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Ironically, tail is not just an insignificant part for animals. It is a functional part of their body. Some animals use their tails for holding onto tree branches, while some use their tail to shoo away insects. For German Shepherds, they use it not only for balancing but also for expressing their feelings. Introduction A standard German Shepherd tail length should be long enough that the tail end should reach the hock joint. It should be hanging with a slight curve like a cavalry sword when GSD is at rest. The curve should be emphasized, and tail should be raised when the dog is moving. Up and down tail positions show how much energy they have. For example, A German Shepherd wagging tail more towards the left side almost touching their bodies means they are nervous. How high they hold their tails, shows the mood they are in. So, the higher, the more motionless their tail is, the more they are feeling stressed and can be very unpredictable. Here are some tail positions, movements and what they mean. If a GSD wags its tail widely like mad, it means it is very happy. They usually do this to save energy. A GSD wagging its tail slowly is a sign of confusion. Just like a scared child hiding under the table, a scared GSD will hide its tail between its legs. Another meaning would be a plea not to be hurt. A tail positioned stiffly straight out of its body means the dog is ready to fight. A more aggressive GSD will move its tail high up and over its back to initiate a fight with another dog. Whenever A GSD will hang its tail low horizontally away from its body, it can be a sign of a calmness. They can be seen as if observing the surroundings. The higher the tail position of a GSD is, the more it asserts confidence as if telling the world it is the boss. Sometimes the tail can be seen curled. A GSD that holds its tail upright and stiff means they are the pack leader. They can be heard barking all the time, alerting their owners even on little things. It is amusing to see puppies or adult dogs chasing their tails. They try to catch their tails and even growl when they chance upon catching it. There are many factors contributing to this behavior. By simply analyzing the causes, owners can train their GSD to stop this behavior. Training them as a puppy is a good start. In adult GSDs, distraction can help. Lack of exercise and activity will cause them to chase their tails wider in circles and sometimes in eights. Genetics can also cause this behavior. The behavior might have been passed down by their parents to them. Stress and anxiety will make them chase their tail until they injure themselves. So it is very important to check for stress and anxiety triggers. Another inherited genetic fault that GSDs suffer from is the curled tail. A German Shepherd curled tail meaning it has a gay tail. Characterized by a tail that is carried higher than the horizontal level of the back, curling upwards, gay tail is a genetic fault. Since it is a genetic fault, chances of fixing it is next to nothing. Sadly, some owners and breeders will do anything for fame and money, so they will opt for surgery. Fortunately, not all German Shepherd puppy tail curls. For some it is just a mannerism that can be eliminated by training. Clicker training method can be used to train GSD show dogs to hold their tails in a particular position when standing. This method will need time and patience from the owner. It can also be hounded by a number of health-related issues, since they are genetically predisposed. Anal Furunculosis A chronic inflammatory disease of the skin under the tail and around the anus, it is usually caused by the inefficient response of the immune system and genetics. But how GSDs carry their tail and the thick coat around the anus may be partly responsible. To avoid such disease being passed down, breeding should only be between unaffected GSDs. German Shepherd hair loss tail, Itching and chewing are caused by allergies which may eventually become infected if left untreated. Cuts and scrapes or even dog bites on the tail are all possible reasons for infection, too. Topical antibiotics look enticing for GSDs that they will keep on licking their wounds. Oral antibiotics administered in proper dosage will be the best option. It is usually caused by overwork, injuries or spending too much time playing in cold water. Tail muscles become swollen and painful within 24 hours following exposure to freezing cold water. Long term confinement in cramped spaces may also trigger this syndrome. Prognosis for Limber Tail Syndrome is good as it will go away on its own. It serves as a tool of communication to their owners, helps stabilize them in water and balances them when walking. Owners may encounter some German Shepherd tail problems, some may be genetic and some may be acquired. Regular visits to the vet will ensure GSD tail health in check. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Just look at their tails! So, keep an eye out for tails that are just right! The natural tail is well-muscled and has a thick base croup. It typically hangs down when the dog is relaxed. This type of GSD tail is set high and carried in a slight curve that is pointed upward, but does not go over the back like in Huskies. You see, a natural tail is an important feature of this dog breed and is highly valued by breeders and dog show judges. We can see this type of tail in both German Shepherds and Dutch Shepherds. Your German Shepherd may be long-haired if he inherits this type of tail! A bushy tail is not typically associated with any health issues. Additionally, it is not considered a fault or disqualifying trait in dog shows! It can be passed down from mom and dad or just randomly pop up during puppyhood. This type of tail is commonly seen in many German Shepherd mixes. With all that in mind, puppies with sickle tails are not allowed to participate in dog shows as they are not purebred dogs. Straight Tail A straight tail in German Shepherds is a tail that is not as thick as a natural tail and does not curve at the end — it is completely straight. Well, it is not an unhealthy tail, it just indicates that there may be other breeds in the mix. For example, a Belgian Malinois German Shepherd mix is most likely to inherit a straight tail that is on the thinner side. The straight tail is set high, but it does not curve as a natural tail does. When your dog is excited or alert, he holds his tail straight out and you may notice a slight curve at the tail end. Docked Tail Ever heard of a German Shepherd with a docked tail? Neither have I! Even though your GSD was bred to be a working dog, tail docking is a no-no. This procedure deviates from the official breed standards and it is banned in some states. While GSD tail docking is not as common as Doberman tail docking , some breeders actually do this. And trust me, those breeders are not reliable nor reputable. However, a docked tail in adult dogs may indicate that they have been through tail injuries or infections. It is not unusual to see German Shepherds with completely curly tails, which can be caused by a genetic mutation, which can be a sign that the GSD is a hybrid dog. German Shepherd Tail Positions There are plenty of tail positions that can mean a lot and we may not understand them all. Wagging Tail A wagging tail in a German Shepherd can indicate that the dog is happy and friendly. Tail wagging can also be a sign of GSD anxiety or aggression, depending on the speed and direction of the wag. A stiff tail can be tricky as it can show dominance, signs of fear or anxiety, and confidence. Tucked Tail A tucked tail can be a sign that the German Shepherd dog is feeling scared , threatened, or that it is trying to make himself appear smaller and less threatening. It is a common sign of submissive behavior which can lead to German Shepherd aggression. The tucked tail can also mean that your dog is feeling pain or discomfort, especially if it is followed by GSD whining , panting, or limping. Anal Furunculosis Is your dog scooting around the house? He may be suffering from anal furunculosis , a common problem in this dog breed. As such, they have to tell you what they feel and experience through body language, including positioning and wagging their tail. Here are 13 German Shepherd tail positions and what they mean: Tail raised high — alert and excited. Tail hanging down — troubled and submissive. Tail straight out — exploring and undecided. Tail low and wagging left — concerned or unhappy. Tail semi-raised and wagging right — happy. Tail raised and wagging fast — excited. Tail low and wagging slowly — lack of enthusiasm. Tail wagging with up and down broad strokes — very happy. Tail wagging in half-mast short strokes — anxious. Tail carried in a neutral position — relaxed. Tail loose and wiggly — happy. Tail held high and stiff — aroused and confident. Tail tucked between the legs — afraid. This article will explore these different tail positions in more detail so you can get to know your dog a little better. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. The German Shepherd is quite creative at using its tail to communicate. It may be in a neutral, straight out, high, or half-mast position to convey arousal, relaxation, or anxiousness and can vary in meaning when accompanied by a fast or slow wag. A raised tail often comes with erect ears , which could be a sign that: The dog is ready to run and attack. The dog may make a move to face whatever is calling their attention. The dog may make a display of dominance. This is especially true if the raised tail is accompanied by very fast tail wagging, which appears to be vibrating. Stay alert when your German Shepherd has its tail raised high and vibrating as you may need to leash or crate them. If a slight wiggle or wag is added, your dog communicates appeasement. The dog could be meeting someone new — a person or dog — and is unsure what action to take. Your GSD could also be hearing noises whose meaning and origin they have yet to figure out. So when you see your German Shepherd with its tail straight out, just give it time to figure things out. I wanna chase the deer! She has seen some deer in the field, and her prey drive has kicked in! Research has shown that dogs tend to wag their tails to the right when happy, and the left side of the brain directs this tail movement. In fact, the mentioned research found that dogs wagged their tails to the right at the sight of their owner. It could be the joy of seeing you home again after work or of seeing you present his favorite food or toy, or when you arrive at a new place, and the excitement just takes over. However, your German Shepherd can show a fast wagging tail when anxious and ready for action in tense situations. The German Shepherd is meeting a strange dog and is unsure what role to take with the new conspecific. In either case, you should remove your German Shepherd from the uncomfortable situation. In this case, your German Shepherd will also accompany the tail wagging with other body signs of happiness like: A relaxed shaking of the entire body. A grin on its face. A soft open mouth. Your dog could also be showing a lack of enthusiasm and insecurity. If the half-mast short strokes are swift, your dog could simply be greeting and feeling tentative or hesitant about a move. Check out Willow in the above photo. Her tail is relaxed in its neutral position as she is undoubtedly chilled as she loves being in the woods. If the dog is relaxed and feeling extra happy, they may add a little wag to their loose tail. They may accentuate that with a side-to-side wag or in circular motion wags. Your German Shepherd will also have a loose and wiggly tail when the environment is relaxed, and if a gaze towards you accompanies that, they most likely want to play. Pay particular attention to your German Shepherd if it has a high and stiff tail combined with raised hackles , a wrinkled nose, and an open mouth with visible teeth. Together, these signs could be a warning to other dogs or strangers to back off. Your German Shepherd may be about to get aggressive. For example, your dog could be in pain or encountering someone or something that instills fear. The tail should be set smoothly into the croup or the rear end where the pelvis bone is and where the tail attaches to the rump. The tail is raised when in motion, and the saber-curve is emphasized, but not beyond a vertical line. That makes it easy for you to see the tail when you want to decipher the message that your German Shepherd is communicating with its tail position. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. This is important to know if you are purchasing a German Shepherd dog for a specific purpose or goal. In this case, you would be smart to choose a breeder that specializes in either the American or West German show GSD breed line. This is because show lines are bred for appearance and conformation. In contrast, working GSD lines are bred for personality and temperament traits. Appearance is always secondary. As you can see in these photos from the breeder cited here earlier, the working dog breed lines typically have thinner tails and sometimes the tails are curled, which could result in points off or disqualification in the show dog ring. Earlier here we mentioned that German Shepherds as a general rule can take a longer period of time to mature. The best way to know how long your German Shepherd will take to reach their full adult size and conformation is to learn as much as you can about the parent dogs. As the official GSD breed standard explains, adult German Shepherds can range in size from 65 to 90 pounds and stand anywhere from 22 to 26 inches tall paw pads to shoulders. As well, depending on the breed line your GSD puppy comes from, it can take anywhere from 18 months to 36 months to fully mature. As well, the breed line can influence the time to maturity, with the East German and Czech lines taking the longest in general to mature. Alternately, it could be that your puppy just comes from a breed line that takes longer to mature and you have a bit longer to wait before that fluffy, bushy tail fully grows in. The puppy coat is much softer and fluffier. It is also single-layer and is missing the second insulating under-layer these dogs grow as adults. The puppy coat will start to shed out around the four to the six-month mark. The shedding out period signals the start of the adult coat growing in. The adult German Shepherd coat is double layer. There is a longer, coarse, water-resistant outer layer that ranges from medium to long. Then there is the insulating, soft inner layer that lays close to the skin. However, this whole process can take some time and depend in size and breed line, as we emphasized here earlier. This often happens at the changing of the seasons. This is not anything to worry about. Unlike some breeds, they carry it low naturally, and an agitated, swishing tail is not ideal. If it curls under the dog, instead of being held out naturally straight from the body, the dog may be anxious and nervous. Long-coated Shepherds will have a fluffy plume, whereas short-coated dogs will have a sleeker tail. They will be between 18 and 36 months old before you can truly judge their tail type. While the dog is still developing, it can have a longer or shorter tail. Here are some common ones to look out for. High tails: usually a sign of alertness and excitement Hanging tails: troubled or submissive feelings Straighter than normal: exploring, but a little cautious Semi-raised and slowly wagging: usually happy Low and slow wagging: usually means unhappiness or concern Raised and fast wagging: Excitement Low and slow wagging: lack of enthusiasm, but responsive Very broad wagging: enthusiastic Short, curtailed wagging: can be a sign of anxiety Neutral: the dog is simply relaxed, alert, and happy Wiggly and loose: a happy puppy! It can be a sign of a mixed breed dog or a dog with a gene fault at the tail. Can Tails Get Sore? As an expressive part of the dog, tails can get sore or injured. However, these are some more severe problems to watch out for: Anal Furunculosis: This is a fancy term for an inflammatory skin disease around the tail and bum. Skin Infections: Like the rest of the body, the skin here can get infected. Because the skin is tight over the tailbone, it can be tough to treat too. Noted issues include chewing, allergy scratching, and itching. Dog bites can get infected too. Always treat skin issues at the tail seriously. The tail swells and is painful, it comes on about a day after exposure to freezing surfaces. Why do Dogs Chase Their Tails? Is It Bad? Pups and adult dogs alike may chase their tails simply for fun. But sometimes, it can turn into obsessive behavior. Luckily, training can help, especially with distraction and refocusing on toys or activities. What are the bad reasons for tail chasing? Small Spaces: The German Shepherd is a big dog, so narrow spaces can upset them. Stimulation: If your dog is under-exercised and stimulated, they can obsessively tail chase from boredom. Genetics: They may have the habit in their blood, or have learned it from parents. Stress: Anxiety can cause very dangerous tail chasing that often ends in injury, and you need to get to the root cause of the issue. It can cue you into their moods, and help you to avoid issues before they start. Likewise, knowing more about the breed standard for their expressive tail can help you identify potential issues with your dog and understand more about what makes them tick—or should we say, wag!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? A dog that is well trained is a pleasure to live with and also safer in your home and while out in the community. Along with helping your dog be more manageable, and teaching them how to behave in all environments, dog training is also fun and provides hours of mental stimulation for intelligent dogs, like German shepherds. How many commands you teach your German shepherd is up to you but most of them can easily learn all 29 on this list: 1. Sit Teaching your dog to sit on command is useful throughout their life. Teaching your dog to sit is also very helpful when trying to calm an excited dog or when meeting new people. Come Teaching the come or recall command is a very basic, potentially lifesaving, must do. All dogs need to learn that the word come means that they stop what they are doing and come back to you. Before taking your dog off leash, or into areas with lots of distractions, they should master the come command. Wait Wait is a useful command to teach because it teaches your dog to pause and wait for directions and get permission from you. Use wait before walking out the door, getting in or out of the car, greeting guests, at mealtimes, the list is endless. Stay Teaching a dog to stay is one of the most important commands they can learn. This command should be reinforced throughout their lifetime, in case you ever need it in an emergency. Dogs should also learn to be released from all commands and this will help reinforce that when practicing their training. Break or release This command is used to release your dog from their sit, stay, down, or other commands. Down Teaching the down or belly on the floor command is another go-to and should be started in puppyhood. This command is very useful in many situations but one important place is at the vet, during an exam or nail trimming. The down command is also great for getting control over an overly stimulated dog. Stand Use this command when you want your dog to stand up on all four paws from a down or a sit. This command is helpful when you want your dog to hold still to be handled, groomed, or for an exam at the vet. Off The off command is used to teach a dog to remove their paws off something, such as a person or furniture. No Just like kids, dogs need to be taught that no means no for their own safety and your sanity. No is used to stop them from taking unwanted action. Leave it Similar and often interchanged with no, the leave it command is used to teach your dog to leave something alone. Taught in conjunction with the leave it command, the command helps teach impulse control and also teaches them to look to you for permission to take something. Drop it Next comes the drop it command. By teaching your dog to drop something, you will help protect their health and your valuables. Heel Teaching your dog to heel, or properly walk on a leash, is a vital command for all German shepherds to learn. They need to learn how to walk anywhere politely. Here Here means come and stand in front of me or at my side. This is a great obedience command to use to begin an off-leash heel, when putting on a leash, or to get your dog next to you. Take care of business You can use whatever command you choose for going outside to take care of business go pee and pooh , just be consistent with the word you choose. Place Teaching your dog to place, or go to a designated place in the house such as their bed, is very important and a lifesaver when you need them out of the way so that you can easily get them out of the kitchen, away from a mess, to calm them down, or remove them from a situation. It is also useful in teaching them how you want them to get physically get into the car. Back up Teaching your dog to back up is fun and also helpful when you need them to move out of the way by backing up. Stop Teaching your dog to stop teaches them to immediately stop what they are doing and stand still. This is a great command to improve impulse control but is also useful in many situations, including emergencies and when playing games. Kennel up If your dog is crate trained, use this command to send them to their crate. Roll over Roll over can be used for more than a cute trick. It can be useful when grooming, looking your dog over, or at the vet. Go eat By giving your dog permission to go eat, you help prevent them from going after their food before the bowl is on the floor, and they also learn to wait for permission to eat so it helps improve impulse control. It communicates exactly what you expect from your dog and is especially handy when traveling or staying at new places. Go out Teaching the opposite, go out from a room is also great for setting expectations and communicating exactly what you want your dog to do. Quiet Teaching the quiet command teaches your dog that they need to be quiet and stop barking. This command is great for many reasons but especially when traveling or when they are barking and you need them to hush. Speak The opposite of quiet, teaching your dog to speak actually reinforces the quiet command because the dog learns both. Teaching your dog to bark on command is fun and also can be useful, for example if you want to warn someone that a dog is nearby. Although any German Shepherd dog is trainable, they are very strong and powerful animals. If you start out with a puppy, you have the opportunity to shape and mold its personality and develop your relationship early. German Shepherds can be very protective of their family members, so you want to socialize your puppy early in puppyhood. This will get them used to interacting well with a wide variety of people and animals, which is essential. This will be a big dog, and you want to prepare the dog when they are young and small for future grooming and veterinary visits. They may need nail trimming, ear cleaning, temperature taking and other procedures. These procedures will be difficult to accomplish should your full-sized adult German Shepherd dog object. You will need to train them to sit, stay, and heel, in addition to house training them. Your puppy will not understand your commands immediately. Have patience with your dog when they don't do exactly what you ask right away. German Shepherds love to learn and they are highly motivated to follow your commands if they are rewarded with treats. Pet your puppy while they're eating, as long as they do not stiffen and stop eating when you are petting the puppy. If the puppy stiffens, stops eating or growls, you have to deal with this aggressive response immediately. Do this by removing the food bowl and feeding the dog by hand. There is no bowl to guard. Make the bowl no big deal. If a piece of food is dropped inside, let the puppy take it and praise them. Then feed nearby again. The bowl will not always have food inside. Gradually increase the amount of food you drop in the bowl as you stand or sit there with the puppy. You can also add high value treats like roasted chicken breast into the bowl if your puppy seems to need more reassurance that you bring goodness to the food bowl. Resource guarding can be a very serious symptom of fear aggression and, if you are seeing this in a puppy, it needs to be addressed ASAP so it does not escalate. You can gradually ask the puppy to look at you to get more food, then sit and wait for more food, etc. .The humans controls the resource of food and rewards the puppy for good behavior. You still praise your dog, just not offer a treat each time. If you are working to modify a command to create a faster response, add in treats again to shape the behavior until they have it down. Then start using treats to reward truly outstanding performance. Do not yell at your pet. Learn to recognize when you are losing patience and stop the training session on a happy note. Your dog can sense your frustration in your body language and tone of voice. Try another day when you are both fresh. If you continue to have problems, get a professional trainer involved. Typically, as puppies are first learning commands, one adult family member will be responsible for training. Later, when the puppy is consistent and understands the basics, other members of the family can participate in formal training. It is important for the dog to understand that not only one person in the household is to be obeyed. Your puppy should be weeks old and started on their vaccine series for this first class. There are puppy preschools designed for puppies who have not yet finished receiving all of their vaccines. The school will have certain requirements for enrollment and you will likely have to provide proof of vaccination. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialization, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the bar — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a leash, and lots of rewards. Leash walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialization checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialization checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping center or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favorite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviors like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favorite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. How to train your German Shepherd Dog — 5 key steps Niki Dog health and wellness Puppy training December 29, The OneMind Dogs method is built on the idea that close bonds start with owners understanding their dogs. Building a magical connection with your German Shepherd takes empathy, patience, and a keen eye for the non-verbal cues dogs communicate with. Naturally, this applies to training all dogs, especially those highly intelligent breeds that need plenty of stimulation. Two German Shepherds can be equally fast learners but have different learning styles. One may prefer to think through a task while the other prefers jumping in head first. Setting the dog up for success in training So, what does it mean to set up for success? When you train matters as much as how you train. Choose a time of day when your dog is likely to be motivated, focused, and eager. A motivated puppy will pay more attention and have an easier time following cues. Training just before mealtime is great because then mealtime becomes a reward. Rewards also encourage dogs to focus and listen. Try lots of different toys — hard, soft, noisy, bouncy, crinkly etc. Make the family part of the fun and DIY safe puppy toys at home! If rewards are how you finish strong, routine is what gives you momentum going into training. When sessions start at the same time every day, dogs know what to expect, and when. Likewise, late afternoon sessions can help energetic puppies wind down for the evening and sleep soundly. Knowing what they value tells us what motivates them. We can use this to communicate things more intuitively. This also applies when trying to teach your dog new commands. This means we need to help them connect the verbal command to the act of putting their bum on the floor. Being flexible will keep you from getting frustrated and your puppy from feeling overwhelmed. How we respond has a huge impact on the success of any training session. We focus on positive reinforcement because it rewards a job well done, and uses healthy alternatives to replace bad manners. Plus dogs respond much better, learn faster and trust you more in the long run! Teaching your German Shepherd to chill out alone Boundaries are the key to a happy home for every family, and the same is true when bringing a new pet into yours. Spacial boundaries range from having a safe nook where they chill out to staying calm when visitors come over. Giving your dog a safe space to chill alone will help them get used to their own company. Running an obstacle course and other physical exercises teaches dogs to use their bodies, improves balance, and supports their growth. Mental stimulation, on the other hand, improves their focus, regulates emotions, and strengthens the magical bond they share with you. Training that engages their minds as much as their bodies will lead to better results. It helps your dog stay on task, even in a disruptive environment. Using their brains to solve problems builds confidence by engaging all the tools they need in everyday life. Success here is about pairing fitness and focus. OneMind Dogs Foundation for Agility has some great tips to keep daily walks fun , exciting, and mentally stimulating. You can even hide the DIY puppy toys as part of a game to get their noses working. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.

Use baby steps and go slowly letting your GSD pup get used to their crate. Offer them meals Provide them a few meals either very near or inside their crate for a positive association with their new crate. When you leave As they spend more time inside their crate, work on leaving them alone for very short periods. Step 1: Introduce Your German Shepherd to Their New Crate Spend about 5 minutes, two to four times a day, introducing your dog to their special kennel. Familiarize your dog with the kennel by tossing a high-value food reward near the crate to entice them. Let them explore the kennel and go in and out freely on their own. A fun, squeaky toy tossed inside can sometimes help them explore their crate. Step 2: Feed Your German Shepherd Inside Their Crate When your dog has sniffed the crate and wandered in and out multiple times, offer them a meal inside with the door propped open. Offer several meals, in the same way, to show your dog a kennel is a safe place. After a few meals inside and when they are comfortable eating, begin to quietly and softly close the door. But let them out once their meal is over. Next time, leave them in the crate for a shorter period. This way you reward them for staying quiet, instead of whining. When they enter, toss them a treat as a reward. Close the door quietly and sit in the same room as them for 5 to 10 minutes. You can even sit calmly next to the crate while dropping food into it occasionally. Now, go to another room for a few minutes to leave them alone. Instead, sit in the same room again for a few minutes before releasing them. Increase the time you leave them alone in the room and repeat the previous step upon your return to them. Once you work your way to leaving them in their crate for about 30 minutes, begin leaving them in their crate while you leave your house. Step 4: Crating Your German Shepherd When You Leave the House Leave the house for a short time with them in the crate using the same process above to call them to the crate. Call your dog to their crate anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes before you want to go so they have time to settle in their crate and relax. Tell them to go into their crate, give them a reward, and offer them praise. Leave the house without a big commotion. When you return, quietly let them out of their crate. Their collar could get hung up on one of the bars and cause serious injury or worse! When you take the time to introduce the crate properly, they see it is a comfortable place that has their favorite toys and tasty foods! You must keep this slow. If at any time your dog whines, you have gone on too long! Praise puppy for relieving themselves. Offer fresh water and take them back outside again. Take your pup back outside to eliminate before crating. Let them outside to relieve themselves and stretch. Offer fresh water, cuddles, and another meal. They need to go outside after eating and drinking. Place your pup back in the crate. Play with them and take them for a walk. Supervise them by leashing them to you and watching them closely. Let them outside. Praise them for using the bathroom outside. Throw a ball or work on basic obedience. Return inside and leash them to you to supervise while playing, petting, or letting them rest next to you. Bring them in and let them explore while you watch them. Keep them leashed to you when indoors to avoid any accidents. Offer fresh water. Take up the water a couple of hours before bed. This is to prevent accidents in the crate overnight. Let them stretch their legs in the yard. This gets him too excited before bed. You want bedtime to be a calming ritual. You can make your own schedule based on the typical times a GSD puppy needs to go out. Be sure to watch for these times and set an alarm if you need a reminder. Pay attention to these times and let your dog out: When they first wake up. After their first meal of the day. Before you go to work. Most people start crate training their pet when the dog is a puppy, as it is also a very effective potty training tool. Being able to spend time in a cozy, comfortable crate also provides your pet with a peaceful retreat when they want some rest and relaxation time away from the hustle and bustle of family life. The idea of crate training your dog is to provide a comfy, secure space where your pet feels safe and likes to spend time , especially when left alone while you go to work, pop out to the store, or run errands. So, why is crate training such an essential part of raising a German Shepherd , and what are the benefits of crate training? Potty Training Crate training your dog makes the potty training process much easier and quicker. Obedience Training Crate training is a handy tool for obedience training as long as you start crate training your pup from a young age. I found crate training my shelter rescue dog challenging because she was a year old and had never been crated before. That said, we worked hard together, and eventually, she was confident and happy to use her crate voluntarily when I sent her into it. Crate training can help to build mutual trust between you and your furry friend, which is crucial for obedience training. Protection German Shepherds are often thought of as confident dogs that work with law enforcement and as guard dogs. However, these dogs are people-oriented and can sometimes feel insecure when left alone. Safe Transport Most dogs love to go with their owners on day trips and to the park, which usually means riding in your car. For safety reasons, you should always travel with your puppy or adult dog safely restrained in a crate. Not all dogs appreciate car travel and can get car sick. Destruction Prevention Puppies of all breeds can be destructive when you take your eye off them for a moment! Rather than using a blanket your pup could drag into the crate and potentially choke on, we recommend buying a proper, machine-washable crate cover. Step 1: Choose a Crate The best crates for crate-training puppies are high-quality wire mesh crates with divider panels. Ensure you buy the correct size for your puppy. In addition, a crate divider means you can buy a large crate size for your puppy to grow into without having to upsize to a new crate several times as your pet matures. Step 2: Introducing Your Pup to His Crate Before you begin your German Shepherd crate training program, set up your new crate in a room where your puppy will spend lots of time, for example, in your bedroom or living room. Make the crate super comfy by adding a mat, some cozy bedding, and a couple of chew toys. Your puppy should be allowed to go in and out of the crate voluntarily. Your aim at this stage is to encourage your puppy to feel secure and confident approaching the crate and going inside. Using treats and toys will show your puppy that the crate is a fun, positive place where he wants to spend time. Step 3: Feed Your Pet in the Crate Once your German Shepherd puppy happily goes in and out of the crate by himself, start feeding him inside the crate. Puppies reluctant to enter the crate are usually tempted by food, especially greedy breeds such as Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Start by putting a small bowl of food your pup will eat in ten minutes or so in the crate. As your pet gets more confident and content to eat in the crate, build up the amount of food you give him so that your puppy spends more time eating his meal. Step 4: Begin Closing the Crate Door Now that your puppy is content to eat his meals inside his crate, start shutting the door for short periods, minutes at first. Gradually feed your puppy in the crate with the door closed for extended periods. During this time, try giving your pup a chew stick or a Kong toy stuffed with treats or peanut butter to keep him occupied. At this point, you want your puppy to feel comfortable inside his crate with the door shut. Step 5: Slowly Build Up Crate Confinement Time Now that your puppy is happy to spend short periods in the crate with the door shut, you can begin increasing the length of time he spends in there. If your puppy is happy with that, increase the periods of time he spends inside the crate. Remember to give your puppy plenty of toilet breaks and exercise between confinement periods. Dogs of all breeds do best when they have a routine and understand what to expect and when. Day 2: Continue with Step 1, moving to Step 2 if your puppy is ready. Day 3: Complete Step 2 and move on to Step 3. Day 4: Finish Step 3 and begin Step 4. Day 5: Finish Step 4 and move on to the final Step 5. Throughout the crate training process, be sure to take your time without rushing your puppy. If you try to hurry things, your puppy could lose his confidence in the crate and in you! Tips for Successful Crate Training Finally, here are a couple of top crate training tips that have worked for us! Your dog should always have a positive association with his crate, such as treats and toys. Can You Leave an 8-week-old Puppy in a Crate? Never shut a puppy in a crate as a punishment or if he is not confident and happy to be left in his crate with the door shut. A: German Shepherd dogs are intelligent creatures that love to learn and work alongside their human owners. Although these dogs can be playful and willful, you can usually crate-train your dog within about a month or so. Keep your training methods consistent, and always use positive reinforcement training methods to guarantee a happy dog and a successful crate training program! Q: How long can I leave my dog in his crate? However, senior dogs and those with medical conditions might need more frequent potty breaks. Dogs and puppies can usually last longer overnight since their metabolism slows down. However, you must remember to take your pet for a potty break before settling down for the night. Q: Should I ignore my puppy crying when crate training? Puppies cry to get your attention and be let out of the crate. If you give your pet the attention and freedom he craves, you simply teach him that whinging and crying get him what he wants! Training pads can encourage your puppy to soil his crate, sending the little guy mixed messages and potentially setting back your potty training program. Final Thoughts Did you enjoy our guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy? If you found the article helpful, please share it! German Shepherds are generally intelligent dogs that enjoy working alongside people and are highly trainable, so they generally take well to crate training. How long did it take for you to crate-train your German Shepherd puppy? Tell us in the comments box below. Meet our writer Wanda C Wanda has LOVED dogs ever since she was a child, and is currently a dog parent to a 3-year-old poodle who means the world to her. Leave a Comment. But goodness, German Shepherd puppies can get into a lot of trouble! Crate training a German Shepherd puppy can help ease the stresses of puppyhood. Believe me, crate training is your best friend! Well, after your German Shepherd, of course. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about crate training a German Shepherd puppy. What is Crate Training? There are a lot of people who feel this way, and the truth is — it can be cruel if the crate is misused. To make this happen, your pup must think of its crate as a place where the good times roll! In other words, a puppy should associate its crate with only pleasant experiences. Now be prepared — this is a process with a lot of training involved, and it can be long and frustrating at times. What are the Benefits of Crate Training? There are so many great benefits to crate training a German Shepherd puppy. Let us count the ways… A way to feel secure: A crate makes your puppy feel safe and secure. Remember, dogs evolved from den animals so they like having a small, protected place of their own. A way to potty train: One of the toughest things about raising a puppy is potty training , and a crate is a great tool to help take the headache out of housetraining. When Allie was a puppy, she would wake me up with a whine in the middle of the night to let me know she needed to potty. With a little time and a lot of patience! A way to transport: Crates make travel much easier for both you and your German Shepherd! Riding in cars can be very stressful for your pup, but if your dog is comfortable being crated, it makes for a much easier ride. A way to protect your puppy: As a puppy, Allie would get into everything! She would eat or chew anything she could get her mouth on, and I worried about her eating something dangerous while I was out. Many dogs are injured or worse from chewing electrical wires or eating toxic substances so crate training is essential to keep your active German Shepherd puppy safe from harm. A way to protect your stuff: Did I mention that German Shepherd puppies love to chew!? This includes your furniture, shoes, and anything else you leave where your puppy can find it. If left loose in your house, your puppy will most likely search and destroy! A way to keep your sanity: Overall, crates offer you something priceless — peace of mind! Crate training saved me a lot of stress and energy while potty training Allie. Crate training means a happier you and a better relationship with your furry friend so you can have fun being a puppy parent! How Do I Choose a Crate? Dog crates come in different materials and sizes and can be purchased online or at your local pet store. There are a lot of options available! This section will help you make the best buying decision for you and your four-legged family member. Wire Crates Pros: Wire crates are well-ventilated, and the pan slides out so they are easy to clean. They are also collapsible for storing or moving, and you can purchase a divider for this type of crate. Larger sizes can also be heavy. Plastic Crates Pros: Plastic crates are good for travel. Because the sides are mostly solid, your puppy may feel more secure. Cons: Plastic crates are harder to get clean and less ventilated. Fabric Crates Pros: Fabric crates are very lightweight and great for travel. Cons: Fabric crates are not very durable and are easily destroyed by a mouthy puppy. If the crate is too big, your puppy will potty on one end and sleep on the other, defeating the purpose of using the crate for potty training. So what is the best size crate for a German Shepherd puppy? Go with a or inch metal crate with a divider — the divider is key! Use it to partition the crate, giving your GSD pup just enough room to stand up, lie down, and turn around. GSD puppies grow fast! So just move the divider back to give your pup more room as it grows. Check out my full guide to the best crates for German Shepherds if you want to learn more, but here are three of my top recommendations. There are several sizes available, and you can choose either a single or double door. I went with the inch size, and 8-year-old Chyna still fits inside perfectly. Very durable and sturdy but still folds easily. Plus, the price makes it a great value! Includes a fleece bed, which is removable and washable for easy cleaning. Very easy to set-up and fold-down, making it a great option for dogs on the go! Allie uses this one for long traveling long distances in the truck. Petmate offers several variations on this hard-sided plastic kennel, including several sizes to choose from. Easy to assemble and very sturdy, making it the safest crate for airline travel. If your dog gets overly anxious or nervous in new situations, this crate might be the best choice. Ok, new crate for your puppy — check! But what else do you need? Bedding When I first started crate training Allie, I bought a nice, fluffy bed for her to sleep on while in her crate — bad idea! For a puppy, I recommend buying something a bit more durable and a bit less fluffy. Toys Toys are great for a puppy learning to love its crate. It gives your pup something to do other than chew up the bedding and teaches it that crate time is fun! Just remember, eventually, your puppy will be left unsupervised in its crate for extended periods of time. So any toys you choose for its crate must be safe! Allie loved gnawing on her Kong while in her crate. Treats Speaking of treats, make sure to keep plenty of treats on hand to use as rewards. A crate cover will help your dog feel safe and keep it from being disturbed by its humans walking by. You can purchase a crate cover or even use a towel or bedsheet. Keep in mind, never cover all sides of the crate — your dog needs plenty of ventilation. As I mentioned before, the most important part of crate training is teaching your puppy to LOVE its crate! How do you do this? Use lots of treats, patience, and praise to show your dog that learning is fun. Put the crate in a room where your puppy spends a lot of time and prop the door open or remove the door altogether. You can add a crate mat and toy, but then back off and let the puppy investigate the crate casually — no pressure! Your puppy may explore immediately, going in and out of the crate to sniff around. But if not, you can encourage it with a few treats or toys near the front of the crate. Be patient until your puppy is bold enough to go all the way inside its crate without any nervousness. Use during mealtime Once your pup is comfortable with wandering in and out of its crate, pair mealtime with crate time. Adding a food reward reinforces those positive associations you want to build between your puppy and its crate. Start by regularly feeding your puppy next to the crate, then slowly work the food dish into the crate at the front, then further back. Close the crate Once your pup is happily chowing down while standing all the way inside the crate, start closing the door during mealtime — but just until dinner is over! Open the door again as soon as your pup is finished eating. Then, close the door. Stay near the crate for several minutes, then go into another room for a few minutes. When you return, sit near the crate again for a few more minutes before opening the door. Repeat this step until your puppy is comfortable in its crate for at least 30 minutes without you in sight. This may take several days or even weeks so be patient! Crating when you leave Now your puppy is ready to try crating while home alone for short periods of time at first. Make sure to give your puppy a potty break before crating for an extended period of time. Stick to your normal routine for crating — use a command to get your dog to enter the crate, praise your dog briefly, give them a treat, and then leave quietly. Keep it low-key when you return as well. Wait a few minutes before letting your puppy out of its crate and try to ignore any excited behavior. Crating overnight Before attempting an overnight stay in the crate, make sure your puppy is tired and ready for sleep. Lots of exercise and playtime before bed will help. Give your puppy a chance to potty immediately before bedtime. Again, use your normal routine for crating command, praise, treat. Once your puppy is happily snoozing through the night, you can move the crate wherever you prefer. Only keep puppy-safe items in the crate at night. A regular daily routine is important in training your puppy, and consistency is key! Puppies learn best through repetition so create a puppy crate training schedule and stick to it. Here is a super simple German Shepherd crate training schedule that you can easily modify to fit your needs. Image used with permission by copyright holder How long does it take to crate-train a German shepherd? With that being said, crate-training a dog usually takes longer than teaching him how to sit or stay. Recommended Videos As a general rule, puppies should be left in a crate for one hour per month of age, but they should never be kept in a crate for longer than four hours at a time. By the time your pup is six months old, he should be able to sleep in his crate overnight without having any accidents. Crate-training tips Whether you have a young puppy or an older dog, crate training requires time and patience. You may want to purchase a crate large enough to accommodate his adult size. Leave the crate open in a room where you spend plenty of time. Your pup may wander into the crate without being told to do so. Now you can try closing the door and leaving your pup in his crate. Image used with permission by copyright holder Are German shepherds hard to crate train? While crate training a German shepherd puppy may seem easier than training an adult dog, studies show that sometimes the reverse is true. In fact, many GSD owners will find that this is one of the easiest breeds to housetrain, as long as constant supervision and consistency are required. However, remember that all dogs learn at their own pace. Where should your German shepherd puppy sleep? According to the professionals, your German shepherd puppy should sleep indoors in a crate. Not only does crating your dog at night make housebreaking easier, but it also keeps your dog safe. Puppies, especially German shepherd puppies, explore the world with their noses, which can lead them to mischief. Image used with permission by copyright holder Crate training is one of the most controversial topics amongst dog owners, but research shows that crating your dog can help her feel safe and secure. With time and patience, your German shepherd will come to view her crate as her den , and she might even choose to spend time there on her own. Editors' Recommendations.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We are a small, hobby breeder that raises highly socialized, health tested, in-home quality puppies. We are retired and live on a beautiful hobby farm in Pennsylvania. We use the ENS Super-Dog socialization program with our puppies, along with the highest quality food. We often sell to New York buyers. We've become a trusted breeder for nearby states like NY. We are located near Pittsburgh, PA. We only offer our puppies for sale to homes where we can screen the buyers ahead of time and make sure it's a great forever match. We often have a wait list. You can wait until litters are born, or place a deposit to hold a picking spot. Often families place a deposit and then come and get their puppy at 8 weeks. Picks are made at 6 weeks via live video, videos and pictures. We temperament test our puppies and observe them since birth. We are professionals at matching puppies with families lifestyles, but the choice is ultimately yours, which puppy you get. Golden Retrievers Forever We know that your puppy will be your family member for life. The greatest part of our job is the magical moments that you first get to hold your puppy. It often brings tears to everyone's eyes. If you are interested in one of our beautiful puppies, please fill out our application form at no obligation. We will be in touch with you within a few days and will have your preferences saved. We are diligent to follow up with every inquiry. Message sent. All rights reserved. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for New York Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in New York? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in New York? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Life Span Did You Know? The English Cream Golden Retriever is not a separate dog breed from the Golden Retriever ; it is simply a rarer coat color variation. These Golden Retrievers tend to have light white or cream-colored coats instead of honey, golden-brown, or reddish coats. As they are still standard Golden Retrievers, they are recognized by the AKC and other canine organizations and can be registered. An English Cream Golden Retriever has all the same traits as any other Golden Retriever; they are one of the most popular dog breeds and tend to be open, friendly, and make great family pets. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. As long as they are socialized and trained, Goldens tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are even known for being open and friendly with strangers. As one of the kid-friendly dog breeds , Golden Retrievers love attention. These dogs tend to be energetic, full of personality, and are devoted to their families. They also tend to be excitable, which means they can be prone to barking. Training your dog to stop barking early on can help curb this habit and help prevent it from becoming a nuisance. Due to their friendly, gentle nature and intelligence, Goldens can often be found working as service, therapy, or search and rescue dogs. English Cream Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. Their high energy and exuberance make them better suited for homes with yards where they can run. They can adapt to apartment living, but you will need to dedicate a lot of time every day to ensure they get enough attention, mental stimulation, and exercise. Goldens fare well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they bond so closely with their families and are one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Some potential health concerns to be aware of in an English Cream Golden Retriever can include canine cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. Good breeding practices reduce the risk of these health issues and make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. The national breed club recommends hip and elbow evaluations, an NCL DNA test, an ophthalmologist evaluation, and a cardiac exam at a minimum. English Cream Golden Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please. This makes them highly trainable dogs that are a good fit for owners of all experience levels. Not only are they one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners , but they also tend to excel at obedience competitions and other dog sports. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered basic commands , move on to other activities or more advanced commands. Anything you learn will help and will only strengthen the bond you are building with your puppy. Plus, there are several other benefits of puppy training classes including socialization. English Cream Goldens may have a lighter-colored coat, but they still have the classic longer Golden Retriever coat that will shed a big year-round and heavier as the seasons change. You will want to bathe them as needed and get your Golden professionally groomed a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Trimming nails once or twice a month keeps them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks, along with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. Daily tooth brushing is ideal to keep tartar buildup at bay. This, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is good dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Golden Retrievers are known for being high-energy dogs. Like Labrador Retrievers , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They do tend to calm down a little as they grow into adulthood, but will still have a lot of energy. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep this dog happy and healthy. Goldens tend to be athletic and versatile dogs. So, once they are done growing and the vet has cleared them for higher-impact activities, you can take them running with you, play frisbee, go hiking, train for dog sports, and more. As one of the most active dog breeds , you will likely run out of energy before they do and they will likely be up for even more activity if you are. An English Cream Golden Retriever generally lives for years on average. Golden Retrievers are one of the dog breeds of famous dogs. A new puppy comes with a lot of laughter, happiness, cuddles, and kisses that add something truly special to your life. Our pups come with first-rate genetics, an impeccable pedigree, and temperaments that make them the perfect family companion. We are based out of Minnesota but sell and deliver our puppies to New York families and individuals, and all over the country. By the time they go to their forever home, each puppy is vet examined, up to date on vaccines and dewormer, microchipped, and comes with a health guarantee and AKC registration form. This helps them grow into loyal, loving, intelligent, calm, and highly trainable dogs. Many of our golden retriever puppies go on to become service dogs. We begin basic training with our pups, but also offer a puppy training program for NY owners who want to begin more extensive training early on. You will choose your puppy from the litter in the order your reservation and deposit are received. You are welcome to travel to pick up your puppy from MN English Golden and they can fly home in the cabin with you. However, we know this is not always possible, so we will also fly them to you, meet you on the road, or deliver them.

Our extensive collection features hundreds of stunning photos of these adorable canines in various poses, settings, and backgrounds. Type of Images Available Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images features a variety of different types of photos, including portraits, candid shots, outdoor and indoor images, and more. From close-ups of their expressive faces to action shots of them running and playing, our images capture the energy and character of this amazing breed. Our images can be used for a multitude of purposes, including websites, blog posts, advertisements, social media, books, magazines, and more. Whether you're sharing photos of your own German Shepherd puppy or you need images for a commercial project, our collection is a great resource. Tips for Choosing the Right Image Choosing the right image can make all the difference when it comes to creating a compelling design or message. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect image: Consider the mood you want to convey Think about the context in which the image will be used Look for images with high resolution and clarity Take into account the color scheme of your project and select images that complement it Choose images that have a clear focal point and aren't cluttered Why Choose Our Images? Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images offers a unique combination of quality, variety, and affordability. We pride ourselves in providing images that are visually stunning while still being accessible to a wide range of individuals and businesses. Plus, we offer flexible licensing options, including Royalty-free and Extended licenses, to fit your specific needs. With our images, you can create compelling projects that capture the essence of this beloved breed, no matter what your design or marketing goals may be. So why wait? Browse our collection today to discover the perfect German Shepherd puppy image for your next project! These pups are incredibly intelligent and capable canines who are ready to work. And German Shepherd puppies are too cute! Advertisement Remember, you can get any kind of dog, including a GSD, from shelters and rescues, so always adopt! They tend to be one-family pets, meaning they can be suspicious of strangers. They will help you redecorate your floors Do you have a hardwood floor? Although absolutely gorgeous, Shepherds are shedders to the max. Prepare for a snow globe of hair to poof off your pup any time you give them a big snuggle, which will be more often than not. Playing around is no game The German Shepherd is a very active breed and needs lots of physical stimulation and playtime. When you first get your puppy, playing may consist of nipping due to their herding background. When your GSD is fully grown, they may love to wrestle around and forget how big they are. These pups are always up for snuggling with others, including kids and other pets. Softies who are also busy bodies If you want a German Shepherd puppy in your life, you have to really want your dog to be a part of every little bit of your daily routine. Morning showers? Your pup will want to sit right outside to make sure you rinse off the soap. Your bed? Highly intelligent and curious, Shepherds want to know what is going on all of the time. German Shepherds will attach at the hip and make the right person the happiest dog parent on the planet. Remember, you can find just about any breed of dog you are looking for at a shelter or rescue. Though size varies between individuals, a standard German Shepherd weighs about 60 pounds. Whether you already own a German Shepherd pup or are looking into it, be prepared for a hefty lap dog! Continue to 7 of 16 below. They were originally bred for their striking good looks and intelligence, making for a great working dog on the police force and in the military. They were so cute that dog-lovers in other countries soon caught on and began breeding them themselves. Continue to 8 of 16 below. These dogs are very protective of their homes and family and make excellent guard dogs. Continue to 9 of 16 below. They need stimulation, even if they are a family pet and not a trained deputy. This can be in the form of playful games, puzzle toys, tricks , and obedience training. Otherwise, German Shepherds may show off some unpleasant behavior, like chewing. Continue to 10 of 16 below. Continue to 11 of 16 below. Continue to 12 of 16 below. They perk up as they grow older, making them look extra tall and important. Continue to 13 of 16 below. Beautiful all black and all white German Shepherds are out there, too. Continue to 14 of 16 below. Continue to 15 of 16 below. This breed is inherently athletic and courageous—nothing can stop them, not even water. Continue to 16 of 16 below. Their calm, confident demeanor paired with their recognizable looks makes them wonderful family pets and undeniably cool sidekicks. One even lives in The White House , so you know they're a big deal. Whether you're celebrating National German Shepherd Day May 10 or just need a pick-me-up with some smiling pups , you've come to the right place! Luna the Longhaired German Shepherd Luna's long mane looks absolutely stunning against the rocks. Plus, with a smile like that, this pup can steal anyone's heart. Who doesn't want to be lounging by the pool with a cup of coffee and getting some online shopping, er, work done? Just look at her stunning black coat and long tongue! Duke Enjoying a Pupsicle This German shepherd knows how to do summer right with a delicious homemade dog popsicle. Save some for us! Krut the Adventure Doggo What's more relaxing than hiking with your dog next to a beautiful waterfall? Krut's Instagram page is full of gorgeous pictures of his mountain adventures that have us itching for a weekend camping trip. Cliff's Boop-able Nose Now this is a snoot we need to boop! Cliff's Instagram always shows the smiling pup on tons of outdoor adventures. No wonder he's one of the happiest German shepherds we've ever seen! Koa's Beach Day This has everything you need in a cute German shepherd picture: a gorgeous background, floppy ears, and an adorably fluffy puppy with her tongue out. What more can you ask for? After only a few short minutes of brushing , it's like you have enough fur for a whole new dog! German shepherds have thick, double layered coats that are prone to shedding , so it's even more important for their owners to keep a regular grooming routine. You may just need to book an afternoon for the task. Sebastian the Birthday Boy Time to light the candles! Sebastian's first birthday bash included a matching bandana , banner, and birthday hat, as well as some adorable custom cookies. All he needs left for his big day is a dog-approved birthday cake. Flash's Floppy Ears German shepherds are known for their signature perked-up ears. But in their first few months, German shepherd puppies sport floppy ears until around the time they finish teething. So German shepherd puppy owners: take all the photos with those adorable floppy ears while you still can! But Odin here is clearly proud to be a German shepherd K.And based on his Instagram posts, this good boy gets the job done right. These good boys are clearly enjoying their day outside at the park and we couldn't be happier for them. Ace the German Shepherd Service Dog German shepherds are incredibly smart, making them wonderful service animals! When your job includes going to Disney, how could you not look as happy as this guy? Apollo Soaking up the Sun Apollo might be the coolest dog we've ever seen. From the effortlessly stylish sunglasses all the way down to his customized shoes, we know this good boy is living his best life. Was this page helpful?

Other costs include healthcare, toys, insurance, and the cost of any training, socialization, and canine sports classes you join. You can get wellness or preventive care plans to help spread the cost of some of these monthly fees. You can feed commercial or opt for homemade food, but if you do make the meals yourself, you will have to calculate protein, carbs, and vitamins and minerals to make sure your dog is getting everything it needs. If your dog has allergies, sensitivities, or general health problems, you may need special food that caters to these requirements. Labradoodles can have similarly high requirements. Some owners choose to undertake grooming and maintenance themselves while others book and attend regular grooming sessions with a professional. Which route you choose will ultimately determine the cost of grooming. A good compromise is to pay for professional grooming every 6 months and to brush, trim, and clip between professional sessions. If treatment and medication are not covered by pet insurance, you will have to meet these costs yourself. While this is true, insurance does offer peace of mind , as well as financial protection. If your dog is involved in an accident or does come down with an expensive illness, you may be hit with a vet bill of thousands of dollars. With pet insurance, the majority of this should be paid by your insurer, which means that you can decide on the best course of treatment according to how beneficial it is and not how expensive it is. If you have the kind of dog that gets through toys in no time, consider subscribing to a dog toy box. If yours gets bored of their toys, rotate new toys in and out of circulation, keeping old toys in a cupboard before giving them back after a few months. Your dog will treat it like a new toy. Image Credit: Mariusz S. It can be trained, enjoys working or taking part in canine sports, and does benefit from regular walks. Otherwise, the primary costs for owning one of these dogs will be food, insurance, and the cost of any professional grooming. The Labradoodle also benefits from being given plenty of exercise, but also mental stimulation. Canine sports, including agility, are a good way to provide the stimulation your Doodle needs, and these do cost money. If your dog develops behavioral issues that you are unable to fix yourself, there is a cost associated with training or canine behavioral work. First, consider adopting rather than buying, and if you do buy, do you really need a dog with an exceptional pedigree? You can save money on food by buying in bulk when the food is on offer, and ensure that you are getting the best value for money from the food you do buy. Insurance is another area where you can reduce regular costs. It is a good idea to have insurance but look at the level of coverage you get, as well as the excess and the copayment levels. For a slightly higher excess, you may be able to save some money on your monthly bills. Preventive care, or wellness, plans can also save you some money in the long run, but you do need to do the math and ensure that they really do represent good value for money or whether it would be cheaper to pay for each treatment individually. Grooming costs can add up , especially if you visit the groomer every month. Conclusion The Australian Labradoodle is considered a Breed in Development by the American Kennel Club and one should be fifth generation from the parent breeds, at least, to be considered a true Aussie Labradoodle. The breed is smart and intelligent, level-headed, and it gets along with family and friends while also tending to be friendly with strangers. SC Tax, Training, boarding and delivery are all additional. Australian Labradoodle Sizes: Australian Labradoodles come in these size ranges: Micro mini Australian Labradoodles are " to shoulder and grow to be 10 to 15 lb. We occasionally have them here and there but it is hard to determine which are truly micro minis since puppy choosing happens at 6 weeks of age when all our puppies are tiny. Our miniature Labradoodles are " to the shoulder and around lbs. Our miniature Labradoodles or minis are the result of a miniature Australian Labradoodle bred to a miniature or medium Australian Labradoodle. The vast majority of our puppies fall into this category. Medium Labradoodles are " to the shoulder and weigh 30 to 45 lbs. Standard Labradoodles are about 20" to 22" to the shoulder 45 to 60 lb. The breed standard for "Standard Labradoodles" is 20" and up. We do not breed standard sized Labradoodles in our breeding program. Coat Types: Fleece: also known as borderline or wavy, is soft to the touch - an allergy friendly coat. It can be curly or wavy. Wool: also known as curly, slightly coarse feeling to the touch - an allergy friendly coat. Hair: also known as flat or slick coat, this is a shedding coat and is NOT allergy friendly. Grooming requirements of Australian Labradoodles: There are several factors to consider in grooming your Australian Labradoodle. One is: how long do you want to keep the coat, or what look are you going for? The "shaggy" look is most popular and they can be groomed just a couple times a year. If you keep your pet indoors most of the time you can get away with an occasional bath and brushing every few days. If you want the shorter look, which requires less brushing you will want to groom your pet every couple of months. The next thing to consider is coat type. A curly wool coat is not one you can keep "shaggy" but would tangle and mat if let grow long - they should be groomed every months, depending on care given. A fleece wavy coat will allow for the two different grooming options I spoke about and is the most desired Labradoodle coat. The other coat options we do not breed as they often produce shedders - that is why we breed multi-generation Australian Labradoodles, to produce the best coats and temperaments. Labradoodles are a very popular mix-breed pet and they are highly sought-after because of their lovable personalities. However, the cost of an Australian Labradoodle can greatly vary across the board with some costing hundreds of dollars and many costing thousands. There has been a huge increase in demand for Australian Labradoodle puppies in recent years — with more people buying this breed than ever before. This is an amazing dog with so many great personality traits to offer a household — hence the popularity. An Australian Labradoodle originates from the Poodle and Australian Labrador dog breeds, which give this dog a very playful and affectionate temperament, as well as highly intelligent and clever. To add more dynamic characteristics to the coat, the pup is then bred with an Irish Water Spaniel. With that being said, Australian Labradoodles are often priced quite a bit higher than your average dog. There are a number of different factors that contribute to this and we need to carefully assess all of them to determine the actual price of an Australian Labradoodle. After extensively researching Australian Labradoodles, I have been able to gather enough information to determine the cost of this breed. Cost of an Australian Labradoodle An Australian Labradoodle is not your everyday breed and they can be priced quite higher because of it. They are priced differently based on how the Australian Labradoodle was bred — with reputable breeders charging the most. On the other hand, amateur breeders may sell their Australian Labradoodles at a much cheaper price, but you need to approach them with caution. We also need to consider that not every Australian Labradoodle has had the same upbringing. Although most people buy their Australian Labradoodles as puppies, some get theirs for specific purposes such as for therapy dogs. Cost to Adopt an Australian Labradoodle The most affordable way to buy an Australian Labradoodle is to get one from a shelter. There are a number of different rescue shelters that specialize in Labradoodles but you want to ensure that you choose your dog carefully if you are specifically looking for an Australian variation. That is why people often prefer to pay extra for their dog and get it as a puppy from a reputable breeder. Cost Factors of an Australian Labradoodle The Australian Labradoodle is quite dynamic and there are a number of different factors that influence the price of this dog. There are defining characteristics that certain owners search for when picking out an Australian Labradoodle and they are generally willing to pay more for them. High Demand In recent years, there has been a growing demand for Australian Labradoodles — and understandably so. These are loving, affectionate, and intelligent dogs that will fit right into any household. However, the increase in demand has resulted in prices becoming higher for these dogs. Breeders that work with Australian Labradoodles are intentionally increasing their prices due to the demand surge from customers. The demand for Australian Labradoodles in some regions has become so high, that many people are having to sit on waitlists. Reputable Breeder Depending on where you go to buy your Australian Labradoodle, you will see that their prices can fluctuate quite a lot. This usually has to do with the type of breeder that is working with the animals. A reputable breeder that has built credibility within the industry will charge more for their work. They are professional breeders who put effort into ensuring the health of their animals and the satisfaction of the customers — but it comes at a price. An amateur breeder or puppy mill will charge a fraction of this cost. However, there are a number of issues with getting an Australian Labradoodle from one of these breeders. It is easy to get conned and buy a pup that is not a genuine Australian Labradoodle — with an American Labradoodle sharing many of the same qualities. In addition, a reputable breeder will take steps to ensure the long-term health of your Australian Labradoodle. Not only are the dogs kept in safe and humane conditions but they will be bred to prevent future health issues. These pups are known to develop hip dysplasia — a common hereditary disease for the breed. Reputable breeders run tests on their dogs and only use those that have healthy hips, which greatly lowers the chances of the disease developing. Size Australian Labradoodles come in a few different sizes — standard, miniature, and toy. The reason for this is that these pups originate from the poodle, which can also be seen in these size variations. This can influence the price of an Australian Labradoodle quite a lot. In general, Australian Labradoodles that are small and toy-sized will have a marked-up price — sometimes costing double the amount. This is what you can expect to pay for an Australian Labradoodle based on its size. However, this also has to do with demand. A lot of people are more than willing to pay extra for a miniature or toy variation and breeders mark up the price because of this. These pups have three different types of coats — curly, wavy, and flat. In general, each type is known for being hypoallergenic and hardly sheds at all. For people with dog allergies, the Australian Labradoodle is one of the few breeds that they can buy, which increases the demand for these pups. Although each coat has hypoallergenic qualities, curly coats are highly-regarded for shedding even less than the other options. With that being said, an Australian Labradoodle with a curly coat tends to fetch a higher price, as people are willing to spend more for it. Professional and skilled breeders will work specifically with Australian Labradoodles that have curly coats for this very reason. In addition to coat types, we also need to consider that Australian Labradoodles have unique hair colors and patterns. A lot of this comes from the careful mixing of additional breeds such as the Irish Water Spaniel, which creates a dynamic and unique coat aesthetic. Australian Labradoodles that have rare hair colors and patterns can often be seen sold at a higher price. Labradoodles are intelligent dogs and enjoy playing games and playing with a variety of toys. Australian Labradoodles may benefit from a monthly subscription to a dog toy box because they can get bored easily and will most likely appreciate a fresh set of toys. Additional Costs to Factor In Make sure to include a budget for unexpected or occasional care items. Sometimes, your Australian Labradoodle can get into an accident, or you might require pet-sitting or boarding services if you plan to be away from home for more than a day. Many Australian Labradoodles also benefit from obedience training classes or one-on-one sessions with a professional dog trainer. If you live in an apartment or condominium, you may need to start paying a pet fee. Some buildings require an annual pet fee or a one-time fee. You can cut down on your budget in practical ways by making smart choices with the products you use. For example, you can always request cheaper alternatives or generic brands of medications from your veterinarian. Also, be wary of pet food brands that use fancy word choices to make their products sound more appealing. Make sure to check and compare ingredient lists. There are some occasions when a premium food brand and a more budget-friendly brand share similar ingredients. Saving Money on Australian Labradoodle Care You can save on costs by finding a good balance between purchasing high-quality products and generic products. You can also find discounts if you choose subscription options. Many pet food brands and pet supply retailers offer discounts if you sign up for monthly shipments of food and toys. Conclusion Overall, you can expect to pay a couple of thousands of dollars on initial costs for an Australian Labradoodle. You can expect to pay a couple hundred dollars more if you include pet insurance, pet sitting or dog walking fees, and professional grooming. You can experience some savings by looking for discount opportunities and making smart pet supply purchases. Featured Image Credit: litthouse, Pixabay Written by Jessica Kim Author Jessica is a freelance writer who spends most of her day researching and writing while her fluffy Cavapoo, Nora, naps beside her. As a dog mom, she understands the special connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that people can use to better understand their pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plant babies, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.Read more Advertisement. Due to the nature of our program and careful attention to the development of each puppy, they are usually reserved before they are born. For your convinience, we accept the following means of payment: cash at the time of your puppy pickup Venmo and Zelle you can use our phone number or email address texasdoodles gmail. Therefore, if, for whatever reason you do not receive a puppy from the litter you made a reservation for, or you are unable to take the puppy home at the time of puppy pickup, your deposit will transfer to the next litter of your choice. It is your responsibility to let us know which litter you are interested in and you would like your name to be added to. The adoption price of your Authentic Multigenerational Australian Labradoodle includes the following: 1. Microchip 2. De-worming and Age-Appropriate Vaccinations 3. Important Puppy Care Information .A Lifetime of Support pertaining to questions you might have regarding your Authentic Multigenerational Australian Labradoodle .Puppy Gift bag: Snuggle Puppy Toy with the scent of their litter mates and parents. Visit our store! Prices Now that you have seen our Australian Labradoodle puppies and want to see what is available visit the available puppies page or if you arent ready right now visit the f uture litter page. If you what to see what more of my Australian Labradoodles look like, visit our photo gallery. I am sure you are wondering what they cost. The price of Australian Labradoodles or American Labradoodles can vary greatly amongst breeders, generations, and types of Labradoodles. A breeder that does not put any time or money into caring for their dogs and puppies or does not spend any money on health testing will have the ability to sell puppies cheaply. Is it cheap when you get a puppy with a bad temperament, shedding coat, or health issues? Your puppy comes with: Microchipped with application and Tag Current vaccinations and worming Day trail Pet Insurance from Trupanion note: must be activated within 24 hours of adopting your pooch Spay-Neuter contract required Puppy certificate for registration with the ALAA. We only feed our dogs top-quality dog food. This ensures healthy skin and coat. It also ensures proper growth and nutrition from the balance of various vitamins, proteins, and fats. Information on how to care for your new puppy, potty training, feeding, grooming, etc. A lifetime of continued customer support There is no price difference for gender. Both males and females make great family pets. Payments can be made in the following ways: You can email us for an invoice or select the Buy NOW buttons below. The amount below reflects a convenience fee included. Puppy Reservation Fee.

What is a Labradoodle? If you haven't already, you will fall in love with this breed! The Multi-Generational American or Australian Labradoodle embodies the courage, Loyalty and Intelligence of a working dog with a magnificent fleece, non-shedding coat that is hypo-allergenic. They were originally bred as service dogs and have evolved to become our most desired family companion. They are athletic, smart, easy to train, and have a life span of over 15 years. Whether you want a sporting dog or a loving and loyal companion, the fun-loving, adventure-seeking, yet mellow Labradoodle will make your family complete. American and Australian Labradoodles can be very different depending on their breeding, and it is important to understand the differences. Just breeding a poodle to a lab or a labradoodle to a labradoodle does not make a quality pet. They are non-shedding with the wonderful Labradoodle temperament, intelligence and laid-back nature. They have been bred to standard over the last couple decades and contain not only Lab and Poodle DNA, but also a controlled mix of American and English Spaniel, which contributed toward the incredible silky fleece coat. F1 1st generation. This usually produces a dog with mild to light shedding. Hair can be long or short, wavy or straighter, and wirey or harsher fleece in texture. First generation Labradoodles are typically high-energy dogs with the great Labradoodle intelligence and are a good choice for a family that does not mind some shedding and high energy. F1B 2nd generation. F1 Labradoodle bred to a Poodle. The F1B Labradoodle is more standard in physical appearance, and more consistently non-shedding. The coat ranges from fleece to wool in texture and can be wavy or straighter. These dogs have the great Labradoodle laid-back temperament and intelligence, and can be a good choice for families that prefer a non-shedding dog. Multi Generational 3rd generation or higher. F1B or higher bred to F1B or higher. Most true to the Labradoodle standard in physical appearance and consistently non-shedding. The texture ranges from fleece to wool and the wave ranges from wavy to curly. It is important to maintain the wider body type and shorter muzzle length. The fleece coat can be very nice, but not as silky as the coat of an Australian Labradoodle. Guardian Homes allow us Diversity in our Breeding Program, and offer our breeder-quality puppies the opportunity to live a pampered life as a family pet and companion. If you are interested in providing a Guardian Home for one of our puppies, please check out our Guardian Program page. Some of our qualifications include: Must reside within a one-hour driving distance from Humble, Texas. Must reside in a home with a fully secure fenced yard. Must be open to communication, visits to our home and yours, and provide medical records. To learn more about our Guardian Program and to see our full list of requirements, please visit our Guardian Program Page. Everyone loves him. He continues to fill our lives with so much love and joy. Thank you for Bear. She brings so much joy to our family! Kimberly White Owner of Harley Loving Personality Brandy continues to amaze us and those who come in contact with her. In our lifetime we have had many pets and Brandy surpasses them all in intelligence, obedience and a loving personality. Her color is absolutely beautiful and we love her to pieces. Our thanks to you for the opportunity to own and enjoy such a wonderful puppy. I will be taking her to nursing homes and hospitals to visit people. She has the most loving and calm personality and I can't wait to share that with others. Kristen Loves to Kiss and Snuggle Tucker is doing so well! We just love him to pieces.He is SUCH a great dog! Here he is tonight getting ready for bed. He's almost 20lbs and will be getting neutered next month. Tucker loves to kiss and snuggle. He also loves to play tug of war and fetch.Has learned to sit, lay down, stay, and is starting to learn so much more!!! When we arrive home Rosie brings us a stuffed toy as if she is providing dinner. She wants to take care of us. Thank you for spreading the joy. She's very smart and learns so quick! She's also very loving, loves to cuddle, and play with everyone. My sister is in love with Luna too. Every day, she comes to me and says, "I still can't believe I got a puppy for Christmas! Thank you for everything. He's settling in around pounds but perfect. We just had a baby and he's great with him too! The kids have named her Nikki. She is a really wonderful dog, we couldn't be happier with her! Thank you so much! She's been the best already potty trained bell , never barks and is just a snuggle, love bug. Miss Daisy her name is a huge and loving part of our family. Thank You! Many Blessings! I thought you would like to see how cute she is. She is so well behaved and I really enjoy her. She loves her walks and chasing balls in the backyard. She is maturing into an amazing young lady!!! We love her more and more everyday!!! We will be getting back to you shortly! Can't wait for a message to hug one of these adorable puppies? That's Okay, give us a Call at .Contact us today for more information about our family-raised, hypo-allergenic, highly trainable Labradoodles. We started our breeding program with the best bloodlines to ensure we would be producing the most beautiful, intelligent, trainable and lovable dogs possible. We are grateful for the guidance we had when we started and we continue to improve the way we do things through training and education for more than 18 years. It is our dedication to excellence in the way we raise our precious dogs and train them that sets Texas Labradoodles apart. Most of the breeders were breeding true Australian Labradoodles. Since that time we have watched our amazing and magical breed of dogs become a world wide phenomenon with Labradoodles taking over everywhere. From being in the movies to being the number one choice for commercials, print ads and funniest video stars, Labradoo dles are everywhere. With this profound movement of the love of all things Labra doodle, the purity and purpose of what Labradoodles were originally bred for has become convoluted with many types of doodles. The Labradoodle breed itself is be coming a confusing mixture of levels of breeds, types of infusions into the blood lines, etc. Australian Labradoodles are produced when multiple generations of the original Australian bloodlines, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park are bred together. These two kennels began breeding these dogs to create a hypo-allergenic, low to non-shedding dog. These dogs are bred to be highly trainable dog for the purpose of being taught to be guide dogs or therapy dogs for people with allergies. It took these two kennels a lot of work, testing and breeding to get the breed to where it is today. It was not as simple as breeding a Lab to a Poodle, both great dogs, of course, but not a true Australian Labradoodle The importance of adopting a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle If you want a hypo-allergenic, highly trainable dog for your new family member or a dog for therapy work, you want to get a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Working with a reputable breeder that has many years of experience and a true love of the breed is important. Make sure the genetic testing and puppy care are done to ensure they are breeding the best and most healthy dogs possible. Dogs that are registered with the ALAA as multi-generational Australian Labradoodles are the most consistent breeding of Labradoodles that you can get. These dogs are going to have a consistent temperament and trainability level. This consistency and care to our breeding program helps our families to know exactly what to expect from their new family member. Clearing our dogs for potential diseases not only ensures that our dogs do not have these issues prior to breeding, it also ensures that we will never produce puppies that could have these diseases. The hip and elbow testing does not guarantee that puppies will never have hip dysplasia, but it is the best method that we have to prevent producing puppies with genetic hip issues. Hip problems are often caused be environmental factors, but culling puppies for breeding purposes helps to reduce the risk of breeding bad confirmation. Temperament, coat and trainability for different types of disciplines are key in our breeding program. Creating perfect family members, guide dogs, therapy dogs and best friends begins with breeding the perfect parents. Years of care and experience have made us experts at accomplishing high standards set by the ALAA and our own personal goals for our dogs. We know that a Texas Labradoodles bred dog is the finest of our wonderful breed and we are so proud to have produced such wonderful companions and working dogs. Please see our references page for more stories and letters from our families. November, .I cannot say enough good things about Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! From the beginning Mardee was very caring and knowledgable on all things Australian Labradoodle. It is clear she and her family love their dogs and take excellent care of them from the very start. She takes the time to match each puppy to their forever home and I scored the jackpot with my Maggie! I could not be happier with her sweet demeanor and easy going temperament. She is super smart, easy to train and equally as adorable. Even after bringing our puppy home Mardee has been a great resource and we are still in touch. I am so thankful to have found Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! Mike Tadlock .October, .Texas Labradoodles and Mardee were Amazing. She helped guide us through the selection process and we could not have gotten a better fur baby than Sadie. If you could meet Sadie and see her with us you would understand. We are obnoxiously crazy about this girl! We know others who have used Texas Labradoodles and they all feel the same. She has brought so much joy and happiness to our home. Paul Chapman 4. We recently welcomed the most perfect medium Australian Labradoodle into the family. I could go on and on about how wonderful this dog is and if you email me I will. That said, I have been equally impressed by our experience with this breeder. First and foremost, Mardee loves her dogs and this breed and that loves comes through in every single interaction and detail. They are true to breed standard. Go through all the appropriate genetic and health screens and, most importantly, are bred and raised in a loving home with plenty of outdoor country air. These dogs are not inexpensive but they are well-priced, given all the time and expense put into raising quality animals in the very most humane and caring of environments. If you want to know what to look for in a breeder - TX Labradoodle is the standard. Chris Monroe .August, .Highly knowledgeable, caring and experienced. Mardee and Bruce patiently answered all of my questions about Australian Labradoodle's and she matched us with the perfect addition for our family. Mardee provided a thorough background and documentation of care, and a detailed checklist for us to take home. June is 14 weeks old now and is everything we imagined and more. June, .TX Labradoodles are truly amazing, full of heart, and extremely knowledgeable! Mardee and her family have become our family! We have the 3 most gorgeous fur babies ever who bring immense joy and love to my life! We consider ourselves beyond fortunate to have crossed paths with Mardee, Bruce, and James! We are forever grateful! We love you tremendously!!! Thank you for making the world a better place with the most extraordinary fur babies!!! Brittany Meuth .April, .My husband and I recently adopted our first puppy from Texas Labradoodles and we could not be happier with our experience! Mardee has remained a resource to us even since bringing Murphy home and could not have created a better experience for us. She is amazing at what she does and truly loves providing families with amazing pets! Steven Roberts .We got 2 girls from Mardee two months ago. The experience could not have gone better. Loving environment, plenty of outdoor room, clean as a whistle and the pups are all we could hope for. No puppy mill atmosphere here. Solid solid folks and superior dogs. And another plus: Wimberley Texas is awesome. Karen Hernandez .I have truly been blessed by the forming relationship with Mardee and MOE. I did not realize how much joy at my age she allows me to experience. She is not my only dog that I share my life with, but she is definitely an exception that I must say is out of the ordinary. Mardee is very responsive and knowledgeable and her understanding of the breed. I can tell she only wants to breed the best genetics and protect the breed from becoming a backyard hobby only to make money. It is nice to see and know how much she strives to improve the breed. I think anyone looking to start or expand their canine family would be truly blessed. Google rating score: 4. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Houston Texas and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Houston TX? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Houston TX. Australian Labradoodles are mainly a mix of Poodles and Labradors, but with a couple of bloodlines thrown in to ensure the resulting pups have the traits families love. How much are Labradoodles for sale Houston? Do a quick search and you might find a whole range of prices for Labradoodles. Gender, size, coat type, and breeder experience all factor in how much it will cost. We know budget is an important consideration, so we made sure it will be easy for you to filter those that match your range. Will you only connect me with local Labradoodle breeders Houston? We are proud to say we work with breeders and businesses from all over the continental US. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Houston? Because we only want to work with businesses who share our love dogs. Our criteria include adherence to animal welfare laws and ethical breeding practices, completion of legal documents, and more. Head over to our Breeder Pledge page for more details. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodles Houston? With Uptown Puppies, you have your work cut out for you. What is a puppy mill for Labradoodle puppies Houston? Puppy mills are businesses run by those who care more about profit than the dogs in their care. Poor conditions, irresponsible breeding, and maltreatment result in puppies that present with medical and behavioral problems later on. Buyin a pup from pet shops or suspicious online ads might mean patronizing a puppy mill and helping perpetuate this cruel business. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in Houston available now? You bet! What is the MatchMaker process like for Labradoodle Houston? At that point, all you have to do is choose which one you will bring home to your family! My dog Pepper is a wonderful addition to my family! Beautiful dogs! They are beautiful and healthy. Our first one is almost 5 years old and we have a 2 month old. Lindy breeds them in a very clean home. She is extremely loving to these newborns and is open to all of our questions. She even follows up to see how they are doing. I would not buy from anyone else. Our 2 labradoodles get plenty of compliments. We have added 2 beautiful members to our family. I waited almost a year for mine and he has been life changing. They are truly amazing, healthy, loyal, and smart dogs! I have trained him and he is now a service dog and has been the greatest companion to me as well. Lindy always responded and kept me in the loop during the entire process. Before I met her I had a nightmare situation with a breeder that was a scam so was very skeptical but she made me feel at ease about everything. Thank you for everything Lindy! Nathan Kirton I ended up finding a puppy from someone else that fit my timeline better. The communication I had with her Lindy was amazing. She was super helpful, and gave me so much information about what I could expect. Thanks for being super helpful Lindy! We waited over a year and it was so worth it! Lindy was instrumental in our family getting the dog of our dreams. She was extremely helpful in asking and answering questions to ensure we got a right match for our family. She took into consideration all of my preferential factors such as the gender, coat color, personality, etc. The cherry on top was upon pick up at 8 weeks Teddy was healthy, socialized, potty trained, and vaccinated. Lindy pours love onto these dogs and puppies and treats her clients with tremendous respect. The puppies are happy and safely kept in an immaculate environment until sent home and I love that each family is celebrated with a photo to commemorate the occasion. Definitely worth the WAIT! Chuck Hahn Best dog ever!!! Worth the wait. He came home perfect! Testimonials Happy Faces Your happiness is our happiness, your success, our success. We take great pride in each and every home we complete with our dogs. We did tons of research. We wanted a dog that did not shed, was hypoallergenic, and had a good temperament. Those dogs are hard to find! We finally came across a very special Australian Labradoodle. We found our Rosie through my best friend who knew the owner of Australian Labradoodles of Texas. Her temperment is what we were really drawn to. She is so calm, obedient, and really wants to please you. She rings a bell when she needs to go outside and walks right next to you on her leash! We feel so lucky that we get to call her ours! To say that Miles has changed our lives for the better would be an extreme understatement! From the moment we set our eyes on him in your videos, we knew he was special, and he has shown us that a million times over. He is a sweet and affectionate dog who loves his family fiercely, acting protective when he needs to, yet demonstrates such a docile and gentle temperament to other people, especially small children who love to pet and squeeze his fluffiness. I had no intention of adding another dog to the mix! After several weeks, I finally pulled the trigger and we brought him home! Charley Brown was the perfect addition to our family and I would recommend these pups to anyone looking for a good family dog. All of our puppies come with Socialization.

For more information, go to www. Target does not represent or warrant that this information is accurate or complete. On occasion, manufacturers may modify their items and update their labels. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented. If you have a specific question about this item, you may consult the item's label, contact the manufacturer directly or call Target Guest Services at .Description This two-room design puppy whelping box from PawHut provides a comfortable environment for a new mother dog, who can experience anxiety after having her babies. When the first two weeks have passed, it's important to allow her to have her own space, and this separated design ensures she gets what she needs, featuring a removable door for open access. With dual-sided construction, the mama can have the comfort of airflow while the puppies have a wind-resistant space. Report incorrect product info. Estimated ship dimensions: .This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup. See the return policy for complete information. Ask a question. A whelping box is a safe, enclosed space where a dog can give birth and care for her puppies. The box typically has high sides to prevent the puppies from accidentally falling out, and it is often lined with soft bedding material to keep the puppies warm and comfortable. The box may also include a heat lamp to provide additional warmth, and it may be equipped with a door that can be opened or closed for easy, safe access, and to regulate the temperature inside. A whelping box should be large enough for the mother to move around comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat and provide a feeling of security. It should be used from the time your dog goes into labor until the puppies are weaned. Once the puppies are weaned, they can be moved to a puppy pen or dog crate. By the way, a whelping box should also have puppy rails. Puppy rails, also known as pig rails, are secured inside the whelping box quite low around the perimeter of the box. This is a crucial safety feature, as it helps prevent the puppies from being crushed against the wall of the box How Does A Whelping Box Help? A dog whelping box is an essential piece of equipment for any dog owner who is expecting a litter of puppies, as it helps to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and her offspring. A whelping box provides a safe, warm environment for your dog to have her puppies. This helps keep the mama calm during the labor and keep stress levels to a minimum while caring for the pups in a safe space. If you have other pets in the house, a whelping box ensures that they do not disturb or hurt the puppies. Using a whelping box also reduces the risk of the puppies becoming injured or lost. A DIY whelping box is an easy and affordable way to provide a safe space for your dog to have her puppies. Building a whelping box is a simple project that anyone can do. There are quite a few different ways to do that — most of them being very simple, quick, and inexpensive. Choose a bin that is large enough for your dog to move around comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat. If the sides are very high, drill or cut holes in the sides of the bin for ventilation. Finally, line the bottom of the bin with appropriate materials to absorb any mess. And there you have it, a cheap DIY whelping box! Find a sturdy cardboard box that is large enough for your dog to move around in. Cut holes in the sides of the box for ventilation. You should also cut an appropriate sized opening for the mama and puppies to get out of the box comfortably. Line the bottom of the box with comfy and cushy materials that absorb any mess. Cardboard is very porous and it can get flimsy rather quickly. However, you may want to opt for something sturdier and less porous instead. Bring Out The Kiddie Pool You can build a whelping box out of many different materials, but one of the cheapest and easiest options is to use a kiddie pool. To create a kiddie pool whelping box, simply clean the pool thoroughly, secure the puppy rails you can use pool noodles for this , and line it with towels or blankets. Place the pool in a quiet, draft-free room in your home and make sure that it is big enough for your dog to move around comfortably. But, a sturdy wood whelping box can be used over and over again, making it well worth your time. Of course, you should carefully consider which type of wood you use. For instance, the popular plywood is actually very porous, making it harder to clean. It also traps in dirt and bacteria, which could lead to infections and illnesses. Start by measuring your mama dog and the area where you want to place the whelping box and cut the wood to size. Be sure to make the opening large enough for your dog to comfortably enter and exit. In addition to that, you should also attach low rails inside the box. But why PVC? PVC is a strong, durable material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. And if it does get dirty, a quick wipe-down is all it takes to clean it. In addition, PVC is lightweight and easy to assemble, making it ideal for use in a whelping box. Many whelping boxes available for purchase are made from PVC materials thanks to all of their amazing qualities. But, as you may know, ready made PVC whelping boxes can be quite pricey. However, PVC pipes make excellent pig rails for that added safety and security. Obviously, you want to make the DIY whelping box as comfortable as possible for the mama and the pups. Some breeders also use heat lamps to keep the whelping box warm. Even though some people opt for newspaper or wood shavings, we recommend you avoid them. Another popular choice is using old bedding or towels. They may get trapped or accidentally crushed by the mother. However, if you manage to secure the blankets and towels in place, they should be safe to use. In addition to that, you can also opt for a specially designed crate pad that stays in place, provides warmth, and is safe for the puppies. Line the bottom of the box with absorbent material and change it often. Wash bedding in hot water and disinfect surfaces regularly. The bedding should be dry at all times, so whenever an accident happens, be sure to change the bedding as soon as possible. Where you place the box is just as important as the box itself. It should be in a quiet area away from the main traffic flow of your home, and out of direct sunlight. You should also keep it far away from potential hazards like open stairways or fireplaces. The whelping box should also be large enough to accommodate the mother dog and all of her puppies comfortably. The temperature in the area should be comfortable — not too hot and not too cold. If necessary you may have to get an additional heating pad or a heating lamp to keep the puppies warm. To build a basic DIY whelping box, you will need either a kiddie pool, cardboard box, or a storage bin. You should also stock up on bedding material like blankets, towels, or crate pads. Next, line the bottom of the box with your chosen bedding material. This will help to keep the puppies warm and dry. Finally, place the box in a quiet, private area where your dog can feel safe and secure. By following these simple steps, you can easily create a cozy space for your dog to welcome her new puppies into the world. PVC tubes are often used to create puppy rails, a. As we mentioned earlier, a dog whelping box should be big enough for the mama and pups to comfortably move around. Yet, it should be snug enough so that it retains body heat. The general recommendation is that a whelping box should be one foot longer than your mama dog. Only measure your dog stretched out, as the mama has to be able to move and stretch comfortably around the box while caring for the puppies. By the way, you can also get some hints from websites that sell different dog whelping boxes. Just take a quick peek at what sizes they offer! It provides a safe, warm environment for the mama and her pups, and helps to contain the mess. Building a DIY whelping box is a simple project that anyone can do. Do you have any tips for building a DIY whelping box? Share them in the comments below! Here are some ideas for your small dog. Cardboard Box One of the least expensive whelping boxes is simply a cardboard box. Make sure it is big enough that your dog can stretch out in it. The nice thing about a cardboard box is that, once you no longer need the whelping box, you can simply throw it away. To make a whelping box out of cardboard, use these easy instructions: Find a box that your dog can comfortably lie down and stretch out in but not much larger than that. The sides should be at least to inches high. You want the sides to be too high for the puppies to climb over, but not so high your dog can't get over it when she wants a break. Smaller breed dogs will be fine with 12 inches, whereas larger breeds will need 24 inches. Cut a "door" into the side of the box for your dog to move in and out of the box. The width of the doorway should be about twice her body's width, and the edge should be high enough to keep puppies in but not so high she hits her belly on it. You will want to use some sort of covering on the cardboard to keep it from getting wet and to make cleaning it easy. You could line it with duct tape, plastic sheeting, tarps, or plastic drop cloths made for painting. Then cover whatever material you use with newspaper or old towels to make the flooring soft and comfortable. Plastic Storage Bin A plastic storage bin can also be used as a whelping box. You want to use the under-the-bed storage type so that the sides will be short enough for the mother dog to easily get in and out. If you decide to go this route, fold old towels on the bottom to ensure there is no chance that your dog will slip when she is moving around. Be aware that depending on the size of your pups, they may be able to get over the sides of the bin as they get bigger. In that case, you can extend the sides of the bin with cardboard. Ideas that will work for bigger dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers and Rottweiler dogs , include: Appliance Boxes If you have a mid-sized breed, you may still be able to find a cardboard box. Check with appliance stores and home improvement stores that carry items that would require bigger boxes. If you can't find one, you still have some inexpensive alternatives. The downside to using these boxes is once the puppies get large enough, they will be able to get over the sides, which they wouldn't with a traditional whelping box with sides at least inches high. Kiddie Pool A hard-sided plastic kiddie pool usually costs less than twenty dollars, and you can get them in several sizes. They are also easy to clean. These pools will last for several litters of puppies. However, just as with appliance boxes, the problem with the kiddie pool is that the sides may not be high enough to keep the puppies in as they get bigger. There are newer types of kiddie pools made just for dogs that have higher sides. Another option for larger dog breeds is to use a water trough , which has higher sides. They're much more expensive but very sturdy and can be reused for whelping, as well as an outdoor pool or bathing area for your dogs. To make a whelping box out of a kiddie pool, find a pool size where your dog can lay out comfortably with some extra room for the puppies. You can line it with a round whelping pad, old towels, newspaper, or even covers made specifically for kiddie pools used for whelping. An excellent safety precaution is adding a PVC pipe frame that serves as puppy rails to keep the mom from rolling over and crushing a newborn pup against the sides. Just be sure the puppies can't get stuck under or between the pipes. To keep puppies from getting out of the pool when they get larger, you can run x-pens or playpen panels around the outside of the pool. Make sure you leave a doorway for the mom to come and go! Whelping Box Plans If you want to build your own cheap whelping box but prefer a different style, you can find simple whelping box plans on the Internet. Here are some to get you started: Are you InTheKnow? Sign up for our newsletter featuring all the latest stories and products we love. Invalid email I agree to receive email communications from LoveToKnow. You can adjust the size for your own breed of dog. The plans are for a very sturdy box that is easy to clean and take apart for storage while standing up to a lot of usage. Supplies needed include two 4-foot by 8-foot plywood sheets, four 2-by-4s for the pig rails, polyurethane, and hardware, such as steel three-corner braces, tee nuts, and cap screws. You'll also need a table saw, drill press, router, screwdriver, and drill with several bits. While the website includes detailed plans and instructions, if you're not accustomed to working with tools and lumber, you may want to hire a contractor to build this box for you. How to Build a Whelping Box with Puppy Rails The PetPlace website provides a very detailed set of step-by-step instructions on how to build a whelping box using plywood, wood strips, vinyl flooring, hinges, and corner braces. You'll also need to be handy in order to build this box, as tools required are a circular saw and drill. The floor is optional, and the instructions allow for removing it to create a bottomless box. The puppy rails are made from the wood strips, although you could also improvise and make a set of puppy rails using PVC pipes and connectors. Building a Whelping Box Another excellent set of plans for a whelping box built with plywood and hardware is found in this YouTube video. The box described in this video has the puppy rails built into the sides as well as two shelf areas in the back for supplies and can be placed on cheap vinyl flooring tiles for easy cleanup. The box was made for a labradoodle , but you can adjust the dimensions of the plans shown in the video for your own dog's size. Cheap Whelping Boxes for Sale If you're not mechanically inclined and balk at the idea of building anything with tools and lumber, you can purchase a box. There are plenty of options if you're on a strict budget. Check with local seller websites such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone is selling a box. You can also look on eBay. If you know of any breeders in your area, you could try contacting them to see if they might have a box they want to sell or possibly even rent out to you. It's made of plastic and comes with one whelping pad and PVC puppy rails. If you plan ahead, you can check out the websites of some major manufacturers of high-quality whelping boxes to see if they have sales. Easy to Improvise There are a number of less expensive, homemade whelping box ideas that will work for dogs of all sizes. You can improvise to create suitable whelping boxes that won't break your budget without too much trouble. Just spend some time looking at whelping boxes so you know how they are made and pick the most comfortable and safest style for you, your dog, and her pups. Back to Products 7. QuickWhelp — Whelping Box Nothing beats the warmth, beauty, and strength of wood. Arrives with hardware pre-installed and assembles in minutes. Delivery was prompt and the product arrived in perfect condition with clear instructions for simple set-up. It has many convenient features that make whelping easier. It is easily stored and very convenient to move around. We use it for whelping and as a puppy showing box in and outside of our home. It can be done by one person. The quality is fantastic. Great workmanship. The workmanship is unbeatable. Will be easy to keep clean, will last for years. Shipment depends on where you live, I got mine in 5 days. You need a whelping box…this is the one! Love it! Hsaintamour Back to Products 8. Includes the slide together pvc bumper rail on the inside. Removable door slides out easily. Disassembles and stacks flat for easy storage. The fast shipping was an added bonus. The medium size is perfect for her. I set it up all nice and perfectly for her. Very well made and easy to put together. Its plenty big enough for her and she weighs lbs when not pregnant. Love how you can take the pvc pipe out for when the puppies get bigger to give them more room. Great customer service and quick shipping. Thank you so much! Melissa 9. If the rails have little supports holding them up or they are permanently fixed to the box they are just as dangerous as not having them at all. Our boxes have a specialized design that is guaranteed to protect your puppies. This design has a wood floor. The floor is segmented for ease of assembly and storage. It makes the box very easy to clean. They clean up like new with a simple wipe down. Goes together in minutes, and easily packs down for storage between uses.

Their typical duties ranged from guarding livestock, to herding, to keeping rats at bay. They share a common ancestry with the Irish Terrier and the Kerry Blue Terrier, but this breed was typically owned by middle-to-lower class citizens. It took until for the breed to be recognized by the AKC, where they now compete in obedience, tracking, and agility competitions. Poodle Breed History: While commonly associated with the French, the Poodle actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany over years ago. Eventually, Poodles made their way from the lake to the life of luxury as they were the breed of choice by French nobles, and eventually royalty across all of Europe. To this day, the Poodle is still the national dog of France. The Toy Poodle started in the United States in the early 20th century to be a city-dwelling companion dog. They originated in the United States. On top of that, the gender of the puppy and the genetics of the parents play important factors as well. With that in mind, a toy Whoodle will typically weigh between pounds and have a height of inches. A miniature Whoodle will weigh in at around pounds and stand roughly inches tall. The largest of the three, the standard Whoodle, will weigh approximately pounds and stand about inches tall. Their fur can range anywhere from straight or slightly wavy, like the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier to curly like the Poodle and usually is of medium length. A minimum of brushing once per week is required for Whoodles, with the ideal frequency being every other day if not every day for more curly-haired dogs. Are Whoodles Hypoallergenic? Do Whoodles Shed? However, due to the genetic diversity from crossing these two breeds, the result may be a lower chance of developing these inherited health concerns. Due to the cost of treating these common health concerns, we highly encourage all dog owners invest in pet insurance. We recommend getting a free online quote from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Whoodles are sensitive and sometimes roughhousing from other pets and kids can be too much for them. However, with the right training these dogs can make dedicated and affectionate members of your family. However, this is a very energetic breed and as a rule of thumb should get at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. More Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and Poodle Mixes Whoodle Overview No one really knows when the whoodle was first bred but given their rising popularity in the early s, we can assume it was sometime around then. However, we do know the history of the parent breeds: the Wheaten terrier and the poodle. Wheaten terriers were bred in the s in Ireland to hunt vermin on the farm. They even survived the Irish Potato Famine thanks to th e ir resilience , however their numbers declined severely. Since then their numbers were able to grow, and by the s the Irish Kennel Club recognized them as an official breed. Poodles were bred in Germany in the s as a waterfowl retriever. All attributes the poodle has today are thanks to the retriever qualities that were bred into their ancestors. The poodles charm and trainability quickly made them popular with French nobility, giving them the title of national dog of France today. Whoodles are hybrid dogs, meaning they are not recognized by the American Kennel club, however both parent breeds are. Whoodle Appearance A Poodle The Whoodle is a cross breed, meaning there is no way to know for sure what they will look like. They could look more like one parent than the other, or a complete mix of both. They tend to have the lean and muscular body of the Wheaten Terrier. Wheatens are square and sturdy terriers and tend to have a bold goatee- they are named after their color, which resembles ripening wheat. Poodles on the other hand are elegant athletes, with a smooth muscular body and a curly coat. Size and Weight The size of your Whoodle will vary depending on the size of their parents and what kind of Poodle it was bred with. The breeder will specify what Poodle they are breeding either a standard or a miniature. A standard size poodle is lb and stands over 15 inches. The miniature poodle weighs lb and stands between inches. Wheaten Terriers weighs lb and stands around inches. The size of a miniature Whoodle is roughly lb and inches. Whoodle Colors and Coat The Wheaten Terrier can pass down the classic wheaten color — depending on what line they come from, it can vary from champagne to honey, to red, brown or mahogany. Thanks to the variety of colors with Poodles, the Whoodle can come in a rainbow of colors. They can be cream, silver, red, brown or black. Their coat is the easiest part of their appearance to predict, they have medium length, dense coats. It can be either soft wavy hair or soft curly hair. The Poodle is known for its non-shedding characteristic — therefore there is a chance that the Whoodle can inherit this trait. Wheaten Terriers shed very little, but still have a shedding season. Whoodle Temperament The Whoodle is a cross breed, meaning their temperament is difficult to predict. The Poodle and the Wheaten Terrier have different personalities but there are some overlaps. Both Poodles and Wheatens are intelligent and, given their long history of working with people, they are also easy to train. Poodles The Poodle is friendly, athletic and a great companion. They are famous for their intelligence and eagerness to learn and to love. Your pooch will love to play and wants to have a good time with their family. This can make them more likely to jump and bound around. They also have a tendency to bark. Poodles are very bright and attentive, it is said they are skilled at reading body language and expressions. They can be emotionally sensitive to stress and tension within a household, and may develop separation anxiety. Wheaten Terriers These energetic extroverts have all the famous attributes a Terrier has. They are hardworking and resilient. Whilst they look adorable, do not be fooled. It is easy to become overwhelmed by their boisterous behavior. Wheaten Terriers are joyful and love to bounce about. They have a strong prey drive, just like any terrier, and will chase anything that moves. Apart from their occasional unruly behavior, they are very cheerful and love to socialize with others. When encountering strangers they can become guarded, but once reassured by their human, they quickly become friendly! Whoodles So what does this mean for your Whoodle? The Whoodle can be a good family dog it really depends on how they are trained and socialized. They may inherit the boisterous behavior of the Wheaten Terrier but can be socialized and trained to keep it to a minimum. They will love playtime with kids, as long as you supervise them. Wheaten Terriers have a strong prey drive and will instinctively chase and herd small children. This is not aggressive; however it can become a problem if left unchecked. How to Train a Whoodle Whoodles are highly intelligent, meaning they are fairly easy to train. However, the Wheaten Terrier can be stubborn and unwilling to listen at times. They are pack driven, so make sure you let them know who is in charge — be firm and consistent but never punish them. Keep your behavior consistent and they will start to pick it up. You should start dog training as soon as possible — their brain is developing rapidly at this time. Early socialization is crucial as it prevents aggression in later years and can stop their herding instincts on small children. Taking them to puppy classes will prevent fearful behavior around un-natural noises, such as traffic or unfamiliar situations. Positive reinforcement is best for training, whenever your dog follows your command or stops an unwanted behavior, give them a treat. They may however have a personal preference on what treat they like best, they may be food orientated or they may love some praise. Or a bit of both, you could mix it up a little! Every dog needs mental stimulation, including the Whoodle. The best time for playtime is after a training session. They will love playing games, you could play chase if you have the space. Or you could put that Poodle intelligence up to the test and give them a puzzle toy that dispenses food. Caring for a Whoodle This cross breed is suited for a range of people: families, couples or singles. They will love anyone and everything! As a dog with terrier genes, they will be very energetic, meaning they need a lot of activity throughout the day. However, they could also inherit a Wheaten coat where shedding season may cause an issue. There is no way of knowing in advance. Exercise Requirements As said before, they can be different sizes. Their size will determine how much exercise they need. If you are more active, a standard one will be more your style. They require at least 90 minutes of activity a day, including walks and playtime. Miniatures will need around 60 minutes a day. No matter their size, they will have the typical terrier behavior, meaning they will want to chase anything moving in eyesight. Keep them on a leash when out walking. Make sure your yard is securely fenced, as Whoodles consider themselves escape artists. Grooming and Shedding As said before, their coat is unpredictable thanks to their hybrid genes! They will also need professional haircuts; trim their bangs out of their eyes and to keep things neat and tidy. The Wheaten Terrier coat requires a lot more maintenance. Daily grooming will be needed — brush them to remove any dirt and loose hairs. As with all dogs, you should trim their nails regularly. Brush their teeth and clean their floppy ears of any wax buildup. A Poodle Cross Feeding and Diet Deciding what to feed your Whoodle is a personal choice between dry, wet, raw meat or home cooked meals, there are so many options. As long as you follow guidelines and watch out for ingredients in commercial foods, they will enjoy mealtime. They do well on high quality dry food, as long as it is made from natural ingredients and tailored to your unique Whoodle nutritional requirement based on their size. Foods must have a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fat, and should contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals. How much you feed your dog will depend on what size they are and their activity level. Keep an eye on their weight and use a body condition system to ensure they are an ideal weight. Standard size Whoodles should be fed roughly 2. Miniatures should be fed roughly 1. Spread out their meals over the day evenly, one in the morning and one in the evening. Known Health Problems Whoodles are cross-breeds, meaning genetic disorders are less prevalent than pedigrees as there is more variety in their genes. However, they still have health issues passed down from their parent breeds. Common health issues include: Epilepsy — abnormal activity in the brain causing seizures Progressive Retinal Atrophy — can lead to blindness Addisons disease — affecting the adrenal glands and hormone output Thyroid issues — can cause hypothyroidism and affect their metabolism Bloat — when the stomach twists on itself and traps air Renal dysplasia — kidneys develop abnormally leading to kidney failure With a little planning ahead you could get reimbursed for every vet bill from now on! Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Whoodle Highlights The Whoodle is a mixed breed dog. Whoodles are enthusiastic, intelligent, and affectionate. They need exercise and attention from their humans to stay mentally and physically healthy. Whoodle coats are silky and medium length, and they require daily brushing. They can be black, brown, red, silver grey, and cream. The coat might be solid colors or could also be spotted. Whoodles are considered hypoallergenic and may be easier for allergy sufferers than other dogs. Whoodle History The Whoodle originally hit the dog scene in the mids, which makes it a relatively new breed. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers were particularly popular in Ireland, where their natural resilience allowed them to successfully survive the potato famine. Even though the Whoodle looks like a very cute and super plush designer dog, many of them end up in shelters so consider adoption if you decide this is the breed for you! Whoodle Size As a relatively newer dog breed, the Whoodle may come in both small and medium sizes. Most weigh in at 20 to 45 pounds and range in height from twelve to 20 inches. That said, your Whoodle might wind up being smaller or larger than the average range. Whoodles definitely love to be surrounded by toys, and will nearly always be up for a fun-filled play session. This is one breed that always wants to be around people and craves company. Consider the Whoodle a dog who wants to be your friend. Proper and early socialization is key when living with a Whoodle. Whoodle Health Whoodles are generally considered to be healthy dogs, although they can suffer from some common health issues. Some of the more common health problems Whoodles suffer from include: Eye infections and diseases. Not only are these dogs as smart and loyal as Poodles, but they also inherit traits from the other mix. They can be as large as a fully grown Poodle or much smaller based on which side they take after more. As a designer dog breed , they are popular with owners who think they look like large teddy bears. Whoodles typically have a coat that is both curly and soft, which it gets from its Poodle parent. It has a smaller size thanks to the other parent and is sometimes called a Poodle Wheaten Terrier mix. If you want a dog you will love coming home to and one that loves you back, the Whoodle is a good choice. They are almost always cheerful and friendly and can greet you at the door after a long day with a dance and a smile. If you want to find out whether a Whoodle is a perfect dog for you, check out each section in our following guide. The dogs grew so popular there that people imported them to France, which is why many associate the breed with that country. Poodles were not always as pampered and snobby as they are today. Breeders initially worked with Poodles because they could handle a variety of jobs and were good hunters. As their coats are resistant to water, they could dive into murky lakes to flush out wild game and hunt when the weather was less than perfect. Those coats also help them in the water and might explain why Poodles love swimming so much. Poodles rank as one of the smartest dogs in the world too and are easy to train. Many farmers at the time had Irish Wolfhounds , which were large and sometimes hard to control. These dogs handled many jobs on the farm, including chasing off predators, attacking the rodents that ate the crops and other tasks associated with a watchdog. This breed also makes a good hunting dog because it listens to its master and responds to simple commands. They do well in herding activities and can quickly bring a group of animals to a safe spot. Some also used the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier as guard dogs. Though usually not used as farm dogs today, they do well in tracking and ability challenges. This type of dog is also a fast learner and affectionate towards its humans. Mysterious Beginnings No one is quite sure who the first Whoodle breeder was. We now that the first of this mixed breed appeared in the late s and early s. As they looked so similar to a traditional Poodle, some assumed that they were a different version of that breed. Though you might assume that all Whoodles act the same, their personality and temperament can vary. Some of the original breeders had a hard time figuring out how big the dogs would grow and how they would act as adults. They slowly picked the best dogs from previous litters and bred them to make dogs that shared some of the same qualities. Most of the hybrid dogs that are now available act in much the same way. Selective breeding also helped regulate the sizes and colors of these dogs and made sure that puppies would grow up to become loving adults. The American Kennel Club and similar organizations officially recognize both of the parent dogs. The AKC only recognizes purebred dogs and does not recognize any mixed or hybrid breed. This will keep you from entering your dog in any event sanctioned by that organization. You should ask the breeder how much experience they have with this breed and if the puppy belongs to a specific generation. Most breeders are so new to this area that they are on their first or second generation. Knowing the generation is important because it can help you determine how your puppy will act and look as an adult. Those from the first generation will typically take after one parent breed more than the other. This results in a dog that is larger in size or more stubborn. Breeders who have Whoodle parents can produce litters that are more regulated in terms of size, temperament and appearance. Litter Size Whoodle puppy litters typically have around five babies, but some mothers can have a total of seven or more puppies. If the mother experienced problems during her pregnancy or is small in size, she may have a smaller litter. Miniature Poodles can have as few as two to three puppies per litter. You may find Whoodle puppies and adults through Poodle rescue groups too. These rescue groups often accept mixed breed dogs as long as one of the parents was a Poodle. The group may have little information about your new dog though and have a hard time letting you know about its overall health or temperament. You may need to consent to a home visit or meet with the group too to show that you can handle the needs of the dog. Whoodle Personality Some of the terms that owners and breeders use to describe this dog include smart, loyal and playful. Known as a family dog due to how easily they take to training, they can love you as much as you love them. Whoodles are so smart that they learn to love the training sessions that you hold at home. Not only do they love learning new things, but they also like when you reward them and are affectionate. While the puppies are easy to train, you should keep in mind that they require quite a bit of attention. A new puppy might jump all over you at night because it prefers to sleep in your bed than a crate. Your Mini Whoodle puppy may also demand that you pet it as soon as you get home from work. As soon as you get home with a Whoodle puppy, you can start introducing it to new people as well as other animals. Whoodles are one of the only dogs that can adapt to any situation. If you have a big home with a fenced-in backyard, your dog will feel in heaven. It will love racing outside and chasing its tail around the yard at the same time that it tracks the birds and squirrels in the trees. Whoodles also do well with smaller spaces and can feel comfortable living in a tiny apartment. Family Dogs These family dogs love being around all types of people and appreciate family members of all ages. Your parents or grandparents might like that this dog enjoys long and slow days at home. Whoodles do just as well with kids because they like playing and chasing their human siblings around the house. With the right harness, your Whoodle will love long hikes and walks. You can also take this dog to the beach because it inherited a love of swimming from its Poodle side. Watch the Cat! A Whoodle might chase your old senior cat around the house and get bopped on the nose or want to pick a hamster up in its mouth. Taking the time to introduce your new dog to your old pets reduces the risk that the dog might hurt those animals. Separation Anxiety Poodles can suffer from fits of separation anxiety and passed this trait down to their Mini Whoodle offspring. If you spend six or more hours away from home daily, you should hire a dog walker or a pet sitter to take care of the dog. Daycare facilities can help too because they provide your pet with plenty of stimulation. You need to make sure that the dog has all the stimulation that it needs. How to Care for a Whoodle Mix As a companion dog, your Whoodle might want to spend more time curled up next to you and relaxing on the couch than playing outside. Based on its size, this dog needs a minimum of calories a day, which comes to one serving of dry dog food. You may need to give it more or less kibble based on its overall size. Dogs on the larger end of the spectrum need more food than those on the lower end do. If you want to know how much to feed your Whoodle, multiply its weight by 30 calories to see the total number of calories that it needs. Larger dogs may need up to 1, calories or more every day. The best Whoodle foods include those that have a nice balance of vitamins, minerals and protein. While you can split the food into two servings every day, some dogs do well on three meals a day. Stick to a puppy food until your Whoodle turns one and then switch to an adult version. Though Whoodles are playful dogs, they need less exercise and walks than you might guess. As long as you can commit to 30 minutes of exercise a day, you can care for one of these dogs. They can get by with fewer walks and more outdoor time, which is helpful for those who work full-time. You can let the dog play with its four-legged siblings during the week and take it for short walks on the weekends. Depending on their sizes, you might need to let the dog spend more or less time outside. Training a Whoodle Whoodles are so affectionate that any form of negative training will not work on them. Positive reinforcement training is much better, especially when you combine soothing words with treats and toys. They prefer treats that are different from the regular food that they eat such as jerky treats and fresh veggies. Training is also important when it comes to introducing the Whoodle to new people. Whether you have a child who brings home a friend from school or you want to introduce the dog to a family member, you need to take things slow. Let it tell you when it feels comfortable around that person. With early training from the puppy years, adult Whoodles will have an easy time adjusting to new people. This designer breed also needs daily stimulation to prevent it from acting in destructive ways. When taking trips with your pooch, try mixing up where you go instead of sticking to the same few places. They can develop hip dysplasia, which causes a change in the shape of one or more joints. It can cause the dog so much pain that it eventually becomes lame. Vets more commonly see this condition in older dogs and recommend that owners let their senior pets spend more time relaxing and less time walking. As Whoodles do not shed, they can suffer from ear infections caused by debris that becomes trapped in their ears. Debris can travel through the ear canal and cause some pain and inflammation. You might notice that the dog keeps tugging on or scratching its ears or that it winces when laying on that side. It takes just a few minutes to clean both ears once a week. Grooming a Whoodle Thanks to their hypoallergenic fur, the Whoodle is a dog that anyone can love. You only need to brush your Whoodle once a week to keep its fur soft and cuddly, but you should get the dog groomed at least once every other month. The groomer can remove or trim any excess fur inside its ears ad trim its nails too, and you can use chew toys to keep their teeth clean. Dog lovers appreciate the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier mix because it is a loving family pet that comes in different sizes. The Whoodle dog is suitable for first-time pet owners who have no experience with dogs and do well in both small and large homes. They have personality traits that make them love the people and animals around them but can have the same health problems as a Standard Poodle. If you love active dogs, try bringing home a Miniature Whoodle that loves playtime with you. Search Dog Breeds. Black, gold, red, white, cream Suitable for: Active families, experienced dog owners Temperament: Playful, Affectionate, cheerful Most breed specimens will take after the Poodle with their smarts, but their high energy threshold can make them easily distractible. They may require more patience and consistency with their training, but they can learn many impressive tricks with the proper focus and work! Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Whoodle Puppies A post shared by Play Stay or Away, LLC playstayorawayllc Whoodles are a hybrid dog breed, so they are not recognized by the AKC, and there is very little oversight in the practices employed by breeders. Prospective pet parents looking to add a Whoodle to their families should ensure that their breeder is doing their due diligence of genetic and health screening. Because Whoodles are hybrid dogs, it will be challenging to find a breed-specific rescue for Whoodles. Strays can bring with them a lot of different lineages, and you might find be able to find a Whoodle if you look in shelters. Wheaten Terriers are widely considered pretty intelligent, but Poodles are the second most intelligent dog in the world! Whoodles are also very active and affectionate. The downside of having a brilliant dog is that they can be prone to becoming destructive when bored. Additionally, Whoodles are known to be somewhat anxious when left alone for long periods. Prospective Whoodle owners who work out of the house most of the day will want to invest in doggy daycare for their Whoodle to help keep them occupied. Are Whoodles Good with Other Dogs? Whoodles are generally friendly and have pleasant and playful dispositions. Whoodles can be hyper and might be an overwhelming presence for a more mellow dog. One of the upsides of having another dog with a Whoodle is the innate companionship the dogs provide to each other. Are Whoodles Good with Other Animals? Wheaten Terriers are skilled vermin hunters, and Poodles are waterfowl-hunting dogs. This lineage carries a strong prey drive that could be dangerous to other animals, especially small animals, and companion rodents. Wheaten Terriers will often chase and attack smaller animals. Before bringing a Whoodle into your family, consider whether or not the risk is worth it to you. Are Whoodles Good with Kids? Helping your child understand how to interact with dogs protects both your dog and your child by helping your child learn to interact with strange dogs and the family dog. What you feed your dog and how much you feed them will be based on their size. Smaller Whoodles will need less food to sustain their everyday activities. Since Whoodles are very active dogs, they can often get away with eating a little bit more than the average dog of their size. Both parent breeds are highly active working dogs that have high energy reserves to keep doing their jobs. Whoodles can even be described as hyper because of their high energy thresholds. A Whoodle will need vigorous exercise at least twice a day to be happy. They need to be active to be satisfied. Since Whoodles have such long coats, they can be prone to heat exhaustion in warmer months. When exercising in the heat, make sure they have plenty of water and shade to relax in, or they may suffer from heatstroke. However, this intelligence can come at a price. Whoodles can be strong-willed, independent, and stubborn. Their high energy can also make them easily distracted. Despite these challenges, Whoodles make fantastic working and service dogs. Figure out what motivates your Whoodle, be it food or praise, then use that to help your Whoodle stay on task. Once on task, Whoodles learn very quickly and can impress anyone with their skills. Their soft, plushy coats can be prone to matting if not cared for properly. Additionally, some Whoodles take after their Poodle parents and have hair that must be trimmed and groomed to prevent overgrowth and matting. They may need baths between their professional care if they enjoy outdoor activities like hiking that might leave their coats dirty. Any prospective Whoodle owner should be aware of the most common illnesses present in Wheaten Terriers and Poodles. Dogs with hip dysplasia will experience a gradual dislocation of the hips as they age and can be prone to hip injuries since their hips are not placed correctly. The most common signs of hip dysplasia are an odd gait, difficulty standing up, difficulty walking, and lameness of the rear end. The underproduction of hormones can lead to serious health problems. This disease is common in Wheaten Terriers and can cause weight loss, lethargy, and death. The most common signs of Protein-Losing Enteropathy are weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, enlarged abdomen, and swollen feet. Minor Conditions: Eye Problems Poodles are known for having non-serious eye infections, dry eyes, and other eye problems. The most notable signs of eye problems are itchy eyes, puffy eyes, bumping into objects, refusal to go up or down stairs, and cloudy eyes. Minor Conditions. Mini Whoodles are considered a designer mixed breed. They often take on any combination of characteristics common to the dog breeds in the cross. Their coat, for example, will often be soft and silky, but can be either wavy, curly, or corded. They also tend to come in a variety of colors. Miniature Whoodles are fun-loving, smart, and playful. They enjoy playing with children and spending time with people. If possible, you should bring your dog to work with you, so they will stay socially stimulated throughout the day. Mini Whoodles are best-suited for a family setting, but can thrive with individuals or couples. Then, it will be more likely that they will have someone to snuggle or play with. They like to play more complex games and to be challenged. This will also reduce their interest in your new shoes or the pizza on the dining room table. By exercising them regularly and keeping their mind stimulated, you will have a happy and healthy Miniature Whoodle puppy. This dog breed needs to have food formulated for small dogs, and it can either be dry or wet. Whichever your pooch prefers will be fine. Try not to feed them too much junk food to avoid weight gain. These dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, ear infections, allergies, and progressive retinal atrophy as time progresses. Offering your dog a nourishing diet and staying up-to-date on vet checks will help keep them happy and safe throughout their life. The Mini Whoodle is fairly easy to train and loves to be challenged. Make sure to play plenty of games with them while training to keep them interested. Though they respond well to training, and learn quickly, you will need to remain stern and steadfast. If not, they will begin to question you and forget their training. You should always have some sort of socialization during training as well. Otherwise, your Miniature Whoodle may become shy and fearful over time. Because of the Poodle presence in this mixed breed, Miniature Whoodles tend to have a low-shedding coat, but will require some grooming to maintain a healthy coat. Professional grooming should be done when needed throughout the year to help keep your Mini Whoodle comfortable throughout the seasons, particularly if your hybrid puppy ends up with a longer coat. Monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient to keep them from getting too long. Good doggie dental care , like using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day, can help prevent dental disease. Mini Whoodles are semi-active dogs. They need daily walks and trips to the dog park at least once a week. Every other walk, you should play a game of fetch to help them balance their energy levels. You will also want to take them swimming or hiking at least once a month. This will help your Miniature Whoodle maintain stamina and muscle tone. The Mini Whoodle usually stands between 11 and 14 inches tall and weighs 8 to 20 pounds. Miniature Whoodles generally live 12 to 15 years. Featured Mini Whoodle Article. The intention was probably to get smaller varieties of the soft-coated wheaten terrier while maintaining its hypoallergenic coat and intelligence. Both of these are also characteristics of the poodle, but while the standard poodle is a little larger than a wheaten terrier, toy and miniature poodles offer the possibility of breeding a smaller dog. The wheaten terrier was bred in Ireland beginning in the s to be an all-purpose farm dog and they are good for herding, guarding, and hunting. Broad interest in the breed only began in the 20th century after the breed was recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in and the UK Kennel Club in .They were also exported to the United States in the s. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America was established in , and they have been popular show dogs since then. Poodles originate from Germany or France and were popular in both countries beginning in the 17th century initially as wildfowl hunters, then as circus performers, and eventually as lap dogs. They are considered to be among the most intelligent breeds , and they have thick, wiry coats that do not shed so they are sometimes referred to as hypoallergenic. Poodles come in a variety of sizes including standard, which can be as tall as 24 inches, and toy, which can measure less than 10 inches in height. Whoodle Size And Appearance Whoodles can range in size from 12 to 20 inches depending on their parent dogs. Wheaten terriers measure inches in height and weigh pounds. While standard poodles can be as large as 24 inches and weigh up to 70 pounds, toy poodles can be as small as 9. Whoodles are often bred to be at the smaller end and will weigh between 20 and 45 pounds. While poodles are known for their curly and wiry coat that is low-shedding, soft-coated wheaten terriers also have a low-shedding coat but it is soft and lightly curled. Breeders will try to promote the soft-coat feature in mixed-breed pups, but their hair will probably be curlier than a standard wheaten terrier. Wheaten terriers have distinctive coloring. While puppies are often born with dark coats in red, brown, or mahogany, this will grow out and become completely white before they grow into their adult wheaten color. At around the age of three, they will start to develop darker tips that are called guard hairs. Poodles are much more varied in color, and thanks to this, whoodles can also come in a range of colors including black, brown, red, silver, gray, and cream. Wheaten is still considered a desirable color among whoodles. Whoodles are likely to have a medium-length muzzle with long floppy ears and a black button nose. They have an athletic build, but this can sometimes be hard to make out under their luscious, curly fur. Intelligence And Temperament Both poodles and soft-coated wheaten terriers are considered highly intelligent dogs. They both like to please, which means they respond well to positive reinforcement training, but they are also good at figuring things out on their own which can result in a stubborn streak. These characteristics are passed down to whoodles, which are smart dogs that can learn tricks quickly but also like to get their own way. Whoodles are highly affectionate and will bond with their families quickly. They are good at reading social cues and so do well with children , but they do need to be socialized with animals such as cats from a young age since the wheaten adds a strong prey drive into the mix. It is also worth being aware that whoodles will probably jump up and lick when greeting people, which can be a problem with smaller children. They need plenty of love and affection to thrive. Energy Levels Whoodles are high energy pups that need lots of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Depending on their size, they need between 30 and 45 minutes of exercise each day. They tend to enjoy swimming and spending time in the water and this can form a great part of their exercise. Keep an eye on their temperature while exercising in the hotter months; excessive panting is often a sign that they are overheating. They also benefit from having quite a bit of space at home to move around in, but due to the relatively small size of whoodles, they do adapt well to apartment living. They also have a good understanding of their own size, so they are unlikely to accidentally break things. They should be brushed daily and have their coats cut every four to eight weeks. This can also help them to keep cool since they can have a tendency to overheat in hot weather. You should try to limit them to a bath once a month, but this can be hard if they like to play in the great outdoors. Brushing and wiping them down with a wet cloth can help prolong the time between washes since excessive washing can strip their coats of their natural oils. Their floppy ears need to be cleaned regularly, and their nails also tend to grow quickly! Should I Adopt A Whoodle? Is the whoodle the right dog for you? Whoodles adapt well to apartment living as long as they get enough exercise, and they are relatively easy to train and control, making them appropriate for first-time owners. In addition to these, there are a few other things to consider. Do you have time to spend with your whoodle? Do you have time to exercise your dog? They need at least minutes of exercise a day and will be happy with even more! Can you commit to regular grooming? Whoodles require minor daily grooming, plus regular visits to the doggy salon for an overall trim. This can be both time-consuming and expensive. Do you have cats or small children? While whoodles can do well with both, they need to be socialized from a young age and can have an unfortunate tendency to jump up in greeting, which can be a problem with smaller children. Consider your answer to these questions and then make your decision! How Much Is A Whoodle? They are highly desirable dogs, but the population is much smaller than that of other breeds such as labradoodles and goldendoodles, which accounts for the high cost. While some will show up in rescues, because they are relatively rare they are difficult to find. Want A Whoodle? Whoodles are wonderful mixed-breed dogs that are bred from mixing poodles with soft-coated wheaten terriers. The resulting breed is a relatively small dog with a silky and fluffy low-shedding coat. They are friendly and affectionate, intelligent and easy to train, and have lots of energy to burn. They make a great companion for first-time owners who have time to spend building a bond with their dog, and, of course, grooming them! Do you have a Whoodle? Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. While all dogs have unique personalities, a Whoodle is a great pick. Whoodles are playful, active, and friendly dogs, also known as Wheatendoodle, Wheatenpoo, Sweatenpoo, and Sweatendoodle. This way, you can determine if your family and home environment is a good fit for a Whoodle to thrive in. So, whether you love Whoodles or are a first-time dog parent, this expert guide will help you learn everything you need to know when buying a Whoodle. This super cute canine will be a perfect addition to your family because of its friendly and smart nature. However, you have to remember that a Whoodle can also be extremely active and headstrong at times. With that disclaimer out of the way, let us learn about Whoodle and what you can expect. History of Whoodles The Whoodle breed appeared around the mids, making it a relatively newer addition to the canine kingdom. The idea was to create a dog breed with the soft coat of a Wheaten Terrier and the natural intelligence of a Poodle. On the other hand, the Wheaten Terrier has been bred since the s in Ireland, with its primary purpose being that of a herding dog. This breed craves company and wants to be in a social environment to interact with people. This canine is a confident breed and has strong leadership qualities. Training a Whoodle requires a lot of patience as they can come across acting as if they know better. A Whoodle does not like being yelled at, so you should train them with encouragement and kindness. This is key to establishing a healthy friendship with your canine. Size of Standard and Mini Whoodles Despite being a small breed, you can find Whoodles in a variety of sizes. If the Poodle parent is bigger, then you get a bigger Whoodle as well. Therefore, you will find the various types of Whoodle, which include: The standard Whoodle — standing at approximately 21 inches tall and weighs between 45 and 55 pounds The mini Whoodle — is about 18 inches tall and weighs around 35 to 40 pounds Other breeds include Toy Whoodle, Teddy Bear Whoodle, etc. An average height of both male and female Whoodle can reach up to 21 inches tall, whereas the weight may range between 20 and 60 pounds. Health of Whoodles Although healthy in general, Whoodles may suffer from some health conditions during their life. The breed inherits some of the health issues from both parent breeds. This condition causes the dog to experience seizure episodes manifesting as loss of consciousness and convulsions. However, if your dog is epileptic, you can diagnose it between the age of 1 and 5. That said, there are medications that can control the seizures and give your dog a good quality of life. You just have to remember that, like any other breed, you must take really good care of your Whoodle and take them for veterinary checkups regularly. Care Required Speaking of health and preventing illnesses in your Whoodle, you must be proactive in taking care of your canine. Keeping up with the general grooming and regular checkups with a local vet will ensure that your dog stays in good health. This practice will also help detect any signs or symptoms of a health issue in an early stage. Registering your Whoodle with a local veterinary care service will allow a vet to develop a healthcare plan to ensure that your canine member of the family always stays in good health. You must take your Whoodle out for regular walks as the breed is quite energetic and needs a considerable amount of exercise to burn that energy off. You must try to aim for a minimum one-mile walk on a daily basis. The more you can fit in, the better, but 1 hour is the bare minimum. A Whoodle is a naturally playful breed, so you can help them stay active with indoor playtime. Another aspect of care required for Whoodle is regular grooming. This is important because both parent breeds, soft-coated wheaten terrier and poodle, are high maintenance dogs. Another thing to keep in check is regular nail trimming. It would be a wise investment to buy appropriate grooming accessories to carry out the basic grooming tasks at home. If you have any health or care concerns about your Whoodle, it is best to consult your vet. Feeding A Whoodle will eat normal dog food. However, you must formulate a diet suitable for a medium-sized dog breed. If you are a first-time breeder or a seasoned dog parent buying a Whoodle for the first time, it would be best to seek the advice of a veterinarian. An expert veterinarian facility will be able to recommend the right portion of food you must feed your Whoodle every day. Therefore, you will find the coat to be silky on the touch. Speaking of the color of the coat, you can find a Whoodle with black, brown, cream, red, and silver-grey coats. Rarely, but you may also come across a Whoodle with a spotted coat. While whoodles have a medium-length coat, their silky fur requires that you brush them daily. Do you or a family member suffer from allergies? Ideal Climate Ideally, a Whoodle would prefer to live in colder weather. If you live in a hotter climate, you must take precautionary steps when taking your Whoodle for a walk. This will reduce any risks of heat exhaustion. Whoodle with other Pets Whoodle is a social breed and usually lives in harmony with other pets. Nevertheless, you must train your Whoodle to undergo appropriate socializing training from a young age to create a habit of socializing with other pets. Whoodle with Children A Whoodle is an active and playful canine and makes a good companion for your young ones. However, it would be best if you taught your children how to interact with a Whoodle responsibly. This is important because Whoodle is a headstrong breed and will not like provocation or being mishandled. You must always supervise play sessions between a Whoodle and your kids, especially during the initial months of buying a Whoodle. Pros Buying a Whoodle ensures a clean household as the breed barely sheds. This makes grooming a walk in the park. Child-friendliness is a big positive if you have young ones at home If you own an apartment, then Whoodle is a perfect breed due to its size Cons Very high energy levels; therefore need at least a mile walk every day As this is an intelligent breed, you will have to make extra efforts when training because Whoodle will act as if the dog knows better than you do. Whoodle loves socializing and does not like being left alone. Leaving the dog alone for too long may cause separation anxiety and lead to further damage. A Whoodle is a high-maintenance breed and requires a lot of attention and time. You may need to splash the cash to get the right dog food, buy toys, and book emergency vet appointments. So before you decide to buy a Whoodle, ask yourself if your wallet is ready to own one. Regular vet visits are a part of it. Take your Whoodle for regular checkups at the registered veterinary center. Ideally, a trip to the vet once a year will do the trick. Know the temperament Whoodles have a strong sense of self-assured leadership and can be an ideal breed to use as a service or working dog. However, if you are a new dog owner, you will have to be patient during the training process. Learn about any known health issues in parents, any specific groom requirements or needs, etc. Always consult the breeder and your vet about the dietary plan and frequency of health checkups. Conclusion A dog needs love, care, patience, and kindness; therefore, buying your Whoodle from a well-reputed authentic breeder is always a wise decision. Avoid mass producer breeders at all costs. If you are looking to buy an authentic Whoodle, we at Feather and Fleece are white-glove Whoodle breeders. All the breeds at the Feather and Fleece are registered, health tested, and come with authentic paperwork. Other on-site facilities that you can visit include: A veterinary care facility Training facility Grooming facility There are five different walking paths, and Feather and Fleece also train the puppies, so you can take a trained pup home and enjoy being a parent to a Whoodle right away. The average wait time to get a Whoodle at Feather and Fleece is approximately 3 to 6 months. The Whoodles are a hypoallergenic, lovable, and good-smelling breed. You can visit the large farm facility yourself and choose a Whoodle in a color that you like. The on-site training facility help with crate training, pup socializing skills, and much more. So, are you ready to bring a Whoodle home? If yes, you can take a virtual tour of the Feather and Fleece farms or contact us by visiting our website. Already made up your mind about adopting a puppy? Then start your application today! Miniature Whoodles can weigh up to 20 pounds and they usually measure up to 14 inches tall. Do mini whoodles shed? Whoodles don't shed a lot, at least not as much as other breeds. Do whoodles need grooming? Yes, whoodles will require occasional trimming to ensure that their body remains in good condition. Feathers and Fleece Farm.