german shepherd puppies for sale near me now

Links Welkom op onze website! Erg leuk dat ook jij interesse hebt in de Australian Labradoodle. Met ons bescheiden fokprogramma willen wij een bijdrage leveren aan de instandhouding van het geweldige ras "de Australian Labradoodle". Ook bij depressie en soortgelijke aandoeningen heeft de Australian Labradoodle zijn diensten bewezen. In ons fokprogramma leggen wij een extra accent op het karakter van de verschillende honden zodat wij met onze honden een bijdrage kunnen leveren aan de eerder genoemde doelgroep van mensen. Wij wensen je veel plezier met het bekijken van onze website en mocht er iets niet duidelijk zijn, laat het ons dan even weten. Puppy's Eind september verwachten wij een tweede nestje van Khairo. Op dit moment zijn er nog mogelijkheden om een reservering te doen. In principe pas nadat er een nadere kennismaking heeft plaatsgevonden. Wij willen sowieso graag eerst kennismaken. Wij vinden het nl. Door het invullen van onderstaand formulier kunt u uw interesse kenbaar maken. Mocht je na het bekijken van onze website wat meer willen weten over een of ander, maak dan gebruik van onderstaande mogelijkheid om een berichtje te versturen. We horen graag van u!!! Vul alle verplichte velden in. Over de maten wil ik u hetvolgende mededelen: we weten nooit exact hoe hoog de schofthoogte van uw pup gaat worden, we werken met levende have! Wel weten we welke twee honden we willen combineren zodat we een idee hebben hoe groot de pups ongeveer zullen gaan worden. Hier kunt u geen rechten aan ontlenen. Onze pups worden hier naast de keukentafel in huis geboren waar ze opgroeien met onze kinderen en kleinkind en de andere honden en veel visite ;. In de eerste 3 weken na de geboorte krijgt moederhond en haar baby's veel rust en stilte. Daarna zullen zij pas kennis maken met allerlei huiselijke geluiden en wennen aan externe geluiden dmv CD waarop allerlei "bijzondere"geluiden te horen zijn bijv: onweer, vuurwerk, treinen, gillende kinderen, knallende uitlaten en tractoren enz.We wennen ze aan het dragen van een halsbandje en ze zijn gewend aan de auto en mogen ze met de bakfiets mee om de geluiden ook live te ervaren. Wanneer de pups het nest verlaten zijn zij ingeent, gechipt, 4 x ontwormd, in het bezit van een Europees paspoort en zullen zij een stamboom ontvangen van de ALAEU. Onze pups worden allemaal "onder contract" verkocht. Nadat we dit bewijs van castratie nota van de dierenarts incl chipnummer hebben ontvangen sturen we u de stamboom van uw hond toe.

Hi and welcome to Windy Ridge Bernedoodles! We are based out of Sugar Creek, Ohio. If you are looking for the perfect Bernedoodle Companion, then you have come to the right place. We are a family of breeders that specializes in raising the highest quality and confirmation of Mini and Standard bernedoodles. It is very important for us that trust is established and the health of puppies is at a high standard when adopting a new family member. They are physically beautiful and a hardy breed as well. When you adopt one of our bernedoodle puppies it will need lots of attention and room to run! We love to go on walks and trails with them. Combining physical traits and disposition from both parental lines make for bernedoodles to be the perfect companions! We make sure to socialize and play with our pups daily. When you visit you will see how friendly and playful all of them are for that very reason. There are so many things such as confirmation, personality, socialization, parents, and more that go into finding the perfect companion. Once you have placed your deposit. Please call us at to make your final payment, and to discuss the final details of bringing home your new furry friend! The Sellers certify that the puppy you purchase is in sound health at the time of sale to the best of our knowledge and has been given all vaccinations and wormings stated on the vaccination record provided to the Buyer s. We do our best to provide the new owner with a healthy puppy. The buyer will be responsible for further vaccinations and boosters. The following stipulations must be adhered to in order for a replacement to be made. Offical reports from 2 unaffiliated veterinarians stating that, without a doubt, the puppy has a genetic defect that is life-threatening, must be sent to me along with phone numbers of each vet's office. The documentation must be forwarded to us before a determination will be made. The Sellers reserve the right to confirm the diagnosis with the veterinarian of their choice. The Seller will not be responsible for any expenses you may incur, including shipping and vet expenses. This warranty applies only to the original buyer. Puppy replacement or credit for future puppy only. We cannot control the exposure your puppy encounters after leaving here. Puppies sometimes stress when adopted and moved to their new home. This stress can be brought on due to the move, change of diet, too much handling, not enough quiet time, or not eating properly. These conditions are all treatable and do not warrant a replacement. There is no guarantee on the color or size of puppy now or as an adult. We strongly recommend but do not require that your puppy be spayed or neutered. It is your ultimate responsibility to take good care of your puppy and provide adequate food, water, shelter and veterinarian care. Please be aware that as a new puppy owner you share in the responsibility to help prevent hip dysplasia, as it has been proven to be part heredity and increasingly environmental. We have bred this puppy based on sound stock. Through proper diet, proper exercise, and quality living conditions, you can play an important role in helping your puppy grow into a healthy adult. I, the Seller, do hereby agree to offer a one 1 week health and a two 2 year genetic warranty on this puppy. Current Stock:. Available Mini Bernedoodle Puppies Sign up to be Notified of New Litters Please click the button below to sign up to ur notification list so you will be one of the first to know! Get Notifications We offer a 1-year genetic health guarantee on all of our puppies. You can see the details on our Policies page. We are happy to provide references and share our experience and suggestions. We make it a point to place our puppies with families that are a good fit for everyone. If you have any questions, please Contact Us. Nationwide Shipping Available Customer Testimonials Hello Leroy, I just want to say thank you since my puppies have come to fill our family with love and of course we also give them a lot of love. Hello Mr. Raber, This is Vicki K. We love, love, love our puppies! Both girls are doing just wonderfully! We have taken training classes together and they are both very smart in addition to being so beautiful! We attract a lot of attention when we go places together! Bella weighs 28 pounds and she is such a joy and a blessing. She was incredibly easy to house train. Thank you so much for letting us be her forever home! I am attaching a few pictures of Bella. You and your family have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!! Hi Leroy. I have been meaning to do this for a while, but with holidays, etc… Sending along pics of Layla. The best temperament, loving…pretty much house trained herself via the doggie door. Not perfect, but close! When I have him out in public, people create such a fuss about him because they think he is so cute! Cassie H. Murfee is settling in nicely. He has learned to navigate our backyard steps, both up and down. He is a very vocal little guy-definitely makes his wants known, especially early in the morning. Thanks for allowing us to give him his forever home. Lois J. He has been easy to train and is incredibly social! Thank you. Joshua R.

Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and 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 and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You.

I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Sponsor Meet Feather Hi there everyone, my name is Feather! I am a ""lean, not so mean, loving machine"", or at least that is what my foster humans tell me. They also tell me my name is feather because I am so light-hearted, it has nothing to do with my size obviously. I have these cute short legs, and a head like a bowling ball, and I weigh a muscular eighty-five pounds. My tail never stops wagging as I follow you around, waiting for you to give me something to chew on, or to stop what you're doing and give me some love. Sometimes you may find me napping in the sun or cuddling with one of the little humans or resident dogs hopefully in the sun. I love chewing on toys, bones, and balls. So, I hope you don't mind cleaning up after me because shredding toys is my favorite thing to do. I stay in there when my humans are gone and sleep through the night with no problems. I have only had a couple of accidents since I have been here, but to be fair it turns out I have a weak bladder and I must take a pill a couple of times a day to help me hold it. Otherwise, I am house trained. I have a K-9 foster brother and sister they are boxers here at the house and we do pretty well around each other. We don't play much but we respect each other's space and enjoy each other's company. That being said, I can share toys as long as the other does not want to mine or fight about it. I also have two fun younger humans that are very loving on me and are not loud and crazy. I love to run around in the yard and be silly, so a fenced yard would be best, but don't worry, I LOVE walks too. Though, I do prefer the company of my humans when I'm out in the yard. I've learned to just lie down and soak up the sunshine on the patio or chew on my toys. Myself and both the resident pups have started to play and goof around a bit more now, but nothing too crazy. Car rides are always a bonus, and they tell me that I ride well. I will probably just lay down on one of the seats or the floor unless snuggles are an option, then I choose that. I get excited when my humans go to the door or get out the leashes. Walks are the best thing in the world in case you didn't know , although I am still learning to walk without pulling. My foster human says I am getting better, but I think it is because they started using a gentle leader. He also says that when we are walking, I am a good teacher of patience and deep breaths especially if there are squirrels and rabbits around. The last thing I want to tell you about myself is that I have been trained in both Spanish and English, how cool is that? Now that I have told you about me it is up to you to decide if you are the confident, strong, patient, and loving family that I need in my life. Please note that the majority of our dogs in rescue are from shelters where they have been found as strays or abandoned. Their breed description is based on our very best educated guess based on physical characteristics and their dispositions. If they came to our rescue as an owner surrender, the breed description will be listed as provided by the previous owner. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Some come from cruelty; some from ambivalence. Some Bulldogs come to us simply because an owner is elderly or sick and can no longer care for a much-loved pet, or there has been a divorce, job loss or illness in the family. We are also a resource for people hoping to bring an English Bulldog into their lives. Whether you will open your heart and provide temporary housing and care fostering to a recently rescued Bulldog, or wish to provide a rescued Bulldog a forever home. Neutered and up to date on shots. Please shoot me a detailed text about YOU. Nick names, Z, Zeezer, little guy. He loves going for walks and wants to be the center of attention with his person. He is food motivated and loves to eat. He is possessive over everything he loves including attention. He can be high energy but also loves to cuddle on the couch and snooze. He likes water but it is unknown if he can swim- he has only been in a kiddie pool. Loves belly rubs and will flip over and let you know when he needs one. Doesn't do well with other dogs or kids. He truly is a loving dog and deserves the absolute best life with his best friend. Very special boy. A note from Zander: looking for my own couch and my own best friend to take a snooze with. I might drive you a little nuts but will love you with all my heart. I want it to be just us so we don't have any distractions. I like bananas, blueberries, meat, pretty much anything you are eating. I snore but you might too so it will be great. Again some hair loss and yeast issues cleared right up with home cooked food and a few holistic supplements. His people came to meet him and the 3 of them feel in love immediately. He arrived at Lonely Acres covered in fleas, yeast infection, severely malnourished, and extensive hair loss. He was all cleaned up, switched to a raw diet, he started putting weight back on, hair started growing back, and he found a nurse to love him for the rest of his days.His momma says : Now that I have given up and let him have my chair, he is the happiest little man ever! We go to the Vet next week and I'm hoping they say his ears are clear by then too. I'll keep you updated! And thank you so much for connecting us with him. We love having him in our family! This big guy came to live with us for a short time. He was an owner surrender to a nearby humane society. Porkchop was severely overweight, double ear infections, and could barely see. Although his owners claimed him to be around 5 years old.If he couldn't be next to me he would bark non stop. So he made himself comfortable in the recliner next to my desk. He was with us for just two weeks when his heart gave out on him. He was laid to rest next to my boy Pancho and my girl Suzie Marie. Boston Girl Boston was rescued from beneath a back porch, sent to us at Lonely Acres, and finally to her family who loves her with all their heart!! She had a severely infected tail pocket, and although her tail was removed she continues to struggle with infections. Her family is still giving her just what she needs and they keep us updated on her progress! Cheba had a anxious, exciting, exhausting night. She did make her way into our room and slept on the floor right by my side which calmed her down she trained me fast! She already follows me everywhere I go and seems to be very used to riding in the car. Cheba is a true bulldog, loyal, loving, and loud! She loves to play, she has torn apart one of her toys and has sucked the life out of her bear. She barked when she needed to poop and loves walking outside. She barreled her way through our herb garden and knocked over the plants as she curiously sniffed everything! She listens to commands really well, waits by the door and sits to take her leash on and off. I am excited to see her weight loss and love for life to improve. Cheba is getting groomed for her holiday photo shoot and we will send you a family photo early this week! Thank you again! Bandit became Vinny's BFF. The two were inseparable. Bandit came to us in from an undesirable situation. Vince fell in love with him at first sight! Proudly created with Wix. We are based in California, but we are capable, and have experience getting our beautiful puppies all over the world and the US. We can get one to you without charging a fortune. We take great pride in our well bred puppies, and even greater pride in our service. It is our goal to be second to none, so we provide many extras when you purchase from us. Things including shots, vaccinations, starter packages and even a month of free health insurance. For a full list of what you get, check out our puppies page with more information, or simply call us on .I love to follow all of our friends and the adventures they have with their dawgs. Anyone else interested please do the same. Hes mellow, smart a huge :. We couldnt be happier with him and with Ary. Ary is always available to help answer questions of give advise and loves to keep up with his pups as they grow and beyond. In researching, we found Ary and the Olde English breed and could not be happier with the decision to get Bruce. Ary was incredible throughout the process, explaining everything we needed to know about the breed and the process of importing him into Hong Kong. He checked in with us several times before the flight and was in constant contact via text when we went to the airport to pick up Bruce, who arrived a little skeptical of his new surroundings but perfectly healthy and happy. The extent to which Ary cares about every one of the amazing dogs he sells is clear through his attention to detail and willingness to put in any extra effort to make sure his puppies get to, and stay in, good homes. He took to his kennel training and potty training so fast! In searching for our puppy, we did our due diligence researching online and then visiting your property in person. I was impressed with how happy and healthy all of your dogs are. I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet the parents of our puppy; they both seemed to have great termperments. Thanks for a wonderful puppy! Lauren W. I recently adopted her from Ary, and it was great! Ary is so devoted to all of his dogs, he even knows them by their bark! His property is a dog haven, dog runs, kiddie pools, and toys for days! He truly loves what he does. When I heard that Ary had rescued a litter of puppies i had to take a look! I fell in love with them all, as i do with all of his litters! He knows the background of each and every one of his dogs, he is so knowledgeable about the breed and is always there to answer any questions i have about Pepper. I will definitely be getting another bulldogge from Ary in the years to come. Thanks Ary! Jenna S. Iowa Hey Ary We just want to say thank for are boy Kane. He one of the best we gotten. He is are first bulldogge and wont be the last. Im just glad you made my day by letting take Kane home to live with use. S im looking forward to the day we get are girl from you. He is pounds and a real joy to have around! Ary is so helpful and we are grateful for him introducing us to this wonderful breed. There really is no better breed of dog! If you are looking for a bulldog and you should be! Shane S. Cares deeply about the health and well being of his dogs. A quality breeder with amazing dogs!! Cinda G. Brea, CA Just want to start off by saying: Ari, isnt just a Breeder hes a good guy and now a friend of mine!!!! I bought a puppy from him last feb !!! Since that time he taught me a lot about the breed to the point where i want to start breeding oldies!!!! So if you looking for a quality olde you have came to the right spot…. Chris Arizona Olde English Rescue Bulldogs Here at One of a Kind we are trying to do our part to fight back against the problem caused by people doing backyard breeding. Many dogs are ending up homeless to either starve on the streets or face a life of living in a shelter, stuck in cages or even facing being put to sleep. We know there are people out there who would love to adopt one of these beautiful dogs. There are also people who purchased a puppy with all the best intentions, but due to changes in life circumstances end up not being able to look after it and would like to hand it over to a new loving owner. So we have created our own rescue site — www. If you are interested in adoption or would simply like to help, please check out our site. Follow Us on Social Media! Paypal Secured Payments.

These are dogs that are strong, intelligent, alert, courageous, energetic, and loyal. The breed excels as a guardian and these dogs can be trained to perform a range of important tasks. But most of all, this is a dog that protects the ones he or she loves and holds dear. Naming Advice When it comes to naming your German Shepherd, there are a variety of factors to keep in mind. Check out these super cute Pet ID Tags! Personality Finding the right name may not be immediately apparent, and sometimes it takes a while to decide which moniker fits your pup best. Wait for his or her personality to fully emerge before choosing the ideal name. Spend a little time with your new friend and the perfect name will come. Name Length A good rule of thumb is to keep the number of syllables in the dog's name to one or two at most. Three is acceptable but the shorter the name, the easier it is for your dog to hear and respond to commands. Clear communication is imperative for German Shepherds, particularly during training. Avoid Confusion Some names may sound like commands and this will only serve to confuse your pup. If you name your German Shepherd something that sounds identical to those and other commands, obedience is going to be an uphill battle for both you and your pet. Perhaps one of these names will fit your pet best, or maybe these names will help you think of the best possible name for your particular pup. German Shepherds have distinct personality traits and all of these names can reflect those attributes every time you call his or her name. The intelligence, trainability, and strength of the dog meant that it was soon adapted for other purposes, such as being police dogs, military dogs, and, of course, household pets. German shepherds have a rich history, and this can offer some interesting naming options. Beowulf — one of the first puppies of the breed, ideal for strong dogs with sweet personalities Heinz von Starkenburg — one of the first puppies of the breed, perfect if they are sweet like baked beans Hektor Linksrhein — after the father of the breed, a great name if you are adopting an older German shepherd Horand von Grafrath — Horand or Grafrath after the very first German shepherd recognized at shows, the ideal name for sleeker examples of the breed Max von Stephanitz — Max or Stephan or Stephanie after the founder of the breed Phylax — after the Phylax society founded in the late 19th century to standardize the breed Pilot — one of the first puppies of the breed, and a name for a dog that likes to take the lead on walks Names Of German Gods And Goddesses Pre-Christian Germanic religion is a rich and interesting culture linked closely to the Norse religion. Why not name your German shepherd after one of their fierce gods or goddesses? Why not name your dog after some of the famous Germans that have made their mark on history. Keep It Short Choose something short, ideally only one or two syllables, or at least something that can be shortened. This is because it is easier for dogs to learn shorter names, which means they will start responding when you call sooner than if you chose a longer and more complicated name for them. Considering that it is the nickname that you will be using most often and that they will recognize best, make sure you consider their nickname just as carefully as their full name. Consider The First Letter It is a good idea to choose something that starts with a sibilant consonant or blend consonants, such as an S or an SH, or a hard commanding consonant like a K or C. These subtle choices will make it easier for your dog to distinguish their name from all the other ambient noise around them, which means it will also be easier for you to get their attention. Avoid Names That Sound Like Other Important Words Avoid names that sound too much like commands that you will use regularly, as this can just confuse your pup. If their name sounds too much like a command that you use regularly, such as sit or stay, they may confuse the two words. This is why it is rarely a good idea to choose something rude or potentially offensive. All too often, people give their dogs names that they think are funny at the time and then find they are embarrassed to use it later. Remember, everyone in your family who is responsible for your dog will also need to be able to use their name with ease. You can read our guide to teaching your dog their name here. The Verdict Finding the perfect name for your dog really is about exposing yourself to lots of inspiration and ideas until you come across something that feels right. After that, you should sense-check your name to make sure it works. Hopefully, the lists in this article have provided you with some inspiration and our guidelines for checking a name can help you find the perfect name for your German shepherd pup. Do you have any recommendations for the perfect name for a German shepherd? Share them with the community in the comments section below. Related Article:.

Vizsla Labs are happy puppies, but they turn into curious and energetic adults that require a great deal of love and commitment. Vizsla Labs are loving and loyal dogs that create strong bonds, especially with children. The Vizsla Lab mix has been assigned multiple different names by breeders and dog clubs throughout the years. They are sometimes called Labralas and sometimes Viszladors. Vizsla and Vizslabrador are other nicknames that they are sometimes referred to as. They are obsessed with the water. The Vizsla Lab mix takes after both their parent breeds when it comes to spending time in the water. These dogs can efficiently hunt waterfowl. These dogs can do more than hunt and spend time in the family home. Like their parent breeds, they can be excellent service and rescue dogs with the right training. They love playing in the yard during the day and enjoy nothing more than a long snuggle when it is time to settle down in the evening. The Vizsla Lab is intelligent and easy to train, but training should be ongoing throughout their life to ensure proper behavior at home and out in public. Their happy-go-lucky personality makes them an awesome playmate for children. They can even handle a little teasing from the younger kids without getting aggressive or pushy. Their agile bodies make them efficient when it comes to breaking out of fenced yards. But if they are trained to stay inside their contained yard, they will usually cooperate. All in all, Vizsla Labs are well-rounded dogs that can adapt to a wide range of environments and situations. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They like to please and are rarely aggressive, so they can be trusted to behave in the chaotic and loud setting that kids are good at creating. They can get too excited when young kids are acting rowdy, though, which could result in an accidental injury. Children should learn to stay calm and even-tempered when spending time indoors with these dogs. They like to be the life of the party at the dog park, and they will happily introduce themselves to strange dogs when they meet one on the streets. This can put them in danger when meeting an aggressive dog, though, so they should always be kept on a leash when in public. Image Credit: Jared Cook, Shutterstock Things to Know When Owning a Vizsla Lab Mix If you want to make sure that your Vizsla Lab puppy grows into a strong and healthy adult, you should make a game plan for how to care for them properly from the time that you first bring them home. Here is what you need to know to come up with a successful game plan. Owners can expect them to eat between 3 and 4 cups of dry commercial food each day or the equivalent in commercial wet or homemade food. They do well on a high-quality commercial diet if the food features real meat as the protein source and real fruits and vegetables as the main carbohydrate energy source. Choosing a food that is free of animal by-products and artificial ingredients will help ensure a long and happy life for your Vizsla Lab pup. While they love cuddling up with family members and laying in front of the fire on a chilly afternoon, they need about 90 minutes of vigorous exercise and activity to stay healthy and happy throughout their puppy, adult, and senior years. A daily walk is a must, as is time playing fetch or running around in the yard. These dogs will never turn down a trip to the dog park. They also love playing with toys and engaging in activities like hide-and-seek when spending time indoors. They can even be trained to walk on a treadmill for exercise when the weather is too bad to go outside for a walk. They should learn how to come, sit, and stay while they are still puppies. Practicing the stay command will help teach your pooch patience so they can get along well in the family household. The Vizsla Lab mix is extremely agile, which makes them excellent candidates to participate in agility competitions. Agility training in a public setting will allow your pooch to socialize with other dogs while expelling pent-up energy and challenging their mind. These dogs can also be trained as service animals , which will allow them to do things like help a family member with PTSD or help out at a facility where you volunteer your own time. They should get enough outdoor exercise to keep their nails naturally trimmed, but they should still be checked regularly for cracks, chips, and splits. They are prone to ear infections, so the ears should be checked for redness and swelling before being thoroughly cleaned with a damp cloth once a week or so. With quality veterinary care and the awareness of these possible problems, though, you can protect your pooch from these health conditions. Minor Conditions. This mixed breed is known to be energetic, adventurous, and loyal. They are established as good working dogs as well. Both of its parents come from breeds that are used as hunting dogs. Therefore, they are not qualified to join the said club. There is little information about the exact origin of this designer breed. But it is believed that the Hungarian Vizsla Labrador mix was first bred when the Hungarian Vizsla dog was brought to the United States. This was most likely by the time World War II was coming to an end. Many years later, the interest in the breed began to escalate because of its amazing hunting abilities. The Vizsla was originally bred 1, years ago in Hungary as a hunting companion. That was its main purpose due to its dominant instinct to point and retrieve. Labrador Retrievers, on the other hand, date back to the s in Newfoundland in Canada. These dogs were owned by fishermen, and their main purpose was to retrieve fish that had fallen from fishing hooks and pull back nets filled with fish. These two breeds share many similarities when it comes to their temperaments. This results in an offspring that will grow up to be highly intelligent, hardworking, and capable of being a hunting and working dog. It may look like a Vizsla with the features of a Labrador or the other way around. However, they typically have V-shaped ears, dark-colored noses, and short, straight coats. They either have a muscular or a thin and tall physique. Their coat colors can be rust, fawn, golden, cream, or black. They may also inherit the chocolate brown color of the Labrador. Moreover, this hybrid can also have either brown or amber eyes, depending on the parent breeds. A Vizsla Chocolate Lab mix is one of the most unique and eye-catching mixed dogs you can find. In spite of that, when they are mixed together, their offspring make up this perfect blend of physical features that looks beautifully balanced. For a male Vizsla Lab mix, it can grow at around 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. Since both the Vizsla and Labrador are considered medium-sized breeds, we can expect that the Vizsla Lab mix puppy will fully grow with a similar height and weight. Even this hybrid dog can walk around in an apartment-living kind of area. However, it can be an advantage if you own a house with a backyard. As long as they have an area they can freely run around to, and they are regularly taken outside for a trip or a long walk with their humans, they will be just fine and satisfied. They are amazing with young ones as well since they are playful, loving, and have gentle behavior. Being high-energy dogs that they are, they will certainly enjoy activities that allow them to run around and explore, like going on hikes, walks, or jogs with their humans. They are easy to please because they are eager to learn and love human interaction, which makes them very sociable to anyone of any age. They may exhibit signs of separation anxiety because they love to be clingy and snuggly with their humans. When you own Vizsla Lab mix puppies, you have to make sure to provide them continuous attention and training for them to develop good social skills as they grow. Watch this video of a Vizsla Lab mix in training to have a peek at their skills and trainability: Kibo - Vizsla x Labrador Puppy - 3. In general, mixed breeds are considered healthier than purebreds because of what scientists call hybrid vigor. With proper exercise and diet, and regular checkups to the vet, you can assure yourself and your growing Vizsla Labrador mix a healthy life. Unfortunately, they are still prone to a few health problems. Here are some common health issues in Vizsla Lab mixes you should know about: Hip Dysplasia: This is a skeletal condition common in the parent breeds that affects the hip joints. Vizsla Lab mix dogs that develop hip dysplasia may have difficulty moving and walking. As these affected parts deteriorate, the pain becomes more intense, resulting in immobility. Hip and elbow dysplasia may also be a possible combination. Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden seizures due to an abnormality in the brain. Sebaceous Adenitis: This is a common inflammatory skin problem in Vizslas. Since the Vizsla Lab mix has a short double coat, they are prone to this disease. This results in hair loss along with drying and scaling of the skin, mostly affecting the trunk, head, and ears. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : Even though considered a minor issue, progressive retinal atrophy is a group of degenerative diseases that alters the photoreceptor cells. When your Vizsla Lab mix dog has this disease, this may lead to partial to complete blindness if the cells continue to degrade. Some health problems tend to be inevitable due to genetics. But as long as you are well aware of where you got your Vizsla Lab mix pups and you take good care of them, they will develop little to no health issues. This will also help to ensure that the future lineage will have healthy genes. It can either be single or double-coated. Double-coated Vizsladors usually have slight wavy hairs around their back. Coat color is typically rusty red. Black, chocolate, and various shades of yellow are also possible. Vizsla Lab Mix black will also have a soft undercoat that is waterproof and can withstand cold weather. A black Lab and Vizsla Mix will be calmer and less jumpy but nevertheless possess a friendly and affectionate nature. Vizsla black Lab Mix puppies are similar in playfulness and energy to most Vizsladors and, in fact, would not reach full mental maturity until the age of 2 to 4 years. Brown Vizsla Lab Mix also has brown noses and paws. Eye color of the chocolate Lab and Vizsla Mix can be brown or hazel with the brown ranging from dark to sepia. Vizsla and chocolate Lab Mix can be stockier and would have less of the hound look of Vizslas. As with all Lab Vizsla Mix, the chocolate Lab Mixed with Vizsla is sociable, smart, and shows very little aggressiveness. A Vizsla mix that can exhibit a degree of aggressive behavior is the chocolate Lab Vizsla Pitbull Mix which is a cross between a chocolate Vizslador and an American Staffordshire Terrier. A yellow Labrador can have a range of yellow shades from off-white to butter yellow and gold, so the Vizsla and yellow Lab Mix will also have different varieties of shades. It is typical to see lighter coloration around the neck and shoulders of a yellow Lab and Vizsla Mix. Coat of a yellow Lab Mix with Vizsla can be single or double-coated. Light shadings around the neck and shoulders are possible and also small white markings on the chest and toes. They are double-coated with a wiry outer coat and a dense undercoat. Vizsla Lab Mix temperament and personality Vizsla Lab Mix personality is very affectionate that loves the company of their family and also other people. Vizsla Lab Mix does tend to be clingy and very dependent on their owners making them prone to separation anxiety. Vizsla Lab Mix characteristics Lab Vizsla Mix is an active breed that needs lots of physical exercise. Do Retriever Vizsla Mix make great family pets? Yes, Labs Mixed with Vizsla are a great addition to any family. Retriever Vizsla Mix are great for those that love outdoor activities and are very active. Viszla Lab Mix are very playful and remain so until they are 4 years of age, which makes them ideal for older kids. Are Viszla Lab Mix affectionate dogs? Labrador Vizsla Mix training Due to the Vizsla heritage, a Labrador Vizsla Mix may have the tendency to jump on you when he gets overly excited. However, Labrador Vizsla Mix are highly intelligent and can be easily trained as long as you start them young. They can mature slower than other breeds, so consistency and patience are important. Keep sessions short for about 10 minutes to keep them calm and receptive to learning. They are very agile and energetic and they need to let off steam physically and mentally to avoid destructive behaviors. You can split their exercise into two 2 sessions with a walk in the morning and a game of fetch or frisbee in the afternoon. When walking your Vizsla Lab Mix, be sure to use either a rope dog leash or a retractable dog leash. Another way many owners keep their Vizsla Lab active throughout the day is by allowing their pooch to roam freely in their backyard or patio. If you also let your pups roam freely in your yard, make sure the backyard is fully fenced. You may come across zoning laws that prohibit the installation of fences in your town or county. If this is the case, a great alternative is to install a wireless dog fence which will also keep your canine friends safe. Also known as the invisible doggy fence, many K9 owners prefer this fence because it is adaptable to any and all types of terrains, whether it be hilly, mountainous, or flat grassy terrain. Many pet owners will also get an electronic dog door because they find that the automatic doggy door saves them so much time and energy from frequently opening and closing the door every time their pooch needs to head outside or come back into the house. Lab Vizsla Mix are ideal indoor dogs because they thrive when there is close human companionship. Vizsla and Lab grooming and cleaning Vizsla and Lab Mixes are low-maintenance dogs that only need to be brushed once or twice weekly depending on whether they are single or double-coated. Brushing daily or at least twice a week with a slicker brush helps spread the natural oils throughout their skin and coat and this process assists in moisturizing their skin and coat while also reducing matting and tangling. If you have a Vizsla and Lab that is double-coated, they will shed heavily during the shedding seasons spring and fall. It is normal for Vizsla and Lab to shed and leave their fur all over your sofa, upholstery, carpet, or hardwood floor. If you find this to be a nuisance, we highly recommend that you invest in a powerful and durable vacuum cleaner. Here is the one we use with two active dogs at our house. We love that there are 6 different suction power settings specific to the surface we need to clean. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Lab is known for being intelligent, kind, and outgoing. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Labrador Retriever or the Wirehaired Vizsla? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Labrador Retriever Wirehaired Vizsla Mix. While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Labrador Retriever Wirehaired Vizsla Mix puppy. If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills. Labrador Retriever History Labrador Retriever, also called a Lab, is a retriever-gun dog—hence the name. The Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds in not only the United States but in the United Kingdom as well. This breed is also frequently trained as a disability assistance animal and are still prized as a sporting and hunting dog to this day. Known for being a loving, loyal and smart breed, the Labrador Retriever is a strong choice among families for the types of dog to bring home. They are great with kids and love to play as much as they can, so going on family adventures is just as exciting for them as it is for the family. The ancestors of the Labrador Retriever—a St. At the same time, over in Canada, the St. In the s, many ancestors of the breed were imported from Newfoundland to Europe to be used for gundogs. Moving forward to s, the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Earl of Home came together to breed what is now the modern Labrador Retriever. In terms of the history of the subtypes of the Labrador Retriever, there is a Yellow and a Chocolate option for this breed. The first Yellow Labrador Retriever was born in while the first Chocolate Labrador Retrievers were established in the s. There is also a black Labrador Retriever. They are an excellent hunting dog with a great personality. They obviously have wiry hair and are a completely different breed than their smooth coated cousin. They were developed in the s to produce a dog similar to a Vizsla but that could withstand harsher weather. They were crossed with many other breeds, including the Bloodhound and Irish Setter among others. This is an incredibly rare breed with only or so in the United States at this time. They are a member of the AKCs foundation stock service program.

Ian discusses how we should learn to see the world from our dogs perspective and in doing so, how we can better earn their love and trust. Armed with this love and trust, we will form a better relationship and as a result, effective training becomes just that much more effective and enjoyable for both you and your dog. But please, first make sure to use the search facility in the footer of this website and browse our other sections as the subject may have already been covered: Labrador health and care , Labrador behavior , Labrador puppies , infobites and Labrador breed information. External Resources On Labrador Training Although referring to all breeds in general and not purely Labradors, for those of you that love to watch and not read, the series of dog training videos on www. If you like reading books then check out one of our favorite Lab books: The Complete Labrador Handbook. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. If this is the case,…. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Gundog expert Jayne Coley summarises the early training routine that she followed with her own young labrador, Trade. Register for our newsletter To continue reading this content please register for our newsletter. You have to adapt your training to suit the type of puppy you have. The steps below summarise the training routine that I have followed with my young dog, Trade, who has an easy-going temperament. I began to train him properly in the New Year when he was 9 — 10 months old, though I usually wait until the shooting season is over when I have time to do a little each day on a regular basis. Step 1: Foundations By the age of 9 — 10 months, Trade had been toilet trained, knew his name and came back when I called him. He had been well socialised and behaved in company on a lead, was used to going out in my vehicle and had learned to swim. Trade has never been chastised for carrying something he should not, e. I then place the item out of reach. Crucially, by this age we had built up a good bond before formal training began. Step 2: Heelwork It was so wet and muddy at home so I started training on the patio and in our yard where the pup is restricted to a certain area and there are no distractions. We began with heelwork on the lead. To keep the exercise interesting, I walked in straight lines, did figures of eight, included the occasional tight turn and altered my pace. This all helped to keep Trade focused on what we were doing. If he didn't sit immediately, I repeated the command whilst pushing his bottom down with my left hand. Once confident with this routine, I put a lightweight collar on him and progressed to walking to heel off the lead, using my hands to encourage him to keep his head up and concentrate on me, when necessary. If he did move, I calmly walked up to him and, holding his collar, took him back to the exact spot he moved from in a quiet but positive manner. I slowly built up the distance until I could walk around him in a huge circle. Once he did this perfectly, I introduced the recall. Instead of always walking back to him, I would call him back to me, encouraging him to come straight to my hands which were cupped gently in front of my hips. Once I was happy with this, I began to mix up heelwork with sit and stay, and recall. When he didn't move, I quietly picked the dummy up myself. Gradually — over several days — I built on this until I could throw a couple of dummies, one at a time, over and around him and he remained steady. It is always important to lift the pup's top lip out of the way when you put a dummy in his mouth. Trade was reluctant to do this at first, but with patience and perseverance over several days, he accepted it. Slowly, I built on this until I could walk away backwards the length of the lead and call him to me, concentrating on perfecting a good delivery, using my hands to encourage him to bring the dummy right to me with his head held nice and high. Step 6: Retrieving Next, we worked on being sent for a retrieve. I then bent down and pointed my right hand towards the dummy whilst looking at the top of his head to make sure he was looking past my hand at it, before saying his name positively and at the same time letting go of one end of the lead so that he instinctively ran forward and picked the dummy. Initially, I sat back on my heels, which encouraged him to run straight back to me. Slowly we built on this until the lead was no longer needed. Sometimes I would send him for the dummy, sometimes I'd pick it up myself, or I'd walk him to heel in the opposite direction before sending him. On other occasions, I would stand well back from Trade and throw a dummy over his head, call him to me and then send him for the dummy from my position. I like to vary things as this keeps him interested and wondering what I am going to do next. He was at first a little unsure, so I repeated it in a lighter tone, to which he responded. In return, I praised him quietly. Always remember, training a dog is like building a house — it is imperative that the foundations are put down properly, otherwise, sooner or later, cracks will appear. Keep it light and encouraging when you praise, and low and gruff when you scold, so your puppy knows the difference. Especially if you have a boisterous puppy. Keep everything calm and relaxed, and do things in your time. Check Price on Amazon 6. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. This is known as command nagging. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If an order is not executed the first time, show your Lab what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they learn to obey the first time the command is made. Discipline at the Precise Moment of the Unwanted Behavior Timing is crucial when disciplining your 8-week-old Labrador pup. Dogs will typically forget an experience in 2 minutes. However, they can recall your training commands through associative memory. Once your pup has corrected his unwanted behavior with the desired behavior, reward him with a tasty treat and lots of praise. To learn more about how to discipline your dog, check out my top article, How to Discipline a Labrador: What Not to Do! It can also cause aggression in dogs , as found in this year-long study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. Using physical punishment such as hitting, kicking, or grabbing the jowls and shaking, is simply animal abuse. Other unacceptable methods are physically forcing the dog down onto its side or back, growling at your dog, withdrawing food, using a shock collar, or tying it for hours. Wean Your Puppy off Training Treats Your Labrador needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when he has repeatedly performed the behavior and completely mastered it in different locations and with various distractions. Nonetheless, your Labrador puppy is still a dog in training, and you still need to tell him that he has done the right thing. The rule of thumb is that they are trained young when it comes to dog training. You should train Labrador puppies as soon as you bring them home, typically around 8 weeks of age. The American Kennel Club AKC indicates that the first key milestone when training a Lab pup is 8 weeks, as soon as they have left their mother. It is a crucial time to lay the foundation for your Labrador puppy to integrate into the family. When you bring your Labrador Retriever puppy home at two months, it has most likely interacted with a few situations and is eager enough to learn and follow the rules of a new home. A recent study scientifically proved that 8-week-old puppies are quite capable of learning at this young age as they quickly learned to open a puzzle box baited with food and remembered the skill an hour later. Interestingly, these puppies learned the skill better from a human rather than their mother. Other studies have also proven that it is effective for future behavior to teach puppies socialization and other skills rather than adults. In this study, puppies who attended a command and socialization training class for one hour a day for six months responded better to strangers than adult dogs who attended the same classes. Are Lab Puppies Easy to Train? Lab puppies are easy to train. They are a working breed that enjoys physical and mental stimulation and have many positive traits. They are intelligent, devoted, friendly, highly social, and love to please. They are often used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, or search and rescue due to their easy trainability. Apart from the age factor, other breed-specific reasons make training a Labrador puppy easy. Here are three examples: Labradors are among the most intelligent dog breeds. In his book, The Intelligence of Dogs, canine psychologist Stanley Coren lists Labradors in the top tier of the smartest dogs. So, even at just two months, your puppy has it in his blood to learn and carry out commands. To perform their original working job of retrieving fish that came off the trawl, Labradors had to be watchful and enthusiastic. These are essential learning characteristics. As game and waterfowl retrievers for hunters, Labradors have to be obedient. Another core training requirement makes your Lab puppy easy to train. With these ten principles on exactly how to train an 8-week-old Labrador, you can now apply them to the key areas your young puppy needs to be trained in. Labrador Puppy Training: Key Areas There are five critical areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week-old Lab puppy. In the next section, I will tell you what the training entails. How to Socialize a Labrador They say humans are social beings, but that is also true about dogs. Socialization begins with the breeder and continues with you. To socialize a Labrador, expose him to many different places and situations. Include sounds, smells, other adults, children, animals, cars, objects, etc. Dogs who are well socialized in the first 12 weeks will be set up for life. Socializing and training your puppy young plays a significant role in the development of adult dogs, as evidenced in this important study. Here are two key findings: Dogs that are well socialized as pups will behave more positively with humans and are less likely to display unwanted behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. Socialized dogs are more likely to engage in positive social behaviors with humans. They also learn better how to play games with humans, helping them establish a true bond with their owners. As a puppy, you can teach your Labrador social skills and confidence through intentional training moments in the family. Once he has completed his vaccinations, take him to public places such as parks or puppy socialization classes. Put him outside hourly and learn to anticipate when he needs to go. Reward and praise him when he does go outside. Usually, puppies will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and after meals. Use their natural rhythm for daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing in the area they sleep in and usually hold it. Nonetheless, very young puppies might be unable to do so. Walk your Labrador after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to allow him to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. Puppies will need to be allowed to relieve themselves every hour, and for vaccinated dogs, a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent them from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you need to go out, get someone to help you stick to the routine. Repeating this routine for the first few days will give your new furry friend a good idea of his expectations. Check out my guide to Labrador potty training here. To crate train an 8-week-old Labrador puppy, start as soon as you bring him home. Slowly introduce him to the crate by throwing a treat inside and let him explore the crate voluntarily. When you first leave him with the door closed, make sure he is tired as he will sleep and not be afraid. Check out my Best Dog Crates for Labradors and Playpens recommendations, including soft crates, travel crates, and furniture styles. Here are six key things you should practice when crate-training your Labrador: Keep your puppy in the crate at night. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets used to other sleeping arrangements. My puppy cried during the first night, but she was just fine after that. Lab puppies can be left alone in a crate for 1 hour for each month of age for up to 4 hours. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house. This is also for his safety, such as when you are cooking. Do not let your Lab out of the cage when barking or giving you those puppy eyes. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate, i. He will quickly learn that being quiet leads to nice things. He will quickly learn that this special place is just for him. Various toys and bedding will offer some comfort for your Labrador. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, the best ones will give your Lab enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. Instead, buy a crate with an adjustable divider that allows him to grow into and choose a standard metal model with either a single or double door. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel , also from Amazon, are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog. This one is even airline adaptable and meets most airline cargo specifications. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained not to hurt as they have learned their bite inhibition. This simply means that the dog has learned to control the strength of his bite. This sends the message that the bite hurts. Persist by leaving your hand in his mouth until he lets go, then use lots of praise. All puppies need to master this technique that they initially learned from their mother and littermates. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Training your Lab puppy to soft bite must be done in puppyhood as an adolescent dog will not know how to adjust the force of his jaws when he has adult teeth and adult jaw muscles. This can be devastating for you both, should your Labrador go on to bite someone! Have realistic expectations — as it can take your puppy weeks to learn his soft bite. How to Train a Labrador Puppy to Walk on a Leash Walking on a leash is not a natural skill in dogs — they need to learn it! Teach a leash cue, then introduce the pup to very short walks. If the dog pulls, stand fast and wait for him to return to you before continuing. Do this by letting him wear them for short periods inside the house and yard. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached, such as the Walk Your Dog With Love harness. They give you more control and are ideal for medium-large breeds. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your Lab to short walks outside on a leash. When it appears he is about to lunge toward another dog or object, quickly distract him with a treat. Timing is crucial. Reward him every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of leash walking is perfected. You can start steps 1 and 2 when the puppy is young, but you can only commence step 3 once the dog has been vaccinated. Final Thoughts Eight weeks old is the perfect time to train a Labrador puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, not biting, and leash training. To successfully train your Lab puppy in these areas, you must follow good training principles such as using reward-based training, being consistent in your commands, and disciplining at the precise moment of poor behavior. Begin with basic commands before introducing more complex or trick commands. Related Posts You May Like:. Print Early obedience first step to better hunting dog Labrador puppies start out sweet and innocent. All you want to do is cuddle up with your pup and love them! And you should! But rest assured the innocence will not last. As your pup gains confidence and courage, they will begin to test you in many ways. That is why you must obedience train your Labrador puppy. Early obedience training is key to establishing borders and boundaries that will help your puppy grow, learn, and adjust with a good attitude. There is no shortcut to doing this, just use the name often when you talk to your puppy. Over time, the pup will start to respond to the name. Socialization, while not technically obedience training, is the single most important thing you can teach your puppy during the first few months of life. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to this post. Tools needed to obedience train Labrador puppy You will need a few tools to teach your puppy obedience. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Collar — You should purchase a size appropriate collar for your new puppy. You may have to buy new ones as your dog grows, but it is important for your puppy to get used to wearing a collar early on. A simple nylon adjustable collar works great. Chain collar — If your puppy is more than a few months old, a chain or prong collar is extremely helpful in teaching obedience, but they must be used correctly. For more information on how to put a chain collar on your dog correctly refer to this video. A longer lead, called a check cord, is also useful for teaching HERE and retrieving. You can learn more about that here. Heeling stick optional — While optional, a heeling stick can be especially helpful in teaching basic obedience. Treats — Treats are good for teaching very young puppies. I use treats for pups under 12 weeks of age, but treats should be discontinued rather quickly. When to start basic puppy obedience training Obedience training can and should start within the first couple weeks of having your puppy home. Young puppies are ready and willing to learn and teaching obedience to a young puppy is much easier than teaching it to an older dog. How long should obedience sessions be? Most labs do not enjoy obedience training. For this reason, we aim to keep obedience sessions short, especially if your dog is under 4-months of age. Five to ten minutes of obedience a day can work wonders. Especially if you are consistent. Using rewards or praise to teach obedience Many people like to use treats or rewards for obedience training. And this can work, especially with very young dogs. But for hunting dogs, over the long-term treats can become a problem. We do not want our dogs, or the dogs we train to be obedient only because they are getting a food reward. We want them to be obedient because they understand their place in the family and respect the owners. To get these lasting results, we use praise words and petting and a reward that retrievers live for — retrieves! Well-timed praise is a particularly important part of dog training. A message that it is okay to ignore me the first 9 times! This simply means that after a few minutes of formal obedience training, we release the dog with an OKAY command and that means they can run around and be a dog. We then throw a bumper or plug a for the dog to retriever. We do this a few times with a lot of excitement and allow the dog to retrieve the bumper. For retriever breeds, this is often more effective than a food reward. Be careful that you are not letting your puppy get into bad habits with retrieving. For instance, if your puppy often goes out to retrieve the bumper but then runs away with it, or picks it up and drops it, do not continue doing retrieves. While retrieving is a reward for many Labs, it is not an excuse to engage in behaviors that are not going to be acceptable in the field. If you want to learn more about how to properly teach your Lab to retrieve, check out How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Introduction to leash and nylon collar The very first step for any puppy obedience is to introduce your puppy to a regular collar and leash. This should be done in two separate steps, first the collar and then the leash. Introduce the collar by putting a nylon type collar on your puppy. This is normal and you should not react to it. Introducing the leash is a little different. We like to do this outside. After a few sessions of this introduction, you can start holding the leash by the end and walking with the puppy. When the puppy tries to run or walk away, hold tight to the leash, and just let the puppy get used to the resistance. Some puppies have a hard time with this and will growl or whine and whip themselves around at the pressure, but most will not. Remain calm and after a few sessions the puppy should get used to the resistance of the leash. Do not allow the puppy to pull you around. That will make for some bad behaviors that you will need to correct later. If you cannot control your puppy with just a regular collar and leash, you may need to move to a chain or prong collar to keep control. What commands to teach Lab puppy There are only four basic obedience commands that you need to teach your young puppy. Remember when it comes to commands, less is more. OKAY — this is a release command, basically tells your dog were done training, go be a dog. As your puppy grows and learns more, there are some other commands that may be needed, but for puppies I like to start with just the four above. Dog training requires consistency Before you start with obedience training, I want to make a note about the importance of consistency. Obedience training only works if you are consistent. This means that when you say a command, you expect the puppy to perform the command, and are willing to take steps to make the puppy perform the command. If you do not remain consistent in this expectation, you will confuse your dog and get poor results from your training. You and your family must be consistent! How to start obedience training Lab puppy The first command you want to start teaching your puppy is SIT. This is quite easy to teach with a small puppy but gets a little tougher as they get bigger. Then release the puppy with the OKAY command. Repeat this process several times, then stop. If your puppy is weeks old, you can repeat this training several times a day for only a couple minutes at a time. This will be a two-person job for a little while. The other person will put the food down a few feet from the puppy. Then release the puppy to eat saying OKAY. As the pup learns and understands the command better, you will no longer need a second person to hold the puppy. You must be a little careful here because young puppies do not have great bladder control and making them wait, even a few seconds, can mean the difference between an accident and them doing their business outside. But this is a great way to teach impulse control and manners to your puppy. I do not want to have to fight for a position by the door. You can usually start working on this within a week or two of teaching SIT. A great way to teach this command to young puppies is to use two people and sit in a long hallway, one at each end. Take turns calling your puppy with a HERE command. A toy or treat can often help the process. Let your puppy run around a bit but hold onto the end of the cord. Occasionally, call you puppy with a HERE command. It can be helpful at first to crouch down to encourage the puppy to run towards you. Then release the puppy with an OKAY command. Do this a few more times and repeat daily until the puppy is coming to you without you needing to pull the cord. It is also the command most of our clients struggle with the most. Mostly because they are using the wrong tool for the job. For heeling work, it is important that you work with a chain or prong collar. This will give you more control and stop the pulling and surging that many people struggle with. Using a chain or prong collar and a six-foot leash, start walking your puppy at your side. If your puppy is young, be sure to use a puppy chain collar which is smaller than chain collars for adult dogs. And make sure that you are putting it on correctly! An alternate tool to a chain collar and leash is the Wonder or Command Lead. These work great for teaching HEEL. As you start walking use gently tugs on the chain collar with the command HERE to keep your puppy at your side. If your puppy surges or pulls ahead, simply make a degree turn and start walking the other direction giving a sharp, upward tug on the chain collar and saying HEEL several times until the dog is back in a heeling position. Many of our clients have told us they never left their driveway the first few days! But if you are patient and consistent, your dog will quickly learn that if they want to go for a walk, they need to stay at your side. If you want to learn and progress in more obedience work, check out these obedience drills for retrievers. Final thoughts on how to teach your lab puppy obedience Teaching your puppy obedience may take a lot of patience, time and work, but it is such an important thing to do. You will never regret the time! A well-mannered dog is such a joy to be around both in the home and in the field. How to obedience train Labrador puppy. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!

Reasons why your German Shepherd is not eating As pet parents, we all want our four-legged family members to get the best nutrition to keep them strong and healthy, so it can be worrying if their appetite changes. Your dog is stressed or anxious Stress hormones can suppress the appetite. Dental problems Gum recession, tooth root abscesses, fractured teeth, or teething can all cause pain in the mouth that might mean chewing is uncomfortable for your dog. Dogs with dental disease might drop their food, throw it around their mouth, or struggle with dried kibble. If their food is causing some vomiting or diarrhea regularly due to allergies, your dog might not be keen to eat it if they know it makes them feel poorly. Your dog will pick up on this change and might not be hungry at the new feeding time or might be feeling stressed. German Shepherds need around 2 hours a day for adults. Less than this and they might only want a small portion of food to avoid overeating and weight gain. How can I get my German Shepherd eating again? Getting your pup to eat again after a period of inappetence can be challenging, and you want to be sure you are offering your dog the right food to get them back to their usual selves. Here are our top tips to help get your German Shepherd eating again: Switch their food Dogs like variety, so switching up their food by mixing wet and dry or adding some water, or even changing brands every few months can keep them interested. Feed at a specific time each day and stick to a routine Dogs are creatures of routine, and German Shepherds are very sensitive to change. Establish a routine when your dog is a puppy and introduce changes gradually. Your dog will learn to expect and want their food around a certain time, and they may not be hungry outside of it. A behaviorist can help you here, and some simple training techniques will help. Make mealtimes fun Games, interactive feeders, and slow feeding bowls can make mealtime more interesting for your dog, stimulate their senses and make them more enthusiastic about their food. When to see the vet A lack of appetite can be worrying for any pet parent. The vet will examine your dog and might want to do tests to find out what the problem is and get your dog the treatment they need. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are highly intelligent and sensitive dogs, so they can go off their food for reasons as simple as a change in routine or environment, or stress such as separation anxiety. Most adult dogs can go a day or two without food. Puppies cannot go as long without food. When should I worry about my dog not eating? If your dog is not eating for 24 hours or more, or it is a long-term problem then get them checked at the vet. Why does my dog suddenly not want to eat? Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Check Price on Amazon 5. If you give treats just to entice your German Shepherd to eat, you are turning him into a fussy eater! So, are German Shepherds fussy eaters? Now and again, a little healthy treat is just fine. You can also try some fruits or vegetables , especially if the treat cupboard is bare. Your German Shepherd may have also eaten something poisonous while roaming in the garden or fields. Dogs are known for eating anything they can find left lying around or even getting into the garbage! Take care with foods like chocolate or grapes , and never leave these lying around where your dog can get at them, as they can be highly toxic. If your German Shepherd has had his recent vaccinations, sometimes these can cause adverse reactions, including loss of appetite. The good news is this should only be brief — just ensure your dog is drinking plenty of water and keeping himself hydrated. If nothing else seems to be working and you are worried, you should schedule a visit with the veterinarian as soon as you can. He likes to eat at certain times of the day Just like you might not like to eat breakfast at 6 a. Though this can be concerning at first, you should be keeping track of how much food in total your German Shepherd is eating throughout the day. If he still eats about the same amount, he simply might prefer to eat at specific times of the day! On a similar note, your dog may prefer to eat little and often. My German Shepherd used to eat one meal in the morning and one in the evening. However, now that she is older, she prefers to eat both meals in the evening. Take your dog on a long walk before feeding — so he works up an appetite. Give him lots of praise when he eats from his bowl. Make feeding time fun — try putting a lid on his food, so he must remove it first. It gets over , top reviews! If your dog refuses his meal, take his bowl away after 15 minutes and then only put it down again a few hours later. Limit treats to training times only. If he senses that you are stressed and anxious about his loss of appetite, he may also become stressed and not eat at all! A sudden lack of appetite and resulting weight loss can signify other issues going on. Switch His Food If your dog slowly lost interest in food over a few weeks, he might no longer like his current food. Here are some ways to target his diet and boost his loss of appetite. Choose a more fragrant food. Try picking food that smells more like meat and has a more intense aroma. Add wet food or soak his food in warm water. I feed her cold-pressed dog food, which she just adores and continues to thrive on. Hopefully, these steps will fix the situation and return your dog to regular eating habits. Take Him to the Vet Vet visits can be costly, but so are the treatment methods for the condition or disease your dog might currently be experiencing. I would always recommend having a decent pet insurance policy in place, as this will always give you peace of mind. A healthy German Shepherd can go up to five to seven days without eating as long as they are still drinking water. However, if your German Shepherd refuses to drink water for 48 hours, it is time to bring your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic. If your German Shepherd is eating only once a day, it may be due to a routine that has been established over time. However, feeding your dog only once a day can lead to health problems such as gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV. Add variety to the diet and check the consumption. German Shepherd Not Eating and Diarrhea. If your German Shepherd is not eating and has diarrhea, it could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a change in diet, stress, anxiety, or a gastrointestinal infection. When your German Shepherd stops eating, you need to take the necessary steps to figure out the source of the problem and how to address it. Add wet food or warm water to boost his appetite and make his food more palatable and fragrant. Keep an eye on his other behaviors to see how his mood and movements have changed. Call the vet and schedule an appointment to have him checked over. Related Posts You May Like:. Sep 1, Share Determining the causes of a loss of appetite in your German Shepherd is often tricky. The symptom is non-diagnostic and can point to so many reasons. It can indicate minor things or something more serious. Is there nausea or vomiting? Is your pet experiencing GI distress? You should be aware of anything unusual. When symptoms appear together, it can give your veterinarian a shortlist of things to check. Just saying that my German Shepherd is too skinny is vague. It can make learning the root of the problem more difficult. Remember that canines have a keen sense of smell with over 16 times the sensory receptors and 40 times the brain capacity. That means dogs are often more sensitive to different foods. Image Credit: Angeleses, Pixabay 2. You probably know about chocolate. However, there are also several obscure ones, such as avocados and macadamia nuts. Eating Is Painful Dental problems are often a culprit that can turn your pup off its food. Severe cases might make it too painful for your dog to eat. That makes regular dental care imperative. Image Credit: PixieMe, Shutterstock 4. Common types include chemotherapy drugs, pain meds, and some antibiotics. Luckily, the symptoms resolve quickly after your pet goes off the things causing the problems. Fortunately, many are specific to the condition, which makes diagnosis easier. Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss occurs with several of them, including stomach worms, roundworms , and threadworms. They also resolve quickly once they are identified. It can have a similar effect on your canine friend as it does on humans. Think of how you feel in a tense situation. Probably the last thing you want to do is eat. Your body—and that of your German Shepherd—allocate its resources to escaping the threat instead of passive ones like eating. They sometimes experience separation anxiety if they are kept alone for long stretches. It can manifest in many ways, including a loss of appetite. Counterconditioning therapy can help your pup cope better with your absences. Image Credit: DanaTentis, Pixabay 8. Veterinarians can tell you a plethora of stories about the things dogs have swallowed, from socks to rocks to Super Balls. A loss of appetite, vomiting, and pain are the telltale symptoms. The list includes a broad range of conditions, from liver disease to bacterial problems to urinary tract infections. Your vet will likely begin with a complete blood profile. Image Credit: Goran Horvat, Pixabay .Your Pup Has Cancer Cancer often causes a decrease in appetite, too. It can result from the disease or its treatment. The difference is that it can often result in a dramatic weight loss that is visible quickly and noticeably. Keeping your German Shepherd will give your pup its best defense against this disease. Final Thoughts Dogs differ from cats in that they often wear their symptoms on their proverbial sleeves. Related Read:. It can be particularly worrisome if your pup typically loves their food. Well, here is a guide to why your German Shepherd may be having this issue and what you can do to solve it. When should you worry about your German Shepherd not eating, though? This depends on a few different factors. In case their appetite is back after the following meal or the meal after that, then your pooch may be fine. You should continue to keep an eye on their appetite as well as their health and energy levels. It is best to take them to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. In general, if your German Shepherd is still not eating by the second day, take them to the vet as their health can begin to decline after this. There are a couple of things you can try in this instance. In some cases, adding broth or aromatic juices can help get your pooch more excited about mealtime. Mixing in some wet food may work as well. You can also try switching flavors or dog food brands. Instead, buy smaller sample sizes and see if your German Shepherd finds another option more appealing. Remember that dogs can be fussy about aroma, size of kibble, texture, and more. It can take a bit some trial and error to find the perfect fit for your pooch. Or, do you just feed them throughout the day? If so, you are probably giving your dog too much food or they have gotten used to feeding at odd hours. With many breeds, sticking to certain portion sizes and feeding twice or thrice a day, at specific times is best. This ensures that your dog only gets as much food and nutrition as they require. It also makes it easier for you to keep track of their appetite. Gradually increase the hours between meal times until it becomes a daily routine. In turn, they may not have much of an appetite. Adult German Shepherds need up to two hours of exercise each day. In addition to long, brisk walks, they also need to play fetch and Frisbee. Many German Shepherds also require agility training to be mentally stimulated. Make sure your dog meets its exercise requirements daily. Also, try to break up their physical activity into two or more sessions during the day. If you have to work long hours, it is worth it to hire a dog walker to take your dog outside. It can be one of the first or main symptoms. In many instances, a loss of appetite will be followed by other problems. You may notice vomiting or diarrhea. A lack of energy is rather common as well. Dogs who are in physical pain may not feel like eating either. If other symptoms present themselves, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible, regardless of how mild they may be. There is a good chance that the issue will not resolve itself and it may require medical intervention. Your vet will need to conduct a thorough examination and run tests to determine if there is something wrong. If your pooch is suffering from gingivitis, a loose tooth, or some other issue, their teeth and gums may be painful. This discomfort will dissuade them from eating. The following symptoms can be signs of dental disease: bad breath. Health It is not totally uncommon for a German Shepherd will refuse to eat once in a while. Although this is not totally uncommon, it is always a worrying experience for their humans. This article will help you realize some common reasons why GSDs may have a change in appetite to help you know whether or not to be concerned. So, when they refuse to eat, you know that something might be wrong. Sometimes, this might be because of the sensitive gut the breed is known for. But in many cases, it could be a sign that they are sick or in pain. Additionally, this could also be a sign of other conditions like oral problems or parasites. However, there are fussy GSDs that prefer variety. This issue is most common for dogs that are given access to table food or are fed a wide variety of dog food. They might also lose their appetite when they are depressed. In other cases, medicines can cause nausea or digestive upset, which will also keep your dog from eating. If your dog is refusing to eat because of new medications, make sure to bring it up with your vet. Older dogs become less active and have fewer opportunities to work up an appetite. Sometimes, German Shepherds stop eating the dry kibble that they normally eat. Or, they might ditch the kibble entirely in preference of wet dog food. Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog could be refusing to eat dry food: They have dental issues When oral problems get bad enough, your GSD might refuse to eat due to the pain it causes. This could be caused by cavities, a broken tooth, or swollen gums. In this case, a rotation between kibble brands and variants will help. They just prefer another food Dogs might refuse their regular food in hopes that they will be given another that they have tasted and loved. This might be table scraps or another kind of dog food. In cool weather, German Shepherds use up more energy to keep themselves warm. But in the hot summer months, they prefer to lounge around and keep cool. After some exercise, give them time to cool down completely before giving any food. Dogs can survive up to five days without food as long as they keep drinking water. Fasting for this long may have long-term consequences. More critically, it might be a sign of an underlying illness. If they suddenly have no appetite but they normally eat voraciously and never miss a meal, it should definitely be a cause of concern. Just make sure you observe them for any other warning signs. You might also observe changes in their stool consistency or a lack of enthusiasm for their regular activities. Whether or not they have a good reason for refusing food, here are some things you can do to encourage your German Shepherd to eat: Cut down on treats. Your dog can lose their appetite for their regular food when they have plenty of better-tasting treats throughout the day. Make feeding enjoyable. GSDs are always eager to please. Teach them to wait for their food and take it only on command. Then, praise them for finishing their food. Make food more appetizing. Try topping kibble with different types of food that might whet their appetite. Sometimes, a little bit of boiled chicken or beef broth will do the trick. They might not like the print, the ability to see their reflection, or the feeling on their tongue. Using another feeding bowl might help. Give them plenty of exercise. The energetic German Shepherd may need to tire themselves out to work up an appetite. Give your dog the daily exercise they need and then wait at least half an hour after any physical activity before giving them their meals. However, when your dog refuses to eat, you should also keep an eye out for other signs that could be a cause for concern. While many types of food might help jumpstart their appetite, there are several that might do more harm than good. Even if these foods might get them to eat, the effects might be more harmful. Instead, you can first try to give them some wet dog food for German Shepherds or mix in some plain rice and chicken with their kibble. You know what is normal for your dog! If their change in appetite veers too much from their norm it is best to make an appointment with the vet just to be safe. After covering each one in full detail, you may realize that one of the causes sounds familiar to your situation. The next section will provide the best solutions. There are several reasons why German shepherds stop eating their food. These include disagreeing with their kibble, inactivity, lack of feeding schedule, receiving too many treats, boredom, environmental issues, and underlying health issues. More will be explained about the correct diet and brands in the next section. Recommended Read: Why does my German Shepherd have diarrhea? German Shepherds ideally need around 2 hours or more of exercise per day. Appetite is just one of many things closely linked to exercise. Having routines helps them understand their day and allows them to become comfortable in their environment. Most adult GSDs are fed just twice a day. For puppies, this varies. Day grazing should not be something you engage in with your German Shepherd. By sticking to certain times you are training your German Shepherd to become hungry at those times. Yep, it really does work like that! But it could be the case… If your GSD has been eating the same food for a while, he may just be bored of it. Boredom will not make your GSD sick, so if you do see signs of sickness or being unwell, you can rule boredom out. This may be table scrabs or other forms of food. A change in the environment could be a new neighbor, a new pet, a new person in the household, a loss of someone in the house, or maybe you moved house entirely, the list is quite extensive. Think about your close surroundings and if something has changed. This changes when health issues are present. This is original content produced and published by The Puppy Mag www. There are many common allergens in dog food that may be causing the issues. The biggest culprit being chicken. Yep, chicken, as well as beef, pork, and lamb, are all common allergens, despite being used all the time! Try opting for a premium dog food brand that uses either duck, salmon, or turkey as the main protein source. These digest easily and usually cause fewer issues than chicken. Wet dog food is considerably tastier, juicier, has a higher protein content with fewer preservatives and additives. Adding a small amount to every mealtime will be irresistible for your German Shepherd. This working breed needs this kind of physical activity in order to develop a healthy appetite. Consider his environment Have you recently changed where you put the food bowl? On the flip side, you can try moving his bowl to a different spot to see if that has an effect. If you have young children, allow your GSD to eat in peace. Popular German Shepherd Articles:. German Shepherds, like all dogs, need regular sustenance to thrive and remain healthy. There are many reasons why a German Shepherd may develop a lack of appetite or refuse food altogether, and some are more serious than others. German Shepherds may stop eating due to medical issues such as viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. Environmental factors could also play a role and cause stress, leading to food refusal. Additional reasons include behavioral problems, picky eating, and old age. Read on to learn more about why your dog may not be eating and what you can do about it. German Shepherds And Canine Anorexia Canine anorexia is the term for dogs that refuse to eat—it is a symptom, not a diagnosis. There are two types of canine anorexia including: Pseudo-anorexia — Your German Shepherd may show an interest in food and attempt to eat but cannot do so. He may struggle with chewing, may vomit, or have issues swallowing. True anorexia — Dogs with true anorexia show little to no interest in food. Dogs of all breeds, including German Shepherds, may present with either form of canine anorexia. Some canine viruses may be treated at home, whereas others, like parvovirus, require immediate veterinary care. Always let a veterinarian rule out any medical issues before assuming your German Shepherd is just finicky. Viral Infections In German Shepherds While parvovirus is more common in puppies, it can wreak havoc on an unvaccinated adult German Shepherd. The virus causes numerous gastrointestinal symptoms, including loss of appetite and vomiting. Over a quarter of dogs with parvovirus die. Another less-concerning virus that often causes loss of appetite is kennel cough. It is common among dogs, including German Shepherds, who often socialize with other canines outside the home. Like parvovirus, kennel cough can be prevented with a vaccine. Parasitic Infections In German Shepherds German Shepherds infected with parasites may show several symptoms, including loss of appetite. The loss of appetite could be due to other symptoms common in parasitic infections, including abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and fatigue. In addition, an adult German Shepherd should take regular flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives to reduce the likelihood of future parasitic infections. Bacterial Infections Most bacterial infections, including campylobacteriosis , are easily treated with antibiotics. Diarrhea and vomiting can lead to potentially fatal dehydration. Puppies are more susceptible to bacterial infections. It is a condition that causes the body to produce an insufficient number of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. However, some dogs may vomit and have anorexia. This condition cannot be cured, but vets can treat it with prescribed digestive enzymes and a specific diet. In some cases, a dog may experience an overgrowth of bacteria, leading to the need for antibiotic therapy. Other problems with the organs can lead to a loss of appetite in German Shepherds. These issues may be the result of other infections, congenital defects, or injury. External factors can, in fact, cause a German Shepherd to lose interest in eating. A New Environment If your German Shepherd is new to your home, it might not yet feel comfortable in its new environment. Being separated from its previous owners, siblings, or other canine companions can cause a lot of stress. Stress manifests in strange ways and may cause appetite loss. Loss Of Companion German Shepherds are incredibly loyal to their people and other pets in the home. German Shepherds are prone to separation anxiety, and it may present as a loss of appetite. If your German Shepherd is used to morning walks, afternoon playtime, and regularly scheduled feedings, a change in that routine could confuse them. It may take time for your German Shepherd to adjust to the new schedule. Even simple changes, such as a new feeding bowl or feeding your GSD in a different room, could cause them to eat less. This chewing is usually to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with the eruption of adult teeth. Any gastrointestinal issue can cause a loss of appetite. Make sure to offer your German Shepherd plenty of safe chew toys. German Shepherds are medium to large breed dogs, so keep their size in mind when purchasing chew toys to prevent choking, obstruction, or other digestive issues. These toys are available in different sizes, for dogs up to 88 pounds. There are different color options and the soft rubber and squeaky core help stimulate your GSD. If your German Shepherd chews on random objects, and you suspect that they may have swallowed something, reach out to your vet immediately. Some dogs prefer wet, canned food, whereas others go crazy over dry kibble. Old Age May Cause A German Shepherd To Stop Eating Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, along with other medical issues, can cause a German Shepherd to stop eating, but sometimes it just comes along with old age. As dogs age, they may lose their appetite. This is normal as long as the dog is eating and not rapidly losing weight. Around this time, it might be appropriate to transition your German Shepherd to a senior diet. Remember that German Shepherds still need high protein, even in old age, to keep their muscles healthy. Final Thoughts Ensuring that your German Shepherd is happy and healthy is an integral part of being a responsible pet owner. If your GSD stops eating, have the dog examined by a veterinarian. If the symptoms persist, your veterinarian may recommend that you take your dog to a specialist. Ways to make your German Shepherds eat There are many options to get your German Shepherd to eat again. Here are some solutions that you can introduce: 1 Increase activity to stimulate appetite 2 Introduce a consistent schedule 3 Limit the feeding time to 15 minutes 4 Add high-value food to their meal 5 Make mealtime fun 7 Create a safe eating environment 1 Increase activity to stimulate appetite German shepherd dogs need an average of 2 hours a day of exercise. Those 2 hours should be made up of physical and mental stimulation. Walking and playing fetch are everyday physical activities. Mental activities could include training and puzzle toys. Exercise does not have to be done all at once and can be more accessible when broken up throughout the day. Disruptions can affect their appetites, so keeping consistent is vital. Meals should be offered twice daily, ideally after a walk or activity. Make sure to choose times that you can keep as consistent as possible. Automatic feeders can be used if your schedule varies and it is hard to keep to exact times. Portions are dependent on the weight and life stage of your German shepherd. If food is left out, your dog may start grazing and not eating the entire meal because your dog is used to having it left out. Dry food can become stale and wet food should not be left out for long, or it can cause digestive problems. Limiting feeding time should encourage them to eat while it is available. Plain chicken and unsweetened canned pumpkin can help to settle an upset stomach and entice your dog to eat. You can also add a portion of wet food to dry kibbles. Adding broth to dry food can make it more palatable. Ensure the broth you use does not have added harmful ingredients like onions or garlic and is low in sodium. Treats you already use and know your dog likes can also make a high-value mix to encourage them to eat. You can purchase or create puzzle toys that provide that mental stimulation and fun. A puzzle toy can easily be made by rolling up dry food in a towel and then letting your dog sniff out and unravel it. You could also fill a cardboard box with pieces they must get through. There are many cost-effective ways to make meals fun. If your dog is not eating, he may be shy, and feeding by hand helps them to build trust and be more comfortable. It can also help impulse control, rewarding good behavior by having self-control. Hand feeding can combat resource guarding, letting the dog know that food comes when you are around. These go alongside training, and german shepherd dogs are a working class breed, so being rewarded for work can help increase appetite. It can include changes inside or outside the home. It may be too loud or too many people around while trying to eat. If your dog has a crate, this may be an excellent place to feed them. A quiet and secluded place could also be a great way to get them eating again. Dogs can be sensitive to changes, so keeping a secured area where they are fed is essential. Conclusion A dog that is not eating is worrisome. However, if your dog is not eating and is either vomiting, having diarrhea, or both, contact your veterinarian within hours. Source: AKC Hayley is a writer and animal lover. She is an avid reader which led to a love of writing. Post navigation.

FAQ Welcome to Omni's dog harness size calculator, a convenient tool that will help you to choose the perfect harness size for your dog. Hence, many veterinarians and cynologists agree that harnesses could be a better option in some instances, especially for reactive dogs. Whether you're a new dog owner or an experienced pet parent trying to switch from a collar to a harness, you're in the right place. Use the dog harness size calculator, and read the article to get clear answers to some of the harness-related questions, such as: How to calculate dog harness size; How to measure your dog for a harness; What the correct harness is for a medium size dog; Whether harnesses are safer than collars; Whether collars are more appropriate for puppies than harnesses; And more! Harness what you need to know about dog harnesses Although, as dog owners, we would love to give our furry friends the freedom to roam free, unfortunately, for safety reasons, it's not always possible. Hence, harnesses and collars have always been pet owners' essential items; but what are the benefits and disadvantages of a harness? Let's explore. There are multiple benefits to using a harness. Below are a few: A harness helps your dog to avoid neck and spine injury when pulling on the lead. This is particularly relevant for leash-reactive dogs, who respond to external stimuli in an unwanted way and are more prone to pull on the lead. A harness prevents your dog from escaping. It is much easier for a dog to slip their head out from a collar than from a harness. A harness ensures that the dog does not have the means to escape. A harness makes it easier for you to control your dog. If your dog is easily distracted when walking, a harness will help you to have a tighter hold on the dog's movements. This is also beneficial if your dog tends to jump on people with excitement; since pressure from a harness is distributed more evenly on your dog's body than from a collar, you can quickly stop your dog from hopping without fear of injuring it. Harnesses prevent ocular proptosis. Too much strain on your dog's neck, which a collar may cause, can lead to the dog's eyeballs protruding out of the sockets — a condition known as ocular proptosis. Since the harness doesn't strain the dog's neck, this condition is avoidable by using a harness. Certain discomforts come with using a harness: It can be inconvenient to put on and take off a harness from your dog, compared to a collar, which is moderately easy to put on, and mostly stays on throughout the day. You may be unable to display the ID tag, which is crucial in case your dog gets away while outdoors. If not fitted correctly, a harness could be uncomfortable or painful for your dog. Ensure the harness is not too tight on your dog, especially if you have a growing puppy. You may need to monitor how well the harness fits closely. You may need to use more strength when walking your dog with a harness. This is often the case with bigger breeds. Want to know more about dogs? Then visit the Omni dog food calculator and our dog life expectancy calculator to determine your pet's daily calorie needs and life expectancy, respectively. What size harness does your dog need? Dog harness size chart by breed The size of your dog's harness will depend on the weight and girth of your dog. You can find the dog harness size chart by breed below: Breed. Pin 0 Shares In a previous blog post I explained why I think harnesses are better than collars for Frenchies and included some recommendations on which ones you could buy. Kind of essential huh? Males tend to be bigger than females, some are stockier, some skinnier. No one sizes fits all. So what should you do… What size harness for a French Bulldog puppy? As a general rule of thumb, a small size is best for a puppy, and a medium size is a good fitting harness that works best for an adult Frenchie. You should also measure first though so you get the correct fit. If you can firstly measure your French Bulldog for a harness you will save yourself time and money. The unique shapes of Frenchies means harnesses can either slip off easily or be too tight under their front legs. Get a measuring tape You will find that many French Bulldog harness sizes are based on the weight of your dog. You should then measure the width of the chest where it is at the widest which is usually an inch or two back from the armpits. Make a note of the chest dimensions but add 3 inches on top because you ideally want room for them to grow into the harness size if this is a puppy. Loosely run the tape measure around the neck to get a size in inches or centimeters. Providing your Frenchie stays still, you should be able to measure up for a harness that fits! All you do is hold your French Bulldog and stand on the scales and make a note of your combined weight. Then put your Frenchie down and stand back on the scales to get your weight; the difference between the two being how much your dog weighs. You now know what size harness for a French Bulldog puppy. Most of the harnesses will be sold according to the chest measurement, neck size, and the weight of your dog. Now you have the right size noted down, you could select from either of two I recommend above both are excellent products. Choose a harness with adjustments points to allow for growth and weight gain or weight loss. Make sure the harness is the right size to not be tight around the throat and neck. If you cannot find an exact size harness, always go for the slightly larger one as you can then adjust it back down. What size Ruffwear harness for a French Bulldog? As with any harness, the size you buy will depend on what measurements you record. We bought the small Ruffwear harness for her when she was a year old, and it was a bit loose to start with, but now the perfect size. I love it, and my dog appreciates the extra comfort levels offered. But here are some comments I found from owners on the Julius K9 harnesses.