back to it. The trick here is that everyone must abide by this rule of turning your back, so be sure everyone entering or living in your home is aware of it. Speak to them in a calm voice to avoid getting them excited again. When they do, give them a reward. Again, everyone should be doing this when you are in training mode, so your pet learns that not jumping applies to all. Image Credit: cvop, Pixabay 2. Paws on the Floor This method is for training your dog to keep four paws on the floor. Step One: Get a friend or family member to help you. Step Two: Keeping your dog on its leash, have the other person approach you. Before they reach you, toss a few treats on the floor in front of your dog. Step Four: Have the second person back off from the dog before it has finished the treats. Step Five: Repeat Step Four several times. After a few rounds, have the second person greet your dog for a longer amount of time and continue repeating until your pet is keeping its feet on the floor. Step Six: Once your pup is keeping all its paws on the ground, have the second person come and say hello before placing a treat down. Step One: Put your German Shepherd on a leash, then tie the leash to something sturdy, like a doorknob. Step Two: Staying far away from your dog, ask them to sit. When they do, you can start to go up to them. If they stand during the reward, go back to your starting point. Step Three: Repeat until your dog gets the hang of things. Step Four: Up the ante after your dog understands they need to sit by making your greetings more exciting. Step Five: After your dog has perfected the art of the sit greeting, grab another person and try this with them. By doing this, your dog will come to understand that sitting instead of jumping applies to all people as well. Conclusion Training your German Shepherd will take patience and time, but it can be done. Keeping them from jumping during training will also be required. It will take dedication, but you can do this by directing them away from your front door when someone visits, throwing toys or treats to them so they are occupied before a person enters your home, or keeping them on a leash. German Shepherds are very smart dogs , though, so they should soon learn not to jump on you or others. Featured Image Credit: cynoclub, Shutterstock Contents. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! Being Full Of Energy. Negative Body Language However, if your dog is showing negative body language before jumping up and biting then you have a problem. Negative body language includes. Growling: This may be when someone touches them, as someone approaches them, or if your dog starts walking towards them. What to do if your german shepherd is growling at you , or growling at your family. Barking of this kind will normally accompany other signs of aggressive behavior. If your German shepherd often barks at strangers then you should check out this article to find out what to do! If your dog is jumping up and biting in an aggressive way then you should take them to a dog behaviorist as soon as possible. Signs of aggression in any dog need to be dealt with quickly, however, this is especially important with dogs like german shepherds who can do serious damage. You can do this by offering them treats that are just out of reach, or if your german shepherd is really used to jumping up, raise your hand higher than they can get to without jumping. Take a step back and repeat the first three steps again. In fact, this is a great method to use any time your german shepherd is biting in a playful way. If they do this on their own great, if not use the same method as before. However, this time when your german shepherd jumps up and bites you, let out a yelp or cry of pain before turning away and not facing them. Remember, to do this every time your german shepherd jumps up and bites to show them that the game will stop being played any time they do that. Just like the others, repetition is key. Anytime that your german shepherd starts jumping up at you, ignore them. And if necessary turn around to face away from them. If your dog knows how to sit, then over time you should tell them to sit before you go down to their level. This is also going to reinforce that when they act calmly they get attention. As well as jumping on your the chances are your german shepherd is also going to jump and bite guests you invite to your house. Once your dog sits down patiently you can then give them the treat and attention. Cheaper than replacing everything they might break. And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone. Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to introduce your pup to people without them jumping up and biting! And the best part is it also has a day money-back guarantee! You can also check out a full review here , to learn exactly what the course has to offer! Recap If your pup is jumping up then the training above will help you stop the issue from happening. However, it can also be a sign of aggression. For lasting results when training your german shepherd you should get Brain Training For Dogs. If you liked this article or you have any questions then make sure you leave them in the comment section below! Related Posts:.

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are always near the top of the list of most popular breeds. The 7 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Wisconsin 1. They offer a significant level of training in both obedience and field through their training program for interested families. Plumtree breeds yellow, chocolate, and black labs, depending on the year. You may need to wait for quite a long time for a puppy to become available. They breed all three popular colors—chocolate, black, and yellow. A deposit is required before you can add your name to their waiting list. The dogs come with a health guarantee as well as instructions for vaccinations, feeding, and more. They breed both companion and hunting dogs. All puppies are up to date on vaccinations, socialized with other dogs, and come with AKC papers. They breed yellow, chocolate, black, red, and white Labradors. Their dogs are AKC registered and are of show dog quality. They also breed excellent hunting dogs for those looking for a hunting companion. Their puppies are yellow, black, or chocolate-colored, depending on the parents. They come with a health guarantee for 26 months. There is a long list of conditions protected by this guarantee which means you can purchase a puppy with confidence that is in good health. Their dogs are excellent for hunting, retrieving, service, obedience, agility, and companionship. They raise yellow, chocolate, and black Labradors. All dogs have undergone a health screening and have pedigree and AKC papers. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. We have AKC English Lab puppies for sale Our goal here at Winter Valley Labs is to breed excellent dual purpose AKC Labrador Retriever puppies that make great companions and family pets, that also have the ability to excel in the field as well as show ring. And of course, in our hearts. We breed for quality, not quantity. We breed English Lab puppies! Each of our litters is carefully planed and bred with purpose. We are a small breeder in Hatley, Wisconsin. Our love and passion for Labrador Retrievers drives us to better the breed and provide families with healthy, happy, perfect pets, companions and hunters. We have been breeding labs for over 10 years, and look forward to that number growing. We bred our first litter in January of .We hope to grow in size now that we have the room for it. We love to take the dogs out bird hunting, and am excited to get them started on waterfowl this year as we are located on the river. I have been around dogs my whole life, but the lab has always been my favorite. I started studying at the UW of Stevens Point for Wildlife Ecology and Captive Wildlife management, and had done some study in veterinarian medicine but complications with pregnancy forced me out. I decided after my first son was born that I wanted to stay at home with my babies anyways both human and canine. So I am now a stay at home mom for all of our babies. Prior to that I had worked at an animal shelter as well as a grooming and boarding facility. I am doing some online studies for genetics and animal behavior, as I am always striving to be very well educated with the dogs. I am an avid hunter and LOVE spending the days outside with the dogs. Please note; We do not breed silvers, charcoals or champagne. We do not breed labradoodles, golden labs or any other designer breed. We do have English lab puppies for sale- We breed Fox red lab puppies, yellow lab puppies, black lab puppies, chocolate lab puppies and white lab puppies. Fox red and white labs are registered as yellow labs! These ARE akc recognized unlike the dilute colors. Click here to see what english lab puppies we have that are ready to go and looking for their loving forever homes! Our focus is on the English Lab breed. Please contact us for more information on any of our wonderful English Lab puppies, or upcoming and planned litters! We will help you find the perfect puppy for your family! All of our English Lab puppies are vet checked with the vaccines that are needed and also wormed. They also have their dewclaws removed. If in any case a dew claw, or partial dew claw grows back, that will be the buyers responsibility to take care of, if they feel the need to do so. This can be done at the time of spaying or neutering. This is not a common thing. All of our English Lab Puppies are placed with limited registration Pet homes only If you are looking for full registration Breeding rights Do not wait until pickup day to discuss this with us. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for almost forty years. Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we deliver our world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in or around Madison. For details, call Woody or Judi at .Labrador Retriever Puppies and Children In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Labrador retriever can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: Dogs help children to be more cooperative and sharing. For children, a close relationship with a dog is a proven benefit in study after study. For instance, in research with preschool children, psychologists at Oregon State University found that teaching children to care for a puppy enhanced their social skills. Sue Doescher, a psychologist involved in the study. And that transfers to how other kids feel. Be sure to read the rest of her article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client!

Your puppy may refuse to eat if: The food has gone stale. There is a recent switch in puppy food that tastes or smells differently than the old food. There is food sensitivity to one or more ingredients. Your Frenchie puppy is a picky eater. You are overfeeding your puppy. Your puppy is bored with the food because they are eating the same thing every day. Your Frenchie puppy is stressed Puppies who suffer from stress or separation anxiety may not eat when left home alone. An anxious puppy waits for its owner to be there to eat. Underlying health problem An important step you should take as a puppy owner is to rule out any medical issue that can be an underlying reason your puppy may not be eating. If your puppy suddenly stopped eating without any changes in its routine, you should take your puppy to the vet for a check-up. Your Frenchie puppy is on medication Often treatment of a disease can give nausea and make your puppy not eat. Certain drugs are upsetting for puppies ' stomachs. Antibiotics and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause loss of appetite. Your Frenchie puppy has dental problems Any mouth, gum, or teeth problems of your puppy may cause them to refuse to eat. They may not be eating because something in their mouth is causing pain and stopping them from swallowing properly. New surroundings, discoveries, new everything distracts from the desire to eat. Solving food-related loss of appetite in French Bulldog puppies When it comes to food-related reasons for a loss of appetite in French Bulldog puppy, here are some simple solutions to implement. When introducing new food to your French Bulldog puppy, don't be hasty and switch gradually to new food. Try to get high-quality food for your French Bulldog puppy. Find out which taste and smell your French Bulldog puppy likes and offer those foods. When switching food, choose an option with similar nutritional value. Slowly make the transition from one puppy food to another. You may also add a bit of warm water to your French Bulldog puppy's kibble to make it more appealing. Don't offer spoiled food and always check the expiration date before giving it to your French Bulldog puppy. If your French Bulldog puppy is sensitive to food ingredients, choose food without the ingredient your Frenchie puppy is sensitive to. If your French Bulldog puppy is bored with the same food for a longer time, add variety and mix things up every once in a while. Make sure the food is at the right temperature for your French Bulldog puppy. Treating environmental and behavioral loss of appetite in Frenchie puppies When it comes to behavioral and environmental reasons for a loss of appetite in Frenchie puppies, the process can be a little more time-consuming. Here are some useful tips for getting your French Bulldog puppy to eat regularly: Give your French Bulldog puppy enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. You should be patient and supportive. Cut back on treats and only give them as a reward. Take your French Bulldog puppy for a walk before mealtime or allow free play in the yard. Avoid giving table scraps to your French Bulldog puppy. Keep trash cans locked and away from your curious Frienchie fur baby. Keep dangerous things out of the reach of your French Bulldog puppy. Try to use products in your home that are known to be safe for the French Bulldog puppy. Keep all medicines in cabinets. If you accidentally drop a tablet on the floor, you should look for it immediately. Choose pet-safe household plants and flowers for your home and yard. Structured Feeding Schedule The structured feeding schedule is when you have a set time scheduled to feed your Frenchie puppy. However, this time you only allow your Frenchie puppy to eat for a certain amount of time. It often signals a serious underlying medical problem and must be examined by a vet. Finding and treating the underlying cause of loss of appetite in French Bulldog puppies is the best way to approach this problem. Your Frenchie puppy gets its energy from the food it eats. Unlike adult French Bulldogs, puppies need to eat food three times a day. Stick to a routine and give your Frenchie puppy regular potty breaks. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Back to blog 1 comment My frenchie is active but not eating enough according to the chart. Is your Frenchie refusing to eat? Whereas in this post I will be looking in lots of detail about the reasons why a French Bulldog might not be eating. When you notice that your Frenchie refuses to eat all of a sudden, it could be really distressing and worrisome. More so if it is accompanied by other symptoms like throwing up, shaking, or having a fever. Find out more about appetite stimulants for dogs. For most pet owners, the first action is to call the vet. But really, in order for you to come up with the right treatment plan, it is important that you determine the cause. So in this article, we have highlighted the possible reasons and what you can do about it. Read on. Maybe he is just full. The following are the possible reasons why your pet does not want to eat: 1. Anxiety and Stress If your French Bulldog is avoiding his food and keeps on pacing, whining, barking, yawning, or shedding, these could be signs that he is experiencing stress and anxiety. Yes, just like humans, dogs can be anxious or stressed out about something too. That causes loss of appetite. Frenchies may experience stress and anxiety due to aging, fear, and separation. Depending on what is causing these mental disorders in your dog, the vet can provide treatment, which may include medications, training, preventative strategies or a combination. It is possible that he has loose or decaying teeth, gum infections, or probably cuts in his mouth. Bad breath can also be a sign that can tell you if something is wrong with his teeth and gums. He might not even want to eat at all, especially if he is experiencing pain. The best thing that you can do at this point is to take your pooch to a veterinary dentist. Upset Stomach A French Bulldog not eating and throwing up can be caused by an upset stomach too. Maybe he ate something that irritated his tummy. He may have diarrhea as well. In this case, it would help a lot if you give him bland foods, such as steamed or boiled chicken with rice. Otherwise, your Frenchie may get dehydrated and that could cause more health issues. Medications Have you taken your French Bulldog to the vet lately to get his shots? Or perhaps he was given some medications to take. This right here can affect his appetite as well. Take note that some drugs are appetite suppressant, but the effects should not last very long. Once they have passed through his system, your dog should be able to eat well again. Appetite Changes With Age People tend to eat less as they age, and this applies to dogs as well. Furthermore, older Frenchies are more susceptible to developing health and dental problems. This is why they tend to eat less than the younger ones do. Changes to Food Trust me, Frenchies can be very stubborn! He will just sniff at the bowl without actually eating the food, and this could go on for days. So how do you address this? First, you need to have him transition from his old food to the new one. Gradually decrease the previous food and increase the amount of the new food. This should help your dog to adjust. Also, you have to avoid giving your Frenchie snacks or treats in between meals. This will encourage him to want his new food. This works the same way with the so-called starvation method. So when you give him some treats, make sure that it is not too much. Someone Else Is Feeding Them Does it look like your Frenchie is full and you know for a fact that you did not give him any treat? Well, it is possible that someone else is feeding him. It could be anybody in your home, or perhaps your neighbor. If he goes out a lot, then somebody from your neighborhood may be giving him food. Your dog may have allergies with some foods. Serious Health Issues Some of the reasons that we have listed above are temporary causes of loss of appetite. If your dog does not eat and exhibits signs of lethargy, take him to the vet as soon as possible so he can be checked and provided with the appropriate treatment. As long as it is not due to a health problem, you can try modifying his food. You can completely change his diet or add something more exciting to his current diet. Another thing that you can do is to serve soft foods. You may also opt to utilize a feeding tube or syringe. He can also administer intravenous fluids, which are very much needed if your French Bulldog has stopped eating for two days. Furthermore, the vet can prescribe antibiotics and appetite boosting drugs. This is because, if it is too hot, it will be harder for dogs and humans alike to digest their food. They could also be less active and that affects their metabolic rate. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you serve light food to your dog during the summer time. To avoid French Bulldog choking on food, do not serve huge chunks of meat or vegetables. Cut them into pieces so it will be easier for your pet to bite and chew them. It is also advisable to feed your Frenchie in a room with lower temperature. Taking your dog out for a walk on a regular basis will help too as this will allow him to burn more calories. Maybe you rebranded his food overnight without following the correct way of transitioning from one food to another. You should avoid doing all of these. Additionally, you must find out more about what human food can French bulldogs eat. Always keep in mind that not all food items that you eat can be shared with your pet no matter how he begs for it. Closing Thoughts At some point in time, French Bulldogs may lose their appetite just like you. And in this case, you must determine the reason why so you would know how to properly address it. If it is something serious, you need to take your dog to the vet without any delay. It is very usual for a healthy dog to reject his meals or deliberately refuse to eat. A healthy French bulldog puppy will heartily attack his meals and clear up his plate in just a few minutes. And if your healthy Frenchie pup suddenly refuses to eat or has shown no interest in his food, even after you tried to get him to eat, it can be distressing. Read on to find out what might be the cause. Since puppies are still going through different stages of development and growth, skipping meals needlessly becomes very distressing as it could expose the young lad to some serious health condition or even affect its growth rate. And in rare cases, skipping meals and refusing to eat can be lethal. So why would a healthy puppy refuse to eat and rather go hungry? Here are possible reasons why your Frenchie pup is rejecting his meals. If you just brought your puppy home, his refusal to eat may be due to the stress of being in an unfamiliar environment. He may be anxious and uncomfortable in his new home and will need some time to settle and relax. Your little cutie may be suffering on the inside. There is a small chance that his loss of appetite may be due some serious medical condition, an upset stomach or anorexia. Refusal to eat can also be caused by pain or discomfort in the mouth due to some dental disease. If your puppy is on some medication or just got vaccinated, this may be the cause. It could also be that your pup is getting too many treats between meals and has no space left in his tiny stomach for his food. But with puppies, this is much different. They do not have enough glucose stored up in the body, therefore any form of starvation can be very dangerous. If your Frenchie puppy starts to reject his meals, here are a few remedies to try; If your pup is eating dry kibble or canned food, add a little warm chicken broth to make it tastier. These spices are bad for puppies as they can break down their red blood cells. If you feed your pup only dry kibble, try mixing it with canned food. Prepare a dish of plain boiled rice and garnish it with shredded boneless chicken breast. You may add a little chicken broth without any of the offending spices. You may also add plain cottage cheese or plain yoghurt to his regular meal. Make sure the yoghurt does not contain xylitol as this is very dangerous for dogs. You can use an interactive meal toy for this. Make sure your pup is not getting too many treats before mealtime and reduce the amount of treats you give your pup. If your puppy continues to refuse whatever you prepare for him, then he needs to be taken to a vet with no further delay. Let the vet examine the situation and come up with an alternative meal plan. And if your pup has a medical condition, a vet will find out the exact problem and handle it properly. Is a loss of appetite accompanied by other symptoms? Also, if your French bulldog puppy goes a day without eating but had lots of treats, then you also have nothing to worry about. Some dogs can also go without food for up to 5 days or even a week , this is for only adult dogs of certain breed types. Puppies can go for up to two days without food but this is absolutely not healthy and should never be allowed. Food is very important for a growing dog, and puppies should be fed at least 3 times every day. This way their bodies will be able to get all the calories and nutrients it needs for the proper function and development of your pup. Therefore, regular small meals ensure that your pup gets all his body needs from his food. Skipping meals is very dangerous for small dogs as they are at a higher risk of suffering from hypoglycemia compared to adult dogs. Never let your puppy go for more a day without food, and if he refuses to eat for an entire day despite all your efforts, take him to the vet. When your dog has no appetite either due to an upset stomach, an illness or anything else, getting him to eat can be a challenge. Here are a few food suggestions for a sick Frenchie or one with no appetite. Try giving your pup stage II baby food containing turkey, chicken, lamb etc. Bone Broth: prepare this for your pup by boiling lots of bones with marrow like chicken or turkey legs. Fill a medium-sized pot with these bones and cover the bones with water, boil on low heat for about 20 to 24 hours. Cool the broth in the refrigerator before giving it to your puppy. You can also make the broth into ice cubes for your puppy to enjoy. They are easy to digest and work great for dogs with no appetite or an upset stomach. Just plain boiled chicken cut into small bits or shredded and white rice. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin: sweet potatoes and pumpkin are high in fibre and contain a number of vitamins and minerals which are essential for your little dog. And they are also great for the digestive system of dogs, cook them unsalted and unseasoned before serving your pup. Wrapping Up Puppies go through different stages of development and sometimes they may not eat as much as they do other times. But they ordinarily never go for too long without at least getting some amount of food into their system. Therefore, skipping a meal is not good, skipping two is much worse and going a full day with no food, is certainly wrong and something is amiss. Medical Conditions When a French Bulldog stops eating, it could be due to a medical condition like kidney or liver disease, dental or oral discomfort, or gastro-intestinal issues. All of these issues can be a serious health concern and should not be taken lightly. They may have had an upset stomach, the food may not be to their liking, or they may be feeling unwell and not feeling up to eating. Make sure to feed them nutrient-packed food that is designed for their particular breed and size. You may even need to switch up the type of food you are giving them, such as from dry to canned or from wet to dry. You may also want to feed them smaller portions a few times throughout the day as opposed to one large meal. This can also be helpful in stimulating their appetite. If it turns out that they are simply feeling unwell and need to boost their appetite then try introducing a new food or supplement to stimulate them. However, if the issue persists and you suspect that it is due to an underlying medical condition, then it is imperative that you take your French Bulldog to the vet for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If it turns out that your Frenchie is simply feeling unwell and their appetite needs to be stimulated, then you may need to try switching up their diet or introducing supplements. If the issue persists, however, then it could be due to an underlying medical condition, in which case it is important that you take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Related Info And Products:. Home » Blog » What to do if your dog refuses to eat? What to do if your dog refuses to eat? It can happen to anyone of us that our Frenchie is refusing to eat. This behavior can either indicate that your dog is being picky or a more serious, health-related issue. Why does my Frenchie refuse to eat? To do that, answer the following questions: Is your babe in a constant bad mood? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you should take your doggy to the vet. But there also might be some other reasons your dog refuses to eat. If any of this is possible, go see your vet. But if your dog is happy and playful like normally, it might be a behavior issue. If you just moved to a new location or you were on a trip, the unfamiliar surroundings of the new place might make your dog nervous or uncomfortable. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! Because a decreased appetite in dogs may be caused by illness, never assume that your dog is picky without investigating other possibilities first. These include: Cutting back on treats. Feeding your pet on a regular schedule, usually at least twice a day. Making mealtime a fun time for your pet, such as by playing with a toy that dispenses food or rewarding your dog with food for doing a trick. Taking your dog for a walk before mealtime. If you normally feed your pet with other animals, try feeding them alone. Or try using different bowls or plates at different heights to see what your dog prefers. You might even put a few pieces of food on the floor next to the feeding dish. Trying a different kind of food, such as canned food if you normally feed your dog dry food. If you need more information on this topic, join our closed Facebook Frenchie Family group, where you can read a lot of tips and experiences of other owners. If you are already a member, click HERE to jump to food-related posts. Food Quality can affect French Bulldogs appetite. Your Frenchie not eating could be due to food quality, such as the following things: french bulldog not eating and throwing up Food That Has Gone Rotten can affect French Bulldogs appetite Several dogs keep refusing rotten food, which usually occurs when fats inside have broken down due to poor storage or age. High-fat foods are much more susceptible to rancidity than low fatty foods. Little French Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Fresh Food Your French Bulldog may stop eating food after they have appreciated fresh, tinned, or raw food — undoubtedly due to the additional moisture and aroma that dogs love. These diets mainly raw are very often high in protein, which dogs enjoy. If you were using dog food, try something else with similar ingredients and tastes. Dog Snacks and Treats can affect French Bulldogs appetite Overuse of dog treats is almost sure to make your Frenchie fussier. When French Bulldog gets a lot of treats and experiences all the different types and tastes, they will expect the same thing from their food. Experimentation is probably the only way to see if treats are impacting their appetite. Try limiting the number of treats, switching to reduced-calorie alternatives, or providing treats on a rigid schedule. As you French Bulldog matures, they will tend to become more likely to avoid eating the food for no apparent reason. When your Frenchie seems to be getting bored with their food, change to a new flavor in the very same food or type. For example, switching from a beef-fresh diet to a lamb or chicken food may work. Feeling Stressed can affect French Bulldogs appetite New people and animals introduced into the house can be stressful for your Frenchie, mainly those who are elderly or timid. Evaluate if your Frenchie shows excitement for its food based on its natural environment. French Bulldogs with new, ongoing household shifts usually return to their old eating habits after a week or so. Illness can affect French Bulldogs appetite Reduced appetite in your French is often a symptom of illness, particularly if your French Bulldog has other ailments around the same period. Even though the loss of appetite in dogs may not automatically imply serious illness, timely medical care is essential as it may signify cancer, multiple systemic infections, discomfort, liver disease, and renal failure. Dental Issues can affect French Bulldogs appetite Your Frenchie may not want to eat because something is causing pain in their mouth. They may have a fractured or missing tooth, severe gum disease, and perhaps an oral tumor. Vaccinations can affect French Bulldogs appetite Luckily, vaccines are available for many severe and contagious diseases of dogs. Even though these treatments have saved the lives of millions of animals throughout the years, they often have adverse effects. Most of these are mild and fleeting, like occasional loss of appetite in dogs. Traveling can affect French Bulldogs appetite When your French Bulldogs appetite is okay before you took a trip with them or moved to a different destination, it might be that your Frenchie will not eat due to travel or an unfamiliar environment. Several animals can experience travel sickness, and some may become anxious or uncomfortable in new locations. You can, however, attempt to heat the food a little and then soften the dried food by adding fresh water to see if it makes it much easier to consume and ingest. Within hours, if neither of those things succeeded, you should pay a visit to your vet. These diets are not that tasty for you, Frenchie, mainly if your dog is used to frequent treatments. Alternatively, speak to your vet regarding alternatives. In more extreme cases, your vet may recommend hunger-stimulating medicine, suggest medicine dropper-feeding a liquid diet, or use a feeding tube. Mouth cancers and disease. Splinters or foreign objects in the mouth. The easiest way to tell is using a visual check. To find out what the different bad breath smells can mean, read this guide to Frenchie halitosis. Upset stomach and short illnesses If your French Bulldog is not eating and throwing up then this loss of appetite is inevitably due to a gastrointestinal problem, hopefully short term. Aside from not eating combined with vomiting, the lack of interest in eating food can also include diarrhoea. In cases like this, vets recommend you feed your Frenchie some bland foods to stop upsetting their stomachs further. The go to food for this method is a small amount of boiled chicken with plain rice. Handy Hint: Some Frenchies can reaction badly to chicken and other poultry meats. Medications and vaccinations You might find that your French Bulldog is not eating or drinking after a vet visit or a dose of medication. Many drugs can act as an appetite suppressant and will mean your dog loses appetite and weight during the period the drugs are taken. There can be similar results after puppy vaccinations. Thankfully, medicines and vaccinations only lead to a temporary loss of appetite, and your Frenchie should start eating again once the drugs have passed through their system. Their appetite changes with age We all know of old people who age and start eating considerably less food. Dogs are just the same; as they get older their appetite decreases. They can also develop health and dental problems which make eating harder than it used to be. As Frenchies get older, they can also start to lose the senses that helped make them such ferocious eaters in the first place. For example, if they start to lose their sense of smell, this will make them desire food less. We had to order a different brand and flavour altogether. It had great reviews and feedback and ticked all the boxes for what a nutritious dry food should be. However, Claude the Frenchie refused to eat it for 2 days straight. He was sniffing at the bowl, eating one or two small mouthfuls and leaving the rest. Yep, Frenchies are a very stubborn breed indeed! My wife was really worried about our French Bulldog not eating properly and wanted to start buying him chicken breasts. On the morning of the day 3, he wolfed his breakfast down and since then has eaten this new brand with his usual appetite. My conclusion on this; dogs can be fussy about what they eat. If you are experiencing the same thing with your Frenchie, you can try some of the following hacks to get them to eat properly again with a new food brand. Mix other foods in with the new: This could be some leftovers from the previous foods, or something you know they love to taste like chicken or a broth. Stop feeding them treats and scraps between meals: Frenchies are like kids. Cut the snacks out, and they might stop being so spoiled when mealtime comes around. If they have stopped eating the food, pick the bowl back up and hide it away. Do this at each mealtime, and eventually they will figure out that the food is here to stay once they get hungry. Before you know it, you might have given them so many that they physically cannot eat their main meal. Keep track on what you are feeding them between meals. As a guideline, an average sized adult Frenchie should eat calories each day. Getting food elsewhere A friend of mine lives on a farm that backs onto a large housing estate. Unknown to her, the dog was slipping under a fence twice a day and visiting a dear old lady who lived next to the farm. The morale of the story is this; do you know who is feeding your French Bulldog or whether they have an alternative food source? I am sure you do, but it needs to be discounted if your Frenchie has stopped eating and drinking completely. Serious health issues and pain A more prolonged loss of appetite in your Frenchie is a sign that something more serious is wrong. There are multiple health reasons that lead to a loss of appetite in Frenchies. However, there are signs of a health problem you can look out for in addition to the lack of interest in food, including: Lethargy and lack of energy. Aggressive behaviour. Rapid weight loss. The most important sign here is probably a French Bulldog not eating and lethargic. Vets report that lethargy and a reluctance to move and eat is a reason to get an appointment as soon as you can. Hot weather has a unique effect on dogs and how much they can and want to eat. They are very similar to us in this way. Think about how you are in the summer and winter months; do you eat more in the cold winter, and less in the summer? Let me explain in a little more detail why your French Bulldog is not eating in hot weather, followed by some feeding tips for hotter summer months. Why hot weather leads to a loss in appetite The reasons why we tend to eat lighter foods in the summer season is because we find it a lot harder to digest heavy and fatty foods. Dogs are very much the same as us in this way. This means they will not have as a large an appetite as they would in the winter months. Providing your Frenchie is not ill, and just wants to eat less, then let them guide you with their appetite portions. Try boiling chicken and cutting this into small pieces to add to a smaller portion of dry food or kibble. Feed your Frenchie in a cooler room. If they are still stubborn and refuse to eat in the heat, here are some raw foods you can try feeding to a French Bulldog who has stopped eating in the summer: Veggies that your Frenchie can eat in hot weather I only recommend the advice on the above links as a supplement to their diet, not a complete replacement. Hot summer months can lead to a loss of appetite. We will often give Claude portions of fruit cut up to cool him down. There is guidance in there about using ice cubes and frozen fruits. Our own dog Claude does this a lot. They could be missing breakfast due to: Perhaps not hungry first thing in the morning. If you walk your Frenchie in the morning, the advice is actually to feed them two hours after a walk. You can find out why in this guide I wrote. How do I get my French Bulldog to eat? Try warming up or softening the food with water to make digestion easier. If nothing else works after 48 hours and your Frenchie has still stopped eating, talk with your vet. They could do some of the following treatments: Could run health checks and blood tests to understand why the lack of appetite. Could administer intravenous fluids with electrolytes, particular if they stopped eating and drinking too. Could try feeding them with a syringe or feeding tube. Could treat an illness with antibiotics. Could prescribe appetite boosting drugs. Conclusion Every French Bulldog will go through a period of not eating at some point in their lives. However, time to worry is when the lack of eating is combined with shaking, lethargy, lots of vomiting, and continues past the 2 day mark. This is when you should contact your vet. You might also like… If you enjoyed my insights into why Frenchies lose their appetites, you might also find the following guides interesting: Goes here.

Life Span Did You Know? While the name of this breed is the French Bulldog, their origins cannot be credited to only France. One of the facts about French Bulldogs is that the idea and reason for the creation of the breed originated in England. This adorable dog breed, which has always been meant to be a companion, started as a miniature version of the English Bulldog. This mini-version accompanied lace workers across the English Channel and into France during the Industrial Revolution. Once the dog breed became prominent in France, the subsequent successful crossbreeding of the English Bulldog, Pug, and Terrier led to the creation of the modern-day Frenchie. The French Bulldog we know today originally came to the United States with groups of wealthy Americans who came across them and fell in love while touring Europe in the late s. The French Bulldog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in and is a member of the non-sporting group. The French Bulldog is an easygoing, affectionate, and playful dog that loves their family and gets along well with children. They also love to make new friends, which means they get along well with other dogs, animals, and people. Intelligent and affectionate, this small dog breed certainly wins over hearts and earns its status as a popular companion dog. Frenchies are not known to bark much, unless you train them into it, but they are naturally alert and make excellent watchdogs. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, they tend to have an open and friendly nature. The Frenchie is a highly adaptable dog that pretty much adapts to any living situation that includes plenty of love and attention. Being a short-snouted, snub-nosed dog breed, they do not tolerate heat very well and are also sensitive to cold. This tends to make them one of the dog breeds that hate winter and you will want to make sure to bundle them up to stay warm while out on cold winter walks. Because Frenchies bond closely with their families and thrive on attention from them, they do not tolerate long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to developing separation anxiety if they are poorly socialized or you do not work with them on this when they are young. Potential health concerns to be aware of in French Bulldogs can include cataracts, cherry eye, and entropion. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances. Heart and joint certifications are recommended for this breed. Playful and happy, the French Bulldog is a great fit for a novice dog owner. They are sweet-tempered, eager to please, and eager to train. Occasionally, Frenchies can be stubborn and they do tend to have big personalities. Although this can sometimes be a challenge for first-time dog owners, it can usually be overcome with consistent and patient training. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training. Standard coat colors for Frenchies are Brindle, Cream, Fawn, and combinations of these. They have a short coat that will shed a little year-round. Nail trims once or twice a month keep nails from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks, along with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, the Frenchie is more prone to developing gum disease. Daily dental care plus cleanings at the vet as needed can help prevent this and other painful dental diseases later in life. You will also need to take care of the wrinkles. Frenchies have hereditary face wrinkles and it is important to keep them clean and dry to prevent skin irritation or possible infection. The French Bulldog is an easygoing companion breed. They can be one of the laziest dog breeds that are couch potatoes. Frenchies will often be energetic when they play and will try to match their activity to yours. So, if you live a more active lifestyle, you need to be careful that your French Bulldog is not overexerting themselves trying to keep up with you. As a Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dog, they cannot cool themselves as easily and are extra sensitive to heat. They can also get winded easily, so be aware of this when playing with your dog or puppy and watch for signs of overexertion. There are safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs and you can work with your vet on specifics for your Frenchie if needed. French Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Frenchies generally live for years on average. With this dog breed being so popular, there are plenty of celebrities who have chosen the French Bulldog as their companion, which also means there are plenty of famous Frenchies out there. Also, French Bulldogs cannot swim, at least without a life vest. They can be taught to swim while wearing one, but they should never be left unattended around bodies of water or swimming pools and require constant supervision while in the water. Featured French Bulldog Article. Our primary objective is to assist you in locating the appropriate French Bulldog puppy for sale in your neighborhood History of French Bulldog French Bulldogs are considered one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and around the world. They are known for their affectionate and playful personalities and are often kept as companion animals. The breed is a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was brought to France by English lacemakers. The French Bulldog was then developed by crossing the English Bulldog with local small breeds, such as the Terrier, to create a smaller, more delicate version of the English Bulldog. During the 19th century, French Bulldogs were used for bull-baiting and dog fighting. They quickly gained popularity among the upper class in France, especially in Paris, where they were considered a symbol of luxury and elegance. In the late 19th century, French Bulldogs were brought to the United States by American tourists who fell in love with the breed while visiting France. Temperament of Frenchies The temperament of a French Bulldog is generally described as affectionate, playful, and sociable. They are known to be good with children and other pets and make great companion animals. They are also known for their intelligence and trainability, which makes them easy to train and manage. French Bulldogs are very loyal to their owners, and they have a strong desire to be close to their family. They have a playful nature, and they love to play and interact with their owners. French Bulldogs are known for their expressive personalities, and they are known to be very vocal. They are known to make a variety of noises, including grunts, snores, and snorts, which can be quite endearing. They are also known for their sense of humor and their ability to make their owners laugh. One of the most striking characteristics of French Bulldogs is their easy going nature. They are known to be adaptable and easy to live with, which makes them great family pets. They are also known to be relatively low maintenance, as they do not require a lot of exercise or grooming. Meet Coco! She is a French Bulldog looking for her perfect companion. This amazing gal is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, plus the breeder provides a 1 year genetic health guarantee. She is super social and is being raised with children that play with her daily. Her momma is Suzanne. Coco is ready to brighten all your days with kisses.