pug puppies for sale in wyoming

Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Colorado Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Colorado? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Colorado? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Buying A Golden Retriever From A Respectable, Professional Breeder Purchasing a Golden retriever Puppy from a respected, responsible professional breeder is by far the best option when it comes to getting yourself a good quality, healthy puppy given the best start in life. A responsible professional breeder: Cares greatly about the overall quality and welfare of the breed and selectively breeds for the betterment of the Golden Retriever population as a whole. Screen sire and dam for health issues in trying to breed puppies with the lowest possible chance of inherited disease. Will help you to select the right puppy for you from the many different personalities in their litter. Not all dogs are created equal! Some are more energetic, more headstrong, more confident, others less so. They will match you to the perfect puppy for your hopes and lifestyle. They handle, care for, and socialize puppies in such an expert way that the puppies have had the best possible start in life and the greatest chance of growing up a confident, happy dog of good temperament. They provide some of the best advice and support that can be given about how you should care for your new family member, from the moment you make the decision right through your Goldens entire life. So as you can see, there are many benefits to buying from a professional breeder. But surely there must be some cons you may be thinking? Well it depends how you look at it, but: A professional breeder will ask you many questions to be sure you are a good fit and have the right lifestyle that fits in with owning a Golden Retriever. You could have a long wait. Good breeders are popular and do not breed excessively, so you may have to wait a year or more before a puppy becomes available. But a benefit to this is that it weeds out the impulse buyers which cuts down on puppies that are given up after rushed decisions. Compared to some other options, you will pay quite a high price. I say a high price but what I mean is a fair price really. A fair price for a good quality, healthy puppy. But mostly backyard breeders are the unscrupulous types. You usually will not be able to see the premises on which the puppies are bred, they will not ask any questions of prospective owners and there will be no commitment or offer of help and advice for the future of the puppies they breed. This results in a poorer quality of life for the animals, and expensive vet bills for the owners. One positive of backyard breeders though is the price. Yes, they are considerably cheaper than professional breeders. And the savings you make up front are more than lost for extra vet bills down the road. So the risk is your puppy has a higher chance of inherited disease and behavior problems than the general population. There will be no true guarantee of pedigree. But if your friend has taken steps to get veterinary advice and care for the puppies, has looked after and socialized them well, maybe even knows the father of the puppies and can prove he is of good health and pedigree then this option may not be so bad. However they got into the situation, there are way too many homeless dogs in the world. Lack of space and insufficient funding inevitably means that many dogs each year are euthanized. Maybe you could give a second chance at life to such a dog? But you should also be aware that some rescued dogs will have behavioral issues, though the center staff will inform you of this. They may also have suffered some level of abuse and have psychological issues, phobias or anxieties that may not be evident until a certain situation arises. So there is some due diligence and this greatly increases the success rate of finding happy homes for dogs that suit their new human family. This is obviously a good thing for both the dogs and hopeful owners too! Buying From A Pet Store Or A Puppy Mill A large number of dogs bought from pet stores originate from puppy farms, also known as puppy mills, which are profit driven businesses that mass-produce dogs and sell through pet stores and classifieds. In puppy mills, dogs are bred in appalling conditions, kept in overcrowded small wire cages, given little exercise or socialization, enjoy no human contact and receive nothing in the way of veterinary care. The puppies are usually taken away from their mothers and litter-mates at such a young age that behavioral issues in the adult dog are extremely common. The dogs in puppy mills are no more than a commodity, a cash crop to be produced and harvested while spending as little as possible to maximize profits as far as possible. Yes, many people have been lucky enough to have purchased the most glorious of family pets from a pet store, but for each one a lot of suffering has occurred for countless more. I strongly advise that you do not support the puppy mill industry and never buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. The risks of not getting a quality, healthy dog are too high, and the ethics of the industry are shocking with many dogs suffering at their hands. Everybody should work to eradicate the entire industry and the first step is by not supporting them financially. There are many places and options available to get a Golden Retriever puppy, some good, some bad, and puppy mills and pet stores just an appalling option to be avoided. In my opinion your 2 best options are to source a puppy from a professional breeder or to adopt from a rescue center. But there are other options available and I hope this article has given you some information to help you in your decision. Please let us know about your experiences of getting a GR from any of the sources above, or even one I may have forgotten. Thank you. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.

Temperament Upcoming Litters We are so excited about the litters we have coming up, and we think you will be too! We are forming our deposit and wait list for these litters now. Don't wait because these list fill up fast! Please click below to see what litters we have coming. As always, I'm only a call or text away, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. We can help with that!! We allow our families to share delivery cost, so this makes our reasonable delivery cost even more reasonable and within reach for families who may have struggled with the whole cost without having another family to share that cost with them. It allows us a break from the norm, a nice road trip and meeting our wonderful families in person! The maps above are some of the routes we had with our summer litters, as you can see, these are long trips, so if you think you may be too far, just check with us, we also offer flight nanny services when possible. This service is a bit pricier but is a good option for people who may actually be too far to drive, like our west coast families. Learn More Call or text me at Let us take some of the stress off of you and let us deliver or meet you halfway! Of course, you are always welcome to visit, but we know not all of our families have that option. Call or text me for a quote. This breed stole my heart when I was gifted my first Golden Retriever for my 18th birthday by my parents and my then boyfriend now husband of 12 years. It has been a long road but over the last sixteen years we have learned so much about ourselves and this wonderful breed. Our breeding program is now a family affair as I am a stay at home mother with three children; ages 9, 7 and 5 months, who want to help with the puppies as often as they can! We take time to genetically test our parent dogs for genetic conditions that could affect their breed. We do this so we can confidently offer healthy puppies to our families because we want you to love your new family for a very long time to come! We try to help make this happen by ensuring your puppy has been well socialized, your puppy has been raised in an environment that is clean and conducive with making potty training easier once your new puppy is home and we try to take some burden off by offering to meet halfway or deliver for a reasonable fee when needed. Sign Up For Updates Be the first to hear about new litters, availability, and helpful pet advice. Sign up. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Alabama Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Alabama? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Alabama? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. View all adoptable dogs Our Mission Our mission is to find safe, loving, lifelong homes for Golden Retrievers. No Golden Retriever will ever be turned away, regardless of medical needs or age. Every furry friend goes through a wellness check with our experienced veterinarians. We make sure every dog is up-to-date with current vaccinations, are spayed and neutered if necessary, receive heartworm treatment and are treated for any other medical issues that are needed. We have a c 3 classification with the IRS, making your donation tax deductible. We also meet the requirements for corporate matching, employee giving, and volunteer grant programs. Help us out today! Volunteer We are always in need of kind-hearted volunteers to join our team. Check out a few of the great volunteer roles available and then fill out an application form. Our Volunteer Director will get in touch and match your time and talent to our needs. Volunteer today! Community Events These community events are vital to new volunteer recruitment as well as finding homes for our dogs. Most events are held on the weekends throughout the year. Volunteers are always needed to help set up, man our table, and help tear down.

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan 2. Golden Acres The Golden Acres is one of the most trusted breeders in the state. They have over 20 years of experience working with Golden Retrievers and raising show-stealing puppies. Golden Retriever puppy eats kibbles. All the puppies are hand raised and socialized with children, adults, and other puppies. They also spend a lot of time outdoors, running and playing in the fresh air. Happy and Healthy Dogs Golden Acres is committed to raising happy and healthy puppies. All of their dogs are tested for genetic diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia. They also vaccinate their puppies. They also have a nutrition and exercise program to ensure the puppies are well taken care of. Unmatched Experience The team at Golden Acres is made up of experienced and knowledgeable breeders who have a passion for Golden Retrievers. They have years of experience in caring for, training, and breeding dogs. They are committed to learn and grow their knowledge of the breed to make improvements to the breeding process. They also have a strict breeding program to make sure they produce healthy and beautiful pups. They also have a temperament test to make sure their dogs are good-natured. Positive Training Golden Acres also puts a big emphasis on socializing their puppies. From the time the puppies are born, they start the socialization process. The puppies are introduced to different environments, sounds , and people. This helps ensure the puppies are well-adjusted and comfortable in new situations. They are dedicated to providing support to their customers and are available to answer questions anytime. The team also provides valuable advice throughout the lifetime of the puppy. They also offer a health guarantee so you can rest assured your puppy is healthy and well taken care of. The couple has two children and runs an at-home business boarding dogs and breeding exceptional Golden Retrievers. Contact Details:. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. We even have all types of golden retrievers for sale! At My Golden Retriever Puppies, we pride ourselves on our golden retriever price being fair and affordable for high quality puppies. Location Information for Michigan Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Michigan? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Michigan? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved.

Our Frenchie Claude loves getting out and about, so we go for walks twice a day. When we first started leash training, he was extremely stubborn and sometimes would even refuse to walk at all. On other times he would pull and act so manic that we struggled to control him. However, once we had learned how to leash train our French Bulldog life got a lot more enjoyable. I actually looked forward to going to the park rather than viewing our walks with trepidation. French Bulldog puppy leash training I am going to assume you already have a leash or harness. Some owners prefer harnesses that fit around the body, others a collar and leash combination. With the guide below, the aim is to understand how to leash train a stubborn French Bulldog from a puppy so that he will follow you or walk by your side at all times. He should not be refusing to walk or pulling you in all sorts of different directions. And before you start; patience, repetition, and consistency are the three key elements to leash training your Frenchie. Get your Frenchie puppy used to the leash indoors The first aspect of leash training is getting your Frenchie puppy used to having a collar or harness on. Handy Hint: If your Frenchie is frightened and starts to get anxious, stop the leash training immediately. A scared dog is very hard to train, so for leave it for a couple of hours. Your job here is to use distraction and praise to get them used to wearing it. We found that the best way was to put the leash and collar on Claude and then play with him in the house. This lets him associate having a leash on as being a positive and fun thing to do. As he walks towards you, reward him with a treat. Pick the right time for your first outdoor leash walk As with any dog training, sometimes the timing is key. A Frenchie who is excited and full of energy is going to be far harder to train. But it is a delicate balancing act, because conversely, a tired-out puppy will also be hard to train. You need to take the middle ground, and I recommend you play a quick game with your Frenchie before taking them for their first walk outdoors. A game of indoor fetch is a great way to tire a high energy dog out, and help them focus later on the leash walk. Try leash training outdoors for the first time Outdoors will be far more challenging mainly due to there being plenty of distractions. The aim is to get your French Bulldog puppy paying you constant attention when they are on the leash. Do the same thing as you did indoors. To keep them focussed on you only, make constant direction changes with verbal commands and treats. This can include zig zagging, or stopping, turning, and heading back in the other direction. Keep it random and keep it interesting. Make things fun when they get stubborn French Bulldogs love to play see what I mean here and you can use this in your leash training to great effect. If your French Bulldog puppy gets difficult on the leash, wants to go in different direction, or completely refuses to walk, then make things fun. The easiest way to do this is to start acting excitable; quicken your step, run a little, wave your arms, make silly noises — this will intrigue your stubborn Frenchie and in most cases they will follow you to see what the fuss is all about. Dealing with scary noises including cars One of the most important factors in leash training is getting your Frenchie used to the scary sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors. Leash training is a great opportunity to expose your French Bulldog to things it needs to get used to. The same goes for other dogs, wildlife, and loud noises. Claude is now fully leash trained and loves his walks. One of the biggest things we had to get Claude used to was cars driving past us. Our Frenchie would cower and be scared. It was the repetition, reassurance, reward, and continual exposure to traffic noise that got him over this fear — it did take 3 months though for him to be completely at ease with road traffic noise. Handy Hint: Find out why I recommend you use Frenchie harnesses and not collars particularly when training young Frenchie puppies. It takes time and patience. Here are two common problems with a suggested solution. Pulling on the leash For the first 12 months of taking Claude for walks he was a huge puller. Frenchies are excitable, and ours would pull because he knew he was going to be off the leash at the park once we got to our destination. Handy Hint: Read my views on whether Frenchies are good to walk without a leash and what you need to be careful of before doing so. It took some time for it to stop and also coincided with him maturing from puppy to adult. During the first year of leash training, I would always stand dead still as soon as he started pulling. Once I came to a stop, I would call him back to me, get him to sit, and reward him with a treat. I would then start walking again. If he started pulling, I would repeat the process. Over time our Frenchie learned not to pull. Chewing on the leash Almost every puppy will chew on the leash. This could not be further from the truth! Frenchies can develop bad habits at any age, and the older they do, the harder those habits are to shift! But a word of warning; French Bulldog leash training is much harder than people think. When you have a young puppy, they grow very quickly. They will get quicker and stronger as they get older meaning they will end up walking a lot faster than you. It could take a couple of months to get it right, but it will be worthwhile. You might also like… If you like this guide on how to teach a French Bulldog to walk on a leash you might also be in interested in the following guides:. Check Price 3. They are popular among Frenchie parents due to their ease of use and the fact that French Bulldogs usually adjust to them easily. French Bulldogs can wear a variety of harnesses to ensure their comfort and safety Features to Consider When Choosing a French Bulldog Harness Keeping your Frenchie safe and comfortable during walks and other activities is easy with the right French Bulldog harness. Get the wrong one, and you risk your dog slipping out or not wanting to wear it. Here are things to look out for when shopping for French Bulldog harnesses to get one that is perfect for your dog: 1. Materials The material used in making a harness determines how comfortable your dog will feel when wearing it. Therefore, you should only consider French Bulldog harnesses made with high-quality materials like cotton, nylon, and leather. You may need to try different materials to find the most comfortable one for your dog. Breathability Due to the structure of their flat face, Frenchies are more susceptible to breathing problems and, by extension, overheating than other dog breeds. When choosing the best harness for your French Bulldog, ensure that you opt for one that allows plenty of ventilation. This eliminates the risk of your dog suffering a heatstroke. Therefore, consider getting a harness with plenty of padding, especially around the chest and belly, to provide your dog extra comfort and safety. Adequate padding helps prevent rubbing or digging into the skin, reducing the risk of injuries and discomfort while wearing the harness. Attachment points Harnesses come with the leash attachment point on the front, back, or both. When choosing the best French Bulldog harness, you should note where its leash attachment points are, as that determines how much control you will have over your dog when walking them. Harnesses with front leash attachment offer more control than harnesses with back leash attachment. Reflective features This is optional but highly recommended if you intend to walk your Frenchie at night. Harnesses with reflective features, such as reflective strips or stitching, help to make your dog visible to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians in low-light conditions, reducing the risk of accidents. Finding the Right Fit for Your French Bulldog Before purchasing a French Bulldog harness, it is important to measure them first to ensure you get one that fits them correctly. Use a measuring tape Weight-based sizing can be misleading when shopping for the perfectly fitted French Bulldog harness. Although it can provide a general indication, it is not always accurate. Be sure to note the width of the chest at its widest point, typically an inch or two away from the armpits. If your Frenchie is a puppy, you can add an extra 3 inches to the recorded chest dimensions to allow room for growth. Weigh them Weighing your Frenchie is another step in selecting the perfect harness size. While it can be challenging to make them stand still, an easier way to do it is by carrying your dog and stepping onto the scales to obtain your combined weight. After taking note of the combined weight, place the dog back down and weigh yourself alone. Selecting the perfect harness for your Frenchie becomes much easier if you accurately measure their chest, neck, and weight. The tutorial video above provides a good visual guide on how to measure your pup for a harness. For the neck, measure around the widest part, usually right below where the collar sits. For the chest, measure around the broadest part, which is typically right behind the front legs. Always remember to check the fit regularly as your French Bulldog puppy grows, adjusting the harness or upgrading to a larger size when needed. Thus, a harness with a secure buckle system is a must to prevent any possible escape attempts. However, it is an essential part of their overall training and care. For this process to be as smooth as possible, there are a few tips that you can follow: 1. Gradual introduction Some French Bulldogs might find harnesses scary and may not want to have anything to do with them. If your Frenchie is one such dog, you can help them get comfortable by slowly introducing them to the harness. Allow them to sniff and inspect the harness before putting it on them. Positive reinforcement Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective tools to teach French Bulldogs acceptable behaviors. Be sure to reward your Frenchie with treats, praise, and attention when they show interest or interact with the harness. Gradually work towards putting the harness on them and reward them for wearing it without fuss. Patience and persistence Your Frenchie may not be excited about wearing a harness and could even throw a fit. However, this should not make you frustrated or cause you to give up on their training. Instead, take small steps each day and continue to reinforce positive behavior. This is important because if your dog experiences pain whenever they wear it, they would naturally resist wearing harnesses. You must also inspect the harness for damages and replace it if necessary. Finding the ideal harness for a French Bulldog puppy is slightly different than choosing one for an adult Frenchie. Given their smaller size and growing nature, harnesses for French Bulldog puppies should have some key attributes. First, opt for a harness that has a fully adjustable chest and neck area. This adaptability not only ensures that the harness fits your pup perfectly but also accommodates their rapid growth. Second, a good puppy harness should be lightweight and soft on the skin to avoid any unnecessary discomfort or chafing. For French Bulldog puppies, a harness with a broad chest piece is beneficial. June 17, No comments Is your French Bulldog pulling your arm off whenever you go for a walk? You might need some help to train this behavior out of them. Do French Bulldogs pull? Pulling on the leash is a common behavior in French Bulldogs. It can also cause accidents if your French Bulldog is lunging at things like cars or other animals along the road. Another bad thing about pulling is that it undermines your authority. Poor leash discipline can lead to poor discipline overall as your Frenchie realizes that they can bark , growl, pull, and ignore your commands without consequence. Training in general can be difficult for them, and this includes leash training. Why do French Bulldogs pull on the leash? This is the most common reason for leash pulling, especially in young puppies. Despite what you might have heard about the breed, French Bulldogs can be quite energetic, and they need regular exercise to keep them healthy. Does the pulling get worse when they see other dogs? Is it accompanied by barking, growling, lunging, or just excessively forceful attempts to sniff at the other pooch? In this case, the pulling might be a symptom of a bigger aggression or socialization problem. What triggers it? How do you respond to it? Is your Frenchie in any particular mood when it happens? Only by getting to the bottom of the problem can you figure out a proper solution for it. How do I stop my French Bulldog from pulling? To stop your French Bulldog from pulling, you might have to experiment with different methods. Generally speaking, however, here are some of the recommended methods to stop leash pulling: Take more walks. Invest in a no-pull harness. Stop walking whenever they pull. This can be helpful for dogs with aggression problems or those who are easily distracted by outside stimuli. Offer treats as positive reinforcement. Good luck! Padded Harnesses Types of French Bulldog Harnesses The market is full of different types of dog harnesses, each with its unique features, benefits, and limitations. Finding french bulldog harnesses can be tricky. Frenchie owners may find it tricky to pick the right harness. Here are some options! However, they might not be the best option for dogs with short snouts or those prone to tracheal issues. No Pull Harness Back Clip Harnesses Back clip harnesses have the ring leash attachment on the back and offer comfortable movement for the dog, reducing the chances of getting tangled. Back Clip French bulldog Harnesses Step In Harness Dual Clip Harnesses These offer the flexibility of both front and back ring leash attachment points, suitable for dogs at different stages of their training. Again, the Ruffwear front range harness is a dual clip harness. Most french bulldog harnesses made these days are dual clip harnesses. They are ideal for dogs that are nervous about things going over their head. Also Ideal for breeds prone to ivdd, focusing pressure more on the chest than the neck. Frenchie Friends Brand Step In Harness Padded Harnesses Padded harnesses provide additional comfort, especially for dogs with short hair or sensitive skin. Again with the Ruffwear! They really do tick all the boxes in terms of quality and features. Ruffwear Front Range Harness Introduction to French Bulldog Harnesses Dog harnesses are an essential item for dog owners worldwide, improving control and safety during walks while reducing the risk of injury to your furry friend. But with a plethora of options available, choosing the right harness can be a challenging task. A great french bulldog harness is necessary for Adult Frenchie to avoid damaging the spine, causing ivdd. Frenchie Brand Dog Harness Factors to Consider when Choosing a French Bulldog Harness Several factors play a crucial role in choosing the perfect french bulldog harness for your canine companion. Reflective strips for visibility can also be a valuable addition. Pros and Cons of Harnesses Front Clip Harnesses These days all french bulldog harnesses have both front and back clips. This feature is particularly beneficial for dogs that tend to pull on the leash. Reduces pulling: When a dog pulls, the front clip will cause them to turn around towards you, discouraging the pulling behavior. Not suitable for short-snouted dog breeds: Dog Breeds such as pugs and french bulldogs can have issues with front clip harnesses as the pressure may be too close to their throat, causing breathing difficulties. Back Clip Harnesses Again, now most french bulldog harnesses have both front and back clips. Easy to clip your French bulldogs into car seats, upping the safety factor Cons: Less control: If your french bulldogs are pullers, a back-clip harness might not be the best option as it provides less control than a front-clip one. Can encourage pulling: Some dogs might feel like pulling more when the leash is attached to their back, triggering their instinct to oppose the pulling pressure. You can attach the leash at the front for training or behavior correction, and at the back when just casually walking. Cons: Complexity: These harnesses can be a bit more complex to fit and adjust correctly. Step-In Harnesses Pros: Easy to wear: Your dog only needs to step into the harness, making it a good choice for dogs that are uncomfortable with harnesses sliding over their head. Cons: Less secure: Some step-in harnesses may not provide the same level of security and may come off more easily than other types. Padded Harnesses Pros: Extra comfort: The additional padding can provide more comfort for dogs, especially those with short hair or sensitive skin. Cons: Heat retention: The extra material might make your french bulldogs warmer, which may not be ideal in hot climates or for breeds prone to overheating. Try a cooling vest in summer when using this style! Remember, every french bulldog is unique, and their comfort is paramount. French Bulldog Harness Material Dog harnesses come in a variety of materials — nylon, polyester, and leather, to name a few. Each material has its own pros and cons. Nylon French Bulldog Harnesses: Durability: Nylon is known for its strength and can withstand rough use. Variety: They come in various colors and designs. Easy to Clean: Most nylon harnesses are machine washable. Cons: Can cause rubbing: In some dogs, particularly those with short hair or sensitive skin, nylon harnesses can cause chafing. Leather Harnesses: Durability: Leather harnesses are robust and long-lasting. Aesthetic appeal: They have a luxurious and classic look. Cons: Cost: Leather harnesses tend to be more expensive. Maintenance: They require regular cleaning and conditioning to keep the leather from drying out and cracking. A harness that is too tight can cause discomfort and restricted movement, while one that is too loose may not provide adequate control and can even be a safety hazard if your dog manages to slip out of it. Pros of a Well-Fitted French Bulldog Harness: Comfort: A well-fitted french bulldog harness ensures that your french bulldogs are comfortable during walks. May irritate skin. Risk of Escaping: A loose french bulldog harness might not provide adequate control, and your french bulldogs could potentially slip out. When buying a harness, look for one with adjustable straps that can be altered to get a perfect fit. Harness Training Tips for Your French Bulldogs Training your new French Bulldog Puppy to use a harness might require some time and patience, but the benefits are worth the effort. Getting your new French bulldog puppy accustomed to a new harness might take some time and patience. Start slow, let your bulldog puppy wear the harness for short periods initially. Reward them for their cooperation with treats and positive reinforcement. Collars are not recommended for regular use until at least 7 months of age. The trachea of the french bulldog puppy is still forming. Improper use of collars and putting pressure on the french bulldogs neck and throat can cause serious damage. However a breakaway collar with a bell is smart, allowing you to hear the puppy, for the puppy to get used to the feeling of a collar, and it still allows you the ability to show a sense of style. Never leave french bulldog puppies unattended with collars and harnesses on. Starting with the French Bulldog Harness: Introduction: Let your french bulldog dog sniff and explore the new harness. Reward their curiosity with treats. Adjustment: Place the harness on your french bulldog without fastening it. Give treats and praise during this process to create positive associations. Short Sessions: Begin with short sessions of having the harness on. Gradually increase the duration as your french bulldog dog gets comfortable. Walks: Start going for short walks. Use treats and praises as reinforcement. Remember, every french bulldog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are the keys to successful harness training. I know of a few companies that do! Red Dingo and Ruffwear. We prefer the over the head harness versus the step in harness. When looking at over the head harnesses, make sure to look for one with adjustable straps. French Bulldog heads can be huge and hard to get over, but once over the head, the harness can be extremely loose. Adjustable straps will make it easy to put on but securable for proper fitting. These can also be adjusted as the new french bulldog puppy grows! You will want to measure your frenchie puppy before going shopping for a puppy harness. You can find these at your local drug store or Walmart. Whether your french bulldog is small, medium, or large, you should use the same methods to measure them. To fit your french bulldog dog for a harness, you need two measurements: the neck and the chest. When measuring the neck, wrap the tape measure just below the narrow part where she normally wears a collar. The correct spot to measure will be right above them. When measuring the chest, take care to fit the tape measure around the widest part. Weight can also be a factor in finding the correct size. In addition to measurements, there are other factors that should also influence your purchase. Some harnesses are styled to fit certain body types better than others. The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is a great option for french bulldogs of all ages. Our lb french bulldogs fit in XS, lb french bulldogs fit in Small, and french bulldog pups easily fit in xxs. These french bulldog harnesses are all machine washable. The Red Dingo and Ruffwear have adjustment points, front clip, and padding. These two are my favorite. The Gooby harness is a mesh harness with an adjustable belly strap. This one is great for tiny french bulldog puppies. Kitten Collars Bells are helpful so you can hear your new french bulldog puppy beneath your feet. They come with bells and break away if the puppy should become stuck or strangled. If you are purchasing a new collar because your dog has out-grown its current collar, simply select the next size up from your measurement findings. Measure twice, buy once. But not every home has a soft tape measure. Or just take your string with you to the store! Add 1 — 2 inches to the initial measurement to give extra breathing room and comfort if the dog grows or gains weight. There are a bunch of companies that make fashionable Bulldog specific products. Check out Etsy and Facebook! Conclusion Selecting the right type of harness for your dog is crucial for their comfort, safety, and your peace of mind. As Frenchie owners, you can now feel confident during your shopping experience! FAQs How do I know the right size of the harness for my dog? Can a harness stop my dog from pulling? Training is the most effective way to stop pulling. Can my new french bulldog puppy wear a harness? Yes, but ensure it is the correct size and is adjusted properly to not impede their growth. Is a harness better than a collar? A harness provides better control and evenly distributes pressure, reducing the risk of injury. However, some well-behaved dogs may be comfortable with a collar. Pet parents often have a hard time picking out a new french bulldog puppy harness and collar for their puppy. Dont forget to subscribe and follow on socials! Home » Blog » Effective leash training tips for Frenchie parents Effective leash training tips for Frenchie parents Walking is probably on top of the list of things Frenchies and all dogs like doing most. The truth is that walking on a leash is a skill that puppies need to acquire, so in the beginning it will be your task to get them to like it. In this article, we reveal the essential steps in achieving this, and also share some tips for your grown Frenchie to make walking times enjoyable for both of you! Getting used to the collar The very first step of leash training is to make sure that your Frenchie puppy is comfortable wearing a collar. We recommend doing this at home in your living room where your puppy feels comfortable, and never on the street or in the shop. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! Be prepared that they will probably hate it first and will start chewing on it. The goal is the same as it was with the collar: make them forget about it. When they are finally paying attention to you rather than the leash, you can praise them and show how happy you are with them. If you see that your puppy is up for it, you can slowly try walking up and down in your living room holding the leash. You can then gradually increase the distance, and finally when you manage to make it to the other room you should regard that as a huge achievement! That definitely calls for some extra praising and petting! Remember that small steps will get you far! Check out our French Bulldog Puppies Time to go outside! You should be aware that first there will be a lot of excitement for your puppy: they will hear new sounds, smell new scents and see new things all at once! To you it might just seem that your Frenchie is being stubborn, but they are actually afraid of the new environment which is full of scary sounds and things. No puppy was born already knowing how to walk on the leash, this is a skill they need to acquire. They will very soon realize what an amazing thing it is exploring the world with you, and they are also smart enough to learn that the leash is actually for their own safety. If you are patient, take small steps and use positive reinforcement, it will all be fine! Training your grown Frenchie Once your puppy is bigger and has learned how to walk on the leash, they might eventually get a bit too confident and will try to be the boss at walking times. You should make sure that you never let your puppy pull on the leash and decide which way to go. Just like with any training, you need to be very consistent and expect these things from them every single time you go for a walk! The great debate: harness or collar? This might come as a surprise but we actually recommend using a collar rather than a harness. Dog trainers will usually agree that a harness gives too much confidence to a dog, while a collar can be used to discipline them when they are misbehaving. The reason is that as soon as they start pulling on the leash it will get tighter on their neck, which might seem like a bad thing at first glance but is actually a very effective way of training them. Visit our webshop to find some great leashes, collars and harnesses from Chewy that we recommend for your puppy! The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available puppies here , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article. Do you think you should do that too? Collars are mostly used for providing identification for dogs because of their convenience of use. When your frenchie is a young puppy. Most of the time puppies dislike harnesses because it can feel uncomfortable for them. Collars can feel more comfortable because the affected area is only around their neck. For short walks and if your Frenchie has already learned not to pull on the leash while walking,you can use the collar. Although you can choose to use a collar for your Frenchie , there are still pros and cons to weigh. These lists of pros and cons can also help you determine if using the collar is best for you and your fur baby. Pros: More comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time so they are perfect as identification tag holders for most days or most hours of the day. There is a wider variety of collars to choose from. For instance, our very own Sport Chic leather collar is a soft vegan leather which is not always the case for all collars. Many tend to be sturdier. Easy to wear in and off. Cons: It is possible for your dog to slip out of the collar especially when it is not properly fitted. Collars that are pulled can cause damage to the thyroid and trachea of the dogs. This is especially true for brachycephalic dog breeds like French Bulldog, Chihuahua and Pekingese There are also dangers of collars that can get caught and can suffocate the dog. This is why it is not advisable to keep the collar on the dog when unattended and playing with other dogs or in the yard. In an article written by Caryl Wolff, a certified dog trainer in 5 different organizations in the US and internationally, she writes that she prefers and recommends using a harness for dogs of smaller breeds because they are more prone to a collapsing trachea. When your activity involves longer walks around the block or the park. Similarly, Pet Owens, a professional dog trainer and a known leader when it comes to force-free and non-violent training, writes that he believes that a properly fitted harness is better than a collar while walking a dog. The pressure dissipates more evenly when the dog pulls on the leash. When you are training a puppy. Puppies are highly active and they tend to be more distracted. This is why they can pull on the leash or jump in excitement even after feeling the pressure on their collar. A harness for your frenchie simply provides more control over your pup while walking. Pros and Cons Of Using a Harness Preferred by more pet parents as it seems, the harness also have some pros and cons that you should think about. These will also help you with properly using the harness in times when you choose to put it on your Frenchie. Pros: There is less pull stress during leashed walks when a harness is used because it dissipate the pressure evenly over the body. Provides better control over french bulldogs. Reduces risk of neck pulling injuries especially for dogs of smaller breed and those who have a shorter snout like the French bulldog. Cons: Prolonged wearing of a harness can cause chafes on the skin so it is still better to switch up to collars from time to time. An article by Carol McCarthy for petmd. Front-hook harnesses can also cause discomfort when they are not fitted properly. You should also take a look at the design especially the hardware included. Some dogs may also be allergic to various materials so make sure you figure out what the harness or collar is really made of. Fit — Fit and comfort goes together hand in hand to make sure that wearing a collar or a harness is a good experience for your dog. If not, then your dog may become traumatized or may reject wearing his collar or harness. Dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You should also take a look at the quality of how the collars or harnesses are made. Take a closer look at the stitches and attachments or even read reviews created by previous owners. Style — Style is cosmetic and personal but as frenchie parents, we would love to make our fur babies look their best. Our little Fashionista Kumi also enjoys to be able to switch between collars and harnesses she wears for various occasions and for everyday use. Value — The overall value of the collar or harness should also be consider. It is important to consider factors such as comfort, fit, durability, style and overall value, to find a product that is most suitable for your frenchie. Many personal trainers are open about their preference on using a harness over a collar but many still understand the convenience and importance of using a collar. There are still instances when the collar proves to be better than the harness and vice versa. This is also the reason why we are confident with our choice of using both a collar and a harness for our Frenchie baby. About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups. This will depend on the size of your frenchie pup. For starters, you can choose lightweight ones and move to heavier and sturdier ones as your Frenchie puppy grows into an adult. It is best not to place the leash right after you call the attention of your puppy for doing something mischievous because it might think that the collar and leash are punishments. Try placing it while your puppy is resting or playing inside your home. Make sure to check the fit so it is not too tight nor too loose. Putting on a collar and leash on an anxious puppy will cause it to be more scared. Your presence and attention may distract them from the collar and leash. It is also best to let them roam freely inside the house with the leash. Ease into taking the leash and try to lead your puppy into walking around the house, but do not force your puppy into it. Rewards such as a toy, treat or a belly rub when it lets you lead them while walking can also help them develop positive feelings towards the collar and leash. It is best to choose a quite place outside for your first walk outdoors. This lessens distractions that can cause your Frenchie to become overly excited and pull on its leash. Let your leash hang loose to let them explore and figure out their limits. Keep your composure, remain calm and be firm. About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups.

However, there can be some other physical differences between a male and a female. Similar to other breeds, the female Boxer is also slightly different from the male one. Those differences are as follows. Male Male Boxers used to be heavier than females. They weigh around 65 to 80 pounds, and their height is about .They have a healthy muscular body with floppy ears, droopy eyes, and squashed face. Female It is a fact the females are shorter in size than the male ones. Female boxers are significantly smaller than the males. Females can be up to a height of around 21 to .Temperamental Differences It is thought the male dogs are aggressive and dominant than females. However, to some people, temperament is an instinct that can be controlled by proper social training. Male Male Boxers are very much aggressive than the female Boxers and are territorial at home. They are more playful at home with the children and need at least 40 minutes of exercise daily. Male Boxers are highly energetic and excited about to do new things, and they take more time to mature as compared to males of other breeds. Male Boxers are comparatively challenging to train than their female counterparts. However, it takes longer for both sexes to get house trained easily. They are aggressive because of their genetic traits and history as a hunting dog and also falls into the category of working dogs. Furthermore, male Boxer is more confident than females. Due to their cuddly nature, playful nature, males can be the best companion for your family. Female Females Boxers are quicker to aggression as compare to their male counterparts. But they are equally loyal and friendly as the males. The mood of female Boxes changes day by day, which makes them less predictable than the males. However, as they age, their temperament and mood used to gets in control. The positive point about the female Boxers is that they are very obedient and dutiful and are comparatively easy to train than the male Boxers. Females are also very affectionate and loving to family members. They are more emotionally attached than the Male Boxers, although they are not very much excited about the playfulness but are a very affectionate companion for the household due to their sensitive nature. Trainability Differences Training plays a vital role in determining the behavior of your pup currently and in the future. Training and exercise go parallel with each other, which is necessary for every dog. Therefore, the ability to get trained easily by your pup matters a lot. It is recommended that the breeds which are hard to train are for experience owners and which are moderately easy to train are for new pet owners. Male Male Boxers are typically challenging to train as compared to female Boxers. But due to their medium-large size, they are not as hard as the large or giant size breeds. Males usually have an independent nature, which pushes them to retaliate during the training sessions. Generally, Boxers are a bit stubborn in terms of temperament, but male Boxers are more stubborn, which can be difficult for the new pet owner who has no experience with the breed in the past. However, they are a sweetheart when it comes to loyalty and playfulness. Training techniques with positive reinforcement can make them your best family companion. Female Females are relatively easy to train as compare to their male counterparts. They are also a bit stubborn, as we have discussed above, similar to males but are also very obedient to their master. It is seen that female Boxers are more cooperative in training and gets attached to its master and family member more easily. Another interesting fact is female Boxers are quicker, active, and responsive than the male Boxers, which contribute to more speedy training. Although females get frightened more quickly than males. They are not prone to heavy-handed training and gestures. They need motivation, firmness, patience, and consistency to get along with the training. Health Differences Boxers are susceptible to many genetic or inherited health concerns, which can shorten their life expectancy. It should be kept in mind that both the males and females are prone to some common genetic disorders. Boxers are no more different than the other breeds. Male Male Boxers are prone to testicular cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia besides the common genetic disorders of the breed. These specific disorders related to male Boxers can be prevented by the process called neutering in which the testicles of males are removed that eliminates their sexual desire. According to petMD, neutering the males not only eliminates the specific health problems related to gender but also the risks of other common health problems and increases the life expectancy. Some common health concerns are cherry eye, dry eye, entropion, reverse sneezing, hip dysplasia, tail problem, and patellar luxation. Female Females are also prone to some specific health concerns such as uterine infections and mammary cancer besides the common genetic health concerns which we have discussed above. Fortunately, uterine infections and mammary cancer can be prevented by a process called spaying. Spaying is the process in which the uterus and ovaries are removed to avoid unwanted pregnancy. With Children Every pet owner is mostly concerned about the friendliness and adoption capability of the dogs in household settings with children. Because every family has children and to be a family pet, the dogs must be friendly and harmless. However, to some folks, it also depends on the training. Early socialization and proper training can control the stubbornness in the Boxers. They are gentle and playful with the kids at home. Male Male Boxers are very energetic and excited. They get mature at the age of 3 years, which is relatively longer than the other breeds of the same size. Males are more playful and extrovert, and they enjoy the company of small children But you should keep an eye on them while they fun with children at home as they are playful and friendly, but after all, they are medium-large dogs. Boxers have a natural habit of jumping on the people to have fun. However, this habit can be eliminated by obedience and household training. Female Females are more reserved than males, and they are not as much excited as males and subtle. Because they become mature earlier than the males and are equally protective for the family members. Due to their delicate nature, they are not as harmful as the males for the children. Both males and females are stubborn in their early life. Therefore, early socialization and obedience training is recommended for all type of different people. With Other Dogs When you opt to bring a Boxer at home, you should be aware of the specific behavior of both sexes. Males and females respond to the same or opposite genders differently. And without knowing those factors, it can be problematic for you in the future. They are some indoors and outdoors things which you should consider before selecting any one gender. Male Males Boxers are dominant and territorial with other males. They bark on each other, which can be exhausted and frustrating for the owners. Therefore, it remains a challenge for the breeders to form a hybrid or designer breed of them. However, within the same breed, their behavior is no more different than the males of other breeds. From the age of six, male Boxers start to react to the females in heat, and adult ones become aggressive to do anything for mating with the female Boxer. This aggression can be prevented by neutering the males. Making them sexually disable can also significantly increase their lifespan. Female You should be aware of the fact that females are more temperamental and aggressive towards females. They can end up in terrible battles, especially when they raise cubs, they become overly protected and aggressive. Females have a heat cycle twice in the year, which lasts for 3 to 4 weeks. In their period, they attract the males in the area which can be shameful for you if you take them in the neighbor and can result in an unwanted pregnancy. To avoid this, a female can be spayed. Spaying is the process in which the ovaries and uterus of the females are removed. Which Is Better For Families? And what fits best for you and your family. Because it depends on the owners and their pet needs according to their family setting. If you are more interested in a smaller size of the breed, then you can opt for a female one. Both sexes can be trained for household settings. Existing Dogs Similarly, if you have a female dog at home, bring a male neutered male, and if you have male and at home, you can bring a spayed female to avoid unwanted pregnancy. It can be severe trouble if you opt for a female Boxer and your neighbor has a male dog. It can create a problem during her periods and can result in unwanted pregnancy until the female is spayed. In this scenario, a male Boxer can be preferred. Advantages of male Boxer in a family environment: Male Boxers are playful and excited. They love to hang around different people Boxers are more social than their female counterpart They are incredibly protective of the owners. Loyal and fun-loving naturally. Advantages of female Boxer in a family environment: Female boxers are more intelligent due to early maturity They have better control over themselves Females Boxers have ideal size for a family More adaptable for the small children Loyal and equally protective as their male counterpart. Which Is a Better Guard Dog? The history of Boxers has a root to 2, BC. Their ancestors were the war dogs of the Assyrian Empire. They were also used for hunting down the bear, wild boar, and bison in the past. And it is then used as a working dog. It shows that both male and female Boxers can be a good guard dog. Both genders are still used as a working dog as well as the home guardian. They have the capability to protect the property and family members from any unwanted strangers nearby. Due to their protective nature, they are used by different departments. Advantages of male Boxer as a guard dog: They best fit to protect the property Male boxers are territorial More protective for their territory Thrilling and courageous Energetic with natural hunting instincts Aggressive and dominant Advantages of female Boxer as a guard dog: Quick to aggression and temperamental Best fit for a personal guardian More attached with the owners but rarely shows affection Courageous and takes every risk to protect the owners More protective about the family members Final Thoughts Boxer is one of the famous medium-large size breeds for the family because of their energetic, loving, and playful nature regardless of gender. However, male Boxers are recommended for the people who need large size highly active, playful, and excited companions at home. And females are recommended for the people who need a reasonably small, energetic, quicker, reserved, mature, and careful dog at home. Obedience and household training matter a lot for both sexes as Boxer is an indoor breed. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Female Boxer Dog Overview Boxers are energetic, charismatic, and playful pooches that are also sweet, kind, and gentle yet fiercely loyal and protective. Although differences between males and females are small when it comes to Boxers, there are a few key differences to be aware of that may influence your choice. But how do you know which sex is right for you? While there is no straightforward answer, there are certain aspects that can help your decision. If you want a pooch that is more independent, calculated, and less impulsive, a female Boxer is probably better. These dogs can have an imposing appearance at first glance, but once you spend just a short time with one of these pooches, you quickly see their sweet and gentle side. This makes them great family pooches and ideal playmates for children, but this long puppyhood can also make training a challenge, especially with male Boxers. Males are also more energetic and easily excitable, and since they mature slower than females, they are also more difficult to train. That said, both male and female Boxers are late to mature, so training can be a challenge for both sexes. Males are more attention-seeking than females and are less happy to be alone. They become more attached to their owners and prefer to be around their human family whenever possible. Lastly, male Boxers are also known to be bolder, more outgoing, and more confident than females, making them excellent family protectors. Training Male Boxers are definitely more of a challenge to train than females, as they tend to act out and get easily distracted, and their dominant nature makes them want to be the leader of the pack. These dogs need a ton of patience, consistency, and a firm but gentle hand for successful training. While males can be more of a challenge, in all fairness, the Boxer breed in general is known to be challenging in training. Some of the conditions that only males are susceptible to can be prevented by neutering, and this simple procedure may prevent other general health conditions too. Common health issues include:.

Practice extinction conditioning: if your dog begs, ignore it completely. Consider giving your dog a toy or treat to keep it busy just before you sit down for dinner. If you get through dinner without your dog begging or trying to steal food, reward him afterwards with a treat and positive reinforcement. If the problem persists, avoid having any food out in front of it, and consider restricting its access to the kitchen using baby gates. If your Boxer barks excessively at the doorbell or phone, try training it to go to a designated area whenever it hears that particular sound. Repeat this process to teach it what the word means. Gradually set the mat farther away from the dog before giving the command as it begins to understand what the word means. Eventually, substitute the command word for the sound entirely, and be sure to offer plenty of positive reinforcement when your dog goes to its mat at the sound of the doorbell or knock. Increasing and varying its exercise if your Boxer is acting up in a non-aggressive way. Just letting a Boxer outside to use the bathroom is not sufficient exercise. It needs one to two hours a day of brisk exercise that involves both physical and mental exertion. If your Boxer starts to act up or act aggressively, such as when passing another dog on a walk, redirect its attention. Give the leash a tug to let your dog know it's time to move on, especially if it didn't respond to your verbal command and pointing. Boxers are energetic dogs and love to jump, but you should never let your dog jump on you or other people. When your dog jumps, do you best to completely ignore its behavior. Not giving your Boxer any attention at all is more of a punishment than yelling or hitting it, and will teach it that jumping is unacceptable behavior. Consider the amount of exercise it gets and increase or vary if necessary. Talk to your vet or local humane society about finding a reputable trainer. Contact your local pet store and ask if they have dog training classes. Ask if they have classes for dogs and their owners so you can learn more about how to curb aggressive behavior. Before you start training your Boxer puppy—or, even better, before you get the puppy—read up on what kind of training is ideal for your breed. Check online, local libraries and local organizations. You can also ask your vet for advice. Remember, the more knowledgeable you are, the better you know how to react under different circumstances. Make sure as well that you have what you need to effectively train your dog. If you're planning to clicker train, get a clicker. If you're planning to crate train, get the right-sized crate. Also be sure to pick up an appropriate collar and leash for general training. A leash should be no more than five to six feet in length. The best leashes for training are leather. Always check your equipment to make sure it is in good order and not liable to snap or break. Training works best when you dedicate a couple of short sessions 10 to 15 minutes twice a day to it. Try to train at times when the dog is not tired, but also not bursting with pent-up energy. Karen Pryor. Publisher: Ringpress Books Consider expending your Boxer's energy before training sessions by allowing him 20 to 30 minutes of high-intensity physical activity. This will enable him to better focus on training. Try to train the dog in a place where there are few distractions, so that your Boxer puppy can focus his attention on you. This means avoiding places with other animals or people. Always begin training in your home or yard and build up to environments with more distractions e. Your commands need to be simple, short, clear and consistent. Don't lecture your dog; they're not human so they don't process language in the same way. Phrases like "I've told you not to do that" or "Please stop chewing on the table" will not work as they are too complicated. John Bradshaw. Publisher: Penguin Experts believe that a given dog registers the first part of the word as the most important, so longer commands such as "Sit Fido if you want a treat" are liable to confuse him. Just say the word "Sit" instead. In general, shouting at any dog is ineffective. This is especially true for Boxers who are hyper breed by nature. Use a firm but pleasant and upbeat voice when instructing your dog; don't yell or lose control. Dogs are very intuitive and will be able to sense your frustration and may react in kind. The tone of voice matters, especially since, again, dogs don't process language in the same way that humans do. So how you say something may mean as much if not more than what you say. Publisher: Penguin Boxers are playful by nature, and a light, breezy tone will not suffice; he will think you are just playing with him if you are not firm enough. Try using hand gestures at the same time as you issue verbal commands. For example, raise your hand at the same time as saying "Sit". Dog behaviorists believe that dogs look for multiple clues as to what we want them to do, which includes the command word, tone of voice, and body language. Admonishing a Boxer puppy too long after the incident is ineffective. If you need to admonish or correct your dog, it needs to be done during or within a few seconds of the act. Dogs will have forgotten the event within seconds of its occurrence, so it's key to address the behavior immediately in order to facilitate the retraining process. Boxers are notoriously stubborn and steadfast, so you may have to correct your puppy numerous times. Always be consistent in your commands and desires of the dog. This helps your dog to understand what is expected. Don't forget to enforce training when you are out and about, so that your dog doesn't just thinking that "Sit" and "Stay" are things he has to do in the yard or house. By enforcing commands in public places it helps your Boxers to understand he must obey under all circumstances. Leave no room for doubt about what is acceptable behavior for your Boxer puppy. If he is not allowed on the furniture, be consistent. Boxers won't understand the concept of "sometimes"; they are either permitted to lie on the couch or they are not. If you live with other people, make sure that everyone in the house is on board with the training program. Using different words for the same action will confuse the dog, disrupt the training already done, and ultimately delay progress. When a Boxer Dog Won't Listen Stubborn and Strong Willed Boxers Overview It can be very frustrating and distracting to the entire household if a Boxer puppy or older adult dog is not listening to his owner. Many owners assume that their dog will naturally and instinctively listen to them; however, this is not always so. And when a Boxer dog stubbornly disregards you, this can affect everything from being able to properly walk your dog, having him eat where you wish, being able to groom him, knowing he will come when you call and even such things as him moving out of the way when you want to sit on the sofa. With the Boxer being a good sized dog typically 55 to 70 lbs. In many cases, a Boxer that does not listen believes that he is in charge and it is an issue that will not fix itself. Every pack has a leader. This is the Alpha. It can be no other way. In households with more than 1 adult human, there can be shared leaders. Those that fall under the Alpha are the Betas. When a Boxer dog understands proper hierarchy, he is a Beta. And as such, due to strong canine instinct, that Boxer will always listen to his human. However, there are many things that can go wrong. Proper hierarchy, with the dog listening to his human is not a given. In either of these 2 cases, the Boxer will not listen to his owners. Notes Regarding Age Before you take on the training needed so that your stubborn Boxer will start listening to you, it is important to take note of some age related scenarios. Puppies — Teaching hierarchy takes time and you cannot expect a new puppy to understand his place during his first couple of months in the house. Most puppies have limited focus, bouncing from one thing to another. Curiosity and exploration is high. Memory is limited. Many Boxer puppies will appear to listen from Day 1, however in most cases this is a matter of the pup responding to your vocalizations in a search for comfort. It will be important to follow hierarchy guidelines so that they are understood during the puppy stage, leading to having an adult Boxer that listens well. Any bad habits established at a young age can become very ingrained. It is much easier to teach correct behavior and action to begin with, as opposed to correcting it later. Seniors — As a Boxer dog ages, it is common for him to experience decreased vision and hearing. Particularly with decreased hearing, this can be misinterpreted as the dog developing behavior of not listening any longer. Some signs of hearing loss include not responding to sudden noises door slamming, hand clapping, etc. Boxers, starting at the age of 8 or 9 years old, should be receiving twice-per-year geriatric veterinarian health checks and part of this will be both vision and hearing tests. Do be sure to have such things ruled out before taking any steps to train your Boxer to listen to you. Signs that a Boxer is Dominant Vs Lack of Command Comprehension When a dog does not listen to his owners, it comes down to 1 of 2 elements: 1. Lack of Command Comprehension. A Boxer may very well see you as his leader, however may not listen because he does not understand what is requested of him. This would then be a matter of using a more effective training technique for teaching commands and heeling. It will be important to obtain a solid, reputable training guide in order to prep yourself as a trainer and create a conducive learning environment. If proper hierarchy is there, you only need to follow effective training techniques to have success. A Boxer is Dominant. As we touched on, if a Boxer does not see his human as his leader, he has no reason to listen. He will do as he pleases and while he appreciates his connection to his humans, he sees them as equals and not as leaders. Echo, at 3 months old Photo courtesy of Keith Farrelly Commands mean nothing and are ignored. He may appear to listen, however he is essentially listening only when he wishes, and particularly only when he perceives that doing so is in his best interest. Signs of a dominant dog include: When you open the door, he rushes past you to run outside before you exit Running away and not stopping when you call out his name Jumping up on you even if you order him to get down Taking over furniture and not moving out of the way when you want to sit down When being let off leash outside, running away quickly without listening to a verbal cue from you that he is allowed to explore When on leash for his daily walk, the Boxer walks ahead of you, pulling on the leash and essentially leading the way Jumping on or pestering guests, not listening to you to leave them alone Insistence on sleeping in your bed Only listening to command some of the time or not at all 4 Steps to Take for Your Boxer Dog to Listen to You This all boils down to needing to teach a Boxer why he should listen to you. He has no concept that you pay the rent, buy him his food and that you spend time reading articles here in an effort to take better care of him. He is not purposefully being defiant; he simply does not know why such a thing is even expected of him. So, what will automatically make a Boxer dog listen? As touched on above, canine instinct dictates that obedience is given to whomever he sees as his leader. Strong leaders are simply not ignored. Such a thing cannot happen in the canine world. Listening to a leader is an automatic response. And doing so actually creates a more content dog. When a dog takes on the Alpha role or if he sees his human as a weak leader, this puts a lot of stress and responsibility on that dog. He takes his place as Beta, listens well and all is right with the world. It is important to note that ensuring your proper place as leader can and should be done in a loving way. You will be a caring, kind and fair leader. Nothing about this is harsh and expecting your Boxer to listen to you is not only appropriate, it is the path to a balanced, happy household. The rules of getting a Boxer puppy or dog to listen are not that difficult; the element that many owners do have is consistency. Appearing to be wavering will be taken as a sign of weakness and self-doubt. This only works if everyone in the household is on board and if these rules are followed all of the time. Canines know that food equals survival. When humans talk about basic survival being food, clothing, shelter and fire, with dogs it is just food. If your Boxer is not listening to you, chances are that he has zero idea that it is you who provides his food. While other guidelines are helpful in getting a dog to listen and show obedience, without this one, it will be a failure. Food, beyond doubt, is the 1 element. It is recommended that all humans in the household take turns in feeding the Boxer his meals and snacks. If only one person takes charge of this, the Boxer may see just that person as his leader and will listen to him, but be disobedient to others. Follow the rules for any food that is given; both meals and snacks. Vary the time that you have him hold. For at least 1 meal of the day, make sure that your Boxer sees that you eat first. A dog only needs to see his human begin eating do not make him watch you eat the entire meal. You will want to prepare both your meal and his. You then place his bowl where he cannot reach it. Sit at the table. When your Boxer is looking at you, take several bites. Ignore any barking , jumping, begging or whining. The correlation we touched on earlier in regard to a Boxer rushing out of the house first and also being a dog that does not listen is crucial in understanding how to fix the obedience issue. Through the eyes of a canine, the house is his den. It is his safe place, one to relax with his pack and defend from outsiders. And there is one major rule in regard to the den: The leader of it has the privilege to enter it and exit it first. His Betas then follow him. How to fix this: Take charge of this by being the one to enter and exit first. It is recommended to: 1. Within a few feet of the door, command your Boxer to 'Sit'. While he is holding, attach his leash. Reaffirm the 'Sit' command by repeating it as you open the door. Close the door to block him from exiting and again order him to sit. For puppies that are being housebroken , certainly do not allow an accident to occur just to follow this training. But at all other times that you take your Boxer outside, do follow this. Belle, at 4 months old Photo courtesy of Mireya 3 Handling Gridlock. While it may seem very innocent to walk around your Boxer if he is in the hallway or other area that you need to pass by, allowing a dog to remain in place and stepping over or around him sends the wrong signal. It should be the dog that moves for the owner and not the other way around. And the Boxer should, on first command, listen to the order to move off of the sofa or at the very least, make room for his owner. If you allow a Boxer to secure dominance over any area of the house, this is essentially telling a dog that he is in a power position, and you — the subordinate- will accommodate him by troubling yourself to move around him or sit yourself on a difference piece of furniture. And as you can imagine, passing this sort of message to a dog will then lead to all sorts of hierarchy issues, including the one of being ignored and not being listened to. How to fix this: Again, this should all be done with love. Do not take no for an answer. If need be, attach his leash and physically lead him away. In time, with the other rules followed, once your Boxer sees that you are his leader, he will automatically make room for you as you approach, which is a clear sign of respect. So many people joke about a dog walking his owner when they see a dog running ahead on lead. And many owners assume that it is normal for a dog to walk ahead, sniffing and pulling on the leash. What does it really hurt? However, this is a huge missed opportunity to teach your Boxer that you deserve respect. However, you — as a leader that should be listened to and respected — should be in charge when walking. Many owners skip over any sort of heeling training, assuming that it is too difficult and too involved. Additional Tips for a Stubborn Boxer that Does Not Listen When followed with confidence and without fail, the above 4 steps will set proper hierarchy back to where it should be. This said, some Boxers will not go along with the change without at least giving it a bit of a fight. There may be a power struggle for several weeks until the dog finally gives in, accepts his Beta role and begins to listen. If there is indeed a lot of resistance, there are some other things to look at: 1. Spaying and neutering has many benefits including decreased risks for some cancers and of course prevention of an unplanned tie. You might be surprised just how often this happens. While there is some debate over this in regard to female dogs, most experts agree that it is helpful with males. Sleeping arrangements. For these reasons, we highly suggest never starting this to begin with. A Boxer should have his own sleeping area. This should be a high quality canine bed for proper support and be placed in a common area such as the living room, so that the Boxer is not isolated but has his own area to retreat to when feeling tired. Superior positioning. For this, you will not sit on the floor with your Boxer. If you are sitting on a chair or sofa, your Boxer will remain on the floor and by your feet is just fine. Maintaining Authority Once you have things under control and your Boxer is starting to listen to you, it is not the time to let up on how you handle these elements. Canines are always aware of the pecking order. As canines, they are constantly on alert to notice weakening spots in the system. Veterinarians, animal behavioral experts and professional trainers all agree on one thing: Dogs that are taught to be obedient tend to be happier and more relaxed. And that ensuring your Boxer always listens to you not only makes for a peaceful household, but can also keep him safe. Things to do now.Become a Member if you are not already a Member -Receive reminders when we add new pages of information, add the new Boxer Dog Blog - Topic of the Month and you can suggest something for us to write about. Check out our book - Simply the most comprehensive, helpful Boxer dog book that exists. How To.Your Boxer DogMost would agree that the day you bring the Boxer puppy home, you must already pick the.Disciplining one is a matter of thinking and working a step ahead of your Boxer. Do it with love, gentleness but firmness as well. Also, a Boxer that is well behaved today may not remain so forever. So make the discipline constant. Training your Boxer is the most important thing you will do for him and for yourself in order to have a much better relationship together. A trained Boxer will listen and can safely be allowed freedom more than an untrained one. A disciplined and well-trained Boxer is more confident and makes a wonderful companion that is smart, soulful, most people-oriented dog and blessed with boundless energy - a pleasure to live with. A poorly trained dog can be a loud and destructive nuisance around the house that weighs on you more like a commitment and responsibility rather than a blessing. It is not fair on the dog and certainly not fair on you. Start the training some place that is familiar to your Boxer, where there is minimum distraction. So after both of you are skilled at several obedience commands, start taking him to different areas for practice, where there are increasing amount of distractions present. Examples are near a supermarket, busy parking lot and a busy park on Sundays. So it's worth the effort. Keep in mind Boxers are intelligent. Being an intelligent dog has its own advantages and drawbacks. They are quick to learn. It also means Boxers have a mind of their own that would sometimes show up as stubbornness. Thus, they can be harder to train than most other dogs due to their independence. As owners, you must maintain respect between you and your Boxers. Respect goes both ways. Respect their intelligence. Love them. Set the rules for behavior. Trust them. There is no need for extreme measures to show Boxers that you are the top dog. Handle their hard-headedness with patient and don't give up on their training. And because they are stubborn, conventional obedience training may not be the most effective way to get them to listen to you. Utilize their high play drive for more effective obedience training. There are a lot of really good books available on this type of training. Basically Boxers are intelligent and could be stubborn. So you have to outwit them! You can't make him do stuff unless it is FUN. Otherwise you are wasting both your time and his. Your Boxer's favorite activities should become training, so that training becomes his favorite activity. Boxers LOVE to play! You will have the happiest Boxer in the world and most obedient if you will just spend some time, giving them your undivided attention everyday. Otherwise they feel ignored, bored and will tear or chew things up and will not listen to you. Some tried and proven tactics you can use to make your Boxers listen to you more. If play is encouraged at ground level, this builds your role as the dominant or top dog when you are standing and training your puppy. If the puppy is allowed to jump up and initiate play, then this can lead to unwanted jumping up as the Boxer gets older. However, it suffice to teach your Boxer to obey simple commands of raising a paw in a handshake, giving a hand lick for a kiss or doing a roll over to show his submission to you. Most Boxers love performing these simple tricks obedience commands for you. There is no need for extreme measures to prove you are the boss. Obedience training should be fun and rewarding for you and your Boxer. This is the easiest way to show to your Boxer who is the boss. But this is easier said than done when there are many people in the family and not all would respect the rule. It is best to have many short 5 to minute lessons than a single, long minute lesson. Keep the training session short and sweet. Lengthy session easily becomes dull, boring and tedious for both you and the Boxer. Gradually move the training to places with more and more distractions so he will learn to obey your commands despite the distractions. Be kind but be firm while training and never give in to what they want. It seems cruel but in the long run you will have a much better relationship with you boxer. Have a big play by running and throwing his favorite toys. For example, when your Boxer gets on the lounge with you, say "sit - down" and he should sit then lay down on your lap. Have him wait till people enter and come up the stairs then he gets a treat. This particular owner noticed that even when the gate is left open the Boxers don't usually go by unless they see a squirrel or cat! Always keep him leashed outdoors if not in a fenced area. He can run faster than you and you will not catch him if he runs for the road! Boxers and Obedience Class Discipline is one of the most important aspects of owning a Boxer. Puppy school is not an option, it is a necessity to train owners, including children in the family, how to manage the Boxer and nurture it into becoming a well-adjusted member of the family. Puppy school is for the Boxers to help develop good habits right from the start. Wait until your Boxer is at least 6 months old before putting him through any serious work. Trainers with extensive experience and knowledge can deal with just about any behavior problems your pup might come up with. Choose a trainer who is purposeful and patient. The well-trained Boxer is a sight to behold going through his paces in the class. Their innate intelligence makes many Boxers great successes in the obedience ring. Of more importance is for you as owner to continue to practice the obedience lessons with your Boxers. They will best remember the lessons when you incorporate them into your everyday routines with your dog. For example you can tell your pup to "heel" while he follows you around the house, and to "sit" and "stay" while you prepare his dinner. As your wake up greeting in the morning he can do a "roll over". Tell him to "go find the ball" while you get dressed and "go get the leash" before you go for walks together. Need products and supplies for your dogs? This article is provided courtesy of MyPetAnimals. This article may be distributed and published on any website, as long as this statement and URL remain intact, and the website address is linked properly. Unfortunately, too often people get boxers for their looks and become frustrated with some of the behavioral issues that are common in the breed- like their world renowned stubbornness! But despite their impressive looks, that has made them popular as guard dogs , boxers are actually very sensitive. They do not respond well to too heavy of a hand, anger, or physical discipline. But with a boxer, physical-focused discipline can become dangerous. Boxers are protective by nature and when handled too roughly, they can sometimes become aggressive towards their owner. In order to achieve the best results in your boxer, provide consistent, gentle discipline and never react to your dog with anger. If you feel that you are having a difficult time controlling your temper with your boxer, it is best to separate yourself from your dog for a time and give yourself time to calm down before you attempt training again. True to their name, boxers have a habit of jumping up and punching with their front feet. This is a breed characteristic that the vast majority of boxers are likely to display. While this behavior may look very cute in a puppy, as your dog gets older, it can become very problematic. A boxer of a year or two of age that has not been taught to keep all four feet on the ground can result in a rambunctious young dog that can accidentally hurt people or knock them over with their punching. Therefore, along with the usual obedience training that you will likely want to teach any powerful, large breed dog, boxers particularly benefit from being trained to have the self-control to resist the urge to box. It is a good idea to train your boxer a command for standing up and punching out with the front feet and a command for keeping their feet on the ground. If your boxer jumps up and boxes at you, your family, or your guests despite being told not to, do not use often recommended techniques like kneeing your boxer in the chest when they jump up. Instead, use a tether or leash to prevent your boxer from displaying the undesirable behavior. However, this is a dog that was bred to have a job to do , and they can occasionally get bored with training. It is not unusual for a boxer to challenge their owner either. Therefore, regular, consistent training is very important, especially for such a powerful breed. Set rules and stick to them. Make sure the entire family and anyone else who serves as a caretaker for your boxer also are very consistent in the rules. It is not as important what the rules are as that you stick to them. A boxer that is allowed to get away with things sometimes will quickly learn that they can try to challenge the rules and do things they may or may not be supposed to. Consistency from the time your boxer comes into your home is absolutely essential. If your boxer misbehaves by being overactive, refusing to obey a known command, etc, it is important that they not be allowed to get away with the undesirable behavior. As always, removing your attention is a great way to give your boxer an opportunity to calm down and stop the undesirable behavior and discipline your boxer. Socialize With People The average boxer is extremely good with their family. Boxers are especially known for being wonderful with children. They tend to be patient, tolerant, and protective of their family. On the other hand, when it comes to strangers, boxers are not necessarily as likely to get along well unless they are well-socialized from an early age. Boxers are naturally protective, and they often excel in attack work and as home and personal protection dogs. Introduce your boxer to new people frequently throughout their life. If your boxer shows aggression inappropriately, take your boxer out of the situation and calm them down by crating or tethering them. Boxers that show extreme aggression towards new people despite socialization will benefit from a certified trainer or animal behaviorist. Never punish a boxer for showing aggression by yelling at them, striking them, or handling them roughly. This kind of behavior is most likely to result in an escalation of the negative behavior since your boxer will learn that there really is something to be feared from the new person. Generally, the best way to get a boxer to accept new people is to give them lots of positive reinforcement like affection and plenty of treats when there are new people nearby. This may be especially useful for dogs that begin showing aggression despite regular socialization. Socialize With Other Animals A well-socialized boxer is typically tolerant of other dogs and animals. However, aggression may come out even in well-socialized boxers. Boxers may tend to be more likely to show aggression towards same-sex dogs, so when choosing a companion for your boxer or when picking out playmates for your pup, choosing dogs of the opposite gender is a good idea. Historically, boxers were bred to hunt big game like bear, wild boar, and bison. Boxers also were used for dog fighting until this activity was made illegal. They have also served as cattle dogs. This means that boxers may sometimes show prey drive towards large animals like livestock and aggression towards other dogs. Boxers are less likely to behave inappropriately with livestock or other dogs when they are socialized with them from a young age. However, aggression can come out even in well-socialized dogs. It is always best to socialize boxers with other animals to set them up for success in preventing prey drive from coming out and causing aggressive behavior. For boxers that do develop aggression towards other dogs or animals despite socialization, self-control training is extremely important. Your boxer needs to learn to be in the same area as other animals without showing aggression. Never punish your boxer for showing aggression towards other animals. Punishment may cause your boxer to repress their aggressive behavior, only to have it come out unexpectedly when you may not be able to control your dog. Punishment can also increase frustration, making animal aggression worse instead of better. Instead of punishing your boxer for aggression, take them out of the situation and slowly reintroduce them to it when they have calmed down. Reward your dog for calm behavior at a distance from the trigger and gradually move closer and closer to other dogs or animals, rewarding along and along, until your boxer can be calm in proximity to other dogs or animals. Not every boxer will be able to be trusted loose with other dogs or animals. This is a breed that may not end up doing well at dog parks or loose with livestock. Each boxer is an individual, so carefully observe your boxer as they get older to see what kind of instincts are likely to come out in them. What to do When Your Boxer Misbehaves Knowing how to discipline your boxer in any given circumstance can be a challenge. If they ignore your command, separate yourself from your boxer or tether them so they are unable to perform the behavior. Refusing to comply Boxers can easily get bored with repetitive training and are known to sometimes challenge their owners as well. If your boxer refuses to comply with your command, resist the urge to keep repeating the command or punish your boxer for misbehavior. Instead, give your boxer some time in a crate or on a tether with a chew toy before asking them to behave again. But make sure that the crate or tether are never seen as punishment and simply a break. Aggression towards people or other animals Remove your boxer from a situation in which they are showing inappropriate aggression. Slowly reintroduce them to the trigger, maintaining a substantial distance and rewarding them for calm behavior. Gradually increase the proximity to the trigger. For situations involving severe aggression, seek out the help of an animal behaviorist. Over-excitement Boxers tend to be very energetic dogs, and especially when they are young they may not seem to have the self-control to handle their own excitement levels. If your boxer behaves in an overly excited manner, crate or tether them until they are able to behave calmly. Using a flirt stick is a great way to help your over-excited boxer learn self-control. Testing boundaries It is normal for all young dogs to test their boundaries and see which commands are rock-solid and which they may be able to push. If they are, make sure your boxer is always supervised in these situations and firmly control their ability to misbehave in these ways by using a leash, baby gate, or some other control. Never allow your boxer to get away with inappropriate behavior. Instead, firmly but gently stop your boxer from performing the behavior and redirect them to something appropriate like a toy. Enjoy a Well-Behaved Boxer A well-behaved boxer is truly a joy to live with. It can take some time to train your boxer since they tend to be a bit late to mature. From agility work to hunting boxers are ready for almost anything. However, with consistency and appropriate discipline, you will be able to enjoy your well-behaved boxer. About The Author Coral D. Coral is a lifelong dog-lover, writer, and artist. She has a wide range of experience in the world of animal welfare including managing a doggy daycare and working at the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Additionally, NotABully.

A bunny hopping gait or loose walk. Trouble getting up from a nap Difficulty walking up or down stairs to greet you. Other common Lab joint problems include osteoarthritis from old age and not necessarily hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, which can result in lameness of the front legs. Always consult your veterinarian if you see the symptoms of Labrador hip dysplasia. X-rays and a full exam are necessary for proper diagnosis. Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium-to large-sized dogs can be expensive. In most cases, rehabilitation services can also be costly and postoperative care can be long and arduous. Age may keep your dog from being a good candidate for surgery. Non-surgical treatment options often have no age restrictions. Dog hip braces, such as the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace , support the low back and hip area for mild to moderate hip dysplasia. The purpose of the Hip Hound brace is to stabilize the hip and lower back areas by holding the head of the femur in the hip socket. This reduces grating of the bone, which allows for post-surgical healing or pain-free exercise. Braces come in all sizes so you can find one that is perfect for your pet and allows for maximum support. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Since Labs are prone to joint issues, your dog may be diagnosed with elbow dysplasia Fragmented medial coronoid process. A veterinarian we work with has used the Ortho Dog Hock Holder brace for the hind leg over the elbow joint. We recommend you give it a try! This breed already loves water so much, you may not be able to get them to stop swimming! We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. However, if you had a veterinarian watching this plump pup play in the grass, they would have a much more sobering outlook. This puppy is suffering from the early stages of Canine Hip Dysplasia. What is Canine Hip Dysplasia? This results in the separation of the joint and the resulting wear and tear on the cartilage and bones. What Dogs Get Hip Dysplasia? No one knows for sure why some dogs develop this painful joint condition. However the severity of the illness seems to be linked to both the nature genetic component and the nurture environmental and nutritional elements that the dogs experience as they grow. However, it seems to be less prevalent in puppies with parents passing rigorous hip testing through the OFA Orthopedic Foundation of Animals. This is why it is vital to only buy puppies from breeders who have tested the parents for both hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia , which is the same joint deformity in the elbow socket. For example, if puppies grow too quickly, are lacking specific nutrients or have electrolyte imbalances, they are more likely to get CHD when they get older. Again, this issue is more often seen in larger breeds since they undergo more growth and skeletal changes than smaller breeds. The main two things you want to avoid are rapid weight gain and over supplementing too much calcium into the diet. You will also need to follow the feeding schedule set out by your veterinarian and not feed your puppy too much food. All dogs have a genetic code of how big they will get as adults. Your job, to reduce their risk of hip dysplasia, is to make sure they grow at a steady growth rate over time and not shoot up too quickly by feeding them a balanced diet specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. Environmental Factors Puppies are not usually born with hip dysplasia; it develops as the dog matures. You can take your pup out for a low-impact game of fetch in a park or a swim in a pool. However, doing activities such as forced running, stairs, jumping or agility courses when joints have not fully matured is thought to increase the likelihood of hip dysplasia later in life. The easiest way to tell if you pup has CHD is to do an x-ray of their hips while they are sedated. This allows the veterinarian to see if the joint fits together as it should. However, barring an x-ray diagnosis, there are a few symptoms to look for in more advanced cases. Signs of CHD include: Sitting in a frog position with one hip splayed out. Exercise intolerance. Swaying gait where the back end moves back and forth in a pronounced fashion. Reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs. Bunny hopping , especially up stairs. Difficulty getting up. Back legs or hips are painful when touched. Hind leg lameness, which worsens with exercise. Back legs are more close together when the dog stands than the front legs. In more severe cases, you may see muscle wasting in the back legs and hindquarters. Arthritis may develop as the disease progresses. Your dog may start to show unexplained aggressive behavior as the pain increases. Again, the best way to diagnose CHD is with an x-ray. These test rank the hips as Excellent, Good and Fair. You should not buy a puppy without ensuring the parents have at least a Fair rating, and preferably a Good or Excellent hip score. Obviously, dogs exhibiting these scores should not be bred. Yet, even if both parents have great hips, this is not a guarantee that the puppy will be free from hip issues. Refrain from making your puppy your jogging or jumping partner until they are grown. Even if you do everything right, if your dog carries the genetic predisposition for CHD, you may still encounter it when your pup reaches adulthood. If your dog develops CHD, there are several ways to treat it. The best course of action should be determined with your veterinarian. You can also add in exercises such as swimming and leash walking to keep the muscles toned around the joints. Physical therapy and massages have also been known to help. Some dogs undergo total hip replacement surgery , just like humans, and have good success with this approach. There are other preventative surgeries, such as juvenile pubic symphysiodesis JPS that vets give puppies with a high likelihood of developing CHD as a preventative measure. Conclusion While CHD is certainly a frustrating diagnosis, there are many treatment options to help your dog live a long, satisfying life. If you take a proactive approach to their treatment, you can still have an energetic, happy companion that will keep you company on walks, swim with you at the beach and lay by your feet when you relax. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. One such health complication is hip or elbow dysplasia. When looking for a new English Labrador puppy, you should look for parentage with extensive testing in this area, as the tests make sure that bad genetics do not get passed on to their offspring. This article will explain all about elbow and hip dysplasia, what testing you should be looking for, and why English Labradors , in particular, should be tested. What is Elbow and Hip Dysplasia? Elbow and Hip Dysplasia are common orthopedic problems seen in English Labradors and other large or giant breed dogs. Both of these conditions are usually inherited but can be due to poor nutrition, being overweight, or inadequate amounts of exercise. Elbow Dysplasia Elbow dysplasia is the abnormal growth development of the cartilage and bone in the elbow. This can lead to the elbow becoming displaced or out of the socket, which can further cause the elbow joint to develop abnormally leading to a life of pain, inflammation, and arthritis in the elbow. This condition is caused by one of three different problems: Fragment medial coronoid process of the elbow bone fragments in the joint Osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle unnecessarily thicker cartilage development Ununited anconeal process the anconeal process does not fuse with the ulna Dogs with elbow dysplasia may have no outward signs at all but can be so severe that they are not putting any weight on their leg. There are many treatment options to help decrease the pain and inflammation if your dog does develop elbow dysplasia, but you may not notice for some time. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a painful condition caused by abnormal development of the hip joints. A dog has hip dysplasia when the socket in the pelvis is not deep enough for the ball of the femur to stay in place. Since the hip joint is a ball and socket joint, a shallow hip joint causes the ball to continually come in and out of place, causing looseness and instability. When the femur rubs on the pelvis while moving in the socket of the pelvis, this causes arthritis. This arthritis can be very painful. Dogs with hip dysplasia will have trouble walking around normally. This can put extra stress on their knees and ankles, leading to even more orthopedic problems. While there are treatments to make this less painful, there is nothing that can reverse this condition. Luckily, there are a few other options to make this condition less painful for your pup, like specialized beds and cushions to sleep on. What is Elbow and Hip Dysplasia Testing? Elbow and Hip Dysplasia testing can be done on your English Labrador to see if they have the potential for developing either condition. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA , along with your veterinarian, can use radiographs of the hips to help determine if your dog is predisposed for hip dysplasia. English Labradors who do have hip or elbow dysplasia should not be used as a breeding dog, since these genetic diseases that are passed from parents to offspring How is Elbow and Hip Dysplasia Testing Done? For a dog to be tested for elbow and hip dysplasia, they will need to see a veterinarian. Not all veterinarians test for this disease though, so call your veterinarian and make sure that they can test your English Labrador for hip and elbow dysplasia. Be aware: your dog will have to be sedated to get the perfect radiographs for submission. Particular views have to be taken of the hips and elbows, and to take these radiographs your dog will need to be perfectly still. Once taken, the radiographs will be sent off to for boarded radiologists to review. It can take a few weeks for the radiologist to review the x-rays and get you the results. Hip Dysplasia Testing Dogs under 2 years of age can only be given a preliminary screen. They cannot get their full certification until they are 2 years old. Once your dog reaches 2 years of age, you can take them to your veterinarian for the full test certification. The hips will be graded as excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate, and severe. Those that receive an excellent, good, and fair rating will pass OFA hip certification and receive a certification number. Elbow Dysplasia Testing Elbow dysplasia testing is done similar to hip dysplasia, where 4 different radiographs of the elbows are submitted to a radiologist. Just like with hip dysplasia, dogs cannot get their full certification until after they are 2 years of age. Elbow dysplasia is graded as normal or abnormal, with abnormal being broken down into 3 different grades: Grade 1: Minimal changes Grade 2: a proliferation of 2 to 5mm Grade 3: a severe degenerative joint disease where proliferation is greater than 5mm Only those who have a normal elbow will pass certification and should be used for breeding. Elbow and hip dysplasia testing make sure that the breeding parents do not display characteristics that would predispose them to hip or elbow dysplasia. If the parents have these unwanted traits, your new English Labrador puppy may also have these traits which could lead to hip or elbow dysplasia. When looking for a breeder for your new puppy, make sure to ask about genetic testing to make sure that the puppy you get is going to be healthy and happy. Why do I need to look for English Labrador puppies from parents that have been tested? It is best to find a puppy whose parents have elbow and hip dysplasia certification from OFA. This will help guarantee that your new English Labrador puppy will have good genetics. If you get a puppy from a breeder without elbow and hip dysplasia testing done, there is a possibility that your dog could end up with one of these diseases. These diseases could mean costly veterinary visits and surgeries to make your English Labrador no longer in severe pain. Conclusion When looking for a new English Labrador puppy, make sure that the breed has done everything possible to only breed dogs with the best genetics. If you are looking for an English Lab breeder, we invite you to consider a puppy from Snowy Pines. Our white English Labradors have pure bloodlines, are tested before breeding, and live happy, adventurous lives on our property. Share on. Using both back legs simultaneously when running Reluctance to exercise Trouble laying down or standing up Stumbling when squatting to go to the toilet Difficulty climbing steps Lameness Thigh muscle wastage Dog hip dysplasia symptoms do not normally include crying or whining with pain. Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis Hip dysplasia diagnosis can only be made by a qualified veterinarian. Your vet will physically examine your dog to see signs of hip dysplasia. He or she will ask you to describe the signs you have seen of joint problems, weigh him and assess his over all health. Your veterinarian may take a blood sample to access the extent of inflammation in the joint, and may also ask for a urine sample to assess as well. They will then book your dog in to x-ray their joints. It is possible that the veterinarian will also want to take MRI or CT scans to confirm the extent and exact nature of the diagnosis. Hip dysplasia is not a cut and dried diagnosis. It comes in varying degrees and types, and a lot of factors will influence the treatment course you and your veterinarian choose for him. Hip Dysplasia Treatment Non surgical treatment for hip dysplasia is possible in those cases where the condition is not too severe. Weight loss is advised if your Labrador is on the heavy side, as this will reduce the pressure on the hip joints. In fact one study demonstrated that weight loss alone could improvement the signs of lameness in a dog with hip dysplasia. Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can help to manage hip dysplasia symptoms. If you have a local dog friendly swimming pool, then this is a great place to exercise him. Hip Dysplasia Anti-Inflammatories And Pain Killers Pain killers and anti-inflammatories are an essential part of hip dysplasia treatment for some Labradors. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs developed for dogs who have the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which are often seen in chronic or developed hip dysplasia. They reduce swelling and pain in the effected joints. NSAIDs can only be prescribed by your veterinarian, as they need to be given in specific quantities and at certain times. Corticosteroids are another option your vet might consider. Although they are less popular these days due to the prevalence of other options with less side effects and a more specific impact on the dog. Supplements Canine hip dysplasia supplements are available. However their level of effectiveness is up for debate. Glucosamine and Chondroitin have both been used to manage osteoarthritis. And have been shown to have some impact on reducing the symptoms associated with hip dysplasia. Glucosamine is a sugar that assists with the synthesis and maintenance of joint cartilage. Chondroitin works to inhibit damaging enzymes in joints. Together they are believed to help your dog create and repair connective tissue in the damaged joint. Hip Dysplasia Surgery In many cases of hip dysplasia, your veterinarian will move on from non-surgical treatments to consider the options involved regarding surgical procedures. JPS can only be carried out on dogs who are still in a rapid phase of growth, at under 5 months of age. This means it is rarely carried out, as hip dysplasia is not normally evident until the puppy is a few months older. However, if it can be done it is a much less invasive procedure and can improve the extent of arthritis in the future. This allows a part of the bone to be moved into a better position for the joint. The newly constructed weight bearing area is held in place by a plate and screws. These methods can be effective on joints in younger dogs, less than 10 months old, who have not yet suffered arthritis as a result of their condition. And whose hip dysplasia is not too extensive. It is a major surgery and one that is pretty expensive, but it can provide relief to the dog and increased mobility. However, one study suggests that JPS and TPO have similar effects in dogs with moderate to severe hip dysplasia, but that neither procedure eliminates the symptoms of progression of the disease completely. If the hip dysplasia is extreme then a total hip replacement might be considered. Total Hip Replacement A total hip replacement can be the chosen path for a dog suffering from chronic hip dysplasia. It involves removing the entire joint from your dog. The damaged ball and socket will be removed, and replaced by surgical implants, made of a combination of metal and plastic. This is an extreme surgery, but can have excellent results. Femoral Head And Neck Excision In some dogs it is not possible to carry out a total hip replacement, or very sadly the owner is not able to pay for this extensive surgery. In these cases the veterinarian may consider removing the ball joint in the hip. The benefit of this is that the dog will not suffer from the pain caused by the ball and socket contact. But the down side is that the joint will not work properly afterwards. It is also not advised for larger dogs weighing more than 40 pounds. The dog will require extensive physiotherapy after surgery, and will not return to complete fitness as the joint will always have a limited function. How Much Does Hip Dysplasia Treatment Cost If your dog has been diagnosed with canine hip dysplasia, then you will incur costs from this for the remainder of his life. Non-surgical treatments and pain management can quickly run up large bills. In terms of your veterinarian time, scans, medications and any additional physiotherapy or hydrotherapy you use. Hip dysplasia surgery cost varies depending upon who your vet is and what procedure they decide is best. Hip Dysplasia Causes Hip dysplasia has a variety of potential causes. The main contender is genetic inheritance, although it is not a straight forward or simple matter. A puppy from parents with poor hips is more likely to have poor hips themselves. Causes of hip dysplasia are not limited to the inherited factor either. They have an environmental influence, which means that some dogs who could have suffered from hip dysplasia never show signs. And others with a limited likelihood go on to have extensive problems. Other causes include diet, regularity of feeding, pelvic muscle mass, exercise and weight. Hip Dysplasia Prevention Preventing hip dysplasia in dogs is important. Especially in the breeds that are predisposed to poor joints. Weight Keeping your Labrador at a low and healthy weight will help to reduce the stress put on his joints. A long term study of 40 Labrador Retrievers from puppyhood concluded that it is important to not overfeed puppies, particularly in breeds who are prone to hip dysplasia. The importance of not over feeding Labradors was reflected in another study of Labrador Retrievers. Exercise Some studies suggest that using stairs when young can make a dog who has poor joints more likely to go on to develop hip dysplasia later in life. It was recommended that puppies under 3 months should not be allowed to use stairs in order to combat this risk. There has also been a correlation noted between the flooring a puppy is kept on and the outcome of them developing hip dysplasia. With one study seeing puppies kept on slippery floors being 1. If you have slippery floors, you can help to prevent hip dysplasia by putting rubber matting down on the areas where your puppy will most frequently be walking. Hormones Recent research has also shown that hormones can play a part in proper joint development. When your puppy is growing, the hormones that the ovaries or testes produce are important for their healthy growth in a lot of ways. One study demonstrated that early neutering of male Golden Retriever puppies result in twice as many occurrences of hip dysplasia when compared with those who were left intact. The Importance of Hip Scores Hip scoring is an incredibly valuable way of assessing the likelihood of your puppy developing hip dysplasia. Vets in the USA give a descriptive value to each hip. Ranging from excellent, to good, to fair, to mild, to moderate, to severe. In the United Kingdom a reading of is a perfect hip score. If both puppy parents had hips, then your puppy would be unlikely to suffer from the disease. However, most dogs will have at least some degradation to their joints. The average hip score for an adult Labrador at the last reported study was .How Are They Calculated? This will be written down as a pair, for example .These two values are added together to give their over all hip score. So a hip score of 12 from is fine, but one of 12 from is more concerning as it shows the hips are imbalanced and one is far worse than the other. Hip scoring is all about playing the genetic odds. You should only buy a Labrador puppy who has two hip scored parents, whose scores are both below the breed mean and fairly evenly balanced on each side. Good puppy care to limit your chances. And for these joints to work properly, the ball part, which is the bulbous end at the top of the long thigh bone, must fit neatly into the socket, which is a part of the pelvis. If the hip joint is not perfectly formed, movement is impaired, and use of the joint causes damage to the surface of the bones arthritis making a bad situation even worse. In some cases this can progress rapidly and seriously. Hip dysplasia in dogs causes arthritis, pain, and lameness. It varies in severity depending on the degree of damage in the joint, and to some extent on the individual dog. Some cases can be adequately managed with pain relief and care. But many medium to large dogs will need expensive major surgery to restore normal movement and relieve pain. Causes of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs There are two main factors at work. The other factor is the environment that the dog grows up in, particularly in early life. How fast he grows, and the way his joints are used when he is still developing, can influence the way his joints will turn out. These environmental factors include diet , exercise , and hormones. But for all the dogs in-between, we do know that there may be much that you as a pet owner, can do, to ensure your dog has healthy hips Your opportunities to help There are two main opportunities for you to ensure your puppy is free from hip dysplasia The first opportunity begins before he is born. The second begins when you bring him home. If you have already bought your pup, there is nothing you can do about the first, so just skip down the page and read up on what you can do when you bring your puppy home. There are no exceptions. Breeders can then remove dogs with bad hips from their breeding programmes. It is of course utterly irresponsible to breed from untested dogs, but the tests are expensive, so bad breeders will try and avoid them. And because puppy registrations generate money, the Kennel Club will still register puppies without scores, or with really bad scores! Check those certificates It is vital that you check the health test certificates from both parents of any puppy you consider purchasing. Remember, Kennel Club registration will not protect your puppy from having parents with bad hips. This is completely untrue. And it is thought that there are three main ways that you can help. The first is by avoiding inappropriate exercise, the second is by feeding for an appropriate rate of growth, and the third is a little more controversial as it involves delaying neutering until your dog is mature. Playing in the garden is sufficient for pups under five months old. If you take your puppy out on a leash , a rule of thumb often mentioned is no more than five minutes walking per day, for each month of his age. So that means a maximum of 25 minutes for a 5 month old puppy. This is just a guideline, to help those who are not sure how to exercise a puppy. Avoiding steps and stairs One study has shown that puppies climbing stairs at an early age were more likely to develop hip dysplasia. So it is a sensible precaution to carry your small puppy up and down steps. Diet and growth Everyone wants their puppy to grow big and strong. But optimal growth does not mean rapid growth. It is now thought that slower growth probably allows for healthier hip development. Make sure you keep your puppy slim, with a waist, and you should be fine. You can check out our feeding your puppy article for more information. In fact recent evidence has shown that neutering is implicated in a number of health problems, and hip dysplasia is one of them. A recent study of golden retrievers for example, found that the incidence of hip dysplasia in male dogs neutered early, was double that of male dogs left intact. If you want to neuter your dog, waiting until he is physically mature may reduce the impact of hormone loss on his joint development. You can read more about the pros and cons of neutering in this article: should I have my Labrador castrated? Preferably before you have a gorgeous puppy sitting in your lap and gazing into your eyes! Once you bring your puppy home, give him time to grow and mature naturally. There will be time enough for that later. Spread the word Tell everyone you know about the importance of hip scores. We need to ensure that there is no market for puppies for untested parents. Your decisions now in this respect have the power to help many puppies now and in the future. The frequent misconception is this condition is only prominent in labs or large breed dogs over 50 lbs. Therefore, if we know the symptoms and causes of the condition, we can do everything in our power, as pet owners, to stop it from happening in our pooch. These are just a few signs your lab might be experiencing some Labrador joint issues. This causes the ball and socket to painfully rub each other instead of sliding smoothly. Much like joint issues with humans, this rubbing causes a loss of cartilage, thus resulting in chronic pain and long-term joint disease. Because this disease is so severe, early detection is key to the most successful treatment. The severity differs based on each lab, but overall muscle mass will decrease because of their reduced mobility due to the pain. Exercise will dwindle but the time frame depends on each lab. Look for these symptoms in your lab that signify canine hip dysplasia: Decreased activity Reluctance to jump, run, or climb stairs Favoring a back leg Trouble standing up to greet you Enlargement of shoulders to compensate for hind leg If you see any of these signs in your lab, be sure to contact a vet immediately. X-rays and a full exam are needed to properly diagnose your four-legged friend and if they need a puppy hip dysplasia treatment. Ever wonder which dog breeds are the most expensive in the world? We got you covered. The leading cause of joint issues is genetics. Hip dysplasia is hereditary in specific dog breeds, particularly with Labrador retrievers , German Shepherds , and Saint Bernards. Unfortunately, simply being one of these breeds increases their chances of contracting the disease tenfold. Diet is the most important aspect other than genetics for joint issues. Lab puppies should be kept at a lean weight during their growing years, instead of being overfed to grow big and strong. Not only can overfeeding lead to pet obesity , it can also cause puppy hip dysplasia. Since this normally occurs during the first year of their lives, the puppy stages are the most critical for their health. Overexercise is another cause of hip dysplasia. This added weight can put extra stress on their bodies, especially their hip joints which is largely connected to the condition. How to Prevent Canine Hip Dysplasia Nutrition A lot of the joint issues begin with poor nutrition, which is extremely important for your little lab. Make sure to feed your pooch specially formulated foods that prevent excessive growth. By using this special food, it allows their joints to develop without putting too much strain on their body to carry their weight, thus maintaining their growth and weight. Without this specialized dog food, large breeds can grow too quickly for their joints to maintain their weight. This exacerbates the condition with too much stress being put on their overweight bodies. Exercise Dog food is important to hip dysplasia prevention, but exercise is just as crucial to the health of your lab. We know that not enough physical activity can cause joint issues, but surprisingly, too much movement can have the same effects. Overworking your doggo can cause the joints to rub too frequently and fast thus creating irritation and loss of cartilage, which causes hip dysplasia. The appropriate amount of exercise is up to your pup, but be sure to find the right line to keep them in peak physical condition. Treatment for Dogs with Hip Dysplasia The type of treatment depends on the discomfort of each lab. While some may require surgery, others can be fixed with simple lifestyle choices. The non-surgical approach involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs that decrease the pain levels for your pooch. Thankfully, alternatives therapies used to treat hip dysplasia are often covered by dog insurance. Vets also commonly recommend weight reduction to take stress off the hips, which can be done through a steady diet. This process is more difficult because exercise must also be limited to keep the weight off the hips. However, if your pup is beyond the pain level of NSAIDs or weight reduction, they might be a candidate for surgery. The pelvic bone is cut and rotated to fall in place with the ball and socket hip joint. The ball of the hip joint is cut off, creating a false joint that increases comfort. It eliminates all discomfort and is the most invasive. While the cost of surgery may be higher than you expected, you can get reimbursed for the vet bills if you purchase a dog insurance policy from Prudent Pet. When they run, they run full out. This high energy continues until they are at least 2 years of age and with some Labradors, until they are 3 years of age! There is currently NO genetic test that can be given to ensure that two Labradors will not ever produce a puppy that will develop dysplasia. Nearly 70 years have passed, choosing our breeding stock based upon the certifications for their hips and elbows has NOT eliminated dysplasia. Final certification after the age of two years is read by three radiologists. The variance is in slight changes to the joint. Examples would be: Two radiologists reported excellent, one good--the final grade would be excellent One radiologist reported excellent, one good, one fair--the final grade would be good One radiologist reported fair, two radiologists reported mild--the final grade would be mild Three Radiologists, all independent and randomly selected to view a particular x-ray, can all see the same X-ray and have different opinions. Re-send the x-ray, and a different set of three radiologists may come to the same or a completely different consensus. The process is far too subjective. Note that at the time of this paper, OFA did not breakdown the percentage among these ratings on the Breed Trends Report. A little information before we dig into this! Most health testing done by breeders today is genetic via swabs of DNA. Hips and Elbows are phenotypic testing based only on what is visible at the time of testing. Selectively Bred: Dogs bred from parents who have been certified with "normal" hips and elbows. After more than 60 years 30 generations on a dog's pedigree of selectively breeding OFA certified dogs Dysplasia has not been eliminated as promised if we removed even "fair" and "borderline" dogs from our breeding programs. One must wonder if it because the normal state of a two year old Labradors hips is actually "borderline". Regardless, the OFA continues to set the criteria for choosing our breeding dogs. Originally, the OFA certified hips at 18 months but when selectively bred dogs were still being diagnosed with dysplasia, they changed certification age to two years. The next step was to divide the "Normal" results into three categories in an attempt to show improvement beyond what Breeders were promised. Continually moving the goalpost has not eliminated dysplasia because - as studies are proving - it is not "inherited" from parent to child as much as it is a genetic predisposition shared by all medium and large breeds based upon structural and temperamental TRAITS of the breeds themselves. Breeders, despite doing all they were asked to do, are still liable for offspring that were crippled by the disorder despite the fact that we only control the environment for the first 8 weeks of a puppy's lifetime. Controlling the Environmental factors that may trigger dysplasia Environmental studies show that there is a correlation to the surface during the first 8 weeks of a puppy's life and future hip and elbow health. In fact, it does appear that the first THREE months of life have a greater impact on future joint health than any other factor. This means that the first four weeks your puppy is in YOUR home is as important as the phenotypic evaluation for parents, grands, and greats and the first eight weeks in the Breeder's home. Breeders - Birth to Eight Weeks Neonatal and Transitional Periods birth to four weeks - Provide a proper surface for traction in the Whelping Box and the Transitional Pen - We use Lambs Wool pads; these not only keep the puppies warm and dry but also give them the traction needed to nurse properly and to learn to walk from birth to 3 weeks; an indoor outdoor carpet is added to the transitional pen. We use a ramp for the litters to access the outdoor kennel. Owners 8 weeks to 24 months Crate Train Your Puppy - The incidence of dysplasia is lower for those puppies who had crate time scheduled into their day until at least 12 months of age. These regular "forced rest periods" allow for the healing of injuries to the muscles, soft tissue and tendons. Whether human or animal, sleep provides healing. Labradors rarely move slowly from place to place. Running around furniture and slipping and sliding through doorways are hard on the joints. If a Labrador puppy lives in a home with uncarpeted rooms, area rugs should be used wherever possible in the home. Owners 8 weeks to 24 months Limit All Jumping - Do not allow the puppy to jump up on things like your window sill; the force of their momentum can damage elbows if done repeatedly. No jumping off of beds, couches, chair or in and out of vehicles. After that, they should be taught to walk and not run up and down them. Owners 8 weeks to 24 months Provide proper nutrition - Critical to a managing the growth rate of a Labrador puppy - numerous studies have revealed that a proper calcium to phosphorus ratio is needed and that over supplementation of multi-vitamins to a puppy eating a well balanced commercial dog food can cause more harm than good. Owners 8 weeks to 24 months Monitor Weight Gain - Labrador puppies should weigh approximately 2 lbs per week of life until 8 months of age. Labradors are known as the "always hungry" breed and have been known to gorge themselves when allowed to free feed, so understanding what your puppy should weigh during the rapid growth period is of vital importance. Owners 8 weeks to 24 months Monitor Body Condition Each puppy is an individual. The correct body condition for a growing Labrador is pretty simple to maintain. You want to always be able to "see a waist and feel the ribs with a slight bit of pressure". Owners 8 weeks to 24 months Monitor Exercise - Understand the limited and correct physical activity at each stage of development - 5 minutes of forced exercise per month of life. Free play is fine as the puppy is controlling its own stops and turns. Throw the object and let it hit the ground before releasing your puppy to retrieve; this stops them from jumping to catch the object in mid-air. Limit the number of retrieves to an age appropriate amount similar to the 5 minutes per month of life rule. Mental exercise is as tiring to your puppy as physical. A high energy puppy should be given mental activities rather than increasing the physical.

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Bright eyes, strong profiles, and of course, those perky, attentive ears! When you first bring your German Shepherd puppy home, its ears will probably be floppy and droopy — at times, those ears may try to make a stand, only to fall back down again. What gives!? As your German Shepherd grows and gets the right nutrition among other things , the cartilage gets stronger and stronger. And voila — straight, pointy German Shepherd ears! But is it really that simple? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. German Shepherd puppy ears can be unpredictable! The key is to be patient and give those ears time to develop on their own before stepping in. Those ears should perk back up after teething is over. If you want to learn more about the timing of teething and what to look for, check out this article on German Shepherd puppy teething. When went to visit my German Shepherd, Allie pictured above at 7 weeks old , her ears were floppy and undeniably precious. I brought Allie home at 8 weeks, and those ears still had their ups and downs, but by 10 weeks old, her ears were up permanently. So, the key is to catch it in time. This flip-floppy stage is completely normal. Genetics can also come into play when some breeders try to breed specifically for German Shepherds with larger ears. As a result, those big, oversized, heavy ears may be too much to stand up. If pointy, perky ears are important to you, then choose your breeder and puppy carefully. Make sure to check out the parents — how do their ears look? Any significant trauma to the ears during this time can cause permanent damage — which may also cause droopy ears. Try to have everyone keep their hands off those adorable ears as much as possible. Parasites: Yuck. Puppies need chew toys, as it exercises their jaw and their head and neck muscles. Those muscles are important for perky puppy ears. So, let your puppy chew, chew, and chew on the right things of course. If you need some ideas for durable dog toys that can withstand those chomping jaws, then check out this article for my picks of the best tough German Shepherd chew toys. Stick to a high-quality, natural diet instead. Cottage cheese and yogurt both have plenty of calcium without overdoing it , and chicken feet are a natural source of glucosamine, which helps strengthen cartilage. Give those ears time to develop on their own before you resort to taping. At the end of the article are some sources that go over common methods of taping. Note: There are several options that you can use for this — there are even foam dog ear forms. Thin, white surgical tape that tears easily. A 2-inch wide tape works well, and you can also get this at Walmart, CVS, or somewhere similar. Note: Do NOT use duct tape or electrical tape — these will do way more harm than good! An unsharpened pencil or popsicle stick. Adhesive — either skin bond adhesive or eyelash glue are good choices. Give those ears plenty of time to develop and get stronger before taking action. How old was your German Shepherd puppy when its ears finally stood up? Let me know below! Well, there are a few different possible explanations. Causes can vary from age-related to genetic and medical issues. All puppies are born with soft, floppy ears. This is because the cartilage and muscles in their ears have not developed yet. Although some breeds, like Spaniels and Poodles, always have floppy ears, others, like most Shepherd breeds , almost always have pointy, pricked, upright ones. In such breeds, their ears should start to stand up between weeks of age as the bones and muscles in their bodies develop and strengthen. Are they both floppy — or is only one of them drooping whilst the other stands up normally? Teething Several young puppies experience floppy ears during teething. Teething is a period that all infant mammals go through, in which their baby or milk teeth fall out and their adult teeth grow in. It starts at around three weeks old and ends at months of age, although it can take longer. So, their bodies may draw calcium out of other areas, such as the ears, weakening their skeletal structure and making them flop. You may even notice that their ears look different every day during this period. They might be up-right one day, then floppy the next, or even change throughout the day depending on their mood. Their ears will return back to their original shape as soon as their hormones calm down. Although most German Shepherds have up-right ears, some can have floppy or semi-pricked ones. Judges of dog shows and competitions also often look for large ears in the breed. Poor nutrition during puppyhood As mentioned above, calcium is needed to develop and strengthen the cartilage in the ears in order for them to stand up. Vitamin D is also needed to keep bones healthy and strong. This is especially common in rescue dogs that come from puppy farms, homelessness, and neglectful backgrounds. Always buy from reputable breeders! Other symptoms of calcium and vitamin D deficiencies include muscle spasms and joint issues. If severe, nutrient deficiencies can be deadly. Both conditions require urgent veterinary attention, and treatments will likely include special diets and supplements. Similar to malnutrition, this is common in dogs that come from a background of neglect or homelessness. A build-up of wax, debris, or dirt can make the ears heavy and cause them to droop. Poor hygiene As we mentioned above, poor ear hygiene can lead to drooping of the ears. It can also lead to smelliness and infection. All dogs have self-cleaning mechanisms in their ears. However, allergies and hormone imbalances can cause disruptions to the mechanisms, meaning they require some extra care. Dogs can be allergic to environmental allergens like pollen, household cleaning products, and foods like wheat and dairy. Other symptoms of allergies can include skin irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny noses and eyes, and stomach upsets. Each has different symptoms, but they often include drastic changes in energy, coat, thirst, appetite, and weight. German Shepherds are also particularly prone to experiencing hormonal disorders. Ear mites Another cause of ear drooping in German Shepherds is ear mites. Ear mites can be picked up outdoors, or from coming into contact with another animal with the condition. The inflammation from the infestation can cause droopiness in the affected ear. Other symptoms include excessive itchiness, and redness, bleeding, and swelling from the constant scratching. If left untreated, the infestation can cause disease, which can lead to hearing loss and balance issues. Infection Ear infections can be bacterial or fungal, and they can affect both the inner or outer ear. They are most often picked up after exposure to water, and the inflammation can cause the affected ear to droop. Other symptoms can include redness, swelling, irritation, discharge, and excessive head shaking or scratching at the ear. Vets can treat ear infections with antibacterial or antifungal medications, but they need to be treated quickly before they spread or cause permanent damage. Trauma Physical trauma to the ears can also cause them to droop. The most common trauma that causes changes to the shape of the ears in German Shepherds are bites from fighting with other dogs. If your dog has a visible injury to their ear, you should take them to see their vet to check it over and dress any wounds to prevent infection. Make sure to brush your GSD regularly, also around the head and ears — these dogs shed heavily! You can get these over-the-counter at your vet, online, or in a pet store. You can also use a few drops of olive oil for wax build-up, but not too much. To administer, get a towel and ask your dog to lie down in a comfortable place in the home. Then, massage the mase of their ears for around 30 seconds to help it loosen any wax or dirt. Finally, allow your dog to shake their head and use the towel to catch what comes out. That said, if they have particularly problem ears, you should ask your vet and do it however often they suggest, which could be weekly or monthly. However, this is very controversial. It is not yet illegal in the USA, but it is also not something that we would recommend outside of medical necessity, as it can be unnecessarily stressful and painful for dogs. The method known as taping is done by placing something, usually tape, inside the ear to make it stand up straight and grow into that position permanently. It can be effective when done during puppyhood and usually takes weeks to work. As we mentioned above, nutritional deficiencies can cause the ears to flop. Puppies should eat nutritionally complete and balanced food that is enriched with calcium, vitamin D, and DHA for healthy bone and brain development, as well as high-quality protein sources like chicken and fish for strong muscles, and tasty, fiber-rich fruits and veggies. All puppies should have a handful of strong, hardy chew toys to avoid being destroyed during teething, but they can also help the ears to stand up. This is because the ears are connected to the jaw. So, strong jaw muscles means stronger ears, too! Finally, you should avoid playing too rough with your pup and interacting with boisterous dogs to prevent accidents and traumas, which, as we mentioned above, could damage or change the shape of their ears. Dogs communicate with us owners in many ways; they bark, they growl, and they use their bodies. Body language is a key part of understanding how your dog is feeling. Dogs use their entire bodies to communicate; including their tails, their eyes, and their ears! This often happens when a suspicious stranger or an unknown or unfriendly dog is approaching, or when there is a strange noise inside the home. When their ears go back or downwards, it could simply mean that they are listening, or it could indicate either excitement or anxiety. Excited dogs may whine, wag their tails very quickly, and run towards what they are excited about. This happens a lot when dogs are greeting a loved one. An anxious dog, on the other hand, may lower their head and cower their bodies away from what is causing their anxiety. If they are frightened, they may also tremble and whine, and if they are feeling angry or threatened, they may show their teeth and growl. This can happen when a dog is exposed to a phobia or an aggressive dog. It can be difficult to determine exactly how a mixed dog will look. Different pups from the same litter can also present with different traits from their siblings. That said, certain traits, like short hair, for example, are genetically dominant and therefore will be passed on over others, like long hair, which is genetically recessive. Dominant traits are those that require only one copy of a specific gene for the trait to be passed down to a pup. Recessive traits, on the other hand, need two copies; one from each parent. So, which is dominant; pricked or floppy ears? The answer is — floppy ears! Floppy ears are genetically dominant to pricked ears in dogs. That said, different ear shapes in dogs does tend to reflect their original working purpose. For example, the Spaniel, a gun dog, has floppy ears that gather and hold scent particles. This helped them track down what they were looking for much faster back in the day. German Shepherds, on the other hand, along with other wolf-like breeds, such as the Siberian Husky , have pricked, pointed ears. This is thought to aid their hearing during guard work, keep their body temperature under control during strenuous hunts, and give them an alert look to ward off predators. This may be why people are statistically more likely to perceive dogs with pricked ears as more threatening, according to research conducted by James Madison University, USA, in .This is not necessarily true, however, as any dog lover will know. It is likely down to something old and instinctual, as they also discovered that people perceived coat colors differently, too. The type of ears that a dog has can affect their hearing. Whether a dog has pricked ears or floppy ears, they have 18 different muscles that control them to funnel sounds from all different directions. A healthy-hearing dog of any kind can still hear from 40 to 60, hertz, which is more than double what human ears can hear! Starting out just training her own Border Collies, she gradually expanded to local classes and seminars, now she travels as far as Europe and teaches students all over the world on how to train their dogs in a positive, bonding, game-based way. She is known for her clear, step-by-step training that lets beginners and advanced dog trainers see lasting results very quickly.

We recommend that you keep your pet in ideal body condition and not allow them to become overweight. The amount of food your pet needs can vary based on age, activity level or other food and treats given, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine an appropriate weight for your pet, and to make any necessary adjustments to their feeding. Information Ingredients Guaranteed Analysis Royal Canin knows what makes your Poodle puppy magnificent is in the details. With both brains and beauty, Poodles are highly intelligent and active little dogs with distinctive curly coats. They can benefit from the right growth formula for immune system support, skin and coat health, and digestive care during the puppy stage. Royal Canin Poodle dry puppy food is tailor-made nutrition created just for your purebred Poodle puppy. Whether you have a Miniature Poodle or Toy Poodle, this exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your Poodle puppy with specific nutrients to help them thrive. An exclusive mix of antioxidants and vitamin E supports their developing immune systems and keeps their bodies growing strong. And high-quality proteins and prebiotics promote healthy digestion and optimal stool quality. Once your Poodle is over 10 months old, transition them to Royal Canin Poodle Adult dog food for precise nutrition into the adult years. Not satisfied? Then neither are we. Just contact us for more details. Optimal feeding amounts may vary according to your pet's temperament, activity level and environment. If you have any questions regarding your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Transition Instructions We recommend at least a 7 day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively. All of our dry diets are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract. Our canned diets are naturally preserved and sterilized during the cooking and canning process. Where do the ingredients in Royal Canin diets come from? Royal Canin is making strides towards sustainability by attempting to obtain sources of raw materials as close to each manufacturing facility as possible. In some cases, we use international suppliers, because only those suppliers can offer raw materials that comply with our quality and food safety standards. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain by-products? Royal Canin chooses ingredients because they deliver high-quality nutrients that support our customized pet food formulas. Using chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal for example will allow Royal Canin to maintain its highly customized nutrient standards while achieving a more secure and sustainable supply. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain grains? As always, we focus on the nutrients each ingredient provides and grains can provide many important nutrients. How do you ensure Royal Canin diets are safe for my pet? Our Quality and Food Safety systems are state-of-the-art and we continue to invest heavily in new technology to make sure they remain that way. We monitor every load delivered to our plants to verify the safety and quality of the ingredients we use to make pet food. We perform tests on finished pet foods before they are shipped to our customers. How do I know which Royal Canin diet is right for my pet? Based on size, age, lifestyle, and breed, each cat or dog has unique nutritional needs. For healthy pets, use our Product Selector to find the right diet for your cat or dog. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please refer to your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian will consider multiple factors when recommending an appropriate diet.