poodle and australian shepherd mix puppies
Adopt a new best friend. By choosing to adopt, you participate in a statewide effort to provide homes for deserving and loyal German Shepherds. We cover all vet expenses and will purchase all needed supplies for your foster dog while they are in your care. Adopt a Dog Help us help future dogs. Donate your time. Campaign for fundraising. Transport dogs to their destinations. Make a difference in the German Shepherd community. Apply to volunteer with us and provide care for German Shepherds that truly need it. Apply to Volunteer We have found homes for hundreds of happy German Shepherds. Below is a list of German Shepherds that have successfully found a new home. German Shepherd adoption has changed our lives, and it can change yours, too. Bodie A friendly German Shepherd with a lovely black coat. Bodie was a lovely, personable German Shepherd that was finally adopted by a loving family after a long battle with homelessness. She also loves engaging in friendly play with cats! Jill Adopted in , Jill became a playful and positive addition to her family. Jill had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Now, she enjoys daily walks to local parks. Mesaba Once abandoned by his previous owner, Mesaba found a loving family in Georgia, who named him Mesaba after their Minnesotan roots. Mesaba now enjoys walks in the park, play time with friends, and a loving family. Giroux After previous domestic issues with cats, Giroux found a home with one of our volunteers. He now enjoys cheering up his new owner, who has previously lost a German Shepherd to age-related difficulties. Abbie After a history of neglect, Abbie was able to recover from her past trauma and find a loving and accepting home in .She now enjoys playing hide-and-find with new toys, playing in the local pond, and being part of her new family. Fletcher After abandonment from his previous owners, Fletcher was finally able to join his new and supportive family. He now enjoys long walks, lots of attention and plenty of space for personal recreation. Matilda Matilda was shy before reaching out shelter - but after some training, she was finally able to come out of her shell! She now spends time with her new family, receiving more love than she could ever imagine! Queen Adopted in , Queen is a playful and positive addition to any family. Queen had previously completed behavioral training prior to adoption, making her an asset to any home. Ike Ike is the life of the party. We are pleased to announced that after years of neglect, Ike was finally able to join a family of his own. Now, Ike enjoys playing with his new owners and enjoying a life of abundant love and affection. She was once abandoned by her previous owners, but with some care and rehabilitation, Lady was able to relocate to a loving family of her own! Schatzi Talk about playful! Schahtzi is a lovely German Shepherd that was able to join a loving family after a past of neglect. Now, she enjoys lots of exercise and good memories with his new family. See More Alumni Give in memoriam. To us, a dog is family. Every pet has a story, how they were rescued and what they meant to us. Tell us your story. History Where are German Shepherd Dogs from? Perhaps never in the history of any breed has such concerted effort been put into improving a dog, mostly due to the formation in of the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde SV, an organization in Germany devoted to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd. Breeders sought to develop not only a herding dog but also one that could excel at jobs requiring courage, athleticism, and intelligence. During World War I, they were the obvious choice for a war sentry. The Wolfdog was later dropped as it caused many people to fear the dogs. How big do German Shepherd Dogs get? The double-coat, with a thick undercoat that sheds twice annually, loses hair continuously but can be maintained with regular brushing one or two times weekly. What are the German Shepherd Dog colors? Black, tan, solid black and solid sable. How long do German Shepherd Dogs live? Lifespan: 10—12 years What are some German Shepherd Dogs facts and information? The German Shepherd held the number one spot in American popularity for many years. Although presently it has dropped from the top spot, the German Shepherd remains as one of the most versatile dogs ever created, serving as a police dog, war dog, guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, narcotics- or explosives-detecting dog, show dog, pet—and even shepherd. Related Content. Thinking a senior dog is not a fit? Please, follow the link , you may be surprised. Senior dogs kick off our foster dog list. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Please consider opening your home and prepare to be awed by the joy these dogs bring. She is potty trained and crate trained. Currently lives with puppy Artemis and the 85 lbs. Click for more information.He is a great dog that listens well but he will become over protective if given the chance. I have taken Coc.He is a 50 pound speedster. Dax is good with dogs but would not be good with cats or small children. He has been good in the house once he has a chanc.She is good with other dogs and did well at the events she attended including the local radio station. She has been good in the house and does well in a crate. She has not.He is full of affection. She was picked up as a stray in Fairfax.Lailah was surrendered to a shelter by her owner, spayed a few days lat.She is a good little girl who is good with my other dogs and she is happiest when she is chasing them around the yard. She is good in the house and is my one couch pota.Madison is a feisty little girl who was an owner surrender in Southern VA. She is very friendly and playful. Madison loves to give kisses to everyone. She takes her treats very gently.She is around 4 years old now. She may be a bohemian shepherd. She is funny, goofy, intuitive and smart. She acts.Max is a good boy who is a very energetic young dog and needs lots of exercise to get his energy out. It seems as though Max had very little structure in his previous home a.Aren't my ears the best? My foster mom says they remind her so.She is quiet and observant of her surroundings. Misha loves going for walks and exploring everything around her. He is a busy boy and has done well since coming here. He is okay with my dogs but would do best with an older confident male. He would not be good with cats or children. Moose will.My name is Pawlina and I am here to tell you that I behave like a youngster! I was picked up as a stray and the shelter guessed my age at 10 years, but my.She loves attention. She is good with other do.Very friendly and playful. He loves to play and is great with my other dogs. He is one of four puppies from the same litter who were given up to a friend of the.She loves to play and is great with my other dogs. She is one of four puppies from the same litter who were given up to a friend of t.Radar is a love-bug that wants adult humans of his own. He had a rough puppyhood stray, shelter, bad adoption experience and needs an.This senior boy is great with all humans, dogs, cats, rabbits.He is a gentle soul, we call him the big easy! He is leash trained, crate trained and house trai.She is smart and responsive. She is housebroken, loves her toys, comes when she is called, learned the eFence, She is house broken and crate trained although she doesn't really require a crate and often times free roams her foster home. She knows basic commands such.Yep, all my fur is black, well, except for a small white patch on my very handsome chest and on the tips of b
Should a Boxer Mix take after their Boxer parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and friendly dog that loves their family and loves being active with them. Boxers are known for their energetic and exuberant personalities. They bond closely with their families, tend to have a cheerful disposition, and also tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are friendly dogs, they do have the instinct to protect their families. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar temperament in a Boxer Mix. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix is a good start. You can also meet the mother dog to get a feel for her temperament and to see what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should be socializing puppies while they have them, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Boxers are moderately adaptable dogs. Because of their energy, they tend to do better in homes with yards where they can run. But, they can adapt to apartments as long as they get exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Although all dogs are sensitive to heat, the Boxer is even more so because of their short snout. And, because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce some traits that could affect the adaptability of a Boxer Mix, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Knowing more about the other parent breed will help you get a better idea of what range of potential characteristics to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? A Boxer Mix can inherit any combination of the potential health issues common to one or both of their parent breeds. Or, they could inherit none of them. From the Boxer side, potential health conditions include degenerative myelopathy, thyroid deficiency, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions. Boxers also tend to have sensitive digestive systems, which often makes them gassy. As a brachycephalic dog, they will also snort and snore. Because they are a barrel-chested breed, they are also at a higher risk for bloat in dogs. This can become dangerous, especially if the stomach flips, so you want to make sure you reduce the risk when you can and know the symptoms so you can get help as soon as possible. Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, they should be able to answer your questions. Despite their high energy, Boxers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Because they are intelligent, they pick up on things quickly and can get bored easily. But, they are eager to please their owners and tend to respond well to training. The other parent breed could make a Boxer Mix even easier to train or more difficult to train. You want to make sure you ask the breeder about the other parent breed so you know what range of trainability to expect. A Boxer Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a combination of both of them. Monthly nail trims are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris or pests. Unfortunately, many dog owners overlook dental care, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus playtime and other activities should be enough for this dog. However, they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you can expect a Boxer Mix to also be a high-energy dog. However, this is a potential range, so you will still need to be prepared to deal with a Boxer Mix that is high-energy. A Boxer usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can affect this, especially if they are the mother, so you do want to ask about them. A Boxer generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect a similar life span in a Boxer Mix. Featured Boxer Mix Article. Raising quality puppies since ! We strive to raise the highest quality puppies and to provide them and their parents with the best care possible. Our puppies are raised with lots of TLC from us, our children, and our grandchildren so you can be sure they have been pre-spoiled and very socialized before leaving us. We believe a puppy should be a member of your family and should live inside your home with you. Puppies should be given every opportunity to have a healthy and happy life. We try to make sure our puppies are placed in loving homes where they will receive the best life has to offer them! If you are looking to add a puppy to your family, please browse our site and check out our available puppies. You may contact us by phone or email to discuss the adoption process. We have always passed our inspections and have never had any non compliant issues. We are always praised by our inspectors for having a top quality kennel. Our licensed veterinarian comes to our home to see all of our dogs on a regular basis so he can inspect them and provide them with a thorough, hands on well check up in addition to all regular veterinarian care. As members of these organizations, we receive the most up to date news, education, and veterinarian tips that help us take the best possible care of our dogs. We take great pride in our kennel and our dogs. If you are looking to add a new puppy to your family, please contact us for a complete list of available puppies. We would love to help you find your new family member! We offer a one year health guarantee with every puppy we sell and a lifetime of breeder support. Please review our health guarantee and contact us if you have any questions. Being a member of AKC's Bred with Heart program means we provide our dogs with important genetic health testing that can rule out health problems with our puppies. Nowadays, boxers have become popular for most pet owners. It is because despite their medium size build, they are considered as working dogs. They were first developed in Germany. Later, they were bred around the world. The American Kennel Club is one of the major dog registries. They have strict guidelines to the kind of dogs that are bred to be registered. History of Boxer Puppies Boxers were first bred in Germany. They were made to be working, guard dogs because of their muscled, lean build. In the 19th century, they were bred to be bull baiting dogs. Later, they became helpers for butchers and keeping cattle under control in slaughterhouses. Boxers came from the line of bullenbaiser breeds which are now extinct that are paired with bulldog and mastiffs. It is possible that boxers were also cross-bred with terriers and Great Danes. Boxers actually got their name from how they play with their forepaws. Others say their name comes from the German word boxl, the slaughterhouses they came from. Boxers were not popular in America until after World War I. Since then, they were the first dogs to be used as police dogs. They have also been used as seeing-eye dogs. Characteristics of a Boxer Dog Appearance Boxers are typically medium sized dogs with a short back and tail. Some are also larger built. They are built with a solid body that usually stands at attention. Their jaw also has an underbite, which means their teeth protrudes outside their mouth. They are actually made bred working guard dogs. They have a square-head that makes them look menacing and intimidating. However, boxers are not as fierce as they appear to be. Male boxers can weigh up to 65 to 80 pounds which is around 30 to 36 kilograms and can grow up to 25 inches. Females, however, can grow up to 21 inches and weigh lower than male. Females would weigh around 22 to 30 kilograms. They have a broad chest and a short, muzzled, snout. Their bodies are usually taut and tight with muscles that are usually noticeable. The ears are supposedly cropped but most are naturally folded. Most of the colors of a boxer would be brindle, mahogany or fawn. Some may or may not have white flash markings seen on their chest area. So, it is not difficult to groom them. Temperament Boxer dogs are highly intelligent. They like to stay busy and active. They love to be around people and are not loud barkers. They only bark when they see something unusual. When this happens, it is important to always take note. However, they do give out sounds like snorts, grumbles and small growls. These are actually just their way of talking. A lot of people find these sounds adorable. They also snore frequently when they sleep. Even with their menacing looks, boxers are actually friendly and playful. They are affectionate towards their owners. Not only that, they are fiercely loyal to their owners and will guard their family and their home from strangers. They are also known to be affectionate to children as well. This makes them a good companion for owners with families. Boxers are great with other pets. They easily get along because of their witty, high energy behavior. However, it is important to keep them away from neighboring animals outside the house. They are known to attack other animals randomly. They also can be aggressive to their own species especially towards the males. It is important to always keep them supervised at all times when they are outdoors. Also, they should already begin socializing with other pets at a young age. Boxers are also stubborn. They can usually get away from trouble. They would also pout once they feel they are not getting what they want. Because of this, potential boxer owners should always show the dogs that they are the ones in charge. Health Issues Any living being can be prone to various health problems. Unfortunately, unlike most dogs boxers have a shorter lifespan. Moreover, boxers can live at most 10 years. Majority of the diseases reported that boxers are prone to are cancer and heart disease. They can also contract digestive diseases, eye diseases, skin tumors and even allergies. They are also prone to back and knee problems, including arthritis. Also, boxers are known to slobber excessively. It is because of their loose lips that they slobber and drool naturally. It is not something to be worried too much about. However, it is important to also keep your boxer dogs away from high amounts of heat. When boxers eat, they gulp in air and as a result causing an excess amounts into their stomach. The excess gas, of course, needs to be released. Hence, there are some digestion problems. This can be remedied, though, by a change in their diet. There are pet stores that specialize in meals intended for boxers. These puppies are also sensitive to extreme temperatures even when they grow older. They are very prone to heatstrokes. Make sure that they get ample amount of water and shade when they are taken outdoors. At the same time, they also cannot be in extremely cold temperatures. Activities and Training Boxers are bouncy, playful and active. Because of this, they need to be outdoors all the time. They cannot sit still when kept indoors for long periods of time. They constantly need long walks daily. They should also be kept physically active and mentally fit. The kind of vigor boxers have are suitable for large families with children. They are also good for individuals who live an active lifestyle and high energy. People who like sports and games are a good match for these pups. Pet owners are expected to be jumped by them because of their bouncy and bubbly personality. Training boxers is not usually a challenging task for breeders. This is because boxers are smart and intelligent. They can learn very quickly. They can easily understand and do what is expected of them. However, training should be done consistently. Because they are strong-minded, boxers usually would play the leadership role. They are usually like that especially if they are around other pets in the house. They are reliable when it comes to keeping things in control with other pets. Getting a New Puppy When you keep a boxer, you are assured of a loyal, devoted dog that will stand by you all the time. In addition to our selection of designer and purebred puppies for sale, we offer expert dog training, professional pet grooming and the best pet supplies, pet foods and pet products available at the low prices. Boxer puppies for sale Tulsa, Oklahoma Boxer puppies for sale Tulsa, Oklahoma Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Tulsa Oklahoma? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Tulsa for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. The population was , as of the census. We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery.
But at the moment, they need your guidance. For now, this includes sleeping next to you for the first few weeks, maybe even longer. Just have their crate or bed close to wherever you sleep. Our articles on sleeping through the night and establishing a nighttime routine will give you extra tips on getting through this phase. A puzzle toy or Kong will work great at making them feel like you leaving them is actually something quite fun. Potty training All new puppy parents expect potty training to be on the cards. It will help to remember your Boxer pup is a bit of a goofball. For now, we definitely want to let your pup get used to you and settle into their new home. Teach your puppy about surfaces — Different surfaces can feel strange to pups. Use surfaces like grass, moss, paving and sand. Basically, make their tail wag and we bet yours will too. Teach your Boxer their name. Teach your Boxer puppy to sit. Remember what we said about Boxers and their jumping? Recall — Trust us. Preventing resource guarding Resource guarding is where your dog fiercely protects something they have and will do everything they can to keep hold of it. Dogs can resource guard food, a toy, even a person. You can do this by teaching them that hands and touch can be a good thing. As always, back up your soft touches with some treats. Remember that consent is also a thing with dogs! Never force your Boxer to be handled or pick them up against their wishes. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Fireworks — Watch the world go by outside your house — Play dress up. They love spending time with their owners and letting their playful and fun characters shine through. They are eager to please and very loyal dogs. Originally Boxers were bred to be working dogs, which is why they have such high exercise needs and energy to spare! Common health problems in Boxers Boxers are intelligent dogs who are very loyal to their families. Sadly, like many other purebred dogs, they are prone to certain conditions. If you are thinking of buying a Boxer puppy , make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by certain conditions. Some of the conditions Boxers may develop include: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome BOAS — this can cause severe breathing problems in some Boxers with shorter faces. Epilepsy — a brain disorder causing seizures. Eye problems — such as corneal ulcers due to the shape of their skulls and prominence of the eyes. Heart problems — such as cardiomyopathy or aortic stenosis. Before breeding, parents should be screened. Skin problems - such as warts, skin tags, skin allergies and soreness in skin folds around the face skin fold dermatitis. Certain cancers. If you want to minimise the risk of your dog getting problems, you can read our advice on choosing a pedigree dog. Caring for your boxer Boxers are fun and active dogs who can be high maintenance due to their exercise needs. If you love getting out and about walking, they could be a good breed for you! A large secure garden is a must if you have a Boxer so they have plenty of space to blow off steam. Boxers can be very boisterous so do better with an experienced and patient! Boxers and barking Your Boxer is likely to make noise and how much they do make will be down to their training and personality. Boxers are naturally very good guard dogs and so are more likely to bark to make their owners aware of any comings and goings around the home. Training and socialisation Boxers are clever dogs but can be boisterous, so positive, reward-based training from a young age is really important. Boxers mature a lot slower than other breeds, so having a large amount of puppy energy in such a big dog can be challenging for some owners. You need to handle your Boxer with a firm but fair attitude and make sure you are patient and consistent. They can be boisterous so make sure you train them not to jump up at people from a young age. Boxers love human company so can develop separation anxiety if left alone. If they are alone or bored, they like to chew which means your furniture and belongings will be at risk! Exercise Boxers are very high energy, active dogs who love playing and being involved in everything going on. They keep their puppy attitude longer than most dogs so you might find your Boxer rarely has a calm moment at home! Your Boxer will need a minimum of two hours exercise every day. This should be split into a few walks with plenty of opportunities for sniffing around and exploring. You should also give your Boxer plenty of time to exercise off lead somewhere secure so they can have a good run around. On top of this, your Boxer will also need regular, short training sessions. They will also need lots of playtime and free time in the garden to do what they want. Grooming Boxers are fairly low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have short fur which only needs a weekly brush to keep it in good condition. As with any dog, you should expect your Boxer to shed throughout the year, more so in spring and autumn. A regular hoover should be enough to keep on top of it. Due to the excess skin around their faces, Boxers are at risk of developing a condition called skin fold dermatitis. Boxers and children Generally speaking, Boxers are good around children of all ages given the right training. An adult only home or one with teenagers is better for a Boxer. Always supervise your dog with children and vulnerable adults. Puppy socialisation classes are a great way to get your pup used to new dogs. Early socialisation will help your dog get along well other dogs as an adult. They may get along OK with a cat they have grown up with, but you should always supervise your Boxer with smaller pets. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your Boxer should be eating. You should feed them a good quality, commercially available, complete dog food. We usually recommend splitting their daily allowance into two meals. If you give your dog the occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily allowance. Try to feed your dog at similar times every day as they like routine. Remember to leave a gap between eating and exercising. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. These breeders must do extra health tests and meet higher standards. Set-up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. Get ready with the ear plugs, because Boxers are known for loud snoring! Boxers originated in Germany in the s so are considered a fairly new breed. Getting a Boxer Do plenty of research before getting a Boxer. These playful and lively dogs keep their puppy ways well into their adult years so need an understanding owner with plenty of time and patience! Boxers can be really loving in the right household and will love spending time with you. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a Boxer. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in Boxers are also out there. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary screening tests, health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. Chances are that you chose her because you like Boxers and you expected her to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle: Affectionate, easygoing, and lovable Loves to play games, especially fetch Intelligent, friendly, and easily won over Large, strong, and athletic, with lots of stamina in cooler climates Good with kids and other pets An excellent guard dog, courageous and dependable You may also recognize these characteristics in your Boxer pooch: Can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a younger dog Exhibits signs of separation anxiety if left alone too much Can be gassy and drool a lot Can be independent and strong-willed Needs frequent attention from her family Suspicious of strangers She is a bright and energetic companion that forms close human bonds. With early socialization and consistent leadership, she is a cheerful and dependable addition to any family. The modern Boxer was developed in Germany during the 19th century from mastiff-type dogs, and was originally used to hunt large game and for fighting or baiting. The Boxer is a high-energy dog with an enthusiastic and animated nature. They are a friendly and high-spirited breed that loves to play with children. Some Boxers can be stubborn, but most are eager and quick to learn. Boxers enjoy close human contact and demand to be the center of attention with their clownish antics. The Boxer is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Boxer. By knowing about health concerns specific to Boxers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in Boxers to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Boxers. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Boxer looking and feeling her best. Unfortunately, your Boxer is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections Boxers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Boxers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Boxer is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Genetic Predispositions for Boxers Heart Disease Boxers are prone to multiple types of heart disease , which can occur both early and later in life. Veterinary dental care and weight control also go a long way in preventing heart disease. Boxers are especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body. As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. This means your Boxer is more at risk than other breeds. When a dog bloats, the stomach twists on itself and fills with gas. The twisting cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and sometimes to the spleen. Left untreated, the disease is quickly fatal, sometimes in as little as half an hour. Your dog may retch or heave but little or nothing comes up , act restless, have an enlarged abdomen, or lie in a prayer position front feet down, rear end up. Preventive surgery in which the stomach is tacked down or sutured in place so that it is unlikely to twist is an option. If you see symptoms, take your pet to an emergency hospital immediately! This is a common problem in dogs, and your Boxer is more likely than other dogs to be affected. The condition usually develops slowly, and the early signs are easily missed. Symptoms include drinking and urinating more than normal, increased appetite, and reduced activity level followed later by a potbelly, thin skin, and hair loss. Treatment usually includes oral medications, and requires close coordination with us to ensure correct dosing. Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Boxers. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. The cranial cruciate ligament is one of four tough bands of tissue that hold each knee together. A torn cranial cruciate ligament is a common injury in active dogs, including your Boxer. Usually, surgical correction can stabilize the knee and help prevent crippling arthritis. Physical therapy and multimodal pain management are necessary for the best outcomes. Keeping him at the right weight, feeding a high-quality diet, and avoiding too much twisting of the knees like when playing Frisbee are key in avoiding these painful injuries. Neurological Disease A genetically linked neurological condition, known as wobbler disease or wobbler syndrome, causes a wobbly, drunken gait in affected pets. Wobbler disease is the result of a narrowing of the vertebrae in the neck that pinches the spinal cord and associated nerves. When pinched, the nerves do not send signals to the brain as they should causing the pet to be unable to feel his feet. The first signs you will often notice with wobbler disease are unstable hind legs, stumbling, and sometimes falling. Treatment options include medications, neck braces, rehabilitation exercise programs, and surgery. It affects Boxers more frequently than other breeds. If your dog has this disease, he will become increasingly weak and disabled in the hind legs, eventually suffering from paralysis in his hindquarters, which also leads to incontinence. Rehabilitation, exercise, acupuncture, and dietary supplements can be helpful, but there is no cure for degenerative myelopathy. A genetic test is available to determine whether your dog is at risk for this heritable disease. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an immune system disorder common in Boxers in which the intestinal lining becomes overrun with immune system cells called lymphocytes and plasmacytes. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea is common, or symptoms may flare up suddenly and then improve again for a time. Stress, diet change, or intestinal parasites can make IBD worse. If your friend has diarrhea or digestive upsets that are not explained by more common reasons, diagnostic tests, which may include intestinal biopsy, will be needed. Lifelong medications and special diets are usually required to keep IBD under control. Unfortunately, Boxers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs for concern. Multiple Skin Problems Your Boxer is susceptible to various kinds of skin infections and diseases. One type, Malassezia dermatitis, is caused by a kind of yeast. When this yeast infects the ears, it causes itching, redness, and an accumulation of brown, waxy discharge. On the skin, this yeast leads to greasy, hairless areas, especially on the neck and throat, with a characteristic odor. Another common skin disease called seborrhea can cause dry, flaky skin or greasy, oily skin. Skin diseases make your pet itchy and uncomfortable. Bleeding Disorders There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs. They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Many times a pet seems normal until a serious injury occurs or surgery is performed, and then severe bleeding can result. Lymphoma Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts Boxers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. Because white blood cells can be found throughout the body, this cancer can show up almost anywhere. Lymphoma is a very treatable form of cancer with an excellent success rate in dogs receiving chemotherapy. Luckily, lymphoma is one of the few types of cancer that can often be found with a blood test, so we may recommend a complete blood count twice yearly. Bleeding Tumor Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor that affects Boxers at greater than average incidence. These tumors commonly form in the spleen, but can form in other organs as well. Unbeknownst to a pet owner, the tumor breaks open and internal bleeding occurs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. We often find clues that one of these tumors is present during senior wellness testing, so have his blood tested and an ultrasound performed at least yearly. Mast Cell Tumor Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Boxers than other breeds. The sooner these tumors are surgically removed, the better. Unfortunately, mast cell tumors often look very similar to other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, many of which are not harmful. Therefore, all suspicious lumps should be tested and surgically removed as soon as possible. Many cancers are cured by surgical removal, so early detection is critical. Epilepsy There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, and Boxers are commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, episodes will usually begin between six months and three years of age. An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and efficacy. Note the length of the seizure, and call us at or call an emergency hospital. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Treatment is usually as simple as replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Acepromazine Sensitivity Acepromazine is a widely used tranquilizer that is often prescribed as a sedative for travel and anxiety. For many years this drug was considered to have a wide margin of safety, meaning that vets prescribed it readily for traveling pets and for pets with noise phobias. Recently, however, studies have uncovered some dangerous side effects in a few breeds, notably the Boxer. Respiratory Distress Syndrome Respiratory distress syndrome, also known as brachycephalic syndrome, affects dogs with a short nose, like your Boxer. Short-nosed dogs have the same amount of tissue in their noses and throats as longer-nosed dogs, but with less area to contain it. As a consequence, the soft palate at the back of the roof of the mouth is too long and may hang down into the airway. All of these differences can lead to a narrow and obstructed airway such that many of these dogs can barely breathe! Watch for exercise intolerance, loud breathing, coughing, bluish gums, or fainting. With his short nose, your pet is also more likely to develop other problems, such as flatulence from excessive air intake, pneumonia from aspirating food, and heat stroke. In severe cases, surgical correction may be recommended to alleviate airway obstruction. Taking Care of Your Boxer at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Boxer live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She has low grooming needs. Brush her coat as needed, at least weekly. Boxers generally have good teeth, and you can keep them perfect by brushing them at least twice a week! Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She can have a high prey drive, so she needs to be leash walked and a sturdy fence is a must. She can be sensitive to temperature extremes; avoid any prolonged exposure and be very alert to the signs of heat stress. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Boxer needs help. Put as much thought into treats as you do for the main diet. These, as well, can be loaded with chemicals and dyes. Keep away from raw hides; these are notorious for causing upset stomach and dangerous internal blockage. Not shy away from wholesome fresh foods. Adding veggies and fresh fruit to meals or to gives as snacks is great for Boxers. Carrots, peas, green beans, potato, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries are all great. These fruits are packed with antioxidants which is a great tool to help fight against cancer, a top concern for the Boxer breed. What is allowed to be in tap water is pretty outrageous. Known carcinogens and toxic metals are in tap water.There is a slew of regulated chemicals that, based on one 8-ounce glass, are deemed safe; long-term exposure is not tested. There are also hundreds of untested contaminants. Since our Boxer dogs drink water and only water day after day, for literally their whole lives, it's vital to find another alternative than straight tap water. The easiest method is to install a filter to your kitchen tap. These are moderately inexpensive and not that hard to install. Another option, most applicable if you have a Boxer puppy is to use gallon spring water. Also, be take note of how much your Boxer is drinking; you'll want to make sure that he meets his daily water requirements. That amount can vary depending on age, activity level and the weather more in the summer ; however, in general, a Boxer dog will need a bit over 1. For pups, this should be for at least 20 minutes, adults do good with .But don't stop there. Though this is a brachycephalic breed and Boxers don't do well with super extended duration, shorter jaunts allow a Boxer to build up muscle, keep his metabolism regulated, and exercise is healthy for the heart. Go for hikes, let him run uphill, take him to the beach. While your Boxer will be more than happy to be chilling out with you by the TV, he also needs to get out of the house and release pent-up energy. This is a very inquisitive, curious breed. Nothing is off limits to a Boxer. He'll open cabinets, reach up high on counters, nose through your gym bag.And remember, that it's not just food related items that will be mouthed and it's not even necessarily something that dogs would find enjoyable to chew on. Things are mouthed simply to answer the question of 'What's this? The list of things that have been found and surgically removed from dogs is crazy: needles, fishing hooks, shoe laces, band-aids, even light bulbs. There's virtually an endless checklist of things a Boxer can swallow that can lead to blockage, cause internal injury and even be fatal. At least once a week, go over the house. Don't leave things on the floor; use shelves and hooks. Put child-proof locks on lower cabinets. And a household rules should be that if anything falls, it's immediately picked up. Boxer Dog Care Tip 5 - Keep Ingestion Slow While it can seem amusing that dogs can wolf down their food faster than you blink your eyes, for breeds that are prone to bloat like the Boxer, you'll need to regulate how fast he eats and drinks. The easiest way to do this is to use a slow-feeder bowl for meals. If your Boxer tends to go nuts with water, use this sort of bowl for a water dish as well. You'll want to choose stainless steel dishes, since plastic are too light, scratch too easily and even BPA free plastics can cause a dog to have an allergic reaction. Another option, aside from the slow-feeder, is to use a portion pacer. There are stainless steel balls that are placed into current bowls, that work in the same way to displace and force a dog to go slower. Of course, if he's gotten himself dirty before this, scrub him down. However, looking at this on a regular basis, bathing too often can lead to a dry coat even if you use great products. And if you wait too long, all sort of bad smells can develop, as well as yeast infection and other issues. Keep it free of shedded hairs - The Boxer is a moderate shedder, so you'll want to go over the coat on a regular basis to pull out dead hairs from the coat. While some will fall to the floor, it is when you brush him over or use a de-shedding tool that you'll see just how much falls back into the coat. If it's allowed to stay there, it can block normal air flow and pack up close to skin pores. With the eyes, a common issue is the buildup of eye gunk, also referred to as eye boogers. If you notice excessive discharge, this can be due to a small cut on the retina or even an eye infection. However, a minor yet chronic amount is often just natural discharge that can get trapped around the eyes. Routinely use a canine eye wipe to clean up around the eye area. This should be done anywhere from once per day to several times per week. With the paws, while you want your Boxer to walk on a variety of surfaces to toughen up the paws, this by no means that paws can even come close to being invincible. Walking on small pebbles and both heat and cold exposure can really do a number on the pads. In addition, dry pads can quickly develop into itching, which leads to gnawing, and that can turn into peeling and cracking. If your Boxer tends to develop paw issues , apply a quality paw wax 2 to 3 times per week. Look for a fast absorbing product that allows the paws to breathe. With the nose, small issues can spiral pretty fast. Keep an eye out for dry nose issues. If you do notice this, don't hesitate to use a good nose balm. A quality balm can protect from too much sun exposure, chapping from cold winter weather and general drying and peeling issues, as well as heal many problems. If, however, the nose is so cracked that that it is bleeding, this is your sign that the vet will need to treat this; most likely with a topical antibiotic. Boxer Dog Care Tip 8 - Seasonal Care A Boxer dog's needs will change in accordance with the seasons, so certain care elements will need to be adjusted. In the summer , super hot days means taking your Boxer out for exercise early in the morning and then later as the sun is readying to set, to avoid the hottest parts of the day. If your Boxer is left home alone, if he's limited to one room which is recommended , take care to set things up so that he's keep cool enough with AC, but not stuck right near a vent. Also, check on shades and curtains, so that he's not getting hit by strong rays at certain times. You'll want to always bring along water when out and about, take frequent breaks and keep an eye out early signs of heat stress red gums, heavy panting, rapid heartbeat, thick drool. In the winter , access his cold tolerance. Not all Boxers do great with freezing weather; a vest may be in order. And while it may be tempting to stay in less, his exercise needs remain the same so do try to take him out as normal. The force at which a person or animal or any object is thrown is based on both the speed that a car is traveling and the weight of that object. So, car seats are not just for pups. If a Boxer is not properly restrained in the car, here's what can happen: With a vehicle that is traveling at 35 mph, crash force for a Boxer pup that weighs 20 pounds means that he will be thrown with the force of a pound object; this is the equivalent of falling off a 6 story building. At 35 mph, a 60 pound adult Boxer will be thrown with the force of a 1, pound object. What about going 50 mph? A 50 lb. Boxer would be thrown with the force of a 2, pound object. If your Boxer is a pup, use a certified canine car seat. If your Boxer is over 40 pounds, opt for a properly sized restraint belts. These are often padded and more comfortable than the harness that your Boxer would normally wear while being walked on leash. They blend so well into the household, that you'll sometimes forget your Boxer is a dog. You'll speak about him as if he's another person in the house.While, of course, Boxers love to scent, can be great watch dogs and do all those fun canine things like marking and ripping things apart, when it's all said and done, your Boxer will want to be part of the family and will need you to reciprocate this strong urge to belong in order to feel at peace and at 'at one' with the 'pack'. Boxers are pretty intelligent, are excellent at picking up on the non-verbal vibes of their humans and never let you down when you're looking for company.Be a good leader, expect respect and teach your Boxer with a loving hand. When you have a Boxer or two, or three , this is something that reaches beyond just pet ownership. It really is a lifestyle. And of course, it's one that you or your Boxer wouldn't trade for the world. Did you find this article helpful? Jammed pack with everything you need to know, from puppy to adult. And it's available in both hard copy and eBook. They have such majestic posture, are obedient and alert at all times, and are ideal dogs known to be loyal to the whole family. Brave, fearless, alert, gentle, energetic, and cheerful are just some of the words that can be used to describe the boxer breed of dog. Despite their ferocious looks — Boxers are known to be babies that love attention and are calm in the place of any environment. If you wish to bring a Boxer puppy home there are Boxer dogs for sale in Pune. The boxer breed is known to be very loyal and attentive to their family. The boxer is a working breed of dog that has high energy levels and needs frequent exercise. The dog is definitely a looker with its muscular body, erect posture, and short shiny coat. The boxer breed adapts well to apartments. They get along with children and other dogs and have an underlying sweetness to their behavior and gestures. Boxers have a high sensitivity level and their owners should know about this. The breed does not like to be left alone and enjoys human companionship. You may also want to make a new addition to the family by adopting a boxer puppy. Whatever your reason for interest in the breed — there are a number of factors that you should consider before bringing a boxer puppy home. In this article, we will take a closer look at the specific needs of boxer puppies. By following these rules your dog will grow up to be big, strong, and obedient — what a wonderful addition to the family! Because of the nutritional needs of boxers, they need to be fed high-quality dog food that is rich in Proteins, nutrients, fats, and fiber. Read the ingredients carefully. Avoid packages of food that contain Meat Fillers as this is a low-quality ingredient that includes corn dust and husk or even feathers. You can add veggies like carrots, peas, blueberries, and strawberries that are great for your dog and aid with their digestion. The best alternative for tap water is that you can give your dog the same water you drink — straight from the filter. Ensure that your dog drinks enough water a day. The way to calculate this is to serve your dog 1. Boxers need a lot of exercise By just looking at a boxer — you can tell that this breed of dog needs a lot of exercises. Puppies need at least 20 minutes of exercise a day — while fully grown dogs need a minimum of 40 minutes of exercise daily. Exercise can include taking your dog to the park, going for walks, or playing with your puppy. Puppy-proof your home Boxers are extremely fun-loving and inquisitive dogs. Ensure that you do not keep any sharp objects at floor level as your puppy may chew on them while teething. You must also be sure to keep plants at home which are not toxic to dogs. Electric cables must be covered and kept out of reach from your dog. Serving your dog small frequent meals aids with digestion. Another fact to be aware of is that Boxer puppies are prone to bloat, so ensure that your dog does not wolf down a whole meal in just seconds. Instead, feed your puppy little by little. Related Posts. This gives the owner an opportunity to see their dog at such a young age and then watch them quickly grown into strong and large adults. If you are purchasing a Boxer puppy, the dog should be at least 8 weeks old. In many regions it is illegal to have a puppy at a younger age. Up until 8 weeks, the puppy will need to be nourished by its mother. We're Home! That Boxer newborn puppy that you picked out has rapidly matured into an 8 week old and it's time for your new family member to join the household. Bringing a puppy home should be well planned in advance. If you have a large family, other members must be told to keep the environment calm and peaceful until your Boxer puppy has a chance to gain their bearings and become used to its new home. Have everything you need so that you do not need to suddenly run out to the store for a forgotten item. Do not allow the puppy to be rushed at by many people wishing to hug, pat and smother him or her with kisses. That can come a bit later. Your new Boxer must be approached gently and with warm voices. Puppies are a good, robust size but are still fragile. It is very sad when a puppy is stepped on accidentally; this can cause great harm. From birth to the 1 year mark, trauma is the leading cause of fatalities with this breed. Children must understand how to gently treat a pup. Very young children should be watched during interaction. All members of the home must be very aware of what may be underfoot. Your Boxer puppy should be given a tour of the home. Do not expect your new pup to know where everything is! Show him or her where they can find their water, where to expect their meals to be served, their dog bed and their toys. A puppy needs the security of knowing where to find what they need. Puppies will need quite a bit of care from you. This includes: Feeding - A puppy should be fed times per day. More feeding information can be found in our Feeding section. Only high quality puppy food must be given. This will be a time of rapid growth and your Boxer puppy needs the right dog food for optimal health. Vaccinations - All puppies will need the full schedule of vaccinations. This is absolutely vital to the health of the pup. If the budget is tight, your dog's veterinarian should be able to provide a discount or recommended animal clinics which provide shots for a very minimal fee. This includes that absolutely necessary Heart worm prevention medication, as well. Comfort and safety - Boxer puppies are rambunctious. They will jump, bounce and play. They will need loving attention and interaction with their owner or owners. Plenty of room to play, lots of toys and acts of love are crucial to the physical and emotional growth of a pup. A puppy is just learning about its world; yelling or hitting is never called for. Through love, patience and understanding a puppy will learn what is expected. Negative reactions from its owner will simply teach the puppy to be afraid. Housebreaking - This should begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. Read more in our housebreaking section. When started early and with consistency, your Boxer puppy will soon learn where it is appropriate to eliminate. A schedule - Puppies know nothing about the world except for what you show them. It is important to keep a puppy on a schedule that they can depend on. Normal times for baths, exercise , walks, feedings, grooming , play time and sleep time are recommended. Some Things to Expect The first year will be full of changing behaviors and a change in physical appearance. Here's what you can expect: A Boxer puppy will whine if he is hungry, wants attention or once he is learning house training, if he has a bathroom need The time to instill training for barking and other behavior is now - before habits can form Puppies are super hyper , but will also sleep quite a bit - Anywhere from 15 to 18 hours per day including night time and daytime naps The first year is one of rapid growth, but do expect starts and stops. As your Boxer reaches adolescence, there is sometimes a brief period of stalled weight gain at which time a Boxer may appear too skinny. This typically only lasts a few months before that final gain happens that allows him to fill out. Puppyhoood is the time to do socialization training - You'll want to introduce your puppy to as many people, other dogs, events and situations as possible so that he learns control and gains self-confidence. Health Check A Boxer puppy should be checked over every day to check for certain issues. Eyes- The eyes should be clear and bright. Any excessive discharge is a reason to go to the veterinarian Ears and nose - These areas should be cleaned each day with a damp, soft washcloth. Discharge of any color is a reason for a checkup with the vet Breathing - A puppy's breathing should always be clear and easy. Forced breathing, wheezing, coughing or other strange sounds must be taken care of immediately through the dog's veterinarian or closest animal hospital Limping - Puppies may be a bit clumsy or wobbling when very young. However limping is never normal. This must be brought to a vet's attention ASAP Tank - 9 months old Photo courtesy of owner: Jaymie Conner Skin - It is normal for a Boxer puppy to have some loose skin around the neck area and there will be some facial folds. These areas can hold in moisture which can lead to a fungal or bacterial infection. Moisture can accumulate when the pup drinks or when he drools. Keep the area nice and dry to prevent any problems.
Raised in Homes From birth, to whelping, until to the moment you adopt your pup, it all happens in homes. Never Kenneled Our pups enjoy the chance to play, explore, and spend time with humans. Available Across the U. My co-worker told us how friendly Kathryn owner of Sacto Frenchies was and that she had an Instagram page that featured their recent puppies. We fell in love immediately with how spunky and cute they were. After gawking over them, we decided to contact Sacto Frenchies and Kathryn was quick to answer any questions we had. She provided information about the breed and also kept in touch with us during the process starting at birth up to us receiving our French Bulldog that we named Huey. Huey was our first puppy and even after we brought Huey home Kathryn answered any questions or concerns that we had. Huey has brought so much joy and laughter to our home! Sacto Frenchies is an AKC breeder and you can be rest assured that their litters are quality. We are looking forward to welcoming our second French Bulldog bred by Kathryn in a few months! If you are looking for a Frenchie to bring into your family we highly recommend Sacto Frenchies! Got some quick questions? Or are you ready to adopt? We have answers. The difference is that a purebred dog has a documented pedigree, and it is bred to meet very specific standards. A mixed breed dog has an ancestry involving different breeds. There is nothing wrong with mixed breed dogs, but many people prefer purebreds like French Bulldog puppies for sale Sacramento. What is the French Bulldog like? Friendly, cute, and tiny, Frenchies are hugely popular. They are actually descended from English Bulldogs, but they are smaller. They have lovely personalities and are adorable pets. French Bulldog puppies for sale in Sacramento also make great family dogs because they are friendly and get on well with kids. What makes French Bulldogs so expensive? French Bulldogs cannot reproduce naturally due to their narrow hips, so French Bulldog breeders Sacramento must use artificial insemination and the pups are also delivered by C-section. This means extra skills are required by French Bulldog breeders in Sacramento, and this is reflected in the higher prices. How should I use Uptown? We put the fun back into finding French Bulldogs for sale in Sacramento. Just search for a French Bulldog Sacramento, find a litter, and connect with the breeder. You can then start making arrangements to pick up your pup, and in no time at all you could find yourself meeting your dream Frenchie puppy! Am I going to find the cheapest French Bulldogs puppies here? We screen them all very carefully to ensure they have high standards, and they provide a boutique service. Why should I not just choose a shelter dog instead? Getting your dog from a reputable shelter could be a great option. However, shelters are not the right choice for everyone. If you want a purebred dog or you want to know its full health history, then finding a Sacramento French Bulldog for sale in the Uptown network might make more sense than using a shelter. How can I be sure that my Frenchie puppy will be in good health? All the companies and breeders in the Uptown Network provide full health checks. But you should still take your pup to the vet to verify its health when it arrives. Can I pick up my new puppy in person? If you find a French Bulldog for sale in Sacramento, you should make arrangements with the breeder to find out how to pick up your puppy. If you cannot find Sacramento French Bulldogs for sale, and you find a puppy much further away, the breeder can make travel arrangements so you can pick up your dog at your nearest major airport instead. If I have kids, will my Frenchie be OK around them? They love playing and having fun, after all! But make sure they are supervised properly, especially around young kids, in the same way that you would with any dog. What are the exercise requirements for French Bulldogs? A short walk and a bit of playtime is usually enough to keep them in good health.
Then you are right; check this article for the 5 best Golden Retriever breeders in Northern Ireland. Originating as a Waterfowl catcher, this breed is now used for other purposes such as being kept as domesticated pets or still being used for hunting waterfowl. This article will look at some of the Golden retriever puppies for sale in Northern Ireland for those looking to get a golden retriever for a friendly pet. Tips: If you are confused about adopting the characteristic Golden Retriever, you must visit The Golden Retriever Experience to spend some time with a bunch of Golden Retriever puppies. Seeing the behaviour and personality of multiple Golden Retrievers at a time can help you understand and make your adoption process simple. Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale Northern Ireland In most cases, getting a Golden retriever puppy in Northern Ireland can be easy unless one is not affiliated as much with breeders of Northern Ireland; below are some of the breeders you may look into for buying a golden retriever puppy: Bushbane kennels Bushbane Kennels is a small but efficient golden retriever breeder in Northern Ireland. They are a pet supply store and offer other services such as grooming, including bathing, clipping and coat grooming, among others. Bushbane also offers a cattery for cats to stay in while an owner is away. Bushbane also been a part of The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme since ; this ensures that safe breeding practices are followed for dog breeds such as golden retrievers. In simple terms, if this is your first time looking for golden retriever puppies for sale Northern Ireland, then Bushbane might be your good first choice! You may know more about how the breeder works on Bushbane. Rosegrove Golden Retrievers While another relatively small golden retriever breeder, the breeder is another good choice for getting a golden retriever. Rosegrove typically breeds one litter a year, and all their dogs are BVA hip scored along with BVA eye tested to ensure that they are healthy and have no defects. Suppose you are looking for a golden retriever breeder that is also friendly and takes great care of their puppies and dogs. In that case, Rosegrove Golden retrievers might be one of the picks of golden retriever puppies for sale Northern Ireland. You may find out more about this small business at Rosegrove. Freeads Freeads by itself is an advertisement site that can be best used for looking for various dog breeders or any other pet services. On this site, you can look for various golden retriever Breeders who, while they do not have well-established businesses, have healthy golden retriever puppies and may offer them at relatively reasonable prices. You may also have a small talk with the breeder to ensure that they are viable breeders and not fraudulent practices. You may look for small-time breeders for golden retriever puppies for sale Northern Ireland at Freeads. Champdogs Champdogs is a platform for various dog breeders, big or small, to advertise their dogs or puppies of any breed, such as golden retrievers. Even golden retriever breeders such as Bushbane and Rosegrove typically advertise more about their services here. You may find other such businesses promoting their dogs and how well they are. If you are looking for golden retriever puppies for sale Northern Ireland, then Champdogs should be on your priority list as they are many golden retriever breeders here for a look. You may check out more about Northern Ireland golden retriever breeders at Champdogs. Gumtree While not as prolific as Champdogs, Gumtree is still a good pet advertisement site on which you may look for various small-time golden retriever breeders located in Northern Ireland to get a quote on the prices of the golden retrievers along with how well the puppies are kept and whether you should get them or not. Gumtree can be used to search for various golden retriever puppies for sale in Northern Ireland; the only thing one should be careful about is those with suspicious rates for golden retriever puppies and a history of spamming advertisements or bad advertisement reviews. You may try some of the few listed above for buying a golden retriever puppy to keep as a pet. While it might be easy to know about golden retriever puppies for sale in Northern Ireland, the expenses can be another thing. Usually, a golden retriever puppy can be rather delicate to handle and may require a good amount of expenditure for their meal. This is dependent on whether you are getting a Pedigree dog from a reputable breeder or a dog from a small-time business. Therefore, if you are planning to be cost-effective, it might be a good idea to buy from a golden retriever breeder that is not a big business. Conclusion A golden retriever, as has been said before, can be a great companion; they can be used as rescue dogs or support dogs for people with various disabilities such as blindness or physical disability. If you are feeling particularly in a solemn mood, have depression or know someone with one, then getting them a golden retriever can be a great way to emotionally make them lighten up and feel better about life, along with having a good partner to play around with at times! Post navigation. They are extremely kind, affectionate and intelligent puppies. They are like teddy bears and love their cuddles like their mom Heidi and dad Duke. They are bred to a very high standard and their pedigree is available. This is the first litter from our gorgeous family dog, Heidi, who is an excellent family pet. We have one male and one female cream puppy available, they are in perfect health and displaying a friendly temperament, much like their mother. Our puppies have been raised and played with by my nine grandchildren since they were born, so they are well accustomed to being handled regularly. They were also born the same time our cat had kittens so they are well used to and quite affectionate with our cats and kittens. Each puppy is IKC registered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped. We would be more than happy for you to visit and meet the puppies before making any commitments. It is very important to us that the puppies go to suitable homes that will provide love and affection aswell as proper looking after. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Goldendoodle Puppies In Los Angeles It might seem at first that Goldendoodle puppies are becoming so popular that every other person or pet store claims to be a Goldendoodle breeder in Los Angeles. Well, that could not be farther from the truth, since not all breeders are cut from the same cloth. In the last decade alone, Goldendoodles have become so popular. Puppy mills are notorious for breeding unhealthy puppies from unhealthy parents, while Doodle scammers will take your money, while leaving you empty handed with no money and no puppy. Although it might cost you a fraction to adopt a puppy from these breeders, it will cost you a ton more in cash and mental strain to take care of a puppy that comes from a seedy background. Responsible and reputable breeders dedicate a lot of time and resources into breeding healthy Goldendoodle puppies from only healthy parent dogs. With genetic testing, ethical breeders can and will! Just as important is to opt for breeders who offer at least a two-year health guarantee for their litters. Health guarantees do not cover injuries from accidents or diseases stemming from poor diet or living conditions. Unfortunately, there are countless breeders who claim to breed only healthy pups, but provide absolutely no proof of their health and genetic testing, not to mention health guarantees. Another tip is to check if the breeder is mentioned on the GoodDog website, which ranks reputable breeders who take extra good care of their parents and puppies. Check their reviews on Google, Yelp, and other online communities and forums like here at Doodle Doods. Ask around in your neighborhood, family, and friends. Additionally, you might be interested in buying a Goldendoodle in Los Angeles from a breeder who has at least a few years of experience and a proven track record. However, experienced breeders are usually well-versed in their job and already know what to expect and how to successfully breed and raise healthy new litters. This exceptional breeder strives to breed only healthy puppies from carefully selected parent dogs. The main focus is on health and genetic testing, but also providing the puppies a loving home environment before going to their families. What Makes This Breeder Unique? New litters also get their first vaccines, shots, and dewormings, along with microchips with prepaid lifetime registration. Waitlist: Yes. Windsong breeds Goldendoodle puppies that are healthy, happy, and well-socialized. We help each family select the right puppy for their lifestyle while keeping the individual needs of each puppy in mind as well. Love Our babies receive round-the-clock care from birth until they join their new family at 8 weeks. In fact, our babies spend the first weeks in our master bedroom as this makes for easy nighttime checks! They are loved on from their first day of life by children, cats, and most of all me! At 4 weeks they move to my living room where they can observe and interact more closely with our family. Health A high-quality diet, proper supplements, and the necessary genetic testing is our key to raising healthy puppies. We are passionate about health and are proud to offer a 2-year health guarantee on all our puppies. More info Happiness The happiness and well-being of our moms, dads, and puppies are extremely important to us. All of our breeding dogs live in our home or in loving guardian homes with their forever families. We believe there is a right and wrong way to breed. We are not a kennel, all of our dogs are well-cared for and cherished family members. We have answers. The Goldendoodle is a hybrid breed created by crossing Golden Retrievers with Poodles. Breeders aim to create a dog that is, in short, the ultimate companion—one who possesses the best traits of both parent breeds, and minimizes the negatives. In that regard, Goldendoodles are a big success story.How much are mini Goldendoodles for sale Los Angeles? The price of Goldendoodles online will vary between breeders, and boils down to a handful of factors—size, coat color and type, breeder experience, etc. For example, a teacup Goldendoodle in a rare coat color will be more expensive than a standard Doodle in a more common coat color. Will you only connect me with local mini Goldendoodle breeders Los Angeles? How do you screen mini Goldendoodle breeders in Los Angeles? Uptown has very strict guidelines in place to protect the health and happiness of your puppy—just take a peek at our Breeder Pledge to see what we mean. Dishonest, unethical breeders are an epidemic—especially online, where scams are abundant. What is a puppy mill for mini Goldendoodle puppies Los Angeles? Puppy mills are just like factories for puppies, where dogs are mass-produced, forced to live in crowded, dirty conditions, and sold for dirt cheap. Are there any mini Goldendoodle puppies in Los Angeles available now? MatchMaker is how we make sure that families are being matched with the right puppies, leading to a happier, more fulfilling life with your new pal. MatchMaker looks at factors like your preferred breed, size, and more. MatchMaker helps save you time on your search, and also makes sure you and your dog are a match made in heaven!
Let us provide you with a Labradoodle puppy and a forever friend. About Us The start! Tonia LeFrancois owner of Triangle Labradoodles started this dream with family in mind! Her son was born with several allergies that would keep him from having a puppy. Tonia feels that every little childs life is not complete with out a puppy. After months of research we found the Australian labradoodle to be the best fit for us. With the help of Jenny Blume at Swinging gate kennels we provided our family a loving female named Aspen. Aspen stole every heart in the family and know her son has his best friend! Now we would like to offer that option to others so they too can have a dog in their family. This is why here at Triangle Labradoodles we want to provide quality pets to other familes that need a best friend. With this in mind all puppies here at Triangle labradoodles are raised in our home with 3 children as part of our family so they will fit in well with yours. Staying true to the vision of those who founded this incredible breed is an important element of our breeding philosophy. A proud member of the Australian Labradoodle Club of America, it is our goal to provide the most loving environment possible for our puppies. We will only work with the best breeders available to provide the highest quality and healthiest doodles around. We will strive for a low volume high quality approach for producing puppies. We are not a kennel and all puppies are raised in our home as part of the family. The Australian Labradoodle is different from all other labradoodles. Dogs from this cross typically were bred to each other over future generations, whereby the Australian dogs are also know as "Multi-generational" Labradoodles. The resulting labradoodles subsequently have been bred to each other, continuing the multi-generational tradition. Even when the other types of Labradoodles are bred on for generations, the result is not an Australian Labradoodle, as the attributes of the infused breeds were not included in their ancestry. The Australian Labradoodle Club of America was founded exclusively to foster and protect the original Australian Labradoodles that have come directly from Tegan Park and Rutland Manor breeding stock, or their offspring. Our mission is to maintain and improve the quality and soundness of the Australian Labradoodles, and to carefully monitor the further development of the breed. All member breeders are carefully screened to help ensure the future of the Australian Labradoodle. Our member breeders must breed to the highest standards. We have Breeder Mentors to assist member breeders and to help new breeders get off to a good start. The goal was to join with breeders across America in the development of a pure breed dog and to unite these breeding programs for one common cause, the preservation of the Authentic Australian Labradoodle. Our breed is in its final stage and is renowned for its amazing traits and has proven to be consistent and reliable. Its intuitive nature, uncanny ability to sense and in some cases self teach the art of being a medical alert dog, the direct eye to eye contact and their desire to please makes them one of the most trainable dogs in America. This breed is hypoallergenic, non shedding and is one of the most sought after dogs in America. Our goal is to protect and improve the breed health as we move towards pure breed status. Contact Us. Thanks for visiting our site. Since , we have been breeding Standard sized multigenerational Australian Labradoodles ranging in adult weights of 45 to 90 pounds and 19 to 26" tall. We selectively breed for companion dogs- perfect family pets. We are not a kennel, we have four female dogs live with us. All other dogs listed on our website live with qualified guardian families that care for the dogs as their family pet, and realize the special responsibility associated with a top quality breeding program. Once a dog is retired from Lucky Country, they return to live out their lives as pets with their guardian family. Our program is small by choice, breeding litters only when there is a demand, and one litter at a time so that we can personally raise the pups. We do not employ outside care, feeling that a personal involvement is best. Not an employee. We are not a kennel. By keeping things small and personal, our pups are optimally socialized and handled to give them the best start possible. There is no Australian Labradoodle Breeder that has more extensive testing on the parents prior to breeding. We will gladly provide you with independent organizations that will verify our health and genetic testing. We are happy to answer any questions that you have. We are proud of our program and what we do. All of our dogs are registered with the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association. As members, all of our dogs meet or exceed the testing requirements of this organization prior to breeding. The Australian Labradoodle is amazingly versatile. Our breed is well represented in therapy and service, agility, obedience, and even hunting and field trials. While our lines have representatives in all of these fields, our goal is simple. To have simply the best family pet companion you could ever ask for. Welcome to the Dood Ranch! They are intelligent, dedicated, patient, and of course, have that adorable teddy bear look that attracts so many. Our mission is to raise dogs that represent the breed standards of the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association. Our dogs are selectively bred for their temperament and structure, through stringent health testing of the parents; we breed to the highest health standards available. Our puppies are born and raised in our home with individualized care and attention. When you are ready to add the next furry family member, we are here for you! Dedicated to uniting breeders throughout the world with the common goal of improving the breed. All members must abide by a strict code of conduct, and meet stringent health testing for all of their dogs. Good Dog We are affiliated with GoodDog. Good Dog screens all breeders to assure that best practices are met that protect the buyer and the seller, but most importantly, the dog. Take a look at their screening process here. Spay Secure follows up with your veterinarian to assure that you are protecting your pups hormones. Let's keep in touch! Updates on "All Things Dood"! Email Address. Sweetly Retired Stormie G. We take so much pride in our doodles. They are the funniest, smartest, cutest, little guys, so much personality. Bred for their wonderful temperament, intuitive nature and overall character; they are non-shedding and don't carry doggie odors. They undergo temperament testing and a host of socialization opportunities are provided as grands come and go, neighbors drop by for cuddles, kitchen noises, loud televisions, children running about, birds singing and dogs barking; extra cuddles, visits by the other doodle family members and on and on. All of our dogs live here in the house with us. Guardian puppies live with their own loving families but visit often. Mama doodles are whelped here and baby doodles are appropriately exposed to a busy family lifestyle. All of our doodles receive the best in health care, as puppies themselves, before breeding, during and after, because we quite simply just love them to pieces and they deserve it. They have a team of vets, health testing, repoduction management, attend NC State Therinology clinic for ultrasounds, progesterone testing, cardiac testing, etc. So if you see a tear drop or two as you close the door, know that it is the love that has been there before. Sweet puppy of mine you'll always be, heartbreak it is to say goodbye to thee, know that my prayers are with you and your new family. Blessings sweet puppy.We wanted a well-bred puppy, that would be a healthy, happy, member of our family. Fisher has exceeded our expectations.Not only did she ensure an excellent pedigree, she took the utmost care of the pups, after they were born. Thanks to her socialization, the beginning of crate and house training, and tons of love, Fisher acclimated to our home and family right away. We got a steady stream of videos and pictures, as well as results from temperament testing. We knew him before we ever brought him home and she even had us send items that had our scent, to familiarize him with us! Communication was open and encouraged. The whole process was something we'll always treasure. Labradoodles are great dogs and Lake Blue is a great breeder, worthy of these pups. Willa's litter Stormie's litter. 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 West Raleigh North Carolina 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. Yes, standard poodles make great family dogs! If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed that is good with children, a standard poodle may be a good choice for you. There is no definitive answer to this question. Poodles are known for being particularly easy to train, while Labradoodles are known for their friendly dispositions. This is a difficult question to answer. Goldendoodles tend to be a bit more laid-back than Labradoodles, while Labradoodles are known for being particularly friendly. The poodle-mix breeding trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. How Smart Is Your Labradoodle? If you are looking for an intelligent, quickly trained dog breed, a Labradoodle may be a good choice for you. Yes, Labradoodles need to be groomed regularly. If you are not prepared to commit to the grooming needs of a Labradoodle, another breed may be a better choice. The average life expectancy of a Labradoodle is years. Testimonials What our clients are saying? They are kept in our home and treated as a member of our family. Happy Tails Labradoodles has cute Labradoodles for sale. We breed for the joy these puppies bring to us and their new families. Happy Tails Labradoodles is dedicated to raising quality Labradoodles. More Testimonials Home sweet home for Tashi. In just a mere few days she has brought so much laughter and joy to our home. Thank you Happy Tails Labradoodles for your professionalism, passion and promise to deliver quality care to each and every pet. We are so delighted with the new addition to our family. Lesley Brown Bringing home my loving and healthy pup Honor was just the best! Thank you so much for taking such great care of my sweet boy. Love sharing your high excellence with everyone! Kristen Buergey.
They will want to be with you. Have a crate or bed next to your bed for at least the first few weeks while you get them into a Puppy night-time routine. Here is how to get a puppy to sleep through the night. Alone Training Teaching your Pug puppy that they can be totally fine being left alone can be done with stuffed chew toys, time and patience. Remember to do it slowly to avoid any stress! Toilet Training Training Practically every website you read may tell you that Toilet training your Pug puppy can be a challenge. As with alone training, start sooner rather than later. Of course, if they run into any birds, butterflies and hear planes flying over, it will be great for them to get acquainted already. Have fun gathering surfaces with different textures for them to explore, like synthetic grass, tiles, and soil. Use treats! Remember to use lots of treats and praise when training. They love making your tail wag! Repeat their name to them a lot in the first week, so it really starts to click. Recall — How to teach your Pug puppy to come back when called — This is important for safety. Pugs generally stay close, but they can be very friendly and want to run up to people and other dogs for a bit of a cuddle, so a good recall will always help. But they can enjoy fetch games on a smaller scale, get on the floor and interact and play with your Pug puppy to learn what they enjoy. This will help to avoid resource guarding. Husbandry Tasks Pugs love affection but should be handled with care. Be mindful to not treat them like toys. Not going to blame children to think they are toys though — the resemblance is uncanny. To do this we want to teach them that hands will do nice things to them so use plenty of treats when handling your puppy. Week 2 — Training your Pug puppy Week 2 already! Now, I have to decide which Pug puppy to bring home. I'm so nervous that I'll choose the wrong dog. How can I possibly know I am choosing a Pug puppy that is the best one for me? They're all going to be so cute! Answer: Hi Ashley. We agree that all of the puppies are going to be adorable and cute! However, there are definitely some guidelines that you can follow when you are trying to pick out the perfect Pug pup. We are not sure if it matters to you if you have a male or female. There are not that many differences, despite what others may say. While potential health problems may not be visible, there are 3 things that everyone should do: Check the eyes, breathing and gait. The Eyes: The eyes are not only the window to the soul, they can also give you a clue about the health of the dog. Watering, squinting or a glazed film on the eyes is a sign of health issues. Breathing: Hold the puppy close to your ear and listen carefully. Do you hear rattling and rasping? This is a sign of a breathing problem. Does the puppy have to breath through his or her mouth? If the puppy is at rest, they should be able to breath fine with their mouth closed this can be a stenotic nare issue, which often needs to be corrected with a surgical procedure. Watch the puppy walk: While young pups under the age of 6 weeks may still be gaining their footing, take note of any limping or odd gait issues. If you do notice an odd gait, listen for any clicking noises coming from the hip area. This sort of issue may be caused by underdeveloped hip bones joint and socket , a health problem not uncommon with the Pug breed. Interaction and Activity Some people will tell you that you should pick the puppy that comes right over to you first. This is not the best advice. Puppies that are very bold like that may be harder to train. Their enthusiasm may be great fun for a while, but keeping up with and trying to train such a puppy may turn out to be stressful. When you are choosing a Pug puppy, it is usually best to choose one who is quiet and calm. However, you most certainly need to make sure that the pug is not too quite due to an illness or extreme shyness. You don't want to bring home an ill pup and choosing a dog that is overly shy may make for a pet that is afraid of everything and will be in need of extensive of socialization training. It is recommended to have a close look at several puppies that stay in the background. If a Pug puppy is laying listless without any energy at all, this is a warning sign that the dog may be unhealthy. A calm Pug that does respond to you when picked up is what you should be looking for. Listen to the breathing for any signs of labored breathing or rasps. If the breathing is clear, take a look at the eyes. They should be bright and clear without an excessive discharge. With 2 or 3 puppies now left for you to decide on, take a look at how each one responds to you and how they respond to each other. Wiggle a toy in front of a puppy or whistle to him or her and see if the pup shows natural curiosity. The one for you should come over to you to investigate. Allow the whole litter to play with a toy. Take notice of the ones that seem to be bossy and the ones that seem to play fair. Take note of the ones who cower in the corner if the others fight for the toys. You will want to choose a Pug puppy who falls somewhere in the middle. This will ensure you have one that has a calm, yet curious personality. Finally, when you have it narrowed down to 2, do not feel rushed. Take time to sit down with each and talk to them. Does the pup look at you when you talk? Does he or she keep their tail high or wag the tail to express happiness? At this point, you should get a good feeling about which puppy is the one that is meant for you. Please remember, that just because you have an appointment to pick up a dog does not mean that you must go home with one. If the litter seems ill, all of the dogs seem aggressive or you do not feel a bond with any of the puppies it is absolutely acceptable to relay this to the breeder. While you may be very disappointed at first, in the long run you will be happy that you waited. When you are holding the Pug puppy that is right for you, you will know it. And what a lucky guy or girl that will be! Ready to begin his or her new journey as part of your family! All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Chinese origins[ edit ] Pugs were brought from China to Europe in the sixteenth century. The pet pugs were highly valued by Chinese Emperors, and the royal dogs were kept in luxury and guarded by soldiers. In Tibet , Buddhist monks kept pugs as pets in their monasteries. Pugs were painted by Goya in Spain, and in Italy they rode up front on private carriages, dressed in jackets and pantaloons that matched those of the coachman. They were used by the military to track animals and people, and were also employed as guard dogs. His self-portrait , which is now in London's Tate Gallery , includes his pug, Trump. Every carriage I meet here has a Pug in it. Many responded to the breed's image of anti-functionalism and diminutive size during this period. The modern pug's appearance probably changed after when a new wave of pugs were imported directly from China. These pugs had shorter legs and the modern-style pug nose. The British aristocrat Lady Brassey is credited with making black pugs fashionable after she brought some back from China in .Hogarth's painting from the 18th century depicts the originally longer muzzle, as well as the picture in a edition of Brehms Tierleben. Since there has been a trend in some countries to breed "retro pugs". Following the deaths of pugs and other brachycephalic breeds, several airlines either banned their transport in cargo or enacted seasonal restrictions. Pugs have elongated palates. When excited, they are prone to " reverse sneezing " which causes them to quickly and seemingly laboriously gasp and snort. The veterinary name for this is pharyngeal gag reflex and it is caused by fluid or debris getting caught under the palate and irritating the throat or limiting breathing. Reverse sneezing episodes are usually not harmful, and massaging the dog's throat or covering its nose in order to make it breathe through its mouth can often shorten a sneezing fit. In serious cases, it makes breathing even more difficult and puts added pressure on the larynx. If this happens, one should inquire with their veterinarian whether or not surgery is needed to open the nostrils. If the prolapse happens on a regular basis, the pug might require surgery. This condition is caused when parasitic mites, that are often present in a dog's skin without causing symptoms, are allowed to do damage because their host has a weakened immune system. It is a problem for many young pugs, although not usually a major one, and is easily treatable, but some are especially susceptible and present with a systemic form of the condition. The condition occurs when two parts of a spinal vertebra do not fuse properly while a young pug is still growing, resulting in an irregularly shaped spinal cavity which can put pressure on the spinal cord. Pug photo, ca .Note its small head and long legs. A pug by Carl Reichert. The pug that was predominantly featured in the commercials was Cheeka. A few other adverts also appeared in the following months, inspired by the idea of a dog following a boy. Life Span Did You Know? The Pug, or Pug Dog, is famous for its flat-faced appearance and large, soulful eyes. They are an ancient dog breed that originated in China over 2, years ago. They were originally developed as a refined pet of Chinese royalty along with the Pekingese and the Shih Tzu. During this time, the Pug was considered a national treasure that outsiders could only access if one was gifted to them. Dutch traders from the s can be credited with bringing the Pug onto the world stage when they brought some back to Europe with them. The Pug made its way to the United States in the s. Now, the Pug is a popular dog breed worldwide. They are a popular companion that provides their owners with plenty of love and laughter from their comedic and playful antics. The Pug is a playful and outgoing dog breed with a charming personality. They tend to be very loving towards children and also get along well with other pets and dogs. They are a companion breed at heart known for their gentle nature and sociable personality. They love to give love and receive it in return. Their sensitive nature makes them intuitive as well and Pugs will often sense the moods of their owners and react accordingly. They crave attention and affection from their owners and are big fans of napping. This dog breed is often described as an ideal house dog and they are moderately adaptable. They will do well in homes of any size, including apartments. The Pug also adapts well to city or country life and are a good fit for singles or families of any size. Although they are highly adaptable to various living situations, they are less adaptable to climates. Pugs are very sensitive to the heat and overexertion, so they are best-suited to moderate climates. They also love to be with their families and will not be happy if left alone for a long time. As with any dog breed, the Pug has some health conditions to be aware of. In particular, corneal ulcers and dry eye are some potential eye problems that can occur. Additionally, Pugs can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and encephalitis. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and to see health clearances can help allay concerns for some of these health issues. Pugs are also big foodies. They love to eat! Their love for food means this dog breed is prone to obesity. As a brachycephalic dog, their large head and short snout often cause respiratory problems, which can limit their exercise at times and contribute to weight gain. This will cause them to quickly gasp and snort, which can sound relatively alarming. These episodes are usually not harmful as your Pug is just clearing their palate and throat. The Pug tends to be easy to train and is a good fit for owners of any experience level. They are eager to please their owners and tend to pick up on commands quickly. They are sensitive souls and their feelings can be hurt easily, so they will not respond well to harsh corrections. This dog breed responds best to consistent training that focuses on positive rewards and will benefit from participation in puppy training classes. Pugs have a smooth, glossy, and short coat. Their fur is fine and soft. Although their coat is generally low-maintenance, it will shed throughout the year. Aside from brushing, Pugs only need occasional baths on an as-needed basis. Because Pugs have ears that drop down, they can be susceptible to moisture, dirt, or debris. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning as needed helps to keep them healthy and comfortable. The same goes for their iconic face wrinkles. Daily brushing is ideal, but if your Pug is not allowing you to do that, a few times a week should be sufficient. Getting your Pug used to these grooming tasks as a puppy will help make it a positive bonding experience and a much easier process throughout their life. This dog breed has a low to moderate energy level. Generally, daily walks and some play sessions are enough exercise for this dog breed. They may have short bursts of energy as they have a very playful nature, but they will tire easily. Some Pugs can handle a little more activity and even compete in some dogs sports like agility, rally, and obedience. Make sure you check with your vet first before jumping into dog sports with your dog. A full-grown Pug will usually stand 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 14 and 18 pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. The Pug was a popular pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Featured Pug Article.
It is not recommended to take it from its mother and littermates because it starts its socialization and gets the first experience of biting inhibition from them. When you take your doggy home, follow the advice of your breeder and veterinarian. In addition, you need to measure and weigh your pup to be able to follow its growth. You should also think about crate training your dog from the first days of staying at your home. Start potty training as soon as possible. However, be very careful about the first walks. The immune system of a little German Shepherd is too unstable and vulnerable to many infections. It has already received all the nutrients it needed during its first month. You can opt for high-quality puppy kibble or homemade food. However, you should avoid poor-quality products and cheap kibble that is full of chemicals. If you are planning to feed your pet with kibble, it is recommended to moisten it with goat milk or fresh water if this milk is unavailable. Giving it cow milk is not recommended. Give your puppy 1. Try to formulate a consistent feeding schedule with the same hours for feeding. You should have two bowls for your German Shepherd. One is for food and the other for water. Your puppy needs a lot of water, so you can leave the water in the bowl to let it drink whenever it wants. As for food, do not leave the leftovers in the bowl. Your puppy cannot control how much it wants to eat, and it can lead to overfeeding if it eats something every time it sees its bowl. You need to make the feeding schedule work. However, do not feed the puppy two times per day. It is too young for that, so it can overeat too and have severe digestion problems. You should teach it to recognize the connections between commands and responses or responses and consequences. Foremost, you need to set primary anchors. It means that you should develop certain reactions to your actions to teach the puppy to follow you, eat food or receive treats, and sit. Your clapping hands, whistling, or a specific word can be such anchors. Avoid setting anchors that your puppy will feel as similar. The next training step is establishing authority. Your puppy should understand that you are its guide, and it will help you when you start training more complex commands. Your little pet should understand that you are its pack leader. So, the first thing to teach is to follow you. Praise the puppy if it does everything correctly, and never punish it if it does not understand you. Early socialization training is also very important. However, early exposure of your pet to many people and unfamiliar things may lead to psychological problems. That is why start socializing your puppy gradually. You can take it on short visits to your family or friends. Keep socializing your doggy every day but in small portions of positive experiences. Start potty training as soon as you bring your GS puppy home. Show it where you want it to do its business, in the backyard or garden. Ensure that this area is quiet and fenced. It has to be something soft like grass or mat. Establish an exact schedule for going potty. Taking the puppy outside is the first thing you need to do after it wakes up in the morning. Then, follow the schedule after each meal, playing, and before going to bed. Keep the puppy out of biting and nipping. You should not beat or punish it anyway. Though, teach the puppy to avoid severe bites on the hands and legs. You can arrange timeouts for it if it bites too harshly. For example, if it bites your hand while taking a treat, withhold the next treat until it understands how to take it gently. Reward it with a treat when you see that the little one understands what you want of it and denies biting at all. German Shepherds are very clever, so they understand the explanations very quickly. Be patient while training your little dog. It will be trained enough to understand how to control itself by the 10th week. Therefore, your boy will grow as tall as inches cm , while the little girl will be inches cm tall. How much does a 2 month old German Shepherd weight? GS puppies gain weight at this age very quickly. They tend to double it in comparison to the first month. Your male doggy will approximately weigh pounds kg. If you have a female puppy, its weight will be smaller — pounds .How much to feed a 2 month old German Shepherd puppy? You can give your puppy .How often should I feed my 2 month old German Shepherd? You should feed your pup times per day. Never make a feeding schedule of 2 times per day because your doggy can overeat and have digestive problems. How much exercise does a 2 month old German Shepherd puppy need? Little GS puppies are very energetic, so they need a lot of exercises. However, they are too young for hard exercise and training. The sessions can be very short about minutes or less and not too intensive. Can I walk my 2 month old German Shepherd? Yes, you can walk your puppy in the backyard or any other fenced space after it is vaccinated. Though remember that your little doggy cannot go on long walks yet, so never make its walks too long. Another thing to consider is that it cannot follow you yet, so try to avoid going for walks in the open spaces and streets, or your pup can get lost. Learn a lot about the breed before you decide to adopt this dog. You also need to know that your pup will have enough space for its activity and energetic behavior. You also need to consider your budget. Get prepared that your doggy will bark, whale, bite and chew everything around. However, you will also get a lot of joy, playing, laughing, and loyalty. German Shepherds are very intelligent, and you will get the best friend for many years if you are patient and consistent enough during its first days at your home. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy!
poodle and australian shepherd mix puppies - This comes at no extra cost to you. This is peak puppy biting time and it will get better soon. So to prepare you and help you be the best puppy parent you can be, this article will show you: What to expect from a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy How big a four-month-old Golden is How much sleep a puppy needs at this age What kind of exercise a four-month-old Golden Retriever needs How to train your four-month-old pup How much a four-month-old Golden Retriever should eat How to deal with teething and chewing 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behaviors Oliver at 4 months old! At four months old, your puppy has had a couple of months to learn how things operate around the house. This can make things easier for you because your puppy is likely falling into your daily routine. Now that your puppy is a bit older, they may experiment to see what they can make happen for themselves. This does not mean they are a bad pup! You might observe that your four-month-old puppy has even more energy than when they were three months old. This is normal as they gain better coordination and stamina. Always remember that energy is both physical AND mental. What 4-Month-Old Golden Retrievers Look Like Your week-old Golden might start looking a little gangly with long legs that seemingly sprouted overnight see the video below of Oliver. They might also begin losing their cottony puppy coat, which can cause them to look a bit funny as their more coarse adult coat grows in. The picture above is Oliver at four months old, as is this video below. He was so lanky and goofy! Ideally, you were getting your puppy out and about safely, and giving them positive experiences that will prepare them for life as an adult dog. Remember to keep outings with your puppy fun and positive, and avoid things that might be scary or overwhelming. As your puppy shows more signs of physical maturity, it can be easy to start expecting more from them. Be consistent in teaching them how things work, how to act and what to expect. Keep showing them that you are a kind, trustworthy person who meets their needs and keeps things fun and safe. While your puppy may have been a cute round ball of fluff at two months of age , they should be kept nice and lean at this age. Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can be prone to joint issues. You should be able to easily feel their ribs without having to dig around too much. Four-month-old Golden Retriever puppies need about 18 hours of sleep per day. Sometimes it can feel like they have tons of energy that you need to burn and it can be tempting to keep them really active to try to wear them out. While they definitely do need exercise and fun activities, too much go-go-go can actually backfire and push the puppy into an overtired state. A puppy that is overtired might be really wild — bouncing off your furniture, barking a lot, and biting you more than usual. Creating a routine around nap time and bed time can really help your puppy relax and fall asleep more quickly. They ate, they pooped, you took them on a nice stroll and played with their favorite squishy ball. You even did some fun training games and they worked on a puzzle toy. Your puppy parent sense tells you that they are ready for a nap, so you take them outside for a final potty. When you come back inside, you grab a frozen stuffed Kong or toppl for your puppy to enjoy in their crate. Puppy goes in the crate and you give them their frozen treat. Then you cover the crate, and turn on a white noise machine to drown out noises while they rest. Any time your puppy is making you pull your hair out, ask yourself when their last nap was. So often, an obnoxious puppy is actually a tired puppy and the solution is sleep! Click here to download the potty training cheat sheet to make potty training much easier! Fifteen to twenty-minute walks are best for four-month-old Golden Retriever puppies, but a general rule is to let your puppy set the pace when it comes to exercise. If they need a break and flop down in the shade, let them take a breather. So while you may hope your Golden Retriever pup grows into a great running or cycling partner one day, keep things short and easy for now. And by four months of age, your puppy probably has all their necessary vaccinations, which is such a relief. This can open up their world a bit more, which means you have more options for exercise. Get a well-fitted harness and a long leash , and hit up a local trail or open space with your puppy. Unstructured time outdoors is ideal exercise for this breed. That means your pup is free to sniff and frolic around, rather than being in a perfect heel position by your side. Golden Retrievers were historically bred to spend a lot of time outdoors, running through the fields and bounding through water. Modern Goldens still love these activities and giving your four-month-old pup some nature therapy will set them up for physical and mental wellness. Neighborhood walks can also be a nice outlet for a pup of this age. Always allow your Golden to stop and sniff on walks. In addition, you can also work on:. But to develop properly, your puppy needs your help and encouragement. This is because the biting peaks at about 4 months old. The exercise needs of a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy Training for a four-month-old Golden Retriever Feeding four-month-old Golden Retriever puppies How to deal with chewing and biting What to Expect From a 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever Puppy 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever By now your puppy has been in your house for a couple of months and has learned about the rules and the way things work in their environment. This means that your puppy is getting comfortable and falling into step with your daily routine. Because of this, things are a little less chaotic in dealing with your pup than they were when you first brought them home. When your pup pushes boundaries and does new things, this is actually a sign of intelligence and mental development, neither of which are bad things. Your puppy will also have more energy, stamina, and coordination than they had in the previous weeks. Their coat will also look a bit odd. This will result in some random patches of fluff. At 4 months old, your golden should be roughly half of its adult height. When it comes to how much they should weigh, the average is around lbs. There are different types of Golden Retrievers and they come in all sizes. Heredity plays a part, as well. If your pup had small parents, then your pup will likely be a little smaller. And if your puppy was seriously ill for a prolonged period of time, then it may have inhibited its ability to grow properly when compared to healthy puppies. But usually, once the worms have been eliminated, the puppy will start to grow normally again. This means that your puppy will have already learned a lot of the socialization skills it needs to develop properly. The socialization your pup experienced prior to their four-month milestone will affect their behaviors and temperament going forward with their lives. Hopefully, you let your puppy go on adventures into the world and they had safe positive experiences. You should still take them out in public and teach them how to be well-behaved. You still need to keep your socialization light-hearted and safe. Your puppy is a baby animal, and they can become traumatized the same as human infants can. You also need to be more patient with them during this time period. Your four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy will sleep somewhere between 11 and 18 hours per day. While your puppy will be really energetic and hyper and your instinct may be to give them lots of exercises to burn off the extra energy, this can actually backfire on you. To avoid an overly- tired puppy, make sure your pup is getting naps in. You can use a crate or pen to help confine them to their sleep area. Developing a nap time routine is quite easy. Once your puppy has eaten, played, and went potty, you can put them in their crate with a soft toy to chew on. Puppies chew to soothe themselves to sleep. Intense exercise and prolonged repetitive motions can even cause injury to their developing joints and muscles. Not to mention the fact that when puppies are over-stimulated and exhausted it causes them to act up. So, how much exercise should a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy get? Your pup has more energy than they did last month, so they can now go on walks for 20 minutes at a time. In general, you should let your puppy decide how much exercise they can handle. If your puppy stops and decides to lay down in the middle of the walk, let them. They obviously need a break. By the time they reach this age, golden puppies should be up to date with their vaccinations, which is great because they love the outdoors. The type of exercise that your Golden Retriever puppy will likely enjoy the most involves unstructured play outside. Originally, Golden Retrievers were bred to hunt and do fieldwork, and your golden puppy will likely love the outdoors because of this. You can gently put them in the water, or allow them to get in themselves. People who live in more urban environments will find that their golden pups will enjoy walks around the neighborhood. Smells will engage brains and provide mental stimulation. You should be focused mainly on teaching your puppy to be comfortable with alone time, as well as potty training. Keep treats with you when you take your pup out on walks to reward positive behaviors and a good job on their leash. For instance, if you typically give your pup a treat when they come back inside from going potty, then you can use this opportunity to work with them to sit and stay and wait for their treat. To work with them about being comfortable with being alone, you should put them in their crate or pen and then gradually stay out of their sight for longer and longer each time. This takes practice. So this training is important. For more information about separation anxiety, check out our article about goldens and separation anxiety. For more information about training, check out our article about training golden retriever puppies. Your four-month-old golden pup should be eating 3 meals a day , spread throughout the day. They should be eating about 1 cup of food at each meal. Golden Retrievers have a major problem with overeating. Like us, they find food enjoyable and comforting too. A good rule of thumb to determine whether your pup is overweight is to pick them up. To find out for certain whether your pup is the right weight, you should take them to the veterinarian and follow their recommendations. Four months old is typically the peak chewing and biting period. This makes their gums uncomfortable and painful. You should also make sure that there are lots of chew toy options and chewy treats in your house so that your puppy can get the chewing out of their system without doing anything destructive. Using pens and gates can be really useful during this time. Just walk to the other side of the pen. If you missed the other articles in this series, you can find them here:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! Brown 3 lb 13 oz Our chunky Tank got passed up by Patriot and Spirit! Meanwhile, Trooper dropped to the back of the pack. All pups were gaining weight every day which was a good sign. I forgot to mention that before Raven had her puppies we looked for a small scale to weigh the puppies. Most of the scales we came across had a 10 lb limit. We purchased this baby scale and it worked great with all our puppies. I started clipping nails once a week with regular human nail clippers. When cutting nails I only cut to the part where the nail starts to curve. The puppies all did well during nail trimming sessions and it also gave me a chance to handle all four paws getting the pups used to relaxing with humans. Day 26 — Walking On New Surfaces Now that the puppies were stable and walking more normal I started introducing them to new surfaces. We were able to get them out on the dirt, grass, and concrete in the backyard. Golden Pups Week 4 — Puppies exploring new surfaces. We also start introducing our pups to the crate and start working on teaching them calm behavior while in the crate. I took their regular puppy kibble, soaked it in hot water for 10 minutes, and smashed it up into a mush. One of the early problems is making sure everyone gets an equal or close to amount of food. We allowed the puppies to eat their solid food and still nurse throughout the day. We feed the older dogs Wellness Core Grain Free Original Formula so we figured the transition from the puppy formula to the original formula would be easier on the pups when the time came to move away from puppy food. Golden Retriever pups week 4 is in the books! Check out our other Golden Retriever puppy growth week by week blog posts: Week 1 — Six Golden Retriever puppies are born! Week 2 — Pups eyes are opening starting to waddle. Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. So tell us a little about your experiences. Have you ever had the chance to raise a litter or meet a 4 week old puppy? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Are you expecting a litter of Golden Retriever puppies? Did you just bring home an adorable 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy? If so, Puppies for Dummies is a great book that will give you the basics on how to raise and train your new puppy. 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. 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poodle and australian shepherd mix puppies - Without training to curb your pup's aggressive tendencies, a relatively harmless little Lab can quickly grow into a large and potentially dangerous adult. Step 1 Take your Lab pup out for a brisk walk or jog on a leash and play engaging games like fetch and hide-the-toy with your little furball. Tug-of-war games are discouraged for any dog with any hint of aggressive tendencies. Labradors are a high-energy breed that needs lots of exercise to burn off their extra energy. They love to swim, which may work well if you have a pool -- but don't forget a doggie life jacket for safety. A bored puppy who isn't properly exercised burns off this energy through destructive means, such as chewing on furniture -- or your limbs -- as part of his "play" behaviors. Labs are notorious for chewing on anything and everything around them. While this behavior is not necessarily aggressive to start with, it can lead to aggression when your dog reaches adulthood. If your Lab thinks that biting people or animals during play is okay as a pup, he'll continue to bite people as his jaws get stronger, a situation that can have serious consequences. Step 2 Play with your Lab puppy using chew toys, not your fingers or hands. If your Lab nips your hand during play, loudly say "Ouch! Do this each time your dog nips or bites you until your dog learns that nipping leads to something unpleasant: an abrupt end to the fun and attention. Reward proper behavior that doesn't involve biting with a tasty treat and praise. Step 3 Spray a taste deterrent on your hands or ankles, depending on which body parts are the target of your Labrador pup. These sprays taste bitter and unpleasant to your dog, and when biting or nipping at you results in this yucky taste, it will deter him from nipping at you in the future. Continue to spray your limbs and clothing for two weeks until your pup ceases his attempts to nip or bite you. Step 4 Enroll your Lab pup in a puppy obedience class to teach him basic good manners and to socialize him around strangers and other dogs. Your Lab may not be aggressive around you or your family, but may show aggression toward other animals and people. Labs tend to be protective dogs, wary of strangers, especially as they get older if they are not properly socialized as puppies. Puppy obedience classes expose your dog to strange people and dogs in a positive manner, so he views them as something good. Your dog will also learn basic commands that make it easier for you to control him, decreasing the chances of aggressive behavior. The American Kennel Club offers special classes for puppies called the S. Puppy Program, which stands for puppy socialization, training, activity and responsible owner. Classes are offered around the country and last at least six weeks, depending on how quickly your dog responds to the training. Step 5 Spay or neuter your Lab prior to six months of age, the age at which most pups reach sexual maturity. Labs grow very quickly, and become large dogs by four months of age, according to Veterinary Partner. These pups grow into a to pound adult within the first year, an imposing and potentially dangerous size if your dog is aggressive. The sex hormones present in an intact male dog -- a dog who hasn't been fixed -- increase his aggressive tendencies and dominant behaviors. Step 6 Take your Lab pup to the vet for a checkup if he begins showing signs of aggression, including nipping, growling or snarling. Sometimes a medical condition such as hypothyroidism, an infection, a seizure disorder or an injury can make your dog irritable and more likely to become aggressive, according to the Labrador Retriever Rescue. Step 7 Feed your Lab puppy with his food dish in your lap or you can hand-feed him bits of dry kibble. Not only will your dog bond with you during this experience, but it prevents food and possessive aggression from developing or worsening. Dogs who guard their food dish can snap at you or family members unexpectedly during feeding. Have other family members feed the puppy as well to get your dog used to being submissive to everyone in the home. Slip a treat into your pup's bowl while he eats to also help discourage food aggression from developing. More Articles. Aggression in Labradors Dealing with Aggression Labradors are not usually an aggressive variety. However, there are several factors which may contribute to aggression in labradors. Personality and genetic disposition are not usually the main influences. The early life experience of pups in the 'first fear imprint period, Aggression against the pup by family members or other household pets is highly influential to the way that a dog will respond throughout its life. The secondary influences include sex, age, size, hormonal variation during pregnancy and anxiety. Anxiety in pups must be placated with secure affection and positive discipline. Socialisation from 8 weeks of age is also critical for the healthy development. Do not use physical punishment. This can increase the intensity of your dog's aggression. For general health reason, particularly in later life, we do not recommend this prior to 8 months of age. Types of Aggression Animal behaviouralists classify patterns of behavior and the circumstances in which they occur. This is done to determine the dog's motivation and the cause of the behaviour: Dog to dog - Pack order aggression is one of the most common forms of aggression in dogs. They are pack animals, and they relate to humans as members of their own pack. If your dogs are fighting, do not get in the middle. Interrupt the aggression using water in a spray bottle. Dog to human aggression occurs as the result of intimidation or physical intervention by people, your and old, adult and child. Redirected aggression can occur when an aggressive dog, particularly a male that redirects its aggression from the source to another. When an owner is restraining a dog by pulling him back the dog may retaliate. Dominant dogs often redirect their aggression towards pack subordinates or children of equal size or smaller. Dominant dogs will defend their pack area including a home, room or yard. House and feed your dogs separately if they are fighting with each other. Remove contentious objects like bones and toys. Gender aggression particularly between adult males involves territorial and dominance disputes. Inter-female aggression occurs most frequently between adult females living in the same household. This will be apparent if one female is pregnant. Predatorial aggression is directed towards quick-moving stimulus, like a car or bike. Anything considers as prey, usually other weaker species can be the object of this aggression. Pain induced aggression occurs when a person attempts to touch a painful area or when injections are given. Fear induced aggression occurs when when the dog senses that it is cornered or trapped and cannot escape. A fearful dog is often the victim of an owner uses severe punishment common. Active and unpredictable children may induce this type of aggression. Never allow small children to have unsupervised access to any dog no matter how passive the dog may appear. Children and adults should avoid interacting with dogs that are eating. They should never tease or hurt dogs. Keep your dog confined when unfamiliar children are present Maternal aggression may be directed toward anyone that approaches a bitch with puppies or in false pregnancy. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Structural issue Frustration-Inspired Aggression Frustration in your Labrador is normally inspired by its environment and acts as a response to a situation that it is being forced into against its will. Unlike fear-inspired aggression, Labradors may become aggressive in response to a trigger they learned while they were being raised, not a trauma-induced trigger. Ask yourself: How was my Labrador raised? Were they in a position that brewed aggression police dog, dog fighting, stray? In some cases, your Labrador may be aggressive based off where their parents came from. If you adopted your Lab from a place where the parents were not in the best conditions or were rescued, as well, your lab may be suffering from an outburst of natural genes. From there, you will likely be given a number of tips and possibly medicine to calm your Labrador down and work on controlling their aggression issues. If this is not possible, the internet will give you sufficient resources for identifying what is introducing the aggression and how to deal with it use the types of aggression listed in this article as a starting point. Treating sudden aggression in Labrador Retrievers can be a lengthy process and may require a lot of time to come to a solution and remediate the issue… so stay optimistic and be patient. In some cases, it is a mental health issue or literal issue with your home environment and your Lab may require relocation or other medications. Will I need to put down my Labrador? The vet may recommend that you euthanize your Labrador if the aggression becomes dangerous to humans or other animals, or if the aggression is being caused by an irreversible underlying issue sickness like cancer or arthritis. In drastic cases of aggression, courts may order that your Labrador be put down out of fear of a lack of public safety. Can I have an aggressive Labrador in a house with family? However, if there are any signs of aggression towards humans that may put your family at risk, consult a veterinarian and closely monitor your lab. Trusted by millions of dog lovers worldwide. Older puppy aggression Most puppies are through the worst of the biting phase by about four months old. After about six months of age, some puppies begin to show signs of fear aggression. This means that they may growl or snap at strangers who approach or try to touch them. The way to avoid this behavior and raise a friendly puppy is to thoroughly socialize your pup. You should follow our socialization steps as soon as your puppy arrives in your home Nipping and rough behavior in bigger puppies Some aggressive puppies at around six to nine months old have a resurgence of nipping and rough behavior. Often ending in tears when children are involved. This kind of biting is almost always linked to inappropriate play. Often involving children. Dogs, especially young dogs, are not great at reading behavioral signals from small children and vice versa. There is a bit of a language barrier here, and children can get hurt. The article on playing safely with your Labrador will help you with this. True Aggression in Puppies It is important that you also know how to recognize and deal with true aggression. Genuine aggression is very rare in small puppies and is almost always linked to extreme fear. A puppy that bites from fear will normally attempt to hide and withdraw first. The frightened puppy will normally growl fairly quietly and try to avoid contact before he bites, whereas the playing puppy will initiate contact and growl more and more fiercely once the biting game is underway. A frightened puppy will also often give off a distinctive musky smell. Helping a frightened puppy If you find your puppy cowering under a chair and not wanting to be touched, you can be sure that someone or something has really frightened him. Remove the source of fear toddlers, and other dogs are common culprits and take your time over reassuring him. Fetch some nice food, and tempt him out. He may need plenty of cuddles for a while, but try not to worry. Most puppies are very resilient and soon bounce back from an unpleasant experience. Aggression in older puppies It can be hard to know when an older puppy is truly being an aggressive puppy. Most commonly, biting and rough behavior in older puppies is due to the causes discussed above. True aggression in older puppies is normally caused by fear and anxiety due to insufficient socialization. Socialization To avoid this kind of aggression it is vital to socialize puppies carefully, so that they are not afraid of anything. Although there may be a genetic element to some dog aggression, socialization is your biggest tool in raising a happy calm friendly puppy. Some dogs will guard beds, chairs and benches. Resource guarding should be treated using positive reinforcement Resource Guarding Sometimes, aggression in older puppies is due to resource guarding. This is clearly not to do with play. An aggressive puppy may growl when people approach his food bowl, or his bed for example. Some aggressive puppies also guard stolen socks, or trash picked up on their walk. This is all classed as resource guarding. How to train an aggressive puppy Some years ago, people believed that resource guarding could be trained out of puppies with dominance and pack leadership strategies. We now know that these techniques only suppress the problem and make the dog feel more threatened. They can be extremely dangerous and lead to bites and ultimately the destruction of the dog. Positive Reinforcement Modern training techniques use positive reinforcement and counter conditioning to change the way that dogs feel about having people near their food and other resources. With most resource guarding problems, especially in older puppies and adult dogs, it is best to get professional help from a behaviorist. Your vet should be able to recommend one. Aggression towards other dogs As with dog-human interactions, it is important to be aware that puppy growling and gentle biting at the other dogs in your house is normal puppy play. Keep an eye that the older dog is not getting frustrated, and separate them if needed — but try not to worry about the puppy noise! You may find our guide to introducing a puppy to an older dog helpful. If, however, your older puppy or dog is being aggressive to other dogs it meets, you may want to consider help from a behaviorist. Puppy Aggression Causes Dog to dog aggression occurs for a variety of reasons. You may need help unpicking the cause, before trying to fix this problem. In the meantime consider keeping your dog on a leash when other dogs are around. And remember — punishing your dog is known to make this problem worse. Life with an Aggressive Puppy Growling and biting are not usually signs of aggression in puppies. Noisy, aggressive-looking, play is a developmental phase that all puppies go through. With your help, it will soon be over. Serious aggression in small puppies is rare and usually only occurs in puppies that are terrified, and that have been prevented from hiding. So rest assured, no matter how fierce your little puppy sounds when he hangs on to your shoes or attacks your fingers, it is not a sign of true aggression. It is normal puppy play. More serious problems Most puppy owners will be reassured by this article, that their puppies growling and nipping is not a sign a an aggressive puppy, but is a normal phase of puppy development. However, if you are concerned that your older puppy or adult dog is showing true aggression, or that they may bite you in a way that causes genuine harm, seek help. A canine behaviorist can assess your dog and advise you on how best to retrain them. Your vet will be able to put you in touch with a behaviorist. Aggressive Puppy and Children Remember, children are particularly at risk from dog bites. If you are concerned, minimize interactions between your dog and children. And always supervise their time together. Research shows that most people find it hard to predict when their children are safe around a dog, and when to worry. Your vet is an important point of call for an aggressive puppy or dog. They love everyone. Sound familiar? The Reactive Labrador The reality is that there are individual Labradors who are reactive and use aggressive behavior at times. The reasons or motivations for their behavior will vary. But one thing is true of all of them: aggressive behavior is totally normal. All dogs can use aggression to a greater or lesser extent depending on their individual temperament and experiences. Just like every person can lose their temper or slam the occasional door in frustration. When working with a reactive and aggressive Labrador the aim is not to suppress the behavior. How we do that varies depending on the likely emotion underlying the reactive behavior. Warning Signs of Reactivity in Labradors Generally canine social etiquette is ritualised and aimed at diffusing tension and avoiding conflict; aggressive behavior carries a risk of injury and is therefore a last resort. Dogs will show early warning signs that they are feeling uncomfortable in a situation. These include turning or moving away, yawning, nose licking, and their pupils will dilate. If they are prevented from moving away, then they are likely to increase the intensity of their signals. Moving on to snapping and biting to get their point across. If the dog learns that the smaller signals are ignored, or if the intensity of the trigger is too high, then they will respond with the more overt behavior. They will start barking, rushing towards in an attempt to drive the trigger away, snapping and biting. The aggressive behavior in the image below is cued by the handler. These are a couple of the indications that this is a learned response. If the dog may be in pain then providing suitable pain relief is essential. Reactivity From Frustration Another common motivation for aggression, but one that is often mistaken or forgotten, is frustration. A frustrated dog is likely to show fewer of the lower level signals of discomfort. Although lip or nose licks are common in times of conflicted emotions such as wanting to greet but not being able do because of the lead, or a fence. If your Labrador is bouncing on the end of the lead, weight forward, ears pricked, tail up, and barking with a high pitch then they are likely to be a frustrated greeter. One who may behave more appropriately off lead when they can greet as they like. Many frustrated greeters, however, are socially inappropriate. Rushing at other dogs and ignoring any signs from them that they are less than enthusiastic about the approach of 30kg of happy Labrador. They may well end up being snapped at, or worse, by the dogs they bounce on. It is not uncommon for dogs whose reactivity manifests first as frustration to develop elements of fear-based aggression after being told off by other dogs for their social ineptitude, leading to considerable conflict of emotions around other dogs. Dogs who become extremely frustrated around other dogs, or when denied things that they want, may well redirect their frustration on to the nearest object they can find. The lead, the person or dog standing next to them, or a toy if one is available. Providing a suitable outlet such as a tug toy is one way to manage the situation in an emergency. Does Predation Create an Aggressive Labrador? It is worth mentioning that predation is also a common motivation for aggressive behavior. Labradors are not traditionally associated with catching and killing prey. But actually it is not unusual to meet dogs who are aroused by fast moving objects. Such as bicycles, running people and the more obvious small furry animals and birds in our fields and hedgerows. Again, if the desire to chase is thwarted then any resulting aggressive behavior may well be frustration-related. This is despite predation being the initial motivation for the behavior. Is Reactivity in Dogs Medical? There are several techniques that can be used to modify aggressive Labrador responses. Before considering any of them it is essential to rule out any underlying medical issue. Pain or illness which may be contributing to the aggressive behavior. Pain is the most obvious cause. So if your dog appears stiff, reluctant to move or uncomfortable at times then discuss this with your vet. It can help to take video of the movement, gait, or situations that concern you. This will mean that your vet can see exactly what is happening, in a way they cannot recreate in clinic. Even if a clinical exam does not identify a source of potential pain it can be beneficial to trial a short course of pain relief. Make sure you note any changes in behavior or movement. Pain which occurs when playing with other dogs can often be at the root of the onset of dog:dog aggression; equally aggression towards people can be triggered by pain or the fear of pain on being stroked, or moved from a resting spot. As well as pain there are medical issues which in themselves increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior so a thorough vet check is essential. Especially in cases where you seem to have an aggressive Labrador without warning. The behavior has developed suddenly. This helps them relax and improves their general welfare. They are no longer on edge anticipating something which scares or arouses them. And also stops them practising the behavior that we want to change. Every time your Labrador reacts aggressively they are strengthening the neural pathway. This makes that behavior more likely and harder to change; it becomes their default and may well be used in situations away from the initial trigger in the future. Aggressive behavior which has generalised in this way is much harder to change. If your Labrador is reactive towards other dogs on walks, whatever the underlying emotion behind the reaction, then try to find alternative places with fewer dogs and keep your distance by turning around calmly before your dog can react. Or look for a local space such as a riding school or dog training centre you may be able to hire for safe and secure walks. Reacting To Reactivity It is important to note that if your dog does react aggressively, whatever the situation, scolding them or correcting them will not help them learn what you do want them to do instead. In fact it may well make things worse, as they then become concerned about your reaction as well as the thing that triggered their behavior in the first place. Instead, calmly move them further away from the situation until they are at a distance where they can be calm themselves. If possible let the dog look at the scary, or frustrating, thing and reward them with tasty treats for being calm. This also helps them start to change their emotional response; so that the dog that scared them is now associated with tasty treats instead. We will next take a look at ways of changing emotions and behavior in the medium to longer term. Aggressive behavior is a normal part of social interaction. In some cases the genetic tendency of a dog to be fearful, anxious or easily frustrated, or the length of time they have been practising their aggressive behavior, will limit the progress you can make with them. You will need patience, and a willingness to accept that their needs are different from those you might have expected when you brought them home. Your Aggressive Labrador There is an increasing understanding of the needs of sensitive dogs, and many more trainers and dog places offer activities that are perfectly suited to dogs who do not wish to run and play with other dogs, or who would rather have a bit more space around people. Scentwork and tracking are ideal, as are activity classes which offer lots of different options, from trick training to fun rally. This should involve acknowledging and working to change their underlying emotional response, not simply suppressing the aggression using punishment. There should also be a focus on enabling them to manage themselves in arousing situations, so that, in time, they can make the right choice without needing direction for you. Many dogs will also need help to learn the correct social skills around other dogs. Your Labrador is an individual, with individual experiences and genetics that make them unique; their behavior modification plan should be as individual as they are. Even if you are able to manage the day to day behavior modification training alone, the benefits of working alongside someone who can provide objective feedback, advice on the next steps and support are invaluable. High value food is usually the obvious choice. This can quickly change his emotions from wanting the other dog to go away to wanting them to be around so that he gets the really yummy treat. This is usually done in conjunction with DRI so that he can start to learn how to behave appropriately and be reinforced for polite behavior around other dogs. At all times your Labrador should be working at a distance where they are not reactive, and gradually moving closer to their trigger when they are ready to do so. Any signs of low-level fear or anxiety should be respected and the distance between the dogs increased until the fearful dog is comfortable. To continue working with a dog above threshold is stressful for your dog, counter-productive and risks an aggressive response. Options for Helping your Reactive Dog One of the main criticisms of BAT is that it relies on your Labrador feeling empowered, or relieved, by the other dog moving away in response to calm behavior from your dog. In learning theory terms this is negative reinforcement i. This suggests that he was uncomfortable beforehand, even if only marginally. CAT and flooding are far more extreme in their use of relief as a reinforcer and should be avoided. Examples of this include sitting automatically before their lead goes on, or waiting calmly without being told when you open the boot of the car. This is particularly useful with frustration-related aggression where learning to stay calm when denied access to things he wants is the key skill your Labrador will need to learn before you can work on his manners around other dogs. As with any kind of training or behavior modification, finding a trainer whose skills and knowledge are suitable for your reactive Labrador is key. You must have confidence that they have a range of appropriate tools available to them, that they are able to accurately assess and respond to your dog and that you would like to work with them. This article has only scratched the surface of the options and techniques that are available to help you and your reactive Labrador, but good help is out there. Sian Ryan is an expert Animal Behaviorist based in Cambridgeshire. With several years of training experience and after completing her MSc, Sian worked as a behavior counsellor and trainer in the University of Lincoln Animal Behavior Clinic, where she was able to apply her MSc research in to Self Control in Pet Dogs to her behavior and training work. Sian owns and runs the Developing Dogs Training and Behavior Centre in Cambridgeshire, as well as giving seminars and workshops nationally and internationally. Her first book, No Walks? No Worries! But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on.