tiny french bulldog puppies

Fortunately, they are all pretty inexpensive. Sometimes, for whatever reason, your dog may hate the treats you picked up for them. These treats are sure to be a hit with your bulldog because they use a natural formula and are packed with organic ingredients and flavour. The flavour in question is chicken, and the first ingredient listed on the package is free-range, organic chicken, which is good news if you prefer cruelty-free products. No growth hormones were used on the chicken, and the treats are free of artificial colouring, flavouring, and preservatives that commonly cause upset stomachs. If you want your bulldog to be happy and healthy, consider treating him no pun intended with this product. Similar to the previously mentioned company the first company, Pet Naturals uses all organic, human-grade ingredients and no fillers. The result is a treat packed with flavour that your bulldog will love. Con: Not quite as chewy as their advertisement would have you believe. If you want a treat that will reward your pet while also supplementing his diet with wholesome foods, these treats are ideal for you. Con: Very hard texture for a treat. The flavours offered by 4Legs are Chehalis mint, molasses ginger soup, organic pumpkin, organic sweet potato, peanut butter and carob chips, and peanut butter and molasses, and each flavour is made with a puree from the food in question, rather than with artificial flavouring. Some dogs have grain allergies, and if your English bulldog has repeatedly shown sensitivity to foods and treats with grain in them, he might be one of them. As far as grain-free foods go, these are sure to be a hit. The treats are low in fat and calories, making them perfect if your dog is on a diet. English bulldogs are known for their stomach issues, especially their susceptibility to bloating and gastritis, so if your dog has a sensitive stomach, these treats are certainly worth a try. The treats come in small, bite-sized cookie pieces and are perfect for training or just showing your pet you love him. English Bulldogs and Treats Tips I want to point out, however, that buying packaged treats is not necessary. English Bulldogs are prone to obesity and treats are often a culprit in the issue. For English Bulldog parents , one of the most common health problems that often comes up is stomach issues. Bulldogs are especially prone to sensitive stomachs, so it may seem like every treat you give your pet results in him vomiting, getting diarrhea, or bloating. The last thing you want to do is cause your pet discomfort, but you also want to reward them with tasty treats during training or just to spoil them. I hope these recommended treats help you and your doggie. If you have an English bulldog who is sensitive to most food, or if you simply want to give your pup the most nutritious and tasty treats possible, give the products on this list a shot. Family Dog Expert Author Hi there! My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. Welcome to Sirdoggie A blog crafted with love for all dog lovers and their families! While I have an arsenal of healthy treats now, a few months back, I was hard pressed for choices. Many pet owners do not know this, but English bulldogs have a sensitive stomach. You have to be quite selective when it comes to choosing the right treats for your bully. I was really interested in getting my bulldog some healthy treats, and after careful research and comparison, I have compiled the following list of healthy treats, in case it is of help to you. What treats are considered healthy for bulldogs? There are some factors which you should consider when choosing healthy treats for your bulldogs. I will share with you a few questions which I always ask myself before choosing the dog treats for my English bulldog. Currently, these are my favorite healthy dog treats for English bulldogs, which can be found on Amazon. We created a recommended products page which links to every product we personally use for our English bulldog, Ollie. Does it contain chemicals or added sugar? I like to avoid treats which consist of a high amount of sugar or any other chemicals. In my opinion, you should do the same. What is the fat content? A rule of thumb which I always follow is never choose a dog treat which consists of more than 10 percent of the daily fat requirement for your dog. Anything over that is pushing your dog towards obesity. What is the safe quantity of treats which you can provide to your dog daily? My English bulldog is pretty persistent. That is why I end up giving him at least a couple of dog treats. It is always important to read the labels of pre-packaged treats and know how much the recommended serving size is, before you spoil your dog with too many treats. Can you make dog treats at home? It is not always necessary to opt for the pre-packaged dog treats. You can easily make dog treats at home by using ingredients like raw vegetables, egg whites, and unbuttered popcorn. These are not only healthy but are also low in calories, and by making the treats yourself at home, you know exactly what your bulldog is ingesting. If you can manage them, it is a good idea to limit the store bought pre-packaged treats. How do healthy treats improve the health of the bulldog? I find that giving your English bulldog healthy treats rather than any random, cheap treats you might find at the store or online can make a difference to the health of your bulldog. I, for one, have seen this difference first hand. Below are just a few ways in which my English Bulldog has benefited from these healthy treats. No stomach issues Since switching to healthier treats, I have noticed that my bulldog has experienced less bloating, and had fewer instances of vomiting and diarrhea. These natural treats do seem to sooth his stomach better. Sugar in check Diabetes in dogs is becoming increasingly common. However, I have been able to keep the sugar levels of my bulldog in check by not only limiting the treats but ensuring that his treats are not full of artificial sweeteners. As you can see, the dog treats have a profound impact on the health of the dog. Top 15 healthy dog treats for bulldogs 1. Truth is, you can definitely consider them as treats between meals! Bananas, apples, berries, oranges, mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables are all great options. These not only provide essential nutrients to your dog, but plenty of them have a high water content which keeps them hydrated in any weather. However, moderation is key when giving your dog these sweet, natural treats, as they still contain lots of natural sugars, which are not good for your dog when given in excess. You should also stay away from the canned versions of fruits and vegetables, as they often contain additional sodium or sugars. Yogurt Plain yogurt is excellent for dogs with sensitive stomachs. You should avoid flavored yogurt, as it contains too much added sugar. Eggs Eggs are one of the most versatile treats which you can provide your bulldog. Not only is it delicious, cheese also contains protein, calcium, and vitamin A. But, make sure the salmon is cooked thoroughly and never give your dog raw salmon, as it could be very harmful to his or her health. Gluten-free dog cookies Grain-free cookies are one of the best English bulldog treats that you can keep in your arsenal. With so many different flavors to choose from, your bulldog will never get bored of them. Peanut butter Peanut butter is a great treat that you and your dog can enjoy together. I do recommend the sugar-free version as the healthier choice for your dog and you as well! Air-popped popcorn This delicious, salty treat contains numerous vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B, iron and protein. They are a pretty healthy treat, but do take precaution when you give your bulldogs a few, since kernels can be a choking hazard for your bulldog. The fish fillets by Honest Kitchen Wishes are a great choice because they consist of percent human-grade fish. There are a few options available in pet stores that are just as healthy. The advantage of the Orijen brand is that they only use wild caught meat and the treats get shipped to your doorstep quickly, which keeps them fairly fresh. The cookie-sized cube is moist and breaks easily, which makes it easy for your dog to consume. The duck meat is rich in iron and protein, which is what makes it so beneficial for your English bulldog. Jerky dog treats Jerky dog treats can consist of liver, seafood, meat, and other such ingredients. These are rich in protein and are great to use when training your bulldog. They do not consist of any growth hormones, antibiotics, or artificial colors. These are bit-sized delicious cookies that are grain-free and are made of wild caught salmon and pumpkin. They are human grade, so you can trust the quality. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Treats These treats are a great option for all dogs, but are especially good for dogs with allergies. They come in six different flavors, but with a limited number of protein and carbohydrate sources, so you know exactly what your dog is eating. They are grain-free and do not include any unnecessary additives or preservatives. With so many different preservative-laden treats available, it is time that we become cautious about the health of our dogs and provide them with the healthiest options available. Time to choose a treat which not only satisfies the nutritional requirements but also makes your dog happy! Looking forward to seeing more of you on here, and lots of pictures of your new baby Mia. You have a young one, the best advice I can give you is to find a good quality dog food and to use a puppy formula until she is about 6 or 7 months old. Puppy food provides the best nutrition for the rapid growth and development needed for a puppy. You want to choose a food that is a 4 Star or higher rating. We feed our huys Fromms Beef Frittata. You can switch to an adult formula when she is 6 or 7 months old. It is best to feed her 1 cup of kibble 3 times a day as a puppy, and then reduce her feelings to 1 cup twice a day feelings when she switches to adult food. She is a little young for treats, but when you are training her to go potty, or wanting to teach her things, I find the best treat is a piece of her own kibble. When she is a little older maybe around 12 weeks, you can give her an occasional treat, we stay away from the store bought treats with lots of additives, or preservative, and you want to stay away from the chicken jerky treats and other treats from China, and milkbones, they have had a lot of recalls on these products, and they have caused many illnesses and deaths due to kidney failure in dogs. We give our guys Wellness soft chews, and the Wellness yogurt and fruit cookies, Fruitables, , and their own kibble. We also give our guys supplements such as we add 1 Tbsp. There are a lot of benefits to ACV, such as its a natural anti inflammatory, it kills the bad bacteria in the body, so boosts the immune system, and it also balances the Ph levels of the blood. Your bully can also have what we call toppers, or extras occasionally. Our guys also like frozen yogurt as a treat once in a while. You can also home bake many natural treats with simple ingredients like peanut butter and rolled oats, cinnamon, and other natural ingredients. There are many good recipes in the recipes forum for healthy and natural treats, and when you make them yourself, you know what's in them without all the added ingredients and preservatives found in store bought treats that are toxic and dangerous. Safe Bulldog Treats Choose Safe and Healthy Treats for Your Bulldog Bulldog owners like to give their dogs treats, to encourage them during training for good behavior and for no reason, in fact. The right choice of dog treats will help to keep your Bully healthy and to make it happy. You can choose a flavor, a shape and a size of treats at your choice and your Bulldog's taste. Remember that treats you buy for the dog should comply with the quality standards. Soft Dog Treats Soft dog chew treats are also produced in a variety of sizes, shapes and flavors. They are perfect for Bulldog training. It's very convenient to use small pieces during education as an immediate reward. Jerky and Freeze-Dried Dog Treats These treats are similar to human food, especially when they are made for dogs. Meat, liver, poultry, seafood and other flavors are usually available for such dog treats. Many Bulldog owners choose them to increase the effectiveness of dog training because of their tasty smell. Natural Dog Chew Treats Natural dog chew treats are made of organic ingredients only and are vitamin- and mineral-enriched. The majority of experts consider them to be good for Bulldog's oral care. But they can cause digestive blocking if gulped. Indestructible Dog Toy to Hold the Treats Use special dog treat holders and dog feeding toys to prevent such occasions. Choose also an appropriate size of the dog chewing treat according to the size and age of your Bulldog. Animal Bones You shouldn't give your Bully animal bones because they can lead to teeth spoiling and chipping, digestive injuries and blocking. Any kinds of animal bones are harmful for Bulldogs, but the most dangerous are poultry bones even if they are cooked. Give your Bulldog special dog chew bones, dog chewing treats or dental dog treats instead of animal bones or hooves. Pig Ears Bulldogs like to chew pig ears, but they are too hard for them, furthermore, they can also be processed with chemicals that can be unsafe for dogs. It's better to avoid giving pig ears to Bulldogs because this can lead to obesity. Rawhide Dog Treats Rawhide is also not recommended for Bulldogs. It is made of animal hides, which are chemically modified as usual. As a result - gastrointestinal distresses and other health issues. It's better to treat Bulldog with dog dental chews. Yes, there are special rawhide dog treats developed by vets, which are good for dogs' digestion and health, but ask your veterinarian before give them to your dog. Human Food Not all human food is good for Bulldogs and other dogs at all. It is better to avoid treating your Bully with cheese, sausages, biscuits and other similar food. Carrot, apple, lean meat, poultry, seafood can be wholesome for the dog. Pay attention, these treats shouldn't contain spices and sauces. Grape, raisins and onion are absolutely forbidden to give because these products are poisonous for them. Garlic can also be dangerous, so give it to your dog carefully directed by the vet. Diet Dog Treats Special diet dog treats are perfect for Bulldogs, which are prone to obesity. It's better to consult with your vet about the right way of giving such treats to the dog. Keep a close eye on your Bulldog's nutrition and it will always be healthy, cheerful and full of energy. All-Natural Interactive Treats for Healthy Nutrition This dry dog food for supplemental feeding is healthy and wholesome. It contains natural ingredients and has no artificial additives. These treats are safe for Bulldog digestive organs. They are perfectly suitable for treat dispensers to make Bulldog feeding gradual and measured. Insert the kibble into a treat dispensing dog toy and give it to a dog. Your Bully will play with the toy and get tasty delicacies piece by piece. The dog will feel happy and won't overeat. Develop your Bulldog mentally and physically with the memory of its health! See also special treat toys and interactive feeders for Bulldogs, click on the pictures! Published testimonials are genuine and are not edited or altered by English-Bulldog-dog-breed-store. My dog has a lot of fun with it. From: Ann, UK Choose top quality dog toys for interactive feeding of your Bulldog in our online store. Unfit for a dog sensitive to wheat or corn Difficult for dogs with no teeth 2. It consists of soft meatballs that are easy to eat for any dog size, including the small ones with few or no teeth. The three are also great sources of protein, which means your exercising dog has a better chance of boosting his amino acids. More on that, the snack has Gelatin, a unique amino acid profile that increases brain function and lessens the signs of skin aging. So, you can help improve the intelligence of your dog in solving simple tricks. Pros: The treats are soft and easy to chew Safely cooked in the USA Contains no grains or artificial additives Has Pea fiber to support digestion Includes carrots and parsley to provide antioxidant properties They are highly palatable They can leave an obsolete mess on the feeding area Too soft, which makes them difficult to serve without crumbling 3. It features a lovely formula of high-quality ingredients, including a real salmon and flaxseed. Thus providing your pet with DHA and omega-6 fatty acid, which are spectacular natural sources for boosting skin health. They do have hardworking antioxidants from blueberries, apples, and carrots. So, your bulldog has better protection against respiratory disease and other free radicals. As such, they might not work very well with the broad and square jaws of mature bulldogs. Pros: They have a soft and easy to chew texture All cooked in the USA Very healthy and nutritious Contains no artificial colors or flavors Naturally delicious Perfect to promote brain development Cons: Quite expensive for the amount you get They dry pretty quick when exposed to air 4. They comprise a hearty beef recipe, with an excellent blend of Ground peas and sweet potatoes to boost energy tank and digestion. Similarly, the treats have a two-layer form, which features a real meaty marrow at the center and a tender semi-crunchy exterior. The cooked bone marrow helps supplement calcium and other essential minerals to support healthy teeth and bones in your dog. Still, the pet snack recipe has a safe amount of vinegar and ground flaxseed, both of which are very helpful in improving the digestive tract health. The flaxseeds also have a significant amount of omega -3 fatty acids. Thus, very helpful in maintaining the thick, glossy coat of your bulldog.

So it sounds as if the 2am bathroom break went well, but at 5am, she had decide it was morning and wanted to get up. For that we'd usually recommend you set your alarm half an hour earlier to pre-empt the noise and work your way forwards from there. But it's clear that your puppy is quite muddled about night and day and doesn't feel very at home in her crate. Plus three weeks of sleepless nights has got to be taking its toll on you. And your puppy almost certainly could last six or seven hours during the night from a physical point of view at this age. So the waking and disturbing you is more of an emotional thing - she's figured out that crying gets you up. If she's peeing very frequently during the day though, do get a pee sample over to your vet to check for a bladder infection. If she doesn't have a UTI You have several options really. One is to take her back into your bedroom at night and start again with daytime crate conditioning. Getting her to love the crate and never leaving her alone in there during the day until she can settle happily in it with you in the room, whenever you put her in there. Another is to visit your neighbours with flowers or wine and chocolates and tell them there will be some noise for the next two or three nights, let her out at before she starts to cry. Then leave her to cry at 5 am and get up immediately she stops. So as to break out of the cycle of reinforcing the yelling with your very desirable company. The third option is to put a play pen around the crate with puppy pads inside the playpen outside the crate and leave her all night. Let her pee on the pads. I'd probably go for that one at this stage in the game, but it all depends on how well you can function without a decent sleep. You'll still require chocolates for option three. Most people will not object if you show you are really sorry to be disturbing them. Between 8 weeks and 10 months, your puppy has a ton of growing to do, and they change drastically from month to month. Each stage of growth requires specific attention, exercise, and diet, so there is much to learn and pay attention to these different growth stages. There may be behavioral challenges while your pup adjusts to their new life without their mother and siblings. This period of adjustment can sometimes lead to fearful and timid behavior, and your puppy will need as much attention and affection as possible. They should be eating 3—4 small meals a day at this stage. You can begin basic command, leash, and potty training at this point too. Although the schedule is not complete this is a critical period to begin socialization and making sure they are calm and friendly with other dogs, just make sure they are also vaccinated. We highly recommend making training a part of their daily activities at this age. Biting can be an issue at this stage too, as they will begin teething, and they will start exploring and chewing whatever they can find. Chew toys and consistent command reinforcement are both vital for avoiding this behavior. The good news is that your puppy will grow out of this habit at around 6 months old. Your lab should also be house-trained by this point, but there may still be the occasional accident. Remember to be gentle but firm when this happens, and your pooch will likely move through it swiftly. They will begin losing their baby teeth at this point, and biting and chewing may reach its peak. Firm but gentle commands, chew toys, and loads of patience are essential at this stage. Your puppy will be testing the limits and may start showing dominance, ignoring known commands, and asserting more independence. You can now drop their meals down to two meals per day, but be sure that they are not eating too quickly. Your puppy will start to closely resemble an adult at 6 months, but remember that mentally, they are still puppies and will need loads of direction and training. Females may enter their first heat at 6—7 months, so keep a careful watch for stray males. They will still display puppy tendencies and traits and have a ton of excitable energy, but they should be fairly obedient and well-trained by this stage. Be sure to give your Labrador plenty of exercise at this stage to help keep them from misbehavior. They will have reached their full height by now but may still gain weight and muscle mass in the coming months. Unless you intend on breeding, you should consider neutering and spaying your puppy to avoid wandering and unwanted pregnancies. While some breeders recommend that you wait until a year old, this is a perfectly suitable time to perform the procedure. They may still gain weight and muscle mass but much slower than during the past few months. They will still display puppy characteristics and even test boundaries, but all in all, they should be obedient and well-trained by now. They will have a ton of energy and still enjoy playtimes and loads of exercise. While they are at their full height at this age, some Labs may appear lanky and still have weight to fill out in the coming months. When Do Labradors Stop Growing? All dogs are unique, and the question of when they stop growing is largely dependent on the individual. Anecdotally, your Lab should have reached their full weight by 18 months and full height by 9—12 months. Most breeders agree that your Lab will stop growing at some point during their second year. Even so, any weight gain during their second year will be minimal, and they will have done the majority of their growth by their first birthday. Mentally, they are out of the puppyhood phase of testing boundaries and disobedience by their first year— if correctly trained. If you have been consistent in training thus far, your Lab should be friendly, obedient, and well-behaved from their first birthday and into adulthood. In males, neutering can sometimes result in a calmer, more relaxed dog, and this, in turn, will slow down his need for exercise and may result in weight gain. A study in showed that dogs neutered before 37 weeks may gain more weight, while dogs that had the procedure after 37 weeks had a slower growth trajectory. The difference was minimal, though, and there is no reason to assume that these procedures have much of an effect on growth rates in dogs. Dangers of Growing Too Quickly or Stunted Growth While some puppies may grow quicker or slower than the agreed-upon average, this is usually nothing to be concerned about due to the individual and unique nature of dogs. However, if your pooch is gaining weight rapidly or not gaining enough, there may be deeper issues to look into. If your dog is from working or hunting stock, they may be smaller than average Labs and are usually lighter for work in the field. Size may also be genetic, and if your Lab comes from small parents, they will be smaller than average. The same may be true of heavier-than-average Labs—if their parents are large, they will likely be similar in size. However, larger-than-average weights may also be due to overfeeding or a lack of exercise , or a combination of both, so be sure to keep their exercise and feeding habits consistent. Image Credit: rebeccaashworth, Shutterstock Growth Distinctions of Different Labradors Although they are designated under the same breed, there are two different types of common Labradors: English and American. English Labradors tend to be stockier and more muscular than their American counterparts and have a thick, waterproof coat , while American Labs have a slender build with a slightly finer coat. English Labs are slightly shorter, topping out at around 22 inches, but their stocky and muscular build often makes them heavier than American Labs. In fact, English Labs have been known to weigh up to 20 pounds more than American Labs without being considered overweight. American Labs are known to be slightly more active and energetic than English Labs, while English Labs tend to be less excitable and more laid back. English Labs are by no means lazy, though, and they still have plenty of energy and stamina to go around. Conclusion: Monthly Labrador Growth Pictures Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the growth rate of your Labrador puppy and given you a better idea of what to expect during the different stages. See also:. Your puppy is almost 3-months old! It really is crazy how fast puppies grow and develop that first year. It feels like that for us too. Learn about training your week-old Labrador puppy. Get the full story! This is post four of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Bubba Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week four home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for almost a month. Besides growing bigger each day, you should be seeing some other changes in your Lab puppy. Bubba is as feisty as she is sweet. She is testing the rules every day but is also quick to heed a command of warning. This shows me that she knows the rules, knows when something is off-limits, but just wants to check and see if anything has changed since yesterday. This is a healthy attitude and behavior for her. Here are the things we worked on this week for training. Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. We follow this by one hour of play time or time out on the tie out. She understands the routine and is fairly compliant with going back in her kennel after a time out. We had to move Bubba into a larger crate this week. This crate should work until she is ready for her full-sized kennel. But it is now time to expect more from her. The next step is getting her to go into her crate by herself on command. We will accomplish this in a series of steps. If Bubba moves toward the door and goes into the crate, we will praise her. Then over time we will move her further and further from the crate door until she is going into the crate by herself. At this age, you need to hover over the puppy and be ready for them to make a run for it. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. She often sits in front of the outside door when she needs to go out, and we quickly take her out when she does this behavior. We want her to understand that outside is the right place to go when you need to go potty, so we praise and reward her for sitting in front of the door or scratching at the door with taking her outside. Looking for more information on housebreaking? Commands we use in week four We continue to use the commands from week one , the commands from week two , and the commands from week three. There are no new commands for week 4. Obedience commands We continue to work on obedience commands this week and next week we will start some formal obedience training. She sits nicely while I put the leash on her and take it off. She is also sitting quickly on command before she is given permission to eat. It always surprises me how fast dogs learn this command when it comes to food. She is starting to understand and rarely pulls when we go on walks, although she still does not prefer to walk in the proper HEEL position. No worries, that will come. This is always a struggle with young puppies, there is a lot of distractions, and they seem to forget what they are doing mid-way through running to you. One safety note. Make sure the check cord does not have a loop on the end you hold. If your puppy is dragging the check cord, that loop may get caught on something and hurt your puppy. Either buy a check cord that is simply a straight long rope or cut the loop off. The long check cord is important for teaching HERE because it gives you something to grab a hold of or step on if your puppy decides to play games instead of being obedient. Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Socialization, socialization, socialization You can never do too much socialization. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Just a few days ago I was walking Bubba and I slipped and ended up dragging my shoe along the road. Bubba jumped a foot in the air and tried to bolt away. This new noise was something Bubba was unprepared for. This is why you can never do enough socialization; you want to prepare your puppy to handle as many new situations as possible. Learn more about socialization. But not ALL hunting elements. Please do not start shooting a gun around your puppy just yet. Introduction to gun fire is the very last element that we introduce hunting dogs to. And when we do, there has been a lot of pre-work done so that we have removed much of the likelihood that the puppy will respond negatively. Learn more about how and when to introduce your dog to gunfire. Water introduction If the weather is cooperating, now is a great time to get your puppy swimming. Find a pond with a slow gradual decline into the water. Throw a puppy bumper next to shore and if your puppy retrieves it, then the next throw should be just a few inches into the water, then about a foot out and then 2 feet out, etc. Some puppies get a little panicked by the first time the ground falls away and they need to swim. Just praise your puppy and keep going. Decoy introduction Our first introduction to decoys is done very simply. We have decoys set out for training and we move them around occasionally. We simply let Bubba run around while we pick up and move the decoys from one side of the field to the other. This gives her the opportunity to smell the decoys, paw at them and learn that they are not much fun. In a week or so, we will start doing some puppy marks in the decoys, but not yet. Continuation of assistant marks Bubba will continue to get assistant marks most days from now until she is done her training. The marks will continue to increase in distance and complexity but all our marking scenarios for our afternoon sessions involved gunners out in the field. For now, we will continue marks on short grass with white plugs so that Bubba can clearly see the item on the ground. Not too far down the road we will start incorporating some other marking concepts such as crossing deeper strips of cover and longer marks, but right now we are teaching the puppy to mark, to watch where the bumper falls and to run to the bumper. If we move to deeper cover too soon or make the marks too difficult we will inhibit Bubbas learning and marking ability. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy Your week-old puppy is quickly growing and changing. The training does not need to take a long time, but it does need to happen on a consistent basis. Keep at it and you will reap the benefits as your puppy grows into a full -sized dog and a stable hunting companion. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. Puppy training development after 6 months It is very tempting to get carried away with puppy training. Your young do is so willing to please and such fun to be around. It is important to go at a happy pace for you both. Positive reinforcement training is the right choice for your puppy because there are no negative consequences to getting something wrong. But you can still both suffer from burnout and frustration if you try to reach the later puppy training stages without totally aceing the earlier developments. Your Puppy Training Schedule This may not be exactly the same for each puppy, especially with retrieving which is more Labrador specific. However, it gives you a rough idea. Constantly changing direction. Stopping frequently for cuddles and rewards. This means I blow the recall whistle whenever the puppy runs towards me, no compulsion, and no whistle unless the recall is already underway. Socialisation: Lots almost daily of outings to different places rural and urban carried Visits to family and friends. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow mouthing. Working with food: Learning how to take food gently without snatching or grabbing at the treat pot. I still give the puppy lots of encouragement by running away as soon as I blow the whistle. Socialisation: More socialisation, at least twice a week to busy public places. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow gentle mouthing. Retrieving: Encourage chase and pick up retrieve drive. Hand touch: I teach all new puppies to touch my hand with their noses. This is a great foundation for other skills. Recall: Puppy recall continues, reduce my run to a walk, avoid any distractions. Still frequently blow the recall whenever the pup runs towards me of her own free will. Socialisation: From ground level after vaccination. No other leash walking at all Bite inhibition: No biting, gentle mouthing allowed. Retrieving: Continue to build drive. Positions: I introduce three positions — sit, stand, down. What to expect from your 3 month old puppy Most three month old puppies will be sleeping through the night. And will be having less potty training accidents in the house. There are a few potty training problems that arise at this age, and they are all covered in 15 potty training problems solved. Biting is a big shock and a big problem for many new Lab puppy parents so do check out our complete guide to biting , and join the forum for help and support. Help encourage your puppy to stay in their bed while you are eating. I have a pot of dog treats on our kitchen table, and whenever we sit down to a meal, the puppy gets a treat each time she steps into her basket. Just a treat for stepping in there. What to expect from your 4 month old puppy Your 4 month old puppy will be pretty much potty trained, but accidents still happen if they are left alone too long. Biting is usually starting to subside now, and many four month old puppies will be able to mouth at your hand without hurting you. At this point I start to discourage all mouthing. I teach every puppy to let me touch her face or approach her with my hand, food, a leash etc while holding eye contact and not grabbing at me, or at what is in my hand. This is the age at which people often start to push forward with training. Your 4 month old puppy is capable of quite a lot. There is nothing wrong with teaching your puppy different cues and even some tricks. I recommend you still avoid long duration activities at this point as they are a common stumbling point with puppies young enough to have a short attention span. A ten second sit is ample. Add mild distractions Recall: Fade additional cues. Begin to whistle the pup and stand still. Add mild distractions. Clicker train to polish this in more mouthy puppies. No commands are needed for this. Gradual introduction of distractions. Advanced puppy training begins in earnest This is where I start a programme of sporting training with my Labs. You can begin raising your standards and expectations, asking for longer and more complex behaviors. Teaching your puppy to walk to heel nicely for longer distance and past all kinds of distractions and temptations. Or teaching your puppy to sit and stay for longer periods of time, and even while you go out of sight or while other dogs play nearby. What to expect from your six month old puppy Six months is a common time for people to have a lot of questions and to be struggling with a few challenges. This is now a very bouncy, quite powerful and rapidly maturing young dog. And you may need to patch up a few holes in his training or manners. We have a great article for owners of six month old Lab puppies.

German shepherds have large, erect ears, which are advantageous for more than just keener hearing: Because they're erect, they get more air circulation than floppy-eared dogs do; their ear canals stay relatively dryer, therefore, making them less prone to infection. It is still important to clean your German shepherd's ears once in a while, however, to maintain healthy skin. Step 1 Examine your German shepherd's ears for signs of infection. If your dog's ears appear red and inflamed, or if they excrete a foul odor, your dog may have an infection that could require veterinary attention. Healthy ears on a German shepherd will be pink and free of discharge. Step 2 Gently pull one of your dog's outer ears upward to straighten the ear and expose the ear canal. Step 3 Squeeze a few drops of dog ear cleanser directly into the ear canal and massage the base of your German shepherd's ear with your fingers to distribute the solution. You may want to have a friend or family member hold your dog's head still so he does not shake it when you apply the cleanser. Step 4 Use a cotton ball to carefully swab out the interior of your dog's ear, wiping away debris as well as residual cleanser. If you don't have cotton balls, a soft, clean cloth will suffice. Step 5 Apply an ear-drying powder to your German shepherd's ear if you are concerned about it staying dry. Because German shepherds have erect ears, they should dry fairly quickly on their own. Step 6 Trim the hair just inside your dog's ear using a pair of blunt-nose scissors, or pluck out long hairs using a pair of tweezers. This step is necessary only in German shepherds that have very hairy ears, to facilitate airflow to the ear canals. Step 7 Repeat these steps with your German shepherd's other ear, then reward your German shepherd with a small treat for his cooperation. After a period of regular cleaning your dog will should become used to the process of having his ears cleaned. More Articles. Ask your dog to sit down in a calm state. Show the bottle of ear cleaner to your German Shepherd. Allow him to smell and feel it. This will help hold his head in place so you can add the cleaning solution. Pull the ears up for cleaning purposes with a soft hand. Do not hurt him otherwise, he will become aggressive. Put the optimal quantity of cleaning solution into the ear as suggested by your veterinarian into the ear. Keep on filling the ear with the ear-cleaning solution until the ear canal gets filled. After completely filling the ear with solution, calm down your dog and rub down the ear base in a rotational motion. By doing this, the cleaning solution will clean deep into the ears. Pick up a towel and soak up the ear solution. Use cotton balls to clean away any dirt you see. Give your dog a treat for letting you clean their ear. Do not use the Q-tips for this process. Q-tips will damage the eardrum. Repeat the same procedure with the other ear, if it is required. If your dog has a lot of earwax or long ears, clean the ears once a week. If your dog has ear infections often, you can clean the ears once a week. Use cleaning solutions that your vet recommends. Do not use hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning of ears. It is irritating for your German Shepherd. The tissues of the ear are very sensitive. They can get damaged from using hydrogen peroxide. How to clean GSD ears properly: step-by-step instruction Ears are an important organ through which the German Shepherd Dog picks up a huge number of sounds. In order to avoid various diseases, every owner should know how to clean German Shepherd ears, how to wipe them, and how to familiarize the pet with this procedure. The ear organs of a healthy animal should be inspected on a regular basis. A small light brownish plaque that does not have a strong odor is considered normal. The inner side of the ear should be cleaned every 3 to 4 weeks. If a pet suffers from a mite, otitis media, or other illnesses, cleaning is performed much more often — every days. Encourage your Shepherd after each session, praise him and give him his favorite food. Teach him to do it step by step. First of all, you need to buy a special lotion or tonic. Instead of liquid products, many owners use wet wipes soaked in a special liquid. Clean cotton pads or sterile gauze wipes will also be required for the procedure. The organs of hearing are inspected for plaque. If it is not significant, cleaning is done as usual. If there was abundant secretion with an unpleasant smell, it is necessary to rinse the ear with chlorhexidine, and then treat it with medical solutions. A small plaque is removed as follows: moisten a cotton pad or tissue with cleansing lotion and carefully wipe the inner ear canal. If there are small crusts on the skin, you can drop a couple of drops of lotion on them, wrap the ear, and gently massage. After that, the hard plaque will soften, and it can be removed in the usual way — with a moistened cotton pad. Never use hydrogen peroxide for treatment, as it can cause severe burns to the delicate skin. It is very important to train the Shepherd into hygiene starting at an early age. Ears are a vital organ for a dog, so every owner should monitor their condition. When cleaning, inspect the skin for damage or infection. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. A fire engine flashes by, sirens blaring, causing your dog to react with whining and howls or at least rapt attention. Even in quieter moments, her ears are constantly swiveling and twitching as she picks up sounds of her environment. Seem familiar? Dogs experience the world mostly through their nose, with the olfactory part of the brain being dozens of times larger than the same part in humans. But second to their sense of scent is that of hearing. Just like a pebble in your shoe, any foreign objects that make their way into the ears can bother them over time. Some breeds are more prone to ear infections due to the size or shape of their ears. For German Shepherds , ear cleaning is especially important due to their proportionally large ears for the size of their head. Anything that gets in under the ear flaps or into the ear canal can cause itching and scratching — no fun! The sooner her ears are clean, the faster you two can get back to playing ball! A video guide on how to clean GS ears A Calm Environment First and foremost, your pooch must be calm to have their ears cleaned. Ensure you create for them a safe, familiar environment, free of distractions, where they can be in a restful state and stay fully attuned to you. If they show any signs of nervousness, tension, or fear — especially around the cleaning tools — you might need extra time to help them get ready. Some dogs might be comfortable enough to lie down for you, but others will prefer to sit upright while you work. If you anticipate a mess, outside on a patio surface or a clean yard area is okay too. Now that the situation is conducive to relaxation, make sure your German Shepherd is calm and focused on your commands. A German Shepherd chowing down. Doing the Job Make sure your dog is restful, quiet, and still. If using a bottled ear-cleaning solution, follow the instructions on the label. Take the cotton ball or moist rag and gently wipe along the inside of the ear flap from the tip down as far as you can go without tickling or hurting them. This could be a sign of infection, so we recommend you call your vet to be extra cautious. Never pour any liquid solution directly into the ear canal! Try a couple of times a month, or as often as they get a bath. More may be necessary for certain breeds like GSDs with open ear shapes. I saw a home remedy for ear cleaning solution online. Can I try it? Generally, some kind of vinegar diluted with water can substitute for an over-the-counter ear cleaning solution. But always check with your vet first! Definitely stay away from drying agents like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. A German Shepherd at the Vet. If your German Shepherd constantly shakes his head back and forth, this could signify that his ears are bothering him and need to be cleaned. Try gently scratching him behind the ears and see if he pushes his head into your hand for relief. Can I clean them myself and hope for the best? Follow-Up It could be that a routine cleaning at home is all your dog needs to stay happy and irritant-free. If they show signs of their ear bothering them, try wiping out the ears more often. And, of course, make sure your dog is up to date on their vet visits so they can have a professional check for anything you may have missed. Good health begins with a good diet. Just like humans, dogs are what they eat. Feeding your GSD the right blend of nutrients Tufts University will encourage his body to produce the proper digestive enzymes, immune function, and skin texture to protect against illness or infection. Also consider. Among your best options are cotton balls, a soft washcloth, or some light gauze. Additional lighting. A headlamp or flashlight would be useful. Lots of treats. Few dogs like getting their ears cleaned but most will tolerate it with the promise of delicious treats. Have many in hand and be sure to reward your dog for good behavior. The more they associate ear cleaning with treats, the easier subsequent ear cleaning sessions will be. Stick with ear cleansers that are specially made for dogs to minimize the risk of infection. Hydrogen peroxide. Cotton-tipped swabs. Q-Tips and similar products might push dirt and earwax further into the ear canal. They might also cause eardrum perforation and similar injuries, especially with squirmy dogs. Check for irregularities like redness, inflammation, and excessive dirt. You should also take a sniff to check for foul odor. If there are signs of something wrong, consult with your vet. Otherwise, you can move on to the next step. Step 5: Wiping Once done, allow your dog to shake off any excess ear wash. Then, use a dry cotton ball or soft cloth to wipe off any excess product. Make sure you treat and praise your dog throughout the entire process. Once done, do the same for the other ear. For general maintenance, you can use your ear cleaner once a month or as directed by your veterinarian. Train with positive reinforcement. Use treats and praises to get them comfortable having their ears touched first. Do it regularly. The more often you clean their ears, the better they will tolerate it. Schedule after exercise. When your dog is tired, the less likely they are to squirm and protest during the ear cleaning process. Offer high-value treats. Give them treats they really love after cleaning each ear. If you notice flaking skin, redness, or black dirt that resembles coffee grounds, check with your vet for further cleaning instructions. Lastly, German Shepherds are not prone to chronic ear issues. If yours is, talk to your vet about possible allergies and whether it would be beneficial to switch to a grain-free diet. Eardrum damage is not unheard of if you forcefully jam cotton into the canal or utilize long Q tips. What are dog ear-cleaning steps? Prepare the environment — Secure your pet. Some do better on an elevated surface, such as a grooming table. Barring that, an area designated for special procedures should work well. Collect your supplies — You need an appropriate ear-cleaning solution and cotton balls or cosmetic pads. Towels are helpful for head shaking. Have him sit or lay down if it helps. Fill the ear canal with an ear-cleaning solution. Gently massage the base of the ear. It is normal to hear the liquid squishing. If using a medicated solution, make sure to leave the suspension in place for 5 to 10 minutes if possible. Wipe any visible debris and excessive liquid from the inner ear flap and opening that you can see. Use a cotton ball as swabs are irritating, and tissue paper may fall apart. If there still seems to be wax or debris build-up, repeat the rinse. Do not use Q tips or anything else to penetrate the ear canal. Save these for the professionals as you can potentially drive wax and dirt deeper into the ear. This video is two-fold. It shows some tips on getting your dog used to having her ears cleaned. Hopefully, your German Shepherd will not be so reluctant but notice the frequent petting, the slow progression through the steps, and the soothing voice. You can also enlist the help of a veterinarian, groomer, or even a trainer. Apply any required medications or drops after an ear cleaning unless instructed otherwise. Some drops work better if ear wax or debris is present. Nevertheless, you can take the opportunity to check for problems. For German Shepherds with standard ears that have no issues with allergies or chronic inflammation, cleaning their ears every four to six weeks should suffice. You can use a general ear cleaner for dogs, consulting your veterinarian with any questions. According to AKC , The paradox is that excessive ear cleaning can promote infection because it may cause irritation, alter the inner ear pH, and disrupt healthy flora. Also, using a solution not formulated for canines could be problematic. Your veterinarian can help you determine a suitable ear cleaning schedule for your dog. How do you accustom your dog to cleaning his ears? Get your dog used to having his ears handled at a young age. Most dogs enjoy having their ears petted, so take advantage of it. While stroking the ears, talk soothingly and occasionally also rub the insides of the flaps. Also, hold the pinnae from time to time and run your thumb across the exterior ear canal opening. Reward cooperation with treats or a play break. When you groom or bathe your Shepherd , always touch her ears. A basic ear cleaning solution is best to use for most German Shepherds. Alcohol can be drying and irritating and downright painful if your dog has any invisible sores. Despite its antibacterial properties, hydrogen peroxide is an irritant, especially if full-strength. You can formulate home remedies with various apple cider vinegar solutions and essential oils such as tree tea oil. It is ideal to consult with your veterinarian to obtain the correct concentrations and address safety concerns regarding how to clean German Shepherd ears. A balanced pH is essential for inner ear health. How does the pinna factor in? The largest difference is the flap or pinna. The pinna refers to the outer part of the ear you can see. It expresses the emotions of an animal and where his attention lies. Nature has blessed German Shepherds with upright ear flaps with a wide opening. If your German Shepherd has classically erect ears, she will have excellent airflow across the exterior canal, facilitating dry conditions. As you know, bacteria and yeast thrive in warm, moist environments. Shepherd puppies are born with floppy or folded-over ears. One or both ears never fully stand up. Many sources, including Pet Health Network , suggest these dogs may inherently have more ear infections than dogs whose ears do not lop. What ear structures are beyond the pinnae? Your dog has a long L-shaped external ear canal. The first portion goes straight down as you look at your dog from above. It then makes a sharp angle as it progresses to the inner ear structures. You can help your dog expel debris and dislodge wax that builds up here. You need to exercise care in your choice of cleaning solutions, though. A thin barrier, the eardrum or tympanic membrane, lives between the external ear canal and the middle ear. It amplifies incoming noise vibrations. A middle ear infection often indicates a tear or hole in the eardrum. Sound progresses from the middle ear inward via three tiny bones, the stapes, incus, and anvil. The inner ear is responsible for balance and hearing via the vestibular fluid and cochlea, respectively. Middle ear infections can progress to the inner ear. There are a few categories of ear problems in dogs. Infections are what we think of most commonly, but nervous system disorders, vestibular disease, cancer, and parasites must be ruled out. For example, tumors can grow in the middle ear. What are the most common causes of canine ear infections? Allergies German Shepherds are not typically allergic dogs, but they can have food and environmental sensitivities. White Shepherds seem more susceptible to immune problems, allergies, and similar ear problems. Ear mites These are tiny parasites most common in puppies and dogs living around infested cats. Your veterinarian can easily diagnose them with a microscopic examination of an ear debris smear. Yeast According to Hemopet , Malassezia pachydermatitis and Candida are two common yeasts that naturally inhabit the skin and ears of dogs. Your Shepherd will exhibit symptoms of infection if these organisms become overgrown as in allergies or other immune-compromising disorders. Bacteria Different types of disease-causing, or pathogenic, bacteria can cause ear infections. Often classified according to whether they take up Gram stain or not, diagnosis with an ear culture is necessary for resistant cases. The ear is similar to the skin and gut in that it has a population of healthy bacteria. When these organisms become disrupted, it paves the way for pathogenic fungi, yeast, or bacteria to move in. We did not mention hair because it does not affect most GSDs. Poodles and other breeds may have hair that grows far down in the outer ear canal. Groomers pluck this hair during haircuts. According to Veterinary Partner Vin , gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas are particularly tricky to treat, becoming increasingly so without proper diagnosis and medication. Diagnosing ear infections includes an otoscopic exam, an examination of ear debris under a microscope, allergy tests, cultures to identify bacterial species, and bloodwork to rule out underlying diseases. What are signs that your Shepherd has an ear problem? Signs of ear problems may even appear dramatic to you. According to WebMD , there are several classic symptoms of an ear infection. Head shaking Redness in the external ear canal and inside the pinnae Scratching the ears or pawing the top of the head Patchy hair loss or matted hair behind the ears — This is usually a sign that your dog has been scratching. Some Shepherds have long tufts of hair around the ears that are subject to matting. Foul odor to the ears — Both bacteria and yeast have a distinctive smell. Your dog suddenly will not allow you to clean his ears — Blame the pain. Any discharge is abnormal — Discharge can be brown, black, white, yellow or blood-tinged Nystagmus — This is an abnormal movement of the eyes whereby they appear to be swimming from side to side or twitching up and down. Such patterns can also indicate vestibular disease or a problem located in the brain. Swelling — Inflammation, and infection can manifest as swelling. Another phenomenon, more commonly observed in floppy-eared dogs, is a hematoma. A blood-filled pocket will occasionally form between the two layers of skin in the ear flap from excessive shaking of the head. But there is actually a lesser known bonus from proper ear cleaning: Lowering the chances of your German Shepherd breaking their ear cartilage. Especially as puppies when their ears are not fully developed, GSDs are at a higher risk of damaging their ears. This can happen during rowdy play with other dogs, from excessive scratching, and from ear infections. As a result, German Shepherds can end up having floppy ears, as opposed to the classic fully erect ears. This makes it all the more important to do your research before cleaning this sensitive part of their body.

What are F1 and F2 Labradoodles? Australian Labradoodles are a different breed the Labradoodles although similar! Simply put, the F1 has purebred parents — meaning that the mother and father were both purebred poodle or labrador retrievers. An F2 Labradoodle comes from two Labradoodles. F1 is the first generation of offspring born from two different species of parents. F2 is the following generation — so the Labradoodle was born from two F1 Labradoodles. Since they have a more stagnant genetic make-up, the F1 Labradoodle is often healthier than the F2. Without too much genetic variation, a life-threatening health condition is less likely. Labradoodle playing in a water fountain. What a way to cool off on a warm day! Personality F1 Labradoodles have desirable dispositions! F1 Labradoodles, like the labrador retriever, aim to please. If you want a loyal, trustworthy dog, an F1 Labradoodle is perfect for you. Grooming and Coat At first glance, the F1 Labradoodle can look like a burden to groom. The typical wiry or curly Labradoodle coat does not require as much grooming as the straight coat. F1 Labradoodles have an undercoat, like labrador retrievers. Proper brushing gets rid of the dead undercoat fur and allows a healthy coat to grow. Health Problems As mentioned above, F1 Labradoodles do not have as many health issues as F2 breeds because of their lack of genetic variation. They have shared issues with the labrador retriever and poodle breeds. The labrador side contributes to health problems such as hip dysplasia and several abnormal eye conditions. Both parents can pass down allergies, chronic ear infections, epilepsy, and gastrointestinal problems. The F1B is the preferred option if you want a curlier, more poodle-like coat. The F2 breed has all of the best traits of the F1 and more. A Red Miniature Labradoodle looks happy in the studio. Personality Some vets say that F2 Labradoodles are, for lack of a better term, wild. If the F2 Labradoodle has poodle-heavy genes, a high-energy dog is likely. Those are red flags for future behavior issues. You may want a higher-energy dog , especially if you want a running or hiking companion! Just be aware that some Labradoodles are too much to handle for some owners. Most of the time, F2 Labradoodles are as loyal and cuddly as their F1 counterparts. Maintenance and Coat F2 Labradoodles are more likely to have the classic curly coat of Labradoodles. An F2 Labradoodle has way less of a chance of giving you an allergic reaction than an F1 Labradoodle. Their coats still have a chance of being straight, so if you want strictly curly fur, try to find a puppy with one F1b Labradoodle parent and an F1 parent — that way, the wiry-haired poodle genes are more dominant. There are a few tools you should purchase if you have a curly-haired F2 Labradoodle. Can Labradoodles smile? If an F2 comes from healthy F1 parents, they should not have too many issues. But, if the breeding line is more complex and back-crossing occurs, more health problems could occur. A few conditions to watch out for are below. The sebaceous filaments in the skin become inflamed, leading to further skin problems. The disease shows up more often in F2 breeds. Lymphoma Lymphoma is arguably the worst condition on this list. They are still active, loving dogs that, if from a reputable breeder, make great companions. An F2 Labradoodle is the way to go if you want the traditional Labradoodle look. My stylish Labradoodle Max wearing a hoodie. Conclusion and Takeaways Many breeders and Labradoodle owners participate in the F1 vs. The F2 Labradoodle, although more random in genetics, is not that different from the F1. Make sure you go to a reputable breeder and an ethical breeder to ensure your Labradoodles parents get screened for common diseases and behavioral problems. This is less possible if you rescue a Labradoodle Labradoodles, both F1 and F2, are active, nature-loving dogs that are ready to join you on your next adventure. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Also called Miniature Labrapoos, Labradoodles, and Labradorpoos, the Miniature Labradoodle is a well-known hybrid breed in a smaller package. They are sweet-natured and smart, and they love to spend time with their people. They are affectionate with their family. They are also tolerant and compassionate, and they tend to be well-behaved around people of all ages and other pets. Labradoodles are generally healthy and should live to be 10 to 14 years old. These qualities make Miniature Labradoodles an ideal family dog that does well with other pets and children. Even the most inexperienced dog parents find this breed to be easy to train and eager to please. They are too gentle and sweet to make a good guard dog, but they can be useful watchdogs. They are small and fluffy, square and athletic. Long, furry ears are set on the top and back of their heads. Their muzzles can be medium to long. The Miniature Labradoodle coat varies a great deal, ranging from straight to loose curls, and usually kept about 4 to 6 inches in length. The coat may be one of three textures. They could have hair similar to fur in shedding dogs, they could have a more dense and non-shedding wool, or they could have more of a silky fleece. They come in a variety of colors: Gold. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. I remember looking into getting a Labradoodle as a potential companion for Molly. Researching them was overwhelming! I was bombarded with different types of Labradoodles - F1 and F2 being the most common. I did the research so that you don't have to! So, which one is better — F1 or F2 Labradoodle? But what exactly is the difference between an F1 and F2 Labradoodle? What are their characteristics? What about other generations like F1b and F2b? F1, F2, F3, F1b, F2b — this is the accepted nomenclature to distinguish any designer dog breed between different generations. F1 is the first generation of Labradoodles, F1b not F2 is the second generation, and F2 is the third generation. From the third generation onwards, they are known as multi-generation Labradoodles. A multi-generation Labradoodle is one whose parents are both Labradoodles. How are they bred? Be prepared to play with them a lot and give them plenty of exercise. They make great family pets. Since Labradoodles are quite intelligent, they can be taught to do tricks and tasks easily. They shed less. But a particular Labradoodle may shed more than others. They make an excellent guide and therapy dogs. Their loving temperament also makes them ideal therapy dogs for people with depression, autism, or other issues. F1 Labradoodles This is the first-generation Labradoodle, a product of mating a purebred Labrador Retriever with a standard or miniature Poodle. With an F1 Labradoodle, we move away from the flat coat of a Labrador and the curly face of a Poodle. We end up with something in-between — an adorable puppy with a rocking wavy coat. As first-generation hybrids, the F1 Labradoodles are believed to be healthier than their parents. These added health benefits are associated with heterosis or hybrid vigor. However, for the puppy to enjoy these health benefits, both parent dogs need to be thoroughly tested for diseases. Labradors are known to have hip problems, and Poodles can also suffer hip dysplasia and eye disorders. F1 Labradoodles can easily live in families with mild allergic reactions. If someone in your family is highly allergic, getting an F1b Labradoodle is preferable as they are more allergy-friendly or hypoallergenic than F1. The only difference between an F1 and F2 Labradoodle is the genetic mixture. In an F2, the genes are mixed further, resulting in a lot more color variants than an F1 Labradoodle. The tendency to breed F2 Labradoodles is just to get a specific color or a fleece fur. F2, F3, and other higher generation Labradoodles are much more random in terms of appearance and other traits. Their shedding and temperament are also hard to predict precisely. Higher generations like F2 or F3 can look more Labrador-ish or Poodle-ish. Labradoodle puppies get their adult coat only after 12 months of age. Breeders need consistent results to sell, and F2 Labradoodles are the most unpredictable of all generations. You have all the information to answer this question for yourself. However, when comparing F1 and F2 Labradoodles, we recommend not to go for F2. The traits can be unpredictable, and no responsible breeder would breed two F1 Labradoodles to produce a puppy with random characteristics. Regardless of which puppy you pick, remember to get all the details about their ancestors. F1 and F1b are usually thought to be decent choices when it comes to bringing a Labradoodle home. You can even look at F2b If you want some specific traits. Always make sure that you get your Labradoodle from an experienced, reputable breeder. There are lots of irresponsible breeders who only want to make money. Finding f2 Labradoodle puppies for sale An f2 Labradoodle has two first generation Labradoodle parents, and a Lab and a Poodle grandparent on each side. There are pros and cons to buying or adopting an f2 Labradoodle puppy, but they have the potential to be great pets in the right homes. A Labradoodle can be the best of a Labrador and a Poodle. What is an f2 Labradoodle? F2 Labradoodles have two f1 Labrador parents, and those parents each have one Labrador Retriever parent and one Poodle parent. In other words, an f2 dog has mixed breed parents, but four pedigree grandparents. What does f2 mean? Before we go any further, how did breeders come up with the designations f1 and f2? What do they actually represent? Filial describes the relationship between parents and their offspring. And the number describes the number of generations that separate a mixed breed puppy from their most recent purebred ancestor s. An f2 dog is two generations removed from their Lab and Poodle grandparents. F2 Labradoodle characteristics Mixed breed dogs are always a genetic lottery. We only have an extremely limited ability to predict how some traits will be passed on. Most qualities will be or at least appear to be inherited or not inherited from each parent at random. Within the f2 generation, there is also the possibility for puppies to seem surprisingly like a purebred Lab or Poodle again. What do f2 Labradoodles look like? F2 Poodles can pretty much look like a Lab, a Poodle or anything in between! Some of the possibilities to look out for are: Size. Standard Poodles weigh lbs, and Labradors weigh lbs. Both breeds are sexually dimorphic, so females mostly occupy the bottom of their weight range, whilst males mostly occupy the top. Poodles are relatively tall for their size, with long, graceful legs. Working Labs are shorter and stockier, and show Labs are even shorter and stockier still! Labradors come in just three standard colors. But, several recessive possibilities such as dilute coats are thought to be present in the Labrador population at very low frequencies. Poodles meanwhile can be registered with the AKC in a huge variety of colors. This means f2 Labradoodle litters can include some surprising outcomes. This is an important possibility to bear in mind if you specifically want to avoid the shed hair that comes from living with a Labrador! Are f2 Labradoodles hypoallergenic? Labradoodle f2 generation health Generally, mixed breed dogs do enjoy a bit of a health benefit from their dual ancestry. They are often protected from recessive genetic diseases, which only manifest if they are inherited from both parents. Relevant examples include the exercise induced collapse gene, which is carried by Labs but not Poodles, and the sebaceous adenitis gene, which is carried by Poodles but not Labs. F1 Labradoodle are generally protected from suffering either of these conditions. However, some of this protection is lost in the f2 generation, since these genes can still be carried silently by the f1 generation and passed on to an f2 litter from both sides. Health profile Overall, f2 Labradoodle health possibilities to be aware of include: Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a common problem for Labs and Poodles, affecting around 1 in 8 dogs in both breeds. All dogs including f1 Labradoodles from health tested parents should be screened for symptoms before they are used in breeding plans. Elbow dysplasia. Likewise elbow dysplasia exist in both breeds, and and f2 litters should only be bred from health tested parents. Labs and Poodles are both prone to allergies which can appear as digestive problems, hayfever symptoms, or itchy skin. Ear infections. Always rinse and dry them carefully after swimming! Exercise induced collapse. F2 Labradoodles can inherit the faulty gene which causes exercise induced collapse through their Labrador ancestors on both sides. Sebaceous adenitis. Sebaceous adenitis in an uncomfortable and unattractive autoimmune skin condition in Poodles. F1 Labradoodles are generally protected, but they can be carriers of the faulty gene that causes it. Like Labradors and Poodles, Labradoodles can expect to live for 12 to 13 years on average. On average they might even experience a little lifespan boost thanks to their mixed breed ancestry. But do you know what? Poodles have great personalities too! Both dogs were originally bred to retrieve game for duck hunters. They are energetic, intelligent, relatively easy to train, and very people-focussed. An f2 Labradoodle is certain to be all of these things as well. Where Labs and Poodles differ is that Poodles tend to be less interested in socializing with other dogs. They might also take a little longer to warm up to new people. And they are more likely to display watchdog behaviors, such as barking at people who approach their home. An f2 Labradoodle could also inherit these qualities. For example, using two f1 dogs will produce an f2 litter with vary variable characteristics. Meanwhile, using an f1b sire dad or dam mom to produce an f2 generation increases the probability of the puppies having typically Poodle or Labrador traits, depending on the parentage of the f1b dog. Well, some breeders do! Genetically, they may even closer to one of their purebred ancestors than an F1b Labradoodle. And not to assume that each f2b litter you meet will be the same in looks and temperament as the last. For example, different breeders may describe an f1 x f1b cross as either f2, or f2b. On the one hand, this inconsistency is confusing. But other other, the numbers are pretty meaningless anyway, without knowing exactly what mating decisions were made and why. Reputable breeders often own several generations of the same family, and love to talk about the amazing qualities each sire and dam had which made them special enough to use for breeding. They should also be candid though, that crossbreeding carries an unavoidable degree of unpredictability. And if you particularly want, say, a non-shedding coat, a good breeder will be honest with you about the odds of their puppies having one, and the potential for disappointment. So you may see references to f3 Labradoodles, f4 Labradoodles, and beyond. Subsequent generations of Labradoodles are usually called multi-generation, or multi-gen, dogs. This is partly because later generations are often thought of as having more stable and uniform genetic traits. Compare this to wolf-dog hybrids and wild cat hybrids, which are frequently subject to licensing and regulation until f6. And finally, because it just gets a bit complicated to keep track of, without any pressing need to! Choosing an f2 Labradoodle So what type of Labradoodle should you look for? Are you interested in an early generation pup, or multi-gen dog? Labradoodles can vary widely from one breeder to another. Labradoodles are known for their soft curly coats. Many potential Doodle owners are also seeking a dog that is low shedding and hypoallergenic. Coat preference is why many Doodle experts recommend that you do not choose a first- or second-generation Labradoodle. This physical trait is reproduced more reliably in multi-gen dogs. However, for many other characteristics, such as intelligence, loyalty, and trainability, you can find both Labradors and Poodles who have these qualities in spades. So an f2 Labradoodle might still be your ideal pet, if the parents are right. Choosing a good breeder improves the odds of you being happy with the dog you bring home. Do you have an f2 Labradoodle? Tell us about them in the comments box! Related Articles. I went to meet Mike to talk about an upcoming litter and Bailey was sitting by herself. I pretty much changed my mind and wanted her immediately. She was introduced to a 6 year old cocker spaniel with and IVDD condition and they became best friends. Great Temperament, Incredibly smart and absolutely beautiful addition to my family. Mike has been following up since I got her checking to see if I had any issues. His training packet was detailed and if you follow the crate training and feeding regiment you will have no problems. Angelica I brought home an F2 labradoodle from here. My pups has already learned several commands within a few weeks of having him. The breeder has plenty of space for the pups and you can tell that there is a lot of care put into the environment. My dog has a great temperament and deals with people well. Upon the first meeting my pups was excited to greet people you can tell he had been socialized well. Mike does well with communication and answers any questions. Highly recommended! Javier Sanchez Got my black lab from Mike trained. He is very good and is comfortable with a crate, walking and great temperament. Overall an awesome dog from a great breeder! Maura Eaton My 12 year old son did all the research on Mike and his company. He had 5 star reviews across the board. Once we saw the picture of Zoey, a Chocolate Labradoodle, we knew we had to meet her. Mike's business is clean, the dogs are all loved by him and well trained. Zoey was Stage 1 trained. This is my first dog as an adult and Mike was excellent in providing advice and recommendations. After we adopted Zoey, Mike would periodically check-in on how Zoey was adjusting to her new family and home. As you can see in the pictures, she is very happy. Mike knew her personality well - smart, sweet and social. A perfect fit and addition to our family. He worked on training with the puppy before we brought him home, which was a big help in the adjustment! I would recommend Mike to anyone looking for a labradoodle puppy. Our puppy has been the best addition to our family and we have enjoyed working with Mike. John Schmadeke We were looking for a labradoodle puppy from a reputable and experienced breeder. Mike was super helpful, and we really appreciated that he cared so much about things like genetics and DNA testing for the dogs. Mike has always been available to answer our questions and to give advice. Tom Riniker We found Mike to be very professional, knowledgeable, and helpful when we purchased a puppy from him. His kennels are clean and organized, and his puppies are well cared for. He really loves his career and it shows! He has followed up with us on numerous occasions regarding the health and well-being of our puppy, and I always know I can reach him if I have questions. Thanks for everything, Mike! Yunhua Chen I have bought a stage 2 F1 labradoodle from Mike. His name is Zen, and just like his name, he is a well-behaved and well-trained little man. He only cried about 15 - 30 minutes during the first few nights and later he was sound asleep. I highly recommend Mike as a breeder because not only he deeply cares about the dogs, but also he has the expertise to make the dog the perfect match for you. Michelle Balchunas Mike was absolutely wonderful to deal with and very helpful with adding a new puppy to our family. If you are looking for a lab to add to your family we would highly recommend working with Mike. Charles Arnold Mike was a great help with our new puppy, Archie. Great experience… and a great dog. Junie is gentle, kind and very loving. She's also extremely athletic and smart. Working with Mike was a very smooth process and his "dog siting" service has proved helpful as I do travel on occasion. Having someone I could trust to care for Junie is super helpful. Mike James I recently had the fortunate privilege of working with Mike to find my next pup. For multiple reasons, the breed is perfect for me - the temperament, lifestyle often on the water , and hypoallergenic fits a tough lifestyle. I without hesitation recommend you work with Mike if you are looking for an amazing pup and great support network. Charlie is so gentle. He was just outside getting petted by his fan club, the neighbors. He licks. I got him the week of July 4th he was outside during that noise. He looks at noise. One of his other puppies was the same way, gentle. Day one he knew the trail through the woods back to our house. Charlie is a beautiful Chocolate lab with the softest hair. I got him at 16 weeks. You have no idea how helpful that is. Of course you want a healthy dog. Took the shots like a champ. The Vet remarked how firm his joints were. Yes he lets you brush his teeth! He goes to the door when he has to go. Another reason I wanted a 16 week pup. Peanut butter to continue gentle licks on my fingers. He always gets small chicken or liver for COME. You should see him come. Is Charlie gentle because some hunting dogs have a gentle mouth or is he gentle because Mike treated him right? Oh do exactly as Mike says on the take home instructions, he knows his dogs! Highly recommend! We brought our pup home with all the documentation of his superior genetics. Mike also sends several handouts which help prepare you for puppy ownership and ensure a smooth transition for your pup to his new home! In addition to his exceptional breeding he is exceptionally well-trained. We opted for a stage 2 puppy and not only does he sit, lay down, stay, he has an incredibly calm demeanor and his additional exposure to other dogs was also incredible. He is so well-tempered and well-behaved due to his additional training. We are so happy and in love with our sweet boy! Brent Viditz-Ward We were looking for a chocolate lab puppy for a long time from a reputable breeder and our experience with Mike was wonderful. He took time to get to know us and make sure that the dog was going to a good home and is always available to answer questions, give advice, etc. I highly recommend Mike and his puppies! M Fowkes Mike is a fantastic breeder. We got an F1 puppy from Mike. She is a sweet beautiful girl. Before she was born Mike knew what the puppies would look like generally, and was really easy to communicate with. He is very responsive when I had a lot of questions. He is like that even now that my puppy is 4 months old…available to answer questions and be supportive. Josie Palma-Aurelio We stumbled on this website when we were looking for our next fur baby. All the reviews speak truthful about Mike. He calls us to check on Nala for updates and gives us pointers on how to take care of her. Nala is such a lovable puppy and we are so happy to have her. We highly recommend! Juan Tellez Mike was a great helping my family and puppy get adjusted to our home. You can tell Mike has a lot of dedication and love towards his dogs. Snoop has been a great addition to our family! We are first time pet owners and Mike handheld us through the entire adoption process. His reference material, responsiveness and his genuine care for the puppies has helped us navigate the critical period of 12 weeks smoothly. The puppy is super smart outwitted me in a game of hide n seek when he was 10 weeks old! He is a bundle of joy! We are first time pet owners and had a lot of questions! He is always enthusiastic in answering any questions we have and supporting us before and after getting the pup! He cares about his dogs and pups and it shows in the research he has done and the knowledge he has about them! He has a lot of information on his website about the breed, food, toys and snacks! He also gives a couple of handouts when we book a pup with him and some when we take them home! Those helped a lot in the preparation for our pup! When you take them home, he also gives you details about the breed, vaccination records, and DNA testing done for the litter! Our girl, Shuri, is very energetic and curious! She does really well when we train her and has already learnt so much! For anyone looking for a labradoodle, Mike is the best! Jocelyn I highly recommend Mike. We are first time dog owners and he made the process so easy for us. Our labradoodle has made an excellent addition to our family!

Of that number, a large amount is returned simply because the owners couldn't care for them. This is especially common for puppies that don't receive proper training. You might think that German Shepherds are exempt from these numbers. They're so obedient. They're trained to be police dogs; they're in the military; they're even trained to herd animals on farms. They take a lot of training to get there, though, especially German Shepherd puppies. While adopting a German Shepherd puppy is possibly one of the most rewarding experiences you could ever think of, it's definitely something to think about before taking the plunge. Luckily, we're here to help you learn all you need to know about taking care of puppies and even what you need to know beforehand. Read on to learn all you need to know about taking care of and raising German Shepherd puppies. Also don't forget to check out our custom german shepherd gifts as well! Ensure You'd Like to Adopt a German Shepherd The very first thing you need to consider is whether or not a German Shepherd puppy is going to match your lifestyle. They're a physically demanding breed that requires a lot of regular exercise and stimulation. If they don't get this, you can expect behavioral problems like chewing on and getting into things they shouldn't a common thing for any breed. They're a particularly aloof breed, but they make excellent and watchful family pets. German Shepherds may take time to warm up to strangers and even children, but with proper training and boundary establishment, they're very well-behaved dogs. The two other large things to consider before you decide; how much their care costs and just how big they can get. While some females can be as small as 51 pounds, some males can weigh up to 90 pounds. Typically, females are smaller than males, but German Shepherds are by no means a small breed. Their average height is anywhere from 22 to 26 inches. If you need a size comparison, the average height of a Pomeranian is around 10 inches tall. The other thing to consider is how much they're going to cost not only to adopt but also to care for. Since German Shepherds are typically a large breed, they're going to cost more to feed, transport, and care for on a day-to-day basis. Tips for Picking a Puppy Once you've figured out whether you can handle the financial responsibility of a German Shepherd puppy , it's time to pick out the puppy themselves. Here are a few things to consider, whether you're adopting from a breeder or a shelter. Look for Signs of Abuse and Neglect Abuse or neglect is likely to be more common in shelter puppies, but it's definitely a possibility if you're adopting from a breeder. Some signs of abuse can include: Food aggression or refusing to leave food when called Separation anxiety Antisocial behavior Submission Submission can be a tricky thing to spot at times, but it isn't impossible to detect. Sometimes in it's a dog's nature to be naturally submissive, and it's an important trait to have if they're going to be around established packs. Here are a few signs of abnormal submission that can point to emotional abuse, though: Cowering in fear or hiding when approached Rolling over or walking away with tail tucked between legs when approached Laying down or cowering while urinating These puppies aren't impossible to rehabilitate, but they're going to require patience. Scolding or becoming angry with an abused puppy will only make the problem worse, so it's smart to consider whether or not it's something you can handle. If you're not adopting from a shelter, it's important to ensure the breeder you're looking to work with is a reputable one. Adopting these breeders is an especially important thing you can do to ensure you're getting a healthy and well-cared-for puppy. Look Out for Their Demeanor But also be aware that, while they're still a puppy, you do potentially have some effect on their personality as they grow older. While there are definitely things you might not be able to change how much they enjoy affection, whether or not they like playing for hours or a few minutes , but there are still a lot of things you can affect. The things you can affect usually have to do with their overall temperament. With proper training and boundary-setting, aggressive puppies can be taught to socialize. The same goes for shy or insecure puppies. Curious and hyperactive puppies are already set up for success on the socialization front, but you'll have to show them proper interactions with other dogs and even humans. Training Milestones Once you've decided on a puppy, it's time to start training. These are important guidelines to take into consideration and also important to ensure you can achieve. While this article is going to focus on GSD puppies specifically, they're also milestones to take into consideration no matter what breed of puppy you decide upon. Socialization Socialization is important for any breed because it ensures that you can take your dog out in public safely. It is especially important, however, for German Shepherd puppies from the age of weeks old. As we talked about earlier, this breed is naturally protective of its owners. That's why it's important to establish from an early age which strangers are friendly and what situations are not a threat. The more variety you can provide with your puppy's interactions, the better. This means typical interactions, like going for a walk or visiting the dog park, but also rarer ones. Some examples might be a blind person's white cane that helps them navigate or meeting a person in a wheelchair. While these interactions aren't exactly uncommon to see, if your puppy is unfamiliar with them as they grow older, they might see them as a threat the first time they come across them. The most important thing to remember when it comes to proper socialization, however, is that your puppy will pick up on your cues. This means that confidence is key when it comes to training. If you're nervous the entire time you're attempting to socialize your dog, they're going to notice and become hesitant as well. Ensuring that you're safely exposing your puppy to new sounds, smells, and sights will give you both the confidence needed to live and work together. Crate Training Crate training is a great way to help your puppy avoid developing social anxiety. Like socialization, confidence and safety are crucial to this particular method of training. Your puppy's crate isn't a punishment. In fact, it's usually seen as a safe space for them to go when they want some alone time. To start crate training, begin by placing them in their crate for feeding times and when you sleep at night. It might be difficult when you first start, but it's important to stay consistent, as this shows your puppy that their crate is a place they're safe in. It's also great to leave them in their crate when you leave the house. How long you're gone is going to depend on their age the older they get, the longer they can wait to use the bathroom , but it's still a good way to ensure they're safe when left alone. House Training Crate training is also a great way to supplement house training — especially for GSDs. House training is usually simple for this breed, especially accompanied by supervision, patience, and consistency on the owner's part. When you first bring your puppy home, it's important to take them out at least once an hour, though this number will go down as they get older. Reward them when they use the restroom outside, and don't punish them if they have an accident inside. When you use harsh reinforcement, like shoving their nose in their urine, they're not necessarily going to understand what's going on. Instead, if they have an accident and you catch them in the act, simply pick them up and take them outside. This shows them where they're supposed to go, reinforcing the boundary rather than training from a place of fear. Chewing The same goes for chewing on or getting into items they're not supposed to. Yelling, hitting, or scaring your puppy is not an effective way to train them. Instead — when they're getting into things they shouldn't — remove the item from their possession or move them to a different location while firmly saying "no. In this case, toys are expected to be chewed on. Setting clear boundaries and expectations from day one is not only going to make training your puppy easier, but it's going to make it easier for them to trust you. Obedience Training Starting at three months, obedience training should take place for your puppy. This includes basic commands, impulse control, and teaching them which behaviors are inappropriate for them to exhibit. For impulse control, that means teaching them to stay when food is set in front of them. Inappropriate behaviors will depend on the owner, but this usually means things like excessive barking, digging, chasing especially cats and cars , or even jumping and begging. Establishing trust is important for your dog because the key to obedience training is having their focus be on you. You're the one giving the cue, so they have to be able to trust that you're guiding them appropriately. Having your puppy sit before getting food, being greeted by house guests, playing with a toy, or opening the door to go for a walk is a great place to start. In these situations, the more you can have the puppy's attention on you instead of the impulse, the more effective their training will be. That means lots of positive reinforcement with lots of treats! After 1 Year For many breeds, one year old is considered the "end" of puppyhood, but for a lot of german shepherds , that doesn't come until the age of two to three years old. It's important to continuously reinforce training methods like impulse control, obedience skills, and even possibly advancing to other, more specific, training skills like agility, herding, and even protection work. GSDs are capable of performing all these duties and even excel at them. When you give your puppy something a job to focus on at certain points throughout the day, you give them something to look forward to — dogs of any breed thrive on this. No matter what decision you make, a puppy will make a wonderful addition to any family they're added to — German Shepherd puppies are no exception to this. Overall, the breed is a very loving, loyal, and protective breed. They're going to have a natural affinity for you from the start. If you give them the proper love, affection, and training, you're definitely going to reap the rewards of the decision you made to adopt. Once you decide to adopt, your puppy is going to need a few supplies of its own. Check out our custom german shepherd gifts to show off your love for your puppy no matter where you both choose to venture. So, while this is not a reason not to get a GSD, it is a reason to look for adequate breeders, to ask for health certificates, to take good care of your dog, and to go to routine vet check-ups. German Shepherds can also be costly to take care of not just to purchase The regular vet visits, the high need for exercise, and the extra-space requirements all make the GSD a relatively expensive dog to take care of in terms of money as well. German Shepherds are very smart but that also makes them easily bored — they require lots of mental stimulation As with all smart dog breeds such as retrievers and other shepherds, the high intelligence of the GSD can be a curse as much as a blessing. So, what can be done to avoid boredom? Toys and time. However, an inexperienced dog owner can find a GSD to be more than a handful. Why is that? Simple — because they are so smart! Yes, their intelligence means that you can train them a lot but it also means they can be temperamental, manipulative, and stubborn! This breed is cute and cuddly at home but socially awkward in public German shepherds are incredibly cute, social, and loving animals. They are loyal to their family and would do anything for those close to them. What does this mean for you? Even if you just get a random GSD and not give it any special training or socialization, the dog may still get along just fine with a cat or a newborn baby. However, in general, the social awkwardness and guard-dog nature of GSDs means that they often need to be socialized well if you want to make other additions to the households down the line. Make sure that you teach your growing GSD to get along with other dog breeds in the dog park or at home. If you have a cat or are thinking of getting a cat, make sure your German Shepherd is accustomed to interacting with cats without any aggression. One of the best and easiest ways to avoid most of the problems above is to just get a second German Shepherd! Yes, we did just say that this breed can be a handful. However, a second dog usually brings much more benefits than negatives: The second dog will join the first in the playtime, meaning that both will exercise with each other very often and minimize the need for your involvement. Having a second GSD also means more mental stimulation for both dogs — again, less work for you and more fun for them. As natural guard dogs, German Shepherds may need to be trained not to bark Unfortunately, GSDs are especially bad for apartment owners not just because they are big but also because they tend to bark at strangers. They are guard dogs after all. This can be avoided, of course, there are ways to train any dog not to bark at strangers or at outside noises. There are several reasons for this: The frequent barking we mentioned above. Yes, you can train that behavior away but your landlord may still forbid you from getting a GSD. Getting a carpet or another type of floor insulation will help here. Giving your dog enough playtime outside will also alleviate this problem. But you may still get in trouble with your neighbors. They are just a large breed and many people, including parents of small children, are afraid of large dogs. Not only are GSDs not hypoallergenic, but they also tend to shed a lot! There are two main reasons for this: The aforementioned health concerns that some German Shepherds have and that get more and more likely as the dog gets older. The simple fact that the GSD is a large dog breed and larger breeds just have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones. As you can see, there are lots of factors to consider before getting a GSD. In general, the right GSD owner can be characterized as such: Has a larger-than-average home, a yard, and a nearby dog park. Has enough time to spend with a German Shepherd. Knows how to train and socialize a GSD properly. Has the financial means to support a German Shepherd. Wants a second dog to play with the first one. How to prepare for getting a German Shepherd? Just like soon-to-be-parents before their first baby, there are lots of books and research to comb through if you want to give your future German Shepherd the care, upbringing, socialization, and care it needs. So Make sure your home is ready for a large dog to soon start springing through it. Make sure you have the time and daily schedule to play with a GSD. Consider owning a Cairn Terrier! In this article, we explore who would benefit them as furry friends! Check them here! Read on to discover nine types of people who should consider owning this unique breed. Check this article to learn more about the types of people who are perfect for owning a Poodle dog! Despite how great they are, they take time and commitment. Probably more so than most other breeds. However, even the best dogs come with their own set of challenges. Some traits are very similar, and some vary greatly between dogs, but most share typical traits of the German shepherd breed. Puppies are hard work Despite their irresistible cuteness, German shepherd puppies are hard work. Along with their need for lots of training, they are curious, bold, and into everything that captures their attention. They also love to puppy bite and chew everything that moves, including hands, feet, furniture, personal belongings, and small children. Puppy proofing the house and teaching them what is and is not okay to play bite is not optional when one of these tiny land sharks moves in. They need their people around From young pups to seniors, German shepherds become very bonded with their owners. Adult and senior dogs are happiest when their owners are nearby. If you work, you might consider day care, a dog walker, a dog sitter, or even another dog to keep them company. They are dog athletes and need lots of room to run and play so that they can burn off excess energy. They also have a lot of stamina and require plenty of time to get their exercise needs met. They get bored easily To say German shepherds are smart is an understatement. This breed is very clever and will invent things to keep their mind occupied when not given enough time, training, attention, and exercise. A bored shepherd can easily transform into a mischievous shepherd. They need lots of activities to keep their mind engaged as well as their body. The good news is, when you give them time and attention, they love nothing more than to focus on you. They can be expensive to take care of There is no such thing as a free dog but German shepherds cost more than other dogs to raise. For starters, the larger the dog, the more expensive it is to feed, spay or neuter. Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention costs more for larger dogs. They also tend to require premium foods to keep their sensitive skin and stomachs happy. They can be prone to allergies, breed specific health problems, and certain orthopedic issues that can equal expensive vet bills. When getting a new puppy, pet insurance is something to seriously consider. Prepare to invest in lots of toys German shepherds love to play and are also power chewers. Most can quickly destroy even the toughest toys and chews. When you own a shepherd, gone are the days of a toy lasting for years. They shed on everything German shepherds shed all year round and twice a year, massively shed. They are totally worth the work but may not be the breed for people who like things kept spotless. They have a prey drive German shepherds were bred to be herding dogs so they have a strong prey drive. Which means, they love to chase things. This drive is fun because it makes them totally into a game of fetch or Frisbee. It also means they may love to chase things, including small animals like squirrels, rabbits, cats, hamsters, etc. Can some dogs get along with other small pets? Are some dogs, especially those with stronger working lines harder to train and may be unsafe with small pets? Talk to your breeder or test the dog before bringing it home whenever possible. Socialization is not optional These dogs are powerful, naturally protective, and extremely devoted to their family. They can also be leery and standoffish with strangers. Teaching them how to be confident, greet people, and to prevent unwanted guarding behavior is one of the most important things they need to learn from a young age. Playful and lively Despite being fearless, they are also very playful and love nothing more than having fun with their family. They love to play games, learn new things, go for rides in the car, adventure, and spend time hanging out with the people they love. Loyal to the end There is no breed more loyal than a German shepherd. They live to please and protect those they adore. They are happiest when near their family and will spend every day of their life watching over their loved ones. They make the best companions and friends to those lucky enough to own one. November 8, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? The German Shepherd Dog, one of the top ten popular breeds in the United States, is known for their regal appearance, bravery, intelligence, and noble character. They are hard-working dogs that fit into a variety of service jobs, but can also be amazing family dogs, making them an all-around great breed for dog lovers! How do you know if the German Shepherd Dog is the right fit for you and your family? German Shepherd Dogs are a younger breed that started in Germany in by Captain Max Von Stephanitz who sought to create an unmatched herding dog. But as Germany became more and more industrialized, the breed shifted from herding work to police and military training. Hundreds of these dogs made their way to the United States during WWI, one such being a small five-day-old puppy that was rescued from a destroyed kennel in France and brought home to the states to Los Angeles. This puppy later grew up to be one of the most famous four-legged movie stars, Rin Tin Tin, starring in 26 movies, forever making the German Shepherd Dog breed a popular choice in the nation! If you are looking for an attractive dog, look no further! German Shepherd Dogs have beautiful coats, strong muscular builds, a square muzzle, long bushy tail, and a black mask. Some colors like red and black, or tan and black, have distinct markings such as saddle or blanket on their back. However, German Shepherd Dogs come in a variety of colors: sable, silver, liver, panda, solid black, and solid white. What are German Shepherd Dog Personalities like? German Shepherd Dogs can be reserved, often appearing aloof toward new people, but this very loyal breed loves their families and can be very affectionate. While they can be wary of new people and protective of their family, with the right socialization, German Shepherd Dogs can be friendly and easy-going. They are an intelligent and high-energy breed that thrives with a job to do. Due to this, without the proper or consistent amount of stimulating work, they can easily become bored and frustrated. Those feelings could translate into behaviors like barking, howling, or chewing. As they get older, they'll equally enjoy relaxing with you at home and getting up with you to do the next fun activity! If you are a lover of going for long walks or runs, enjoy hiking on the weekends, or trips to the beach depending on where you live, a German Shepherd Dog will gladly trot alongside you! German Shepherd Dogs while they can be independent, do crave to be with their family and offer great companionship. With crate training, your German Shepherd puppy will learn to adapt to being left alone for periods of time without developing separation anxiety, however, this breed thrives with interaction and will do best a puppy parent that can provide them with a balanced amount of alone and accompanied time throughout the day. Like many large breed dogs, German Shepherd Dogs can suffer from some common illnesses including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, degenerative spinal stenosis, and Von Willebrand disease. Thankfully, responsible breeders today have bred out many of these and improved the health of the breed significantly! When you bring home your new German Shepherd puppy, schedule their first veterinarian visit to discuss appropriate health care, proper nutrition and supplements, and exercise. German Shepherd Dogs tend to shed regularly and heavily twice in the year during the Spring and Fall season. With soft undercoats and harsher topcoats, they would do best with regular brushing once a week will help remove their dead fur and maintain healthy skin! Note: When looking for a reputable German Shepherd Dog breeder, go through an accredited website such as AKC for their breeder locator. Additionally, many pure-breed and mixed German Shepherds are available in rescues and shelters for adoption! German Shepherds are smart and hard-working, so puppy training will not only provide them with the stimulation they crave but also solidify your communication, trust, and overall relationship! Early puppy training Lay the foundation for good behavior the day your puppy comes home, introducing them to basic obedience. Keeping your puppy on a leash at home while under supervision will help to build their focus on you as their leader and also help keep them from darting away. Soon, build up to more obedience training commands, work on their focus through distractions, and start to introduce training in different locations such as your yard, or neighborhood to solidify their communication with you in any situation. Also, check out the rest of our Puppy Training and Puppyhood Made Easy for New Owners series to guide you through what to train your puppy next, how to troubleshoot, and other important topics every puppy owner should know! Going back to their wilder instincts, puppies will naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. Crate training your German Shepherd Dog puppy will help boost their confidence and resilience while learning to be alone at home. Socialization is a must German Shepherd Dogs are natural protectors and benefit greatly from being socialized with other dogs, people, new places, textures, and sounds. When done correctly, s ocialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to greet people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on barking or jumping, which are common puppy behaviors when they are excited or over-stimulated when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer to help set you up for the best success! Consider advanced training to keep them engaged German Shepherd Dogs are very intelligent and have high-prey drives which mean they love to work! Along with basic obedience, dog sports like agility are a great way to motivate them and help your puppy work out their energy. Agility helps establish a stronger communication bond through body language while your puppy is participating. Developed as part of K9 and military dog training, this is a perfect activity for your German Shepherd to burn off some mental and physical steam! Did you recently bring home a German Shepherd Dog puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! They are very loyal, intelligent and love to be kept active, so can be easy to train. They suit very active households as they need a lot of exercise every day. They are great dogs for owners with a lot of experience and time as, like most dogs, they can get bored easily. Unfortunately, German Shepherds do have a range of health issues due to the way they have been bred, which can end up being costly to owners and cause serious problems for the dog. Common health problems in German Shepherds German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips. There is a screening test for this. There is a screening test. Inherited eye diseases — including cataracts and multifocal retinal dysplasia. There are screening testing for these. Epilepsy — a brain disorder causing seizures. Pituitary dwarfism — a hormone deficiency which causes severe growth problems and reduces lifespan. Haemophilia A and B — bleeding disorders that stop blood from clotting and cause wounds to bleed more than they should. Screening tests are available. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to. German Shepherds and barking As with any dog, German Shepherds are likely to bark. Their main purpose was for herding and guarding so they can be quite vocal when people walk past or enter or exit the house, but how much noise they make will vary from dog to dog. Training and socialisation Regardless of the age of your German Shepherd when you adopt it, you need to have clear boundaries to help keep them safe and happy. As with all training — consistency is key! Everyone in the family needs to follow the same rules. German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and can be protective of their family. They can have a strong guarding instinct, so careful training and socialisation will be needed to prevent any guarding or aggressive behaviours. As with any dog, your German Shepherd will need to be well socialised with people, other animals and different objects and environments from a young age. Try to keep the time your German Shepherd is alone to an absolute minimum as they thrive on company and will worry about you if you leave them too long. You should never leave any dog alone for longer than four hours. Exercise Be prepared — German Shepherds are very active dogs! They need plenty of exercise to keep them happy and occupied. This will also stop them from barking out of boredom or having a nibble on the furniture. Your German Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. This should include walks and off-lead exercise in a safe area, with extra playtime and training on top to give them a good variety. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together online. Our vets recommend spreading exercise across the day rather than trying to do two hours all in one go. German Shepherds are a great breed if you enjoy long walks and spending loads of time exploring outside. If there are times when you are unable to give them the exercise they need, then arranging for a relative, friend or dog-walker to come and help would be essential. Grooming Be prepared for a lot of shedding because German Shepherds have such thick coats! Ideally, you should give your German Shepherd a brush or comb down a few times a week to keep their coat looking healthy, prevent matting and reduce the build-up of dead hair especially if they have a longer coat. You may want to take them to a professional for bath time because of their size. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate German Shepherds and children Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children. Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds and other pets To help them be calm and patient, it's best to socialise your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age. Some can be a bit bossy with other dogs as they get older but with proper care, training and socialisation this is unlikely to become a problem. German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. You should feed them a good quality, commercially available, complete dog food. We usually recommend splitting their daily allowance into two meals. If you give your dog the occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily allowance. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave at a gap after eating and before exercising. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. These breeders must do extra health tests and meet high standards. Set up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around six months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. Fun facts The first guide dogs for visually impaired people were German Shepherds. They were originally bred to be herding dogs, an instinct which still remains strong in the breed. They need lots of exercise and plenty to do to stop getting bored. Make sure you have enough space and time to give them the exercise and attention they need to stay happy and healthy. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a German Shepherd. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in German Shepherds are also out there. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary screening tests, health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards. German Shepherds just kind of happened to me. Shepherds are a bit suspicious of strangers. Also, be prepared for your shepherd to pick someone to be her person in your family. In my family, Pyrrha unequivocally picked me. Beware the land sharks! It comes from somewhere deep in their herding heritage, I suppose, but these are very bitey puppies! For this reason, a GSD can be a trying breed with young children, who often become unwitting targets for playful biting. If not addressed, this shyness can transform into fear-based aggression. These dogs are busybodies, and they want to know where you are and what you are doing at ALL times — in the event that your actions could compromise the security of the house and the family. German Shepherds have a double coat, which equals twice as much fur all of your floor, your sofa, your clothes, etc. German Shepherds like to play rough Shepherds have a tendency to rough-house with both people and other dogs. Dog owners with other breeds have told me that it took them a while to realize that our shepherds were playing with their dogs — and not trying to kill them. In my experience, even in play, shepherds like to go for the throat and get into some heavy-duty wrestling. If it hurts your feelings that some people are automatically scared of your dog, a German Shepherd may not be right for you. If you have a German Shepherd, let this motivate you to make your dog a great breed ambassador and help change negative stereotypes. Other dogs were more barky, especially at strangers walking past our fence or at other dogs. Pyrrha is an uncharacteristically quiet German Shepherd; but our little Eden loves barking, barking just for the fun of it! Be aware of this issue, and be prepared to start training your dog when and how to be quiet. Consider a large number of health issues German shepherds are famous for their litany of health issues. On a range from more benign allergies to life-threatening osteosarcoma, hemangioma , shepherds seem to have them all. The breed even has predispositions to diseases that seem to occur exclusively within the purebred line e. Find a good vet preferably one with shepherd experience , and start taking measures to keep your shepherd trim and healthy. German Shepherds are large, active, athletic, and highly intelligent dogs. What this means is that if they get bored, you are going to seriously regret bringing this fuzzy monster into your house. Try obedience classes, agility, flyball, Schutzhund, herding , nose work, etc. Shepherds can excel at many canine sports and activities! German Shepherd Purebred Puppy If you want a purebred puppy, do your research about the difference between working-line and show-line German Shepherds. This can be a touchy subject for some, but in general, I feel that the bottom line is this: Working-line dogs are sounder and healthier because they are bred to do a job. Start researching how to determine what kind of GSD suits you and your family. Our foster German Shepherd Puppy Trina. The only downside of rescuing a purebred is that you have no health guarantees and no knowledge of their parents or often of their backgrounds. German Shepherd as a companion Pyrrha, for example, appears to be an American-line shepherd bred for companionship by a backyard breeder. Eden, on the other hand , is a German-line shepherd whose parents were imports titled in Schutzhund. They also showed dogs, so she has a more sloped topline than Pyrrha and slightly more exaggerated hocks. German shepherds still rank no. Consider it! Source: Wikimedia Commons. ALL puppies require hard work, devotion, and lots and lots of patience. But the joy they bring?

Breeds The link has been copied! Are you a proud owner of a new golden retriever? As beautiful, lovable, and kind as they are, it's important to ensure your furry friend is getting enough exercise and the best kind of exercise for them. Today we'll explore how much exercise your golden retriever needs, what activities benefit them the most, and why it's so important for them to stay active over the course of their lives. Let's dive in! The Recommended Amount of Exercise for a Golden Retriever It might be hard to believe, but this affectionate, fun-loving family dog was originally bred as a working dog, primarily for hunting. So Golden Retrievers have a lot of energy to burn! To avoid this, simply make sure they get the proper physical and mental stimulation for their age. Individual dogs are different, so the best way to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise is to watch him and monitor his behavior. But here are some general rules of thumb as a starting point. As a Puppy Golden Retriever puppies have lots of energy, but tire quickly. Start by taking your puppy on short walks or jogs around the neighborhood. Start with about 5 minutes a day for every month of age. So three-month-old puppies need 15 minutes, four-month-old 20 minutes, and so on. As they grow older, you can increase the length of these walks. Just like humans, individual needs will vary so watch your dog for signs that they need more or less exercise. Some dogs may require as much as two hours of exercise per day while others may be happy with 45 minutes. All sorts of activities count. Playing fetch, working agility courses, walking, running, hiking, and swimming are all great activities you can enjoy with your pup. As a Senior Dog As your Golden Retriever gets older , their exercise needs will change but regular physical and mental stimulation is still important. Like humans, dogs age at different rates. Some will start having mobility issues earlier than others so keep the activities appropriate for your dog. How to Best Exercise a Golden Retriever Exercising your golden retriever doesn't have to be complicated. For starters, take them on regular walks around the neighborhood. Once they're a bit older, longer hikes are great for getting more of a workout in while allowing them to take in nature's beauty at the same time. Playtime is a great source of exercise for dogs of all ages. Fetch games are always popular with Goldens as is tug-of-war — both activities provide excellent physical activity while being fun for your pup at the same time! Swimming is another great option if you have access to a local pool or lake. Not only does it involve lots of movement but it also helps to keep your furry friend cool in hot weather too. So whatever kind of workout you decide on for your pup, just remember that having fun together is key! Fi smart dog collars make it easier than ever. If your Golden Retriever doesn't get enough exercise, it can lead to some serious health issues. Without regular physical activity, their joints will become stiff and weak which can cause pain and even arthritis if left unchecked. Additionally, a lack of movement can also lead to weight gain. Excess pounds put extra strain on the heart. This makes them more prone to developing conditions like diabetes or other heart-related illnesses in the future. Without proper exercise and mental stimulation, dogs get bored. And bored dogs chew on furniture, dig holes, and mess with whatever they can get their paws on! So, keep your pup mentally and physically fit with a proper amount of exercise. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Jumping You probably noticed that all of the things above are unwanted behaviors. This can lead to heart problems, joint problems, and other potential health problems. These following suggestions for exercising your pup will cover both mental and physical exercises. Play tug with your golden Another good game to play with your pup is tug. This is also a great opportunity to work in some training, as you can teach your golden to drop it , take it, and even have them do sits or downs to resume the game. Play chase This is a great game to play, especially with puppies, since most puppies love nothing more than to chase or be chased. Get your dog hooked on chew toys Teaching your dog to love to chew on chew toys is one of the best things you can do for your puppy. Chewing releases feel-good endorphins and channels their chewing energy into an appropriate toy, instead of something in appropriate, like your household items. It can also help them relax, and put overtired puppies to sleep. Play with a flirt pole Using a flirt pole is great for young puppies because it allows them to chase and pounce a toy while you stay a safe distance away from their razor-sharp teeth. Oliver loves it, plus it takes a ton of mental energy to figure out how to get all of his kibble out of it. Other puzzle toys include the Kong Wobbler , snuffle mats , and food balls. This is a win-win since he loves the puzzle toys and it takes more energy to work for his food than to just gobble it up from a food bowl. Play hide and seek This is a great game that combines training and a little bit of exercise, but it does require that your golden knows how to stay. Just be sure to fully dry them off because goldens are susceptible to hot spots. Take your golden to doggy daycare After a day of daycare, Oliver is usually wiped out for the night, as well as half of the next day. Set up a doggy playdate If you have any friends that have nice dogs, or if you meet anyone in a local Facebook group, try to set up a doggy playdate. Your golden will love it! This is especially good for young puppies, since they need to be socialized with other dogs and you can make sure the other dog is up to date on their vaccines. Conclusion Since golden retrievers were bred to hunt out in the fields and marshes all day, they need a lot of exercise. How much exercise does your golden need per day? Have any questions about exercising your golden retriever? Let me know in the comments below. Related articles:. Following these tips can keep your furry companion healthy and happy. Exercise Requirements for Puppies: If you own a Golden Retriever, you want to keep them happy and healthy. This includes providing them with the appropriate amount of exercise for their age. If your Golden Retriever is a puppy, it will require less exercise than an adult. So, if your puppy is three months old, it will need about 15 minutes of exercise daily. It is important not to overdo it, especially with puppies. Because they are still growing and developing, excessive exercise can cause bone and joint problems. Starting to exercise with your Golden Retriever at a young age can help you bond with them and set them up for a healthy lifestyle. While you have to be careful to not overexert your Golden puppy, making sure they get plenty of exercise can also help prevent unwanted or destructive behaviors, which will talk about more later. Adult To Senior Golden Retrievers Staying active is crucial for adult Golden Retrievers to maintain good health, strong muscles, healthy joints, and weight management. They require minutes of exercise twice a day. Keep an eye out for any signs of pain or difficulty keeping up as your Golden Retriever ages. They tend to push themselves to please their owners, which can result in soreness or joint problems. Consider your lifestyle and make adjustments to ensure your Golden gets enough exercise. Consider games like fetch or dock diving if you prefer more relaxed activities. Bring your dog along if you enjoy going for walks or runs! Spending time being active with your pet will keep them happy and healthy. Types Of Exercise For Golden Retrievers Golden retrievers are an active breed that needs regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Here are some of our favorite different types of activities that Golden Retrievers enjoy: Hiking: Explore new trails and enjoy the outdoors with your furry friend. Bring a collapsible bowl with you for water breaks. Visit a dog park: Let your Golden interact and play off-leash with other friendly dogs. Go for a swim: During the hot summer months, keep your Golden relaxed and happy by taking a dip in a dog-friendly lake or pool. Just keep an eye on them and give them a bath afterwards. Play fetch: This classic game never gets old. Take your Golden to the park or play with their favorite toy indoors. Try agility training: Strengthen your bond with your pet while having fun setting up a backyard agility course with hula hoops, tunnels, and PVC pipes. Take a walk or run: A simple walk or run with your Golden can be enjoyable. Go hunting: Your Golden can enjoy this natural form of exercise with proper training. Try dock diving: if your Golden enjoys being in the water. Toss their favorite toy into the water and watch how much fun they have. Tug of war: Play a friendly game of tug of war with your pet using a durable and safe toy such as the Goughnuts Tug Toy. How To Make The Most Of Golden Retriever Walks Taking your golden retriever for a walk is not only an opportunity for exercise but also a chance to bond and create lasting memories. In this section, we will share valuable tips to help you make the most out of your golden retriever walks, ensuring an enjoyable experience for both you and your furry friend. Just stay away from any roads or sidewalks that run alongside them. Because these sessions require a lot of concentration and discipline, they should be kept short. To keep things interesting for your pup, experiment with unexpected changes in speed and direction. This will keep your furry friend entertained and interested. Incorporating Training Into Your Walks A walk with your Golden Retriever is an excellent opportunity to practice some training exercises on and off the leash. It is not only essential to maintain your training skills, but it is also beneficial to practice in various settings. Reward your loyal companion with a game or a treat between exercises to keep them motivated. Remember to leave time for free running! A good recall is essential if you intend to walk your Golden off-leash. While walking on the leash, vary your speed and make quick changes in direction. You can zigzag, circle, or retrace your steps before proceeding. Trying something new instead of your usual walking route is also a good idea. Remember to shower your dog with love, praise, and treats for its excellent behavior! Implementing these changes will make your furry friend more attentive and engaged during your walks. Furthermore, it is a perfect way to keep their minds active and stimulated. Playing Hide And Seek Playing hide-and-seek with your Golden Retriever can make exercise time more exciting and engaging. Keep an eye on your dog and call out if they panic and believe they have lost you. When your Golden Retriever finds you, they will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride, which can boost their confidence. Remember to keep the game safe and enjoyable for your furry friend and to always reward them for their efforts with plenty of love, praise, and treats. This will encourage your pet to pay close attention to you if the toy reappears, and they will be less likely to wander too far away. You can stop occasionally and play a quick and exciting game with them using the toy. Make sure to end the game while your dog is still interested, and then send them on their way. Because most Golden Retrievers enjoy chasing and retrieving balls, consider throwing a ball far away with a racket or ball launcher. Hand throws, on the other hand, are more lively and keep your Golden close by. Remember that throwing sticks can be dangerous. As a safer alternative, use a rubber stick or an old hosepipe. How Exercise Impacts The Behavior Of Golden Retrievers Golden retrievers are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to stay healthy and well-behaved. Not only does exercise improve their physical health, but it also significantly impacts their mental and emotional well-being. A tired and satisfied dog is less likely to engage in these behaviors and more likely to relax and enjoy their time with you. Furthermore, exercise can provide an excellent opportunity for socialization, which is especially important for Golden Retrievers, who are known for being friendly and sociable. Walking your Golden Retriever with other dogs or participating in organized activities such as obedience classes or agility courses can help them gain confidence and comfort around other animals and people. Regular exercise not only improves their physical health but also has a significant impact on their mental and emotional well-being. Exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety, preventing unwanted behaviors such as destructive chewing, excessive barking, or aggression. By keeping your golden retriever active, you provide them with a healthy outlet for their energy, leading to a more well-behaved and relaxed companion. The Importance Of Mental Stimulation: Exercise is not just about physical activity; it also provides mental stimulation for golden retrievers. Engaging in activities that challenge their minds, such as puzzle toys, obedience training, or agility courses, can enhance their cognitive abilities and prevent boredom. Mental stimulation through exercise contributes to a well-rounded and balanced behavior in golden retrievers. Socialization And Exercise: Golden retrievers are naturally social dogs and enjoy interacting with other animals and people. Regular exercise provides an excellent opportunity for socialization, allowing them to become more comfortable and confident in various social settings. Activities like dog park visits or group walks can help your golden retriever develop social skills, reducing the likelihood of behavioral issues related to fear or aggression. Destructive chewing often stems from excess energy and boredom. When dogs do not have an outlet for their energy, they may resort to chewing on furniture, shoes, or other household items. Exercise helps to burn off that energy and keeps dogs physically and mentally stimulated, reducing their inclination to engage in destructive chewing behaviors. By providing your Golden Retriever with sufficient exercise, you can help redirect their energy into more appropriate activities and promote overall behavioral well-being. The Truth About Golden Retriever Behavior Issues Golden retrievers are adorable dogs, but like any other breed, they can have behavioral issues. The good news is that all golden retrievers can improve their behavior, and with some work, you can have a well-behaved golden in no time. It is not a permanent issue, and numerous methods exist for correcting bad behavior. You can use strategies for stopping bad behavior in golden retrievers, such as satisfying their needs, giving them a job, removing temptation, and not reinforcing bad behavior. Conclusion Exercise plays a vital role in shaping the behavior of Golden Retrievers. Regular exercise not only keeps them physically fit but also has a significant impact on their mental and emotional well-being. Furthermore, exercise provides an excellent opportunity for socialization, allowing your furry friend to develop confidence and comfort around other animals and people. By understanding the relationship between exercise and behavior in Golden Retrievers, you can provide your furry companion with the physical and mental stimulation they need to lead a happy, balanced, and well-behaved life. Golden retrievers are naturally curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings with their mouths. Providing plenty of chew toys and positive reinforcement for not chewing on inappropriate items can assist in redirecting this behavior. This behavior also serves to relieve teething discomfort and satisfy their oral fixation. How to prevent aggression in your golden retriever Aggression prevention in Golden Retrievers begins with early socialization and training. Positive reinforcement and teaching appropriate behaviors and boundaries can be helpful in the prevention of aggression. Seeking the assistance of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist can also help deal with any aggressive behavior. Why do golden retrievers roll on their back? There are several reasons for this. They might be looking for your attention or a tummy rub. They may also be scratching, marking their territory, or regulating their body temperature. Rolling over is not always a sign of submission, and it could be used as a combat strategy during playtime. If your dog rolls over to scratch its back, this could be due to a flea or tick infestation. Are golden retrievers good with exercise? Golden retrievers are known for their love of physical activity and exercise. They are active and require daily exercise to keep their physical and mental health in check. Can you exercise a Golden Retriever too much? Yes, it is possible to exercise a Golden Retriever too much. Overexercising can result in injuries, exhaustion, and even heat stroke. How can exercise help with Golden Retriever separation anxiety? Exercise can help reduce anxiety and stress in Golden Retrievers, including separation anxiety. Regular exercise can help your dog burn off excess energy and promote relaxation, making it easier for him to cope with being alone. Adding mental stimulation through puzzle toys or training sessions can also be beneficial. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. By Tom Massey Apr 22, Most pet lovers know how vital exercise can be for their furry friends. Establishing a reliable exercise routine also deters dogs from destroying your house during a burst of high energy. Our Golden Retriever pals are renowned for their happy-go-lucky personality — these dogs are young at heart long after growing from the puppy stage. No matter how much you love your dog, nobody likes to find chew marks on their prized possessions. Dogs who receive too little exercise will have a round physique. But they are also likely to exhibit these unwanted behaviors. This article will review everything you need to consider when creating an exercise routine for your Golden Retriever. Very young Golden puppies only need a few minutes of exercise a day, although the length of time increases with each month of age. Our growing companions do not realize how delicate they are within their first year of life. Growth plates help cartilage grow into bone as puppies mature. However, they are very sensitive and can damage easily. In the meantime, this means your Golden Retriever pup should avoid activities that have a high potential for growth plate injuries. Here are some activities that could hurt puppies who are still growing: Jumping from too high off the ground Twisting too fast Consistent repetition of the same activity Extended periods of high energy play Injuries to growth plates can hinder bone growth and, in extreme cases, cause uneven limbs when your pup grows up. Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers are a breed at risk for developing hip dysplasia. This disorder can start as early as four months old but typically occurs as a dog ages. Obesity, excessive exercise, and too little exercise can cause hip dysplasia in dogs. This is why finding the perfect amount of activity for your dog is crucial to maintaining health throughout his life. In the first few months of life, your pup will be curious to explore the world around them. Most of the exercises for young dogs focus on socialization and behavior training. Learning these tools will ensure your dog is friendly, obedient, and ready for higher-level exercise routines later in life. Typically, a Golden Retriever puppy should have 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age. At 9 to 12 weeks of age , a Golden Retriever puppy will begin integrating into your family. Socialization during this age is crucial, so their primary source of exercise should be playing with you and other members of your household. This includes any other dogs or pets you have in the home. But remember to keep a close eye on your furry friends as they learn to interact with each other. At 13 to 16 weeks, your Golden Retriever will start teething. Playing with chew toys will be a great opportunity for your puppy to learn what they can and cannot munch on. You might see some challenging behaviors arise around 16 to 24 weeks of age. An exercise playpen with lots of toys, food, and drink is an excellent idea to keep the pup entertained while also keeping them out of trouble. From 6 to 12 months, a Golden Retriever puppy will have lots of energy, and an exercise routine that includes physical and mental exercise will be essential. At Snowy Pines, for example, our customer communications specialist Julia reaches out to families at 2 days, 1 week, and around the day mark after homecoming to answer any questions about training or your puppy in general. The world is a big place for little pups, and they need relaxation after stimulating activities. Over years ago, Golden Retrievers were bred to be high-energy hunting companions. Enough exercise will also minimize the chances that your Golden will engage in destructive behaviors around the home. Also, Golden Retrievers also love to eat, so exercise will be important to prevent weight gain. A healthy adult Golden Retriever should receive 40 to minutes of exercise per day, broken up into two sessions. And because Goldens are easy to please, they will be content with a wide range of different activities. This breed loves going on nice, long walks through nature. Walking is a great low-impact exercise for dogs and their owners. Try to go out for about an hour when walking to give your dog and you! You can also visit a fenced dog park for a game of fetch. Golden Retrievers also love mental stimulation, which keeps their mind active. A good mix between high stimulation, low impact, and intellectual exercises will keep your beloved pet physically and mentally healthy. If you see your Golden Retriever sitting or lying down during their daily walk or exercise routine, your dog is tired and needs to relax. If your adult dog is overweight and needs a lot of exercise, try gradually increasing their exercise time by five minutes every day or two to increase their stamina. In addition, dogs who receive infrequent exercise will exhibit some undesirable behaviors. Without proper daily exercise, Golden Retrievers can become socially withdrawn, destructive, or hyperactive. If you have difficulty meeting their exercise needs, consider hiring a dog sitter or investing in interactive toys. This is an entirely normal activity and provides an excellent opportunity for playtime. Special Considerations for Senior Golden Retrievers Our precious pets have a shorter lifespan than humans. Golden Retrievers are classified as seniors when they reach eight years of age. As Golden Retrievers age, you may see their energy levels decrease. This is normal — much like older adult humans, senior Golden Retrievers tire easily. When high-energy tasks like long-distance running and playing fetch become hard, walking and mentally stimulating exercises are great ways to keep senior dogs healthy and active. But always remember to watch for signs that your pet needs rest. If your senior Golden takes a long time to get up while on a walk, this signals that they are tired. Consider taking them home instead of continuing the exercise. If you notice your senior dog is frequently extra lethargic, you may want to visit a veterinarian. Remember, as dogs age, they can become susceptible to hip dysplasia from too much or too little exercise. Golden Retrievers were bred to be hunting companions — needless to say, they love being in nature. Long walks where they can stop and sniff their environment will mentally and physically stimulate your Golden. In addition, early Golden Retrievers were bred to be natural swimmers, so dock diving is a great physical exercise. Dock diving is the game of fetch with the addition of water: your dog runs after the object, swims to fetch it, and returns the object to you. Swimming is a wonderful activity, especially for senior Goldens who may be experiencing the aches and pains of old age. This activity is easier on their joints but still gives them an appropriate amount of movement. Most dogs love playing fetch or catching frisbees, and Golden Retrievers are no different. This is a great activity for children who want to participate in playtime with the family pet. Golden Retrievers are well-known for their obedience during agility courses. Creating an obstacle course where your dog can practice different exercises like running and jumping will keep your furry pal entertained for a long time. If your dog is trained to walk safely and will stay to one side of your body, you can introduce running. However, remember to start slowly. Activities like hide and seek with treats , puzzle toys, and trick training are great brain exercises to get your dog thinking. As a reminder, dogs can never have too much positive reinforcement for their good behaviors. Conclusion Golden Retrievers are an energetic dog breed that loves playtime and requires lots of exercise to keep them from exhibiting unwanted behaviors. However, you should always watch for signals that your dog is tired or overworked. This is especially true for puppies who could damage their growth plates with too much exercise, as well as senior Goldens, who may need to scale back their normal 40 to minutes a day. We all want our fluffy companions to live long and healthy lives. By establishing regular exercise into their daily routine, you can help keep your Golden Retriever physically and mentally fit. At Snowy Pines, we start teaching our puppies lifestyle skills from a young age. Contact us today to learn about our available English Cream Golden Retriever puppies! Share on. Read the full disclosure here. All dogs need exercise to live a fit, healthy and fulfilling life. No matter the breed, no matter how large or small, no matter their age, they all need exercise. But some need more than others. So what are the Golden Retriever exercise requirements? Golden Retrievers Are A High Energy Sporting Breed As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever is a sporting breed initially created to retrieve fallen game for hunters in the Scottish highlands in the 19th century. Retrieving in the Scottish Highlands, with its mountainous landscape pot-holed with ponds, lakes and streams is very physically demanding work. So when they set out to create the Goldens, they had to be a high energy, sturdy breed with lots of stamina and an affinity for water. They needed a dog that could travel large distances, hiking and swimming in rough terrain for the best part of a full day. And with this breed, this is exactly what they got. They need physical activity. They become very destructive , chewing , digging, and running around your home and garden like little tornadoes. Too full of pent-up energy to be able to concentrate and behave themselves well and some will even try to escape their home and garden at every opportunity. Only now, all that food will just turn into fat and lead to poor health and weight issues. Yes, Golden Retrievers are very prone to obesity. Usually a combination of their owners doing two things: Giving in too often to those expertly crafted begging routines. Not giving their pooch anywhere near a sufficient level of exercise. Excess weight leads to a variety of problems such as heart disease, increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and damage to their hip and elbow joints. Keeping your Golden at a healthy weight is the responsibility of any caring owner. This rule basically states: A puppy needs no more than 5 minutes of exercise for each month it has been alive. So a 3-month-old puppy needs only 15 minutes exercise per day, a 5-month-old needs 25 minutes. This exercise is a proper, structured exercise. Meaning brisk walking on leash, gentle games of fetch. Puppies are growing fast and their bones and joints can be easily damaged by over-exercising. Follow the 5 minute rule and encourage very little jumping or vigorous exercise! Continue the 5 minute rule until your golden is nearing one year old. As a general rule to follow, a healthy adult Golden retriever exercise needs consist of a good hour of exercise every day. But the genetics of your dog could mean you need to increase or decrease this. Those retrievers from a working field line will be more energetic and have higher exercise needs, perhaps as much as 2 hours per day. Whereas those from show lines could get by on 45 minutes. But all Goldens need regular exercise, at least twice per day or they will become bored and probably destructive. Try to provide different forms of exercise such as hiking, running, swimming, playing fetch…you need to stimulate their minds as well as their hearts and muscles. They will take every bit of physical activity you throw at them and then be able to do much more. You will tire yourself out long before you can tire them! Some Golden retrievers suffer arthritis and other joint pains as they age. If this is the case with your dog, please speak to your vet and follow their advice. With some ailments exercise can make things worse and you do not want that for your dog. Like humans, dogs are individuals and age differently. Just be mindful of not asking too much of your elderly dog. They can still enjoy walking long distances and swimming, just avoid jumping hedges and chasing balls for an hour straight. Believe me, you will know! In all cases, if your Golden has behavioral problems and seems highly strung and out of control, the first thing you should do is have them checked by a vet for health issues. And if they receive a clean bill of health then the simplest of cures for a better behaved dog is to exercise them more. Try it for a few days, you just may be surprised at the results: An exercised Golden is a calm and happy Golden! Conclusion Golden Retrievers are a high energy sporting breed and require a lot of exercise. A lack of it can lead to a variety of health problems, hyperactivity and behavioral problems! So for a healthy and happy dog…and owner…provide your beloved puppy with just as much physical activity as they need and deserve! Jogging alongside you, running along as you cycle, going for long hikes , the occasional swim and sessions of playing fetch all qualify as good Golden Retriever training. You will stay fit and active and happy together. You May Also Like. Sep 13, Sep 20, This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Our goldens are such high-energy dogs. In order to stay mentally and physically healthy, they require exercise. They need more exercise than many dogs. Of course, the amount and type of exercise will vary based on their age, genetics, health, and overall health and fitness. He may become destructive or he may gain weight. So, to keep him healthy and happy, he should be well-exercised. Even adult goldens may chew the wrong items like your furniture and dig in your garden when under-exercised. Or they may bark excessively, jump on counters or people even when trained not to, or be mouthy. Also, he may gain too much weight. This can lead to heart disease, risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and damage to hips and elbows. A dog who receives enough exercise has toned muscles. Exercise also keeps his body and metabolic system functioning properly and engages his mind. Of course, puppies, adult goldens, and seniors will require various amounts and types of exercise. But generally golden retrievers, being sporting dogs meant to work, need more exercise than many breeds. Genetics enter into the equation. This can also help you determine what type of exercises to include in his regimen. So a three-month-old puppy should receive no more than 15 minutes of exercise up to two times a day. And break up the time he plays. For example, have a short minute walk and, after a break, a three-minute fetch session. Then, after another break, a two-minute training session. Vary the activities. Doing all these activities will not only help your pup exercise, but it will also help further your bond. My rescued golden retriever Riley came to me when he was about six months old. To say that he was energetic would be an understatement. He would jump on us, be mouthy, and generally destructive when he arrived. Of course, he needed training. But I also had to meet his exercise needs so that we could have a great relationship. So I took him on long walks, played fetch with his Kong ball, played tug and release, and played with puzzle toys. He also played with my other dogs. And he went to daycare two or three days or half-days per week. Between mental and physical exercise, he became the great dog he was meant to be. He enjoys life, loves everyone, and is very well-behaved wherever he goes. But he was worth it. Of course a young adult or one from hunting lines may need more. They may even need an hour-and-a-half or two hours per day. Just like us, goldens are individuals. But others may still be very active at 10 years old. Of course, some goldens are still very active at that age and beyond. But how much and the type of exercise they should engage in depends on their general health. The same is true of goldens with disabilities. They still require a sufficient amount of exercise according to their needs. Types of Exercise for Your Golden Of course both physical and mental exercise are required to have a healthy dog. There are many choices that will help your dog be fit and happy. Always monitor your dog to see if he seems too tired or appears to be injured. Stop and seek veterinary advice. Start out slowly and add time over many sessions as your pup can handle it. Vary the exercises. Some can be performed inside as well as outside. So even on a rainy day, you can sufficiently exercise your dog and meet his needs. Walking or Running Of course, you should first teach your dog to walk on a loose leash before exercising him on a leash. Walks at a natural pace are best for most goldens. Start with short walks, increasing them over time. Avoid walks on the hottest or coldest part of the day. Always walk on safe footing and avoid slippery or sharp surfaces. Of course, running is another matter. The pounding may be too much. Running on soft running paths or level grass can be alright for some dogs. Of course, a full vet checkup should occur before starting any running program with your beloved golden retriever. Some people jog with a dog. Others may skate or ride a bike with their golden alongside. Of course, some dogs enjoy hiking with their people. There are many sights and smells for a dog to enjoy. Play Groups Your puppy or dog can also get a lot of varied exercise playing with appropriate dog playmates. Dogs romp and wrestle together. You can set up your own or join in to well-run dog playgroups or even dog daycares. Playing With Your Dog You can play fetch with your dog if he knows how to retrieve and give up the toy on cue. He may even fetch a favorite ball. Or play tug with a toy like a rope or fleece toy if your dog will take it and release it on cue. The options are limitless. You can play hide and seek with your golden while inside. You can heel with him, have him come on cue, or teach him to wave! Mentally Stimulating Toys There are many activity toys you can buy or you can make your own. Some are puzzle toys where your golden seeks out kibble or treats. Or treat-dispensing balls. If you or a friend has a swimming pool, you can teach your dog to swim. They make life vests for safety. Start him in shallow water and build from there, with you accompanying him. Always make sure that he knows where the steps are and how to get out of the water. My golden Spencer used to like to swim in the bay when we vacationed at the shore. He was a great swimmer, but he wore a doggy life vest and I had him on a long-line for safety. There are also dog facilities like boarding and daycares and vet hospitals that have facilities where your pup may swim. Swimming provides a great cardio workout as well as being easier on joints than many land exercises. This can be good for dogs with joint problems and arthritis. In fact, aqua therapy is often used for dogs who need physical rehabilitation from injuries or surgery. The following suggestions can be performed in competitions or just for fun and exercise. You can even join a dog training club or take courses to learn how to perform these activities. There are so many choices, including: Lure coursing, where a dog chases after a plastic bag attached to a lure that whizzes by on a specially designed course. Sight hounds often participate in this sport. Scent work, in which a dog finds something by scent. Agility, where a dog learns to run a designated course with tunnels, weave poles, dog walks, and teeter totters. Flyball, where a dog learns to jump over a course of jumps and retrieve a ball. Rally obedience, in which you train your dog to walk through a course accompanied by you. He performs certain tasks at each sign on the ground that you encounter. He may have to sit and lie down and perform other obedience exercises throughout the course. Dock diving is a sport in which goldens and labs excel—usually being water-loving dogs. He stays on the dock, awaiting your command. He then runs along the dock and flings his body into the water to retrieve the toy. In competition, the goal is to have the longest jump possible. You should be able to feel his ribs without seeing them. Some occasional zoomies are natural. And he should also be able to listen and pay attention to you and to perform known commands, Too much exercise can be as bad as not enough. Final Thoughts Just like us, goldens need physical and mental exercise to remain healthy. It will also further the bond with your four-legged best friend. How much exercise does your golden receive? What activities have you tried? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. Without adequate exercise, few puppies will be able to control their energy. Families see an out-of-control puppy and immediately think exercise is the answer to their problem. Often it is, but exercise can also be overdone. There is a balance. The information below has exercise guidelines for large breed puppies along with a broad range of various ways for your puppy to get that exercise. Make sure that you have a fenced area or that you are far from any place that cars or other dangers might be. For off-leash strolls, let the puppy set the pace. If he lies down, let him rest. Here are a few general guidelines. Keep in mind that puppies that are used to active lifestyles can handle longer excursions. Conversely, puppies that have not had opportunity to exercise off leash need to start off at a slower pace. For your average puppy, start off with minutes for an 8-week old puppy. Increase to up to 20 minutes for week old puppies. By the time your puppy is 6 months, the time can be increased up to as much as 45 minutes and for a month-old puppy, you can go for as long as an hour as long as you are going at a slow pace with plenty of opportunities for your puppy to sniff around. If you miss a week or two of the work, decrease your distance when starting back and gradually build up the distance again. This long distance exercise must be off-leash so that your puppy can take breaks and slow down as needed. The puppy must set the pace. Forced running on a leash is never good for a growing puppy. Leash Walks as Exercise for a Golden Retriever Puppy Leash walking can be a good form of exercise when certain criteria are met. First puppies need to be trained and socialized to the environment. Second, leash walks need to be done in a certain way. Leash walking can be overdone. One of the biggest causes of growth plate and soft tissue injury in young puppies is repetitive exercise. Leash walks for puppies must be broken up with training sessions or opportunities for free off-leash play or time to sniff around on the leash. At 3 months, you can go for 20 minutes and at 6 months, you can walk up to 30 minutes. You must be much more careful with leash walking since you and not the puppy control the pace. Leash walking provides an excellent way of combining a little bit of physical exercise with mental exercise, obedience training, socialization, and environmental desensitization. It is a fantastic way to introduce a puppy to his world. It gives a bit of exercise while at the same time giving opportunities for socialization and training. However, strolls on a leash are not enough. Puppies must have an opportunity to run and play. Again, off-leash walks are best if your goal in your walk is to provide adequate exercise. A week old Golden Retriever puppy will have a neck that is about 12 inches. Get a collar of any brand that includes 12 inches in the size range. An adult female will have about an 18 inch neck. A male adult will need a collar that fits a 20 inch neck. Similarly running on a treadmill or any other types of forced running are not appropriate forms of exercise for a golden retriever puppy. Free Play as Exercise for a Golden Retriever Puppy Free play is always an excellent form of exercise for a golden retriever puppy. Dogs and puppies of all ages can play as long they like in your safely contained yard. If your puppy is playing with another dog in the family, make sure you supervise their play until you are sure that they play well together and that the older dog is not too rough. End the play if the other dog is getting too rough, if your puppy is starting to annoy the other dog, or if your puppy shows signs that he is ready to quit playing. Strange dogs are not worth the risk. Getting on the ground or running around with your puppy can be one of the best ways to exercise your puppy. Fetch and tug can be options if played within certain guidelines. Whether you are playing tug or fetch or just running around with your puppy, there are a couple of rules that need to be followed. Instead, ignore him. Wait until your puppy is behaving. Then, once you begin playing with your puppy, periodically, stop the game and make him gain control of himself before resuming the game. Ask him to do a simple behavior such as a sit or a down. Then start playing again. We recommend teaching your puppy the game of fetch at a young age. Going and getting a toy, bringing it back, and giving it to you is easier to teach when they are young. Chasing balls causes puppies to twist, roll, jump, and tumble while trying to grab a moving ball. Instead, use toys. Then, combine your game of fetch with a game of tug. Tug is discussed in detail in another section. Once your puppy has learned to tug, teach your puppy a release command. Save longer throws for your dog until after he is over 2 years of age. Teach The Wait Command Once your puppy has learned to bring a toy back to you reliably, you can begin teaching your puppy to safely retrieve a ball. Before moving from a toy to a ball, teach a wait command. Playing fetch with a dog with a wait command is a tremendous exercise. It not only provides physical exercise, but it also provides a super opportunity for a puppy to learn self-control. Here is how to teach it. I like to use what is called a pull tab. A pull tab is a very short leash that you attach to a collar. Pull tabs are typically 6 inches or shorter. A pull tab is long enough to give you control over your dog, but short enough for the dog to be able to run and play with it dangling from his collar. Once the dog relaxes and I require a sit as well , throw the ball. When the dog is dependable with regard to waiting on the release, you can do away with the tab. Having a dog wait before chasing a ball is a necessity with puppies because it eliminates the problem of the dog twisting, turning, and diving for a moving object. Fetch is a great exercise for an adult. Once a dog is over 2, you can begin throwing balls and even add a Chuck-it ball thrower to your game. Tug as a Form of Exercise for a Golden Retriever Puppy Tug is a very good exercise for dogs of all ages except for during the stage when puppy teeth are coming out and new adult teeth coming in to replace them. Make sure you stop before he looses his first teeth at around 4 months. Tug can then be resumed when all adult teeth are in. The most current training recommendations for tug no longer include the idea that the dog can never win and that you must always be in charge. This is not true. Consider a child racing his Dad down the street. The Dad lets the child win and the child beams. It gives the child confidence and makes him want to be faster and better. The same holds true with puppies. Let them win when they do a good job! The Release Once a puppy is tugging vigorously and understands the game, you can teach a release cue. Teach this by making the tug toy become motionless and no fun. Just keep the toy still until the dog opens his mouth on his own. Then immediately give the toy back to the dog and start the tug game again. Begin integrating the release into your play session in such a way that you are giving the toy back far more often than not. The dog needs to associate his releasing the toy with a restart to the game, not an end to it. It encourages forced running, jumping, and twisting, all bad for the growing puppy. Frisbee throwing can be dangerous for any dog, but especially for a puppy. We personally never play frisbee with our dogs. There are many other better exercise choices. Digging Digging is actually a very good exercise for a puppy though it may not be so good for your lawn! If you should have a place that your puppy can dig, maybe a soft spot in the corner of your yard, train him that that place and only that place is his digging spot. Puppies Should Avoid Full Flights of Stars Your Summer Brook puppy will be trained shortly before changing homes to safely navigate a set of 3 or 4 steps. If your set of steps is more than half a full flight, we require that you carry him up them until he is 4 months old. Even after this, we recommend keeping him off the steps as often as possible. Dogs tend to get excited and fly down them, often leaping over 4 or 5 of them at a time. This can result in injury. As with so many other repetitive or impactful activities, we highly recommend waiting until growth plates are closed. Baby gates can be a huge help until that time. Swimming Swimming is super exercise for a Golden Retriever puppy and most dogs enjoy playing fetch in the water. See our website page on teaching a puppy to swim for more information. This includes jumping up on and off of furniture until he is fully grown and growth plates are closed. Growth Plates and Exercise We have mentioned quite a few times on this page the importance of limiting certain activities with your puppy until his growth plates are closed. Some of you might be wondering what growth plates are and why they matter with regard to exercise. What Are Growth Plates? Growth plates are soft areas that are at the ends of the long bones in puppies. These growth plates gradually get thinner until they completely close. The closure of growth plates is brought on by hormonal changes during puberty. When growth plates close, they harden as they calcify and the rapid cell division stops. The growth plates become what is called an epiphyseal line. The epiphyseal line is sturdy and not so prone to injury as the growth plates. These are collectively referred to as soft tissue. In an adult, when there is a soft tissue injury, a sprain will result. However, in a puppy, the soft tissue is stronger than the growth plates. An injury that would only cause a sprain in an adult dog could cause an injury to the growth plate in a puppy. The soft tissue can actually pull the growth plate apart. Growth plate injuries can sometimes not heal properly and keep a dog from growing straight and strong which can subject him to problems for his entire life. Conclusion Although you need to be much more careful with the type of exercise you provide your puppy, exercise is still very important to a growing puppy. Appropriate exercise is key to building strong bones. Another key to good puppy development and a relaxed puppy is mental exercise. Give your puppy appropriate physical exercise and give your puppy a long life with healthy bones and joints. For more information on our puppies, see our page on Golden Retriever puppies. Primary Sidebar Breeders and Trainers of English Golden Retrievers We focus on breeding and training beautiful English Golden Retriever puppies with health tested champion parents, great pedigrees, and fantastic temperaments.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Creating a space that resembles his environment here at Juniper Ridge will also help your puppy be successful in going potty in the right place and sleeping well. Ideally if you can set up a puppy area in your kitchen or main living area it is best. Use baby gates or an X pen links on our supply list to create a space 4X6 or larger with a bed, or an open crate with a bed inside. If you use a crate, leave the crate open when you are around, so puppy can go in and out freely and have access to his bed. Have fresh water in puppy's space, a few feet from his bed, and feed him there too. Also place a potty station a few feet away. Puppies do not want to potty on their bed or by their food and will use their station if they know where it is : There are a variety of potty stations that work well. Puppy pee pads are convenient but unless they are anchored in some fashion or covered by a grate they will be shredded! So for most families the grass mat in a tray supply list or a large shallow litter pan with wood pellets work well. Puppy does not need to stay in this area of course, but does need access to it; to retreat to when he is tired and needs a nap, or to retreat to when he simply needs to feel safe and secure. Remember that puppies are little, they can get lost in your home just like a young child in a grocery store. Remember that feeling? Therefore introduce puppy to larger spaces and different rooms gradually, over a period of several days. Puppy needs to know how to find his way back to his potty station and bed, and he may need to get there quickly : But I want my puppy to sleep by my bed.That is totally up to you! Of course puppy will love that too! But sleep lightly because puppy may still wake and need to go potty some time in the middle of the night for a few weeks: Just set up a potty station close by and direct him there if needed, no fuss and back to sleep! If your bedroom is upstairs be sure puppy is set up with a nap time retreat bed, potty station and water downstairs where he spends most of the day. It will help your puppy's little digestive system and help you to anticipate when he will need to go potty. A puppy on a consistent schedule is a relaxed and confident puppy; and a puppy that makes very few potty "mistakes". They generally sleep about 2 hours. Some may crash for a short nap from pm - Lunch and potty then play pm wake, potty and play; again some may snooze from pm pm Dinner, play and potty pm Puppies have sought out their bed and are fast asleep. Depending on activity level some puppies are asleep by .As puppies get older the play time lasts longer and the naps shorten. After 6 months puppy can eat twice a day, just breakfast and dinner. Take puppy's collar off for safety in a crate, and give a treat inside the crate when you leave. Be calm and do not fuss over puppy or treat when you return as this encourages anticipation for your return and associated unwanted behaviors. Believe us, puppy will always be happy to see you! See our puppy schedule! Take him to the place you want him to learn to go potty when you think he may need to go. Praise him when he does! We say "go potty, go potty" every time we see puppy going potty in his potty station. Puppy associates this with going potty, so pretty soon just by saying the phrase puppy will "try" to go. Say this same thing when taking puppy outside; and after a few weeks of consistently going outside you can eliminate the indoor potty station. Never, ever, ever scold puppy for going potty- even if its on your best rug. What were you thinking leaving your best rug or shoes out when you have a puppy anyway? Control your emotion and realize you have made the mistake, not your puppy. Your puppy will not associate the scolding with "where", he only will associate the scolding with his "going potty" action. He will then hide and be afraid when he has to go potty and then you have a mess - a sad and confused puppy, and poop piles behind the sofa. Set up for a Win-Win situation with praise and consistency, and be prepared for a few "oops"; don't worry, you'll get there! Obviously you did not bring your puppy home to keep him in a pen! Your puppy needs to do life with you! Take your puppy with you, share life with, play with and socialize your puppy! We recommend keeping your puppy home and just with your immediate family members for the first days after bringing your puppy home, so your puppy can begin to bond with you. Talk to your puppy, look at him in his cute little puppy eyes and have a conversation. This breed is born for this! They love to engage and will become your devoted follower for the rest of their life when they know they can count on you! After a few days have passed invite your friends over to visit and begin taking your puppy with you places; keeping in mind his eating, potting, playing and snoozing schedule. They have a very limited window of time to learn social skills, to gain confidence around all sorts of people, animals, sites, sounds activities etc. This window is often referred to as a "fear period", we like to call it an "imprinting period". This period usually lasts from 8 weeks old to 12 weeks old, but can be much shorter. During this time you may notice your puppy suddenly acting fearful towards something that he was fine with the day before, do not worry, just ignore it and move on. If your puppy was a wild dog he would be learning what is safe and what is not in order to survive. Wild dogs need to avoid people, run away from cars, loud noises, bicycles, skateboards, etc. Our domestic puppies need to learn that these things are good and a part of a happy life. So let puppy experience them - in a manner that is easy, non-confrontational and in a setting that he can obviously handle. If puppy is upset back away from the situation but keep it in the background at a further distance. DO NOT reinforce fear behavior by sheltering puppy or sympathizing "ohhh.Puppies will mimic behavior so if you are happy and okay, puppy generally will be as well, within reason. True, your puppy is susceptible to catching diseases until he is fully immunized - two weeks after his last vaccination until about weeks old so be smart about where you take him and who he touches noses with! Do not go to dog parks, do not let him walk thru pet supply stores, do not stop at dog rest stops when traveling. But still get him out and about! Try to meet " people in days", take along organic dehydrated beef liver puppy supply list and have strangers offer your puppy a piece when he engages with them : BEAUTIFUL. Read on for detailed tips on when you should expect your Labradoodle to be trained and milestone ages. Did you know that back in , Labradoodles were bred by an Australian breeder Wally Conron for a blind woman whose husband had a dog allergy? Since then, Labradoodles have only grown in popularity. The average lifespan of a Labradoodle is around 10 to 14 years , and they come in three different sizes — miniature or toy, medium, and standard. Their sizes can also affect how they behave. Your Labradoodle will undergo various changes through every stage in their lives. Their five different life stages include: Puppyhood — 1 to 5 months Adolescence — 6 to 18 months Adulthood — until three years of age Middle Age — until seven years of age Old Age — the last stage; until 12 to 14 years of age. At every stage, your Labradoodle will depict different behaviors, and you will have to modify how you train them accordingly. Can Labradoodles smile? The correct training approach is to start coaching your Labradoodles from the first day when you bring them home. Compared to adult dogs, puppies are easier to train. You will have a much easier and fun time training them when and where to pee, how to socialize, how not to put everything in their mouth, how to stay away from chewing the new sofa set, etc. First 30 Days with a Labradoodle The first 30 days are an exciting time with new Labradoodles. With a crossbreed, you often have no idea what surprises are about to unfold. Your furry friend will obviously go on to explore every nook and cranny of your house. While you might feel like spending every second cuddling and playing around with them, this is the time when you should start training your dog. The sooner you begin, the more adaptable the routine becomes to the dog. When they are young, it is recommended that you initiate the process of Early Scent Introduction to amplify their senses. This will allow them to quickly identify and react to particular smells. A helpful activity is putting a leash on your Labradoodle while it walks around the house and sniffs different household objects. You can also include a few more games and habits into their routine to make them put their senses to good use. You will often find them jumping around the house and licking everyone. All their sensory organs will be heightened, so behaviors like wagging their tails and play-biting people will be common. If their erratic behavior changes are not kept in check, you might even find them baring teeth at anyone who attempts to touch their belongings or fiddle with the safe environment they are used to. Potty Training This is the age to establish a potty schedule for your puppy. Include multiple potty breaks throughout the day so that the dog knows where to go to release themselves. Train them to hold their pee in until they reach their designated point. Every time they successfully pee outside , make sure to reward them with a treat. Leash Training Leashes are going to be a life-long friend of your dogs. Make sure you introduce them to the concept of a leash right from the very beginning. It will help your Labradoodle get accustomed to the feeling of having a leash around them every time they are taken for a walk. When at home, put the leash on the dog, and let them walk around freely without pulling on it. Two Labradoodles sniff eachother out at a dog park. The puppyhood phase is about to end, and the new adulthood chapter is about to commence. By this time, they should have mastered most of the training commands and techniques so you can move on to teaching them more advanced training options. Loose leash training, clicker, and positive reinforcement training all become possible now. We must keep a strict eye on reinforcing positive behavior and obedience and redirect unwanted behavior with just as much consistency as when they were a young puppy. By this time, your dog should also be vaccinated, so they can go to a nearby park and play with other dogs. Command Training This is the stage when you start teaching your Labradoodle some basic commands. The best way to introduce it is during their mealtime. You can hold the food in your hands and use it to lure them. Identify a definite marker that you can use to communicate to your Labradoodle if they perform a particular command correctly or incorrectly. Sit with your Labradoodle on the floor and play around to try to communicate with them. Make them comfortable with your touch and sound. Find other puppies that your Labradoodle can spend time with. It is a good idea to begin socializing your puppy to help them become more comfortable with humans as well as other dogs. This will also reduce the risk of anxiety and fear, help them listen to others better, and ensure that they live a fulfilling and happy life. Regardless of what training routine you establish for your dog, make sure you only do it through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is a reward-based training option. So, if your dog successfully performs a task or follows a command, you praise them or reward them with treats. You can use a favorite treat or a toy to encourage them to follow the command again. Avoid punishing your dog at all costs as it would instill life-long fear in them. Use puzzle toys and different mentally stimulating exercises to improve their physical and mental capabilities even simple food toys like frozen Kongs or slow feeder bowls do the trick. Our best Labradoodle name ideas. I am sure you have been planning the arrival of your Labradoodle and are excited for all the joy and happiness they are about to bring into your life. I got a puppy a few months back too, and there are a few tips I wish someone had told me about before: Have two separate bowls ready for your Labradoodle — one for food and one for water. Feed them with food specific to their breed, and make sure to replace their bowl with fresh water every day. Proper nutrition and a balanced diet are part and parcel of a good puppy training routine. You can also treat them with a toy every time they follow the commands you teach them. Invest in a comfortable dog bed. Although bedding can be expensive, your Labradoodle needs a decent place to relax. Make sure the size of the bed is appropriate, neither too big nor too small. Puppy-proof your house before the new member settles in. Keeping the electrical cords out of reach, properly latching the doors and windows to avoid risking your puppy wandering off, and designating a specific bathroom area for the puppy are some of the vital precautions you must take. It not only keeps them clean and smelling fresh but also eliminates the risk of illnesses and diseases in your dog. But they still need to be regularly groomed to avoid matting. To do this, however, you need to train your Labradoodles to be comfortable with the different grooming tools and sit still for some time. Here are a few tips on how you can do that successfully: Sensitize your Labradoodle to the sounds of different grooming equipment like nail trimmers, scissors, combs, brushes, etc. Play with their paws and make them feel comfortable. You should massage their feet and touch their nails to make them feel at ease with your touch. The more you delay grooming your dog regularly, the more complex and painful the procedure will get. Brushing becomes easy, pain-free, and you will be surprised to see your Labradoodle eventually starting to look forward to it. While doing facial trims, your dog needs to remain calm and still. To do a facial trim, gently hold their head in one hand and rest their chin on another. There are high chances your dog will be placed in a crate when attending grooming sessions at a salon. So make them accustomed to being placed inside a crate at home. You can keep their favorite toys and treats inside to make them feel more comfortable. Most of the advanced Labradoodle training options and methods are built on basic training methods. If your Labradoodle has successfully mastered basic training skills, the advanced training period will be relatively easy. If you want your dog to behave even better and learn new tricks, or get them registered as a service dog or a guide dog, or make them participate in an upcoming dog event, you can consider enrolling them in professional advanced training courses. Labradoodles, as the name suggests, are a cross between Poodles and Labradors, combining the best characteristics of both breeds. Labradoodles are bred to be friendly and loving and they are very easy to train. In terms of background, if the breeder or adoption service you got your pup from did not start any training, then you will have to start slow and be patient. A Labradoodle that has been trained and brought up well can serve as the perfect service dog, guide dog, or therapy dog. Are Labradoodles Easy To Train? Labradoodles are great companions that can fit in as easily in a large family as they can in a small one. They are easy to train, friendly, social, and intelligent. If they are trained consistently, they develop a friendly temperament and bond well with their owners. Do Labradoodles Bark Excessively? As with any other breed of dog, Labradoodles are at high risk of barking excessively if they are not adequately trained or if their day-to-day requirements are not met. A Labradoodle has a lot of energy. If the energy is not channeled in the right place through coaching, exercising, and proper stimulation, they might get stressed and anxious and bark unreasonably. A Red Miniature Labradoodle looks happy in the studio. Final Words The happiness that comes with having a Labradoodle as your companion and raising them is unmatched. However, as with any other dog, training them involves hard work and discipline. I hope this guide makes Labradoodle training easy for you. The biggest hurdle you may face when training your dog is a lack of motivation and consistency. Luckily, Labradoodles are inclined to learn from their owners quicker than other breeds. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. But in the early days, we recommend keeping them close to you at night. It will help them feel safe and cared for — leaving their litter is quite a big step, after all. Your puppy may be unsettled and will most likely need at least one bathroom break through the night. It will all be okay in a few weeks time, though. The crate should be a cozy warm den for your puppy. Soft blankets and a cuddly toy should do the trick to help them settle. It is also a good idea to cover over the sides but keep the front uncovered so your pup can still see out. Just before bed, take your pup out for one last potty stop. With that beautiful voice of yours, gently reassure them and rest your hand in the crate so they know you are there. When your puppy wakes up in the night they definitely will at some point , listen to see if they are settling back down. Expect to be out at or am to take them straight to the loo. They will be bursting! That just about covers the first steps of Labradoodle sleep training. Very tired. But early mornings, late nights and disturbed sleep are all part of owning a puppy. As they mature emotionally and settle into their new home they will be happy in other parts of the house, and even outside of their crate. Having them in your room does not cause separation anxiety later on. Stick to a routine! Consistency is everything. It will backfire on you. Check out our guide on how to get a puppy to sleep through the night for more tips. Alone Training Labradoodles are very sociable. That can mean two things — they will always be happy to see you and that being alone can be challenging for them. This will help them feel at ease without you and also help them love their crate a little bit more too. While they are eating, go and do something close by. No need to go completely out of sight, but try not to focus on your puppy either. Labradoodles love to eat, so use this time wisely to distract them away from you. Just a few seconds is good enough in the early stages. Repeat: Practice makes perfect! Do this exercise at least once a day to build up alone time, and check out our guide to puppy separation anxiety. We expand on our little secret in our puppy potty training article. Every 30 minutes, after eating, sleeping or playing. Socialization Exercises to do This Week Early socialization is important for all puppies. It gives them confidence and teaches them to view the world in an optimistic way. Here are some puppy socialization exercises to do with your Labradoodle. Let your Labradoodle Puppy Explore the Yard The yard is a great way to introduce your puppy to the great outdoors. They will also get used to walking on different types of surfaces such as your tiled, wet lawn or open flower beds. To get them there, here is a quick exercise you can run through: Exploring different surfaces exercise Have plenty of treats ready. Only use safe surfaces, nothing too slippery. Gather surfaces such as: A piece of carpet A large tray with a thin layer of water A large piece of tin foil or cardboard, something that makes a noise. Put the surfaces out on the floor and let your puppy investigate. Let them take their time and go at their own pace. In our experience Labradoodles are quite food motivated, and you can probably use a low or medium value treat for this. You can even try to use their kibble as many will be delighted to work for their food. For more info on what rewards to use check out our article on rewards and treats. Teach your puppy their name One of the first things your puppy will learn from you is their name. Fortunately, teaching a Labradoodle puppy their name is rather simple. Pretty easy, right? Practice this a few times everyday until they start flipping their head at you every time you call their name. Make sure everyone in the family uses the same name too! Teach your puppy to sit Labradoodle training is often started by teaching them how to sit. We call this a marker word. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow with a tasty treat. Bits of smelly sausage or cheese will definitely do the trick. If this happens, try to keep it simple at first and just use their own kibble if they are motivated to work for it. Save the big guns in treat terms for when you really need it! How to do it Always begin training at home. The outside world is far too exciting at the moment, and your puppy will probably not focus on you. Stand in front of your pup with a treat in your hand and place the treat on their nose, then bring it up to your waist. Recall — How to teach your Labradoodle puppy to come back when called Your puppy should have a good grasp of their name by now, which should make recall training pretty straightforward. Pun intended. How to do it You will need plenty of those high value treats and your best cheery voice. Call your puppy only once! This is super important as you want them to learn that their name only has to be called once for them to react to it. How to do it Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Once they are interested in the toy, throw it a short distance away from you. With that lovely singing voice of yours, encourage them to bring it back to you. When they do, swap the toy in their mouth for another identical toy. Repeat about 5 times and practice everyday. Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Prevention of Resource Guarding This part of Labradoodle training is important — it will prevent resource guarding by teaching your puppy how to give up items willingly. Resource guarding is this thing that happens when dogs are unwilling to give up items back, or when they get protective over something from humans or other dogs. From the training tips above, preventing resource guarding always comes down to a good swapping. Resource guarding starts when we force our dogs as puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. To avoid that, resist your temptation to reach deep inside their mouths to get whatever it is they have. Ultimately, we want our puppies to be willing to give things up when we need them to. What we really mean is care, handling, health and grooming. Start by just showing them the brush and running it over them with the apartment side so they get used to the sensation minus the bristles. Hand Touch and Handling If you handle your puppy too roughly or grab at them, not only are they going to have a bit of a fright, but it could make them feel scared about being touched in the future. Use plenty of treats, and remember to stop if they walk away. Touch should be a pleasant thing not forced. Week 2 — Training your Labradoodle puppy Week 2 already! Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Fireworks — Watch the world go by outside your house — Play dress up. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Your First Days Home Deer Creek doodle babies start at an advantage of already having been accustomed to a human family schedule. Because we have worked extensively with our doodles on crate training, there should be little to no crying the first few nights with your new puppy. Deer Creek doodle puppies sleep from midnight to 6 A. M and are holding their potty during that time before going to their new homes. Before puppies are months old, house training is more about management on the human's part and the better the human does at managing mistakes in the house, the sooner the puppy will be completely house trained. Our idea of completely house trained is when a dog tells you they have to go out on their own or use a doggy door, otherwise you are still in the management phase. I know that sounds obvious, but it can be hard at times. It is very easy to give puppies the wrong signals if you pet them or baby talk them while they are being fearful, over excited, etc and in these situations you are actually telling them you like how they are behaving. Rules and discipline are just as important as rewards and a puppy likes to know their boundaries to feel safe. Make sure everyone knows the rules and is consistent on what is allowed and not allowed in the house ex: jumping on the couch, jumping up on people, etc. Having rules makes a respectful dog. Just like children, puppies thrive on structure and will live in confusion if there are no boundaries- making everyone unhappy. Most importantly, expose your puppy to everything you would want them to be a part of in your life within their first 16 weeks of age. During this age, you should continue to socialize your puppy to strangers, take them in the car and in pet friendly stores. You should also continue to get them accustomed to being examined, clipped and bathed at an early age to avoid any behavior problems in these areas in the future. Puppy Schedule: AM: The puppies wake up and are carried outside to the designated potty spot right away. They are carried in the beginning to avoid any mistakes before making it out the door. After a few days of this routine, the puppies are able to run outside on their own after being let out of their crates and no longer need carried. Do not play with your puppy outside when you are taking them out to go to the bathroom. Go back inside first and then go back outside to play. Puppies must not be allowed to roam freely in your home. You have to watch the puppies during the playtime to ensure they do not need another bathroom break. Anytime you are not feeding, holding or playing with your puppy, he should be in the crate. This is very important the first few weeks in your home to continue the crate training. If you allow a very young puppy too much time out in your house unsupervised you can expect some accidents. Once a puppy starts to potty in the house it is harder to break that pattern. Keeping an eye on your puppy at all times during this stage is very important so you can catch their signal that they need to go as soon as possible. They will usually sniff the floor in a circular pattern. Just scoop them up and head out the door to the potty spot. After they go potty outside, praise and even reward with a treat. This will speed up the house-training process. Perform this pattern throughout the day. Be sure that you puppy has finished both 1 and 2 outside before allowing them playtime. A lot of puppies will do both things more than once. Do not play with them at this time so they know they are going out for a reason. If they have not done both things outside, place the puppy back in the crate for a little while and then take them outside again before allowing any playtime in the house. Deer Creek doodles are used to sitting calmly before given each meal as instructed. This is the last time the puppies eat or drink, leaving them satisfied but also allowing enough time before bed to use the bathroom several times to limit any overnight accidents. Now is a great time to play with, exercise or teach your puppy a new trick before bed to wear them down and help them sleep. Reminder : Do not allow your puppy to roam freely around the house at any time of the day without complete supervision. The puppies go in their crates with command "In Your Bed" and are given a treat. The lights are turned out and we say "goodnight. They settle down and relax in their crates because they associate it as their beds. In a new environment, your puppy may or may not whine 30 minutes or less to test their new home, but then will settle shortly and connect the new location with their old training. It is important not to get them out of their crates when they are behaving in a way you do not like because they will associate their negative behavior to a positive "reward" that is getting out of the crate. If your puppy does continue to cry, be sure they cannot see you. Place them in another room and turn out the lights and place a blanket or towel over the crate. You can also play some soothing music or ambient noise in the room with them and give them a Kong toy with a yummy filling inside to occupy them. We do not recommend sleeping with your puppy or with the puppy sleeping in a crate in your bedroom as anytime you were to move the puppy would wake up and have to go out to potty no matter what time of night it may be. Place the crate in another room near the door they would be going out, this is best for house training. Keep in mind you are really the one who is "house trained" in the beginning, knowing when to take the puppy outside to potty, to recognize their body language of needing to potty, and to monitor them closely when they are not in their crate. The better the human does in the beginning at limiting accidents in the house, the faster the puppy will be house trained. We also recommend the poochie bells to help your puppy learn through training how to ask to go outside. Get Started Labradoodle Training We know how challenging it can be training your doodle puppy, and adjusting your new puppy's schedule and routine to yours. Below are some tips and suggestions on how to make your puppies first few weeks together with you and your family a stress free and exciting time for all involved! Bringing Your New Puppy Home The first few days home with you, can be overwhelming for your new puppy. Everything is a new experience to them. Try to bring the puppy into your home during a time that is slow for you. Once you arrive home with your puppy, you want to start a routine as quickly as possible. Try giving your puppy a few minutes of playtime before beginning any training. This is brought on by the stress of a big change, and as long as it is not excessive or bloody, it is nothing to be concerned about. High quality Puppy and Dog foods have all the necessary vitamins and nutrients that your dog needs. One ingredient to avoid in your puppy food is corn. Corn offers little nutritional value and is mostly a filler. You may feed your puppy whatever food you prefer. However, If you are changing foods, you want to do it slowly to give them a chance to adjust to the new food. Each day, gradually add more of the new food and less of the old food. If changed too quickly, the puppy may experience diarrhea. Once in the morning and once at night. We recommend the evening feeding to occur by - pm. It is recommended that you do this until they are around 6 months of age. Remember to offer water every 2 to 4 hours, not just when offering food. As with feeding we don't like to give water too close to bedtime when training a labradoodle puppy. House Training Your Labradoodle Puppy "The key to house training is to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Such deterrence may seem impossible if you have a puppy that seems to eliminate every few minutes. But by following a few simple steps, you can teach your canine companion proper potty deportment. Pick A Potty Spot - Choose a grassy area that is close to your home and easy to clean up. Whenever your puppy needs to go, take him to this spot and use the same route to get there every time. Supervise Your Puppy - To prevent accidents, watch your puppy closely whenever he's not confined. Get Him A Den a crate, more on that below - When you can't watch your puppy, put him where accidents are less likely to occur: In a crate. The crate is a safe, enclosed area where your puppy will instinctively refrain from eliminating. Put your puppy in its crate any time you can't watch it every single second, but don't leave your pup there too long. No more than one hour longer than its age in months four hours for a 3-month-old dog. Keep A Schedule - Puppies need to eliminate after sleeping, eating, and playing, and before bedtime. By setting up a schedule for those activities, you can make your puppy's bathroom breaks more predictable and greatly reduce the likelihood of accidents. Stick With It - It may take awhile before your puppy becomes trained. If this process sounds like work ,it is, but the better you do it -or in other words, the fewer accidents you have while training-the more quickly your dog will succeed. Crate Training Your Labradoodle I have heard many people say that crate training is mean and only serves as a punishment to the dog. They couldn't be more wrong. These are some of the many benefits of crate training: Crates are perfect for the dog to sleep in. When a dog is coming into a home where other dogs already live, the crate is a safe place for the new dog. You should never confine your pet as a form of punishment. Make sure that you invest in a good sturdy crate made either of hard plastic or of heavy steel wire. Cages with rounded edges make it easier to clean them. Make sure the cage is big enough for the dog. Puppies need a cage that is appropriate for their size. They have crates that can be divided so that a large cage can work for a smaller puppy. This eliminates the need to buy several different cages as the puppy grows. We hope you have success training your doodle puppy and find it as rewarding as we have! Follow Along on Social Media! Popular Links. Contact Puppy Training The pages within the Homecoming Prep segment of our website are private and can only be accessed through the link provided through email and through the link on the Prepare For Puppy page. The button on this page is titled Homecoming Prep. Once you are in the Homecoming Prep section of the website you will need to use your back button to navigate the pages and return to this Homecoming Prep home page. Group Classes verses Private Trainer We recommend that you plan to have a professional dog trainer work with you in group classes and-or private lessons. Sometimes both are necessary, depending on your situation. Families with young children need to plan on having a private trainer working with individual dynamics in your home. To find a great trainer near you, go to our Facebook Owners Group for Legendary Labradoodles Families to find great options. Attached is a listing of good trainers in and around Texas. Loads of videos and one on one sessions through a Facetime platform are included in the fee. This will help you prepare for your puppy's arrival and get you started on the right foot. Please be sure you, your children and all family members understand the signals your puppy is giving you. The puppy is not a toy and not meant to be held at will. Set limits on how many times a day no more than 4 that your child can hold the puppy. Children should only be allowed to hold the puppy if they are seated. Too much handling can physically hurt the puppy as well as begin the process of the puppy not tolerating your child. No walking around carrying the puppy. This is true for all children under 8. Puppies will chew on and sometimes ingest toys. If ingested, the pieces can lodge and cause your puppy to have to undergo surgery that is not always successful. Puppies generally do NOT like to be hugged. Puppies will jump up on people. There are two primary responses that most dogs will respond to. The first is to cross your arms, hiding your hands, and turn around showing the dog your backside and being very still. If your dog continues to jump on you they are not responding to this method and you should not continue trying it. Instead, step right into the space where there front paws are on the ground, being careful not to step on their feet. Repeat this behavior each time your dog jumps and instruct all people who your dog interacts with to do this same thing. Puppies and dogs in general will feed off of the people around them. Those who are very exciteable and talk in high pitched tones will create a dog who responds to seeing people by becoming super amped up and difficult to follow simple commands. Try to limit this. It's not in the puppies best interest to repeatedly be encouraged to escalate the excitement level to this high level. This is when the dog will become less focused and less able to follow your guidance. Keep in mind that your dog will feed off of you, your tone and your energy level. Once you get to this site, click on Puppies, then development stages. Use your back button to return to this page. This is usually the first place pictures and video show up. We also have a private Facebook page for owners of our puppies. At this time, you can join this group by answering a few short questions. It is titled Legendary Labradoodles Owners Group. There is info about grooming, vet care, training and all sorts of topics. There are links in the footer of this page to our main Facebook page, not the owners group and our instagram account. If you click on the icon it will take you to our pages. Maintaining cleanliness: House training your Labradoodle puppy is essential for maintaining a clean and hygienic living space. Teaching them to use designated areas for elimination can eliminate the risk of accidents throughout your home. It saves you from the hassle of constantly cleaning up after them and helps preserve the cleanliness and freshness of your indoor environment. Establishing good habits Properly house-training your Labradoodle puppy helps establish good bathroom habits early on. This consistency in their routine will eventually lead to them understanding where they should go when nature calls, reducing accidents and making the entire house training process more efficient. Strengthening the bond Training your puppy to behave well in the house is a great chance to build a stronger connection between you and your furry companion. By actively participating in their training, you establish yourself as their trusted leader and caretaker. This shared experience builds trust and reinforces your bond, creating a solid foundation for a loving and long-lasting relationship. The realistic scent and texture of the pad make it easier for your Labradoodle puppy to associate it with the desired behaviour, simplifying the house training process. Understanding the Basics of House Training Firstly, consistency is vital. Establish a routine and stick to it. Take your puppy outside to a designated potty area regularly throughout the day, such as after meals, naps, and playtime. It will help them understand when and where they should relieve themselves. Positive reinforcement is another effective method. Whenever your Labradoodle puppy successfully eliminates outside , reward them with praise, treats, or a favourite toy. When someone has a positive experience with a particular behaviour, they are more likely to repeat it. Crate training can also help with house training. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so using a crate can teach them to hold their bladder or bowels until outside. Ensure the crate is large enough for your Labradoodle puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie comfortably. Accidents are bound to happen during the house training process. Instead, calmly clean up the mess and continue with your training routine. Punishment can create fear or anxiety in your pup, hindering learning. Consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience are essential. Good luck! You have come to the right place if you seek guidance on the house training your puppy, effective potty training methods, and crate training tips. Positive reinforcement techniques can be incredibly effective in encouraging good behaviour. Here are some suggestions for utilizing rewards, praise, and encouragement to house-train your pet successfully: Use treats as rewards Dogs have a strong drive for food, so using treats as a reward for good behaviour during house training can be very effective. Choose small, bite-sized treats your pet loves and give them immediately after being eliminated in the designated area. It will help create a positive association when going to the bathroom in the right place and receiving a tasty treat. Offer verbal praise Alongside treats, verbal praise is essential for reinforcing good behaviour. Your pet will learn to associate this positive feedback with their successful behaviour, making them more likely to repeat it. Use a clicker Using Clicker training is an effective method for positive reinforcement. A clicker will make a clicking sound when pressed. Start by using the clickers with treats by clicking and giving your pet pleasure. Afterward, use the clicker to mark desired behaviours during house training and follow up with joy and verbal praise. According to Naito at AKC, the essential skills for your dog might differ depending on your dog and surroundings, but they typically involve mastering the following: Sit down and stay even when there are distractions It is important to respond when called, especially when not on a leash. Drop it and leave it Set up a reward system. Each time they successfully eliminate it in the designated area, mark it off or give them a sticker. Once they reach a certain number of successes, please share an extra-special reward, such as an extended play session or their favourite toy. Be consistent and patient. Consistency is vital when using positive reinforcement techniques. Everyone in your household must follow the rules and consistently use the same rewards and praise techniques. Additionally, be patient with your pet as they learn. It may take time to understand the desired behaviour, but they will eventually catch on with consistent positive reinforcement. Remember, positive reinforcement is about rewarding and reinforcing desirable behaviour rather than punishing undesirable behaviour. By consistently using rewards, praise, and encouragement during house training, you can create a positive learning environment for your pet and establish good habits for the long term. Bark Potty is an innovative solution for house training your labradoodle puppies. It is designed to provide a familiar and natural surface for your pups to do their business on. The functionality of Bark Potty is quite simple yet effective. It is a sturdy cardboard container with a unique bark blend that absorbs liquids and controls odours. The top layer of the bark blend is made from natural bark, giving it a realistic appearance and texture. This unique combination creates an environment that encourages your puppies to relieve themselves in an appropriate place. There are several reasons why Bark Potty is effective for house-training labradoodle puppies: 1. Familiarity: Labradoodle puppies are often more comfortable relieving themselves on grass than on other surfaces. Convenience: Bark Potty eliminates the need for frequent trips outside, especially during bad weather or late at night. It offers a convenient indoor alternative for your puppies to use whenever needed. Odor control: The unique bark blend used in Bark Potty effectively absorbs liquids and controls odours, ensuring your home remains fresh and odour-free. Easy maintenance: Bark Potty is designed to be hassle-free and easy to maintain. The bark absorbs the liquid waste, while solid waste can be quickly scooped up and disposed of in a sanitary manner. Eco-friendly: Bark Potty is made from sustainable materials. It is an environmentally friendly choice for house training your puppies. Overall, Bark Potty provides a practical and efficient solution for house training labradoodle puppies , offering familiarity, convenience, odour control, easy maintenance, and Eco-friendliness all in one package. Can I use Bark Potty both indoors and outdoors? The Bark Potty is a versatile training option that can be used indoors and outdoors, making it adaptable to different environments. Bark Potty is designed to be used indoors and outdoors, allowing you to train your furry friend in various environments. Whether you live in an apartment or have a backyard, Bark Potty is a convenient solution that is easily moved and placed wherever needed. Its versatile design allows for hassle-free training regardless of the space you have available. Are there any special considerations for using Bark Potty with Labradoodle puppies? Introduce the Bark Potty gradually: Start by placing the Bark Potty in an easily accessible area for your Labradoodle puppy. Allow them to explore it and get comfortable with its presence before encouraging 2. Take them to the Bark Potty regularly after meals, naps, and playtime to help them develop a bathroom schedule. If you notice any signs they need to go outside, gently turn them to the Bark Potty. It will help prevent accidents indoors. Cleanliness and maintenance: Regularly clean and maintain the Bark Potty to ensure a fresh and inviting environment for your Labradoodle puppy. Remove any solid waste promptly and replace the grass pad as needed. Remember, each Labradoodle puppy is unique, so be patient and adapt these tips based on their individual needs. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, your Labradoodle puppy should quickly learn to use the Bark Potty effectively. Is Bark Potty suitable for adult dogs as well, or just puppies? Bark Potty is designed to be suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. Whether you have a young pup or a fully grown adult, Bark Potty provides a convenient and reliable option for bathroom needs. Its natural bark scent and realistic feel appeal to dogs of all ages. So rest assured, your adult dog will find Bark Potty as suitable and effective as a puppy would. In Conclusion, Bark Potty offers a reliable solution for successful house training puppies, resulting in a happy puppy and a clean home. House training is essential to raising a well-behaved and disciplined dog and requires proper guidance and consistency. These pee pads are made from all-natural materials, making them safe for your furry friend. They are also odour-absorbent, ensuring your home remains fresh and clean even during the house training. One of the key benefits of using Bark Potty is its convenience. It saves you time and effort while maintaining cleanliness in your home. This natural association speeds up the house training, allowing your puppy to learn proper potty habits quickly. Proper potty training is crucial for maintaining a clean home and fostering a strong bond between you and your labradoodle puppy. So why wait? Start your Puppy house training journey with Bark Potty today and enjoy the benefits of a clean home and a contented puppy.

Why do you think the police force and military are using the German Shepherd so much? Sure, a Doberman can do the job just fine and there are definitely dog breeds that have stronger olfactory senses or stronger bites but they may not be willing to obey every command in every situation. They are too intelligent to outright obey everything which can sometimes be perceived as stubborn. Does that mean the German Shepherd is not smart? Absolutely not. In fact, the German Shepherd is often cited as one of the smartest dog breeds, right after their cousin the Belgian Shepherd, also known as Malinois. Their will to please outranks. How trainable is the German Shepherd Husky mix? Well, the Husky is known to be quite independent by design. So even though pairing these two very smart dog breeds makes sense at first glance, a Shepherd Husky mix might not be as easy to train as imagined. That being said, pairing a German Shepherd with a more agreeable Husky can certainly help. Genetics and temperament of the parents always play a pretty big role. This is not always the case and even a purebred may struggle with protection without proper direction and training. Always consult a professional to avoid teaching your dog negative behavior patterns barking at strangers on walks, lunging at dogs, and so on. Huskies are incredibly enduring. How could they not, they were bred to run hundreds of miles in very cold climates. But their original working purpose was quite specific and they may need to have an outlet for this desire to run. Training your dog early on will prevent behavioral issues in the future and gets your dog used to brain training. Since both breeds are relatively high energy, you need to walk your Shepsky at least twice a day for a minimum of minutes each. The German Shepherd is known to be a formidable family dog while the Husky can be quite reserved. Huskies are used to living and working in a pack and can be very sociable animals while Shepherds develop a deep bond with their owners. Although pairing these two breeds can produce great family dogs, there are other large dog breeds that are even suitable for apartment living out there that are very patient with children and also perfect for guarding property. Expect to have a very smart dog that will challenge you throughout the day. He will probably grow into a medium to large-sized dog with a weight of about 40 to 80 pounds. Both dogs are working breeds so you can expect a Shepsky to have high exercise needs. A task or daily job would keep them the happiest. Grooming Both dog breeds can have relatively similar coat types. Huskies have a thick double coat, meaning an undercoat plus guard hair. While the undercoat is soft and dense, the guard hairs are straight and somewhat smooth. Depending on the specific pairing, the coat can be a toin coss. Be ready for shedding seasons with both of these dogs. You can expect your male German Shepherd Husky mix to be in cm with a weight of lbs kg. Female German Shepherd Husky mixes range from in cm , weighing in at lbs kg. Apartment Living Can you live in an apartment with a high-energy dog like the German Shepherd Husky mix? It depends. If you provide your dog with an outlet for his exercise needs which means lots of walks, play, and training then there should be absolutely no problem. However, their tendency for high-pitched barks or howling may cause problems with your neighbors. Proper training will help and entails teaching your dog the quiet command. Would I advise you to buy a mixed breed from a breeder? Definitely not. There are far too many mixed breeds sitting in shelters and waiting to be chosen. As long as there are no health issues present in their ancestry, you could argue that mixed breeds might be healthier than purebreds from backyard breeders. Beware of backyard breeders mixing in a third breed without stating so. Make sure to check out my breeder questions before you fall victim to scammers or backyard breeders. Make sure to talk to a veterinarian or nutritionist first. Do you have a German Shepherd Husky mix? Share with us your experiences in the comments below! The resulting dog is a genetic gamble in terms of health and temperament and offers no advantage to a health-tested dog or rescuing. Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. Salt and pepper Light brown or golden Her coat is usually thick and fluffy, with long, short, dense or medium fur. Perfect to cuddle up to on a cold night! Both parents have double coats, which helped them work in cold weather, and the German Shepherd Husky Mix has this dual layer, too. This means they are better living in cold climates. So if you are thinking of getting one of these dogs and you live in a place where it reaches high temperatures, this is not the dog for you! The Gerberian Shepsky is a moderate shedder and, as its coat is thick and fluffy, it is prone to matting. I advise brushing 2 -3 times a week to keep her double coat shiny and tangle-free. German Shepherds were bred to herd livestock and are now often used as police and military dogs; in these roles, they work closely with their owners and are able to learn commands quickly. The Siberian Husky is also a working dog that was trained to pull loads over long distances in the Arctic wilderness. This mix results in an alert dog who is quick to learn. She will respond well to whistles and verbal commands after just a few repetitions, which makes her easily trainable. This dog does well in dog agility, a great way for intelligent, high-energy dogs to expel energy and exercise their mind. A warning, though: this breed can be a bit obstinate. She may not obey if she senses that you are not a strong leader. Look how quickly this young dog already handles all types off commands: 3. If you are a couch potato, or you struggle to walk for more than an hour, this is not the dog for you. Like its parents, this dog can go for miles without tiring. They are perfect exercise companions and should be taken out twice a day, preferably for an hour or more each time. These dogs love to run, so you should take her to an area where she can go off leash providing she is trained. You can also teach her to jog or run alongside you. In large breed dogs like this one, their plates usually set at around 12 months , so it is best to wait until 12 — 15 months before starting more vigorous exercise. You should talk to your veterinarian to get the okay before starting any exercise program. I repeat: this dog is only for active, sporty types! Given their size and energy levels, I would only recommend this dog to someone with a house and spacious yard. She likes to be employed As well as physical exercise, these dogs like to fulfill the task they were bred for: doing a job. You should stimulate this need in her to avoid her becoming frustrated. You can fit her with a specially designed doggie backpack , which holds water and supplies and even your cell phone! Not to mention that it helps her burn off more of that pent-up energy. Like their German Shepherd parent, whose job was to keep watch over the herd, they are natural protectors. This can sometimes develop into overprotectiveness and territorial behavior, however, and may lead to displays of aggression towards strangers. It is imperative that you keep this under control through socializing your dog: make sure your puppy is used to being around as many people as possible from a very young age. You should get her a few toys she can play with at home like squeaky toys and tug toys. Try to socialize her with other puppies too — you could join a puppy training class and make connections, then get your puppies together for a play date! Potential health conditions Crossbreeds are generally healthier than purebred dogs. However, this dog could be prone to some health conditions that can occur in its parents. There are two main health problems, including: Elbow and hip dysplasia This is a condition that results in an unstable or loose joint. This can be helped by maintaining a healthy weight in your dog, so as not to put stress on her joints. Eye conditions Juvenile cataracts: These may not start until 6 years old. They appear as opacity in the lens of the eye and can cause a slight decrease in eyesight to complete blindness in more severe cases. Corneal dystrophy: This condition, in which abnormal material accumulates in the clear, outer layer of the eye the cornea , can cause visual impairment. It tends to affect both eyes and develops slowly. Progressive retinal atrophy: This can occur in later life and can lead to partial or complete blindness. Early symptoms can show as night blindness, dilated pupils and the inability to see clearly in bright light. Unfortunately, this condition is inherited, and it cannot be cured. If diagnosed early, however, there is a chance of saving the dog from going completely blind by using specific antioxidant supplementation. Other health problems can include digestive problems, blood disorders, bloat, and epilepsy. Feeding your Gerberian Shepsky who can be a little bit fussy As they are highly active dogs, the German Shepherd Husky Mix more often than not has a healthy appetite and requires a protein-rich diet. Bear in mind, though, that these critters can be fussy eaters! Try to find a brand that appeals to your dog, whether it is one in particular or a combination. Once you do, stick with what she likes. Given that these dogs are prone to digestive problems, it may mean some trial and error when trying to find the best dog food for her. Conclusion When it comes to genetics, Gerberian Shepskies got the good end of the deal. They are beautiful, intelligent, loyal, playful and easy to train, as long as you are a firm leader. Just remember, if you are thinking of getting one of these hybrids, you should be an active, outdoorsy person who is comfortable walking for at least 2 hours a day and has a house with a spacious yard. Thinking of getting a Gerberian Shepsky? Already the owner of one and want to share your story? Comment below! About Alexandra Animalso I was raised to be a dog person. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. Each litter typically produces adorably fluffy puppies, each of which may look different. Some will inherit heterochromia — or different colored eyes — from their Husky parent, while others will receive the longer snout of their German Shepherd parent. History: Emergence of the Gerberian Shepsky To understand this active and loving mixed breed, we must first understand purebred Huskys and German Shepherds. As we mentioned, the German Shepherd is known as a herding dog. They were developed in for herding and guarding sheep in Germany. The Husky is a working dog, first bred over years ago in Siberia. They arrived in Alaska in where they ran hard as sledding dogs and stole the hearts of locals with their goofy personalities. No formal records document the first hybrid litter of Gerberian Huskys. In general, the German Shepherd Husky Mix has an ideal temperament. They get their friendly, silly, and gentle qualities from the Husky side, while they receive loyalty and bravery from their Shepherd side. While Huskies never meet a stranger, shepherds are standoffish. The combination leads to a perfect balance. Once grown, your Gerberian Shepky will protect you, and guard your family from anything- all while providing love, cuddles and plenty of adorable moments to last a lifetime! They are great around children, and when socialized from a young age, can live well with other animals. The German Shepherd Husky mixed breed is incredibly intelligent will learn quickly when trained appropriately. Huskies can be stubborn and become bored easily, while the German Shepherd loves to learn new things and have a job to do. If your puppy is more Husky, he may prefer hours of running, rather than mental stimulation. For example, hold out a toy or treat and let your pup catch a whiff. Then, hide the object and let your pup sniff it out. Get creative with your training and bond with your puppy to find what works for you! Be sure to keep your Gerberian Shepsky well exercised and mentally stimulated to avoid developing unwanted negative behaviors like barking, howling a husky favorite , and chewing. Calorie requirements differ based on age, weight, activity level, and sex. For example, a quickly growing puppy requires more calories than an adult Shepsky and should eat food specifically formulated for puppies. In contrast, active adult German Shepherd Husky mixes require about calories, while less active and senior dogs only require calories per day. A high quality food, formulated for large breeds is best. Remember to account for special treats in daily caloric needs! Get the whole family together for a walk or run. Continuously switch up the route so your Shepsky never gets bored. Other recommendations include providing at least 2 hours a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. German Shepherd Husky mixes do best in an environment where they can play, run, and roam. Your new pet will be most content when able to participate in interactive activities like obstacle courses and challenging puzzles. With lots of love and attention, your Gerberian Shepsky will settle into a nice routine of work and play. Be sure to snuggle up for plenty of cuddles at the end of a long day! Shepsky Health Considerations Like their purebred parents, German Shepherd Husky mixes may suffer from certain health issues due to their genes. When you purchase a puppy, your breeder should be happy to provide a detailed health screening of the parents. Joint Dysplasia causes the elbows and hips to develop abnormally, leading to pain and eventual loss of movement if left untreated. If caught early, the condition can be treated successfully with medication or corrective surgery. Cataracts, inherited from the Husky parent, are issues with the lens of the eye that will lead to decreased vision over time. If left untreated, your Gerberian Shepsky may become disoriented, confused, and even aggressive as he loses his ability to process his surroundings. Again, if caught early, this disease can be treated with medication or surgery. This condition causes the stomach to swell and twist around it self. The risk is passed on to your Shepsky and great care must be taken to avoid it! Simply remain attentive to how much and how often your pup is eating and you should be safe. And, much like a wolf, the Shepsky mix possesses a strong snout and piercing eyes. They may even have two different colored eyes! Puppies with heterochromia are highly coveted and will cost more. But they are worth it — so gorgeous and unique! Just like the eyes, Gerberian Shepsky coats may be a variety of colors based on which parent they most closely resemble. Common colors include white, gray, silver, tan, red, and the classic German Shepherd coat color — Sable! Because the Husky originated as a sled dog, their coats are adapted for the cold climates of Siberia and Alaska. However, they are double coated and may shed one coat to accommodate warm temperatures. Your Shepsky will also have a double coat that requires twice weekly brushing sessions to promote proper shedding and skin health. Additionally, frequent full bathes are harmful to your German Sherpherd Husky mixes natural oils. This can lead to irritation and dry, itchy skin. Instead, only bath them when necessary with a gentle shampoo. Simply spot clean in between with a damp cloth, and use a non-toxic deodorizing spray if necessary! We've included some summary facts and stats below to help you make your decision. Do you think this gorgeous, regal looking dog is right for your family? Yet, cuddly, friendly, and adorable! So what do you think? The German Shepherd Husky mix is a relatively new designer dog breed. Very little is known about where and when it originated. Many dog experts claim that the first of this kind was bred intentionally sometime in the late s. Originally, a German Shepherd and a Siberian Husky parents were mated to produce a first-rate working dog, since both the parents are excellent working dogs. Soon, because of their sheer strength and quick intellect, they were used to assist with search-and-rescue operations and took military and police roles. It would help to get a glimpse of the origin of the parent breeds to have a better understanding of German Shepherd Husky mix. The German Shepherd , which originated in in Germany, were used to herd sheep and pull heavy loads under tough conditions. They were imported and used as sled dogs during the Alaskan Gold Rush. The breed eventually became popular throughout Canada and the United States as great pets. The Siberian Husky is believed to have originated over two millennia ago from the Siberian Arctic. Nomadic Indian tribes used these dogs to help with pulling sleds and heavy loads. The Siberian Huskies made their way to North America in the s. Despite having relatively short history, German Shepherd Husky mixes have already become fashionable and increasingly common. German Shepherd Husky Mix Puppies! For the most part, when two different thoroughbred canines mate, the puppies will most often inherit traits from their parents. This will vary from litter to litter, of course. But rest assured that German Shepherd Husky mix puppies look a lot like their parents in terms of how they look as well as their personality or temperament. This striking creature has a medium to long head and a strong, somewhat pointy muzzle. A German Shepherd Husky has pointy triangular ears and a set of alert almond-shaped eyes. The puppies of these parent breeds are well-built, energetic, and athletic. German Shepherd Husky mixes are super fluffy and their beautiful coat contributes to their attractive appearance. Like German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies, this designer dog has a double coat. It has a tough top coat and an insulating layer of undercoat that is made up of short hair. The undercoat protects and keeps the dogs warm in cold regions. Some of their undercoat will shed during the months of summer, keeping them nice and cool during the hotter weather. All in all, the coat of German Shepherd Husky mixes is not only beautiful, but functional as well. Husky German Shepherd Size. What is the size of a typical Husky German Shepherd Mix? Expect the size to be from the smallest Siberian Husky to the biggest German Shepherd. A Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog that usually grow up to around 20 to 23 inches in height. On the other hand, a German Shepherd is categorized as a large breed and can grow up to around 22 to 26 inches tall. So expect your Husky German Shepherd Mix to be between 20 and 26 inches tall. When talking about weight, Siberian Huskies weigh between 35 and 60 pounds, while German Shepherds are much heavier at around 49 to 88 pounds. So perhaps the weight of a Husky German Shepherd Mix will be from 35 to 88 pounds. This can also be due the gender of the dog. The most common color combinations are brown-black and white-black. The color of you German Shepherd and Husky Mix is simply a product of genetics. These dogs are: Good guard dogs. They inherited this characteristic from their parents. But they can be excessive barkers. Compared to some other breeds, they learn things quickly because of their higher cognitive abilities. They will always put you first before themselves. They are well-loved because they are affectionate. Be prepared to pet them all day long. These dogs mix well with other pets and with people. They are trusting. These dogs may be naughty at times, but they are very dignified. Active and powerful. They are energetic and need regular training and exercise. They need at least one walk every day. They are the ultimate dogs! They are known for their energy. They get bored and sometimes mischievous when they lack physical and mental stimulation. As mentioned before, this hybrid is also intelligent, loyal, playful, and very trainable. A Husky German Shepherd Mix is an alpha dog and may get somewhat aggressive or do naughty things if its owner is not firm. On the other hand, your dog may inherit the calm and gentle behavior of the Siberian Husky. A Husky German Shepherd Mix with this demeanor can be clingy with their owner. This hybrid loves to take part in various activities with you. Some owners let their friends engage in fieldwork, herding, and the likes, but these dogs will also have fun playing outdoors, jogging, walking, and hiking. While the Husky German Shepherd mix is friendly, warming up to other dogs and strangers may take time. And since the coat is super fluffy, it mats and tangles easily. So, regular grooming of your dog is necessary to prevent matting. Brush your German Shepherd Husky mix several times a week. On top of this, take your dog to a qualified groomer every two months. Remember, start grooming your pups from an early age so they get used to the process. Bathe your dog when needed. Ear check Wax may build up in the ears of German Shepherd Husky mixes fairly often. You should clean their ears carefully using a dog-friendly cleaning solution and cotton balls or cotton buds. This will keep the ear canal clean and reduce ear odors. Remove these parasites in their entirety to reduce discomfort and risk of infection. Dental hygiene The dental hygiene of your German Shepherd Husky mix is also an important part of their grooming process. Also, this dog needs high-quality dry food to keep its gums healthy and strong. Nail grooming In addition to the abovementioned grooming requirements, also make sure that the nails of your German Shepherd Husky mix are trimmed or groomed regularly. This activities is often stressful for the dog. This is because new genes are introduced to the existing pool, strengthening and widening it. However, even a hybrid dog like a German Shepherd mixed with Husky can inherit health conditions from one or both of their parents. This hybrid lives between 10 to 13 years, and during this lifespan, they can develop different health issues. These include: Elbow and hip dysplasia. Problem in the formation of the joints, which usually results into painful arthritis. Juvenile cataracts. The opacity of the lens of the eyes of the dog, which often causes blindness. Corneal dystrophy The accumulation of abnormal materials in the cornea, causing visual impairment. Progressive retinal atrophy PRA. This happens in the twilight years, with symptoms including night blindness, dilated pupils, inability to see in bright light. Bloating of the stomach, which results in the stomach twisting around itself. Failure to produce enough enzymes necessary for digesting meals. Excessive bleeding caused by a defective platelet functioning. Cancer is prevalent in this hybrid. Anal furunculosis. This is an inflammatory bone disease. German Shepherd Huskies are particularly at risk of airborne, contact, and food allergies. A neurological disorder causing uncontrolled seizures and loss of consciousness. This is perhaps the most frightening thing that can happen to this dog. Impaired thyroid function, dwarfism, footpad disorders, nasal cavity tumors, and eczema German Shepherd Mix With Husky Food Recommendations In terms of its dietary needs, the strong and athletic Husky German Shepherd Mix requires a high-protein diet. Provide a diet that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Be careful with foods that contain common allergens such as lamb and egg Give your dog supplements depending on the age of the mix. German Shepherd Mixes are picky eaters, so look for a brand that matches the needs of your dog and try to stick with it. These dogs have a high risk for digestive diseases. So, you must ask your vet for recommendations. The first step is to provide them with balanced nutrition by making sure you opt for best dry dog food, which you can also find in Wellness Core Dog Food , Dog For Dog Food , or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Prior to making any change in their diet plan, consult with your vet. If your buddy is older, try to get any formula from the best senior dry dog food list that will help extend their lifespan. Puppy pups have a bit different diet requirements and you can find the top-quality food for your little companions in the best puppy food brands list. Their parents are working dogs, so they have unparalleled energy and can engage in physical activities without getting tired. What they need is a regular exercise to maintain and improve their strength and endurance. Your dog needs some off-leash time. Dog parks and fenced yards are great places for this. A Husky mixed with German Shepherd that is free to play stays happy. Playing also mentally stimulates the dog. They will increasingly become frustrated and use their intelligence to do naughty things around your house: digging up, chewing on furniture and other things, non-stop howling, and trying to escape. What stimulation or exercise your dogs need depends upon their motivation and temperament. German Shepherd and Husky Mix Training Suggestions A fairly intelligent breed interested in learning and in caring for their owner, a German Shepherd and Husky Mix is relatively easy to train. Not properly trained, these dogs can acquire habits that make the owners clench their teeth pull their hair out. From howling too much to knocking things over to chewing on shoes, there are many things you must keep your dog from doing. A German Shepherd and Husky Mix is very sensitive to vocal commands, making the training process more efficient and much easier. Start obedience training at an early age to prevent annoying habits from developing, and so that you and your pup both can live a happy life together. However, it has a predatory nature, and without proper socialization or training, it might get inro trouble with rodent-type pets or even cats. They can also be extremely overprotective of children and other members of the family. If they feel that the humans they love are in danger, they may attack strangers, so watch them for this kind of behavior. We all know that every dog is unique, so you must socialize them correctly to prevent any untoward incidents. Known to be intelligent and extremely loyal, the German Shepherd Husky Mix is a fun loving, sweet, and pleasant dog. It is great service or companion dog for the family. Getting a dog with a Siberian Husky or a German Shepherd descent can break the bank for many first-time owners. Lucky for them, the Siberian Husky German Shepherd is a relatively affordable dog. Be warned, though. Proper breeding costs a lot of money when it comes to veterinary care, health screening, vaccinations, flea treatments, deworming, and many other procedures to ensure that the puppy is healthy. When you think of the perfect pet for your family, what comes to mind? The German shepherd Husky Mix is just one dog on our list but may be an excellent choice if its active or laid-back nature matches up with yours! The new trend for designer breeds is starting to take off, with the German Shepherd Husky mix becoming more popular than ever before. There are many different stories about how these two dogs came together as one breed — some say it was by accident while others suggest they were intentionally bred over time! The designer hybrid was created in the late s by breeders who wanted to create something powerful but also intelligent enough to work outdoors with limited visibility during winter months when temperatures can reach below freezing levels! This unique mix has been growing increasingly rare as demand decreases due to its mixed origins there are currently no recognized organizations that provide resources on how you could get involved if you are interested in adopting one. German Shepherds are often mischaracterized as aggressive and likely to harm humans, but this is largely due to their popularity as pets. The number one breed for canine attacks on people? However, it should be noted that these dogs were bred in Germany over centuries by farmers who needed hardworking companions with strong senses of loyalty. While the German Shepherd is known for being a good family pet, it can also be somewhat overprotective of children. How Do They Look Like? Mixing two different pedigrees may result in the offspring having traits from both parent breeds. This dog height range can vary depending on their build — some may only grow up until their shoulders while others might stand as high as 23 inches from ground level! There is a lot of variety in the German Shepherd Husky mix. The Husky is a medium-sized dog that weighs 35 to 60 pounds. The males tend towards the higher end of this scale, with more females weighing in at lower body weights 20 inches tall. This means she has an accurately recorded lineage of all black, white, or silver-coated dogs in her background — making it easy for you to avoid any surprises down the line with these amazing breeds! The average lifespan of any dog breed ranges anywhere between 8 — 14 depending upon environmental factors such as diet or care. However, huskies are also excellent at staying calm in an emergency situation while Shepherds form deep bonds with their owners, making them perfect companion pets or guard dogs too! Although pairing these two breeds produces great protectors for your home they might not do so well living on their own without human interaction all day long. The Husky German Shepherd mix is friendly, but it may take time for them to warm up with other dogs and strangers. When you get a Gerberian Shepky, their sweet face will be one of the first things that catch your eye. They are great around children and can live well with other animals as they grow up! These adorable pups were bred for protection which means this dog has intelligence like no other — making it easy to train them in any way imaginable even if said technique involves treats. Shepskies are the perfect pets for families. Why Mental stimulation Is Important? Mental stimulation is key to a healthy, happy pup. If you have more of a Husky personality type dog then they might prefer hours spent running around outside rather than being indoors all day with nothing but their thoughts for company! Hold out a toy or treat and let your pup catch a whiff. Then, hide the object so that he has to use his sense of smell for it! This will help build up some mental stimulation in addition to 2 hours worth each day as an adult. German Shepherd Husky mixes are a great choice for active and adventurous families, but they might not be well suited to first time owners or those who spend most of their days out. The German Shepherd and Husky mix is an opportunity to give their offspring a healthier combination of genes. However, even a hybrid like a German Shepherd mixed with a Husky can inherit health conditions from one or both parent s. This means they live between years old where during this time span different issues may develop. German Shepherd Husky mixes are known for their energy, intelligence, and robust build. German Shepherds are known for their sharp minds, but they also have a few flaws. The main colors for these dogs are brown or black with cream-colored patches on their chests and sometimes feet. Crossbreds or hybrids as they are known to some people can be a great way of getting unique breeds with strong traits from two unrelated lines. Take for instance One of the Gerberian Shepsky pups has a GermanShepherd parent so you know it will have some awesome looks and energy level but also maybe not much aggression. Grooming your furry friend is a necessity if you want him to look good and stay healthy. A German Shepherd Husky mix means shedding, which can get messy fast! A RoboVac might be needed in order for these pups, as they tend to shed quite a bit and you may need the extra cleaning help. Bath him only when necessary. Take him or her in for professional groomings every two months so they get used to the process as soon as possible How Can I Train My German Shepherd Husky Mix: Mixed breeds are often combinations of two different dogs who share some qualities but also display others uniqueness of their own; one example would include having a stubborn side due to their mixing heritage as well as a strong prey drive since many GSD mixes will come straight off the couch after anything running But what about a Husky German Shepherd mix? He may not be as interested in snuffle mats and toys, but he still needs mental stimulation. If not properly trained, they may learn habits such as howling all night or knocking things over to chew on your shoes! Protection training is not a simple task. Shepskis make excellent pets for people who have plenty of room to play with their canine companions, usually having someone around at home all day long! Dog parks and fenced yards are a great way to give your dog some freedom. Shepskies are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. They need plenty of space outdoors including access to local parks or open spaces nearby home so that way the canine can run around without being inside all day long which would make them fat. The dental hygiene of your German Shepherd Husky mix is an important part of their grooming process. We recommend brushing teeth regularly, about 2 — 3 times per week to reduce the risk for periodontal disease and ensure strong gums! The vet can show you which toothpaste is best for them and what type of brushes are most effective in brushing their natural bristles without damaging enamel! German Shepherd Husky mixes can have a rather strong-smelling coat, and this is due to their mix of German shepherds with huskies. Ask your vet! Because he can pick up ticks from outside. The Shepsky needs a high protein diet. The calorie requirements vary depending on age, weight, and activity level but an adult dog will require more calories than a puppy or smaller animal because they have larger muscles that need extra energy to grow into properly developed form during their growing years up until about six months. Make sure you feed your pup some healthy food with plenty of meats in it specially formulated just for dogs! This pup needs high-quality dry food that will keep its mouth healthy while also ensuring they get all the necessary nutrients needed daily in one meal. The active adult German Shepherd Husky mix requires about calories a day, while less energetic and senior dogs only need — per schedule. The Siberian Husky German Shepherd mix can be a large dog. It also has some potential for joint problems in the future and is very important they are not overfed as this may lead to obesity or digestive issues down the road! Bloat is where all excess fluids come into contact with the stomach leading to rapidly increasing pressure within bodily tissues resulting in potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated. The high-protein diet that the strong and athletic Husky German Shepherd Mix requires can be difficult to find. Are you looking for an affordable dog? The price of a Siberian Husky German Shepherd puppy is one that many people consider before they buy. The cost of a Siberian Husky German Shepherd puppy can vary depending on where you look. Mixed breed dogs can be hard to predict when it comes to temperament. However, there are some general characteristics that tend to show up in certain mixes. For example, the Husky German Shepherd mix is a popular crossbreed that is known for being loyal and protective. But are they also aggressive? Generally speaking, Husky German Shepherd mixes are not aggressive by nature. However, they can be if they are not properly trained and socialized. This is true of any dog, mixed breed or not. Without training and socialization, dogs may become fearful or anxious, which can lead to aggression. However, with the right care, Husky German Shepherd mixes can make great family pets. They are typically very loyal and loving, and they will guard their homes and families with their lives. This is a question that often comes up for people considering getting a German Shepherd Husky mix. German Shepherds are considered one of the easiest breeds to train, While Huskies are considered more difficult. However, a German Shepherd Husky mix will likely fall somewhere in between these two extremes. The key to training any dog, including a German Shepherd Husky mix, is to be patient, consistent, and positive. Reward your dog for good behavior and avoid using punishment as much as possible. With time and patience, you should be able to successfully train your German Shepherd Husky mix. A German shepherd husky mix can make an excellent service dog. These dogs are highly intelligent and trainable, and they have the stamina to work long hours. They are also fiercely loyal, which makes them great protectors. German shepherd husky mixes are gentle and loving with their family, but they can be aloof with strangers. This can make them ideal service dogs, as they will bond closely with their handlers and be alert to any potential threats. German shepherd husky mixes are also relatively easy to care for, although they do require plenty of exercises. Overall, these dogs make great service dogs and are sure to bring joy to their families. The German Shepherd on hand also comes with different options: long-haired versus short-coated dogs will need more care depending upon where they live because some breeds do better when kept warm while others stay cool. German Shepherd Husky Mixes are versatile dogs that can adapt to a variety of weather conditions. They have a thick, double-coat that insulates them against cold weather and keeps them cool in hot weather. However, German Shepherd Husky Mixes are not impervious to the elements and should not be left outside for extended periods of time in extreme conditions. In general, German Shepherd Husky Mixes prefer moderate climates and do best when they have access to both indoor and outdoor space. When the weather is very hot or cold, it is important to provide your German Shepherd Husky Mix with plenty of shelter and fresh water to stay hydrated. With proper care, your German Shepherd Husky Mix will be happy and healthy no matter what the weather is like. He is loyal, protective, and loving towards his family. He is also very intelligent and easy to train. However, he does require a lot of exercise and may not be the best choice for first-time dog owners. If you are looking for a devoted companion who will provide you with years of loyalty and happiness, then the German Shepherd Husky Mix may be the perfect dog for you. Post navigation. While herding dogs were being bred in Germany throughout the 19th century, the first formally recognized German Shepherd was registered by Max von Stephanitz in .The dog, named Horand von Grafrath, was the result of several generations of selective breeding to create a working dog ideal for herding sheep. The German Shepherd has a very forceful bite, and they are often mischaracterized as aggressive and likely to harm humans. However, while German Shepherds are responsible for a large number of canine attacks on humans, this is largely due to their popularity as pets and how abundant they are rather than any natural, breed-specific aggression. German Shepherds are actually considered great family pets, and they are known to be very good with children, though they can also be somewhat overprotective. .The Siberian Husky, in contrast, comes from Northeastern Asia where they were bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia to pull sleds. The result is an active breed with a lot of endurance that just loves to run. These dogs do very well in cold climates, and they were introduced to Alaska around as part of the Alaskan Nome Gold Rush. While you will still find these dogs working in some frozen terrains, they are now popular household pets. While they are energetic, friendly, and excellent with children, they are also troublemakers if not trained and socialized properly. They enjoy digging, chewing, jumping, and generally escaping any kind of confined space. Both dogs are of a similar size and have a wolf-like appearance, which is part of what made them prime candidates for crossbreeding. What Are Crossbred Dogs? It is worth noting that crossbred dogs, sometimes called designer dogs, are dogs that have been intentionally bred by mixing two or more recognized breeds. It is not a term for dogs bred accidentally or without purebred ancestors. However, crossbred dogs are not recognized as separate breeds in their own right, so their behavior and characteristics are not as predictable as purebred dogs. One of the advantages of purebred dogs is that it is relatively easy to predict their size, appearance, and temperament. Gerberian Shepsky Appearance As both German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies are medium-sized dogs with a wolf-like appearance, you can expect similar traits from their offspring. German Shepherds tend to be considered medium-to-large-sized dogs. Males typically measure 24 to 26 inches in height at the withers, and the females are usually a bit smaller at 22 to 24 inches. However, both sexes tend to look bigger than other dogs of a similar height, as they have very long necks. Siberian Huskies are a bit smaller, measuring between 19 and 24 inches and weighing between 35 and 60 pounds on average. The females are at the smaller end of the spectrum, and the males are at the larger end. As a result, you can expect Shepskies to be around the smaller range for German Shepherds, with males ranging from 22 to 25 inches and females ranging from 20 to 24 inches in height. When it comes to their weight, males tend to be between 50 to 80 pounds, while females weigh a bit less at 40 to 70 pounds. Shepsky puppies tend to have a distinctive wolf-like appearance, with pointed ears and long noses inherited from both parents. Their eyes will either be brown or blue, and some individuals might have the distinctive dual eye color often associated with huskies. Both parent breeds have a coat ideal for colder climates, so this is something that can be expected from their offspring. They typically have a dual coat with a dense, soft undercoat and another layer of more durable guard hairs on top. As German Shepherds can have either medium-to-long outer coats, the same is true of their Gerberian Shepsky offspring. They are almost never one solid color and will almost always be a mix of at least two different colors. One thing you can expect from all Shepsky coats is that they will be high shedding. Anyone with an allergy to dog hair should be wary about adopting a Shepsky! Gerberian Shepsky Temperament German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs, and they are also highly motivated to please, which makes them one of the most trainable dog breeds out there. This quality is also why they are such good working dogs. Siberian Huskies are also very intelligent, but they are far more independent. They have been bred to make challenging decisions while running across dangerous arctic territories, so problem-solving is a necessary skill. As a result, while your Shepsky will almost certainly be a very intelligent dog, they might be a bit more troublesome to train than a German Shepherd. Alternatively, they might choose to entertain themselves by digging or chewing. Both breeds were created to spend a lot of time with humans, with Huskies often staying indoors with their families for warmth. This means they tend to bond quickly with their people and are very good with smaller family members though very small children should never be left unsupervised with any dog. While German Shepherds tend to have guard dog-like protective instincts, Huskies are pack animals and enjoy the company of other dogs. So, it is difficult to predict whether your Shepsky crossbreed will display more alpha-like behavior or be more submissive and play well with other pets. Remember, proper socialization training can go a long way when it comes to ensuring that they play well with others regardless of their temperament. Neither parent breed tends to bark excessively, but your Shepsky will get vocal if they want to alert you to a threat. Huskies tend to howl rather than bark, so keep in mind you might end up with a Shepsky with an adorable howl that may disturb the neighbors. If you do find yourself with a barker, read our guide on dealing with excessive or nuisance barking. Overall, expect your dog to be high energy, combining the herding instinct of a German Shepherd with the running mandate of a Siberian Husky. Caring For A German Shepherd Husky Mix Shepskies tend to be highly trainable, so an experienced dog owner should be able to train them at home using basic positive reinforcement training. Shepskies do best when they have a large backyard where they can spend their energy. Remember, they can be escape artists, which means they need a space that is securely fenced. Fences at least six feet tall are recommended. In addition to having plenty of space, Shepskies need a lot of exercise. They should be taken outside at least twice a day for a minimum of minutes at a time. Dog parks where they can run around off-leash are ideal, as it lets them stretch their legs and burn off excess energy. Just make sure they have been properly socialized before letting them loose. They are not ideal pets for people who spend most of the week in the office or traveling for work. Expect your Shepsky to engage in destructive behavior when they are feeling the stress of abandonment. Shepskies tend to have fairly dry coats. Huskies do not have oily coats, and they will often pass this trait down to their crossbred children. Avoid excessive washing to prevent drying them out further. Regular brushing is advisable to remove shedding hair, since these dogs tend to shed a lot. This is both for their comfort and to make cleanup around the home a little more manageable for you. Shepsky Health Concerns Shepskies have a relatively long lifespan for dogs of their size, and you can expect them to live for around 10 to 14 years. Shepskies can develop joint conditions, particularly in their elbows and hips, which can lead to pain and discomfort moving as they age. Adequate exercise and an orthopedic bed that allows them to take the pressure off their joints are both useful tools in preventing these issues. This unique crossbreed can also be prone to developing eye conditions such as canine glaucoma, corneal dystrophy, juvenile cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Losing at least some of their eyesight in later life is a common concern. German Shepherd Husky mixes are also slightly more susceptible to developing epilepsy than most other breeds, though the condition is still relatively rare. Medications exist to help manage this condition. This can be prevented with regular cleaning and maintenance. You might be able to find a Gerberian Shepsky in a local shelter to adopt for a small fee, or you can opt to find a dedicated Shepsky breeder. Do Gerberian Shepskies shed a lot? Yes, German Shepherd Husky mixes shed a lot, and there is no getting around it. Both parent breeds have a thick winter coat that is prone to shedding, so this is a common characteristic in their offspring. If you are looking for a medium-sized low shedding dog, consider something with the Poodle breed in the mix, such as a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. Poodles have a low-shedding coat that they typically pass on to their crossbred offspring. Do German Shepherd Husky mixes smell? Many Huskies pass on their low-oil coat to their crossbred offspring. If you do adopt a Shepsky, remember not to bathe your dog too regularly. The lack of oil can make them prone to having dry skin, and excessive washing can exacerbate this problem. Do Shepskies get cold? Siberian Huskies were bred to deal with extreme cold, and German Shepherds also have a thick coat to deal with colder temperatures. This means their offspring are very well insulated against the cold, and you will almost never have to worry about them being uncomfortable in colder temperatures. Overheating, however, can be an issue, so always carry water when you go out. You will probably find that your Shepsky prefers to relax in cool, shady areas. What is an Alusky? This is a very popular designer breed, as they often have distinctive black and white patterning as well as an overall wolf-like appearance. What dog breeds are commonly mixed with Huskies? As well as German Shepherds, you will find a number of other dog breeds that make a good mix with a Husky. The Verdict On Shepskies If you are looking for a fun and energetic dog that will make a great addition to a boisterous and adventurous family, then a German Shepherd Husky mix can be a great choice. Shepskies are very family-friendly pets that are loyal and highly trainable, but they also need lots of love and attention to keep them healthy and happy. They have a distinctive wolf-like appearance, but are far from aggressive and are generally very good with children. However, they are known for their delightful wolf-like howl. Remember that crossbreed dogs are always somewhat unpredictable in their appearance and temperament, so ensure that you meet the dog you plan on adopting first before deciding whether to add them to your family. Shepskies are best for people who have quite a bit of space for their dog to play and usually have someone to keep them company at home. You will enjoy training your Shepsky yourself if you have a bit of experience with dogs, but steer clear if you have allergies, as they are big shedders! Do you have any experience raising a German Shepherd Husky mix? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.

Not only will you learn the skills you need to be successful, but your puppy will learn incredible manners and behaviors as well! Each puppy that comes from our kennel comes home with a beautiful Registration Certificate. Continuing this daily regimen is the easiest and best way to keep your pet on the path to perfect health! NuVet Plus is a lifetime product to help support their immune system and provide assistance to their optimal health. A strong immune system will protect them from environmental and food toxins such as back yard pesticides, hormones, germs from public places, and even toxic formaldehyde in furniture and carpeting. NuVet Plus is a full spectrum, immune system support supplement that contains over 30 different nutrient dense ingredients that well better equip puppies to get and stay healthy. She is already so comfortable here and so attached. She gets so excited every time she sees us. And she has such a sweet disposition Everything goes for her. She just rolls with it. She loves to play and has lots of playful energy when she chases behind a toy or plays tug of war. But she loves to cuddle too, and she can busy herself well too without complaint. Yesterday we left her home when we went on a walk and she never barked or whined and was fast asleep when we returned. She accepted her crate as if she had never known any other place to rest. She just crawls in there and rests when she is tired. And when she wakes up, she quietly plays until we take her out of the playpen. Her potty training is going well. A couple of accidents here and there, but most of the time we catch her before anything happens, and she always does her business right away when we put her on the grass patch we have on the patio. She is getting a treat when she does her business. So, she actually figured out that if she spares some pee and squats several times, she will get several treats. Only One treat for the first time, everything after does not get rewarded any more. Wow, I have never seen a puppy learning that fast. And loving to learn. Being really food driven helps. I could not think of a better quarantine buddy to brighten up our day. I think she will be an amazing therapy dog who brightens up the day if many more people. Oh, and did I mention she is absolutely beautiful? Thank you again for that gift, Michele. I hope you are all doing well and are coping with the many new puppies. Some stressful days ahead of you, I am sure. And you are the best puppy mom I have ever encountered. Lots of love to your whole beautiful family! What is a Red Golden Retriever? While Red Golden Retrievers can grow as big as a normal golden retriever, they are often smaller than most normal golden retrievers. Red Golden Retrievers are very similar to Golden Retrievers in many ways. The main difference besides their coat color is their energy levels. Red Retrievers were bred to aid in hunting birds and are known to be more athletic than standard Goldens. They need to be exercised more often to get all of their energy out. We stand by our pups, which is why we work alongside licensed veterinarians to ensure that our puppies are healthy and always up to date on their deworming and vaccination protocols. We also offer a 2-year genetic health guarantee on all of our puppies. That way, you can rest easy knowing your puppy is healthy and free from genetic defects and congenital diseases. Our mission is dedicated to connecting healthy, beautiful puppies with their forever families. Because their temperament is friendly, energetic, and patient. These pups are known for being loyal, intelligent, and devoted. Due to their higher energy levels they were bred to hunt after all , they do best with active families where they can get a lot of attention and are great with children. Luckily Red Retrievers and Goldens alike are known for their soft mouths since they were bred to hunt birds. The original Goldens came to be as a result of cross-breeding between various different breeds including: Water Spaniels, Yellow Retrievers, Irish Settlers, and Bloodhounds over several generations. In other words, all Golden Retriever subtypes including the English Cream Golden Retriever subtype , are members of the same family, or breed. Oftentimes, cheaper golden retriever puppies can ultimately cost you a LOT more money in the long run because they are more likely to have health issues. Are Red Goldens more expensive? Because of their elegant red coats and rarity, Red Goldens can be more expensive than certain other subtypes of Golden Retriever. Both are very similar in temperament, friendliness, socialness, health, and looks. They differ most in coat color, size, and energy. They are typically the smallest puppies of the litter and are more athletic meaning more energy to burn! How big is a full-grown Red Golden Retriever? The weight range for these sweet pups can be from pounds for full-grown males, and pounds for full-grown females. Additionally, these babies tend to stand at about inches tall, with males being on the taller end of the spectrum. Do Red Goldens shed? Yes, all types and variations of Golden Retrievers shed, and this is entirely normal for the breed. However, it is worth noting that because the Red Goldens often have a coat that is slightly shorter than typical Goldens, some owners claim they shed less overall. Problem solved! Are Red Golden Retrievers aggressive? The good news is— no, Red Golden Retrievers are not aggressive dogs by nature even with their higher energy levels. They still have the same sweet, calm, and lovable disposition which makes them a fantastic addition to any family to give plenty of attention to everyone including yours. Are Red Goldens more calm? Usually not, when compared to other subtypes of Golden Retrievers. While Red Golden Retrievers are much alike to Golden Retrievers with their high patience levels, they are known to have more energy. Are Red Golden Retrievers Rare? The gene manifests relatively rarely compared to other colors. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Azle, Texas Texas Licensed Breeder To keep up with our litters and new puppy information, please follow Bremer Kennels on Facebook using the link below. Or, you can put down a deposit. Russo Are you looking for quality Golden Retriever puppies for sale from a reputable professional breeder? We offer a two-year health guarantee. Our goal is to provide you a healthy, loving companion. We started breeding Golden Retrievers in .It has been an exciting journey to have Goldens in our kennel. Goldens are such loving and sweet dogs. They love the companionship that a person can offer. They are excellent with children, loving and protective as well. If you are interested in holding a puppy, please text Mayra at .For those who want to verify that Bremer Kennels is a legit business, please visit the Bremer Kennels Facebook page to see comments and pictures from our customers! Limited Registration no breeding rights. It was developed as a retrieving dog to use while hunting wild fowl. Today it is one of the most common family dogs as it is easy to handle, very tolerant and does not require very much of the owners, other than regular exercise. It is often affectionately known as Golden, or Goldi. Appearance A Golden Retriever reaches its full height at about one year of age, and its full weight at about two. They are natural clowns. This is a medium-large breed which in appearance is strikingly similar to the yellow Labrador Retriever, especially when young and especially those Goldens with lighter coats. To confuse the two breeds is a serious faux pas to a fancier of either, of course. Temperament Goldies are active and fun-loving but also exceptionally patient, as befits a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage is a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and an inordinate love for cool water. Like the Labrador, they are noted for their intelligence, their affection for people, and their tolerance of children. The other side of this is that they require lots of companionship to be happy. They do well in obedience trials and make excellent guide dogs. While they might not do quite as well in field trials as Labrador Retrievers, they are excellent hunters that are famous for their outstanding scenting abilities. They are exceptionally eager to please their owners. The Golden Retriever loves to retrieve. Retrieving a thrown stick, tennis ball, or frisbee can keep a Golden occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if there is also water involved. For many years, there was controversy over which breeds were originally crossed; especially popular was a romantic story concerning the purchase of a whole troupe of Russian sheepdogs from a visiting circus. Color Color ranges from nearly blonde to this dark golden coat. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was then common in the border country. Majoribanks had purchased Nous on from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated Retriever pups. In , this cross produced a litter that included four bitch pups. These four became the basis of a breeding program which included Red Setter, sandy-coloured Bloodhound, St Johns Water Dog of Newfoundland , Springer Spaniel, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers. This vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers but that would still be exceptionally good with people and thus gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds. In , the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was officially changed to Golden Retriever in .The Hon. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries.