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Cockapoo The original Doodle, the Cockapoo , is still a popular choice among those looking to adopt a littler dog. The loving loyalty of the Cocker Spaniel and the proud intelligence of the Poodle makes for one heck of a combo. The perfect canine companion, these gorgeous mutts fit nicely into just about every lifestyle. As one of the small Poodle mixes, moderate exercise needs, and lack of mouthiness, they even do well with apartment living. However, you will need to make plenty of time for these people-oriented pups. Maltipoo Highly sociable, clever, and cute as a button, Maltipoos are excellent for those looking for an absolutely allergy-friendly pal. They love kids, other dogs, and perfect strangers, too. That being said, these dogs can be a little on the loud side at times and will benefit from training and plenty of socialization to reduce this at times irritating behavior. Peekapoo For fans of playful pups, the Peekaboo could be the one. With a history almost as long as the beloved Cockapoo, these darling dogs, formed from regal Pekingese, make excellent lapdogs. While they will stick to their favorite person like the velcro pups they definitely are, they can also be energetic and plenty sporty, given the opportunity. One downside is that Peekapoos could end up inheriting that flat face that creates many of the health issues in their parent pups, but careful breeders are working to eliminate that problem. Pomapoo Known for their Spitz-like good looks all done up in miniature, the foxy Pomeranian passes plenty of its cuteness on to its Doodle offspring, along with that feisty, fun working-dog attitude. Great for inexperienced owners and perfect for fans of super small pups, the Pomapoo is generally a laid-back, happy kind of dog. The biggest issue with these pooches is that their companion animal nature makes them the kind of canines that suffer greatly from separation anxiety. They cannot be left alone for long periods. Schnoodle With two parent breeds that come in an assortment of sizes, the Schnoodle undoubtedly belongs on this list. Still, it can be included among the large Doodles, too, if a Standard Poodle were to be bred with a Giant Schnauzer. In terms of personality, Schnoodles are very terrier-like, which means they tend to be much more active than your average lapdog and so do especially well with outdoorsy families. Yorkipoo The Yorkshire Terrier may well give the Poodle a run for its money in the intelligence stakes making the delightful Yorkipoo a very smart dog indeed — which is great for training. Shihpoo Set your Shihpoo up on a velvet cushion, and they will adore you for life. On a serious note, though, these dogs are consummate lapdogs. As such, they love to be doted on and spoiled more than anything else in this world. With their larger-than-life personality and a tendency towards stubbornness, you might not get very far with trying to teach these dogs new tricks or making them into athletic companions. Still, their playful, funny nature will certainly earn them a firm place in your heart nevertheless. Chi-Poo Right at the smallest end of the Doodle spectrum, the Chi-Poo has all the character of the daring Chihuahua but, much to the relief of fans of the breed, far fewer of their associated health issues that come when toy breeds are made just way too toy. Chi-poos are also quite a bit more independent than most other smaller Poodle crosses, which makes them more adaptable to various home situations. They make great first-time pets and work as well in an apartment as they do in a house with a yard. That being said, they can be pretty energetic little so-and-sos, which is something you will need to keep in mind if you do decide to take on one of these lovely pups. Something else you will need to think about is that these dogs also generally require pretty regular grooming sessions. Westiepoo Westiepoos are some of the most social and loving dogs around. They are super fun, super easy to look after, super quick to train, and super to have in your home. The West Highland Terrier — Poodle mix contains the very best of both these excellent pups. They are fun, funny, active, and larger than life in their characters. That Terrier nature of theirs means Westies have a tendency towards both barking and prey-chasing behaviors. Yet, with their superior intelligence, these are things they can be trained out of. Pugapoo Pugs have recently become quite controversial for the issues they have with breathing due to those flat faces of theirs. Happily, though, when combined with the mightily different Poodle, this becomes far less of a problem. Crossing Pugs in this way with longer-nosed hounds is a way of preserving these quirky, cute, and comical dogs. Pugapoos undoubtedly make delightful pups who are loving and loyal as they are gorgeous. With very modest exercise needs, indeed, they are perfect little lapdogs. Doxiedoodle The thing about Daschhunds, one half of the darling Doxiedoodle , is that not only are they the sweetest little sausage-looking pups, but they vary massively in both appearance and temperament. What you will know for sure, though, is that they will be gorgeous, they will be smart, and they will be floofy little bundles of perky hound. Take care, though, as these dogs can grow larger than you might think. Bassetdoodle Otherwise known as Bassetoodles , Bassetdoodles are lesser-known Doodles for sure, but an interesting combination of breeds nonetheless. Like some of the other pups on this list, they are sometimes formed from Standard Poodles, making all-around larger dogs, so make sure that the breeder knows you are looking for a smaller-sized pup. These pooches tend to be calm, friendly, joyful, and yet slightly on the stubborn side too. They also often inherit a bit of a mischievous streak that keeps their owners very much on their toes. Bossi-Poo Boston Terriers are unique-looking dogs with plenty of heart to go alongside their distinctive features and markings. When coupled with the posh Poodle, you get the amusingly-named Bossi-Poo. Cavapoo Spaniels have long been dotted on dogs, and the Cavalier King Charles is no exception. With their cute faces, beautiful coats, and happy little natures, they make friends wherever they go. When the winning personality of the Spaniel is added to the smart, comedic nature of the smaller Poodle, magic truly does happen. Cavapoos really are some of the most popular Doodles around. Jack-a-Poo Another Doodle of many names, the Jack-a-poo , Jackadoodle, or Poo-Jack, is a bright and vivacious mutt who is super loving but requires a mite more care than some of the other Doods on this list. The reason for that is not their coat which tends to be short or slightly fluffy, but, either way, very manageable, but rather the fact they tend to be teeny firecrackers, filled with all the joys of life. While this makes them entertaining sidekicks, it does mean you have to have a fairly energetic nature ayourself to keep up with their antics. Aside from their distinctive features, these dogs are known for their alert, big-dog attitudes, playful personalities, bravery, and extreme love of people. For all these reasons and more, their offspring Papipoos make a unique and excellent pet choice. Poogle Admittedly not the most glamorous name in the world! A Boodle? A Beapoo? Friendly, curious, and hopelessly devoted to their families, Poogles make excellent pets for just about anyone. They get along with everyone, from kids to other pets. However, they do need plenty of socialization to counter that sometimes fairly high prey drive of theirs. With two intelligent parents, and given that these dogs are dedicated people pleasers, Corgipoos do well in the training stakes. The Corgi actually has a fascinating history. Said to be the companions of fairies, legend has it that they were first gifted, during the Viking era, to those who needed protection in their homes. So, as you can imagine, Corgipoos are great guard dogs in addition to being excellent companions. As one of the most popular and well-known of the Doodles, these tend to be the ones that many opt for. Plus, progressive generations of Goldendoodles have enabled them to be bred in more apartment-friendly sizes as small Poodle mixes. Photo used with permission. These dogs really have it all — a sociable nature, even temperament, high trainability, and gorgeous good looks. On the downside, these dogs blow coat and how! Beyond that, their large size means they need a bigger space to hang out in and more intensive exercise than smaller breeds. Enter the Mini or Toy Labradoodle… With their smaller size and tendency toward inheriting the Poodle coat, they are even more perfect than perfect. In that case, the Bernedoodle may well have caught your attention. While the Standard versions of these pups can be pretty giant, given that the Bernese Mountain Dog is classified as a large breed, smaller versions of the Bernie come from combining them with little Poodles. These have all the best of their qualities, often including their stunning tricolored coats, but in a much more manageable package size-wise. All small Poodle mixes make great dogs for the right owners, so the question should be not what is the best one but rather what is the best one for me. The dogs on this list differ significantly in terms of their appearance, temperament, energy levels, and care needs, among other things. What is the calmest small Poodle mix? While every dog is as totally unique in its specific traits as every person is, and so it can be tricky to judge how rambunctious they will be, Doods that combine the more giant breeds with Poodles tend to be among the calmest dogs. Pups bred to be companion animals also tend to be on the lower end of the energy spectrum compared to those originally used as work dogs, such as Terriers and Spaniels. What is the smallest Poodle mix? The smallest Poodle dogs are going to be a combination of two of the most miniature parents. While that will vary depending on individual animals, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers tend to be high up on any smallest dog lists. So if you are looking for a totally teeny pup, then a Chi-Poo or Yorkipoo might be for you. Which Poodle mix is healthiest? Luckily, for Doodle fans everywhere, due to their more diverse mix of genes creating something known as hybrid vigor , small Poodle mixes tend to be far healthier than most pedigree pups. However, differences in health will come down to how the dogs were bred. Responsible Breeders health screen their animals to ensure that the possibility of genetic conditions being passed down to their offspring is much reduced. Miniature Doods are the ideal option for those looking for a more manageably-sized dog with all the spunk and personality of their often larger parent pups. Hopefully, the information included here has helped you narrow down your choices a little in your quest to find your new best friend. You Might Also Like. These dogs are born from Poodles with other purebreds like pugs, Labradors, or Cocker Spaniels. Since the s, doodle dogs have increased in their popularity—and it's not a wonder why. These breeds are often low- to non-shedding, and are consider to be a safe bet for most people with allergies. Their personalities make them ideal companions for many people, too. For example, Bernedoodle dogs tend to be more stubborn but they have lower energy than a Goldendoodle. Another thing that people should look at is the generation of the doodle. Generation refers to how far removed from a purebred pairing—like a purebred Poodle and a purebred Labrador as parents. Which ones are your favorite? This has become one of the most sought-after "Doodle breeds" due to their winning combination of good looks, smart wits, and hypoallergenic coats. They also make reputable therapy pets. If you admire these gentle giant dogs for their goofy, placid personalities, then one of these pups might be for you. This tends to be a good choice for those with allergies because the poodle coat is often inherited rather than the Labrador coat—however, you can find a variety of colors depending on the parent. These dogs are intelligent, friendly, and moderately active. Friendly and caring, they usually manage to stay happy with other pets and family members. And while these dogs are sweet, they may require some training to rein in their playful personalities. They also go by the name of Wheatendoodle, the Wheatenpoo, the Sweatendoodle, and the Sweatenpoo. These are energetic dogs, but despite their high energy, they don't tend to bark much. They are a rare breed mix and may be difficult to find. This small, fluffy, high energy breed is an adorable addition to the family—especially if you are looking for a dog that's rambunctious and loves to play with the kids. The is likely to be a shaggy yet stately looking dog, with an obvious athleticism derived from its strong hunting poodle origins. Compact, feisty, and fun in spirit, what these dogs lack in size, they make up for in their personality. They are on their best behavior in the company of their owners, as they tend to bark or dig when left alone at home. Incredibly smart, energetic, and loyal, these pups have a work-hard, play-hard mindset that best suits someone with an active lifestyle. These are big, lovable dogs that are incredibly smart and equally stubborn. But while training them takes additional patience, the reward of their loyalty and devotion is well worth it. These dogs are charming, funny, and smart, and their alert nature—thanks to that double dose of working-breed attentiveness—makes them excellent watchdogs. These dogs are friendly and affectionate little comedians with a sweet temperament and a zest for life. It's also believed to be the oldest of the designer dog breeds in America, dating back to the s. It's also commonly known as the Havadoodle or Havanoodle—their intelligent and playful personalities make them a total joy for the whole family. And if you want a calm, sweet dog with lots of love to give, then this mix fits the bill. But calm doesn't mean small. They can grow to be as big as pounds. Because of their eager-to-please personalities, they tend to be protective of their families. This dog may have the curly coat of a Poodle or the long, straight coat of a Shih Tzu, but he always has a cute, alert expression and a sturdy body. When it comes to big breeds, this mix wins the prize—weighing anywhere between 70 to pounds. These dogs are fun-loving, affectionate family companions that need lots of room to run around and plenty of food to meet their nutritional needs. Petite and curly-coated, this is a delightful mix that is likable in personality, if not a little feisty at times. They tend to be vocal if alerted to something, and so they make good little watchdogs. Was this page helpful? What they lack in size, they make up for in spirit— Yorkie-poos like to make their presence known and aren't afraid to bark back. Luckily, the Yorkie-poo has a penchant for her people and takes well to positive reinforcement training at an early age. The shih-poo—a cross between a shih tzu and toy poodle—is a small doodle breed with loads of love to spare. In fact, the shih tzu has a long history of gracing the laps of Chinese royalty , and these poodle mixes adore being pampered. With their floppy ears and curly coats, a look from those puppy dog eyes is liable to melt any heart in sight. Cockapoos are known to shadow their owners , tailing them from room to room, and to shamelessly seek attention—you shouldn't plan to leave them alone for long periods of time. They are lovable companions who adore praise and are well-suited to people of all ages and lifestyles, so long as those people have endless adoration to give. The sheepadoodle, while larger than many other doodle dog breeds, is just as gentle—if not more so. Easygoing, goofy, and floofy, these family-friendly dogs enjoy the companionship of both humans and other dogs. Luckily for these doting families, the Bernedoodle can live up to 18 years, long past the typical lifespan of the Bernese mountain dog, who typically only live around seven years. Their long, curlicue coats must be maintained through consistent weekly grooming, as well as a trip to a professional groomer around every six weeks. Though low-shedding like their poodle and doodle counterparts, the cavapoo does shed seasonally, or "blow coat," in the spring and fall, so an allergic reaction is not entirely out of the question for super-sensitive owners. Though loyal and friendly , the schnoodle does best in a home with older children and adults and is not typically a natural with young children like his fellow doodle dogs. However, even the most shy of schnoodles can adapt to family life just fine if socialized as a puppy. Their cream-colored, curly coats require daily grooming, so be sure to break out the brush often. Though they are gentle and good with children, it's recommended Maltipoo owners supervise any interaction between small children and their pup—the Maltipoo is so small, she may be harmed accidentally by a child during playtime, no matter how well-intentioned. There are more than 40 types of poodle mixes to choose from, and each comes with a unique set of traits to love. While some of these names may sound like they belong on the pages of a Dr. Seuss book, these furry friends are sure to make an excellent addition to your family. Here are some of the most popular dog breeds mixed with a poodle to consider if you're considering adopting a dog. No matter your decision, all these four-legged, furry friends are sure to put a smile on your face. Goldendoodles are known to be great family companions and are highly intelligent. As a result, they're usually easy to train but have enough energy to keep up with an active family. Some Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic, which may help family members with allergy issues. They're adorable and will get a lot of attention from anyone who sees it. Yorkiepoos are typically sweet, playful, and intelligent. Their diminutive stature makes them a perfect fit for apartment or condo living. However, because they're small, they often do better in a home with older children or adults who know how to handle them with care. Like other smaller dogs, the Yorkiepoo can tend to bark excessively without proper training, so be proactive to curb this behavior. If you love the gentle, sweet nature of Bernese Mountain dogs but are overwhelmed by their large size, a Bernedoodle might be the perfect compromise. While poodles can be energetic, Bernenoodles tend to be a little more content to cozy up on the couch, thanks to their Bernese mountain dog traits. Many Labradoodles have a poodle's coat and shed less than purebred labs, though coat style and color can vary. Labradoodles love company and are happy to be a part of the family. Whoodles are typically medium-sized and filled with energy, so they will not enjoy being couch potatoes. Though they mean no harm, Whoodles want to chase smaller animals, so they'll fare best in a home without cats, rabbits, or other small creatures. Pomapoos tend to be small but have big personalities and are highly affectionate. They love their families so much that they can face separation anxiety if left alone for too long. They train easily and usually get along well with kids and other pets. You may also hear them called a Sheepapoo or Sheepdogpoo. They tend to be intelligent and friendly and usually get along well with other dogs. Because of their herding background, they may play rough with smaller animals or little kids, so be mindful of your family's makeup before adding a Sheepadoodle to your brood. These dogs are intelligent and easy to train, with plenty of energy to burn. They may be territorial over their home and family, so don't be surprised if they bark for a few minutes when visitors come by. However, they're ultra-sweet once they're comfortable with you. Cockapoos were among the first popular "designer dogs" and have been highly in demand for decades. They make cheerful family companions. Though they're beautiful dogs, cockapoos tend to require a reasonably intensive grooming routine, which may not fit families already pressed for time. These pups tend to have a "pack" mentality, which means they'll love participating in family activities. Cavapoos typically don't shed much and skew on the smaller size. They're usually gentle, friendly, and love to cuddle. This pup, a blend of Bichon Frise and poodle, is sure to steal the hearts of everyone in your family. If you're looking for a furry best friend that loves to cuddle, a Poochon is a perfect pick. Just be sure to work on barking when your dog is young to prevent them from becoming a loudmouth as they age. Though they're diminutive in stature, Maltipoos have highly expressive faces. They're incredibly affectionate and make great companions, but their excessive love for their family can spur some separation anxiety. They're not ideal pets if you work long hours outside the home. These dogs are intelligent and sweet-natured. Schnoodles are a blend of two working dogs, which means you'll get an attentive, alert pup that can make an excellent watchdog. Chipoos love to play and cuddle. They tend to be protective over their family and home, so even though they're tiny and not very intimidating, their "hey, what's this person doing here? These little guys and girls are typically highly intelligent, energetic, and loving. Appearance varies depending on whether your dog favors his Jack Russell or poodle side, but in almost all cases, these dogs are relatively small. Jack-a-poos need plenty of exercise time, so this puppy is best suited for a family looking to engage in many games of fetch. Besides being adorable, these pups are sweet-natured and highly intelligent. Aussiedoodles have a wide variety of coat colors and textures. They're loyal companions eager to please, making them a great addition to your family. These striking pups make loving, calm family pets. But, as you might imagine, their Pyrenees side means that Pyredoodles aren't exactly pocket pups. They can weigh up to pounds when they're fully grown. This type of dog probably isn't a fit if you live in a small apartment. Depending on your particular pup, these darling dogs may have the curly coat of a poodle or the straight, soft hair of a Shih Tzu. Either way, they make perky, playful companions. They love attention and are more than content cuddling with their humans on the couch. Frequently Asked Questions Which poodle mix is the calmest? Among larger doodles, the bernedoodle and goldendoodle have a reputation for being calm, while the maltipoo and cavapoo are considered calm toy mixes. Choose a poodle crossed with a laid-back breed to increase the chances you'll get a calm dog. Which poodle mix does not shed? Poodles aren't shedders, which is one reason why poodle mixes are so popular. A poodle mix with another breed that isn't a shedder is more likely to be a no-shed dog. Was this page helpful? Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. But have you ever considered bringing home a Poodle mix? Poodles are known for being one of the smartest dog breeds out there. You might also be surprised to learn that they are very athletic animals, despite having a reputation for being a bit prissy. One of the biggest advantages to adopting a Poodle, however, is the fact that these dogs are considered hypoallergenic. This is because they have hair instead of fur, which means they do not shed the way that other dogs do. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular Poodle mixes and why you should consider adopting one. Poodle Sizing Unlike most dog breeds that grow to be one standard size, Poodles actually come in three different sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Some people refer to a fourth size, medium, but medium-sized Poodles are not widely recognized and are often considered standard size instead. Mixed breed dogs do not tend to have a uniform size because offspring will favor one parent or the other. Because Poodles come in different sizes, you will notice that the size of Poodle mixed breeds will tend to vary widely. If you are interested in purchasing a Poodle mixed breed puppy, make sure to ask your breeder what size the Poodle parent is so that you know how big you can expect your dog to get. The Top 50 Poodle Mixes 1.

Stainless steel dog bowls are widely known as being the best material for dog bowls. You may find that most slow-feeder bowls are made of plastic over other materials. Capacity How much food or water will the bowl hold? If you have a small pup, avoid dog bowls that might be too big for her since it could get hard for her to reach her food or water. Other considerations Since some dogs have different needs, there are tons of dog bowls designed with those special considerations in mind. If your dog tends to inhale her food, for example, getting a slow-feeder dog bowl will help her slow down and digest her food better. Elevated dog bowls can make eating more comfortable, especially for taller dogs who might not love having to bend down to the floor. You can chat with your veterinarian to see if your specific dog needs a bowl that will let her eat or drink more comfortably. Also consider how you plan to use this bowl to decide which type you should get. For example, if you plan to keep this dog bowl outside with water, you might want something insulated to keep the water cold. Or, if you want to take your pup traveling or hiking, a collapsible dog bowl might be best. Cost Always consider your personal budget when shopping for dog essentials. Best dog food bowls. Reviewed by Bartley Harrison Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. Different dog bowls offer different features, and some are better than others. There are many different types of dog bowls out there, so it can be hard for dog owners to determine which kind is right for their dog. If you think about it, your dog's bowl is an important part of his basic nutritional health. Here's the lowdown on the main types of dog bowls available, as well as the pros and cons of each one. They tend to be inexpensive and unlikely to break if dropped. Many are dishwasher-safe. However, plastic bowls are generally not recommended for many dogs. Bowls made of plastic can be easily chewed or scratched by your dog, leaving places for bacteria to build up. Additionally, some dogs may develop an allergy to the plastic, resulting in a mild skin reaction on the chin or face. It's probably best to find a healthier option for your dog's meals. These bowls are often decorated with fun designs and may even be handmade by artists. Their protective glaze makes them easy to keep clean, especially if dishwasher-safe. However, ceramic dog bowls will easily break if dropped. Even when handled carefully, these bowls can chip or crack, and become unsafe for your dog. Smaller, less visible cracks can harbor bacteria. Be sure to inspect your ceramic bowls regularly for damage. These bowls are sometimes made with a non-skid rim on the bottom to prevent spilling. Stainless steel bowls do not often come in colors or designs, though some can be found. However, they are practical, inexpensive supplies for your dog that stand the test of time. It's still important to take proper care of these bowls, however. They can develop stains or rust, especially if left outdoors. In addition, dogs that like to chew their bowls may even be able to damage stainless steel bowls and their own teeth in the process. The stand is typically made of metal, wood, or plastic. Experts believe that elevated feedings are healthier for dogs, possibly preventing gastrointestinal problems. Also, this type of bowl may be more comfortable for some dogs, especially giant dog breeds. If your dog tends to paw at his bowl, the stand should ideally be placed near a wall to prevent tipping. Elevated dog bowls may be on the expensive side, but they are often considered worth the price. Some even include a compartment to store food, which can be a good or bad feature depending on your dog's ability to cause some destruction! Continue to 5 of 8 below. Many are designed to keep your dog's bowl full as long as there is food or water in the storage compartment. Some automatic feeders are programmable, only giving your dog food access at the times you set. While non-programmable bowls are a good idea in order to keep water available to your dog, they are not often recommended for use with dog food. Free-feeding is not ideal for most dogs, as it does not allow you to monitor your dog's food intake accurately and can lead to weight problems. It's a better idea to use a programmable feeder, but know that there is always the chance that your dog can break in! It's probably a better idea to just feed your dog in person. However, an automatic feeder can come in handy if you work long hours and your feeder is tamper-proof. They are typically made of polyester or similar fabric with a plastic or nylon liner, though some are specially designed from more rigid materials. The bowls can be folded or collapsed to smaller sizes once empty, making them easily portable. Travel dog bowls are not very expensive and quite worth it if you like to take your dog places. These bowls collapse to a flat design and open in an accordion-like fashion, making them somewhat adjustable by height. Many have clips so you can attach the collapsed bowl to a bag or belt loop. Silicone bowls can hold food or water, are dishwasher safe, and relatively durable. Of course, a dog can easily destroy a silicone bowl. It's best to pick up these bowls when not in use. Many dogs "gulp" down their food. Though fast eating is not a problem for some dogs, in others it can lead to indigestion, excess gas, or even vomiting. Some professionals think that food-gulping might be a contributing factor to the development of bloat, or GDV, a dangerous condition where the stomach fills with gas and rotates but fast eating is not a proven cause of GDV. Slow feed bowls are uniquely designed to make dogs eat more slowly. They typically have ridges or other structures in them that force the dog to take smaller bites of food at a time. Slower eating can help your dog better enjoy meals and feel less hungry afterward. These bowls are often made out of plastic, but some can be found in stainless steel. However, there is one stainless steel bowl designed specifically with water in mind. Flat out refuses to. She would prefer to dehydrate than drink warm water. Simply place the bowl in your freezer and wait a couple of hours. The bowl keeps your water cooler much longer than regular ice cubes. This non-toxic gel helps keep water cold for longer. As you expect, the bowl stays cooler for longer when kept inside rather than outside in the harsh sun. Still, I am happy that I have an alternative to ice cubes. I bought two and have one in the freezer at all times, rotating them. If you are looking for a water bowl that prevents spills, check out our no-spill dog bowl guide. While our top picks outperformed, the following stainless steel dog bowls were flawed in one way or another. After all, they are all more than capable of holding both food and water. However, based on our testing, we see no reason to choose these over our top picks. It was made from thin stainless steel. The thin metal dented easily and was effortlessly pushed around during feeding, even by our smallest tester, Fiona. And to top it off, the sticker on the bottom of the bowl left an almost impossible to remove residue. However, the added rubber rim made the bowl more difficult to clean. While the colorful patterns were adorable, the poly-resin scratched on the first use. I shudder to think what it would look like after a couple of months. The hammered pattern had the potential to trap wet food. Attention dog bowl manufactures: Stop putting impossible to remove stickers on the inside of the bowl! Yep, Neater Pet Brands does this too. If you really have to go the budget route, then the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Bowl is as good as it gets. In fact, you could pick up four of them for the same price as our recommendations. PetFusion Premium Bowls were so light. They slid everywhere, even when our smallest of testers was eating from the biggest bowl. What is a stainless steel dog bowl? Stainless steel is the same material used to make the utensils you eat with. High-quality stainless steel is durable and can last years. While some bowls are made entirely of stainless steel, others have rubber or silicone bases to prevent the bowl from sliding around while your dog eats. Which dogs need a stainless steel dog bowl? In my opinion, stainless steel bowls should be used by every dog — they are superior to both plastic and ceramic dog bowls in many ways. Do you want the toughest dog bowl possible? Stainless steel dog bowls are durable. Really durable. In fact, my Golden Retriever has used the same stainless steel bowl since she was a puppy. To put this into perspective, no other product that I have for bought my dog has lasted nearly that long — not one that she uses on a daily basis anyway. Do you have a chewer in the house? If your dog likes to gnaw, then the last thing you want is a plastic dog bowl — it will be chomped to pieces in no time. While it may seem like your dog can chew through anything, I have yet to see one that can tear through metal. If your dog can, then you have bigger problems than choosing the correct dog bowl. Your dog may nibble on a stainless steel bowl, but he will soon give up when he realizes just how tough it is. Does your dog suffer from acne? Well, mine at least — acne. It turns out that dogs can also break out in these ugly spots. Do you want a dog bowl that is easy-to-clean? Stainless steel bowls are easy-to-clean, there is no risk of them breaking in the dishwasher, and they hold up to a good scrubbing. There are some downsides to be aware of… If you feed your dog on a tile or cement floor, you want to choose a stainless steel bowl with a rubber or silicone base or place it on a mat to prevent it from sliding around. You should also be aware that if exposed to the sun, your stainless steel bowl will warm up faster than other materials — so keep it in a shady spot! Stainless steel bowls can be scary — particularly if your dog has a hanging metal dog tag like this one… These dog tags make a loud tink sound as they bump against the side of the bowl when your pooch eats his meal. This noise is loud enough to startle a jumpy dog. Also, if you have a cowardly pup who is scared of his own reflection, avoid polished stainless steel bowls — these bowls are so shiny that your dog will see himself. More on this later. Finally, stainless steel bowls all look like… Well, stainless steel bowls. When it comes to designs, not much variation exists from one brand to the next. If you want a colorful bowl for your pooch, plastic or ceramic is a better choice. Despite these downsides, stainless steel dog bowls are most commonly recommended by dog owners, pet store employees and dog shelter volunteers. As always, weigh the pros and cons to determine if a stainless steel bowl is appropriate for your dog. Elevated dog bowls have been the talk of the town for pet parents for a long time now. However, as a fellow Golden Retriever pet parent, I do think that there are benefits after having my dogs experience them first-hand. In fact, I have noticed that there are quite a lot of benefits that a Golden Retriever gets when eating through an elevated dog bowl. However, there are also some small perks for you, the members of the family, or the people who take care of your Golden Retriever. Let me share with you what those benefits are. This medical condition in Golden Retrievers means that your dog has developed a bigger or enlarged esophagus than most dogs. If your Golden Retriever has this medical condition, they have a hard time swallowing their food. This is because of a delay in the opening of the throat. Additionally, there are times where the throat may not open at all to swallow food. Using an elevated dog bowl for Golden Retriever dogs will help dogs with this condition to swallow their food properly. An elevated dog bowl means that your dog does not have to bend his neck down to drink water or consume food. Gravity also plays a big role in helping food move through the throat or esophagus. If your dog is bent down, the food or water is working against gravity. That will usually result in your dog choking. That is why you should invest in an elevated dog bowl. However, keep in mind that your Golden Retriever may not even develop megaesophagus in his or her entire lifetime. It is a lot better that you already have some of the equipment. This is just in case the situation ever arises. Easier for Owners to Reach the Dog Bowls Human beings like to purchase things because it is convenient for them to use. That is also the same case when you purchase an elevated dog bowl. Purchasing an elevated dog bowl for Golden Retriever dogs does not only give your beloved dog all the benefits. It also has some perks for the family members who are dwelling in the household. These perks are catered for people who have a hard time reaching down to get dog bowls. That is why buying their dogs an elevated dog bowl for Golden Retriever dogs will help them a lot. They will not have to give so much effort in trying to feed their pets. This is because an elevated dog bowl is a lot easier to reach than normal dog bowls that are only placed on the floor. I suggest that you get an elevated dog bowl for Golden Retriever dogs as a gift for someone who needs it. If you also think that you need an easier time feeding your Golden Retrievers, this kind of dog bowl could also be beneficial for you. Helps your Golden Retriever Swallow their Food Buying an elevated dog bowl for Golden Retriever dogs also helps your pet swallow their food. However, the elevated dog bowl should be leveled at the perfect height in order for it to be effective. When it is set to the most optimal height for your dogs, they will be able to enjoy all the benefits that elevated dog bowls offer. An elevated dog bowl helps Golden Retrievers who have a hard time swallowing get their food down easier. Previously, I talked about how elevated dog bowls help Golden Retrievers with Megaesophagus. However, an elevated dog bowl does not only assist Golden Retrievers with megaesophagus, but it also helps all Golden Retrievers regardless if they have the condition or not. Thus, the benefits of elevated dog bowls also apply to Golden Retriever puppies, adults, and seniors. There are certainly elevated dog bowls that you can adjust at different heights. They usually come in small, medium, or large. I am quite sure that at least once in your life, you have seen your Golden Retriever choke on something. This is usually because your Golden Retriever was probably chewing too much food. When your Golden Retriever is bending his neck down while he or she is chewing, the food or water is working against gravity. Thus adding the possibility of your Golden Retriever choking. Golden Retrievers are considered medium-sized dog breeds. These kinds of medium-sized dog breeds can grow up to 24 inches tall if they are male. Females, on the other hand, tend to reach around 23 inches in height. In dog height, that is already pretty tall. It is important that you help your Golden Retriever take care of their posture while they are growing up. You can achieve this by purchasing an elevated dog bowl. Even though Golden Retrievers have evolved to eat with their head bent down, there are still health benefits if your dog eats through an elevated dog bowl in terms of posture. Keep in mind that you have to set the elevated dog bowl at the perfect height for your Golden Retriever. Otherwise, you may just be creating back, hip, and neck problems for your dog. At the perfect height, your Golden Retriever will not be experiencing any of these problems. Keeps the Bowl in Place Golden Retrievers can become quite messy when they eat. Sometimes, they push the bowl around when they eat or drink from it. Why you ask? Well, it is because an elevated dog bowl comes with a stand that has a firm base. Typically, an elevated dog bowl stand is made out of the firm, tough, and heavy material. This material is either wood or metal. However, there are some lighter elevated dog bowls that are made out of hard plastic. If your Golden Retriever is not a messy eater, I suggest that you get a plastic elevated dog bowl. When your elevated dog bowl stand is made out of metal or hardwood, it is less likely to travel around your floor. It will only get messy if your Golden Retriever pushes it around on purpose. There are some owners that nail their elevated dog bowl in place. I do not suggest doing that unless you are okay with putting a nail through your floor. Alternatively, I have pet parent friends who put a carpet or rug underneath their elevated dog bowls. This prevents the bowls from being pushed around. However, that option should only be open to you if you are okay with cleaning that carpet or rug every once in a while. Especially if your Golden Retriever is a messy eater who leaves crumbs on the floor. Prevents your Golden Retriever from Playing with the Bowl An elevated dog bowl stand prevents your Golden Retriever from playing around with it. This is targeted towards your Golden Retrievers that are still puppies or who are particularly playful. After all, anything can become a toy for a bored dog. To further prevent your mischievous Golden Retrievers from playing with things that they should not play with, you can train them to behave properly. It may take some time, but training your Golden Retriever is the better option so that he or she can have good house manners. Alternatively, you can also buy them more stimulating toys that will entertain them. A Golden Retriever who plays with their dog bowl is most likely hungry, has nothing to do, or he or she just simply wants to capture your attention. If your Golden Retriever seems hungry most of the time, you can adjust the amount of food you feed it so that it will not go hunting for snacks in between meals. Additionally, an elevated dog bowl has a stand that may or may not be heavy enough for your Golden Retriever pup to push around or even move. It is also quite hard for them to pop the bowls off unless they knock them around forcefully. Stops your Golden Retriever from Lying Down while Eating In case your Golden Retriever is already struggling to stand up, he or she may prefer to lie down on the floor even while eating food. There are some Golden Retrievers that are just plain lazy to stand up in order to eat food. That is why they sometimes plop on their stomachs. However, did you know that Golden Retrievers also lie down on their stomachs when they eat because they are feeling territorial about their food? Golden Retrievers are not typically aggressive or very territorial, but sometimes they lie down and keep their food close to them so that they can keep an eye out for other dogs that can potentially steal their food. This usually happens if you have a lot of dogs in your household. When this happens, it is perfectly normal. However, if this behavior makes you want to prevent your Golden Retriever from lying down, you can use an elevated dog bowl so that he or she will not have the option to lie down. Keep in mind that it is normal for pets, especially Golden Retrievers, to lie down on their stomachs while they eat. This is a sign that they are just being protective of their food. It will not cause any kind of medical problems. However, if they are lying down on their back and still trying to eat out from their bowls it just may be a sign that your Golden Retriever is either sick or too tired to move. Either way, an elevated dog bowl for Golden Retriever bowls should keep them from lying down like that. Why is that? It is because they will feel a lot more comfortable when they are eating out from an elevated dog bowl than a regular bowl that is positioned on the floor. It helps them especially if they have dog arthritis, joint pain, and hip problems. Imagine if you yourself had a bad back problem and still had to move around just to get a meal. Such is the same for your senior Golden Retriever. Because they are old, we, the pet parents, should make sure that they are comfortable moving around. Other than bone problems like arthritis, they may also be suffering from other medical conditions like megaesophagus. Thus, we should find ways for them to live their best lives even at an old age. Some Golden Retrievers may need to lie down while eating because it is hard for them to stand up for long periods of time. That is why you should always be aware if they are still strong enough to do their normal daily functions. A trip to the veterinary clinic will do the trick. The veterinarian who will take a look at your old Golden Retriever will determine if what your pet needs is an elevated dog bowl or not. How High should an Elevated Dog Bowl be? It all depends on how tall your dog is. Now, it might be hard for you to measure the exact height of your Golden Retriever, especially if he or she refuses to sit still. That is why it is alright for you to make an approximation of how tall your pet is. Make sure that your dog is standing upright. Then, take your measuring tool and measure the height starting from the shoulders to the floor. Below, I have created a table on how tall your elevated dog bowl should be. Golden Retriever Height. Comes with a carabiner clip 5. If your Golden Retriever is crate trained or has to be put inside of a crate for any particular reason: such as to travel, then these will come in handy. Also, this product comes in multiple other sizes, including: 20 ounces 2. It is not atypical for both males and females to eat more or less depending on varying factors such as age and health conditions. A pregnant or nursing female Golden Retriever will need around 2, calories a day to maintain a satisfactory weight. Ideally, Golden Retrievers should be fed twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. Although their adorable faces are hard to resist it is important that they have a healthy balance to their meals and snacks. Good carbs would be things such as potatoes, rice, wheat, and oats. With all of this physical activity, it is important to have food and water bowls that can adequately fulfill their needs on a day-to-day basis. Stainless steel dog bowls would be the best choice for this but there are a ton of many other great alternatives such as the ones on our list. You will also have to pick products based on the playfulness of your pup. If they are known to rip and run around the house then go with a sturdier choice. Furthermore, if your Retriever is known to play with their food and water bowls then a stainless steel option would be in your favor. If you and your dog enjoy evening or morning hikes then we would urge you to pick an option that would reflect that as well. Whatever dog and water bowls that you decide works best for you and your furry friend, we hope that our list of the best dog bowls for Golden Retrievers was a helpful aid in that journey. Thanks for reading! Share this article. Normal bowl for golden retrievers Basis pet stainless steel bowl The bowl is made from stainless steel material. It is made in USA product and comes in a glossy finish. The bowl is free from lead, mercury, and cadmium. The round shape corner makes it easy for a dog to eat food easily. The bowl is easy to keep clean and the dishwasher safe. Pros Available in the different size option Made in USA product Free from lead, mercury, and cadmium Highly durable Comes with a glossy and premium finish Easy to keep clean and dishwasher safe Cons Little bit expensive Ideal for: If you looking for a bowl, which is made in the USA product and free from heavy metal like, mercury, cadmium, lead then this bowl is the best dog bowls for your golden retriever. Check out the reviews and price HERE. Waggo dipper ceramic bowl The bowl is made from ceramic material. The design of the bowl is calm and minimalistic. It is easy to keep clean and dishwasher and microwave safe. It gets easily broken if fall from the height Ideal for: If you are looking for a clean minimalistic ceramic bowl, which is heavyweight. Slow feeder bowl for golden retrievers Mr. It has a big hump in the middle, which creates restrictions for your pup to eat his food faster. The silicone ring at the base prevents sliding while the dog eats the food. It also protects the floor from scratches. Printed personalized Name bowl United craft personalized dog bowl The bowl is made from ceramic material. The company offer various text design to choose from. The bowl is easy to keep clean. It is dishwasher and microwave safe. Pros You can customize your dog name on the bowl The company offer various fonts design to choose from Available in different size options Heavyweight and Easy to keep clean Dishwasher and microwave safe Cons Ceramic is a delicate material. It gets easily broken if fall from the height Ideal for: If you want to personalize your dog name on the bowl, then this bowl is the best dog bowl for your golden retriever. Elevated bowl for golden retrievers Pet zone adjustable dinner set The adjustable dinner set comes with two stainless steel bowls, placed over a BPA-free sturdy plastic frame. The stand is adjustable for up to 3 different height options. So, it would work from childhood to old age for your dogs. You can tuck in the legs of feeder for the easy storage. The bowls are easy to removable and dishwasher safe. Pros Comes with 3 different height adjustable option Available in the different color option The stand is sturdy enough For easy storage, you can tuck in the legs of the feeder Bowls are easy to removable The bowls are easy to keep clean and dishwasher safe Cons Not suitable for messy eaters tip: put feeder against the wall for support Ideal for: If you are looking for a single feeder that can usable from childhood to adulthood to the old age of your dog, then this feeder offers you a height-adjustable option. Neater deluxe dog feeder The outer frame is made from sturdy plastic. Two stainless steel bowls are placed over the stand. The feeder is designed in a manner, that your dog makes no mess on the floor while eating or drinking. The elevated stand is combined into two parts. So, water or food coming out of the bowl can easily catch by the stand itself. Spilled water goes inside of the lower reservoir and food stays on the stand. So, your floor gets clean. Pros Available in different color and size option Bowls are easy to removable and dishwasher safe Comes with a mess-free design The food and water easily get caught by stand itself Cons Little expensive Ideal for: If your dog makes a mess on the floor while eating or drinking, then this feeder will help you to make him no mess while eating or drinking. Non-tip bowl for golden retrievers Amazon basic stainless steel bowl The bowl is made from stainless steel material. At the base, the rubber ring protects from sliding while eating or drinking. It is dishwasher safe. Further Reading Looking for the perfect dog bowl for your Golden Retriever? Check out our top picks for the best dog bowls for Golden Retrievers, including elevated, stainless steel, and collapsible options! You can go to the store and see a lot of choices. Which one is the best bowl for your dog? What kind of material should we choose? There are many questions that arise in our minds. If you have a golden retriever, you know how much fun it is to take care of this dog. Even though they are so cute, be sure to buy the best dog bowls for golden retrievers to keep your doggy warm and comfortable. So your golden retriever is turning one year old soon? You might be considering getting a birthday present for him. As dog owners know, good gifts are hard to find. The right dog bowl not only needs to be good-looking, but durable and well thought out as well. This article will present my top picks for the best dog bowls for golden retrievers. Should golden retrievers use elevated bowls? The question is, should golden retrievers use elevated bowls? The answer, of course, depends on your goals. If you want your dog to be as tall as possible, then yes. If you want your dog to have to bend over and strain itself to eat, then obviously no. Dogs with a tendency to eat too fast or become anxious about their food may benefit from elevated feeders. This is especially helpful for large dogs such as golden retrievers, who tend to gobble down their food because of the size of their stomachs. Elevated dog bowls provide your golden retriever with a more ergonomic eating experience that can help prevent joint and neck pain. The idea is that the raised position of the bowl allows your dog to eat in a more natural position and puts less strain on the front legs and neck. What size bowls for a golden retriever? The answer to this question will depend largely on your dog. After all, all dogs are individuals, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. A good rule of thumb is to find a bowl that your dog can comfortably put its face in, while still having its ears upright. For example, my golden retriever weighs about 60 pounds. He eats from an inch diameter bowl without any problems. The smaller size also makes it easier for him to carry the bowl when he moves around the house. The key is finding a bowl that works for you and your dog! You might have to experiment with different sizes until you find one that works best. Do golden retrievers need a slow feeder? A slow feeder dog bowls are simply a dog bowl that has been designed in a way that makes it difficult for your pooch to quickly gobble their dinner. Instead, they have to eat slowly, taking care of each bite. This leads to an improved mealtime experience and can even help prevent bloating and choking in dogs who inhale their food too quickly. However, for some dog breeds, a slow feeder may be beneficial for slowing down eating habits and reducing the risk of certain health problems. Other pups may simply need some help learning how to eat slowly. Where do you put a dog bowl? You need to pick a place where your dog can eat in peace. Avoid putting it near anything smelly, like the trash can or dirty laundry pile. Your dog will appreciate having a quiet, calm place to eat. Make sure your dog has room to stand and move around his bowl without getting tangled up in furniture or other things. Some dogs may be sensitive about people standing over them while they eat, so try not to hover around them while he eats. But our goal is to help you decide which ones would be best for your particular situation. Its reinforced plastic rim makes it easy for your pet to access food and water while on the go. It is ideal for walks, hiking, dog parks, and long car rides. The Comfort Feeder is perfect for dogs of all life stages and can help reduce stress on their joints and bones. This feature makes it an ideal choice for more mature dogs and medium-sized dogs alike. In addition, this raised dog bowl serves as a constant water supply by replacing one of the stainless steel dog bowls with a two-liter water bottle, making it an automatic water bowl for dogs. Made of rust-resistant stainless steel, this pet food and water bowl is not only durable but also a hygienic alternative to plastic bowls. The no-tip design with a wide non-slip base holds up to 38 ounces of dry kibble, wet food, fresh water, or treats. The rubber ring on the bottom keeps the bowl in place and protects floors from scratches, so your furry friend can eat or drink without any hassle. Cleaning the bowl is a breeze as it is easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher. This set includes two 14oz stainless steel bowls that are perfect for food or water. The flexible silicone mats keep the dog food bowl in the same place, while the raised lip design prevents spills and keeps your floor clean. Your Golden Retriever will love their new bowl set! More importantly, your pet dog could end up eating too much or taking in too little to maintain a healthy diet. Fortunately, you can minimize the chances of either scenario being a reality with the right dog bowl for your pet. Further Reading.

The reasons below account for nearly all instances of diarrhea. Boxers can get diarrhea from eating foul or rotten foods, a change of kibble, stress and anxiety, bacterial infections, parasites, heatstroke, medications, or underlying health issues. Digestive upset Digestive upset accounts for most bouts of diarrhea. Anything from eating rotten or foul food, toxic ingredients, or receiving table scraps can cause your Boxer to experience diarrhea. Anything you boxer eats outside of their regular diet can potentially cause diarrhea even regular dog treats. Switch of diet, kibbles, or treats If diarrhea shortly proceeds a change of diet, kibble, or treats, then you likely have your answer already. Any kind of transition must be done very slowly, otherwise, diarrhea is the likely result. By making a slow transition you reduce the chances of diarrhea happening unless it really is going to happen anyway. General stress can be caused by a wide range of things including a lack of exercise, mental stimulation, being left alone too long, or simply not receiving enough of your attention… Ultimately, any level of stress or anxiety can lead to a myriad of health issues, and believe it or not, diarrhea is one of them. This may help you pinpoint a potential cause of new stress 4. Parasites Intestinal parasites are another well-known cause of diarrhea, granted, this is much rarer than the causes given above. Intestinal parasites can happen if your boxer ingests an infected flea, or the eggs in contaminated soil or feces. If your boxer does in fact have parasites, you might notice visible worms or blood in the diarrhea. Additional symptoms include vomiting, a lack of appetite and energy, weight loss, abdominal pain, and discomfort. Bacterial infections Bacterial infections can happen relatively easily but are another less common cause of diarrhea overall. On a day-to-day basis, our boxers interact with many surfaces and items that are covered in bacteria. Everything from their own food bowls to toys, their own bed, and a plethora of unknown items while out on walks. Sometimes bacteria can develop and actually make your boxer sick if he interacts or ingest it. This usually results in obvious symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, appetite changes, and abdominal pain. Dehydration typically happens way before heatstroke, but both can happen quickly and unexpectedly. The problem with dehydration is that it can be both the cause and the result of diarrhea, which creates a nasty cycle. Because of this, dehydration must be avoided at all costs. We must also acknowledge the fact that diarrhea is a common symptom of a wide range of health issues. Popular read: What temperature is too cold for a boxer? If diarrhea is accompanied by additional symptoms, or your boxer is a puppy or senior, then you should consult with your veterinarian right away. In most cases, these will be the exact same steps your veterinarian will suggest. Short fast 24 hours Most vets will recommend withholding food for 24 hours to allow the stomach and digestive system to rest and recover. Please note that this is only suitable for healthy adults years. Puppies, seniors, or those with underlying health issues should not fast. Fasting allows the system to recover quickly and effectively. This is the ideal step before moving on to a bland food diet. Bland food diet Fasting should be done first by all those that qualify. If your boxer cannot fast, then the first step will be to follow a bland food diet. The bland food diet consists of plain boiled chicken breast with plain boiled white rice. This kind of diet works well as it continues to provide essential nutrients without stressing the digestive system. The usual plan of action is to provide 3 small meals of this per day. Most vets will recommend continuing with this diet until diarrhea stops. After, slowly reintroduce their old diet. Probiotics can be given alongside bland food diets and will help restore balance and strength in the stomach. As diarrhea is mostly gut-related, probiotics usually help a lot. Always check which kind of probiotics you are buying and if in doubt, ask your veterinarian for a recommended brand. Medication Antidiarrheal medication will likely be prescribed if your boxer is struggling to overcome diarrhea with the methods above. In some cases, depending on the health of your boxer, a veterinarian might resort to antidiarrheal medication right away. Pro-Pectalin is an antidiarrheal medication that you can often buy over the counter. Thank you for reading! Any signs of distress - pacing, restlessness, panicked behavior High fever - anything above .Allergies can cause additional symptoms, such as dry flaky skin, and hot spots. A few Boxers have had issues with chicken, beef, fish or eggs. In addition, certain spices can trigger an allergy, as well as soy, wheat, or other grains. Intestinal parasites: Here's something we never want, but it happens. Giardia or Coccidia can cause diarrhea. Giardia is a small parasite; kin to an ameba and this protozoan is not friendly. It's typically transmitted through water, in a puddle or other contaminated water. Even river or lake water on a hiking trip, and on rare occasions tap water can carry this parasite. This parasite causes gas and lots of diarrhea. Because the parasite runs in a cycle; it can seem to go away, and then come back, over and over again with almost IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome type symptoms. It has a treatment available by the veterinarian if your dog has contracted it. Coccidia, which also causes diarrhea in dogs, is a different parasite and has a different treatment than giardia. Canines can contract this parasite via contact with infected feces, or sometimes from their mother. That doesn't mean the breeder or shelter wasn't clean, just that coccidia is a sneaky and resilient parasite. Coccidia is often carried by birds and passes in their droppings onto lawns, parking lots, and other areas of the flyover. It's highly recommended to watch what your Boxer is doing. Don't let them eat feces, sniff or lick at it. Protect them from puddles and melting ice. A few other parasites that can cause diarrhea in puppies, or in some cases adult canines, are roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and threadworms. Ingesting something they are sensitive to: A canine's palate isn't the same as ours. Some dogs think that garbage, trash, decaying leaves, dead mice or birds, plants, and grasses are all things meant to be eaten. And, these can all upset the digestive system or be mildly to severely toxic. Infection and diseases: A lot of acute cases of diarrhea with dogs are caused by a minor bacterial infection that runs its course over a couple of days and then resolves. However, there are other more serious issues that can be at play. This includes: Campylobacteria, seen most often with young pups up to 6 months old. About half of all dogs carry this can be carriers that are healthy, but can pass this on. It's most often picked up when a dog eats the feces of another dog. While the top sign is diarrhea, there can also be straining during bowel movements, fever, vomiting, and enlarged lymph nodes. Inflammatory bowel disease which is catch-all term that is given if a dog has ongoing, chronic diarrhea linked to one of several conditions including allergies, parasites, lowered immune system, and some diseases including colitis. Diagnosing this includes blood testing, urinalysis, stool testing, and other tests. Antibiotics, corticosteroids, and medications to protect the lining of the intestines may be given. In many cases, a change to a different food which includes a switch in both protein and carb sources can help. Other less common but possible reasons for diarrhea include kidney disease, liver disease, cancer , lymphangiectasia, pancreatitis, and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Elements to Help Decipher Diarrhea Issues Color, smell, and consistency are all clues: Tarry, sticky black stools can point to upper GI bleeding and warrants an immediate vet visit. Red or red spotting in stools often points to bleeding in the lower GI tract. In those cases, the blood can be coming from small tears or rips in the anus. Yellow or green loose stools. With a puppy, yellow can point to coccidia. Otherwise, yellow or green indicates that food is passing through too quickly to digest completely. Gray can point to a liver-related issue. Foam seen in the diarrhea tends to point to a bacterial infection. Greasy diarrhea can mean the pancreas is having a problem. Give the stomach a break. If diarrhea is moderate to severe, you can withhold food for 24 hours. Do give supplements ; see below. Keep your Boxer hydrated. A lot of water is lost even with one episode of diarrhea. When the ability to drink fluids fast enough to compensate for the water loss is insufficient, dehydration can result. This is of particular concern for Boxer puppies and senior Boxer dogs, but is applicable to dogs of all ages. Try some organic chicken broth. After 12 to 24 hours, start your Boxer on a bland diet. This is typically just 1 protein and 1 starch. One of the most tolerated combinations is plain, white, skinless chicken breast diced small and plain white rice or plain oatmeal. However, lean beef and sweet potato are other good options. If you offer chicken, the broth from boiling the chicken is good for your Boxer to drink after it cools to a warm temperature. After 3 days, start to transition back to a regular diet or a new, better food if that was decided. By then, the body should be well-rested. Extra Tips What about Pepto Bismol? This is safe to give to most dogs. However, check with your vet. Some recommend not giving this, in order to allow the body to expel stools as it needs to. But, in some cases, if a dog, especially a puppy, is overwhelmingly stressed, and this can help control diarrhea to some degree. Do not give this to a Boxer that is pregnant or to any dog that is allergic to silicates. The typical dosing is 1 teaspoon for each 20 pounds. You can use this every 6 hours for up to 48 hours. Your vet may suggest a slightly stronger dose. Altering sleeping or living arrangements. When you have to go, you have to go, and your Boxer can't always get there in time. If that is happening to your Boxer puppy, pee pads placed over the floor of a pen or gated off area are a blessing. During this time avoid additional stress for your Boxer. At this time, Boxers don't need playtime with small children; it burns energy, and their reserves are low when dealing with diarrhea. Sore Rear-ends. Puppies and dogs can have red, irritated behinds from the change in acidity from diarrhea. They may lick their behind due to the irritation which only exacerbates the problem. This product is healing, disinfecting and completely safe to use. It doesn't hurt or sting. After cleaning the area with this product, organic coconut oil can be applied. It melts quickly and is a natural antibiotic, and it is very soothing. If you put it on first, then you can't use the Vetericyn afterward as the coconut oil also acts as a bit of a seal. Alternatively, you can cut open a Vitamin E gel tabs. The contents are liquid and slightly sticky. Apply the vitamin liquid to the irritated skin. If you don't see some improvement in 24 hours, broken skin around the anus may have developed an infection. The good news is that if you used Vetericyn, that risk is somewhat mitigated. Otherwise, you may need your vet to prescribe an antibacterial gel, sometimes an antibiotic shot, and occasionally a cone if you have a persistent licker. Continued below Things to do now.Become a Member - Receive reminders when we add new pages of information and submit photos of your Boxer for us to add to this site. Browse Boxer Dog Supplies - A round-up of our recommended products for optimal care. Check out our book - Simply the most comprehensive, helpful Boxer dog book that exists. Have you read this latest Topic of the Month? Each month we place a new Boxer dog blog topic to bring you new info. Always something fresh, always something to help keep your Boxer happy and healthy. Unlike mature dogs, with their bodily reserves of fat and water, puppies can quickly succumb to dehydration. Here are a few of the likely suspects. Internal Parasites Young dogs are frequent hosts for intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. A parasitic infection is also likely to be accompanied by: Vomiting Weight loss A pot-bellied appearance A veterinarian can determine the specific type of parasite your dog is harboring and prescribe an effective deworming medication. Viruses and Bacteria Puppies rely on a clean environment to avoid becoming infected with harmful germs. Contaminated food or drinking water can harbor bacteria like E. Eating Table Scraps or Garbage An older dog who rifles through an overturned trash can may experience an upset stomach, but this is even more true for puppies. Foods that are unfamiliar, excessively rich, or expired can trigger a bout of diarrhea. Fortunately, watery stools brought on by off-limits food should resolve within a few hours. Routine is very important for a growing pup, so keeping their day as predictable as possible should reduce stress and improve digestion. Keep a close eye out, however, and visit your vet if diarrhea persists for more than a day or two. If the watery stools have an obvious cause for example, pizza left on the coffee table watch your puppy closely to ensure that diarrhea resolves once the irritant has passed through their system. They were bred from a German hunting dog that was crossbred with English bulldogs. Boxers are well-loved, high-energy family dogs that are sweet with children and vigilant guards of the family home. Some of the conditions that afflict Boxers have a genetic basis, and are more likely to happen to Boxers than to dogs of other breeds. Responsible breeders screen for these conditions, and when possible, avoid breeding dogs with those traits. But these conditions can still happen. Boxers are more likely to develop health problems such as heart problems, degenerative myelopathy, bloat, and ulcerative colitis than other dogs. Boxer Cardiomyopathy Boxers are more likely to develop a specific heart condition than other dogs. The condition, Boxer cardiomyopathy , is actually named after the breed, though other dogs can develop it. The most common sign a dog has Boxer cardiomyopathy is if it has trouble breathing. Your dog might cough or wheeze frequently. Your dog might start panting during walks or playtime. If you think your dog might have Boxer cardiomyopathy, you should avoid exercise until the dog can be examined by its veterinarian. Eventually the weakness will be more apparent, with loss of bowel and urinary control. The dog might struggle to get up because the disease also causes muscle atrophy. Boxers with degenerative myelopathy can become paralyzed by the disease. There is no cure for degenerative myelopathy. But if your Boxer has the disease, there are a few things you can do to help them suffer less. Kinesiology tape has been used successfully to help dogs with degenerative myelopathy. A dog that spends lots of time lying down is at risk of bedsores. Boxers that become partially paralyzed by degenerative myelopathy are candidates for wheelchairs. Dog wheelchairs can help to slow down the progression of degenerative myelopathy by removing stress on the joints and allowing more mobility and exercise. Both stress and lack of exercise can contribute greatly to the progression of the disease. Boxers with Bloat Bloat, or gastric dilation , is another health risk that boxers are more likely to suffer from than other dogs. Bloat is a potentially fatal stomach condition that is common in large dogs with deep chests, like boxers and shepherds. Bloat is caused by unhealthy eating habits: if a Boxer eats one large meal a day, or eats too quickly, they run the risk of bloat. If you notice your dog likes to scarf its food, you can give it smaller meals throughout the day. Also, make sure your Boxer does not run around or get over-excited within an hour or two of meals. Panting can cause a dog to swallow air, further expanding the stomach and contributing to bloat. Bloat can sometimes result in Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus. In GDV, the over-filled stomach twists around, cinching the ends closed. This is a true emergency, requiring immediate surgery. Nothing can escape from the twisted stomach, and the blood supply to the stomach and spleen is compromised. In a few hours, the dog can die from loss of blood supply to the stomach as well as physiologic shock. Ulcerative Colitis in Boxers Many Boxers also develop ulcerative colitis. In fact, non-Boxer dogs rarely develop the condition, which may have a genetic basis. Ulcerative colitis is another digestive system problem; dogs with the disease develop ulcers in their intestines. Boxers with the disease will have trouble absorbing water and have diarrhea or loose stool , and might lose weight as a result. Puppies one year old or younger most often develop the disease. Your vet will treat your Boxer by prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. In some cases, your vet may recommend a change in diet. And remember—if your dog has any of these health problems, they should be treated by a veterinarian.

Greta Female 2. Have you ever dreamed of a White German Shepherd???? Animal Control Officers said she was protecting the old dog who was sick. Greta was in the shelter for over two months until she caught the eye of Golden State German Shepherd Rescue. We went in to pick up another pup and decided to evaluate this beautiful girl and she did great on her evaluation. She even temp tested well with kitties so we think with proper introduction and supervision, she will be able to co-habitate with felines. Every time her foster mom opens the car door, Greta is ready to go! And she loves to go on long walks. During her stay at the shelter, they would take her out on her doggy day and she would walk over two miles!!! Greta is extremely comfortable with people of all ages. She is particulary fond of young kids as she watched her foster mom's young son and nephew very attentively while they were on the trampoline. Greta never left their side nor took her eye off them. We don't know why Greta wasn't snatched up while she was in the shelter. She is a lovely girl with extraordinary charm and personality. More Added November 10, .Solid German shepherd puppy dog for security. Puppies Born: Mon. Puppy for sale. Well taken care of with mom being by there side at all times. German Shepherd Mix Puppies for Sale. Chow Chow Mix Puppies for Sale. Rehoming full bred Alaskan Husky puppies. German Shepard. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Male and female puppies available ready to go They will have their first shots, deworming, first month of flea tick and. The Siberian Husky German Shepherd Mix has become one of the more popular mixed breeds over the last few years. This is a big guy 70LBS and something about his eyes!! German Shepherd mix Balto is an incredible 10month dog. Get notified when they become available. The puppies are 9 weeks. Get details of properties and view photos. Known to be intelligent and extremely loyal, the German Shepherd Husky Mix is a fun loving, sweet, and pleasant dog. Nereis and Bane will produce blue, agouti and black puppies! Alaskan Malamute Puppies for Sale. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. Date Available: April 25, .She has received first vaccine and has a clean bill of health. When determining the costs of raising a German shepherd corgi mix, its also important to consider the medical costs associated with the breed. An obedient yet independent dog, the German Shepherd Husky Mix loves spending time outdoors and could make the perfect hiking or camping companion. Both breeds have a dignified air and a sturdy, athletic build. The GSD and the Siberian husky are actually pretty well-matched in lots of areas, including looks. The genetic mix of the brave, strong German Shepherd and the hard-working Husky results in a family-friendly German Shepherd Husky Mix. Can be contacted at for additional info. He needs to be the only pet in the house. Get in touch with a Armenia real estate agent who can help you find the home of your dreams in Armenia. The Shepsky is usually a high-energy mix. Create an alert to be instantly notified of new similar listings coming online. She gets along great with adults and kittens, but not other female dogs and especially not small… more 1 week ago on Adopt-a-Pet. The other reason you may find it necessary to sell your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy. This hybrids pack-leader and. German Shepherd and Siberian Husky mix. However, you can get one as a family pet and not necessarily through a shelter. Beautiful Penthouse duplex located in the best area of the city, beautiful views to the mountains, jacuzzi, double parking. Florida German Shepherd Rescue. It is great service or companion dog for the family. Feel free to browse classifieds placed by German Shepherd dog breeders in Pa and the surrounding areas. Will turn 8 weeks on September 30th, .Siberian Husky Mix Puppies for Sale. German Shepherd Husky mix puppies for sale in Michigan are available at pet stores and shelters. She gets along great with adults and kittens, but not other female dogs and especially not small more 1 week ago on Adopt-a-Pet. These beautiful puppies will be perfect family or companion dogs! Mom is a very sweet, A Husky German Shepherd Mix is an alpha dog and may get somewhat aggressive or do naughty things if its owner is not firm. German Shepherd Husky mix puppies for sale in Colorado should come with a certificate of veterinary treatment for six months. So, handling this powerful dog can be a real challenge if you dont train and socialize them properly. German Shepherd Husky Mix. Mother is a German shepherd and father is a Siberian husky. German Shepherd Puppies for sale in Northshore, tx from top breeders and individuals. The above paragraph provides an easy guide for. Micro-chip and first round of DAP vaccinations included. Purebred German Shepherds need much more care than purebreds from breeders who are not knowledgeable about the breed. Nickname: Red Alpha on PuppyFinder. Both parents are registered pure breeds. Because the Gerberian Shepsky. German Shepherd, Texas ». However, this dog isnt suitable for families who dont live in spacious home, dont have active lifestyle, or cant take the dog out for a walk at least once daily. Puppies ready for placement: June 19, 5 females. They are full of energy and love to run in the sunshine! They are played with by children and have loyal temperament that will make them your fur-ever friend! Their mama is living happily on the property as a family pet and would love to meet you. All have first round of shots with records. I have had her for about 4 years now. I'm very friendly! I will make a perfect companion! I was born December 26th, and will be ready for my new fur-ever home on February 20th, .A German Shepherd Husky mix is expected to live between years, weigh around pounds, and grow around inches tall. German Shepherd Puppies for Sale near me. An obedient yet independent dog, the. This hybrids pack-leader and bossy behavior will surface given the chance. Text or call xxx-sixtwo5two Seller grace7saves Ad ID .That's all homes for sale in Accra, Ghana we have matching your search today. These breeders usually keep a. Shepherd Husky Puppies For Sale. Great appetite: he is going to be magnificent, like his father and mother. Dichas marcas no son propiedad de OLX. So here is some information on how to buy them from a reputable breeder. Find your new German Shepherd puppy here! Micro-chip and first round of DAP. Doberman Mix Puppies For Sale. These hybrid puppies are full of energy, compassion, alertness, and. Emerald already displays attentiveness and hunting prowess. Sold Puppies. A National Breed Club Parent Club is a national organization that is dedicated to the preservation, protection and advancement. German Shepherd husky mix. She has all of her shots she's not fixed she is just so sweet and so happy. If you want to adopt a dog, this breed would be a good choice due to its friendliness and loyalty. Both the Collie and the Shepherd are herding breeds so those dog should be good at working. German Shepherd, Nebraska » Chappell. Two males one female 8 weeks old ready for there forever home. German shepherd husky mix blue eyes for sale When buying any dog category, it is best to discover a valid breeder with an excellent record.

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. A thick-bellied and thick-legged cub of a Shepherd color with a long tail and dense fur can only be finally classified as purebred when the ears of a German Shepherd puppy stand up. The ears of a true German Shepherd are, according to the standard, erect, of the medium size, set high, with the ends directed forward and up, and not adjacent to the skull on both sides, even when a Shepherd dog is in motion or presses its ears or lowers them in a calm position. When German Shepherd ears stand up when excited, the distance between their highest points tips should visually equal the width of the auricle. Since the range of frequencies heard by a dog is much higher than that of a human, a German Shepherd determines the source of the sound and its direction and location instantly and accurately due to such an auricle at a distance of m depending on the pitch of the sound. Moreover, a Shepherd can hear the peals of thunder or the sound of a working chainsaw at a distance of km. The lowest sound for a human is 16 Hz, while the highest one is 20 thousand Hz. The upper limit of frequency fluctuations perceived by a GS dog as a sound is thousand Hz. Clear hearing is especially important for a German Shepherd as for a dog with high service qualities and no less high requirements for its work. Sensitive ears allow not only for relying on a Shepherd dog as an excellent guard but also for guiding it at great distances, giving commands at frequencies that are not perceived by the human ear or in an undertone. Their small ears are also imperfect — they are rather soft due to the underdeveloped cartilage that makes up the auricle. That is why there are separate German Shepherd puppy ears stages when they start standing up. The cartilaginous plate is covered on both sides with a layer of thin connective tissue that provides the main cartilage with growth and nutrition and is called the perichondrium. The perichondrium, on the contrary, is dotted with mini-hematopoietic capillaries and blood vessels. Through them, the cartilage receives necessary substances for its growth and compaction with the help of conventional diffusion literally, penetration by contact. In the same way, the ear cartilage of a GS dog is built on, and the perichondrium has semi-stem cells which, like bricks, are built into the cartilage tissue. Cartilage cells, in turn, produce collagen and elastin. This is due to the active work of all parts of the auricle cartilage and perichondrium. Up to 4 months, cartilage tissues are especially active, but by the fifth month, the growth of elastic layers and the embedding of stem cells decreases. Having reached a certain density, ear growth slows down, and in a short time, it almost diminishes. The metabolism in the auricle becomes so low that visually the ear seems to no longer grow. However, limited living processes in it continue throughout life. Otherwise, it would be impossible to restore the tissues of the German Shepherd puppy ears in case of damage. To do this, you need to feed the puppy a balanced diet with enough calcium and phosphorus. Excess calcium and phosphorus can adversely affect the formation of the ear cartilage and the development of the musculoskeletal system of a German Shepherd. We must not forget about the composition of the blood because it is the main food for the growth and strengthening of the cartilage plate due to the diffuse contact with it via the perichondrium. Not only nutrition but also the obligatory physical activity of a German Shepherd puppy, both at home and on walks , help improve the blood supply to the perichondrium. Under such keeping conditions, the ears of the Shepherd stand up on time and additional actions on the part of an owner are not required. The optimal age when the ears should stand up is 5 months. Do not be afraid if the ears are 1. This sometimes happens. You need to worry if the puppy is already 8 months old, and the ears still do not rise. If at the age of 12 months, the ears are still not on top, the question of a purebred puppy will emerge. Teeth and Ears It often happens that at 2- 3 months the ears of a Shepherd stood up, and at 4 they fell one or two at once This is a normal process associated with the change of teeth, when the body mobilizes all the microelements to build a strong dental system, pulling phosphorus and calcium front he cartilage in this direction. At the same time, the drooping ears should stand up. Hurry up! After a year, hopes to put up ears in a German Shepherd are melting exponentially. There may be, for example, a birthing crease, subluxation, or hematoma as a result of injury to the ear canal. Has your dog ever had ear infections or other ear problems? They can involve inflammation of the middle ear, otodectosis, or a forest tick attack. Have you noticed any allergic reactions in your pet? It may be allergic to dairy products or antibiotics. If antibiotics or immunomodulators were used, what did your dog get sick with, and how often? Infectious diseases significantly inhibit the development of a Shepherd dog and slow down growth and physiological formation, including cartilage tissues. The latter is in charge of whether the ears of a GS puppy will stand up or it will remain floppy-eared. In what conditions is the young Shepherd kept? When living in an aviary, a dog must have a warmed booth in winter to avoid hypothermia of the ears, leading to spasms of small vessels of the perichondrium and a dense canopy from the sun in summer — overheating also leads to spasms. Do you walk and talk enough to your dog? Each age demands its own supplements developed for puppies, and they are also divided by the size of the dogs: small, medium, and large dogs. The German Shepherd is a large breed! This is one of the most common problems in pedigree dogs, including German Shepherds. Diseases associated with the imbalance of hormones lead to problems with the immune system and prevent the body from proper formations of all organs and their functions. Overfeeding a German Shepherd as well as underfeeding leads to a deficiency of micro-and macroelements, which highly contributes to the timely formation of cartilage tissues by the age when the Shepherd should raise its ears. Have there been any stressful situations? Cortisol, a stress hormone, activates a defense mechanism that blocks the production of new cells including semi-stem cells in cartilage tissues , reduces blood flow, and forms a negative calcium balance in the body of a Shepherd dog. Very often, this problem is transmitted at the genetic level, and your German Shepherd floppy ears can be a result of it. When was the last vaccination administered? After vaccination, the body of a GS dog begins the active formation of immunity. The process requires the consumption of microelements and vitamins for biochemical reactions, so their deficiency is formed, similar to the condition after an illness. How often do you pet your puppy on the head? At your touch, the Shepherd dog instinctively lays its ears back, getting used to keeping them folded lengthwise from the base to the top. The result will be an acquired crease or scar along with the entire ear that keeps the German Shepherd ears down, and this will require cartilage adjustment. If the doctor sees it necessary, your pet will have to take a blood test, undergo an ultrasound, and possibly take some x-rays. Treatment Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will prescribe medicines most often — flavonoids, vitamins, glucosamine, calcitonin, thyroxine, iodine, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium , which normalize the composition of the blood and add the necessary building material to the body. It is important to carry out all the medicinal prescriptions under the supervision of a veterinarian. An overabundance of any element can lead to a deterioration in the general condition of the pet and its ears in particular. In addition to medication, the doctor will most likely prescribe an ear massage at home. The massage procedure is not complicated — knead the ear from the base to the very tip between the thumb and forefinger, helping to improve blood supply, for about 5 minutes, times a day. Be careful with the place where the ear is attached to the head! This place does not need to be kneaded, only the auricle itself! Though, the most favorable result will not be long in coming — the ears of Shepherd dogs stand up in just a week or two. It is worse if the veterinarian makes a diagnosis of the atypical defect of the ear cartilage. What does it mean? Is it safe for the health of the Shepherd? And is it possible to put ears on a puppy with such a diagnosis? Atypical Cartilage and Ways to Eliminate Consequences Atypical cartilage is a defect in the development of the ear cartilage, resulting from a damaged structure of ear tissues, and their inability to support the ear in an upright position. This often occurs in young dogs after the ears have stood up, and then an ear or even two has fallen off. The same picture can be observed in old Shepherd dogs — the ear or both fall off and then rise again. The reason is the same — deformation of the ear cartilage due to long years of life at old age. However, with the old GSs, it will no longer be possible to return the ears to a stable standing position. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to correct the position of the young German Shepherd ears — they need to be glued, allowing the cartilage to recover. Gluing is nothing more than the necessary support for the intensive synthesis of elastin a connective protein in tissues and its uniform growth over the entire area of the ear cartilage. Properly glued ears do not allow creases or folds, never stretch scars, and make it possible to fill these creases with full-fledged elastin within 1. In this case, the puppy or young GS should be given maintenance vitamin supplements containing gelatin. Good results are also provided by a steep bone jelly or soaked food gelatin, 1 tbsp before every feeding. Adding bone meal and sea fish to the diet is a good solution, too! Taping Ears Correctly Since when is it worth starting the taping process? Until months of age, cartilage correction is unlikely to be needed. It is better to use the support in the form of massage and, possibly, a garter to put two ears together from months of age so that they take the correct position on the head. Feel the ear from its base to tip. If a crease or scar is found, you need to tape the ear urgently! You can watch some videos to see how to tape German Shepherd ears correctly. To correct one non-standing ear if the cartilage is even and of good density, without creases and scars, you can resort to a cardboard or plastic insert that maintains the ear in the desired position. Watch some videos to see how to do that. In any case, do not despair! David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Suffice to say that the dog has come a long way from its herding roots. Part of that perfect picture we have of these pups is the erect position of their ears. It gives them the qualities we associate with the breed, such as intelligence and confidence. Floppy ears strike us as a disconnect. These dogs have a dense coat that puts a lot of weight on their ears, relatively speaking. Also, large breeds like the German Shepherd mature more slowly than smaller dogs. It could just be a matter of time. That fact will come into play with the availability and price of the dog. It may have a disqualifying trait , such as floppy ears. This characteristic has a genetic component. Injury or Trauma Damaged the Cartilage Puppies sometimes play rough. They bite at each other, and sometimes the ears get the brunt of it. That often translates into slower healing times. Some manufactures produce tailor-made foods for specific breeds , such as the German Shepherd. That can go a long way to helping your dog recovering from an injury. It can interfere with air circulation in the ear canals, setting up the perfect storm for infections or mites. These conditions are horribly uncomfortable for your pup. Left untreated, it can cause a hematoma or swelling. This condition requires veterinary treatment. Several options exist, from aspirating or draining it to surgery. The best prevention is avoiding the conditions that caused the ear discomfort in the first place. All German Shepherds have floppy ears as puppies. The difference depends on when they start to change and stand up into their adult position. It can take several months. However, the number of adult dogs with floppy ears is about one in five. That may get its ears standing upright quicker. Taping the ears is usually part of the healing process when dogs get their ears cropped. The other concern is doing the procedure correctly. That could lead to ear trauma or a bowel obstruction if it swallows the materials. We suggest that you have your veterinarian do the job if you want to go this route. Final Thoughts The upright ears are an essential feature of the striking pose of the German Shepherd. Nature often has her plan for when that will happen in a puppy. Sometimes, it takes longer in pups with thicker fur or large ears. Healthy nutritional support will help the cartilage develop stronger and quicker. In the meantime, patience is the key. See also:. A common misconception that many people have is that German Shepherds have cropped ears that account for their erect posture. It often surprises some people to learn that the AKC standard calls for naturally erect, not cropped ears. GSD puppies are born with floppy ears set against the side of the head. As puppies mature, their ears usually start to stand up naturally. However, for various reasons, some dogs have ears that stay floppy. You can reasonably expect erect ears by around eight months old. This is because calcium that would generally nourish the ears is reallocated to the teeth during this time. You can expect the ears to become erect after the teething stops , around 20 weeks. After a puppy is no longer teething, they will start retaining enough cartilage in the ears to help hold them up. GSDs ears are heavier than they appear, and the cartilage must be sufficient to help keep that position. A sign of ears likely to stay erect are ears that become pointy once they start to stand. If your puppy reaches four or five months without any sign of the ears standing up, you might need to give them some help. When the ears are not erect by around seven or eight months, they will more than likely retain a floppy position. It is not something that is going to happen overnight. If you notice that your pup can prick their ears up or even just the tips of their ears by the time they are four to five months old, the chances are that the ears are developing normally and should become pointed without any intervention. The best thing to do is to keep your hands off their ears and avoid bending, rubbing, or folding their ears. If you notice that your German Shepherd is shaking their head a lot or scratching at their ears, it may be their attempt to relieve some kind of minor itchiness or irritation. However, if you notice that the head-shaking persists, then you should be concerned, especially as your pup grows. Any trauma to their ears before they reach four to five months of age can affect the cartilage and cause the ears to remain floppy rather than erect. Aural Haematoma: this is a blood blister found on the outer skin of the ear and can appear swollen. This condition is often the result of trauma due to vigorous ear shaking or a dog fight. However, if they are more serious, they will need to be removed surgically, and this can sometimes include the removal of part or all of the ear canal. If not, your pup will continue shaking their head and scratching, which can cause further injury and trauma to their ears. Skin Allergies: The head shaking and scratching may also be due to an allergy. For this, you may have to use antibiotics, antihistamines, or put your pup on a low allergy diet to treat their ears. For more information on avoiding dog ear infections and what to look for regarding causes and treatments, visit AKC. One of the more recognizable features of the German Shepherd dog breed is their large, erect ears and stoic expression. However, a lesser-known fact is that a German Shepherd puppy is born with floppy ears. So, how do you know what kind of ears your German Shepherd will have? The ears should also be pointed. If you got your German Shepherd from a reputable dog breeder, you could expect that their ears will stand erect after they are done teething. However, if you acquired your puppy from a puppy mill or there were less than desirable breeding practices or health problems, then your adult dog may end up with droopy ears. German Shepherd Ears Chart Although there is an official breed standard, in reality, German Shepherds have different types of ears, from ears that are set too high or too low to ears that are too large, asymmetrical, or too small. Some dogs even have ears pointing outwards or inwards or tilting one way. Overall, as you can see in our German Shepherd Ears Chart , there are at least 12 different types of German Shepherd ear shapes. Blood flow into the cartilage will likely increase when you do this, helping the ears keep their shape. Proper cleaning will help prevent infections that can be painful and costly to treat. Make sure you have a towel handy as you drop the ear cleaner into their ear. The towel can be used to clean up any mess as well as massage the ear cleaner solution in and around the ears. You can then use a cotton ball to remove any dirt or excess liquid. Chew Toys Sturdy chew toys will not only help keep your puppy busy but can also play a role in exercising the muscles supporting both the ears and jaws. Chewing helps with teething while also exercising their jaw and neck, and head muscles. Quality Diet The food that you feed your puppy should have high-quality, nutritious ingredients. Foods free from both wheat and corn are some of the best choices. You should also discuss supplementation with your veterinarian. Glucosamine, for example, helps to lubricate joints and supports healthy cartilage. For example, hearing certain noises that attract their attention or hearing their name can make them prick up their ears. Take advantage of this situation by praising them and providing a treat when they prick up their ears in response to this type of stimulus. They will associate pricking their ears up with getting a reward. Regularly Check for Parasites You also want to regularly check your dog out for parasites and ear mites. In addition, tapeworms and roundworms take away the essential nutrients your German Shepherd pup needs, which can ultimately cause poor health and other deficiencies. An ear mite infection can also cause your dog to itch, which causes them to shake their head excessively. Cartilage is extremely fragile and is prone to damage. If the cartilage becomes damaged, it can prove impossible for the ears to stand erect. However, keep in mind, this is invasive and does require your dog to go under anesthesia. They will also require pain medication following the surgery, and there will be a lengthy recovery time. Discuss Options with Your Vet You may want to consider having your vet make sure nothing is going on, like an ear infection. Some German Shepherds come from lines that carry genes that lead to floppier ears. Unfortunately, when genetics is the cause, there is little that owners can do aside from being more conscientious about ear health, which is a more significant concern in floppy-eared dogs. Many dogs from show lines, in particular, have larger ears that require more cartilage while the dog is growing to help support a more upright position. In many cases, these dogs will not have ears that stay upright. Broken Ear Cartilage German Shepherds can also end up with permanently floppy ears as a result of broken ear cartilage. This can happen in GSDs for a variety of reasons, including: Injuries. I get a lot of emails about taping German Shepherd puppy ears. The majority of these emails come from people who are jumping the gun and worrying too much. By that, I mean their pups are 3 or 4 months old and they are starting to panic because their puppy's ears are not standing. I tell these people that they need patience, they need to wait until their pup has finished teething. I caution these people not to jump the gun and tape the dog's ears too early or in the wrong way. I know people who have screwed their dog's ears up for life by doing this. I have had puppy customers who go ballistic on me and panic. So I issue a word of caution here. With that said, the other side of the spectrum of taping ears is something that many people do not take seriously until it's too late. When ears are taped at 7 and 8 months, there is very little chance of it working. This is an unfortunate fact of life. German Shepherd puppy ears can come up between 8 weeks and 6 months. If they are not up when the dog is through teething this varies from dog to dog but in general between 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age , I tell my puppy customers to get very interested in their ears. While it's not time to panic, it is time to sit up and take notice. The first thing to do is make sure that your puppy is in good health. This means no intestinal parasites. Take a stool sample to your vet to have it analyzed. It's also important to make sure the pup is getting good quality food. We feed and recommend a raw diet but if you do feed a commercial diet, I strongly recommend researching all the options available and feeding the highest-quality food you can afford. View our list of all-natural kibble alternatives. In fact, a lot of times, a pup will have both ears up and all of a sudden, they will come back down when the pup starts to teeth. Many owners panic when this happens. But not to worry, I have never seen a pup whose ears did not go back up when this happens. If a pup does not have his ears up by 5 months, I strongly recommend that you get involved with taping your dog's ears. Use the thin white surgical tape the kind that's paper-thin and tears easily. The 3M Micropore tape, 2" wide, works well. I like to use women's hair rollers. Take the plastic out of them and just use the foam. Wrap the ear around the foam and tape them into a tight roll. In a vertical position. Take a popsicle stick and attach it to the top part of both ears. In a horizontal position. The pup is going to tear the tape or stick off the ears several times. The key is to continue to re-tape the ears. Sooner or later, the pup will forget the tape and ignore it. About once a week, take the tape off and see if the ears will stand on their own. Continue to re-tape until the ears stand. If the ears are not up by 7 or 8 months, they are not going to come up. The ears should look like this once taped. The same dog with ears now up. I have seen ears that did not stand, which in my opinion would have stood had they been taped. So this process is not something to take lightly. I also need to say that many ears will be a little weak right after taping but with time, they will strengthen. So when an ear does not stand perfectly after taping don't panic. Just have patience and see what happens. You will really not have an idea exactly what you have until the pup is 12 months old. When ears do not stand, there are ear implants that can be surgically added. I have no experience with this and do not know anything about them. If you are unlucky enough to have a dog whose ears will not stand, I would point you toward a vet that has some experience in this area. I don't think it's something that normal small animal vets know how to do well. In my opinion, too young to tape. The material to use to tape German Shepherd Ears The pup with its ears taped I prefer taping German Shepherd Dogs ears after the dog has finished teething. This usually means the dog is older than 4 - 6 months. Maybe waiting another month would have been a better idea for this puppy. Well, there are a few different possible explanations. Causes can vary from age-related to genetic and medical issues. All puppies are born with soft, floppy ears. This is because the cartilage and muscles in their ears have not developed yet. Although some breeds, like Spaniels and Poodles, always have floppy ears, others, like most Shepherd breeds , almost always have pointy, pricked, upright ones. In such breeds, their ears should start to stand up between weeks of age as the bones and muscles in their bodies develop and strengthen. Are they both floppy — or is only one of them drooping whilst the other stands up normally? Teething Several young puppies experience floppy ears during teething. Teething is a period that all infant mammals go through, in which their baby or milk teeth fall out and their adult teeth grow in. It starts at around three weeks old and ends at months of age, although it can take longer. So, their bodies may draw calcium out of other areas, such as the ears, weakening their skeletal structure and making them flop. You may even notice that their ears look different every day during this period. They might be up-right one day, then floppy the next, or even change throughout the day depending on their mood. Their ears will return back to their original shape as soon as their hormones calm down. Although most German Shepherds have up-right ears, some can have floppy or semi-pricked ones. Judges of dog shows and competitions also often look for large ears in the breed. Poor nutrition during puppyhood As mentioned above, calcium is needed to develop and strengthen the cartilage in the ears in order for them to stand up. Vitamin D is also needed to keep bones healthy and strong. This is especially common in rescue dogs that come from puppy farms, homelessness, and neglectful backgrounds. Always buy from reputable breeders! Other symptoms of calcium and vitamin D deficiencies include muscle spasms and joint issues. If severe, nutrient deficiencies can be deadly. Both conditions require urgent veterinary attention, and treatments will likely include special diets and supplements. Similar to malnutrition, this is common in dogs that come from a background of neglect or homelessness. A build-up of wax, debris, or dirt can make the ears heavy and cause them to droop. Poor hygiene As we mentioned above, poor ear hygiene can lead to drooping of the ears. It can also lead to smelliness and infection. All dogs have self-cleaning mechanisms in their ears. However, allergies and hormone imbalances can cause disruptions to the mechanisms, meaning they require some extra care. Dogs can be allergic to environmental allergens like pollen, household cleaning products, and foods like wheat and dairy. Other symptoms of allergies can include skin irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny noses and eyes, and stomach upsets. Each has different symptoms, but they often include drastic changes in energy, coat, thirst, appetite, and weight. German Shepherds are also particularly prone to experiencing hormonal disorders. Ear mites Another cause of ear drooping in German Shepherds is ear mites. Ear mites can be picked up outdoors, or from coming into contact with another animal with the condition. The inflammation from the infestation can cause droopiness in the affected ear. Other symptoms include excessive itchiness, and redness, bleeding, and swelling from the constant scratching. If left untreated, the infestation can cause disease, which can lead to hearing loss and balance issues. Infection Ear infections can be bacterial or fungal, and they can affect both the inner or outer ear. They are most often picked up after exposure to water, and the inflammation can cause the affected ear to droop. Other symptoms can include redness, swelling, irritation, discharge, and excessive head shaking or scratching at the ear. Vets can treat ear infections with antibacterial or antifungal medications, but they need to be treated quickly before they spread or cause permanent damage. Trauma Physical trauma to the ears can also cause them to droop. The most common trauma that causes changes to the shape of the ears in German Shepherds are bites from fighting with other dogs. If your dog has a visible injury to their ear, you should take them to see their vet to check it over and dress any wounds to prevent infection. Make sure to brush your GSD regularly, also around the head and ears — these dogs shed heavily! You can get these over-the-counter at your vet, online, or in a pet store. You can also use a few drops of olive oil for wax build-up, but not too much. To administer, get a towel and ask your dog to lie down in a comfortable place in the home. Then, massage the mase of their ears for around 30 seconds to help it loosen any wax or dirt. Finally, allow your dog to shake their head and use the towel to catch what comes out. That said, if they have particularly problem ears, you should ask your vet and do it however often they suggest, which could be weekly or monthly. However, this is very controversial. It is not yet illegal in the USA, but it is also not something that we would recommend outside of medical necessity, as it can be unnecessarily stressful and painful for dogs. The method known as taping is done by placing something, usually tape, inside the ear to make it stand up straight and grow into that position permanently. It can be effective when done during puppyhood and usually takes weeks to work. As we mentioned above, nutritional deficiencies can cause the ears to flop. Puppies should eat nutritionally complete and balanced food that is enriched with calcium, vitamin D, and DHA for healthy bone and brain development, as well as high-quality protein sources like chicken and fish for strong muscles, and tasty, fiber-rich fruits and veggies. All puppies should have a handful of strong, hardy chew toys to avoid being destroyed during teething, but they can also help the ears to stand up. This is because the ears are connected to the jaw. So, strong jaw muscles means stronger ears, too! Finally, you should avoid playing too rough with your pup and interacting with boisterous dogs to prevent accidents and traumas, which, as we mentioned above, could damage or change the shape of their ears. Dogs communicate with us owners in many ways; they bark, they growl, and they use their bodies. Body language is a key part of understanding how your dog is feeling. Dogs use their entire bodies to communicate; including their tails, their eyes, and their ears! This often happens when a suspicious stranger or an unknown or unfriendly dog is approaching, or when there is a strange noise inside the home. When their ears go back or downwards, it could simply mean that they are listening, or it could indicate either excitement or anxiety. Excited dogs may whine, wag their tails very quickly, and run towards what they are excited about. This happens a lot when dogs are greeting a loved one. An anxious dog, on the other hand, may lower their head and cower their bodies away from what is causing their anxiety. If they are frightened, they may also tremble and whine, and if they are feeling angry or threatened, they may show their teeth and growl. This can happen when a dog is exposed to a phobia or an aggressive dog. It can be difficult to determine exactly how a mixed dog will look. Different pups from the same litter can also present with different traits from their siblings. That said, certain traits, like short hair, for example, are genetically dominant and therefore will be passed on over others, like long hair, which is genetically recessive. Dominant traits are those that require only one copy of a specific gene for the trait to be passed down to a pup. Recessive traits, on the other hand, need two copies; one from each parent. So, which is dominant; pricked or floppy ears? The answer is — floppy ears! Floppy ears are genetically dominant to pricked ears in dogs. That said, different ear shapes in dogs does tend to reflect their original working purpose. For example, the Spaniel, a gun dog, has floppy ears that gather and hold scent particles. This helped them track down what they were looking for much faster back in the day. German Shepherds, on the other hand, along with other wolf-like breeds, such as the Siberian Husky , have pricked, pointed ears. This is thought to aid their hearing during guard work, keep their body temperature under control during strenuous hunts, and give them an alert look to ward off predators. This may be why people are statistically more likely to perceive dogs with pricked ears as more threatening, according to research conducted by James Madison University, USA, in .This is not necessarily true, however, as any dog lover will know. It is likely down to something old and instinctual, as they also discovered that people perceived coat colors differently, too. The type of ears that a dog has can affect their hearing. Whether a dog has pricked ears or floppy ears, they have 18 different muscles that control them to funnel sounds from all different directions. A healthy-hearing dog of any kind can still hear from 40 to 60, hertz, which is more than double what human ears can hear! Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You probably already know that learning how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy can be a stressful time. But… once you know these easy steps, great things happen! Knowing how to potty train your German Shepherd is vital to having a happy, comfortable life with them. Use this training consistently to have the most effect. A proactive approach works best. Which means you should… focus on preventing accidents, instead of waiting on them to happen! Follow a strict feeding and bathroom schedule to see the best results. Basically, you teach your German Shepherd puppy the right potty skills… until it becomes a habit humanesociety. The key to quick success is taking your pup out every 2 to 3 hours and never giving the opportunity for them to have an accident inside. This means at least 8 to 10 trips outside every single day! In their welcoming and safe crate either resting, eating their meals, or enjoying a play toy. In an exercise pen or playpen with a strict potty area. Under your direct, undivided attention. This means you are always watching your pup. All it takes is for you to check your phone for a few seconds for your pup to have a toileting accident! You can either use a crate to speed up their potty training or provide them an area indoors to eliminate. I prefer the crate method. Housebreaking with the use of a crate speeds up your success rate incredibly! But you want to use the crate positively so they learn to love their little den. Make their crate an enjoyable and inviting place to go. How to show your pup how to love their crate: Never force your pup into their crate! Take your time with crate introduction and allow them to explore under their own will. Serve your pup at least one meal a day inside their crate. Use a Kong with their meal stuffed inside and mixed with a small spoonful of unsweetened Greek yogurt or peanut butter to entice them to stay and work on the Kong inside the crate. Offer treats when they willingly go inside to rest or explore their crate. Use a verbal cue when you want your pup to go into the crate. You can learn all the benefits of teaching your dog to use their crate in this easy post on crate training your German Shepherd successfully. Check it out to get the complete facts, tips, and step-by-step instructions to perfect crate training today. Use Puppy Pads You can use puppy pads if you need to… or skip to step 4 to learn potty training without pads. Not going to use puppy pads? You can skip to step 4. But… if you prefer to use puppy pads, then you need an area where you always take your dog when they need to go to the bathroom. Preferably place their pads near the door that you eventually want them to use to go outside. Place more pads down than you think you need at first. This is because puppies have poor aim and also may find a spot they prefer other than the one you pick. After a couple of weeks, you may remove the extra pads until there are only two puppy pads on the floor in the primary area they prefer to go. Keep the food and water area away from the puppy pads in another place. Using Puppy Pads Successfully Change your puppy pads as they become soiled. But a lightly soiled pad is attractive to your pup in the beginning stages of training and helps them learn the right area to potty indoors at first. Once they are reliably using the correct spot, you need not continue to use this trick and can throw away the pads as they become too soiled. Training Them to Go Outside After Using Pads Indoors If you set up your pads near the door you use to take them outside to their elimination area, then you can transition them to go outside more easily. So, place or move your puppy pads closer to the door from their original spot to begin the transition to the outdoors. When your pads are close to the door, watch them for their elimination signs and get them to the outside as swiftly as you can. While I generally use a crate to house train my German Shepherd puppy I also totally understand that you might prefer to learn how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy using a puppy pad for any number of reasons. Teach Them a Potty Routine Every day, follow the same routine and schedule to keep your puppy from having accidents inside your house. Teaching your dog to eliminate outside means that you must have a strict schedule. Watch for signs that your pup needs to go potty so you can avoid indoor accidents. Morning Potty Routine First thing in the morning when you let your pup out of their crate or from their sleeping area take them to their potty spot. If in doubt, carry them outside yourself. If you will not leash your pup when you take them out in the morning, then run ahead of them to lead them outside quickly. If you have stairs, carry your pup since rushing downstairs on a full bladder is never a good idea. Outside Potty Routine Stay with your pup until they do their business. You can place your pup in a small confined area to go potty or keep them leashed to you. Stand quietly until they potty. Then, praise them and offer a tasty treat. This can bore you at first, but potty training a German Shepherd puppy becomes easier every day. After 10 to 15 minutes, take them out of their crate and repeat the above process. Learning how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy takes repetition and patience. How do you know when to take your GSD puppy outside to potty? Take them out after a nap. They need to relieve themselves after sleeping or napping in their crates. Take them out after a play session. Take them out after they drink a large amount of water. Take them out first thing in the morning and the last thing before you place them in their crate or go to bed. Take your dog out when their body language says they are searching for a potty spot! You should take out your German Shepherd puppy every 2 hours for an 8-week-old pup. Add an hour for each month your pup is old. So, a week-old dog needs to go out every 3 hours. And a week-old German Shepherd needs to go outside to relieve herself every 4 hours. Puppy Age How often do you take them outside to potty? Most dogs do not have full bladder control until they are six months old. This means that even if your puppy does learn to hold it, accidents may still happen if it is left inside too long. Not potty training early can extend the process and make things harder. As the puppy grows, the mess and smells will increase. It is also harder to break an existing habit than prevent one from starting in the first place. How long on average does it take to potty train a puppy? If everything goes according to plan, your German Shepherd can be potty trained within five days. However, that does not mean your pup will be able to be locked indoors for eight hours while you go to work and not make a mess. Therefore, a two-month-old puppy needs to go out every two hours. A three-month-old can hold for three, and so on. German Shepherds also often have a high play drive and might completely forget that they need to potty when they want to play instead. There are few things more frustrating than playing outside with your puppy for an hour, only to have them calm down enough to relieve themselves the moment they come indoors. Have a complimentary diet An upset stomach is one of the most common setbacks in housetraining. In particular, puppies are vulnerable to garbage gut because they tend to eat anything smelly or exciting. This is another reason to make use of a crate. Excellent digestive health is not only good for your puppy, but it makes it much easier to stick to your routine. Use a specific door By now, you might be noticing a theme of consistency and routine emerging. Taking your puppy out through the same door helps condition and imprint the housetraining process on your dog and will also serve you later when your dog learns to always ask to go outside at the same door. Leash and lead The leash or lead is a further way of conditioning your puppy. The lead ensures that you can keep them close and make sure they always go to the specific spotty to potty. Do some research on the best collar for German Shephards , as there are some breed specific requirements. Then give a treat or some playtime to reward the correct behavior. Guide your dog back inside A potty run needs to be conditioned as a potty run. While praise, playtime, and treats should be used to make it a positive experience, your pup must learn to stay focused on the task at hand. Creating a negative experience for your dog is more likely to cause sneaky behavior such as peeing and pooping secretly out of fear that you will reprimand them if caught. Make sure you check on your puppy at least twice throughout the night Set an alarm clock and check if your puppy is awake and restless at least twice a night. This is your cue to take the pup outside. If the crate is near your bed and you are a light sleeper, you will likely wake when you hear rustling or whimpering. Stick to a routine A rigid routine is the quickest and smoothest route to a house-trained puppy. Be sure to take the puppy outside as soon as it wakes up in the morning, as well as after a nap, after playtime, and after meals. Until they are at least twelve weeks old, they should be taken out a minimum every two hours during the day. Positive Reinforcement As with all dog training, positive reinforcement works best. Make sure to praise and reward within three seconds of your puppy going potty to make a positive association. While your German Shepherd is learning that the entire house is out of bounds for elimination, the crate is a useful tool to avoid accidents. Once this has been achieved, you can gradually allow your puppy more free rein indoors. Pee Pads are not helpful. Final Thoughts You should be pretty patient and persistent in potty training your German Shepherd puppy. The process should not be stressful for your pet. Potty training of a German Shepherd puppy may turn out even simpler and more straightforward than you expect it to be. How to properly organize the process of potty training so that the pet understands as quickly as possible what the owner wants from it? This article may give you some helpful tips. The Main Factors to Consider for Potty Training a German Shepherd Puppy Needs The essential thing your puppy has to understand is that relieving itself inside the house is inappropriate. These are the factors you need to consider making the entire process go smoothly: Nature Newborn puppies pee and poop in their den. These are the first steps that teach a puppy to maintain order in their living quarters. That is why, when you take your pup at the age of 6- 8 weeks , it has nowhere to learn about cleanliness and that it has to do its business outside the den. You have to substitute its natural lessons and become a mother-dog for your puppy. Conditions German Shepherds remember well what they are taught to do and under what conditions they should do that. It means that, as soon as they have learned a habit, they will never forget it under certain circumstances. For instance, if your puppy knows that it should relieve itself on the lawn, you will never see it pooping on the paved driveway. Gastrointestinal Tract Your puppy will need a toilet just minutes after you feed it. That is why, think about feeding your baby dog at the same time and always follow the established routine. Bladder Starting from the age of 20 days, a German Shepherd can control its bodily functions. When it is 8- 16 weeks old , it can restrain from peeing for about 2 hours. So, take it outside for the toilet each hour to be on the safe side. When it is about a year and 4 months old, you can expect it to hold its pee for about 4 hours. Then, this time will increase. Attitudes Your attitude to the puppy matters a lot. German Shepherds understand commands, of course, but they can also get a lot of information from our body language or pitch of voice. When you distract a little one or rush it, it will get too nervous to do its business properly. Verbal encouragement and calmness are very important here. For example, it needs to be relieved after sleep , after feeding, and when it wakes from a daytime nap. It can also want a toilet after playing. The routine will help your baby dog to learn the rules very quickly. Rewarding Every time your puppy goes to the toilet correctly, you have to praise and reward it with some treats. Express your affection, too. A combination of praise and treats will have the best effect. It may even start finding sneaky places to do its business, despite your reaction to it. However, you should do it every time you catch your puppy in the act. Then, you can hold it in your arms and bring to the place that you want to be its potty. Paper of Pee Pads Remember that paper or pee pads are useless or even harmful. Your puppy may get confused, so more accidents may happen. Start with teaching your little pet to go to the toilet outside, and you will never miss the aim. It will not be able to wait until the morning. An accident may happen at night, so try to take your baby dog outside more frequently. Reduced Availability of New Places Inside The more places your puppy has access to inside your house, the more opportunities it will find to go to the toilet there. Reduce access and start more extensive German Shepherd potty training outside at once. Potty runs are not pretty comfortable at this time of the year. What can you do if the temperature is below zero, and it is bitterly cold outside? Your dog may avoid staying longer for doing its business when it is freezing, or just decline your invitation to go outside for a toilet. It may prefer to hold its pee. However, it can lead to bacteria growth and a UTI as a result. In the cold season, dogs as much as humans do not like to drink big amounts of water. However, they need it to prevent a UTI. So, you have to encourage the dog to drink by warming the water and adding some broth, or organic honey to it. Give your dog food rich in moisture. It is canned, raw, or home-cooked food. You may even soak its kibble in the broth. First of all, protect its paws when it stands on the freezing ground. You can use wood shavings or straws, or even pieces of old clothing or turf. They will help your pet step onto the icy cold ground. You will also protect its paws against anti-ice chemicals that are widely used in urban areas in winter. Put on warm clothes when you walk your dog. When you feel cold and uncomfortable, you will not willingly wait until your puppy does its business. You will be eager to rush home, so there is a chance that your puppy will not relieve itself or do it halfway. Offer your doggy a reward for running out in the cold. Show it that you are happy and delighted with its behavior. Some delicious treats will be a perfect sign of it. Avoid Mistakes in Potty Training In any case, you need to know how to avoid the common mistakes in potty training your German Shepherd puppy. Prohibited Methods The prohibited methods for weaning a German Shepherd dog to use places that are not intended for this as a toilet include these things you should never do with your puppy in any case. Never poke its nose into what it has done. It is no use because nothing is disgusting for an animal in its waste products. The dog perceives them solely as a source of information. Physical punishment, for example, beating with a leash, should be completely prohibited. Such actions cannot lead to anything other than anger. Therefore, no canine expert would ever recommend them to you. For example, the dog pooped in the room while its owner was at work. If you punish your pup upon your return in the evening when it has completely forgotten about its misconduct, the dog will not understand what has happened. The unrighteous methods of punishment will evoke aggression and psycho problems in your little doggy, but will not improve the situation. If your baby dog knows that it should not relieve itself inside at once, it will never develop into a bad habit difficult to get rid of. Here are a few simple tips on how to potty train German Shepherd puppies more effectively. Take your puppy out for a potty run via one specific door in the house. When your puppy chooses the same designated point for doing its business, give it a treat. Invite your doggy outside and inside by using a leash. Your puppy needs to learn the rules for your happy relationships and comfort. Moreover, it is learning to trust you as its owner and friend. So you have to build up this trust with consistent and natural tips and commands. Shepherd dogs learn fast, but you have to take good care of them , reward them, and be patient. Be accurate about mistakes that can spoil your training process. Remember that severe punishment is inappropriate. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Plenty of wipes and toilet tissue 1. Build a potty-training routine When you first start house training your German Shepherd puppy, you should aim to build a routine around their toileting needs. Luckily, their bladders and bowels are fairly predictable, as they are determined by not only their sleeping pattern, but also what they eat and drink. You should always take your puppy out to the toilet first thing as soon as they wake up — and this goes for whenever they wake up from naps too! As well as taking them out first thing in the morning, you should also take them out last thing at night or before you are going to leave them alone for an extended period of time: this is to prevent any accidents overnight or whilst you are gone! On top of this, you should also aim to take your puppy out to the toilet every thirty minutes to an hour. We actually started up a diary of what our puppy had eaten and and how often and what times he tended to urinate and defecate. Take your German Shepherd outside as soon as you see any signs that they need a pee or poop. All puppies have immature diet systems, which means that each meal tends to stimulate their digestive system faster than it would in adult dogs. Generally, puppies need to urinate within fifteen minutes of eating and then do a poop within half an hour of eating. Once your dog has finished eating, take away the food bowl until the next scheduled mealtime. This will prevent your puppy from overindulging. You should also ensure that the food you give your puppy is of the higher possible quality — this means avoiding dog food with artificial colours and preservatives and ensuring that real meat is the primary ingredient. Confinement and consistency When your German Shepherd puppy is in the early stages of potty training, it is good to confine to a small area such as a room, a crate or via a lead until you are confident that they can roam the house freely without accidents. Furthermore, consistency goes hand-in-hand with confinement, and it involves introducing your dogs to select areas to toilet in so that, over time, they will learn to associate going to the toilet with that area of the house or outside. A good way to ease your dog into this component of toilet training is via puppy pad training or crate training. Essentially, the purpose of the puppy pad is not only to reduce mess, but also to get your puppy used to the idea of doing their business in an approved, select area indoors an area that is easy to clean up! Overtime, your puppy will learn to associate the pad itself with areas where it is okay to toilet, and at this stage it is good to move the mad outside to help them adapt. You can buy puppy pads on Amazon. Here are the ones we used which also have very good Amazon reviews. Crate training Crates are an effective and approved way of toilet training your German Shepherd puppy at the beginning. It helps to avoid mess, helps you keep a closer eye for signs he needs to go and, most crucially, teaches the pup to hold it until they are let outside to go toilet. Make sure the crate is large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around and lie down but not large enough for them to defecate and urinate in. You can find a suitably-sized crate on Amazon which work well with the German Shepherd breed. Learn to pick up on the signs To avoid accidents in the home, it is good to learn to recognise signs that your German Shepherd needs the toilet. Commons signs include: Sniffing the floor. Looking restless and anxious. Going into an area they have previously toileted in. If your puppy shows any of these signs, take them out to your chosen toileting spot immediately. However, if accidents do happen, it is best to stay calm and not get angry at your puppy, as this will just make them fearful and cause them stress, which will actually result in more random accidents. Use a phrase they will learn to understand One of the most important aspects that goes a long with in potty training your German Shepherd puppy to use a phrase they learn to identify with. By doing so, he would learn to identify the phrase and location with the action. Reward the puppy for a good job When your German Shepherd puppy has finished his pee or poop in the right place , you should give them a reward or positive reinforcement with praise. By rewarding good behavior you will start a pattern of success which can lead to far faster house breaking and training. Never scold them Accidents are going to happen a lot, and whilst this can be frustrating, never shout at or scold the puppy. I remember countless times where I would have just cleaned a pee up from the kitchen floor, only for our puppy to crouch and pee again just seconds later. When should I start potty training my German Shepherd puppy? It is generally recommended to start house training your German Shepherd puppy once they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. This is a good age to start because whilst it means that your puppy is still young enough to learn life-long skills and have their behavior moulded, at this stage your puppy should have enough control over their bladder and bowels to hold it when necessary — making the potty training process easier for them, and cleaner for you! How long does it take to potty train a German Shepherd puppy? There are other factors which come into play though, such as individual temperament and environmental factors. Be prepared for accidents, but above all, have some wipes and tissue paper on hand all the time as you will get through a lot of this stuff! Conclusion Now you know how we advise you housebreak a German Shepherd puppy, I would love to know how you got on. Get in touch via social media and leave a comment. Similarly, if you have better ideas on how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy, please share those in the community too. The bottom line is this; do not underestimate to the work that goes into taking care of a new puppy. Toilet training your puppy might feel a bit difficult at times, but with the right attitude, attentiveness and patience, they will learn this life-long skill. However, if you have any concerns about their ability to toilet train, always contact a vet or a professional trainer. As unlikely as this is, there are some German Shepherds who will need expert help. You might also like…. Puppies Puppy accidents are inevitable and can also be the most frustrating part of welcoming a new dog into your household. However, with a little bit of patience and the commitment to establishing a routine, you should get your GSD puppy potty trained in no time. This article will dive into how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy as well as give you step-by-step instructions and tips for success. German Shepherds become aware of their ability to control their bodily functions at around 3 weeks old. However, it is best to start potty training as soon as you bring your puppy home, usually, this is around 8 weeks of age. So, a 2-month old can hold their pee for about 2 hours. To avoid accidents, take them for potty breaks once every hour. No, not all adult German Shepherds are potty trained. Nevertheless, the general process of training an adult is pretty much the same as potty training a puppy. The key is in setting your rules and establishing a routine from the beginning. Ideally, choose a relatively quiet place. German Shepherds, like many other dog breeds, are creatures of habit. Having a designated potty area and using it consistently is key to making this process work smoothly. When dogs eliminate, their urine and feces leave behind a unique scent. Smelling it will signal to their brains that it is, indeed, time to go potty. Step 2: Establish a schedule Just like having a consistent potty area, sticking to a regular schedule is essential. Take very young puppies to their designated potty area every hour. As they age and as they become familiar with the routine, you can lengthen the time between their potty breaks. Start by choosing a command and sticking with it. When your pup gets to their potty spot, say your chosen command. Then say your command again and praise your pup as soon as your pup has successfully eliminated. You can usually tell this by their body language. Keep doing that until you can just give the command and your pup knows to squat and poop. Step 4: Reinforce positive potty behavior Whenever your GSD pup potties successfully, give them a good time! Reward them especially when they potty on command. Make sure you give them lots of praises and maybe a good head scratch. Depending on what motivates them, reward them with food or play. Step 5: Give it time and patience Following these steps will give you the best chance of success, but expect it to take some time. Top Tips for Potty Training Success German Shepherds are easy to train , so by following the proper potty training steps, you should get your GSD pup housebroken in no time. Nevertheless, here are some tips that will set you up for success and allow you to get over this tedious phase much more quickly: Tip 1: Make crate training a priority Crate training offers plenty of critical benefits, especially to puppies. Apart from providing a private space where they can feel safe, the right crate can be an excellent housebreaking tool. Tip 2: Establish a routine German Shepherds tend to thrive on a daily routine, so try your best to make every day the same for them. It will also help you more accurately predict when they need to go potty. Try to limit feeding times to three times a day for puppies younger than 6 months. German Shepherds that are at least 6 months old can eat once in the morning and then again in the evening. Tip 4: Withhold water at night Dogs should always have access to clean drinking water, but free access to a water bowl will make potty training more difficult. Once housebroken, your dog can have free access to water. When you take your dog out to potty, try to keep yourself relaxed and only talk when giving the potty command. This will also make your post-potty reward extra special. Disciplining your puppy for a potty accident is likely to do more harm. It will lead to negative potty behavior like being afraid to eliminate in your presence as well as feeling anxiety over having to pee or poop. Just clean it up and hope you can both do better next time. If your dog is having accidents too regularly, you likely need to take your dog out more frequently to prevent it. This is also the best way to maintain proper hygiene and good health. Tip 8: Listen and observe Dogs have their own way of communicating and will be especially communicative when they need to go potty. Some dogs might whine while others paw at the door. You just need to establish a routine and give them time to develop full control over their bladder and bowels. As long as you are committed to following your protocol, you should be able to enjoy a fully housebroken dog soon enough.

Puppies ' Please contact me for cost of puppies. We screen adopters and they need to agree to our puppy policy. About us ' Our dogs are a part of our family they live with us in our home and share our lives in full, our puppies are raised with love and care in our home. Golden doodles are an extraordinary friendly loyal breed created by crossing Golden Retrievers to poodles. Golden doodles are highly valued for its low shedding coat and fun loving personalities that makes it an ideal house mate and family pet. We occasionally have Golden doodle puppies for sale and if your choice for your next best friend is a Golden doodle the best place in South Africa to adopt a puppy is from GoldendoodlesZA where our dogs are fully health tested, ensuring you a healthy companion for life, have super friendly temperaments and are bred out of quality imported bloodlines. GoldendoodlesZA are expecting puppies available for adoption — please contact us for more information. F1 standard puppies Puppies expected August ready to go mid to end October Puppies have arrived!!! Labrador Rescue South Africa Who are we? Although LRSA is a breed specific rescue, we re-home many Labrador cross breeds as well as their other breed family companions. LRSA acts as the facilitator between people looking to re-home their Labradors and people wanting to offer a home to a Labrador. On average LRSA re-homes 10 to 15 dogs each week, or over per year. This number is increasing as more dogs are looking for homes due to changes in family circumstances such as divorce, job loss, illness, retirement, emigration or economic restraints forcing people to down scale. Often people do not research the breed before getting a puppy and then find they cannot cope with an untrained, boisterous, landscaping, chewing demolition machine. LRSA covers the sterilization, vaccinations including Rabies and in some cases the micro-chipping of each animal we re-home and rely on donations from both the old and new owners to cover these costs. A number of vets countrywide support us with special rescue rates, but we are battling financially and often donations are not enough to cover these costs. LRSA does not have its own kennels and must rely on a few special kennels that give us reduced rates when they can, but even so kenneling is expensive but necessary when we have to find a safe space for dogs that cannot stay in their homes until re-homed. We have a number of qualified behaviorists who who offer special rates to help dogs be re-homed more easily or with problems settling into their new families. Why Donate? We are completely reliant on donations and none of our volunteers receive any compensation for their time or expenses. All money donated is used to care for our rescue dogs. Labrador Rescue South Africa LRSA desperately needs more special people to offer foster homes or help with home checks, admin or transport. If you are not able to help with your time, please consider making a donation, on a monthly debit order if possible to help us have a predictable fund base to cover costs and allow us to plan ahead rather than operating on a 'wing and prayer' system. Please see our Donate page for payment options We are also beneficiaries of the MySchool Card system and would urge you to please either add us as a beneficiary on your card or to apply for a new card. This is really an easy way for you to help us raise much needed funds. Our future is uncertain as our monthly expenses often exceed our income so we appeal to all our supporters to help us keep this work going and help us save as many dogs as we can. Adoption Information How does it work? What is the Adoption process? If you like the look of one of our rescues and the information provided suits your family situation, please get in touch with us. We often have more information on the dog that we have not shared. As we have the best interests of the dog at heart, please note that after discussions and consultations, we may decide that a certain dog is not suitable for your family and filling in an adoption form does not mean that you automatically will be able to adopt that dog. Once we have your form and have been over it, we will put you in touch with the person responsible for that dog, be it owner or foster home for you to go and meet the dog. We do not have our own kennels and try as far as possible to rehome dogs directly from their old homes to the new one. We also place dogs in foster care if their situation warrants it. One of our Volunteers will be in touch to arrange a suitable time to perform a House Check to make extra-sure that the dog can be handed over to you in good conscience. Something of a tricky process, we know, but we thank you for your understanding and co-operation. What are the Adoption Fees? Labrador Rescue does not charge a set adoption fee and we rely totally on donations. However, in some adoptions, a specified contribution is asked for to cover sterilizations and any other direct costs. This will be discussed with you during the adoption process. This is not negotiable. Donations above and beyond this contribution are much appreciated. Who should adopt? Anyone who is willing to open their home and hearts and who understands that there may be settling in problems but is willing to commit to working through any problems with guidance and help. The adjustment time for new dogs varies so much between dogs depending on a myriad of circumstances, but you should be prepared for a settling in time of between 2 and 8 weeks. If you have the space, time and resources. If you love dogs, have a stable income, safe, acceptable accommodation and want to make a difference — we are definitely interested in hearing from you. Listen to us. We strive to provide as much information about each rescue as possible upfront. Unfortunately, as with life, there are no guarantees. It might all look perfect on paper, but the chemistry is just not there. If you have honestly tried all avenues and it is still not working for you after a reasonable amount of time, we will take the dog back. One of the most important bits of advice we can give is not to take it too personally if the dog does not warm to you immediately. Your home is a new environment for your dog and it will take time for the dog to adapt to you house and your rules and ways of doing things. All we can say is, persevere — ultimately it is worth it. In a perfect world, all of our rescues would be in perfect health. However, there are medical problems specifically relating to Labradors, especially as they get older. We will communicate with you any known conditions or problems. We do endeavour to have all of the rescues looked at by the vets and clinics who work with us, but sometimes this is not possible for logistical reasons. All of our dog are sterilized before rehoming if this is not already done and we also make sure that their vaccinations are up to date. If the vet suspects any underlying conditions, he will let us know and we will pass on this information. Breeders of American Cockapoos and Labradoodles We are the first breeders in South Africa of American Cockapoos What makes our puppies so special and how we justify our prices of puppies? We at GodsOfTheSun put a lot of time and effort into selecting the dogs to breed with. Both the American Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle have to have clear heath checks. They are tested for the genetic diseases that each breed are prone to. We also only choose the best temperaments to make them the perfect family dogs, taking into special consideration as to their behavior with small children. The dogs coat types are also very important to ensure that they will be hypo-allergenic and have low shedding. Because of this careful selection and the time it takes to find the perfect match, there is a limited amount of litters of American Cockapoos and Labradoodles. We also ensure the best care and nutrition for mommy and babies during and after the pregnancies as well as around the clock care to ensure they have the best upbringing. Do your research and make sure that both dogs are health checked and come from good bloodlines and are not just backyard, puppy mill breeders. If you would like to stay updated on upcoming litters and when waiting lists become open, please join our Facebook group:. Although this might sound like unnecessary bureaucracy, we have found that some people adopt animals for the purpose of hunting, dog fighting and other illegal activities. It is only because we love our animals that we want to make sure they will be happy and cared for, so please, open your home to us the way you want to open it to your new pet. What is the adoption process? An adoption application is completed at the SPCA centre and a R non-refundable deposit is paid to reserve the animal. This amount will be deducted from the adoption fee. After all documentation is received and compatibility is approved, a home check will be conducted by the SPCA Tshwane. Once the home check is approved, the animal based on health and age will be sterilized, microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed which is included as part of the adoption fee. After sterilisation the adopted animal will be kept overnight at our Animal Clinic to ensure the animal is healthy enough for departure. You will be notified when your adopted animal is ready for collection. Please take note: Tshwane Municipal by-laws allow a maximum of 3 pets per residential property. If you live on a plot or farm then you are allowed more. Should you live in a complex, you are required to provide a letter from the Body Corporate stipulating the number of animals permitted per household. Animals that are too young to be sterilised, will not be allowed to be adopted by persons outside of the SPCA Tshwane jurisdiction. What is included in the adoption fee? Adoption fees are R for cats, R for dogs and R for puppies and kittens under 6 months old. All adopted animals are sterilised, microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed. An initial non-refundable deposit of R must be paid to reserve the animal and once the home check has been approved, the balance must be paid. Where can I view animals currently up for adoption? Our adoption galleries are also available online on a dedicated Facebook page.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all love our pets and we generally turn to the big named brands to ensure we get the right pet foods. However, it really is no secret that Pedigree has been one of the most popular brands on the market for decades. When the brand got its first big recognition, their marketing efforts were geared toward breeders and show dogs. However, over the years, the brand has shifted its marketing focus to more closely on shelter dogs, subsequently ending their partnership with the esteemed dog show. This article will take a deeper look into what this commercial dog food is actually made of and explore what customers really think of one of the most well-known dog food brands out there today. Our Rating After comparing multiple sites along with customer reviews of Pedigree Dog Food ingredients and satisfaction, Pedigree receives 3 out of 5 stars. If you want to see our top-rated dog food read the guide here. Reviews The Pedigree Dog Food reviews were quite shocking given the fact that the brand has been a household name for quite a while. There was obviously a need to determine the answer to the question is Pedigree a good dog food because there have been studies and analyses completed regarding the ingredients found in the well-known dog food. Unfortunately, while reviews from chewy. Pros Dogs Prefer Most of the comments regarding the canned food on chewy. Customers stated that while they have tried other brands, they have found that their dogs specifically choose Pedigree more frequently. There is also no denying that Pedigree dog food contains a source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as d-calcium pantothenate, monocalcium phosphate , potassium iodide, potassium chloride, and folic acid. Price Customers reported enjoying the price point of Pedigree because it was affordable with an ingredient list they could agree with respectfully. While corn is inexpensive and used mostly as a filler, dogs have a hard time digesting it. It has also been proven that corn is known to cause many allergies and skin issues for dogs; therefore, it is hard to understand why corn would be the number one listed ingredient in this dog food. Among the top ingredients listed were corn gluten meal, soybean meal, and ground whole wheat. With that much grain in one recipe, dogs are bound to produce much more gas and waste than ever necessary. Colors and Dyes According to Dog Food Insider, a breakdown of the ingredients list for a complete Pedigree Dog Food review showed that artificial colors and dyes were used frequently in all of their recipes. The customers even stated that their dogs refused to eat Pedigree Dog Food after just one taste. These were among the most common complaints found on the purchase sites. Watch this video from a veterinary surgeon for more pros and cons: Product Line. Q: I have a Labrador pup which is 2 months old, I need instructions on feeding him pedigree? I have a 2-month-old Labrador pup, we used to feed him cerelac. The vet advised to feed him Pedigree Pup food, there is no instruction on the package on how to feed him? I am looking for instruction on feeding pedigree and any tips or advice about other food is welcome. .So right now, go maybe a half cup twice a day, and as he gets bigger just start giving him a little bit more. Answer by Critters—New CH! A lot of people feed puppy food. I don't after 10 weeks. A lot of people will tell you that the food you are feeding him is crap. I won't. It is dog food and will do and he will develop fine. If you can afford better food, consider it. Just like with people, if you can afford food better than ramen and spaghetti you buy it, but most college kids would be dead if a diet like this KILLED you. After a week or two, look at the pup. If he is fat a good layer of fat over his ribs or between his front legs, feed him a little less. If he is skinny you can see or really feel his ribs and there is NO fat between his front legs feed him a little more. Eventually, on pedigree he may eat up to 3. Remember, with better quality food you may need to feed less. Cute, furry and hungry! Your puppy is ready for proper food and so it is your duty to ensure that you start him off right. Puppies grow faster and choosing the best puppy food for your new pet is a daunting task as there are innumerable dog foods available in the market. Needless to mention, it holds intrinsic worth to feed your four-legged friend with just the proper nutrition to build up strong bones, muscles and teeth. Food also plays major part in supplying all the energy that he needs to play and learn. Puppies grow rapidly, therefore, it is the phase when they start to build up bones and muscles, and they begin to develop organs, which is a crucial stage as it is imperative to build healthy. And adult dogs are already grown up, they require diet only to maintain their bodies, so the nutritional needs are separate from puppies. Now, you might know that how your puppy needs extra ingredients to fuel his growth efficiently. How often should you feed your puppy? Puppies should eat three times a day from weaning through four to six months, if possible. After six months, twice-a-day feedings are fine. Treat and snacks are also an add-on factor to its variety. It also makes foods that are meant for oral care, hip and joint health, weight control, and other health concerns. Like other brands, it categorizes the foods by age — adult, puppy, and senior foods; and by the size of the dog — small, medium, large breed. Pedigree is an old as well as an established brand sold in grocery stores. The greatest thumbs-up feature of it is that the products are also priced to fit lower budgets. But, when they are over-used in his food as an alternative for meat proteins, it comes out as not-so-desirable food item. Corn gluten meal is a dried, reduced form of corn containing more proteins than the ordinary corns. Poultry by-product meal— This implies that the food can be any kind of poultry. Brewers rice— It is used exclusively in puppy foods. This is a carb filler. Additionally, preserving it with citric acid is also beneficial. Puppies can get healthy nutrition from these sources. About Petsworld Team The blog editor of Pets World is a pet aficionado and fervently follows her pet-obsession. A pet parent to animals big and small for the past two decades. The sum of all experiences gathered is an amalgamation of useful knowledge and research. More like this.

Next up is another thing to do before you bring your puppy home… How To Puppy Proof Your House When puppy-proofing your house, think like a puppy. Crawl around on the floor and take note of what you see. Puppies will chew nearly anything, so make sure that there are no valuables down at puppy-height, or things that could be poisonous to them or be a choking hazard. Make sure there are no open cabinets or pantries where your puppy could get into food. Be careful of small trash cans that could hold some smelly trash that would be enticing to a puppy. And finally, next are a few other random tasks to do before you bring home your new puppy. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! Not exactly. Find a vet. Find the closest emergency animal hospital. This is not something you want to wait until you need it before looking it up and making a plan. Find a list of local poisonous plants and animals. Talk to your vet and do some research so that you know which plants and animals to avoid. Find a puppy kindergarten class. This will help with training, socialization, and general learning how to be a puppy parent. Check your yard or house for any escape routes. This next section will cover everything from what to expect with a puppy, what to do the first 24 hours of bringing them home, how to train them, and more. A week after bringing Oliver home, it was very obvious to me why she asked me that. Puppies are hard work! Their little bladders can only hold it for a few hours, so this is expected. Chewing Puppies will try to chew any and everything. Like every thirty minutes often. Now, for the most important expectation of them all… You will miss puppyhood! Yes, you will miss the sleepless nights and puppy bites. So make sure to take lots of videos and pictures. How would you like to be treated in this situation? Here are some tips to help your puppy get comfortable in their new home. Let your puppy make decisions When you get to your house, set them at your open front door and let them choose to walk inside. Let them explore their new home on their own terms. Letting them make decisions can give them a sense of confidence, hope, and control, and ease into their new home. Limit visitors Now is the time to build the bond with your puppy and let them get to know you, not overstimulate them with a lot of people. Limit their access to your home Getting used to a new home with two rooms will be a lot easier than getting used to a new home with five rooms. Only let your puppy have access to a few rooms so that they get acclimated to their new area quicker, then as they get more comfortable you can allow them to explore new areas of the house. You can use baby gates to restrict access to sections of the house. Bonus benefit: this will also decrease the chances that they leave you a present in the guest room. In general, just keep things low key when you bring them home and let them get used to their surroundings. Training Your Golden Retriever Puppy Training your golden retriever puppy is one of the best things you can do both for them and with them. They have short attention spans and like to have fun, so short training sessions and training games work best. A lot of people think that training is just obedience training, like sit and stay , but it also includes life skills like crate training , potty training , how to not jump on people or bite them, and how to not pull on the leash. Socialization Socialization is something that is not talked about as much as it should be. It can help mitigate fear and aggression and help them become confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. You can socialize your puppy with other dogs by setting up play dates with gentle dogs that you know are vaccinated and by going to puppy kindergarten. Dog to other living beings includes humans, cats, and other animals. You can socialize them with other people by taking them to a pet-friendly store like home depot, and you can socialize them to other animals by taking a walk by the neighborhood cat with lots of distance between them, so neither animal gets overwhelmed. Dog to stuff is the broadest category, but no less important. When Oliver was very young we were on a walk and a FedEx truck drove by. He had never heard a big truck like that and was terrified. So make sure that your puppy is comfortable with trucks, cars, the garage door, buses, umbrellas, and whatever other objects they may encounter. For instance, if you live in Chicago, get them used to trains, buses and crowded streets. Every day, separate out five special treats for your puppy. For example, you might let your neighbor give your puppy a treat, or maybe you take your puppy to a bus stop and when the bus goes by you give them a treat, or maybe you introduce them to a cow and give them a treat. The treat helps them have a positive experience with these new things and people, plus it helps you easily remember to expose them to lots of these new things. Do this for the first four weeks of their life and before you know it, your puppy will have been exposed to new dogs, people, things, or environments, and will be well on their well to becoming a well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy Raising Mistakes Below are some mistakes that new puppy owners make that could make it harder to train and raise their puppy into a happy, confident adult. Not remembering how young they are Puppies are like little toddlers. Waiting to train your puppy until they have a problem Training your puppy before they have any behavior problems will make life so much easier for you. Forcing things too quickly Things like crate training and potty training take time. Setbacks hurt more than stretching their limits will help, so be patient and take things slowly. Conclusion Golden retriever puppies might just be the best living beings on the planet. However, they are a lot of work and can be quite naughty sometimes. Have any questions about golden retriever puppies? Let me know in the comments below! And if you know someone who is thinking about getting a golden retriever puppy, please share this with them. Related articles:. January 24, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? What does it take to be considered ideal for a family dog? How do you know if the Golden Retriever is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Golden Retrievers! Bred in the highlands of Scotland by Lord Tweedmouth in the mid to late s, Goldens are a cross between a Yellow Retriever and an extinct dog breed, the Tweed Water Spaniel. Lord Tweedmouth wanted the ideal gundog to accompany him during fowl hunting and be able to withstand the rugged terrain and rainy conditions. Aside from being able to retrieve fowl, Lord Tweedmouth wanted an even-tempered dog to have at home when not hunting. And so, the Golden Retriever was born. Later in the s, they soon became a popular breed amongst American families when President Gerald Ford had a Golden named Liberty as his family dog. Golden Retrievers, like their name states, are golden! Their luxurious coats come in a variety of light to dark shades, ranging from light like the white Golden Retriever or English Cream to dark golden colors, even close to chocolate. Their coats feature feathering down their backs, chest, belly, hindquarters, and tails. Goldens have soft expressions combined with floppy expressive ears that give them a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Another thing to note of the Golden Retriever is that those fluffy coats are actually what are known as double coats. A strong water repellant coat on top coupled with a dense undercoat to regulate their body heat. This all means these pups can be heavy shedders! What are Golden Retrievers Personalities like? There is something to be said about being named a perfect family dog. The Golden Retriever breed is loyal, affectionate, playful, and gentle. If brought into a home with children, your Golden Retriever puppy will be a great addition for help introducing your new Golden Retriever pup to your kids and how to play together, check out our blog! But being a great family dog doesn't mean they are easy! Goldens have lots of energy which can come out in more jumping and being more mouthy, especially as puppies. Check our training tips for raising a well-mannered Golden at the end of this blog! Two to three daily walks are a must, and throw in fun activities like hiking or going for a swim, your pup will stay golden! Golden Retrievers are eager to please type of breed. They generally have happy go lucky demeanors which lends itself to affection and friendliness, including toward strangers. If you wanted a pup that could eventually become a service dog, a Golden Retriever is a great choice and make for excellent working pups! As a high-energy breed, Golden Retrievers do best in a home that will provide them ample access to romp around. Homes with fenced in yards or access to a park or field on a daily basis where they can run and fetch to their hearts content are the best environment for Goldens! These pups, with consistent early socialization, can adapt and thrive to living in a home with other dogs, or pets, and children! They love to play and make great playmates. That being said, their social nature can lead to dependencies on their owners and family. Golden Retrievers may develop separation anxiety if left alone and not properly trained from an early age. Golden Retrievers may also contract heart disease called subvalvular aortic stenosis SAS that with early diagnosis and treatment can allow for a regular life-span. When you are looking to add a Golden Retriever puppy, make sure you are working with a reputable breeder that cares for the health quality of the dogs they breed. Take advantage of that natural drive and eagerness to please by setting foundations at home. Start your puppy a regular daily puppy schedule to create structured routines in the home. Include consistent feeding, nap, play and obedience training times throughout the day to help your Golden pup learn what to expect and build confidence at home. During their puppy training focus on their obedience commands to help your puppy learn to look to you for guidance, build their communication with you, and solidify a trusting relationship! Since Golden Retrievers love to work, positive reinforcement and food rewards will be valuable motivators to get your puppy focused and listening. In-person and online puppy training programs will walk you through how to teach the commands, exercises to help your puppy learn them, and troubleshoot when your puppy needs it! Teach Your Golden Retriever How to Greet New People and Dogs While their open friendly disposition will help your puppy make new friends where ever they go, make sure to teach your puppy the right way to do so! Some overly energetic and friendly pups can get excitable around new people and dogs. That can result in some unwanted whining, lunging, and jumping. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on those common over-excited behaviors when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer or join an online puppy training school to help set you up for the best success! Do Calming Obedience Exercises With all their high-energy and high-drive, teaching your Golden how to be calm in everyday scenarios will help tame that wild side! Great calming exercises include having your puppy learn to wait for their food bowl and in thresholds each time you enter or leave a space. This also extends to activities like fetch. Goldens are a natal for this! This can be done simply by having your pup drop the toy when they return and pausing for a few moments giving them a chance to settle before throwing it again for them to retrieve. Teach Them to Walk Nicely on Leash Many high-energy pups have a tendency to lunge toward exciting new things! Couple that with a social nature, and you may encounter that your Golden Retriever puppy will start to pull on leash. Focus on teaching them proper leash manners including how to walk in Heel position and how to pass other people and pups without lunging, jumping and excited whining, barking or nipping at them! That can greatly help possible bad encounters with strangers and other dogs while teaching them great habits! Did you recently bring home a Golden Retriever puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! As long as they are socialised well as a puppy, Golden Retrievers can happily fit into family life. They are gentle but need to be treated with respect by all members of the family, including young children, as like any dog their patience will eventually run out. Common health problems in Golden Retrievers Like any purebred dog, Golden Retrievers may encounter some breed-related health problems throughout their lives. Often, Breed Clubs will also be able to provide advice on what tests your breed may need and where to get these done. Make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by these upsetting conditions. For Golden Retrievers, this is because they can have short legs in proportion to their body and a tendency to become overweight. Eye problems — screening tests are available and dogs should be screened on a yearly basis, especially if intended for breeding. Multifocal retinal dysplasia - abnormal development and growth of the back of the eye retina which can lead to blindness. Generalised progressive retinal atrophy GPRA — slowly leads to progressive blindness over months or years. Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy RPED, or central progressive retinal atrophy — a genetic problem which causes issues in the back of the eye retina and loss of vision. Glaucoma — high pressure within the eye causing pain and loss of vision. Ichthyosis — a skin disease that causes thickening of the footpads and makes other areas of skin rough and covered with thick, greasy flakes that stick to the hair. Caring for your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are usually real big softies and can make a great addition to a home. How much noise they make will be down to the individual dog. Training and socialisation Golden Retrievers thrive off training and are very intelligent dogs. They love nothing more than to be given tasks to do to keep them occupied and have fairly good problem-solving skills — for a dog! As long as your Retriever is properly socialised from a young age , they should be confident around new people and situations. Retrievers also like their chill out time but will be more than happy to show you plenty of affection on their own terms. Exercise Golden Retrievers are very active dogs and need plenty of opportunities to exercise , play and get rid of excess energy. Your Golden Retriever will need a minimum of two hours of good exercise per day. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together. Because they are intelligent dogs, Golden Retrievers can get bored easily so make sure you keep their brains active as well as their bodies. As their name suggests, retrieving is what they were bred for, so nearly all Golden Retrievers love a good game of fetch! Grooming Golden Retrievers have medium to long coats and generally do shed a lot. They are not a dog to take on if you hate hoovering! Ideally, they should be brushed or combed three times a week at a minimum. Where necessary you can trim their coat with the right tools, but seek advice from a professional dog groomer or vet first. You may also find that your Retriever loves water including any and all muddy puddles and swimming. Make sure they stay safe around the water and if they get mucky, use a dog safe shampoo. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate Golden Retrievers and children If you have a young family then Golden Retrievers can be fantastic with children. If socialised properly from a young age, Retrievers can be quite calm and tolerant. Always supervise children and vulnerable adults with your Golden Retriever and make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and play with dogs with care and kindness, to prevent any issues. Golden Retrievers and other pets Well-socialised Golden Retrievers are very easy-going, which usually means they can be great around other dogs and pets, too. Any introductions should be done carefully and following the right advice for your other pet, too. Always supervise your dog with other pets, even if they have known them for a long time. Obesity can cause other health problems for your Golden Retriever, so keeping them in shape is extra important. Make sure to monitor their weight and keep an eye out for any sneaky snacking. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. If you give your dog an occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily food allowance. Use healthy treats in moderation instead. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave a gap before exercising and after eating. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. If you want to buy a pedigree puppy, we recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they have to do extra health tests and meet higher standards. Set-up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. PDSA Pet Insurance Fun facts As they were bred to fetch game, they have a naturally gentle grip, called a 'soft mouth', so they don't damage the birds they carry back in their mouths. Golden Retrievers have an amazing sense of smell and are often used as search and rescue dogs in other parts of the world. They absolutely love water well, most of them do. Most Retrievers will take any opportunity to have a swim. Luckily, their coats are thick to keep out water and keep them warm. Golden Retrievers make really good assistance dogs and are often a top choice for training to be Guide Dogs for the Blind. Make sure you have the knowledge and dedication to give to these sweet natured dogs to keep them happy and the time and space to exercise them. While they make great family pets, make sure you are absolutely ready to take on the commitment of getting a dog first. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a Golden Retriever. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in Golden Retrievers are out there too. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy a Golden Retriever puppy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. Not sure if the Golden Retriever is the right pet for you? Golden Retrievers are wonderful, right? Well then, of course everyone should have one. Either way, it is vital that you examine your own lifestyle, needs and wants to see if a golden is right for you. And, conversely, you need to evaluate if you can meet the needs of a golden retriever. If you can, we can attest to the fact that owning a golden is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have! They are addicting and people seldom have just one in their lifetimes. Here are a few things to consider: Size Goldens are medium to large sized animals. The standard size for males range from 23 — 24 inches at the shoulder and weigh proportionally from pounds. Females stand around .They normally possess extremely active tails making clean sweeps of coffee and end tables. Quite simply they need room. Uncluttered houses are a must! A fenced in yard is especially important in providing the dog enough exercise. Another option is a fenced dog park or walking trail. You must have a plan to give your golden enough exercise on a daily basis or both of you will be miserable. The younger the golden, the more exercise they generally need. Velcro Dog Goldens are faithful companions. They are usually always by your side, many will follow you from room to room. They will lie in the kitchen while you cook and at your feet while you watch TV. They must be near their humans to be happy. Be prepared to do a lot of hands on petting with your golden — they love it. Some goldens are downright needy in their desire for attention from their humans. Leashes You may have visions of letting your dog play fetch in an open field or running free on the beach. As a sporting dog they are easily distracted by birds, animals or moving objects; they must be kept leashed when being exercised outside of a fenced yard to keep them from running off. Shedding In Florida, goldens shed moderately all year long. Brushing every other day is to your advantage. If you require a fastidiously kept house, a golden is not the dog for you unless you like to do a lot of cleaning. You will always have dog hair around, especially in rugs, on furniture, and OH YES, occasionally even in your food. With a golden in your house, hair becomes a condiment. Oh — and you will have to vacuum much more often than before — or little fur balls will accumulate along your baseboards! Make sure you have a really good vacuum cleaner that you love using before bringing a golden into your home. Health Goldens are prone to allergies, skin problems, cancer and hypothyroidism and you may have to spend a fair amount on vet care over the life of a golden. Common inherited health issues are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, various eye problems and heart disease. That is relatively cheap compared to if your dog has a health issue and requires veterinary care which today runs as much as human health care. Setting aside a monthly amount for a future emergency is a must. There are also quality pet insurance programs available. Goldens must be fed a high quality premium food to prevent costly skin problems — which means you will not be able to buy your food at the grocery or discount store — and will have to make a special trip to the pet supply store. There are other expenses such as toys, collars and leashes, brushes, shampoos and soft cozy beds. A well cared for dog, like its human counterpart, is happier with regular checkups and daily care. Grooming Goldens can be adequately groomed at home without expensive equipment. Grooming includes brushing, bathing, trimming hair from the pads of the feet, light trimming on ears, tails and back legs when necessary, and trimming nails. Neatness Goldens are easily housebroken and make great housedogs. They tend to be messy drinkers, dripping water on the floor after they take their drink. You might even encounter a little slobber. Training Goldens are usually easy to potty train and make great house dogs. Many owners wish to make their goldens into good canine citizens. Moreover, goldens tend to be sensitive or soft in many training situations. They must be handled carefully with a loving, firm, but gentle approach. The end result is a well-mannered dog that is a joy to be around. Small Children People automatically assume goldens are the perfect dog for a family with children. Golden puppies quickly grow up to be rambunctious, strong bundles of energy that easily can play too rough with young children, especially when they are 6 months to two years of age. Though they may bark and growl defensively, when it comes down to brass tacks — they will gladly hold the flashlight for the burglar and give them a big kiss. Outside Dogs Goldens make poor outside dogs. Especially in Florida, they develop skin problems and flea allergies if kept outside. They frequently develop thunderstorm anxiety. As sporting dogs they are easily able to dig out of a fence or sometimes climb over it when left outside for long periods of unsupervised time because they want to be with people. They also are frequent targets for theft if left outside in a backyard when the owner is away from home. Goldens are very social and are pack oriented. They frequently develop behavior problems when they are kept separated from their families. A happy golden is an inside dog. Male or Female? Many people are fixated on getting a female golden, thinking that females are more laid back and affectionate than males. This is not true. Male goldens are blessed with loving personalities. Many people call them big teddy bears and even prefer male over female goldens. Well, there you have it — the inside scoop on owning a golden. Goldens Rescued Since .However, avoid retractable leashes whenever possible: Although they seem easier during walks, retractable leashes are actually dangerous, especially for young puppies who are still getting the hang of walking on a leash. Keep your puppy on a regular leash with a maximum of six feet of space between you both. Snowy Pines recommends slip leads: Slip leads are what puppies are taught to walk on from a young age at Snowy Pines, since they give you as the walker more control over the puppy as he gets the hang of normal walks. You can also opt for an embroidered collar if your puppy seems bothered by the noise or extra weight of the dog tags. Many puppy owners choose embroidered collars since dog tags should be removed when the puppy is left alone as they can pose a hazard. You can stick with a small food and water bowl. Puppy Food Your puppy will need high-quality food to grow strong! In most cases, this means his own dog crate. A good dog crate should be large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. You can choose a crate that expands as it grows to save money in the long run. Most of our puppies at Snowy Pines will do well in a inch wire kennel with a divider that you can remove once he gets bigger. Be sure to check out our dog bed reviews too! Remember that most toys should not be left alone with your puppy since unsupervised playtime can lead to a choking or blockage incident. Image Source Puzzle Toys Puzzle toys keep your pup mentally stimulated while they also have fun. Additionally, these interactive toys provide help with weight management, satisfy natural hunting instincts, and even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. These toys can easily become a comfort item and help curb any potential anxiety as well. Chase Toys Golden puppies need to have regular exercise. Chase toys are simple things you can buy at any pet store, like ropes and balls, but some interactive chew toys are designed to add a little zing to your daily play routines. So, for example, if your puppy just woke up from his nap and pottied, but you need to do laundry and load the dishwasher, the exercise pen is a perfect solution. It enables your pup to enjoy safe solo playtime. Training Treats Food is a powerful reinforcer , so treats are incredibly beneficial in the early stages of puppy training. Try offering him a treat when he potties outside or uses a chew toy. Quick Tip: The treat should be small and chewy so that he can eat it fast and keep his attention on you! With the proper carpet cleaner and enzyme spray, you can quickly combat any potty mistakes anywhere in the house. Dog Shampoo and Conditioner The Retriever family has a unique, double-layered coat designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. It also dries quickly after becoming wet. It is such an impressive coat that it is essentially self-cleaning when it comes to dirt and debris. Pooper Scooper and Poop Bags A pooper scooper is a handy tool that many homeowners with yards find essential. Instead of bending down every time your pup goes, you can use a pooper scooper to clutch onto the waste and quickly throw it in your outside garbage bin. They are also expected as a common courtesy to other people outside. So before your English Cream Golden puppy comes home, be sure that your home, backyard, and car are puppy-safe and puppy-proofed. In the Home: Image Source Keep the toilet lid closed. Believe it or not, open toilet lids have the potential to be drowning hazards. Secure medicine and cleaning products. Keep these products high up or use childproof locks and latches on lower cabinets. Garbage should be kept lidded and secure. Lidded, secured bins are the best type of garbage cans you can have with a young puppy. Not only do you want to avoid spilled garbage, but a locked lid will prevent your puppy from getting into any potential hazards. Hide electrical cords and blind cords. Exposed electrical cords and long blind cords can prove to be fatal for curious puppies. Keep electrical cords hidden away, buy cord wraps to keep them safely covered, and be sure that your blind cords are tied high and inaccessible. Invest in a pet or baby gate. Gates can be used for doorways or staircases to keep your puppy away from certain areas of the house. In the Backyard: Be careful of plants and landscaping that may be poisonous or dangerous. Many plants are toxic to dogs , so be sure to triple-check if any are growing in your yard. Secure your yard with fencing and add gates around bodies of water. If you plan to let your puppy roam freely in your backyard, you should have complete fencing with no puppy-sized gaps around the perimeter of the property. If you have any ponds or pools, block them off with appropriate fencing to avoid accidental drowning. Keep your yard landscaped and manicured. Long grass and brushy areas can invite ticks, which can be extremely dangerous if any potential bites are not discovered early on. Generally speaking, your grass should not be higher than a couple of inches and potentially even shorter while your puppy is still young. In the Car: Image Source Move any chewable items and lock loose items in the glovebox. Confine your puppy in one area of the vehicle, like the backseat. Keeping your puppy confined to one area of the car is safe for everyone. Many puppy parents choose harness seat belts and car seats for younger dogs, while older dogs are big enough to safely sit in the back seat or trunk with cargo barriers. As your Golden Retriever gets older, you may find yourself opting for different barrier methods that will better suit his size. Kennel your puppy while in the car. Crating your puppy is the safest mode of transportation while in the car. Deciding on a Daily Routine Like children, puppies thrive on a fixed routine because an orderly one instills structure and confidence. Sticking to a schedule can also help reinforce potty training and prevent behavioral issues , like separation anxiety and barking or whining. Think of a schedule that works best for your puppy, which should include: Feeding: Pick out regular meal times and stick to them as closely as possible. Golden Retriever puppies will need three daily feedings until they are six months old. After that, stick to feeding twice a day at the same time each day. Fixed meal times will help you predict when your puppy needs to potty each day, which better ensures easier potty training. Scheduled potty breaks: Take your puppy out to the yard or on a walk to potty immediately after a meal and after they wake up to enforce a schedule that will help with house training. Playtime and exercise: Playing and mental stimulation are key to a happy puppyhood. Even though they will mellow out in personality as they become adults, Retriever puppies are high energy! Place the dog crate in a quiet part of the house since we kennel train at Snowy Pines, and it helps ensure their safety and comfort. And now is the exciting part: Your puppy is finally home! But now what? Puppy Socialization Socialization is vital for young puppies, especially between 8 to 16 weeks of age: A well-socialized puppy will grow into a happy and confident adult that feels secure in various situations. You can also invite friends and family over to meet the puppy. In this case, more is always merrier! To help your puppy feel comfortable around humans in general, expose him to different types of people when he is still young. We also recommend holding off on public settings like dog parks until your puppy is settled into his new home and routine so as to not overwhelm him. Once your puppy is vaccinated, you can consider signing him up for puppy socialization classes. These classes, alongside training courses, can help prepare your pup for a long walk or a day at doggy day camp. Training Techniques Training is just as essential as early socialization. He may become disruptive and exhibit poor behaviors like jumping on visitors, chewing on furniture, and barking incessantly, among other frustrating challenges. Your puppy may also struggle with separation anxiety. They will comprehend basic commands and learn things such as his name, housebreaking, and early manners. They will be able to take on more advanced training and commands, and they should understand what good dog manners are. This age is essential when it comes to instilling how you want him to behave through adolescence. Puppies will begin teething at this point. Your new puppy might use anything possible to exercise his teeth, so you must start teaching him not to use your hand or furniture as chew toys. Anytime your puppy chews on something undesirable, have a toy nearby to put in his mouth instead. You can also try using bitter apple spray to deter biting and chewing on household items. Be firm but loving with clear, consistent commands and minute training sessions each day. Quick Tip: Keep in mind that at this age, this is when the key socialization period ends for your puppy: From this point forward, everything your puppy has learned will influence the way he behaves around people and other animals. While this is good, this age will also be a challenge because he will try to determine his ranking in the household, which can be frustrating when hormones play a role! Although spaying and neutering are standard for most breeds around six months old, studies have found that doing so for Golden Retrievers can actually increase the risk for joint disorders. Therefore, the standard for this breed has recently changed, and many vets suggest waiting to spay or neuter until 12 to 24 months. Training can be an overwhelming process, which is why many Golden puppy owners opt for working with a dog trainer or enrolling in training classes. Snowy Pines offers three levels of training when adopting one of their golden retrievers, which can save you tons of time and frustration in the long run. At your first checkup, you can also ask about getting your puppy microchipped! The AKC states that they are incredibly hard workers whose physical strength aids in their ability to perform their duties well. Though their capabilities certainly have a lot to do with intelligence, their excellent job performance can also be credited to their amazing adaptability. After all — they are super friendly! You may not want to trust your Golden Retriever to protect your home. Golden Retrievers are first and foremost devoted to their families. If an immediate threat was obvious, they may certainly step in. But when a stranger comes to the door, the typical reaction of a Golden is to bark until the new person comes to greet them. And before you know it, the new person has quickly become a new friend — no matter who they are! This is in part due to the fact that Golden Retrievers do not do well alone. It is recommended that Golden Retrievers never be left home alone for more than 4 hours at a time. Golden Retriever require a decent amount of both mental and physical stimulation otherwise they can resort to destructive behavior out of boredom. Most of the dogs we come across were not bred to hunt and retrieve. Instead they are bred to work as service dogs which means jumping into a body of water would not be looked highly upon when their job is to guide a blind person or open a door for a person in a wheel chair. However, you might have to teach them some of the nuances of the game of fetch. If your Golden is having some troubles with the game of fetch your might try reading this article on how to teach your dog to fetch. Goldens Are Mouthy Dogs What one person considers mouthy another might consider bitey. Anyhow, Golden Retrievers are mouthy. They are bred to retrieve and carry birds and other game back to their owners. The good news is they are meant to softly carry birds back to their owners without damaging the bird. The bad news is they like to put their mouth on inappropriate things like your arms, hands, and legs. We often joke that Raven likes to shake hands with her mouth. Here are the top 5 dog breeds in Labrador Retriever.